jazzsp8-94-555706 Reviews

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)

Well, I enjoyed it.

[7/10 · 27 December 2023]

I'm at best a casual Hunger Games fan. I've watched them because my wife wanted to, not normally my thing at all. I eye rolled when told they'd made a prequel.

BUT - I'll hold my hands up, I enjoyed it more than I thought.

Seeing how Snow becomes the man we know from the later films was quite enjoyable, I get what others are saying about the ending seeming quite rushed when we start to see his true colours though. I think I'd have enjoyed a more nuanced approach to this. But it really didn't ruin anything the way it was done.

I see a lot of complaints complaining that it wasn't a faithful adaption of the book. I've never read the book so I can't speak to that but I can count on one hand the amount of books I've read that have been faithfully translated to screen - It almost never happens the way that satisfies everyone, people should be used to that by now.

As for the songs been complained about, well perhaps they should try listening to them - I thought they helped convey a lot of narrative and emotion and the film would be missing something more without them. And for those comparing this to a musical because of them, then they should probably go and watch a musical to find out how wrong they are there as well. Ridiculous statements.

Was / is it the best film ever? No. Of course not.

Does it deserve the panning some people give it based on it not being an accurate representation of the book? Nope.

Does it deserve to be slagged off for being a musical? Nope.

Does it deserve a watch if you've any interest in the Hunger Games world? Absolutely.

Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

It isn't often I rate films one, but this throughly deserves it.

[1/10 · 21 August 2023]

I don't berate films for being utter drivel, each to their own as far as films are concerned in my opinion.

But, I'll make an exception in this case.

The set up is ludicrous, I mean. Come on. How the writers could come up with the basic idea of this film and get it all the way through to an actual film without anyone along the way saying 'Wait. Is this good?'

It's not even 'good' for one of these kinds of films. So many plot holes, of which the first pops up quite early and surely there would have been some kind of foresight.

Not one interesting or new thing to be seen here. Please avoid at all costs.

If this review can save just one of you from wasting your time then I'll consider it a job done.

Again.

Please don't.

Fatal Attraction (2023)

Five episodes in and I'm enjoying it.

[7/10 · 15 May 2023]

Surpsingly loving this show so far. I was hesitant at first, "another TV show based on a film" deal - BUT - Happy to report I was very wrong.

Love the angle the show has taken, the dual timeline/perspective of the events adds a good level of intrigue. We all know what's happened, it doesn't pretend to be anything clever that way - But it's how it happens, why it happens and what are the triggers behind it all that keep me watching.

Lots of less posititve reviews here, I'm not sure what other people where expecting - A complete remake of the film? - What would be the point?

No, I'm enjoying a fresh, updated take on the story. I'm a bit wary of them taking the obvious route of *she's not really dead* to eek out more seasons of the show but I shall just, perhaps naively, think better of the writers than that. For now.

Renegades (2022)

Really is so bad, it's good.

[5/10 · 6 February 2023]

I'm giving this a solid 5. But, it's a bad film. It's terrible. It really is.

But - It's entertaining, within 10 minutes I could see what it was going to be but I had to keep on watching.

Where else can you see a film with The Six Million Dollar Man, Machete, President Lindberg team up with Patsy Kensit, Don Beech from The Bill and Denzil from Only Fools and Horses?

I'm also pretty sure it was filmed on drones and mobile phones exclusively, and probaly without permission to film. I imagine a lot of the 'extras' being surpised to see themselves in a film.

That said - Some of the drone shots where stunning to look at, the fly bys of London really stood out - I could have done with less of the zooming in one buildings and flying off in to the sky stuff though.

The film is very, very jankily put together - I can't really explain how badly it's pieced together, it's like they just filmed a bit, then moved on to the next set piece.

All of the characters are like bad caricature of who they are supposed to be in this world, and very, very badly acted for the most part - I mean, wooden doors doesn't come close to how some of the dialogue is given.

But. I did on some level enjoy the film, and I am looking forward to the inevitable sequel to watch them all do it again.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Utter drivel and nowhere near as clever as it thinks it is

[2/10 · 30 December 2021]

It's not often I dislike a film as much as I dislike this one.

I liked the premise of the film, and I get what it's trying to do and, honestly it's whole idea and concept is very possible and something I can see happening.

It's just a very badly executed film and a terrible way of trying to make the point.

It isn't funny. It isn't ironic. It isn't satire. It isn't clever.

It's none of the things it could have been, which is a genuine shame given the cast they had to work with.

The only thing that saved it from One Star was the acting, I'll give them that much - They obviously believed in what they where doing. Leonardo and Meryl stand out as being particularly good here.

The final act of the movie seems to be trying to ram home it's point, any subtlety of the films message goes out of the window at this point which makes it even worse. They might as well have had someone sit behind you and point at things asking "Did you get that?"

