evasmum Reviews

Class of '07 (2023– )

Wow

[8/10 · 17 March 2023]

Not normally a 'binger' - but wow! I've stopped at episode four because I'm really tired - but this show is wonderful. Unlike other streaming shows that hook you in for the the first two episodes and then pad and pad until the finale - every episode so far has progressed the storyline. The acting is fantastic, the storyline is out there (but also relatable), the direction is spot on, and the moments when the realization of what has happened around them... I cannot wait to finish this series. I've heard it called 'Lord of the Flies' with private school women - but that's dismissive of how truly well thought out, and well written this show is. Just love it.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Disappointed

[5/10 · 15 February 2023]

What on earth has gone wrong with Marvel? Why are they continuing to suck the joy out of this universe by focussing on the boring Multiverse?

This was a derivative, disappointing waste of time - and I really wish I'd stayed home and watched "Everything, Everywhere" again instead.

Competent acting, and some nice effects save it from a lower score - however I suspect I'm being kind because I enjoyed the opening 5 minutes.

There is no character development snd (even worse) a wafer thin narrative that's been thrown together simply to hang some bloated special effects off. In truth it reminded me of Star Wars parts 1-3. A boring, disappointing and predictable film.

Moonfall (2022)

Big, dumb and fun

[7/10 · 3 February 2022]

What can I say? Went in with low expectations - but it was BIG, DUMB and fun! Nice special effects, thoroughly amiable, competent performances - the science is rubbish (but c'mon - it's written by the ID4 guy).

ALSO - Roland REALLY needs support for his step-father issues. Why does he need to hurt every step-father in his movies?

Anyway. It's fine - just don't get hung up on the science.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Not really sure why it's attracting so much hate...

[8/10 · 31 December 2021]

The effects were great and it was wonderful to see Neo and Trinity back again - and I'm not really sure why it's attracting so much hate - maybe some fanboys shouldn't focus on whether to take the red or blue pill, and just take a chill pill. Guys - it's a movie. And as a movie, it's pretty solid. I came out of the theatre on a high - it was FUN and reaffirmed my faith in humanity. And that's what I think Matrix films are about!

Asteroid (2021)

Don't get sucked in by thinking you'll see an asteroid

[2/10 · 17 December 2021]

This is a terrible film. Bad acting. No comedy, no drama, no sci-fi and NO ASTEROID. My previous worst film of all time was 'Sharknado'. But at least that train-wreck had sharks IN A TORNADO.

Truly shocked it's getting 4.1 - but I expect that will drop as more of us saps watch it based on 'the art' on Amazon. I repeat - if you're watching this for an asteroid- you'll be VERY disappointed.

Fires: Episode #1.1 (2021) Season 1, Episode 1

Maybe biased

[10/10 · 3 October 2021]

My brother was one of the volunteers in QLD fighting those fires with no equipment. He told me how bad it was - but I didn't 'get it' until I watched this episode.

To my brother- you're a hero.

To television watchers - this is a must see.

Calls: Pedro Across the Street (2021) Season 1, Episode 3

It just keeps getting better...

[9/10 · 19 June 2021]

This episode follows a three way conversation between a man, his wife and the neighbour across the road encompassing a stolen bag of money, cheating, double-crossing, and a possible supernatural twist.

The Unusual Suspects (2021)

I watched it twice!

[8/10 · 13 June 2021]

I'm ashamed - I was 3/4 through the first episode before I thought - hey this is OK. I then binged the whole four episodes and then re-watched them a week later. This was good. Not perfect - but pretty great. (Thank you to Miranda and Peter doing the obligatory advertising on The Project) - because I may never have sought it out on streaming.

Nashville: If Tomorrow Never Comes (2017) Season 5, Episode 9

Cried so much

[9/10 · 5 July 2020]

Didn't realise that country music was something that normal people could like until My daughter talked me into watching this show. Now I'm a total addict. This episode left me sobbing for the whole run. How do we cope without Rayna? A whole episode beside her bedside? Just brilliant TV, and kudos to everyone involved!

Ad Astra (2019)

Masterpiece

[8/10 · 21 September 2019]

If you're a fan of Tom Cruise Sci-Fi action - avoid. But if you want to see a meditative exploration of human relationships, masculitinity, and fatherhood against a background of space travel - than this could be for you. The director has said it's a mashup of '2001 ' and 'Apocalypse Now' But I also want to throw in Blade Runner. Saw it twice in three days. Loved it. Brad Pitt - this is your year.

