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Somebody Somewhere: As Much as I Like Not Feeling (2024)
Perfect
Wow. Well done Lennon Parham. Beautiful story, perfectly executed. Sam broke my heart and then Joel put it back together. I love all the characters on this show. The chemistry each and everyone has with each other makes it easy to root for them all. But man oh man did Sam's pain land when she was trying to get ready for the date and then again on the walk. Two steps forward, one step back... Both actors restraint while trying to figure out the awkward dance of courtship was a masterclass. Just wonderful craftsmanship by everyone here. This is an Emmy episode in my book. Well done Lennon, Bridget, Jeff and Omafur!!
The Substance (2024)
OMG yes!
Monstro Elisasue! Ignore the unwashed who rate it low due to the ending. The ending was absolutely necessary. Not because this talented filmaker was tipping her hat to Cronenberg et al, but because Hollywood' disgusting beauty standards needs a kick in the balls. And what better way to face the fear of looking at an "old" than to make a literal monster out her. An aged out actress who poops out a boob then hoses her audience in blood? Nailed it! It was cathartic. I was howling. The bit on on her Blvd star? Icing on cake.
People! If you can write a better ending, why are you here tip tapping away?
Blink Twice (2024)
Yes ladies! Power Up!
Good movie, delivered exactly what it I was hoping for: a new take on male/female power struggle where dudes get their comeuppance. And what dudes deserve it more than those with sex islands? I've always liked this genre dating back to "Last House on the Left all the way through the excellent "Promising Young Woman". Blink Twice has a couple extras to recommend it. One, a light is shined a on the flaws of cancel culture. Two, like Promising Young Woman, our heroines understood that their best chance at turning the tables was to use their irrefutable power which is sex. I don't recall ever seeing a moment, on screen, that so clearly depicts women coming to terms with and embracing the fact. The line "I just wanna dance" taking us to the climax just knocked me out. I yelled at the TV, and may or may not have said Yas Queen! Great social commentary, as was the emptiness of saying "sorry" but not changing our actions. Wardobe and set design were killer and the cast, perfect. I look forward to more from Ms Kravitz. Really good job.
The Penguin (2024)
Bernard Herrmann lift?
I don't know how the composer got away with that blatant rip off, or maybe it was the actual Herrmann "Psycho" track but Jesus was it brazen. Aside from that a very promising start to the next Gotham Universe series. As a huge fan of the next generation, beginning with Nolan's Batman Begins and continuing through "Pennyworth" I enjoyed the pilot thoroughly. Farrell crushes as titular character by making him totally sympathetic. And it's not just the use of prosthetics. "Irish" has skills. But an underdog is still a dog and can't fight it's nature; it lives to bite. It's a master class watching all that swimming around in Mr Farrells eyes. Supporting cast is super strong, much respect to Ms Milioti, always great!
Twisters (2024)
Great popcorn action flick.
Negative reviews are bizarre. What were they expecting? Gone with the Wind?! If Steven Spielberg is involved it's basically a guarantee that you'll see a quality product on the screen, especially in this genre. The stars are engaging, the script is tight and the special effects are killer!! The tornados look fearsome and the destruction is visceral. It's actually less cheesy than the original which was a welcome surprise. The Director has struck a nice balance between light hearted escapism, social relevance and drama. No mean feat. It is after all a dumb movie about dumber characters chasing tornados who think they're super heroes. To make that compelling for two hours? I'm impressed.
Dark Winds (2022)
Ooof!
Great premise, poor execution. While I appreciate and support Native Americans should be a large part of the workforce behind this interesting story, I think too many folks moved up too fast, are inexperienced and aren't ready to deliver a Netflix level quality of product. It's just amateur hour all over the screen from many of the co stars all the way up to writers and directors. Despite that I hung in for the whole first season. Which, by the way, I did without clocking that it was a period piece! That's a writing and direction fail. Not until a clunky bit of expo from the TV about '71 draft, in season 2, did I realize that it was more than "wow, these folks have a plethora of cool, classic pick up trucks!" I assumed producers would step up their game in season 2. I was wrong. I'm bailing.
