davesjbb

IMDb member since June 2020
    Lifetime Total
    50+
    IMDb Member
    3 years, 11 months

Reviews

Daisy Jones & The Six
(2023)

Incredible, one of my rare 10s
I'm a cynic especially these days when Hollywood is more interested in social programming and less in entertainment. This series starts slow and is somewant predictable in spots. However it was loaded with so many pleasant surprises and inspirational moments once it got going. Great cast and dialogue. Kudos to everyone involved, you have restored, at least some of my faith that, there is artistic talent and creativity out there. The music is pretty good, certainly lots of strong melodies on one hand, while on the other hand, the lyrics are contrived vs spontaneous. Their album can be found on Spotify.

The Valet
(2022)

Predictable but pretty funny and well done
Loved the main actor, pretty funny guy and supporting characters were as well. Plot was predictable but this was an easy movie, politics free, and warm.

The Chosen
(2017)

Positives well outweigh the negatives
I'm a believer but not highly religious. I loved the history and certainly found it inspirational. The various non-authentic accents are distracting and the 21st-century cultural dialogue style, while intentional, was a little strange for me. Having said that, the authentic approach is harder to digest and monotonous, so maybe more modern makes it easier to follow. On balance, this is a great series-don't pay attention to the gratuitous hater-ideologues with an agenda.

Flaked
(2016)

A viewer lesson learned.....
This started out painful as the first few episodes show a bunch of people with seemingly no income nor assets somehow managing to live blocks from the ocean. With nothing else to watch, I stuck with it and an interesting story developed. Then a series of unforeseen surprises emerged that explained where their support came from and introduced some stunning revelations. So by sticking with it, I had a great experience watching this series. Kudos to the writers and cast for delivering a refreshing story in the perfect length (14 episodes only). I learned from this series and a couple others (Wayne, Love, Patriot) that you really need to give these things a chance before you judge.

Cruel Summer
(2021)

Finally! A good COVID era production!
First, no politics. Second, unique concept. Third, great storyline. Surprises abound. Fourth, great acting by the two lead young women. Not only did I love it, but so has everyone I've recommended it to. You must put your phone down and pay very close attention though because things bounce around and move fast.

The Society
(2019)

Watched the whole series, honest take
Watched full season 1, but it was thereafter cancelled so several mysteries went unexplained. And of course, these genres require suspension of beliefs. Thought it was well cast and had interesting plot lines.

But this a 100% transparent left-wing-fantasy film complete with: (a) a socialist society conquering evil individualism; (b) gun confiscation; and (c) only four virtuous males-two of color, two are gay (so literally all the evil guys were straight while dudes). Remember when the brain washing was subtle?

Succession
(2018)

Monotonous, bad acting, unrealistic plot details
All three seasons are the same. With the exception of the patriarch, the other roles are poorly cast and acted. The business scenarios are silly and unrealistic. Even Aiden Brody is poor and can't make this compelling. Also seems to be more Hollywood boorish obsession with rich people.

Crashing
(2017)

Great show
Had me hooked and invested in Pete's fate. Good expose into the world of comedy.

Seinfeld
(1989)

A cultural phenomenon in its day
When a new Seinfeld episode aired, it's all anyone talked about the next day. It was a major cultural phenomenon. Great ensemble cast and characters, well beyond the main four. Incredibly quirky writing. Can't be judged by contemporary standards, although it does hold up pretty well. Unlike other comedies, it was still going strong when they decided to end it.

Cheers
(1982)

At the time, nothing compared to Cheers
In the 1980s and early 1990s, this was the best show ever up to that time. You looked forward to it and the cast made you feel like you were part of their gang. That was powerful.

Kingpin
(1996)

Funniest movie I had ever seen at that time
In 1996, this was outrageously funny, put me in tears. Rapid fire funny lines. Bill Murray had so many funny moments, I'd miss some and catch them on the second or third viewing. Great cast and plot with many twists and turns.

Today it's hard to enjoy a 1996 movie as much, but it still holds up pretty well. I haven't seen a good comedy in 15-20 years.

