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mchportelli
Reviews
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
Entertainment, sequences and visuals
6.5 actually.
Yes, it's definitely an incredible story with a lot of unbelievable moments but all in all I was entertained and even captivated. Beautiful visuals really amaze and the acting is fair but not wonderful. I think it's a little bit mish mash with the whole idea. You've got a quaint little village looks like it's set in the 18th century, then you have bizarre looking monsters as well as people who look like they are from ancient Rome mixed in with modern Star Wars like ships and weapons. It's a bit confusing to work out which era we are in.
However, the pace is better than I expected and it kept me watching. I was not expecting to enjoy it as I don't normally watch this type of film.
The action scenes are great to watch apart from being completely unbelievable but all the same it's film and we don't expect reality.
I do recommend it if youre after fiction not fact.
Safe Home (2023)
Trying to stay interested
I'm more than half way through episode two out of four and it seemed to be going so well with a good ending for episode one which had me intrigued after a slow start, but I just can't seem to get past the terrible acting and the documentary-like feel of this series. I'm really bored. So much of the series is wasted on the staff who work in the law office and Phoebe's past work/life misery.
The reviews promised something amazing and insightful into the sad, dark world of family violence but I'm still yet to even see any stories of people's suffering. What's taking so long?? It's all focused on the main character and her story which I think has a twist but I'm just so over it already.
Really, really poor acting by everyone in this series it's so disappointing and so hard to watch now. I wanted to give it a good shot but I'm really lost at this stage.
Svart krabba (2022)
Never a dull moment.
In a post-Apocalyptic world, in total bleakness and misery is where we instantly find ourselves. While we don't know how the war started and why everyone seems to be living in a hell, we are thrown into the mission of six soldiers who have to embark on a treacherous journey across a frozen archipelago. This is where the suspense begins, I found it was totally thrilling. The not knowing what was out there in the darkness waiting for them, the danger of the mission seemed so palpable, my heart was racing and I was on edge for the majority of the film. Great acting all around by some very familiar actors if you've watched a few Swedish films you'll recognise them and they all do a great job.
I thought this film was very enjoyable and well worth watching. I hope it is appreciated as much I did, so much better than most American action films. Also an interesting ending, this really is not what I expected.
Dzien Matki (2023)
Better than expected
A lot better than I thought this film would be. If you like action and thrills and a bit of suspense then this should hit the spot. The story is simple it seems at first, a kid is kidnapped out of revenge on the main character the mother. She is very highly trained and a master at defending herself against a pack of thugs, and it looks like she can't be beat. A little exaggerated, a little unreal but it is one of those films; a lot of fighting and a lot of gruesomeness so take it or leave it.
What I liked about this film was when I thought the story had reached its conclusion, there was more and a bit more than I'd bargained for so that's why I gave it such a high rating. The acting was fine apart from her son and it wasn't drawn out it was fast paced and engrossing. Give it a try if this is what you're after.
Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Judge for yourself
So, it's obviously either you'll appreciate the way this story travels or you won't. It's that simple. I read very positive and very disappointed reviews before I watched this series. I went in with the encouraging reviews of keeping an open mind, and not being concerned about the negative reviews that this was a very unrealistic story.
The fact that it is so unrealistic and that there is a huge twist (you might think you're picking it up quite well after some hints as I did but I was completely shocked at the end) is the only reason I watched it right through. Some people were wishing the story was without all the "fairytales" but if you kept it real then it would have been a terribly boring and mindless story you've already seen a thousand times before. Two people lusting after each other unfaithfully, carrying out a love affair. Boring! The story actually became worth watching once it started out on a path towards fantasy.
I would recommend this series it's very entertaining and you'll just want to see what happens in that final twist. I did have to watch some of it in high speed at 1.25x but that was mostly the first half. Just enjoy it and don't analyse it, it's not based on a true story!
The Black Phone (2021)
Weak story, great acting
I will add my support to the reviewers who were disappointed with what could have been a really suspenseful and thrilling film. I won't elaborate on the story which is pretty straightforward: a serial killer abducting boys and a phone that rings with the voices of his previous victims to help the main character who is abducted to escape. The only good thing about the film is the acting and the way it was shot. The lead up to the abduction of Finney is suspenseful and keeps you watching but as you realise the film is drawing into the last 30 minutes you wonder what sort of thriller is this? We barely see The Grabber or what sort of terror he might show towards the boy.
Only in the climax of the film do we see any sort of horror or suspense and even that is so short lived it's disappointing indeed. The most "horror" you'll see are the very violent fights the teens have, otherwise very minimal.
Not to mention the very unrealistic parts. I won't mention them or I'll spoil it for you, if you're interested in watching a weak thriller/horror.
Fractured (2019)
You'll love it or hate it
You won't want to decide whether you choose to watch this film by the reviews you read here because you'll either call it a work or set or a waste of viewing time. I watched this film based on the positive and glowing reviews rating this film as such a well made thriller with such wonderful acting. I'll give it that much, the acting was fine especially from Aussie Sam Worthington but the story was overdone, unrealistic and filled with holes galore.
