jt4 Reviews

The Holdovers (2023)

A Dissenting View

[6/10 · 5 May 2024]

"Dead Poets Society" this is not. That's not to say it's a bad movie; it certainly isn't. But there are both too many primary storylines to give the necessary attention to any one of them, and too many elements in each storyline to keep us from focusing enough on any one of them. Additionally, there is a tendency to "beat a dead horse" in some situations; for instance, yes, we know that the teacher is known to not care enough about other people; after a certain point of showing this, the point has been made. This was a nice enough effort on the part of the writer, but--coming from the dad of a film school student who focuses on screenwriting--it feels like he didn't get any peer reviews on it to fine-tune the story before submission. 6.5 stars out of 10.

The Wall (2012)

Infuriating fundamental flaw in the procession of the story (very mild spoilers).

[2/10 · 23 February 2024]

This story is a character study of what might happen in isolation for an extended period of time. While such stories are valuable and can be very thought-provoking, they need to be done in a way that is legitimately how a person might react. The movie Castaway comes to mind in that regard; Tom Hanks' character goes through the gamut of emotions while doing everything in his power to free himself of the situation.

The premise of this story is highly flawed. The wall that the main character encounters doesn't align with anything of this world, but neither does it encompass the sky because precipitation occurs as normal. It's unfathomable that a person in such a situation would not do everything in her power to go to higher elevations to determine where the wall ends, or dig down as far as she possibly could to see how low it goes--she does indeed say something fatalistic about why she doesn't attempt the latter. Rather, she just accepts that this is her fate unless someone else finds her. And, let's just say that, beyond the invisible barrier, there is nothing sci-fi about it at all, so you will be left extremely unsatisfied if you were anticipating anything else for the duration of the movie.

Expats (2023–2024)

Mild spoilers to illustrate how awful this is

[3/10 · 14 February 2024]

My wife wanted to watch this together, and I agreed because it features Hong Kong, where we lived as a young couple thirty years ago. We didn't like it from the start, but said we'd keep watching because we do have fond memories of our time there and wanted to keep seeing local scenes. But we're to the point, after four episodes, where we can no longer put up with this show.

At the top of the list of complaints is that none of the primary characters--the three women--are particularly likable. Probably the best is Hilary, but a core decision she has made, about which she is lying to her husband (yet, wants her marriage to continue) ultimately makes her unsympathetic.

Then there are the plot contrivances which largely turn this show into a soap opera. Margaret, despite knowing that her youngest son is the type to not stay put, allows him to go off in a crowded market at night with a young twenty-something girl--the character "Mercy"--that she has just met. Of course, Mercy lets go of his hand while distracted, and he's never found again. And while Mercy is distraught over what she has allowed to happen, she is comforted by Hilary's husband who happens to show up... and then they're suddenly going at it in bed, and she later even makes jokes about the child. I could easily go on.

Next is the pacing of the show. Another reviewer termed those who didn't like the pacing "teens", but my teen years were two-thirds of my life ago. No, it's one thing to have contemplative moments that are intended to make you think, and then there are decisions to lengthen scenes where there is just nothing going on. Or the actually contemplative scenes are too long. In this case, even the opening scenes that give the name of the district in Hong Kong come across as "are you just trying to increase the runtime?"; rather than increasing the dramatic effect, they're just annoying.

Lastly--and this isn't as much of an issue with me as it has been with others--it is true that Nicole Kidman does indeed appear to be having botox injections done because her face looks frighteningly unnatural at times, especially when she tries to laugh. And she's just too old anyway to be playing someone who is supposed to be late-40's at the oldest, and probably younger than that based on the age of her youngest child.

Foundation (2021– )

Will likely give up on this.

[5/10 · 15 March 2023]

I read the trilogy as a teenager and loved it, so, while I haven't had much interest in subscribing to Apple TV, this was one series I really wanted to see. I'm seeing some reviewers say this shouldn't even be called Foundation because it strays so far from the source material; I haven't recognized much in the show, so that's probably the reason. But what has me nearly to the point of anger as a viewer is completely ignoring plot points once they have occurred, and the characters involved with them. The first two episodes, while visually stunning, took considerable time to produce inflection points that made me feel invested... and then the third episode went an entirely different direction and did not even touch on items any viewer would want to know more about. Yet, the writers/producers felt the need to throw in several-minute sex scenes here and there. While they don't quite meet the TV-MA level, they feel extraordinarily out of place, especially when so much time is taken otherwise to make plot points that could easily be shortened. So far, this has been a far greater disappointment than I could have reasonably anticipated.

