mikeww-64309 Reviews

True Detective (2014– )

Different scores for different seasons...

[8/10 · 30 November 2023]

Overall I am giving the whole series a score of 8. Seasone 1 is awesome, a bit of a slow burn but something I plan on watching again. Season 2 didnt seem as engaging until the last episode which brought everything to a conclusion.... Vince Vaughn is perfect in his role and made me a fan. I absolutely loved the final episode. Season 3 seemed to mimic the feel and path of the first season, but for me became tedious and drawn out for most of the middle of the season...I can't really see myself ever watching that season again. The concluding storyline was mediocre and nothing I couldn't have guessed at a few episodes before.

Season 1 - 9 Season 2 - 8 Season 3 - 6.5.

Sound of Freedom (2023)

A must see

[9/10 · 24 July 2023]

I read a lot of the reviews here so was expecting to to have a hard time watching this movie due to the images and content provided - however maybe I am not as sensitive to visual imagery as some but I found none of the images outlandish, explicit or grotesque. The story however sheds a light on yet another human failing and one could think of this story as truly disgusting.

Comments in the after film note mentioning the fiver year delay encouraged me to look into why that was and the reason reeks of corporate interference and possibly Government interference as well...of course they don't want anyone to know about this dirty secret.

This movie is highly watchable, will keep your interest and present a disturbing subject. Everyone should see it.

The Flash (I) (2023)

Hard on the Outside and soft in the middle.....

[5/10 · 6 July 2023]

OK going into this I was accompanying a Flash series fan, while I was looking forward to something new and a bit of fun, not having watched any of the series.

The first portion of the film was mildly entertaining and they set up the introduction to the multiverse, and how they portrayed the portal was a unique artistic approach - with almost all of the super person movie bases having a multiverse of some sort at least this had a unique portal to display.

That being said...enter stage two of the movie where our superhero has travelled in time through the portal to one of the other universes. Introduce a dolt like putz of a former self right out of Bill and Ted's and slog along babysitting this character at a kindergarten level and the movie breaks new ground in boredom. Finding what snacks we had left was beating out the movie for attention and my thought was I could cut out 45-60 minutes out of this film. The intelligence level here was nearly insulting. I found out that my friend who is a big fan actually fell asleep.

Snacks depleted we moved into the third portion of the film and back to action, although I seemed to have lost any attachment to the characters by that point...at least the portrayal of the portal again was interesting and there was some (seemingly pointless) action taking place. I wont give a spoiler but the end message has been done a million times before.

Holding my tongue I asked my friend what they thought...."Bad" was the reply.... I said I agree...thought it might just be me.

I wont recommend this one.

Warehouse 13 (2009–2014)

A Whole Lotta Fun!

[8/10 · 7 May 2023]

If you are seeking a show that has a mix of science fiction, supernatural and comedy with a slice of CSI this show is for you. Nothing is too serious except the entertainment value. This is one show I looked forward to watching week after week for pure fun. There was usually one or two underlying stories from episode to episode as well as an individual story each episode so you felt like something was resolved every show which was nice. No show is perfect and at times Pete's adolescent outlook could get annoying but for the most part provided good humour and the show could drift into a thoughtful serious reflection in his relationship with Myka and his life experiences previous to his current agent job. The last episode was an excellent wrap up and they could have taken an easy recap way out but they put time and effort into the writing introducing new snippets of memories that were not in the episodes.

There needs to be more shows like this to bring back the fun to watching TV. Overall I give the show an 8...high in entertainment value, Seasons 1-3, 8.0-9, Season 4, 7-7.5, Season 5, 8.0 Enjoy.

Sharp Objects (2018)

Unique slow burn

[8/10 · 26 April 2023]

I found this series refreshing in the sense that it does not fit the usual TV network format of storytelling. This is a slow burn that requires you to make the commitment to watch the whole series...the rewards are at the end. It reminded me of art house movies and if I had to do comparisons to help you decide if this is your kind of show then I would say it reminded me of "The Killing (another excellent slow burn) and might be something that a Stephen King and David Lynch project might come up with. Yes there are lots of brief flashback inserts and at times it can be confusing but by the time I finished I almost wanted to rewatch so I could put all the puzzle pieces together.

The last twist at the end is excellent!

This show isn't going to please everyone...especially those with short attention spans, but if you like a slow burning head scratcher I would recommend this.

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

Nothing new here

[7/10 · 11 March 2023]

After all the online hype about this show I decided to give it a go. My review is for season 1 only...not sure if I will venture into Season 2. I can see why some people think it is all the rage, and also see why others are not all that impressed. I would probably rate is 6.5 if there were half numbers as a 7 on my scale usually means I would recommend it to friends without any preamble. For most people I know this show would require some pretext. No spoilers here.

