This film was tragically terrible. 1 Star for dialogue, 0 Star for acting and 2 Stars for nudity. There was some occasional humor, usually from the fake priest, but the dialogue was so lame it was laughable.
Reviews
73 Reviews
Enola Holmes
(2020)
Millie Bobbie Brown
24 September 2020
The charming Millie Bobbie Brown saved what otherwise was a predictable story with a multitude of holes. Her moments of talking to the audience were delightful. Chalfin made a perfectly despicable Mycroft Holmes although Cavill's character as Sherlock was a bit understated. That character showed some expertise but was typically behind the talents of his sister, Enola which I suppose should be how the story would go. Regardless of the shortcomings of the overall story the film was extremely enjoyable and fun to watch. Burn Gorman and Fiona Shaw were both excellent in their respective roles.
Departure
(2019–2022)
A Jigsaw puzzle
17 September 2020
Just like a Jigsaw Puzzle that is highlighted on a table the solution for determining the reason for a flight from NYC to London crashing into the ocean is like a puzzle. I think the story and the acting so far through two episodes has been stellar. Sorry to those who like formula tv programs in which the mystery is conveniently solved in the last 5 minutes. I find those programs so predictable that they are extremely boring. Peacock original programing has been high quality when there is such abysmal programing on traditional, commercial tv. And, there are no commercials - a definite perk.
Murder on the Orient Express
(2017)
Horrible Remake
22 August 2020
Not sure why classics are remade but if they are they should be an improvement. In this case, as typical of reboots, this one was a miserable mistake. The only thing meaningful was a stellar cast but even that failed.
Midway
(2019)
Ultimately disappointing
21 July 2020
This film had incredible battle scenes, extraordinary special effects and a very good cast. But, it seems all their resources were for those and not for script writers or direction. The dialogue at times was abysmal and the the acting was often reminiscent of high school plays. The story did, however, stay pretty much on track historically. Worth a look only but ultimately disappointing.
Homecoming
(2018–2020)
Season 1 exceptional but....
10 July 2020
Season 1 was exceptional but Season 2 came up short. Season 1 was an introduction to something that seemed a little off and took virtually all of the 10 episodes to unravel. Season 2 had its moments but unfortunately those moments (usually the episodes that featured Chris Cooper) were limited. Assuming there is a Season 3 there needs to be some serious improvements made.
Hamilton
(2020)
Entertaining but...
4 July 2020
Hamilton was entertaining although the music is just not something I enjoy listening to. The acting was superb and I prefer watching plays that have been recorded as a stage production and not as a movie. But, the biggest drawback for me that even though it did present some of Hamilton's drawbacks it failed to cover the fact that he purchased slaves (even though many of the characters in the play are black) and as a Federalist he wanted a government that included a President and members of Congress to be elected for life terms. He thought that the English form of government was the best even though they had fought a war to rid themselves from that kind of rule. The end of the play suggested he was a hero and I suppose as one who fought against English rule he was but as a man he was something of a failure.
The Maltese Falcon
(1941)
A Classic with Shortcomings
29 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Of all the Humphrey Bogart films this was one of his better films but failed to measure up to Casablanca and The African Queen. As much as I liked John Huston films, this film was a little presumptuous in its development. Sam Spade (Humphrey) takes on a case from a woman (Mary Astor) and he later tells her he didn't believe her story and she admits to lying and even says she's tired of all the lying. Regardless, Spade and Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Astor) become romantically involved. Spade's associate/partner is murdered and he acts indifferently about it. As much as the mystery aspect is well done there are inconsistencies with the criminals' actions. Also, actors were apparently directed to "overact" at times to make the scene more intense and when this occurred with Spade it seemed to be out of character since otherwise he was totally in control of his emotions. Sydney Greenstreet as one of the criminals was subtlety brilliant in his role. A young Peter Lorre, as an associate to Greenstreet, was threatening with his looks but had virtually no lines (possibly because he was not yet that familiar with English). In any event, the movie as a whole is entertaining even with its shortcomings.
