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adamculley
Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
Luscious looking, wooden acting, unlikeable characters
This show looks amazing and has a nice balance of action, story telling and some character building. However, the lead actor as Galadriel is not only as wooden as an Ent, but appears to have her jaw wired and can only move her lips... it's so sad (that they cast her as the Elvin ventriloquist). I've not found a character that I can really like as yet and there's nothing in these characters which is instantly relatable. Strange, wandering accents in well established communities? Little or no recognisable connection between family members or communities? All the makings of a disjointed and incoherent series development pattern.
It does look great and money has been spent well on the CGI, but I would have preferred some better casting of well established and recognisable actors.
I will stick with it, but it ain't no LOTR's!
The Dig (2021)
Ancient and Recent History Uncovered and Valued
The depth of character was unleashed by excellent and sympathetic acting, along with a great script and interestingly compulsive cinematography and editing.
The telling of historical stories such as this, can sometimes be lost in an unfounded need to appeal to the masses, but here nothing was lost. Every detail was expertly sieved out and delivered with such skill, that I was hooked immediately and sailed along on a gentle wave of nostalgia and pride. However accurate this story telling is, really shouldn't be in question, as it was heartfelt and passionate in every aspect.
I was left with a lump in my throat and would recommend you gave a couple of hours of your time for a really excellent piece of art, which hopefully will leave you feeling the same.
The Northman (2022)
Seen it all before, but not heard anything like this
Okay, so we've all seen this vengeance story before. From Conan to Simba, it's an age old and many copied theme that may have originated from this original story... or not. My point is that the movie itself is unoriginal, a bit boring and even slow paced, with some nicely executed forays into a couple of battle scenes, the odd dream sequence and nicely scaled, cinematic grandeur. The lasting originality for me was the epic sound. I haven't witnessed a sound scape like this for years and it was refreshing and truly dynamic. Watched with family and friends, I was the only one who enjoyed this film and I'm happy to say, the aural experience will stay with me for a very long time... in a good way.
Morbius (2022)
Genuinely decent origins movie
Morbius is a perfectly acceptable Marvel origin movie. Not sure why it is receiving such hate but I can only express my own opinion and don't like to jump on band wagons. There have been some stinkers and in my opinion, this attempt is not one of them. It has its faults, in editing, cgi and child acting, but the story moved along nicely and developed into a entertaining (if predictable) offering.
No Time to Die (2021)
Get over yourselves reviewers.
For those that give the movie 10*, the best movie you've ever seen? It can never be bettered? And those who gave it 1*, one of the worst films ever? I have never seen a worse movie. These people are at both ends of the "review moron" spectrum... where as I myself am in just the upper echelon of the moron scale when comes to reviewers and I have given this 2020's Bond outing (no pun intended) a solid 7*.
For those who resist maturing and are still stuck in the 80's and 90's with there ability to accept times have changed? I pity you... and your families. Yes... times have changed and movies along with them... why can't you? Race, colour, sexuality, etc. In the 2020's, should have no relevance in you deciding whether a Bond movie is good or bad. Is the acting solid? Is there enough action? Are the character arcs complete and relevant?
We have never witnessed a threat of death to the James Bond character before... we always knew he would escape and disappear into the sunset with his leading lady... we'll this is different. Get over it! It still harks back to the originals with threats to the global population and a chief baddy... and that was always great about these movies "mano et mano" worked, don't break that.
I personally really liked the "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" references and the way it flipped the story in the ending, was perfect. It's a solid Bond movie that has moved on and I liked that. Bond movies should never be the 10 out of 10's to us because... well they just can't. They are simply here for us as a poignant effort to keep a movie tradition and literary folk hero alive and not to win "Best Picture" Oscars.
Loki (2021)
Big Budget Doctor Who!
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this show and it sits between Wanda... and Falcon... for me. However with this new, "former evil doer / new found humanitarian" version of Loki, this started to feel a lot like a Hollywood style vision of Doctor Who?!
Not sure if anyone else was feeling this while watching the show, but I had serious "Time Lord" vibes right from episode one.
As a 6 episode unit, it was pretty fulfilling and I will still be looking forward to season 2 coming around.
Army of the Dead (2021)
Enjoyable but predictable.
I'm a big Snyder fan and enjoy a zombie movie and although relatively seamless, this is not a coherent film. Most don't understand Snyder's depth of understanding and fun in film making. If you can't draw any fun from this, then you're lying to yourself. Go on give in a little.
I enjoyed the direct lifting of dialogue and story from Aliens, etc. But ended up trying to spot every borrowed scene from other movies, which made me realise I was a little bored during some parts. Plot holes and arc coherence aside, it's a fun duel-genre movie with some genuinely original imagery and cinematography.
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
Justice done at last.
