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Fear the Walking Dead: More Time Than You Know (2023)
Oh my god this is awful
I told myself I was going to finish watching this series if for nothing else but the sake of completion. Can't do it. I picked up the remote five times and set it back down before I finally turned it off during that oh so cringe worthy train car scene. The dialogue in this show is absolutely horrendous and the acting isn't much better. I've got to wonder how the writers, producers, and production crew can see it being created in real time and not come to that conclusion themselves. Zoey Merchant has to be the worst actor on television and her character is just as bad. Add to that the most unbelievably stupid dialogue and you get a part that somebody had to be snorting battery acid to think was going to work. Maya Eshet is almost as bad. Lennie James with the same worn out performance every single week. He never changes.
I can't do it anymore. I literally don't care what happens to any of these characters and at this point I'd rather wait until it's over and just take a few minutes to read about it. They should have just ended it with last season and left it at that.
Star Trek: Picard: Imposters (2023)
What an episode!
An episode for the ages. So far this season of Star Trek: Picard is as good after 5 episodes as any in Trek history. I know how bold that statement is, but I don't make it lightly. Every episode this season has been excellent and this is the best yet.
Ro Laren... How emotional was that? What a cast move. I'm purposely avoiding any spoilers or previews this season and that took me completely by surprise. I had a feeling when she appeared that there was more going on with her than appeared and toward the end we got to see the old Ro come back to life. And then it was over. That was genius and I'm so glad that Michelle agreed to do it. Nice.
The new changeling is also intriguing. It's going to be interesting to see where they go with that and how Jack ties in with it all. They also threw in some pretty good humor when Shaw started reminding Picard and Riker of the times they screwed up by referencing previous TNG. And Worf is still Worf gray stache or no. I can't quite get used to the new McFadden look, but she is still every bit Beverly Crusher. The sets and effects are the best in Trek history and that's no hyperbole.
I just can't praise this season enough, especially this episode. The story line and writing are superb. I can't wait to see what they do with this new changeling arc even though I'll be so sorry to see it end.
Tulsa King: Happy Trails (2023)
And That's A Wrap
This episode wrapped up everything way too quickly and conveniently. It was the product of the missing 10th episode. What we all thought was going to be a 10 episode season was suddenly written down to nine and everything was way too rushed. It wasn't a terrible ending, just a little out of a can.
That bar scene was so contrived it was almost comical. First of all, didn't Waltrip just say that they were stowing their bikes for the time being and everyone was to drive vehicles? Yet they roll up on Harleys with exhaust thundering so that everyone can hear them coming a mile away. Then they stupidly walk into an ambush worthy of Bart Simpson and get blown away. It didn't occur to them when they opened the door to a still open bar with cars parked outside that there was something not right when they saw no one sitting at tables or at the bar and no one tending? Nope. They walk right in to a Tulsa claymore with a trip wire of white string that you could see from across the room. And with all that gunfire back and forth all the bikers get taken out while the only one hit from the bar takes one in the arm. Nope. Not buying it.
Then after three freaking months (what took so long?) Stacy saves her job by betraying Dwight and ratting him out. Of course his daughter had to be there to watch it all go down so they could insert the 'the more things change the more they stay the same' angle.
This episode was a rushed ending to what was a great first season. Ten episodes would have been so much better. I'll tune in for season two, but this was so disappointing.
House of the Dragon: We Light the Way (2022)
Early Ratings Rule
You know something's fishy when there are 1200 ratings 10 minutes after the episode premiers and the overall rating is 9.9 yet there is not one review. 1200 people rated this episode 9.9 45 minutes before it ends yet no one can explain why. My guess is because they hadn't seen it yet. Actually, that's got to be the case because it isn't even halfway over yet. Padded ratings. You've got to love it. I keep watching this show and I ask myself "how is this rated so high when it's not even close to Game Of Thrones? The scenery is good. Rhys Ifans is excellent. The horses perform well. The story is, well, I'm sure they'll get to one eventually. But now I know why the episodes are rated so highly.
