WarrenPiecz Reviews

Psychoville: David and Maureen (2009) Season 1, Episode 4

Scintillating Single Shot

[10/10 · 14 August 2023]

Obviously, this was an incredible homage to the Hitchcock classic "Rope". That is feat enough in itself. I've watched this carefully three times, and, if I'm not mistaken, this episode, like "Rope", was shot in ONE CONTINUOUS TAKE! It was bloody brilliant.

Apparently, I need to "pad" this a wee bit more, so I'd just like to mention that I was in a stage version of "Rope (a Play)", so this episode is really near and dear to my heart. For the four actors to maintain that intensity and concentration for a television show is really a testament to their genius..

And honestly, I never realized Mark Gattis was funny...until "BritBox", I had only seen him in "Sherlock". Ditto for Hugh Laurie.

On Patrol: Live (2022– )

Legal Addiction

[9/10 · 5 March 2023]

This is T. V. crack. I watched the first episode out of curiosity; I haven't missed one since. I anticipate every new episode on Friday night; I'm almost sad when the credits roll Saturday night. Why? Here are some observations:

1) I used to think people would say anything to NOT get arrested; now, I cannot believe how many people talk themselves INTO getting arrested, especially when the police are originally blatantly not even interested in them.

2) I cannot believe how many people try to escape from traffic stops. Which leads to -

3) At first, I couldn't figure out why all of the locales are small towns, and not huge cities. And then, I realized...folks love those 20-minute car chases. I love the 20-minute car chases. If these encounters happened in - let's say, even Cicero, Il....the chase would last for 5 seconds before the suspect plowed into someone. Living near Chicago, it's hard for me to even comprehend that there could be a pursuit on deserted streets for as long as these go on.

4) The people in Beech Grove, IN. Are wack. The Beech Grove Chamber of Commerce must be apoplectic.

5) Do criminals watch this show?? 9 months after this show premiered, there are still people that swear there are no drugs in their car, and 10 minutes later, the hood of their car is so full of drugs, the officers have to put it all on the roof, and then the trunk.

6) While I agree with other reviewers about the fact that sometimes the most interesting things happen 2 minutes before the show ends, what are you going to do, it's live! Logically, the later it gets, the more interesting criminal stuff happens. Honestly, I'd say either start the show an hour later, or make it 4 hours instead of 3. It's not like there's something vital coming on after, since it's a replay of the same episode that just ended. I can't get enough!

7) I have a weird observation. This has happened at least twice, once in New Mexico, and once in, I think, South Carolina. In both cases, there was a really beautiful, incredibly fit female officer that was on for many weeks in a row. Then, they both just disappeared. Why? The beauty in New Mexico has been gone for months; the lovely officer in S. C. has been gone for 3 weeks. They were both fantastic at their job; I'd hate to think that weirdo creeps either started harassing them on line or actually started inundating their city, driving recklessly, hoping to get "stopped and frisked" by said officer. Or maybe they're just on special assignment or something.

8) I love this show!! The whole concept of this being the "NFL Red Zone" of police work is sublime. Check it out.

The Prisoner: Fall Out (1968) Season 1, Episode 17

Today Portmerion, Tomorrow the World

[10/10 · 25 December 2022]

I'll be as brief as possible.

I believe this was a prescient view of the "New World Order".

It appears to me that EVERYONE in the "Village" was there for #6. The whole joint was a set-up for him. Why? To get him out of the way. Temporarily.

They let him go. Why? Because everything was in place. The entire world had succumbed to the "New World Order"....the entire world had become the "Village".

If they broke him while they were keeping him out of the way, more power to them. If they didn't, who cares, when he got back to London, there would be nothing he could do about anything. Sure, it's kind of outlandish that one man could have done anything to stop the tsunami of a One-World Government, but there was always the risk that his individuality and his inner power could inspire and foment a revolution. So keep him out of the way until it was impossible.