That being said, the final few moments of the film was also particularly well done I thought, but this again, is far more down to the acting than anything else.

T2 Trainspotting (2017)

Not the film I wanted, but what did I know?

[8/10 · 6 February 2021]

Got to say. I HATED this film the first time I watched it. It wasn't the film I wanted it to be, and it definitely wasnt the film it should have been (Porno) - BUT.

My God I was wrong.

I don't know what changed, or what made me want to give it another go but I'm very glad I did.

The film brings is upto date with the main characters of the first film is such a well thought and done way. None of them have made a particular good job of getting their lives on track, and that's OK. Because, how many of us have?

It's a truly thoughtful look at what it means for a bunch of friends that once meant so much to each other and then lost track and meet up again. The bad vibes are all there, the good memories.

The memories and nostalgia the film evokes within itself is amazing. Spuds role especially, that - That's just pure genius topped with a giant 'I've think I've thought of a title" shaped cherry.

I see many bad reviews of this film, and get it. I really do. I personally told as many people i could to avoid this film if they had any love for the first one.

And now I feel like I've done them a disservice.

Please, give this film a second chance and don't expect it tell you the story you want.

Let it tells its own story because it definitely deserves the chance.

Love and Monsters (2020)

Proper good, 'nice" movie.

[8/10 · 20 October 2020]

I didn't know what to expect from this movie, I just sat down to watch it and I'm glad I did.

They don't make enough movies like this anymore, ones that the whole family can just sit and enjoy so it took me by suprise.

Sure it's aimed at a younger person than me but it's not condescending either. Sure it's been done before and has a certain amount of predictably, but - It was good to switch the brain off and go for the ride.

Like I said, 'nice' - We need more of that in this world.

I Hate Suzie (2020– )

Loved it, but hard too watch in places.

[8/10 · 15 September 2020]

I thought this was a great show from start to finish. The story is told at just the right pace and was done so brilliantly.

I genuinely feel as though this could happen the way it plays out here and, probably has.

It seems very, unfair, in places - The way Suzie is treated from some of her friends and colleagues is horrible to watch in places but I'd imagine that in that world its to be expected.

Of course Suzie isn't completely innocent and that lends itself to not quite being able to feel completely sorry for her at the same time.

A sad reflection of the media and the role it can play in people's lives. A sad reflection of the times we live in.

You do find yourself rooting for Suzie though, to somehow get away from the mess she finds herself in and the people who surround her.

Hopefully they'll do another series.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Weird for weirds sake.

[3/10 · 7 September 2020]

Meh - I had to Google what it was about, even after absorbing all the facts from the original book etc - Nah.

I get "it" - But it's too disjointed to make sense of without needing to look into it more, and that's not a good thing.

Good idea, concept etc - Badly executed.

ID2: Shadwell Army (2016)

Don't write this one off.

[7/10 · 17 December 2019]

I heard about this film and knew it was going to go one of two ways. I loved the first ID from way back when. This has some old characters in it that I suspected where just thrown a bone.

I was wrong.

While not quite hitting the highs and lows of John's story from the original this is still worth a look, it brings you back into their world in a convincing enough way it leaves you wanting another installment.

Sure, the budget is low. The acting isn't world class but the story is compelling. Just like the original.

I went in blind. I didn't know anything about the story. I want the same for you. If you enjoyed the first one, trust it.

See You Yesterday (2019)

Well. I was enjoying it...

[3/10 · 23 June 2019]

... Till it just ended.

It's not the best film in the world by any means but a decent enough watch. Kind of like an old school family adventure film with swears and a political message thrown in. Even has a bit of Michael J Fox thrown in for good measure.

But. If you don't know how to end a movie, don't film it.

Honestly, not many films can pull of an ambiguous ending and this shouldn't have even tried.

The House That Jack Built (2018)

Nope.

[2/10 · 15 December 2018]

I wasn't expecting much from this film, but I found myself engrossed with Matt Dillons character. He plays his part brilliantly in all fairness. It's a very clever film and keeps you wanting to know what happens next all the way through.

The narration is focused and meaningful, the camera work is very well done. It could have been so much more.

It could have been. Towards the end of the film it turns a corner and doesn't look back.

There is hints of what is happening all through the film if you listen, it's just the actual pay off is, well. Rubbish.

It's a shame the film was so focused and grounded that it veers off in the direction it does, more so that it doesn't return to finish the story properly.

I "get it" - I just don't like it.

So close.

Magnum P.I. (2018–2024)

Guilty Pleasure

[7/10 · 16 October 2018]

Switch your brain off. Watch the pretty people do pretty things and enjoy. It isn't pretending to be anything it isn't, it's a modern update of a TV show and it knows that.

Sure, it lacks depth. It lacks a deep seeded story arc, but it's only four episodes in. This day and age its still establishing characters, and that's OK.

Is it the best TV ever? No. Can you easily be entertained for an hour. Yes.