andrastea Reviews

The King's Man (2021)

A banal experience

[4/10 · 12 February 2022]

It is a mess of a story cultivating in place of a very weird sense of humor with frantic action scenes and very serious matters of events in history. Something was off in a combination of events, music and editing fluctuating between comedy, sometimes tragedy, drama and action.

The interesting part of the movie, which one appreciates, was the effort to embed the King's man inauguration into a surprisingly accurate historical description of the three German origin cousins; King George of V of Britain, Nikolas II of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, the one widely considered a moron, and to the assassination of Austrian Franz Ferdinand triggering the events of World War I. Some little details such as King George changing his family name to Windsor from German Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to avoid comparison to Wilhelm II were also accurate. One was left wondering whether the presented "honeytrap" blackmail of the United States president was really a reason behind their delay in joining the war.

The acting and actors were great and it was a real pity that other parts of the movie failed. Three royal cousins were all wonderfully played by Tom Hollander and Rhys Ifans take of Rasputin was spot on.

What can one then take from this movie? Pacifism is for naïve people, boys shouldn't idolize war, English men will save the day, the Scots are secretly plotting a payback and are behind the World Wars and goats should be really treated with much more respect!

The 355 (2022)

Decent action

[7/10 · 29 January 2022]

Hectic and a fast forward moving Mission Impossible-type action. The story is typical but good enough "save the world from bad guys" to give enough entertainment. It gets a bit sappy at times, especially in the end with all international agencies being all after the greater good of humankind.

Dune (2021)

Not bad but not exiciting either

[6/10 · 29 October 2021]

This is an okay adaptation of an old sci-fi story.

Herbert's original was already published in the 60s and is now quite outdated in many ways, and the movie is not able to get past that fact. This adaptation is less white-driven with improved visuals.

The Dune follows the fall, rise and eventual assimilation of House Atreides with Bene Gesserit and enemies. Not that any movie has succeeded to get past the first three books. This movie covers the first book out of six originals, which are then followed by over twenty other books.

This part follows the wonder boy messiah, where the good are very decent and the bad, well, they are physically ugly and violent just like orcs. This black and white chessboard maybe appeal to some.

Villeneuve's version is strangely quiet that is almost sterile. It may have been caused by the lack of narrative or characters' inner voices, which were the depth and heart of the story and the political scheming.

This wasn't Hans Zimmer's finest hour. Not bad but not very exciting either.

Home Invasion (2021– )

All aliens live in suburbs

[7/10 · 10 July 2021]

Despite the title being slightly misleading, this show is a sci-fi comedy. True to its genre, the plot is some-form of hybrid of Mars Attacks!, Men In Black and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and of course pretty surreal. This is average entertainment if one is not expecting bigger than life story. Take it as it is, no- brainer.

Emma. (2020)

Fancy but a bit cold and unpleasant

[4/10 · 27 March 2020]

This wasn't a very good adaptation. The story flow was somewhat disjointed and music was strange. Sometimes piano and then it jumped to some sort of religious or gospel music? The story jumps so much that characters remain pretty shallow. Actors just don't have enough time to develop their roles. There were also some unfortunate actor choices, such as for roles of Miss Woodhouse, Knightley and Churchhill. Miss Woodhouse was so cold and a bit nasty, which created the overall unpleasant atmoshphere. The undertone was so mean that it took the comedy part out. Mr Knightley was so mellow, so overcooked macaroni that one hardly noticed he was there. He was missing that stingy sharpness. Frank Churchill stands around and all the flirting and energy is no where to be seen.

One cannot help comparing to the 2009 four episode adaptation of Emma. It is so superb version! Romola Garai absolutely nails as Emma, she is so happy, energetic and in a right way funny and vain. And every actor even in a smallest roles are so perfect.

Bill Nighy did his usual vague situation comedy act as a Mr Woodhouse. It worked like a clock of course, but then again those scenes were from a different movie. Miranda Hart was decently loud as a Miss Bates. Only sunshine was actor for Miss Smith, new face, and a really fresh take. There was a interesting side roles from some Sex Education actors.

