RebelYell_659 Reviews

Wrestlers (2023– )

Better than "Heels" more human than "Welcome to Wrexham"

[10/10 · 25 September 2023]

Where do I begin ?

This show is so well produced and presented. A great human story. While everyone has flaws exposed their redeeming qualities help tell a story of hope and hard work. None of the characters act entitled and they have all learned the lesson that success doesn't come without help and support from community.

I found myself liking all of the characters or let me say people in the series. The "heels" aren't really "heels" and the quality of acting is amazing. There are some naturals in the cast. Truth being stranger than fiction makes this documentary even more appealing. Many people look down on the Wrestling community and their fans. Their stories may have been harsher than most but the lessons they have learned have been better. There is no difference between any of us at the end of the day. These "Heroes" have learned hard lessons and have realized that it takes a community and a strong desire to succeed. No better allegory than getting knocked to the mat and rising up over and over again. These people demonstrate that hard work is the only path to success and the true success is having tried and done their best.

Kudos to all of these wrestlers and all the others who work hard in their craft.

Some say wrestling isn't a real sport but the stories and examples in their morality play teach sportsmanship so much better than what we see in other competitive athletic events.

Under those tough exteriors we find love, passion, desire, and a taste of humanity people too often shield from others.

Highly flawed so many of these wrestlers and people are. Not settling for failure but highly motivated to make their world a better place is where this show succeeds.

Much more than entertainment is this story. More human than welcome to Wrexham and more believable and relatable than heels.

I give it a 10 out of 10 for documentaries.

Ahsoka (2023– )

Poor script and directing poor in my opinion, will give it a chance

[4/10 · 27 August 2023]

I am not sure who was an advisor for the Military side of things but "Renn" as a "Commander" would not be so contrite plus, so Insubordinate to the Civilian Mayor, and lack self discipline like this character. Her character is too chaotic to be in a command structure. The "General" was not believable either. What is she General of ? Where was her aide de camp ? Ridiculously written and scripted.

Is this series about Ahsoken or Renn I am confused. Why would Ashoken not have some security if Renn took such an important clue ? Why would they send a subordinate to retrieve the orb if it was so important. Totally unbelievable script. Geez Disney where are your good writers and Directors

Rogue One was the second best movie to a New Hope. I know the talent is there. The evil characters had more appeal than the Jedi Master and Renn. Another disappointing attempt in the Star Wars Universe .

Not a very well directed nor scripted story. I was so looking forward to this one too. Pales in comparison to Andor and Mandelorian. It might be slightly Better than Boba Fett and Obi Wan. Story writing not as good as "The Bad Batch" and that was a cartoon.

Overall so-so so far and not very convincing or interesting.

I will give it four stars for now and I will watch the series because I Love Star Wars but what a mess of a series so far.

Welcome to Wrexham (2022– )

A pleasant surprise

[10/10 · 18 September 2022]

I have been watching quite few Soccer team series on the subscription services. I was hesitant initially to begin this one. I am so glad that I did. Ryan and Rob's story and curiosity about a sport have resulted in a brilliant profile of every day people and a community drawn together around their local team of Wrexham.

I have Welsh heritage and have long loved the history of the Welsh especially their Independent spirit not unlike that of our own here in America. The documentary goes a long way in showing how our cultures may be a little different but our values and commonality are not. A very wonderful and unifying series.

Just A darn good story about a Dragon not Phoenix attempting to be resurgent ! Fact is indeed as interesting as fiction.

If you want to feel good and be able to relate with people watch this series. Ryan and Rob may be actors but they certainly appear genuine in their desire to succeed. I suspect they are also more intense than what we witness here too. They are helping to lift the human spirit and that is obvious.

Hightown (2020–2024)

Hightown getting better and better

[9/10 · 28 November 2021]

It took a while for this series to grow on me. As a former Police Officer it started slow and improved. I would give the first half of season one a six but by the end of season one it had improved. Season two holds nothing back and the writing has really improved. The acting is top notch and each of the characters are well developed and totally believable. I can see this review growing to a 10. Well done and relevant. A great human story, again believable, does well to represent a world that really does exist.

Condor (2018–2020)

10 so far

[10/10 · 15 March 2021]

I love this so far. Story Line not that different than many Government Corruption series stories but so far the intensity , action, and Characters are a cut above average. Worth the watch. Best series for me in a while and I binge a lot.

Counterpart (2017–2019)

Very Well Written and Entertaining

[9/10 · 17 February 2020]

The thought came to me half way through season two. This is what Robert Frost would have found had he taken both paths in the woods. Confusing at first especially if you try to overthink things. The actors and actresses are all outstanding. Character development is good. Their acting skills are stellar as they switch between themselves. It is theJoker without the schizophrenia. Interesting character studies and we have the benefit of seeing the other selves within ourselves. A lot of fun and a very good spy vs. spy. A wonderful Love story. The struggle of who we are and who we think we should be. I have a few more episodes to go but it only gets better even when you figure out where it is taking us but the surprises are genuine. Definitely worth the watch.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

The Alpha was "A New Hope" the Omega was "Rogue One"

[10/10 · 23 December 2019]

One only has to watch "A New Hope" and "Rogue One" and the story is complete. Simply brilliant. The very best bar none. These are my favorite characters, screenplay, action, and though left feeling numb at the end, I loved it all.

