captainmanic Reviews

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (2024)

Back to being Brilliant

[9/10 · 9 April 2024]

We loved these characters, we love their stories, their passion, their commitment, their values.

In a desperate world they believe in Community and Building, and Second Chances.... AND NEVER GIVING UP.

But I stopped watching the franchise because it was always so desperate, so final, so much pain each episode.

The Thrill and Drama is outstanding...But the pain got a bit much frankly. A bit boring and predictable too.

But THIS? They changed the format of the story writing...it was just really easy to watch and enjoy.

The themes were big, the challenges seemed insurmountable....but there was ALWAYS Hope.

I managed to binge the lot in 3.5 hours, on double speed. Love subtitles.

At the end of the day, it was reasonably realistic for the franchise, but brilliantly hopeful and filled with love.

You will not regret enjoying this.

You're welcome.

Invincible (2021– )

Superhero's are "human" too...

[10/10 · 30 March 2024]

Superhero's are "human" too....so to speak.

Realistically this is a brilliantly written cartoon that appeals to literally EVERYONE.

There's good Super Heroes....there's Bad Super Heroes....there's everything in between.

I love superheroes traumatised by Psychopathic parents....

I love that psychopathic super hero parents can change...

I love the taste of reality in something obviously so unreal.

Recent Super Hero "Reality" shows have proven that our tastes for the Unreal are broader than once thought.

Clark eat your heart out....bro....you got some competition that is EPIC....and frankly Mr Kent doesn't cut it anymore.

This is a touch of class, frankly.

You will love this.

A Bloody Lucky Day (2023– )

One thing about Korean's....They are Bloody Creative

[8/10 · 15 March 2024]

Sometimes I just love chilling out to crap TV.... I just tune out and disappear....right?

But this isn't that.

This is quirky, different and decidedly Unpredictable.

It's interesting and edgy....

I'm telling you I'm a BIG FAN of Korean TV.

You'll be on the edge of your seat, screaming at the screen, arguing with your friends about details, and planning your own escape, defense and attack at the SAME TIME.

It's hilariously different from Western TV. Hilarious blended with the perfect amount of Excitement.

It's actually quite brilliant.

It takes a certain level of intelligence to let go of preconceived notions and formatting....but if you're open....you will LOVE this series.

Quirky. Funny. Exciting.

The Tourist (2022–2024)

OUTSTANDING....And Unexpected....OUTSTANDING!

[10/10 · 9 March 2024]

Right Proper Drama, written by professionals and enacted by Masters.

In some places.... SO SIMPLE....but with a backstory so complicated, it sucks you in and keeps you guessing.

Ironically Hollywood figured out a formula for just enough drama, just enough attention, just enough predictability mixed with surprise....in a ratio....that average pulp fiction gets churned out daily.

This is different.

This is.... ART.

Proper Communication and Delivery is INSANELY hard.

Most TV and Movies are just trash.....the Tourist delivers excellence on many many fronts.

There are scenes that deliver impact WITHOUT words....

that's not easy to do. That's art.

Pantheon (2022–2023)

Stunning Modern Insight

[10/10 · 19 October 2023]

This is something Special.

It dives deep into the psyche of the modern digital world.

It steps into insights and inspirations of a dark digital landscape...touching on pain points we barely understand.

It reveals the dark nature of government, control, corporations and their ability to lose morals and esteem.

I'm not sure if it has a fairy tale ending.

Don't really care.

It reminds me of the Matrix. It shines a light on what is darkly possible, and what might already be our reality.

Sometimes what is imagined, may be our...truth?

Watch at your own peril.

But have hope. Other's won't let this happen.

Rewired with Joe Dispenza (2018– )

The Perfect Blend of Science & Spirituality

[10/10 · 18 March 2022]

We live in a quantum world. Computers and electronics prove that.

It may not be the final Unifying theory....there are gaps.

But Humans throughout history have proven we can achieve the extraordinary.

Being limited by ones own thoughts and feelings can be infuriating.

The Secret, Law of Abundance, Karma...we give it many names....but it's our energy reacting with the universe and magnetically drawing back the energy we put out.

By opening your mind, practicing systems that are thousands of years old, the possibility of evolving BEYOND your limiting beliefs?

The ability to access the endless possibilities that YOU COULD BE....?

It's really an attractive value proposition.

And Fancy That...all you gotta do is shut up and be grateful...and maybe incredible possibilities open up.

To Joe Dispenza "Verily I say unto thee, Again and Again and Again"

Your message needs a season 2 and 3. We need to repeat the same message in different words. We need to digitally train the masses to evolve beyond their human limitations if you are honest about your Mission and Values.

Learn us good Joe.

Nine Films About Technology (2021– )

Excellent Snippets of Modern Reality

[9/10 · 16 October 2021]

Ok it isn't perfect. You can tell it's low budget.

But I think it's brilliantly done and incredibly entertaining. The actors and writers and directors were BRILLIANT with the limited budgets and time they had to work with.

This is one star off a ten for me, considering the crap that's out there.

It was a dose of reality we all needed. And frankly the other reviewers are too used to Marvel Blockbusters.

This was insightful, tasteful and genuine. It was Beautiful. LOVED IT.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

DC The way it was Meant To Be.

[9/10 · 20 March 2021]

This is Marvel Worthy.

I'm sorry...but Marvel set the standard. since 2008 with the hulk and Iron Man...they built a franchise that is indestructible.

DC should be their fiercest competition and they just have NOT been keeping up.

