barakatmichael Reviews

Napoleon (2023)

Ridley Scott, the insulter of Napoleon's legacy

[4/10 · 1 December 2023]

Reducing such a great man to a drunken, careless and hysterical character is, in my opinion, a great insult for one of the history's greatest.

Joaquin and Vanessa were amazing just like usual. I really low strong and rich their acting is. The battles also looked nice even though they weren't necessarily 100% accurate. In fact, Napoleon worked relentlessly for France and his army. He truly loved Josephine and wrote perfect poems for her. But where did all his achievements go? Code civil, changing Paris, organizing his court... nothing was really mentioned. Napoleon was film in a whole different wrong point of view.

I really expected more from this movie.

Manifest (2018–2023)

Shifted into none-sense

[3/10 · 29 November 2023]

The season 1 honestly made me feel like this is a really interesting series. Nevertheless, it quickly became boring and I felt like they created tangled and illogical events just to make it longer. They quickly shifted from something special to have a dull show.

The actors also weren't just convincing with their performances. Many characters lacked depth and it would've been nice if they really were developed. Hard emotional situations seemed quickly to be resolved for the sake to move on with the story. Plus, many characters like Ben Stone seemed to be solving callings quite easily which is a bit lame.

Dubai Bling (2022– )

Promoting selfishness

[1/10 · 22 January 2023]

This series is so messed up that they promote selfishness and spending extra amounts of money on useless stuff. I give them 1 star for showing the ugly truth of today's society. Not thinking about others and love only oneself. It also gave a very superficial idea about Dubai and specially about Lebanese women. I was seriously disgusted with this show! I mean is there such shallow and stupid people living on Earth? They just blasted the Arabic culture shattering it into a million pieces. I'm pretty sure that the Emirati society, in particular, and the Arab world, in general, have deeper and bigger values than this!

Notre-Dame (2022)

Clickbait

[3/10 · 7 November 2022]

I felt so upset after watching this. I felt like i received a clickbait and i fell into it. The burning of Notre Dame is just an element in many complicated stories. They wanted to create some drama but it felt so dull. I expected more. To top it all, i was so annoyed that the element of "urgency" is absent. I mean, there's a huge fire going on in one of the most important monuments! Some actors were also deceiving with their performance while others acted greatly. Honestly, it could've been a lot better. My review may seem harsh but it's an honest opinion about what I felt watching every single moment.

The Office (2005–2013)

Best Sitcom ever!

[10/10 · 2 April 2022]

This is by far the best sitcom i've ever watched even passing my all-time favorite show, Friends. I laughed so hard at this show specially starting season 2. The characters are just hilarious and the jokes as well as puns are awesome. The whole storyline is beautiful and well orchestrated like the love relation between Jim and Pam.

Past season 7, I felt the show lost a bit of sparkle with the departure of Michael Scott. I also hates some characters in the last couple of seasons like Robert California and Andy Bernard. Nonetheless, this show will always be awesome and the finale just left me in tears. I guess i'll miss watching this comedy.

New Amsterdam (2018–2023)

Unrealistic on so many levels

[2/10 · 14 November 2021]

Honestly, we'd love to see such hospital with such medical director and dedicated doctors. But such healthcare business cannot exist expect in a utopia.

I work in a OR and honestly I've seen so many "medical" errors done. Yeah, I know, it's a show after all but how can you operate on a beating heart without even intubating the person and directing the blood into an external circulation. In other words, you mean to create a medical drama, there must be a minimum amount of logic! On the other hand, I've worked in so many hospitals and I've never seen a medical director present in every department in such short amount of time, and he carries boxes too! I mean every person has a job in a hospital.

Distributing insurance cards for people so they could get care without a single dime is just too exaggerated. I'd dream of a healthcare system where everyone can be provided by medical care without money but it's impossible.

In the end, it's an American drama so the "outcome" will always be positive and I honestly hate predictable shows.

The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)

Clever Sitcom

[8/10 · 23 February 2021]

One of my favorite comedy shows. I really liked how smart it is and irregular! Sheldon & Leonard meet Penny, their new neighbor, and since then this "gang" grows to include some really funny characters like Raj, Wolowitz, Bernadette ... i really loved how dumb and "nerds" they'd be sometimes while completely being smart on the other hand. It is really fun to watch!

Alias Grace (2017)

Interesting crime story

[6/10 · 12 January 2021]

It's quite interesting and I was pretty amazed that they can tell such a beautiful story in only 6 episodes. All along, Grace seemed so honest and innocent telling why she was condemned to dr. Jordan. I never imagined, however, the ending would be like this. After a hypnosis session, it was revealed that she was possessed by the soul of Mary, her friend that she died due to miscarriage. I never imagined she'd end up getting married to jamie.

Pieces of a Woman (2020)

Wonderful acting

[8/10 · 8 January 2021]

It's the best performance i've seen of Vanessa Kirby, not to forget the amazing acting of Shia Labeouf and Molly. The one act during the "giving birth scene" is just breathtaking. I literaly was on the end of my nerves watching that scene. Even though the acting was so surreal and breathtaking, it failed to reached a great ending. I mean I loved her stance in front of the court liberating the midwife of a burden that was so heavy but the ending should've been better.

