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The Stand: The End (2020)
Horrible Timing + Horrible Storywriting
So, I can understand that given this was released DURING a once-in-a-century pandemic, it may have been rewritten/edited to exclude as much of the virus wiping out the world as possible. However, that is a humongous loss to the entire story. Instead, this premier decides to start about 100 pages into the actual story, skipping the outbreak and essentially jumping straight to people dying or being dead already. It is kind of hard for us to care about the trauma Frannie or Stu are going through when we never got to spend any time with the people they care about. Unfortunately, that also seemed to apply to the cast, as every character in this series except for Frannie, seems totally nonplussed that everyone they cared about just died.
I have a major issue with starting the story with Harold, who is not one of the three most important characters in the story, and on top of that, his backstory is so cliche as to be cut-in-paste from about 100 other amateurish shows with social outcasts. The actor is good, as are most the cast, but his story is pure cringe. As much as it is supposed to be creepy, it manages that well, but it is like the story is being told by a high school creative writing student.
I was never a fan of Molly Ringwald being cast as Frannie in the 90s series. So, I actually like Odessa Young here. She looks more age appropriate and is also the only actress to actually appear traumatized but what has happened. Too bad the writers decided to partially destroy her character with a suicide attempt WHILE being pregnant. In the book it wasn't necessary for Harold to save her life to convince her to go with him. She was somewhat disgusted and wary of Harold, but wasn't afraid of him. This Harold is clearly more creepy, and so the writers felt they had to do something big to explain why Frannie would go with him. Trying to off herself and her baby is well beyond what book Frannie would have done though.
I like James Marsden, and he is fine as Stu Redman. It is tough to measure up to Gary Sinise in the role, but Marsden is fine. His scenes were at least more intelligently written than Fran and Harold's. He doesn't seem overly concerned with what is happening around him, however.
The presentation of the disease in this series is so over-the-top that it is like a Troma production. Gross out scenes seemed to be the one thing this series really did well.
The non-linear storytelling was confusing and probably left newcomers to the work completely lost. The story should have started with the Campion scene. The only reason I can see for the non-linear storytelling is an attempt to be different than the 90s series.
The absolute worst decision though was flashing forward to Boulder at the end, essentially spoiling the entire journey to get there and the important story-thread of Fran/Harold/Stu. Total IDIOCY.
A Country Wedding (2015)
Country Girls are Better
I have to echo other reviewers by noting this is one of my favorite Hallmark movies, and even though I've seen it about 5 times by now, I still have to watch it again when it is on.
First of all, the younger Jesse and Autumn are gorgeous, look great together and have fabulous chemistry. They are together years later in Christmas Under the Stars, which is also a good movie, though not as good as this one.
Secondly, the two leads knowing each other when they were kids is hardly a new backstory, but I love the twist of them actually marrying each other, supposedly for pretend but obviously meaning a little more to them than that. It makes the somewhat predictable ending a little sweeter than normal.
I also appreciate that the fiance that is going to be inevitably dumped isn't a hot mess that you couldn't imagine the lead being with. She is actually even more attractive than the female lead and clearly in love, just not right for Jesse's character.
Unlike most Hallmark movies, this one has a rare moment of truth scenes where one of the romantic leads actually lays their cards on the table. This is actually one of the bravest moments for any Hallmark romantic lead and one of the best scenes. Through one Hallmark movie after another the plot relies on the two leads not being straight with one another and telling each other what they feel, and that isn't the case with this one. Props.
And that great scene helps set up one of the best Hallmark endings of all time.
The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World (2021)
Off the Rails
The rollercoaster ride of Season 1 ends in disaster as a key cast departure, COVID, time and budget limitations and horrific writing decisions turned the finale into a crash landing.
The first episode disappointed, but its primary fault was simply trying to accomplish too much while setting up some good things. Things slowed down for next two episodes, allowing the well-casted characters and familiar story beats to take over, and peaking in the stellar episode 4.
The pace slowed down again, but the show moved away from the main characters in the books and frankly the books altogether, focusing on plotlines that left fans scratching their heads.
The ship appeared righted and hopes were rekindled by an excellent Episode 7 that led directly into the finale.
Unfortunately, then this happened. The challenges I listed at the top are not an excuse for the richest company in the world to release a finale of this poor quality. I watched the first episode of season 2 of The Witcher right after and was amazed at the disparity in quality between the two. The Witcher looked like a movie production while WoT looked like a show on the CW. The CGI for the trolloc army was a mess, so much so that it was an improvement when they shot the final charge in the dark so we couldn't see anything. The ladies standing exposed in the desert instead of up on the wall looked as stupid as it was. There really is no excuse for a series of this magnitude to put out a season finale that looked this cheap and poorly done. THIS is what people will remember from this season.
Unfortunately, the poor technical aspects aren't even the biggest problem. Virtually every scene is rife with idiocy starting with the opener where the OG Dragon, Lews Therin, is shown as the prideful and reckless Breaker of the World, rather than the desperate hero who successfully sealed the Dark One in the Bore, saving the world for 3,000 years. For a show reluctant to depict the One Power as binary, male and female, it sure doesn't mind setting men and women in opposition. And by the way, Lews Therin is the Dragon, not the Dragon Reborn.
That opening is a preposterous retconning of the lore. All to set up the prideful men don't listen to women theme that pervades this episode. That's what you want to end your first season on?
Things I actually liked -
1) Padan Fain - this actor is fabulous. Padan Fain incarnate.
2) Min getting out of dodge. Good move. Glad they showed it.
The list of infamy - in order of magnitude
1) Five non-Aes Sedai destroy an entire army of trollocs and fades. Why was the citadel ever built? Why have men been guarding the gap for thousands of years? Complete waste of manpower. Just call the White Tower and have them send over 5 Aes Sedai to do the trick. It seems pretty bleak for the Dark One. Not sure what everyone is so worried about. And what the hell do you need the Dragon Reborn for? There are hundreds of women who can channel. So, the dark armies are pretty much effed.
2) Egwene cures death. No training, no weaving, nothing. Just wanted it to happen, and it happened. Rey from Star Wars thinks this is ridiculous. Did she then cure Lady Amilisa and the others?
3) Rand does next to nothing. He resists the temptation of forcing Egwene into the horrible bondage of marriage and motherhood. But even in doing so his channeling breaks the seal, and Ishmael wins. Moiraine then lets the Dragon Reborn just walk away.
