antonyfoster Reviews

Crime (2021– )

Awful

[1/10 · 18 March 2024]

Trying to push lazy stereotypes into a mishmash of a plot with unrealistic and unlikeable characters.

Politics seems the primary driver of the writing here rather than delivering anything useful for the viewer. Embarrassing dialogue, plot lines and characters. I am not sure why I am compelled to write 509 characters about this tripe as many other reviews have managed to get away with about 100. Giving more words to use will only invite the opprobrium that the second series deserves as it is easily the worst crime drama I have seen in years.

I pity the actors in this, but am relieved that my character count has been satisfied.

Fool Me Once (2024)

Rubbish

[2/10 · 15 February 2024]

TV series often get about 2 points more than equivalent quality films on this site (not sure why that is) so this series is like a 4.8 score for a film.

If you would watch a 4.8 film, watch this.

The script is awful, the adaptation of the book poor, the casting dreadful and the acting from the 'star' absolutely wooden. Deeply disappointing at every turn and the story lacks pace whilst trying to be clever with interesting twists which are nothing but. It is really strange how a book that was enjoyable can not transfer to the screen well.

I had to sit through this as the better half 'heard,' that it was good. Desperately misinformed.

Honestly, don't bother.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Self-obsessed turgid crawl through a great story

[2/10 · 21 October 2023]

This could have been an excellent film, looking at the director, actors and story behind it. It's an important, but forgotten part of US history, but this is 3+ hours of grinding boredom. The dialogue is so bad (the script writers must have been on strike) and there is absolutely no pace to this film. It was so slow that the director had to wrap up the story with a rather farcical (although well done) rushed stage scene at the end. It felt like Scorsese wanted to go on for days if allowed.

The indigenous population are being robbed and deceived by legions of greedy, racist white men in this film. De Niro is excellent and deeply evil, DiCaprio is on form, but Gladstone's character is one-dimensional and under-developed. Fraser is laughably bad. It's difficult to get away from the poor script here, but the film is getting plaudits solely because it focuses on the Osage and their culture (which is done well) and how greedy and deceitful all the whiteys are. Too many scenes go on for ever without adding anything to the journey.

Too long. Too slow. Terrible dialogue. If it wasn't a Scorsese, this movie would be nowhere.

The Last Duel (2021)

Fantastic spectacle

[9/10 · 10 October 2022]

Once you get past the fact that Matt Damon has a silly haircut, this is a great film with a fantastic story.

The way it's presented in 3 stages (the viewpoints of the three main characters) does not make one feel that you're watching the same thing over and over. The subtle differences add to the tension.

Scott is one of the best directors ever and the accuracy to real events, as well as the clear attention to detail in getting 14th Century France on the screen, gives us a feast of Medieval live without the inaccuracies and gimmicks that often make other films of this era fail.

Oh, I forgot to say, Affleck's got a silly haircut too and Comer is incredible.

Sound of Metal (2019)

Trying to portray a powerful message but fails.

[4/10 · 26 June 2021]

I'm afraid this film just doesn't have enough in it to make it watchable. The flatline pace of the film makes it dreary and monotonous, despite good acting performances. Also, the lack of humour does not help the audience gain empathy with the characters, so half-way though the film it became difficult to care about any outcomes. 'How much longer has this got?' was asked by too many.

Mank (2020)

Desperately trying to impress

[3/10 · 31 May 2021]

Having heard this film had won many nominations I sat down with an open mind but was desperately disappointed. I had read nothing ahead of my viewing, so had no preconceptions about what to expect but really couldn't work out what this film was trying to do. After twenty minutes I guessed that it was trying to be Citizen Kane and then the next hour just confirmed my suspicions. Some great individual performances, with some good retro (really retro) writing but otherwise this is a total mess. People who enjoy this film will probably regard themselves as higher intellects or connoisseurs, but in reality it is a contrived mess.

Thunder Force (2021)

Truly terrible

[2/10 · 29 May 2021]

Thunder Force deserves one star at the most, but there are some genuine laugh out loud moments with Mellissa Macarthy in her typical deadpan manner. What Jason Bateman is doing in this film, I really couldn't work out. Overall the plot and dialogue is dreadful, the concept childish but they've thrown money at the production purely due to the cast. So bad it actually has some appeal, but only so much as to give it one extra star than single it deserves.

Noughts + Crosses (2020– )

Too many lazy stereotypes

[3/10 · 21 July 2020]

Firstly, the way the series set itself up was excellent, with scene setting and background to make the viewer understand that typical western race roles had been reversed through African conquest. However, the script-writers tried to shoehorn in too many lazy stereotypes that don't exist in the modern world. It would have made sense had this been set in 1900 London, as it would represent the equivalent reversal of 1900 colonialism. Set in the present day it felt like the writers were trying to make too many political points rather than a drama. Once one realises this it becomes more enjoyable, but it's so blatant that it spoils too many of the situations as they couldn't contain themselves. On a more positive note the main characters were well played, and the family dynamics of the two main parts also excellent.

Us (II) (2019)

Garbage

[2/10 · 29 May 2020]

Normally the IMDB scores give a good guide as to how good a film is going to be, but I'm afraid this time it was so wide of the mark. Convoluted plot, terrible ham suspense, poor character development and dreadful script. Very basic, low level film making and screenplay even with two leads who have done good work elsewhere. Little to recommend.

Holmes & Watson (2018)

One of those terrible, but watchable, films

[6/10 · 2 May 2020]

Right from the off this film makes its approach pretty clear. It does get tiresome after about 20 minutes but it remains watchable and the wacky, random, stereotypical and rather telegraphed jokes do grate, but you feel you need to keep watching. Not a Farrell classic, but not a disaster. Kids will love it as there's little subtlety in anything this film gives you but there are some rather adult moments. It's a farce, and should be judged on that basis.

Hereditary (2018)

Strange, not scary

[2/10 · 27 October 2018]

Well acted but a rather bizarre story which doesn't pull the audience in. There is no emotional attachment to any of the characters and the art-house style photography alienates rather than captivates. Excellent reviews are rather confusing as there are many better horror or suspense films out there.