cjbarrett Reviews

The Bricklayer (2023)

Race to the Bottom

[1/10 · 11 April 2024]

I'm an Aaron Eckhart fan. Honest. I don't understand why he's not doing something more meaningful, more interesting or honest.

Like robbing a bank or scamming the elderly.

The "script" plays like a cut and paste collection of low budget action films from the 1990's. The acting has all the originality of the finest Steven Seagal work. I'll go with the idea that the director had something, almost anything better to do. I'm all for productions that come in under $20,000,000 and shoot for the fast, fun adventure flick.

Hopefully this will payoff whatever horrible obligations Mr. Eckhart has forcing him into this.

Reacher (2022– )

Loved Season 1 but.....

[6/10 · 26 January 2024]

We were big fans of season 1. I've read all Lee Child's Reacher stories.

Season 2 was much anticipated but so disappointing. Don't know if they brought in a new show runner or what but they certainly sucked all the fun out of the series. Jack became a boring, one note thug. My wife, who was, unsurprisingly a big fan of the first season, pretty much gave up after five or six episodes. It all felt forced and driven by the characters making the stupidest decisions. Ultimately we'll look for the next season but they're definitely on a short leash. It's a wonderful cast they deserve better from the writers and producers.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Brutally disappointing

[5/10 · 3 December 2023]

I'd put off watching this final installment because word of mouth among my friends wasn't good. My expectations were lowered but still, I'm puzzled by the shallowness of of this effort. Phoebe Waller -Bridge's character is basically just obnoxious. Think Shia LaBeouf with boobs.

One of the hallmarks of the Indy films has always been the humor. But when the titular character is the butt of most of the jokes, you're not winning any admirers. Also the choice to play most of the action sequences in half light, may have helped disguise some of Ford's age but ultimately sells a remarkable actor short. We're aware of his age, we're here watching because we respect and love him and his craft.

In the end, disheartening and unsatisfying.

The Mandalorian (2019– )

Season 3 marketing ploy

[8/10 · 14 May 2023]

We enjoyed seasons 1 and 2. Unfortunately season 3 seems to exist as the Mandalorian version of Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, the Ewok merchandise money grab. Basically it's a vehicle to market Baby Yoda merch. The writing and direction play as afterthoughts. The narrative is now just a jumble of pointless opportunities for the green puppet to do cute things. The first two seasons had that delightful space western feel. This feels like the longest Super Bowl ad ever made. A collection of quality actors who always bring their A-game, the production just abandoned them in favor of a padded out, pointless exercise in greed.

The Sinner: Part VIII (2020) Season 3, Episode 8

Loved seasons 1&2

[3/10 · 16 March 2023]

What a stunning turn. Redefines stupid, ludicrous, absurd and complete waste of time. I hope the writers of this season never, ever work again. Horrible thing to say but yeah, really. My wife and I were laughing and alternating yelling at the television. Every tired worn out trope they trotted out to eat up another episode. Absolutely god awful. I'm a longtime admirer of Mr. Pullman, one of our best working actors today. I wish he could relax into a character that's slightly less insane. Honestly, playing something normal isn't that easy. This season was a great example of, when everyone's completely crazy no one cares. It's boring, boring....boring.

Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)

Disappointing is such an inadequate word.

[5/10 · 11 March 2023]

I loved the series. I think Elba is a remarkable actor. I know this new film is complete crap. Contrived is an equally inadequate term. Clown show. This is a money grab by folks associated with a formerly brilliant bit of television, an on going exploration of an honorable life gone off the rails. Idris Elba is one of our greatest working actors today. Nonetheless, even his prodigious talents can't redeem this absurd piece of nonsense. Honestly I'm running out of gas trying to pad this out to the required length. This is already more time than I'd spend on a good project. Oh, Andy Sirkis is growing sooo tiresome. I thought he was wonderful in the beginning but now his primary objective seems to be being weird. Horrible waste of time.

Three Pines (2022)

Love Alfred Molina, hate this dismal series.

[3/10 · 16 December 2022]

After the first two part mystery I hoped it might find it's footing and improve. Just the opposite sadly. Hard to say the acting actually got worse but other than Mr. Molina it really becomes painful to watch. A few of the supporting players, all local hires I imagine, come across as earnest amateurs. The direction and screen plays are equally shoddy.

I understand the original books are quite good but if that's true there's no evidence of it here. Frustrating that a legitimate social issue, the dreadful treatment of indigenous peoples, is suffocated under this misguided mess. Mr. Molina and the source material deserves better.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Pretentious nonsensical hokum

[3/10 · 29 July 2022]

Richard Burton wasted his talents on alcohol. Let's hope Benedict Cumberbatch doesn't waste his talent on Marvel. What does it take, time wise, for him to make one of these derivative, adolescent wastes of cinematic energy? How many real films might he make, how many plays might he contribute to, were he not involved in this childish pablum?

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Bitterly disappointed in a weak sloppy effort

[4/10 · 29 May 2022]

The acting is so uneven. The direction may be worse. Am I a bad person for wishing Leia gets caught and tortured? If you make the character that obnoxious what do you expect? Couldn't they hire a fight choreographer, the action is generally awkward and unbelievable. So yeah, disappointed thus far.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– )

Gritting our teeth

[5/10 · 14 May 2022]

Really tough to follow because the acting is so weak, particularly the lead, sad to say. Love the books. Used to like David Kelly. Weak effort, less than brilliant production. Uneven direction. I've been looking forward to this for ages. Maybe that's why it's so disappointing.

