THAT ENDING. OH GOD NOOOO
The Big Ugly doesn't make any sense with its useless plot lines and characters. A colossal waste of time.
This hillbilly noir/British gangster flick is just a very, very, very basic revenge action movie, oh and and they mention oil a lot but you never get to see any oil. The action is really quite minimal, the plot is unclear, the characters - macho men, who repeat themselves over and over again.
The movie sets off with a really distinguished and intriguing look at the 1920s which I very much liked, but then transcends into a somewhat-basic new age comedy with the cliche "fish out of water" storyline. It does manage to get in a few laughs and sets a nice heart-warming message about family.
The kind of film you don't mind stumbling on some lazy Sunday afternoon, but not something to go looking for.
There's a reason that Sy Fy Channel comes up with 35 giant animal movies a year. They are fun. Here's one with good effects, A List talent and a budget. Don't expect smarter...expect bigger! Chicago takes a beating in this movie...so that's a bonus! Sit back, turn brain into "off" position and enjoy the ride. Certainly lived up to expectations...just didn't exceed them. 7/10
This is a great storyline with no backup or character development. I don't even know anything about the main characters by the time the movie ended. It could have been way better.
For some reason, I wasn't charmed. The concept is not new, but I feel like there was no chemistry between the characters. Or maybe it's their acting? Idk. But it's nice to see Batista's face without the full make up on.
That's the worst, lowest, worst security "max security" prison ever from all max security prisons!
Not without flaws, but if you find the premise intriguing, the series is really very binge-worthy. The acting is decent, the direction pretty good. I'll be excepting the second season with excitement
“You really can't unsee it once you've seen it.”
Guy Ritchie returns to his gangster roots in the underbelly of jolly good England. It’s crazy to think that this is the same guy who brought us last years ‘Aladdin.’ But this time Ritchie isn’t on a leash.
I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy ‘The Gentleman’ as much as I did. A little muddle and sometimes confusing to follow, but the movie has a certain sharpness to it that kept me interested throughout. It’s more in vein with ‘Lock Shock’ and ‘Snatch’. Ritchie has made a successful career being influenced by the work of Quentin Tarantino, hence his given title “British Tarantino”.
The cast are all having an absolute blast with the material and I can tell everyone wants to be there.
Hugh Grant is my personal favorite out of the cast and it’s great to see his enthusiasm in acting again. He plays Fletcher, a gay detective who documents the events in the story into a screenplay he’s writing, so in a way it’s told from his perspective. While debatable if everything in the movie was made up or not, cause “every movie needs a bit of action”. The thing I love about Grants performance is that he isn’t playing "typical Hugh Grant", but an actual character. Although I thought the running gag of him being openly gay and constantly makes flirty hints towards other male characters got old and awkward after awhile. A joke that out stay’s it’s welcome...kinda like Fletcher.
I’m not a big fan of Charlie Hunnam as an actor, as I usually find him bland in everything I’ve seen him so far. However I thought Hunnam delivered a solid performance in this movie and might be his best. He plays Ray, Mickey’s (McConaughey) right hand man who is professional when it comes to business despite the countless idiots in his path. Imagine Russell Bufalino from ‘The Irishman’, but more physical and incredibly British. His comedic timing was pretty good as well that maybe if you give him the right material and character, he’s a better actor than I thought.
Colin Farrell was terrific as Coach and my second favorite out of the cast. He’s ridiculously cool and shows who’s boss, but also display’s some comedic chops. Matthew McConaughey was chilled as Mickey, who is the weed Lord of England that likes things in green, which is money and marijuana. Out of all the colorful characters in the movie, I thought Mickey was the least interesting if I have to be honest. Either because of McConaughey's chilled nature or the less exciting material given to his character.
The style and overall tone of the movie made the whole experience so fun to watch. Everything about the movie is quick. The dialogue is snappy and there’s plenty of clever banter between characters. It’s incredibly clear that Guy Richie loves cinema whenever he’s not held back like some of his previous projects and gets to freely express his passion behind the craft.
