Change Your Image
LukeCustomer2
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Doctor Odyssey (2024)
This looked really good
But it wasn't. First, can we talk about the lame exposition? Don Johnson has like 5 different monologues to explain things to the audience / characters. He isn't a character he is a narrator. First sign of poor writing, tell don't show.
Then, as is typical of a Ryan Murphy show, insane sexualization of everyone. The doctor's entry was so embarrassing as camera lovingly looks him up and down and the actor acts it like it is a gigolo coming on board, not a doctor. Smarmy everything.
Then geezus their sick bay is like a modern hospital. Not buying that at all. Doc on the Love Boat didn't have anything like that. Even the medical aspects of the show seemed lame. Seeing a patient in your best clothing with no covering?
I was 30 minutes in and not slightly interested in anyone and kind of creeped out. Turned it off.
How to Die Alone (2024)
This was not funny or really interesting...
Ugh I wanted it to be good. Natasha Rothwell (Melissa) is a single woman working at JFK airport driving people around in those airport carts. She is really unhappy with her life and, on her birthday, has a pathetic life experience almost dying alone in her apartment due to an "Ikea like" piece of furniture falling on her. In the hospital she meets an older lady who encourages her to live her life, and promptly dies.
But Melissa is not exactly someone to root for. First, she rips off the older women's credit card and charges a plane ticket, the largely steals her dog. The next episode she steals a very expensive ham from customs. She is about 50K in debt and doesn't really want to grow up and become a manager.
None of this is smart witty or funny. Melissa is also a "Mary sue" with everyone she meets (including the woman who died in the hospital) telling her how great she is and or just in love with her. This show tries to have it both ways, the main character is a mess up but also deep down the most competent, beautiful, desired woman in the world.
The requisite gay best friend is also heck of annoying. However, the plot seems to be setting it up that perhaps he isn't her friend and is holding her back? So if that is the case I will take it back.
The First Omen (2024)
Very good
I went in knowing nothing about it and was pleasantly surprised. Basically, in 1970 Margret goes to work for an orphanage with the intent to become a nun there. For the first 45 minutes or so you wouldn't even know it was a horror movie. It is just about Margret and her adventures being a nun in training with a crazy roommate. But after that things start ramping up.
Nell Tiger Free was so good in this movie. You start the movie really liking her character and you are completely invested in her story. But I also appreciated a few choices. I enjoyed them playing with the idea of who the mother was even if I thought it was obvious. I enjoyed the heavy female body horror that I think really can convey the horror of pregnancy to everyone. I even thought they did a good job possibly opening the story up for sequels.
My only regret is that I didn't see it in the theaters.
Shogun (2024)
Insanely Boring.
I struggled with this. The largest problem in my view is there are just tons of scenes that are boring and really don't have a pay off and or are poorly explained. Such as the Pheasant scene. I had to go to you tube to understand what that was about. The first episode I felt like I had to watch it again because nothing really happened but, no, nothing really happened. That happens a lot.
As to the alleged quality... one word..Cosmo Jarvis. He was as bad here as everything I have seen him in. Playing it very odd like he has tics and was not exactly someone I was rooting for. I also didn't believe that he and the main woman character would ever get together because of the time and culture differences.
The entire story was meant to be one of those where the main character wins by outsmarting others but that can only be taken so far. The idea that this guy prevailed because he anticipated all of the various things that had to happen in 10 episodes (including an earthquake) is insanity.
Immaculate (2024)
Enjoyed it.
Immaculate was different than I thought it was going to be and had a plot that clearly had some thought put into it. Also Sydney Sweeney keeps this movie up with her solid acting (something I didn't think I would get going in).
Sydney is Sister Cecilia. An American coming to a convent in Italy. It is explained the Cecilia's old parish closed and the father of this convent reached out. This convent is one that takes care of older nuns. Seemed sweet. Eventually Cecilia becomes pregnant though she is a virgin and something is afoot. The odd plot has the convent essentially trying to reproduce Jesus Christ via DNA taken off a nail used in the crucifixion and has impregnated Cecilia without her knowledge and (implied) all the nuns in the convent were part of the program. Thought this has led to nothing but failures and horrible actions to keep the program going.
It surprised me that the terror here isn't the devil or devil worshippers but fanatic religious folks who, clearly, feel doing these horrible things is for the greater good. The ending also some serious guts to have Cecilia make it her mission to destroy the program and carries that through completely. In doing so someone dies brutally that you wouldn't expect and thus leaves you with a thought provoking ending.