4) Lord Agelmar, one of the Great Captains. Leads a charge against the rear of his own keep. Then dies shortly thereafter. What a punk.
5) Perrin does nothing. There is no reason for this guy to be in the show right now. Padan Fain dumped some exposition on him and then walked away with the Horn of Valere.
6) Padan Fain and two Fades kill Loail, Uno and Ingtar. Ah, not even counting Perrin, in the books, it would take a lot more than that to kill those three. Considering the show was completely wasting Loail anyway, I am not that upset by his death, but really?
7) Rand tells Moiraine she thought it was Egwene. She agrees. Idiotic. Egwnee is less powerful than Nynaeve, as Moiraine has pointed out. That rules out Egwene. Simple.
8) Lan tells Nynaeve what he told her in the book. He won't be with her because he is fated to die. EXCEPT in the book he was sacrificing his love for her in order to protect her. In the show he had just slept with her. So, apparently he can sleep with her, just not stay with her. Not much of a sacrifice. More like a hit it and quit it. Very modern of him. The show continues to ignore how serious sex is in a world without birth control.
9) Lan was born in the Blight and probably knows more about it than anyone in the world, and yet, he needs Nynaeve to tell him how to track his own Aes Sedai in the Blight.
10) No Eye of the World. Shayol Ghul? WTH even was that?
The Wheel of Time: The Dark Along the Ways (2021)
The Drama Along the Ways
There are things I decidedly don't like about this episode, and times, again, when I was wondering if I was watching WoT or something else. But this episode does enough things right and is just more entertaining than the previous couple episodes. This is the second best episode of the season and provided hope for the finale.
What I don't like -
1) Love triangle. When it happened in the show, I had to rewind it and watch it again before I could accept what they were suggesting. That's how far out of left field it was for me. However, in going back to watch Episode 1, it is now clear there are several rather strong hints that Perrin has a thing for Egwene and that his wife knew about it. That's why she didn't attend Egwene's braiding ceremony and never went to the Winespring to celebrate. Nynaeve clearly also knew about it since she practically ordered Perrin to leave and go back to his wife. Clearly, Perrin is in the wrong here, and both Rand and Egwene had a right to know, though Egwene's reaction to Nynaeve suggests she already did know. Anyway, this is a rather bizarre seed to have planted for Perrin, doubling his guilt over killing his wife. And it is destructive to his character, which is largely defined by his loyalty. Frankly, Egwene is not worthy of this much fuss; both of these guys could do better.
2) Lan takes Nynaeve to bed. Hey, their relationship in the show is much improved over the books, but Lan had good reasons to not immediately take Nynaeve to his bed. Here, to hell with it, Lan risks impregnating Nynaeve knowing he'll unlikely outlive the Last Battle. Again, the show ignores how serious sex was back before there was birth control.
3) Changes to Min's character. Min was a standout female character because she was actually free spirited and playful. This Min looks old and careworn.
Things I liked -
1) The show immediately addressed the plothole of leaving Mat behind while he could possibly be the Dragon Reborn. Much better than ignoring it.
2) Though the CW argument seemed to come out of no where, it was actually the first time we got to see all the EF5 minus Mat interact. This episode focused less on Moiraine and more on them, and that was a good thing.
3) The fact Min was in the show at all. After the Baerlon skip, I was concerned. Great to see Min, even if the character is somewhat different. I loved the "three beautiful women" comment as a portent of future events.
4) The Dragon Reborn reveal. About time and well done. And then immediately afterwards, Rand does the sensible thing to save his friends. Good job.
The Wheel of Time: The Flame of Tar Valon (2021)
The Tower of Love - A Moiraine Story
This episode would actually be an improvement over the last if not for the terrible ending and sheer boredom.
So, earlier than necessary, we get to meet Siuan Saunche, the Amyrlin Seat, a very cool character in the books. The showing of her backstory is fine, except doesn't that kind of contradict Nynaeve's story in Episode 1 about the Wisdom getting rejected from the White Tower because of classism apparently? Here we see a fisherman's daughter become the Amyrlin Seat. It is like the showrunner/writers forget their own stories two episodes after they write them.
The first scene with the Amyrlin Seat and the other Sitters was well done, and it was good to see some actual Aes Sedai in the White Tower, though there is nary a novice or accepted anywhere to be seen, outside the bath. The Amyrlin is appropriately authoritative in this scene, though this will be the end of it. We get a proper taste of Tower politics, which takes up an overblown number of pages in The Wheel of Time.
The focus is on Moiraine here even more intensely than the last episode, which at least gave Perrin and Egwene some time. None of the others have anything to do here. Egwene and Nynaeve get to meet the Amyrlin in a ridiculous scene that gives Siuan no respect at all. This is the most powerful person in the world, but Nynaeve can't even humble herself for that. Or as we find out, maybe Moiraine is the one really in charge?
Anyway, continuing a trend, the men of the show, including Lan this time, get almost no face time at all. Moiraine finally finds Mat and at least temporarily separates him from his dagger in a fairly well done though ridiculously easy scene. Perrin just lays there recovering from what the show did to him last episode, and I'm not sure he says a single word. Rand continues to have nothing to do other than pine for Egwene.
Back at the White Tower we get the key scene of the episode with Moiraine walking through a ter'angreal in her room to have a secret rendezvous with Siuan. Turns out they are both lovers and apparently missed each other. Turns out they have been in cahoots with each other this whole time. Siuan suggests any of the EF5 could be the Dragon Reborn, including Nynaeve, despite the prophecy that sparked their quest to find the DR. Siuan says dreams have led her to the Eye of the World, where the Dark One might be breaking out. Their plan is to bring the Dragon Reborn there and deal with the Dark One while they still can.
Yeah, as Edgar Allen Poe once wrote, the problems with this are "manifold and multi-form." Though both characters have relationships with men in the books, Moiraine's relationship is terrible, and therefore, I don't really care if the show wants to play her as a lesbian. That is fine with me. However, there are few Aes Sedai more blatantly heterosexual than Siuan, who actually has one of the few good romantic relationships in the books. Even so, making these characters gay is the least of this scene's problems.
I find the ter'angreal VERY problematic. Siuan must also have one since they clearly are meeting outside the Tower. The Amyrlin is probably the most watched Aes Sedai in the world. She is having a passionate affair with another Aes Sedai and no one is any the wiser? Preposterous. And neither of them see the danger inherit in what they are doing?