The humor and jokes ain't for the faint of heart, but luckily I’m not that soft. Some of jokes didn’t quite land the mark and often times left me puzzled in terms of waiting for the punchline.
Overall rating: A disjointed, but entertaining movie. Misleading title though. There’s plenty of man, but not so much on gentle.
An enjoyable messy Guy Ritchie movie. It feels like Snatch but not as good. Hugh Grant is fun and Colin Farrell is great but not on screen enough.
It's ok, the voice over narrative is off-putting but otherwise entertaining.
It wasn't awful, not great just kind of good. Got a bit boring near the end. There was some good acting from most of the cast though.
It's good. Not bad but not great either. It would have benefitted greatly by having 10 episodes. Season felt way too rushed.
Good:
Acting is really good all over. Henry Cavill really feels like he was born to play this part.
The swordfighting is absolutely beautiful and fantastically done. Especially Geralt. Although the bigger battles (not one on ones) are really not that great.
Music/soundtrack is really phenomenal. Got goosebumps at times.
Costume design was really well done. And cinematography was pretty good.
Bad:
The different timelines. Not only is it a bit confusing at times (although that can be forgiven with a decent payoff which IMO does not exist in this show) but it just kills any flow of the show whatsoever and the pacing was really bad at times. I think the show would be a lot better with 10 episodes and focusing the first two or three only Geralt and explaining the world we're in.
Worldbuilding. I feel like they expect only book readers to watch this show. They namedrop/show a lot of stuff but never bother explaining anything to non book readers. Of course a bit of mystery is always good but viewers need to understand this world, how it functions and what rules there are (in regard for magic for example).
Dialogue feels really clunky at times. Geralt is fine but everyone else just felt weird at times.
The CGI was okay but I kinda expected better.
I have hopes that Season 2 will be better with a more linear/cohesive story. Right now only the writing is holding this show back from becoming great. I can see a lot of potential for future seasons.
EDIT AFTER SEASON 2 (and after having read the books in between seasons)
It's a decent and entertaining show on it's own. It's just knowing the books, Henry Cavills absolute love for them and the budget behind the show it could be so much more than just decent.
As a show on it's own it's a solid 8/10. But as an adaption of incredible books? 2/10.
What could have been a dumb but fun action flick turns into a dumb underwater heist movie. Thank goodness for JK Simmons who breathes some much needed life into this waterlogged adventure.
A classic tale retold in modern times. A shtick we've all seen before in many movies. Though, not a lot can say that they are up to the standards of The Kid Who Would Be King. This film takes the story of King Arthur and flips it. Using the basis narrative to be the forefront of a very meaningful parable.
Yes, this is a good King Arthur movie. It sells itself to be an action movie for kids, but it isn't. It's better than that. It's a family drama with a mystical element thrown in. With commentary that holds true to the characters and even audience watching. Forming to be a journey of lessons that relate directly to family struggles and world views. It was powerful with the aid of visual effects that gracefully captured action and stylised story-telling.
Alex, our main protagonist was acted wonderfully by Andy Serkis' kid, Luis. Showing off lovely emotion when needed and giving a realistic sense of childlike wonder and confusion in sensible ways. All the other cast did have issues though. Not really caring for Tom Taylor's character and neither for Rhianna Dorris'. Feeling too rushed into the story was also a let down with these two. But Angus Imrie did a wonderful job at his portrayal of Merlin. I actually liked him so much that when Patrick Stuart came in, I didn't even give it a second thought as to who I want back more. They both stuck the landing in likeability. But that magic hand movement was maybe a bit too wacky? I don't know how I feel about it, to be honest.