Rebel Ridge (2024)
Outstanding
Saulnier blew me away with "Green Room" and that same, I guess, signature pacing and pressure building is on display here. Excellent use of music and color palette. Hard to believe the lead was recast because this guy crushes and seems the only choice for a new, much more realistic Rambo. Don Johnson always good as a prick. Maybe he's not acting? The script is tight save for one sequence where some necessary exposition had to come out in a scene with the judge but hey, we do like to have our plots reasonably airtight and if that requires a clumsy scene here and there, we have to go along for the good of all. And this movie is all good. Well done folks!
English Teacher (2024)
Very Smart Writing!!
Perfectly cast (well, when you write something for yourself that's a given) still, what B. J. Alvarez has done is he's surrounded himself with killers. Enrico? Fugettabowdit! Guy absolutely frigging slays. Co creator Stephanie K? Hilarious! Don't know if I've ever seen her before but I love love love her now. Coach Markie is a character we've needed to see for a while now. He's never going to be PC so he's, unfortunately, relatable to half of us but he manages to be sensitive in just the right measure, managing a tricky dance where he can retain his dignity but also avoid the cancel stick. He is, at the end of the day, teachable. What a world it would be... I believe Warren Oates said it best in Stripes, "Lighten up Francis."
This is simply Excellent Television.
Troppo (2022)
Well worth watching...
...even though it dipped into "Murder She Wrote" territory a few times (especially in the second season) it always bounced back and grounded these wonderful characters in this quirky world of Crocs and misfits. Thomas Jane is a great "everyman" actor, never phones it in and despite being known mainly for film work, he proves here that he has been more than capable of leading a TV series all along. Not as easy as he makes it look, fyi. His co-lead, Chamoun, is "crazy" good. Lots of interesting physical choices to depict the trauma that still resides in her character. She has a nice arc involving a love interest that's played perfectly by both women, in second season. The heart of the series, however, has to be the "Villain", Twist. You love him, you hate him, you'd tune out without him. Well done Mr. Lyndon!
Reacher (2022)
Dreadful season.
Season one was kinda cool. The invincible drifter (Rambo) is always a good start. Add a plausible story, good chemistry in the casting and watch the hero outsmart and overpower evil. But what the hell happened to all that in season two? First of all, the lead is ok but he doesn't have the chops for prolonged shots of his mug at the end is scenes in an effort to add tension or dramatic effect. That should have already been there in the writing. It's uncomfortable. Next, the exposition sequences where our four heroes all stand in a line and each take a few sentences to describe the next bunch action we're about to see is mind-bogglingly lazy, amateur writing! Show me don't tell me. It's the number one rule! Finally, as good as Lombardozzi is, and he is great, I'm sorry, we're supposed to believe that HE believes he can kick Reachers ass?!?! Maybe this was an attempt to pump up the show but it's a fail. I won't return. Unless I read somewhere that producers decided to return the original vibe which was basically a modern "Kung Fu". Reacher should work alone.
Slow Horses (2022)
I'm a rabid fan but...
This season was...meh. The standoff in the records warehouse was amateur hour. C'mon people, you're waaaay better than this. None of it plausible, believable, well written or well directed. 2nd unit maybe? I recall Shirley's character being established as badass, which I was on board with and anxiously awaited more ass-kicking from her but she got "lucky" in her fight scene with a broken CD? And also, as a badass, shouldn't she have some military background or training that would prevent her from looking like she's never handled a weapon before? That's the Directors fault but Producers should never have allowed that to fly. The whole concept of the Slow Horses defeating 20 soldiers was just idiotic. C'mon people get it together on season 4 please. Xoxo.
Joe Pickett (2021)
Oooof!
