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Reviews
Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023)
Unoriginal and even a rip off
This movie was written by someone who's seen the big sci fi movies, and thought, I could do that. But failed!
It's early parts are straight out of Star Wars - A New Hope. An iconic movie from over 40 years ago that's been revived, digitised in 4K, and still entertains today.
There was a scene in Rebel Moon where the protagonists go into a bar to find a ship pilot! I was expecting Hans Solo to appear.
Then there's a scene drawn from The Phantom Menace with the Sith using two red light sabres (firey red double swords).
Then there's Avatar rips including taming the flying creatures, and another scene where the rebel makes a huge jump with a spear to kill the gun operator onboard a huge warship.
One rebel looks like Furiosa from Mad Max Fury Road.
Overall it was a mish mash of rips from great movies using a poor script.
Seungriho (2021)
Guardians of the Galaxy - Korean style
With a mix of English and Korean languages, plus a few European accents, this is a multi cultural affair. Which is refreshing! It's so annoying when Hollywood places American actors in roles that are supposed to be German, Iranian, Egyptian, Spanish etc.
Visually, this movie is top level. Especially in Dolby Vision. It's creative and entertaining sci fi with lots of eye popping effects.
Sound is also great in surround, utilising all the speakers and subwoofers to good effect.
Acting was quite good for the main characters. Some actors weren't great though.
The main problem with this is the plot holes and errors, and some character choices or actions are not believable. You do have to suspend logical thought and just enjoy the ride.
Overall, highly entertaining.
Ming yat zin gei (2022)
Seven hit movies ruled in to one
Part Aliens, part iRobot, part Ironman. With borrowings from Terminator (Sky Net) and Avatar (Pandora). Plus 90% CGI.
Very unoriginal.
Aside from all that comical influence, the action sequences are quite entertaining. The bugs are effective. And the game style graphics works well most of the time.
With a range of impossible escapes, you'd think it has the writers of Fast and Furious.
An Asian movie and actors but comically, using Westerner character names and behaviour.
I was hoping for something different but got Hollywood rehashed, just with Asian actors.
There's some rediculous plot points thrown in. But worst of all, is the lack of gravity for uncovering major corruption.
Copshop (2021)
Starts ok, clever middle, messy last third
This movie had a lot going for it up to the last 20mins. You have intriguing characters, dodgey cops, honest righteous cop, and a spanner in the works madman.
There's a tense stand off but after the detainee gets a key from the good cop, the movie loses all suspense. It devolves into multiple shootouts and it doesn't make sense. It's just gun battles for the sake of it.
Chernobyl (2021)
Harrowing disaster
The movie starts slow and has some unusual relationship issues leading to the blast.
After the blast, the movie kicks off. Being a person of science, it's frightening to imagine what destructive energy was released. I remember the event as a child.
There's many technical errors but the story plays out with stomach churning horrors.
It's a sad tale.
Love and Monsters (2020)
Fun and humorous but lacking substance
The premise is stupid so you have to ignore that from the outset. What drives this film is the lead actor and his character role. His script and delivery is on point making for a good time.
And some of the monsters are well done, except for the crab at the end which looks too artificial.
There's a lot of impossible scenario's like powering the ship electrocution device, how his weapon can go from weak power to killing a big monster, etc.
Overall it's not very memorable but good for some chuckles.
The Walk (2015)
An Americanised homage disguised as a French tale
Whilst entertaining, this story about a French high wire stuntman is mostly about pushing the image of how great America is.
Lead actors who aren't French natives playing French roles. With new York City and the twin towers as a back drop in the narration scenes as well as the action scenes. It's clear this is a homage to the twin towers more so than to the Frenchman who tight rope walked between them.
Apart from that, the impression of height and danger s awesome.
Mortal Engines (2018)
Entertaining, fun and highly creative
I don't understand the negative reviews. This movie was imaginative, creative and fun. Lots of action, attractive people, various offbeat characters.
I hear there's a book. As a standalone movie this work, with so many elements crammed in.
True, there's moments where I felt similarities to other movies: Terminator, Star wars, Avatar and Mad Max. But it does have its own unique world, crazy ideas and visually stunning sets.
I'm teetering on giving it an 8 but there were some silly character decisions, some borrowed concepts and questionable motives. So 7 it is
The Bad Batch (2016)
Oddly captivating for the more mature movie lover
This isn't perfect by a long shot but it is an unusually captivating film. It's the combination of great music, great sound environment, nice cinematography, an attractive lead, oddball characters and violence.
I don't see any resemblance to Mad Max except the landscape. If not for the many unanswered aspects, it would have rated higher.
If you enjoy the depraved first 20 mins, don't expect the rest of the film to follow suit. If you're after action or fast moving story, look elsewhere.
What annoyed me was the unexplained. How is the town of Comfort getting electricity, how are they earning their keep, why drug the community, where do all the weapons come from, what did the lead do to land herself in this prison, why would Momoa kill and cut up a whole body just for the 3 of them -do they have refrigeration? Why didn't Arlen take the golf buggy after the kill instead of walking, where do they get fuel from, why does the kid seem mute until the final scene, and what's with her grimaced face 90% of the time.
Yeah -this movie leaves lots of scripting and plot to be desired yet the aforementioned excellence kept me intrigued.
Apostle (2018)
Wincing gore, lunatics abound but confusing
This movie holds your attention with intrigue about what's actually going on. The oddball music score underlines it. The visuals are detailed, high quality and has moments of great cinematography.
The main protagonist acting is off putting. Looking like a crazed asylum escapee at times, scowling for no reason at times, and general misguided acting.
There are scenes that make no logical sense other than to demonstrate the wickedness without reason. Why is the marked ticket holder murdered when they knew he wasn't their guy?
Why don't victims voice their response to false accusations when dire consequences are the possible outcome?
What is that guy with a basket on his head?
How is the witch able to suck the blood off the floor if she's bound and prisoned?
Ultimately, it escalates to madness without answering questions.
Flatliners (2017)
Thriller with jump scares
I think this movie was wrongly rated poorly. It starts with intrigue and thrilling scenarios of the medical students experimenting with death.
It then changes to got jump scares and mysterious, spooky encounters.
I saw the original decades ago so I don't remember it much. Watching this as it's own story, in the dark, proved entertaining and hair raising.
Tip: Avoid reviews who's intent is to compare a reimagined movie to the original.
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
Mindless entertainment
It starts out with a pointless premise about his car. Both John and the gangsters making stupid decisions.
It gets better and much more entertaining with moderately acceptable purpose to people's choices.
There are some cool long hand combat scenes.
But what really let's this movie down is the many pointless scenarios and premises.
Everyone knows not to break the hotel rules least they die. Never leave a strong enemy behind. Everyone's a hitman. And people get shot dead in public with no consequences.