Elvis (2022)
Another woke disaster
I'm so glad I waited for this to be on HBO because if I'd have paid money for this I probably would never have gone back to the theater. This is not Elvis. This is Elvis after a disaster of a director gets hold of it and turns Elvis Presley into a disaster of a modern age caricature. Does everything have to be filtered through this woke funnel and blended on high so we can pretend that everything is better now and we just couldn't see it before? Rap? Rap in an Elvis biopic... Jebus. And I really don't know what Tom Hanks was doing in this movie either because he was a special kind of bad. Word to director: Please don't do anymore rock and roll movies. Please.
House of the Dragon: The Heirs of the Dragon (2022)
I hope it gets better
Good news for all the post-pubescent masturbators - you only have to wait 25 minutes for the first sex scene. And since it adds zero to the plot or story line it must be just for you. But if that's not enough, stick around. Later in the episode you get treated to a stop motion brothel scene. Let the bells ring out and the banners fly. And look. There's a black man in the small council so you can check that box. Add to that the fact that, except for the prostitutes, all the women are virtuous and good while almost all the men are terrible, ambition driven scum. I believe that covers all the requirements for a modern, woke production. Fanboys unite! People rating this a 10 must have already had it ready before they even watched the show.
I hope the acting and story get better because the very first scene is one of the worst acted in the entire GOT universe. The jousting scene was ok and done pretty well. The birth scene was good, if a little over the top. The CGI of the dragon scenes was bad. Really bad. Ifans and Considine were good, but Milly Alcock... oh my god she's bad and totally miscast. The wigs also look ridiculous.
I know it's only the first episode and I expect the story will get better, but I don't know how some of these people ever got past their screen test.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Devil's Due (1991)
Plato's Stepisode
It's not hard to tell where the story came from for this episode. It does have one thing going for it - the humor. For that and only that I give it 5 stars. Everything else about it is ridiculousness. Ardra's entire case (in an unintentionally comical courtroom setting) is based upon her argument that no one can prove her wrong. Nowhere in the universe does that a case make. Even though Picard never believes her he and the Enterprise almost get hoodwinked into submission by a space pirate with a record 5 miles long. I guess there's no Interpol in future space. At any rate, the entire predicament could have been ended with three simple words:
PHASER ON STUN.
The Offer (2022)
Bravissimo
When I saw that this was 10 episodes long I wasn't sure I wanted to get into it because that usually indicates drawn out story, boring, pointless middle episodes designed only to extend beyond its value as entertainment. Now I'm sure. I am so glad I didn't dismiss it due to preconceptions because this is one fantastic limited series.
First of all it's a great story and the writing is really superb. But what makes it stand out is the acting. Miles Teller., Burn Gorman, Colin Hanks, and Juno Temple are flat out excellent. And I mean award season excellent. But as good as they are in this Matthew Goode as Robert Evans and Dan Fogler as Coppolla are really the true show stoppers here. The only one who I felt wasn't as effective, which is not to say it was bad, was Giovanni Ribisi. He carried his part ok, as good you could expect, I just think it was a little bit of a miscasting. But it didn't detract from this very excellent series. I guess you know if you've just watched something really good when you're sorry it ended. I was sorry when it ended.
If you are a fan of The Godfather movies you really should check this series out. Even if you're not it is highly entertaining. It also has one of the best soundtracks I've heard.
Star Trek: Picard: Farewell (2022)
I thought it was ok
Why all the 1s man? Code Of Honor isn't rated that low and that's got to be the worst episode in the history of Star Trek. This season kind of strung out the story out a bit but this wasn't a bad episode at all. I really enjoyed it. There was a definite First Contact feel to it; especially when they were in the bar toward the end and the theme music was playing in the background. I've been watching Trek since 1966 and this was ok as far as I'm concerned. People are being way overly harsh with these ratings. To the people who rated this a 1... do you really think this is the worst episode of all Trek series' in history? Because that's basically what you're saying.