To keep the mystery of the season going, Moiraine claims to still not know who the Dragon is. Nonsense, If you have been paying attention, it is pretty obvious that a couple people have been eliminated by now.
Also, Ishmael has been sending dreams to Siuan, and she is that easily fooled into thinking it is the Dark One? Wouldn't the Forsaken be freed well before the Dark One would be? So, the plan is to bring the Dragon Reborn, who doesn't even know they are that, to the Dark One, to give battle??
Not a good plan.
I actually liked the use of the Oath Rod here, even though it again distorts what is in the books. However, Moiraine and Siuan are so emotional in this scene that it is blatantly obvious to anyone watching that the two have an emotional relationship. Stupid.
It was nice to see everyone briefly together at the end. The Ways are operated by the Power? That makes no sense. Why have Loial even there then?
So, main issues with this episode. Too much focus on Moiraine to everyone else's detriment. No development for the more important characters and next to no agency for them. The lesbian relationship makes Siuan's character in the books impossible. It comes off as fan service to me. It is unintelligent and dangerous for both characters and unnecessary to the plot. Terrible plan. The plan wasn't great in the books either, but at least it was set up by multiple dreams by multiple characters all throughout the book. Here, the entire plan comes down to some dreams by a character just introduced. Stupid.
The Wheel of Time: Blood Calls Blood (2021)
The Legend of the Fall
Unfortunately, after rising to the heights of episode four, the show would immediately tumble back down to disappointment in this aimless drudgery that resembled poorly done Game of Thrones far more than the Wheel of Time.
Caemlyn is swapped for Tar Valon here as the show decides to jump an entire month into the future rather than show how our characters were reunited.
This shrinks the world tremendously while also omitting the introduction of several really important characters, including Elayne Trakand, who after the EF5 has to be the most important character in the entire series.
I can excuse Caemlyn being omitted for the same reason Baerlon was as long as the time gained by the omission was well utilized to move the story forward. That would not be the case here, and frankly, the end of episode 6 could easily have been done outside Caemlyn instead of Tar Valon.
The reasoning seems to be nothing more than the opportunity to show Tar Valon. Virtually nothing else was gained by the swap. Unfortunately, Tar Valon seems to be deserted with no other Aes Sedai shown on screen other than ones we've already seen. The Tower appears mostly empty. Very odd.
Our side threads are Rand and Matt show up at Tar Valon and Matt is very sick. Rand meets a very human looking Loial. Loial brings Nynaeve to them even though Rand has no reason to think she ever left Two Rivers. Very bizarre. Matt is too far gone for Nynaeve to help him.
Perrin and Egwene after traveling with the Tinkers to within sight of the Tar Valon are captured by the White Cloaks and the sadistic Eamon Valda. Valda tortures Perrin in a gruesome scene straight out of GoT, a little much for a show teetering on PG-13. Egwene, of course, saves them by channeling just enough to free Perrin. The men continue to get to do absolutely nothing here while the women can use the Power ala Rey using the Force. Does anyone know at this point why Perrin, Matt and Rand are even along for the ride? The wolves do aid Egwene and Perrin's escape and the fact that Valda doesn't believe in guards.
The main focus of this episode is the same as the last - Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve - and their story this week revolves around Stepin, the warder of Kerene who died in the battle last episode. The duty of bringing Kerene's ring to the Tower is apparently what has kept Stepin alive for this last month. Given the chance to be bonded to Alanna and become her third warder, Stepin chooses death instead. The episode ends with his funeral. Lan emcees the ceremony by screaming and tugging at his clothes like his son, daughter, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, and the entire kingdom of Malkieri were just slain. Impressive acting, but I am at a loss for words at what this has to do with the WoT or Lan's character or moving a story forward after skipping a huge and important segment of it.
This goes beyond an alteration of Lan's character. It involves, in my mind, a basic misunderstanding of the mindset it takes to be a Warder, or any member of the warrior class, in the first place. Warders swear to protect the lives of their Aes Sedai, which likely means giving their own lives up. Stepin lost his purpose when he lost his Aes Sedai. He was given the choice of taking on another Aes Sedai or death. He chose death. It was honorable. If you are a Warder who has made the same choices as Stepin, then you understand completely. There is nothing to grieve. You give Stepin the honor he deserves and move on.
This episode did virtually nothing to move the story-line forward. It skipped vast real estate to tell a story that it didn't understand about a character that the audience does not care about. One can argue that this will have a future bearing on Moiraine and Lan but I don't see how. Even if Moiraine was killed, Lan could easily bond Nynaeve, which he would.
I salute the depiction of Tar Valon and the acting here, as usual, the cast is doing everything they can.
I thumb down the lack of extras in the White Tower, the lacking Ogier-ness of Loial, the shrinking of the world by omitting Caemlyn, the neglect of Rand, Matt and Perrin's characters and their agency, the GoT rip-off of the torture scene, and the emotional naivette and writer self-indulgence of the funeral scene.
The Wheel of Time: The Dragon Reborn (2021)
Dragon Reborn? No. A Series? Perhaps.
The Dragon Reborn may have little to do with this episode, but that doesn't stop it from being the best episode of Season 1.
As is becoming normal for this series, much of what occurs in this episode happened in the books, just not how it is shown to happen.
Perrin and Egwene are still with the Tinkers and going no where fast. Aram gets more play here than he did in the books. Good for him.
Though they might be the main characters in the WoT (you wouldn't know it from this show), Rand and Matt have an equally brief if more interesting thread involving a very unfortunate family that agrees to allow them and Thom to sleep in their barn. Matt is being consumed by the darkness in the dagger he took out of Shadar Logoth, and though Thom has been around the world and back, he somehow confuses Matt's symptoms with someone who has been channeling. This despite the fact that we've seen nothing remotely close to channeling from Matt. I guess we are just supposed to take Thom's suspicions seriously simply because of the source.
The third thread of this story is the center piece of an episode that will finally carry this series, at least briefly, to the heights we've all hoped for.
Logain, the false Dragon, has been captured and is being shielded in turns by 3 Aes Sedai. Maintaining the shield takes constant vigilance and strain on the sisters, which makes one wonder why they don't keep moving until they reach Tar Valon rather than taking this unexplained stop. Anyway, the respite and Moiraine being busy with the shield gives Lan and Nynaeve a chance to continue to build a relationship that this series appears to want to make more central to the story than the books did. Again, I continue to come around on Zoe Robbins as Nynaeve, and the scenes between her and Lan are well-written and well acted. As Lan pulls her out of the shell of anger and arrogance that she protects herself with, Nynaeve becomes a much more sympathetic character.
