[e-mail] Reviews

Fool Me Once (2024)

I like Harlan's stuff but this was beyond laughable

[1/10 · 18 January 2024]

I have watched and enjoyed the previous Harlan adaptations and I always do have suspend reality that people with pretty normal jobs live in £1-2M London houses and drive around in £70k cars and have nanny's but never seem to be at work. However usually I can look past it and enjoy the thriller for what it is - a bit of a trashy whodunnit with some good plot twists. However with this one I just couldn't take it seriously when a 50kg so called special forces Mary Sue is kicking ass and flying helicopters and shooting guns and threatening up all the looser men (the sports coach, the brother in law) and threatening the nanny (as if). No one seems likeable in the series and I just found myself thinking why am I watching such trash and then I switched in a good/excellent show - Reacher. I wonder if reacher would get his butt kicked by Mary Sue for this show? Probably :)

The Devil's Plan (2023– )

40 minutes explaining the rules

[1/10 · 9 October 2023]

The idea of this game show is good but they really messed up the execution., the games are way too complicated and are explained at length followed by a second simpler explanation.

Then the players all repeat the rules as they play, so eventually by the time it's over you have had the rules read over and over and over. The games are really not that interesting And the.people playing them are all quite similar so not much personality injected by them.

It's clear that they was trying to go for a squid game or Alice in borderland type vibe but it didn't come anywhere near which is a shame given the effort and budget that went into it.

Elemental (2023)

Whole family loves it

[10/10 · 9 September 2023]

I haven't watched a cartoon movie that the entire family just couldn't stop talking about and had us smiling, laughing and crying since inside out but this one matched it. I don't understand the negative feedback on this movie. The animation is outstanding, the world building is inventive, creative and really stunning. The story is quite a traditional Romeo and Juliet plot love story with a twist around the elements, it's not so deep and there are parts when you think that didn't need for happen (like saving the blue light) but it's got emotion and feeling and humour and that is all you can ask for in a great movie that comes in just under 2 hours. Loved it.

Guy Ritchie's the Covenant (I) (2023)

Great movie, moving and powerful

[9/10 · 22 July 2023]

I had seen positive review of this online so thought I would give it a go as Jake G. Is usually pretty good and boy was I glad I did. The story moves along swiftly with a. Mixture of combat scenes and character development.

The stress and strain of the soldiers being out into a pointless war and the danger that they and their translators put them.

To be honest it's hard to understand such a war that politicians decided to enter and then exit so haphazardly putting so many peoples lives in danger that had out their lives on the line to support a cause but it's good that such films are made to remember, although they could have also added why the US and the allies failed to extract the interpreters that assisted them.

Final point it took me a while s arching to realise homelander is in this, I knew it was someone I had seen but couldn't put my finger on it for a while.

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

I wanted it to be a new regular for Christmas but fell short

[5/10 · 1 May 2023]

I saw the trailer and thought it looked like a fun Christmas film for the family so gave it a go.

The films cast is good although there is no star power or standout performance, Steve Zahn maybe (he is always pretty solid) but the rest give average performances, I was thinking where is the Macaulay Culkin, Tim Allen, John Candy Or Will Ferrell, bigger than life star but there isn't one here.

The kids don't gel like a goonies or stand by me as there is very little development of the characters and they don't have much chemistry (maybe the lead and his sister do have a bit).

The production value of the movie also is poor, a Christmas movie is made in the music (thinking of Polar Express, Home Alone, Elf and Arthur Christmas) but I don't believe there was a song in this until 30mins and each song seemed muted when it started, the tension music was poor and not Christmassy, it's one of the few films I watched where I was thinking I hear lots of talking but no feeling or crescendo or sadness through the music.

Finally the story, it is a simple story and could have worked but don't end on a sad note for a Christmas film, I mean we want to finish feeling joyful but this film tries to shove some sentimental message in at the end which was totally unnecessary. The rest of the story is ok but poor compared to other family and friend comedies (like the Original Diary of a wimpy kid or the National Lampoon Vacation films) it didn't make you believe they were a family or friends and the comedy scenes drew a few laughs but not enough. As for the narrator and the daughter it was a weird set up, you didn't believe that he was a grown version of the kid, or that he would play video games and the daughter came across unlikable and uninteresting (not sure what the current trend is for portraying kids as too cool who only want to play in their phone, it's probably accurate for many kids but it doesn't come across well as a movie character)

I wanted this to be great but it just wasn't and It will not be part of my repeat Christmas viewing.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Wow, just Wow!! TC you are the best!

