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Reviews
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Of course there was never going to be a mystery solved...
When you are younger you are more open to neat solutions to mysteries. It was Santa, it was magic, aliens, it was a yeti, it was spontaneous combustion... Watching a film like this, for me it is all about the set up and the mystery. The solution is never going to match it. It can't be aliens, it can't be Russia (they can't open a can of beans without killing their own soldiers) and it wasn't going to be a ghost. The suggestion provided was an interesting one and was quite powerful. We are our own worst enemies. I'm sure students of war could point to multiple cases where external forces have agitated civil unrest within a country. Some might say it's going on right now on Fakebook, ThickTock and Muskland.
Nice to see actors looking their approximate age and looking so well with that.
Squid Game: The Challenge (2023)
Over hyped and underwhelming
I haven't seen the original series but thought I'd try this based on some giddy reviews I had seen. It's disappointing.
There is very little gaming and way too much scheming and random selection. The producers have total control over key games i.e. The outcome can be determined by the switch of a button. The self deception and self delusion of many of the players is at worrying levels. There is no sense of time so you have no idea how long these people have had to bond or hate. I suspect a large chunk of the winnings is lost to tax. I barely made it to the end to be honest as the pointlessness of the game became apparent. I see they are planning a second season. I won't be watching.
MH370: The Plane That Disappeared (2023)
An exhibition in denial and self serving conspiracy
Unless the purpose of this documentary is to show how a disparate group of dreamers and people riddled with psychological biases can become their own worst enemies it is a waste of time. It is perhaps difficult for human beings to comprehend the vastness of the oceans and how easy it is for a plane to be swallowed up forever. This was a humbling tragedy. Every once in a while an event like this shows the CIA/US does not know everything, technology cannot solve everything and people are vulnerable. It was a terrible tragedy for the victims and their families and those pedalling random theories compound the pain.
The Old Man (2022)
Too much talking and not enough doing
I enjoyed the first few episodes of the series and stayed with it until the end but there were numerous occasions where I may have nodded off for a minute. I got the impression the action / combat sequences may have been attempting to portray accurately what might go on. The action or, more often, long conversations apparently play out across various parts of the world or parts of California that look like various parts of the world with little care for consequences or legal concerns. We know Hollywood likes to portray US agents as superheroes but we know they are not. It's all a bit childish.
Torn (2021)
A special story.....
I was somewhat aware of the tragedy and aftermath which forms the backdrop to this moving documentary. Thank you to Max Lowe, friends and family for sharing their experience of a hugely personal circumstance.
It was fascinating to hear the different perspectives of the Lowe men on their relationship with Alex - given their ages at the time of his tragic death. As someone who became a father in recent years I do wonder if there could be a epilogue to this story. I don't know if any of the boys have children but one's perspective of one's own parents changes with parenthood. I often think about the time I'm spending with my beautiful babies, time for me which is the most important and special and emotional of my life. But it's time my children will have no memory of even though it will partly form who they become. I would love to hear more from the three thoughtful Lowe men in due course.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Yet another overrated 'Irish' film?
I've started to avoid films regarded as 'Irish' because the local media and critics are too subjective in their commentary and reviews. The hype machine was all the way up to 11 on this one and it doesn't live up to it unfortunately. If I stumbled on this film on TV one night I might have been charmed more. The accents also grate. Irish theatrical accents are second only to Hollywood Irish accents in their ability to distract from the character. The dialogue was average too unfortunately and included numerous anachronistic phrases. The locations were spectacular and one character does deliver quite a touching moment I must say.
Death to 2020 (2020)
Disappointingly lame at times
There are a handful of laughs but the main impression left is one of lameness and disappointment. This appears to have been cobbled together by a large group of writers in a rush over zoom.
Last Breath (2019)
Breath-taking
Happy to recommend this documentary which includes some footage which is breath-takingly harrowing. The images and the characters will live long in the memory. This film hit me - someone who was present at a similar situation with a different outcome - right between the eyes.
Last Chance Lawyer NYC (2018)
Absolute Gem
While the cases featured in the show are tragic Howard Greenberg, his wife and his colleagues are superb 'characters'. Very entertaining. Thoroughly recommended and has potential to become a classic.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
Oh please let this be the very very last one....
Sitting through this Star Wars and some of the others is like being subjected to a detailed retelling of a complete strangers dream they had a few years ago. I DON'T CARE.
There is more plot in 5 minutes of a daytime soap opera than a whole Star Wars episode. And I use the term 'episode' in a medical, traumatic neurological seizure context.
The only story line they have managed to come up with is who is related to who. After how many films?
And any time they have to think at all about how to write their way to the next scene? - some ridiculous 'jedi' power is available. These are the most anti-science science fiction fiascos every produced.
How anyone takes these insults time after time and calls themselves a fan is beyond me. Have more respect for yourselves.
You deserve so much better.
Now You See Me (2013)
So very bad. AbrakaBADra!
This film is so bad. What kind of person is a film about magic aimed at? I found it offensive. I'm stuck watching this rubbish on TV and am wondering how people can produce something like this and think it's worth putting their name to. Magic is bad enough to watch live when you at least have some mild curiosity about how it's done. But to make a film about it with cgi and impossible stunts! This film is so very bad. AbrakaBADra!
Dunkirk (2017)
Epically overrated
I was disappointed by this film. It is a mish-mash of poorly acted and poorly executed snippets. It is unconvincing and unengaging throughout. Quite the achievement given the subject matter and richness of possibilities in 300,000 personal stories and witnesses. Judged by what was on screen it could have been a TV movie with limited budget for a juvenile audience. Dunkirk deserved better.