MaXXXine (2024)
Just "ok"
No matter what, this is a well made film and decent enough ending to the series. The best thing about it is that it takes it inspiration from 80s flicks and imho, reminds me of the aesthetic surrounding the movie Angel (from 1984).
Maxine is 5 or so years on from the events of X and has been making a name for herself in the adult industry. Now, she is looking to jump to regular films and gets her big break in a mainstream horror sequel. The only problem is that people around her are getting murdered and Maxine knows why but doesn't want to face up to it.
I didn't really have a problem with the end of the movie. For me the issue was that I didn't ever really feel like I got to know Maxine so that I could root for her. X was an ensemble piece so it made sense that we didn't get a lot of in depth time with her. But here... the movie is called Maxine. Whomever was at the helm didn't seem to know anymore about her as well. You can see the influence Mia Goth had on Pearl. That character felt completely fleshed out and you felt for her when things didn't go her way because she cried... hard. But here... Maxine never breaks a sweat about anything that happens.
Mastermind (2024)
Excellent Documentary
This was a truly excellent and appropriately timed series about an unsung hero in the behavioral science game, Ann Burgess. It follows her early work with victims of rape and using what she knew to formulate standards when the FBI was talking with serial killers. This gave the FBI something to compare and contrast when going through the data and arguably has very much improved what FBI knows about people who kill and how they treat victims. All while Mrs. Burgess was raising three kids and a married mother and nurse.
That being said, I have a quibble in general with profiling these days due to its being taken too far and its potential for abuse. When looked at as a "gut feeling" it isn't allowed in a court of law, but when called a "science" gut feelings are allowed in. I also have a quibble with her support of the Menéndez brothers. She supports there abuse story without a bit of evidence. That makes me think she could be manipulated and wonder about her credibility.
Nevertheless it was a gripping documentary and wonderful to see a spotlight on a woman making a difference.
My Lady Jane (2024)
Meh.... and
I gave it a shot but what could have been an ok show without the historical references was absolutely ruined by the half in, half out, attitude of the story. Going in, you have to accept that for some odd reason they chose to try to use the story of Lady Jane Gray. Why is the question? This story could have been any non historical character, but, instead, they chose a historical story to completely rewrite. Why? Is having this sort of famous person as a hook the only way to get greenlit?
It just bothered me completely because I kind of felt for the people who's likeness they were ripping off. Poor Mary I. For some reason the media just insists on going after her.
Ok so getting past that - is the rest of the story good? No, no, not at all. First apparently we are going to have to deal forever with the trope of casting inaccurate people in roles. No, King Edward the VI was not black. It is really getting tiresome. Jane is the same old "girlboss" character that is also tiresome. Why set your story in the 16th century if you don't want to have the rules of the 16th century? The actress playing Jane is fine but Guildford is not and in my opinion not that attractive.
Is this truly what we have come to? Stories that appear to have been written off the back of some teenager's note book? Is this how desperate we have become?
Space Cadet (2024)
Really bad.
Emma Roberts must be desperate for roles. This movie was just horrible. Rex (really?) is a bartender in Florida that applies to NASA, though, without her knowing, her friend makes up a whole bunch of lies for her to get into NASA. Here is the problem with that... does anyone think that NASA doesn't check people out BEFORE inviting them?
The entire movie was unusually cheap. They clearly didn't have NASA's permission so a cheap logo was used. Most of the things that her fellow trainees did looked cheap and like a soundstage and in the end, they wanted me to believe that they would give a plane to someone to fly that they hadn't checked out yet?
It just really had nothing going for it.
Pearl (2022)
Excellent Film
I had avoided this film because I knew it was part of a "slasher" series and I am not big into that. But I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. I would say it was more like a drama with some extreme elements.
It is 1918... in the aftermath of the flu pandemic and at the wrap up of WWI. Pearl is a small time girl with big dreams. Dreams because her current life is a nightmare. Pearl lives on a farm with her mom and dad. Her dad is infirm and needs to be taken care of 24-7. Pearl is married but her husband is away at the war. Her mom is very domineering and watches Pearl like a hawk to make sure she is doing her errands.
The tragedy of life is the villain here. Both Pearl and her mom don't deserve the horror of having such a horrible life and this movie makes me feel for both. When Pearl finally breaks down and admits to how she is coping... it is tragic and an excellent performance Goth. You aren't supposed to cry for the killer but here I sure did.
The Other Zoey (2023)
One major drawback to this movie.
For a romance... this doesn't have any. The basic problem with this movie is that is lacks any sort of unresolved sexual tension or any indication that the two leads like each other romantically. Also, the leads look like each other and with the almost completely brother sister / friend vibe here... it really lends to a platonic vibe.
