TheCarpooler Reviews

Sniper. The White Raven (2022)

A must watch if you enjoy sniper films

[9/10 · 3 September 2023]

Raw and real.

Well, to the extent I was riveted to the screen while watching. This film is a story about a man, who, when his entire world is upended, transforms from a teacher to a deadly sniper.

There are no green screens, no fireball explosions, no car chases. And that's why you will enjoy this film.

We follow Raven from a novice soldier, outclassed by everyone else, through his journey of learning about his weapons, his proficiency at marksmanship, to him becoming THE sniper called on when the best is needed.

We watch him meticulously tear down the people who destroyed his world, and then some.

Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators (2023)

Amazing behind the story

[10/10 · 13 August 2023]

You know, I'm giving this 10 stars. Is it the best show? No. For me, it humanizes the characters from this awesome TV program. You'll learn so much about the entire run of American Gladiators. From the early first season chaos, to a post series run I never knew happened.

You'll get to know the people who were, and are, our Gladiators. They were bigger than life back then, but they weren't invincible. They didn't get rich and they worked in some pretty bad conditions. Their paths ended unceremoniously.

And, they survived. They have families, lives and are friends to this day. I was in my late teens, early twenties, during the shows run. This felt great to watch.

Supergirl: Prom Again! (2021) Season 6, Episode 6

Outstanding.

[10/10 · 24 May 2023]

I'm catching up on the final 1.5 seasons of Supergirl. I actually got Arrowversed out. Season 6 has been really good, like the show found its groove again. After not seeing them in a while, young Kara and young Alex were a pleasure. The PTB really nailed their casting. Apologies for not remembering the actresses names. Nia looked adorable and it's nice she and Brainy are back together. Chylers directorial debut was amazing, she brings a nice family close tone. And though I'm a child of the 80s, this episode's soundtrack was spot on. I found myself enjoying music I'd not heard in more than 10 years.

Treason (2022)

For what it is...

[8/10 · 25 January 2023]

I binged the entire series tonight. Honestly, it held my attention through all five episodes. It's a decent popcorn movie. Good action, some suspense, and a lot of expected twists. I had the wrong person tagged to be the herring, my wife got it right.

I would recommend it if you're willing to suspend belief about how inept everyone in this movie is.

Every other review I've read is spot on. MI6 is apparently a bumbling set of buffoons who have no idea how to cover the exits of a boat.

Yes, a boat. One cabin entrance. And a bow hatch, completely unattended. And the agent who should be watching that hatch? Walking the other way while the target slips behind him, up a metal ladder, across a boat deck, over the rail and into a dinghy. Oh, and that dinghy bounces off the hull, but that agent doesn't look over the side of the boat. And the target, wearing a backpack and the only other person in the area, calmly ascends another metal ladder and walks away. Good Lord.

The show is filled with these stupidity loopholes, it's almost insulting, like the writer and director are mocking us.

Still, if you're nearing the end of the streaming service libraries, give it a watch.

Samaritan (I) (2022)

What you expect

[7/10 · 19 October 2022]

Pretty solid movie overall. Stallone brought his typical character demeanor, and some humor, to the role. Excellent ear candy, lots of explosions, guns, punches and screaming.

Should you suspend belief to enjoy this movie? Sure, but that's what movies are-an escape from reality. Most of the CGI is obvious and some of the stunts and gags were shorted, but explosions!

Is it in his top 10, no. It's entertaining and fun.

The supporting cast was solid, led by Pilou Abaek, who was believeable as the antagonist.

Spoiler: the deaged Stallone at the end was horrible. On par with The Rock in his first Scorpion King cameo.

The Escort (2015)

Give it a watch.

[8/10 · 27 April 2022]

Award winning? No. Good use of time watching a fun movie about two people working through all the romcom tropes? Yes. I just finished my third viewing (over three years).

The Rocket (2018)

Solid premise.

[5/10 · 31 January 2022]

The story has a lot of potential, it's sadly overshadowed by horrendous acting. I read in the Trivia the story was submitted for a contest when he was 17. This movie feels like they took that story and used it for the film. Acting aside, the characters lost me as none of them look like athletes. I would expect defined quad and calf muscles, and they way the runners throw their arms around...it's not efficient at all.

That said, I'll root for any story based on actual events.

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (2020–2022)

Visually stunning

[8/10 · 14 November 2021]

Just finished season 3. The visuals have been great from the beginning, but wow. Season 3 hits an entire new level.

The dinos, flora and fauna are amazing.

The kids again travel across the island several times, sometimes scared, sometimes not.

Let Him Go (2020)

A bit slow

[6/10 · 12 July 2021]

Diane and Kevin, together as an on-screen couple again (Man Of Steel), they have good chemistry.

It's a beautifully shot movie, the landscapes are amazing.

The story is a bit slow, almost similar to a noir type movie in my opinion.

What gets me is the storyline for Margaret Blackledge. I won't ruin it with spoilers, but think about the actions she takes and the results created, and consider what you would do in response.

The ending left a lot of plot holes for my like.

It's a very good movie, and despite the pace it will keep your attention.

At a lot of points I was hoping for a reference to a name or meta to Dances With Wolves. Alas.

The Head (2020– )

Enthralling

[8/10 · 25 February 2021]

My wife and I gave episode 1 a test, then binged the series last night. It caught and kept our attention throughout. We've seen enough movies to expect a twist, but we didn't anticipate how it was delivered. Really well done story, and a solid cast of actors.

