cwalker-04551 Reviews

Shōgun (2024–2026)

This is a treat. A view of Shogun through Mariko's eyes.

[10/10 · 17 April 2024]

Yes I read the book. Yes I watched the 80's tv version with Richard Chamberlain. What I find fascinating is that it is true that the female samurai were held to the same standard and duty as the men, while wielding no real power. The samurai men could decree that they would sacrifice their lives and their children and their wife as their lord decreed. I'm at episode 9, and I know Toranaga's true goal is to become Shogun, military leader of Japan, while the young heir becomes old enough to rule. Sometimes I think that we in the Western world think we are great for having a few centuries of history, when civilizations much older than ours have customs, duty and wisdom that should be respected. It's a good show, worth watching.

Road House (2024)

Script kinda sucks, just from the trailer

[6/10 · 22 March 2024]

Back in the day there was this actor named Patrick Swayze. He brought a kind of zen versus violence atmosphere to Roadhouse the original. I'm not finding any sense of that here. I'm not hating on the cast. Love Jake Jillenhaul, (sic?) the actor. I'm getting the sense that movie producers want to show more violence to their audiences and that helps no one. Except the advertisers and big corporations. Fake violence where nobody really gets hurt, and stunt actors who perform get well paid for their work. Script writers could have taken it down a notch, before some kid fakes his parents login and watches yet again another bunch of adults beating themselves up and learns that fake violence doesn't hurt anyone.

The Regime (2024)

It's a bit like the non-fiction fiction. Think "Brazil" the movie not the country

[8/10 · 5 March 2024]

I'm halfway through the first episode. What struck me favorably was the script writing and Kate Winslet's performance. Quirky business, rather than Risky Business or business as usual. This isn't going to be a mainstream hit. What it is, I feel, is just the right kind of streaming series that I will enjoy to the end and watch again. It's not the kind of series that you want on the big screen or the major networks. It's just right for home viewing. The set decorating is outstanding also. Just enough of the real and the fantastic. Ms. Winslet's character is kinda like a blend of a crazy Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II. This is going to be fun to watch.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

More like a fairytale, less like an action/adventure movie.

[7/10 · 27 February 2024]

I'm glad I waited for streaming. At the theater I would have fallen asleep during the first half hour. But then again, take this review with a grain of salt. I am a longtime fan of the Golden Age of the DCU comics (yes I know nowadays they are called "graphic novels") . I'm not the target audience for theater movies these days. I need bathroom breaks. Pause button is old white lady magic. The movie like most all movies these days is CGI heavy and the script writing has some good brotherly moments and some terrible corny moments that make me cringe. But then again, a younger fan who needs an escape out of the house and can afford the price of a movie ticket and some Zargnuts to snack on, will definitely enjoy getting out of the house to watch it. Am I going to add this to my media/digital collection? Nah. Do I want an Aquaman 3? I'm a minor fan of Jason Momoa, but I think someone who looks more like Michael Phelp's (sic?) body type would be more convincing to me as someone who spends a lot of time in the water. Streamlined, bigger wing-span.

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)

So. Many. Sci-fi. Tropes

[3/10 · 23 December 2023]

Not really a Zach Snyder fan here, but was excited to see what I thought would be an original science fiction film.

Oh lord, I want those two hours back.

So many "yeps": Every rebellion needs a droid.

Every rebellion starts on a farming planet.

Shootout in a cantina, yep.

Call-back to Stormtroopers, yep.

Awesome fighting skills by lightweight female characters, somewhat believable due to agility but Sucker Punch trope, yep.

Dune tropes, Alien tropes, gee I think I see too many orc-looking characters.

Some of the characters hairstyles remind me of Battleship Earth.

Even Avatar tropes.

Ride that Harry Potter hippogriff, you long-haired hunky guy!

I'm too old to waste my time on this cr*p.

Charley Hunnam with an Irish accent?

Cringe meter maxed out.

Silent Witness (1996– )

I just binge watched 26 seasons of Silent Witness and damn my eyes are tired.

[10/10 · 14 September 2023]

But, this show is gripping and engaging. The science fascinates me. I admit the first few seasons focusing on Sam Ryan were ok for the most part but I was glad of the switch to character driven storytelling when Dr. Ryan decided that her story ended when she found what happened to her family. When the storyline started to evolve into more interesting and diverse characters, then is where my interest started to catch fire. There is a mountain of backstory in each and every script, and if you want to catch it all you must pay very close attention. I love Britbox, it's pretty cool. Here's hoping for season 27. Wow. That's a lot of seasons.

FUBAR (2023– )

"A little less conversation, a little more action, please."