Some mandatory nudity was added and a couple of roles in scenes are reverted. As such these scenes were fine, alone, but they just don't fit well to overall story. The duet of Miss Fairfax and Mr Knightley diminished Mr Churchhill's role to periphery and took out his change to wickedness and why he rattled this little community so. Mr Knighley running after Emma's wagon was probably meant as a romantic gesture, but who does such things? Even in a great emotion, run miles in a moments of anxiety and especially in a time when social norms were very restricting? And somehow Miss Smith ventures to a forest just after a ball?

If you want to see Emma, dont' waist your time for this. Watch the 2009 Emma. It is four episodes (a lot of time during the covid2019!), and Jonny Lee Miller (US Sherlock!) as Mr Knightley.

Persons Unknown (2010)

Suspense dissolving

[5/10 · 30 August 2010]

And that is the fall-back of this show. All goes relatively well till episode 11, but the last two are just disastrously badly written. They obviously had to cut the story short, so short that some dialogues and events literally drop down from nowhere without introduction. Also irritating advertisement of last two episodes answering all the questions is complete b. Perhaps they were hoping for the second season? There was a nice start but in the end the whole thing went way too complicated. Sometimes less is more.

This story could have worked as a mini series if they had made a proper ending. The show has been compared to Lost, but somehow the atmosphere reminded more of that in the Lost Room or even the 4400. The setting is quite traditional following human behaviour in isolated and confined environment; in this case seven strangers wake up to find themselves locked in their hotel rooms in a small town build to look like it is from 50s. They know nothing about how or why they were taken or even by who. But they soon learn through the hard way that there is no way out. They are been watched continuously through surveillance cameras, they eat only at the Chinese restaurant, and they have a "night manager" at the hotel. The town part is more mental rather than physical in nature. The second story line provides more action following two journalists who find out the connection between disappearances and mysterious Organization that seems to see and be everywhere. And of course everything and everyone is somehow connected, and everyone has something dark in their past.

Some characters play well together like Jason Wiles' mysterious Joe Tucker, Alan Ruck's rich tormented Charlie Morse, Sean O'Bryan's used cars salesman Bill Blackham and Lisa Holmes' "how can she know so much of medicine if she is a teacher?" Moira Doherty. Unfortunately the lady lead Janet Cooper played by Daisy Betts is severely one dimensional, and the fact why there is something about Janet that makes everyone falling for her and question their lives doesn't open up for a viewer. This is obviously somehow important as Joe is somehow special, but 13 episodes created more questions than answers.

Overall the whole thing left bad taste to mouth. Without those last two episodes even 8 stars, but with them it goes down to 4-5.

Sherlock Holmes (2009)

The Life of Bohemian Genius

[8/10 · 10 January 2010]

Combining Guy Richie with Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes) and Jude Law (Dr Watson) in Sherlock Holmes movie sounded like mixing George Lukacs with Meryl Streep and Anthony Hopkins in Jane Austen story. But surprisingly the style, story and actors fit perfectly to depict this the end of 19th century mystery.

The movie concentrated a lot on Holmes' antisocial behaviour and eccentric habits, and on his troublesome relationship with Scotland Yard, perhaps more than was done in books. But then again the most of the books were narrated by Watson, the movie follows mostly Holmes. His regular cocaine use was replaced by experimenting drugs on his dog, bringing some humorous relaxation into otherwise intense story. No doubt the friends of canine are not happy about this twist. The genius part, how the deduction process in Holmes' head works, was achieved by a flash forward scenes narrated by Holmes, or similar kind of flashback scenes. The story it self is following now so trendy symbolism/supernatural/undead theme.

Jude Law was superb as Watson, having precisely a right amount of edginess, physical activeness, and frustration and loyalty toward Holmes. Robert Downey Jr played drug induced Holmes, well perhaps naturally. Character of Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), The Woman for Holmes, even though acted well, felt like unnecessary stuffing for the story. But filmmakers just has to dumb some sexual/romantic whatever it is into movies even though it serves know one. Taken the amount of writers in this movie, it was surprise that storyline worked at all.

Overall, a very refreshing adaptation of old story.It would not be surprise if sequel shows up in a year or two.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

New Age meets the Army

[6/10 · 22 November 2009]

This time of the year seems to be for movies adapted from the books. The Men Who Stare at Goats is one of those. Again, actors Kevin Spacey, Ewan McGregor, George Clooney and Jeff Bridges do they best, but the story just does not carry. All the funny parts were obviously dumped into the trailer.

