Robodok Reviews

Life (I) (2007–2009)

The first season was excellent, let's hope for a return to form in season 2

[8/10 · 5 October 2008]

The main character, Det. Charlie Crews, is quirky and funny, both intentionally and otherwise, and he has a dry, sardonic wit that i really enjoy. After his experience of serving more than a decade in jail for a crime he didn't commit, and his abandonment by his partners, both at home and on the job, he strives to overcome bitterness by turning to Buddhism as a means of overcoming it all and seeing things in a more philosophical way. While this aspect of the show is overall quite enjoyable and adds to the overall sense of fun and oddness, it is at times a bit overdone and the point becomes labored, but Charlie is definitely the obsessive-compulsive type, so usually it's fine and it's funny.

The actor playing Det. Crews, Damian Lewis, is very well known in British television and does a great job in this role, at once odd and perfectly normal given what he's been through. As he has done in other roles, Lewis can simultaneously display a range of emotions, and can be as sympathetic or loathsome as the role demands (definitely the former in this case). Also, I am pretty picky about accents, but I am from LA and I would never guess that he wasn't also. The supporting cast is also strong, and their characters are for the most part reasonably well-rounded, especially his sidekick/lawyer/friend/housemate who is humorous in an odd sort of way, as you'd expect from Adam Arkin.

As for the plot, although Crews has received a huge settlement payout for his wrongful imprisonment, he has returned to his former job, now as a detective, unlike his former partner and best friend who is still in uniform. It looks like his main purpose in going back on the job is to figure out who framed him for the murder for which he spent so many years in jail, as you would. It quickly becomes clear that it all centers around a bank robbery where a very large sum of money disappeared, and where many of his fellow officers just happened to be that day on a training exercise. Charlie is easy to like, so I find myself really eager for him to find out what happened, and also to see what the next twists and turns will be as he explores that avenue.

I write this as season 2 has started at last, having been delayed considerably by the writers' strike last year. Although I was looking forward to the return of this show, I felt really disappointed by the first episode of season 2, as I discussed in the comments for that specific episode. I really enjoyed season 1 of this show, so let's hope that, after a faltering start, the second season provides more of the fine writing and acting that distinguished the first.

Life: Find Your Happy Place (2008) Season 2, Episode 1

disappointing restart

[5/10 · 4 October 2008]

I really enjoyed season 1 of this show. The main character is quirky and funny, both intentionally and otherwise, and has a dry, sardonic wit. Add to that the engrossing main plot line of figuring out who framed him for the murder for which he spent many years in jail, the supporting cast of characters who are reasonably well-rounded considering it's early days, and the all around strong acting, and you have a truly engaging show on your hands. I have written a more detailed comment under the main title's page.

Although I was eagerly looking forward to the return of this show, I felt really disappointed by this first episode of season 2. The continuing plot line mentioned above was barely gone into, which left the "mystery" solved in this episode carrying all of the dramatic weight, and it couldn't carry the load. The characters were right out of TV Writing 101, and the resolution of the investigation was so incredibly clichéd that it was a wonder the actors could say their lines with a straight face. Also, the supporting cast wasn't up to scratch this time, most notably the angry karate kid whose acting was so over the top it's a wonder he didn't get nose bleeds! Add to that the fact that some re-exposition of the main thread was clearly thrown in at the last minute due to the longer than usual break, and you end up with a very mediocre result.

I was also quite annoyed by the pseudo-scientific philosophizing that occurred as a result of a single ridiculous comment made by someone upon first meeting him ("I'm not really here.") Usually this is part of the fun of the show, but like everything else in this episode, this felt like it was just another plot element quickly thrown in without the usual finesse.

I don't know if this was a rush job before the writers' strike, or afterward, but I certainly hope they do better next time. We'll see...

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2003 TV Movie)

Not the shocking film it tries to be

[4/10 · 6 January 2008]

I checked out this version of J&H on TV mainly because I'm a fan of John Hannah, but he was very disappointing in this role. It was his affability that made him a treat to watch in films such as 'Sliding Doors' and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', and it is that very trait that undermines his portrayal of Mr Hyde. He is completely unconvincing as a menacing, dangerous figure, and the decision not to present Mr Hyde as physically different from Dr Jekyll exacerbates this problem, although it is an interesting choice artistically and could have paid rich dividends in the hands of an actor capable of projecting a truly intimidating presence. Also, his acts of barbarity, which are obviously meant to be shocking, don't have the desired effect; this is partly because of our familiarity with the story, but more so because of the lack of any real tension or suspense of any kind. Not only does Mr Hyde not seem as menacing as he is meant to be, but Dr Jekyll never convinces us that he was a paragon of virtue in the first place, due to inadequate exposure in the screenplay as well as the underwhelming acting and direction. The performances from the supporting actors likewise feel rather wet and unconvincing.

It seems to me that the theme of this film was that there truly was no difference between Jekyll and Hyde, and that it was Dr Jekyll who deliberately chose evil. This point is made repeatedly in several repetitive scenes where Dr Jekyll keeps talking about "removing impurities" and that in the end he will "contain evil", and the servant Mabel time and again discusses the fact that we are able to choose between good and evil. This might have been an interesting subject had is been dealt with more subtly. The battle between the good and evil sides of a person also became more ridiculous as it became more explicit, and the resolution seemed to be designed more for its non-existent shock value than for any faithfulness to either the tale as it was originally told or to the tale as it had been told thus far in this film.

Even if, or maybe especially if you are a fan of John Hannah, stay clear of this film if you want to avoid being disappointed on all levels.

