leoalexanderscott Reviews

Madame Web (2024)

Should have been a tv series.

[4/10 · 22 February 2024]

With the popularity of streaming services including dedicated Disney Marvel catalogue, there needs to be a clear decision if a heroine story will be embraced on the big screen before commitment to a substantial budget. It seems Sony is a thorn with ambition to milk the spider-verse. Madame Web is the next venture and what a disaster that has been delivered to Marvel fans, Spidey fans and the impressionable younger newer generation coming through. The movie is bad without the toxicity of upset fandoms. No doubt this movie will be remembered for its bad reviews as did DC's 2004 Catwoman.

The movie felt like the script been dusted and cobwebs brush aside from the 1980s vaults. The script was so 1980's A-B storytelling it was straight-forward "insert here" character situation. In addition, the script only update was nicking bits from other movies.

There is sexualisation of three younger heroines for perverted pleasures for teen boys instead of using a brilliant opportunity to deliver admirable strong female role models. Thus, remain cardboard cutouts throughout the whole film. A similar problem was also with associates with both Madame and the villain Sims, they just go nowhere (or simply vanished) when they could have easily had stronger dialogue in the plot and been there right through to the end.

In conclusion, I felt like I was watching a possible tv series but instead I had to endure basic A-B plot jammed into two hours. I tried to enjoy the movie, but it was just a massive disaster.

C*A*U*G*H*T (2023– )

Utter garbage

[1/10 · 16 November 2023]

Admittedly I did not complete watching the series. But I did try and hope it would improve. It just got worse. This is one worse tv comedies that has been ever produced in the world. It is so bad, it should be flushed down the toilet. Its not even creative or experimental (which is what I was trying to convince myself to force watching more episodes). The type of person who may enjoy this movie could be junkie or unintelligent brain-dead 15 yo school bully. It is poorly scripted, outdated one liners and unfunny arching jokes, with characterisations that is worse than B grade porn romp with string of an idea fraying in every episode. Who wrote this? A group of year 9 media class students. Utter garbage.

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

Tom Blyth steals the show

[8/10 · 16 November 2023]

One of the big highlights for 2023 is the return of The Hunger Games to the cinema with a prequel. Set several decades before, we learn how Anekin become Dart... okay wrong movie... but the same basics happens here. And the rising Hollywood star Tom Byth delivers a very convincing interpretation of young Coriolanus Snow. However, you cannot say the same for the female lead role in Rachel Zegler who portrayed a country western signing version of Lucy Gray. The unconvincing character portrayal failed to deliver any convincing chemistry that the story require. And there is question around the lack of technological advancement outside of laboratory. Nevertheless, most of the movie is a good story. It is not as epic as the Hunger Games movies in the past, but an adaption of a novel that serves its purpose well.

The Marvels (2023)

Fun adventure for Kamala and her family

[9/10 · 15 November 2023]

Most importantly, if have not already done so, you will need to watch the television series "Ms Marvel" before watching "The Marvels". If have not watched this series, you going to be lost and frustrated, confused and annoyed. The series sets the basics knowledge of all the little pieces of the puzzle. Kamala and her family provides the humour which if you have watched the series, you will have a hoot with their characters in this movie (move over Nick Fury!). There are other Marvel elements in the movie but it is not as important and basic knowledge is not as important as "Ms Marvel" (e.g "The Invasion"; "Wanda Vision"). The movie is short and fun with a standard villian ingredient. We could have develop the back-story of the origin to the villian Dar-Benn and her planet Hala and her hatred for Captain Marvel more, which could have added an extra 30 mins, but this have may changed the whole tone of the movie. The Marvels is fun adventure and that is all it needs to be.

I Hate You (2022)

Flatmates mundane lives on steroids.

[8/10 · 28 October 2023]

I am in search for a quick half hour comedy to stream to fill in the time. I have had many fails but occassionally I discover an unknown never heard of short lived series. I Hate You for me is one of those unexpected surprises. It is quirky and somewhat a trance into the daily lives of two flatmates without anything special or unique but their best friendship as they naviagte their mudane everyday lives, their family, their employment, and of course their friday nights. The support character are completely over the top insantity that you will trip out catching flys in every episode. I had many laughter stitches that seems to become more amd more common as the series progresses. It is not for everyone. Its a comedy that best enjoyed by people who like to escape from their reality and plonk themselves inside another. I ended up watching the series as a binge and I my advice is that you should do the same because some of the jokes evolve from one epsiode to the next and the next. I Hate You was a surprise and a reflection of 2020's.