The weird rocket launch at the end? Dunno. Maybe # 1 was all about creating the N. W. O, but wanted no part of it for himself.

The Village being on the British Mainland the whole time? (the only way that weird truck could have driven to London)...er....

The brilliance of this ending is that my interpretation can be no more or less valid than others who saw the same thing, but interpreted it as something entirely different. Just like decades later, dinner discussions over the end of "Sopranos" went all the way through dessert, then single-malts....

The Dead Girl (2006)

Men are Evil. By the Way, Men are Evil.

[3/10 · 25 December 2022]

The synopsis intrigued me, and then the cast locked me in. C'mon, Toni Colette, Rose Byrne, Brittany Murphy? How could you go wrong?

Why didn't I learn my lesson decades ago when I said, "Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short?? Why, the 'Three Amigos' must be comedy genius gold!!"

If you're a guy, and you didn't feel the bludgeoning blows of misandry landing squarely on your head, then you're probably one of those fellows who listened to "Little Earthquakes" by Tori Amos and thought, "Those are some catchy little tunes!!"

Empowered victims. Strong, manic-depressed products of the male hierarchy. Of course this happens in reality, and it's terrible and terrifying and wrong. Painting all of maledom with the same brush, though, that's not 100% cool either.

Malibu Beach (1978)

The Movie Itself is....

[3/10 · 26 June 2022]

I was born in 1962.

I love 70's girls.

I miss 70's girls.

70's girls are incomparable and can never be duplicated.

The end.

Is that 10 lines yet?

The Last of Sheila (1973)

"O" No!!

[9/10 · 21 February 2022]

Please do NOT read any farther than this if you have NOT seen "Last of Sheila". This is your last warning.

You want to know how incredibly masterful this film is? I hadn't seen this movie in 20 years. It had been so long, I actually forgot "Whodunnit".

Yet, within the first 10 minutes, I remembered. That's the freakin' magic of this film; you're totally clueless when you watch it the first time, then the second time, you're all, "Wholly ----, of course!!"

The two main things I'm referring to, of course, are Coburn blowing smoke rings whilst he's laughing his $ss off in the first five minutes. Tom is the only character who has an "o" in the middle of his name. In full disclosure, I would never have noticed this if not for the whole "Paul is Dead" thing, where he turns his back whenever there is a word that has the letter "O" in it, and Paul is the only Beatle who doesn't have an "O" in his name.

Second, of course, is "Last of Sheila", which results in Richard Benjamin standing underneath the "A" on the ship "Sheila".

Dyan Cannon is smokin'.

Easy Virtue (1927)

That House!!

[6/10 · 7 February 2022]

I watched "Easy Virtue", then read every review on here; 'inferior Hitch', 'only glimpses of future genius', etc.

I humbly submit that because everyone was sniping at individual "Hitch Trees", everyone subsequently missed the incredible impact of...that house!!

...and if nobody really noticed that house, then that may speak more to the early and developing genius of Hitchcock than the more obvious and in-your-face compliments and criticisms contained on these pages.

Wow. Only a master of presentation like Hitchcock could have devised such a cold, empty, vacuous, soulless dwelling. Could any of you really live in that house??

First, there are hardly any rounded surfaces. (except in Laritia's room) The entire structure appears to be harsh, cold, unyielding stone. And that dining room with the ten-foot tall saints presiding over everything? Saints are supposed to be comforting and uplifting. Not in this house!!

Now I'm just throwing out a guess here, 'cuz I'm not hip to social norms of the time....but the central hub for social gatherings is the FOYER (or front hallway, or whatever you want to call it)?? And everyone sits on this long, rock-hard wooden bench? The only thing missing was seeing the character's breath in the antiseptic chill of that room.

That's it from me, really. Most of the other reviews are spot-on, I just wanted to mention that house as it seems to have fallen to the wayside, whilst I saw it as almost the centrepiece of the film.

