gethinnadin Reviews

Doctor Who (2005–2022)

The New Doctor Who is the worst yet.

[4/10 · 11 May 2024]

From the black and white 60's episodes right up to its new incarnation in the early 2000's this has been a great show. It really peaked with David Tennant and Matt Smith and has really struggled to get back to that since. I tried but failed to enjoy Capaldi and Whittaker. So I was genuinely excited by the "reboot". And while disappointed in the casting of the doctor, Gatwa was great in Sex Education so was really wanting him to do well. While there is the occasional glimpse of him being quite good, it's less than 10% of the time. And I feel like it's not him, but the writing.

The Christmas return had again glimpses of the old doctor who, but fell very flat overall. One of the episodes I would say was good, the other rubbish.

But this full return. Man. It's bad. The babies in space episode has to be one of the worst ever. Then half way through the Beatles episode I gave up. Jinx again, I love. But this just isn't getting there. It's like it had a budget cut. The music seems like stock music, the other actors are all pretty wooden or cheesy and the writing is like it's from kids tv. Very young kids TV. Which if that's what they were aiming for, great. But it's time we maybe let this franchise finally die. Which is sad.

The Gentlemen (2024)

The 90's British gangster returns

[8/10 · 9 March 2024]

Lock Stock, Layer Cake and Snatch defined a generation of UK film. While I didn't expect this tired format to resonate. It did.

It's exactly what you'd expect. A lot of characters, a string of coincidences, bad luck and favours that lead our protagonists through a journey. But you know what? It was exactly the same format as I'd expected it to be. But I really enjoyed it.

It's not winning any Oscar's, but the one liners, the soundtrack, the violence, the humour, the jeopardy- maybe it's what we've been missing in the uk. A lot of action and a lot of fun.

It's not perfect, but I really enjoyed it by the end.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023)

Really good.

[9/10 · 30 December 2023]

If you liked 'The Good Lord Bird' this is very similar. Well filmed, good acting. Seems higher budget than you might expect. I'm only a few episodes in, but enjoying it. You can always tell when a tv series is based on a book because the storytelling tends to be better as does the character development.

If you're into Westerns, civil war style stories and the challenges of the mid 1800's, you'll no doubt like this. Also great to see Barry Pepper and Shea Whitman in the cast. David Oyelowo is a great leading man and brings so much to this series. Looking forward to finishing it and hopefully more series to follow.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023)

A message for everyone

[9/10 · 8 May 2023]

This might not win many awards or get critical acclaim, but it will probably make you cry and certainly make you think about life.

A poignant film, which Broadbent shines as much as he ever has. From the people he meets along the way to the affect his decisions have on those he leaves behind. It's a beautiful story of a simple act that one man made to try to bring some meaning and importance to a life that was just originate but full of regret.

A very good way to spend a few hours, especially if you have someone in your life who is struggling with an illness. There's probably a lot more you could do for them.

The Quiet Girl (2022)

Beautiful, beautiful film

[9/10 · 28 January 2023]

Every now and then a film comes along that you just know will stay with you for a long time. One that you'll find yourself randomly thinking of from time to time.

Beautifully filmed, touching and a portrait of a young girl who deserved so much better than she got.

Films like this don't come along very often, so it's 100% worth you watching. I don't know what else to say but I had zero expectations and now it's probably up there with Banshees as not just one of the greatest Irish films ever, but easily one of my favourite films in 2022/2023.

Reflective storytelling that holds a mirror up to parenthood.

Hacks (2021– )

Jean Smart has created her life's legacy here

[10/10 · 5 January 2023]

This show is so clever, so we'll written and very funny. But it also has heart and both of those things together are so difficult to get right. But here, they work so well and create a genuinely laugh out loud to show.

I'm just at the end of season one and I'm hooked. I watch it back to back. We don't get enough good comedies anymore but this one is definitely worth your time.

Jean Smart to me was mostly known for smaller, supporting roles but here she has created a TV show that will be her legacy. She is amazing in it and no one else could have done it the way she has. I highly recommend you watch it.

Andor (2022– )

Very good Star Wars - feels original

[9/10 · 14 October 2022]

Really well acted, compelling story, great sets and locations, feels like a part of Star Wars in a way that Boba Fett never managed to pull off. Between this and Mandlorian - if Mado was Return of the Jedi (Star Ward with puppets) Andor is Empire Strikes Back.

Stella now a particularly good character. I'm really enjoying this series - more than I expected to - and really don't want it to finish. The attention to detail in the locations, costumes and sets is as impressive as everything else. With the right writing, I could see this running for quite a while and could become the primary Star Wars vehicle.

Sherwood (II) (2022– )

Excellent television

[9/10 · 21 July 2022]

A who's who of Northern British actors. Very good acting, compelling story and a generally very good series.

It's been a while since the bbc has produced something like this. It's a murder mystery, it's social commentary, it's in a few ways a love story.

Pirate Gold of Adak Island (2022– )

Don't waste your time

[2/10 · 18 July 2022]

Like almost every other documentary like this (Skinwalker Ranch, Blindfrog Ranch etc) the slightest remotely exciting thing is extended over a few episodes.

The narrative feels made up, the concern and excitement is false. I wouldn't waste your time. They find two gold coins which feel very much like they're placed there and the fact it's the last episode tells you what rubbish this is.

