mageh Reviews

Swarm (2023)

well done

[9/10 · 21 March 2023]

It was actually a pleasant surprise. It started a bit off, but then i had to continue and watch.

As many pointed out, the acting was great, including celebs such as Billi Eilish, She should do more of this.

The frightening part is that it is based on our current culture of celebrity idolization and worship.

I liked the idea of combining documentary style with fiction.

Definitely recommend!

It was actually a pleasant surprise. It started a bit off, but then i had to continue and watch.

As many pointed out, the acting was great, including celebs such as Billi Eilish, She should do more of this.

The frightening part is that it is based on our current culture of celebrity idolization and worship.

I liked the idea of combining documentary style with fiction.

Definitely recommend!

Paul T. Goldman (2023)

Nerds rule!

[8/10 · 22 January 2023]

This is one of the most unique concepts I saw for true crime/true story series.

Yes, it is not perfect, but definitely beyond entertaining. As other reviewers noted, it evokes a range of emotions and yet left me with a good feeling in the end.

To summarize, this is a story where average guy, nerd so to speak got taken advantage by a classic "gold digger".

These series are a personal revenge and vindication for what she has done. It seems like he was especially hurt by her since she took advantage of his vulnerability and practically got away with it. The series make him sort of celebrity, "somebody" after she probably made him fill worthless.

Overall, highly recommended for entertainment value and please, watch till the end. It makes the whole difference.

Shotgun Wedding (2022)

Yes, it is bad

[2/10 · 13 January 2023]

I am glad i didn't pay for this. First, somebody tell JLo she is bad actress or no actress at all. Somehow her acting skills get worse with time rather than the opposite.

She is in her 50s, but in her mind she probably thinks she is still in her 20s, because her acting is beyond cringe. This cutsie behavior looks so ridiculous and unbelievable.

And yes, the story itself is lame, and jokes are not funny, but her presence makes it even worse.

The only saving grace is Jennifer Coolidge. She makes this movie somewhat tolerable and funny. Therefore, two stars from me.

Bottom line, don't waste your money or time.

Last thing, a personal plea to JLO: please, retire!!!!!

Nope (2022)

Are you scared of hot air balloon?

[5/10 · 23 July 2022]

I gave these 5 stars for creativity. Otherwise, it was the silliest "horror" film i saw. As other stated it was too long and confusing (why the monkey?). But in the end, when you see the "monster UFO", i just started to laugh. It looks like very creative hot air balloon, nothing scary or horrifying about it. This was a great comedy.

I like Get Out and Us, but this is one is definitely NOPE!

Marry Me (2022)

JLO vanity project

[1/10 · 13 February 2022]

First, the movie is just plain cringe and boring. There was nothing new, surprising, exciting or interesting in its plot. No chemistry between the main leads and even dog was not funny.

Now, like JLo i got epiphany: she is the most shallow, narcissistic, greedy, vain, vacuous, desperate person. There is no redeeming quality about her. Some quotes from the movie just prove my point: she thinks she is "next level" hot, north of only 35 age wise and should be definitely nominated for something by now (her Hustler Oscar snub sting, i guess). She has no self-awareness to understand that not only she is terrible singer or no singer at all, she is also a terrible actress and insecure woman.

Because of her terrible personality, this movie went down the drain more than it would, if there was better actress or nicer person playing Kat.

Avoid by all means, even if you like rom-com. Thank god i didn't have to pay for this garbage.

The Tinder Swindler (2022)

Good documentary

[8/10 · 4 February 2022]

I have one thing to say: searching for love on Tinder? Really? This site is known as a website when you are looking to "hook up" with someone, not for prince charming. This is the first thing that says a lot about these girls. That being said, i glad they did this documentary. Unfortunately, there are many not very smart, superficial women looking for this "special" billionaire to save them from their ordinary boring life. Remember, Cinderella was fairy tail, not reality.