The story, basically Zoey is a complete Karen and professional know it all that almost no one can stand (except for her best friend). While being obnoxious one day the captain of the soccer team (generally nice and happy) Zach mistakenly hits her with a soccer ball and sort of slightly, very slightly, flirts. Eventually Zach ends up at Zoey's workplace, leaves his credit card, and while Zoey yells after him... gets into a minor fender bender with a car. Leaving him with a head injury and thinking this Zoey is his girlfriend.
Zoey isn't really aware of this for a while and when she becomes aware of it.. for convoluted reasons that does not involve attraction to Zach, she chooses to pretend to be his girlfriend Zoey.
When the reveal happens.. no offense to the actors but they should look like their heart is being ripped out of their chest, not like they purchased the wrong brand of milk.
I just never got that the two leads were anything more than mild friends... even if they kissed each other.
Panic (2021)
Should have been shorter
This show needed an editor. About 50% of the show should have been eliminated. I didn't know how many episodes there were and after episode I was sure that must be the end. Nope it just went on and on.
I could get behind the main premise of the show...small town underground game that the unlikely 5'5, 110lb girl just happens to win so she can go to college and escape small town life... but the actual story seemed implausible and dragged out.
A real problem here was that the police knew about the game and people had died in the past (thought to have been from the game) yet the police were unable to stop the game and seemed clueless when all the kids who played the game were easily able to get the clues as to the game. At minimum all it would take is a few wiretaps in town for the police to be on to everything.
Another problem is that everyone on this show seemed too old for their parts.
I admit the subplot with Ray and Heather was quite good in some spots but it also seemed rushed and neglected. With Ray being 100% in some episodes and then not seeing anything of them for 4 or so episodes.
Ida regénye (2022)
Excellent
Sometimes you take a chance on a movie and it turns out great. This was a great and simple romantic movie.
On or about the 1920s in some obviously.foreign land...Ida has come of age and her dad has no idea what to do with her. Her dad wants to get remarried and needs Ida out of the house to do so. Ida can't go back to the convent (I guess where she was stashed before) so her dad goes with marriage and posts an ad for someone to marry Ida. Apparently, the marriage doesn't have to be forever because, at this time, divorce is a sufficient reason for Ida to live alone. Dad picks Csaba and, while seemingly polite, Ida knows very little about him. But they agree on a year of fake marriage for both their purposes.
It was a well-written and tight script and I enjoyed almost everything they chose. As mentioned, the couple's sarcastic maid was hysterical... and I enjoyed the non modern reactions to most everything. Ida is a delight. The actress is beautiful and she is meant to be nieve (since she just came out of a convent) and she is, but not in a really cliched way - in a very pure and organic way.
The only real problems for me was that the dubbing was horrible and the voices sounded odd. Also, I was not 100% sure about why things were happening. It is like I needed a refresher video on the social standards of the time.
But I would recommend it.
Totally Killer (2023)
Fun But...
I will give you that this movie is worth watching. First it has a crazy speed style that is engaging. Things just don't happen in this movie they happen FAST. The acting by Kiernan Shipka and Olivia Holt was great and the movie was surprisingly violent for a movie about a serial killer. Which was a tip of the hat to 80s movies being rather violent.
But, the movie itself did not use all the opportunities that was given to it. It references Back to the Future several times but the jokes here are not as funny and the time machine not as plausible. They did have several funny moments but the script could have used a few more solid jokes and more thought about the ending which was a bit convoluted.
American Fiction (2023)
Biting Social Commentary
The part of the movie that concerns liberal white guilt driving forcing black voices into a box is funny and right on point. I live in the same area as this movie takes place and know many black people who express the same sentiments as the main character here... (Monk). But ironically it seems that the story that wanted to be told was likely interfered with by corporate suits and perhaps the screenplay didn't have a great ending.
Most of the movie is wonderful but the main character's LGBT brother is very likely not needed and was put in there to satisfy an agenda. Ironically... this movie itself is a vehicle for the message while also critiquing it. And at the end of the story it looks like it is going to go with a very Tootsie like ending but they do a few zigs and zags that I wonder if was just to extend the run time.
Overall though, very entertaining.
The Holdovers (2023)
Glad I waited for streaming
I was dying to see this movie but I didn't want to pay for it. Finally I saw it was on a streaming service, but sadly, it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
Ultimately I didn't like "the message" of the movie. Which to me is, I guess, that this old guy should take a nasty fall in life so a student, he has known for two weeks... doesn't get put into military school for.. I think a short time. The movie seems to be trying to make a point about taking risks but, since they don't show what happens to the teacher, I can't see it as a positive. I have a strong feeling about what happened to an unlikable teacher without real degrees that smells like fish - and it isn't going to be pretty.
