d-papadakis Reviews

The Zone of Interest (2023)

Aien't no Shindler's List

[3/10 · 15 March 2024]

Don't get the hype. It was mildly interesting and had one dramatic moment dealing with the mother. The coldness of the Nazi who did their task as if they were building widgets got across, but we all already knew there was something fundamentally wrong with the whole lot.

My wife told me how it was filmed with lots of camera place throughout the set and left to run, with no film crew present. This idea is certainly noteworthy. The Pole are starting to set the pace in creativity. The game Cyberpunk 2077 is made by a Polish studio, and it has to be the most creative video game every made. This multiple camera idea is wonderfully creative also.

But in the end, the end of the story was a rip off from the documentary "Act of Killing" which was a sincere reaction, not an acted one. There are far more moving movies about the Holocaust than this, for instance "Come and See", and of course Shindler's List.

The Nest (I) (2020)

Way Creative

[9/10 · 26 January 2024]

I loved this movie. It was well written and well-acted. You couldn't figure out what it was about exactly or where it was going. And were totally baffled by the title.

It is hard to write six hundred words about this. Things look good and then slowly unravel. Every family member has their issues, frustrations, and heartbreaks. Typically, as always, the mother tries to hold it together.

And after about 99 percent of movie has happened during the last scene you get it, and it was so beautiful. I have never seen a movie that wrapped it up with about 5 minutes left, but this one did and did it so well.

After the last five minutes finished, I kept saying, "that was a really good movie!" You would not feel that for the other 99 percent of the it.

The nest, where you go to feel always welcome and safe.

American Nightmare (2024)

Thank God for Those Who Take Their Responsibilities Seriously

[9/10 · 20 January 2024]

This was an eye-opening experience for me. At the beginning you think the authorities are doing a good job and coming to valid conclusions, and you agree with the conclusions. Then things change.

The organization of the documentary and the editing make so good. The way it is presented keeps you interested to the point that you will most likely binge it. It is hard to turn it off.

In the end one person who is sincere and so admirable for understanding the responsibility entrusted by the public saves the day. And the integrity and stalwartness of this person flood you with a warm and grateful feeling.

Loved this absolutely.

Poor Things (2023)

Felt Mislead by Trailers

[2/10 · 18 January 2024]

My first review was too vulgar, and I understand why it wasn't printed, but it captured my feeling. Sorry.

I really was looking forward to seeing this film, absolutely loved the Favorite and was expecting something at least equal to that film.

Not even close. Poor Things was mildly funny at times, and the interior sets were great, but you grow wearing of the outside "Alice in Wonderland" settings.

The premise was to me original, and I was kind of hoping for a campy Bride of Frankenstein movie. The original Bride of Frankenstein with Boris Karloff is far more entertaining than this one.

But what really turned me off was the over and over scenes of copulation, which were unnecessary, except to perhaps scar Emma Stones psyche.

The movie "Little Big Man" got a similar point across with two lines spoken by Faye Dunnaway when she admitted that she was a "Fallen Flower". Had Poor Things taken this approach, the movie would have been 30 minutes long.

In the end, this is lazy movie making. A lazy and redundant script and "Groundhog Day" repeatability that planned on making money at the expense of Emma Stone.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Scorsese Shows He is the Master

[10/10 · 9 January 2024]

The storyline is interesting and thought provoking and a little guilt trippy. But the directing and movie making shows why you can always count on Martin Scorsese to make an incredible movie. Not one of his movies has been a flop. Not one has been of low quality because of the actors cast or the script used. Not one has been difficult to follow. Not one has been unexceptional.

To include his movie Silence, which was a movie he made for himself and made it so late that it didn't qualify for the worthless Academy Awards (but that is another rant). He doesn't even seem to care about the marketability. He is in it for the ART. He is the Michaelangelo of movie making.

I have never seen a Scorsese movie that didn't affect me. I watched Gangs of New York, walked out of the theater and had to stop and lean against a wall to sob uncontrollably. I was OK until I walked out of the theater.

This latest Scorsese movie proves him the Master, all other directors can take a back seat to him, and I sincerely mean all.

Cyberpunk 2077 (2020 Video Game)

Beat Game Ever

[10/10 · 20 December 2023]

I play this game on PC and once you get the graphic settings right it is flawless, and easy to get a good FPS.

The entire game is flawless. The storyline is so interesting that you want to keep playing to see what happens. Depending on how to move through the dialogue choice the outcome of the game changes. The AI that moves the targets is better than any game I have played. There is an endless selection of music. The guns in the game are all fun. The gameplay is so well thought out by the developers and the code writers.