In from the Cold (2022)

mind less fun

[7/10 · 31 January 2022]

Yes, you need to turn off your brain function, but it was definitely fast paced fun! I binged it in one day and enjoyed the silliness. The main actress did a good job. Don't overthink it, just take a ride.

Brazen (2022)

One word-terrible

[1/10 · 18 January 2022]

Allyssa Milano is not an actress any more, she is an activist, because her acting skills are obviously non existent. So, i am "sorry, i am not sorry" this movie stinks.

Archive 81 (2022)

Wow, excellent

[9/10 · 16 January 2022]

Finally great supernatural horror drama. Yes, it is slow and definitely not for people with short attention span. Also, not for people who look for gore or silly jump scares. But it is super creepy. I started to watch at night and had to stop because felt uncomfortable alone in apartment with this show. Finished the next day when sun was shining. It is well done, the atmosphere is intense, actors are great. Highly recommended for people who like slow burn mystical shows.

And Just Like That... (2021– )

Plain bad

[1/10 · 6 January 2022]

I have only couple of things to say: 1. For writers: please, look for another career, you are terrible, not funny, not talented, my cat would write a better story 2. For SJP: you are a disappointment in this reboot, your character and your whole vibe is so unlikable, i wish Carrie was dead and not Big. Also, you are a disloyal friend in relation to Chris Noth.

3. For Cynthia Nixon/Miranda: please, take your activist BS somewhere else, we know your opinions, and we don't care for it. The fact, you lost governor race. Take a clue.

Overall, put this atrocity to sleep. Whoever, did this disaster should be demoted, fired, etc. You lost audience and fans.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–2024)

Was great became pathetic and lazy

[5/10 · 28 December 2021]

I like Larry David and thinks he is great comedian. But this season was really lazy writing. The last episode was beyond horrendous. Stealing shoes from Holocaust's museum, really? Also Vindman to me is not a hero: he was totally promoting his "book" on this show. He capitalized on the important political events to make some money from this testimony. To me his pathetic appearance in the show suggests somewhat dishonesty: may be he was not after truth but some enrichment opportunity after all.

As others said: retire Larry, before you became pathetic joke.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Neo and Trinity couples therapy

[5/10 · 24 December 2021]

Yes, there was nothing exciting or novel about this "resurrection" 80% talking to a therapist (literally) about feelings and may be 20% very standard non exciting action i have seen in million other movies. Couple right to me left in the middle, the person on the left snored through the movie: that is how exciting it was. Laod, Pryanka Chopra, really? Her bad nose job is so distracting, I couldn't focus on gibberish she was saying.

Sorry Keanu, but this was just meh. 5 stars for nostalgia.

Emily in Paris (2020– )

Elephant in the room

[5/10 · 23 December 2021]

I agree with most low grade reviews saying that show is cliché and very superficial. I also acknowledge that it was entertaining on some level and just a lot of colors to look at.

Yet, i was bothered with something else that not many people mentioned: the actress is WAY to skinny. I actually don't mind different body types and not about fat shaming, but she looks anorexic and promotes very unhealthy look. In some scenes it was painful to look at her and she doesn't look sexy or even grown up woman.

I know that people might disagree but this is not attractive look... Otherwise , if you don't mind to turn off your brain for a couple of hours and see some ridiculous fashion, then it is ok.

The Last Duel (2021)

Excellent

[10/10 · 26 November 2021]

I tried to find something wrong with it, but this movie was perfection. Excellent example of great cinematography, starting from set, attention to details, acting, story , etc. It is one of the best from Ridley Scott and sadly I agree with him: younger generation prefers shallow brainless superhero movies. I hope that this work will be appreciated with time. Highly recommended for people that value true movie making.

House of Gucci (2021)

weak movie with bad choice of leading actress

[6/10 · 24 November 2021]

I like Ridley Scott and i think he is a good director. But this is not his best movie: it is quite slow and boring, and it lacks quality due to the poor choice of Lady Gaga as a lead. She is NO actress, quite terrible. And she totally ruined the movie. Her accent is NOT Italian but sounds like bad imitation of Russian one, like the one I have. Actually, other actors are so much better that her lack of acting talent is even more obvious. With better actress it could be a good movie, but with her and slow story line, it is more of a lackluster. Skip it!