Season one was decent. I tuned in because of the wilderness setting and the lead, who's previous show "Patriot" was exceptional. I'd say go check it out but you'll fall in love with it and then have your heart yanked out to learn that it didn't get a third season. This thing however, beyond sophomore slump. The writing and direction is amateurish. It has all the sophistication of 70's television when we used to go along with things like characters, not just surviving gunshot wounds, but still able to ride a horse right up until it's convenient to have them fall off. The gunfight scenes are also laughable. I can almost hear the Director making "pew-pew" sounds from video village. Again first season had real potential but I guess they shot their wad creatively, or the talent in the production team moved on to something else.
Lioness (2023)
Pretty good start
Mr. Sheridan knows how to bring us into testosterone-fueled, macho worlds without cliche and, seemingly, without agenda. It is what it is. No apologies necessary. His characters are always grounded and he's extremely adept at casting. But to be great you need to write good parts for women. The writing needs to be as good, if not better, than it is for men. Dudes are simple. Women are smarter, more complex. Beth on Yellowstone (great character and performance) the barrel riders, the lone female ranch hand (the fantastic Jen Landon as Teeter) all great female characters that fit in the world of the story in a natural, unforced way. They're strong and compelling. Not just 'the partner of...' or T & A. He stepped up his game with the excellent character Faith Hill crushed in "1883" followed by Dame Mirren in the misfire that was "1923". Now we have Zoe Saldana, doing some of the best work of her career. I absolutely buy her as CIA boss in an open marriage (nice touch). I buy De Oliveira as a broken woman with burning rage that won't quit and thank you, thank you, thank you writers/Dir./producers for NOT letting her get the best of a fellow male soldier with an additional one-hundred pounds of muscle. Veracity first and foremost! I think her character is way more interesting if she is someone who has to be knocked out cold or just overpowered on the ground before she'll quit. Now let's talk about Jill Wagner or should I say her hair? What an about face! From schmaltzy Hallmark dreck to super-badass special forces? I'm buying it. Special mention: Ms. Lanier as the nasty teen daughter. I await the arc laid out for this loose canon as long as they continue to steer clear of teen angst cliche. Good actor, it could get interesting...
Oppenheimer (2023)
Needs a 2nd viewing...
Big fan and highly recommend the TV series "Manhattan". Didn't think I had much left to learn. However, "Oppenheimer" brilliantly illustrates how rapidly the world of physics changed in the 30's and the urgency with which the, largely Jewish, group of scientists leapt into action to kick some Nazi ass. The pen is mightier...with the caveat, Gen. Groves also kind of a badass to make it all happen. Not a ten because I'm thick and had trouble following the story line involving Strauss/Oppy conflict. (the isotope story? I needed more info) Even though the Editor will get Oscar nom., Even though using B&W is a cue, I felt like I was playing catch up in all the Downey scenes. No fault of R. D.'s, he was pitch perfect. As was Murphy, Blunt and Damon. Assassins all. In a good way, this movie is very dense. I'm not a fan of having to watch something more than once to completely absorb the story. The naturalistic, quick, sometimes muffled dialogue, took a minute to get used to. But once I let go and assumed I was in good hands it got better. The three hours flies by. I saw the 70mm print, yes it's worth the extra bread. I wept for mankind after the "successful" test. So, mission accomplished there Christopher. Again, great flick, not a ten because I have to see it again.
Ghosts of Beirut (2023)
Yeesh...
I gave it a five instead of a one because once the pain in my eyes, ears and brain subsided I was, after all, educated on a subject that I previously knew nothing about. Despite a glowing review by, who I assume must be a relative of hers, the lead actress was not up to the task. I didn't believe her as this character for a second. She may be a fine actor but she is woefully miscast here. I also found the interstitial segments of who I assume were men and women who actually worked in the field a little disconcerting. They, too, didn't seem capable and I wonder if our intelligence community was lacking during this era. It's not a well written show. Maybe the "Intelligence community" thought they should try their hand at writing a TV show and this mess was the result. There was no sign of any experienced writer producers anywhere on the screen. Not compelling, no suspense and poorly directed. Maybe there never was a script. It has the feeling of showing up to set everyday and cobbling something together that imparts just the bones of this terrorist's story. Most glaringly the whole operation ended with a very specific placement of a vehicle on a street and they glossed over it. It was the most interesting part of the story and they absolutely fumbled it. Oh boy, the "actors" playing the team that had to manipulate the position of the vehicle?! Had any one of them ever driven a car before?! What is with the terrible traffic director "helping" the parallel parker? Not only was she useless, we were never let in on who those people were and how that scenario exists in that world! Amateur hour.
