GabrielSymes Reviews

Knox Goes Away (2023)

Perfectly watchable

[7/10 · 5 May 2024]

As the blurb points out, the lead character, John Knox, played by Michael Keaton, has dementia. Throughout the film, it becomes more and more of a theme. At the same time, there is a story line where Knox is, or rather was, a skilled contract killer.

The depiction of dementia is reasonable. But the film does not bring to life dementia's effect on close family and friends. In some ways, the portrayal, while accurate, feels a little sterile. Although Suzy Nakamura's character does bring some of the angst associated with dementia to life.

The contract killer aspect does not bring in-your-face gruesome content, or at least not much. A contract killer with dementia sounds like two potlines that could not work together at all. Where this film succeeds is in bringing together some quite disparate ideas and creating a sensible narrative. This really demonstrates Keaton's skill as a director.

Many of those with dementia will experience frustration and aggression. A frustrated and aggressive assassin with dementia could have made a heady mix, that was not explored. However, this is a solid film that is worth watching, and hopefully a harbinger of Keaton's future as a director, where I hope he takes a few more risks.

Star Trek: Discovery: Jinaal (2024) Season 5, Episode 3

Fuzzy space feelings

[2/10 · 13 April 2024]

I like Discovery. But this episode perfectly encapsulates where things have gone awry. It's an episode of in-your-face touchy-feely niceness. Never mind the galactic peril, the imminent destruction of the galaxy. So long as there's a regular heart-to-heart, understanding chat with empathy and positivity, all is well. Don't worry about the aliens, have a hug. And of course I'll accommodate your feeling when I make plans to save the universe, because they are just as important.

The first two episodes of this season were decent. You can easily skip this one. Unless you are on a mindfulness binge, in which case fill your boots.

This is the last season of the series? If so, I really hope they pull something out of the hat. But I'm not sure that they will. Some of the cast look like they are beginning to dial it in.

Star Trek: Discovery: Red Directive (2024) Season 5, Episode 1

Frantic

[8/10 · 6 April 2024]

It is very clear that Discovery is not sitting well with the die-hard Trek fans. Who cares about Discovery not being true to some 1960s ham-fest? I don't, I just want to be entertained, and I do not care if it is a bit like Star Wars, or Indiana Jones, or something else. I really do not care. This first episode of Discovery was great. A fast moving rollercoaster with some neat CGI.

Discovery does build on S06E20 of TNG and the archaeological mystery surrounding the origins of humanoid life in the galaxy. This sets up the rest of the season well. There's enough mystery, but with a nod to the past.

The cast is okay. Sonequa Martin-Green can certainly fill out an interesting character, she was one of the few to do so in The Walking Dead. In Discovery, though, there's something amiss, and it is the same across all the characters. You never really get to know any of them. David Ajala's character Booker might be an exception, but it still feels like he is being held back. And some of the interactions between characters are a bit tepid and cringe-inducing. It feels like the script was finalized by a committee of pre-teens.

I like the look and feel of Discovery, it is very futuristic and a nice change to the carpeted Next Generation, and the styrofoam original.

Overall, it's a decent disengage your brain, put-your-feet-up and just let it wash over you, kind of episode.

3 Body Problem (2024– )

Smart, intelligent sci-fi

[9/10 · 28 March 2024]

First, if you like a bit of intelligent sci-fi, this is for you. I nearly skipped 3 Body Problem because the write-up and reviews suggested it was going to be awful. I am very pleased that I eventually jumped into this. Yes, it is TV that is mostly rooted in some hard science. But it's a TV programme about super advanced aliens on their way to conquer Earth. So, and like all sci-fi, you are going to have to suspend your disbelief. I saw one review moaning that 3 Body Problem was not realistic because there was a 30-something woman who was a Professor of physics. I actually know a 30-something woman who is a Professor of physics.

Second, the cast is superb. There are some old and new faces, and not one of them dials it in. It's an ensemble of talent. I would like to see more of Marlo Kelly, she looks like someone who can play an evil psycho really well. John Bradley and Adrian Edmondson rock, of course.