Stryker (1983)

No Water, But Apparently an Endless Supply of Petrol

[4/10 · 9 August 2021]

....on a future Earth where it apparently....never rains anymore?

Now I'm only speaking for myself here, but if I was a girl (which I'm not), and my living environment was 99.9% large, hard, uneven, sharp, randomly strewn rocks, my first fashion choice wouldn't be a leather thong slit up to my hip bones. Of course, that's just how I roll, I'm a different breed of cat. Fortunately for the lucky ladies, none of them ended up with so much as a scratch on those long, shapely legs.

Which, of course, is the only redeeming quality of the movie. Normally, I'd complain that Monique St. Pierre should lose the football equipment, but with the advent of the internet, anyone can see her naked within 5 seconds anyway, so I actually enjoyed the novelty.

Full disclosure, I saw this as part of the "Grindhouse 2" collection, so I knew exactly what to expect, and got pretty much exactly what I expected.

Kevin Can F**k Himself: New Patty (2021) Season 1, Episode 5

Yep, I Realize I'm Not a Woman...

[2/10 · 13 July 2021]

...and that's why, after 5 episodes, I realize this show simply doesn't speak to me. For those of you who "hear" the message of the show clearly, I hope you love every second of this show and that it brings colour and beauty to your lives.

Bad behaviour is not justified by more egregious bad behaviour in my eyes. Sorry, that's just how I roll. The one saving grace, for me, throughout the show had always been that Alison was someone to cheer for, the underdog who you always hopes gets her life together and finds the man and establishes the life she has suffered for so long, the wonderful life she has earned and so richly deserves. Well, that last cord was just cut. Would she have done these things if her husband was an ideal, perfect man? Initially, you'd think "no", but then she's off poppin' a married man who is obviously happy with his wonderful, though "Mouseketeer" wife. He was something of an "ideal" for Alison, but that "tryst" hurts him as well, doesn't it? Why hurt him, AND his wife, who also doesn't strike me as someone who deserves that kind of treatment (and he's got customers and has orders to fill and he disappears for however long and nobody notices?)

As other reviewers pointed out, this show seems to be an exercise in raging, fantastical misandry. I feel like I've listened to Tori Amos' "Little Earthquakes" album 5 times and finally "got it" on the 6th. Also, as other reviewers have commented, if the roles were reversed, all cyber-hell would break loose.

It's an unfortunate double-standard that I freely admit we men have earned. At the same time, the question still remains: why is it, for example, that when a man loves a younger woman, he's labeled "pervert", but when an older woman loves a younger man, not only does nobody bat an eye, but she gets a cute nickname like "Cougar"? "You go, Cougar!!" I'm not saying either is right, I'm simply pointing out the rather startling contrast.

So, in closing, if you love the show, bless you, I hope you get everything out of it you wanted and more. I wanted to like it, I really did....the show is simply on a different wavelength than mine, and that's where I'm going to leave it.

Kevin Can F**k Himself: We're Selling Washing Machines (2021) Season 1, Episode 3

Geico Commercial of AMC

[4/10 · 28 June 2021]

Geico commercials are considered the worst advertising dreck ever created. There is no originality, no creativity, and absolutely no thought put into any of their commercials; take two opposite things, like a cow and a coal mine, put them together and that's supposed to be creative. A 6th grader could write them, and maybe they did.

Now on to "K. C. F. H." I've watched all three. I get it; I mean, it's not rocket surgery. Whilst the "off-set" story is somewhat interesting, my main criticism is with the "Sit-Com" segments. Mainly, it's just inexcusably lazy writing. Yes, unfunny, formulaic, one-dimensional, by-the-numbers gruel truly does write itself, believe it or not.