Now the villain is more a metaphor here that didn't need to be shown off a lot. But alas, we got to see them and what a bad casting choice it was for Rebecca Ferguson. She wasn't menacing enough and didn't pose a big enough threat. She would have been better being shielded within shadows for the whole movie. Because what she represents was much better than her reveal. Though, we did get some nice looking action scenes from it. But more questions as well, involving the safety of some people in the last act.
The Kid Who Would Be King is a fantastic family movie. Having a tremendous moral lining that kids should take with them. A bit forceful at times when it came to the delivery. It still gripped me with its visuals. The fight scenes at night were gorgeous and satisfied me for action. I am impressed with how much love and effort was put into this instead of leaving it to be another generic classic retelling of a story for kids. There was care here, and it shows greatly. A true and welcoming surprise.
8.2/10
Really not sure what to think of this movie. It's quite boring. Usually enjoy movies with older actors, but this was nothing but a boring c*ck-fest…
Boring story, boring dialogues, boring conclusion, boring everything…
Not good.
The cinematography is like the director was intent of causing an epileptic seizure and obviously heavily inspired by the movie Sunshine.
It's an interesting concept but both Ex Machina and Morgan did it way better.
The gratuitous nudity throughout gives the whole thing an aura of softcore porn which is obviously enhanced by the fact that they cast Stoya as the droid but if there's one redeeming feature about this it's that she really can act.
Next time she might even get a role where she's dressed for more than 50% of the feature.
A great world war 2 documentary, it feels a little bit fast at some points. But that is to be expected when trying to put 7 years of war in 12 hours.
Although the series is quite good I a bit disappointed that it only covers the battles. And doesn't give an in depth view of WW2.
Of course it was a brilliant marketing idea - they had the script, they had the music, they had all the creative part. The rest is mechanical work.
The result is pretty much mechanical too. All the magic is gone. Every scene looks artificial and lifeless, every phrase or action is just a filler. The filler is Emma Watson herself - her acting is simply walking from point A to point B with the hands down and turning the head on director's order.
They brought nothing new to the adaptation, so it turned out to be as dusty and rusty as a cursed castle. Shame on them.
Disney continues to throw money at these live-action remakes and whilst at least Maleficent tried something a little different, it seems that the success of these remakes have made Disney less willing to try something a little different, resulting in a film that is virtually identical to the original animated version barring a couple of additional moments or songs. It is such a shame because the casting is fine and the story as you would expect has all the strengths and flaws of the original - the problematic nature of the heroine falling for her captor is amplified even more here by the shortened passage of time between capture and eventual release. It all makes for a watchable if rather pointless exercise. Notwithstanding the box-office success, the overriding feeling is why bother remaking what was already a classic film in its own right ?
Ooo eee ooo ahh ahh..ting tang..wallawalla ape bang
Wasn't sure where the episode was going, the only thing I knew for sure was that Two was dead. Well... seems I got that wrong, in the most epic twist.
As the traitor crew takes over the ship, the men of the Raza are held prisoners in their own ship slowly dying from lack of air.
Five, as the ships tech geek, is used to fix the broken FTL drive. But in order to fix the drive someone has to go outside. As one of the minions is sent out, they inexplicably lose air and drift off into space, while something comes back in. And yes, you guessed it, that something is Two. And there is something really really weird going on with her. Like, she might not be human weird.
Two takes out, in the most badass fight scenes, the traitor team and takes control of the ship. Gotta say, my favorite part of the show is how fucking badass Two is. The guys might out number her, but she can out badass them any day.
So far Two is the one with the least backstory, the one we know VERY little about but also the most compelling on the show. As the Android tells her, she was bioengineered, made to specifications but with living organs. She is not supposed to legally exist. But who made her? Was she taken from a previously killed person? Was she ever really a person? Did she escape whoever made her? So many questions. But one thing is for sure, Two is absolutely my favorite character and the actor who portrays her exudes command and control.
Two is more compelling than the four guys put together, and I say this knowing that each of the four guys have interesting and complex backstories.
