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Tulsa King: Under New Management (2024)
A Phone Call.
Good scene between Thresher and Bevilaqua.
Good scene between Thresher and his ruthlessly ambitious Chinese business partner turned foe turned business owner.
Great acting in the scene in the New York clubhouse. Always that dreary clubhouse. Tulsa King Location Scouts, please find new sets for the "New York" scenes. At least, we got a "New York" bar scene last episode.
All that said, this was the worst episode of the Tulsa King series. It was amateur hour in the writing room.
Why not have Dwight place a simple phone call to Bevilaqua to simmer down a senseless Tulsa-Kansas City (KC) conflict?
Yes, an emotionally immature young member of the Tulsa Family did something dumb in the previous episode. The KC guy he took a shot at lived. Why didn't Dwight clear this up with a simple, make-it-right type of phone call?
But no, instead, the writers want to ramp up unnecessary violence and drama with Tulsa and KC when there are already wars brewing between Thresher and the Chinese crew and internal fighting in New York. If the lazy writers wanted to add Tulsa King to the mix, why not use your pen for Dwight to find and connect the dots between the Tulsa car bombing and the Chinese crew?
The Claim (2000)
The Ending Ruined What Came Before It.
I've never read the novel. I hope it was better than the film based on it.
What started off as a moving story about ruthless greed, reflection, regret and redemption that felt epic at times against the backdrop of a harsh, cruel winter, ended in the random and unnecessary meltdown of a town's "King" (played by Peter Mullan) thereby ruining his character arc, coupled with the senseless fiery destruction of the town he built. That's what he deserved after caring for his returning Wife until her last dying breath? After his daughter abandons him for a railroad engineer (Wes Bentley) she has no chemistry with, he should have just stood on a balcony in loneliness overlooking his wealth and "kingdom" he built. Credits roll on.
Speaking of the railroad, there were meetings, deaths, killings building up to a railroad project needing to come through the town of Kingdom Come just for a new town to be built that meets the needs of the project. What?
The film abandoned a well-paced good story to rush a must-punish-the-rich-man-for-his-past and the look! History repeats itself type of ending. It's banal, and not poetic. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I'll never support any projects, past, present or future, from the director or screenwriter.
The townspeople digging through the bank's ashes to get to the "king's" gold is a not-so-subtle ode to the once-young man selling his family for gold. You get it? Do you?! Ugh.
Peter Mullan is great, especially in the solemn scenes. Milla Jovovich is so beautiful and gives a standout performance. I didn't know she could sing! The remaining cast compliments them. I've never seen Julian Richings smile in Supernatural or Heartland. It was nice to see him play a happy role for once.
A Discovery of Witches: Episode #2.7 (2021)
Taming of The Matthew.
Season 2 has become about Diana taming or calming the beast within Matthew. Oh and she's a know-it-all who gets exactly what she wants when she wants it. I prefer Season 1 Diana Bishop who had obstacles and struggles and fought through them, and through pain and determination, she earned her discoveries and achievements. I do not like 1590 Bad Boy Matthew. Matthew Goode is a great actor. No actor on this planet could have nailed Watchmen's Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias. That said, his best acting was done in Season 1. I'm tired of the silly growling and Blood Rage facial veins and raging faces. Diana is allowed to vent via rowing solo, yet Matthew is not allowed to storm out of a room to simmer down. Instead, she traps him with a ring of fire, then gentles him back to Nice Matthew in a very cheesy scene. How is it that Diana is adapting to and thriving in the 1590s more than Matthew who actually lived in that period?! She just navigates through everything and negotiates with anyone to get exactly what she wants. She talks over Matthew in every situation and Queen Elizabeth in a previous episode and the Emperor in this episode just fall in love with her while loathing Matthew! Everyone who disliked and distrusted witches just magically fall in love with her in five minutes. Who knew the 1590s were so progressive! Was the anti-Christian writing in this episode necessary? Bohemia was beautiful though. And a new ruthless vampire interested in the Book of Life in the closing minutes is a sign things may get interesting in Season 2's 1590s storyline.
Perry Mason: Chapter Nine (2023)
Starring Della Street With Perry Mason.
