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The Flash (2023)
Really enjoyed this
Such a good movie! Great pacing all the way through, character development was perfection. Yes there is a little too much reliance on CGI but it's a roller-coaster ride. Ezra Miller is just perfect in this role, as always. I've been a fan of the Flash tv series from the beginning and I think that helped me understand some of the concepts in this movie but I don't think it's a requirement to have seen it.
Some of the cameos brought a tear to my eye and I found them to be very respectful of the franchise. Some are so subtle that I'm sure I missed them so keep your eyes peeled.
Overall a fantastic movie, highly recommended.
Star Trek: Picard: The Last Generation (2023)
Perfection
This final episode will leave your heart soaring, the old camraderie, the impending doom, the way they all saved the world by working together,. Playing to their strengths and recognizing their human connection above all.
I cried when Seven was promoted. Punched the air when Jack took his seat on the deck. Laughed when Worf started snoring, gasped when the Borg Queen was revealed.
Anyone, like me, who has been a treky for life will appreciate the nods to the past but also welcome the fact that it doesn't dwell there for too long, leaving a future wide open.
This can not be the end, too much good lies here. The cast and crew have just begun.
The School for Good and Evil (2022)
Such Fun!
A traditional story of good versus evil with a great cast, stunning costumes, funky soundtrack and a cast featuring some traditional lauded actors and a whole batch of up and comers who all hold their own.
Came in to this expecting a whole bucket of cheese poured on some kind of whitch school storyline but it really was so much better. The two protagonists get transported to a world where good and evil are separated in to two schools but plot twist, the girl who thinks she's a princess ends up in the school for evil...
From the second I saw the two schools I was IN, amazing costumes, vibrant, fun characters, not your typical storyline at all.
Sophia Wylie was a stand out and absolutely someone to watch in the future, Charlize and Kerry look like they had soooo much fun filming this and it showed on screen. My only ? Was the casting of Sophia Anne Caruso there was just a little too much subtlety in her performance that it was drowned out by the magnificence of it all.
I also want to note a disturbing trend in the negative reviews where they all seem to rail against Netflix - I just want them to know, you can cancel, it's real easy.
Overall it was a great watch and I look forward to a sequel.
The Man from Toronto (2022)
For the fight scenes alone. Watch it.
The chemistry between Hart and Harelson is a slow burn but this is a fun movie with some amazing, creative fight scenes. Hart plays his usual hapless goofball and doesn't disappoint in being endearing but also slightly annoying. Character development was spot on, just enough to keep you engaged. WlThe storyline was actually believable and well written with a good roster of 'bad guys'. A really enjoyable Sunday morning family watch, great pacing, not lingering too long on the slow down. I'd happily watch a sequel or even a prequel. Of course it's a typical buddy movie but with a little extra zing.
Monster (2022)
Unwatchable for all the wrong reasons
I really wanted to 'enjoy' this, I've watched several documentaries about Dahmer so a series that focused on the victims was absolutely interesting to me as they are so often forgotten and I hoped this show would address WHY he was able to get away with it for so long but despite some excellent acting, beautiful cinematography and well handeled details of the murders - not overtly gruesome or gratuitous - the whole thing was like wading through treacle.
I will admit I threw in the towel halfway through the 4th episode.
The storyline was shot out of order for no particular reason I could decern which lead me wondering 'which victim is this'?, So much detail was poured in to his relationship with his parents or lack thereof, seriously the 'blame the parents' thing again? Were we meant to feel sorry for him?
Disappointing.
The Good Fight: And the Court Had a Clerk... (2021)
Continuing to stay totally on topic. We need this show.
This show has me riveted every episode and this one is no different.
The constant evolution of the characters is just a beauty to behold.
This episode, as many do, focused on a current 'hot topic' in a way a lay person can understand but also with humor. Loved how they played it. The Copy Coop Court continues and so continues the wonderful presence of Mandy Patinkin (can't get enough of him), and weirdly it's oddly believable and comforting.
Jane Lynch is back as the FBI agent, a tad softer than in previous episodes IMO and with sound effects that had me laughing out loud, we need to see more.
Carmen continues to ruffle feathers whilst looking freaking awesome - haven't made my mind up on her - friend or foe?
This show gives me Newsroom vibes and I'm here for it. If you're tired of this show, you're tired of life.
Supergirl: Blind Spots (2021)
Save Your 'Im triggered' rants for another show
So many shows have tackled the racial injustices that have been brought to the forefront recently and to be honest to ignore the issue would have been neglectfull. Supergirl has touched on the issues but his episode went full on.
The storyline tracked, it brought in so much of what was already established and added its own splash of ridiculous as expected - massive cat distracted by laser eyes anyone?
This made for uncomfortable viewing at times and some people don't like that, they're too weak to confront the truth but it was spot on. I loved the end where we saw an at home, version of a conversation we all need to have.
Cinderella (2021)
Joyous, beautiful, Uplifting
We needed a modern take on this ages old story that is relatable and included some rocking good music.
