uwa Reviews

The Voyeurs (2021)

Doesn't meet low expectations

[3/10 · 27 September 2021]

I expected '50 Shades of Grey the Thriller' but this movie couldn't even reach that level.

The movie is a spin on Hitchcocks' Rear Window and viewer already knows how will the story be constructed and chooses to watch the movie accordingly. However, Michael Mohan subverts the expectations and delivers a worse version of what could've been.

From the start of the movie until the 'twists' the movie is predictable and tension is lacking. Viewer never have time to ask themselves 'what will happen?' or 'what our protagonist will do in this situation?'. We have all the answers and sadly so do our protagonist. That is a big problem in itself in a movie where the main goal is to make thriller movie.

As for the twists; if they cut out the last 20 minutes of the movie, it is still a bad movie but at least not a trainwreck that it is right now. Twists try to compensate for the lack of tension and tries to grab the attention of the viewer who are already checking their phones, waiting for the movie to end. There are some visual moments where Michael Mohan hopes that they save the movie but when the story is not engaging everything falls short.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Big improvement

[5/10 · 7 August 2021]

I wish this was the first movie we got. The plot and the rules are the same but a much better movie. That is the biggest reason for my low rating.

This have the same story, we already know people are going to die so it is not shocking when bunch of them die in the beginning and most of the jokes are in the trailer. So I enjoyed the movie but didn't love it.

Everybody agrees on one thing, Margo Robbie is great as Harley Queen however we didn't get enough Harley scenes in this movie and Robbie's biggest action scene is plain boring. They realised that fact and added bunch of animation in the background, 'Birds of Prey' handled Harley much better than this suicide squad.

Would I recommend it? Yes of course, it is a fun movie. Is it a good movie? Not even close.

Underwater (2020)

Wasted Potential

[5/10 · 3 November 2020]

Movie start with credits where they show, how being that deep in the ocean can effect someones psyche and in the first shot we see stewart talking about she doesn't know if she is a sleep or awake, is it night or is it day. And these are all good threads to follow in an underwater action/horror flick. instead, movie doesn't even bother with those aspects ever again and focus on ripping of ailen (unsuccessfully).

this movie didn't need any ailens, underwater pressure was an obstacle enough. If we get to know who these characters are and what were their inner conflicts we as the viewer would care much more about the people dying than we did. and our main character didn't have any inner conflict or any mistakes that we know of so we can root for her to get her redemption. People in the reviews talk a lot about stewarts acting but even if you cast the most talented actress on the planet on that role, what does she have to go on? she had a boy friend who is lost while diving? oh god.. what a lazy story that creates more questions than answers, in fact here are my questions:

If her boyfriend died while diving, why did she choose this job? Did her boyfriend dying had no effect on our hero? Why should we as viewers care about this boyfriend while we never saw their relationships? ...

In short, I would care about this movie much more if it started with whole cast interacting with one another, get to know them and feel sorry for them when they die. Plus, if it started as a slow pace thriller and ramp up to the earthquake (not ailens..) it would be much more entertaining (at least for me).

Siren's Call (2018)

Fun Watch

[7/10 · 28 February 2019]

This movie is great if you are looking for something easy to watch and will grip you from the first moment to last. It is most comparable to 'After Hours' by Martin Scorsese. it is a well shot movie, especially the first scene at the bar is brilliant (lighting and pace are both well thought out). All the cast does a brilliant job. The only negative thing that I can say is may be the ending doesn't match the rest of the movie, thats a small problem though. Simply, I would recommend watching this movie. I hope a streaming service already bought the rights.

Zvezda (2014)

Not the most original but definitely one of the most moving movies ever

[7/10 · 30 April 2015]

The plot of Zvezda is really not that interesting, I almost didn't see this movie however I am glad I did.

There are no good ways to review this movie because the most successful part of the movie is to play your emotions like a trambone. You laugh, you rage, you cry.. There are 16 emotion points in a human being they say and this movie almost hits all of them. And it hits the hardest note in the end.

After that perfect end to a perfect ride, I was like a sleepwalker wondering the streets, ready to cry in most simple human contact (which I did talking to a friend on the phone).

I advice you not to watch the trailer of the movie or even read a review of the plot, before watching this movie.