100%: Julian Edelman (2019)

Hard Work and Family

[10/10 · 20 August 2019]

What a great story. It really picks up after act II and act III. A story about a middle class kid, his family who supports and believes in him and a drive to make the most out of his God given gifts. His father Frank is a driver and Julian listens and learns. A mother who I am sure is a driving force and a glue. His siblings who respect and support him. Not to mention the others who have helped him along the way.

A story about Hard Work and desire. No secret formula to success.

Nice motivational story about family and love.

Nothing is a given many would have been satisfied and given up after injury and tje adversity following but not Jules.

My only complaint was no Belichick and no Linemen. Though the Belichick impression was classic.

The Wall (II) (2017)

The Wall I will keep it short

[8/10 · 17 November 2017]

Good Movie. Very good actors. Worth a watch. Very good War Film. The ending is more like a"Twilight Zone" Episode.

This movie does a good job of portraying comrades of war. The setting is perfect the wall is real I have seen more than one of them before.

After watching this the need for COMSEC is reinforced.

Heroes Don't Come Home (2016)

Well written and scripted good story up until the political trash

[6/10 · 17 November 2017]

It was an overall good movie. It is very true and the script is dead on until the bull crap spin at the end. Having been a war veteran I was looking forward to the movie. I have had so many people that never served behave in the way that the lead character behaved. Overall a good screenplay but the Veteran's anti war crap at the end almost ruined the entire film. Rent "Jacknife" it is a movie based on Pulitzer winning play that tells the Veteran story better. I am not sure if the screenwriter added the Left wing veteran comment at the end for political purposes or as an insult. Whatever the case it could have been very healing but turned out not to be as much. The borrowed part from the "Bridges at Toko Ri" about the people at home going about their business was a good touch. The Veteran serving however knows that those back in the states not serving could care less about them but the screenplay does not stay true to that concept. The last part of the script was lousy from the Veteran perspective in my opinion. There aren't only a bunch of IQ 90 soldiers who use the military as their only way out, as the movie implies, and the statistical average IQ of soldier versus the general population again debunks that generalization. So insulting. Overall a good story but the portrayal of the Veteran's political perspective is off from my experience with the vast majority of Combat Veterans that I know. I will agree most who never serve are truly thankless and give lip service which is fine with me.

Oblivion (I) (2013)

Elements of Slaughterhouse Five. Enjoyable yarn. Fresh Take.

[8/10 · 18 April 2013]

I went to the movie tonight with my son. I enjoyed the film. Tom Cruise was on target cast as "Jack Harper" who has flashbacks reminiscent of Billy Pilgrim. Combat and a nice little spin on the space house Billy Pilgrim lived in with Valerie Perrine. I won't tell some of the differences because I don't want to spoil the story. But here is a snippet from Slaughterhouse Five and let me know if you see the resemblance.

"A man tells his story of how he became unstuck in time and abducted by aliens." Slaughterhouse - Five

Morgan Freeman was right on. Worth a night at the movie. A little Romance so if you want to take a date who likes Sci-Fi by all means do.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Zero Dark Thirty 5 out of 10

[5/10 · 24 January 2013]

Overly subtle trying to be overly cool. Slow film just like actual Police and Intelligence work. The cast was fantastic the character development was lousy. I wish they would have borrowed on some of the techniques used in Silence of the Lambs and the development of the Jodie Foster character. The Seal Team came with no credentials. I almost felt like that Osama was handed up to the Intel community as an offering. What were the Bona Fide's of this particular Seal Team? Great characters no Back Story. I loved the sets the realistic feel of the film. I loved the cast. I hated the writing. There were some strong points but very shallow character development. The actors deserve kudos for keeping me interested even with a boring script. Worth seeing if there is no good action movie alternative. I remember hearing the news and then dancing in the street. None of that in this movie. I felt cheated at the end of this film. Yes I support water boarding of terrorists. Yes Osama deserved to die. I loved the grocery store scene in the hurt locker. I loved watching the soldiers throw Horse Shoes it brought back memories. The plane in front of me crashed. Stake outs are frustrating, boring, and slow. This movie was frustrating and slow. Hire a better writer and try again. Use the same director and cast.

The Town (2010)

Worth investing a little time

[9/10 · 19 September 2010]

This movie is worth taking the time to go see. As a former cop and detective the way the FBI works on the suspects is very convincing. The fact that the crew was able to continue working with the cops knowing so much tended to keep this a solid escapism film.

The plot and sub plot worked well and reminded me of a nice pulp fiction story. I don't want to spoil any of the film so suffice it to say that it is worth going to see.

Jeremy Renner from the Hurt Locker was stellar, Jon Hamm pulled it off I never thought he was Don Draper, Rebeca Hall, and Ben Affleck were also good. The supporting cast did not disappoint either.