The location filming takes the cast all round the world, the only minor gripe is the CGI. When it is there, the CGI is cumbersome. But the locations, costumes and sets are great. The time needed to get to know the characters is not there, so some of the more emotive scenes don't resonate as much as they could. But for an eight episode season, that's a minor gripe.

The story is quite complicated, and you do need to pay attention. The early episodes can be a little confusing as they jump around a bit. But all is explained and eventually makes sense. The second half of the season is more-or-less linear. I haven't read the books, so don't at all care if they are faithful to them. I just want to be entertained, and 3 Body Problem does just that.

American Fiction (2023)

It has almost everything

[10/10 · 22 March 2024]

The cast is fantastic, not one weak performance. As lead, Jeffrey Wright provides warmth, humour, and sadness as he explores the world that his character Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison inhabits.

The writing is superb, developing and delivering a clever story that talks to modern themes around ethnicity and cult of the celebrity. It dissects the politics of race in a broader exposition of art and compromise.

CGI was non-existent, thankfully. It is just a provocative drama and biting satire, great actors delivering a great script. As a member of the audience, I did not leave feeling I had been told off, chastised for being who I am. Instead, I left feeling warmth and enlightenment.

This really is a lovely, clever film.

Land of Bad (2024)

Pleasantly surprised

[7/10 · 22 March 2024]

There are a lot of movies based around the special forces do incredible things format. And, honestly, it's a genre that's a bit overcooked, IMHO. Land of Bad is an exception.

Land of Bad, while not pushing boundaries, delivering exceptional performances, or providing a particularly insightful look into this world, does deliver an engaging slice of entertainment. It's an action film that is devoid of melodrama.

Russell Crowe delivers a solid performance, as a passionate drone operator who battles against bureaucracy and for the special forces unit under his watchful gaze. But none of the actors have space to stretch their legs and deliver meaningful performances.

I was surprised this was a Cert 15, there are some scenes that are quite violent, beyond the to-be-expected shoot-them-up scenes.

If you like these kinds of action films, you will not be disappointed with this one. It's a solid piece of cinema that will keep you engaged.

The Beekeeper (2024)

Fun action film

[8/10 · 17 February 2024]

Probably one of the better Jason Statham action films. Like the rest of the genre, you do not go into these films expecting deep insights into human nature, erudite dialogue, and so on. So it is with the Beekeeper. Except this outing was nicely polished. The characters were typically shallow, but did have interesting backstories. And the baddies were almost believable. Of course, there were oddities and plot holes. And the fight scenes were impressively over-the-top ridiculous. It is non-stop action with an occasional bit of dialogue to glue things together. The beekeeper angle kind of worked, if underdeveloped. This one is worth a watch. Even if you are only lukewarm about this sort of film.

The Marvels (2023)

Well, I liked it

[7/10 · 21 January 2024]

I went into this film not expecting much. I just wanted some mindless superhero nonsense. And that is what I got. I would go further, and say some of the scenes and ideas were wonderfully silly (the singing kingdom was hilarious). And throughout, the CGI was (as you would expect) superb. Overall, I don't expect challenging entertainment from the MCU and The Marvels delivered a decently mind-numbing but enjoyable distration.

Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani each delivered a decent performance. I preferred Vellani in the current film to her earlier TV series, the Carol worship made sense of the character.

My only niggle is that it might be The Marvels sets up a team of giggly school-girl characters. I hope not.

Freelance (2023)

Fun B Movie Vibe

[6/10 · 7 January 2024]

Freelance has a strangely low budget feel that is coupled with very tongue-in-cheek lines. It is a film that cannot be taken seriously. However... the silliness rests on a quite poignant issue. How malign private operators exploit countries for their resources. Although this is buried away under the cheesy action scenes, looking back it is something that has stuck with me. Whether this is by design, I do not know. But the more I think about it, the more I realise the film included some clever nods towards recent dictators and various situations around the world. At the very least, some thought has gone into the film.

That to one side. John Cena is John Cena. I would like to see more of Alison Brie on the big screen, she is someone who seems to have a lot of talent that is not being used to its full extent. That is evident here, she brings something extra to her two-dimensional character in Freelance. Not a lot, though.

