paddy-56

IMDb member since January 2005
    Lifetime Total
    10+
    Poll Taker
    10x
    IMDb Member
    19 years

Reviews

Road House
(2024)

What a fun movie!
Usually I'm wary of re-makes or re-boots. This take on Road House is full of charm, fun easter eggs and tributes to the prior film. Gyllenhaall is dynamic as Dalton and McGregor plays himself, which is pretty out there anyway. The rest of the cast is uniformly excellent, particularly Billy Magnussenon, and a couple of fun cameos. Foot tapping score and good action sequences. Doesn't get all misty eyed but delivers a fresh re-telling of a classic tale, with western comparisons fueling this robust film. Really enjoyed this film. It certainly deserves a spot as one of the more entertaining films I've seen recently. Would love a sequel to this!

American Fiction
(2023)

Dreadful, dreadful, dreadful.
Very much looking forward to American Fiction and was expecting something special, something satirical and brightly funny. Don't believe the hype. Extremely poor, convoluted script. Trying too hard to be relevant and edgy, a script trying to show how clever the writer/director is and just comes across as arrogant. The best bits are in the trailer, so just watch that. Bland, bad and insults the audience's intelligence. Worst musical score, think any Charlie Brown cartoon. Too many silly family drama moments. Too many unnecessary and irrelevant characters with no purpose, no hand in driving the story forward. Achingly bad dialogue. Jeffrey Wight is still playing the same character from Westworld, again. Best moments, any scene with Sterling K. Brown or Tracee Ellis Ross. That's it. Too many characters popping up, like ground hogs, providing no focus or structure for the main character's journey. So many plot points that vanish, no resolution, no connection to the story. Ham handed and bafflingly poor ending(s). Save yourself the bother and finish the laundry, walk the dog or have coffee with a friend. A better way to spend your time and money.

The Killer
(2023)

Absolutely brilliant.
The biggest problem for most movies lately has been the writing and how a story is told. So many poorly written and directed films out there. Fincher's last work, MANK, falls into that category. However, from the opening establishing shot to the very last scene, The Killer is a masterwork on how to develop a narrative and follow it through. No endless chunks of exposition, perfectly inhabited scenes, the story is taught, suspenseful and violent. The Killer is a passionless character, caring deeply about his inner mantra and following it to the letter. In the dangerous world he inhabits, a very necessary skill. Each chapter of the story has a purpose, there is not a whit of fat in this film. No endless exposition dumps. Every scene, lighting, camera angle, even the single massive fight scene, is a master class in brevity. No bewildering overwhelmingly pretentious shots and terrible writing (hello Oppenheimer). A true master class on how to construct a film. Michael Fassbender is the perfect actor to portray the protagonist and his performance is a precise and detailed as the character he plays. Never boring, utterly fascinating. The Killer is a master class in film making.

Wrestlers
(2023)

A True Gem - Don't Miss This!
Terrific documentary, plays out like a wrestling show. Great story lines, characters and a fantastic finish. Honestly, didn't know a lot about wrestling before this show, not that I'm an expert, but damn... really entertaining and well produced documentary. Lots of boos and cheers, lifestyle commentary and fan enthusiasm. A world with passionate fans, like Gracie, and participants. From the world of wrestling, just below the big time. Dreams, aspirations, troubles, hopes and the family we create in the topsy turvy world of Professional Wrestling. Some bits aren't for the faint hearted, and some challenge the perception of success. The build is brilliantly paced. Outstanding look at a special world. Just The Bomb.

Obi-Wan Kenobi
(2022)

Trash, utter trash.
The first five or so minutes I thought, "It has potential", setting the stage for Obi-Wan's character at this point in his life, then an insertion of some new characters that could have worked except for one glaring problem... t h e w r i t i n g i s d r e a d f u l. Plain and simple. Total garbage. The ONLY things I liked were Obi-Wan (Ewan MacGregor) and the character played Rupert Friend. His character is a new wrinkle, that could have worked, however, rule 101 of spaghetti westerns, the supporting heavies are usually silent but deadly. Here the are talkative, laughably bad, moustache twirling dunderheads. Just awful. And don't get me started on the whole other storyline... save your valuable time for more worthy fare.

Pam & Tommy
(2022)

Outstanding Performances by Lily James & Sebastian Stan
Honestly, is there nothing these two actors couldn't do? No matter your take on the real Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, the performances by Lily James and Sebastian Stan in this fast paced series is phenomenal. From the raw sexuality of the couple they portray, to the awkwardness of their getting to know one another, the larger than life performances by this pair is extraordinary. Not to be missed.

