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thomasbgleeson
Reviews
That's My Jam: Episode #1.6 (2023)
An American show "disguised" for a British audience
Terrible show, so rehearsed and boring. Pretty sure the cast and crew are rating this highly as the episode ratings do not go with the overall show reviews from users. This is filmed in America with Americans guests of British guests who live in America. They rehearse the show that everyone comes off contrived. It's actually appalling to watch and I hope it never returns to tv screens. How the BBC have allowed this a prime time slot is beyond me. I sincerely hope the tv licence fee doesn't cover this. Feel free to keep the next episodes for iPlayer or whatever and put on eastenders instead. Terrible show.
That's My Jam (2022)
A Lazy "British" Remake
I struggled through the first episode which featured 4 people I didn't have to Google. The rounds were fine but everyone had rehearsed or perhaps even lip synced during the game. It was too long and not entertaining enough to fill an hour slot.
The second episode featured 2 people who were famous in Britain, someone who had to somewhat successful songs 8 years ago and someone from NSync not named Justin Timberlake. It was then it dawned on me that the show is filmed in LA, replaced Jimmy Fallon for a British host and hired z list American celebrities we are supposed to be wowed by.
This would have been a better show if it featured genuinely famous people who a British audience would know and was filmed in the U. K.. For reference, see RuPaul's celebrity lingo. It also needs elements of improv and spontaneity opposed to being a fully rehearsed show. Mo Gilligan does his best but he's not really a presenter and I'd be happy for this show to not return.
American Horror Stories: Drive (2022)
You (without imagination and for the CW)
If you take You and Promising Young Woman and hire a Riverdale writer then you get this episode of American Horror Stories. The writing was terrible and the acting was non-existent. They tried to make an interesting twist but it did not pay off. In fact, I'd be surprised if anyone even cared when the real killer is revealed. AHS' has take a nosedive since episode 1 and Nico Greetham cannot catch a break by starting in the two worst episodes of this show. Nice to see him play the same part as "hot guy who dies". Hopefully the rest of the season improves or we'll have a typical Ryan Murphy production, start great and end badly.
Stay Close (2021)
Tonally uneven
Strong premise as with all of Harlan Coben's adaptations but why are all the women ex-strippers? Great cast but they all think they're in something better than it actually is. Minus points for the creepy duo as it really took you out of the show. It's either a drama or dark comedy, not both.
Encanto (2021)
Borrowed songs and no plot
Lin Manuel Miranda has wrote In The Heights and Hamilton and copied the songs over to Encanto. The songs don't sound fresh for an original musical and musicals should be judged by the music. LMM just isn't as talented as he think he is and this details the film. There is also no real plot and this would be better suited as a short film or book. The one good song (we don't talk about bruno) sounds like a Havana ripoff too. Bless Disney for trying but this was a misfire. Bonus points for having a diverse lineup of characters.
The Bitch Who Stole Christmas (2021)
They green screened RuPaul into the film
1 star purely because even RuPaul couldn't be bothered to turn up on set for this... "movie". Krysta Rodriguez does her best with what she's given. It's camp and horrible but also so bad it's good?
RuPaul's Drag Race UK: Draglexa (2021)
1 is for Ru. The Queens get a 10
If this was the US version then the outcome would have been different. For some reason Ru thought this wasn't "it" but the last 5 seasons of Drag Race USA are literally at this level. River Medway deserved a win. Ru is delusional. Do better.
Jungle Cruise (2021)
Will easily kill an afternoon
Borrowing from the Pirates of the Caribbean and The Mummy plots, Jungle Cruise is an inoffensive and easy watch. The film relies heavily on the likeable leads Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt. Like many of Disney's films-based-on-Disney-rides, the plot is thin to say the least but it will entertain the young and bemuse the adults who might be less interested. Even the contrived Jack Whitehall allows the audience a few laughs despite Disney's first "openly gay" character still very much in the closet. If you want a family friendly action blockbuster then you could do much worse than this film.
Luca (2021)
Calamari by your name
Beautiful animation and a story of live and friendship. This is a wonderful film with a somewhat predictable plot but at a short runtime, it's a pleasure to spend time in this universe. Appeals to all ages and has a unique story telling perspective.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019)
Yelp
To quote the first episode "horrible, just horrible"
Cruella (2021)
Was Emma Stone the right choice?