It has NOT been the talent...it HAS been the scripting. THE stories have been lacking something, the jokes have been lame, the details have been missing.

Jack did something special here. He cut the crap. He added extra where it was NEEDED...we had extra science...extra dark back story...extra deep and meaningful...extra connection...ON THE SAME BLOODY SKELETON...it was a TOTALLY DIFFERENT MOVIE...

That last Justice League was a 5 out of 10 compared to this. I gave this a 9 to be fair but I felt like rating it a 10 to get it's ratings up. It's probably an 8...I'm on a high. But I f@cking loved it. It was EPIC.

A Comic book is meant to be a SAGA...we don't want some flashy polished hollywood crap. we need the special effects, the back story, the depth...the stories are complicated and so are the characters.

To build a UNIVERSE takes intricacy. Takes time. Takes EPIC MOVIES LIKE THIS.

Thanks heaps for making this. Might wanna redo Superman and a few of the others. Wonder Woman 1984 or whatever was CRAP...it's like DC is making bad movies on purpose...You've got amazing actors you are doing an injustice, with our favourite characters. Why drive us to an opposing franchise?

Most Dangerous Game (2020–2023)

Excellent Story and acting, Horrible format

[8/10 · 21 August 2020]

I love TV series over movies because there is time to develop the story and characters.

This is an old idea done exceptionally well.

Awesome thriller, wish they'd make it longer, probably 3 times as long per episode. Would be a 10 out of 10 in that scenario. Exceptional.

Hanna (2019–2021)

The exceptional humanity of a genetically enhanced born and trained Assassin.

[9/10 · 14 July 2020]

What a wonderful story.

The scope of the story, the complexity of the characters, the plot twists of a spy thriller.

This isn't your average story, nor your average character.

if the writing keeps up with this standard...this is a story that could branch out, and develop into a saga of untold mystery and adventure.

A masterpiece in the making. And it's only season 2.

This show rivals the Bourne Identity.

Mr Inbetween (2018–2021)

BEST...SHOW...EVER...

[10/10 · 20 June 2020]

Sometimes Australian TV comes sneaking out of the wood works with incredible characters, given the tools in the form of great writing and directing, to perform their craft on a world stage, and a masterpiece is born.

The story follows a regular bloke, who's feet are planted in two worlds, in one he is a loving compassionate father and a security guard, in the other he is an oldschool honour bound criminal for hire, ex army, with a knack for getting the job done, instinctively protecting himself and loved ones, and for making problems "disappear".

An Anti Hero of the highest form, one CANNOT resist the charms of Mr. Inbetween.

You will not stop watching after you start. Worse still, every other show will seem bland and fake after this.

I'm blown away and forever loyal. I hope this show runs for years. As a scifi fan, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this. If you remember "Oz", then this the streets version, Aussie style.

Thanks for reading.

P. S. Devastated it's not coming back for a 4th season. I just found out the main actor is the writer and possibly director. He is beyond brilliant for taking simplicity, adding a dash of complexity, and blending it with authenticity.

It's outstanding.

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020 Video)

Exceptional. Obviously written by crafts people of the Jonre.

[10/10 · 7 May 2020]

Look we are all devastated by the failures of the DCEU.

The actors are amazing...but their characters and stories are flawed.

In one fell swoop, the animation team has come along and written DC the way it was MEANT to be...a true COMPETITOR to marvel.

This story was vast and carried us through several emotional states...it explored genius solutions to hopeless problems...and has so much scope it'll easily carry over to a trilogy or more.

These guys need to be promoted...KEEP the DCEU actors...but get THESE GUYS to write your bloody stories and develop your characters further.

This is DC.

Moon (2009)

Absolutely Exceptional...Everything.

[9/10 · 1 April 2020]

This is the ART of storytelling.

basically 5 sets, maybe 7 actors including voice overs...suspenseful, intricate and entertaining.

This is the sort of film that only masters in writing, acting and directing could tell.

Anyone else and this would have been a flop.

Outstanding.

Messiah (2020)

Well written. Stunningly acted. Inspirationally cinematic.

[10/10 · 3 January 2020]

Look. One is told never to discuss Politics, Religion in polite company.

Generally one agrees...

However...how much fun is it to explore in a public forum? throw in a whole bunch of what if's, and yall got yourself a STORY.

Netflix and the Director were awesome here pulling together some great and obvious talent.

I don't want to give any spoilers away. But I've wondered about this very same premise a number of times and they've done a great job of expressing it.

This story has mystery, love, politics, religion, loss, grief, and shock, all wrapped in self interpretation and open to your interpretation.

You don't have to believe in God or Religion to enjoy this story. But as with many stories...it really helps if you take a deep breath and put your beliefs and convictions aside for each episode. Just ask...."What if?". Makes it way more fun.

There are some great idea's here expressed exceptionally well.

I defy you to watch 1 episode...and not be intrigued enough to watch 9 more.

Excelsior.

• SSS

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

A good movie isn't about the pieces...it's about the feeling

[10/10 · 7 March 2019]

A good movie is called art for a reason, as is a good song, and a good band/group.

As a child born in the 80's, you don't realise how much of an impact a group like Queen has played on you until you watch something like this. The were way before my time, but their music echoes through the ages.

I know the movie put Freddy up front and centre, and it's a great story and he was a priceless character...

But for me? The things I felt when their music played? were out of this world. I loved watching how some of their songs came together, and the power and strength behind both music and vocals.

These guys were amazing. They will go down in the history books as one of the best. My grandkids will know their music.

Cheers.