H0LLYW00D Reviews

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

Masterpiece

[9/10 · 3 April 2024]

I don't usually enjoy mafia stories unless it's about Tony Soprano. And also, I can't watch an 86-episode series in one month unless it's The Sopranos.

The Sopranos took the first step firmly and was continuously evolving from the very first episode to the last. The allure of the personal lives of the supporting characters in some episodes surpasses that of the main character, and this multitude of characters has contributed to the beauty of the story.

Contrary to most series that use attractive appearances to attract viewers, many characters in this story are not very appealing at first glance. For example, the main character Tony may not be appealing to some at first sight. However, what has made this series worth watching is the actors' performances, the engaging story, the right direction, and a camera that is not seeking self-display.

By watching the series over time, I connected with the characters, and in the middle of the series, I realized that the lead actor, James Gandolfini, from 2013, had passed away. This fact was so strange and unbelievable to me that I felt bad for a few days, and then I realized that the director had managed to relate us well to the story's characters.

The Sopranos is on one side mafia-themed and ruthless, and on the other deeply familial, showcasing many complexities of parent-child relationships. Furthermore, the psychological aspect of the series in some scenes is like a classroom, and one can learn from it.

Overall, The Sopranos, with all its terrifying scenes, boundless violence, numerous betrayals, and consecutive murders, is not only full of emotional and dramatic moments but sometimes becomes intensely humorous and makes one laugh.

Vertigo (1958)

Vertigo is like a team with international stars that has lost the game

[3/10 · 30 March 2024]

Vertigo fails to captivate its audience, as it lacks the essential elements of a compelling film. The erratic pacing and uninspiring storyline result in disengagement and boredom for viewers. The narrative lacks depth and fails to hold interest, with certain sequences, like the car chases, offering little to engage with, prompting viewers to seek alternative distractions such as cooking or browsing on their mobile devices.

Upon viewing the film, rather than experiencing a sense of satisfaction, audiences are left with a pervasive feeling of disorientation. It appears that inducing vertigo is the primary objective of both the director and the storyline. The technical aspects of the film, including cinematography, acting, editing, and costume design, do little to elevate the viewing experience. It is reminiscent of observing a team of international stars falter in a game, failing to deliver a captivating performance.

Even the film's musical score, intended to enhance the viewing experience, proves to be more grating than immersive. In all candor, Vertigo is grossly overrated. It is imperative to evaluate the film's artistic merits independently of the reputations of Hitchcock or Stewart. This cinematic creation seems devoid of the elements that typically make an artistic experience enjoyable. Historical sales data from its release further underscore the film's lack of merit, suggesting that viewers would be better served investing their time in more rewarding cinematic endeavors.

With a runtime of approximately two hours, Vertigo fails to justify its length with a coherent and engaging plot. The narrative meanders aimlessly, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction rather than fulfillment. The lack of a compelling storyline becomes evident as the movie progresses, failing to maintain a consistent rhythm that keeps the audience invested.

The thematic focus on disorientation and dizziness permeates every aspect of the film, from the storyline to the music. This singular emphasis on inducing a specific emotional response limits the depth and complexity that could have enriched the viewing experience. Despite the technical proficiency in cinematography, acting, and editing, these elements fall short of salvaging the film from its fundamental flaws.

Critically examining Vertigo beyond the reputations of its renowned director and lead actor reveals a work that struggles to resonate on its own merits. The absence of a cohesive artistic vision and a compelling narrative arc diminishes the film's impact, leaving viewers with a sense of missed potential. While the movie may have garnered commercial success upon its release, its enduring legacy is marred by its failure to deliver a truly immersive and rewarding cinematic experience.

In conclusion, Vertigo stands as a prime example of a film that falls short of its lofty reputation. Its shortcomings in storytelling, pacing, and thematic depth hinder its ability to engage and entertain audiences. Rather than basking in the glow of past acclaim, it is essential to reassess the film based on its intrinsic artistic value. By exploring more enriching cinematic offerings, viewers can truly appreciate the artistry and storytelling prowess that define a truly exceptional movie experience.

