tpeterson1959 Reviews

Barbie (I) (2023)

Meets the Definition

[10/10 · 25 February 2024]

The definition of a successful film is its watchability. Given the choice to watch anything else, would you prefer to watch this film over another film, television show, read a book, do housework or yard work, etcétera.

The simple answer is that Barbie fits this definition of a successful movie. On the surface it's a high concept comedy, but the truth is it has some deep lessons about what it means to be a woman or man in the real world.

Having daughters that are now adult women I've witnessed the same struggles that Barbie overcomes in the movie. I also was exposed to enough of the versions of Barbie that the inside jokes didn't go over my head.

As for the definition, I recently had the opportunity to choose between Barbie and Oppenheimer, another film that fits the definition, and I chose Barbie.

The Boys in the Boat (2023)

The Movie Missed the Boat

[3/10 · 20 January 2024]

The movie missed the boat. So many storylines from the book were replaced with fiction that it's not even the same story.

Apparently, a professional screenwriter with good bonafides didn't use any source material, or at the most skimmed the reviews.

The book was one of the best I've read in years. It was engaging, told a story focused on an individual who struggled to understand his role in life when dealt a hand that would have killed most people, and then learned how to be part of a team - that was made of young men who were really no different from him. Every one of the had to row to make it through college, none of the rowed for the passion of crew. Yet the script missed this entire story.

When it came to the actual sport of crew, once again facts were replaced with whimsy. One of the keys that contributed to the success of the Husky crew were the weeks of winter practice with below freezing wind chill. Every race in the movie was sunny. The drama of getting to the Olympics was the fact that they turned in the fastest time in an intercollegiate race, which allowed them to race against other crews, some colligate and some community, to earn a spot on the Olympic team.

So much real life drama was ignored to insert false storylines that the real story is ignored.

Now, it would be one thing for me to criticize this film if I was simply a movie goer disappointed with the adaptation of a book I liked, however, I'm also a screenwriter.

The actual film was almost as disappointing. The directing was stiff, the act-ors lines de-liver-d deliberately, the editing passable. Clooney isn't a great director, yet. Maybe someday, but definitely not with this film.

Bottom line, wait for it to be free on streaming.

Renfield (2023)

Enjoyably Silly

[10/10 · 28 October 2023]

Well done and lots of fun! It's definitely not a film for the PG-13 audience, but otherwise it's enjoyable, a well told, modern take on Dracula. The end credits are the best I've seen in many, many years. The acting is surprisingly good, the action appropriate for the comedy horror genre, and the sfx and vsfx are great. While some may not appreciate the storyline, rest assured it is solid and doesn't require anything beyond the most basic of Dracula-lore knowledge. Some new concepts are introduced but absolutely work with the historical "facts" as laid out in Bram Stoker's novel. It absolutely earned my rating.

Happiness for Beginners (2023)

Locations Are Nice

[6/10 · 29 July 2023]

Story was far from great, in fact it was very paint by numbers. As much as I really wanted to like the film, it just wasn't a great story. Characters were tropes, and poorly developed except for the two main characters, who were only slightly more developed. Exposition was akward, particularly Hellen's exposition about why she was there. Jake's reason was easily identified early on, as was the romantic "twist." I'm pretty sure that had the crew been asked there would have been at least a couple of people who were experienced backpackers who could have helped with authenticity. The complete lack of any real understanding of backpacking versus car camping was very distracting. Overall, the story was disappointing, but was barely saved by pleasant locations.

The Fabelmans (2022)

Disappointing

[3/10 · 19 May 2023]

Given the pedigree of the writers, I can only surmise that Spielberg thought his words were precious. Even more so, he thought, every camera angle, every slow zoom, every close-up, and every post edit cut was equally precious.

I can understand that, to him his life story is precious. But this was so slow and frankly, so unoriginal and clumsy that it is easily his worst film probably since his early years in film school.

I desperately wanted to see this when it was in the theater, but my spouse said no. When I wanted to watch it with her when it was streaming, she said no. I finally watched it on my own, and I can honestly say she made the right call. I believe I wasted my afternoon.

I believe that had Spielberg another person to helm the project, this quite possibly could have been the film he had hoped it would be.

Language Lessons (2021)

Heartfelt and Natural

[10/10 · 7 November 2021]

Natalie Morales shows her writing, directing, and acting chops in this excellent story and film. The emotional growth mirrors the character development and provides a satisfying conclusion.

The Morning Show: La Amara Vita (2021) Season 2, Episode 7

Almost

[2/10 · 30 October 2021]

This episode almost jumped the shark, however, as in nature, occasionally the shark snatches its prey out of thin air in a feat of natural selection that can only be described with the words deus ex machina.

