jimvandemoter

IMDb member since March 2017
    Lifetime Total
    10+
    IMDb Member
    7 years

Reviews

RWBY: Volume 9
(2023)

Ok, but......
I'm trying to figure out what the writers were trying to accomplish here. Taken by itself the story wasn't too bad but it just didn't fit the whole RWBY canon. First the story was a blatant rip off of "Alice In Wonderland." Up till now the writers didn't need to rip off the work of classic writers, they had enough original ideas. Second, the openly gay relationship between Blake and Yang was, for me (a dedicated heterosexual) a big turn off. I'm tolerant of people's sexuality, but I don't appreciate having it slapped across the screen in such a way. That said, this story did have it's good, even great moments. People always talk about the action but, for me, I also like good story telling. If this is taken as a single, stand alone piece, it's not bad, it just doesn't fit the rest of RWBY.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch
(2021)

Very different, but good
I just finished the first season on dvd. I wasn't sure what to expect especially after The Clone Wars and Rebels. Rebels, by and large was a very good series with some silly moments and episodes but, mostly was a very cool series. I really appreciate how this show goes in a totally different direction yet is still set in the same universe. The strongest part of the show, for me was the writing. The over all stories are really good. I did have a little trouble believing a young girl who looks more like a boy. I don't have the Disney channel this is broadcast on so I'll have to wait for the next season to be released on dvd. I hope it just keeps getting better.

Kaze no na wa amunejia
(1990)

true Anime' classic
I rented this movie when it first came out. I was just beginning to get into Anime' and I had no idea what to expect. I've always been a science fiction fan and I also love a great story. I also like to see stories that make me think. This movie has all those elements. Are we all just untamed animals at heart or are we more? Can we survive if we lose all technology? There are so many questions this movie poses and leaves a lot of those questions unanswered. You need to ask yourself those questions and find the answers yourself. Granted, the style of animation, by today's standard looks a little dated, the English voice actors do leave something to be desired (I prefer the original Japanese, I don't mind subtitles) but all in all this is an Anime' classic. If you're building an Anime' library this is a must have.

Prime Suspect 1973
(2017)

Great show
I have to admit I've never seen any of the original Prime Suspect shows even though I'm a big fan of British mysteries. That said I really like this show a lot. The cast is fantastic, the look and settings are spot on, the music fits perfectly. Once again the British have done a great job on a mystery show. I loved it. The time it's set in really brought back some memories, I graduated high school in 1970 so the setting is about when I was around 18-19 years old. Now I need to track down the original show. If it's anywhere near this I know I'll love it.

Princezna zakletá v case
(2020)

Dubbed, badly
I know I'm in the minority, but if I'm watching a foreign movie I want to hear the original language with subtitles. I realize reading is considered optional these days in American schools, that's why even college students have the reading skills of 10 year olds. I'm a very good reader so subtitles don't bother me but watching a movie where the mouth movements don't even come close the the words I hear bothers me and takes away my enjoyment. Also I'm never sure how accurate the translation is. Maybe this is a fine movie but I won't bother unless I can watch it in the original language.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Supply Lines
(2010)
Episode 3, Season 3

Why does Jar Jar even exist?
This could have been a great episode but it was barely average because Jar Jar ruined it. Why he even was created has always been beyond me. Sorry George, you blew it when you created him. Every single episode Jar Jar is in just plain stinks.

Arrival
(2016)

The way science fiction can be done right
First thing, I loved this movie. So much of what passes for "science Fiction" has nothing to do with science or even good story. This is one of the rare exceptions. Anyone who's looking for a fast, mindless, flashy bang bang shoot 'em up will be disappointed. This movie takes its time to tell a full enriching story. Don't believe the bad reviews from people who have the attention span of a gnat, this story pulls you in and fills you with emotion and (maybe) even hope for the future of all of us planet wide. In order to fully appreciate this movie you have to have patience and let the story develop. The only problem was with some of the sound mixing. There were a few places where I had trouble hearing what was being said. Otherwise I LOVED it.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
(2017)

Good sequel
As far as sequels go it's not bad, in fact it was better than a lot of sequels are. I found it to be quite a bit darker than the first but that's ok. I watched both movies back to back and as a double feature night they were very good. I got the two movie Blu Ray set and I'm glad I did. There were some truly emotional spots that I didn't expect. All in all, while not great, still a worthwhile second movie. I hope there's more to come, maybe a third movie to make it a trilogy? I can only hope.