Bridgerton (2020– )

Another romantic saga

[7/10 · 3 January 2021]

I found it hard to believe that the events were taking place in the 19th centuries. I felt that the costumes were very fancy to that "age" and i felt the acting is more "modern". I don't know of this was intentional. However, the production is quite good even though we have seen that "storyline" before. A noble lady looking for a prestigious match when she falls in love with a handsome and rich duke of Hastings. He has complexes due to a firm father so she's the hero who's going to change me for the better.

I really loved the idea that the Queen Charlotte is black and that many black actors are nobles. This was really nice taking into account the history of slavery and racism.

In the end, it's fun to watch.

Friends (1994–2004)

Best sitcom ever

[10/10 · 24 November 2020]

I've watched Friends so many times and I really love this series. Light comedy about 3 guys and 3 girls who know each other and even some fell in love with others. The best character is Chandler and I love how his relationship with Monica developed to reach the marriage. Every character has his/her characteristic and you will really love them.

How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014)

Complicated comedy

[8/10 · 22 November 2020]

I loved the series especially that you feel a bit lost when you try to find out who's Ted's wife is gonna be. The storyline takes you back and forth. Will Ted end up with Robin or Barney will? It's quite funny and you'll enjoy watching this series.

I felt sometime that there are lots of common stuff between HIMYM & Friends. Lots of "plagia" there.

Fifty Shades Freed (2018)

Boring

[4/10 · 9 November 2019]

Amidst the film, I got really bored for the lack of an exciting story line. I was expecting more of a thrill because of the ending of FS darker.

London Has Fallen (2016)

Another action movie

[4/10 · 8 November 2019]

Yes this is another American movie showing how strong they are in defending their president disturbing every plot for rescuing him. I mean the bodyguard is indestructible!

You will not be very hype about it because eventually you'll know what will happen even though the cinematography is good

Hustlers (2019)

Eye opening but dull

[5/10 · 28 September 2019]

The movie is based on a true story which made me hype to see it. As soon as I started watching, I felt really sorry for these women who have to go through a lot to support their families.

However, the plot was really interesting and the way things turned hadn't had a huge impact on the story line. It just got boring with every minute but I guess it's good to see it in order to lay an eye on another "ugly side of this business"

I liked how Jlo played a really daring role

Bird Box (2018)

Woman's dedication

[6/10 · 17 August 2019]

Malorie's dedication to save Boy and Girl was really inspiring. Girl isn't really her daughter but she wanted to save her nevertheless. I kept looking forward to knowing what's that weird creature taking over the sane people and killing them, while dazzling the insane. However, as Malorie reached the blind house, we didn't have any clue of what was that thing! But why leave some things shadowed?

The Lion King (2019)

Disney Nostalgia

[8/10 · 17 August 2019]

Another perfect reproduction of Disney's all-time classic! Full of comedy and drama, they respected the same story-line! Little Simba was really cute. Some scenes felt so real that it amazed me!

Lion (2016)

A true drama

[7/10 · 17 August 2019]

The love between a man and his brother is well translated in this movie. A poor family struggled and the bigger brother had to get money by all means. Left at an unknown train station, you will live an intense feeling following his journey. Based on a true story, this movie will make you cry!

I Am Legend (2007)

Another Will Smith big hit

[8/10 · 17 August 2019]

I am a big fan of Will Smith and I really enjoyed watching this movie. Robert is a really dedicated man, he tried his best to find the "cure" and even killed himself for the sake of others. You'd be standing on your toes waiting for what's going to happen and you'd feel really sad sometimes (specially when his dog died)

Aladdin (2019)

Perfect reproduction

[8/10 · 17 August 2019]

It was honestly really good! The production is just perfect. Colors mingled to create the perfect scenes. They really succeeded in keeping the same storyline and introduced some women empowerment through Jasmin. It is really fun to watch and you won't get disappointed if you're a Disney fan!

What Men Want (2019)

Overrated

[5/10 · 17 August 2019]

I felt excited to watch the movie as soon as I've seen the trailer but I kind of felt disappointed after seeing it. I was expecting what I was going to see but I expected more fun and comedy.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Another superhero saga

[6/10 · 17 August 2019]

The production is really awesome and the twist of shifting good and evil was really nice. However, it kind of resembles all the other superhero movies with nothing "different" to add. However, I loved the idea of the woman as captain Marvel.

The Christmas Tango (2011)

Good Greek Drama

[7/10 · 17 August 2019]

Falling in love can put you in the weirdest situations sometimes. A beautiful Greek drama that takes place in the army and it's really nice to watch.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Typical Hero Movie

[6/10 · 12 May 2019]

I wasn't expecting much knowing that it will be about a superhero but I expected more thrilling action. I really liked the idea they promoted: the one who hasn't got power will cherish it once he has it. Another good idea was that the serum used made the evil worse and the good great. Many scenes showed great patriotism, of corse. In the end, it's entertaining but not that thrilling

A Star Is Born (2018)

Drama/romance

[7/10 · 4 May 2019]

The movie is good in the bigger picture. However, there were some dull parts that I feel should've been removed. Nonetheless, the movie is sensational and can get that soft spot in your heart specially towards the end of the movie.