Star Trek: Picard: Monsters (2022)
Deja Vu
As soon as this episode started I looked at my wife and said, "That sounds just like Gaius Baltar". Surprise! Slick move even if it was a little disconcerting to him in a Federation uniform. Pretty good epi. A little talky at times but not too much to ruin it. As a dyed in the wool Trek fan I have to admit that I'm enjoying this show more than I thought I would.
1883: The Weep of Surrender (2022)
This was really going good
This episode had its moments, but turning it into a soap opera really dragged it down. This girl doesn't take long to get into these instant relationships does she? Not to mention that this guy is a Comanche for Pete's sake. In historical context that relationship is so far beyond ridiculous it's hard to take it seriously. On one hand you've got a very caucasian, very blonde girl with modern day values, and a dark skinned native Comanche hooking up, falling in love, and pledging their lives to each other in a matter of hours. Let's see. What does that remind me of? Woke sensibility doesn't necessarily translate to good entertainment and in this case it failed tremendously. Get back on track with what this show was supposed to be about.
Breaking the Band (2018)
This narrator sounds like an electric drill
Seriously, does this guy ever talk normally or take a breath? Man he is annoying! And hey announcer guy - the Priest album is called Unleashed IN The East not FROM the east. Decent episodes, although any fan of the bands probably already know about the issues.
West Side Story (2021)
I Was Impressed
Shout out to SS. You stuck with music. You didn't turn it into a fiasco of acceptance. You put the music front and center, and I applaud you for that. People my age have been listening to this music for a long time. Steven, you got it right and this was thoroughly enjoyable. Maybe a little too long, but the music was absolutely fantastic.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Ethics (1992)
To Be Or Not To Be... Klingon
Everyone else has covered the issues regarding right to die, experimental techniques, etc, so I'm going to cover one that no one has brought up yet. Jean Luc Picard is a complete and total hypocrite in this episode.
In an episode called Reunion just the previous season Worf acts within Klingon law and tradition by challenging and killing the murderer of his mate, K'Ehleyr. For that Picard dressed him down, lectured him about not bringing his culture onboard a Federation starship, and asked him if he wanted to resign. In this episode he does the exact opposite and actually tries to convince Riker, by trying to help him see that it is BECAUSE of tradition and belief, to participate in a Klingon ritual that would assist Worf in killing himself. That can not be rectified within the continuity of the character.
Succession: All the Bells Say (2021)
Yes folks, it's that good
Normally you have to be at least a little leery when you see ratings as high as this series is getting. I can assure you that this show is deserving of all of it. There really is not a weak aspect that you can point a finger at. All the actors, even the guest stars, are great in these roles. All of them. And for a tv show the cinematography, especially in this episode, is really something special.
Man this is one screwed up family. Every time you think they've sunk to a new low they manage to find another one. Now we have to wait to find out how this latest dumpster dive resolves itself. Unbelievable. Is there anything these guys won't do to each other?
Devs: Episode #1.1 (2020)
Pretty decent start
So far so good on the story. I've always found quantum theories and realities interesting. I can't imagine how much infrastructure would be required for a quantum computer, but the premise is worth a ponder or two. The acting was good as well. I only have one complaint after the first episode and that is...
TURN THE GD MUSIC DOWN FOR CHRIST SAKE. Whomever thought it would be a good idea to blast that annoying whateveritis at 125db should be forced to listen to it with headphones for 24 hours at Spinal Tap 11.
Unforgotten: Episode #4.6 (2021)
Brilliant
It's been a long time since an episode of television has affected me the way this one did. This series is brilliant. Truly. I started it last week and, after miraculously avoiding any spoilers, finished it last night (audible gasp included). From the writing to the acting to the direction and everything in between this is top notch.