Midnight Special (2016)

Extremely disappointed with the bait and switch (very mild spoilers)

[3/10 · 19 November 2022]

I was interested in this movie until close to the end. If this movie had progressed in any fashion in which it appeared to be going, I think I would have given it a six or seven, maybe even higher despite the low-budget feel to it.

The movie has Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, and Adam Driver, who all give very respectable performances. Ultimately, I found myself wondering if they each lost a bet to be forced into this movie. Any premise that appeared to be a possible underpinning for the details of the story, making it interesting to the viewer, turned out not to be the case. So, if you decide to watch this movie, thinking that the boy is the key to either some sort of salvation or doom, just be prepared to be extraordinarily disappointed.

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

Don't trust the IMDb rating.

[3/10 · 2 November 2022]

Somehow, this currently sits at 6.9(!) on IMDb. It's almost like they're flipping the votes so that my 3 would equal a 7, 2 would be 8, and 1 would be 9. I was given a digital copy of this for free on Vudu some time ago, and finally got around to watching the whole thing over Halloween. I don't understand why it was made. The original Ghostbusters succeeded because it was funny. I love Kristen Wiig, but the others--how is what any of them did funny? I was committed to watching it all the way through, but I kept thinking, "how much longer is this?" Honestly, I think the best part about the movie was the cameos of each of the original main characters (and that's the only reason I give it even three stars); you do need to wait until the end credits for the last one.

It's sad--I understand that they wanted to make a female Ghostbusters, and some complained about that, but I'm entirely fine with that idea. There are definitely funny actresses, and I'd certainly keep Kristen Wiig. But the others just appeared to be trying to be funny, rather than actually being funny. Maybe it was just an awful script. But it's too bad that they couldn't have picked from the likes of Sandra Bullock, Gal Gadot, Drew Barrymore, Karen Gillan, Janeane Garofalo, Emma Stone, and even Scarlett Johansen for the other two non-Black actresses. To match the original casting and include a Black actress, Gabrielle Union would have been a far better and naturally funny choice. In fact, thinking about this now makes me want to see a Ghostbusters with some of those actresses. That would be worth watching, and wouldn't require a fake rating on IMDb!

Regresa (2010)

Four out of ten stars is generous.

[4/10 · 19 October 2021]

I found this movie online when looking for Spanish-language movies with English subtitles to improve my language comprehension. I wanted to like this movie, but it was difficult to stay with it. The pacing was slow, there were elements that oddly seemed to be stuck into the movie for laughs, and there were uses of older American pop songs--how many Mexicans understand the lyrics?--that appeared to be attempts to generate sentimentality. It's kind of a shame, because the concept was sufficiently novel as to create a passable rom-com if executed well.

Possession (2002)

I wonder how the book is....

[5/10 · 30 November 2020]

My wife, my adult daughter, and I started watching this movie that we had never heard of because we like to watch movies but there is so little new that's good during the pandemic. Have always been fans of Jeremy Northam, and we don't mind Gwyneth Paltrow and Aaron Eckhart (we knew we had seen the woman who played Christabel before, but didn't realize it was Jennifer Ehle until we saw the credits). But, other than for being able to see vistas of the beautiful English countryside and some museum scenes, we just didn't feel like the movie was strong enough regarding the present-day characters. There were a few times where we said, "that was forced". And, I don't know if it was written this way in the book--we figured out pretty quickly that it had to have been an insufficient attempt to adapt a book--but Eckhart's character goes back and forth between stereotypical American (or, more like how an English person might view such, really) and sensitive literature lover. My daughter graduated with a degree in English, and she said she couldn't think of one male in her classes that fit that American stereotype. The two types simply don't come in the same package.

Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

Did all the money go to hiring Patrick Stewart?

[4/10 · 20 February 2020]

I have been thinking I needed to write a review for anyone who might not have seen the show, then felt I needed to even more when I saw the 8+ rating on IMDB. However, the first few reviews I see here seem to be in the same vein.

The first episode was quite good... the second was weaker... and then I started wondering if all the money went into hiring Patrick Stewart and making a great first episode. Admittedly, I have seen neither Enterprise nor Star Trek: Discovery because I did not hear good reviews about them, but I had hoped that with this show the producers of Star Trek would have been past hiring actors that can't act (I won't be specific because I realize they are real people); they obviously aren't. It also seems that they can't afford decent writers, because twice in the first three shows I saw a dialogue contrivance of character A earnestly submitting a shocking idea, character B scoffing at the idea, and then effectively saying, "you're serious?" as character A maintains the earnestness. There was also the shockingly bad confession after "can you keep a secret", and the relationship between Narek and his sister is painfully laughable.

