marcus-chugh Reviews

God's Favorite Idiot (2022– )

World-Class Talent

[10/10 · 12 January 2024]

Whatever you might surmise from the first episode, just stay tuned. The actors are just so so great, you can't help but fall in love with the characters and actors. Each player is distinct, yet the ensemble works great together. I just love them, each of them, and Tom is now my best friend. I cannot understand why this series and these actors are not the most famous cast ever, maybe I'm just late to the party. As for Melissa McC herself, I think this is actually one of her best performances- she doesn't play over the top, she really found her role as 2nd player among peers, and she clearly prepared so she comes across as totally natural.

Of course if you don't like comedy this probably isn't for you....

The Killer (2023)

In a word, weird

[4/10 · 26 November 2023]

This movie is just odd. It's like the script was written by a 12 year old, or maybe someone whose second language is English. The fist actual dialog between characters is not until 15 minutes into the movie, and then it's very very forgettable and predictable. "I am a hitman, and I trust no one." Absurd and lazy.

The main character is a hitman, and in this movie he wears a dad-style bucket hat.

In short, the director was told "make a movie that can easily be translated into 50 languages, and make sure there are a lot of sounds and music that can be made to feel local to any country".

Not really watchable unless you are drunk or with friends who enjoy making fun of bad movies.

Doesn't deserve to be this heavily promoted.

The Old Man (2022– )

Makes you root for every character

[10/10 · 16 July 2022]

Amazing acting, young and old versions of the main characters. The young guys are soooo damn good it is unreal. Excellent directing, writing, great sets- of course there is some fantasy with the old Jeff Bridges still beating up 20-somethings, but otherwise it holds up. Love it!

Severance (2022– )

Unbelievably Fantastic

[10/10 · 1 April 2022]

This series is just amazing. I normally like short, quick, funny sarcastic comedies. Then I watched Breaking Bad, so that was life changing. Then everything went kinda gray. Then Severance happened. I just love the casting, the acting, the costumes, the directing, the vision. Don't love Patricia Arquette for this role yet she's perfect. At first I thought the series was peculiar, Now I want to rewatch from the beginning, and I don't really love TV. All of them, they're so great, and I care about each of them. Really beautiful, interesting, captivating, exciting, compelling, all of the feels, even comedy. It's so simple it's complex and vice versa. I want to be there. Truly one of the greatest series of our generation- I think nobody understands yet how great everything about it is, but in 20 years we will all be still in awe of how visionary, artistic, unapologetic, even inspiring this series is. Just wow. Watch it and stick with it. It's entirely incredible.

Schmigadoon! (2021–2023)

Amazing

[10/10 · 31 July 2021]

Amazing talent all around. Incredible singing, writing, dancing, choreography, set design, costumes. Even if you don't like musicals it is a treat to watch world-class talent do their thing. The only thing I don't care for is the "modern" cringe vulgar humor... but otherwise it's very enjoyable to watch over and over. Can't wait until Keegan sings!

Mythic Quest (2020– )

At first I thought it was fantastic

[10/10 · 4 July 2021]

And then I realized it was FANTASTIC! Brilliant, funny, well-written, strong characters, realistic in some ways... outstanding direction. Season 2 E6 was a game changer for the industry. Just wow.

Tenet (2020)

Impossible to Understand, Poor Direction, Nonsensical Story

[1/10 · 28 December 2020]

For as much hype as this movie got, I was severely disappointed, especially when good action sci-fi flicks seem hard to come by these days. Dialogue was muffled throughout with loud "futuristic" music in every scene. Acting by the main guy was not good, while the Robert guy from the werewolf movies was very good, despite what he had to work with. He earned my respect as an actor in this otherwise nonsensical movie. Apparently the director is famous, but I'm not sure why as the storyline was a mess and impossible to follow, and the movie was 2.5 hours long. For no particular reason, timelines start moving backwards just because the main dude stares at an object (bullet, car, puddle). Fight scenes were very slow-moving with long pauses between punches or kicks, and just odd because I guess? at least some of the characters were fighting backwards, and there aren't any of the typical fighting sound effects.. oh and there's a poisonous gas in the atmosphere in certain scenes with no cause or effect. And of course an evil Russian who runs a plutonium syndicate. Also a fraudulent famous artist sketch at the beginning which is never reconciled. In summary, I roughly understand the plot is about a future evil force developing backwards time travel as a weapon, but otherwise why there are two sides and what the good guys want, vs what the bad guys want is never made clear. Characters have no depth, skills, or backstory or meaningful relationships, except that the main character is an awesome fighter sometimes, but then easily overtaken by two weak guys other times. Some cool special effects here and there. Wait for this one to end up at your local Red Box or the bargain bin at Walmart (yes I know those aren't things anymore).