Showrunners, please give Della Street Her own series, so I can enjoy Perry Mason. She's acts as a nagging Wife and constantly advises him or corrects him. He shares 90 percent of his screen time with Della or we see her flirting with some woman at a restaurant, which adds nothing to the central story. I don't tune in to see Della Street constantly and I say that as someone who liked this actress in The Knick.
Drake is still great. I love this actor. Please extend his storyline and scenes.
Raymond Burr's Perry Mason was a smooth, strategic and commanding lead. Matthew Rhys is an incredible actor, evidenced by The Americans. Writers, we need progress in Season 2. While he was great in Season 1, he was a stumbling and mopey drunk as Young Perry Mason, but he seemed to get cleaned up by Season's end. In Season 2's opener, he's stumbling, mopey and drunk again. It's getting old and putting me to sleep.
This episode had a fiery beginning and ended with a bang, but the middle was a snoozefest, whereas Season One's premiered mystery and investigation hooked you out the gate.
Highlander: Not to Be (1998)
When Are We?
MacLeod is still stuck in the Netherworld. While I miss the present-day, I like it here and the What If There Was No Duncan "Mac" MacLeod scenarios.
We flashback to two years ago in the Netherworld where handsome Joe Dawson has a fresh haircut and walks with a cane and he runs The Watchers. The Joe we know. Seriously, the closer the camera gets on this man's face, the more handsome he gets.
Joe comes face to face with young, misguided Immortal Ritchie, who is career criminal without Mac's guidance. He's under the dangerous influence of Immortals Methos and Kronos, half of the active Four Horseman as they terrorize the streets of Paris and send Ritchie to kill Joe. Ritchie fails his mission after a powerful, well-acted scene between Jim Byrnes and Stan Kirsch. "You can live forever or kill forever".
MacLeod reunites with Tessa who's in a loveless marriage and has no passion for sculpting. She is a Mother. What brings one happiness if given only two paths: A Mother with zero passion in your personal and professional lives or A child-free life when you yearn for children, but you spend your life madly in love with your man and your work?
I prefer bad Methos. That's where you see Peter Wingfield's true acting range. He has great presence either way. MacLeod battles him. Brief, but good fight. MacLeod has the cheat code on Methos fighting style from his present-day world. The outcome is predictable.
We're back in real time. MacLeod battles Immortal Liam O'Rourke one last time. The fight is shot too dark but the final result is electrifying. Adrian Paul shines best in physical scenes.
It's my first time watching this series and while I found the first two seasons to be superior to what came after, I enjoyed the addition of Immortal Adam Pierson/Methos in Season 4 and I'll miss the seamless meshing of past and present (it's admirable), great sword battles, the great cast and their chemistry, and the beauty of Paris that feels like a necessary and gorgeous costar.
Thank you for the beautiful montage capturing moments in time throughout the series. The tone and music was perfect.
For all of Highlander, the series, flaws, mainly in later seasons, I miss the adventures already.
Highlander: To Be (1998)
It's a Miserable Life.
Episode Writer David Tynan is clearly a fan of It's A Wonderful Life. So am I. I love that the miserable/if George Bailey had never been born part was the shortest part of the film and most of the film is about strengthening one's belief in the power of love and the gift of life and George Bailey, a man richest in all the ways that matter the most - decency, kindness and integrity.
Here, in Highlander's series penultimate episode, we spend more time on the miserable side of things. Electricity and a train ride transports a bullets-riddled Duncan to some in-between or netherworld. Is he temporarily dead somehow or dreaming? Guardian Angel Fritzcarin shows Duncan what would have become of Amanda (ugh), Joe Dawson, and Horton if he never existed in their lives.
Amanda proves that if you'll lie, you'll cheat, and if you'll cheat, you'll steal and if you'll steal, you'll kill. Hopeful, determined Joe is now a hopeless, broken-down man in a wheelchair and Horton terrorizes the streets of Paris unchecked and of course we have the Watchers. We Highlander fans can't escape them in the present, past, future or in parallel worlds. The overall episode is solid with a few issues here and there. It's worth one viewing.
The Listener: The Illustrated Woman (2013)
The Best Non-Season 1 Episode.