Blue Beetle (2023)

Rewritten New Version for the Theatre

[6/10 · 17 October 2023]

This version of Blue Beetle has the character Jaime Reyes accidentally becomes the symbiote host following an interaction to impress Jenny, the niece of the villian and CEO of the family dynasty Kord, Victoria. Other versions of Blue Beetle characters do make a cameo but not true to the comics. The scarab origins are simply a part of greater alien technology that crashed to Earth over the milleniums. First large part of the movie is slow building up the characters, especially Jaime's family (family being concept in this movie). It improves with action but then becomes predictable conclusion (and feels like it was rewritten) The whole movie echos of the best bits of other movies with the same formula reharsh. Think Venom, Miss Marvel, Smallville and hint of Ironman. I felt this movie belong to previous universe of DC films where it seems to fit better - the Justice League - and not the beginning of a new era we being promised. Tbh, it's no surprise this film was a blockbuster dud before it was release. It had an uphill battle. No one really knows this hero. This version of Blue Beetle would have been more appropriate for the small screen.

Mother and Son (2023– )

Avoid comparing apples to um apples

[7/10 · 13 October 2023]

If you never heard or watched any episodes of the classic iconic great Australian comedy from 1980s-1990s, then you will probably enjoy this series more. I personally wish this new reboot had nothing to attached itself to the old classic. Unfortunately they have taken characters names and well, the rest is completely new. In fact, I feel by using the same character names it somewhat offensive and will upset the older hardcore fans. They should have created new identities, and not even called a reboot.

The other problem I have with this show is a complete lack of understanding of dementia and carers. The writers did not do their homework. I myself am a carer for my elderly father. My dad has good days and bad days. And I do connect with Arthur'd frustration. But the writers are completely clueless of different issues affecting the elderly. And the writers certainly do not know about any of the financial assistance available and the different services out there to assist. They have created Arthur as the son who seems more like a freeloader bum by making out there is something wrong with Maggie who had an accident while cooking one day. Meanwhile, Robbie should be investigated for taking advantage of her Mother and have any powers limited. In all following episodes, there is actually nothing wrong with Maggie. Is this done on purpose?

I initially watch this new comedy thinking it was gping to be a possible laugh out enjoyment. Its not funny. But did enjoy it for Arthur's story. And for that I gave it caring 7/10.

Ahsoka (2023– )

Rehash of old plots

[5/10 · 13 October 2023]

This show will probably appeal to the die hard Star War fans more than anyone including adolescents for which feels like the series target audience is. Support cast feel like they are pluck out of the Disney theme park employee performers lunch room. Main cast save the show from becoming landslide B-grade highschool theatre production. Special effects and sound are good. The story plot and scripted characters is so recycled, that besides knowing what is going to occur, you can easily play drinking game with all the plot holes and errors. Despite dragging this show down in my review I will say this, it does improve and there is some great orignal Star Wars warm fussy moments. Fingers-cross the second series is better. With a heart I gave this series a 5/10.

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

Poorly executed movie

[3/10 · 1 September 2023]

Assemblage of unknown or upcoming young actors breaking into the industry who put their souls into giving a genuine realistic interpretation of their characters. However, the script is flimsy b-grade with extremely poor directing. As typical, a bunch of teenager and a toolie are trap in mansion during a hurricane, and no surprise, between them all, they make some dumb decisions. Both the mansion and hurricane settings are underutilised. The focus is the dynamics of the friends and strangers interacting with each other. If you struggle to continue watching the endless accusations, and just want to solve the mystery, it is worth watching the end.

The Flash (I) (2023)

Spaghetti

[8/10 · 19 June 2023]

I have mixed feelings. Its an enjoyable movie for a number of reasons but this adaptation of Flashpoint should have had the script developed, reworked and refined further before production. The story we are given is basic A to B with a garnish of ideas that could have been develop more deeply to provide an emotional ride. We are given instead nostalgic pop culture supported by extremely poor CGI. There are some wow moments stolen by Keaton and his bat toys, but majority was sadly revealed in the promotional advertising which takes dulls the surprise shine. And the fact of some of loved heroes face demise will certainly upset viewer for the wrong reason. In conclusion, instead of direct worldwide threat and JSA, this movie could have been edited heavily, cutting out the fandom, and focus exploring the emotional toll of consequences of the butterfly effect with dramatic decisions. The appearance of mysterious flash version should have remained as such setting up for more instalments. We have a fun over-hype movie that is worth watching, but not ground-breaking.

Poker Face (2022)

A disaster saved by quailty acting.