The story is based on reporter finding that USA army is training psychic spies, with all unbelievable elements included. The story has a lot potential and is an intriguing idea, something in the Clooney-McGregor chemistry worked out, and Bridges as an old timer hippie. As a style the film is fluctuating between the comedy and drama.

It is a nice movie for the afternoon, perhaps better as a DVD.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

The introduction of the hairy piggy boys

[2/10 · 21 November 2009]

This is the second episodes of the love story between the vampire boy Edward (Pattinson) and his human girlfriend Bella (Stewart). One of the many problems of this movie is that it is not a standalone peace, and even if it is based on book it should be. The editing and the screenplay are so in-cohesive, that one can only conclude this movie was made dollar signs in eyes after teenagers (parents) money. If one is really a hardcore fan, this movie might be OK just having the word Twilight in it, but others including those who actually liked the book, it will leave cold. The only two good scenes are in the last part of the film, the Volturi fighting scene and that other in the end of the movie.

This movie is very clinical, full of awkward moments and unintentional humour. When in the first Twilight one could smell the rain and moss, in this it is bleach and fish. The first Twilight movie had some sense-emotion-tempo element in it, but the New Moon has none of these; first it is too slow and in the end they had to rush to tell the tale. It is difficult to say if the director and actors actually failed, since the dialogue and original story were so bad.

In the beginning vegetarian reptile eyed Edward and the Cullens leave Bella because of a small paper cut incident and blood. Yes, it is well known fact that in the world of vampires women don't menstruate. Think how awkward that lunch would be. The loss of love of her existence starts her depression and boredom of the viewers. The appearance of melancholic and sleep deprived Stewart actually fits in as a heartbroken Bella. Then comes Bella's chase for astral Edward, meaty puppy Jacob (Lautner), vampires trying to kill Bella, hairy wild hogs trying and killing a vampire, Bella trying to commit suicide, Alice, Edward trying to commit suicide, orange eyed vampire monarchs Volturi trying to kill Bella (because she knows they are really drinking carrot juice, seriously; there are more scary creatures hanging around subway stations), someone in the theatre thinking about committing a suicide, Edward protecting Bella, Volturi trying to kill Edward, The Fight Scene, Alice, Jacob trying to ..., nobody kills Bella and Edward...Saldo one dead not so known non–vegetarian vampire.

The only emotion what is left from the book is Bella's depression. The other pivotal emotional cornerstones are lost in editing. Also Bella's help to hold on, the book's carefree and sunny, crack-up-a-little-bit-of-a-jerk Jacob is in the movie this overly serious bulked-up piggy boy turning into a werewolf,who talks about ever-nether stuff, pushes his jaw down and stares over the forehead, and takes off his shirt, and takes off his shirt, and takes off his shirt... supposedly this should have been a kind of a romantic-sexual chemistry. Instead it looked like a baby brother was trying to do his big sister in his hormonal outburst. Awkward.

Same take-out of all the playfulness and replace it with muscles and angry-simpleminded demeanour was done for the werewolf pack. In spite of being a great admirer of the male beauty, it just went over the top. These guys looked like they have gone through clonal selection creating an association if Quileite men ever consider breeding with anyone else than they first cousins. This together with hanging around only pants on gives again one of the movies unintended humorous associations. If Jacob and others would have started to sing YMCA and sniff each other's behinds, it would have been relief of the monotony. The CG-wolfs looked more hairy piggies than dangerous werewolves, but this might have been intentional; the Christmas is good for the toy market and fluffiness sells more.

There were just no surprises. All possibilities to keep the book's storyline and in addition to explore some other characters point of views than Bella's were not used. They could have made sneak a peek into Volturi ranks, or show the fear in Jacob's first shape shifting. Now poor Stewart had to be in every scene and eye and mind just would want to have a brake sometimes.

Shortly, this movie is like a salad; some lettuce, one year old herrings and pieces of carnivore meat in it. If viewer enables to eat through the smell and awkwardness, s/he might find a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on the bottom.