This game is top quality and the effort in creating it shows. And finally you can play this game over and over because it is so much fun to play.

Absolutely the best dollar per hour of entertainment out there.

Pain Hustlers (2023)

Late to the Party

[3/10 · 29 October 2023]

This movie was ok, but there are already two other that have been made that are a lot better, and one is way better than this one. Evidently there are going to be as many movies made about the opioid/fentanyl crisis as were made about Nazis. And slashers.

So, my gripe is not so much with the quality of the acting, storyline, or directing, or production value. It is about that I already have that T-shirt. It is definitely the same ole same ole, samey-same.

Others complained about the other show on Netflix about the opioid crisis being a cheap rip-off of Dopesick. This one is a cheaper rip off of both of those.

Dopesick is the absolute class of this genera.

Dear Child (2023)

Perfect Ending

[9/10 · 26 September 2023]

This is a great series. The identity of the of the bad guy is hinted very subtlety throughout. In a way it is as good as Sixth Sense where all the clues where there, but you had to be really clever to figure it out.

The story was great, and you want to binge watch it, but it can get pretty late for an old person.

I found the ending very satisfying. However, if you need more pay back for your villains I would suggest "Veronica". The bad guys really get theirs in that series.

I also liked the music, which sometimes had the rhythm of the action on screen, like a nail being hammered that was part of the music beat.

Dopesick (2021)

How most of America works Unfortunately

[9/10 · 20 September 2023]

I loved this series. It is great to watch all these actors that have been around for a while finally show their "chops" I never knew Keton was such a great actor, Sarsgaard I'd seen many times before but not this good. Kind of like Robert Downey Jr stealing the show in Oppenheimer.

This series taught me empathy, of which I had none for drug abusers. Now I get it. It also illustrated to me how our country works in general. I worked for a government contractor and saw how the government reps who gave us what we wanted got hired after they retired, over and over. Why do you think an F-35 costs 100 million dollars.

You finally realize that we are all just little people waiting to get eaten by the big fish, and money rules all (but it is just paper) That is humanity, I guess.

Justified: City Primeval (2023)

WTF Someone is not Paying Attention

[8/10 · 14 September 2023]

I am totally surprised with all the negativity. The daughter was more than adequate for that part. Timmothy should have hired her a personal trainer for her acting debut. She is a as beautiful as he is handsome but could be a little more svelte.

As far the storyline goes, I found this series much more thoughtful than the first. The cops just want to punish the bad guys, they don't care what they pin on them, and the criminals know they have it coming.

But the best part was the end, it was almost the reverse of the beginning of the first few minutes in the first episode of Justified. Like after 6 seasons of one series and additional series, it all got wrapped up in a very poetic way.

In the end, great show, go on a diet and be a total babe.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

my two cents

[9/10 · 28 July 2023]

With over 1,900 reviews, do you need another one?

For me this movie was better than most for the first two thirds, and then was in a class all of its own the last third. The last hour of this movie will astound you. The thoughts expressed are very, well thought provoking, like so much so that you want to see the movie again, and maybe again after that.

The parts that got me the most were the celebration after the bomb worked, and after the bomb was used. It reminded me of the scene in "Come and See" when the church full of people was burning down and the Einsatzgruppen were celebrating their accomplishment of extermination.

Also, what Einstein tells Oppenheimer which are almost the last words of the film blow you away. I don't know if this insight was in the book or an insight by Nolan, but it hits your soul.

I will have to see this film at least three times, not in IMAX (only the last five minutes are IMAX worthy) but for the insights presented. It is a thoughtful film, rare for this time, that requires contemplation.

Particularly now with Joe Biden egging the Russians on in Ukraine. He forgets, the Russians defeated Napoleon, the Russians defeated Hitler, the Russians know war, and the Russians know death by radiation poisoning. America knows nothing of war, it is always in another country. Let Joe know he is a total idiot because the Russians can deal with a nuclear war, America cannot.

The Deepest Breath (2023)

Simply Profound in Everyway

[10/10 · 20 July 2023]

Having halfway expecting a dry documentary about free diving, a much less interesting take on it than the old movie "The Big Blue"; boy was I wrong.

No spoilers, just if you watch it you will love every minute. The story, cinematography, the commentary, and the music weave together to pull you totally in. And for sure you will be sobbing at the end but the whole presentation has foreboding but beautiful mood so that doesn't count as a spoiler.