9/10

Violet & Daisy (2011)

Could've been much more

[6/10 · 25 November 2013]

The movie starts with a great promise and packed with action. The idea of using innocence with cruelty is a great one. the cinematography is great too but once the story stays in one place for a long time than it gets a little bit boring. As soon as we learn why Gandolfini wants to die the movie is about good as over however it goes on for another 45 minutes or so.

I think Geoffrey Fletcher missed the point on this one. This could've been an action packed piece with a heart without being boring. It seems that he just didn't know how to achieve that sort of a formula.

However, this movie is not a total waste of time. It still has some interesting moments and good montage. Worth a watch.

Liberal Arts (2012)

Most Pretentious Movie Ever Made!

[1/10 · 28 May 2013]

Somebody must help Josh Radnor in all departments of film making. He doesn't know even the first thing about writing a movie. I mean who does even give him budget to write or direct a movie? if he does these kind of movies because of How I Met Your Mother, I am no longer watching that show.

He clearly wants whole world to know that he is actually Ted, nothing more. This movie is a How I Met Your Mother spin off(he even wears the same shirt for god sake) but no so funny or clever or in anyway romantic. I think Josh Radnor watched Garden State and loved it, tried to do something like that but his own voice was more important to him than the movie. I think he records his own voice during the day and he listens to while he goes to sleep.

İf you like watching people saying that they read books or you can not get enough Ted, this is your movie. Otherwise just burn the damn thing.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

We've seen greater Gatsby's

[6/10 · 17 May 2013]

First of all I think Luhrman did a good job until the end of the movie. However I do agree that this story is worn out. We've seen greater Gatsby's, we've seen greater love stories, I don't think the book it's relevance that it had back when its written. So to expect more from a production is, if I've to quote the movie, 'asking too much'.

My only criticisms are the ending and CGI's of the movie. CGI'S are too obvious that they are not real, we don't believe them to be real for a second. As far as the ending, Luhrman should've think a better way to end the movie, it seemed like he just gave up. That maybe the biggest reason that this movie gets this many negative feedback.

Jack Reacher (2012)

Batman in casual wear

[5/10 · 3 May 2013]

the movie starts as high budget law and order episode(which I actually liked), than turns into an action movie(which I also liked). however, because we don't get the villains motivations, other than they want to build a bridge so they have to have a guy with two fingers, one eye and a German accent, we are actually certain that reacher will prevail, because the villains don't have any kind of plan or purpose other than waiting for reacher to kill them. it is as obvious as what happens in the last scene of the movie which makes me think in a way that 'if you don't show what happens next on the last scene because we can clearly guess what happens, why show if jack reacher will prevail against werner herzog's character?'

all this said, I enjoyed the movie, it's not great but fun to watch if you don't expect much from it..

Iron Man Three (2013)

How is this movie not listed as a comedy?

[5/10 · 3 May 2013]

We start the movie with 'blue' song which maybe done to give us a clue as where this movie stands however, the subject gets too serious too quickly, with the bombings, the people vaporizing... It gets really hard to find a joke in it. then as we learn how these bombings happen, we don't believe it, it can not happen in the real world. The odd thing is the movie realizes this in the second half of the movie and mocks it self. it turns into a full on comedy mode. it is really hard to find any seriousness any darkness in the story line. I appreciate that Shane Black mocks the formula every other movie uses(which is dark knight formula) what I don't appreciate that he does this through iron man franchise.

If you are hard core fan of Robert D. Jr. you should go and see this movie. Otherwise I suggest you wait for the DVD, or just watch it for the laughs.

Man Bites Dog (1992)

dogma 95

[8/10 · 22 March 2012]

While I was watching this movie, I started to think about the 'real' documentaries that were made in late 80's and 90's, one of the documentaries which have won an Oscar, was about children selling themselves in order to earn money. I imagine, the directors also have watched these documentaries and started to ask themselves where is the line? which is a question often discussed by the documentarists. They gave a good spin to that idea and come up with making a documentary about a serial killer. The way they did is also brilliant, the acting is impeccable, except one scene all the scenes contains a humor and have a natural feel. It is really hard to believe that this movie was the first movie of the directors. I recommend you to watch it however don't expect Hollywood type motivations.