The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)

It is the transpiration

[8/10 · 24 October 2009]

So, a high school girl (Elena) fancies a boy (Stefan), who surprise surprise turns out to be THE vampire for her. Of course a love triangle is presented; Stefan's more demonic brother has an agenda to win Elena's affection. Elena's best friend is a bubbly psychic, there is no shape shifters (read werewolves) yet nor mind readers (yet), and Elena is not clumsy (yet), although she does feel isolated and lives in a very small town. Sounds familiar? It should because L.J Smith's books the Vampire Diaries have been around already for last 15 years. This story might have kicked in better if the "Twilight thing" wouldn't burn the subject to the dead. That is something to wonder, how the author of the Twilight ever got away borrowing? so direct storyline, in addition items like mind reading and shape shifters/werewolves in context of vampires from Sookie Stackhouse novels by C. Harris, a book which was also published before first Twilight. Apparently one cannot copyright an idea, only product. But wait, the publisher of L.J Smith has announced a new book to the Vampire diaries series called "Midnight". There is no "Sun" in it, but is this the finger or what?

But this has to be said, that the actors in the Vampire Diaries do not look like they are in the constant pain, well at least not all the time, like in that "other thing". Perhaps that is the difference in these stories; the Vampire Diaries lack the certain amount of constipation.

I vote for that.

True Blood (2008–2014)

True Blood is for True Fang Bangers

[8/10 · 25 November 2008]

"I can't listen to politicians anymore, I get a seizure. Can we put it on my home decor show now?" Terry, war veteran-with-problems (True Blood)

Alan Ball has created again very refreshing and captivating new show. Even though based on book series, the first season has started to show promising diversion toward the end into its own direction. Hopefully Alan Ball continues to into his private road, what viewers have enjoyed in shows like Six Feet Under.

Thanks to a Japanese scientist's invention of synthetic blood, vampires have come out of their coffins, and are now demanding their own civil rights in form of Vampire Rights Amendment (VRA). Religious leaders as well as humans and vampires (and other creatures) are choosing their sides. And not all are happy how the world has changed. The show is exploiting themes like racism, homophobia, drug abuse and civil rights in a new-old way in Southern small town Bon Temps.

Local waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is "cursed" with the telepathy, and "otherness". However, in one evening Bon Temps first vampire handsome Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), walks in and things are starting to stir in small town.

Show is blessed with good actors. Especially Stephen Moyers performance as a Civil War vampire is outstandingly captivating to watch. Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), a short-order cook/private gay entrepreneurial, and his colourful cousin Tara (Rutina Wesley) are serious, wicked, and painfully funny at the same time. Sookie's sex-addictive brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and her slightly stocking boss Sam (Sam Trammell) portrait their roles well. Overall the supporting cast is bullseye. The main mishap is lead lady Sookie's character that exhibits so many personalities (or syndromes) during the show that viewers are lost. In the end the character is painfully loud, annoying and overacted, which creates a shameful lack of taste in contrast to other characters. Sookie might turn out to be the "Jar Jar Binks" of True Blood.

The first three episodes are addictive, and the best love story in TV for a long time between Bill and Sookie is certainly driving mad with its intense beauty. Unfortunately, after the first three episodes the show starts to lose little by little its focus in storyline, some of the acts are overly extended or chaotic; the love story is trivialized, and all this is culminating in episode 11 into totally absurd lines and takes degrading the show into a badly written soap opera. The season finale patches some of it, but leaves a lot of lose threads. Still, True Blood is worth watching because of its isolated pearls that are embedded in some characters and their lines. And Lafayette's wardrobe alone... Hopefully the coming second season can restore some of the lost charm.

Music "Bad Things" by Jace Everett, and generally music in this show is worth listening.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Auts

[2/10 · 1 October 2005]

In spite of the rather good idea for a plot, the dialog was awful and ate credibility. McGregor and Portman did they work as professionals do, but it was shame how little of their acting capacity was used. A little more effort to persons and more length to certain scenes would have done the trick. The scenario was jumping one place to an another having no rational thought. Special effects were great of course, but one can not compensate acting with them. The most beautiful role was done by "Emperor" Ian McDiarmid, and he truly belongs to royals ones. Anakin's role was so seriously performed that it was almost comical. Watching this was like watching the bad ones in Idols. The sense of empathized embarrassment made stomach hurt.