In short there is nothing new here that hasn't been done before so unless you are Rip Van Winkle and missed the last 15 years or so you will not be shocked by any of the scenarios playing out. That being said the production values are good and this would be a great glossy packaged summary of a lot of the "edgy" events presented while Rip was sleeping.

I entered the series paying close attention to details and storylines, then found I didn't really need to after a while....stories were familiar, pacing was somewhat slow and the Soundtrack was cool, original and interesting at the beginning, but became annoying as the episodes advanced. For some strange reason the soundtrack matched the storyline and felt like it was suggesting how I should react or feel...fine to be supportive of a story but it became intrusive. Your mileage may vary.

In summary, the first couple episodes were interesting, the middle slow and the last episode a saving grace. Cut 1 or 2 hours out of this and I would rate it higher...and change up the soundtrack more often.

A glossy show that might be your cup of tea...I think it could have done better.

Season 2 Update

OK I decided to watch Season two with a friend who had not seen season one. I must say a vast improvement over season one...the script flowed better, the music was varied and the show didn't come off quite so pretentious. Some familiar actors from other shows that I have watched and enjoyed made it more entertaining.

I would give season 2 a rating of 8 for good entertainment.

Season One - 6.5/10.

Season Two - 8 Wish IMDB allowed half point ratings - overall a 7.5.

Infinity Pool (2023)

Loved It! Not your Hollywood blockbuster

[9/10 · 1 February 2023]

Finally a movie that is not catering to the family friendly woke theme. I can see this movie being a love it or hate it kinda thing which is fine but I disagree with the whole rate it 1 process just to affect the overall score. On a normal day I would give this an 8 but bumped it to a 9 to counter some of the 1's.

This is not a typical Hollywood film...it has a unique shall I say Canadian horror style...more of a psychological horror a few notches beyond the likes of Shutter Island. Great acting, great cinematography and perfectly matched soundscore. Imagery reminiscent of Altered States in places and a host of other more artistic films with a storyline that will produce questions - not necessarily answer them. I look forward to the online banter with people's theories. Rumour has it that this film was edited somewhat to notch it down to an R rating from an NC-17...maybe we can look forward to a director cut Blu Ray?

I highly recommend this film if you appreciate something off the beaten path and can imagine some kind of blend of Eyes Wide Shut, Altered States, Shutter Island and Naked Lunch. The story will raise questions that probably have been presented before in other films but maybe not in such a face slapping manner. Love it.

Booksmart (2019)

Yawn.....

[5/10 · 27 January 2023]

I waited for a while to watch this movie....looking forward to a good night for a coming of Age movie along the lines of other similar movies. I was so disappointed. This is supposedly a comedy....if there was humour there it was so stale that I couldn't find a chuckle beyond a mild groan. An obligatory gay main character and every stereotype you can think of. Adult style dialogue in an adolescent package. Nothing fresh, nothi9ng new, nothing funny and slow to boot. The closest sparkle of comedy came from the Principal who only appears a few times but really that is a supporting role that gives way to the main formulaic characters. There are much better and entertaining movies in this genre so unless you really need to watch this particular title I would skip it., I had a tough time just completing it. I think a 5 is being generous.

M3GAN (2022)

Could Have Been so much more

[6/10 · 21 January 2023]

I had read that this movie was edited to make it PG friendly...now it is little more than a made for TV movie. I was disappointed in a few aspects of this movie as it could have been so much more. A few things that stuck in my mind - The first half hour is slow...the story wasn't developed enough to justify the slow nothing happening pace.

I was not aware that M3gan was trying to be a campy comedy...maybe the filmakers weren't either but as soon as they started to introduce characters like the lab assistant "Kurt" who probably couldn't insert two batteries into a remote control I started to get turned off.

There were obvious points where a good slasher/horror gore scene was going to take place, but alas cut away edit...presumably where the R rated portion was removed.

Take out the comedy and add in the R rated portions and I would give this at least a 7 or more...but these two elements just ruined it for me. A Friday night streamer......with popcorn.

Dune (2021)

A Fantasy/Fiction - not Sci/Fi

[6/10 · 30 November 2022]

I have not read the book for this, although I did see the original movie and recall not overly thrilled with it. I almost saw this in the theatre but a schedule issue with the friend I was going to see it with got changed, so he saw it with his wife.

He raved about it...I was hesitant.... He exclaimed "but you like Blade Runner......"......Ummm yah I do but that is quite a different genre to me.

