Change Your Image
camstuart01
Reviews
All the Light We Cannot See (2023)
Disappointing
I read Anthony Doerr's novel a couple of years ago and loved it. When I heard it was to be adapted for the screen, I was excited, to say the least. Sadly, my patience was not rewarded.
The Netflix series strays from the source material in key areas which means the connection to the principal characters isn't made. It is difficult to feel the same way about Marie and Werner and their plight because so much is missing from their stories.
I have always had a strong feeling about casting English and American actors in foreign roles and the authenticity which could have been gained from accurate casting is a missed opportunity. Why, when there are so many talented foreign actors do studios continue not to use them.
The cinematography was good and the production values were decent. However, considering the scope of the novel, the series felt confined to a single small set.
I would watch the series if you want a palatable but flawed viewing experience but would not recommend it if you have read the novel. It will disappoint.
The Out-Laws (2023)
What is this trash?
This is a big swerve. I should have known it wouldn't be worth watching when I saw Happy Madison logo at the outset. But I gave it half a chance just to see if it would redeem itself.
Why? Just, why? Why do some screenwriters continue to write such trash? Poorly conceived characters who behave in ways no genuine human would and engage themselves in behaviour and situations no rational minded sane individual would. And then we're supposed to laugh at it.
This is lowest common denominator humour written for the kind of people who think films like The Ridiculous 6 was worth making.
It seems like Pierce Brosnan's days of making decent films are well and truly over. As for Michael Rooker, why would they do this to him. Or, why would he let them.
Someone, somewhere is desperate for money.
Fire Country (2022)
Bad... just, bad.
I've watched a few of these tv fire dramas and most are pretty average. Fire Country, however combines some pretty awful scripting, senseless melodrama, and even worse acting.
I know that tv dramas are more about heightened drama rather than plausible or well-structured plot, but there has to be someone working on the show who is responsible for holding the line when it comes to decent storytelling.
There have been a couple of shows that managed it with some success (911 Lone Star isn't terrible and Third Watch was pretty decent) but this isn't one of them.
Do yourself a favour, change the channel, or go watch Backdraft, again. It still holds up.
Uncharted (2022)
A bit of a letdown.
Sadly, this kind of film has been done before, and better. The story line is nothing new but it lacks the connection to the main character needed to drive the film and make it compelling. Tom Holland has done much better in other films (The Devil all the Time, even Spider-Man) and Mark Wahlberg is less than convincing. But the real let down is the antagonist or lack thereof. There are too many attempts at twists and turns but they are clichéd and fail to genuinely surprise.
The film wasn't all bad though. There are some nice locations and set pieces to elevate the film and the opening sequence is a high point.
An entertaining watch but not one to top the better films in this genre. I'll stick to National Treasure.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)
Yawntastic beast of a movie
I sat through this film because I had to, otherwise, I would have walked out. It is convoluted, dull, and, ultimately, predictable. Don't waste your time.
Beats (2019)
Excellent film worth watching
There have been a few reviews that mention the lack of cinematic climax: don't let that put you off watching what is essentially an excellent film.
August is a 17 year old boy who has become a recluse after witnessing the murder of his big sister. He suffers from anxiety and panic attacks and disappears into creating beats as a means of escape. He is accidentally discovered by a down-on-his-luck music producer Romelo Reese who has resorted to working as a school security guard at the school where his estranged wife is principal.
The core of this story revolves around August and Romelo's unlikely relationship as Romelo attempts to get August to break free of the trauma of his sister's murder, while Romelo attempts to right the wrongs of his own past.
The story lacks the big Hollywood climax that film audiences will be used to but weaves a story worth telling. Dubbed an "ode to Chicago's south side" and the music which is synonymous with its environment, it really is a personal story of how the hardship, violence and fear affect one individual and just how difficult it is for August to navigate the world once he has witnessed it first hand. For me, the lack of climax is fitting: the film is less about making it big, and more about figuring out how to cope.
The film is well made - the camera work, editing are all very good, with some nice cinematic touches. The soundtrack though is the real high point. There is an excellent blend of existing music and that "created" by August and this is, in my opinion, where the film creates its "ode to the south side".
As far as created for Netflix content goes, this is once you'll want to watch.
Murder Mystery (2019)
So bad it's laughable.
I wasn't expecting much from an Adam Sandler "direct to Netflix" film, but this really scraped the bottom of the barrel. The jokes were forced, the acting terrible and the storyline wasn't great either.
The actress can't act, the race car driver can't drive, the police decide who is guilty of murder before an investigation, the punch lines don't land... there is a lot wrong with this film but I can't be bothered listing it all.
There are worse films out there, but not by much.