kirsticlaymore Reviews

Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)

Disappointing Star Wars wannabe

[6/10 · 26 December 2023]

Watching this film, it felt like it was created by committee and written for an audience that the director thinks is not particularly clever.

There were so many elements in this that seemed like they had been added because someone thought "hey wouldn't it be cool if there was a... *cool flying bird you can ride* or *a bar scene that looks like the one in Star Wars*

The script also needed some work. The parts of the story were just thrown in as backstory or someone explaining the bleeding obvious. A little more respect shown for the audience would have allowed us to know some of that through watching, understanding or less didactic dialogue.

On the plus side, it looks great. Visually there is always great depth and detail. I enjoyed it enough to want to see the next one, although I suspect my guesses about major plot developments will be correct.

Rampage (2018)

Very silly but fun

[6/10 · 15 January 2023]

If you have seen one Dwayne Johnson film and enjoyed it, you will enjoy this.

It is rather silly with gaping plot holes, but it doesn't really matter - you aren't here for the quality of the script.

Giant creatures, comic relief, special effects. If that floats your boat, you'll enjoy it.

The villains are predictably one-dimensional and probably the most disappointing characters in the film. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is fun as a government guy from an unspecified agency. The Rock does what he does best and manages to avoid dying in any number of improbable situations. This film is all about George the giant gorilla and he's probably the best character in the entire film.

Breach (IV) (2020)

No redeeming qualities

[1/10 · 29 May 2022]

Do you think the creators of this film were aiming for cult "terrible film" status? This is seriously one of the worst movies I've ever watched. I don't know why I watched it to the end, but I wish I hadn't as the ending was worse than the rest of the movie. Script was awful, production awful, even Bruce Willis was not great. Although he was better than the rest of the cast. Don't waste your time.

The Tangle (2019)

Great idea ruined by a script that just tries too hard

[3/10 · 31 July 2021]

The premise looked interesting, but within the first 5 minutes I was annoyed by the dialogue and the pretentiousness of the acting. Within about 15 minutes I had solved the murder mystery. Then I got bored with the poetry that served no purpose in the plot and I fell asleep and woke up towards end, just in time for some more poetry and the revelation the the murder was indeed just as I had predicted 15 minutes in.

The three stars are for the idea and the acting of the guy who plays Carter. The rest of it is a big nope.

That said, my husband liked it, so like always, it comes down to taste.

Starstruck (2021–2023)

Funny and sweet without being saccharine

[9/10 · 30 June 2021]

Wonderfully written, acted and such an enjoyable change from bland, white rom-coms. Other reviewers have compared it to Notting Hill, but stories of romance gone awry go all the way back to Shakespeare. People keep writing these stories because they are enjoyable to watch, and this one is especially funny.

Binged it all in one sitting.