[10/10 · 21 February 2023]

I went into the movie having watched half a dozen marvel type cgi movies and I longed for a film where you saw raw emotion and a tale of simple flawed good guy tries to help others who are also flawed and through hard work and dedication they finally pull together to make it happen. Along the way the guy gets the girl and he slowly rebuilds flaws and improves his character to a point that he becomes the hero we all knew he should be. I am sure in the 90s and 00s there were films like this every month that were different but also had a story arc and a moral to the story (that's why I prefer watching movies from that era rather than the new marvel trash) but this film really had it all, nostalgia, character development, story arc and. Action. Tom Cruise might just have saved Hollywood but I suspect not.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

Who knew Pinocchio was so sad and joyful

[9/10 · 30 December 2022]

I Watched this with my entire family over 2 nights and found my youngest 10 year old lying in bed after the first half saying how she was in shock at how sad the story was and I couldn't disagree with her it was very sad. Then we watched the second half on the second night and that was just as sad with so many twists and turns, however I thought that he turned back into the little boy but in this version of Pinocchio that didn't happen. Everyone thought it could be a bit more of a happy ending but still loved the movie as being a very unique animation that wasn't the usual Disney animation, I need to go dry my eyes.

Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Watchable but a kids movie, not Sherlock Holmes

[5/10 · 12 November 2022]

I am a Sherlock Holmes fan and have read all the books and listen to them every morning on my commute. I enjoyed the first film and and the introduction of Enola as a stand-alone strong female addition to the Sherlock Holmes universe with some new and fresh story lines and characters. However changing the Sherlock Holmes cannon is not necessary and Sherlock to be honest comes across as a bit of a dumbo and not inline with the character of the books. I don't consider this part of the Sherlock Holmes universe rather a standalone story reusing names from the original material. I don't know why movies need to rewrite original material rather than building upon it. Still it was enjoyable - my kids really liked it.

Me Time (2022)

When did Kevin Hart become unfunny?

[5/10 · 2 September 2022]

This film had a couple of funny moments but every moment with the family was very boring and the whole stay at home dad/school helper let was just a poor and not so funny and the emotional moments were not well placed. So many things about this film were just not well put together, the huge cab driver becoming a main character, the relationship between the wife and Armando seems creepy (but is passed off as normal), the Auden successful partnership between the main characters etc.... if you want laughs then It's not a film I would recommend, spare yourself wasting an hour and a half a rewatch a comedy from 2000's.

Vikingane (2016–2020)

Dry humour like a desert, but funny

[8/10 · 30 August 2022]

I watched this not knowing what to expect and it took a couple of episodes to get into it. After getting to know the characters they are actually well developed and very unique. The scenarios and the joke ms and are a really dry humour like nothing that I have watched before but I did find it really quite funny. The boundaries that are pushed are pushing to the limits of my comfort level but still it's funny to see such boundaries pushed. The final series as a prequel was actually quite smart and I was hoping for a fourth season but unfortunately it's not going to happen but the first 3 seasons are excellent anyway. Not for everyone's liking but a fun comedy.

How I Met Your Father (2022–2023)

Comedy this isn't, Shame

[2/10 · 3 June 2022]

I loved how I met you mother and watched the whole show back to back. I tried to watch 3 episodes of this and after managing to laugh about twice in that time realised this. It's like one of the teen Disney shows my kids watch which to be honest are better than this. I like Kim C. But there is no need for her to be seen doing the narration. This is terrible but unfortunately everything else is way worse. How anyone spent time putting this together and thinking they had a hit on their hands is beyond me.

Free Guy (2021)

Not bad movie, Reynolds good, awful script

[4/10 · 22 May 2022]

The film is quite easy to watch as all Ryan Reynolds movies nothing offensive and good effects. However apart from Reynolds the rest of the main characters are poor and the scripts is poor and filled with passive identity politics and social justice comments that seem totally misplaced. It didn't make me switch off but it sure made me think about why they were in the script rather than a enjoying the film. It's such a shame but even so this was never going to be an all time classic.

This Is Going to Hurt (2022)

This is going to stay with you!

[10/10 · 8 April 2022]

I am not a massive fan of bbc productions lately but this is world class. My wife originally asked me to buy this book a few years ago (although on watching it together she admitted she never finished it). However I loved it from start to end it captures the torment of such a pressurised job and the obvious fall out from living in a pressure cooker. The acting of every role is perfectly cast, Adam and Shruti are just amazing in their portrayal of mid level doctor and understudy. I can't recommend it enough, it's just a perfect piece of Television.

Inventing Anna (2022)

Really interesting story, supporting cast excellent

[7/10 · 27 March 2022]

I watched this with my wife and daughters and we was all really captured by it. However even thought the main story of Anna and the people she defrauded is intriguing and intertwined the side stories let the production down.

Anna C. Is pregnant throughout the series and this story was written by someone who clearly has never had a child as the line, 'I haven't even baby proofed the apartment.' From the workaholics guy who is the father made me laugh so loud (like a baby can crawl around the apartment on day 1 - LOL 😀) then the whole pregnancy pains and birth was all just total fluff. The story is Anna and the ppl she defrauded and the side stories got too much time that wasn't necessary.

Home Sweet Home Alone (2021)

Watch the original again before wasting a minute on this

[1/10 · 9 January 2022]

What were they thinking. Everything that was great about the original this has none of. So tragic just watch the original or watch diary of a wimpy kid originals if you want a bone Christmas familiar movie.