Wednesday (2022– )

Predictable

[5/10 · 4 March 2024]

The first season of the "Wednesday" series fell short of expectations, delivering a predictable and exaggerated storyline that often veered into the realm of unreasonableness. Regrettably, the series failed to captivate adult audiences and was not suitable for teenagers as well.

One of the major pitfalls of the series lies in the characterization of the main protagonist, Wednesday. Her personality comes across as unconvincing and fails to establish a meaningful connection with us. Throughout the series, viewers may find it challenging to empathize with Wednesday, leaving them feeling as though they are observing a robotic figure rather than a relatable girl.

Moreover, certain scenes and characters within the series are portrayed in an exaggerated manner, lacking the depth and nuance needed for a compelling narrative. Notably, the portrayal of Wednesday's psychology sessions feels forced and unnecessary, while the decisions surrounding her dismissal and the connection between Wednesday and her ancestor come across as contrived and unconvincing.

The integration of technology within the storyline, particularly within the confines of Nevermore Academy, raises questions about its relevance and execution. The utilization of technology within the narrative feels disjointed and fails to enhance the overall storytelling experience.

Furthermore, the musical score of the series draws comparisons to the iconic "Hercule Poirot" series, albeit without capturing the essence and atmosphere that made the latter so beloved. While the music adds a touch of familiarity, it ultimately falls short of elevating the viewing experience and fails to complement the unique tone of the show.

In conclusion, "Wednesday" fails to deliver a compelling narrative and falls short of its potential. With a lackluster storyline and unconvincing character development, the series struggles to engage viewers and falls flat in its execution. As such, I would not recommend "Wednesday" to people who seeking a captivating and immersive viewing experience.

The Artful Dodger (2023– )

collection of intriguing short stories, the absence of a central narrative

[5/10 · 23 January 2024]

The artful dodger series falls short in delivering a cohesive main story. While it presents a collection of intriguing short stories, the absence of a central narrative diminishes the overall impact. Additionally, the characters display a mix of expendable and indispensable qualities, resulting in a fractured dynamic.

Undoubtedly, David Thewlis stands out as the standout performer, delivering a captivating performance. However, the remaining cast members struggle to leave a lasting impression.

In contrast to series that captivate viewers with a compelling main story, this particular series only offers glimpses into various episodic narratives, leaving audiences yearning for more substance. The lack of a solid story arc leaves the viewer to navigate through a disconnected array of individual tales. Consequently, the series feels more like scattered fragments instead of a united body of work.

The music does an adequate job in setting the mood, but at times, it fails to strike the necessary balance between atmospheric enhancement and musical accompaniment. This inconsistency can prove to be distracting, as it disrupts the immersion in the series' world.

One cannot help but question the director's choices in execution, as a more coherent story structure could have been achieved by delving into the main narrative earlier and skimming over extraneous details. By streamlining the series and focusing on the core elements, the overall experience could have achieved a greater impact.

The limited episode count of seven raises further concerns. Given the disjointed nature of the series, it begs the question as to whether a shorter season with only five or fewer episodes would have been more effective. A reduction in episodes may have allowed for a tighter and more focused storytelling approach.

In conclusion, the artful dodger series fails to harness the potential of its intriguing premise. The absence of a cohesive main story detracts from its overall impact, while the characters struggle to leave a lasting impression. The music, although adequate, occasionally misses the mark in maintaining a consistent atmospheric tone. With a more decisive directorial approach and a streamlined episode count, the series could have offered a more fulfilling viewing experience.

The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2025)

How a brave writer and captivating atmosphere make it an unexpected story

[8/10 · 18 November 2023]

Before watching the movie and reading the plot summary, there were doubts about its ability to captivate and the genre not being a favorite. However, after watching all four seasons, I believe that everyone should see this movie and enjoy watching it. There are always some problems though.

One of the strengths of the film is the brave and creative writer behind it. This writer is not afraid to create an unknown world and is fully aware of where they are going with the story. This fearlessness is evident in the way the story unfolds, keeping the audience engaged and interested throughout.

