tim-arnold777 Reviews

1883 (2021–2022)

Where have all the cowboys gone?

[10/10 · 21 December 2021]

Tombstone (1993) and Open Range (2003). Deserve the title "Classic Greats." Add this series must be added to those epic works. Awesome writing. Flawlessly cast. Artfully detailed and filmed.

My family roots go back six generations in California when my great great grandfather, William Henderson, came west with his wife and 11 kids in 1883 to settle in Los Angeles. So important that today's media depicts the rare beauty and hardness of life that our ancestors faced to make a life. God, let not their spirit, tenacity, and strength be diluted with the unmitigated gall and heartless demonization that some of today's generation casts back at people who were so much stronger, more deserving, and better than those of us who aren't willing to hold onto what THEY fought to give their descendants as a living legacy.

Chad (2021–2024)

I could smell the stink on this one just from the show's thumbnail

[1/10 · 2 May 2021]

So who were the programming wizards that allowed a 40-year-old Iranian SNL wash-out to create, write, produce, and star as a 14-year-old Persian boy in this cringe-worthy, un-funny, and vomit inducing down-grade to syrup of Ipecac?

Oh my freaking GWAD!!

Is this show seriously in the TBS line-up or did The ONION start producing television? SNL's token Muslim should've remained SNL's token Muslim...but then maybe that was her only show that lasted more than one season. Spoiler Alert...here's another single season serving of Nasim Pedrad.

Hunters (2020–2023)

Writers forget their history and muddle their politics?

[3/10 · 12 December 2020]

So in this story, the NAZIS are living in America and, naturally, affiliated with the Republican party. Of course fascist birds of a feather flock together, right? What I think the left-leaning writers failed to address is that when it's soon revealed in this story that the NAZIS didn't "SNEAK" in but were invited in and given new identities, posh estates, and jobs with the U.S. Government the plot becomes politically muddled. Anyone with a loose grip on history should remember in 1945, when this Operation Paperclip conspiracy was being covertly hatched, it was a DEMOCRATIC administration (Truman), not a Republican one behind the dirty deed. Other than that gaping hole, it's basically Inglorious Basterds meets Umbrella Academy...except that comparison is an injustice to both of those stories.

The Refuge (2019)

Total Schidtshow

[1/10 · 28 October 2019]

The only refuge I want is from this absolutely feces-encrusted toilet bowl of a film. Hey, here's 75 minutes of B-roll of a single-expression talentless djckweed driving his car around Los Angeles. Toss in 15 minutes of some boring insipid blather in various indoor locations between more unknown talentless vatos locos to prevent the viewers from becoming nauseated from car-sickness. More people need to give HONEST reviews of this steaming pile and stop from allowing anyone professionally associated with this festering gootch-chancre from ginning up the 8.0 stars rating. Putrid rank less-than-amateur trash.

Dana Carvey: Straight White Male, 60 (2016 TV Special)

Solid Carvey

[6/10 · 26 May 2019]

While some of his material is reheated, what comics are 100% new material with each new tour? It seems it is largely Millennials that call him a hack and his bit, garbage. It's my contention that Millennials feel entitled to constantly assail the culture and accomplishments of their parent's generation. So right out of the gate there's a tendency to transfer any resentments or grudges they still have with their mommies and daddies to anyone belonging to THEIR generation. Never stopped me from treasuring George Carlin, Jackie Mason, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Brooks, etc. There is always the "go-to" subjects that are common to all comedians of a certain generation. Probably why I don't find young comics that spend a whole set eviscerating Republicans, Christians and anyone else over 40, the least bit comical. I appreciate a comic that can transcend the cheap laugh and easy target and go for a more intellectually savvy and honest audience...not a bunch of whining cry-baby "Truck Fump" puss-wads.

The House of Tomorrow (2017)

So so...but kept me intrigued

[3/10 · 17 December 2018]

But I've got to ask...did anyone else think that family baby picture that was stuck in the pages of the house manual supposed to be Sebastian? If so, Sebastian's dad looked freakishly like Jared Whitcomb. What was the intent there? Was the house of tomorrow a time machine? But that doesn't make any sense. Come to think of it, this movie doesn't make any sense.