Things good about the original 1, great cute kid Lead who was also an excellent actor 2, awesome bad guys (amazing actors) 3, old guy next door story was excellent 4, supporting cast of John candy, Catherine O hara, John Heard 5, Great music 6, simple but fun story.

The Office (2005– )

Simply Hilarious, better than UK series, the best

[10/10 · 10 December 2021]

I loved the Uk version and when I watched the first few episodes of the US version I wasn't impressed but get beyond episode 5 and then it simply starts to get better and better and every episode has laugh out loud moments. Every episode is uniquely well written and I hate to admit it surpasses the UK series by a long long way. The characters in the Uk series seem to be perennial losers that you feel sorry for but the US version has a good mix of wins and losses where you see them as idiots but also as positive winners. I don't think there is a comedy series so we'll rounded that has so many episodes so we'll written and acted, comedy perfection.

Motherland (I) (2016–2022)

Totally Hilarious-loved it

[9/10 · 16 July 2021]

At least 2 laugh out loud moments per episode, not an all time classic (hence 9 and not 10) but it was still extremely funny, the cast were well matched and all with a great diversity of character, Kevin I have never seen before in anything but cracks me up every scene.

Annie (2014)

Pointless remake of a classic, stick to original

[1/10 · 19 June 2021]

The original Annie was and still is an exception movie so was interested to see what a modern remake would bring.

Well the simple answer is nothing. The cast of children don't look like poor kids with a hard knock life, rather the clean well fed model kids. The orphanage has 7 or 8 kids rather than the original 25-30 kids and Cameron Diaz is piór casting for Hannigan compared to Carol Burnet who was great in the original. The whole thing seemed like a weak unnecessary remake where I struggled to find any area that is an improvement on the original.

Rocketman (I) (2019)

It's a musical rather than music biopic

[5/10 · 26 February 2021]

I really liked Bohemian Rhapsody but this was nothing like that it's a stage musical brought to the screen. Didn't quite work for me, I really love Eltons music but just wasn't great.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

90% of the 10* scores have no other reviews, mmmm

[5/10 · 25 December 2020]

The film is ok and watchable but is definitely not a classic and a 10* review is quite simply ridiculous. The songs were not great and the acting pretty average, my kids said they were bored but we still finished it. The fact there is so many 10* from ppl who have only written one review is very suspicious. Give it a shot it's fine but it's not great.

Virgin River (2019– )

Passes the time with very simple story. Series 2 poor.

[6/10 · 5 December 2020]

The first series was pleasant with simple story and characters, easy watching. The second series was a bit far fetched with a man in his mid 40s putting his pregnant partner in a house with someone who hates her whilst he is having it away with the nurse, and he is the good guy (supposedly) :). The second series of theses characters and a thin story was a bit much for me. Shame they didn't give Preacher and Paige's story more time as it was the only interesting story in series 2.

Mortal Engines (2018)

Excellent visuals, so much potential but plot and characters didn't click

[6/10 · 4 October 2020]

The film has some of the best visuals I have seen with huge rolling cities amazingly designed. The potential for this is unbound although I am sure the cost for creating such a world is huge. It really should be an animated series to get the most expansive universe. Beyond the visuals the film doesn't slot easily into any category. It's not a family action/sci-fi/romance like Stardust or Star Wars as the violence is too real on occasion and the character Shrike is too scary for kids. Even the scaring on the main leading lady is too much. The film is also not an adult action/sci-fi as the action beyond the machines and aircraft is very weak. No character has any special weapons Or fighting skills and the choreography of fighting doesn't exist. The final point is the romance seems odd and forced, there isn't any romantic chemistry between the two leads and that is shown in the final scene when there is just a hug of friends. All in all a good movie, clearly lots of effort by the CGI team let down by a confused direction, casting and plot. Could have been a classics.

You, Me and Him (2017)

Not funny

[3/10 · 28 August 2020]

I don't believe any of the ppl in the movie are comedy actors and it shows, along with an unfunny script and story. Give it a miss. Performances were very flat, no chemistry between the characters and I am not sure if any of the leads are Gay in real life but they sure didn't come across as a believable couple. Tenant did his best and for that I give the 3 stars.

Rust Valley Restorers (2018– )

Top Gear meets Dumb and Dumber - I love it

[9/10 · 23 August 2020]

Watched every episode the day they are available. Really great show with real people, as the seasons go on there is less failure and more fun. Give it a go for some fun in the evening

Destination Wedding (2018)

So much talk, not much laughs

[3/10 · 17 June 2020]

There is so much dialog in this movie I imagine the script was thousands of pages long. The actors memorised the lines well but comedy isn't the strong point of Keanu or Winona as they just read it out so long and boring. Maybe my comedic taste is not so refined and this is some new comfy genre but I suspect it's actually just not funny. I am sure ppl that like the actors will stick it out.