The Handmaid's Tale: Under His Eye (2019) Season 3, Episode 7

Oh my goodness

[7/10 · 15 September 2019]

Please. People who are rating ANY episode of this show below 5 are clearly idiots. It's beautifully shot, the actors magnificent, the pace - controlled. Yes-it's slow. But 1/10? You're an idiot. I'm frustrated that morons are posting reviews. If you're bored with the show - STOP WATCHING. Go and watch the Fast and Furious movies. Don't give it a 1/10. Personally, I too am annoyed that it's not going anywhere and am giving up after this season. But still. It's beautifully done. There's just a lot of other shows I want to watch.

Jumper (2008)

A tightly made film that could have been so much better.

[7/10 · 12 February 2008]

Stunning effects, swooping camera angles, and an interesting concept more than make up for the film's defects - namely Hayden Christensen - reprising the gloomy, wounded, misunderstood, petulant anti-hero role he played so ineffectively in the Star Wars prequels.

The other performances were sound (Samuel L Jackson's hair included) with Jamie Bell particularly outstanding as the nervy Griffin. His performance adds to the frantic energy of the film and every scene without him is the poorer for it.

While the pacing and energy of the film keeps you glued to your seat, it is only on reflection that I realised how unsatisfying the story ultimately was - leaving me with an "is that all?" kind of feeling. The answer, of course, will probably be 'No' as this film seems to have been made with the idea of sequels firmly in sight.

All in all - a tightly made film, with the scenes inside the Colosseum worth the price of admission alone - if only they'd cast someone else in the lead role!

Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned (2007) Season 4, Episode 0

True Meaning of Christmas

[8/10 · 20 January 2008]

I love Dr Who Christmas episodes and this one not only met but surpassed my expectations. Yes, we all knew Kylie wouldn't be the next assistant, so her storyline was a tad predictable, but it still had it all - pathos, humour, drama, robot angels, and the doctor finally reclaiming himself and his heritage. Great British actors strutted their stuff and a storyline that embraced and subverted Christmas but still delivered a lovely little Christmas message. Forget all the other Christmas television you get this time of year, the true meaning of Christmas is found in watching the Doctor defeat robots intent on destroying England (thanks goodness I live in Australia)

Cloverfield (2008)

How could a monster movie be this dull?

[5/10 · 20 January 2008]

I'm always up for a great Hollywood monster movie - nail biting thrills...great special effects...heroes you can very nearly care for. Well this ain't it. The first 15 minutes is just excruciating as we are forced to 'get to know' a group of pretty awful, self satisfied 'Ys'. 15 minutes of pointless, tedious back story that could have been established in 2 minutes. And if that isn't bad enough we are made to watch it all (nauseously) via a hand-held camera. This is followed by 55 minutes watching these same people...or rather their backs...or mostly their feet shakily run from (apparent) horror to horror. The most amazing thing about this movie was how completely lack lustre and dull it is. A seemingly clever idea...but no better than any run of the mill video game out there with a 'run away from the monster premise'. We were conned by the cleverness of the 'ad'- once again no film could live up to the hype, and certainly not one with characters you really don't care about, doing REALLY stupid things for the flimsiest of reasons.

Look Both Ways (2005)

Best Australian Movie since Lantana

[10/10 · 23 August 2005]

Thank God! After years of supporting an increasingly tired and predictable Australian film industry, Look Both Ways is a minor miracle. This is as close to a perfect piece of film making I've seen in years. For a movie preoccupied with the nature of death, and how we face issues with mortality, it's entertaining, incredibly moving, never dull and beautifully acted. Sarah Watt (the writer/director) is definitely a person to watch, her mastery of the art of story-telling is well matched by her skill with direction. She extracts fine performances from her cast - with one of her most moving characters only having one line of dialogue - an incredibly rare quality. My faith in the Australian film industry has been restored.

Zero Effect (1998)

An Indie Gem!

[8/10 · 22 December 2004]

This small film is a work of art - a low budget film, with pitch perfect performances from a magnificent supporting cast. Bill Pullman is wonderful as the eccentric, but brilliant Darryl Zero, a man who can solve any problem but is incapable of forming a meaningful human relationship. The sly humour, the inspired casting of Ryan O'Neal and Ben Stiller in supporting roles, and the intricate, surprising script make this a must see movies for those who are desperate to see an intelligent film in the sea of dross that Hollywood has been offering up in the past 4 years. See it now - if only for one of the most poignant love scenes you will ever see committed to celluloid!