[8/10 · 7 June 2023]

I always like father daughter action movies. True Lies is one movie I really like. So many movie references in this one. If I'd been a script writer I might cut down about half the dialogue. I found it way too easy to get up and get a snack or hit the head, then sit down and go "hey I didn't miss much." Still, even though the last episode was very "actiony" it ended kind of fuzzily. Even with that surprise reveal (which I won't get into here.) I'm hopeful for a return second season because yes, even though I gripe about too much dialogue, I really like the character development so far. LOVE seeing Mr. Arnold in action again.

Ghosted (I) (2023)

My New Valentines Day Action Rom-Com

[10/10 · 27 April 2023]

Yeah, older viewers might not get all the social media references in this film. Ghosted by a real ghost (spook, spy, etc.) To tell a secret, my guilty pleasure is that True Lies, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis is my Valentines Day favorite movie. I'm not a critic I just know what I like. I have to admit the first act was a bit sugary, but the action ramped up quickly. The appearances of some of my favorite Marvel movie actors was sweet! This is now my second favorite Valentine's Day movie. What better way to celebrate Valentines Day at home with a nice dinner or take out, with Two movies, when all the other idiots out there are trying to buy overpriced flowers and wait for hours for overpriced dinners. Nah, not wasting your time by picking apart the movie. It works. If movies still came out in LaserDisk I would buy it in that format. Like True Lies.

On a Wing and a Prayer (2023)

I watched it being a fan of Dennis Quaid. Too much dramatic license for me.

[6/10 · 12 April 2023]

As far as the air traffic control scenes, I found the movie to be a bit far-fetched. I'm not a pilot, merely passed the FAA private pilot ground exam. Nobody thought to inform Mr. White, the pilot in command, that to try to land a "heavy" aircraft full of fuel, that trying to land in a populated area, could risk hundreds of lives other than his own family. I'm not sure how much of the script was taken from actual "black box" flight records but man. I love drama, but the script was sugar sweet. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad the Whites survived. There was just wayyy too much excess drama. And I like drama, but not that much.

The Woman King (2022)

More moving than Wakanda Forever

[8/10 · 21 February 2023]

I'm old enough to remember when books were used in college instead of computer graphic images and generated text. In my Introduction to Anthropology class in college is where I first saw a picture of The Dahomey Razor Women, circa mid-1800's. Fierce looking women warriors, wielding the biggest axes I'd ever seen. I'm kinda disappointed that the movie didn't represent axe wielding women in it, but the storyline is credible and engrossing. I'm not sure if it's completely accurate historically, but it represents the big picture of the African Slave trade pretty well up until the 1860's. Viola Davis rocks her character as always. Was kind of disappointed to see the disclaimer that "This is a work of fiction " at the end of the credits, but I guess all the studios do that nowadays to avoid lawsuits. Kinda nice to see a movie where the spirit of the people is more important than a magical mineral.

Yellowstone (2018– )

Yes, there are Horses in Heaven

[8/10 · 29 November 2022]

I've been a fan of this show since it's inception. This latest episode was an eye opener for me. Governor Dutton seems surprised that there is room for animals in Heaven. I didn't think of his character as being that detached from the creatures he depended on to sustain his earthly livelihood. I realize that this may be the final season of Yellowstone the series. I find myself conflicted in that I love the depiction of that last great frontier being sucked up and commercialized by capitalists from the west. And yet, that's exactly what happened to the indigenous peoples. And the indigenous peoples there are rooting for the Western capitalists. Irony. Still, a great TV series. Worth watching.

Shantaram (2022)

It's a solid 7. Remake of City of Joy with a different white guy.

[7/10 · 21 October 2022]

Lots of drama, same kind of tortured white guy trying to do right in the Western world's version of India. The late Patrick Swayze in "City of Joy" did it with a lot more class, and lots more emotion (and a lot less graphic torture scenes) and focused more on the ordinary struggles of the classist Indian culture. Something India refuses to change (the dowry system, the class system, etc.) The fatalistic ideals of most of the people in India's slums is mostly depressing. I'm sure the show writers meant that outlook to be uplifting, but unfortunately it's all tied to the almighty dollar (or rupee) and the emphasis on capitalism overwhelms the human story.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

I'm old school golden age comic enthusiast and I like this

[8/10 · 14 October 2022]

The difference between some of the reviewers and myself, is that I am female. Yes, She-Hulk looks a bit like Fiona. So what. I like that the writers allow her character to break the fourth wall and speak to us about her struggles. I can relate to having to deal with anger issues all the time, and so, she has more control of her emotions. Makes perfect sense to me, as a woman who dealt with workplace harassment over 3 decades. It took me a bit of time to get traction with the story line, I admit. The whole "drops of hulk blood makes you a hulk" seemed a bit far-fetched at first. But at the end, I will eagerly await season 2 of SheHulk, attorney at law. I think my viewing time was well spent.