The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017)

Monotonous

[1/10 · 28 November 2018]

I've never seen a more unsympathetic collection of morose and whiney pus-heads together in one film. Not to mention whoever wrote the script was either not vaguely familiar with PV or they couldn't read a map. Leo Carillo beach, where Jim is supposedly found face down in the sand (discovered by a worker using a special machine the city uses to clean the sand at PV beaches), is 50 miles north of the PV Peninsula near Point Mugu. 14 miles south of PV peninsula (which certainly wouldn't be a beach in PV as described in narration) is roughly in the Pacific Ocean off the south west side of Catalina Island. Writers might be able to get away with gross inaccuracies in a film about some sparsely populated Podunk crap-hole in North Dakota, but the 13 million people that live in L.A. would know better.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

Never Caught Wind of Any Hype

[7/10 · 17 November 2018]

Wasn't even aware that this was a Cohen Brother's film, I probably should've guessed considering a lot of the usual characters and impressive cast. Wasn't the legless, armless chap Dudley Dursley from Harry Potter? Regardless of haphazard story lines and abruptly ended segments, there was still the earmarks of a Cohen Brothers movie. Was John Goodman and John Turturro unavailable? Cinematography and sound stages were genius...as someone else noted an homage to John Ford. Sam Dillon, the back-shooting claim-jumper, was a dead ringer for William Bonney. Wonder if that was what they were going for. Alice Longabaugh getting head-shot by the Indians was a kicker. Didn't see that coming, actually. The Jack Russell barking at the gophers was priceless, as was the multiple Indian war ponies falling due to their legs collapsing gopher tunnels...that was Cohen Brothers gold. I agree this wasn't their best work, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Breath (I) (2017)

What can I say?

[4/10 · 3 August 2018]

Interesting that they used a couple of unknowns (possible local boys) with no previous work in film. Can't say they were half bad. I must say however I liked Loonie's character much better than Pikelet. Loonie was real and sparky. Pikelet had like one emotionless expression throughout the entire movie and the sex scenes with Eva would probably have disturbed me more if he DIDN'T look like a twenty-something lesbian. Not being familiar with Winton's work, I felt that this story was not that unique. It felt like Summer of '42, Endless Summer, and Stand by Me had a 3-way. Simon Baker was recognizable from The Mentalist and The Guardian, but his character's sudden infatuation and ongoing close relationship with two young teen boys made me wonder if the back story was or wasn't going to possibly reveal Sando's ephebophiliac appetite. I mean, only a checked out or abusive dad would allow a strange childless man take his 14 year old son on an extended hashish laced holiday to Indonesia. And even the postscipt about Loonie dying from a gun shot to the back of the head possibly during a drug deal gone awry made me wonder if Sando hadn't continued to use him as a drug mule spending the remainder of his teen years smuggling more than Sando's Salami in his rump. Sorry, it was watchable, but I'm glad I didn't pay full pop in the theater.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Spectacular CGI and decent story

[7/10 · 11 November 2017]

I saw this film a couple times because I was really tired the first time and dozed off numerous times to the point that the plot-line was muddled. After seeing the film in a conscious state I have to say that this was an awesome film. Not familiar at all with the graphic novel/comic but the choice of actors was no less than impressive. I've liked DeHaan as an actor since his earlier work as tortured Jesse D'Amato on HBO's "In Treatment". Never noticed until this movie, however, how much DeHaan sounds like Keanu Reeves doing his best Ted Theodore Logan from San Dimas' supergroup Wyld Stallions. Not sure if that voice was an affectation specifically for this film, or that I just hadn't made the connection before. At times I caught myself laughing inappropriately as I waited for him to do Logan's signature air guitar riff from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017)

Not for the faint-hearted

[8/10 · 24 October 2017]

This movie should make Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction roll up into the fetal position and suckle at Quentin Tarantino's titties. Gratuitous violence has never done it for me, but as another reviewer has said, this violence is not gratuitous. It is well deserved justice to the low-life scum portrayed that actually exists outside the safe environment of gate-guarded communities and well-armed bodyguards. No matter how badass Vaughn's characters, there is the understanding that it is acting after all. I wasn't a fan at first. Swingers was my introduction to Vaughn...the sort of hipster doofus dooshie buddy to Favreau's character, Mike. Didn't care for him at all back then. However, Domestic Disturbance illustrated Vaughn's range and acting ability. I absolutely loved him in Wedding Crashers and The Internship. His chemistry with Wilson has always been nothing short of epic. But man alive, Brawl is quite a ride that had me wincing and turning my head at a couple places. This would be a good film to show kids that are headed for a life in the DOC.

I heard rumor that Vaughn's conservative politics in Hollywood had him on the outs with many, but I can think of a few of his lower-budget projects that I have thoroughly enjoyed. His body of work is prolific and impressive. Very interested in seeing some of Zahler's other work as well.

