gcorken-275-424197 Reviews

Lost in Translation (2003)

Take a look at it

[9/10 · 21 March 2024]

This movie came out when I was 22. My then partner and I went to the local Arthouse Cinema and came out "shook" (wasn't a thing then) about how much we essentially loved a movie with little to no plot. Why?

We watched it several times, bought the soundtrack etc.

Years later (nearly 20) I saw a thing on Twitter about movies with no plot and this was on there and I thought I should rewatch it. Was I pretentious when younger? Etc etc

No. I wasn't. I really LOVE this film. I honestly think it's better than I remember. It's a wonderful love story which handles the themes it's dealing with - in my opinion - tastefully.

And there's just a lovely moment when it may have tipped over into a bit seedy - but all he does is rub her foot and I've never forgotten it.

Big fan.

Paddleton (2019)

Really very good

[9/10 · 22 February 2024]

I really, really liked this film. Difficult subject matter that is handled both comically and respectfully.

Ray Romano has got some acting chops eh? No wonder everybody loves him! Am I right though?

In all seriousness, I'm continually impressed by his performances of late and he has great on screen chemistry with Mark Duplass here.

I won't offer any spoilers here but I will say that for anyone that has lost someone close to them there is, in this film, a few moments that you perhaps wish you had been afforded or that remind you of moments you experienced. It's really well written, played superbly by the entire cast; it's sad and it's funny.

I will watch it again.

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

I'm not so sure you know

[7/10 · 1 February 2024]

This is a strange, strange film. I'm usually such a fan of strange - yet I wonder if this was a little too strange?

The cast - led of course by Phillip Seymour Hoffman - is astonishing. It's brilliantly played.

The story is grim with moments of happiness and hope and many moments of grime and hopelessness and loneliness and hope (again) and I think hated it as much as I loved it.

Of course, we should expect nothing else from Charlie Kaufman.

I have rated this as a 7. I could easily have given it a 10 and then again just as easily given it a 3.

It had wonderful moments and I will watch it again. I Might bloody have to.

T2 Trainspotting (2017)

About as good as it could be

[8/10 · 21 November 2023]

The issue with following up on such an iconic film as Trainspotting so many years after the original events is that people who "loved" the original have their own ideas what may have become of the characters.

This'll inevitably lead to disappointed viewers who imagined something else.

I look at it on its own and it's actually a bloody good movie. You could get away watching it without having seen the first instalment.

If I look at it through the eyes of someone who just adored (and still adores) the original, it's exceptional.

It's full of nostalgia, sure - crucial to me is that it's not JUST nostalgia. The story itself is different.

I know there are books. I know the story was moved on in literature but this is IMDB (not good reads) so I'm reviewing the film - it's top work. I loved it and found it emotional at times.

The West Wing: Institutional Memory (2006) Season 7, Episode 21

Integral and perfect (but not really integral)

[9/10 · 28 March 2023]

So, The West Wing is, to my mind at least, the most important and complete television show ever made.

I am both very certain and open about this, it's that damn good.

I rated this episode as a 9/10 because there are way better and more entertaining episodes available to you (and thankfully to me) should you desire.

This is the penultimate episode. They're tying up loose ends. The drama, y'all, well... it's bloody happened. Do not start here. It no longer matters.

But.

But.

But.

This tied up the CJ loose ends. Anyone who likes, loves or has ever seen the West Wing knows CJ is basically what it's about and she's amazing and blah blah blah.

The scene when CJ visits Toby (don't get me started on Toby) is my all time favourite scene of television.

So yeah. There's more comedy, drama, romance, banter, craic, substance etc etc in a lot of other episodes but this one just hits different.

CJC & DK 4ever (<3)

The Royle Family: The Queen of Sheba (2006) Season 4, Episode 1

This is perfect television

[10/10 · 28 May 2022]

You've had to be here from the start but in so far as anything can be perfect, this is it. It's a faultless episode that just sums up the series as a whole. Funny and full of heart. I love it and it's been ...... 16 years. Yikes.

Dune (2021)

Really Liked It

[9/10 · 21 April 2022]

Not fast paced or overly exciting but that's okay. I really enjoyed it. That's enough for me when it comes to a movie. A great cast, great special effects and obviously a very rich story. I'm excited for part 2 now.

Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. (2022)

Very Average Vegan

[6/10 · 13 April 2022]

Trailer looked great. Name is catchy. I got through it, it's a little bit dull but relatively short compared to other TCDs. It's okay. I wanted something throwaway and trashy, kind of got it. Fine.

Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022)

Well Made

[7/10 · 10 March 2022]

I enjoyed the show. I'm not a fan of Kanye - the music or the man - particularly but I found this engaging and well made.

I didn't know a lot about him in fairness ahead of this show and am often wary about taking documentaries as gospel (no pun) because it's through the lens of the film maker BUT I have to say Coodie Simmons has done well here. He's respectful of Kanye's private moments (particularly in episode 3) and seems to not want to glorify the man's issues.

I liked it.

Detectorists (2014–2022)

Superb Gem

[9/10 · 1 March 2022]

I'd say this is quintessentially British in its humour but it's more than that, it's got warmth and depth. It's not formulaic or repetitive. It's funny without being hilarious, dramatic without being silly. It's kind of perfect in many ways. Stands up to a rewatch or two as well. Great cast.

Inventing Anna (2022)

Interesting, bit slow.

[7/10 · 16 February 2022]

Was completely unaware of the story ahead of watching.

Initially, I wondered why I kept watching - it is a little slow. It did 'get me' a bit though and I found myself chuckling a bit now and then.

There's enough here to warrant 9 episodes despite what other reviews have said - in fact I believe it improves as it goes along.

Not sure how accurate it is; don't much care. Enjoyable enough but far from spectacular.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023)

Not sure what else one would want

[10/10 · 22 January 2022]

I think this is a really great show. It's funny, unique and brilliantly played. I've seen a few reviews criticising S3 and wholly disagree, It's as good as the rest.

Snatched (2017)

Utter Pants

[2/10 · 13 January 2022]

I am abroad in a hotel alone with 4 channels and this came on. Wish it hadn't. I did laugh once though. Cabin Fever more likely than comedy but is what it is.

tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)

Will never understand

[9/10 · 24 November 2021]

I loved this movie. I will never understand why people who don't like musicals watch musicals then moan they didn't like it. Just don't watch it. The acting is superb, the songs are great and apart from one little section that I thought felt odd it just landed. Just don't watch it. If you like musicals, this will land. Top work and I hadn't been fully aware of the story beforehand. LOVED IT.

Springsteen on Broadway (2018 TV Movie)

Superb

[10/10 · 22 December 2018]

I've read a few reviews, critical reviews, stating "boring unless you're a fan" and "for groupies"....

Well, yeah. Obviously. It's superb. Why would you even watch if you're not a fan? Don't. It's not for you.

It's for me. 10/10