I can write the "Sit-Com" segments. YOU can write the sit-com segments. Even Geico advertising executives can write the sit-com segments, and that's terrifying. It's fill-in-the-blanks. Now, if over time, they slowly phased out the "sit-com" segments (the premise is established, no need to keep bludgeoning the audience with a bad idea, like the "Cavemen"), then it might work, as the "off-set" story does have the potential to stand on its' own. However, tonight's "sit-com" seemed to go on longer than the first two. Or maybe it just felt that way.

If I were to guess, the writers spend 5% of the time mindlessly filling in the "sit-com" blanks (or they hand it off to one, like, "intern") and 95% of the time on the "off-set" material. May I suggest having the running time of the two segments reflect that.

Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021–2022)

The Geico Commercial of AMC

[3/10 · 21 June 2021]

Geico commercials are considered the worst advertising dreck ever created. There is no originality, no creativity, and absolutely no thought put into any of their commercials; take two opposite things, like a cow and a coal mine, put them together and that's supposed to be creative. A 6th grader could write them, and maybe they did.

Now on to "K. C. F. H." I've watched all three. I get it; I mean, it's not rocket surgery. Whilst the "off-set" story is somewhat interesting, my main criticism is with the "Sit-Com" segments. Mainly, it's just inexcusably lazy writing. Yes, unfunny, formulaic, one-dimensional, by-the-numbers gruel truly does write itself, believe it or not.

I can write the "Sit-Com" segments. YOU can write the sit-com segments. Even Geico advertising executives can write the sit-com segments, and that's terrifying. It's fill-in-the-blanks. Now, if over time, they slowly phased out the "sit-com" segments (the premise is established, no need to keep bludgeoning the audience with a bad idea, like the "Cavemen"), then it might work, as the "off-set" story does have the potential to stand on its' own. However, tonight's "sit-com" seemed to go on longer than the first two. Or maybe it just felt that way.

If I were to guess, the writers spend 5% of the time mindlessly filling in the "sit-com" blanks (or maybe it's just one, like, "intern") and 95% of the time on the "off-set" material. May I suggest having the running time of the two segments reflect that.

Fargo: The Nadir (2020) Season 4, Episode 8

A Few Observations....

[5/10 · 9 November 2020]

...1) I find it telling that there are less and less user reviews on here as the season progresses.

2) I thought it was an interesting touch that in the early indoor scenes last night, you could see the breath of the characters, yet you could NOT see their breath in the outdoor scenes even though they were dressed for winter. However, since I live right there, I can tell you first-hand that last winter in Riverside, IL, there were many times when it was 70 degrees one day and 20 the next. Still, if it was "artfully intentional", nice touch!

3) I don't know if the Union Station scene was a homage to "Untouchables" or if the creative team was at a loss and said, "eh, let's just rip off the whole shootout scene from 'Untouchables'. We can make it different by killing all the innocent bystanders, nobody will notice it's the same stairway, same slow-motion, same echoes..."

4) I just realized last night that the non-Native-American actress playing the Native-American is the same non-Native-American actress who played a Native-American in "Yellowstone". I guess she's found her niche! Kudos to the costuming and make-up department!

5) Another possible anachronism: I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure "slow your roll" wasn't in popular usage in the 1950's.

Fargo: Camp Elegance (2020) Season 4, Episode 6

"A Day in the Life" of "Fargo"?

[5/10 · 26 October 2020]

I admit most of my interest and passion for this season of "Fargo" has gone out the window; everyone has their own valued opinion, and mine is, "I waited years for THIS?" Honestly, I'm truly glad for all of you who are captivated and entranced by this season, and I truly hope it keeps getting better and better for you as the story progresses.

So now that I'm not engrossed, I'm watching "from a distance", and I'm starting to wonder if this season is a combination of 2 separate, undeveloped stories that couldn't quite be fleshed out, like the Beatles' classic "Day in the Life" was a combination of a song John couldn't finish and a song Paul couldn't finish. The whole "Miss Mayflower" story just doesn't fit into the rest of the story for me. Sure, maybe in the last couple episodes, it'll all roll together, but right now, you could cut either story out and it wouldn't affect the other one; heck, last week she wasn't even in it but for 5 seconds.