Realistic? Not even close. I've watched enough documentaries to know you shouldn't be outdoors, at night, in a storm, in Antarctica, with your skin exposed for long periods of time. Every one of these characters does it repeatedly.

Midway to Heaven (2011)

Darn good little movie

[7/10 · 29 December 2019]

I really enjoyed this movie. Decent plot, characters were solid. Handles some very topical and common life difficulties. It's worth the viewing time.

The Shallows (2016)

Lots of hate out there, not here.

[7/10 · 22 December 2019]

So many consider it necessary for movies to reflect reality. Not me, I like to escape and immerse in the movies. This movie does that. I was surprisingly drawn in, Ms. Lively held my attention the entire time. Beautiful scenery, decent character portrayal. A bit Jaws 4 "this time it's personal" towards the end, it's only a movie, after all. Solid movie.

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Reviews schmeviews.

[9/10 · 22 December 2019]

Forget what you read from the critics and official reviews. This movie is a fantastic ending to the saga. I was there for the start in 1977, I am 100% happy with this. Action, flashbacks, musical callbacks, everything to tie it all together. JJ left one very small loose end for a main character, grr.

Rambo: Last Blood (2019)

Solid 9!

[9/10 · 21 September 2019]

Each movie in this series is better than the previous. Rambo Last Blood continues that trend. A bit choppy, I feel due to editing done for pace, with a strong plot. I think it's well acted by each of the actors, and Stallone shines as the brooding Rambo. The final act of the movie is absolutely R worthy and amazing to watch.

Trading Paint (2019)

Decent little movie

[5/10 · 12 August 2019]

We watched this movie on a whim based on the preview. Low expectations, really. We enjoyed it for what it is: a small budget action/drama with quite a few former A and B celebs continuing to work in the industry. A little cheesy and choppy at times, it's well acted. Racing scenes are done pretty well, even if the driver's visors don't get during a race. It's worth 90 minutes.

Days of Thunder (1990)

Based on reality

[8/10 · 11 July 2019]

It's 2019, nearly 20 years since DOT hit theaters. Dale Earnhardt Jr has a weekly podcast. A recent guest was Richard Childress, team and car owner of the famed Goodwrench 3. Among all his great stories and memories, Richard shared the dining/car rental scene is based on reality, really happened, and was very close resemblance of what was said. Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine spent more than a season intentionally wrecking each other. Bill France Jr called them in, sat them down, told them they had to drive to dinner together. At dinner they were told to knock it off. I had no idea DOT reflected an actual event. Pretty cool.

Hellboy (2019)

An absolute mess.

[1/10 · 5 July 2019]

I was excited at the prospect of this movie. I didn't expect it would be as good as the first two with Ron Perlman.

I cannot find the words to effectively describe how bad this movie was.

Do. Not. Watch. This. Movie.

Shooter (2016–2018)

Well acted, solid plots

[10/10 · 4 July 2019]

I loved the 2007 movie. I've read a few of the books. I could not wait for this series, and I was not disappointed. Not every episode is fantastic, but the sum of all those parts is. I don't have cable and waited for S3 on Netflix. IMO this was the strongest season, well portrayed by the entire cast. Great meta reference to Simon and Simon. And Act 3 of the final episode. Wow.

Only the Brave (2017)

Just. Wow.

[10/10 · 18 June 2019]

I'm not often rendered speechless by a movie. Only The Brave is one of those movies. Incredibly done, well cast and acted. The final 30 minutes will lock you in place.

Westworld (2016–2022)

Excellent!

[9/10 · 7 June 2019]

This is an amazing show! The source movie provides the name and Western setting only. This program is all its own story.

Sure, the narrative is a bit twisty. I've watched worse. Unlike so many others who negatively reviewed season 2, I really liked how the stories unfolded.

Cannot wait for S3.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Nearly perfect

[10/10 · 9 May 2019]

Two weeks after it launched I finally watched Endgame tonight. I somehow managed to avoid all spoilers and while I expected/guessed/theorized the one main death right at the end I was still rocked by it. Endgame covers all the emotions, allows each story arc to play out, has great battles, fantastic score that blends really well with the scenes. For me, this movie is nearly flawless.

The Princess Switch (2018)

Really quite good.

[8/10 · 25 November 2018]

What started as a forced watch with my daughter and niece ended with me staying on my own to watch to the end. Cheesy, as many have said, and very enjoyable.

NYPD Blue: The Vision Thing (2004) Season 12, Episode 6

I knew it was coming, and still...

[10/10 · 3 October 2018]

I knew Simone appears to Andy in this episode. I've seen the series three times prior, I watch the clip on YouTube. And still, tears at his appearance. This episode is the final turning point for Andy. His journey from the Pilot to know has always been laced with anger, doubt, frustration of others. After this he's more calm, he seems to just get it and roll with it. A talk with Simone and the reach out to Clark solidify Andy in his role.

NYPD Blue: Hearts and Souls (1998) Season 6, Episode 5

One of the best to this point

[10/10 · 5 September 2018]

This episode. So well done by everyone involved.

The emotional journey of each character as they sruggled with Bobby's declining health, and their ultimate farewell to him, was breathtaking. Bobby's lucid dreams and getting to experience his son, and for us to share that with him was amazing. I loved the fade from his son's hand to Andy's.

I recently lost my mom to a sudden medical event. Watching this episode made me revisit that I didn't get to say goodbye to her. I sobbed like a child, though I'm nearing 49.

This episode set a new bar to measure NYPD Blue and all other shows against.