Another interesting story point is the malfunction of the device they were previously sent to steal. It blows up a whole planet!?!? Was this done on purpose by the corporation? Or was it a real malfunction and they are going to be blamed for it?
Heist episode.
Starts with a great (and badass) moment where The Raza is ambushed by their old Corp partners, via a crazy move save themselves, and their new cor partners arrive in the nick of time to "help". This was a great setup but I wish we would have focused more on that. Things get complicated and backstabby when the corps are involved, almost like an intergalactic coporate version of mean girls.
The intro is a set up for the Heist. Their new corp partners wants them to steal something super top secret, but this time with a secondary team, the very much antiRaza (cold and calculating).
After Two kicks some serious ass after douche hits on her, Five is brought in to the team. Rest of the ep follows a standard heist with the expected complications. But they get it done. Does have two great fight scenes, which is always something I love and something I usually feel is missing from this series.
The twist at the end is the second team turning against them. Holding Five hosted in exchange for the stolen material. Suprisingly its Three who gives it up. But in the end Two is shot out of the airlock.
Overall at fair episode. Again, this show keep setting up interesting things but I feel they go a very conventional route.
And all the dynamics I liked from the previous episode are gone.
The show returns to talkyness, choppy storytelling and disjointed acting. Get lots of talky story about Four, One reveals to Two his dislike with Three, and again no storylines that pull at you. Filler.
Episode is a connector episode, fills almost filler and not really moving the story forward.
Episode sets up the pay off that was placed earlier in the season when Six saw the ad for human clones/conscious transfering. We start off the episode with Six being killed and disintegrating immediately. Cut to Six waking up in at a clinic in a Pod. Surprise! It was his clone who died. So many questions!! Why did he have a clone? How long has he had it? Did he join the Raza before or after cloning? Will the original Six have all his memories now that the clone is gone? Is he going to rejoin the team? How will the team react to this revelation?
No wait! Six isn't the clone, Six cloned himself. To be able to move away from the Raza. This is even better than a reveal, it's not for backstory but to push the story forward. Was not expecting this use of the clone tidbit.
Really enjoyed the bit where the group goes out for dinner and ends up drunk. Showing them just hanging out and not trying to not get killed. Also, Three mourning his lost lady love while being drunk is great.
One and Four follow Six via clones, and another Surprise! We are confirmed that One, or the face of One isn't really his. When his real self is revealed via the clone. Again, we are confirmed what was planted in an earlier episode when One meets himself, who implies he altered his feautres to look like the criminal. Now the question, why? Why go through the trouble of looking like an outlaw? Why did he want to be on the ship? So many questions!
Also loved how Four believes he is One when he calls Three a jerk. Like, yes, I've met him.
Six goes after the General who made him a murderer (and fugitive) not a freedom fighter. As he finally kills him only to discover he killed a clone.... well, this clone thing just makes this more complicated. So close, yet so far.
Shit hits the fan for One as the team finds out his truth.
Another reveal! One is a corporate heir and went on the ship to go after Three for his wife's murder.
Well, this is getting more complicated, and interesting, with each episode.
This episode is the show finally hitting it's stride. The writing sets up and pays off many elements that have been placed earlier. And the actors are finally messhing into a workable dynamic.
The crew finally figures out the room that has been the focus of Three's attention and interest. The room is a cargo room, full of weapons, etc, etc, but also comes with a frozen human and an "entertainment" android.
Three's obession with the room reconnects him to his past. The frozen woman is his (former) lover with a terminal disease, Three/Marcus had placed her in statis to extend her life for a possible cure. She saved him after being left behind for dead, she nursed him back to life and fell in love. It's interesting to see Three in an emotionally compromised situation, as he's only even been portayed as a cold-hearted, opportunistic SOB. We are shown that Three does have a heart, it was just frozen inside a dying woman. When they thawed her, they also thawed him.
