thebarebear Reviews

Minx (2022–2023)

Light and Funny - Easy Watch

[8/10 · 1 April 2022]

A period sitcom set in the San Fernando valley with likeable characters and plenty of zingers and sensational similes.

It's a fast moving, good mix of low and high brow writing serial TV show. Banging music with a message too.

The lead actor plays the annoying stereotypical feminist, she manages to be both preachy and funny in parts.

Plenty of flaccid dongs which makes me think material like this would not have been green lit before Game of Thrones broke that barrier by portraying penises on main stream TV.

And who doesn't find Jake Johnson relatable and watchable?

Stranger Things (2016– )

Binge watched this wonderful Netflix show all night. 7-8 episodes in a row 10/10

[10/10 · 17 July 2016]

I loved this show "Stranger Things'(no spoilers below).

It was a real nostalgia trip, with some excellent and strong performances by many child actors as well as from Winona Ryder and the many adult veteran actors in its strong ensemble cast.

Great suspense, a plot and narrative that moves quickly and likable characters that you can't help empathize with.

There are also some dastardly villains and plenty off a$%^% holes to hate and many people in between - the characterization was spot on.

I LOVED the setting. The nostalgia trip for the period is intoxicating, there's also some cool off-beat humour with the Goonies-like gang (who I find to be actually more likable than the kids in the Goonies).

Their Camaraderie anchors the series - I did not regret staying up all night watching.

As a former Dungeon Master myself (briefly), I could relate to the Dungeons & Dragons references, and I feel they used the motif well to accompany the plot and themes of the story.

Would like to see a 2nd season.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Star Wars : Marvel Style, A Nostalgic Space Opera Comedy

[8/10 · 31 July 2014]

Guardians of the Galaxy (GOTG) is an enjoyable, nostalgic Space Opera Comedy from Marvel Studios based on the comic of the same name.

Peter Quill,the hero of the story, comes across as sort of a more vulnerable man-child hybrid of Han Solo and Indiana Jones.

The film is full of epic space dogfights, brawls and chase scenes and the pacing of the film never "lets up". When the movie does slow down the comic relief is sharp and entertaining. Not jaw-achingly hilarious- but definitely chuckle-worthy and light.

My expectations going into the theater were high with this flick, as they always are with any Marvel Studios property, so I have to admit that I was hoping for a little more from GOTG.

That's why I gave it a score of 8/10. Very enjoyable, good soundtrack, plenty of laughs but just missing that 'x' factor to take it to 9/10 and above my 2 favourite films of the year so far : "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and "The Edge of Tomorrow".

We Are What We Are (2013)

Decent Redneck/ Rural Horror Flick

[7/10 · 29 October 2013]

WARNING SOME SPOILERS BELOW**

Decent scary movie, good production value and some good acting.

Personally, I feel the film critically examines religion, cults and libertarianism.

Some good scary moments, some good scenes.

I especially liked the forensic trail the coroner traced that was much too scientific and methodical for the local cops who are disinterested in the obviously alarming numbers of local disappearances. His discovery in his research of 'Kuru' syndrome piqued my curiosity and interest.

Dead Man Down (2013)

Enjoyable albeit a tad slow

[7/10 · 11 July 2013]

Beautiful photography (amazing background blur, lighting & bokeh) and fantastic production design.

The only things letting down this film are the pace (slow at times), and the lack of character development.

Very good performances from Raapace and Farrell, good chemistry and I thought Raapace was very beautiful as Beatrice. The way the kids treated her was very disturbing and I felt an accurate indictment of modern society and its emphasis on the superficial. The main themes of 'Family' & 'Love' were very well portrayed. Overall I would give this film 7.5/10, a gritty, violent depiction of Urban Decay and the injustice of the supposedly equal legal system.

Odd Thomas (2013)

Terrible, terrible FIlm, despite the acting talent

[4/10 · 3 July 2013]

Corny awful dialogue, especially the 'romance' scenes. Hilariously bad.

Despite a stellar cast including Willem Dafoe this is a terrible, terrible film. For some reason every time Odd calls Willem Dafoe's character, he ends up interrupting coitus. (Why?) It makes no sense.

I'm not a fanboy of this series or a teenager, but this movie was awfully sh*te.

The special effects aren't bad, photography and cinematography are average. THe dialogue and script are just crappier than crap.

Do you know That scene in SLumdog Millionaire where the kid gets drenched in faeces? That is what comes to my mind as an appropriate simile or metaphor for the writing in this film.