Derpyderpaderp Reviews

The Man with the Answers (2021)

Call Me by Your Name 2.0

[10/10 · 15 July 2021]

Most years there's one gay film that ends up being "the one to watch" over everything else. For me, this is it.

Whether you liked Call Me by Your Name is a good indication of whether you'll enjoy this. It's similar in that it's a relaxed pace and chock full of European scenery (most of the movie is on the road) although differs in that it's gentle and there's no overwhelming drama. There's also a lot of weird similarities like the slightly awkward dance scene or the great summer shirt shortage. The passion isn't quite as magical but there's still great chemistry between the two leads.

If leisurely world cinema is your thing this shouldn't disappoint; there's lots of sweeping cinematography which makes this one best enjoyed on a large screen with your drink of choice.

Overall a very sweet movie that won't leave you a mess by the time the end credits roll.

Spitting Image: Episode #1.1 (2020) Season 1, Episode 1

Eh?

[5/10 · 4 October 2020]

The sketches started off funny but just seemed to get weaker and weaker as things went along. By the very end the Jacinda sketch wasn't remotely amusing, just bizarre.

I will say I was impressed by just how current the sketches were.

Japan Sinks: 2020 (2020)

Literal disaster

[1/10 · 10 July 2020]

I was perhaps expecting something closer to Tokyo Magnitude from the trailer - and with it being a Netflix original I thought it should be good.

The first episode seemed rather odd - so many things didn't make sense; why would a passenger flight shudder in an earthquake? There is no conceivable reason for this.

Moments later a woman rudely snaps at a stranger asking to use her phone. Maybe that's just who she is? But then it became clear that character moods across the board were shaping up to be completely bizarre - either over-the-top hysterical or smiling and happy. In an earthquake disaster.

Meanwhile the music was just utterly disconnected to what was happening on-screen. Scenes of disaster to upbeat piano music. It was clear there wasn't any intention to the choice; it was just mismatched and at odds with what was being portrayed.

The second episode rolled on and it was clear that the anime was a literal disaster. The writing was bizarre and didn't seem to match up with how people would actually behave in a disaster. And it was clear the dubbing wasn't to blame.

The more I watched the more questions I had - and not the good kind. More how they created something so odd and unrealistic.

I've heard the first few episodes are supposed to be good and that this goes downhill. To me, the first few episodes were bad - so I'm tempted to continue just to be entertained by just how downhill that is. Strangely enough.

The Haunting of Hill House (2018– )

Short of a masterpiece

[8/10 · 25 October 2018]

The story of hill house is brilliant, it creates so many loose ends that all tie up as the series progresses. Coupled with some gorgeous set design and some really surreal or moody scenes, it's so close being one of those "this is as good as it gets" series that enchants you into it's world and leaves you just wanting to watch episode after episode.

But it's not quite there. Much of the series feels "diluted"; the character building is necessary but much of what is seen beyond the house in the outside world is superfluous and it just seems as if the writing and many of these scenes could've done with being tighter and the drama more focused on what was actually going on. Instead the characters seem to meander around what's really bothering them.

Acting seems a bit all over the place and I think the cast did well to work with the rather random continuous camera episode mid-series. It was as a whole, rather awkward for the sake of filming in a mostly continuous shot. It just about worked. You really get to see a range of amazing and rather scattered acting throughout.

But for what it's worth it's hard to find a flawless piece of horror and the series did so well to capture that surreal, claustral yet often vibrant atmosphere at points that only the likes of The Shining have managed well. There was also purpose and meaning to many of the horrorific events that happened; in the end they weren't simply cheap jumpscares. It was also nice to see the detail that went into many scenes like the hidden ghosts haunting many window panes or dark passageways, not immediately visible unless you keep your eyes peeled.

The Avengers (2012)

A stupid film guised by big budget action to wow the masses.

[1/10 · 2 May 2012]

I probably sound like an grumpy twit with a title like this, but I'm the sort that enjoys most, if not all cinema. I was a little bit surprised that I didn't enjoy this... in fact, I thought it was pretty poor.

