terrywdhs Reviews

Baby Reindeer (2024)

MASTERPIECE

[10/10 · 24 April 2024]

I do not use the masterpiece word lightly but this series deserves it. Compelling and with so many important topics covered in such an intricate and layered way. At times it almost threatens to become too much for the viewer but please stick with it and you will be rewarded. Acting from both leads is awards worthy and it is even more shocking that Richard Gadd is the person that the show is about. Deserves to win every award going and also deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. There is no such thing as the perfect victim. I thought I knew what this was going to be about after watching first few episodes. Boy was I wrong footed. Best thing Netflix has ever produced.

Uncharted (2022)

Pure Popcorn Cinema That Is Far Better Than I Expected

[9/10 · 11 February 2022]

Film was action packed from the very start and made a nice change from the usual superhero stuff. Tom Holland has tons of charisma and is obviously great at the physical action. Final 25 minutes has some superb pirate ship action and kids will enjoy the hell out of it. Nothing too deep but this is what popcorn cinema is all about. Gave huge mark due to me just having such a great time in these bleak times.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

For Two And A Half Hours I Felt Like A Kid Again

[10/10 · 17 December 2021]

Honestly - forget the pandemic and get to a cinema showing this film. Being amongst a big audience reacting with cheers, laughter, audible sobs and clapping througout just made me love the experience of going out to see a film all over again.

Tom Holland is pnenomenal in this. Marvel and Sony need to pay him everything to keep him making these movies. So many shocks and suprises that I wont spoil. Efects and action top notch and such an emotional last 10 minutes. See with a crowd and then see it again and again. Will genuinely make you forget everything that is happening in the world for over two hours. I really thought they didnt make this sort of movie anymore.

What an incredible experience!

Sweet Girl (2021)

Terrible Twist For Terrible Movie

[3/10 · 20 August 2021]

The whole movie males zero sense anyway without a twist that somehow makes it even worse. Does not help that the teenage girl is a huge brat that remains unlikeable throughout. Jason Momoa needs to pick better vehicles and Netflix need to approve better movies before giving them a greenlight.

The Kid Detective (2020)

Far Better Than You Think It Will Be

[8/10 · 15 August 2021]

Was not expecting to enjoy this as muh as I did after reading the plot description and watching the trailer. This starts off like many other movies of its type but quickly becomes an intiguing and excellent complex thriller as well as character study. Imagine Brick meets Chinatown and you have an idea what to expect. Adam Brody is excellent and there is one scrape of him hiding in a wardrobe that will have you squirming with embarassment for him. He really needs more star roles from Hollywood. Seek this one out. An unexpected delight.

Beckett (2021)

Dull Leading Man Makes Dull Movie

[3/10 · 14 August 2021]

Why does Hollywood keep giving John David Washington leading roles? He is not leading man material. It reeks of nepotism. The direction is fairly poor too and what should have been an exciting conspiracy thriller lurches from scene to scene with no sense of building momentum. Alicia Vikander and Vicky Krieps only bright spots in very small roles.

I See You (II) (2019)

Genuine Gasp Worthy Thriller With Twists

[8/10 · 12 August 2020]

Excellent thriller hat deserves a much wider audience. This was far better than most of the cookie cutter horror movies that get a wide theatrical release. The cast are exceptional especially the teenagers and I loved the fact that this movie actually has some genuine gasp worthy twists that keep the audience on their toes. This movie starts off as one thing and does a complete 180 turn which I never saw coming. Cannot say too much as there are too many spoilers littered throughout the movie. Just make an effort to watch this.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

2020 Finally Has a Feel Good Movie

[9/10 · 1 July 2020]

Funny and affectionate with a steller soundtrack that will end up being the most played music of the year fo me - this film is the gem we needed. Ignore the stuffy critics and fall in love with a warm and sometimes bonkers take on the Eurovision Song Contest. Some great visual gags and a glorious scene stealing turn from Dan Stevens as Alexander Lemtov, who needs his own movie, and best of all a steller catchy as hell list of original songs that would give The Greatest Showman a run for its money climaxing in the best power ballad you have heard since My Heart Will Go On. Go on - forget this troubled world for two hours and see what everyone is raving about.

