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Reviews
The Acolyte: Night (2024)
The real reason this episode wasn't bad: Christopher Clark Cowan
Everyone is giving props to Leslie & Disney for this episode. If you knew anything about how action movies are made these days, you'd know that all action is subcontracted through specialists. So Leslie Headland has no say in the action choreography. Disney was smart to hire Christopher Clark Cowan to be the action director / designer. And because this whole episode was basically light saber and hand to hand fighting, it basically meant he directed the whole thing. And everything he did was great.
But Leslie's horrible leadership still bleeds through. The entire episode was filmed on this horrible jungle set, never truly looking like a real exterior. The dialogue was still cheap and corny, the twists were still predictable. Get a real director and pair them with Christopher Clark Cowan and we'll finally have something great.
The Acolyte (2024)
Just hire someone who actually likes Star Wars
Judging by the 4 directors, it honestly seems like this was Disney trying to meet an inner company quota on hiring women & people of color. The creators being women and people of color is NOT why it's bad. But it shows Disney cares more about patting themselves on the back than creating something Star Wars fans love. Because those who were hired are famous for such hits as Russian Doll. Directing episodes of S. W. A. T and other procedural shows. Not a single director who has done anything close to this scale. Nobody with a vision.
People love Andor because Disney hired someone who's made huge films in this genre for decades and he had a vision. And it shows. Or when they hired Jon Favreau to do the Mandalorian. This show feels like it was made by people who never liked Star Wars. Just like Kenobi, just like Boba Fett.
All Disney has to do is call up any director who knows what they're doing and ask if they have an idea. I know for a fact I could do a better job than Kathleen Kennedy. And you, person reading this, probably could too.
Invincible: I Thought You Were Stronger (2024)
I love the show still. But it was nowhere close to last seasons finale
This didnt feel like a season finale. They didnt build up to this. The main villain was from the beginning of the season who even Mark forgot. They only brought in Nolan in the mid finale and actual finale but he might as well not been in this episode.
If I knew another season was coming in 6-9 months I wouldn't be as upset. But the fact you have to wait 3 years for 4 episodes, and then another few months for 4 more... it's extremely frustrating for I show I absolutely love.
I didn't feel much of a connection to Mark over his guilt because he really did have to kill Angstrom. Even if it was gruesome. That doesn't make him his father. Nolan never had guilt, and he killed the innocent.
Still very much a huge fan. But if we have to wait 2 years for another episode it would be very upsetting.
Amazing work by the voice actors, writers and animators.
3 Body Problem (2024)
The worst Score I've ever heard
Imagine spending hundreds of millions of dollars and man hours to adapt a world wide best selling book. And then treating the music and score as an afterthought. The "theme" that plays in the opening and in every episode sounds like the composer forgot to write the score and had AI do it the night before.
Do you realize how many composers would KILL to write music for an end of the world, science heavy sci fi show? The possibilities are endless. The theme should be haunting, yet captivating. And it bored me to tears everytime.
Also the plot holes are endless and so easy to point out. Especially with the Wallfacer program.
1.) If you're trying to keep your plan of world planetary defense secret, maybe DONT announce to the entire world who the 3 people chosen are
2.) We've already seen.the Sofons are capable of entering your mind and placing images in your head. It would be so incredibly easy to kill people at will. Saul could have a million soldiers protecting him, what could they do to stop an invisible force capable of getting in your mind?
3.) If the aliens want to kill humanity, they could literally do it with the Sofons. Literally kill all power to the world. All communication. That'll kill half of us in 5 years. Then release every poison gas to kill the rest. There's a million ways they could do it
4.) Why was Eliza Gonzalez's character so bent out of shape over destroying that boat? Those people literally want to bring about the extinction of the human race. And are responsible for bringing them here in the first place. Surely she is smart enough to know 6 billion is greater than 100.
They never gave proper motivation to why the "Judgment day" people wanted the San-Ti's to come. They're aware they would likely wipe us out. Constantly saying "They will save us from ourselves" makes no sense. What does that mean?
Masters of the Air (2024)
Same war fought as Band of Brothers. But night and day experiences.
In Band of Brothers you are taken inside the POV of army paratroopers who jump in behind enemy lines. Sleep outside on low rations. Sleep in the cold without proper winter clothes. Come face to face with the enemy and often watch your friends get killed 2 feet from you.
