LukeCustomer2

IMDb member since September 2018
    Lifetime Total
    250+
    IMDb Member
    5 years

Reviews

Pared con pared
(2024)

Saw this the first time...
When it was called "Blind Date" and was a french movie. This is a rip off with poor acting and poor story.

The set up... is that there is a recluse who has lived for years in a cheap apartment - in part - because one of the walls has no insulation... eventually someone moves into the other apartment and though he tries to scare her off... she won't leave. So they form a truce and try to be quiet... but end up falling for each other.. but since the apartments are on the other side of the complex... they never meet and have no idea what the other is like. (and they refuse to tell each other because if they did the movie would be over.

Go rent the french version.. So much better.

Radius
(2017)

Shoots for the sky
This is the kind of movie that shot for sky and some people might not like that, but I did. The story is already high concept but then they add another high concept at the end. The movie starts with a man waking from a car accident. He has no memory of what happened. When he gets into civilization the first woman that pulls over for him is dead... then he walks into a diner and they are all dead... crows are dropping from the sky - eventually he realizes he is doing it. People / living things can't get close to him without dying. He is suitably terrified and isolates himself. Eventually a woman shows up who doesn't seem effected at all. She tells him she was in the car accident with him. She also has no memory. Suddenly with her standing next to him... no one, and no animal seems to be dying. She is essentially the antidote.. but she must stand within a certain range of him.

As they are on the run from the police (who will separate them) they are remembering more about their past lives and growing closer not in a romantic sense but in a human way brought about by their predicament. Until that is... the ending. Which I will not give away. But if you think the ending is going to be something related to their powers.... nope. It has to do with why these two were in the car in the first place and why they had the accident.

For me, this script was great but the acting was poor. This is my only quibble with the movie. Hollywood should remake this with the full budget treatment.

Shortcomings
(2023)

Technically good: but not enjoyable.
I was interested enough to finish the movie and that says something but I wouldn't watch it again. The movie is about a few friends living in Berkley who are essentially all struggling. Ben Tenaka, his gay female friend Alice, and his girlfriend, Miko. Ben is a first class man boy jerk. Exhibit A in what is wrong with men today and why women are giving up on love and marriage. Ben is controlling, unfaithful, negative, a racist and a hypocrite. And shockingly his career and money prospects are poor, only being the manager of a small cinema.

We watch him as he drives off everyone in life with his toxic masculinity and I guess... are supposed to root for him in the end, that he will change. But the movie gives us no hint that is going to happen? For me the best part was his girlfriend telling him off... after leaving him. Though, he is unsupportive, sarcastic, soul crushing and unpleasant, when she tries to get away and claims to be doing an internship in New York, to let him down gently, after he messes around, confronts her for being unfaithful. Stunning but typical today. But confused as to why anyone would want to see a story about this.

Holiday in the Vineyards
(2023)

Much better than I thought it was going to be.
This was much better than expected. Privileged son of a wine family is tasked with a job by his mom -- they are looking to buy a vineyard and "Carter" (Josh Swickard) is to go find out what the bids are going to be. But Carter needs to blend in to get information so he can't stay in luxury. Carter while out scoping runs into the real estate agent with the vineyard listing who also happens to offer him lodging in her guest house, if he will help her fix it up. Long story short she thinks he is a handyman. Of course.... sparks fly.

This was absolutely better than regular Hallmark fare. Josh Swickard, in addition to actually being good looking, has mad charisma (and looks like Colin from Bridgerton). The supporting cast is solid. The only quibble is that the lead actress Sol Rodriguez is not that great and is the deadwood of the story. But still enjoyable.

Baby Reindeer
(2024)

This was so good.
I binged this the first time I watched it. This is the kind of show that I didn't think Hollywood could make anymore. Packed with meaning at every turn with its pulse on the brokenness of so many. But truly not depressing or without a positive message. The ending was so pitch perfect bringing the entire saga full circle that I could do nothing but cry.