Up Against Them All (2004)

nauseating camera work

[1/10 · 6 September 2006]

A shaky hand-held camera was used, presumably to give the film a documentary look, but the effect was so exaggerated that I started to get motion-sickness just from watching it. It looked like someone with cerebral palsy was holding the camera (no offense meant to CP sufferers, but I don't think you would expect to get much work as a cinematographer!) The camera work was so nauseating, and so distracting, that my wife and I considered it unwatchable and gave up on it after 10 minutes of torture. I checked back a while later (it was showing on TV), and it hadn't gotten any better. I suggest giving this one a miss unless you need to get rid of any bad sushi you may have eaten!

Quite Ugly One Morning (2004 TV Movie)

the hit-man isn't the only lame thing here

[5/10 · 26 February 2006]

I haven't read the book this is based on, or any others by this author, so came with little expectations apart from the fact that it stars James Nesbitt. Nesbitt delivers as usual and is as charming and amusing as the lame writing allows him to be, although certainly not as charming as he or the scriptwriters think he is.

There are plenty of plot holes and references to events that must have wound up on the cutting room floor, with the effect that all in all it felt fairly anaemic.

Reading the comments of others though, I am now curious to read the novels, which sound like they are far better than this formulaic excursion into TV-land.

Love Letter (1995)

More than a love story

[9/10 · 24 June 2003]

On the surface, this is a simple yet moving love story. However, through its twin protagonists, this film explores our relation to the past and how various parts of it may be idealised, suppressed, or distorted, in part based on our assumptions about others that usually go unstated and unchallenged. This latter point is reinforced through a subplot involving (female) Itsuki's grandfather and a past tragedy.

The film is very striking visually, in turns showing sweeping landscapes and intimately detailed portraits. Emotions are at times powerfully conveyed by a camera movement accompanied by a well chosen musical score. The limited use of a hand-held camera jarred with the serene beauty of the rest of the film, which no doubt was the intent, but I found it to be a minor distraction.

All in all, a very poetic missive delivered to us by the skilled hand of Shunji Iwai.

Total Recall (1990)

Total Rubbish

[5/10 · 24 May 2003]

Plot holes you could drive a truck (or a freight train) through, ludicrous special effects, and one of the corniest endings I have ever seen - and that's saying something! And there are so many product placements that they needn't bother with commercials when they show it on TV.

The movie mentions lobotomies - I suggest you have one before watching this if you want to enjoy it.

The Bone Collector (1999)

Seen it all before

[6/10 · 29 September 2002]

WARNING: minor spoilers

From the start, you get a strong sense of deja vu watching this movie. The serial killer leaving clues, the "twists" along the way, and especially the "climax" that was so predictable you literally know exactly what is going to happen at each moment - not to mention the sickly sweet ending.

It has a good look thanks to director Philip Noyce, and Denzel Washington is excellent as always, although he may very well have mailed in this performance.

I guess Hollywood just can't help themselves - they followed a tried and true (and overdone) formula, and test marketed the ending to make sure everyone felt warm and fuzzy after 2 hours of watching brutal murders. No wonder Noyce recently felt like he had to get off the Hollywood treadmill/production-line and come back to Australia to make one from the heart (Rabbit Proof Fence).

The Business of Strangers (2001)

Much better than the reviews would suggest!

[9/10 · 16 August 2002]

My wife and I both enjoyed this movie very much, and our reaction to it was quite different from the ones in some reviews. I felt that the plot twists were entirely believable, and not so extreme as was suggested by others. Stockard Channing gave what may well be the best performance of her career, and Julia Stiles was also very convincing as the younger mirror image of her would be mentor/protege/master/slave.

Cop Land (1997)

Sly was good until the bullets started flying

[7/10 · 30 August 2001]

The film starts with a reasonably interesting premise about NY City cops who set up their own town across the bridge in New Jersey, with Sylvester Stallone playing the stooge sheriff whose main job is to look the other way. As the plot develops, it becomes difficult to distinguish this group of cops from any mob family - in fact, there is no difference. I was let down by the ending, however, which resorted to an illogical plot development that led to a fairly standard and uninspired gun battle that's over before you know it. It would have been much more interesting had the guns stayed in their holsters, or at least if it would have been a little less predictable.

Chocolat (2000)

Hollywood confection full of saccharine

[3/10 · 13 April 2001]

A true Hollywood movie, complete with one-dimensional characters, good vs. evil with no ambiguity, and of course the obligatory happy ending. They've given it an art house veneer, and the cast looks very promising, but don't be fooled: the structure is hollow underneath, and a lot of very good talent is absolutely wasted.

Homicide (1991)

Not nearly as good as I hoped for

[3/10 · 8 April 2001]

As a big fan of David Mamet's films and plays, especially his first film House of Games that also starred Joe Mantegna, I was expecting great things from this film. Instead, I found myself annoyed by the film's superficiality and lack of credibility. Racial slurs are thrown about without any feeling or meaning behind them, in the hopes of setting up a racial tension that for me never materialized. Identity is totally reevaluated and men become "heroes" for no apparent reason. Because of his oaths taken as a cop, the lead character adamantly refuses to perform one relatively small action that would harm no one and could possibly save lives, and yet performs another action which is very violent and VERY illegal, but then still refuses the minor action. In addition, a highly unbelievable subplot involving a man who has killed his family is introduced just for the sake of a plot point that was all but advertised with skywriting, and the cop's reaction to that occurrence stretch credulity way beyond all reasonable limits. Needless to say, after expecting another exciting thriller from David Mamet, I was extremely disappointed to say the least. 3 out of 10.