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Reviews
The Hill (2023)
A bit slurpy but
Perhaps the dialog does get a bit corny the movie carries a meaningful message that we all need to be reminded. Contrary to what some say was amateur acting, I feel the cast, although restricted somewhat by some corny dialog portrayed the characters well.
In summation, don't take every scene as "factual"........and don't accept the entire story as "fact". Not to spoil the movie for others but if so inclined, do a little research to obtain the actual facts regarding Ricky Hill, his medical condition and his eventual "major league " baseball career. Not quite as the movie portrays.
Since this review forum indicates my review is too short and needs more characters, I will say I enjoyed the seemingly genuine scenes of the ramshackle houses and cars. Being that I am a classic car lover, I found it enjoyable seeing cars in the movie that were far from restored but rather, in a condition that very well could have been expected for a poor area of Texas in the late '50's, early '60's.
If this isn't enough characters, well then, I guess I just wasted my time in typing as much as I have.
The Newsroom (2012)
Over rated
If the first two episodes are any indication as to how this series is going to proceed, I see this as being overly chaotic and totally unrealistic as to an actual newsroom. News stations are there to simply report the news - not make commentaries and become engaged in what is basically an inquisition of the so-called experts whom they choose to have in the air as guests. A TV newsroom is not the National Inquirer (or at least they should not be).
Frankly the scenes are "over acted", overly chaotic and "over the top". Watching this series, I cannot "get into it" because the scenes and plots are not believable. Of course all of this (my review) is merely my opinion but I certainly do not agree with all the rave reviews given this series.
The Lincoln Lawyer (2022)
Verisimilar
About 95% of the cinema dumped on us these days is so preposterous in content that it doesn't warrant a half hour watch. Although the plot did, at times, come close to the line of crying out, "that doesn't make sense", I felt this series carried the weight of verisimilitude reasonably well and certainly kept me engrossed. IMO (for whatever weight this might carry) the actor, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo did an outstanding job of not only portraying Micky Haller, by holding the script and narrative, together. I would like to see Garcia-Rulfo in more movies but regrettably, it seems he has not been offered the chance to embellish his career nearly as much as he deserves. Perhaps his agent is not pushing hard enough..............
A good, entertaining series that, for a change was not inundated with the F-word, explicit sex, gross (and ridiculous) violence. Good story line and sensible script lines which did not come across like some 18 year old kid wrote the lines.
Of course if you are one who get titillated by foul disgusting language, disgusting (and pointless) sexual scenes and gruesome (and unnecessary) violence, this is not the movie for you. No, I am not a "puritan" by any stretch but I just don't need or want immature SMUT. This series is made for "actual" mature audiences who possess logical, reasonable and intelligent minds.
Mystic River (2003)
Began as a 3 star - ended as barely a 2 stars
Although I don't like Sean Penn as either, a person or an actor, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Three-fourths of the movie is okay (just okay) but come to its ending and it bombed (but I'm sure Clint Eastwood thought it was terrific)............and Sean Penn didn't care one way or the other. He made big money for being cast in this farce.
Penn, (Jimmy Markum in the movie) sets out the avenge the murder of his daughter. Long story short, he kills the guy who he believes was the one who killed his daughter............but then finds out he killed the wrong guy...............but then shows no remorse what-so-ever. Hmmmm, did I "buy this" - I wouldn't buy this for a nickle.
Someone (either Clint Eastwood or the writers) took what could have been a decent movie and added salt to my soda pop. He (they) ruined what could have been a decent movie. At the very end, Kevin Bacon, who is a detective investigating the murder of Penn's daughter, spots Penn in a crowed and gives Penn the ole "trigger sign" with his hand as Penn smiles. Hmmmm, so are we suppose to conclude that both Penn and Bacon felt killing the wrong man was some kind of joke? In today's sick world, maybe so..........
Longmire (2012)
Written by grade school kids
One of the most absurdly written series that we have sat through (about 90% brain dead, obviously desperate to watch ANYTHING to get us through the unending coronvirus.) The writing is ridiculous, the acting is amateurish and the plots are terrible.............other than this, it does a good job of of sucking any once of intellect out of our brains........ but compared to 99% of all the other crap being passed off as adult entertainment these days, it's passable.
This review is indicating my review is "too short"...........hmmmm, how much more can I say about this inane series - other than to say; Gee I wonder what other idiotic movie or idiotic series we can watch after we finish watching this ridiculous series. Well anyway, it serves as a means to pass time as the insane world around us disintegrates around us. As bad as this series is, it's beats watching the news that report daily and nightly about; wild fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and every day random killings in Chicago and around the United States. If God is finally sick and tired of us wretched souls and is bringing the world to an end, might as well sit around watching totally ridiculous, inane TV shows that make absolutely NO sense. The WORLD doesn't make much sense anymore either.
