Reviews
Match Me Abroad (2023)
NO SURPRISE THESE PEOPLE ARE SINGLE
There is so much wrong with the characters in this show, I don't know where to begin. I have watched 4 episodes of this series, and after the first two, I can tell you, almost every single one of them have some deep personality defect that prevents them from having any kind of normal relationship. They can't even carry on simple conversations, are egotistical to the extreme, are totally delusional about what people from another country outside the US are wanting in a mate. I hate how they keep pushing the narrative that foreign men and women are better than Americans. No. No one from anywhere wants goofballs, stupid, selfish people or naïve rubes for mates.
Persuasion (2022)
They think we won't notice.
More woke nonsense to the Nth degree. "Hey, let's take a perfect classic book and turn it into woke nonsense, shall we?" "Hey, Persuasion hasn't been ruined yet by woke nonsense yet, let's give it a go!" "Let's make a list right now of all the things we can change to woke nonsense! It'll be so much fun. Plus, it will annoy so many people, we can sit and laugh about it through the entire film.
"People just aren't woke enough these days, they need it shoved down their throats and we are just the people to do it! We can Persuade them (get it? Hardy-har-har) to see things our way!" "Let's get going on the rewrite, people!"
Inside Man (2022)
May I rewrite it?
I have no idea how I'm going to reach 600 characters, but here goes. I started watching this about three times before I stuck with it to the end. I was enjoying it for the most part after viewing the entire first episode. By the fourth episode, I really wanted to know what was going to happen. And...let's put it this way. Why in the H did I do that? I had some trouble figuring out what the "Inside Man" was manipulating the reporter, but I chalked that up to my inattention or stupidity, but I never got what was going on there. And I don't think it's a spoiler to say I was terribly, terribly disappointed with the ending. Three stars for getting me to watch the whole thing. Two stars for the writing and half of the plot.
Bye Bye Braverman (1968)
I'm going to be a little over the top here.
I loved this movie. Not for the content, not for the dialogue, not for the cinematography. I was just really kind of tired of the "filmed in the dark" movies of today and wanted something that I could see all the way through. I wanted to look at old New York; the taxis, the cars from the 60s, the clothes from the 60s, the street scenes from the 60s. The volkswagen! The humor was very subtle to me, but I got it. I simply enjoyed the movie's whole character. It was nice to go back to that different time for an hour or so. Away from the artsy, dark filming and into the light. I would recommend this movie.
The Glass Castle (2017)
Waited for it, but it never got there.
I didn't read the book, so I had no vested interest in that aspect of it. The tone of the movie - and any movie, I suppose - was that it was going somewhere. But the things that happened that I wanted more detail about, I didn't get. The actors were all fine, and there were only a few of those trendy, no lights allowed on set were few. But by the end of the movie, I wondered why I watched it, because it really didn't entertain me, per se, and I wasn't sure of the point that was trying to be made. It was probably more interesting to those who have experienced something like this in their life, or had read the book. It was a neutral experience for me.
The Beguiled (2017)
UNPAID ELECTRIC BILL
I hung on watching this hoping I would eventually get a good look at the actors and what was happening, but finally gave up after about half of the film. About 90% was lit only by a couple of candles. I am so tired of this "device," or whatever they want to call it, by directors who think it is realistic or arty or whatever. There was one scene where there was something physical going on, I have no idea what because I couldn't see it. Then someone fell violently down some steps, but who was it? I think that is when I gave up. Besides that, it was moderately interesting and suitable for background noise while I was doing something else.
Closer (2004)
mumble, mumble, mumble
I literally stopped watching this movie because I could not listen to Julia Roberts voice, or whisper, or whatever you want to call it, for one more second. Other than that, it kept my attention because I kept trying to figure it out and wanted to see how it ended. All the actors were lovely to look at, and it was an odd enough storyline to be unique. But Julia's mumbling - which I assume she was directed to do - was driving me crazy. Man: I love you and want to be with you, can't you see that? Julia's character: umbumlumbulemumblebulemumblehmm.. Also, one of those movies where they tried to save on the light bill.
Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster (2023)
Disappointing, too long, too much Rochelle.
As others have said better than I will, this could have been a better documentary, a shorter documentary, if edited a bit more. After the second episode, I was wondering why this was entitle "Jared from Subway," instead of "Rochelle Rochelle." She did have a lot of guts turning Jared in, but too much time spent on how it affected her. Maybe a little less of that and more about how Jared was arrested and sentenced by the court, and where he ended up. The actual consequences he faced were covered in about five minutes at the end of the third episode. I would have liked to know more about his circumstances now and when he'll get out.
