Category Archives: Corny at times

2016, Action Film, Action Hero, Based on a Book, Conspiracy, Contract Killing, Corny at times, Corruption, Drug Dealers, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-daughter relations, Illegitimate Child, Invincible Hero, Mayhem, Military, Military Corruption, Mixed Martial Arts, Murder, Netflix DVD, Suspense, Unmarried mother, Violent

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

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From Netflix who sent me the DVD:

Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) returns with his particular brand of justice in the highly anticipated sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. When Army Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), who heads Reacher’s old investigative unit, is arrested for treason, Reacher will stop at nothing to prove her innocence and to uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy involving soldiers who are being killed.

So what if you have seen one then you have seen all the Jack Reacher films (of all the action films, for that matter)!  Once the action starts I am attracted like a fly to fly-paper. Never mind that Tom Cruise looks much older. At least give him credit: not bad for someone who is now 55 years old. Never mind that his street fighting skills are improbably staged, they are still fun to watch. Never mind that he and his fellow fighters for truth and justice get some unlikely breaks from time to time just to let their side win. Never mind that the last 10 minutes or so are unbearably maudlin. Never mind that our hero can just barely speak an emotive line of script.

Who cares! What you see is what you get and it just plain fun!

2015, Australian, Australian Aborigine, Barely Acceptable Trash, Bloody scenes, Cancer theme, Car Chase, Corny at times, Ends in Cliff Hanger, Fantasy, Gay theme, Love Story, Made For TV, Medical Theme, Mediocre, Motorcycles, Murder, Netflix Streaming, Police Culture, Revenge, Sci-Fi, Sex Scenes, Small Town, Sometimes seems silly, Violent, War, War Veterans, WWI

Glitch (2015)

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From Netflix:

James and Elishia keep the Risen under wraps while they try to make sense of what’s happening, and James makes a second shocking discovery.

From Netflix you can stream the 6 episodes of season 1 of this Netflix original.

At least 6 people climb out of their graves and interact with the living for 6 episodes. Mostly this is a mystery story which tries to solve not only how this resurrection is possible but also how each person died. It takes a character as many as 6 episodes to make that self-discovery, often to their great unhappiness. Curiosity kept me watching this mediocre, maudlin, barely acceptable piece of trash.

Surprisingly, this new production offers the audio and subtitles in many languages. Because the dialog is simple and basic, this is a good opportunity to use languages other than English. HOWEVER, the written scripts do not match the spoken scripts, which has been a flaw prevalent in many films for many years.

WARNING: Episode 6 ends with a huge cliff hanger. Just when you think you will learn the answers, the season ends.  Wait, I suppose, for a second season.

2016, Acorn TV, B-movie, Bad Acting, Barely Acceptable Trash, British, Car Chase, Corny at times, Detective, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Incest, Mediocre, Murder, Not Recommended, Police Corruption, Terrible acting

Winter (2016)

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From Acorn TV:

Rebecca Gibney (Packed to the Rafters) stars as Detective Eve Winter in this gripping Australian murder mystery series.

“Gripping” it was NOT!  From Acorn TV you could suffer while you stream 6 episodes of this cliché-ridden, poorly written, embarrassingly acted detective series.

DO NOT BOTHER!

2015, Based on a Book, Corny at times, Detective, Fantasy, Frenetic, Mayhem, Religious Theme

Victor Frankenstein (2015)

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From NetFlix:

Putting a new spin on the classic tale of the reanimated monster, this reimagined version unspools through the perspective of loyal lab assistant Igor and his friendship with erratic genius Dr. Frankenstein.

For a PG-13 rated film, this 1hour 50 minutes romp features quite a bit of violent mayhem. At least any sex is minimal to nonexistent. Each time Hollywood tells the Frankenstein story, the special effects are more exaggerated. Have we reached here a pinnacle in cadavers,  arcane iron equipment, lightning, Scottish castles, and a really angry, nasty, two-hearted big monster? Of course, part of the tradition is that the monster must have a flat head.

