andrea-fryer Reviews

Random Hearts (1999)

So bad that I couldn't even finish it

[1/10 · 23 December 2021]

There are a lot of bad films I can endure all the way to the end, but sometimes you come across a film so bad, so hollow and so utterly boring that you just can't. This is one of those films. Even the fact that Harrison Ford is one of my favorite actors, I couldn't take it.

Where do I even start... The script is probably the thing that aggravates me the most. Those actors must have been utterly frustrated with the silly lines they had to read out. Completely illogical behavior, such weird unrealistic phrases and spots in the plot.

I mean just as an example: Kay drives to a destination in the woods (and obviously had to use a map to get there, so she knows where the hell she is), but then asks Dutch "Where are we exactly?" Ummm what? She just drove there herself!

In another scene, they're having something to eat and he briefly inspects the label on a bottle of beer before taking a swig. She asks, looking directly in his eyes (instead of looking at his bottle) "What is this, do you know?". He looks again at the label and says "Heineken". First of all, what pointless fluff! Second of all, how unnatural is that behavior? It's this kind of weird and pointless dialogue that is littered throughout the film.

The Trump Show (2020–2021)

By far, the best Trump documentary you'll ever see

[10/10 · 18 November 2020]

The way this doc was executed was an utter masterpiece. Not only in how it was put together in regards to editing, music & audio, pace and storyline, but also in the content itself. Fascinating footage and the true gem was the slew of interviews with all the key people (both against and for Trump). It was like getting a private tour inside the workings of the white house. A must-watch for anyone who is fascinated by the subject of Trump.

7500 (2019)

Half and half

[5/10 · 26 October 2020]

5 stars for the first half of the film, which was absolutely fantastic and had me on the edge of my seat. Also loved the realism of the pilots preparing etc which made it feel all the more realistic. But the last half of the film was very poor and boring. The ending left me highly unsatisfied with no feeling of closure. What a shame.

Interstellar (2014)

A waste of a beautiful Hans Zimmer soundtrack

[1/10 · 13 May 2020]

The beautiful music by Zimmer is literally the only enjoyable thing about this film and it's such shame that this soundtrack couldn't have been used for a truly good space film instead.

The first time I saw Interstellar was at the movie theater and I actually fell asleep. Tried to watch it another time on Netflix and couldn't get farther than 1 hour in before becoming bored out of my skull. Can I just say that I love me a good space themed movie. "Moon", "Sunshine", "Passengers", "The Martian". Hell, I can even get through Kubrik's "2001: Space Odussey"! But Interstellar will definitely not be part of that list.

Now after a close friend mentioned this as being one of their favorite films of all time, I literally FORCED myself to watch through it again and man... what a waste of time. (don't tell my friend that!)

Here are my problems with Interstellar: 1) Starting with the acting. Either the actors suck, the direction sucks or the script sucks. Probably a little bit of each. The things these characters say and the way they behave just doesn't feel natural or realistic. So much corny dialogue! The characters do absolutely NOTHING to compel me or make feel anything any sense of attachment for them. Even the little girl character which was meant to tug at your heart strings does nothing for me. Don't even get me started on the robots. To be fair, the fact that I find Matthew McConaughey highly annoying, doesn't help. Come to think of it, what would have helped is if his and Matt Damon's roles would have been reversed. Matt Damon makes for a much more approachable and lovable figure, where as McConaughey has always been much more suited to be kind of a selfish bad guy.

2) So many illogical points in the film that leave you wondering: WHY? I have a tolerance for a certain amount of holes in a film, but this just has too many to bear.

3) When you want to watch a space themed movie, you're expecting to see some amazing visuals that transport you to another time and place. But even in this department, Interstellar doesn't really deliver. There are a few cool snippets, but for the most part, the movie leans very much on the dialogue between characters.

If you enjoyed the films I mentioned before, you will most likely be just as disappointed as I was by Interstellar.

Black Mirror: San Junipero (2016) Season 3, Episode 4

Watched it once, then immediately watched it again!

[10/10 · 14 November 2016]

Are you like me? Someone now in their 40's or 50's who got the privilege of experiencing their teenage years in the 80's? Do you ever think back to those times and miss them? The music, the clubs, the fashion, the atmosphere. Did you also experience "the transition" at some point. From listening (and looking like) you listen to music like Duran Duran, Nik Kershaw and early Madonna, then suddenly discovering your gothyness. For me it happened when a friend took to me a secret goth club where membership was required, but you could bring a guest. I looked around: Every single surface painted black. No colored lights, only white dramatic spotlights shining down on gaunt, fluffy haired, black lipped goths with chiseled cheekbones encompassed in fog machine smoke. Striding about theatrically to the beat of the Cure and Bauhaus. I knew it, right there and then that I'd found my people. Anyhow, fast forward to tonight. I watched this episode of "Black Mirror" and woooooshhh!!! - it zapped me right back to those times. It even had a "transition" of sorts, as it started off with a disco playing Robbie Nevil and progressed to a more underground club with punks, goths and all sorts of riff raff, with the Pixies blasting away. I enjoyed the episode so much, that I re-watched it immediately. First time to immerse myself back into the 80's and second time to pay more attention to the wonderful story playing out. If you have a history like me, you will ADORE this episode. It will take you right out of this world and immerse you in another. Once you've seen the episode, you'll know what I mean!

Lolita (1997)

A mesmerizing film which will leave you questioning your own morals

[10/10 · 2 April 2011]

Mesmerizing, magical, addictive, obsessive, erotic, beautiful. This is the film Lolita in every possible way.

Being a 40-something single mother, I should relate to the mother Charlotte Haze as she struggles with her teenage child and emerges from her loneliness as she falls for Humbert. And yet, it's Humbert I sympathize with.

Being a woman who has been burned by selfish men in the past, men who have led me on for whatever purpose suited them, I should feel rage on Charlotte's behalf and feel furious that Humbert so blatantly uses her, writing such nasty things about her. And yet, it's Humbert I sympathize with and share his irritation with Charlottes behavior.

Being a protective mother of my children, I too would be horrified and utterly disgusted if some old creep was lusting after my kids. And yet, the way in which the erotic tension is built up between Lolita and Humbert is very fulfilling and delicious to watch. One practically yearns to see them interact in a sexual way.

So basically Adrian Lyne managed to take me to a place far, far away from my normal values and attitudes - leaving me confused and disturbed by how I could feel such things watching this film. But in this case, it says less about me and more about what an utterly brilliant director and storyteller he is.

Something Wild (1986)

Stands the Test of Time!

[9/10 · 26 March 2011]

Charles Driggs is a decent citizen, living his life and abiding by the law like proper people do. That is, until he meets the exciting and dangerous Lulu in a café who leaves him speechless with her wild ways, taking him on the ride that will change his life.

This film is an unappreciated and forgotten gem from the 80's which manages to stand the test of time. I showed it to my teenage son (last time I saw it myself was in the early 90's) and yet again it managed to conjure all of the same reactions of delight and horror that it did during the previous times I saw it. The IMDb rating is surprisingly low, but the only reason I can think of why that is, is because the film has a few spots which get a little slow paced. But if you can forgive those, you're in for a treat.