10.0 Earthquake

Was having a browse through Netflix as you do and spotted this film. Never heard of if but thought I'd give a go as it sounded right up my street. Didn't take long to figure out that my salary would have produced a better movie and though clearly a tongue in cheek knock off of more expensive and bold disaster flicks, It was still a poor movie. After the last 10 cents was spent on editing even the director himself surely cringed with embarrassment at what was left but had been fiscally left with no choice but to release it. I gave it far more respect than it deserved by watching to the end in the vain hope that even this silly piece of twaddle may turn up an exciting finale....... Unfortunately not and all I was left with was an overwhelming sense of unfulfilment and the desire perhaps for the ground to open up beneath me

Why and how do these kind of films ever get made? This one was not in the least suspenseful or exciting. It was ridiculously predictable and I knew in the first 10 minutes who would live, who would die, who was getting a divorce, would come together and after disaster hits, find their daughter walking down the road in the middle of the night in the Angeles National Forest and they would live happily ever after. Seriously Hollywood, disasters do NOT always have a happy ending, how about a disaster movie that is even somewhat close to reality? I miss the Irwin Allen disaster movies where you got to know and care about the characters and were shocked or delighted when they lived or died. There was no one to care about in this film and the only "10" about the film was simply the title.

When it comes to movies, there are certain grades I put things under. There's "Must see in Theaters," "Can wait for streaming," and "Possibly will play on a certain station soon." This one ranked below all of them. Sure, it could be argued that it was about the perceived dangers of fracking, but the writers clearly did no research about it, except, maybe, to look it up on Wikipedia. Sure, if there are "statements" made in movies, I can usually watch with mild interest and try and figure out what they're saying, but this was just ridiculous. We kept waiting for the big, promised finale, but it failed on this and many other levels. DNW. Do NOT Watch.

If you're looking for an Oscar winner keep on looking. But if you just want to have fun this is at least that. Just ignore the acting. Watch it with your significant other just for fun, just without any expectations. It might surprise you and you'll agree with me. If you've ever been to Los Angeles it's interesting too to see the landmarks crumble. It IS a bit campy I'll admit. But the humor will at least make you smile. Just don't expect to be rolling on the floor laughing your --- off. Sure they didn't pay much for their special effects but they weren't awful. It comes close to being an anti-fracking statement but there really wasn't any mention in the dialogue of stopping it. So don't write it off. It's fun.

When the 'teen' daughter that dad is angsting over (a camping trip! no adults! boys!!!!) is played by a 27 year old who reads closer to thirty-something, you know it's not gonna be good.

And it's just...really not.

Good background noise for when you need something to lull you to sleep.