This iteration of Dune is certainly an improvement over the original, but for me it still holds the fantasy fiction genre that I am not a big fan of. One only needs to look at the weapons and flying machines they use to firmly establish that, nevermind the story. That being said I don't think this is a bad movie and indeed could be great if you are a fan of this genre...that's just not me. The visuals were excellent, the soundtrack not so much. Probably deserves a 7 from me, but that is the threshold for me to recommend to a friend, and as such I just can't....but a 6 in my universe is a decent enough movie to watch on your own qualifiers. Maybe give it a try and be aware there is lots of sand!

The Serpent (2021)

Docked a point because of one major flaw

[7/10 · 18 November 2022]

This is a great story told with one major annoying flaw. I usually enjoy stories told in a non linear timeline fashion but this series wins the award for highest number of timeline bounces...to the point of being annoying. I was almost tempted to get out paper and pencil to document a linear timeline as at time back to back time shifts left me wondering where I was in the grand scheme of things. Maybe approach this series prepared for that. The story is an interesting one of a master con artist and manipulator, who it seems has a big chip on his shoulder about his mixed racial heritage....that theme played into the dialogue multiple times.

The time shifts decreased somewhat after about four episodes which helped...I dont know who's idea it was to bounce around that much...like a kid with a new toy. Should probably get an 8 on my scale....but 1 demerit. A worthy watch.

Don't Worry Darling (I) (2022)

Ignore the trash reviews

[8/10 · 13 November 2022]

I dont know what has become of this site with plenty of "reviewers" ratings movies at a 1/10......juvenile ego stroking. Fine to not like a particular movie for whatever reason but a 1/10 should only exists for a movie that didnt even get completed. I guess it accomplishes the goal of dragging down a composite score. I'm not playing that game so for me this movie rates a 7.5, rounding up to an 8 here.

A fairly straight forward sci-fi themed plot that has probably been done before but I did like this presentation. Awesome sets and an interesting soundtrack combined with a lot of actors and actresses I dont have a lot of experience with. This is billed as a drama thriller so dont expect great gobs of science revelation...it is really not needed for this. I cant help but think of this movie as a feature length episode of Black Mirror. For a directorial debut i say congrats -it's a worthy fun watch with a familiar but satisfying story.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

75 plus, 8 minus

[8/10 · 4 November 2022]

I came into this movie cold having avoided reading the book in school days (I think it was optional) and not doing a lot of review reading. I thought the movie was a good effort, had not too many slower sections and reminded me of the movie 1917 on steroids. My surround system didnt find any of the soundtrack to be overdone and I am not sure what some comments were about low end being too loud.... I found it well balanced and didnt think it to be intrusive to the movie at all. Acting and sets were great but cant speak to historical accuracy...I just dont know. Interesting story that could easily be adapted to any participant.

On the negative side for me was the British sounding dubbed English...didnt fit at all and really this isnt a dialogue heavy movie so I would have preferred subtitles...I will have to look at what options exist. On a second note all of the uniforms looked nearly the same to me so it was hard to tell one side from the other.

Definitely better than a 7 on my scale but no higher than an 8 overall to me. A decent war movie, not the end all to be all.

Barbarian (2022)

A 5.5 - disappointingly run of the mill

[5/10 · 7 October 2022]

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie so I went to a matinee by myself. Only two teens in the theatre other than myself...not sure if it's the end of run soon or just the matinee time on a weekday.

The beginning half hour was leading to a classic thriller horror leading you in one direction, only to find out a bot later that you cant leap to conclusions. After the first set of characters were absorbed into the plot, a second single character rode out the second half of the movie. The second character ultimately meets one of the first characters in dealing with the "horror" aspect and you discover the filler story for what is going on.

This movie reminded me of a Friday night movie on TV..very mild humour, almost no jump scares, a storyline you can forsee easily and absolutely nothing original. The ending made me groan and the two teens laugh as they said "really?" No spoilers here...not much to spoil. Some of the sets were good and those scenes were probably the best part of the whole movie. I dont know how I got sucker punched here but this was a waste of an afternoon. Wait for the streaming release if you must.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Entertaining with one exception

[8/10 · 16 September 2022]

I was thoroughly entertained with the exception of the bromance segment which brought the films pace to a screeching halt and lasted way too long. That section alone left an aftertaste that almost ruined the movie for me.....you will know when it starts so I would suggest. Bio break then.....would be tempted to rate a 7.5 for an otherwise solid 8 - 8.5 movie.

I am not sure when the 600 character minimum for reviews came into effect as I have not run into that before. I can understand the goal of it but really it forces people to write what has already been said a million times in previous reviews. My first couple of sentences is really what I had to add, but I will state as with others...this is a good movie that had great action scenes, fast enough pacing and consistency within the Spider-verse.