Daniel Radcliffe  (aka “Harry Potter”) as the loyal lab assistant Igor should feel really at home with all the hocus-pocus. Imagining that Dr. Frankenstein rescues the circus clown Igor and converts him from a hunchback into an attractive adult is a new gimmick in the story. Letting Igor fall in love with a beautiful woman is also a nice touch.

James McAvoy portrays Victor Frankenstein as an ambitious, driven egomaniac of a genius, who is quite possibly a madman.

Andrew Scott (Professor Moriarty of the TV series “Sherlock”) as Inspector Turpin has charge of the theology in the story.

In summary, it is a really good yarn with lots of special effects which you can enjoy as just a fun story as long as you are willing to suspend disbelief at every detail for the entire film.

2015, Acceptable for children, Comedy, Corny at times, Extramarital Affair, Senior citizens, Young Adults

The Intern (2015)

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From IMDB:

70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.

Feel-good films appropriate for everyone are an endangered species. So grab onto this pleasant and not overly sentimental film.

Robert De Niro plays Ben Whittaker, whose role is that of an experienced father figure.

Anne Hathaway plays Jules Ostin, whose role is that of an ambitious, young entrepreneur whose successful two-year-old start-up is experiencing the usual growing pains.

Sub-plots include romances, extra-marital affairs, the difficulties of today’s young people starting their work life, “can a woman have it all?”, etc.

Watching a friendly film free of violence can be relaxing.

2013, 2014, 2015, Acorn TV, Anti-Semitism, Australian, Bicycles, Catholic culture, Corny at times, DO NOT MISS, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Flirting, Gay theme, Homophobia, Italian culture, Japanese WWII Behavior, Jewish Culture, Love Story, Made For TV, Melodrama, Mildly Violent, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder, Optimistic, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Soap Opera, Suicide, TV Series, Unmarried mother, War Veterans, Wasp Snobs, Wonderful photography, WWII

A Place To Call Home (2013)

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From Acorn TV:

An instantly irresistible saga (Wall Street Journal) brimming with secrets, passion, romance, and intrigue, A Place to Call Home explores the ties that hold families together and the betrayals that can tear them apart.

In this case Acorn’s description got it exactly right: INSTANTLY IRRESISTIBLE!

UPDATE May 2016:

Usually I hate spoilers, BUT — you at least have to know that this soap opera is destined to go on forever. Each season ends with agonizing cliff-hangers that force you onto the next season.  Unfortunately that includes season three which ends with all the characters in their own separate threads in great difficulty and with evil about to triumph. As of this update there is no season four, which makes me cry “Foul!”

Our audiologist alerted me to Acorn TV and especially to this Australian soap opera. Acorn TV shows presentations exclusively from the British commonwealth, including New Zealand and Australian. Currently Acorn TV costs $5 per month and offers a huge selection for streaming. We use ROKU to do the streaming.

Season 1 ends as a cliffhanger which sent us diving immediately into Season 2. Originally there were to be only two seasons, hence Season 2 ends happily ever after. BUT — when someone decided to do Season 3 they cleverly offer a Season 3 on Acorn TV which begins with a substitute episode for the last episode of Season 2. This rewrite ends with cliffhangers to prepare us for Season 3. Never before have I found such a maneuver. Season 1 has 13 episodes, Season 2 has 10 episodes, and Season 3 has 11 which includes the substitute final episode of Season 2.

“Schmaltz” is German for rendered chicken or goose fat. Have no doubt, this is a real soap opera with lots of schmaltzy emotions, nasty villains, noble heroes and especially heroines. If you do nothing more than just stare at the beautiful and entrancing Marta Dusseldorp (who plays the heroine Sarah Adams), you will have enjoyed yourself. Deborah Kennedy plays the best town gossip I have ever seen. All the conflicting topics are there: Catholic versus Anglican, Jews versus Gentiles, Italian workers against the upper class snobs, homophobia, veterans versus the Japanese, and the enticing list goes on. Australia is beautiful, especially in a perfect rendering of the years just after World War II.

Don’t blame me if your life is devoured by this captivating series.