It is a film without revelation. If you watch it, you cannot be surprised by its mediocrity.

Blue Eye Samurai (2023)

Could be even better

[7/10 · 4 January 2024]

This is a very well-made animated story. It is up there with some of the best. The conflict between characters is clear, and each character has depth. For a lot of positive reasons, this is a good series worth watching. But it's quality also highlights the limitations of animation. The scenes are beautifully set, but the animation takes something away. You do not appreciate the mud, dirt, and gore, or the searing beauty of the snow clad forests to the same extent. And I would have liked to have experienced that. Animation also hides facial emotion, and this limits important aspects of characters' development.

Saltburn (2023)

Lacks a Round Table

[4/10 · 31 December 2023]

It is a well trodden path. An outsider without means threatens courtly traditions; with a weak king, overseeing rebellious, dangerous courtiers jostling for position. It initially seemed like Barry Keoghan's character, Oliver Quick, a seemingly grounded Liverpudlian, would make an interesting foil for aristocratic eccentricity. Instead, as the film progresses, we end up with a mirage of sociopaths. The cast, as a whole, does very well to portray each character's flaws. But the interactions between them have undercurrents of spitefulness, in scenes designed to shock more than inform. The result is a narrative that distances the viewer and moves the collective film into the realm of absurdity. It lacks heart and soul, and by the end I simply did not care for any of them, Quick included. It's a shame. Pike, Grant and Keoghan, in particular, perform well in an appealing setting.

Dream Scenario (2023)

Simple

[4/10 · 28 December 2023]

The entire script revolves around a single idea. How the subjective, and very personal opinion of someone else can nurture malicious intent. Even when that other is a complete stranger. It's topical, because the collective madness associated with cancel-culture being played out by the cult of the celebrity on social media. But it is a theme that resonates with Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, and many others. How the perceived nature of another, or in this case how they appear in a dream, motivates action. Dream Scenario brings a slightly modern twist to an old idea, but not much else.

As a film, it could have easily been a monologue, linearly moving from start to end with little character development, and world building. I appreciate the effort, but they ought to have spent a little more time developing the idea. It feels like a nice idea that is left strangely rushed and incomplete.

Obliterated (2023)

Daft fun

[3/10 · 26 December 2023]

Obliterated does not take itself seriously. The TV-MA rating is very much justified. And they really ought to have another classification for Obliterated: toe-curling, cringe inducing mayhem. It is a chaotic, non-stop, drug and sex fuelled romp. The torture scene was quite hard to watch. I have watched all the episodes, but don't feel that that was the right choice. I gained nothing from this. It was more a spectacle, than entertainment. The creators have produced a freak fairground obscenity, appealing to viewers' morbid fascination to lure them in. There are better, more fulfilling ways to spend time.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

A feast

[8/10 · 26 December 2023]

Mainly set in London in the 1970s, the story is entirely carried by the dialogue between the characters. It is a rich, detailed telling of espionage and double-agents, carried by an exceptionally strong cast. There are no car chases, no secret agent gadgets, and no explosions. There are, however, paper files, newspaper cuttings and a distinct feel of over-burdening bureaucracy, it's tentacles infiltrating all aspects of the characters' professional and private lives. In so doing, it tells a story of intelligent, but socially inept and emotionally stunted bureaucrats playing primary school playground politics.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is very much set in a damp, grey London playground for spooks and spies. The story is complicated, and you need to pay attention as events unfold. Most elements of the story are necessary, and if you miss a key detail, the film as a whole will make little sense. You need to engage from start to finish.

It is a watchable, intelligent film. If you are a fan of the genre, you will enjoy this. It's not one of the best examples, but a worthy contender.

Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road (2023) Season 1, Episode 0

A Visual Treat

[8/10 · 26 December 2023]

A very nice first outing for Ncuti Gatwa, who, by the looks of things, will fill the role of Doctor Who very well. He has just the right amount of eccentricities, and, surprisingly, a smattering of gravitas. I am looking forward to his hard-core, fabulous take on the role.