Both Allison Pill and Patrick Stewart have been given material that they must be wincing at. I know Allison Pill is a good actress, but it would be very difficult to tell just from this show; she must be a diehard Trek fan to have taken on this role. And Patrick Stewart must be wondering what he got himself into after the promising first episode descended into episodic TV. For a show that is about one story arc, they needed to not cheat the fans and simply turn it into a miniseries featuring only the number of episodes needed to tell the story. This show has gone downhill in a hurry.

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Spare yourself the time, unless a sequel is made.

[4/10 · 24 January 2020]

(I am saying this contains spoilers to not run afoul of a possible rule, but it's only about the way the movie ends rather than the content itself.) "Uneven" describes both the story and some of the acting in this movie. It opens interestingly enough, but it becomes difficult to take seriously when the boyfriend-interest comes along--if he is a good actor, we don't see that here--as it does with the associated motorball sequence(s) that has the Bruckheimer movie feel of something that is supposed to be cool but isn't. Jennifer Connelly and Mahershala Ali also have to overact for their roles; one wonders why they agreed to take them. Then the movie feels like it is building to an inevitable and satisfying climax... but ends without doing so. I haven't been that unhappy with a movie ending in quite some time. Don't waste your time on this movie unless a sequel is made so that you can see it right before seeing the sequel. If no sequel is made, it isn't worth seeing in the first place.

Blinded by the Light (2019)

Major directing flaws detract from already weak basis for a movie

[4/10 · 1 December 2019]

This movie was not *uninteresting*, but it was not *strongly* interesting. The basic story has been done a number of times before in settings all over the world: child wants to do his or her own thing but is held back by culture-bound father. But in this case the child's obsession with one particular songwriter's lyrics is easy to pass off as juvenile and lacking in depth, especially when it prevents him from seeing value in other art forms that are motivational to those around him (there a couple of instances of that). But the reason I rate it as low as I do is due to two problems: one is that there are two instances where the director suddenly tries to turn the movie into a musical. Except in movies where everything is intentionally a joke, viewers are left scratching their heads when characters suddenly start running around to music that isn't actually there unless it's a musical format from the start and the characters themselves are singing the songs. The second was with a monologue at the end of the movie that should not have been permitted to be a monologue because it was to have been done as a reading of the main character's writing; this would in actuality have drawn some confused looks from the audience and teacher, but in fact was completely ignored by all in attendance.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Wasn't what it could have been, but still worth watching

[6/10 · 21 September 2017]

I was surprised that so few people went to see this at the theater at least once out of curiosity. It was difficult to tell from the trailers if it would be good--being heavy on the visual aspect of it--but that applies to an awful lot of movies. I found it interesting from the start, but without particular depth until much later into the movie. At the end of the film, I had to give myself some time to think about it, and concluded that I do want to see it again and will look to buy it on Blu-ray. I do think Besson shot himself in the foot by not providing hints of the seriousness of the central story earlier, however.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Iconic

[10/10 · 11 December 2013]

I have given this a "10" rating. There was one minor issue I had with the movie that would make it not quite that in my mind, but a "9" rating would be an injustice to this extraordinary film and, since I'm unable to give it a 9.75 or something like that, "10" it is.

This movie strikes an incredible balance between indy/art-house and Hollywood epic. The pathos of the main character is well-captured in subtle ways, as are the feelings of triumph when he is able to go beyond his own self-imposed limitations. The cinematography is extraordinary-- this is a drama that *must* be seen in theaters. I expect that most adults with any sensitivity at all will find this a highly satisfying experience that speaks to their very cores. My wife and I were privileged to see it in an advanced screening, and can't believe we have to wait another couple of weeks for the official release to go back and see it again.

The Lake House (2006)

Horrible writing, poor acting by Keanu (but what's new?)

[2/10 · 25 June 2007]

Yes, I could write a detailed commentary supporting the summary, but I don't feel it's worth that much time. Suffice it to say, "watch the part where it starts to snow and Keanu sneezes." I don't think I've EVER seen such a poorly acted sneeze. But one couldn't expect much more from a movie where the writing doesn't have the characters act with extreme incredulity when faced with the premise that they are communicating in different times. It isn't a science fiction movie, after all. Just tried to post, wouldn't let me without 10 lines. OK, a little more comment: I think the only reason this movie got rated as high as it did on IMDb is that Keanu is a female favorite, and too many women are willing to put up with Keanu's acting limitations because of his pretty face.

