evison_mark Reviews

Black Mirror: Mazey Day (2023) Season 6, Episode 4

I don't watch much TV.. for this reason!

[1/10 · 7 July 2023]

It feels like a real episode of Black Mirror, writing this review to join the hoards slating it - but god it was dire.. wolf!

No relation to anything else in the catalogue, I wouldn't be surprised if a guest writer had penned it, but no idea how it made it through quality control.

This entire series has been a disappointment to date, and seriously concerned the end is nigh for the program. Gutted, as its one of the few shows i watch, but I can find better things. To do with my time.

Why on Earth does a review needs 600 words? Ok the actors were poor, characters not likeable at all, and the weird final 30% just seemed like desperation for some action. Bizarre, when every other episode has been scarily plausible. Trash.

Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable (2017)

Another Hirst Fake

[1/10 · 30 December 2021]

As fake as Hirst's supposed artwork, where he basically walks in to get an instagram photo in some paint-splattered jeans. In this, he must have duped many into thinking it was a real documentary, as he has duped many into thinking 'he' creates original artwork. What a pointless little man.

Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

Hollywood Attempts Arthouse. Fails

[5/10 · 26 December 2020]

From the first scene it felt like an ad-libbed high school drama class. The White stripes ironically lacked spark during a pro-tesla piece. A series of bad efforts only partially salvaged by the diamond on the muddy road that is Steve Coogan's vignette, which worked with its awkwardness mainly due to the actors being British, but a well-written little . otherwise weak

Ten Years Thailand (2018)

1/4 Stories Good, At Least

[3/10 · 26 June 2020]

The first story is worthy of its own full-length film, the second and third.. maybe I missed the point? Really have no idea what they were trying to say, or what aspect of current society they had picked up on to exacerbate 10 years down the line. Anyone have any ideas? and the 4th I had to watch by skipping through it as it was going nowhere it seems. Disappointed. I thought there might be some better ideas coming out of the current era, but again, the 1st film good.. could have taken the idea much deeper and further

The Night Clerk (2020)

Great, Under-Valued Film

[9/10 · 15 June 2020]

Very glad I watched this despite the overwheilmingly low score on here and elsewhere (there was little else to see, in a just post-covid 19 Saigon). The lead's acting is fantastic. While not building a character you can take totally to heart, there was definitely some development of depth, and also signs of progress for the young man, helping give viewers hope in helping with (or suffering from) Aspergers. It left left us talking about a few instances in the movie, and its connotations after the movie and the next morning - something very movies, particularly coming out of the Holywood hills, manage to do. It's not The Joker, but it's definitely worth seeing: A unique, very well-acted and slightly twisty just-enough-of-a-thriller. Thanks for being different, writers and producers!

Hormones (2013–2015)

Great 1st and 2nd Season

[9/10 · 15 June 2020]

As you may have guessed, I wasnn't a great fan of the 3rd season, largely because the best characters all graduated at the end of Seson2! Maybe should have started this great drama from Mathayom 4! So, why 'great'? It covers a myriad of Thai teenage issues (bullying, homosexuality, sex, Parent & Teacher-student relationships, cheating in exams (and on partners), drugs, fighting and more... and does so rather unflinchingly and non-judgementally - very rare for a Thai drama in my experience. The use of recreational drugs, while showing dangers of misuse and addiction, is balanced by also showing the euphoria felt by users and reasons for actually using illegal drugs in the first place. All told well, and acted really well too through seasons 1&2 (bar a bisexual male character who is pretty annoying), by a well-assembled cast of young talent. Season 3 is dreadful though. No endearing characters at all really. Surprised/ disappointed they didn't make more more use of the graduates. Ah, If they'd only stopped after 2 seasons! Just watched it all with subtitles, and hoping my Thai gets good enough to watch it without. Think I'm in love with Sprite from season 1&2, Great stuff

The Salt of the Earth (2014)

A Truly Harrowing, Beautiful Tale of Tales. Unforgettable

[10/10 · 15 March 2020]

It was around 2 minutes into this film that I realised it was going to be one of the most important things I'd ever seen. It is. It is profound, jarring, I had to constantly stop it, mesmerised at the destruction; and the construction.. In a sense wholly Buddhist, in my limited understanding of Buddhism. If i hadn't dwelt on scenes, anyway' Scenes of utter desperation and desolation that lead to slides of beauty, hope, perseverance and regeneration. It is everything about us. Totally humane yet totally human. I wish everyone on Earth could watch this. Everyone that needs to. Everyone needs to. Unforgettable

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)

A Dumbed-Down Version for a Dumbed-Down World

[1/10 · 6 September 2015]

I love the original: Sagan was truly awe-inspiring, a true intellect who could entertain, enthrall and enlighten - He even helped design the plates attached to the outside of the NASA spacecrafts.

Neil de Grasse Tyson fails badly, in my opinion, and should have stayed well away from trying to re-make this classic: Production quality is poor, he is obviously not of the same intellectual capacity as Sagan, and can not hold the audience's attention anywhere near as well.

Some other reviewers wrote that it may be OK for your children.. please show them more respect, and look to aid, not stifle their future levels of intelligence by investing in the original set. Search on IMDb for the 1970s original if you haven't heard of it, and please help the world stop dumbing-down by boycotting this trashy edition.

Like Stars on Earth (2007)

Fantastic Film

[10/10 · 27 August 2015]

This film is a very touching portrayal of the power of love and attention, one whose morality would help any parent and teacher live a little more happily and content should they watch it; That there's more to life than chasing dollars, and that everyone can excel at something, not necessarily the same thing.

Superb casting and acting, especially from the young boy Ishaan, but overall it's the emotion, motivation and inspiration that shine through.

First half could have been condensed somewhat, but overall a great film. Highly recommended. Again, Mr Khan is a real idol, one to whom the poseurs in Hollywood can only aspire. Top man