Yes the story is creative and you'll just never guess the ending! But of course, how could you guess such a silly ending?! Such a story couldn't ever be real.
And besides the fact that I didn't like the way the story ended, I found the film slow and drawn out with barely any so called thrills to even class this as thriller worthy. I only finished watching because I'd read how great it was. Each to their own I guess. But I watch films so I can enjoy those 90-120 minutes not sigh with utter disappointment.
You Don't Know Me (2021)
Just give it a chance because I almost gave up
Although I thought the story was strange (the defendant gives evidence in his closing statement instead of when he should) and even overdone in the way he tells an entire love story in front of a judge and jury, I still enjoyed the film for what it was. A complex and intriguing story that very, very gradually unfolds, it was only in the middle of episode 2 that it got juicy. Then finally I was hook, line and sinker.
I will definitely recommend this series. It shouldn't be taken too seriously just enjoyed for what it is a piece of fiction. The acting is not five star it's not what makes this film, I was expecting so much more from British actors and a British series for that matter but it still left me satisfied and glad I persisted. It's a shame I read all the poor reviews because it caused me to have a feeling of doubt the whole way through.
Lou (2022)
Don't expect anything worth watching here
What started off well enough and promised a possibly intriguing or at least thrilling movie experience turned out the complete opposite in my opinion.
Not to give anything away here, the story is about the kidnapping of Lou's neighbour's daughter. They live on a small remote island. We soon discover the identity of the kidnapper who has some serious mental issues. He is a sadistic psychopath but he barely sends chills down your spine like you might expect.
Lou is an ex-CIA spy so it looks like she just comes in real handy here. There is twist to the story but hardly a great one.
It is slow, lacking in thrills and a good story/plot. Also some very unbelievable fight scenes.
A Fall from Grace (2020)
Not as far fetched as others say
I started this film then switched off after the first 5 minutes because it didn't draw me in. Months later looking for something "light" to watch I gave it another try. Definitely not a fantastic film with amazing acting or a really compelling story but nonetheless I actually enjoyed watching it. Slow at times, the story goes back and forth and Grace tells the counsellor her story. At first you wonder what is there to base a story on but as it goes on it gets to the roots.
The story doesn't drag on too long at least and gets to the crucial stuff pretty quickly after Grace meets the man who sweeps her off her feet. It's interesting enough to keep you wanting to know what happens next.
The final twist is actually a crime that has taken place before in reality, I won't reveal it here but it isn't something that is completely unbelievable at all. Other reviews say it's totally fantastical but it's really not. The story in parts does seem exaggerated and the acting is a little poor but I surprised myself and enjoyed it. At least it got me watching until the end unlike other films have left me totally disappointed that I wasted two hours on.
Shining Girls (2022)
Very intriguing but the story doesn't quite make sense.
I watched all episodes with great anticipation and interest. It was very intriguing and kept you guessing and questioning what on earth is happening here? I felt there would be a good ending the way things were going. Elizabeth Moss performs much better than she has (sometimes find her acting forced and exaggerated).
Moss' character survives a murder and we see her keep moving through time. She forgets simple things like where she lives and the name of her cat. She connects her experience with other murders and starts to put the puzzle together only to find something beyond natural. She keeps moving through time and that's where the confusion starts. I don't want to add spoilers because I did enjoy watching this series so I think it's a good watch but I found that the story itself is pointless. Why does Harper commit these murders? Why does he need to connect these women? The story gives a reason why but it doesn't make sense to me. The only one I understand would be because he simply loathes them. To make this story about a serial killer and time travel is too convoluted. A simpler plot would have made this much easier to enjoy as it's a clever and original story.
Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)
A great start to a terribly weak story
Probably the most disappointing British drama I've seen. Fine acting, an interesting and intriguing beginning leads to a very unbelievable plot. It's obvious that this is only about the topic of consent which here we see in the instances of the series are extremely blurry and grey. No black and white. It's certainly binge worthy and I would have enjoyed it from beginning to end even for the faulty plot (highly coincidental!) but the ending was so weak and pointless left me feeling very hungry and empty.
A Quiet Place (2018)
Slow going so overrated
Simply put, don't believe what all the hype was about. I've certainly seen better in underrated films. Unbelievable and very basic plot. Hardly any thrills until the last 30 mins after 90mins of "little house on the prairie". Quite boring.
The Unusual Suspects (2021)
Non stop entertainment!
I'll keep it short... this is a funny, very entertaining female heist drama/comedy that is entertaining from start to finish. Great performances by the mostly female cast with a clever and surprising story and twist. How these women come together to steal a 16 million dollar necklace is the main plot and it thickens but I'll leave that to your viewing. Lots of laughs and thrills. The Filipino actresses are brilliant and Miranda Otto is a blast. One of the best Aussie series I've seen.
War of the Worlds (2019)
Engrossing
I've not seen any versions of H G Wells War of the Worlds which is probably the reason I enjoyed this series. It seems that others found it born but I found it thrilling without the usual jump out of your seat scenes. It was slow but not in a bad way, the characters did lack a bit of depth and emotion but maybe that added to the misery and the sense of hopelessness throughout the whole film. Quite enjoyable and kept me wanting more.