For me however, I don't think I have every heard spoken a more precise and deep description of what loss is. This is spoken at the end of the movie by the father of one of the main characters. And it is nothing less than profound in its insightfulness and understanding about how human beings feel about loss. That is if you are smart enough to put it into words, and these words really moved me. I will always remember them.

The Last of Us (2023– )

Not Just Another Zombie Show

[9/10 · 11 May 2023]

I saw the series before I played the game. Both are true representations of each other. The series is way more than another zombie movie. The game is a masterpiece (not just me saying that, gamers with lots of cred think so).

The actors selected in the series were perfectly cast, and the story reflections at the end of each episode make it all the more worthwhile to watch (just like the other Mazin masterpiece Chernobyl).

I finally got what it is about after playing the game many times through and watching the series about 4 times.

It is about being a parent, and all that comes with it. I don't have children because I was too frightened to have them, not because I didn't want them. This series and the game, both showed me how brave parents are, because once that kid pops out, it all really matters.

The English (2022)

Can't wait to watch it again

[9/10 · 4 March 2023]

The first episode I was ready to quit. It made me think, Oh no another woke "White People Bad, People of Color Good" ( that is how Frankenstein would say it), but after the next episode, I was hooked.

What an even keeled telling of the west. The Army really did use a gatling gun at Wounded Knee and the Colorado Volunteer Calvary were maniac genocidalists (new word). Carries on to this day when you consider Colombine and Aurora.

This series gave you enough hints to guess where it was going and it was wonderfully poetic. I have also never seen such incredible character actors, where did they find so many of such quality?

Signed up for Amazon Prime just to watch this, and I wasn't disappointed!

Marc Marquez: ALL IN (2023– )

No One Like Him

[9/10 · 2 March 2023]

This documentary confirms that there is no one on this planet like Marc Marquez. He is the greatest sportsman alive.

The documentary shows his commitment, passion, personality, courage, his relation to his friends and family. It could not have been made better. Even if you don't follow MotoGP you will be inspired by who he is.

I have seen every one of his races since 1993. I can remember watching a video of his first time on a MotoGP bike and all you could think was, "boy those guys are in a lot of trouble" because you could tell his talent was beyond anything you had seen previously.

What defines a sport is risk. Golf is a hobby, baseball is a pass time, tennis is kind of in between. Boxer and football players risk and over time their bodies may pay the price. MotoGP racers can lose it all in the blink of an eye, the ability to walk, move their arms, their vision and their lives.

For me he is the most honorable sportsman in the world, and Marc Marquez All In was a joy to watch. Thank you Amazon Prime for doing it so right.

Tár (2022)

Woke to the Max

[1/10 · 20 January 2023]

Sure am glad I waited until the price to stream this movie was 6 bucks instead of 20.

The story was ok but why 2.5 hours to tell it, and why didn't the director/writer show it. Too lazy, I guess. Or was it because he was trying to show what a large vocabulary he had and his esoteric in-depth knowledge of music. There were two interesting moments, at the beginning and at the end. The rest 2 hours of padding, two hours dullness, two added story threads that went nowhere.

This movie is a demonstration of lazy storytelling. The moral of the story wasn't even that profound. It would have been if the movie had been a 30-minute short, but it wasn't.

Have a good bottle or two of wine next to you, but even still for 6 bucks it's too expensive, should be free, or on YouTube.

The Chalk Line (2022)

Could Not Remain Still

[9/10 · 2 January 2023]

How anyone could give this movie a low rating make you wonder, what movies do you like?

This movie was so subtle and so believable and the acting, to include little girl, was flawless. The music played a lot into creating tension.

I honestly could not remain still while watching this. I was sitting on the couch and continually adjusting my posture because I was so nervous.

If you like the genre this movie is, you won't be disappointed.

Finally, I love the format of this type of movie. It reminded me of the way the Sixth Sense played out.

You see the scene and then you see the scene again later in the movie.

One surprise for me is my wife figured it out half way through. I don't know how she did it.

Les papillons noirs (2022)

Probably not going to be on the Hallmark Channel

[9/10 · 27 November 2022]

I enjoyed this series from the very beginning, who starts a series with a closeup of a bowl of Fruit Loops?

And it gets way better from there. The entire story fits together even though you can't guess what will happen next.

Best of all the difference between current time and flashback is very easy to follow compared to some series I have watched recently. This series has the added plus of the actors playing the young characters look like the actors playing aged character.

