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john_9a
Reviews
Methgator (2023)
Hamlet it is not.
Hamlet it is not. Don't look for deep character studies or powerful storylines here. If you like great special effects, such as Terminator 2, Matrix, this is not it. The special effects are of a lumbering alligator that can swim nearly as fast as a speed boat, jump car lengths, and resist bullets to fit the storyline as needed while at other times is hurt by them. There is no consistency to the creature's abilities, strengths or weaknesses. "If it gets more meth, it will become unkillable" The writers did not consult with scientists or toxicologists.
That said, while the actors aren't Hollywood's best, they are engaging and likable. The Mayor (Patrick Labyorteaux) fits his image well, and does a good job as a gentrified Louisianian. LaRonn Marzett as the scientist does as well as can be expected given the thin writing of the thinner script. Ray Acevedo is underused, he is the skilled and experienced trapper/hunter. Unintendedly Barny Fife-like Sheriff Williams ( Bruce Peoples ) likewise has poorly written lines.
The film suffers from anemic directing, third-rate writing, and dismal special effects. Meaning the only thing that can gel it together are the actors who given this mess manage to be an enjoyable bunch albeit all too often becoming gator-food in bad special effects scenes.
So If you want some background mindless entertainment while you're doing something else and not focusing on the film -this can work for you.
The Penguin: After Hours (2024)
Very Slow Burn.
Slow burn with very little fire, atmospheric crime drama. Focus is on the main character who is given to long stares and brooding faces. There is some action but the progress of the film feels very slow and grudging. You feel like yelling 'get on with it' but the show has enough details that you won't want to simply fast-forward through the many slow spots. This first episode might be building a foundation, but the payoff is not within this episode. Feels more like mediocre fanfiction than professional script writing. We are introduced to the Penguins own crime family and it's leadership and members, an opposing crime lord with some implied backstory and a street hood who is brought along for the ride.
Overall the writers and director did well with scenery and feel, but feel short on action and moving the storyline along at anything but a crawl.
Worth a watch.
Renfield (2023)
The film thinks it's much more than it is.
Nothing original. Routine gore comedy. The gore value is supposed to give the viewer a trendy feeling. But there's nothing new here. Therapy scene was stolen from Austin Powers but with more gore of course. Silly fighting scenes, the usual underdog antihero guy who finds a girl he likes. Silly mafia villains. Hollywood thinks very lowly of it's audience. I like Nicholas Cage but other than a cliched silly Dracula with too much gore makeup and bad teeth, he adds very little here. Nicholas Hoult is the sympathetic guilty-victim. His part is thin with a very silly superpower boost. There's implied depth to his character but nothing of any substance in the script. At best a one time view for curiosity. The film thinks of much more than it is.
A Matter of Faith (2014)
Engaging and challenging film
The acting is quite good and believable. The sound is well applied and fits the scenes. In subect it is challenging and engaging at all times. Very much enjoyed this film and the subject was treated intelligently. It's amusing to see the routine hatred of some reviewers films which are based on Christianity. They don't so much dislike the film as they are Christophobic and quite hateful of the subject. Ironically, this in itself recommends the film.
The Most Reluctant Convert (2021)
A deep, challenging and great film
C. S. Lewis is certainly worthy of a great film. I applaud all involved in this production for showing us the man and his thoughts. His deep thoughts and his relevant thoughts. He takes us from his early joyful childhood memories to his latter adult years. All the while the film is completely engaging. The dialogue is rich and filled with insights and meaning. Take the time and listen to what is said and you can enjoy this great film also.
All the Old Knives (2022)
A monotonous wreck
Dull, slow, uninteresting. Way too many flashbacks, often for no reason. The flashbacks quickly become annoying. Chris Pine is a great actor and I've always liked him in films, but even he can't carry this dullard. Lawrence Fishbourne is just phoning it in, sometimes literally. Other than stares and frowns he's not carrying it. Cringy, unpleasant, unnecessary sex scenes. Very disappointing, one the films where the trailer is far better than the film. The only tension that builds is that of monotony, which this film is a study in. The director demonstrates his talent to create a dull, unpleasant, film filled with wasted talent.