Also, we might have had our first glaring anachronism last night; now, I could DEFINITELY be wrong, but if I'm not mistaken the term "Human Resources" didn't replace "Personnel" until the 1980's. Unless the trendy hospital was way ahead of the curve, but it doesn't seem to be that hip.

So I'll keep watching, and enjoying all the scenes that were shot 5 minutes from my house, and keep the faith that the next season will be better. After all, even the Beatles had "Beatles for Sale".

Fargo: The Pretend War (2020) Season 4, Episode 4

It's Getting Better! ...however....

[7/10 · 12 October 2020]

Are any of you old enough to remember an 80's Brian DePalma mafia comedy called "Wise Guys"?

There's a character in "Wise Guys" named Frank "Fixer" Accalvano. He was played magnificently campy and totally over-the-top by "Captain" Lou Albano.

Last night, watching episode #4, watching Salvatore Esposito's mannerisms, his eye-rolls, his larger-than-life histrionics, even his wee moustache, I swear - I SWEAR - he had to have based his character on Lou Albano's Frank "Fixer" Accalvano from "Wise Guys". I even pulled up some stills from "Wise Guys" to refresh my memory, and looked at them side-by-side stills from "Fargo", and it's uncanny.

Not that there's anything wrong with that, you understand....Keith Richard has been a role model in film, you know.....but.....mmmm...."Wise Guys" was a completely over-the-top comedy; "Fargo" is supposed to be a drama.

Anyway, I'm glad it's getting better!

Fargo: Welcome to the Alternate Economy (2020) Season 4, Episode 1

Cohen Brothers' Genius Will Keep Me Watching

[6/10 · 28 September 2020]

The Cohen Brothers often weave elements into their stories that are never explained, or seem to be an inside joke to them, like the whole U.F.O. thing the first couple seasons.

The first two episodes of Season 4, then, seem to me to be almost obviously over-acted and filled with disappointingly stereotyped characters of various ethnicities. "Fargo"'s magic has always been the interplay of unique characters, of one bad decision spiraling into universal quagmires. If we hadn't seen this in previous seasons, I wouldn't have noticed their absence so much in season 4.

Which leads me to ask if this is intentional....some sort of zany Cohen ploy to make us think this season is heading into banality, only to zing us a couple episodes from now? I sure hope so, because other than the merry Miss Mayflower, I'm not getting a hopeful vibe....for example, I think Jason Schwartzman was unconvincing to the point I'd say he was mis-cast.....unless the Cohens have something up their sleeve.

On a personal note, this was filmed in Riverside, IL, and it was awesome to see places I pass every day be brought to life in a different light.

Brockmire (2017–2020)

Schizophrenic Double-Header?

[8/10 · 2 April 2020]

What in blazes is going on with this show?? The first couple of episodes with Beth, I'm thinking introducing the daughter is "Brockmire"'s "Jump the Shark" moment. ...And then, within the first 5 minutes of her return to the show, Amanda Peet turned everything around. I mean seriously, she turned the Titanic straight past that iceberg. I laughed so much I'm going to have to watch it again to catch what I missed.

Is there something in the works to give Jules her own series? 'Cuz I'd definitely watch that over a Jules-less "Brockmire"....where did this come from?? I've seen Amanda Peet in a lot of things (and mistaken Lake Bell for her in others, but...), and she's a fine actress and all, but never anything outstanding (could be the writer, the director,....) and now, here's Amanda Peet on "Brockmire" with this amazing talent, impeccable timing, bigger-than-life character...back in season 3, she stole that early episode and then disappeared.....and I'm sorry, but "Brockmire" is literally night-and-day without her.