Without Remorse (II) (2021)

Less than five minutes in...

[2/10 · 22 May 2021]

Where does Amazon go for their writers??? And the EPs should be fired. This was one of Clancy's best books, most easily turned into a solid feature or limited series, but in less than five minutes Amazon proved it could do neither. The storyline was completely changed, made to be more PC, which is somewhat understandable but could have been done in a much less blatant manner. Describing a small unit action, the element was immediately taken over by a non-participant and then was further disrupted when a subordinate suddenly directs the team leader as to actions. This took place in less than five minutes. If it wasn't for all the good non-Amazon content I would be completely done with Amazon Prime. As it is, I am done considering Amazon Prime isn't even halfway decent production studio.

Eat Wheaties! (2020)

Very Enjoyable

[9/10 · 1 May 2021]

We rented this because we like the actors, and it was a delight. The story is somewhat predictable, but not enough so to ruin your preconceptions. There are some beautifully cinematic shots mixed in among the comedy and tragedy told through the story of a man who is wrongfully accused of stalking.

Your Honor (II) (2020–2023)

One Star Can't Carry This One Star Series

[1/10 · 26 March 2021]

Another typical Amazon Prime "hit" that is only a hit in the minds of Prime Studios executives. From the beginning where a judge violates court proceedings to the point of censure (which never happens) to the nonsensical actions of a judge's only child, this is as unwatchable as Hanah and Jack Ryan for the exact same reasons - it is so removed from reality that much more than simple suspension of beliefs is required to follow the plot. And it is so slow that it's painful. One star, Bryan Cranston, can't carry this train wreck.

The Lost Pirate Kingdom (2021– )

The Lost "Lost Pirate Kingdom" Potential

[3/10 · 22 March 2021]

This "documentary" is a loosely woven narrative that mixes fact, fiction, speculation, romance, and violence. The production values were wasted on a mediocre story that is littered with modern, distracting idioms. Intercut commentary from authors and historians, attempts to add an air of authenticity that falls short of Discovery Network reality shows like Finding Bigfoot. It's acceptable background noise.

Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

Smart and Funny

[10/10 · 24 January 2021]

Very well written and well acted, the series brings together fresh faces, a strong storyline, and a fun premise. The series captures a number of themes quite well: the connection between twins - both real and imagined, the drama and humor of being at a private Christian high school both for the students and the parents without being preachy or anti religious, and an original take on the bounty hunter theme. I highly recommend this series.

The Undoing (2020)

Very Poorly Written. Is it really David Kelley?

[3/10 · 17 November 2020]

For someone who made his career off procedurals, this one is so poorly written it seems as if the writer guessed at what should happen next. Above all, how is it that this murder garners the degree of police attention, neigh laser-like extreme focus under a microscope, and inordinate media attention that is portrayed in this flop. I like all the actors, but all of them are "act-ing." The pacing would put a snail to sleep. The cinematography is a failed attempt at art-house chic. The only redeeming aspect is my curiosity as to how they will extricate themselves from their fiasco.

Turnover (2019)

Friends

[2/10 · 6 August 2020]

When friends review your movie... You'll get 9s and 10s.

Somehow this got produced. Too many weak storylines, too much forced or bad acting, way too much bad dialogue.

There are some bright spots, some (3) of the actors can actually act. The main storyline is nice, but unremarkable.

Miss Juneteenth (2020)

Solid Storytelling and BBQ

[10/10 · 20 June 2020]

This is just a good, solid character-based story that delivers. The pacing is perfect for this type of narrative, the characters were well developed and realistic, the dialogue spot on. Throw in the true-to-life BBQ pit and it's the right mix to make a good film.

Snowden (2016)

Good but with avoidable flaws

[8/10 · 8 August 2018]

First, I spent a career hunting people like Snowden, so I am definitely not a fan. But, this a generally really well written, told, and filmed story and it generated sympathy for Snowden as a story like this should. Where I fault the film is in stupid mistakes that could have been avoided with minimal research or fact checking. A prime example are all the basic training scenes where Snowden answers an Army Drill Sergeant by calling him sir. Absolute fail. Asking any of the vets at the any of the guilds (WGA, SAG, DGA, etc - including the craft services) about the use of "sir" in the various services would have cleared up this distracting mistake (an enlisted soldier is never called sir, while and enlisted Marine may be). There are many other factually inaccurate issues as well that only affect the story because they become a distraction. The distractions lower score of an otherwise really good film.