Lamb (2021)

Great movie

[9/10 · 29 October 2021]

This is not for everyone, especially American audience who likes superheroes, Marvel and other "no brain needed" action movies. Yes, it is slow pace, but it is beautiful, original and unique. If you want some slasher/action/guns style movie, skip it. Otherwise, highly recommend.

Midnight Mass (2021)

Jeepers creepers and religious cult

[5/10 · 25 September 2021]

Yes, the creature looked exactly like in Jeepers Creepers, only that movie was much better. As other stated: boring and slow, it could be cut in half. Also, it is literally endless monologues that are trying to be insightful but falls short of being really meaningful. And also, it is not supposed to be drama, but it is hardly a horror show. Unless you have nothing else to do or suffer from insomnia, move on to something more exciting.

Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)

Bad and boring

[4/10 · 23 September 2021]

Sorry, i like Nicole but as a Russian speaker her accent was atrocious. Her "lapochka" was so bad, that i couldn't recognize the word at first. Also, the girl in the end spoke with such a terrible accent.

In general, it is plain boring. Not sure what the message was (that psychodelics are cool?) or was it murder mystery? In the end, not recommended, waist of time.

Hit & Run (2021)

Entertaining

[7/10 · 7 August 2021]

I give it a solid 7. Yes, it is not Fauda and acting is not always perfect. However, it is still very entertaining spy thriller. A bit slow start but after episode 3, it is full of twists and turns, no dull moment. Recommend!

Profile (I) (2018)

better than expected

[8/10 · 4 June 2021]

The movie was better than expected. It was fast paced enough to keep my attention for almost 2hours just using computer's screens. It is based on a true story and just shows how dangerous internet interactions can be. Also, ladies: when man is promising you sun, moon and stars, he is probably lying. Overall, well done and deserves better publicity.

Shiva Baby (2020)

Not good

[4/10 · 5 April 2021]

Had potential, could be better, messy script, acting OK.

The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

splendidly terrible

[1/10 · 10 October 2020]

Wow, this is one of the rare occasions when i have to give one star. Bad script, bad acting, fake accent, no horror, annoying children. I red the novel, I saw the other versions of the same ghost story, i saw the first season. The conclusion: this is just bad. Don't waste your time.

Raised by Wolves (2020–2022)

Interesting but messy

[7/10 · 11 September 2020]

It is visually interesting show, however, it is quite obvious that the plot is written by different writers for each episode. The story is not coherent and tied up enough, it is all over the place. Each episode proceeds slowly and it is sometimes quite boring, while in the end you have some big splash of actions, cliffhanger, pretty formulaic. It has potential to be better, so my score is mostly for visuals. Acting is also so and so. As for science and scifi: well, big sigh...

An American Pickle (2020)

just not funny , mehh

[5/10 · 7 August 2020]

It is not completely bad movie, the beginning was promising, but then after 15 min the screenplay becomes quite stupid and most importantly, not funny. I liked some other Seth movies, so he can definitely do a better job. Just boring mess...

Relic (2020)

Drama not horror

[6/10 · 10 July 2020]

The story in this movie is allegory to mental disease such as dementia or Alzheimer's. Dealing with a family member that "transforms" from a person you knew your whole life into "a creature" that doesn't remember its own name IS a horror in real life. So although idea of this movie is not bad, the execution could be better. I agree with others: it is too slow and dull. And, no, it is not really a horror flick, i am sure many horror fans will agree. I still recommend it for home viewing. Another spoiler: the fact that they show three generations of women in the same family kind of suggest that disease is hereditary (like Alzheimer's), that is why in the end the daughter has a black spot too, meaning it will happen to her like it did to her parents.