After Life (2019–2022)

Heartbreaking, Hilarious and Life-Affirming

[10/10 · 30 April 2020]

Ricky Gervais deserves every award going for this series for his writing and his acting and he is aided in his efforts by a wonderful cast. All have their moments to shine even the supporting cast that might just get one scene. I was particularly impressed with the character of Matt this series and I was worried his storyline was headed in a tragic direction. Give this series a try. One minute you will be laughing and the next wiping away a tear.

Gangs of London (2020– )

Incredibly Violent But A Must Watch

[10/10 · 24 April 2020]

If you are familiar with The Raid movies then get excited by this series from its creator- Gareth Evans. Like a modern day Game of Thrones with all its twists,turns and different factions. . Many of that cast feature here as does some of the Peaky Blinders mob. All play their roles to perfection. First episode alone has two totally brilliant fight sequences. The first in a packed pub with every available prop used as a weapon and the second like a gory horror movie showdown between the villain and hero - both choreographed to perfection. Each episode has at least one action sequence that you will want to watch again - maybe behind a pillow due to the excessive violence. Episode five in particular has to go down as one of the best hours of television I can remember and is almost a movie in itself with a graphic novel style quality. So do yourself a favour and settle in for what will surely be one of the most talked about television highlights of the year.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Some enjoyable moments but an average MCU experience overall

[5/10 · 8 March 2019]

Was really looking forward to this but came away disapointed. The action was badly done and I couldnt make out what was happening half he time due to it being too dark or badly edited. One fight scene used a No Doubt song and was incredibly cringey. Brie Larson wasnt too bad but she was overshadowed by Ben Mendelson and Samuel L Jackson. The movie never really explored the full extent of Captain Marvel's powers and I just did not see any real character progression for her thanks partly to the basic script and the lack of range from Larson which was either due to the actor or the direction she was given. Really liked Brie in Room but felt she was miscast in this. Enjoyable moments but completely forgettable afterwards.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Best X Men Movie Yet With A Scene Stealing Quicksilver

[10/10 · 20 May 2014]

Easily the best X Men film yet with a storyline that requires you to think whilst marvelling at the amazing special effects and action scenes taking place before your eyes. James McAvoy puts in a superb performance as an embittered Professor X and there are great performances from Hugh Jackman and Michael Fassbender in their respective roles as Wolverine and Magneto but the person everyone is going to be talking about is a new mutant to the series called Quicksilver played superbly with the right amount of arrogance and likability by Evan Peters. His huge action scene where he is required to rescue an imprisoned Magneto from a heavily guarded Pentagon is an absolute delight and already a contender of most amazing action scene of the year and I cant see anything beating it. Trust me - you will want to watch this scene again and again as there is so much to marvel at. Pity that Quicksilver is absent after this as the film does sorely miss the character. Hoping to see more of him in the future. The film does have a great climax though featuring a highly inventive use of a football stadium and a post credits scene with a hint of what to expect in the next movie. All in all a great movie that is going to delight and entertain young and old alike.

Jumper (2008)

If Only The Movie Had Concentrated On Griffin

[7/10 · 16 February 2008]

As I sat and watched this movie I realised the fundamental flaw with it and that was the fact that Griffin was a far better character than Davey which is a pity as Davey is the main character. Jamie Bell is wonderful as Griffin and the movie comes to life whenever he is on screen. Pity about the two main leads though. Special effects and action sequences are fine but the whole thing could have been so much better.The climax is worth seeing though at times confusing. Liman presents us with a great looking movie but one that is empty of emotion thanks in part to a boring lead actor.

Just lower your expectations and you will enjoy this movie only to think about what might have been with a movie centred on the Jamie Bell character. Maybe if there is a sequel they might rectify matters.

Haven (I) (2004)

Great ensemble piece

[14 September 2004]

I just got back from a holiday in Toronto where I had the pleasure of attending the film festival there. One of the films I ended up seeing was Haven, which I knew very little about beforehand. What an absolute gem of a movie it turned out to be. Similar in structure to Amores Perros, the tale unfolds from different perspectives. All actors played their parts well but there were three who deserve special mention. Victor Razuk as Fritz and Zoe Saldana as Andrea are definite names to watch in future. However, Orlando Bloom was the real genuine surprise here. I don't think I have seen a more heartbreaking performance all year. The disintegration of his character - Shy - provides much of the emotional centre of Frank E. Flowers gripping first feature length movie. He is a director who is going to be talked about a great deal in the years to come. All in all , I would have no hesitation in recommending this powerful, though somewhat dark movie, to any discerning film-goer.