One Shot
(2021)

Incredible Technical Achievement! Exciting, Action Packed!
An unbelievably challenging and rewarding payoff. Another reviewer stated most folks wouldn't get how challenging this film was to create. People who appreciate films will. The director has created a masterpiece. One Shot not only stands for the subject of the movie, but also the style. It's shot in one sequence. Absolutely incredible feat given the intense action and choreography. Unbelievably tight sequencing of moves, actors, shots, story and the rapid pace of the plot. Set changes, costumes and makeup. Just stunning. 1917 got raves for it's one shot style, although there are two or three instances where the film was cut. Not here. Breathtaking choreography of all the elements to make this film a must see. Scott Adkins is an incredibly talented actor and legit martial arts star. For the life of me, I don't understand why his profile isn't bigger. His American accent is impeccable as the male lead and his charisma and leadership gave sharp focus to the plot. The rest of the cast was impressive. I do not understand the negative reviews. A classic film.

The Vast of Night
(2019)

Vastly Under-rated.
A marvellous film. An eerie, pseudo TwightZone/Outer Limits feel, fantastic cinematography, and a simple story well told and crafted. Great characters brought to vivid life in a 1950's New Mexico small town on one Vast Night. Tension, character interaction, small town interactions and a cast of well directed unknowns. This movie is on my top ten films list for it's retro feel, great story telling and simple stunning camera work. What wonders that can be achieved without big budget special effects. Outstanding. Not to be missed.

Mortal Kombat
(2021)

So much POTENTIAL... the bones are there...
A very mixed bag of tricks in this film. The REALLY great bits are the action choreography, production values and just enough campiness. What doesn't work? Really choppy editing, clunky script and a terrible score. Having 15 or so edits in a 5 second fight scene screams, "amateur". Soaring John Williams style scoring is so wrong for the action scenes and overwhelms the dialogue at significant moments. Every so often the tempo changes and there is better music, however, all over the spectrum. Script... terrible amounts of exposition and too many loose ends. No cohesiveness whatsoever. If you're going to introduce the world of MK, the opening sequence is great. After that, too much exposition and too many loose ends. Why mention, "The Black Dragon", ten or so times and not follow through with WHAT Black Dragon is? Too many predictable parts. Good parts of the script are some really funny one liners and utterance of famous Mortal Kombat lines in the appropriate places. Worst part of the script? Where's Johnny Cage and what the heck did they do to Kane? What's with the Cole Young character? Why mess with the compelling story of Johnny Cage and his introduction to Mortal Kombat? Fav moments, any scene with Hiroyuki Sanada, Max Huang, Joe Taslim, Chin Han and Ludi Lin. Great martial artists that BRING it in every scene. Not enough of Hiroyuki Sanada. He was tremendous, particularly any action scene. Max Huang moves like a panther and crackles with every scene. Joe Taslim brings great intensity to Sub Zero. Chin Han is a fabulous over the top villain and Ludi Lin brings great heart to every scene he's in. Lewis Tan can handle the action scenes very well, but as his performance in the Wu Assassins shows, he is capable of SO much more. Why not use this actor instead of having his character arc be so predictable and superfluous? Josh Lawson did a great job with his role, he was given most of the funny bits, however, his action scenes underwhelmed. Jessica McNamee and Mehcad Books were given terrible dialogue and significantly hamstrung action sequences. A real mixed bag. The fight choreography was excellent and it's really too bad it was hacked with poor editing. There are great tools in this box of tricks, don't hide them behind a weak script, dreadful editing and an inappropriate score.

Zack Snyder's Justice League
(2021)

There is Justice after all...
Thank you to Zack Snyder and the powers that be for bringing this essential film to the DC universe and allowing us to be a part of it. Absolutely leaves one wanting more... Small moments, Wonder Woman making tea with Alfred looking on... priceless. Martha Kent and Lois Lane interaction... Big moments: the action was fantastic and suited to the plot. WAY more action... The Epilogue. Hints of what might have been/may come to pass. Especially the chemistry between Jared Leto's Joker and Ben Affleck's Batman. You ... just... want... more... Every character shines, has new resonance and the emotive quality of the performances elevates the story and the vision Mr. Snyder had.

The Midnight Sky
(2020)

Predicable, depressing and boring... beyond belief.
Too bad... really. Great production values, intriguing idea... however, you DO need a script and this feature lacks a story. It's as if two writers had a good idea, then started a conversation about patching the two story lines together. Too bad it doesn't work and the 'reveal' at the end is just too ridiculous and pat. Don't waste your time. Please....

