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Reviews
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Uninspired Bore
I have three big problems with this film. First, there is nothing fun about seeing kids slowly discover the Ghostbusters and all they did when its fans already knew about them 30 years ago. It's a serious and needless regression made worse by the completely unengaging personalities of the young actors and the revisiting of familiar villains. If they wanted to introduce the Ghostbusters to a younger audience then they should have just started clean.
Secondly, we are deluged with references to the first film, including its soundtrack--as if desperately trying to tie this film to the series--which only reminds one of how different this film is and how badly it pales compared to the first one.
On top of all that, the way Egon is presented in the film regarding his post-Ghostbusters life is so utterly contrary to his character in the films that it is absurd. No one would believe Egon would act that way...it totally eradicates any meaning to his character as portrayed by Harold Ramis.
Overall, Afterlife is a boring attempt to regenerate a series that is best left alone.
Becoming Bond (2017)
Too Bogged in Stupidity
At first, Lazenby's recollections regarding his youthful antics--despite sounding greatly exaggerated--somewhat humanize the actor as a flawed individual that many can relate to. However, even as he grows up and becomes a successful model before playing Bond, he continues to make bumbling boneheaded decisions and never seems to learn or wise up, much less grow up. Eventually, it gets to where you begin to view him as a complete dope who deserved all the problems he had following Bond. Aside from the money, I don't know why Lazenby did the film because it only makes one take him even less seriously than before. Nothing about the film redeems him in any way.
A Kiss Before Dying (1956)
Robotic Acting, Absurd Plot
Joanne Woodward referred to this as her worst film ever, and it's clear why. There is an utter lack of chemistry and dynamic among the characters, who appear to be just muttering their lines detached from one another. Worse is the ridiculous notion in the story that a murderer can get away with any killing by simply leaving a suicide note by the body and the police won't investigate any further. In every respect--thrills, performances, plot, direction--"A Kiss Before Dying" falls short and is a dull effort.
Dexter: New Blood: Sins of the Father (2022)
Disgraceful Finale
The episode's writers clearly know nothing about how the police operate, for they use every cheap plot device to put Dexter in a fake bind that would never happen. For starters, why is Bishop even investigating a case that's not in her jurisdiction? Also, having been a forensic investigator, Dexter would know there is no case against him and would not need to make the horrendous decisions he makes. None of the characters' sudden changes in behavior make sense. It's amazing the money these writers make given the utter shoddiness of their storytelling here. I could write better any day. If you don't believe me, read THE LONE ESCAPIST.
Renegades (1989)
Reservoir Dogs Stole From This
Run-of-the-mill late-80s buddy thriller, but what stood out to me is how much "Reservoir Dogs" three years later seems to have lifted its setup from it: Police officer Keifer Sutherland infiltrates a gang, goes with them on a jewelry heist, does nothing to stop it but objects when they kill a clerk before they get away from the police in a big chase. When the scene ends, the gang leader shoots him for causing them trouble, leaving Sutherland badly wounded like Mr. Orange. I seem to be the only one who noticed this.
Taps (1981)
Half-Baked Plot
Although an interesting premise of military school cadets occupying their campus in an effort to save it, 'Taps' offers no explanation for why so many would initially follow such a high-risk scheme to begin with, much less for why they would stick with it when it leads only to misery for the cadets. Also, the parental carping from the enraged adults who negotiate with Hutton in order to get him to stop becomes a little tiring, especially when more competent negotiators would seem to be in demand for such a potentially deadly scenario. Worse is that the ending attempts to meet the two extreme possible conclusions to the dilemma but ends up falling short on both counts. Hutton, however, gives a strong, convincing performance while Penn might have, but, as this was his first film, he clearly had not found his stage voice by this point and sounds like a croaky teen throughout. Overall, 'Taps' feels like a story that may have sounded good when it popped into the writer's head, but was not fleshed out with the development it needed.