The cast made this movie work. I can honestly say I liked all the characters. Blake Lively acted just like her character would have in real life. She is the true victim of her environment and there was no redemption for her.

Robin Hood (2010)

A new take on the history of Robin Longstride

[9/10 · 16 May 2010]

the movie picked up in France as King Richard was plundering his way back from the disastrous Crusades. Robin a disillusioned soldier is looking for something to believe in a new cause if you will. He stumbles into a quest to return the Sword of a fallen knight to it's rightful owner and also a Crown. the movie does not disappoint though the ending is a little bit too corny. A very strong cast of characters make a flawed script believable. And of course Marion and the Merry men come along for the ride. With a touch of the lost boys from Peter Pan. All in all Russel Crowe does not disappoint. Not quite a Gladiator or Master and Commander but I will definitely watch this one again.

Kick-Ass (2010)

Wow

[9/10 · 2 May 2010]

I went in expecting to see something along the lines of Superbad. Superbad this movie was not. More like Leon The Professional meets Quinton Tarantino.

I took both my daughter and son. One is early twenties and my daughter is a teen. They both loved it and said it was one of their favorite movies.

It earned its R rating but it was fun, fun, fun.

A big thumbs up for Kick Ass.

There is nothing in this movie that romanticizes violence or that would encourage your child to take on a super hero personality. So don't fear. The characters are believable and this is destined to be a cult classic.

Shutter Island (2010)

A movie on ADHD

[3/10 · 7 March 2010]

A Federal Marshall going to investigate the escape and disappearance of an inmate in an Criminal Insane Asylum. Great plot the trailers were outstanding. DiCaprio was stellar and believable as the Marshall. In fact all of the acting was good. The problem with this movie was the disjointed script. The movie did not really flow and seemed like a poor copy of an m night shyamalan film. M Night needed to be involved in this screenplay. I was so bored, dozed off twice, that I did not really care where the plot tried to take me. The saving grace was the strength of the cast but the cast could not overcome a very poor screenplay. Scorcese dropped the ball on this one. Much too bouncy. Like a mind that bounces from idea to idea and never really gets anything done. Don't waste your time on this one. The movie was as insane as the inmates.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

The New Military Branch The Earth Army Corps

[3/10 · 15 November 2009]

I went in not expecting much and hoping to get a few chuckles and that is exactly what I got. The reason it is worth seeing is due to the quality of the actors. The screen play was weak and the story line never quite got off the ground. There were a few slapstick moments in the film that made me laugh. The script needs to be reworked and the movie redone. I just finished reading a WWII story where a young Lieutenant was standing in the middle of a road exposing himself to fire shouting for Germans to surrender. He then went into their midsts doing the same thing. I believe a total number just under 30 surrendered before he ran into one that could not be swayed by the Lieutenants charisma and was gunned down. There could be a better movie made on Psychological warfare with just as many laughs but made to be much more believable and fun to watch. So I don't recommend paying full price to see this movie and wait for it on Netflix.

Gran Torino (2008)

Wow what a screenplay!

[10/10 · 11 January 2009]

As a former vet and a current idealist I loved this film. You can look for the deeper meaning in this film or you can just enjoy the fine writing it is up to you. It works on both levels.

Walt has lived his life by working hard and doing the right thing. What he has gotten in return is nothing. He has kids who never knowingly sacrifice and are to caught up in chasing the American dream they never truly learn what the American dream really is about. They never learn that if something isn't worth dying for then it is not worth living for either. You learn in this film that you live for one another not yourself.

I was a little disappointed with the acting ability of some of the characters but the strong screenplay more than makes up for it.

We need more Walt's in this world. We also need more kids like the Hmong family. We may suffer at the hands of others but life is given meaning in striving to make ourselves and those around us better. This nation was built on ideals and will survive by serving those ideals.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Relationships not developed enough

[6/10 · 20 December 2008]

The special effects were amazing. I took my 14 year old daughter and we both had a good time. I did not feel that the relationships between characters were believable or convincing. If the film was longer and the script tuned up a little bit this could have been a very good movie. Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connely were both enjoyable to watch but Jaden Smith did not come across as believable or convincing. My 14 year old loved him however. This is an OK matinée film or red box video but not feature film. This film does not improve upon the original other than the special effects. The robot in this film is amazing and I would have enjoyed seeing a stronger bond between robot and Klaatu. It would have been funny to see some reference to the band Klaatu that made a brief impact on the rock scene in the later 70's.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Hulk a much better film version than previous attempts

[6/10 · 23 June 2008]

I can't say that this film blew me away but I must give credit to the producers and actors who made it a much better version than any previous attempts.

The romantic parts were a little overdrawn and found no problem taking bathroom breaks during those portions.

The film seems to borrow a little from a lot of other action films. I can see elements of King Kong, the Bourne films, First Blood, and others.

But it is a 10 of 10 if you are a Hulkster. If you are not I would rate it 6 of 10.