The episode mainly focussed on the Doctor and Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday, and there's already chemistry between the two characters. My only gripe being Ruby Sunday didn't utter the immortal words "it's bigger on the inside." Fun cameos from Davina McCall and Anita Dobson rounded things off. With a notable mention for Greenidge's Carla Sunday, and the mid-episode step change from effervescent to browbeaten.

The episode was a visual treat, and up there with big-budget blockbuster films. Especially the goblins, they were wonderful little creatures, and their King was quite repulsive.

Where things fall a little flat is when we come to the story. As a first outing for Gatwa, and as a Christmas Special, it was great. I just hoped for a little more. Russel Davies has written some of the finest Doctor Who story arcs. There was no hint of what is in store for this new Doctor, it was just a Christmas romp with spectacular CGI.

Watchable, fun, but not a pivotal event of singular importance in space and time.

The Beatles: Get Back (2021)

Goosebumps

[8/10 · 24 December 2023]

Like many, I have grown up listening to the Beatles. Their songs are an enduring mainstay of popular culture across generations. And there's little point repeating here the influence they have had, musically and culturally. Despite knowing all this, having seen them perform on screen, and being able to sing along with their better known tunes, there was still something quire profound watching them put together Let it Be. I got goosebumps. And when they stood on the top of that building for a spontaneous open-air concert, I was quite moved. It marked the end of a remarkable journey for four lads from Liverpool. The world would never see anything quite like it again.

So, yes, this was an important documentary and anyone with a passing interest in the Beatles should see it. It is, however, quite long. I know those involved were not actors, even so, there are a few quite shallow characters in amongst it all. And I wish there had been a little more background.

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

I'm Lost

[6/10 · 24 December 2023]

I thought I was in tune with current tastes and trends in television. Not so, it seems, when it comes to the Sopranos. I find it to be a dull soap opera. The characters are well-developed, and there is that. But the stories are just uninteresting. And you never really learn much about each character's backstory. At least you don't for the first few seasons, when I ditched it. We end up with an uninteresting group of people, in an uninteresting environment, engaging in criminality in an uninteresting way. Never mind the obvious stereotypes reinforced here. Maybe I should give it another go, or maybe I can find something more interesting to do, like paint a road.

Spotlight (I) (2015)

Quite a ride

[10/10 · 24 December 2023]

Spotlight gently holds your collar and pulls you through a riveting exposition of events that happened in Boston, MA. It is not an easy story. Knowing little about the events that happened, I experienced increasing levels of dread as the horror unfolded. And just when I thought things could not get worse, a bit more was piled on. The script cleverly reveals how the Catholic Church hid demons behind a veil of respectability, undone by terrier-like journalism. It is riveting.

The cast is strong. Ruffalo's portrayal of Michael Rezendes, in particular, brought to life feelings of revulsion. But the cast together delivered a raw, unembellished and believable rendition of events. If you watch this, read the credits. It's there that the true magnitude of the these horrors are revealed, and the importance and bravery of those at the Boston Globe.

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)

Who are these people?

[6/10 · 24 December 2023]

A decent script, in the hands of a decent cast, will give viewers' insight into characters' motivations. Rebel Moon lacks this. Instead, we have an ensemble of shallowness, with interactions that either laboriously describe some aspect of the story, or that simply tick off a few stock character traits. We are left with mannequins, and it's a shame. Just the lightest smattering of heartfelt moments between some of the characters would have helped. For example, the protagonist saves a young woman from an unpleasant situation. Foreshadowing this by showing the two of them sharing a friendly moment would have helped lift what was otherwise a set-piece action scene. What we have is a souless rendering of tick box sci-fi, people, conflict, environment, but no characterisation.

It's a shame. The special effects are great. The story as a whole is reminiscent of the Seven Samurai inspired Magnificent Seven, and offers a creative interpretation of it. It is well-made, and the universe is believable, in as far that Star Wars is believable.

Its factory made sci-fi. If you crave laser pistols at high-noon, give it a go. If you are looking for fully conceived characters, try elsewhere.