As has been stated this is presumably a story about a bartender / comedian who ends up with a stalker who changes his life and helps him deal with truths in his life he couldn't face.

My only quibble is that it sort of falls into some stereotypes of things that deeply trouble people but these tropes have been used a million times and I wish they would be more original on the many and varied ways people can become broken and the ways they deal with it.

Fallout
(2024)

You may not like it if you aren't a game fan
As a woman and a non game fan I wouldn't recommend this show. It is made well but has nothing in it I want to see. It is essentially the game turned into a tv show... but that doesn't mean I will want to see any of it. Some examples from the first two shows... the main character, alleged to be a spoiled girl, essentially has sex with a raider (criminal) under false pretenses, has her father kidnapped, and her response... go out into the very scary world to get him back. Um... that is what a character in a game does... no girl has those reactions. Soon we are introduced to a character that has his foot taken clear off and dies from the bleeding and what does this girl do? Removes his head as he asked. Right, as you do? There is no humanity in this show, just game characters and thus no one to root for.

Ripley
(2024)

Everything that is wrong with Hollywood.
This was not good. I haven't even seen the talented Mr. Ripley so I am not being influenced. The story, what there is of it, is that a rich playboy won't come home so his rich dad hires some acquaintance of this son to convince him to come home. But said acquaintance is not exactly a nice person. Agree that Andrew Scott is all wrong for this role. He comes off as completely the sketchy person he is. (and the first scene gives away the ending so you have no doubt). Right now he is being pushed by Hollywood so he gets this role even though he isn't right for it. The black and white does nothing to help the story and only screams pretentious (and I think it actually makes Scott look older). But for me the real problem is that there isn't enough story here to make a series. The first two episodes were intensely slow and drawn out. Even hitting the fast forward button a lot I felt like they were really puffing the story out. This is everything wrong with Hollywood today. Take a previously done story, do it wrong, make it longer and cast people you want to push.

Inventing Anna
(2022)

Could not get past the first episode
Normally I like Shondaland things but this did not do it for me. It was a classic case of tell don't show. We start with Anna being jailed for theft and then go directly to the reporter who takes an interest. Vivian a writer at Manhattan Magazine who tells everyone she can in the first episode how important Anna's story is. The problem for the audience is that we aren't given any good reason why. They go on to suggest that it is something about Vivian... that Vivian made some mistake in her journalism career that she wants to correct via Anna's story. But in the entire first episode I could see nothing that could do that. Anna is a jerk and I know enough of the story to know there likely ISN"T... anything to add. Getting tired of fame being equal to a good story. Sometimes they are just criminals.

Wednesday
(2022)

Not great
I heard so much good about this but unfortunately after about 4 episodes I just wasn't interested any more. While it was slightly better than most Netflix fare, imho, it had a few problems that ruined it for me. Wednesday was a super Mary Sue throughout most of this series. She has two love interests who are head over heels for her and there is almost nothing that she cannot do / solve. All of her investigations... she is set up as on top of them. If there is any sort of school competition she is the winner. Her roommate will do anything to be her friend even though Wednesday is not pleasant. I just had no interest in sticking around until they end to find out anything.

Little Women
(2017)

Uneven: with filler
This is not a faithful telling of Little Women, rather they try to add to the original story. They flesh out a few things that were not clear in the original but, it turns out, adding to this story does not make it better. For me, the acting wasn't particularly stellar either. Maya Hawke, nepo baby, leads this story, poorly. Not interesting enough to play Jo. Kathryn Newton as Amy doesn't really capture the role and seems bratty most of the time. It is hard to buy Laurie's interest in her as anything other than a rebound. I did enjoy the additions with regard to Mr. Brook and additional information around Laurie and Mr. Lawrence, but in the end I could take this or leave it.