Somebody Somewhere (2022)
Bridget Everett fan, hence the 10.
Came here expecting her origin story, got a teaser, but then so much more. Grief and loss, addiction, "unwell moms", sexuality, loneliness, betrayal, second chances and an Island of misfit toys, all delivered by folks at the top of their game. Should have known that under the Duplass banner it'd be something special. The most recent ep. That I watched ("Keys Phone Cash ID") which motivated this review, slayed me. You can't catch Bridget "acting"...ever! She's so natural and easy but you can't take your eyes off her for a second. Speaking of natural and compelling, Tim Bagley, lordy loo! Watching him and Jeff Hiller's courtship (Joel & Brad) is one of the sweetest things ever. Joel and Sam's, same thing, they play off each other so well, like a hand in glove. It's an atypical show in that there is not an obvious agenda/plot line leading us by the nose. Again, I came here to see the evolution of B. E.'s brilliant cabaret act, but now I don't need that. It's a very casual, delightful character study of sweet people leading normal lives faced with the same aches and pains as...wait for it..."Everybody Everywhere". Peace out!
Citadel (2023)
Nearly un...
...watchable. How did Tucci and Manville get sucked into this dreck? First, why is Madden's face saturated with the anti-aging technology? Is it a stylistic choice? Was this show based on a comic book so it's almost animation? Am I supposed to go along with the flashback because of it, on 2nd thought let's not get into all the flashbacks. There is zero chemistry between the 2 leads. Every romantic moment between them, of which there are multitudes and they are interminable, are snoozefests. Ha! Just remembered a scene where these two 'super spies' take up a position behind a car...sort of, as three black SUVs pull up to confront. Now we've all seen this scene before, we know at minimum, 6 men will be exiting those trucks with assault rifles. You're going to leave your characters standing there with nothing but a handgun and you want me to keep watching? Was the whole budget spent on special effects for Madden's mush so there was nothing left for quality writers or directors? It's as though greedy children with no artistic sensibility were running all the streaming services...grumbled the old man...now get off my lawn!
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: The Princess and the Plea (2023)
Stunning episode (Princess...irony)
You guys have outdone yourselves. This season has been one knockout after the next. "The Testirostial", with Borstein just crushing as an aging, bitter Suzy who's completed destroyed by show biz in an old school way was one thing but this one...oh my god. I mean they are all feminist, but this one could be titled, "This One's for the Girls". Bringing a vacuum to alumni weekend! Tearing Suzy a new one at the train station for not jumping over more dicks for her than her male counterpart. Ms. Ford telling Midge to "take the credit, that's what the boys do!" and then later as she demands that Gordon do her bidding she punctuates it while putting on lipstick! I. frickin'. Love. Me. Some Nina Arianda. She's a straight up assassin! The message in a bottle..."Don't"...exactly. Don't do anything you were planning to do as a 20 year old. You don't know your ass from a hole in the wall. Especially if you've been indoctrinated at an all girls school in the 60's. The "Knights of the Round Table" - icing on the cake. Beautiful lamentation from the elder statesman about piles of stuff rather than the woman who made him whole. Last but not least the one and only Shalhoub (I'd say he's a National treasure but he's clearly not even from this planet) his acknowledgement that he'd backed the wrong horse is the whole series in a nutshell. Well in Palladinos, well in.