Wonder Woman 1984
(2020)

Don't understand the negative reviews...solid movie that entertains and gives a positive message for today.
There's a lot to like about this movie, and frankly... I don't understand all the negative reviews. I smell another agenda by some reviews... The plot is very straightforward, not too convoluted, which works here. There is a message about having hope in a chaotic world which really resonates. Without giving spoilers, those factors weigh heavily in character motivation and challenge the idea that huge special effect laden combat scenes are the only way to solve a problem. There are quite a few memorable choreographed fight/action sequences that really deliver, better than some of the action from the original Wonder Woman movie. What I love the most, the villains. It's rare to have complex villains showing their motivation and what drives them. Usually the bad guy is pretty flat, no motivation given, no remorse, no second thoughts. I love growth of Max Lord and Barbara Minerva; what drives them. Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig excel! Great casting for parts that could have been a, "remote control" performance. Excellent nuance. They both delivered balanced, well thought out roles. Really superb work by both actors. Gal Gadot delivers as the role model female heroine, focusing on hope and positivity. Gadot really shines as Wonder Woman as the character struggles with some choices she makes. One of my favourite sequences is the "fish out of water" segment running throughout. Although a lot of these scenes were shown in trailers, they are funny and fresh in the movie. Chris Pine was outstanding as the man from her past. I love how they pursued the storyline here. How Pine's character acts as the conscience of the film. Really hit it, both actors. The effects were really well done, better than battles in the first Wonder Woman movie. Stunts are well thought out and creative. Not the same old moves we've seen in action hero movies before. Very entertaining family fare, all the action is very good and the movie really delivers a positive message in this dark time. Well worth the viewing.

Outlander: Never My Love
(2020)
Episode 12, Season 5

An Exceptional Finale
Season 5 has been outstanding with this episode the cherry on the cake. As a book reader, I had a fairly good idea of the storyline, and thought it would be extremely difficult to produce for television. I need not have worried. Beautifully shot, tons of Easter Eggs for fans and truly wonderful performances by all. And that famous last line from the book is almost the last line in the season.

Outlander: The Ballad of Roger Mac
(2020)
Episode 7, Season 5

Stunning Television
This episode reminds us how brilliant and multi-layered the story of Outlander is and how marvellously crafted the show is. Showing moments of history without the gloss, no glamour, complete with beautiful performances, particularly lead actor Sam Heughan. Such a vast array of communication with a look, and the simmering build to the end of the episode. Every aspect of this episode was remarkable and left me in tears. Thank you for bringing this remarkable work of fiction to our homes. As a reader of the books, I knew what was coming, it still moved me to tears. Stunning episode.

Cats
(2019)

Worst Movie of All Time
At least Ishtar provided a few laughs... I can't begin to understand the thought process. It's horrid! The biggest problem was the CGI for the fur, ears and tails of the performers. REAL Cats don't look ANYTHING like these creepy beasts. Ears moving randomly and tails looking like awkward phallic objects. Idris Elba doing a soft shoe and singing? Jennifer Hudson NOT SINGING WELL!!! I wish brain bleach could erase this movie from my mind. A horrid, awful mess. Every aspect of this movie was terrible. Survived the cinema experience... barely.

The Witcher
(2019)

A Solid Start
Generally pleased with this offering. This isn't GOT, nor should it be. It's a different world with it's own dark places. However, one thing The Witcher could learn from GOT is development of supporting characters. Production values are high, casting is pretty spot on and lots to offer the fantasy fan. What I really like, Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Jasper Batey, Jodhi May and Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson. The choreographed fighting scenes are well executed, Cavill is a standout; larger battle scenes need someone used to handling them. Not the same thing as one on one combat. The transitional time lines. Handled very nicely. I loved the subtle cues as opposed to subtitles, "Present Day", etc. What is uneven is the writing. Too much exposition at times, particularly in the first episode. Some of the dialogue is snappy and on point and chemistry is good, however, a character will be introduced, peak your interest, then disappear without a trace. The Doppler is a clear example of this. Episode four is the strongest one, from a writing standpoint. The objectives are clearly brought forward and a fairly complicated storyline is handled beautifully. Now that they've laid out the basis of the Witcher World the writers need to focus on character development and consistent storytelling. Perhaps the show runner could focus on guiding the writers and introduce distinct story trajectories. I would suggest a first season of 10 episodes with more attention to character development would have been ideal. Overall an intriguing show, glad they have okayed a second season.

Avengers: Endgame
(2019)

Outstanding entertainment!
A really enjoyable experience! Some things you expect to happen don't and others do. Laugh out loud funny, poignant and smart with lots of Easter Eggs. The characters are well served with lots of wonderful small moments. Aspires and succeeds in entertaining and delighting the audience.

Star Trek: Discovery
(2017)

What's with the 7 rating for this show? Not justifiable.
If the idea was to throw out cannon and create a new 'Star Trekish' program, good for the producers. If the idea was to poop on the heart of Star Trek and boldly go... well done.