So again;...are they intentionally writing the show like this to showcase the possibility of a Jules-centred sequel? I agree with several others on here who say that "Brockmire" started out as phenomenal and fresh, then headed for the iceberg....it still has its' moments, right? Who knows? There are still lots of episodes left this season.....it may be the bottom of the 9th for "Brockmire", but it ain't over till it's over.

Yellowstone (2018– )

"Godfather" Goes West

[6/10 · 9 July 2019]

Here's the story of a once-all-powerful, fatally flawed yet sometimes humanized "business magnate" who is being simultaneously pursued by the ghosts of the past and forced out by the inevitable tsunami of progress. Sound familiar? But wait, there's more!

Three (remaining) children: A son, Jamie, who, no matter how hard he tries, or how good his intentions are, always finds himself on the outside looking in, ostracized from his family, and (at least up until season 2), ending up exiled entirely to the point where he is faced with the real possibility of ultimate family betrayal. (Fredo)

A son, Kasey, torn between two seemingly irreconcilable worlds, trying to belong to both and neither at the same time, ultimately realizing that he must choose one or the other and (at least at the end of the first season) has chosen to come home and help lead the family. If you need more hints as to which "Godfather" sibling I'm comparing him to, well gosh, he's a war hero AND he's married to a schoolteacher!! (Michael)

And that leaves my favourite child, Beth. (Sorry, I think Kelly Reilly is doing an absolutely amazing job, by the way) Beth. Foul-mouthed. Ruthless. And, most importantly, I think she believes she's absolutely indestructible. This is (Sonny) using power, attitude and a sharp tongue instead of fists, and I'd almost debate which form of attack is more deadly.

I love this show, but I haven't started season 2 yet, and after reading some of the other commentary on here, it sounds like "Yellowstone" is starting to veer into socialist soapboxery. If that happens, I'm out, so I wanted to pop this review out now, as I'm planning to start season 2 tonight.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Interesting Twist, A Bit Above Average Film

[6/10 · 14 January 2019]

For all the reviews I've read referring to "Cliche", "Predictable", "Boring", there's one word I still haven't come across, but I"m using it here....innovative. Here's why:

I've seen countless movies that begin as a realistic, hard-edged, straight-forward story, then it turns out it was all a religious allegory, life-after-death, "Hotel California"-type story.

This is exactly the opposite (here beginneth the "Spoiler"),,,,it BEGINS with all the overtones of a religious allegory, life-after-death "Hotel California" story.(and very well presented at that!)....and it turns out that, after all, it ISN't any kind of allegorical, 'judgement' piece, but truly is, simply, a straight-forward, violent, unforgiving story with apparently no allegory at all. (here endeth the "Spoiler")

Music = totally awesome. Charles Manson thing = brought the movie to a screeching halt. Dakota Johnson = soooo beautiful.

Fargo: Somebody to Love (2017) Season 3, Episode 10

Okay, Then...

[6/10 · 22 June 2017]

That was...interesting. Still the best thing on TV, yet I'm feeling not quite satisfied with so many things, if only because the past two seasons of "Fargo" (and the film, of course) were so tight and painstakingly crafted. The performances were outstanding, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead should reap awards for Nikki. Here's what stood out for me in the finale:

1) I'm a guy, but I have to say I LOVED Nikki's perfectly- coordinated commando fashion statement.

2) Soooo...I'm guessing Yuri "Got His Shoes"?

3) Looks like Dammick was nothing more than a complete a-hole as opposed to a subversive Varga plant...that's been left for us to interpret as we will, I guess

4) (Mentioned by a previous reviewer, but...) Nikki sabotages Emit's car, then after everything goes down he drives away?

5) After the scene in the entirely pink-and-white bar, I thought we were headed straight for a Gloria-Winnie romance...that's been left for us to interpret as we will, I guess

6) For those who see this season as political allegory - did we get a "cautionary tale" of what happens when super-cute Caucasian- American girls are allowed to disobey orders and meander around freely during traffic stops?