When the Dragon's army arrives and all hell breaks loose, it is pure joy to book purists to see the Aes Sedai and their warders fending off an entire army. This is WoT at its finest. The One Power is in full display, and it is an awesome sight. When Logain breaks from his prison, in the following chaos, all seems lost until Nynaeve touches the source in a fit of rage that ironically unleashes healing on those around her. And as suddenly as Logain himself, we all immediately know that he is not the real Dragon Reborn.
It is an explosive and brilliant moment. Nonsensical to the books to be sure, but let's not ruin such a moment with logic.
Fantastic. Let's see more of this!
The Wheel of Time: A Place of Safety (2021)
The Breaking of the Fellowship
The WoT did the multiple POV story style way before GoT came around and this episode is where it all starts as the company has been broken into 3 separate parts.
Unfortunately, in this case, not all three parts are equal. I only found the thread with Rand and Matt to be interesting.
The thread with Perrin and Egwene feels the most similar to that plot-thread in the book and it is well acted. Still, not much happens, and if you haven't read the books and don't know Perrin's connection to the wolves, then it would really be a mystery. Eventually they run into the Tinkers. OK. Of all the plot points in the book that could have been skipped, the Tinkers would be near the top.
The thread with Lan, Nynaeve and the ailing Moiraine feels the least like the book as it should since it was created out of whole cloth. Again, it is well-acted. So much so that I am starting to come around on Zoe Robbins as Nynaeve. The young little Wisdom killing a Trolloc by herself? Yeah, about the only thing this character has in common with the book character is the arrogance and anger. Still, Lan is excellent and the two actors are actually starting to show more chemistry together than the book characters had. (Terrible couple in the books, among others, that made little sense to me.) Lan almost makes Nynaeve likable.
Rand and Matt were excellent casting choices and are convincing as long time friends. Matt's character is darker here than in the books, but we all know how popular the anti-hero is. Rand is probably the character in the show that is most true to his book self, and that is a damn good character to get right. He is level-headed, humble and a problem solver. The ladies like him, of course.
Thom Merrilin is finally introduced here, and he is much darker, and younger, than the character in the books. I might be in the minority, but I like it. I always found everything Thom does in the books, while being a really old guy, to be a little hard to believe. This guy actually looks capable of fighting a Fade. He and Matt are a natural fit.
Once again we have a diverse character in the middle of a very diverse village waxing on about how no one ever gets to go anywhere. Yeah, that makes zero sense, but it doesn't really bother me. I'm over it. Regardless, even though this was the best thread of the episode, the ending was preposterous. Matt and Rand could easily just outrun Dana. She had no chance of keeping up with them. Still, this was the thread that kept this episode at least on par with the first episode.
Definitely a step back here from the better second episode. Still, there are some good things going on. I'm looking forward to seeing Logain.
The Wheel of Time: Shadow's Waiting (2021)
Series benefits from Slower Pace
Like many other fans of the books, I was a little disappointed with the first episode. I can give the nonsensical diversity and changes from the books a pass, but I can't abide by too much plot shoved into a single hour, leading to foolish writing.
Fortunately, this episode began to turn it around for me. This episode benefitted greatly by a slower pace and a singular focus on the fleeing company. I regret the omission of Baerlon simply because Min is one of my favorite characters in the books. Its a damn shame to not see her. However, considering she plays no role in this first book, I can't blame them for cutting it.
Frankly, I like Egwene's character more in this series so far than I did in the books. She seems vulnerable and hopelessly in love with Rand, which is totally different than the books, where she is about as conceited and cold as most the women in WoT. I love that this series is giving her and Rand an actual relationship. The books only allege at one.
The shot of Rand and Egwene overlooking Shadar Logoth is exactly what book fans are looking for. THAT is WoT in an image. Bravo!
Matt and Perrin both get their overarching threads launched here, while Rand shows the mistrust for the Aes Sedai that will stick with him.
Nynaeve popping up at the end, catching Lan by surprise, is idiotic. HOW could she have tracked them out of Shadar Logoth? It is more dramatic than what happens in the book, however. Stupid though.
Anyway, good step forward.
The Wheel of Time: Leavetaking (2021)
Mixed Bag Beginning
Look, Episode 1 of the much anticipated Wheel of Time is probably better than the lambasting it is getting from some book purists and it is probably worse than the praise from the fans who've waited 30 years to see any WoT on the screen.
I own and love the books. In my standings, WoT is the second greatest fantasy series of all time, behind LOTR, obviously. I expected there would be some changes from the source material, and that is fine.
Ultimately, Episode 1 was a mixed bag with good and bad things.
The Bad
1. The Dragon Reborn can be a female, possibly. No, the Dragon can NOT. This isn't a minor change. It ignores everything about the Source. The Dragon Reborn must wield the male half of the source. The Dragon Reborn, no matter how many times the wheel has turned, has always been a male. Egwene is a very important character in the series. You don't need to try to make her more important.
2. Egwene is taeveren. Also, not a minor change. At no point in 15 books was Egwene ever shown to have any ta'veren attributes or luck. The fact that she was NOT ta'veren and still accomplished what she did was a credit to her. Again, don't need to make her more important than what she already is.
3. Nynaeve's casting. Bad call. Even though it makes no biologic sense for Emond's Field to be more diverse than a modern town, I am going to ignore that. But the actress cast as Nynaeve doesn't capture the character and she looks too old. And why is she so openly angry with Morraine?
4. Pacing. Too rushed in parts and too profound in others. You don't have to touch on every theme in the series in the first episode. Also, the huge fight at the end was too long and unnecessary. The beginning of the fight when everyone is just running around screaming looks poorly choregraphed.
5. Rand and Egwene get it on. This recasting Egwene as a modern woman who can have sex whenever she wants is totally dismissive of the world this story is set in. Sex can lead to pregnancy, which is a MUCH bigger problem in THAT world than it is in this one.
6. Trolloc CGI - Dicey at times
The Good
1. The casting of Rand, Matt, Perrin, Egwene and Lan. Despite the cast representing a bunch of checked boxes, these five are all excellent casting choices. They embody their characters well and for them alone, I will continue to follow the story.
