mad4tonic Reviews

Betas (2013–2014)

For the techies and not-so-savvy out there, great series for the online generation

[9/10 · 22 March 2014]

I loved this series. Another home run for amazon. A great mix of characters, and a solid storyline to build on for the second series.

I've worked in the industry in different guises over the years, and it's great to see they have really latched onto the mindset, as well as the different types and individuals that make up this quirky yet highly lucrative and competitive world.

Mitch has got to be my favourite character. He's the glue that binds everyone together, and provides the everyman perspective in the show.

The only stumbling bloke I see, may be the lack of interest from the general public. We all love an app, but how many of us want to delve into the world of the e-startup?

Fingers crossed it'll be greenlit for a second series, but just like the internet itself, it's never for certain it will cut to the mustard to survive or not, sufficed to say, I will keep an eye out for this show appearing in the fall.

Watch it, love it, like it. :)

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Best Comic adaptation since Batman Begins... nice to see some sustained action in a comic movie

[7/10 · 23 June 2007]

Well, well, well. FF2 was the best comic book adaptation since Batman Begins. A marked improvement on the first. better mix of action and humour. less cheese, more grit. it still has it shortfalls, like the Silver surfer's trademark "to me, my board" being omitted (and it should have been there when he retrieved his board), and Galactus being an f-ing cloud, but in general, in short ... it was adrenaline fuelled awesome-ness!!! From the start, straight into the action. None of this character introduction bull. There is no need for it. The vast majority of people going to watch this type of film will know the characters already, and audiences aren't stupid. Action movies that work are ones that kick the adrenaline in early, and build the characters as the plot goes on. It's a little thing i like to call subtext and subtlety (in terms of characters). Marvel and DC should get to know these words if they hope to achieve successful movies.

Remember, full on action from the start, no holds barred, for two hours, and you're made. Want an example, The Matrix. Action from the get-go, small stops to catch your breath, and pile on the action again.

And that was why this movie worked. Timing was greatly improved from the first movie. Good periods of action, drama and humour. As i said an excellent mix of action, with the right balance of CGI, and much better dialogue and actually good humour. It was intertwined better than the previous film. It still has bad points, but i left the cinema content, and with a smile. Worth the price of admission for sure, and that is the golden ticket in my eyes.

it gets AG's Two thumbs up seal of approval. Watch this film.

Where Eagles Dare (1968)

Not a more captivating film have i ever seen before.

[10/10 · 5 June 2003]

It's 2:40 am on a tuesday morning, in the middle of summer '97. i can't sleep, i'm too hot, and i'm sitting on the side of my bed, pondering aimlessly about my future on this planet. oh dear.

i go downstairs to quench my thirst. and i turn on the t.v., to try and find something boring enough to send me to sleep. I'm flicking through the movie channels when i suddenly come upon the opening credits of an old movie named 'Where Eagles Dare'. i say, 'ok, i'll watch this for a bit.'

I can honestly say, that i have never enjoyed watching, or been more captivated by a film ever before in my life. i actually remember saying at the end, 'yes! yes! now that was a good film!'

It was great! the continuous subtle plot twists really made the movie. it started off with a simple plan. rescue a general from an inpenetrable fortress in the heart of NAZI territory, using an elite crack commando unit. but it then went from good to brilliant. some of the commandos died mysteriously. then things in the plan started to go wrong. it was fantastic.

i completely forgot about everything else, like the time. i was completely immersed in the film and the characters. That is what i term as a cracking movie. the ability to really captivate you, so that when the end credits come up, you think, 'oh yeh. i'm watching a movie.' i also feel a very calming sense come upon me, but at the same time my mind is racing away with excitement. you could say i feel actively relaxed.

If you have not seen this movie, i recommend it above all else, when your up for a good, no excellent World War II action movie.

Watch it, watch it, watch it. And i promise you will have a great time watching it.