[5/10 · 4 February 2023]

A disjointed film that one can assume was written by aspiring film graduate mates in a pub. The plot holes are as bad as the consistency. A soap opera drama attempt at a thriller (most of which should have been crossed out, rewritten, and edited out). If it was not for the main actor Russell Crowe and a selection of quality Australian actors, this movie would have been a complete disaster. Made worse by poor research into topics such as professional gambling, self-healing retreats, and fine art. To begin with, the Archibald is for a subject of Science, Arts, Letters and Politics. Why paint a gambler? And some of the things said about certain works was so off the mark , I did a wtf and burst out laughing. There was so many pub-written subplots in this movie that went completely nowhere. This movie would have been so much better if someone tutored the script and simplified to a basic panic room thriller without the mess. Russel Crowe and other actors save this movie with quailty acting otherwise it would have been rated as low as 2/10.

Moon Rock for Monday (2020)

Despite errors still brilliant heart warming story.

[9/10 · 26 December 2022]

A great drinking game movie where you can spot all the period errors and mistakes from Australian currency nominations, medical prescription, electronics, food products, fashion, etc. One minute we are in the 1980s next minute we jump 2020. And from my pre-review research, there are some filming bloopers too. But ignoring the opportunity for a drinking game, this is absolutely beautiful movie that still deserves a 9/10. The story is heartwarming, the acting by newcommers is brilliant, and the scenic filmology is epic. I had to research to see if this was a fictional or non-fictional story and I don't think it is the latter. Great film, shame about the obvious historical inaccurrencies or lazy errors. Still worth a watch. Still a great and beautiful Aussie road trip story.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Beautiful Big Screen Adventure

[9/10 · 18 November 2022]

I can imagine Marvel hardcore comic fans may be a little upset with the changes to the villian Namor, from ruler of New Atlantis to the King of Aztec decendants of the Talokans who had retreated to sea eventually creating a secret underwater civilisation who have access to one of the vibranium deposits on Earth. But Wakanda Forever was always going to deliver significant change with a new Black Panther. I think all these alterations are perfectly fine and provides a stepping stone for a bigger Marvel story to unfold as cinematic franchise. The plot is decent and mature dialogue, and back by very good diversity of old and new characters twine into each others lives. Its a visual and emotionally beautiful journey from start to end.

Black Adam (2022)

Standard Formula

[7/10 · 17 November 2022]

I went to see the movie hoping for a Shazam style adventure and answering some of the questions why we have another choosen hero. Instead, we are presented with a standard hero origin script, with insert characters and background history here. Don't get me wrong, there is some good action, humour, and plot maturity done right. I was perhaps expecting a story focusing just on Black Adam void of any other influence from JSA. And I will repeat what other have mention in their reviews, Dr Fate and Hawkman competes as greater characters in the movie that Black Adam almost become a minor third hero character. The movie could have been called Hawkman and Fate or JSA: Origins. My own hangup is that these two characters (Fate and Hawkman) both needed their own origin tale told seperately first before joining forces. It feels like a wasted opportunity. Or both these character origin stories were developed instead as one film, while an new threat emerges without the Black Adams origins (his origin retained for a later film in clever script). In conclusion, wasted opportunities but we presented with DCs more popular characters to attract a paying audience with routine fights and global existence threat. A standard formula.

People of Earth (2016–2017)

Be warn there is no ending but still worth while watch

[9/10 · 8 November 2022]

A really great comedy series about a group of different alien species and a human support group of the abducted. So much more material to explore and alike many reviewers we want more. Perhaps five years from the cliff-hanger the show could still be returned taking on a what happen taking puns at area 51, autopsy, fbi, social media etc direction. Or maybe a complete reboot using the script and character ideas. Sadly S2 ending just ends hanging (apparently S3 was announced but reasons unknown, it was pulled). This show was a gem and still worth watching but be warn that there is no solid conclusion.

Halloween Ends (2022)

Opportunity missed or was the script rewritten

[6/10 · 2 November 2022]

Im am new to the franchise and enjoyed the last two movies of this trilogy. This movie felt more alike a restart. Two key characters are developed in led up lengthy story (I will warn you now, if you expect horror immediately you will be dissappointed ). The movie felt very much like the baton was being passed onto the good vs evil apprentices for a new generation. And this leds towards a well scripted climax of horror making it all much more profound with storyline. But then it reverts back to an ending of the franchise just repeating the community confrontation plot, pluck from different movies which leaves you feeling if though the ending was rewritten and just stuck onto the end. This movie has the potential script for a good new start of a new series of Halloween, not the end of the current triology, but it is the end and not a beginning.

The Legend of Molly Johnson (2021)

Lost in translation

[4/10 · 25 September 2022]

The title is the only connection to Henry Lawson short story about a lonely woman living with her children in the highlands. The entire movie plot is completely new and has little other connection to any other cultural appropriation of the orignal tale. The story was written and directed by Leah Purcell who also acted in the lead role. Leah has obviously put her heart into the character, it shows! As Leah demonstrates much stronger in the skill of acting, than her other multitask roles. This story would have been much better as a six-part episode series to retain audience interest and allowing for more of the topics that Leah wanted to highlight, which could have been visited in more informatove detail. Music and graphic design was so outdated I thought I was watching an old-old Australian film from the 1990. The movie's only savour appeal (besides Leah's performance) is the professional artistic filming caturing of the highland landscape.