As if a victim's body art wasn't enough to illustrate pain, loss and regret, this episode's mystery, investigation, and dark history behind the friendships, intimate relationships and business partnerships of the unknown tattooed woman all draw you, strangle you and just when you think you can finally exhale, Toby makes a big confession to his new girlfriend, who he cannot read due to her unusual neurological wiring (all the more fascinating), about who he is and what he does evidenced by his immediate actions with haunting and angelic background music that spells either hope or doom, which all makes for a suspenseful-thrill I did not want to end.
The Twilight Zone: The Toys of Caliban (1986)
Richard Mulligan Shines. Story Satisfies Until The Ending Aligns.
Outside of Game of Thrones and Nightflyers, I've never seen any George R. R. Martin-penned projects, so combined with the premise, I looked forward to this. It mostly didn't disappoint.
The casting crew did a bad job with Toby. The actor's too old and lacks the acting chops to make you sympathize with him. Was he supposed to look or be 20? The script implies otherwise.
The tone and flow is an uncomfortable and sickening watch in parts, which was unexpected and good writing. It slowly builds then hooks you and who held your breath wondering what new horror would unfold.
Richard Mulligan is great and the highlight of this episode! He balances the anguish and natural, protective, unconditional love for his son who is an uncontrollable monster. Although, the episode wants who to think the pushy, but caring Child Protective Services worker is the villain because she's logical.
Why couldn't Toby's Dad command him to will millions of dollars into existence so they could move to isolated land free from people and pictures of people, places and things?
And lastly, the predictable nihilistic ending. Why is Hollywood so obsessed with death? George R. R. Martin couldn't use his big, expansive brain for an interesting ending? At least, Richard Mulligan's acceptance and hopelessness was brilliantly acted in the final seconds.
Wildfire: Impressions (2005)
The Vanishing Grandpa.
Where is Grandpa Henry (Dennis Weaver)? There is no way Henry would be missing in action when Todd is injured in the hospital. There's just no way.
Since Episode 1, Todd has been Grandpa's Henry's sidekick and his mini-me when it comes to all things horses and horseracing, which reminds me that they were missing from Wildfire's big, first (and winning!) race a few episodes back. The script mentions they were attending a plane show, no less!
They both prepared Wildfire for the race, figured out why he was apprehensive at the starting gate just to miss the race for an airplane or helicopter event?! That makes no sense.
Dennis Weaver passed away from prostate cancer in early 2006, so maybe he was too sick to shoot some days. The writers should have done a better job explaining his absences. He gives Matt some straightening about his gambling addiction and then just disappears for the last few episodes of Season 1 without a mention.
The Twilight Zone: Long Live Walter Jameson (1960)
Prince of the Universe.
Gregory Widen's inspiration? Minus the Immortal battles, beheadings and absorption energy/power/life.
Charles Beaumont's pen can do no wrong, mostly. It leaned more into nihilism than the wonders of all world through the centuries for a life lived 2,000 years. Did an uncredited Rod Serling's pen contribute the nihilism?
Great dialogue about mortality, a believable backstory for Professor Jameson's immortality and excellently and intensely acted by Kevin McCarthy.
Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. Great special effects for rapid aging for 1960 and now!
The ending, while was anticlimactic for an intriguing and fascinating story, didn't ruin it.
Highlander: Forgive Us Our Trespasses (1997)
Because I Don't Want It.
Duncan does his best Jon Snow impression before there was a TV-series Jon Snow. Post-Season 5 "I dun wan it" Jon Snow.
Immortal Steven Keane is seeking revenge for some English bloodshed in about 1745 during flashbacks within older flashbacks about Scottish-English wars. Duncan is self-loathing and self-righteous, and doesn't want to save himself and he doesn't want Amanda or Methos to save him or fight his battles either. More on Amanda in a second.
Duncan is on a determined death wish. I'm all for it. My favorites Joe Dawson and Methos can carry the series.
Amanda puts Duncan's life in jeopardy, as she allows herself, through a dumb impulsive act, to get used by Keane to track and bait Duncan.
The moment I saw Amanda in the opening scene, I was going to delete my DVR recording. During my current first-time run-through of this series, I've learned to avoid all Amanda episodes. However, Peter Wingfield (Methos) name on the credits made me watch.
Methos fighting scene was worth a view and I learned he is a skilled, strategic and lightning-fast swordsman!!! His dialogue about men having two sides to them, including murder and forgiveness was great. Only he could deliver that with such empathy based on his own past lifetimes.