Serenity (2005)

Couldn't get as excited about this as others did.

[5/10 · 8 February 2007]

I rented this movie because I had heard positive reviews. I found the story line thought-provoking, but my enjoyment was diminished by the acting, dialog, and production quality. The opening sequence was sufficiently compelling, but the movie immediately had the feel of an "Outer Limits" episode--good for a TV show; lacking for a movie. Some of the humor worked, but much of the dialog was cheesy. To top it off, many of the characters (the captain, in particular) seemed mere caricatures with little depth. Overall, a disappointing effort. I thought that the same story line could have been turned into a much better movie by someone else.

Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper (2004 Video)

40-year-old heterosexual male finds surprisingly good music.

[7/10 · 18 April 2005]

How's this for a commentary on the music in this movie: I sometimes specifically ask my wife if she has it in the car to listen to, pushing out Duran Duran or other music from the golden age of the early 80's. I am skeptical of musicals by nature, so when I heard that the Barbie people had produced a musical, I could only imagine how shallow the music was going to be, seeing that it would be directed towards our 7-year-old daughter's age group. I of course had no choice but to hear it several times after we bought the movie and our daughter and 3-year-old son wanted to listen to the CD in the car. I was surprised beyond anything I could imagine to find that there is some serious quality among the songs that are done here. As for the movie's animation, it may be my imagination that the production skimped a bit in that area to pay for the songwriting. And of course the Barbie series' animation was already nothing to get excited about in this day of Pixar, Dreamworks, and Blue Sky producing top-notch computer-generated material. But the music itself is really a find, and I would recommend it to anyone.

The Village (2004)

A lot of people not likely to get it.

[10/10 · 31 July 2004]

I saw the movie opening night, and again the next day. Along with a lot of negative reviews I've heard, I also at the theater heard teenagers in particular saying they didn't like the movie. Right off the bat, I expect very few teenagers to like this movie. I also expect those adults with, shall we say, a lack of depth of experience, to not get this movie either. Just as "Signs" was not an alien invasion movie but rather a movie about faith wrapped in the summer crowd-pleasing guise of an alien-invasion movie, "The Village" is about so much more than what it appears--even more so than was "Signs". "The Village" is neither a psychological thriller as was "The Sixth Sense", nor does it have the aliens angle of "Signs", so it isn't going to appeal to people from either of those crowds. I'm sure I wouldn't have gotten it as a teenager, and I likely wouldn't have appreciated it much without children. Let's face it: it's a movie for adults, and I mean adults with real concerns about living in the world that exists today. Anyone with an extraordinary concern for their children will get it. Unfortunately for the box office, that segment might not be as large as M. Night Shyamalan would like. But for my money, I agree with Shyamalan in feeling that this is his best work yet. It's without a doubt one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Charlie's Angels (2000)

Wish I had checked the comments here before watching.

[3/10 · 25 April 2001]

I had heard fairly good reviews of this movie. I didn't realize that I'd be subjected to the Matrix-inspired fad of slow motion and stupid (some say cool) -looking martial arts. Now, I didn't mind it in the Matrix because it seemed to have a purpose. It doesn't here or in most any other movie. I am SOOOOO glad I didn't pay to see this at the theater. As it is, I feel like I wasted money on a 99-cent one-day special DVD rental. And the thing is that it wouldn't have been that bad if they would have stayed away from the gimmicks. 3 out of 10.

The Perfect Storm (2000)

The movie with no story! One of the worst I've ever seen!

[1/10 · 14 February 2001]

Wow! How bad can a movie be? Actually, you get a pretty good idea when you see MICHAEL IRONSIDE in it. Incredibly bad dialogue, extremely forced character development; although, what do you expect--there simply wasn't a story here other than a boat went down in a really bad storm. Glad I didn't pay to even RENT it--I got it at the library on DVD for free and was able to watch the lame subtitles on double-speed.

Minbo (1992)

The movie that shows Japanese they can stand up for something.

[10/10 · 28 December 1999]

This is a very fine movie, definitely worth seeing, but as much as being a good film, it tells Japanese that they can stand up and act for themselves. The Yakuza have been successful at intimidation because of the Japanese propensity to feel that something is "shikata ga nai", or there's nothing they can do about it. This movie has a final scene that shows people standing up in the face of very real threats to their safety. This is not so unusual in an American movie because, for all our collective faults, there is usually someone here who will not put up with injustice and will do something heroic to change it. This is still highly unusual in Japan, and the fact that Itami Juzo made this movie and then suffered a knife attack by Yakuza for doing so, will hopefully produce a few more heroes there.