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Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

A solid upgrade to the original

I did watch the original in 1986 and then re-watched it more the 10 times on different medias throughout the years: VHS, DVD and now Bluray.

A sequel that it is not a superhero movie, not a unimaginative Disney's IP's... Overloaded with CGI (watching you, Marvel)

Thank you Mr Cruise, the cast and the team behind the camera. John Kosinski delivers a brilliant tribute to the original but with current technologies. And Tom Cruise and the flying cast put us inside the cockpits of the planes.

Kudos to the "young" cast who was subject to real flying conditions at the request of Tom Cruise.

As they say in interview : maybe this movie will be one the rarest to be shot practically. The areal scenes are impressive and make the original "obsolete", or Midway (2019) a real piece of cr...

I had a great time watching it. And can wait for a Bluray full of behind the scenes.

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Good fun !

I love the MK video games, but as usual, don't expect a work of art movie.

This one gives great tribute to the video game characters.

Plus:

• Very good fight scenes
• CGI

Cons:

• fight scenes: camera work and cutting
• corny dialog scenes (reminds me some B-movies from the 80's and 90's)

Good entertainment !

Tales from the Loop (2020)

One of my favorite scifi series in 2020

Watched during the first lockdown here in Belgium.

No pew-pew, no gore, very few violence... Slow paced (if you don't like it, pass it).

Based on a book of the Swedish illustrator Simon Stålenhag and the filmakers made a tremedous job of of blending the elements in some scenes.

And also shot like a British or Scandinavian TV serie. Every shot is carefully composed and the photography is superb. Thumbs up to the young actresses and actors.

I hope to see more work from the creative team.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Painful 4 hours...

For every franchises, directors bring their own ticks. For this movie, Zack Snyder brought his: for the theatrical one and this new cut. He's not the worst. Highly stylized, few dialog scenes,... Example: Jar Jar Abrams with lens flares, shaky camera work and weird angles... for 2 franchises.

Pros:

• deleted scenes & improved subplots
• CGI fest

Cons:

• 4:3 format
• color grading too dark
• too much slowmo scenes
• bland acting

But damned 4 hours....

Star Wars: Squadrons (2020)

Hours of fun !

As a Star Wars fan, I was waiting a modern X-Wing & Tie Fighter game. I spent hours on the solo campaign and some online deathmatches.

Unfortunately, on PC, it only runs on Microsoft Malware 10....

Durham County (2007)

Dysfunctionnal family

At first I was expecting a mystery-crime TV series like the Scandinavian / British productions, but the series left me mixed feelings:

• unlikable characters
• dysfunctional family: lies and cheats, screwed up teens,...
• criminals are well played
• sometimes the series drag so slow

In conclusion a weird mix of crime stories with drama / psychological tones.

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Best non James Cameron sequel

I am trying to forget T3 and the others sequels. Re-watched it on bluray during quarantine. This movie brings new elements to the Terminator lore: new robots, new locations, great production designs and great VFX, and brand new story... For me, the best non James Cameron sequel And it is weird to see back Anton Yelchin (RIP).

Stealth (2005)

The end of Rob Cohen career ?

Rob Cohen has directed some pretty good movies: Dragon, Dragonheart (my favorite), Fast & Furious... But this... And since then, no exciting movies.

This movie would have been interesting (man vs A.I.) but sank into a video game style, uninteresting characters (even with this cast), shaky camera work,... Treats the military like idiots.

So Sad for Rob Cohen.

Archive (2020)

Loved this movie also

Do not expect an explosion of VFX like we had recently (Marvel, Star Wars,..), mindless action but something deep. The link with Ex Machina is easy (robots, philosophy,...) or Asimov's work. Beautiful sets, production designs, photography, landscapes & soundtrack.

This movie will find its public. And hope to have other interesting projects in the future from this director and his team.

Reef Break (2019)

Plain boring episodic serie

Plain boring episodic series like TV channels are showing.

The pilot episode set the tone for the rest of the series.

Unlikable characters (Poppy's especially), weird camera work during some action scenes, stupid plots already seen in others, backstory uninteresting,...