The Flatshare
(2022)

Pretty good.
Though, this ground was already covered in the movie... the night we never met. Basically Tiffany needs a cheap flat and Leon needs money so they make an arrangement where Tiffany gets the apartment from 8 pm to 8 am and Leon from 8 am to 8 pm. Leon is a nurse who works at night. So, per the roommate agreement they never meet and only communicate by post it notes.. until hijinks ensue.

Frankly the series was too long. It came to its natural conclusion around episode 4 and you could tell they were dragging it out. The non picked love interests were total tropes that were a chore to watch because they were such horrible people. And finally I think this would have been better if they had Jonah Hauer-King as Leon. It is glaring that he is in this but only has a small insignificant part.

On the plus side thank you to the actor who does play Leon (Anthony Welsh) for creating a unique character -- a true introvert -- that is interesting and compelling. But I never necessarily got the feeling he had any feelings for Tiffany or anyone in the world. Even his concern about his brother seemed like stubbornness.

The Power
(2023)

Well done.
I am only about 1/2 way through but so far this is an excellent show. One of the best aspects I think is that it has several main characters and shows, somewhat believably, what would happen if they all developed new powers. I enjoyed the world building of each very different character and the "what would happen if" of it all. We see the story mostly via the mayor of Seattle who is dealing with overwelmed first responders and EMTs only to be told my the governor to "not get her panties in a wad" in response to this major change in the world. She is told by authorities to keep it quiet but she decides instead to blow the whistle and tell everyone what is happening.

Upgraded
(2024)

I am so confused.
Unlike the utter trash that is on Netflix these days this was an actual movie. With a non AI script and actual actors. Things actually take place with humanity an dialog that sounds like it would come out of a human being. So I am confused to see all these bad reviews. No doubt this movie has flaws and I was going to point them out but the movie itself is good.

I am guessing this movie is based a bit on Cinderella. The main character (Ana) is dirt poor (but pretty) and works for a boss who has two henchladies. The dynamic reminds me of the evil stepmother. The "step sisters" place her on late flight to London (where they are going to work) and Ana has airline worker take pity on her and put her in first class. There she meets a great guy and sort of lies with abandon. I am assuming because she thought it would be just the flight but once she gets to London sort of has to maintain the ruse.

In the end this lying gets her ahead of people who had worked for years and gets her all that she had wanted. There is the rub. The script didn't do a sufficient job not making the main character out to be someone who's lying got her stuff and used even her love interest. That wasn't great. But, if you can hand wave that just a little you will enjoy this. They do make efforts to redeem the main character but not enough.

3 Body Problem
(2024)

Meh
This is a very uneven show. Some parts are thrilling and compelling... some meander and don't make sense. Some casting is spot on while some irritated me the entire time. I can't say I would be excited about a season 2. I never read the book but the show centers on 5 or 6 smart "scientists" dealing with the aftermath of a collapse of science. The main character Auggie -- a scientist who is supposed to be starting a nanotech company. Too bad she looks like a 23 year old supermodel who I don't buy as a scientist for a second. There is also some of the famous D&D poor writing with a dumbing down of the story as you can see they only allude to complicated subjects but never go into them. Then there is the idea that just about everything in the world just happens to happen to this 5 or 6 person friend group in London. Not buying it. There is also a plot line that goes over 6 or so of the episodes that, in the end, comes to nothing. Super uneven. There is just honestly no one to root for in this story even with actors doing their level best.

Falling for Christmas
(2022)

Liked it.
Came to this after watching Irish Wish. Imho this was so much better. Yes this is a very predictable rom com. Kind of stealing the plot of "Overboard" but this one had a few things that helped. First, the script. I don't think this one was AI. It moved and changed like a human wrote it. There was showing more than telling -- ie... when Lindsay's character starts to remember her mom when brushing the hair of the love interest's daughter. The supporting cast. Cord Overstreet was charming and had a reason for being where he was. He had a charming and delightful daughter and mom in law. All of this cast help divert focus from this being pure "romance". Lindsay's character was a bit much at first but as the movie goes on you see her learn and grow, something that can be missing in typical rom coms.