American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story
(2017)

One-sided puff piece
I have nothing against Playboy and once owned several, but this "documentary" is a one-sided self-righteous promotional production. According to this, Playboy was perfect and made us what we are. Super narcissistic. And it won't admit that most buyers never read a word (okay maybe the cartoons).

Blue Miracle
(2021)

Solid job recreating a true story, which was great in real life
The real life story is awesome, not just an improbable victory, but one that benefits poor children in Cabo. Like it or not, it's a simple story with a predictable ending but you can't help but like it. Well filmed, adequate acting. The kids were great.

Hall Pass
(2011)

One of the best comedies in recent years
The bar for comedy is low and this is well over it. Lots of funny moments and Jason S is hilarious. Funny plot and so true that most men have an inflated view of their hook-up abilities.

Office Space
(1999)

I lived this life
I worked at a a company like this. Had bosses like this. Lived in this type of area and lived in a similar bland condo. The hang out was a TGI Fridays. The movie perfectly hits on all the frustrations. Mike Judge is a genius. Also very funny at times.

Idiocracy
(2006)

Bad comedy, great statement on society
Incredibly prophetic, showing how half of America thinks with no sense of logic. Analysis is absent. People act on impulse and emotion. Idiocracy is here. Very thought provoking but fails to make you laugh because you are so frightened.

I Care a Lot
(2020)

Wow surprised at the bad reviews
The scam makes you angry and the karma takes a while but I thought this was a good film. Based on a true story, so it's not as far-fetched as some reviewers are saying. Sure in some spots, but it is a movie after all. Loved the ending, nice surprise.

Bloodline
(2015)

Beautiful settings, intriguing story ultimately
Loved the Keys scenery and flavor. Solid plot and suspense, but it does take time to get there. Dark family history emerges on many fronts. The character who ends up the bad one surprises as does their karma. In this COVID era, a good selection.

The Do-Over
(2016)

Very funny, solid plot
With Hollywood abandoning actual comedy in lieu of socialist messaging, this is a breath of fresh air. Negative reviewers are mad this is politically incorrect and actually funny. Spade and Sandler deliver many funny moments.

Patriot
(2015)

Takes time to figure it out
I thought this was a spy series, but a few episodes in the weird quirky characters are unleashed and I couldn't stop watching. John's double life was a convergence of max-thrilling and the super-boring. Great characters very well cast and acted. Season one was great. Season two had far too much woe-is-John, but then the group formation was cool. If you get the subtle humor, you'll really like this brief series. Good that it ended, not more is needed.

Masterminds
(2015)

Solidly entertaining
I like this movie's story, pacing, casting, and dialogue. It's more drama than comedy but has some good laughs at times. Based on a true story and I can see why this could happen-infatuation is powerful.

Coming 2 America
(2021)

The contrast here proves that Hollywood has died
I loved the classic 1988 original, but with this much time passing, I felt a sequel was going to be tough. Eddie, Arsenio, and their writers were outstanding in the original when Hollywood focused on comedy. Even now, the original remains funny.

The sequel is at least half political correctness lectures and very few funny moments. I'm surprised Eddie went along with this. 1980s vs 2020s comedic dynamics are perfectly contrasted in this pair of films-Hollywood is done. Hopefully the next generation will rediscover what fun/funny is.

Half Brothers
(2020)

Very weak on so many fronts
Unfunny, predictable, boring, and at times disjointed. Tries to be touching but consistently falls short. Meanwhile offensive anti-American stereotypes. Heavy handed, awkward ideological propaganda-surely the supporters wrote the glowing reviews. Only positive is that the production quality was good. Do not waste your time.

A Call to Spy
(2019)

Like the genre, but mixed execution
Well filmed and solid acting. Plot and dialogues were on the weaker side. Too bad because this was a great subject. I say it's worth a rent if you need something to watch.

Monsters of Man
(2020)

Very good movie, too real
I don't understand the bad reviews, I'm critical but I'm was well entertained by this movie. Freaky since we're getting close for this to be a reality. Good acting, solid science realism, good plot. The only stretch is that the robots were slower moving than the humans.

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