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parkersmitthy
Reviews
Your Place or Mine (2023)
Classic Rom com, but enjoyable and enduring
Nothing truly new, but non the less, a great take on the genre. Two romantic comedy super stars together on screen makes for a great pairing. Witherspoon and Kutcher both seem very comfortable in the role and with each other. They seem to really enjoy the roles they have and the over themes of the movie concerning Witherspoon son and her short lived romance with me Greys anatomy is surprisingly charming and sweet.
Over all, I really enjoyed this. Its the kind of movie 20 years ago used to make 150m/300m at the box office on a 30m dollar budget. Now it's a streaming original and personally I think it's were the genre now belongs. It's was a cute, and enduring flick that I got some laughs out of, and enjoyed the on screen chemistry of the leads, but also the supporting cast who were all enjoyable in their own right.
This is the kind of cozy film you wanna watch when you're home with a loved one and just wanna get that fell good kinda vibe. It's a semi original take on a classic genre that has all but died as far as the box office is concerned. But I believe it has a new life in the platform of streaming services. And it's good to see these two stars having the fun on screen again. Especially Kutcher who hasn't really done much in recent years.
Watch it when you're in the mood for a feel good rom com.
The Last of Us: When You're Lost in the Darkness (2023)
So far so...solid.
As a fan of the game, I have been excited for this show. Although I made an effort to go into this open minded and aware that the show will certainly expand on the original story and some scenes and characters may be different. Although why when the original game was so perfectly constructed and cast.
Either way, I was excited and happy to go into this with a fresh mind set. Realizing that this was the pilot and most likely what sold the series to HBO, I enjoyed nearly all aspects of the first episode. Pedro is a great choice for Joel. Tess is a smaller character in the overall story, but not any less pivotal to the story and she was also well cast. Marlene is Marlene, considering she played the character in the video game, I'm happy she also gets to reprise the character for live action.
Buuuut Ellie..Belle Ramsay is...ok. I can see from her past work and on paper, she fits the role of Ellie well enough. But Ellie really IS the key character to this show. Her and Joel's chemistry is the only thing that really matters in the long run. Pedro I believe will make a great addition to Joel's character, but Bella remains to be seen. I was not sold on her performance yet, and liking her is the key to the shows success. I suppose it remains to be seen.
Everything else was great and in some cases Passible.
The young actress who played Sarah I thought did a great job. A hard role, especially considering the implication of what her characters means, she did a great job. BUT, the race swapping was my first concern. Not because they did it, like I said she did a great job and I was quite heartbroken when she died.
But really the question is why..? With so many shows and films feeling the need to quite obviously push some sort of social commentary on the audience, it' starts to become obvious when that takes precedent over story. It's not that Sarah was now a different color, but why? Why was nearly every other speaking role a female of color? Every firefly that spoke was a women. Nearly every FEDRA officer, at least the ones with speaking roles, a women or POC?
Please understand, as a younger man, I have never given two thoughts to a diverse cast. Pretty much because, life is Diverse. That's just how it is. But my concern is when show runners seem to think over indulging in a socially motivated casting choices, is making some sort of correction on the world or teaching the audience something. Unfortunately, we don't. We just see someone trying to ham fist a politically motivated belief into a story. And I'd say this happens with either side of the isle. Being somewhat familiar with the creator and partnered show runner, Neil Druckmann, who has been all to vocal about his social/political beliefs, I noticed that an all to prominent vibe In this first episode.
The original game already had plenty of fantastic female characters along with fantastic Male characters, (Tess being one of my personal favs from the original game). Which at the end of the day is all anyone wants. So if a certain pattern emerges after more episode, I'm afraid it will be all to obvious that a social commentary is more important than the story itself. All in all, I hope that is not the case with The Last of Us. I remain hopeful yet cautious.
Jack Ryan (2018)
Strangely boring, bland, melodramatic, and barely watchable
Ugh, Ive watched all of this show, and I am a fan of some of the older Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan films. Never read the books, but Red October is one of my favorites in the overall genre.
This show should have been a knockout for me personally or anyone who, Love the genre and the themes at play here. Espionage, political drama/thriller, Military. BUT, i found myself having to focus my attention, other wise I'd drift or roll my eyes.
The casting is strange yet has potential, the scripts are generally weak and forgetful. They spent money on this show, I'd have to give props to the Location team because they are one of the highlights of the show.