Bombshell
(I) (2019)
Nothing really new
21 June 2020
Roger Ailes was a lecherous old man in the same cloth as Harvey Weinstein. It was good that women came forward to expose him but I'm sure that Roger Murdoch was totally aware of what an evil person he was but supported Ailes because of the success he brought to Fox News. Unfortunately, the women who exposed him were horrible in other ways so it was difficult to find any merit in any of these women. Megyn Kelly eventually went on to NBC but was ultimately fired because of her outlandish political views. As an expose film it provided little new information that wasn't already known. The biggest tragedy was the fact that so many were afraid to come forward because of the fear of being fired and not being able to find other employment because of the power of Ailes and Murdoch (even though that was conveniently left out of the film).
Sweet Magnolias
(2020– )
Predictable but entertaining
26 May 2020
I started watching because my wife wanted to watch it. There is a lot of predictable scenes and characters but the story and the characters were so appealing that it was easy to be pulled into this series. The issues and challenges that both the adults and the teenagers endured are realistically portrayed. I found myself both hoping for the best for them all and at the same time being upset because of what they tried to avoid in dealing with problems. A tv series that presents real life moments.
Hightown
(2020–2024)
Need to watch again
18 May 2020
I really need to watch episode 1 again. It was a difficult watch because of all the drug and alcohol use as well as jumping around from scene to scene with little connection indicated. This might be a fantastic series with a better understanding of what is occurring. It requires concentration and any diversion makes it difficult to know who the characters are and their purpose in the story.
Tommy
(2020)
Excellent Show
9 May 2020
Excellent show with fantastic writing and acting. It tackled misogyny, the lawless ICE as well as corporate and political corruption. And, of course it was cancelled. Apparently some didn't like the subject matter because it rang too true. And, there weren't no obligatory car chase scenes or 5 minutes of running down streets and alleys chasing down criminals. And, there were no sex scenes which seem to be required in most programing today. So it's understandable that this kind of programing would get cancelled.
I Am Not Okay with This
(2020)
Looking forward to Season 2
1 May 2020
Sofia Lillis is an outstanding actor. She was great in It and Sharp Objects in supporting roles. But, now as the lead in I'm Not Okay With This she really shines. It's a slow burn with a "wow" finale. Looking forward to Season 2.
Broke
(I) (2020)
Disappointing
11 April 2020
I really wanted to like this show because of Pauley Perrette but this comedy is just not funny. Better writers and better actors might make this show more watchable but I'm not sure Pauley is suited for comedy except to be quirky like her character was on NCIS. Even, with that said, she was the only one not pathetic on the first episode of Broke. But I don't think loyalty to her will salvage this mistake.
Stay
(I) (2005)
Incredible
11 April 2020
The cinematography alone is worth the time to watch this film. Ryan Gosling was extraordinary as a tortured art student and Ewan McGregor as the psychiatric doctor matched Gosling's intensity. Naomi Watts was adequate in her supporting role. For me, this was a mixture of David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock and was masterfully presented in an almost psychedelic fashion. There is absolutely no predictability and even at the end of the movie it left me questioning what I just watched and made me want to watch a second time to see clues that might explain the story more fully. This is not a recent film but definitely stands up to the passage of time and is one I would recommend. It's quite an incredible ride.
Chicago Med
(2015– )
Degenerating
26 March 2020
Every episode Dr. Halstead or Dr. Manning or both get involved with a case or cases that is/are outside the norm and and puts them in conflict with the Administration. They are put into positions of being tested for morality vs hospital procedure or rules. It's almost like the writers really are limited in their originality. After awhile the weekly episodes become challenging and tiresome to watch. Of the three "Chicago" programs it has become the most predictable and the least entertaining. And, when it started it may have been the most original of the three. It may be time to seek other and more imaginative writers.
