gkshaw63 Reviews

Mrs. Worthington's Party (2007)

Not the Christmas movie I was looking for.

[4/10 · 24 December 2023]

It's Christmas and I'm swiping through movie titles. This films title was listed as Noelle and apparently starred a young Robert Redford. I REALLY wanted to love, enjoy, or at least like this film. I didn't. And it wasn't Redford.

The sets and secondary casting are fine. The story is better than good and refreshingly orginal. The cinematography was quality. But the acting... it was bad. I mean really, really bad. The primary actors pulled the whole film down to at best a B grade movie. The supporting cast had several moments of levity which if developed could have pushed the movie into the charming range. But unfortunately the moment would pass and you really weren't invested enough in any of the characters to care.

From what I've read David Wall is in no way related to Robert Redford. However he has either made a study of Redfords style, expressions, etc or doppelgangers are real. He doesn't just favor Redford, the likeness is so eerie it's distracting. Unfortunately his poor acting kept me grounded in the reality of him not being Robert Redford.

I didn't see it as either pro or anti Catholicism. Just people questioning their faith.

The Terminal List (2022– )

It Really Is THAT Good

[8/10 · 14 July 2022]

I was ready to write this off as a "SEAL vs the civilian world" murder story, and it's there but so much more intriguing and unexpected. Lots of players in the plot.

I also was not expecting such a good performance from Chris Pratt. He played it very serious and grim but his humor slipped in on occasion.

Triggers: lots of gunshot victims, many at point blank. It was very difficult to watch at times as there were many BUD/S flashbacks and I have skin in that game.

Knives Out (2019)

I REALLY wanted to love this...

[4/10 · 21 February 2022]

.. but I didn't. So many people recommended it and from previews it certainly looked like the type I enjoy. Lots of great actors, cool house, okay plot. It just didn't come together like it should have and I'm not sure why. Daniel Craig's bad accent didn't help. I tend to watch a film multiple times but twice was more than enough for me to get my fill.

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

Ignore the accents

[8/10 · 19 October 2021]

Gary Oldman is fantastic! The movie is solid if only you can ignore the terrible accents and Keanu Reeves weak performance. A definite classy Halloween goto.

Eminence Hill (2019)

Bad Everything

[2/10 · 4 October 2021]

Bad acting. Bad script. Bad lighting. OMG it was just terrible. The costumes were ok but no not really.

Story might have been interesting but it was hard to get past the rest to appreciate it's originality. Occasional nudity and profanity were tossed in an attempt to keep the viewer interested.

Really not worth the time.

Tin Man (2007)

Maybe with a different cast

[5/10 · 11 February 2021]

Big budget sets/effects/etc but the cast could have been much better. Interesting twist on Oz story.

The Dig (2021)

Even Better Than I'd Hoped

[10/10 · 7 February 2021]

Not one scene too many, not one shot too long. A great story and terrific cast.

The Three Musketeers (2011)

Surprisingly Disappointing

[4/10 · 6 February 2021]

An all star supporting cast did not save this film. Truly some of my all time favorite actors surrounded the very lame leading man but it was not enough to disguise his bad acting. The sets were beautiful, costumes were lush BUT the dialog was terrible and what was up with the hair?! I gave it 4 stars only on the merit of the supporting cast.

Come to the Stable (1949)

Sweet and Funny

[9/10 · 23 January 2021]

This is a holiday favorite! Loretta Young is wonderful as a persistent but lovely nun. Celeste Holmes is precious as a young French tennis pro turned nun. The way duo power through the nay sayers to reach their goal is both touching and funny.

Enchantment (1948)

Give it a bit..

[7/10 · 23 January 2021]

I didn't love this at first but I'm a big fan of David Niven. So glad I stayed with it! Shadows of an estrogen fueled Wuthering Heights, but it's a very sweet story and Niven is very convincing as an old man. Wish I could have seen it on the big screen as the sets looked very detailed. And though I am a fan of B/W films, I found myself thinking I'd love to see the dresses in color.. I know, an unforgettable sin.

Love the Coopers (2015)

Should Be on Your Christmas Watch List

[8/10 · 23 December 2020]

Can't figure out why it deserves bad reviews.. it's a Christmas movie so it can sappy. It really is much better than most Lifetime/Hallmark holiday movies and has a really good soundtrack.

The characters are real and relatable. Doesn't everybody have an aunt who's real name is unknown? Who doesn't have some degree of a sibling rivalry with their sister? And I know I'm not the only one who's been freaked at the unattainable Norman Rockwell expectations of the holidays, ever trying to be the child I think my family wants. I could imagine each of the characters sitting amongst my family at a holiday dinner.

This movie checks all the Christmas movie boxes: comedy, romance, redemption, good music, snow.

Congo (1995)

So Much Potential

[5/10 · 24 November 2019]

Ddisappointing. This is a very good book, but as is the norm, does not play well on the screen. Good actors giving bad performances. Blame the director? Maybe. Definitely watchable but in the way you have background music playing while you watch YouTube vids or read the news.