I had also heard about how immersive this movie was to the 70s (its time period) err... no. The suits men were wearing were glaringly distracting as modern and dialog had people saying "I get it" -- no one said that in the 1970s.
Finally, I thought at least 20% of the movie was pure filler that could have been cut. At least I got it on a streaming service so I could fast forward.
It was a good movie but not a great movie that I would probably watch over again.
Maxton Hall - Die Welt zwischen uns (2024)
This was excellent
I guess we have to go to Germany for a good romance without the message but this show was a great romance. Generally this was about a girl (Ruby) who goes to an elite school on scholarship who has spent her time there, basically hiding from them. Until a compromising position puts her in power over a powerful classmate.. and that classmate's brother comes looking to silence Ruby.
The acting leads, and in fact, all of the acting was great. I give great credit to both lead actors who could tell so much with their eyes. The story was -- you know -- a story and not just a collection of scenes put together. I give them great credit for fleshing out all the main characters without pushing the main couple out and sending a message often ignored in today's society... that being rich doesn't necessarily make everything great.
I would like to point out how this how has elements of "the message" without making it the main part of the story. Both the main character's siblings are "larger" than most Hollywood specifications and it isn't commented on at all. There is a gay side plot but it firmly stays over in its place as a minor side plot.
Bridgerton (2020)
More Hollywood Bait and Switch
Just another Hollywood bait and switch. This book series is a Romance series. It has a story and characters. The show uses the name to attract the massive audience for these stories... and then, shoves their self insert plots down the audience's throat. There were eye brows raised when Regency England had black characters but they explained in Queen Charlotte the conceit of the show. In the end it was just skin color because characters remained largely the same.
But now they are wholesale changing characters behavior for the never ending "message" and not bothering to actually have the romance plot that people are watching for. Because of the large departures from the books - logic is going out the window and characterization with it. (Antony heading to India while his wife is pregnant). Costumes and make up have become insane and ugly. Even casting is starting to be ugly. Not even bothering to find the right people for the roles.
They are going to do ... what they are going to do. Forget the fans. As evidenced by the fact they expect us to wait 2 years for 8 poor episodes.
Hit Man (2023)
The ending will make you angry
Right up until the end I thought this was going to be a 10 star review. Glen Powell plays an everyman university teacher who, on the side, did electrical / tech work for the police. Until one day, the police, short on staff ask him to go in undercover. The entire story of how he rises to the occasion and turns out to be great in the role of "hit man" was pure gold... though a little over the top. And I thought they were going someplace with it. In an early scene the main character's ex-wife suggests to him that if you become someone for long enough, you can change into that person.
The problem is the end of the movie. Where (not at all true to life) this mild mannered professor chooses to become an accessory to murder and then murders one of the cops. All so his "love" and he can stay together. The movie seems to want us to be happy for them because they get away with it and the movie stands there like -- good for them. Err... no, not good for them.
I really wonder what is happening in Hollywood that they think this ending is ok.
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
Thank god for humanity and empathy outside Hollywood.
Ultimately I don't see how anyone could say this was AI anything. The characters were fully fleshed out and the themes they were working with were pure human. I can see why this is so beloved for highlighting themes that are never touched upon on modern movie making.
I was enjoyed the highlighting of what it was like for Japanese people after WWII. How desperate they were and how bitter they were that their government had used them as human shields. All I could think was let's not do this again ok? I also enjoyed the themes they had of taking care of each other and of not giving up on people who make mistakes. Finally the way they disposed of the monster was smart and something that Hollywood would never think up. The whole time you are rooting for the people.
Unlike other Godzillia movies this is not a fuzzy pet of a Godzillia. He is a monster who will kill you. But in a way he is just as much a victim as it seems obvious the monster is a direct result of nukes going off.
My only quibbles is that some of the effects were bad and there wasn't as much Godzillia as I had been led to believe.
Geek Girl (2024)
Strictly for the kids.
Let's start with the idea of Emily Carey as a "geek girl" hardly. It is a funny meme at this point that they cast a pretty girl and don't do much to hide her beauty. Here they don't even bother with the glasses. They just don't comb the main character's hair. Then she happens to be quite short so.. why exactly is she chosen to be a model? Her red hair? Seriously. There is hair dye out there.
Then the male model love interest is not attractive. Sorry. Not enough for me to buy male model.
The model agency staff is insane. No, people don't give you anything you want when you flash your fashion week id.
Adults will find this boring and tedious.
Breaking Bad (2008)
Just not my cup of tea.