Nothing else was worth watching and you can skip this one.
Moonlighting: Moonlighting (Pilot) (1985)
Music Soothes. Premise Works. Banter Irritates.
Why was this a movie-length pilot? Why was the dialogue and acting so loud and over-the-top? Why the death-defying ladder stunt? Was the banter supposed to be the timely, killer chemistry Nick and Nora type? If yes, big fail. I don't like wise-cracking, fast, nonstop talking Bruce Willis. I like cool, collected, hard-edged Sincity Bruce Willis. At least, he had charm and presence in this pilot episode. Cybill Shepherd is equal parts pretty and irritation, actually more portion of irritation. The musical score is smooth and captures the mood of what should be mystery, detecting, deducing and some romantic tension. The premise and investigation worked in the first half, then got too predictable and slap-stick in the second half. The elevator chase/peek-a-boo scene in the first half was good. And who could have guessed an older man with a thick German accent looking for a cheap-looking watch with numbers etched inside would become a storyline about the 1930's German Socialist Party and stolen or hidden jewels corresponding to said numbers?
Providence: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (2001)
Sydney's Never Hit A Bump?!
Joanie struggles with bouncing back after her miscarriage, so she attends counseling, as recommended by her big sister Sydney "Syd", and she tells her therapist how she feels like she's always a disaster, while Syd is always perfect and has never hit a "bump" in her life. Excuse me! Didn't Syd just suffer brain swelling and end up in a coma and go through physically and emotionally draining rehab and recovery, then a car accident due to loss of reality, perception and consciousness due to her brain injury and then face shaking hands and fears of never being able to perform surgeries or practice medicine again and then had to fight to get her clinic back due to her temporary replacement (during her recovery) trying to permanently replace her until she exposed him as a fraud. And then she connected with and fell for her physical therapist just for it to end in disappointment and disloyalty. Syd's personal and professional journey back to self were my favorite episodes of the season! They were inspiring. She definitely hit road bumps, humps, and roadblocks! New show writers? Lazy writers? Amnesiac writers?
Treacherous Beauties (1994)
Revenge, Cut The Check.
Big fish eat little fish. That applies to fashion, music and movies. Big producers will steal (they'll say borrow or inspired by or say nothing) from smaller projects because the general consumer of big-budget movies or TV shows most likely haven't seen the lesser-known made-for-TV movies or TV series. ABC's Revenge "creators" stole the premise of this movie: A pretty woman moves to a new town under a different identity with deceptive motives to seek revenge on a prestigious wealthy family who are behind the suspicious death of her relative. She lives in a vacation home across the valley from their lavish mansion, and romantically moves in on the son/heir. She befriends an employee of said family - a pretty Black girl who looks like a Supermodel - who gives her the dirt on the family. She also has one man who discovers her true identity and becomes an ally. Come on! That's the premise of Revenge! Revenge just streamlined and glamorized their TV series and stacked it with talented actors and had a superior script. As for Treacherous Beauties, there was one treacherous beauty and the twists and turns to get there weren't good. The first half started off surprisingly good and tense, but the second half turned into a nonsensical soap opera. A shirtless love interest, sex scenes and nudity cannot hide bad writing. The antagonist was gifted an adorable foal, but what became of her nephew. Did she adopt him? Did his now-widowed Stepdad adopt him? Is he an orphan (hopefully not!)? Why did the leading lady always have her shoulder bare when her unique hereditary could reveal her true identity? Again, her mission was justice for her brother, yet a baby revealed to be his son and her nephew is an afterthought?!
Highlander: They Also Serve (1995)
More 2024, Then 1995.
I've seen the first Highlander movie starring Christopher Lambert. Enjoyed it. This is my first time watching the TV-series adaptation and I've mostly enjoyed it until this episode. I kept looking at the episode date because it feels like a 2024 episode of television and had all the things I try to avoid in movies and TV shows written in the about the last six years. Please tell me an entertaining story. Don't feed me your agenda. Duncan is trained by an abrasive female Immortal in 1700s Mongolia. Why do writers force in their worldviews or desires in periods where they did not exist? Said trainer knees Duncan in his family jewels that creates pleasure and life. Why? She says to show him men's strength is also their weakness. What?! Barry Pepper plays basically the Norman Bates of Immortals and has an angry female Watcher who mentors, slaps and berates him. Duncan is mopey throughout the episode. The flashbacks have assisted suicide and more mopey Duncan and anti-Western world sentiments. I could have (and should have) skipped this episode and would have missed nothing important. At least, location after location is beautiful and Jim Byrnes turns in his best performance of the series so far as Dawson as he is torn between his loyalty to and friendship with Duncan and his oath to The Watchers.
