BeatriceBG Reviews

Nina (2015– )

Silly if you prefer reality

[4/10 · 1 January 2024]

If you like your run-of-the-mill soapy medical drama, you may find this perfectly watchable.

I suffered through the first episode and decided to move on. This is not at all how a new grad nurse's first day in a hospital would be. One minute she's in the ER, the next she's in IM, the next she's at the hospital security office, next she's in the OR, next she's in the medical records archives, next she's telling an adult patient she was adopted... She doesn't seem to have any particular job duties other than running all over the hospital doing whatever she feels like doing.

The show tries to take itself seriously and yet it's implausibility gives it an air of ridiculousness. Normally I like the Walter Presents recommendations, but this one was a flop.

Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

Has aged pretty well over time

[8/10 · 23 November 2023]

I loved this series when I watched it in my early 30s. I recently saw it pop up on Netflix so decided to give it a second look in my 50s.

In some ways I love it more, and in others, I can barely make myself watch it. It's interesting how our stage of life and the passing of time can change our perspective.

Brenda is a character that literally makes me nauseous. I'm having a bit of trouble watching the second time around due to Brenda.

Kudos to actress Rachel Griffiths for her incredible portrayal of a character that was simultaneously edgy and feminist but also dishonest, manipulative, creepy and just pretty much gross and narcissistic.

I do believe the show has aged very well (have you gone back and watched Friends again? Just kill me now) and I intend to watch all five seasons again.

Locked In (V) (2023)

Terrible movie.

[2/10 · 11 November 2023]

This is a really bad movie about despicable people. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of despicable characters that I can still end up caring about and rooting for (think The Sopranos or Deadwood), but not a single character (or should I say one dimensional caricature) in this movie is worthy of the audience's attention.

Anna Friel's talent is truly wasted in this gothic stinker.

I suffered through 1:10 hoping it would get better, but I gave up 20 minutes before the end. Getting off the couch to empty my dishwasher was more appealing than watching one more minute.

Don't waste your time on this flop. This is almost Razzie territory.

The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile (2022)

Worth the two hour investment...

[8/10 · 7 October 2023]

I'll admit that there were some really *aha* moments in this film which I won't spoil for you here.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I especially loved how they wove the couple lines of the unfinished (gut wrenching) song. It's a nice arc that worked for me.

I'm sure there's more to the story here in the long hiatus, but it's none of our business and I appreciate that they didn't delve into all of that.

The film felt a bit more balanced towards Brandi than Tanya, so at times it was hard to figure out what the documentary was actually about. Was it about Brandi? Was it about Tanya? Was it about their relationship? Honestly...there is a business end to this thing that kind of just hangs out there. In one scene I think it was Brandi who said something like "lord knows there is no money in this". I loathe when successful people say stuff like this.

Regardless, it's a good watch and worth the time invested.

The Mustang (2019)

Lovely story but an abomination to horse people

[7/10 · 23 April 2023]

The story is great in terms of the human element. It is both beautiful and painful.

As a horse owner, I just couldn't get past how 100% ridiculous the actual horse stuff was. I loved that they used some participants in the program as actors, but the way they dramatized it left a really bad taste in my mouth. Viewers could have learned something about horses - even something basic like pressure and release - but instead what they were shown was that "anyone" can start a wild mustang with zero experience and everything will work out fine in 12 weeks. Not a single helmet in the entire film. Face palm.

Seven stars because I know I have to forgive the horse stuff and focus on what the film was actually about.

The Recruit (2022– )

Good entertainment!

[7/10 · 21 December 2022]

I think what sold me is that this series doesn't take itself too seriously. I mean, of course the CIA doesn't work this way. But I've worked with enough young people to see them struggle to bounce back and forth between their very adult careers and their hot mess personal lives. The lead (who reminds me of a young Mark Ruffalo) is a little too well-equipped for his 24 year old character, but he still does some stupid stuff that you'd expect of a 24 year old which lends some authenticity to the role.

Not a serious series with political/moral messaging. Just a good story, some quirky side kicks and a fun way to pass some spare time.

Leave No Trace (2018)

Worth every minute invested!

[10/10 · 20 July 2022]

I happened upon this film on Netflix and after 20 minutes I had to go get my spouse and start over. We both loved it and were left wanting more which is a pretty rare thing these days.

Monsters Inside: The 24 Faces of Billy Milligan (2021)

Skip it!

[2/10 · 20 July 2022]

I love shows of this genre but this one was awful. First of all, why is everyone being interviewed in weird places like narrow hallways, a bedroom with a twin bed, a bank vault or through a doorway? It's just so bizarre and makes these people look like random kooks. And so many of the interviews were so disjointed and short. They'd cut in one or two sentences from one person and then the next and then the next and they kept rotating through the dozen or so commentators over and over and over ad nauseam. It was like trying to listen to people who were on a merry go round. At the end of the first two episodes I wasn't compelled to care and was no longer interested. Maybe I SHOULD care about the subject matter, but the filmmakers just screwed it up for me.