2. Morraine and Lan in the hot tub. Excellent scene.
3. The use of the One Power - very impressive.
4. Egwene actually appears to love Rand. Ambiguous in the books. I actually prefer this take on their relationship.
Boyfriends of Christmas Past (2021)
Lord Friendzone for Christmas
I actually really liked the concept here, putting a romantic twist on A Christmas Carol. I am also fine with the two leads. I really like Asian women, and though others have complained about her age, Asian women tend to look young longer, and it didn't bother me at all. If there is an issue here, it is just that the male lead was significantly out of her league.
That kind of leads me to my main issue with this movie. The issue that causes me to give it among the lowest ratings I've ever given a Hallmark Christmas movie. The issue is that I am a man, and this movie is SO written for women. Normally, not a big deal, as all Hallmark movies are written for women, but this is such a female fantasy that it gets on my male nerves. Yeah, I know there have been plenty of movies and books through the years that were essentially male fantasies, but that doesn't mean I need to enjoy this.
The fantasy here is that a woman can blaze through a series of great guys with an even greater guy in the friendzone, and no worries, that greater guy will still be there patiently waiting for you once you've finally decided to give up the boyfriend train and show the man some affection for once.
No, I'm afraid her friend would have had plenty of options and been long gone by time she finally came around.
Frankly, this is the only Christmas movie that would have been best served by the male lead telling the female lead to buzz off at the end. THAT would have been a great ending.
Coyote Creek Christmas (2021)
Poor pairing and story didn't help
After some disappointments so far in the Countdown to Christmas, I was looking forward to this movie because it featured our (my wife and I's) favorite male lead in Ryan Paevey.
We immediately noticed the visually poor pairing with Janel Parrish, who is too young, short, and frankly, not in Ryan's league. However, Janel usually plays energetic, adorable characters, and so we hoped that her character would overcome the superficial disparity between the leads.
Unfortunately, this movie went the opposite way. Instead of Paige, the main female character, winning Dylan, the male lead, and us over with her charm, passion, joy, and kindness, she spends at least the second half of the movie angry at Dylan for no good reason, while he makes the situation worse, and even more unrealistic, by repeatedly apologizing for something that wasn't his fault. The final half hour of the movie is essentially Dylan moving heaven and earth to please Paige, even though there is no clear indication that she deserves it.
Maybe I'll sweeten slightly to this movie with repeated viewings, but my first impression is that this movie never overcomes this manufactured conflict or its rather one-sided resolution.
Unfortunately, we are seeing a trend in 2021's slate, at least early, that started in bombastic fashion in "Boyfriends of Christmas Past." The issue is that the female lead often represents a ultra-modern feminist view that every woman deserves a great guy, regardless of her actual actions towards that guy. The female leads are brimming with entitlement while the male leads are going into full simp mode. That is NOT romance.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark (2020)
Well made but over long and indulgent
This is a well made and at times riveting documentary. However, I have to agree with other reviewers that I was disappointed in the divided focus, with the life of Michelle McNamara and anyone related to her investigation getting equal or more time than the case itself.
It didn't bother me that SOME of the focus was on Michelle considering it was largely her who forced this story into the public consciousness. However, starting around episode 4, the GSK really falls into the background and Michelle's deadly drive to finish her book becomes the main focus. It just gets overindulgent and over long. Personally, I think 3 or 4 episodes would have been perfect for the material, whereas this is stretched thinly over 6 episodes, including unnecessary backstory for side players whose place in the documentary wasn't necessary in the first place.
Look, its hard to say for certain how much impact Michelle's investigation had on the actual apprehension of the killer. Only the lead detectives who submitted the DNA know that for sure, and any chance of them being 100% truthful about it passed with Michelle. We do know that Michelle was the one that primarily brought the case to the attention of the public. That being said, the identity of the killer was unknown to her at the time of her death.
It is also impossible to say how much her obsession with the case played a factor in her death. The series clearly implies her downward spiral was caused by the dark dive into the harrowing evidence of the case, and quite likely it was. However, could her death simply been a case of off market drugs cut by fentanyl, likely illegally obtained by her comedian/actor husband? Yes, that too.
As others have said, I definitely thought of the movie Capote while watching this series. But that was a MOVIE clearly named after the author of the book written about the crimes. This is a documentary that implies it is about the GSK case, which it is, but that is just as much about Michelle McNamara and her book.
So, this series was riveting at times, disturbing, frightening, all the things a good crime documentary should be. Clearly not as bad as some of the reviewers would have you believe. But I do agree with the disappointment with the divided focus. Was Michelle's investigation interesting? Yes. Did her work possibly lead to the arrest? Possibly, yes. Is her death a tragedy? Yes. Does the book look like a fascinating read in the vein of In Cold Blood? Yes.
But was all the extra padding necessary or make the docu better? NO.
24: Day 3: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (2003)
24 Reinvents Itself? Well, not entirely...
Season 2 followed a true sequel format by doing much of the same as Season 1 except turning the dial to 11. This made for a darker and even more intense season than the first.
So, where do you go from a nuclear threat and Jack being tortured to death?
I guess you take a step back and focus a little more on the characters because that is what the first episode of Season 3 does.
First of all, let me get out of the way my absolute horror at the fact that the show choose to ignore the cliffhanger ending of Season 2. After showing a glimpse of the assassination attempt on President Palmer that ended Season 2, the disappointing words 3 Years Later flashed on the screen? Wait, what? Remember, it wasn't just the attack on Palmer that was pushed under the rug, it was the obvious developing relationship with Kate, the threat Kate's sister laid on her in the last episode, and several antagonists from Season 2, including Carrie, who never got their comeuppance. Total disappointment to have all that just left hanging.
Anyway, after getting over that, what we have with Season 3 is a slower developing drama that basically took all of the first episode to just set the table and establish all the main players.
The highlight of episode 1 for me was seeing Tony, Michelle, and Chloe. I really enjoyed the time in the series when Tony and Michelle were together, and of course, 24 isn't the same without Chloe.
Jack is a basket-case for much of the episode, and the big reveal in the episode is that he's addicted to heroine. Considering what Jack went through in Season 2, it is kind of tough to see him in this kind of shape. I actually wish he would have given up CTU and married Kate. Oh, well, the show must go on, I guess.
Good call with the threat being a deadly virus this time around. It is maybe the only threat that is more frightening than a nuclear bomb.
I'm sure there'll be more action ahead.