The Gray Man (2022)

Meh. Not enough Chris Evans.

[5/10 · 2 August 2022]

They really spent 200 million bucks on this turkey? Talented cast wasted on a crap script. Lots of explosions, jerky dialog, protagonist motivation was his abuse as a kid? Ick. I'm too old for this dribble. I want those two hours of my life back. Sheesh.

Skymed (2022– )

Not bad, good scenery, nice eye-candy

[7/10 · 13 July 2022]

I think a lot of user reviewers are mocking the diverse cast. I know I'm not the target audience since I like more action and less relationship drama. True, it's a young cast and some of the acting needs more polishing and experience. The scripts seem to be improving which is good IMO. I'm at ep6 watching right now. It's interesting to me to see the indigenous culture surviving after centuries of colonization. I'm hoping the season finale is as good.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Waste of a good cast on a sucky script

[3/10 · 23 June 2022]

I'm glad I didn't pay money at the theater for this dribble. Lots and lots of CGI eye candy, if you're into that. Man. I'm getting rid of Disney, sick of this pablum.

The most powerful witch in the multiverse gonna destroy it all for some phantom kids? Nice, de-value her by making her wanna have mommy urges. You sick m-effers. Disney cancelled.

The Boys (2019– )

Unnecessary Grossness

[1/10 · 5 June 2022]

I get that The Boys writers are exploring all the "what ifs" left over from the Avengers franchise. I watched episode 1 of season 3. I knew it was going to be gross, It was pretty freaking sickening. I give it a rating of 1 for gratuitous blood baths and gross ... it's just gross. I ain't watching it no more. Real life is sickening enough.

Tokyo Vice (2022– )

You like seeing women subjugated, used and abused

[1/10 · 30 April 2022]

Then this is the show for you. I watched it to the bitter end. I thought at one point there were some nice dramatic elements until it degenerated to gaijin (if you're not Japanese then you are a barbarian) versus archaic Japanese stereotypes. I won't be wasting any more time on this.

1883 (2021–2022)

Manifest Destiny Was a real steamroller

[10/10 · 3 January 2022]

Yep the road west was paved with blood. I like the characters and the portrayal of clueless immigrants from Europe believing that all they had to do was stick to a trail and settle in areas where the natives had been driven out or killed. So very European. It's a decent show, likeable characters and whatnot. I'll watch it.

Don't Look Up (2021)

This decades "Mars Attacks"

[8/10 · 27 December 2021]

Well worth the run time. Great cast, great dialogue. Surprisingly funny. Also a bit too on the nose. Social media overtakes science. Ratings, polls, and upvotes bury the important news in a deluge of insanity. How very 20's. Not the Roaring 20's of old, the whimpering 20's of today.

Absentia (2017–2020)

30 episodes of torture porn

[3/10 · 13 December 2021]

I watched this series because I thought that Stana Katic is a fine actor. I still believe that. IMO this is X rated gore and has no business on Amazon Prime. Glad it's over. Glad I didn't obsess over it.

Red Notice (2021)

Nope.

[3/10 · 27 November 2021]

Dwayne Johnson stop doing action flicks. Too old too chunky, and too damn slow. I wanted to like the movie. I sort of like the casting. Chunky old Johnson should be the guy in the chair, directing ops. Not a front line guy anymore. Boring.

The Wheel of Time (2021– )

Nope.

[3/10 · 20 November 2021]

Not even Rosamund Pike can resurrect this mish mash. People trying to lump this into the same series categories as GOT? What a joke. I've read 3 and half way through the fourth of the WOT books. I'm sticking with the books. This adaptation of the books ain't worth my time.

Dune (2021)

I'm glad I didn't pay to see this in a theater.

[3/10 · 22 October 2021]

I really really wanted to like this movie. Loved the casting. Sadly I found myself quoting lines from another movie of the same name. That other movie had passion, Fire, and better acting. I was going to do what I usually do with a movie I can't see in a theater and buy the 4K version. Not this one. Where is the awesome soundtrack? Where is the "game of thrones" feel, but on a galactic scale? Where is the war over a vital resource? Not in this movie. Mores the pity. I really like the cast.

Foundation (2021– )

Boring.

[3/10 · 1 October 2021]

Jumping timelines, cardboard cutout characters. Couldn't make it all the way through the first episode. I think I'll read the books instead. Nice computer graphics but soulless. Not worth my time.