Credit good editing, unusually good casting, attention to detail. The premise of the story was original. It was a story nested in a story but much more.

The music is pretty goofy, and it is way violent.

Hellhole (2022)

I Thought Hellhole was a Spinal Tap Song

[9/10 · 10 November 2022]

This entire movie is worth watching just for one moment in the film which is so unexpected. Won't tell you what it is but if you are big on comic relief this is the show for you.

The premise is frightening. The sets dark that with crooked dead trees and old-world religious bastions, lurking priests with the most serious looks. Hardly any dialogue but lots of low tone sounds and squeaking doors.

Then you got the dead, with missing parts and eyeballs hanging from hooks. And after this you are pretty scared, makes the other NETFLIX horror series look silly when comparing levels of discomfort.

Then you get this moment this event that is out of the blue, and you have to watch it about five time it is so, well over the top.

Wild Is the Wind (2022)

total surprise

[9/10 · 9 November 2022]

Netflix does a good job and suggesting movies to watch based on your rating. Sometimes they hit it, sometimes not. This one was killer.

The story was total allegory, based on a true or not, but the allegory is true.

Corruption and envy, and "keep the man down". It is presented in a subtle and measured story (good writing and directing), the actors are spot on, particularly the one who plays the black detective, there is a scene when he is in a car lamenting, wow.

The soundtrack is interesting, the words to the selected songs are appropriate, but sometimes the mood the music sets doesn't match the scene, but overall, the soundtrack is wonderful, especially "Oh My Lord".

This movie has a lot of heart, and I am glad I watched it.

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)

good but the demons/monsters are lame

[5/10 · 8 November 2022]

This is a great series, well-acted, well written, with lots of production value, but when it gets to the climax, the entity you are supposed to shudder at is so lame it blows everything that came before.

The rat monster is so stupid looking in ruins the entire episode. What preceded it was great, but the rat monster makes it comical.

The gool, or zombie in one episode is top drawer, scares the hell out of you, but the monster that animates him is "STUPID". It is as if Alien popped out and it was Bugs Bunny.

This series could have been the best, but they ruined it with what should have been the climactic moment with comedic creatures.

Bummer, it could have been a real bone chiller, instead you laugh. I wanted to get scared, not go, "man that is really lame".

The Serpent Queen (2022–2024)

Who cares if it isn't historically accurate

[9/10 · 29 October 2022]

One of my all-time favorites. Having watched Queen Margot many times which includes Catherine de'Medici I was curious but didn't know what to expect.

I was blown out of the saddle. This series is so good but most of all, it not being totally historically accurate, somehow the creators, actors, directors, and writers found a way to walk that high mountain edge between disaster and success with the skill of a mountain goat (sorry, bad remembrance of a line in Spartacus spoken by Crassus).

This series is a little "loose" but it is so much more entertaining because of it. The project could have easily gone over the top and turned into a disaster, BUT IT IS PERFECT.

I can say no more, I loved it so much and have to thank the entire assemble of artisans for their gift to us. They took a big chance, and it works!!!!!!!!!!!

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

Good but not like the Original

[7/10 · 29 October 2022]

Everybody has to do a redo of epics. The Ben Hur remake flopped (notice no one has tried to do a remake of Lawerance of Arabia), and this remake is top quality but not as good as the 65-year-old original.

The graphics are spectacular on par with any movie using computer graphics. The subtitles are good, the acting is good, but the story has no heart and tries to make a statement about ambition rather than about the soldiers.

Kat is just another guy, and there is no relationship between Kat and his flock or the other soldiers. The ending is suspected but not heartfelt like the original.

Surely a good movie and worth watching but if you have seen the original you will not get the same hit.

Chernobyl (2019)

Made me Love the Russians More

[10/10 · 2 August 2022]

The speech about asking for the volunteers to go under the reactors and open the valves is so ....

"This is what sets us apart, 1,000 years of a sacrifice run in our veins. You will do it because it has to be done."

I watched that speech at least 10 times and have watched this mini-series at least 3 times.

And each time it only makes me more in awe of the Russian People. They are better than us, sorry.

Seven Beauties (1975)

You are missing out if you haven't watched this

[10/10 · 29 June 2022]

My wife is kind of serious and I wasn't sure how she would take this movie (which was shown to me by a friend at a theater who later became a Supreme Court Justice Clerk).

My wife laughed her *** off. It is the darkest humor you will ever see. It is really funny but really true.

Can't ask for more than that.