DO NOT MISS!

2005, Comedy, Corny at times, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Sight Gags, Slapstick

Hitch (2005)

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From NetFlix:

Smooth and sexy Hitch helps clueless clients make a great first impression with their dates so they can get to the second date. But when a lovely gossip reporter starts nosing around his business, Hitch has to figure out a whole new strategy to love.

Possibly slow at first, some funny sight gags get the action started, especially when Kevin James (“Paul Blart:Mall Cop”) enters the scene as the love-sick Albert.

Expect some mush, but also expect to have some fun.

2005, Action Film, Action Hero, Bloody scenes, British, Conspiracy, Corny at times, Dancing, Dystopia, Lesbian Theme, Mild Torture, Prison, Revenge, Some exaggerated violence, Unscrupulous drive to power, Violent

V for Vendetta (2005)

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From NetFlix:

A masked freedom fighter known as “V” takes up arms against the totalitarian government in a futuristic Britain. Finding an unlikely ally in a young woman named Evey Hammond, V urges the citizenry to fight the oppression of the state.

Who doesn’t get involved when it’s really nasty, mean bad guys against all us good guys? Add to this a huge movie set (which happens to be London) where lots of buildings get blown up, plenty of blood is spilled, and good triumphs over evil in a fireworks filled finale. What kind of digital photographic magic was used to show the population of London converging on Trafalgar Square all dressed like V himself? Kid stuff maybe, but I was glued to my seat. Just plain old revenge is always fulfilling.

Natalie Portman is beautiful, even without hair. Best of all was “THE VOICE” of V brought to you by Hugo Weaving whose biography stresses his “deep dramatic, rich yet flawless voice characterized by a calm, reserved delivery of his lines.” And there are a zillion other well-known British actors all doing their part to bring us 132 minutes of mindless entertainment.

Just pretend you are ten years old, sit back, and enjoy.

2014, Acceptable for children, Arson, Based on a Book, Cooking and food, Corny at times, Culture of India, Father-son relations, Feel Good For All, Fishing, French Culture, Love Story, Optimistic, Race Relations

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

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From Netflix:

Relocating from India to a quiet village in the south of France, chef Hassan Kadam and his family open a restaurant called Maison Mumbai. But when their business starts to thrive, a competing restaurateur launches a war between the eateries.

For two hours you can just relax, accept the many unlikely details, and enjoy a feel-good film that is even acceptable for children. Only a few moments of difficulty from time to time portend a possible cloud, but never fear, in this film tension is just not allowed.

Marguerite is beautiful, Hassan is handsome, and Helen Mirren is Helen Mirren.

You are guaranteed at least four happy endings. Enjoy the silliness!

2014, AIDS, Based on true facts, British, Comedy, Corny at times, Dancing, Feel Good Not For Children, Gay theme, Homophobia, Human spirit, Lesbian Theme, Miners, Optimistic, Senior citizens, Small Town, True Story, Wales

Pride (2014)

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From Netflix:

In an unlikely alliance, striking British mineworkers draw support from a coalition of gay and lesbian activists who solicit donations to help tide over the miners’ families during the 1984 standoff with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government.

From a Netflix DVD Kathy and I watched this 2 hour feel-good and had many good laughs. Never mind that the film is a bit maudlin, somewhat over the top, has an obvious agenda, and is too long.

What saved the film for me was especially the fact that it is based on true events during the Thatcher era in Great Britain. Be sure to watch the final credits because during the final Gay Pride parade you see screen text which tells you what happened in real life to some of the characters. Sion’s success in later life is especially inspirational.

Among the many actors you might recognize:

  • Dominic West (Jonathan) who stars in the award-winning TV series “The Affair”
  • Imelda Staunton was “Vera Drake” in the famous film of that name.
  • Bill Nighy has a long resume. He played Johnny Worricker in the TV Masterpiece Contemporary series.

Probably the only dark cloud in the story is the emergence of AIDS, which did affect some of the gay men in the plot.

Enjoy the Welsh scenery. Not a perfect film, but lots of fun.