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Reviews
Secrets of Playboy (2022)
highlights survivors of sexual abuse
This is an extremely interesting character study of women who were previous members of a cult called Playboy. This documentary series tells the story of four generations of young women that were exploited and sexually abused by Hugh Hefner. A girl blew her brains out because of what Hugh did to her and Hugh's team covered it up. He allowed celebrities to come to his house to rape and beat the girls. But also he may have a long term homosexual relationship with his best friend?
The account of the Shannon twins was particularly touching as the interviewer was SO good and they had a trauma therapist there to give her assessment and support to the twins in person as they filmed
The creators of this documentary really highlight every individual story extremely well. Very sad but cathartic hopefully to all the women. Highly recommend!
You (2018)
Rate 9 for Season 1-3, Season 4 is the absolute worst and a 3.
Sad they decided to ruin the show by completely changing everything good about it. The writers really watched Glass Onion and said, "Put Joe in the most unrealistic circumstance in London and give him an entirely different motivation and personality."
Joe meets the richest people in London and after five seconds, they are kissing his ass. He's a complete stranger, a lame English professor with no money, connections, social media or noble background. All of the rich people accept him IMMEDIATELY and he's invited to the best parties, shows and clubs, hell even their homes and business meetings!
This was written for no other reason than to frame the plot conveniently so Joe can get close enough to investigate a murder. Nothing about this feels real and because of this, all dialogue and contrived relationships seem stale and hollow.
What made You seasons 1 through 3 so amazing was the through line of Joe's development and how far he will go to fuel his obsession for a woman. Each season focused on a girl who consumes Joe's entire mind. Joe would risk getting caught A LOT to stalk and carry out all his inappropriate compulsions. An addiction which led him to kill and do horrible things. In Season 4, that entire neurosis goes away as he ignores beautiful women throwing themselves on him in order to follow up on leads and be a hipster Sherlock Holmes. The audience doesn't care about Joe's satirical opinions on the monarchy, fashion and upper society. We already know he thinks everything's pretentious.
Emma. (2020)
Skip and watch Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow
This movie was so painfully dull and I couldn't get through it. The lead Anna Taylor-Joy is joyless and has the charisma of an old boot. She cannot emote and is so closed off emotionally. Her one note performance along with the leads same nothing expression leads to an extremely boring film which is a cardinal sin when you consider how rich the source material is.
I fell in love with this story watching the 90s version with Gwyneth Paltrow as the lead. She has such range, such joy, sorrow, and actually glows. For how visually colorful the sets and costumes in this remake are, it feels hollow and completely devoid of any substance. Skip and watch the 90s version.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Falls flat.
I was really excited to see this and shouldn't be shocked it's not good but alas, here we are. It's so hard to get through.
Two unlikeable teen narcs bring back the witches who immediately burst into... song and dance?! Whoever made this remake failed to realize they only sang in the first film because they are mistaken for a musical act and use the stage/ band accompaniment to cast a spell on the town. "Dance until you die!" It's dark!
In this, they are singing and dancing happy music in the middle of the woods. We hear a full band but they are alone. For no reason. This is not in their character. Make it make sense.
The product placement is palpable. Sponsored by Walgreens. We're supposed to believe they don't know what teenagers look like? They already came back in the 90s and knew Max was a teenager.
Also- Billy was my favorite character in the original and in this, they give him a weird Irish accent? When no one else has one? What's happening. Why ruin a classic?
Blonde (2022)
Raw. Uncomfortable. Real!
This movie blew me away. There are a lot of Marilyn movies but this one nailed her emotion. So many iconic photo shoots featured in the beginning, then come the assault scenes will make you uncomfortable. At times it's hard to watch, but only because it's real.
I've been a Marilyn fan since a young age of course for her beauty and talent but also her history with how much she was dealing with from her abandonment, assaults and traumas.
Ana completely nailed the look but also the subtle nuisances of her emotion and physicality while being the embodiment of a woman trying to cope with hurt, trauma, and suffering. The mental health facility is a reflection of the time and supposed to make you uncomfortable. A must watch!
BoJack Horseman: Downer Ending (2014)
The ride of a lifetime!
This is one of the most thought provoking, funny, heartfelt, devastating yet real episodes of the series. Bojack trips on drugs and faces his traumas, his fears, his projections, his entire life. It moves a mile a minute and shows the life Bojack could've had if he had lived a life outside of fame. It's also incredibly eye opening to substance abuse and self esteem. Possibly one of the best episodes.
Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss by Passing Through the Gateway Chosen by the Holy Storsh (2018)
Dan Harmon
Watched for Dan Harmon. He's the best and his dry humor hits perfect here. Pop ups from other great comedians like Maria Bamford. Other than that kinda boring and slow.
Dexter (2006)
Best show I've ever seen
Rewatching the original series again and it is JUST as good the second time around. The dialogues, the acting, the writing, the chemistry, it's nuts! Will turn your world upside down about what you think you know about serial killers. Dexter is flawed but we feel for him and that says volumes about the acting and casting. Just fantastic.
