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hollijm
Reviews
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Not by any stretch of the imagination is this a comedy
A heavy foreboding hangs over every minute of this tragic story. I was duped into believing there was going to be humour here. I did not find it. I also found the depictions of insanity completely unbelievable. On the plus side there was some gorgeous scenery, and one does come away with a bit of a feeling for the isolated island life, but should we expect everybody on that bloody island to be insane? Another unforgivable piece of rubbish used to support the goofy story is the donkey choking on a finger and that finger being found just inside the donkey's mouth. Why didn't he just spit it out. Lots of emotion demonstrated, but not like that of any human I have known.
The Leftovers (2014)
Long and goofy
Well I'll give them em an A for originality, but characters are kind of C-, ability to engage and make me want to see what stupid $hit happens next about D. After a mind bending occurrence I guess we are supposed to accept that most people in the world go off their nut, and the relatively sane ones just do goofy $hit unless the people that were chosen for us to follow were all goofy to begin with. I watched half of the first season trying to get engaged. Couldn't do it. Then I watched the season finales to see if I could get a glimpse of what the hype was about. Nope. Goofy, self absorbed and a waste of good talent. Glad I didn't invest any more time in it than I did.
The White Lotus (2021)
Stick a fork in me...
Well that was quite a ride, but not one I'd like to take again. Generally fine acting portraying a variety of characters. Few likable, but many relatable. Troubling portraits of narrow minds and narrow points of view. Plenty to chew on, but I cannot bear another season. I like a story to be wrapped up in an hour. Ok... maybe a ninety minute movie, or 2 one hour episodes, or if it's really good a season, but don't ask me to tune in next year. If I thought there might be some great conclusion at the end of next season I might watch, but I fear it will just be another example of flailing humanity.
American Horror Stories: The Naughty List (2021)
Cringeworthy
I like this almost as the Tail Spin episode of Black Mirror. A legitimate horror story of today's "reality tv" shows. Folks addicted to that crap are voting it down, and there are a lot of people addicted to that crap. Save us Santa.
The Big Bang Theory: The Conjugal Conjecture (2016)
Katey Sagal perfect mom for Penny
Peg Bundy did such a great job with Christina Applegate she was a natural to raise Penny. I've been streaming this series daily for the last couple of hundred days and this episode got an above average number of laughs out loud and the ensemble of costars was great.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Sure.... Thinly veiled and a little heavy handed but bulls eye.
The only truly unrealistic part was that the brainwashed « don't look up » sheep actually admitted to seeing the comet. I laughed and cried. Don't miss the snippet at the end of the credits.
Dune (2021)
I'm being generous with the 5
I'll give it 5 for the spectacle, but 2 dimensional characters, stiff acting, confusing plot if you aren't a Dune fan, weird responses from the characters (like taking off a mask when it gets dusty), no characters that one really cares about, and then after two and a half hours of expecting it to get better you find out you really only got half way through the book. Oh yeah and apparently Lady whatsits had the boy when she was twelve. Oh I forgot to mention tedious. Oh yeah.... Why is this advanced civilization fighting with knives? It probably deserves a 3 or 4.
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
Maybe it picks up after third episode
But three episodes were all I could take. Slow and predictable.
The Great Pottery Throw Down: 3D Slab-Build & Handmade Bricks (2021)
What?
I don't know what happened here. Two amazing builds, one fantasy and one realistic were passed up for a nice gift shop item. Pull yourself together Keith!
The Great Pottery Throw Down (2015)
For the most part they get it right
But. Somehow they passed up the best two builds in season 4 episode 2 and gave the award to the 3rd best build. Does anyone else agree???
Bosch: Por Sonia (2021)
Disappointing last season
A lot going on, but maybe too much to really make sense. Don't see how Bosch could fall on his sword without taking J Edgar down too. Everybody knew Pena was getting knocked off standing outside the station. Don't think Maddie would pass the physical. Kind of a mess of a last season for a pretty good show.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
Hurray for Bollywood
Wonderful movie even if you have to rely on the subtitles which I certainly did. Fascinating plot, good pacing which is pretty amazing considering its length, good suspense, a fine assortment of characters. I wish I understood a little more about cricket scoring, but it isn't really necessary. It is a long movie, so I did watch it on a couple of pieces, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
Tom and Jerry (2021)
Can a mean little mouse and a hapless cat entertain audiences for an hour and a half?
NO. Can they appeal to both children and adults? NO. Can they entertain children or adults? NO. This movie fails on every level. I didn't like the characters (human or otherwise) and the story was lame. NOTHING redeeming here. Stay away.
Hell or High Water (2016)
Watch what you fight for
It's all great until you start using the guns you have been brandishing. But what did you expect?
WolfWalkers (2020)
Stunning
Beautifully done. Wonderful story with plenty of action twists and turns. Negative comments from my granddaughter had to do with the people being mean and not enough singing. 😁Recommended!
Booksmart (2019)
Not horrible
Kind of enjoyable but unfortunately another example of actors in their mid twenties playing high school kids.
Idiocracy (2006)
I wish it didn't ring so true
Thoroughly enjoyed this cringeworthy movie. Some people give up on it too soon.
Palm Springs (2020)
Finally a movie I can recommend
It's been a while since I have enjoyed a movie enough to recommend it some one else. There is so much meh out there. This had a clever plot, fairly engaging characters and a couple of nice twists.
Coherence (2013)
Clever concept but...
Ok. Clever/intriguing concept, but this movie failed to get me to give a 5h1t about what happens to these pretty people.
Rear Window (1954)
Fun to watch. Stupid story
I enjoyed watching this movie. How can you not enjoy watching Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly? And I liked the whole set up watching the neighbors. And I certainly liked Miss Torso, but what a corny, Swiss cheese off a plot. The part that absolutely killed me was when Jimmy sees his girlfriend in trouble and just sits there biting his nails, but when he is in trouble he screams.
The Aeronauts (2019)
Reviews currently saying about 6 & that's about right
If you can get past the fact that there are very few historical facts in this movie... basically it is a period fantasy... it was fairly enjoyable to watch. It is worth looking up the real Glaisher to find he is not the nincompoop portrayed. (No hat or gloves!)
Black Mirror: Striking Vipers (2019)
Not up to the usual disturbing black mirror standards
Interesting concept. Well acted. But came up short.
Deadwood (2019)
Tied it up adequately
Loved the TV series. I enjoyed the movie. Probably got me to saying cocksucker too much again. Loved the language and the characters. So glad they made the movie.
Fancy Nancy (2018)
Read the books
I have watched a few Fancy Nancy shows with my grandchildren. Kind of lame. I was very surprised when my wife showed me "Fancy Nancy Poet Extraordinaire" What a great introduction to poetry! I suspect the other books are great too.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Maybe not the greatest but...
Maybe not he greatest show on screen but pretty darn awesome. Wonderful visual feast with an engaging story and excellent music and feeling. My wife and I loved it and think my granddaughter would love it too. Hugh Jackman is an amazing entertainer.