Pro: postcard-like locations

Stargirl (2020)

Goes to the CW's direction

So first, targeted for pre-teens, so why not producing a show that can be a "role model" for this public and more and more going to the Arrowverse's direction. Also co-produced by Berlanti.

Pros:

• Nice to see Luke Wilson (always typecasted as the nice guy) & Amy Smart back.
• The robot is so cool
• VFX and stunt teams are doing a great job

Cons:

• main character: a good example of a teen who is not following instructions (maybe actual trend with real teenagers). Her acting needs to be perfected. Not her whining.
• script: awful at most in every episodes

Fringe (2008)

Brilliant serie

I found the Bluray box set with all seasons in a second hand shop and it was a good opportunity to re-watch it during the worldwide pandemic of 2020 and "stay at home" period.

At the time I watched some episodes on TV badly dubbed in French. And I was curious. Some similarities with the X-Files (FBI, supernatural, the case of the week...) but created its own mythology. The series lasts for 5 seasons and it is really enough. The main cast acting is superb (especially John Noble). I hope another project will reunite this cast.

When JJ Abrams creates something new, it is brilliant. Except Lost, a bit boring. Not as director of well-known franchises. The only common element seen in his work: lens flares :-)

GLOW (2017)

Thank you Netflix for bringing back memories !

As a kid from the 80's, I felt reliving this wonderful time period !

The production designs are very close to what I remember. But missing mullet haircuts :-) And the soundtrack filled with 80's songs and music. And linked to events of that period (the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger on live TV for example).

The main cast is fantastic (I've discovered Betty Gilpin and her broad range of acting) and the supporting cast too (hope to see those actresses in other projects). Each episode is masterfully written and directed.

I loved the episode "Outward Bound" in season 3: mainly written for the supporting cast.

Devs (2020)

Fantastic beginning

If you like Alex Garland's work, it is for you !

After the 2 episodes, I felt "Ex Machina" vibes". Or atmospheric like some Scandinavian TV series. The photography is superb (close to Mr Robot), the music is well used, casting is top-notch. Surprised to see Nick Offerman in a non comedic role.

If you like mainstream TV series, with the same narrative structure, episode after episode with an happy ending, or that last since more than 10 seasons, it is not really for you.

Cover Versions (2018)

Katie Cassidy in other The CW stuff;;;

I've kind of liked this movie: something different. Could be a bit longer. But a good indie movie to change from noisy, CGI movies that Hollywood is releasing for the moment. Nice to watch Katie Cassidy doing other things than The CW teenage-targeted TV. Same for Debby Ryan. I did not know much about the rest of the cast. In conclusion, this movie deserves to be watched.

The Girl in the Book (2015)

This movie resonates...

After the release of a victim's book in January 2020 in France about a French writer and his "love" for minors. And the psychological consequences on her.

A movie worth watching on a difficult topic.

The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017)

Thumbs up to the stunt team

The movie has all ingredients for an action-packed, with the 2 impressive leads and international casting.

But I must say, congratulations to the stunt team, especially the action scenes in Amsterdam. If you have visited the Dutch city, you are impressed with the work performed because the streets are so narrow.

Grab your popcorn and be entertained !

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

The war of directors ?

First, it is a pure JJ Abrams movie. I had doubts when he was announced for the Force Awakens, after the 2 soulless Star Trek movies he directed -probably his ticket for directing this version of Star Wars-.

So he used the same formula:

• fast-paced dialog scenes
• fast-paced action scenes (some are good, some are not)
• shaky and weird camera work
• some lens flares (and now flashing lights)

But I have seen worst (Michael Bay for example)

Anyway Rian Johson took a debatable direction, and then, JJ Abrams tried to save the franchise after the TLJ by not following the path of Rian Johnson. So opposite to Marvel, it seems that there were not strategy for a coherent trilogy. As George Lucas had in mind for the previous ones.

So lot of ideas in an 2 hours format and it hurts the pacing of the movie, way too fast for the brain to correctly "compute".

Positive note: the new cast is way better than in the previous episodes. And Daisy Ridley shines here. Adam Driver, John Boyega & Oscar Isaac are also excellent. Oscar Isaac is already well-established actor. Hope that the rest of the cast will have the same path. Why not reunite them in another project ?

In The Force Awakens and in The Last Jedi, I really did not care about those characters but, now, they are really likable.