The Gentlemen (2024)
The Apprentice.
The Protégé. The Fixer, Kind of. But he's not The Gentleman running anything or calling the shots. I enjoyed the movie of the same name and I enjoyed the first two episodes penned by Guy Ritchie. Thereafter, the not Guy Ritchie-written episodes fell off a cliff. I love Theo James. Hollywood still has not utilized him properly. He'd make a perfect Bond. James Bond. Here, he's a Duke for Hire and does whatever tasks assigned to him from The Weed Boss Lady (played by an actress who's name is impossible to spell). She was great in a series called Spinning and she's good here. I just don't like the work dynamics going on here. What is The Duke's standalone storyline? His entire character arc runs through the Weed Boss Lady. She's basically his mentor. Why would she send The Duke off on a low-level job to steal a car from a dangerous enterprise? Why would she risk his life or clean record or good standing when she operates a lucrative weed business out of his mansion? Why is The Duke's big Brother still around past Episode 2 or 3 at best? The actor's fine in the role, but he has nothing to do, which means he's not needed. The weed farm guy with the off accent is too high out of his mind to be put in control of a lucrative weed farm 24-7. Where's the muscle? Why wouldn't his boss, The Weed Boss Lady, track him or his phone to catch the pretty crook who stole his van with the big weed delivery? Who would trust an out of his mind weed head with such a delivery in the first place? Why does the show keep having The Duke clean up one mess, just to create a bigger mess? It's repetitive and predictable. All of the eccentric personalities and over-the-top scenarios could not distract me from the bad writing and redundancy. Not even Vinnie Jones, Theo James, and criminally underused Giancarlo Esposito and Ray Winstone could hook me past Episode 4. I've never met a Guy Ritchie project I didn't find interesting and entertaining. He may be an executive producer, but outside of the first two episodes he wrote, this doesn't feel like Guy Ritchie. It's trying too hard to be shocking and cool. Guy Ritchie projects don't try. They are.
The Listener: Reckoning (2011)
I Can Believe The Unbelievable, not The Impossible.
Even in a fantasy crime-drama, you must have rules, and the writers must write within those rules. You can't just throw nonsense the viewer's way because Toby needs a pretty redhead to get busy in bed with who has powers like him and even stronger (we'll get to that in a minute) and those said powers led to her sacrificing herself thereby predictably making Toby realize he must continue to use his abilities to help others, despite harming his own health. In Season One, this show used to have an advisor, confidant and psychiatrist (played by always great Colm Feore) for Toby, who guided him. Did the the wise doctor retire? His wisdom would have guided an uncertain Toby to the path of sacrifice for others, instead of some random girl with telepathic abilities who can also transfer or plant ideas in others human beings heads who have a guilty conscience. She does this without speaking to you by the way! Her family was murdered when she was eight. She was in a coma for a year after being shot. She's in her 20s now. Why revenge now? Toby inherited his abilities from his Mom, as Season One alludes. Toby assumes His Girl Friday got her mental powers while in a coma. Ok? But how is she transferring or planting ideas in others' heads. One minute, IIB supercop Michelle is interrogating the girl with the super mental powers, the next she's releasing her with no memory of why and how! The episode never explains how this is happening! It's one thing for someone to have special powers. But how are they just randomly transferring ideas into someone else's head to off themselves, essentially mind control. It's not hypnosis and she doesn't even speak to them! This episode was the worst episode of the series. Things were just happening without any rhyme or reason. Maybe instead of focusing on Michelle's boring divorce dilemma, the episode should have focused on what could have been a great episode if the writers just took the time to explain the new fascinating special powers of a newcomer, who's now a goner. Please don't do this in Season 3!
Supernatural: Nihilism (2019)
Jensen Ackles Hour. And Thank you.