Yet overall it's just a by the numbers, made by committee, cable tv show.
Krasinski has always been a bit off to me during the tenure of the shows run. Enjoyed him in his smaller roles and the office. A quiet place 1&2 were very entertaining. He is talented, I don't deny that. Perhaps the extended time we've spent with him shows that the writing or style of this show doesn't fit his style of acting. Generally he has the same 2 expressions on his face at all times. He is Frustratingly bland in his delivery, and the change of his character being an analyst and author who is thrown into a chaotic situation, into a Black op, special agent, against all odds, can never die or get shot, save the world badass...it just doesn't fit, nor is it that entertaining.
Greer is similar in the case that I've enjoyed the actors work in his many projects, and he is a comedic actor when he needs to be. He's no James Earl Jones though. That forced gruffness to his voice and the very stereotypical African American Attitude they've given him. It feels like such a waste. The supporting cast is not lacking in talent either, but I believe the writing of this is so washed out by a board and producers, I'm surprised it was able to have any structure at all.
Basically if you enjoyed the books or older films, skip this. It's not the same. If you haven't, then you may enjoy this as a easy watch for some background noise of a not very tense action drama. As for me, I'm going to say no thanks, hope this isn't the last of Jack Ryan we see.
Jack Ryan: Star on the Wall (2022)
Weak & Melodramatic
Ugh, it's just a shame. So much money spent on this and it's just...not very good. Weird casting. WEAK script. And I'm no military expert, but neither are the writers it seems. I would have loved for this to be a knock out show, but it's just bland and by the numbers kind of show. Everyone feels as if they're acting as hard as they can to convey intensity or emotions but it comes off as poor acting. Which to me is strange because a good chunk of this cast have been fantastic in other projects. The writing is, again, the problem here I assume.
I had to force myself to keep watching this final episode. In the end, background noise is all this show became. No more please.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Predictable, yet thoroughly entertaining.
Having seen the first film when I was but a teenager, I had to revisit the first film before I enjoyed the next phase in Cameron's Avatar franchise. Surprisingly, I did in fact love returning to Pandora in the initial movie and a part of me remembered why I loved that movie. I fully agree that the Original story has its cliche moments and the story is not exactly original. But the world Cameron built and the visual effects his teams were able to accomplish. The movie really was a spectacle. Personally I think the first has a lot of heart as well.
As far as the sequel goes, nothing really surprised me. I was excited to see more of this alien planet and the species who inhabit it. The story of Jake and Natyri**, (guessing on that spelling) and their family is a very easy to understand plot. But for me, it was so refreshing seeing a huge movie have such a down to earth story which pretty much revolves around protecting your family and the problems that trying to do that entail. I will agree with others, their is some campy dialogue, cliche moments, a few poor line deliveries, and an over all unsurprising plot. BUT. Wrapped all together, with heart, overall theme everyone can enjoy, INCREDIBLE actions sequences, and with the greatest visuals I have ever seen on screen, this is one hell of a good time.
Go see this with your family over the holidays, or with some friends in order to get away from the family. Hell, go by yourself. I have. Once with friends and again solo because I had to look at this movie again. It really is an experience. 3D or not, see this on an enhanced screen. IMAX/DOLBY or something similar. Seeing this movie is an event and you should treat it like it.
I had fun. Because this movie is Fun. Which is what going to the theater is about. FUN.
Glass Onion (2022)
Cliché
Visually it's great to look at. But this movie is so wildly different from the 1st. That can be a good thing in the case of a who done it mystery. Instead, this seems more like a parody of the first film.
But the largest failure I believe this movie does is date it self. This movie will forever be just another "pandemic movie". I suppose I can understand the references to staying at home and mask as to help build some form of reasoning in the actions of each character, but why in the hell would anyone want to watch a movie that reminds us of a horrible experience the world had. In an attempt to stay relevant, we are bombarded with pop culture references and caricatures of the 2020 landscape. Not to mention the stereotypical depictions of each character. Now the ending, I can't even describe how idiotic. I think this just proves Mr Johnson can't really capture any kind of magic twice. Not sure how the first film was done as well as it was. But this is just bad. The minor enjoyment during the middle portion of the film is all but snuffed out by the outlandish and frankly, childish conclusion. I just sat shaking my head unsure of what I watched.
I think if we are going to all enjoy Craig's performance again, perhaps a new team should take the helm. Craig does chew through scenes with fun, but still left me feeling as if he was under utilized.