The Undeclared War (2022)

bland series that is better binge as a movie

[5/10 · 22 July 2022]

A complex cyber-war story written with some creative elements to emphasised working minds of cyber-analyse. However, the arching series story is still dull lacking any convincing seriousness of cyber-attacks, made worse by blandness emotion reactions by the characters. Its not horribly bad but its not good either. I am glad I watched to final episode. My tip is to binge the series.

Jurassic World Dominion (2022)

More like a midday anniversary movie special

[4/10 · 10 June 2022]

I can see clearly why critics have described this instalment in the franchise as a mash up. Key characters from previous movies thrown together into reminiscent past iconic scenes to loosely follow the very basic park plot. The characters are cardboard play pieces with mundane dialogue that goes nowhere. Not only was the monster dinosaurs recycled, but also some familiar dinosaurs from two decades ago (still filmed as obvious mechanical puppets). In conclusion, I struggle to avoid falling asleep watching a midday Jurassic Park reunion anniversary style movie special. Hopefully in future instalments they might actually create a decent interesting thrilling mature script around the existence of dinosaurs roaming in the human world. Previous two movies in recent years are brilliant. And the original three movies were magical. This movie was a boring letdown.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Memory lane for hardcore Marvel fans

[7/10 · 6 May 2022]

You are going to need to be up with all the relevant Marvel spin-offs and at that, be a true Marveller to completely appreciate this film's journey. But you can intelligently add bits together to get a sense of story plot and where the other heroes fit into the multiverse from across the decades. It is a good movie which is best appreciated on the big screen.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Once in a while a cult status movie is made. This is one them.

[9/10 · 28 April 2022]

Im still digesting what I watch from the information overload. This movie will be a I hate it or I love it. For me the latter. It is going to be no doubt one of those movies which will get the cult status. Best way to describe the movie is what would happen if you broomed all the edited clips from Sliders and Matrix and few other similar, and put them into a blender with some acid. The reason I enjoyed this movie because it was different and so refreshing change. I like art house movies and I say supporting well-known stars, advisors and was financed because they recognised the potential of something very unique here. Superhero style movie for adults with strong adult themes.

Free Guy (2021)

Surprisingly good fun movie

[9/10 · 28 April 2022]

Surprisingly it is a decent family fun movie. Only one aspect that I struggled was the villian could have been more realistic and perhaps played by a well-known such as Jim Carrey or Peter Capaldi. Overall, this was a surprising top movie and I can imagine how a sequel could be made.

Morbius (2022)

An absolute thrill ride

[9/10 · 22 April 2022]

I delayed seeing Morbius because I heard some unfavourable reviews. I finally went and seen the movie before screening sessions ended in my town. And I must have seen the wrong movie. Morbius was absolutely brilliant. I was left me on the edge of my seat with some scary moments. It was a true bloodlust vampire-style flick. The plot was absolutely brilliant and the special effects to demonstrate the powers attained were very well conceived. The duo dynamics between Leto and Matt Smith was the perfect match. Just wow! I absolutely enjoyed this movie tremendously. I will now research more into this Marvel character. I would recommend this movie the mature fan.

The Lost City (2022)

Adverts was better

[5/10 · 20 April 2022]

When I seen the adverts, I recollected Jewel of Nile and Romancing of Stone, so I was keen to see how it compared. There was some plot and character resemblance but it was mostly nothing like what I had imagine it could be. I was a guy (not the only single guy in the cinema I might mention) in a movie theatre where mostly women were having moments of laughter. For me, I felt like I was watching a week-day midday flick.

Doctor Who: Legend of the Sea Devils (2022) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Missed the opportunity to tale the Sea Devil backstory.

[3/10 · 19 April 2022]

I was keen to watch the return of the Sea Devils to see how they would be updated to mirror the Silurian cousins and being a feature length episode, a good backstory to reveal more of these famous foes. And I was generally okay with many of Chibnall era of stories. However, I was terribly disappointed from not only the lack of Sea Devil design, but their low budget puppetry appearance which made classics version look so much more contemporary. And the story with a loosely added last minute plot was so clumsy written (lets add this and that now lets forget we did that) it just felt like they making everything up on the spot. As was the acting, nothing more than a children's pirate pantomime. Chibnall era was well-known to spend good money on graphics and special efforts, but the skills and lack of polishing off of effects was so bad I was horrifically transported back in time to early 80s film technology. I was one of those fans that was okay with Chibnall era. But this episode was a complete let down in every way.