Tell Me Who I Am (2019)
Only watched half; same things said over and over.
After watching jut a few minutes of this documentary, I figured out where it was headed, which was kind of strike one for me, because I knew the "plot." Then the same things were repeated over and over and over at a very slow pace going to where I knew it was heading. I see some people really enjoyed this, or at least thought it was fantastic, and it may have been if I had watched it all the way through. But it was like watching sap drip from a tree, I knew what was coming, and just didn't have the patience to continue on. If you have lots of time to spare, you could give this a watch. If you need things happening, give it a miss.
Cheer (2020)
Enjoyable; maybe a bit too long
I watched the entire series and enjoyed it, except towards the middle of the second season when it seemed like they were just trying to fill time. I was interested in the main characters from season one, but there was a lot about the rival school in the second season. And you know how the Olympics used to be great at showing the actual competitions and maybe just a little about the athletes, then it turned into a soap opera with backstories on every single athlete with violins playing in the background? That's kind of what they did in the second season with the rival school kids. Overall, it was a very good documentary. It was really mind-boggling what the cheerleaders go through to prep for their competition.
A Killer Uncaged (2020)
HIS OPINION OF SELF EVOLVED
I was hoping this documentary would show the ex-prisoner's reactions to the "new world" he entered after leaving prison. What he was going through and thinking about how much daily life had changed in 30 years. I do see how the documentary producers wanted a more in-depth, free-flowing investigation into the man's mind and feelings, but wished a little more happiness entered into his attitude. I felt he evolved from a grateful man to be out of prison to someone who couldn't stop talking about himself and promoting himself and justifying his actions 30 years ago. When he would do those things, he always added caveats of how he was not being judgmental towards his victim, and knows he did wrong. But he always came back to somehow making excuses for what he did. He became obnoxious in his self-aggrandizement and tried to always drop "words of wisdom" among his preachiness. I wonder if he kept developing that way and is now someone to be avoided for fear of him talking endlessly about himself and how wonderful he is.
Next in Fashion (2020)
Fun to watch; not cutthroat; moves quickly
I only have one complaint and that will come at the end of my review. I really enjoy this show because it just seems fresh and friendly. Other shows of this genre seem to have almost violent tendencies among the contestants towards one another, with infighting and insults. Everyone - so far - has been very respectful of one another with no tantrums. No one is over the top crazy acting out. I like that. It is just altogether more casual than Project Runway. Also, as opposed to Project Runway, the contestants seem to be very professional people, yet don't have inflated opinions of themselves. Now for my criticism. Why is it necessary for this show, and others similar, to use the term "old lady" to describe something that is out of style? Couldn't they just say "old fashioned," or "passé," other than insulting older women? They say it as if old ladies are the worst thing one could be.
I Am a Killer (2018)
INteresting and holds your interest.
First thing out of every convicts' mouth are blaming someone else. Yeah, some of them had terrible childhoods, but so have a lot of people who are not out killing, robbing, stealing and generally being a huge burden on society. Some do draw your sympathy, but most of them do not belong in civilized society and are where they should be to protect the rest of us. They seem like decent people, except for this one horrible, dangerous defect in their personality that is deadly to others. Not one of them would I want to be alone with anywhere. It can change the way you look at strangers you might happen across and start a conversation. I do recommend it, though, if you are at all interested in true crime.
Onward (2020)
TOO DARK AND SCARY FOR CHILDREN
Very creepy movie, but tries to lighten it up with the teenagers and mom. Six year old was frightened about 1/4 into it. Very dark for younger children. Seemed to have a strange darkness to it. I don't know who this movie was for, because teenagers would be too old for it, and it is too weird for small children to understand what's going on. I don't know what the message was, other than trying to show some type of brotherly relationship. The magic and medieval settings and people within the storyline is too strange for little kids. I would not recommend this for children younger than 12, and like I said above, I don't think anyone older than 12 would want to watch it.
Pressure Cooker (2023)
Up to Ep 6 review
So far I have enjoyed this show, but not especially as a cooking competition. If you are in the mood for a chess game with cooking being the board, you'll like this. At this stage of the show, there is only one obvious politically correct winner. We shall see, but I won't be surprised if it turns out to be that person. I enjoyed the staged setting and the variety of contestants. Pick a favorite and pick a villain. I am trying to fill in the required "characters" for a post now. I wish someone would prepare a plate of food that is hearty, comfort food, but that is not "in" right now. People who eat this type of food must walk around hungry all day.