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

Almost as good as any Disney / Pixar film

[8/10 · 13 December 2020]

In summary, off/brand. Incredibly impressed with stupendous set design, magical costumes, fun animation that integrates well into the actor-based story. Just magical- obviously primarily for kids- think Harry Potter.. junior, combined with The Greatest Showman. If you just open your mind you'll see it's just great. It's just really fun and joyful. Better than Grinch (which was a 9 from me) for reference. There was a really dumb scene where they completed a robot, and then for some reason they could all fly? Weird and incongruent but again, random "magic". So if your kids are 3-5 then okay I suppose, but otherwise most kids will be like "wtf... why flying? Why now? What does that have to do with... anything?"

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

More than 10 stars.

[10/10 · 9 April 2020]

Wow- great direction, great costume, great acting, great editing, great music, great sound, great music, great makeup, great costumes, great story, great writing, great cinematography. Best Eddie Murphy of all time. Just loved everything about it and all of the contributors. Top 10 movies of all time.

Idiotsitter (2014–2017)

Incredibly Life Changing

[10/10 · 25 January 2020]

This is 11/10. I have never seen such amazing talent and hilarity. Laughing out loud for 23 out of the 22 minutes of video. I literally love these guys.

A Christmas Carol (2019)

Outstanding film

[10/10 · 25 December 2019]

Definitely the best adaptation I've ever seen. I don't think it needs to be "original" just because. Acting is absolutely professional and not sappy or over the top. Direction was excellent and there was a clear vision in mind in every scene. Really well choreographed, though you wouldn't know "choreography" was a component. Filmography and color were superb and made me feel like I was there. Loved loved loved all of the bits and parts of this- small things like the fact that the ladies wore hats in church. Costumes, lighting, and makeup were 100. It was long but I was as able to watch over 4 sittings. Each time it drew me in and I never felt like it was a labor. Fantastic 10/10- can't say enough.

The Mandalorian (2019– )

Garbage

[2/10 · 23 November 2019]

In the first 3 minutes, we saw an American English speaking blue "alien" that sounds like Horatio Sans which ruins the vibe. Then, the Mandalorian proceeds to kill a bunch of people for now apparent reason. He was sitting at the bar with his helmet on with no apparent method to eat or drink. Then he meets a guy outside in the winter who hails cabs, but no real reason he should be outside, except he plays a flute for some reason. Then the Mandalorian sends away the modern landspeeder in favor of an older one that backfires- for no reason. Then they travel through the winter air, but there is no cover or shield for the landspeeder, for some reason.

I had to turn off this drivel- I loved the original movies but this is almost as bad as Episodes 1-3.

Better Off Ted (2009–2010)

Why did they cancel?

[10/10 · 28 December 2018]

Probably the worst network decision of all time to cancel this smart, witty, fast, well acted life changing show.

Detroiters (2017–2018)

What just happened to my life?

[10/10 · 28 December 2018]

What...? Laugh-out-loud funny with a very minor backdrop of social commentary, but not really. Fantastic writing, acting, improv, even funny camera work. So mad they canceled it.

Letterkenny (2016–2023)

Amazing

[10/10 · 28 December 2018]

So funny, so well-written, such great comedic acting all around, not limited to the stars (who are great). Laugh-out-loud moments per minute are among the highest in history. Letterkenny is a lock for sitcom hall of fame.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

For the kid in all of us!

[10/10 · 22 November 2016]

If you are trying to be a film nerd, just stop. Imagine you never saw the cartoon. The acting is excellent, makeup is fantastic, costumes are true to the book, and props are world class. Sure, we all have preferences, but Ron Howard brought it all together as always. For those who say there is not enough time to appreciate the details, I say bull- honky. 16 years later, I am laughing at props and gags that are not the focus of the scene. We still enjoy it as separate but related to the cartoon (which only I appreciate in my family). Anyway, relax, rent it or pop it in, and have fun. Don't take yourself too seriously. This is easily a 10/10. By the way, wine helps if you are a parent.