Write Before Christmas (2019)
Probably Too Much of a Good Thing
Write Before Christmas is an entertaining ride that is probably good enough for Top 5 in 2019's run of Christmas Hallmark movies. It pleasantly diverts from the normal formula by actually following 4 connected but not interweaving stories: 3 romances and 1 boy band reunion (as odd as that sounds). The main couple, Jessica and Luke, are cute with charming enough chemistry. The older couple is entirely predictable but works mostly thanks to the guy. And then you have the military couple, which is not only a unique plot thread for Hallmark with a male soldier wooing a female soldier but is also probably the best written arc of the movie. The fourth thread has to do with the lead member of a split-up boy band. Jessica's card to him eventually inspired him to reunite the band and appreciate his brother more. All necessary only to precipitate the end of the movie.
All four of these threads bring something a little different to the show, which is a good thing. Different viewers will have their favorites of the four threads, or at least, the 3 couples.
The down side to this, of course, is that if you really liked a particular couple, you don't get to spend a lot of time with them. In the end, all the characters and especially all the romances end up pretty thin. The lead couple meet in one scene, have basically one day together in a prolonged couple of scenes, and then aren't together again until the end of the movie. The end is straightforward, predictable, but satisfying, especially the final scene with both couples together.
A Cheerful Christmas (2019)
A Pure Joy to Watch
During the movie, I turned to my wife and said that I could see a lot of people having issues with the lead actress because she is SO over the top cheerful. Yeah, I was right about that.
It is pretty sad when people's main complaint is someone being TOO happy, perky or cheerful. My god, it's Christmas. If you don't like seeing cheerful people then go watch Game of Thrones and get the heck out of here.
Personally, I LOVED the character Lauren in this movie. She was a pure joy to watch, and I couldn't help but smile every time I saw her on the screen.
I love how she has this husky Scarlett Johanssen voice and yet she acts like a silly teenage girl. I found it completely adorable AND sexy.
I believe they told the actress to GO for it, and she WENT for it. Big time. And it WORKED for me. Obviously not for everyone, but I thought she was great.
The actor also gives his best performance here. Chad Connell makes a very good British rich guy. I thought the two of them made an adorable couple. She brought out the best in him, and that is what a good partner should do.
There is virtually nothing else going on in this one. The entire movie is about her and him, but that is fine. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Two Turtle Doves (2019)
Among Hallmark's Best for 2019
This movie does virtually everything right.
The writing is solid with a straight forward plot, a conflict that is established from the beginning, and intelligent dialogue.
The leads are excellent and have a chemistry that develops as the story goes on.
Virtually nothing feels contrived in this movie. Every character interaction feels organic. MAYBE the lawyer should work a little more, but he is only a real estate lawyer and it is Christmas.
Nikki DeLoach plays Sharon Hayes, another of these amazing, extremely-unlikely-to-be-single women who is a genius, attractive and passionate. There is pretty much nothing to dislike about her character. I like Nikki in nearly everything, and this is no exception.
Michael Rady grew on me as the movie went on. Good actor who works well with Nikki.
These movies often have a secondary theme and this one's is grief and loss at Christmas time. Both leads, Sharon and Sam, are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Sharon is back home dealing with the last will and testament of her grandmother. Sam is still obviously grieving over the loss of his wife.
Widowers are common in these movies, but usually it is just mentioned and doesn't play an affectual role in the movie. That isn't the case here. Sam and his daughter dealing with their loss over the holidays is an important part of both character arcs.
In the end, both parties will help each other with their grief.
The conflict is probably Hallmark's #1 suspect with Sharon seemingly having to chose between her career and returning to NYC versus a relationship with Sam and living in her grandma's house.
A weaker part of the movie is that this conflict isn't as straightforward as it is in other movies where there is a clear choice between the old life and the new, between the big city and the small town, between the career and love. I said Sharon "seemingly" had to choose between her career and Sam because it is never explained how Sharon winning a grant would automatically lead to her leaving town and going back to NYC. She merely suggests that is the case.
The ending of this one is well done partially because it was set up by an excellent scene 15 minutes earlier. The end not only sees the resolution of the conflict, but it also brings a big surprise for Sharon (not the audience), which is an added bonus.
Two Turtle Doves is ultimately an entertaining and thoughtful Christmas romance that is among the best for Hallmark in 2019.
Christmas Under the Stars (2019)
One of the Best of 2019
Christmas Under the Stars delivers nearly every beat your looking for in an entertaining and thoughtful Christmas romance.
Unlike most Hallmark movies of this ilk, this one actually features three fleshed out characters with their own clear character arcs. The two leads are believable and likable most of the time, and the third is Clem, the helpful and wise old man that acts essentially like the McGuffin of the story, bringing it all together and making it all possible.
All three have their own conflicts and past baggage that they have to overcome. In a well-written story, it is through the other characters that each individual gets to the end of their arc, and that is the case here.
This movie also does well to embody the Christmas spirit, showcasing the power of giving and empathy for others.
My three minor complaints with the movie is a lack of romance, as in, I'd like to see more, romance is almost secondary to the Christmas spirit here, and two, the conflict between the leads is flimsy here, though probably as good as most conflicts in these movies, and three, the final scene literally resolves like three conflicts at once. It is all a little TOO neatly wrapped up.
Quality Christmas movie. Totally rewatchable and easily deserving of an 8.
A Merry Christmas Match (2019)
Disappointing Start to the Christmas Countdown
I was really looking forward to this first premier of the Miracle of Christmas for 2019. For one because I am a big fan of Hallmarks Christmas movies, and secondly because Ashley Newborough is one of my favorite actresses on Hallmark. She starred in the preceding season's A Small Town Christmas,which was one of my favorites of the year.
Sitting down and watching this one, it didn't take long for the disappointment to settle in. I have two central issues that make this one of my least favorite Hallmark movies of 2019. For one, I don't care for the lead male character. It isn't so much the actor, who seems competent. It is the character he attempts to portray. Secondly, which certainly affects the first problem. the writing is clumsy, both with the plot and with the dialogue.
The main gal's character arc is the opposite of Ashley's character arc in Small Town Christmas. In this one, she is a talented woman with big dreams who is being held back by her father's antique store in a small town. I actually give credit to Hallmark for going against their own grain here by making the big city the ideal destination instead of the small town. However, the story is so ham-fisted in how it handles this arc that is comes off as annoying rather than compelling.
Virtually every character that comes in contact with the female lead, from the beginning of the movie, scolds her for staying in town to handle her father's store, even her own mother. It is especially annoying when the male lead does the same thing, considering he just met her. It apparently doesn't bother Corey that a man she just met thinks he can make better life choices for her than she can. To me, he comes off as conceited and utterly dismissive of anything important to her.
