DonEstif Reviews

Silo: Freedom Day (2023) Season 1, Episode 1

A wonderful remake of Lucas' THX1138

[8/10 · 7 July 2023]

This is a more dramatic and expansive remake of George Lucas' THX1138 that he developed as a film student at USC in 1967. Obviously Lucas' student film had a sparse budget but it was a great story. Hugh Howey took that great story and expanded it into a rich and complex saga. Yost has taken that rich saga and created an intriguing series that is well scripted and executed by wonderful cast - too bad Rashida Jones wasn't a character that lasted longer (same can be said of others like Will Paaton). A well structured storyline and the ensemble cast does wonderfully in presenting the story and maintaingour interest.

Green Zone (2010)

what a letdown, an unrealistic portrayal

[4/10 · 11 June 2023]

Matt is a good Jason Bourne, but Bourne is a well-trained and experienced super spy/assassin. And here Matt plays a Chief Warrant Officer who who effortlessly intermingles with senior CIA, Senior Adm. In-country officials, major news organiztion's reporters, and he moves about Baghdad selecting his own targets and missions with hardly any communications with his military superiors. Ridiculous!

The script appears bent on selling a perception (political?) about the fact that no WMDs were found, but the dramatic license employed to do so is egregiously unbelievable. Maybe the true story is too convoluted to cram into an hour and a half, but this attempt looks weak, albeit very expensive. I was hoping to be intrigued but instead was frequently befuddled by the impractical flow of the story through the protagonist.

What a letdown.

The Offer (2022)

What a surprisingly great story!

[10/10 · 23 January 2023]

I decided to watch to hopefully learn of some the intricacies of making such a classic film. But instead I was consumed by a highly entertaining story of the complications and hurdles to get the film into theaters. The cast is quite an ensemble that effectively presents each character and captures the emotions and challenges they each confronted. It was fascinating to learn a little about so many great films that were being/just had been developed at the time, which makes one realizes that was the heyday of film making (whereas today it's merely money making using films to do it). Back then it took "balls and brains" in making movies, today all you need is an MBA and a boss like Barry.

Tulsa King (2022– )

A thrilling surprise.

[10/10 · 5 January 2023]

I was skeptical that Stallone could carry a series by himself, but there's a great group of thespians alongside him that execute a well written story which is constantly evolving and piquing your senses. A very believable storyline that unfolds amidst a seemingly improbable setting (Tulsa) to yield a highly entertaining ride through a fusion of cow town/NY mob/biker cutthroats. A wonderful new Xmas classic!

I feel deprived that they made only 8 episodes (which I blew though over two evenings). The production is peppered with clever moments that endear the characters and create a bonding amongst them.

I probably extol too much, but after being disappointed recently with so many well-rated productions, it's so satisfying to get a program that truly delivers.

Billy the Kid (2022– )

Dramatic fiction fantasizing a cold man

[2/10 · 4 January 2023]

I understand "dramatic license" from Hollywood, but this has stretched far beyond. The story very loosely tracks this life-long criminal's history making the show so unbelievable that I struggled mightily to maintain interest. I finally gave up, it is slow moving and a predictable plot, especially with all the wishful drama filling the whatever-it-is.

Don't waste your time as I did. This thing claims that Billy only kills for reason, but the real person killed for little reason, sometimes for revenge, sometimes for sport. This person is not be admired nor to be sympathized, and this film should be avoided.

Blacklight (2022)

I guess he needed the money, desperately

[3/10 · 1 November 2022]

This is predictable and repetitive of some of Liam's past flicks and those of others. There was a good reason I hadn't heard of this film, the story has been better told many times before only with good plot twists and actual surprises. I'm answering yes to this review having spoilers, the entire film is spoiled.

I don't know what else to say other than if you're desperate to waste some time and electricity, it is recommended that you watch this with a few bottles of bad whiskey and make sure anything that could harm you is safely secured out of reach, and keep a counselor on speed-dial close by.