7) Nikki's demise went down as I thought it would...the endings of her first "eight lives" were dramatic, breathtaking confluences of luck and fate. And then, just like it goes with actual cats, after all that death-defying magic the first 8 times, the 9th time they just end up as road kill.

8) In a season strewn with homages to their own work and others, it was fitting they ended with a homage to "Sopranos"...in "Sopranos", of course, the final shot was not intended to reveal whether Tony lived or died; the intention was to show that Tony will spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder, always anticipating that final moment. And so it was last night. It isn't important to show what actually happened at the end of that 5 minutes...what is important is that Varga is right...Gloria will spend the rest of her career on pins and needles, always waiting for that door to open and for her ideals and virtues to once again be squashed by cronyism, bureaucracy and log-headed incompetence.

I can't wait for next season!

Fargo: Who Rules the Land of Denial? (2017) Season 3, Episode 8

Absolutely Brilliant, and Yet...

[7/10 · 8 June 2017]

It's not so much a question of great storytelling; the brilliance of the Cohen's has always been the characters within the story. My take, unfortunately, is that for the first time in the "Fargo" saga, they seem to be be throwing a lot of logic to the wind and resting their laurels on their characters.

First, the brilliant:

1) I'm LOVING the nods to the movie "Fargo" (Nikki getting dragged back in through the hotel window, yelling "No, no, no" exactly like Jerry)...

2) and, of course, last night, "Big Lebowski". One thing that occurred to me after (while I was wondering about where Nikki actually "was")...I suddenly remembered that during a scene in "Big Lebowski", the background music in the bowling alley was a Hispanic- language version of "Hotel California".

3) As has been discussed by other astute viewers before, the whole story being some "Soros/Anarchist/Democratic-Facist" analogy, with Varga being Soros, Nikki being the embodiment of American liberalism, Stussy and Sy representing capitalism (Sy falling apart as he doesn't even recognize the world he lives in), etc.

4) It's so much fun counting how many "lives" Nikki the cat has used up so far...unless I lost count, I'm at 8, so she's only got 1 to go!!

And all that focus on the abstract, I feel, has pulled them away from the rock-solid logic that has been a hallmark of previous Cohen projects:

1) Why is the Varga team going to such extremes to ice Nikki? Nobody is going to believe she didn't kill Ray, and she really has nothing concrete on Varga...

2) Unless there was a time lapse I didn't catch, the fake guard fails to kill Nikki, and then, within a couple of hours, they've got this whole road set-up with a 100-foot long metal ramp to destroy a bus? Again, to kill...Nikki??

3) Others have already pointed out the whole jurisdiction/authority mess, so I'll just say I agree with them.

4) Whoever came in and re-decorated the ENTIRE OFFICE wanders in and has hours upon hours to change every frame??? Didn't we just spend the whole 6 previous episodes learning that Varga was an evil, cunning criminal mastermind who never let one MOVEMENT by ANYONE in his criminal enterprise get past him??

5) I was going to say that Emit should have been able to put this "sex-tape" stupidity to bed with his wife long before this; however, I'm pulling that one back, because I really think he's trying to protect her by keeping her as far away as possible.

6) Do they really let facial hair grow wild for months on end on people in a coma? Maybe they do, I really don't know.

With all that being said, I can't wait for next week!

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)

I Loved It...but the Bubble Burst!

[6/10 · 25 December 2016]

It started very slowly, and at first I was really worried that this was nothing but a cash grab...after they "killed" Kate Moss, though, it really took off! In lieu of a "review", I've got bullet points:

*Stella McCartney was totally hilarious, but only if you know your Beatles

*It saddens me to say, but the least funny person in this film is...BUBBLE??? Let me put it this way - in "AF:tM", she is the equivalent of Jack Black in "Tropic Thunder"

*Saffy's tirade is hysterically funny...but only if you watched the series

*I recognized Barry Humphries in his 2 seconds as Dame Edna, but NOT as Charles...I didn't realize it until the credits

*I LOVED the homage to "Some Like it Hot"!!