Walking Out (2017)

Here son, let's spoon...gonna make a man outta you!

[4/10 · 14 October 2017]

Just because some dude knows a lot about hunting and seemingly has only that singular specialty to pass along to sonny-boy, I struggle to understand why the young newbie with buck fever gives absentee daddy three ticks off the clock. From the moment the dad all but threatens the boy with physical violence if he didn't put away his iPhone tells me he is quite possibly less mature than his teenage son. It seems that everything has to be on the father's terms even though the grandfather (now deceased) was a far more accommodating individual. As another reviewer complained, the story was shallow, vapid, and lacked any depth of character development and sympathy. I didn't really care if they both died of frostbite on the mountain. The dad was one of those aging Abercrombie & Fitch underwear models with the perfect teeth, perfect 4 day macho stubble, and just enough hair product to pull off that Cabela catalog wardrobe. He almost had me believing he stepped right out of the pages of The Von Hoffman Brother's BIG DAMN BOOK OF SHEER MANLINESS. Excuse me for being suspicious that Dad's relationship with mom ended because she found out ol' Cal was fishing for trouser trout through a glory hole in the Bass Outlet's dressing rooms.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

You had to be there

[10/10 · 1 October 2017]

I was like 15 when this movie came out. Movies were really different in the old days. They took way more time developing a story and characters before the climax started to slowly build. Younger generations are accustomed to the fast-paced stories and action of today's screen writing and cannot endure the slower pace of older movies. I agree, they seem to languish and even stagnate at some places, but what younger generations don't have, is the nostalgic connection of where they were and who they were when they fist viewed this movie. This was a coming-of-age movie for me and it represents way more than just celluloid stretches of what many would qualify as adequate or even mediocre acting, effects, locations, music, never before seen supporting characters and actors. It was a piece of my mid to late teens that contains memories of the life and times in which that movie played. The raw emotion and reverie of the late 1960's will forever be inexorably tied to that movie for me. Nostalgia.

American Vandal (2017–2018)

27 is a metaphor

[8/10 · 18 September 2017]

In every person's life there are at least 27 people who are complete a-holes to them at some point for no acceptable reason. One of the biggest a-holes in my life was a junior high school administrator that publicly tried to have me declared mentally unfit to attend school because she got it in her head that I had faked a locker break-in so I could smear my text books with my own excrement. When I got to school, my lock was missing and so were my books. A couple days later the school janitor found my books with human feces smeared between the pages up on a classroom roof. She noticed my name inside each book and decided I was the culprit. So this series strikes a chord of reality that some people find hauntingly accurate in their experience. I thought the story was believable and the acting quite decent.

12 Feet Deep (2017)

Too many holes to ignore

[4/10 · 22 June 2017]

I don't care if the film was based on a true story, there were just too many holes that made the story line implausible. First of all, why would an indoor olympic size swimming pool have an expensive mechanized plexiglas cover? A cover keeps dust dirt leaves and debris out of the pool to keep maintenance to a minimum. A cover also helps retain the temperature of a heated pool, by isolating the pool surface from cold evening air temperatures.Why would EITHER of those reasons apply to AN INDOOR POOL??

I worked briefly at a community rec center with a pool. Shutting down a facility like the one in this movie isn't as simple and turn-key as they show. The person charged with closing the facility would have at least 60 minutes worth of tasks before the place could be shut down and locked up. The movie made it look as though the man in charge walked out the door along with the last person leaving without doing a sweep of the facility AFTER lock down to make sure no stragglers or mischief makers remained hidden behind. Vehicles remaining in the pool parking would be a big red flag.

Most community pools I know of are run to take in revenue. They charge admission and sell concessions and make vending machines available at steeply elevated prices. No outside food or drink is allowed in. I can't buy the notion that a heated indoor community pool would be closed for a 3 day weekend. That is when they take in the most revenue. It's almost as though they had this story about some girls who got trapped underneath a mechanical pool cover, but didn't bother to do any homework about how community pools are run. No attempt to patch some of these gaping holes in logic and common sense.

In the end, the jailbird woman tries to punch in the code to free the trapped girls, but upon failing, she refuses to call cops because she's afraid she'll go back to the joint. But I guess being charged with murder is a non-issue. Please!

I made it to the end, which says it kept me interested. My only reason for not giving it one star. But as the credits rolled, it seemed as though the writers just ran out of ideas about how to close it up. Would never recommend this film to anyone unless they were in an iron lung with absolutely nothing else to do and were bored to the point of suicide.