Conclusion: this trilogy is debatable, but I watched other studios tanking other beloved franchises, I hope Disney learned his lesson.

The Mandalorian (2019)

Finally !

I did not have any hope anymore on the current trilogy: incoherent plot, no attachment to the current characters, and not talking about the treatment of the original cast (RIP Carrie Fischer).

Simple reason: the movies were released too fast (+ the spins off). Because Disney wanted to apply the same Marvel recipe. It did not work.

But damned, this series is great: starting slow (episodes 1 and 2) and then takes off.

Thanks to Jon Favreau & Dave Feloni, true SW lovers, and you have a magnificent project (I loved the animated Clones and Rebels).

If it is the famous "course correction" read in the press at the end of 2018, it is !

Leaving Neverland (2019)

I had a doubt at that time, but this documentary is really disturbing !

Michael Jackson was in my favorite music playlist in the 80's but I was not a hardcore fan. I was wondering at that time why he was with only with kids.

This documentary shed new light on the mega pop-star and his 'dark' side. Interviews of 2 victims and relatives.

Really disturbing. Like the 'dark' side of the Catholic Church around the world.

Hunter Killer (2018)

It's like Rocky 4 under the sea :-)

This film does not take itself seriously. But not like the crap from The Asylum. You take all those 80's action films, mix them with good sentiments and patriotism, and voilà :-)

It really reminds me the end of Rocky 4 (cold war era): finally the Russians are our friends !

If you want to have a good fun action movie with submarines, this is one of them. But you will not have the same deep level (not pun intended) as the past submarine movies.

Gerald Butler is OK but not as action type like Liam Neeson. I have seen worst from him (Gods Of Egypt). And you can recognize faces that are always typecast as Russian (ex. the tenant of a laundry service in Friends).

So pop the menu, grab some popcorn and be ready for the ride !

The Innocents (2018)

Wonderful TV series

Thank you Netflix for distributing this one. Heads up to the production team.

First it reminds me the Scandinavian / British way of telling stories in a few episodes: great cast, beautiful photography & slow paced.

The main actors are very good with Guy Pearce as supporting actor. Plus great ensemble of second roles: British and Norwegian.

This story does not rely on heavy CGI effects, it is not a superhero or action series. You are far from general public TV series that last too long.

Can wait for season 2.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Solo, a Western in Space

I was not expecting much on this spinoff (after watching the current trilogy -unoriginal ripoffs of the original, and especially after being fooled by "The Last Jedi"). And after reading the "adventures" of the previous directors.

But quite frankly, I was surprised. First, not a origin story but an standalone 2-hours episode. It was fun & full of action.

The main actor -Alden Ehrenreich- is sometimes bland but did the job right. Emilia Clarke's character is cute but you don't see any close connection with Solo. Woody Harrelson's character is interesting. Donald Glover over-acts sometimes.

And like the Star Wars tradition you have a great "menagerie" of aliens, planets,... You mix everything and you have a great Western in the Star Wars universe (the heist scene for example).

Ron Howard did a tremendous job in taking over this movie and made it watchable, fun and exciting.

Negative note: some scenes were too dark.

If you have missed it in theater, rent it, buy the DVD/Bluray.

The Predator (2018)

The "Last Jedi" disease is spreading in Hollywood.

Messy action scenes, not funny jokes nor one-liners. No attachment to the main characters. Even this great casting does not save this movie from sinking.

It is finally a big budget B-movie which has nothing to bring to the saga. Not talking the end twist (really ?).

So, again, a beloved saga is also being dragged into the mud like the others: Star Trek, Star Wars, Transformers,..... for whatever reason.

Justice League (2017)

Average entertainment.

After watching BvS I have not expected much on this sequel. Surprise, it is a bit better than the loud and noisy BvS. But still has some elements from it.

Better character development (Josh Whedon ?), fight scenes still look like video game scenes, some scenes are rushed to be shrunk in an 2-hours movie,...

The Villain is boring. After hiring Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Cara Delevingne in Suicide Squad (not related to her BTW), the DCEU is still continuing with plain and boring villains.

Conclusion: a bit messy.

Not the film of the year but improvement from BvS but not enough to be attached to the characters.