The Family Plan (2023)

Inoffensive

[5/10 · 20 December 2023]

An inoffensive, easy going, comedy thriller. Nothing makes this a standout example of this artificially sweetened genre, but nothing makes it a flop. It's a fairly bland, run-of-the-mill, straight to TV example. There seems to have been an attempt to build in some interesting subplots, but they are best ignored as they go nowhere. There are possibly notable interpersonal conflicts, but nothing that isn't part of the usual family tensions. The comedy is shallow, perhaps eliciting an occasional smirk. The action is well choreographed, but adds little. The overall result is a passable time-waster. And as you watch this, if you watch this, and only stick with it because you think that there is an about to be revealed twist involving Michelle Monaghan's character... there isn't. It's start-to-finish unadulterated blandness.

The Night Agent (2023– )

Scratches an itch

[6/10 · 19 December 2023]

For those of us who love some espionage on an evening, this is a decent effort. It's not at the same level as Slow Horses, or even Homeland. But it is not bad. It engages the senses. The pacing is great, there's rarely a dull moment and the story moves forward at a decent pace. But it is a silly story. Quite implausible. And that's the Night Agent's undoing. It would not have been difficult to run this through a brief reality check and adjust the story to be a little more plausible. And it leaves the viewer with a slightly bewildered aftertaste, having relied on a cluster of Hail Mary character actions to round things off. If you have a need for some action and espionage and have nothing else on your shelf, have a look.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Pack your bags, it's the end of the world!

[5/10 · 17 December 2023]

It's an okay film. The cast deliver their performances as well as they can. And there's a bit of mystery to keep things moving along. But none of the core elements gain traction. It's like a collection of unrelated plot points brought together, but nothing comes from doing so. For example, there's a brief intimate moment between Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali's characters, but nothing comes of it. It's just there, in the film, doing nothing. And there are others. Animals behaving strangely, is one. It's a film that feels like it was designed by a committee, and everyone was allowed to have one of their ideas included in the script. Or maybe the writers drunkenly went through their draw of loose ends and ideas that didn't make it into other films and challenged themselves to make something of it all.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Wonderfully crafted

[8/10 · 16 December 2023]

A wonderfully crafted film, with a strong cast that had an important story to tell.

It will not be to everyone's liking, it focusses on the science a fair bit. And it probably helps to be a little curious on how the bomb was created. On the one hand, we have science looking to undertake a big experiment, putting to test theoretical physics. On the other, political machinations that salivated over having the biggest bomb. And in amongst all that, all the personal and professional rivalries and romance you might expect.

I'm pleased I watched this. It was entertaining, and it revealed some historical details I was not familiar with. But I'd put it in the rainy Sunday afternoon category, rather than the blockbuster, popcorn, special event one.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Long

[5/10 · 16 December 2023]

It's like a long, moderately interesting, history lesson. The subject was, I guess, important. The acting was quite good. But it was a marathon, and long, really long, a tedious meander through time to a not particularly rousing finish.

It would have been nice if there was a little more rhythm. Maybe a parallel story in there that punctuated the tedium. But there wasn't. Just this monolithic story from start to end.

Robert De Niro played Robert De Niro, with his increasingly self-satisfied demeanour. DiCaprio pulled out a decent performance, and carefully depicted character traits that allowed insights into the Ernest Burkhart and why he ended up in various predicaments.

The sets told the passage of time very well, though.

Overall, it wasn't fun, more of a chore.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023– )

Nice CGI

[6/10 · 2 December 2023]

An occasional monster. Some nice CGI. That's the standout here.

Maybe there's a story that brings everything together into a logical whole. But after four episodes, it's a long time coming.

But the acting is not really there. It's a cast of extras, none have the gravitas to grab your attention. Which is a shame. On top of that, the characters a little two-dimensional. There's even a computer expert who can crack every code, living in a run-down apartment, but all the latest gadgets to hand.

Don't get me wrong, it's watchable. If monsters and teenage angst is your thing. And I'll probably stay with it to the end. But the mainstay is the CGI.