The Rum Diary (2011)

out of focus

[5/10 · 3 March 2012]

there is too much going on this movie and it seems that they had too much respect for the novel to change it for the movie. in most cases that is considered a good thing, but in this case, it was a mistake in my opinion. there are too many minutes of this movie that doesn't serve any kind of purpose, if you taken out 50 minutes out of the movie we wouldn't miss it. because they chose to show that 50 minutes, i don't know what the main focus of this movie, is it the politics, is the love interest of the writer, is it never sell your soul kind of stuff? I don't know and that is a problem. the other reason why they couldn't deliver can be that they were worried about the box office. it is a very good project to go more experimental with(like fear and loating in vegas kind of thing) but got stuck in between or maybe johny depp got to involved with the project and wanted to make his late friend seem like a hero. however in my humble opinion, this is a story of a loser at the time, so adding heroic poses, charismatic look to the character and achieving completely nothing in the end seemed forced.

so despite the whole crews' incredible performances as actors, this movie is 5 out of 10 for me.

The Muppets (2011)

Muppet of a man

[7/10 · 27 February 2012]

I must admit, I usually write reviews when i am angry, however in this case, I am writing this review because of pure love for the movie.

I went to this movie expecting few laughs and an enjoyable night. My expectations were met and more. the songs were great, the plot was classic Hollywood plot but they made fun of it so it didn't bother me at all. I laughed at all the jokes without exception. I didn't know the whole cast so the surprise appearances affected me emotionally.

most importantly, I felt that the people who are doing that movie didn't acted on that movie for the money, for the box office or for the fame, they did it for pure love for the Muppet's(most of them anyways) and I felt that. I was asking my self why I loved this movie? and this is was the answer I got. As long as these kinds of movies being made, there is still hope for Hollywood.

Shit Year (2010)

there is clue in the title

[1/10 · 12 April 2011]

i had my doubts about writing a review about this movie, it feels like kicking a child with a down syndrome, but if that child constantly bites you then there is no choice, is there?

the movie is about a constantly talking actress who is obsessed with herself, trying to come in terms with her retirement.

i usually like experimental movies, but this wasn't an experimental movie, it was just a wanna be project, i was okay if it didn't have any meaningful purpose, but this movie tried so hard to be meaningful in an experimental way which is really not a good idea, horrible idea to be clear. the biggest issue in the movie is that it is like a diary, nothing visual on it, the fact that this director also directed music videos is beyond me. it is like we are watching a monologue of a boring woman who constantly repeat herself then director remembers that he is shooting a movie and adds something visual but not so amazing images.

to cut the long story short(unlike the movie), i would believe if the director turned out to be a high school student who's favorite movie is 'a single man'. it tells nothing new, it is a real wanna be movie, and it is real a waste of time, i hope i never watch a movie like this again. (actually it is really hard to call this thing a movie.)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

disappointing

[2/10 · 22 April 2009]

after watching this movie, you can easily say that, the story about logan's past better stayed untold. through out the movie you can feel that both the screen play writers and the director struggle to handle the story. characters are one dimensional, the relationship between the characters are unclear and non motivated which made some actions done by the cast seems unnecessary or unrealistic. all the other things a side, i was still waiting for an action filled ending which i thought can't go wrong however even though some scenes were impressive and brother bonding was fun to watch, the last scene was so weak that makes you want to forget it right away. i have to say that, Stryker, risking his life to erase logan's memory was one of the weakest ending to an any comic adaptation.

i think they will make a sequel for wolverine and i hope they try to keep it more simple, if they had just focused on wolverine and sabertooth's rivalry it would be more intense, memorable and realistic. that doesn't mean i don't want to see the other characters too, but in a movie about wolverine they don't need the x-men style of story telling..

21 (2008)

howard professor

[4/10 · 7 February 2009]

first i must say that, if i was a Howard professor, who is been told this story, i'ld definitely be impressed. It's not so often that you hear a story this original and interesting. However as a movie it is way far off from being interesting, one dimensional characters, not so good acting from the actors(even not from spacey whom i worship), music filled 'romantic' moments, and the 'surprise' ending was so obvious that it was boring to wait for it to happen. so in my opinion, this movie is made to cash in obviously, no passion put into this as far as i can see. We can easily say that this movie is a conventional remake of a different high school themed movie.(and it is hearth breaking to know how much better it could be..)