Moxie
(2021)

Good movie
I get frustrated that people call this woke. This is not woke. This is a legit message that could needs to get out there more. I honestly think it is the same message that movies like Heathers and Pump up the volume were pushing way back in the 80s.

Basically meek and obedient student Vivian just wants to keep her head down and get through high school with her introvert friend Claudia. That is until a new girl comes to the school, Lucy, who offers a different perspective and Vivian finds out about her mom's past as a rebel. Suddenly Vivian is noticing all the little problems at her school and suddenly she can't tolerate them anymore. Vivian speaks out with a newsletter type thing placed in all the bathrooms pointing the problems out under the name of Moxie. Everyone starts to see it now.

Ultimately this is a woman rights movie but you could argue it is a bad behavior movie. We are just done with letting bad behavior go it is about time schools and boards got with program.

Irish Wish
(2024)

Ooof this was bad.
I so wanted to like this but it was plagued by the same thing a lot of the cheaper rom coms tend to have... a robot way of dialog. I do think this script was IA inspired because everything is so flat and plain and 90% of the story is told by exposition, dialog with the main character on the phone to her mom. "Mom you know I have always been in love with X" , Mom says "sweety you know I told you to tell him your feelings". This movie is tell don't show.

The big problem though is there isn't really a ton of chemistry with either of the male actors and Lohan. The guy she is crushing on isn't that great and you can't really see why she is crushing on him. The guy she ends up with they employ the "haters to lovers" trope and do it poorly because there is no reason for them to be fighting. They also use the trope of two people in a room together will fall in love for no other reason than they are together. Also problematic is the music. Poor rom coms tend to have this... music that is plain and doesn't seem to match what is going on tends to hurt the overall story - you feel like the whole thing is trying too hard.

Damsel
(2024)

Enjoyed it..
As is obvious from the trailers... a princess from a kingdom that is in dire conditions is offered a way out for her kingdom by marriage to a prince. What is the catch you say? Well, good on them they mostly say that but can't find anything obvious so...Princess Elodie goes through with the marriage and, sadly, is immediately taken out to be sacrificed to a dragon. That is cold. The only thing I didn't like is that much of the section dealing with how she survives is a little too long and, in some parts, unbelievable. But most of it is stronger and more intelligent than I was expecting. For example, she doesn't just magically survive... all the other girls have written information on the walls of the cave so that each girl has more information to survive. It ends in a manner that I wanted it to and is overall smart enough not to have me turn off.

Code 8: Part II
(2024)

Boring and I turned it off.
Just like the first movie, this is a "powers" movie where almost no one uses their powers. So, most of this movie is going to be restrained and thus boring. Also, the first one suffered from an insufferable and depressing world. Nothing changes here. It all takes place in a nightmarish world with poor main characters living terrible lives. Why do I want to watch that? If at the end, the powers made some difference, ok but, no, they are hardly used and we just get to be witness to depressing things happening to the main characters who, frankly aren't that interesting. Please Netflix stop making these movies.

The School for Good and Evil
(2022)

This is terrible
They got me... they put big stars in this thing and made me think it was going to be good... but it wasn't. It had a good plot. Basically, there is a school that sort of trains the fairy tale persons in good and evil and these two girls are sent there. But - make it make sense. After that, nothing makes sense. First, what is glaringly obvious is that the schools of good and evil are boring and broken. Later they give an explanation for that but it is strange that no one in the movie could figure that out. Secondly getting to the end of this movie seemed to take forever with very little in the way of explanation. Lots of time filler scenes. And the final twist has been done a zillion times before. Skip it.