360 (2011)

A film half done

[4/10 · 28 June 2022]

A very good ensemble of actors who perform their parts well and the settings for each story . . . But these disconnect moments in various peoples' love lives that lead to . . .

Eye in the Sky (2015)

Compelling thriller

[9/10 · 10 June 2022]

An excellent performance by a very good cast illustrating the incalculable considerations of the decision making process when the decision is far from a slam dunk. Great quote by Lt. Gen. Franks (Rickman).

Night Sky (2022)

Very entertaining sci-fi w/o all the green-screen fantasy

[9/10 · 25 May 2022]

Spacek and Simmons come across so comfortably in their roles and lead you to be a bit surprised by the sci-fi basis of the film. The other actors also provide strong performances to the intriguing storyline.

Excellent entertainment!

Troppo (2022– )

A decent mystery well presented

[9/10 · 25 May 2022]

Thomas Jane and Nicole Chamoun do an excellent at carrying this storyline. A decent supporting cast coupled with a griity but picturesque setting makes for a very entertaining production.

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

Great cast, egregiously predictable storyline

[5/10 · 4 May 2022]

I tried to get into this but it was just not to be. I really like Sienna and Rupert and the ensemble, but . . .

I think it would be less taxing to join Opus Dei and egage in self-flagellation rather than be strapped to a comfortable easy chair and forced to continue watching this.

White Rhino (2019)

Inspiring views of nature's power, and some guys that are NUTS!

[9/10 · 2 February 2022]

Impressive filming/photos of some powerful, beautiful, scary waves. And the warriors that revere and challenge those waves are as admirable as any top performer in sport, business or politics . . . But maybe a bit more nuts. I'd like to have had a bit more background on those warriors. And, to provide a better perspective of the challenges they faced, it would be helpful to have some underwater filming of the turbulence at the reefs that these guys know they'll be confronting.

Good job!

Final Account (2020)

Good perspectives being a German during the 3rd Reich

[10/10 · 13 October 2021]

Interesting context on how these 90 year olds were young children went Hitler gained control. They were raised in a Nazi system, taught to dislike/distrust Jews, seduced to accept National Socialism and then threatened to comply. It's difficult to adequately judge Germans of that era without having the full context, and this documentary provides some of that context. It does not justify them, but it makes one question what you would do in a similar setting - be brave and righteous (and most likely be killed) or comply and live with regret the rest of your life.

Shot Caller (2017)

A really good flick!

[10/10 · 12 October 2021]

First, Nikolaj is a great actor and he handled the main role expertly. And he also had a very good supporting cast with a very good story.

I learned from movie, primarily I learned to drive more carefully.

Operation Finale (2018)

Justice prevails over revenge

[9/10 · 28 September 2021]

A piece of history well portrayed by a good cast. It's helpful to get this historical detail that was absent at the time of the trial to realize the challenge encountered to locate and then transport Eichmann. In these days rage, it is helpful to have some perspective to remind us of real tragedy and threat.

The Father Who Moves Mountains (2021)

Not as bad as Gigli or Ishtar . . . well yeah, it's as bad

[3/10 · 22 September 2021]

An hour and 45 minutes of people trying differents ways to transmit grave sadness (with roughly 3 minutes of a weak attempt at entertainment) will leave you with the best impression yet of grave sadness for wasting your time and various watts of electricty. And the ending is perfect for this whatever it is.

Deep State (2018–2019)

Predictable big govt/military intrigue

[6/10 · 25 August 2021]

Typical story of evil right-wing corporation in cahoots with the military abusing small, unsophisticated country for profit while the righteous liberals scattered throughout the plot and the humble, not-so-bad, murdering terrorists try to do God's work. The actors did well with their characters, the staging is well-done, but the sanctimonious story line is queasily redundant with previous Hollywood churnings. Because of the acting I've been generous/liberal with my rating.