So I finally got to watch ZS's Justice League and to be honest with you, I could believe what an astoundingly intense and coherent movie he has produced. The simplest of lines of dialogue added to this edition, suddenly made the movie work. It was as though Whedon had wanted his version to be dumb and awkward, which was why I scored it lower than I would have it had made more sense. I actually didn't mind Whedon's version that much... sorry. But this is almost perfect now. I love Snyder's story telling and have been a fan for years, not understanding the hate he has always received. Ironic to me how much love he is now getting, but we'll deserved considering what he and his wife have been through. This movie makes sense , is not over long and makes me believe in the industry again.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Way too slow to keep you entertained!
You can watch this show, or the live feed on YouTube of that new volcano in Iceland. The entertainment will be at a similar pace, but I feel that the only visually explosive action will be coming from Thor's spiritual homeland than the MCU's!
The Mandalorian (2019)
Clawing back the love.
Watched the 2 seasons back to back and enjoyed every episode. My only gripe is that many of the episodes were regurgitated stories we have all seen done before in Sci Fi and westerns. Come to think of it, bring back Firefly!
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
From 5 to 7 on second watch
OK, so I succumbed under extreme pressure to give this woke pile of poo a second go. After the immense event that was Infinity War, I was really let down by this Russo effort on the first watch. This second watch I did on my own, in the comfort of my own home and we'll... it was OK. Fat Thor, "girls get it done", the Black Widow sacrifice thing... really we're woeful and needed rewitnessing just to confirm how terrible they were. But I really got emotional at the end and felt some loss... and that was a good thing. I can let it go now and move on. Phew!
Bliss (2021)
You need to be empathetic or miss out greatly
If you can't empathise or understand what these characters are going through, then you probably won't enjoy or rate this movie very highly. If however if you have ever known an addict or been through this yourself, you may well be able to understand what has been created here. From the opening scene I felt uncomfortable with our "hero", he was indecisive and ill disciplined. He was frustrating at this point, because of his blossoming addiction, driven by devastating life changes, which had driven him to abuse prescription drugs, trying to escape an inevitable spiral into misery. His way out of his predicament is sorted by his newest friend and dealer. Overall an interesting and insightful introduction into one addicts journey through this frightening illness.
The Devil All the Time (2020)
Colourful feast for the eyes and soul.
A quite beautiful film for those of us who enjoy great cinematography within a period piece. Layer this with great acting and story telling, and I start questioning my score of 7. However, I have a dislike of killing off great characters performed by great actors early on in a movie and this movie carves through people I really wanted to get to know. I guess this was an inevitable outcome. Mainly to underline the title of the film and the devil being the protagonist, driving many of the characters' arcs. No matter how short those arcs may have been. The pace is "medium burn" and somewhat predictable, but I was entertained throughout and enjoyed this between wars period in American, which is often overlooked.
Legenda o Kolovrate (2017)
Enjoyable, visceral but over stylised.
I understand the "300" comparisons, especially with the "green screen" back drops, impossibly outnumbered heroes, etc. But this is a fun and entertaining Russian yarn, at a time when historical action movies and series' are becoming tired and just too darn Hollywood. That "action shooting with a shaking camera" style, is a little painful after a while and seems to be a trait with Russian action movies recently.
Tenet (2020)
Not for the hard of thinking!
Too many poor reviews here, delivered by people you need to steer clear of over a dinner conversation. I'm no academic, but the premise is explained well and I found it easy to follow. I was mildly entertained by my ability to second guess events to come, given the current action on screen. This in no way detracted from the class and beauty of the movie playing before me. I myself will watch it over and over, to extract every image and slight of hand which did escape me initially... it'll be totally worth my time. I adore Nolan's ability to manipulate time with proven grace and articulation, and if it wasn't for the fact one of the more entertaining Harry Potter films kept popping in my head (the time manipulating one), I would most likely have given this a 10.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Smiling as I write this...
For all the times I read reviews and see "I had to join up to write my 1st review ever because of this film...), well that's me... today... now! I have often wanted to write vitriolic reviews when I disagree vehemently with the "Critics" I.e. the ones paid for their opinion, End Game and Force Awakens come to mind. I never did that, because I believe in the adage, "if you have nothing good to say, then don't say it". On this occasion I have to say that this overlong, self-indulgent and rewritten version of Hollywood history, is one of the most heartwarming pieces of art currently being exhibited to the paying and baying public. I was immersed in a gloriously shot and lit, parallel universe. The script was near perfect as was the acting, and "wow", the acting by the way, was as natural as a conversation with your mum.
No spoilers here for me and just a generalised point of view. I indulged in the IMAX experience and relished every scene, unwittingly anticipating the colour and soundtrack of the next. I like many of QT's movies, but this is his best and like all good crafts, the more you do them the better you and they get. He is a craftsman (apologies for the gender placement) and he has completed his long and accomplished apprenticeship. Please indulge in this movie, you may not like it, but you can't help but admire the effort. I am still smiling now... that can't be bad.