This dark, violent and senseless world is populated with listless characters led by a Captain without a concience. We don't care about the characters because no time has been given to get us to care, or not care, about them. Since when has ANY Star Trek Captain been written as MEAN, sadistic and without consequence? Why is Michael Burnam the be-all, know it all, that has an answer for EVERYTHING. Doesn't make sense. You can't focus so much of the plot on one character. It robs the opportunity to BUILD a team of characters and set the tone for the show.

Just one of the biggest problems with the show is the technology. The tech is too advanced for the time setting. Particularly the engine drive. Stupid, stupid, stupid. It looks like the idea was just jump into a third season storyline and get the audience to play catch up. Screen Writing 101... characters and plot. You need to set those items up. This show has not. What a pile of steaming goo.

So, IMDB, how do you justify the high ratings for this mess of a show? Someone is manipulating the data. BE honest here. Someone hasn't been.

Giving this show a 2 only because I can't give it a 1½.

Darkest Hour
(2017)

Treasure Box of Talents
A very welcome New Year Treat with a cracking script, crisp direction and an engaging cast. Usually, portraits of Winston Churchill tend to be focused on a fully empowered man, complete with legendary wit, oratory and fighting spirit. What makes Gary Oldman's Churchill stand out is his nuance of character, exploring the doubts and frailties of a man at the centre of political intrigue and the weight of impending history. The dialogue is riveting as you are drawn into a very complex dance of war or peace. The events leading up to Dunkirk are explained clearly with the resulting urgency to evacuate bringing a tension to the story total lacking from last summer's, "Dunkirk". Kudos to an outstanding cast, particularly Ben Mendohlson's King George VI.

Justice League
(2017)

Better than expected
I'm one of those few that really liked Man of Steel and Batman vs. Superman, Dawn of Justice (Director's Cut). I loved Wonder Woman and thought Suicide Squad was a crazy mess. I did like Jared Leto's Joker. Based on the internet reviews I was cautiously optimistic that Justice League was okay. It was more than okay. Very entertaining with a lot of genuine humour and great chemistry between the characters and a few really tear jerking moments.

What I liked. Great characters. Adults with adult dialogue, understated and outright hilarious moments. That's a big change from former DC movies, and a welcome change. There were suggestions of backstories to some characters that have me looking forward to stand alone movies. Great special effects, except for one thing...mentioned in the What I didn't Like section below. I thought the battles were clearly constructed and the casting is uniformly excellent. Story wasn't too complicated, big bad threat and the team comes together to fight big bad. Standard super hero fair, and not too complex for this introduction to the League.

What I didn't like. The CGI for the Big Bad. The excellence of the other special effects made Big Bad look even worse. The Minions (Para Demons) were very good, much better than Big Bad. Warner Bros..... You had a great character actor voicing this Demon. You need a REAL actor in the role. Action capture technology or the actor in full costume and enlarged as in Lord of the Rings. Never felt he was a threat, just a cardboard excuse for the Big Bad. Only blatantly bad aspect of this movie, but glaring in it's poor quality. If you bring him back or have Darkseid in a later film, do the RIGHT thing and have a quality actor. You had excellent actors in every other role so this bungle is a real puzzle.

Arctic Air
(2012)

Arctic Air
I spent the first four years of my life in my Dad's plane as he worked the coastal and inland areas of British Columbia. So when I heard of Arctic Air, I was really intrigued. The characters are very believable and the scenery is outstanding. I also love the humour and characters, particularly Adam Beach's Bobby. Finding that the path to yourself usually winds through your past, and shows you the future. It might not be pretty, but Bobby has a lot of learning to do. What I really enjoy is seeing regular folks working and living their lives without glamour, flashy costumes or unrealistic scenarios. Seems very true to life and respectful of the North West Territories. Lots of contrast between the locals and the wannabes. And the planes. Very nice to see DC3's and the lore associated with them. I'll definitely keep watching!

Winter's Bone
(2010)

Save yourself the time.
I'm a movie junkie and, like most movie junkies, have a few guilty pleasures on my shelf. One thing that I do demand of a movie is a story.

What I can't abide are terrible little films that get "good buzz". One recent example was the Blair Witch Project. Lots of buzz, but it basically revolved around bad camera angles and close ups of some chick's snot.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, can redeem Winter's Bone. I honestly can't think of a movie worse than this one. The acting is wooden, characters meaningless, hollow and the epitome of one dimensional.

Do yourself a favour and save your time for something good, worthwhile, or at the very least, with a story. I cannot understand the, "Oscar Buzz", around this film. As for spoilers, there isn't anything to spoil because there is no plot. Period.

Save your money and your time. Just an awful pile of steaming pooh.

See all reviews