Worth a visit to your local theatre for the action scenes alone.

Fun entertainment.

Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

A character study...

[8/10 · 19 August 2022]

Pacing was a bit slow at times but I enjoyed the detailed character study. The last episode was excellent and begs multiple viewings to put all the pieces together...may have to rewatch BB in the near future as we now know what else was going on. A worthy time investment.

Clusterf**k: Woodstock '99 (2022)

7.5

[7/10 · 19 August 2022]

Better than a 7, a hair under an 8.....a good snapshot of an event I am glad I wasnt at. Not sure why the promoter even called it Woodstock as modern culture doesnt parallel the social context of the late '60s. 200 thousand plus of angst ridden people....fuelled by angst ridden music as well....what could possibly go wrong? I wont even mention capitalism at its worst........would have liked a bit more after the event follow up....a worthy watch.

The Dawn Wall (2017)

I loved this film

[8/10 · 15 July 2022]

I generally love climbing films but this one is better than a lot of them. A very balanced observer point of view that should appeal to those who have climbed and those who view with wonder. If I were to nitpick I would have liked the film body to extend the ending a bit more instead of the clips with the credits. Doubt anyone else will care. Recommended for a feel good wholesome watch.

Maid (2021)

A protected show?

[5/10 · 23 April 2022]

Third try at getting a review published on this show.....previous attempts get approved but never published......is this show protected? Well I still have my initial thoughts on this series. It was hard to complete and I nearly bailed at about ep.6 but forced to complete the series to justify a review. This felt like a four hour story told in ten hours....repetitive themes presented in three or four iterations. If you are committed to it then go for it, if not I would try the first two episodes to get the baseline, then watch the last two.....the last episode was the best produced one of them all....wosh the previous nine could have hit the same mark.

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Meh

[6/10 · 23 April 2022]

An awesome classic rock soundtrack disguised as a 70's period piece. I was a high schooler in the 70's and there were aspects that held true, but for the most part this film can be accredited fantasy status, glorification, or U. S. culture snipits. Other movies have been made in this style, that is no real plot line and a casual drop in feel on the lives of teens.... I dont think this is one of the better ones. Nice polished mostly 70's era cars, some interesting clothing styles and classic rock carry this movie. Hazing didnt really exist here....not sure why it was such a big focus there. Worth a watch just to knock it off the list, or as good background music. Lacked humour for a comedy.

American Horror Story: Take Me to Your Leader (2021) Season 10, Episode 7

Had potential.....but......

[4/10 · 22 March 2022]

Missed the first part of season 10 and just started on ep. 6&7.....both episodes have similar theme in splitting the foundation storyline with a second part....both episodes started well enough, but made me groan and cringe by the end. Had to ask myself what am I watching here. You would think there were two teams of writers......who have never met.........this is bad and by the looks of the coming episodes isnt going to get any better. I will have to find a streaming source for the first 5 episodes...not sure I will survive the rest. So disappointing.

Vanishing Point (1971)

Car is the star

[5/10 · 8 March 2022]

Was going to give this movie a 6 until I came to the ending....just stupid. Great if you are a fan of Mopar muscle cars.....in my book not really much of a car chase movie as there is lots of driving and not much chasing. Occasional glimpses of late 60s culture, ultra thin plot. Take it or leave it, probably wont be a movie I watch again. Not sure how this can be rated a 10 here.......

Maid (2021)

Slow and repetitive

[5/10 · 7 March 2022]

After all the hype I was looking forward to this series....turned out to be a four hour story told in ten hours. After 6 episodes I had to force myself to finish. A new viewer could probably get more enjoyment by watching the first two episodes, and then the last two episodes, which ended up being the best produced episodes. Just didnt work for me.

Possessor (2020)

7.5

[8/10 · 22 February 2022]

Rated this film as an 8 here, but probably a 7.5 on my scale. I liked the fact that it had a story based more on sci fi than horror and they took time to let it develop. If you are expecting non stop thrills al la Hollywood this isnt for you. If you like a crossover sci fi / horror with some originality then have a watch...I enjoyed it. The apple didn't fall too far from the tree.

Dog (I) (2022)

Light entertainment

[6/10 · 20 February 2022]

Other than a guy and a dog there is no real association with some of the other guy and dog movies mentioned here. A different tone to this movie that for the most part takes it out of comedy territory. A fairly light guy develops relationship with dog drama with a mediocre pace, predictable plot and a dose of originality to make it an O. K. watch. Probably a 6.5.