In Masters of Air it couldn't be any different. You sleep in the same nice cozy base every night. With proper food, amenities, local bars you can visit. You take off and never touch base on land, never see the enemy face to face, never see who your bombs kill.
Yet these are all suicide runs done during the day. To make it even 10 flights would count you in the minority. And to make it 20+ flights you'd be rewarded with a party.
Both would cause trauma that would result in PTSD for life. But Its amazing to think about the differences these two different branches of soldiers dealt with.
Ahsoka: Part Six: Far, Far Away (2023)
Sadly for the show, the least interesting part of Ahsoka is.. Ahsoka
I never watched the animated shows. Clone Wars or Rebels. So I have no attachment to any of the characters. The biggest complaint most people have brought up is not knowing any of the characters or plot lines they throw you into.
But to me, my biggest complaint is the lead character being so incredibly boring. This is of no fault to Rosario Dawson. She is doing what is on the page. But she shows no emotion, she moves and talks very slow. She is a Jedi so she seemingly has no base desires or interests other than "the greater good". And even when she is fighting she moves very slow.
I was wondering why this episode seemed so much more interesting than the previous ones and it's due to it having the least amount of Ahsoka. Sabine has her own writing problems, but at least I understand her motivations. Ray Stevenson continues to steal every scene he's in. And the actor who plays Thrawn has me excited as well.
Extraction 2 (2023)
Sam Hargrave is no Chad Stalheski
The success of John Wick has created a search for the next stunt coordinator turned director. But Chad proved that he is capable of so much more than just action. The John Wick films are shot so purposefully, with amazing color pallets and art direction. The world it inhabits is original and the characters interesting.
Sam Hargrave has proved that he is simply just a stunt coordinator. He needs to buy a tripod and learn that hand held does not equal intensity.
Single shot "oners" used to be such a flex 15 years ago. But there's little that's impressive about a 20 minute sequence with 300 obvious cuts.
I feel nothing for Chris Hensworth character, I feel the same for him as I do the main character of a Call of Duty game.
Black Mirror: Beyond the Sea (2023)
One of the darkest episodes I've ever watched
And not in a good way. Obviously this is an extremely creative set up. But as a parent, this puts me through the worst possible situation imaginable. Twice. At no point did I enjoy watching this episode, it was almost traumatic. But I needed to see how it ended. I very early on believed it was going to end a certain way, and it began to look that way. But they had a little twist at the end that actually made it far worse.
I always loved early black mirror that gave you a hollow feeling after watching, but it was usually more exciting to watch it unfold. Like a mystery, a thriller. This punches you in the gut in the beginning, then drags you across the floor for an hour, then shoots you in the head.
Three Pines: The Murder Stone - Part 2 (2022)
Quality that's rarely ever reached in the detective genre
Truly brilliant writing to release the show in 2 part mini mysteries. While having a long form investigation as the back bone. Every character is fleshed out with such depth. Each one with separate character flaws and motivations. Our 3 main detectives all brilliantly written and even more expertly acted. Alfred Molina must be drinking from the fountain of youth to look as good as he does at 70.
This show is a breath of fresh air in a genre that's become so lazy over the years. I did not expect a "murder on the orient express / Knives out" style mini plot line but did it deliver. Each one of these 2 parters might be stretched into their own individual seasons. But to compact them so perfectly into 2 episodes was a genius move.
Very impressed and excited for next week. I'm not sure how these detectives will be able to go against their own police force to prove Kevin's innocence.
The Umbrella Academy: Oblivion (2022)
Enjoyed first half of the season, but lazy ending
Show has incredible characters you enjoy watching. Some more than others. But the last few episodes dragged severely. They wrote themselves into a hole you never believed they wouldn't overcome. And the way they did it didn't answer anything, made zero sense and wasn't satisfying in the least.
So You Think You Can Dance: Episode #17.2 (2022)
Why did I watch another episode
"Dancing can be anything". Said the judges too afraid to tell the large body, short short heels wearing gay white guy from Indiana just how terrible he was.
But had the gall to say NO to the 7th grade teacher who did crunk great. What are we doing here? Please remove Jojo for literally anybody else. An empty chair would be better.
Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)
Heartbreakingly bad
This is the one Star Wars story every fan asked Disney to make a show about. And they put such little effort into it. It's shot with no spirit, the acting and dialogue is laughable. And the chase scene with little Leia was laughable.
So You Think You Can Dance: Dance Is Back! Auditions Show 1 (2022)
Jojo single handedly ruins this show.
Remove her. I can take a lot of pain but I had to fast forward every time she talked. And why is she the main judge? How are we supposed to respect the judging process with a child up there screaming during every audition.
Survivor: One Thing Left to Do... Win (2021)
Just really confused..
I suffered through all of the forced PC all year. Even when the season started off with claiming the word "guys" needed to be removed from the show. And a group of 4 black people thinking that voting people off because they weren't black was somehow a win for the "movement back home".
But when the votes were about to be read I was expecting 5 Xander votes and maybe 3 Erika. But Xander didn't get a single one? How many other players held an idle that everyone knew about for the whole game. Or built relationships with everyone. Either they didn't show us something pivotal from Erikas game or the jury literally voted for her because she's a woman of color and Xander was a straight white male. I hate to say that but even Deshaun, who played one of the most embarrassing games in recent memory, got a vote. Something smells weird.
Survivor: A New Era (2021)
So does this generation believe...
That for 40 seasons, when Jeff says "come on in guys", he is only referring to the men? And that the women are disobeying his order? This is idiotic. "Guys" has been a gender neutral term for far longer than Jeff has been using it. And it's been morphed to refer to any group of people. It takes a generation of people dissecting every fiber of daily life to eventually find a problem with a word so benign, that nobody would have even said anything had Jeff not mentioned it. When a show has to come to a halt to discuss the merits of the word "guys" it makes it seem like there's no other injustices left to fight.
Malignant (2021)
The most fun I've had watching a movie this year
DONT LET THIS MOVIE BE SPOILED FOR YOU! But this movie is absolutely hilarious and I'm gonna rewatch it again.
American Horror Story: Gaslight (2021)
I had to resist the urge to turn it off
This was the most upsetting episode of the series IMO. To see what was done to Doris and her child nearly broke me. I'm a husband and a father to a toddler and I felt overwhelming empathy for Doris. Her husband stripped away, her daughter wanting her dead, fearing her own family would eat her new baby and to top it all off, her own dreams crushed as she's proven to be untalented. Forced into a monster by her own daughter. This episode will haunt me for a long time. Lilly Rabes acting is what made everything work.
Mare of Easttown (2021)
Very difficult watch. A warning to sensitive parents
Ever since I became a father 2 years ago, movies and TV shows Involving young kids affect me far more. And simply seeing toddlers in situations with terrible parents or terrible households is enough to work me over. So if you have a hard time with that too, I'd watch something else.
This show is as grounded as I've seen in a while. The writing is incredible and my heart was pounding. Finished the second episode and it's obvious it's going to be an incredible story.
Safe (2018)
Amazing mystery that makes you question every person in town
If you are looking for a murder mystery that isn't slow, that's well written and leaves you with a truly satisfying ending. Then watch this.
Q: Into the Storm (2021)
Lot of good content, somewhat poor judgement.
I came in pretty much blind to the details of Qanon. The first episode was quite interesting as they delved into the "Qtubers" and Q's rise to fame. But based on the impossible to get through second episode, it seems as if the director/editors were unsure what type of narrative to spin.
Feels like a flat earth type of documentary that aims to make the viewer think of these people as the lowest common denominator. Especially with how they twisted gamergate.
The second episode is basically entirely about the creators and owners of 8chan. And this Jim character is the least entertaining character I've ever had to watch. I'm sure he seemed interesting in person, but it has nothing to do with why anyone would watch a documentary on Q.
While I don't believe in the Qanon movement, I think alienating the hundreds of thousands of those who do has proven to only strengthen their beliefs. And purposefully magnifying their blind spots while glossing over what they might find important will only increase their belief that the system is against them because they are into something.
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Disney is afraid to have villains anymore
Frozen 2 had no villains, just 2 groups that bonded in the end. Moana had no Villain, the lava monster was actually the mother island the whole time, it was Maui's greed that turned her. And Maui found redemption as well. And now Raya. You have a clan of people that selfishly backstab Raya and her father which results in the world ending. And yet they get redemption too?
