johnfc-18-684850 Reviews

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023)

Brilliantly Bold!

[10/10 · 16 April 2023]

Like most all fans of "The Last Kingdom" I have been waiting anxiously for this Movie. With what I thought were surprises pretty much "right out of the gate". Through it all, it was fast paced and entertaining. And, just like with each Season watched, I didn't want it to end. Very much worth a "10" to me.

Alfred, Edward and Aethelstan were "Great Kings" according to Historians. But keep in mind, as in the books, this Series is about Utred. With all the "Real Historically accurate" Characters, as well as the added "fictional" ones in this Series. It is, was, and always was about Utred's story! Each Episode reminded us, Utred was the smart one, Utred was the best. Utred was the Hero!

So I believe you have to buy into to that fact to enjoy this story. Once I did that. I absolutely loved every minute of every hour. Of every episode, of every Season. Yeah, I did!

The Last Kingdom Series was Fantastic, Brilliant, I can't express enough how much I enjoyed it. And I never wanted it to end. But this Movie, Seven Kings Must Die, holds up. It's good, really good. And like with the Series. "I didn't want it to end".

Personally I don't have closure. I suppose I will have to watch it a couple more times. Without a doubt, I would have loved them to have made a season six. Or maybe a three hour Movie! But all in all, the Series as well as this Movie "delivered"!

By the way. According to Historians. Aathelstan did unite England. Ruled for twelve years. He was about forty-five when he died. For whatever reason? He never married. And he did not have or leave an "heir". And Edmond did succeed him.

In this Movie. I thought they handled this perfectly, if not surprisingly. I for one was "blown away". Blown away in a good way for me. I was entirely alright with the story line. Personally, I loved this twist or take their History here!

Bravo! To the entire crew. A "bold " move I thought.

Jacquou le croquant (2007)

A Movie of "two" parts. Might have been better served as a "series"!

[8/10 · 7 January 2023]

First of all. I liked it. A very "worthwhile watch". This Movie was beautifully mounted. The Cinematography was "superb"! And had a pretty good Music Score. The Acting was fine for the most part. Especially during the first Hour and a half or so. And I have to say the young actor, Leo Legrand", who portrayed "young Jacquou" pretty much "carried" more than the first half of this Movie. The kid was truly "superb"!

The Movie began in exciting fashion. As the first few scenes were fast pace and somewhat "riveting". It held my attention immediately and I thought I was on my way to watching something "Epic"!

However, once the lead character "Jacquou" grew up. The Movie itself took on an entirely different feel. For me it seemed for the first eighty minutes or so it had the feel of a great period piece Movie. The rest of the Movie for me. The adult portion of the Movie and Jacquou grows up seemed like an average TV series period piece. I give it an 8. I thought it was good. Had great potential to be great. To me the last hour was better than okay, however, it still fell short of the first parts of the Movie. Hence, "a tale of two parts"!

House of the Dragon (2022– )

Ponderously Slow Moving Story!

[4/10 · 12 September 2022]

Not quite sure what I was expecting. I have watched to the four episodes available. I'm not sure "why"? I think I watch just hoping each week this Series gets better? So far it hasn't!

So far to me it has been just a "very mediocre drama". A "boring slow moving" Story. With "not even one" appealing character in it so far. The acting over all is poor. With absolutely no character depth at all.

Hard to watch most of the time even on the best of big screen TV's. The Scenes are dark. With the Interior Scenes very, very dark. And yes, hard to see even if you try to adjust or turn off your lighting.

And as far as action Scenes. Well. The Action Scenes so far have been "preposterously" unbelievable! Yes, ridiculous for one side to have Dragons. And still have long Wars. Believe me, you have to watch the episode to see my meaning. So far the Dragons are just another after thought in the Series.

The Jousting Scene could have been something special maybe, yet was just an after thought to a "gruesome" child birth.

I guess my rating of just "1" Star comes from the fact. "I just don't like the story" so far. In spite of all the money Amazon spent on this production. Unless this thing takes a turn and gets much better. So far for me. It's a "big miss'!

Paraíso (2021–2022)

A Little "Gem" that grows on you!

[7/10 · 25 August 2022]

Surprisingly interesting Spanish Series. Season 1, though poorly edited. Especially the last three episodes. Confusing at times with a crazy/weird story line. But in truth, I grew to "Love It"!

Despite the over all poor "flow and writing"! You just have to "buy in" to what happens by the pace and action of the show. Believe me, at times it just doesn't make any sense. That's why I'm only giving it a 7 instead of a 9 or 10. But neither does "Stranger Things" most of the time!

As for acting. Not bad at all. And all the young people did a great job. And though you kind of saw it coming. I absolutely loved the "twist" close to the end of the last episode with the two boys, Alvaro and Zeta. The place and timing was a bit weird. But I guess it had to happen at that particular time frame.

We don't have Season 2 here in US yet. Hopefully we will soon!

Uncharted (2022)

What a Shame! Not a good movie.

[4/10 · 11 August 2022]

Horrible waste of talent. Love Mark Wahlberg, but this is not his type of Movie. Love Tom Holland. Don't know anything about "a game". But this movie is written like a "kids fantasy adventure". It's a "been done" many times Hardy Boys episode, but with no chemistry among the characters. Read the other reviews. A very ridiculous story. I'm generous giving it a 4!

Becoming Elizabeth (2022)

Boring!

[3/10 · 13 July 2022]

Incredibly boring so far! Starting Episode 5 and the writers as well as producers just insist upon dragging the Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth soap opera out to no end! I keep waiting for something to happen. Anything to happen. But is doesn't! Just episode after episode of the same tedious tiring story. This is supposed to be about "Elizabeth I" I would think after five episodes her story is much more interesting and epic than this horrible piece of work so far!

