notagardeningchannel Reviews

Sound of Freedom (2023)

A fantastic movie that I'll never watch again

[10/10 · 4 July 2023]

After I watched Sound of Freedom, I felt the same as having just watched The Road. It was a deeply powerful movie, but the subject matter is so disturbing that it's difficult to bear it.

Sound of Freedom is an expertly shot, gripping, and powerful movie. At the end, I wanted to cry and vomit, yet those are not criticisms of the movie, it's the realization that this sickness actually happens every day all over the world. This movie is The Road + Taken, and amped up 500 times.

Jim Cavezel gives an incredible performance. The directing, pacing, and cinematography are perfect. This is definitely one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen, yet I'll probably never watch it again, because my heart won't be able to take it.

My Son Hunter (2022)

Very well done

[8/10 · 7 September 2022]

I really enjoyed this film! That being said, I might watch it once more, but definitely not on the level of an epic that can be watched over and over again.

There were a lot of laugh out loud moments, yet it's simultaneously shocking that this is all based on real events. If this is really the story of the president's family, then the US is in very bad hands.

Lawrence Fox is an incredible actor, and I wonder why we have not seen more from him. His performance here was very impressive. He definitely stole the show from, better known, Gina Carano.

All in all, the film has very good acting and directing, an enjoyable screenplay, and is well worth watching.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

YAWN

[2/10 · 2 September 2022]

Holy boring, Batman!

I've read all of Tolkien's work, and already accepted that this show would not follow the lore. Fine, so I prepared to watch it as a stand-alone series.

First off, I understand that her brother died, but they have not explained to any extent why Galadriel is driven to the extent that she is. After centuries of war, it stands to reason that many other elves have lost brothers and sisters too, but she's the only one who acts this way, and we don't understand why. This is an important point, because clearly the men following her don't understand what drives her either, therefore why they abandon her.

Next, the opening segment portrayed an arduous journey across the ocean from Valinor. But the return journey to Valinor seemed like a ride across a calm lake. Plus, did Galadriel and her people just stoicly stand at attention with their swords in front if them, staring ahead to the horizon for the entire journey? And then Galadriel just jumps out in the middle of the ocean??!! Well, good luck with that, I hope she's a good swimmer! That was such a stupid scene.

Regardless of the lack of Tolkien lore, we're not given any reason to care about any of the characters. It makes for a boring show that is neither Tolkien nor a quality stand-alone fantasy story.

I gave it two stars because the visual effects are pretty good.