I'm getting really tired of Disney being afraid to have true villains anymore. It feels very preachy that all of their films have a similar climax in that the villain the whole time was human greed, or not trusting one another.
Because as a viewer, it's very unsatisfying.
Animation and art direction was brilliant. The set pieces of the 5 different lands was breathtaking. But the writing left a lot to be desired.
Skjelvet (2018)
Some scenes were so bad I was offended..
90 minute movie. Earthquake hits around the hour mark. Not much happens up to it other than Kristians PTSD. Now the earthquake is coming. Kristian goes to top floor. Take elevator down (what?) Earthquake hits. Him and wife get stuck scaling the elevator shaft. Wife ends up dangling on an elevator cable. We know what's happening. She is saying her goodbyes. I was already confused why they would kill her off anyway? How does that strengthen the plot or character development in any way? It's not like the stakes havent already been raised and not like Kristian hasn't already suffered traumatic loss. But all of a sudden, she finds strength! She climbs up just enough to finally grab ahold of Kristian! Only for the elevator to break free as we see her descend into nothing as she screams to her death. The mother who's done nothing wrong. Who's been loving and patient towards Kristians PTSD. I could not believe they would play off audiences pre-notions twice as a middle finger to the audience.
Then we watch Kristian throw himself down the falling top floor to save his daughter. Which ended up doing nothing at all. Notice a trend here? Daughter slowly breaking glass. Kristian makes his way to her. And swings her to the other woman who grabs her. And they sit there with a sigh of relief. Finally resting. Umm. What? Are you not hanging off the top floor which is dangling by a couple of cables? The threat is far from over. How will you make it back to the bar? How will you make it down the crumbled staircase? How will y... aaaaaand they're fine. They skip all of that. They made it out okay I guess? The tension wasn't him finding his daughter. It was him saving her. Remember his wife's last words? Save Julia. But we don't see that.
List of Kristians failures in this film. Our "Protaganist".
-Fails to predict quake more than a few mins before.
-fails to convince quake experts that quake is coming.
-fails to convince quake experts to sound alarm
-fails to warm his son about earthquake.
-fails to call in false bomb threat to evacuate his class
-fails to keep Julia in car
-fails to take stairs during earthquake (twice)
-fails to see Julia I time before elevator descends.
-fails to protect his wife from initial quake debris
-fails to warn wife in time before her leg is sawed up
-fails to catch his wife when she swings to him
-fails to lift up wife when he has her. She dies
-fails to jump after daughter as she's sliding down. He pushes her back up only for her to fall off the end
What a terrible protagonist. Why is he our main character?
The Outsider: Must/Can't (2020)
Should have been 8 episodes
Sadly, an underwhelming climax to a show with such an incredible start. My wife and I looked forward to Sunday every week and many times during the ladder half of the season we would catch ourselves dozing off midway through. While the direction and tone of the show is so captivating, it needs to be concise in its storytelling or else it feels very drawn out. The long, out of focus shots worked perfectly early on when we are desperate to understand what's going on. But it works against the show when it's just a character in their house slowly walking around. Sadly, the shows trajectory took a big hit when Jason Batemans character died and they could never get that excitement back. Then when we knew the "monster" of the show, there was little left to get invested in other than it being killed. And when that finally happens, it's portrayed in a way that is so anticlimactic that as a viewer, you're left thinking something is wrong. That they didn't actually kill the monster, but that they killed the real Claude. But that isn't the case. El Cuco never makes a stand in the end, he is shot, crushed by rocks, and gets his head smashed in. And the falling action which was the remaining characters getting their stories straight was written so convoluted that it's hard to follow. Rian Johnson recently said that a twist should always feel like a roller coaster and not a math equation. Well the dialogue during those scenes felt a lot more like the ladder. But I would say, the first 3-4 episodes are so incredible that it's worth watching. I wish Jason Bateman could've directed more of the final episodes.
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist: Zoey's Extraordinary Neighbor (2020)
Uncomfortable
Not the show that should be tackling the religion /LGBT conversation. Really like the show, but did not enjoy the writing in this one. A very shallow interpretation of trans people and of church culture.
The Outsider: Tigers and Bears (2020)
Ending on a high note
First 3 episodes = amazing / Middle 4 episodes = hard to get through / last 2 episodes finally picking up. And judging by the sneak peek we're in for quite the finale. PS, Sneak peek spoils a lot