aimesuk Reviews

The Time Traveler's Wife (2022)

Started off brilliant, but took too many different turns

[6/10 · 16 December 2022]

The book is a favourite, I've read it multiple times and am VERY familiar with it.

I started off really enjoying this. Theo James makes for an excellent Henry. I don't like Rose Leslie however - she's too old to play the younger Clare IMO - although I completely get the difficulties with the source material, Clare is nearly a decade younger than Henry and Rose is not.

I didn't like the way the story evolved and picked out all the nasty bits of their relationship. Clare is not feisty and argumentative; she's completely secure - this makes it seem like they don't even really like each other that much! In particular I don't get why they focussed on a fight after their first date...when that doesn't happen.

I also get what was probably budgetary constraints but I really missed bits like the build up to the wedding, the Christmas dinner - basically I feel like we didn't get a whole lot of Clare and what we did get wasn't hugely likeable.

It does have huge potential. The first episode I loved - and there's so much rich storytelling in the book.

Red Rose (2022)

Black Mirror with a teen twist

[8/10 · 15 August 2022]

Really good teen drama with a tragic twist. It has got a feel of Black Mirror combined with a ghost story so if that's up your street you might like it.

Reviewed at 2 episodes in.

Next (2020)

Really solidly creepy show

[9/10 · 9 August 2021]

I'm on episode 4 having just realised it ends at ten. Disappointing really, this is a really creepy and exciting show.

Basically imagine your phone listens in on your conversations and dial that up by 1000%.

The machines are after us, wrap your head in tinfoil and be polite to Alexa!

This Is Us: The Ride (2021) Season 5, Episode 9

Still loving this BUT...

[6/10 · 20 March 2021]

This episode irritated me a lot.

I'm a woman who's given birth to twins. Is it just in America that women aren't told it'll hurt - a lot - to drive, right after giving birth? I was literally told I wasn't allowed, and I wouldn't have considered it anyway. I hurt! A lot!

I get the message this episode was delivering, but that really took me out of it. It's painful enough just sitting let alone driving (and that remains even if you've had a c-section - try driving after major abdominal surgery and you soon find out how much those muscles are involved!). It really felt like that terrible soap opera trope of when the woman has a baby and immediately pings back into her pre-pregnancy clothes and way of life with just a mention of how tired she is, and then we never see the child again. Maybe partly this was because of Covid. I don't know.

It honestly felt like the writers of the show didn't bother talking to any women who'd had a baby, let alone a medical professional who might have said - hey, we'd never recommend a brand new mother drive herself home, especially when there are other adults available to do it.

Songbird (II) (2020)

Bad taste

[3/10 · 25 January 2021]

I could forgive this movie as a typical Michael Bay movie - long on effects and short on storyline - if we weren't in the midst of almost global lockdowns due to COVID-19.

It's in terrible taste, and that could have been avoided by having the disease as anything other than a variant of what we're currently living through.

In general, I'm a fan of this sort of film. Apocalypse stuff is fine - but this one left a nasty taste in my mouth and a real sense of distaste at the people involved.

Color Out of Space (2019)

Body shocking horror!

[8/10 · 15 November 2020]

I've read some Lovecraft but not the one this film is based on, so so I was not expecting the gore and body shocks in it. I actually found it quite upsetting to be honest. I like horror but not gore, the fact it employed a child I think was what upset me the most.

That being said, if you're less of a sap than I am, you like horror, then you'll probably like this. So long as you're not expecting a definitive blockbuster style ending - that's not what Lovecraft was about and it's not what this film is about either.

Incidentally, I really felt that Cage in some of his rants was channelling Trump, from his mannerisms to his words.

Ghost Wars (2017–2018)

Great sci-fi with a really odd choice for a title

[8/10 · 24 September 2020]

I almost passed this one on Netflix - not really into ghosts. But this is SO much more.

The initial premise is of a young man who can see ghosts. In all honesty, (I've watched about half the series so far) the first episode is the weakest. But gradually, we're introduced to different people that live in the town and their stories. We find that there's a scientific institute which might have something to do with the spooky apparitions and weird goings on. We also see some odd potentially demonic stuff happening.

I'm really enjoying the setting and the stories (I'm on a bit of an Alaska binge at the moment) and the storylines are interesting and keep me wanting more. I hope this gets a second series.

Incidentally, if you like this you might like Tales from the Loop.

Birds of Prey (2020)

Really fun movie!

[9/10 · 31 August 2020]

I love the squawking from incels saying this is man-hating - just like films that have an all male cast are female hating I guess?

Anyway, I thought this was a fun film to watch. Is the storyline excellent? No. Does it have fun with it anyway? Yes. Unlike every single other D.C. adaptation, this one didn't take itself too seriously (and I include the atrocious Suicide Squad in that category).

The soundtrack is also great. If you want an easy watch with good music and interesting characters then you can't go wrong with this really. I would have liked to have seen more of the Birds of Prey so I hope another film is made.

8.5 for me.

American Horror Story: Final Girl (2019) Season 9, Episode 9

A fitting ending for a great series

[9/10 · 13 March 2020]

I think 1984 has to be the most 'American' of all the AHS seasons. The inclusion of all the famous 80s horror movies, and the decade of excess? Couldn't be better.

This episode was great. Really tied everything together nicely. It had a bit of a Murder House feel to the ending.

The Rook (2019)

I can't believe not one person checked how to say the name Myfanwy

[5/10 · 6 March 2020]

Seriously. I'm only hear to check what the name was supposed to be!

I'm five minutes in and already I'm wondering if it's worth the effort if they've already got this wrong. Maybe I'll just read the book instead.

(Giving a 5 for now)

Black Summer (2019–2021)

So far, tense and exciting

[8/10 · 1 May 2019]

I've watched up to episode 4, and so far, I'm really enjoying it! It reminds me very much of early TWD.

If you like zombie films or tv programmes, this is definitely worth a watch.

Melissa & Joey (2010–2015)

Typically terrible

[1/10 · 25 October 2018]

Have watched a couple of these as they show them on daytime tv sometimes.

So unfunny it makes me angry. Typical American sitcom trash to be avoided.

*this review is a collaborative piece; three adults and one child agree with this assessment.

Everything Sucks! (2018)

Very good for teens and adults alike

[9/10 · 16 February 2018]

I've watched the whole series today and I'm really impressed. This series follows new to high school Luke, Kate and their friends as they navigate love, friendships, bullying, and PARENTS!!

I loved the dynamics between the characters, they seemed 'real' - I was the same age in 1996 although in the UK rather than America, so the music, fashions, slang was very nostalgic.

This deals with some tough subjects in age appropriate and relateable ways, so if you have a teen or pre-teen who is struggling a bit, they might find this a good thing to watch.