The Night Agent (2023)
Poorly written
The trailer let me know that this wasn't going to be up to standard but I gave it two episodes only because I saw Adam Arkin's name on list of directors. He doesn't choose projects lightly. The pilot showed some promise but in the end it's a weak, American TV script. Just not up to snuff for prestige streaming TV, in my opinion. And I know this dude can write from The Shield which, in it's prime, was excellent. Although come to think of it, that story became more and more ridiculous as time went on. This is over-the-top implausible the way "24" was. If I can't suspend disbelief why am I watching?! Yes, espionage thrillers are very difficult to pull off but streaming services, in general, get the very best from around the globe. Fauda, Kleo, Bodyguard...it's in the writing! This was phoned in and looks like it was put together during the pandemic with no money. I bailed after the 2nd ep. I couldn't even wait around to see if Adam A could turn out a decent episode.
1923 (2022)
Too many shows Taylor
Yellowstone great. Tulsa King great. 1883 pretty good, young blonde actress notwithstanding. Mayor of Kingstown (1st season!) great. This one is garbage. Writing, editing, directing all amateur hour compared to others. It would be unwatchable if not for Mirren, Ford, Patrick and Flynn. Dude clearly went for a cash grab and spread himself too thin. The 3 different story lines feel like different shows. They're hastily written and leave the viewer with the sense that producers were scrambling to put 50 minutes of content up on the screen every week no matter how shoddy. There's some gratuitous sex and violence that seems incongruous with the high bar set by Yellowstone as well. C'mon Taylor, you're better than this...like WAY better.
Echo 3 (2022)
Should have been 4 episodes and out!
Terrible, laughable, cheesy, contrived, tired, cliched dialogue. Could be as the result of ESL, it that's the case my apologies. I'm also confused as to the theme...war is bad? The story telling keeps switching sides. Liberal lefty journalists and army wife but also it's a shoot 'em up action show? Huh? And it is so obviously stretched into 10 episodes for no other purpose than greed. That really pisses my off. It's disingenuous. It will most likely keep me from ever watching something from this team again. Should have been 4 episodes of action, cut all the vain attempts at preaching to us and out!
The Matrix Resurrections (2021)
zzzzzzzz
Wow! Unwatchable. Just set 150 Million on fire and give me back these 2.5 hrs please. Jesus wept, what a waste. Self indulgent nonsense. At least one of the sister/brothers had the good sense to bow out of this train wreck. Fingers crossed that K. R. saved his good stuff for the next Wick installment!
The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Oofa!
This had all the elements to be great which makes it so much more maddening that it wasn't. Can't put a finger on the problem exactly. Cast is great.
Subject , period, photography, performances all great. But script, editing and direction didn't come together. I have a feeling there is a behind the scenes story that would illuminate.
Shadowplay (2020)
Closer to a 6 but...
Because I love WW2 stories I bumped it to a 7. This show has a great premise but it was poorly executed. I like Taylor but not for a second am I buying him in this role. Direction and poorly written dialogue may be to blame for that. And the choice of old timey NY accent was a bad one. Most of the characters are flat as hell. I just don't care about any of them. This is a fascinating time in history, loaded with drama but this thing is boring. Whenever there is some action it plays like an episode of bad American 70's and 80's TV. And for Pete's sake, if your characters need to whisper so as not to be heard in life and death situations, block the scene to make it believable! (German couple in Russian prison...) Prodction is quite good almost film quality which makes the average TV show quality of the thing that much more frustrating. This could have been really good with a little more prep and more experienced at the helm.
Vacation Friends (2021)
Hilarious...trust me.
Way funnier than it has a right to be but that is the definition of John Cena isn't it? The big lummox can deliver the goods. And pairing him with the super funny Meredith Hagner was inspired casting. Plenty of good gags (should be with all the writers...) for Lil Rey to engage in and react to and his skill set really shines in this role. They Flipped the script on the; "Obnoxious, wealthy, vapid, wedding movie" and it made for some fresh comedic situations. Bottom line: funny, funny movie and all four leads just crushed it. Well done folks. Hilarious...trust me.