I honestly enjoyed this so much and can't understand how anyone couldn't love it.
The cast is glorious, not a misstep, the costumes almost outshine the cast, the ,music will have you singing along - joy, pure joy.
My only criticism would be that the step sisters were not cruel enough, making them a little compassionate was one of the many deviations from the standard story but this one I wasn't as keen on.
I'm fairly certain most of the haters are from the US where they struggle with progressivism and lack a funny bone.
This isn't Cinders for your toddler, its for grown up.
Loved the town crier, loved the Princes best friend, loved the 'ugly' sisters, loved the fairy godmother (I need a Billy Porter in my life), loved the sassy princess, loved Princess Tatiana (I am a frickin queen).
Leave all preconceptions behind and ust ENJOY
I'd love to see this on the stage to be honest, it would totally translate.
Yas! Future Queen Yas!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shades of Gray (1989)
Don't Bother
Watching this episode will have you on the edge of your seat ... reaching for the off button. It's horrible, just horrible. My only question is ,Why!', for the love of Q, why! Not even the dashing Patrick Stewart who of course, looks sublime in every shot, can save this episode. Do yourself a favor and skip this one.
Obsession: Dark Desires (2013)
Something to put on in the background while you do the ironing
The format is a common one, we have the victim retelling events that happened to them while actors act out the story.. The stories are very, very repetitive and as a woman , very disturbing but interesting, in particular how those around the victims are powerless to stop what's going on in most cases.
The one thing that is beyond annoying are the dodgy American accents from the British cast, why this was done like this is beyond me but it was so distracting, especially the southern accents which verged on the comical.
Emily in Paris (2020)
Beyond Bad
I couldn't get past 4 episodes before the tired cliches had me throwing things at the tv.
GOOD - the clothes, as a fashioning i was pleased
BAD - The representation of the French and French culture was straight out if a 70's movie written by someone who never set foot on French soil
UGLY - The storyline, sending a rookie halfway across the world to represeyour company? Hahaha, I couldn't get past how dumb that was.
Watch Amelie then Sex and the City.
Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
I'm Only Writing this to Counter The Bad reviews
So many people missing the point of this i had to write a review. This isn't a good guy/bad guy show, there were no winners or loosers, this was a show about truth and living authentically, not letting anyone define you. If you can't be interested in a story unless it has a hero and a villan and a nice happy ending then this isn't for you maybe a Disney movie is more your speed.
Yes Kerry Washington's facial expressions are a bit much but I saw it as her constanlty holding back, holding the truth, lying to all around her, the expressions were a manifestation of that inner turmoil that she knew was close to being revieled, after all Pearl was getting older. Of course her character made everything about race, this was the 90's when race relations in America were on a knife edge (lets face it when aren't they). A wealthy white woman hires a poor black woman as her maid - race cannot be ignored.
Mia didn't 'steal anyone's baby, her child, her DNA so at worst she reneged on a contractual agreement. Bebe took her baby back because the judgement was unfair, the adoption wasn't final and she had been looking for her child from the minute she realized she was gone. Just because you're rich and you want something doesn't mean you're entitled to it.
Its worth noting I didn't read the book but I intend to now. Not because I expect them to be the same but I hope to find out more about the history of the characters.
There was so much in this show to unpack, if you weren't entertained and enlightened then rewatch.
Community: Basic Lupine Urology (2012)
Epic - Best Episode Hands Down
If you love Law & Order and you love Community you may, like me, practically faint at every dun dun! The pacing, the cameo (wow), Shirley as Van Buren, the jokes, the Miranda rights, the trenchcoats perfection!
As far as homages go this is pretty perfect and will be the litmus test for all friendships in the future, don't like this episode, we can't be friends.
Filthy Rich (2020)
Disappointing
I really wanted to like this, the premise was good and juicy, the cast interesting but the pace and storyline let it down. Kim does her best to hold the whole thing together but it's not enough, some of the other actors are so pantomime-ish it's hard to watch.
SPOILERS
I couldn't understand how so many people met the Reverend on his journey back but didn't have a clue who he was? I could only suspend my disbelief so much.
Edited to add: Just started watching New Zealand version and right out if the gate its better, not trying to be something its not and doesn't have as many plot holes as the US version. I dropped another star just because of this, how could the US version get it so wrong, they should have gone fore Shameless but they shot for Dynasty and failed.
Boy Bye (2016)
Ok Sunday Afternoon Movie
The cast is pretty good, acting slightly above average even mildly funny in places, dialogue a little cheesy but bearable. Hated the narration as it didnt add anything at all, just told you what was happening on screen for the most part. All the beautiful people in one place, trying to find and hold on to love at that pivitol point in your life when you decide to find 'the one'. If youve got a couple of hours to kill its worth it But it's strictly for the girls.
Yes all the actors are black but it's no big deal. How many films have you seen with zero people of colour in it?