David Bowie: The Last Five Years (2017)
Not the last five years
This is an interesting documentary about Bowie, however it is not what I had hoped for. Mostly it is interviews with people he worked with giving snippets of Bowie's personality, music and actions from way back. I don't understand where the "Last Five Years," comes into play. They show clips from as far back as they could find them. Also, it is rather disjointed with going from one phase of his career to the other, back and forth, back and forth, trying to perhaps contrast his styles, I suppose. If you are a huge Bowie fan, you will love it. If you liked his music simply for the music's sake, it will bore you.
Alone: Frozen (2022)
I'm addicted to Alone, so...
Not a bad review, but I have to point out something. I notice that Greg Ovens' fingers are clubbed at the tips. This is a sign of some serious diseases, such as lung cancer, heart disease or cirrhosis. I hope he gets physical checkups. He looks and sounds like a heavy drinker and smoker, too. Have never seen any of the contestants smoke, though. Overall, I guess I just enjoy seeing people improvise during harsh conditions while sitting in my comfy house. I wonder if anyone watching it has ever used any of their techniques to get by themselves. Why do you have to write such long reviews? I don't have anything else to say. Bye.
Stand Up Guys (2012)
Sad these actors stooped so low.
I thought with those 3 main actors, how bad could it be? Well, there really are no words for how horrid this movie is. I am shocked,at the amount of people who liked it and reviewed it with a 10 score. They all have to be old men. Al's character was the most disgusting. I can't believe he took this part. Is he broke? He goes to a bordello twice and also to a hospital where his manliness under a blanket is the main star of that scene. Ugh, sick and gross. Then another one of them has a threesome at the same pay-to-play place. These are ancient men we're talking about here. There was only one woman their age in the movie and she was portrayed as a hag. All the other women were young and beautiful and flirted sexily with the geezers. As if. Dream on. Also, very darkly lit, which could have been a blessing, since there is no cleaning up these old guys. This movie was a fantasy flick made for old men.
Reasonable Doubt (2017)
Some people don't get it.
Chris and Fatima do not take sides. They review the leads the family or friends give them, and then determine if there is enough to get a retrial for the convict. If they don't find anything that will qualify to get the court to have a new trial, they say so. No one takes sides. And I have seen episodes, probably one-third of them, where they do assist the family or friends with a private investigator because they believe there is reason to believe there is evidence to merit a new trial. They are not there to get the person off, they are there to determine if a new trial could be had. Sometimes they seem very sorry that the 'new' evidence is not enough to submit back to the court.
My Big Fat Fabulous Life (2015)
Soon to be deleted from my recordings.
I've watched this show for light amusement for a couple years, but it has now fallen into a different category for me. I know a lot of these "reality" shows are scripted, but this new season is just too much fakeness. They don't even seem to try to be real. Another "past boyfriend" shows up. Haven't even met The Frenchman, who has the strangest accent I have ever heard. But what has done it for me is the dating game Whitney set up for one of her friends. A variety of men, but at the last minute a black guy enters the scene. Right then I knew this was a set up because there really aren't any black people on this show, and they have to start being more inclusive. Of course he won the date with her friend, so he can now be on the show. Way too phony. Bye.
Dead Man (1995)
Is this a joke?
Slowest movie ever made. Was forced to watch it when someone else picked it. Nothing against Depp, it's just that it seemed pointless, and took forever to get to nowhere.
The Old Man (2022)
Verrrrry Sloooooow
And dark. Why is everything in the dark? What does it add? I am into episode 3, and am contemplating quitting because it has a very slow development and is in the dark most of the time, making it tedious to watch. I love Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, which made me want to watch this, but even they might not be enough. The rest of the cast besides those two do nothing to add to my desire to watch.
The Deep End: The Lost Toys (2022)
First impression
I have only watched the first episode, but this woman, Teal, strongly reminded me of someone, and I have realized that it is Elizabeth Holmes. If you do not know who Elizabeth Holmes is, just search on the internet. Very similar way of speaking, attitude, bearing and self-important attitude. Same kind of superior approach to talking to others.
Divorce (2016)
Tedious and annoying narcissists
I made it through 4 or 5 episodes until I realized I was not enjoying watching two self-absorbed people fight and argue with each other, and anyone who comes their way that doesn't do what they want. It's not entertaining, it's watching two obnoxious people "itch" and complain. Perhaps it improved, but it was too late for me to care if it did.
Five Days (2007)
Good acting?
I wouldn't go that far. One of the main characters, David Oyelowo, the husband/father's main acting technique is staring silently and sullenly when asked questions. He also violently and physically attacks almost anyone who approaches him, whether verbally or physically. Family is portrayed as hysterical and ungrateful idiots. I tried and wanted to like it, btw. Also, as others said, it is an interesting story line, but drags on too long.