Great film in terms of entertainment. Doesn't necessarily feel like 134 minutes but some of the plot is a little too on the nose. The best and worst thing was Emma Stone. The accent is a no just like hers in The Favourite. She also didn't give me "Cruella" like Glenn Close did. She's still very appealing to watch and makes the film.
Friends: The Reunion (2021)
Ruined by James Corden
A behind the scenes look at the 6 meeting up and reminiscing was enough and also the best part of the reunion. The obvious questions and terrible catwalk really made this a bit trashy. Why are people still hiring James Corden? Unfunny and unable to allow anyone else to talk. Was good but could have been much better.
Rare Beasts (2019)
What in the GCSE drama is this?
Billie Piper is no Emerald Fennell or Phoebe Waller Bridge. This film is like someone has seen one episode of Flebag and wanted to make a film in the same wacky way but this has completely flopped. It has no plot or message. It's genuinely quite a terrible film.
The Irregulars (2021)
I regretted putting this on
A diverse cast and swear words does not cover up a terrible show. It's boring, has the worst acting in a show that I've seen in a looooong time and commits the biggest crime in entertainment (it's boring). Just avoid at all costs.
Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Gripping tv show? I don't think!
This was dreadful! Got to the final episode and was hoping they'd all die. The plot is ludicrous and throws all the twists in the final 20 minutes. The main character is so dumb that we can't sympathies for her in the end. This could have been better with a better actress to play Adele and Tom Bateman losing the accent.
El Internado: Las Cumbres (2021)
Intriguing premise
This show has a great idea but just does not have the tools to make it. The idea behind the plot is a really interesting idea but the script let's it down completely. It also doesn't help that about 95% of the cast cannot act. There is also no tone to the show, one minute it's a fact teen drama and the next it's a supernatural thriller but it's as scenes were just thrown together in the edit. Having said that, it's weirdly addictive and I enjoyed it despite its many, many flaws. Side note, if you aren't gripped, don't continue because the end will not satisfy you.
Palmer (2021)
The worst thing I've ever seen
Genuinely terrible. Justin cannot act. Please stop hiring him. This was a paint by numbers performance and I would not recommend.
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Just when you think you know...
This film has enough surprises to keep you entertained throughout. It's nice to see Carey get such a wide viewed role and I've loved her since An Education. The direction, script, editing and music are incredible. I think about this film days and weeks after viewing. I can't wait to watch again.
Pieces of a Woman (2020)
Really wanted to love this but I can't
Vanessa Kirby and Ellen Burstyn give incredible performances but they are severely let down by the script. It seems a very made for tv kind of film. The whole apple thing was thrown into the film many times for just a throwaway line at the end. There were too many stories going on and none seemed to land as much as the main story. It felt like it was trying too hard and probably considers itself a better film than it is. Good but not perfect.
Black Narcissus (2020)
Boring and pointless
Really what was the purpose of this mini series? Beyond a waste of time to watch but also a waste of money and talent. I sat through 3 hours of this nonsense and honestly what is the point? Avoid.
The Christmas Setup (2020)
I didn't hate it
Leas cheesy dialogue than your average TV movie. The story feels fresh but perhaps because (finally) it's a gay couple. I'd take even the worst film to get some better representation on screen but this film is worth the watch. Obviously it's predictable but what Christmas film isn't?
Stage Mother (2020)
Boring
I wanted to love this as I like drag acts and Jackie Weaver but it was terrible. Predictable and slow. Also why Adrien Grenier and not a gay actor? He wasn't bad but it just felt odd.
The Prom (2020)
Stop casting James Corden
I wanted to hate this film because of James Corden's offensive depiction of a homosexual man but the rest of the film is great. The lead of the film shines and the songs are catchy AF. It really doesn't need Meryl or Nicole but they gain 2 stars for their casting alone.
Godmothered (2020)
Hilarious - Better than expected
This film should be terrible but it is far from it. Jillian Bell is a sensation in this film and Isla Fisher is great as always. It should come off as a cheesy children's film but it's actually hilarious. I recommend this a thousand times over. I look forward to rewatching it.
Tenet (2020)
Could be better
John David Washington is a great actor. Elizabeth Debicki should be more famous. It's nice to see Robert Pattinson back in mainstream movies. The plot is very confusing and I literally did not care for this film. Nicely shot though.