House of Gucci (2021)
So boring- Walked out
Was so excited to see this and walked out an hour and a half in. Almost 3 HOURS of nothing but talking. No action sequences. No drama. No fashion. No stakes.
It's a movie about nothing but worse because you feel zero investment. Lady Gaga as always shines on camera especially during the numerous 80s bops her and Adam Driver have montages to. If this was meant to document the history of fashion it did a horrible horrible job. This script is so boring, I'd rather watch paint dry.
Good Vibes (2011)
Anti feminist
Liked when I was a kid but watching back is rough. The plot lines treat all women as objects. These two boys only goals are to see boobs and/or hopefully get laid. A classic trope but considering this is for teens, it sets a pretty bad example.
The protagonists are willing to lie, cheat, steal, break the law and steal identities all to sneak a peek at teenage girls breasts without their consent. And there are never any consequences.
And maybe that's how teenage boys really are, focused on sex 24/7. But drilling the following into impressionable young boy minds is not it:
-women who are fat have no value
-women with big boobs but a small waist have extreme value
-compromise any morals to objectify women
-binge drinking is cool and expected
-consent is not needed if you have pure intentions.
El orfanato (2007)
So bored
Snore... nothing happens. Not a scary movie. I like the lead actress as she seems committed to the role but it's a lot of talking and not much else. It was recommended to me by a friend and I'm disappointed lol.
Cedar Rapids (2011)
Male sexual assault is not funny
Not even 20 minutes in and a female stranger grabs the main character's crotch area several times even after he says no. All the characters laugh and say he is being uptight. I assume the rest of the movie is him trying to fit in with them? I don't care if the actors are good. This script is garbage.
The Other Two (2019)
If cringe comedy is your thing, give it a watch
Do I think it's watchable? Yes. Do I think Molly Shannon and Chase the pop star should have more screen time? Indubitably.
The writing has potential to be so quick in wit but the two siblings, especially the sister, are rude, cringe, and have no self awareness. I personally don't think terrible, narcissistic, entitled people makes good comedy. There were some scenes so painfully cringe, I needed to turn it off.
Good spoof of Justin Bieber and a look into a life of a famous preteen but man.... the cringe was far too much. 😬😬😬
Y: The Last Man (2021)
The main character or "protagonist" is the most annoying selfish character
No redeemable qualities here. Pilot episode ok but the main character Yorick is so disrespectful, a complete moron, childish, selfish and never does as he's told, even if it's for his own safety. The world has literally exploded and all he does is think about himself.
I'd thought Diane Lane would save it but her presence alone can't make up for bad writing and character development. I'm done watching but if Yorick ends up dying, I may come back just to watch natural selection do it's job!
Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)
Watch for Catherine Keener
Very similar to American Horror Story with mystery, intrigue, magic, gore and comedy. My only criticism is midway through, I began to dislike the main character heavily. And am left with several unanswered questions. But regardless give it a watch, Catherine Keener's performance and character is amazing!!
Dave (2020)
Dave is unfunny egomaniac
I don't find egotistical, white privilege funny or entertaining, esp when I feel like it's no longer parody but real life 😬. Dave has the ego of Michael Scott with no humility, dimension or character. He enjoys bragging about his privilege. Where are the jokes? Where is the human component?
Season 1 was the ok but each episode of season 2 includes all his friends, other rappers or long time ex suffering due to his immature, narcissistic behavior. And I agree! It's so painful to dislike the main character of a series so much.
Evil (2019)
Potential but the daughters have got to go...
I originally rated this a 9 for its plot development, solid lead actors and storytelling but my god... who in the writer's room keeps pushing for the stories to be focused on the main character's four SCREAMING daughters. In the latest episode, the main character begins taking her daughters on her work related meetings handling death, kidnapping, violence and satan. I can't handle the unprofessionalism and unrealistic s**tbox that is this family.
And it's not one daughter occasionally talking. They ALL talk at the same time and dominate every episode they are in while adding nothing to the story. I'm from a family of five girls and this behavior is not normal or even human. Every episode seems to be adding an extra layer of cheese and with these girls being extremely annoying and disrespectful with no consequences, I'm losing all interest.
Big Mouth (2017)
Adult animation junkie gives this an A+
For a subject that can be so serious, this show doesn't take itself too seriously. The character development leaves you always wanting more, particularly the character Jay, voiced by comedian Jason Mantzoukas, who has the most dysfunctional family ever portrayed on television. Lots of golden pop culture and movie references covered by a very comedic punchy script from the genius that is Kroll and Mullaney visions. Big Mouth's different story lines have one thing we can all relate to and maybe never really got a chance to process but can do so through comedy.
The Irregulars (2021)
Don't listen to the reviews!
Just finished and this is one of the best series I've ever seen! A British Stranger Things- supernatural, thrilling, scary and suspenseful. I think the low reviews come from Sherlock Holmes die hard fans who expect complete accuracy. This is fantasy! Yes, Sherlock Holmes is a part of the story but not even the lead character. This is a display of overcoming childhood trauma, the tenacity of the human spirit, gaining strength from facing your fears and creating your own chosen family to make life worth living. The character development was done so well and I was never bored. I'm obsessed and can't wait for season 2!!!