I Accuse My Parents (1944)

A Cautionary, Yet Prescient Tale

[2/10 · 10 April 2016]

Yes, I fully realize I'm "Monday Morning Quarterback"ing "IACM"...but here goes anyway.

Most of the reviews here speak to the "completely unreal" premise of not only the plot, but the final resolution.

Fast-forward now, if you will, 72 YEARS (!) since this film was made, and call to mind the curious case of one Ethan Couch, who was tried for wrongful death, accused his parents of giving him "affluenza", and, while not acquitted, was given 10 years probation.

This was one of the better "Joel"'s...I always found him to be a bit more dry and laconic than Mike, but the boys really let loose on this one. 10 lines yet? I think so!

Baseball (1994–2010)

A Rite of Spring

[6/10 · 26 December 2014]

Despite what I'm going to focus on below, I stand tall and proud and say that 9 weeks before the first pitch of the season, every season, I pop in one VHS a week and ring in the new season with this sometimes breathtaking documentary,

Now then - the accolades for this production are myriad and have been skillfully and warmly put forth by other reviewers. I can add no more, they have said it all and said it well.

To that end, I'd like to mention what I found to be the one inherent flaw of "KB's Baseball"...its' major flaw is that the content itself flies in the face of one of the over-riding themes - segregation, exclusion, narrow-mindedness and arrogance. Now, all of these things existed, true, and these issues were addressed in the programme with integrity and honesty. And yet, all of these things are prevalent in the CONTENT of "KB's Baseball". Anyone watching this 200 years from now would think that teams only existed in New York and Boston.

The viewer is beaten over the head with New York and Boston from beginning to end, to the EXCLUSION of almost every other team. How unfair it is to segregate the love of a nation for its' native sport by focusing so narrowly on the game as played on the Northeast coast of the United States? Is Burns himself not guilty of failing to practice that of which he preaches throughout? Just as all men are created equal, so are all of the fans throughout ALL of the states...where is the equal representation? Yes, I know, it can't be presented in 3,847 innings to get everything in, but come on.

In closing, Buck O'Neill was an absolute treasure, and I traveled to Milwaukee just before his passing. to meet him at Miller Park, shake his hand, and personally thank him for everything.

Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors: Episode One (1967) Season 5, Episode 11

Anachronisms Usually Bug Me...However...

[5/10 · 20 December 2014]

Well, first, let me say I'm not a huge fan of anime, but if this is the only way I'd ever be able to see this classic story, then so be it. For anyone curious, "Ice Warriors" has just been released on DVD...missing episodes were re-created utilizing the original audio, and the action was cartoonified.

The story itself is standard base-attacked-by-aliens. I've always felt that the Ice Warriors were one of the more well-realized monsters of this era, and this is certainly no exception (for contrast, please see the 5-foot-tall prawn in the Tom Baker era).

Now...as I said earlier, I usually bristle at ridiculous anachronisms in TV and film. In a rare shift of acceptance, I have to honestly say that smokin' 60's babes running around an Antarctic sub-station wearing mini-mini-mini skirts is OK with me!

Total Riff Off (2014–2015)

They Haven't Missed a Beat!

[10/10 · 1 April 2014]

My initial expectations were limited to hoping the boys hadn't lost their edge after all these years. If anything, their wits have sharpened to a razor's edge! I won't give anything away, which would be impossible anyway, as you'd need the context.

MISTIES, you MUST watch this. This is what "MST3K" would have been without the background story and ancillary characters. With that out of the way, it's just pure, mocking fun right out of the gate. No silhouettes, no Forrester and TV's Frank, no problem.

Actually, there WAS a problem. I was laughing so hard, I was doubled over, applauding and gasping for breath. It's been an hour since it ended, my stomach still hurts. As soon as it settles down, though, I'm popping in my treasured VHS of "Angel's Revenge".