Cleaner (2007)

Wonderful group of actors.

[6/10 · 26 April 2022]

A weak script that director Harlin manages to make worse. Harlin's best effort to date is probably Die Hard 2, which is pretty much, meh. Ha almost single handedly sank Geena Davis' career. Sam Jackson, Ed Harris and the others all do remarkably good work given the crap script and worse direction.

Smiley's People (1982)

Compelling drama that never insults with oversimplification.

[10/10 · 11 April 2022]

No this isn't the "Marvel Universe", nor "John Wick". It's deliberately paced story telling meant to allow us to ponder the clues while marveling at the performances. If you need slip-ons because tying your shoes is too complicated, you may want to pass on this. Remarkable series.

Julia (2022–2023)

Remarkable story

[6/10 · 3 April 2022]

Really sorry they felt the need to rewrite history, vilifying Paul and generally tweaking the world to present a more politically correct one. Good actors, disappointing representation of the real people making this unique history.

Death on the Nile (2022)

What next, Murder by Death?

[6/10 · 30 March 2022]

I mean why not, Branagh's already turned these into parodies. Why not embrace the silliness even more and go full on farce? Some decent acting. Russell Brand continues to surprise me. Godot looks good in her gowns.

Around the World in 80 Days (2021– )

Deeply disappointing

[6/10 · 15 February 2022]

They've managed to suck all the fun and most of the humor out of a very engaging story. Please read the original story. The actors are fine. The relentless messaging in each episode undermines any chance at enjoyment.

Only Murders in the Building: To Protect and Serve (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Interesting concept, wretched episode.

[5/10 · 22 September 2021]

The writing has been uneven but this episode just set a new low. It's tough to watch something when you're feeling embarrassed for the actors involved. Loved Selena squeaking out about being an adult to her mommy. Yikes.

Audrey (I) (2020)

Painfully disappointing

[4/10 · 11 April 2021]

Really curious, is the estate of Audrey Hepburn so desperate for money it would license its name to this nonsense? I adore Ms. Hepburn, she's one of my favorite actors.

Prey: Episode #1.1 (2014) Season 1, Episode 1

Strangely familiar

[6/10 · 7 March 2021]

I certainly hope the writers for the feature Fugitive got compensated for the plot outline. Opening shot, my wife and I looked at each other and said " the Fugitive". But with a cop instead of a doctor. And on a low end TV budget. Really? That said, good action and some great acting. Functional direction, if unimaginative. Again, copying shots from the film just on a smaller scale. Irritating but ultimately enjoyable enough.

I Care a Lot (2020)

Wretched

[2/10 · 5 March 2021]

Should have cared a lot more about a script. Interesting acting but a remarkable waste of time and talent. At least in front of the camera.

Keeping Faith (2017–2021)

Progressively more disappointing

[6/10 · 26 December 2020]

What started out as an interesting, well acted series devolved into a pretentious, overly complicated, poorly executed, tediously directed mess. By the sixth episode I was actively swearing at the television. The writing and directing choices were seemingly made for no other reason than to stretch out the story for extra time and money. Made me crazy.

The Legend of 5 Mile Cave (2019)

Family doesn't have to mean simple or weak.

[4/10 · 30 August 2020]

Think about Princess Bride. Very similar in structure but the writing, direction and acting were worlds better. Love Adam Baldwin, an always reliable, likable actor. He feels oddly miscast in this. Although everything about this film is a fantasy, that's not a reason to short change the film making. Still I don't understand why a "family film" has to come in like a poorly executed, low quality HALLMARK CHANNEL film. Again, really poor writing and direction in particular. Very disappointing.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

Sad lazy embarrassment.

[2/10 · 24 March 2020]

The real contest here is between what's worst. The script, direction or acting. The script is a flat, contrived collection of cliches. Pretty much an equal for the miserable, lazy and cliched direction. But the clear winner is the acting! When you can take talents like James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jessica Chastain and to a somewhat lesser degree Sophie Turner and make them boringly painful to watch it's quite an accomplishment. Most of the newer members fail to even register. Stunning in its ineptitude. Please stop making these.

Spenser Confidential (2020)

Disappointing

[3/10 · 7 March 2020]

Read the books a few years ago, found episodes of the tv show. Lots of action and humor. This update was ham handed and clumsy. Really hard to believe Peter Berg directed this, there are so many basic filmmaking issues. Look like an early effort from an AFI dropout. And the script's a cliche ridden mess. I did like Marc Maron.

Star Trek: Picard: The End Is the Beginning (2020) Season 1, Episode 3

Fair to middling

[8/10 · 7 February 2020]

Who the hell calls Jean-Luc, JL? Sounds ridiculous. Also not helped by the actor playing Raffi. She's dreadful. She works a lot but these days that doesn't mean anything. Patrick Stewart and Allison Pill are wonderful as usual and the actor playing Rios seems good. The scripts are clunky and production values cheap. Did love seeing them film at Vasquez Rocks again. Goes all the way back to the original series. Good moments and the pace is picking up. I'll continue watching.

Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood (2017)

"Salacious but not entirely provable"

[1/10 · 2 September 2019]

Pandering to a tabloid worthy attention seeker, this, so called doc, wastes both the film maker's talent and whatever meager audience's time. Cary Grant once said something to the effect, after you die they can and will say anything they want about you. Pathetic but accurate.