I love Vince Gilligan and I have tried to watch this series several times... but I dislike the subject matter so, even if it is the best of all time, I just don't want to watch it.
For me, the problem is that there is no one to root for. I hate every single one of the characters. They are like people I would meet in real life, and that is not a good thing. There is Walter White, teacher and loser who blames everyone and everything else and never looks at what he has. His wife Skyler who is young and hot but you can tell his marriage is over and dysfunctional. Walt, Jr. Who has cerebral palsy and is a mopey jerk. Jessie - Walt's partner is drug making who is just a useless idiot. And Walter has cancer.
For the first two seasons Walter and Jessie fail completely at breaking bad and it is boring to watch but most of that time is taken up with the dysfunctional drama of the White family. When we aren't doing that, people are being killed with gore, gore, and more gore. There is nothing to relate to.
Despite the claims that the show is well written to me there is a lot of silly filler. Such as the second season subplot regarding a plane crash. I mean... come on? It has nothing to do with anything.
Finally I just find it difficult to believe these two wouldn't be caught pretty much immediately. The main character's brother in law is a DEA agent and the main character took items from his school and this guy disappears all the time. I mean Superman has nothing on him. For the first few seasons the two main characters have no idea what they are doing.... yet, somehow, no one notices any of their many mistakes.
Better Call Saul (2015)
Way better than breaking bad
I never liked breaking bad so I was reluctant to watch this. I decided to watch some you tube videos first to see if there would be something I would like... and gave it a shot that way. The story is great but, it does take 6 seasons to get there. I feel it was better to know some outline of the general storyline before getting impatient with the slow burn.
Breaking bad, for me, had nothing interesting to me. No characters I cared about and no profession that was interesting (teaching). There was no romance, only a burned out couple that were miserable. Did I mention the cancer? But BCS has much more to like.
At the heart of this series is a very Mulder and Scully relationship. Kim and Jimmy love each other from the start and are best friends against the world. The rest of it is just gravy. Then the entire plot revolves around the law both fancy large firms and small ones. The law and litigation is just plain interesting. And then we have family conflict but in a way which, to me, is far more interesting. Brotherly love and conflict with issues that were smart and we haven't seen before. Even the cartel... which I found so boring in Breaking Bad had storylines that engaged me. And best of all is that while of course this is a drama... there is plenty of amusing fun to be had... something I never got out of Breaking bad.
Technically I feel the art on display is better. With very strong performances by all the actors and montages that are works of art. Music is perfect and the creators seemed to try new things with each episode.
I highly recommend this series.
Dead Boy Detectives (2024)
Lockwood and Co. Did it better
I was surprised to see the premise of this show after Lockwood and Co. Was cancelled. Especially since this one is so inferior to Lockwood. The show was ... frantic without a lot of sense or structure to it. I ended up falling asleep.
The premise is that there are two ghosts (dead boys) who have not crossed over to the next world and are staying on earth as detectives for ghosts and other creatures that can see them. This premise itself imho is insane. How much business can there be? Both the main characters are not likable but are eventually joined by crystal palace (yup from War Games) who is by far the most unlikable character. When we start with the cat king I knew this has gone too far for me.
I would also note that imho this show is being pushed because Lockwood had a non woke storyline and this one is as woke as possible. Total waste of time but betting Netflix will renew.
Anyone But You (2023)
Glad I waited for streaming.
I thought this movie was dreadful. Sidney Sweeney just cannot act and I am assuming she is getting cast in everything because of her chest and her willingness to show it. This move makes no sense... Glen Powell and Sidney Sweeney play Ben and Bea who meet cute, like each other, and spend one chaste night together spooning. Bea sneaks out of his apartment and Ben wakes up to a "bro" friend who I guess has a key - who is kidding him about being in love. To wit, Ben says, "that girl was a mess and I couldn't wait to be rid of her" only Bea had turned around for Ben's apartment and heard the comment.
Ok ok, I can see her ghosting him after that... but eventually she runs into him again as a friend of a friend who is going to a wedding and, even though she moved on with another guy, she hates Ben to a crazy degree. This makes no sense anyone with a half a brain knows how men talk and would have known that no one spends the night spooning with a girl he can't stand. At least at this point (since she was going to be stuck with him) I would have asked him what that was all about? You know... like an adult?
The rest of the movie is just one romance cliche' after another thrown in for good measure. We go from the lovers to hate each other to pretending they are in love to fool others to actually being in love. I just couldn't take it any longer. And if you are looking for non woke stuff... this movie is absolutely bonkers with it. Then let's not get into how realistic it is... the family has an oceanside villia in Australia? As you do.