Greyhound (2020)
Worth a watch and a watch again
#1 - There are not many WW II movies that involve navel battles (Das Boot comes to mind). #2 - Tom Hanks, IMO, is a great actor and his portrayal of Captain Krause (the commanding officer of the US Destroyer) was superb. #3 - The special effects / CGI animation / cinematography was excellent and for the most part, believable.
Of course, it seems that every movie produced has to include some wild, unbelievable scenes. Greyhound is no exception. I won't attempt to explain this or these parts (not wanting to spoil the movie for others).
Well worth watching if you are "into" WW II movies, especially navel battles.
The Father (2020)
What can I say - it's Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins is brilliant (as he is in 99% of the movies in which he stars). The movie - a bit convoluted in that one might question whether we are looking at the scenes through the eyes and mind of "Anthony" (the character) or through the lens of the camera.........or a bit of both angles but overall a moving, heart wrenching portrayal by not only Anthony Hopkins but Olivia Colman (who plays the part of his loving and distressed daughter), Anne. A movie probably not for everyone or all ages but for mature audiences (who DON'T NEED to hear an F-word every 5 minutes or view explicit sex scenes that serve no point or purpose).
The Ice Road (2021)
If they allowed Negative stars........
Let's see where do I start: If you're brain dead, you might enjoy this ridiculous farce of a movie. Must have been produced, directed and scripted by a 8 year old kid........not an exceptionally bright 8 year old kid at that. Movie too stupid to even try to explain. So why did I even watch this moronic thing? Must have been out of curiosity. Curious to see if this could get any more stupid...........it didn't disappoint.
Seven Days in Utopia (2011)
It's about a deeper meaning of life
Although the game of golf is the vehicle, the message "given" in this movie is; #1 - The real meaning of life and the importance keeping God in our lives and thoughts. #2 - It's a movie that proves it can be entertaining WITHOUT filthy words, bloody violence and sexual situations. (If a viewer feels they NEED the latter, I suggest you watch the news on television and read the newspapers........you'll get all the sex, violence and foul language you crave for.
Am ( I ) a religious zealot or some puritanical self-righteous nut? - no, I'm a sinner just like everyone else.
Reckoning (2019)
A NEGATIVE five points would be too good for this farce
No continuity - no real plot - just a series of idiotic disconnected scenes of mostly Mike Serrato (ho-hum acting played by, Aden Young) and Leo Doyle (unsuccessfully trying to be a convincing nut case, played by,Sam Trammell. I am convinced that even the actors realized they had been cast in a idiotic series that was going NOWHERE! And sure enough, the final episode lead us to exactly that - NOWHERE.
Why did I even bother to write all the above. This series could be summed up with one word - "STUPID".
Being isolated at home due to a highly contagious virus, leads one to waste time doing almost anything.........even sitting through 10 episodes of this inane excuse for entertainment. If anyone finds this "suspenseful", I would think that that person is absolutely thrilled out of their mind watching riots and looting in our city streets on the network news.
Seven Seconds (2018)
Are there ANY good (white) cops in this world?
Excellent series - well acted but maybe I'm just too naive the overall temperament sure didn't do any good as far as "lowering the animosity and distrust of Police officers" by the African-American community..........unless viewers "saw through" the few corrupt cops in the narcotics unit and focused more attention on Joe "Fish" Rinaldi (Michael Mosley), K.J. Harper's (Clare-Hope Ashitey) side kick and dedicated supporter (who just happened to be a white detective, by the way) and best character actor in the whole series, IMO - not because he is white.......but because he played an outstanding role. Frankly, (IMO once again) the play-off between Fish and KJ were the anchors that held everything together in this series.
I think Fish (Michael Mosley) and KJ Harper (Clare-Hope Ashitey) would be a great catalyst for a whole new series. Yes, like almost everyone, I to was disappointed with the ending but was not totally surprised.
One last comment. Not EVERYTHING has to be based on heavy social-racial issues. Believe it or not there are injustices on both sides of the fence; black, white, Hispanic,Asian.........whatever. Also, there is even true "justice" in this world despite what certain people want you NOT to believe.
The Undoing (2020)
Excellent cast - good acting - terrible ending
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Donald Sutherlland give fine performances.Edgar Ramirez as Detective Joe Mendoza, great actor, unfortunately his role seemed too contrived and a bit "over the top". Series held our interests (largely because of Kidman's superb acting skills but the ending was.........well, frankly, very unimaginative!