Jensen Ackles was brilliant in balancing between Dean and Archangel Michael. Attire aside, his facial expressions alone differentiate between whom is whom. He captured every mannerism and reactions to actions. It's Ackles finest hour since a season or two ago when he told his Mom, who was locked in or stuck in a dream, that he hates her (and loves her) because he was forced to be both Mom and Dad to baby Sam because of decisions she made.
The loop (lucid dream?) was incredible and reminded me of one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes where Dennis Weaver relives the same day of being found guilty and sentenced to death, but each day has different variations, minimal but noticeable. Here, Dean is trapped in a loop and Sam's realization that contentment is what will break Dean, not trauma because Dean thrives on trauma is some of the most profound and intelligent writing in this series.
The ending is perfect and reflective acting from Jensen Ackles. The final scene is unpredictable and leaves the door open to sinister and mysterious possibilities for an otherwise weak Season 14.
Side note: Jack's grace/powers are restored. Finally. Welcome Back Jack. What an exciting addition to the episode.
Criminal Law (1988)
Two Great Actors in a Movie Without Restraint.
Gary Oldman is in top form as an attorney obsessed with winning, but toes the unethical line after doing his job too good and regrettably getting his rich arrogant client, played by a sexy slithering Kevin Bacon, acquitted for a sexual violation and murder, who's later revealed to be a prolife serial killer toying with said attorney, which sends his attorney over the edge. From this movie to another movie where he terrorizes a Wife (played by Charlize Theron) and her family to Hollow Man to City on a Hill, Bacon always nails the charming creep role! If you split Criminal Law into three acts: Beginning, middle and end, the first two acts work while the final act spirals out of control and ruined any rewatch value. Bacon's character for example is smooth, methodical and confident his riches will always bail him out of anything. Then, suddenly he's erratic and going off the rails in the final act and I hated the cliche ending. The blonde love interest for Oldman's attorney character added nothing for me except one rough, passionate sex scene that illustrated Oldman's increasingly maddening state of mind. Well played and acted by both actors. Despite Criminal Law's shortcomings, you can't tell me The Lincoln Lawyer author and screenwriter didn't draw from this movie as its premise and just tweaked it. I bet The Devil's Advocate took some "inspiration" too when it comes to blurred morals of thoroughly representing an obviously guilty monster to score a win. And yes, I do believe in innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and everyone deserving legal representation, which reminds me there's some quick great dialogue in this movie about the defense attorney's role, ethics and justice.
All Creatures Great & Small: Broodiness (2023)
What Did I Just See???
Did I just see a little boy coldcock James, a grown man?! Why didn't James chase him down? We now have James' Wife Helen mocking him in front of his boss Siegfried for getting "thumped" by said little boy. Speaking of Helen, she continues to be a busy body know-it-all from Season 3 on. She retired from her family's farm or did I miss something? Siegfried has become a goofy grump and stopped smoking his pipe and tells his clients to do the same because the writers want to insert a modern-day No Smoking message in a 1940s rural Yorkshire village where it doesn't belong. Housekeeper Audrey continues to be sad, so very sad. After a somber, unimpressive Season 3, I feared the show I loved in Seasons 1 and 2 left on that train with Tristan. I'm out.
The Tomorrow People: Kill or Be Killed (2013)
Nearly Perfect. Thrilling Episode. Satisfying Surprises.
No Astrid. No irritation for me. She acts like Stephen's disapproving, overbearing Wife, despite not being his Wife or even his girlfriend. She makes everything about her. His Mother doesn't even hassle him like that. His Mother is pretty cool and laidback considering the bad hand she's been dealt. More Astrid-free episodes please! In this Kill or Be Killed titled episode, deadly secrets, unique powers, alliances and betrayals are revealed and John's (Luke Mitchell) background hides darkness that shaped the efficient, measured and great leader he is today. It also confirms Luke Mitchell's commanding presence over the series lead Robbie Amell's Stephen. Luke Mitchell owns every scene here. You cannot take your eyes off him, even in the subtle, reserved moments. It's impossible for Mark Pellegrino to disappoint in any role. He's a warped, ruthless man and I look forward to knowing his true motives and the lengths he'll go to achieve his ambitions. The pacing, tone, locations, intrigue and storytelling were at its best in this episode. Hopefully, it will continue.
True Detective: Night Country: Part 1 (2024)
The Thing? 30 Days of Night? I'll Never Know.
