Review Murderbot Season 1: Almost perfect!

genre: science fiction, comedy, drama

Murderbot is based on a book series called The Murderbot Diaries written by Martha Wells.

Don't you hate it when you are watching a show that takes forever to get to the point? Well, Murderbot has none of this. Every second counts. How did they manage to do this? By sticking to 30 minutes per episode.

Please watch/listen to our thoughts on the show.

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Review Tulsa King Season 3: Underwhelming and ocassion bad!

genre: crime, drama,

When Tulsa King was announced, I was a little hesitant. Because I had no idea what to expect. But then I watched it, and I loved it. Season 1 is awesome. The second one already showed signs of some issues, but I was still liking it. This third season still can be considered decent, as in, it doesn't feel like a waste of time. But at the same time, I was never wowed like I was with the first two seasons.

I like it when shows introduce characters who were once villains and then turn into anti-heroes. Tulsa King is full of them. But then you have people like Jeremiah Dunmire, played by Robert Patrick, who are so evil, you kind of know they are going to end up. And for me, most of the fun concerning this show was the surprise element. Sly and his crew are in a predicament. How are they going to get out of it? Then the general comes up with something brilliant, and you can't help but laugh. In this season, though, they didn't even try. 

I also like it when established characters show progression. Most characters have little arcs that seem logical and make sense. But then you have a character like Tyson, whom I really liked in the first season but I now find highly annoying. He is a very slow learner. Dwight keeps teaching him the same thing, but does Tsyon learn? It's almost like Dwight has given up and is just happy that Tyson doesn't screw up as much as he used to. Then there is Margaret, played by Dana Delany. She was stronger in previous seasons. Now she seems very in love with Dwight, which honestly seems out of character. First, she barely wanted to deal with him. And when she got closer, she was intrigued. But like smitten and almost second in command? Sorry, that is something I find a bit much.

Season 3 plays it too safe, and I think that was a mistake. The show was at its best when they were the underdogs, but somehow still managed to get out of nasty predicaments. There haven't been down in the slumps for a long time. 

Overall, the writing really needs to improve. We'll see in season 4, since I read it has already been renewed.

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Quick Review Heweliusz: Very Engaging Mini Series!

genre: drama, disaster, history

In 1993, the Polish ferry MS Jan Heweliusz capsized off the coast of Rügen in the Baltic Sea. Out of 65 passengers and crew, 56 died in the disaster, making it the largest peacetime maritime disaster in Polish history.

Please watch/listen to our thoughts on this mini series. 

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Review Ten: The Secret Mission: Indonesian girls with guns!

genre: action, adventure, girls with guns

Secret SIS service hires an extraordinary team of ten women to release the daughter of the USA ambassador, who is held hostage on a tropical island somewhere near Indonesia. Sounds like a cool premise, no? It kind of is, especially if you find out that these ten women are also models.

They must have gone out of their way to find real hot women because they sure are beautiful and well-endowed. But are they truly extraordinary? Well, supposedly each of the women is specialised in a particular skill or martial arts. Let's say that their choreography is decent. But are they truly experts? I doubt it. For the most part, the action is decent. Except in the finale. You would think that, especially in the finale, they would up the ante and give you more spectacle. Unfortunately, it's here where they go for quantity over quality. The fights are too drawn out and illogical. Normally, if a fight is hard-hitting and compelling, I don't mind it taking too long. But I guess, writer/director/producer Helfi C.H. Kardit thought differently.

Let me be frank, you shouldn't take this film seriously. But the film sure tries to be. And this leads to unnecessary exposition scenes and a villain (Paul) who has real anger issues. He is played by Hans de Kraker, who is Dutch. He is supposed to portray an American terrorist. But his Dutch accent comes through especially when he screams. I get that he tries to come across as sympathetic and noble, who is only doing this because his own country has betrayed him. Yet, due to all the shouting, he looks like a toddler whose cookies are taken away.

Honestly, the only reason I checked out this film was because of the hot girls. Is that superficial of me? Of course. But is that wrong? No. Because let's be real here. That was the intention of this film. And while I can be forgiving considering the overall viewing experience, I can't recommend it. A better director could have done more. In the blooper reel, it does look like the women were willing to put in the effort. If only they allowed them. 

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Review For Your Eyes Only (1981): Decent but not memorable!

genre: action, adventure, espionage

This is a title I have seen several times on television in my younger years. Back then, I was less critical than today. While there are some good moments in this one, I do think the decision to be more grounded was wrong.

I get it, after Moonraker, they needed a change. But at the cost of the spectacle? One of the main reasons to check out a Bond film is the outrageous action sequences that make you gasp for air and put a smile on your face. Yes, you know it's impossible, yet you can't help but feel how awesome they are. For Your Eyes Only lacks these moments. The action scenes are solid, but are they exciting? I am sure younger me thought so. Me, today, says no. I was surprised to be invested in the climbing scene. It does a good job of being tense and thrilling, but the climax that follows is too underwhelming. Actually, that is what I would like to classify this Bond experience as: underwhelming. 

