doenormaaljoh Reviews

Ragnarok (2020–2023)

Felt and looked better than any blockbuster superhero marvel but the 3rd season ruined it all for me

[5/10 · 26 October 2023]

This series was on point and on track but ended for me with the end of the second season. Such a waste of potential, it could have sparked a truly great franchise but instead it fell into ruins. Good work producers and writers, this is how you destroy class and potential once you have it....

I have seen this before with other series, also with movie franchise, going from greatness to garbage storytelling. The story of Magne was very well written and executed just until the writer and producers decided to transform it all to an absolute subpar story, lost their mojo and ended it all with an absolute anti-climactic of which there isnt any possible recovery. I havent spoilered anything really, you can take my word for it and avoid watching the final season or just go ahead and ruin it for yourself if you like. Good luck with it.

Upgrade (2018)

Thought provoking and very much an original story

[8/10 · 12 March 2022]

I did not expected much from this movie but it exceeded those expectations by far. Not everything was a surprise in it, some elements were very predictable still, yet it had originality in its plot twists. The acting was also very good, very much an a-grade level. Scifi worth an 8 out of 10.

Dune (2021)

A letdown for me

[5/10 · 11 November 2021]

Considering the time and resources spend it could (and should) have been so much more than what is offered here. I wont go into much detail as I am of the opinion people should go and see it for themselves to form their own opinion about it. The movie pretty much follows the book to an extent but messes up where persona's are concerned, women playing men characters and more of such. If you are going to do an adaption of a(ny) book, especially one as imposing as this one, just stay true to the original characters or dont make such a film at all as it totally messes up the storyline.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Ahead of its time but too abstract (and illogical) at the same time

[6/10 · 3 November 2020]

Being from '69 myself I can imagine this movie to be thus far ahead of its time, considering the technical and scientific part of the story, to have baffled and alienated (no pun) viewers for many years after its incarnation. However personally I have no love whatsoever for this movie and rated it with 6 stars merely because of its technical prowes. For the most part the story arc is flawed, as an ai as intelligent as HAL would have never beat around the bush as it did to reach its goal. For instance given the total control HAL had over all vital systems including life-support), and taking its intelligence level into consideration, it could have simply changed the oxygen mixture to a less favorable ratio (or cut of the oxygen supply instantly) as soon as it became aware of the threat of disconnection. Even more efficiently it could have just killed the astronauts on the spot while they were still conversing in the pod by ejecting the apparatus.

The movie was created with a lot of actual scientific knowledge and expertise behind it but in the end the entire story makes no sense at all and remains too abstract and too distant to connect to. The movie's creators obviously knew exactly what it all meant but personally I am quite sure there isnt a single viewer alive, out of the inside circle of the creator, able to get the gist of it.

The Shannara Chronicles (2016–2017)

This is not how Terry Brooks penned down his characters at all

[3/10 · 17 August 2020]

Finally my curiosity won out but I'm not that much enchanted by this "depiction" of the books. In fact after having watched a few of the episodes I couldnt bare anymore of it. The characters dont look and/or feel as was written down in the books. And aside from that the actors, especially those depicting the elves, seem to be screened on appearance rather than on their acting abilities. It is excruciating being witness to an acting level that is even less than the level of a cheap daily soap series. All in all it is just another foolish project that strayed from the original too much, perhaps wanting to be too 'glossy' and most certainly too soapy for its own good.

The Mandalorian (2019– )

It couldnt get any better than this!

[10/10 · 29 December 2019]

Agree with all the raving reviews before me, this is Star Wars as it is supposed to be and much more!

The Witcher (2019– )

Brings back memories

[5/10 · 21 December 2019]

In particular memories of the series "Xena" and "Hercules", the main difference being that those series were made within the limits of (now) primitive techniques but still were better done (entirely) as the acting (overall) was much better with the comic relief being far superior. I really cant recommend "The Witcher" to anyone, it is most definitely not on par with "Game of Thrones" and most certainly not with the "Lord of the rings" movies (as was suggested by some raving reviewers...). What sets the mentioned "Xena" and "Hercules" series further apart from "The Witcher" was the superior balance between the different elements acting/humor/action/storytelling. The balance is totally lost with 'The Witcher' as Henry Cavill is a far superior actor along with (only) some of his colleagues compared to all the supporting roles, which seem to be a bunch of non-professionals. Would the CGI and the make up have been up to the task that would have made quite a difference still but alas, its crap really, especially compared to 'Game of Thrones' and/or other hitseries.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

One reviewer was right, its much better than the latest trilogy

[7/10 · 3 November 2019]

Ofcourse there are some weak points but then again it comes a lot closer to the original trilogy than any of the latest offerings. The cast was well chosen, with the presence of Chewbacca as a valuable reference point to the original movies. It was an entertaining prequel atleast, no more and no less.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

Not all that bad

[5/10 · 3 May 2019]

As some dislike this 'prequel' series I actually like it. Allthough I have to agree on the fact this is perhaps somewhat sinister for the Trek universe it also suits current times as the older series from the franchise seem a bit outdated, to me atleast. I'd have to say a series like "Orville" did a better job paying homage to the original Star Trek universe, even while its supposed to be a tongue in cheek version. I love both new series though, each for its own strengths.

The Fury (2016)

Out of context

[4/10 · 3 February 2019]

The film's context should have been dramatic but it was directed as if it was a comedy. The acting was good at times but totally inconsistant while the makeup department didnt do much of a good job either. The ending scene was the movie's strongpoint, dramatic and in touch with reality, while at the same time a total misfit considering the rest of the movie. In my opinion there wasnt any cohesion between the different era's, it was out of context really.

Heaven Is for Real (2014)

Preachy yes

[3/10 · 17 July 2017]

Despite some reviews saying 'it isn't a preachy movie at all' it is really. While I do like a high sense of morality and a great deal of kindness this movie bears all the marks of religion (as a whole lot of religious ideology is being shoved down the viewers throat throughout the movie). All the (god fearing) people depicted in this movie are extremely kind and goodhearted as well, flawless really. Still I gave this a 3 out of 10 as the acting wasn't all that bad.

Alien: Covenant (2017)

Not the movie this franchise deserved

[1/10 · 9 July 2017]

This 'Alien' movie truly was a waste of money and time, money to create it, my money, the time to create it and my time. In my opinion this hasn't got much to do with the original Alien franchise anymore. It feels incomplete, rushed and uninspired to say the least. One would have expected a true sequel to 'Prometheus', this last title which was a let down by itself though not so much as 'Alien Covenant'. Instead of picking up where Prometheus left off, as it should have happened, this movie adds nothing to the Alien universe that wasn't already present.

I wont spoil(er) too much and just keep it at that, as its also already much more than this 'movie' deserves.