Gangland Undercover: Nowhere Man (2016) Season 2, Episode 1

Old Series Repackaged

[2/10 · 10 March 2017]

When you consider that a better written vehicle for life in an MC existed in Sons of Anarchy, which has met its demise, I have to ask History Channel one thing. Why? Charles Falco had a set of balls. That has been established. But a good story and good story telling aren't connecting here. I think the History Channel's "Gangland" biker episodic "re-enactments" from 2007-2010 have gotten so long in the tooth, the idea to take another run at it this genre with some fresh faces and better opening music and graphics aren't enough to keep me tuned in. Same stories repackaged and resold. Not buying.

One Eyed Girl (2013)

Vague, disjointed, contrived.

[2/10 · 27 December 2015]

I swear I didn't dose off at in the first 45 minutes of this film, but it really seemed as though there were big gaping holes in the story. Really got tired of these tedious cult people forcing him to drink some gunk which he invariably upchucks. The story inched along, didn't pick up pace and left me feeling as though I was standing on a dark corner waiting for a ride at 3am. Would not recommend to anyone. Another of many Superchillin offerings that tout better than a 7.2 stars on IMDb, but when I actually come here, find it's a good 2 stars lower rated. 3 reviews are not a wide enough base to feasibly rate a film. The producer, director and main character could have logged on and given it rave reviews, but this was nothing close to the quality or content I would expect from a 7.2 star movie.

The Spoils Before Dying: Blues for Barnaby (2015) Season 1, Episode 2

Won't Have A Chance to Spoil. It's Already Dead

[3/10 · 11 July 2015]

Interesting idea, but it feels too forced and the chemistry is non-existent. I guess the people who have rated it high enough to reach a 7.1 average rating are convinced this must be good considering the star power (mainly SNL alumni) who populate the episodes I've seen so far. IMHO, it didn't hold up. If the "Indie" crowd says it's genius, it must be genius. But I didn't find it entertaining. Will Farrell's tired imitation of Orson Wells is annoying and played out. Have no idea who wrote the stories, jokes and dialog—don't really care who did. The two episodes I watched were tedious and forgettable. I did, however enjoy the song Maya Rudolph sang at the beginning of Murder in B Flat. It was an accurate cover/ parody of Astrud Gilberto accompanied by Stan Getz circa 1965. Other than that.....YAWN/SIGH!!

Poltergeist (2015)

One can hope a remake will be better

[6/10 · 24 June 2015]

In all honesty, the original "Poltergeist" was a bit of a let-down when considering that it was promoted as a "Spielberg" movie. That was a deceptive marketing ploy. I wouldn't have given the original a higher rating than this remake. Spielberg didn't direct the original. Tobe Hooper did. Spielberg only lent his name and production resources. So before everyone gets all sentimental over the original being so awesome, let the facts show that E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial released the weekend after Poltergeist, and while Poltergeist beat out E.T. in box office draw its first week out, E.T. took in 7 times the gross of Poltergeist over the course of its run.

This remake wasn't bad. Decent enough CG. A-List quality acting talent (even if Rockwell has dropped a bit in popularity). I thought the drone was a nice touch. The otherworldly landscape of slimy writhing bodies was far more nightmare-worthy than the puppet-like creature in Tope Hooper's rendition. I also thought the little girl's closet portal was much better in this version. I remember making the comment while viewing the original, that Carol-Ann's closet needed some Vagisil®. Judging by the laughs I got from nearby viewers, I'd say my observation was accurate.

People always defend the original when remakes emerge. But in my opinion, a movie has to be far more timeless and legendary to be worth leaving alone and not attempting to improve upon its perfection. Very few films qualify for that sort of honor.

The Ideal (2011)

Do not operate heavy machinery while watching this film

[1/10 · 28 April 2015]

It can cause drowsiness and lapses in consciousness. If you struggle with insomnia, watch The Ideal and be prepared for some serious snoozing. Rarely does a film create such a deep and unbroken monotonous boredom leading downward to an unavoidable state of comatose catatonia. It seemed as though even the actors themselves were drifting into intractable stupors from having to act in this hypnotic bit of sedative celluloid. I gave it one star as a film. I would give it 10 stars as one of the most effective sleeping aids I've ever encountered. Not to mention that Alex looked more like a 30 year-old CPA than he did a believable high school student. And how in the world was the actor who portrayed his father billed as? Loser farting father? Man alive!