The ending of this episode took me completely by surprise. Right up to the end I never thought that Cassie wouldn't pull through. She was such a strong character I never gave a thought to the possibility that she would die. Heart wrenching. And it was handled so well. No long, drawn out funeral scenes - and that eulogy overlay.
It'll be interesting to see how they replace her character, but I'm going to miss Cass.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
A Splendid Time Is Guaranteed For All
I had a great time watching this one. Margot Robbie is hilarious in this thing. The violence is so over the top Tarantino-ish that it's impossible to take seriously. "Let's blow this guy up so bad that parts of him end up in orbit around Alpha Centauri." Even the minor characters are funny. I wish they would have shown more of the Rat, but maybe next time. With all the characters involved it could have lost itself in trying to incorporate them all into the story but they were all served well and each of their contributions was meaningful. All in all it's a very entertaining movie that I plan to watch again in the near future.
The Curse of Oak Island (2014)
You're Going To Need A Bigger Map
Before these guys are done they're going to relocate the geographic position of the entire island. Then they'll probably start digging there too. Has it ever occurred to anyone that when they finally find the (planted) treasure this series is pretty much over? Is it still a mystery why they haven't found one yet?
To Appomattox (2015)
How in the world????
So far this non-existent production has received 156 ratings. Of those ratings 96 gave it a 10!!!!! How many accounts did this guy create? Why is it still listed?
Loki (2021)
I am loving this show
I'm not even a fan of the super hero stuff, but this is pretty good. DH is perfectly cast in this role. Disney is rocking Marvel.
Friends: The Reunion (2021)
Loved It!!
It was really great seeing them together again and there isn't enough James Corden in the world to tarnish FRIENDS as far as I'm concerned. I laughed so hard I had tears running down my knees. The bloopers were definitely the highlight but I loved every second of it.
Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)
Who What Why
Man, this film left some major questions unanswered. It's ok and I've seen worse, but I walked away not knowing why anything that happened in it... well... happened in it. There were some pretty good scenes and the acting was very good with Jolie, Bernthal, Little, and Baelish, I mean Quinn shining best. There was also some pretty bad CGI which was exposed by some of the worst editing I've seen in awhile. That had to be the most intense, fastest moving fire in the history of cinema. And none of it came together because they never explained why it was happening. You just know that the mob wanted these people dead. Why did they blow up the guy's entire family and how was he involved with all this to begin with? What did the boy's father have to do with it? How did the hit men know he was going to be coming down the road they were staking out? Did they camp out there hoping he'd go driving by some time? The only answer I can come up with is that they found out where he lived and knew he'd have to come down it sooner or later. But if that's it then why didn't they just go to his house and kill him? That's what they did with everybody else. And last but not least we've got the ridiculous scene in which two people who must have lungs the size of Jupiter hold their breath underwater while a raging forest fire blazes over and all around them until it burns out. I get the feeling that, like a lot of other movies, it ended up running too long and some scenes that may have explained things ended up on the cutting room floor. At any rate, it does not work at all in it's released form.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Cause and Effect (1992)
A good epi with one glaring oversight
This is a pretty good episode and it works despite it being about the same incident happening over and over again. Frakes' directing and a clever use of different camera angles is what makes that possible, along with good performances from the cast.
Still, there is one thing about it that I can't help thinking about every time I see it. Why did they spend the whole episode trying to prevent the collision by deciding whether to use the tractor beam or depressurize the bay? Why didn't they use both methods simultaneously? In the time they spent deciding they could have easily initiated both procedures and avoided the collision the first time. To put it in perspective, if I'm driving and I have to avoid hitting something I'm steering AND braking. I'm not wasting any time deciding which one would work.
Tucker Carlson Tonight (2016)
Fox News Version of Shock Jock Moron
Yes, if you see a child wearing a mask let's all call the police and react the same as we would if the child was being abused and assaulted. And approach adults and tell them that wearing a mask is the same thing as lighting up a cigarette on an elevator. Remind me TC, how many children do you have? I think it's safe to say that you have officially lost your mind.