Infestation (2009)
Fun, enjoyable, fast moving creature film.
The reviews are off. This is reminiscent of the style of the films like tremors. The pace is fast and well done. The main character is always likeable and engaging. All the characters play their roles well. Very much worth a shot.
Matinee (1993)
Great movie. Fun, entertaining, this has it all
This is a great film along the lines of Galaxy Quest in that it's fun, entertaining, has some absorbing characters. It's popularity will grow and grow in time and develop a following. Enjoy it and watch it - well worth the time. Characters are well balanced and believable. Even the child actors portray their roles well.
Crucifixion Quake (2020)
Detailed and scientific analysis of physical events relative to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
I randomly began watching this video. I generally don't watch the 'proof' type films. But as a 'background' movie to play while engaged in other work, I let it run.
I starts slowly and somewhat odd with a focus on an apparently angry individual who is hurt by his rejection by scientist peers.
As the film progresses it continuosly and progressively presents a wealth of valid information.
I was very surprised at the validity and the strong case for the data presented.
This was a suprise.
I would recommend this video as a relevent historical study of the events in that period.
Well done, engaging and featuring credible people.
Two Steps from Hope (2017)
A moving well made film involving serious life subjects
Matt Moore is always a believable actor. His persona is that of an everyday man who could be ones neighbor or coworker. He and the entire cast do a great job in this film. The direction of Greg Johnson is excellent and I always enjoy his films. This film deals with serious subjects of death, family conflict and disease. It offers a demonstration of avenues of hope amidst tragedy. This is a moving film yet uplifting in it's honest exposition of life, faith and renewal amidst the hardest human tragedies.
Gisaengchung (2019)
one of those films that makes you wonder how the could mess it up
Parasite is itself a parasite of a movie. The start is interesting and the cinematography is excellent throughout the film. It's a lot of fun seeing the street life of this poor family and their living conditions. There are some very unlikely manuplations involving job positions which are all too quickly accomplished and never entirely believable in their successful execution.
What kills this film is the ridiculous second half of the movie and ending.
This is
It makes you wonder if they had a new writer finish the story up. One who just wanted to create an ending and had no concept of how to do it.
Because there was some good acting and great film work, I gave it five stars. But it probably rates less due to bizaare and impossibly stupid parts to the movie.
Homeless for the Holidays (2009)
A beautiful film on overcoming hardships.
I was happily surprised by just how good this film really is. The performers were convincing, the story had a lot of very realistic elements in it. It involves a sole provider losing not only his job but his career. The family faces a series of hardships realistically progressing. Through their losses they find a greater meaning in sharing their time and shared burdens. The acting is uniformly good as is the filming and film quality. The low point was a store manager which was entirely unbelievable and awkward. Towards the end the film did get a little long in tooth and a bit overdone. But this is a holiday film and I'll allow that.
Nosferatu - Phantom der Nacht (1979)
Overrated trash
Dull, poorly acted, trash. Unimaginable that anyone would pretend this is anything but sub-par work. There is nothing to commend this film. I can't believe how amateurish the acting is. Stiff and not believable. Some have even suggested it's a satire of the film. But that doesn't work either. Whether a dismal remake or a misguided satire, this film is trash.
Fallen Angel (1945)
Wooden Acting, Dull Script, artificial characters with unlikely interactions
Preminger points allow this film a much higher than deserved rating. It's a dull sleeper from the start. The acting is wooden and not believable. People just don't behave like that and the dialogue would have been phony even it's day. The film hasn't aged badly, it's just bad and always was. I tried and tried to like the film and gave it every angle but it's not there. This is a poorly scripted and poorly acted film. There are some nice scenes and lighting is interesting. But it's got nothing beyond that.