Another strength of the movie is the professional and precise character development. The main character goes through logical stages of growth, and nothing happens without reason. This attention to detail in character development adds depth and believability to the story, making it easier for the audience to connect with the characters and become emotionally invested in their journeys.

Furthermore, the music, camera work, set design, and costumes in the film are exceptional. The music sets the mood and tone of each scene, heightening the emotions and enhancing the overall viewing experience. The camera work captures the intricacies of the world, the characters, and the action with precision, creating visually stunning frames. The set design and costumes further add to the atmosphere, reflecting the unique characteristics of the world and the personalities of the characters.

In addition to these strengths, the film also excels in its memorable characters and the director's vision. The protagonist goes through a remarkable journey of self-discovery and growth, starting as an ordinary individual and facing various challenges that push them to their limits. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, contributing to the overall richness and depth of the narrative.

The director's artistic vision and ability to create a captivating atmosphere are commendable. Through their use of music, camera work, and set design, they transport the audience to an unknown world, immersing them in its intricacies and complexities. The attention to detail in the set design and costumes adds to the overall experience, with each location and outfit reflecting the unique characteristics of the world.

In conclusion, this film stands out for its intriguing story, well-developed characters, and skillful direction. The combination of the brave and creative writer, the professional character development, and the captivating atmosphere created through music, camera work, set design, and costumes make this film a must-watch. Regardless of one's preferred genre, the world created in this movie will captivate and transport viewers to a realm of imagination and wonder.

But this film unfortunately, falls short in establishing a strong and believable connection between the two worlds of Canada and the United States. Despite the intriguing premise, there seems to be a lack of coherence and seamless integration between the two settings. The transitions between the two worlds feel disjointed and abrupt, leaving the audience feeling disconnected and confused.

In general, the strong points of the series are much more than the negative points and it can be said that it is a successful and honorable series.

Succession (2018–2023)

Some reasons to stop watching

[5/10 · 18 June 2023]

After watching the first season of the series, I made the decision to not continue due to several reasons. Firstly, I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters despite investing hours into the storyline. Sympathy is an important factor when it comes to attracting an audience, yet there is a lack of it in this story.

Secondly, the story lacked excitement throughout the ten episodes. It is unusual for a series not to convey excitement to the viewer, however this show proved to be an exception. Perhaps if the characters were more relatable or sympathetic, then the excitement factor would increase.

Thirdly, many events in the story seemed illogical. For instance, the presence of Greg at Logan Roy's family parties seems absurd. Furthermore, some of the characters' choices in the story were questionable, such as Kendall trusting his friend repeatedly. And the most important thing, even after ten episodes, it is unclear why someone like Tom Wambsgans became the son-in-law of the family.

The atmosphere and topics discussed in the story reminded me more of a Turkish series filled with betrayal, rather than an American one. However, there were some redeeming qualities such as the soundtrack, some of the acting performances, the opening credits and the camra.

In conclusion, I found the series lacking in several ways and decided not to continue past the first season.

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

What a bad story

[7/10 · 7 April 2023]

Avatar 1 was one of the best movies ever but this one is a complete disaster in story.

Although special effects are spectacular and the soundtrack is perfect, the story isn't good enough.

I personally expect some climaxes and more excitement.

. Who was the hero?

Why should we love someone who has abandoned his tribe?

Is this coward the hero of the previous story?

I personally believe that if this movie is being watched a lot, it is because of Avatar 1, otherwise this movie has nothing to say except special effects and soundtrack.

I really can't tell you in which part of the movie i was excited, whole of it is calm and quiet.

Cellular (2004)

A strange contrast between the main story of the film and the behavior of the first character

[6/10 · 20 October 2022]

The good part of the movie was the actors, direction and filming. And of course the accident and explosion scenes are excellent. But I want to tell more about the illogical and conflicting story.

Ryan wanted to save a family from death so what is the difference between this family and those drivers who probably lost their lives because of Ryan's driving? On the other hand, the police should in any case sentence Ryan to years in prison. He did every illegal act there was, while he could have involved the police instead of these things. Yes, it was fun, but the story is full of contradictions that are not acceptable.