She even tells her friends this after meeting him for the first time. However, her friends insist that she likes him, regardless of the fact that everything she said about him were actually good reasons to not like him. None of that matters. He is handsome and rich, and so naturally she must like him.
I get that it is realistic that people sometimes like each other on first sight, that merely being physically attractive is enough. However, a compelling story that does not make, nor does this movie add anything to their courtship to make it more compelling.
Seriously, during their second conversation with each other, Corey points out two constellations that meant something to her childhood. The lame male lead actually points to a third and says,"That must be mine... It crossed yours." Seriously, dude? You just met this girl.
Also, as pointed out by others, this movie doesn't have a lot to do with Christmas. Fortunately, there are better movies immediately ahead.
Nostalgic Christmas (2019)
The Best of the 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movies So Far
We are approaching the halfway point for Hallmark's run of Christmas movies in 2019, and for me, it has been more miss than hit. This movie is a winner though, and the best of 2019 so far.
First of all, I like both the lead actors, and they look like they should be a couple. Secondly, their characters are both immensely likable, and you want them together before they even meet.
The writing and acting is solid. There isn't anything really spectacular; everything just works and doesn't screw up the good things that are in place. All the supporting cast is decent and have well-written parts. The daughter, Jesse, is probably the best of the supporting.
The only real conflicts in the movie are the two established from the beginning- the imminent closing of the mill and Ann returning to New York. In somewhat typical Hallmark style, unfortunately, both conflicts and the romance is wrapped up in the final two scenes. Again, much like the rest of the movie, the final resolution is nothing spectacular. However, there is nothing silly going on either.
Besides the already mentioned good chemistry between the actors and the likability of their characters, another positive in this movie is that the leads spend a lot of time together, so there is nothing that happens too suddenly. There is another guy in the movie, but we never see much of Ann and him together, and that plot thread is wrapped up rather neatly. The other positive that also adds something unique to this one is the idea of the carved Christmas Santas. It is a very cool idea that adds something interesting to the movie.
Altogether, this is an entertaining Christmas romance.
David Copperfield (1999)
If you like David Copperfield, then this is a MUST
Props to the BBC who in this two part series managed to put together the truest adaption of Charles Dickens' favorite book. The key to its success is essentially two-fold. For one, they stayed very true to the book. Yes, an essentially 3 hour series is not near enough time to fully flesh out a 800 plus page book. Things had to be cut, including scenes and characters. They also had to combine scenes wherever possible in order to cover the most ground in the least time. However, I thought their decisions insofar as what to cut and what to keep were very judicial. And one thing they didn't do, which other adaptions have done, is invent new scenes altogether. I appreciate that. Everything that is in this series IS in the book!
The second key to success with this version of David Copperfield is the casting. It is amazing. Virtually every character is almost exactly what I envisioned when I read the book. Mr. Micawber is a little different, but the difference is a pleasing one. Fortunately, the more important the character, the more perfect the casting. David both young and old is sensational, almost exactly as I had pictured him looking and acting. Maggie Smith as Betsy Trotwood IS Betsy Trotwood, pure perfection. Amanda Ryan as Agnes Wickfield is pure radiance, beauty, wisdom and calmness, embodying pretty much everything in the angelic book character. One of my only complaints would be that there isn't enough Agnes, but I have that same complaint about the book! Agnes, in fact, is so beautiful in this, that watching this show is even more frustrating than reading the book was in regards to David ignoring Agnes as a love interest. It is like DUDE, OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES!
Anyway, Steerforth, Pegotty, Dora, and other side characters are very well done as well, and I haven't mention Uriah Heep yet, who is fabulously portrayed in this.
In short, if you are looking for a true adaption with well presented characters from one of your favorite books of all time, then THIS is the series you have to see. If anything, this series' one fault is that it probably could have used one more show so some of the scenes were less rushed, including the ending, which is very well done but somewhat rushed. All the actors are so good that we easily could have watched them for another 90 minutes.
Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader (2012)
Check back in 20 years
So Roger Corman and John Landis decided to do an intentionally cheap and campy twist on The Attack of the 50 FT Woman.
The problem with camp is that it typically isn't appreciated until at least 10 years after being released, with 20 years being even better.
As such, right now, this movie just comes off as CHEAP, unfunny, uninspired, and mostly uninteresting.
To be frank, there is one reason to watch this movie and that is the spectacular body of Jena Sims, the lead, who is either topless or in a skimpy cheerleader outfit for most the show.
In fact, besides Jena, you see a number of topless babes in this movie. However, the nudity is all in a non-sexual context.
I give it a 5 on Jena's impressive assets alone.
The Frozen Ground (2013)
Should have been much better... missed opportunity
With the best from Nic Cage that we've seen in years, one of the worst serial killers in American history as a backstory, and the beautiful Alaskan countryside as a backdrop, this COULD have been a really good movie.
Instead, apparently, production didn't think there was enough suspense in the actual story and decided, predictably, to contrive some on their own.
Either that or they just wanted to give Vanessa Hudgens as big a role as possible.
Either one might explain the ultimately annoying subplot that had Hudgens' character, Cindy, repeatedly endangering herself and the entire case against the killer by trying to run off, even though repeatedly warned that she was in danger and told she was needed to put the guy away and save lives.
The need for contrived suspense would explain why everyone from the Alaskan PD to the DA seemed bent on convincing the lead investigator that he had no case. All oddly oblivious to the notion of a serial killer operating in their midst, preying on their wives and daughters. In fact, strangely enough, virtually everyone in the movie other than Cage and his sidekick seem unconcerned about it, including Cindy and Cage's wife.
It also would explain the somewhat ridiculous subplot, which essentially depicts the killer as a mafioso who hires a henchmen to abduct Cindy again. And, of course, Cindy almost runs right into his arms.
Regardless, probably the main reason why the ending falls flat is because the screenplay didn't adequately convince us of the monster that Robert Hansen is/was. John Cusack, in the role, spends most of his time looking darkly pensive. He is actually shown kidnapping, abusing, and then shooting only one girl. It is a disturbing part, sure, but still mostly lacking the horror of what Hansen actually did. The pretty victim is fully dressed the whole time, and a few hair caresses are the only suggestion we get of Hansen's sexual depravity.
It is almost like the movie was trying to be PG, even though it is already R thanks to the strip club scenes.