Brian and Charles (2022)

Delightful.

[10/10 · 10 July 2022]

Very funny, heartwarming and generally a delightful watch. It's supposed to be silly (some people didn't get that) and it's also fairly British humour (so I think some of the negative reviews might be missing some of it).

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Started off slow, but got excellent

[8/10 · 22 June 2022]

I've never really rated Ewan McGregor as an actor until this series. He plays Obi very well. Right amount of humour and wisdom.

I really enjoyed this series. It filled a lot of gaps in the Star Wars stories we know from the films and there were some great surprises along the way.

Sister Act (1992)

Criminally underrated on IMDB

[10/10 · 11 June 2022]

One of my favourite ever films. Across my entire life. It's reassuring, fun, heartwarming, funny. Easily a 9/10. Ignore the ratings here - watch the movie. It will brighten your day - especially if you love Motown and soul.

Big Boys (2022– )

Exceptional television

[9/10 · 1 June 2022]

We've been waiting a long time for a kind of coming of age show like this. It has as much heart as it does humour and shows the gay community and its allies as a normal group of people. Not defined by their sexuality.

Plus the soundtrack is great for anyone who spent their 20,s or 30's around 2010.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Ummm pretty boring.

[3/10 · 24 December 2021]

An amazing cast, an amazing writer (I've loved everything McKay has done so far) but this falls flat on its face. Some funny bits, but none of the acting is great, the film cuts back and forth quickly, there's some odd turns in it. As much as I tried to like it, I just couldn't. I'm gutted I didn't enjoy it.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Couldn't fault it at all.

[10/10 · 20 November 2021]

Loved it. Loved the call backs, loads of Easter eggs, very funny. Really enjoyed it as much as I hoped I would. It was a film made for fans by a clearly a big fan. It had a lot of heart to it. The kid playing Pheobe was amazing!

Roll on the start of a new franchise.

The Outlaws (2021– )

Uplifting, funny and entertaining

[9/10 · 12 November 2021]

After the first episode I wasn't sure, but this turned into a real gem. Funny, heartwarming and a love letter to Bristol. By the last episode I was smiling and throughly enjoyed this.

Last Night in Soho (2021)

Could have been so much better

[5/10 · 6 November 2021]

Firstly I love Edgar Wright. If you like 60's music, this was great to just listen to. Matt Smith was great. Anya was pretty good too. Terence Stamp was creepy. Everyone else's acting was rubbish. The main character and her friend were so wooden. The man was awful.

It had a lot of potential. Kind of a good idea. Looked pretty good on screen. The first 20 mins were rubbish. The next 45 we're pretty good and I was hooked. Then I was rubbish again.

It would be 'good' if it was a TV movie. But for the cinema, it's pretty mediocre.

No Time to Die (2021)

An exceptional Bond film

[9/10 · 2 October 2021]

A fitting tribute to Craig as Bond and a love letter to fans. Full of heart, humour and Easter eggs for Bond fans.

Really enjoyed it. Never has a 3hr film felt like 60 minutes. I wasn't at all bored. I was worried I had too high expectations of the film, but I wasn't remotely let down.

Expedition: Back to the Future (2021)

A love letter to the films

[10/10 · 22 April 2021]

Really enjoyed this. It captured the love and excitement that fans of the films have. Kinda goosebumpy at times. I really enjoyed the enthusiasm, the comedy, the cameos. Great series.

The Irregulars (2021)

This is pretty rubbish

[3/10 · 31 March 2021]

I love 'From Hell', 'Sherlock' and 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'. I love Victoriana and I love 'The Umbrella Academy'. This is nothing like these. The worst thing is the acting - from almost everyone - it feels like a kids tv show.

Such high hopes. Good sets etc, but weak story and worse than daytime tv acting. It all feels a bit cheesy.

Coming 2 America (2021)

Ignore the haters

[10/10 · 6 March 2021]

I LOVE the original and had high expectations for this. It's not replacing the original, but it's definitely a love letter to it. It was really fun. The more you know the original, the more you'll enjoy the cameos and attention to detail.

If you like the original, I'm pretty confident this will make you smile.

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)

Re-watched and I think it's really good

[9/10 · 6 February 2021]

I watched this in the cinema in 2016 and re-watched again twice since that.

This reimagining of Ghostbusters is funny and It's true to the original, but it's novelty supposed to replace it. You can love the originals and like this too.

The low reviews (1/10) are completely unnecessary and fuelled by anti-woke campaigners or nerds with fragile male egos.

The cast is great, it's funny, I love the effects. I'm a huge ghostbusters fan (have the props and toys etc) and I really liked this reimagining. I'd easily give it 7-10.

Hope Gap (2019)

Really thought provoking

[9/10 · 9 January 2021]

I really enjoyed this film. A melancholic story about love and letting go. The main character seems to be someone you don't really like, but still sympathise with.

The Good Lord Bird (2020)

Loved it. Great story, great soundtrack

[10/10 · 28 December 2020]

This could easily have been an Oscar winning film. Entertaining, poignant, emotional... a very good story and really well told.

I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

Tough viewing.

[2/10 · 5 September 2020]

The acting is great and the characters are too. But it's very difficult to watch. A few good lines that make you reflect, but it's too much hard work.

Kaufman's best film is Adaptation. Watch that instead.