Yes, the action was cool, but after tolerating an hour of poor script; an hour or so of flat-out action wasn't going to cut it for me. I ended up sat there waiting for New York to be destroyed enough that I could leave the cinema.

One of the main issues is that dialogue tries too hard to be witty and falls flat; then the serious conversations are just too melodramatic and overtly cliché. I was sat cringing whenever Thor or Loki were talking.

Possibly the only part of the movie I genuinely enjoyed was to finally see the oh-so crap antagonist be slung back and forth in to the floor by hulk. Mainly just so I didn't have to watch him open his mouth.

Whilst subjectively I think this movie is crap, the action is some of the best Hollywood is capable of churning out; though it's annoying that this film will probably take an undeserved place on the IMDb top 250 over this. It's a poor unoriginal movie caked in explosions, pretty CGI and whatnot- thus this means that everyone will automatically love it...

What's worse is the sequel sneak-peak mid-point in the credits; for me it just translated to "Hollywood wants more of your money to waste on ---- like this".

Fear Itself (2008–2009)

Quality varies from episode to episode

[8/10 · 25 July 2008]

I came across Fear Itself (and its prior 'Masters of...' series) a week ago whilst looking through the Sci-Fi listings on TV.com. Lured by the idea of a new premise each episode, I downloaded all the aired episodes to date of this review.

With everything entirely different each episode, the series seems cold and lost, which some will like, some won't. It's also only fair that I review each episode individually because of this. Some episodes aren't too strong, for this, I would recommend the series to young or easily-scared viewers rather than more mature viewers who won't be as impressed.

I've put some plot keywords down as tips (settings, characters, story) to each episode, nothing too spoiling, and nothing the current synopsises won't provide you with. If you don't want to know *anything* about the episode, then avoid gazing at them, since the reviews don't spoil anything at all, and will be useful pointers as to which episodes to not waste 40 minutes of your life on.

1. The Sacrifice: 7/10 (Plot keywords; Vampire, survival, trapped, fort) The first episode was filmed in the same secluded fort used for the film Ginger Snaps Back, so more than top marks for the setting/scenery. I can't say much about the episode basis without spoiling it, but the plot was 'good'. However some the dialogue and voice acting could have been better, as well as some corners polished, but this is something to expect from the series.

2. Spooked: 4/10 (Plot keywords; Haunted house, set up, traumatic childhood flashbacks) This episode's premise was rather weak, combined with the fact I can't stand Eric Roberts for some reason, I didn't really enjoy it. Whilst the storyline could have had potential, the execution of it was terrible.

3. Family Man: 8.5/10 (Plot keywords; Spiritual transmigration, serial killer, family man, prison) Brilliant premise, this episode really stands out from the rest - extremely dark (if not too dark), well-written and well-executed - definitely a 'must-see'.

4. In Sickness and in Health: 2/10 (Plot keywords; Wedding, church, serial killer, chase, so-so) From the synopsis I could tell this episode wouldn't pull it off, but it really, really stank. Seriously, I didn't know they could write plot holes this big. I cannot believe how bad this episode was, two points for the slightly-eery church at night setting.

5. Eater: 2/10 (Plot keywords; Voodoo cannibal, prison) Again, pretty poor episode with no twist to it... And like the last episode, the ending made it go from bad to worse... *yawn*

6. New Year's Day: 8/10 (Plot keywords; Zombies, city chaos, survival) I quite liked this episode. I quite liked how zombies weren't always necessarily trying to run for the protagonist, but instead lurching around distracted close-by. Both the twist and ending for this episode were great. I'd say the sets were definitely 'well-used' over the time-line, there could have been less flashbacks, but great episode anyway.

7. Community: 6/10 (Plot keywords; Housing estate conspiracy, contract, brainwashing) Despite there not being much twist to this episode, I quited liked it's consistent conspiracy feel, and the ending was quite sad.

If possible, I will update this review as further episodes air.