John Cusack does well in the role, and it is no fault of his that his character comes off as more nerdish than evil. It is the screenplay that fails.
As a movie about a serial killer, it is not disturbing enough. As a thriller, it relies too much on predictable contrivances. As a character study, it relies too much on tired clichés.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)
When a sequel becomes a reboot...
I grew up in the 80s, a decade which should be forever remembered for two things- music and cartoons. Like Transformers and He-Man, I was a fan of GI Joe. I never collected the figures, but I had friends and family that did.
When Transformers hit the big screen and big money was the result, it became inevitable that GI Joe would also be made into a movie, despite the obvious conundrum of being based off a child's toy and yet dealing with very adult subjects like terrorism and warfare.
So, in 2009, the Rise of Cobra came out. Handicapped with not only that base conundrum, but also with the world's mood during the Great Recession more suited for the dark surrealism of the Batman reboot than for a bloodless and sometimes lighthearted cartoon- based actioner, the first GI Joe movie was not greeted well. It underperformed at the box office and with critics.
The fans also seemed impossible to please. GI Joe fans didn't think it was GI Joe enough, while those who didn't know anything about GI Joe thought it was TOO much GI Joe. And so it goes.
I, on the other hand, didn't see it until after this verdict had already been proclaimed. Having low to zero expectations, I found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Sure, Best Picture it is not, but for a popcorn actioner I thought it provided the entertainment that it promised. I loved the gadgets. I loved the Baroness as the sexy bad ass chick, and I thought Duke and Hawk were in decent hands with Tatum and Quaid.
Obviously, the producers thought differently, and GI Joe: The Retaliation is the result. Production heard the complaints of the fans and decided to be proactive about it, turning this sequel more like a reboot of the franchise. Most of the cast of the first movie were not even asked to return, and instead the keys of the franchise were essentially handed to a fresh crew led by this generation's Schwarzennager- Dwayne Johnson.
Though not bereft of fancy gadgets, this movie decided to go with the more realistic gunfights and sword duels, except its tough to be too realistic when taking leads from The Matrix.
Overall, the result is a movie that those who actually liked the first one largely disdain, and those who didn't like the first one find a definite improvement. Whether this results in a net gain or a net loss for the franchise is yet to be seen.
As a fan of the first movie, here are the things I didn't like about this one-
1. How do you kill off Duke? He is arguably the most important single GI Joe. Having a GI Joe movie without him or Hawk is akin to having a Transformers movie without Optimus Prime.
2. Roadblock is no leader. I like Dwayne Johnson, but Roadblock is not the leader of the Joes and shouldn't be. Roadblock is an enforcer, the muscle. He is not a leader.
3. No Baroness. Besides what happens with Duke, the loss of the Baroness is the biggest blow to this movie. The sexy female antagonist works wonderfully in this genre. There is no one here to replace her.
4. Flint sucks. Flint is the obstentious replacement for Duke, but he is an epic fail of a boring character. The movie simply doesn't have the time to provide any backstory for him or make him interesting, and it doesn't try to.
5. The movie covered too much. One would think that the destruction of the Joes and the revival of Cobra Commander from prison would be enough of a plot, but instead, we are treated with a Storm Shadow subplot and a destructive ruse to become supreme ruler by Cobra Commander. As a result, all the characters and story lines got shorted.
Now, here are some of the things I LIKED about this movie.
1. Adrianne Palicki as Lady Jaye is even hotter than Scarlet from ROC. She could have used a sexy bad, like the Baroness, though as an opposite. She has little to do though she is one of the only characters for whom some back story was attempted.
2. The screenplay is weak for plot but fairly strong on dialogue. It is full of one-liners and most of it worked for me. Hooo-Rah.
3. The Cobra Commander is far cooler in this one. Love the monstrous voice instead of the high strung Starscream voice, and I appreciate that they made him look like the cartoon again.
4. The scene at the summit is preposterous entirely, but quite hilarious. Jonathan Pryce has good fun with it, and so did I.
5. GI Joe fans at least were pleased with the Storm Shadow- Snake Eyes subplot. Though I thought the cliff hanger battle was ridiculous, the solo fight within the temple was a great hand-to-hand fight scene.
I give it a 6 as a balance between the disappointment of not following up the original with the credit for trying something new, some of which worked.
In Time (2011)
Gattaca meets Robin Hood
In Time is another one of those sci-fi films that is enjoyable to watch as long as you leave your brain at the door.
For one thing, all the characters in it are supposed to look like they are 25. So, it is a beautiful cast. For me, Justin Timberlake does a more than adequate job as the leading man: our Jack Dawson with an ankle holster. Amanda Seyfriend is supposed to look pretty and pout a lot and she is good at that. The wig does nothing for her and the chemistry between her and JT is lacking, but it all works for the most part.
Cillian Murphy as the bloodless, but in his own way honorable, Timekeeper Raymond Leon is the stand out, must watch, performance of the movie. Even though he's stolen Neo's attire, Murphy has logged another great turn as the bad guy. Or is he the bad guy? Arguable, but he is under-utilized in the movie, unfortunately.
I also dug Alex Pettyfer's gleeful turn as the fancy-boy gang leader who embodies the complete opposite of the movie's real antagonist- apathy. The writers blew his fight scene with JT by providing the back-story to JT's father. If that scene weren't terribly predictable, it would actually be a great scene.
Besides pretty faces, the movie also has a creative hook- time is money. From that rather easy analogy, all sorts of comparisons with real life can be readily made, and the movie does SOME of that, though it isn't heavy-handed about it. And that is a GOOD thing since have we not seen it 100 times before? Class warfare 101. The rich are evil and trying to kill the poor, or at the very least, monopolize the world for themselves. Yada, yada, yada.... zzzzzzzz
The problem with all this is that the world the movie is set in is so illogical that it is difficult to logically draw any conclusions from it. In this world, death has been conquered, and yet, there are no cellphones. There are no cops, and few weapons; this in spite of the fact that your life can be stolen with a simple turn of your arm!
When the unfortunate Bonnie and Clyde portion of the movie begins, JT and Amanda only need to stroll into a vault to steal time. Why the crowd that was there didn't steal it in the first place remains a mystery. They could have. There was nothing to stop them.
Plus, death has been otherwise conquered, but you can die, by your arm being turned. Sorry, but medically try to figure that one out once.
The ending of the movie is next to preposterous, a culmination of the off-track final 30 minutes.
Still, it isn't the least entertaining thing you could choose to see. Just give the brain a rest.