Hit & Run (2021)

Good story, good cast

[8/10 · 11 August 2021]

A well laid out storyline and the cast did a good job with characters. One thing beneficial was learning what the word "manyack" meant, me and Al Swearengen will be using it. The movie is too dark, something common with many movies these days. Raz is pretty intense and gets beat up worse than in Fauda. Ended with a good tease for a second season, let's hope one is forthcoming.

Delhi Crime (2019– )

Heart-Wrenching Crime Drama Solved by Defunded Police

[9/10 · 3 July 2021]

It's beneficial for Americans to see how a heinous crime is dealt with in another culture where the police are barely funded. The actors are very good at illustrating the characters' commitment, struggles and emotions, and the scenes are set to display the India that casual visitors don't get to experience. A compelling story well told and this production has merited all of the various awards and accolades it has received.

Dead Man Down (2013)

A decent action mystery

[7/10 · 14 May 2021]

A very good group of actors. Noomi and Colin do very well presenting their characters even with the predictable ending. Too bad Armand Assante and F. Murray Abraham did not have more input as they always are good story tellers. It was worth the watch, especially considering the endless reels of crap ot there.

Fleabag (2016–2019)

If you liked Gigli and Ishtar, then you love this.

[3/10 · 12 April 2021]

It's very hard to believe that this won Best Comedy, if there was a category for Top of the Dung Heap then I'd agree with the win. I can't believe people have rated this 10, and said this was 'genius.' In comparison, watching traffic at the Hollywood Fwy and the 110 interchange at rush hour is a bit more entertaining and novel, and that's probably what all those who rated this 10 were watching prior to seeing this.

If you're going to watch this, make sure you have several Jolt colas with expresso chasers lined up.

The Gentlemen (2019)

Perfectly boring, and it gets worse the longer you hang on

[2/10 · 29 March 2021]

Great cast. Now that the list of positives has been detailed, the problems with this film is endless so a capsulized summary is: poor plot, assuming there is one in there; unbelievable in the context that cartoons are far more convincing and closer to possible; slow, so be sure to shoot up with something to keep you immobile and incapable of escaping; the absence of reason has set a new low (who thought that something could be worse than Hell even though this is limited to only 1 hour and 53 minutes); etc.

What is surprising is that people paid money to suffer through this. And even more, that many viewers thought this was good, people probably so desperate from being locked down by Covid that to have even this hog slop was perceived to be entertained, sad.

Tell Me Your Secrets (I) (2021)

Better than Gigli and Ishtar!

[5/10 · 27 February 2021]

An interesting and capable acting ensemble. Can't figure where this is going, if it is going, or if it's an endless spin cycle. I'd say more but I feel guilty about the time I've already spent watching. My headline should be clue enough.

Counterpart (2017–2019)

Intriguing storyline complemented with fine acting

[10/10 · 11 February 2021]

I'm curious why this was not extended beyond two seasons, it is certainly teed up for continuation. A very interesting plot foundation with lots of potential story diversions and twists that enhance the mystery of the worlds (are there more 'other worlds' yet to be identified?). Really good characters and the actor ensemble executed beautifully in portraying those characters. About the only negative thing is the dark and gloomy environment that seems ever present, why? to make things seem more sinister or pessimistic?

A very good prject that introduces us to several very capable English and Deutschen (& Italian) actors, this is a big plus on everyone's resume who was involved in the production.

Low Winter Sun (2013)

Good actor ensemble, at times plot is sketchy, not a good promo for Detroit tourism

[28 January 2021]

I thought the actors were a good group and did well with their characters. The storyline seems a bit exaggerated. . . if this was anything remotely close to accurate, then I would join the Defund the Police movement. It can't possibly this bad, but it sure looks like Detroit is that bad - do people still live there, or survive there? I don't know how one would follow up this season, trying to out do the outrageous corruption of the first season. Best that it was not renewed as it gave politicos enough ideas to expand their repertoire.