Meanwhile, One focuses his attention (and interest) on the Ent android, after Two rebukes his advances. His integration of the new droid sets up a rivalry with the ships Android, making her feel ignored and unappreciated. This is an interesting notion as the android begins having "human-like" behavior, maybe even possible emotions.
Unbeknownst to the crew, they have opened up Pandora's box: the entertainment android is a trojan horse, revenge on the group from an old target. The android was sent to kill the crew and take control of the ship. Three places Sara in the stasis pod hoping to save her, while he goes out to kill the killerbot, but unfortunately the pod malfunctions, letting her die
Unfortunately for Three, unthawing his heart has caused his love to die, as the disease advanced rapidly and takes hold of her, the very thing that he was trying to prevent when he placed her in stasis. Sara is used to represent his heart, his humanity, that he is much more than a killer.
On the flip side, One's self indulgence, his view of being a "nice guy" who doesn't get the girl, and activating the bot for his amusement has a domino effect that ultimate leads to the death of an innocent woman.
Note: though the bot does notice that Two is physically attracted by One, I dislike that Two makes a move on One after his selfishness lead to the death of another. Also, it feels like it rewards his behavior and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Like he is just too much of a nice guy to have to account for his immaturity and their consequences. I don't like One, he is the quitesential nice guy, who is actually an immature, self absorbed who covers himself in victim/nice guy.
The concept that memories of the team are implanted, by accident, into a child, Five,and can only be accessed via dreams is interesting.
We see the childhood and history that lead Four to the Raza. He is a young prince and heir to a dynasty. Coming from a ruthless father, he learned no mercy and coldness. By dynasty politics are complicated, more so when he finds out he was framed for the murder of his father, the emperor, by his stepmother. We finally get an answer as to where he learned his sword and fighting skills. Four is the embodiment of his upbringing: distant, reserved and precise, all the makings of an emperor.
We also learn Five was an orphan and also lived with another group of street kids; they stole something that was very valuable and went after them. The young boy that they had found on the cargo hold was her friend who had been stabbed in the attack. Five is a stowaway.
Six learns he was an outlaw but also activist, trying to fight for what was right, but the cost of change, the cost of war, especially the cost of innocents for that change was too much for him to bear. He is a wanted terrorist, killer of thousands of innocents, scum of the earth. He is set up by his commander, when he learns of the betrayal and manipulation, he kills them all.
Kudos to the show for constructing complex and diverse backstories for the crew. Each character isn't a simple bad guy or mercenary, rather complex individuals that have learned that good and evil aren't opposites, but a gray scale and depends of context.
Still not loving the acting on the show. It usually feels very phoned in and flat. More of actors saying lines than acting.
Though I'm still unsure about the cast dynamics, the storytelling is moving toward a stride. With each new encounter, we uncover a little about the amnesiac crew, but ultimately leading to more questions. This episode was all about mysteries hidden from 2. Who is she? Why is she immune to a zombie-making virus? Why is she such a skilled fighter? The focus on Two in this ep made it much more interesting. She holds your attention and carries most of the ep.
Episode focuses mainly on monster/mystery of the ship they encounter. It's another stuck-in-a episode, this time with a virus on another vessel.
Though the back stories are taking focus. The interesting story is how it's implied that the crew might be clones or at least some of them. 6 sees a commercial about cloning ones self, which is given alot of attention, also 1 is revealed to be a clone when he comes across his original. While 4 is revealed to be a prince, who also possibly killed his father and part of a dynasty.
Still having trouble getting into the pacing of the show. The stories keep focusing on a whole fish out of water/we have no memories or how things work (which is a bit contradictory to how 2 made a complicated solution from the 2 part pilot).
Also, the cast dynamics still don't mesh well. As of now 2 as the lead is the strongest in holding my attention. For a scifi show about mercenaries, there is little action and alot of dialogue to push the story forward. Want less dialogue and more movement in the story.