Pass on this one.
The Gray Man (2022)
Really Solid action, not much of anything else.
I think this movie suffered a lot from the PG13 Rating. You can see chris wants to go all out and be pure Chaotic Evil, but the script holds him back. Along with the pretty lack luster dialogue and weak plot, this film IMO fails to live up to the hype of the marketing and the cast. It seems some of the weaker actors have the more plot heavy aspects of the film and it doesn't help. The young "perfect" CIA Exec who is in every Netflix project right now coasting on his looks is so bland and uncharismatic. The fact that "No one can teach what I do" bad guy loyd doesn't really do much other than talk to other bad guys from a computer but he's..really mean when he does it. Or after an RPG goes through a building and kills nearly everyone in the room, while the few survivors look like they got hit by a truck, the short haired CIA lady Boss comes out looking FLAWLESS and perfectly fine. I can suspend my disbelief only so much. After a while, the sloppiness builds up and I as a viewer I just stopped buying it. I think this is a real let down of a film. Such a great cast, but bloated by less talented pretty people and a weak script. I'm sure the R Brothers will pump out another hit. It just isn't this one. Ana, Ryan, and Chris are all entertaining to watch as always. Billy Bob, while under utilized does a decent job. Viola Davis being almost a throw away part still brings her usual charm. I just wish it was better. If you do want a solid Netflix action film, I'd recommend Extraction with Hemsworth. Another R Brothers flick and the action is actually Top Tier along with a tighter, less muddled script or bloated cast.
Death on the Nile (2022)
Pretty average, borderline poor. But the ending ruined the the entire thing
You're telling me a .22 fired from a tiny derringer is gonna go straight through someones chest and kill a second person? I mean come on....
I stuck with it for the reveal In the end. But when I saw that it lost all believability. A .22 is a step above an air rifle pellet.
As far as the rest of the film goes, I was mildly entertained throughout. Casting was poor. And certain moments were dragged down by the awful CGI. I understand why studios don't film on location as often. It's so much cheaper even though I miss the days of old. Seeing the real landscape is so much more enjoyable. Cast wise, most were forgettable. Gal is the same as always. The only one that really impressed me was Russell surprisingly. Although his role was pretty much pointless, I forgot about the goofy, eccentric, funny man he usually plays.
At least the orient express pacing was more up to snuff. This movie drags for the first hour and does seem to be a Kenneth vanity piece. But I suppose he does these to make money so he can try for that Oscar. Either way, not good. Not AWFUL, just plain and not very believable.
Foundation (2021)
I mean...eh
Never read the books!
But this show has really gotta make up for it's missed opportunities. First episode really captured me. But every episodes since has just been gradually getting less and less entertaining. The latest episodes with sacking of the foundation colony was just plain bad. Acting was bland and flat. The Warden specifically is just awful. This show seems to have a lot of potential as a great front runner for Apple TV. But it currently feels much more like a cheap Syfy channel basic cable show. Woke or not, the current state of the show is just plain boring. Hari Seldon is by far the most interesting character but sadly we've probably seen about all we're going to see of him.
Love, Death & Robots: Life Hutch (2021)
What a waste
What a waste of MBJ's talents. He's very skilled and sadly all this had him do was look scared for 12 minutes. Weakest story out of the bunch.
Love, Death & Robots (2019)
Season 1, original, fresh. Season 2 , disappointing and empty
Season one, wow. I still rewatched something of my favorites. Such mind bending ideas and twisty plots. I was so impressed by this original idea of adult animation. Just Like Netflix does, they hook you in with the initial concept and originality. If you're wanting to watch something compelling yet not too long as to where you get bored or distracted easily. Watch season one. Won't regret it.
Now season two...I can't say I'm really surprised. Netflix has this horrible reputation of ruining great original ideas and pumping them dry until they are almost universally hated. 8 episodes after a 18 episode first season. I mean come on. The spark that captured a lot of viewers originally has completely vanished. Maybe it's one of those concepts that really can't redo the beauty of what came before. But this was a pathetic attempt. Personally, I blame Netflix for most likely heavy handing the production. This felt like a corporate, PG-13, cash grabby rip off of the first season. Visuals are still extremely impressive, but the over all quality of story telling and original ideas is lacking anything fresh or shocking. Which in my mind, is what season one did so well. Originally it was a 9/10. Sadly, it's fallen to a 6. Very disappointed.