The Bounty (1984)

Excellent!

[10/10 · 5 July 2022]

Treat yourself to a true "historical" journey. Beautiful camera work and pretty good storyline throughout. Great adaptation to the true story of "The Bounty". Superb acting by all. The entire cast were phenomenal, especially Sir Anthony Hopkins. As good as it gets for an action period drama!

18 to Party (2019)

Wow! Nothing!

[6/10 · 29 June 2022]

Gave this movie a "6" only because the young actors were good. All of them have movie credits behind them. A shame because this movie went absolutely "no where". Shame to have wasted their talent on such a boring story line. Could have been done on "the stage". Laterally played like a play. Some good performances by these kids though.

No Sudden Move (2021)

Great "cast"!

[8/10 · 11 June 2022]

A fun watch really. What a dynamite "cast". Done like an old 50s Crime Melodrama. Which I'm sure was in intent. Fun to watch all these great actors perform. Had to be on your toes to keep up with the story. But I think it got better as the Movie moved along. The details to "the 50s period was well done. And I loved the Cars!!!!!

Súbete a mi Moto (2020– )

Treat yourself. The Kids in this Series are "Great"! All of them!

[8/10 · 4 June 2022]

In spite of some of some poor reviews. I actually enjoyed this Series. The over all acting wasn't bad really. I personally think the voice dubbing as well as the story editing had something to do with the thought that this was not a quality effort. But again, the Boys playing the various Menudo roles, none being experienced Actors, all did a fantastic job. They were all "great". So treat yourself to watching this interesting Series.

As for the story line. Well, I think this could have really been a much better presentation. Using a flashback scenario was all well and good. But for me, the "side Story line" of the 2 girls got a little tedious and boring without really going anywhere. I personally would have liked to have seen "even more" music performances from the boys performing the Menudo songs and performances!

Its an absolutes "shame" there is such a dark and negative cloud hanging over this group of kids and their managers and other handlers. Because, in fact, several groups of these kids over the 20 year period were pretty darn good.

I know we "do not know the entire story". It could be a darker story, or maybe not as dark as we think? But "we do not know all the facts". We probably never will. And therefore I understand the need to protect innocent people here. As for the abuse and ill treatment of young people in show business. All you have to do is read a few "bios" of many child actors/stars, teen idols and the like to know their fame and celebrity status brought sadness and abuse along with it.

I was a young Man back in the late 70's and early 80's when this boy band Menudo was at its most popular. Didn't pay a lot of attention to them really. But I saw them a couple times on TV shows. Can't remember hearing them on the Radio at all. You must remember, this was still the early days of Cable TV. And channels like MTV were in the infancy. Needless to say, we had no Social Media as we have today. So yes I heard about them. We here in America just didn't see them often.

Until this series came on Amazon Prime. I had pretty much forgotten this group. Started watching it and became more interested with each episode. I decided to check the "real" Menudo performances and found a "over a hundred" Videos on YouTube. Many are of poor quality. And in truth, their dance routines somewhat dated. But never the less, if you are interested in Menudo, they are truly worth watching!

And I found in my findings that most all the various groups of the 30 or so different boys they used and went through in the twenty years of the group Menudo. They must have worked hard on their performances. Because they were without a doubt, very good. In their performances of both singing and dancing, with each and every show, they worked their young butts off!

So treat yourself. Watch this series. And if you want to see the real Menudo. Watch some of their videos on YouTube. They were good folks. I mean "really good".

Play by Play (2017– )

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 12 May 2022]

Truly a Masterpiece. Well written and well acted. Hilarious for the most part. Treat yourself. Laugh out loud Comedy. Just watch and enjoy! You'll be surprised!

Joe Bell (2020)

Brilliant. And touchingly done. So glad this Movie was made.

[10/10 · 7 May 2022]

Heartbreaking and wonderfully put together. Superb acting by entire cast. "No Awards"??? A shame. I don't get it. Treat yourself to an incredible human interest and family drama! My life so very different, yet related to it so we'll.

The Invisible Thread (2022)

A Pleasant Surprise!

[8/10 · 9 April 2022]

Just a fun easy movie to watch. A great story told very heartfelt. The editing from the story flow to the background music very put together. And I thought the acting was really good by each character. Especially the leads. So don't over think it or analyze it. Just watch a nice little family drama.

This Is the Night (2021)

Suprisingly "fun" movie!

[8/10 · 28 February 2022]

I actually loved it. A family human interest and coming of age drama. And yes, all families have some crazy drama whether they want to admit it or not. A little over the top in some areas. But I found quite entertaining with some not so bad acting. In truth. With a few changes I think it could've been a great comedy.

Matinee (1993)

Excellent Fun

[10/10 · 27 November 2021]

Wonderful family Movie! I was about the same age as the kids during that time frame. Nostalgic in many ways. And lots of fun now for my grandkids! And they couldn't believe we had no cell phones or computers!

Brotherhood (I) (2019)

Somewhat disappointing.

[5/10 · 20 November 2021]

I this could have been a much better movie. Based on a true story we know. The acting was great. The boys were super. We Knew it was going to be a sad ending. However, the flow of going back and forth between the dark death scenes on the canoe. And the supposedly fun happy scenes was nerve wracking and depressing. Jumping back and forth from the bright sunny days to the dark water nights. Just made it hard to get into the characters or the story. The movie had promise. But the director and producer "blew it". Should have been a much better picture!

The Kindness of Strangers (2019)

Surprisingly moving!

[8/10 · 19 July 2021]

Strange little movie. Not sure the first fifteen minutes or so. But I ended up loving it! Just watch it and count your blessings if you have a good life!