A Tourist's Guide to Love
(2023)

Advertisement for Tourism in Vietnam
I would not be surprised to find out Vietnam paid for this movie. As it is mostly an advertisement for tourism in that country. Basically, Amanda (Rachel Lee Cook) is a travel executive. Her boyfriend John (Ben Feldman) is an accountant. They have the perfect ho hum life until John decides to go to Ohio for a job and suggests they go on a "hiatus" (not that she come with). Amanda rightfully ends it. At work an opportunity comes up to check out a tour in Vietnam to see if the company wants to buy the tour. So Amanda is off to Vietnam to check out the tour. She finds a very hot tour guide who she develops feelings for but she needs not to tell him what she is doing there. For me there were two problems. No matter how they try to sell it Vietnam is just no place I would ever want to visit and I was left utterly unmoved by any of it and the main love interests just had no chemistry and I kind of had a hard time thinking it would be a good idea for them to have a relationship since they were so different - she lived in LA he in Vietnam. Seems like a fling to me.

Ninguém Tá Olhando
(2019)

Clever and funny.
This show had me laughing in the first episode. Filled with witty commentary on the way bureaucracy, stupidity, and followers can get in the way of any basic mission. Guardian angel Uli is the newest angel to be created. He is given the low down on his job from the other angels and given four rules that he can never break. All the other guardian angels follow these rules without question but Uli is just not a follower. He is informed that humans can't see them but also, that they must wear a uniform... but why then? No one has ever asked that before. He is informed that he cannot enter "the bosses" office but when he does, he finds there is no boss, just a machine that randomly ends out assignments. Within the first episode he has broken all the rules and is more effectively being a force for good than any of the other guardian angels.

Everything Everywhere All at Once
(2022)

Glad I didn't see this in the theater
In the end a think a lot of people liked this movie because of the style. It has a unique style that is effectively interesting. But the story, oh boy, the story has no there - there. Evelyn Wang is living a miserable life. She is poor, she runs and owns a laundry (and lives above it) has a dad to take care of, a husband to take care of (who is divorcing her) and a daughter who is not living up to her potential. No spoiler that the IRS is currently threatening her business. Until one day something comes for her. In fact, another universes' version of her husband shows up in her husband's body and tells her there is a multiverse bad guy trying to destroy everything and she is the only one who can stop it. Ok promising start but the movie never fleshes out a story. We just tend to go round and round round on essentially the same plot for hours. With really no explanation on how she is able to do such things. Most of the movie seems to be heading toward an idea that she would be a happy movie star if she just hadn't married her husband. But they didn't have guts to do that and go with a schmaltzy end that of course... glorifies marriage, motherhood, and female selfless caregiving even though it so clearly ruined this lady's life. I can recommend the first 45 minutes or so but after that... nope.

The Tourist
(2022)

Average at best
There is only one good thing about this series...that is Danielle McDonald as Helen. The rest was super boring. Everyone keeps talking about Jamie Doran as the main character but for me he was terrible. I never felt like I knew the character and for someone who has lost his memory it is even more important that you establish a baseline zero memory characterization up front. I never felt like he had any dramatic journey and I just didn't really care too much about who he was. Seemed obvious that he was not too great a person and I wouldn't have cried if he was killed. Helen, on the other hand, had the journey here - in fact I think of her as the main character. However at the end they undercut a lot of her journey by being chicken about what they set up and walking it back. Waste of time. I would watch but just start fasting forwarding any scenes that do not have Helen in them.

Resident Alien
(2021)

Great show for only the first season.
This was a laugh out loud funny show. Alan Tudyk plays an alien that crashed lands on earth, taking the form of a human, only to be drafted by the local town when their doctor dies. Not only is Alan Tudyk great and funny as the alien, the entire small town (sort of like Northern exposure) are full of funny and kind town members that the alien can learn from. The humor is the type that I like, low key and witty... showing how funny humans can be when they don't know it. All the town characters are amusing and kind and play off the alien quite well. That is, until... season two. When I watched the first episode of season 2 and didn't laugh once, and the resident alien was only 30% in the episode... i knew something had changed. I just turned it off. Just watch the first season.

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