Disappointed
15 February 2020
McGyver could never been considered Award Winning but this episode eliminated the one entertaining piece of the show: how he takes everyday articles and converts them into necessary items or equipment in order to assist the team in completing a mission. The removal of George Eads, one of the more interesting and real characters, last Season was a mistake. But, this episode degenerated into a formulaic program of the worst kind with holes of how four wanted individuals some how travelled on whatever without capture. The ending, likewise, was poorly scripted and delivered. This show replaced Magnum PI which still has some merit, unlike this mess.
NCIS
(2003– )
Lack of character relationships
25 January 2020
I have enjoyed NCIS since it's origin even after Kate (Sasha Alexander) left with the addition of Ziva (Cote de Pablo). Ziva's departure was difficult but I eventually accepted Ellie (Emily Wickersham). But when Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) left whoever made the decision to replace him with Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) made a serious error in judgement; nothing against the actor but his arrogance has failed to match the lovable arrogance of DiNozzo. But the absolute worst decision was adding Kasie Hines (Dion Reasonover) to the cast replacing the second most popular character Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), the first being Ziva. I really never cared about the weekly stories since they were all formulaic but the relationships between characters was the most important. Now, that is the flaw with this show. The characters really don't relate all that well.
FBI: Most Wanted
(2020– )
Poor Sequel
11 January 2020
The original FBI series is unrealistic and formulaic but there is good chemistry with the characters which makes it worth watching. The first episode of this series had an incredibly poor script, characters totally lacking any chemistry and a lead actor that either lacks acting skills or is forced by the Director look totally foolish. I usually try to give new programs at least two viewings before I decide on its value but in this case I don't see anything that merits watching a second showing.
Shakey Start
11 January 2020
I like many of the actors in this Serial but some of the storyline seems either improbable or lacking development as well as sometimes cheesey. Also, it is one more show on commercial tv in which the dramatic background music often overwhelms the dialogue. But, there is enough promise to give it another viewing. Often, first episodes can be disappointing but can improve with subsequent shows, which must be determined.
The Report
(I) (2019)
An important film
11 December 2019
This film details the investigation of torture tactics adopted by the CIA following 9/11. It is based on actual incidents and facts that were uncovered over a 5 year period of time. The most troubling fact beyond the atrocities committed against suspected terrorists was the subsequent cover up committed by the CIA. Adam Driver delivers an outstanding performance as Daniel Jones, the individual tasked to research claims of wrong doing. Also, it was unsettling that part of the cover up was supported by members of Congress because it could create political ramifications. I'm sure there are still those who support the torture of suspected terrorists in spite of the rules established by Geneva Convention that forbids torture (some claim that our enemies do it and that is their justification). And the worst truth that came from this movie was the fact that no one within the CIA or in our Administration (who were aware of or even supported the CIA) was punished as a result of the findings.
Shazam!
(2019)
Disappointing
3 December 2019
Watched on the basis of Zachary Levi and Mark Strong but, as with virtually all DC Films, I was totally disappointed. It had some interesting CGI moments but the story was not at all interesting and Levi just didn't pull off a teen in an adult body. The culmination of the film was not all that original. I was impressed by the beginning of the movie as a young boy is transported into another realm who failed to pass the test. Following the first half hour the movie became tedious to watch even though I completed it just to see the eventual outcome. Many films like this make me interested in a possible sequel but not this one. I generously gave this a 5 Star rating but I'm thinking it was mostly because of Mark Strong and some of the Special Effects.
Exceptional
11 November 2019
I have to admit that the title attracted me to watch Season 1. But, I was quickly hooked in watching two quirky teens struggle with their lives to find salvation in each other. It has elements of a Rom-Com but went so much deeper than that. Both Seasons were Binge Worthy and I was delightfully surprised there was a Second Season because of the ending to Season 1. Netflix provides some exceptional entertainment and this is one of those exceptional series. A Third Season to see where this somewhat dysfunctional couple go next? That would be exceptional.
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