Nowhere Safe (2014 TV Movie)

After-School Special on Cyber-Bullying

[1/10 · 6 December 2014]

I have no idea how this film even received 5 stars out of ten. The website I watched this film from showed that IMDb rated it at 8 stars. I was shocked. Anything with Jamie Kennedy carrying anything above a 4 or 5 star review was certainly worth my time. So I watched it. I waited and waited for something about the movie to cause me to agree that it deserved the 8 star IMDb rating it had claimed to achieve. In fact, at the film's mid-point, I might have given it a 5 star review, but the ending was ridiculous. The film floated the notion that absolutely ANYTHING posted on YouTube will go viral in matter of minutes. As well the film perpetuated the myth that everyone is gullible and believes everything they read online— refusing to understand, let alone believe that fictitious Facebook pages can be created to defame a person. And how easily the tide turned against the lies and bullying once everyone discovered "the error of their ways". If that wasn't bad enough, the only two distinguishable actors, Natasha Henstridge and Jamie Kennedy close this unbelievable After-School Special on Cyber-Bullying, with the most forced and unnatural looking lip-lock it has ever been my discomfort to see. My lord, what a bad film. If there is a hell, it would be forced viewing (eye-lids peeled back and held with clips) of this sort of stuff for an eternity.

Days and Nights (2014)

Trying hard to be artsy and "smart", but just comes off as clumsy and "dumb".

[1/10 · 4 November 2014]

I would say the finale of this film could be a spot-on summation of the average viewer's overall demeanor for being suckered into watching the film and possible self-destructive bent to paint the walls with their gray matter. After wading through the many unsympathetic, and downright tedious characters depicted in this long-winded overblown film, I can't believe I hadn't shut it down to watch something more entertaining...like a moth circling around my living room lamp. Allison Janney, William Hurt, Jean Reno...Katie Holmes (oh well can't blame her for trying anything to put more distance between herself and Psycho-entologist ex-hubby Cruise) one might think the acting talent could make this movie worth my while. Wrong. I suppose even the best of actors can't make a turd dance a foxtrot.

Annabelle (I) (2014)

It will trigger Annabellactic shock

[7/10 · 4 October 2014]

Maybe not the most disturbing horror/demonic movie, but it's up there. I thought the story was substantial enough. The dots are connected as to how Annabelle became a conduit for a demon and how the person(s) who conjured up the demon were destroyed as a consequence of the actions that malevolent spirit drove them to. The corollary of the Manson/Tate/LaBianca murders were a nice touch and fit nicely into the chronology of the franchise. Effective use of imagery, movement, sound, and scoring to put viewers on the edge of their seat. I glanced over to my 19 year-old daughter who loves scary movies and found her sitting in a fetal position with hands poised to cover her eyes. My Christian peers would think I'm a horrible father for condoning such a movie by taking my daughter to see it...but theologically I found the content to be biblically accurate and that there certainly IS evil in the world. And I believe that evil was set loose in our world when humankind chose to mistrust God, and summon the power or purview of God's enemies.

The Goldbergs (2013–2023)

I Don't Care When You Grew Up. Goldbergs Rock!

[10/10 · 26 September 2014]

Almost NEVER do I enjoy network television programming. When I do, it is almost always (without fail) canceled. Seems the critics aren't happy unless a show drags the viewer into a sewer, force feeds them diarrhea, and tries to tell everyone that they're in a five-star restaurant enjoying chocolate mousse. I can remember most of the TV shows I liked and Network rating canceled. I can't remember the obnoxious pap that lives on and on. If there is a hell for TV network executives that cancel my favorite shows, it would be an eternity of having to watch an endless loop of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, or Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo. Whatever happened to Nielsen Ratings? Is that a thing any more?

Child of God (2013)

The anatomy of insanity

[30 August 2014]

While parts of this film are bit tedious, it does brilliantly show the downward spiral of a person who had a rough life, got screwed out of his birthright, and began breaking bad incrementally...accent on the mentally. Being a minister in a church, we come across broken people such as the character portrayed as Lester Ballard. Once upon a time, Lester was of relatively sound mind. Working his tail off at 8 or 9 years old to save up for that rifle indicates his ability to commit to a goal. However, the fact that his daddy hung himself in the barn after his momma ran off indicates a congenital tendency toward mental illness. People in their right mind don't do the things that Lester does. Rarely can a character evoke such disgust and sympathy simultaneously and while this story is hard to watch, it is an all too real part of life in this world. Franco wins my respect for this film. Mildly surprised after some of the stink burgers he acts in. Some people are better suited to work behind the camera instead of in front of it.