A lot of fans are harsh on Bibi Dahl and how Bond interacted with her. I actually liked her. She obviously knows what she wants and doesn't waste time getting what she wants. So much so that even Bond, who normally has no problems sleeping with random women, refuses her advances. Although in this case, the age gap between Bond and Bibi was too big. It makes sense to me that he would show restraint. One of the elements of James Bond is the fact that most women are attracted to him. I don't understand why some are repulsed by the idea that this young girl/woman full of raging hormones is also attracted to him. She apparently is under strict supervision and has to train all the time. She barely gets to have fun, so naturally she seizes the moment. Lynn-Holly Johnson does a good job of portraying this most charmingly. 

Overall, For Your Eyes Only is decent; unfortunately, it's not that memorable!

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Review Worldbreaker (2025): Underwhelming!

genre: action, drama, science fiction

Trailers are supposed to entice you and give you a good representation of what to expect. Let's say the trailer for Worldbreaker was designed to con you. Don't get fooled by the presence of Milla Jovovich. She is barely in this. Worse, she is not kicking booty. 

Also, before we get criticized for being action-hungry. Had the film offered bone-chilling drama, we would have appreciated that and definitely would have applauded it. But there is nothing memorable or even truly gripping.

Please watch/listen to our thoughts on this film. 

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Review Anaconda (2025) and Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025): Forget about Anaconda, Silent Night, Deadly Night is superior!

genre: action, comedy, adventure

Anaconda (2025) is the reimaging nobody asked for. But it's here and looks promising. Until you watch it. You would think that with actors like Jack Black and Paul Rudd, you couldn't go wrong. Apparently, you can!

I really liked the idea, and it seemed like it was going to be super funny. But then, when watching, I was waiting and waiting. Until that one joke that was dominantly featured in the trailer. One of the few scenes that made us laugh. I think I could have lived with the poor comedy had the film actually offered truly exciting scenes. One could argue that two scenes towards the end did that. Only those scenes are very short; they are too far in for you to care.

I can't tell you how disappointed I was. I was so down that I almost wanted to give up on movie night. But I am glad I didn't. Because Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025) was the real surprise.

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genre: slasher, thriller, horror

To be honest. I wasn't expecting much from this film. The fact that this didn't get released during Christmas is puzzling to me. But OK. Better late than never, I say.

While at times you can tell that this film was a low-budget affair, they very wisely decided to spend the money on things that mattered. There is one scene where you can see a splatter effect getting pasted. It was so bad that it was funny. One could say that it's sloppy. For me, it added to the charm. Another great thing was the romance angle. Yes, this might not be your typical romance. But if you think about it, considering the events, Billy Chapman (Rohan Campbell) and Pamela (played by Ruby Modine, daughter of Matthew Modine) are made for each other.

The acting is decent, and while this story is different from the original, this part certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to the murders. If I am not mistaken, the highest body count in the franchise. No, I am not that blood thirsty. Billy has a code. Like Dexter. He only kills bad people. And to be fair to him, they are truly bad. Like evil. Come on, weren't we always rooting for him to go ballistic? 

Overall, Silent Night, Deadly Night saved my sanity. It's a must-watch for sure!

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SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT FRANCHISE

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Listed here are all the titles in the franchise.

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Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (1987)

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989)

Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation (1990)

Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker (1991)

Silent Night (2012)

Silent Night, Deadly Night (2025)

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Review Kultus Iblis a.k.a. Cult of the Devil (2023): It's OK!

genre: horror, mystery, thriller

The title basically gives away what this film is about. Does it matter? Not that much. Usually, horror films like these offer scares, creepiness, and thrills. Perhaps this film is a little low on that, but there is still enough present to make it worth your time.

Please watch/listen to our thoughts on this film.

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Review Customs Frontline a.k.a. Hoi gwaan zin sin (2024): a Herman Yau light!

genre: action, drama, thriller

It took me a bit to watch this one, but I was well prepared for what to expect. This is a Herman Yau light.

The action and spectacle are good, but almost everything else will be subpar. I can appreciate the effort that went into the plot regarding the twists and turns. Except none of them had any impact. At least not to the extent I cared for. If anything, they played it too safe. I wished they had done more with the bipolar disorder that Jackie Cheung's character is suffering from.

The dynamics between the characters are standard fare. If they are compelling, it's because of the actors. Nicholas Tse is in top form and embodies everything about the old school HK action I love. So kudos to that. But Francis Ng is also good as the first-class prick assistant commissioner. Everybody else is serviceable.

Customs Frontline should be watched for the action and spectacle. Often, it's very obvious that certain vehicles, like the helicopters, are CGI. It didn't bother me, especially given how they are used. It was to make the action more exciting. Towards the ending for example. The CGI was used to showcase some stellar destruction. It actually surprised me how far they went. And it was beautiful.

Overall, my advice is to ignore the story and drama and just focus on the action. Actually, this would be my advice for most Hong Kong action films.

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