13 minutes in and the opening credits are hauntingly good, while the CGI reindeers are awfully bad. Horror happenings at an arctic research facility immediately grabs you. We're off to a good start. I like it here. Then, here comes the "climate change" talk and then every male character is talked down to by their female counterparts, and then one police officer guy cannot even figure out how to shut down a loud television. No man is worth respecting. I exited. If the writer doesn't think her male characters are worth respecting or remembering, why should I care. Too bad I never got to see Christopher Eccleston. I watched and loved Seasons One through Three in real time, One and Three being my favorites. Nothing can top Season One and the mesmerizing performances of McConaughey and Harrelson, a gothic tale so ugly its gorgeous and the unforgettable one running tracking shot through the trap houses. However, I gave every season thereafter a try and didn't regret it until Season Four.
The Passenger (2023)
Violent and Inspiring.
A young man, who's not living, but merely existing, has his life changed or awaken by a deranged and violent coworker one workday. A shocking incident sends both men on an unpredictable, violent and ultimately inspirational journey to self-discovery for one man and a doomed ending for the other man. Oddly, the deranged violent coworker, played masterfully by the always versatile and great Kyle Gallner, is an effective life coach to his timid coworker. Sure his methods are unorthodox and psychotic, but he gets the job done. Gallner is a perfect balance of uneasy calmness and explosive rage, and his final scene saying what he wanted to be as a child was sadly and beautifully acted. If a critically-acclaimed studio produced this movie or it pushed a certain political agenda, he would have been nominated for the "big" primetime award. Mostly everything behind and in front of the camera works, but something was missing. I don't know if it's in the drawn-out mall scene, but something's missing. I appreciate the ambiguous writing behind what happened to Benson (Gallner) as a child. His emotions when running into his past was enough. A good movie that takes you on a thrill ride, simmers some, thrills a little more, and then it just ends.
Air Patrol (1962)
An Air, Land and Water Beauty.
The sun glare from the aerial surveillance and simultaneous heated pursuit on the ground made for a visually stark and tense chase from street to dam! The premise is nothing groundbreaking, but it stands out in some ways. The Jigsaw-like disguised voice making ransom demands was unexpected and creepy. A satisfying creepy. The landscape from the performance stage and maze-style seating to the chase through the narrow watery dam and the inner workings of the dam looked like something out of an early Kubrick or Carol Reed. Architecturally gritty and gorgeous at the same damn time. The movie could have avoided the dull love story between the cop-hater cutie and the uh cop. The movie should have avoided the cliche bad guy gets fatally shot in the final minutes. He was cornered. Did the cop need to shoot him dead? He wasn't a serial killer, child predator or menace to society. Just arrest him.
Undertow (2004)
Not A True Story. All Alleged, Allegedly.
After the closing credits, I read an old interview with the filmmaker, who revealed this is based on a runaway hotline call. He didn't hear the call firsthand. It's alleged and he built a story of perceptions and interpretations on the alleged call! I didn't come into this movie expecting a true story. However, the opening credits told me it's based on real people and events. It is not. I resent being lied to and will avoid projects from the screenwriter moving forward. A fictional story can be compelling without being falsely based on a true story. I tried this movie for its cast of Jaime Bell, Josh Lucas and Dermot Mulroney and they do not disappoint in their respective roles, especially Josh Lucas. It is a tale of two brothers destroyed by past resentments and present greed. There's also a second tale about two other brothers turned runaways, stowaways and survivalists. Their resourcefulness was impressive and their dedication to each other admirable. One brother suffers from Pica but I'm not sure if that was a known disorder in whatever time this movie takes place. The movie also does The Drive thing where money is discarded as a morality lesson. News Flash: People, especially poor, hungry ones, don't leave money behind to send the bad guy a message. Some random girl is thrown into the mix to give Jaime Bell's character an unnecessary love connection. His previous love story with Kristen Stewart's character went nowhere and the last time she could act was in Speak. A love story doesn't fit into everything. There was a well-written, well placed dreamlike dialogue about a Sea King and doomed gold coins delivered beautifully by Mulroney. As usual, Hollywood depicts rural Southerners as brainless unwashed caricatures desperately in need of dental care. Their pure contempt for anyone outside of California and New York is insulting. I wanted to love this movie. The writer wouldn't let me.