Appleseed Alpha
(2014)

Not bad appleseed story
I first saw the original Appleseed when it came out in 1988. It was a pretty typical style of Japanese animation. It had a decent story with some good characters. I haven't seen any of the other shows in the franchise but I liked this one. Even if you haven't seen any of the other Appleseed shows check this one out.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars
(2008)

Great show except for a few terrible exceptions.
I loved the entire series except for every episode with Jar Jar Binks. He is by far the single worse character ever devised. Why he ever existed is beyond me. George Lucas really blew it when Jar Jar was developed. Other than that the series is fantastic.

Epic
(2013)

Great animation, good story, bad title.
I really liked this movie but had a problem with the title. A title should tell you something about the movie. The title "Epic" could be a movie about anything. Pick a topic, any topic and it could be 'epic.' It could be an epic battle, it could be an epic bowl of salad. That said the movie really was good. If you like animation, good story, (mostly) likeable characters in a completely different setting you might like this. I liked it well enough to add to my collection. I know I'll watch it again.

Last Exile
(2003)

Great series
I've now watched this series twice and it's even better the second time around. I've been an animation nut since I was a child in the late 50's-early 60's. I've been watching Japanese animation since the 1980's. I just turned 70 and I'm still looking for new stuff. I've seen hundreds of anime pieces and this ranks right up there with some of the best. I'm sure it will become a classic. It sure deserves to be.

Star Trek: Voyager: The 37's
(1995)
Episode 1, Season 2

Just plain bad.
I've always been a Star Trek fan. When it's good it's awesome, when it's bad it's really bad. That said I know there are going to be some episodes that are better than others. This is one of the worse episodes in all of the different series. The fact that this was the first show in season two is a huge disappointment.

The Spitfire Grill
(1996)

wonderful surprise
I first rented this on a whim. not knowing what to expect, but I took a chance. Before I knew it I was pulled right in. I knew nothing of Allison Elliot or most of the rest of the cast, except Ellen Burstyn, of course. Will Patton is great as the jerk, and the rest of the cast never look as if they're acting. It is easy to believe these are real people. I normally like loud, flashy, fast moving flicks, but every now and then I just want a good story, and this is it. After I saw it the first time I bought a tape and later a dvd for myself because I knew I'd want to see it again. Warning, have plenty of tissue handy, you'll need it.

Drain the Great Lakes
(2011)

so much wrong
Notice the narrator says could have and might have a lot. Also he calls Lake Huron the second largest. Take a look at a map. So much of this is just speculation and pure junk science. Don't waste your time, I'm sure you can find better ways to eat up almost an hour of your life.

Where the River Runs Black
(1986)

Beautiful movie
I had this movie on tape. I absolutely love it. I do have to say, if you're looking for a fast moving slam bang story, this is not for you. If you want a story that draws you in and leaves satisfied in the end check it out, if you can find it. It's a great piece of story telling.

Lad: A Yorkshire Story
(2013)

lad
I saw this movie a while back and have been searching for it, so I'm glad I have a chance to see it again. There's so much to like about it. If you want a fast, loud and shallow movie this isn't for you, but if you want a good story and are willing to allow it to unfold, this might the movie for you. I like it o lot.

Órbita 9
(2017)

not everything is as it seems, or is it?
This movie takes it's time to tell the story. If you don't have patience you will get nothing out of it. I totally liked this flick because it drew me in. I don't mind a slow moving story if it can keep my interest. This movie has it's flaws, but overall it told a good story with a different perspective. Some people will be put off by subtitles, but that's not a problem for me. I would recommend this for someone who wants something different.

Mickey Matson and the Copperhead Conspiracy
(2012)

A big time waster
The only thing I liked about this movie was the setting. As a Michigan native I've been camping in a lot of the woods where the Mickey Matson movies were filmed. I also have family from that same area. Other than that I cannot recommend either movie. I suppose if you have nothing better to do or if you are six years old these flicks might be OK. Barely.

See all reviews