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Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Udûn (2022)
Where's Sam Ramie?
I found this episode to be cliche. It reminded me of The Army Of Darkness that attempts to take itself seriously, or perhaps Monty Python Meets Middle Earth. During the chase scene between Galadriel and Adar I half expected that we'd see a rendition of The Black Knight Skit with Galadriel hacking off Adars limbs while he tauts her to fight. I have to admit, that would have been entertaining.
What we got was an extended fight scene that was at times rather stiff, over-acted, and corny. Like when the villagers locked away in The Tavern all gasp in unison as the Ocrs hit the door with a battering ram. Really. It was Army Of Darkness Redux. Where's Sam Ramie? And not to have that comparison outdone, I felt vindicated when some dam broke for some reason and suddenly water fountains in massive gushes out of the village's wells. Yep, if the water had been blood we'd have had Ash Meets Middle Earth. "Give me some sugar baby!" ...villagers gasp in unison. Or when Bronwyn gets an arrow through the back and chest, and the arrow is pulled out and the wounds cauterized with a red-hot iron because she is next to Death's door. And then in the next scene she up and walking around chipper as can be. Really? And then Mount Doom blows apart searing the village in a pyroclastic flow of red-hot magma. I bet all the characters who got covered with the searing wall of death show up in next week's episode. Sam Ramie should have been given the budget to produce this show. Then it would make sense.
The episode did have it moments when it returned to the LoTR narrative as we find out more about Adar and the creation of Orc and Adar's dislike of Sauron.
Like 300, it would be fun if a producer made a film that simply had fun with the plot. I constantly felt like the episode was going to break down into comedy and laugh tracks. You know, Meet The Numenoreans.
I still marvel at the scenery and settings but I tend to be disappointed in the casting, acting, and attempts to be inclusive - or serious. The show has so much potential. It needs to concentrate on substance and Tolkien's lore.
But...worthy effort.
Better Call Saul (2015)
What can you say? Incredible series.
Just an amazing, innovative series, just as was Breaking Bad. And an ending that made sense. Slipping Jimmy could have been a good lawyer had he been given a chance. There's the tragedy.
Mr. Robot: eps1.3_da3m0ns.mp4 (2015)
Rated in the low 8s. Folks, you didn't get it, did you?
This show is blowing me away. Quintessentially one of the grittiest shows that I've ever seen on TV, and I've been around for a long time. And this specific episode. I'm thinking that those who rated this episode didn't really understand it, not the subtly of it. Low 8s? Why? My guess is that most individuals who rated it haven't really experienced much in the way of life, or contrarily, have spent too much of their lives focused on a LED screen a foot away from their faces.
But that's OK. I 'get' where the writers are coming from. The tapestry they weave with their story-lines is...brilliant. Minor flaws with the computer engineering plot-line, but taken as a whole, I can overlook those to appreciate the bigger picture. Great stuff. The Game Of Thrones use to be at the top of my list - it just got bumped down a notch by Mr Robot.
Game of Thrones: Mother's Mercy (2015)
The Books and the HBO Epic Have Now Parted Ways
Last week I believed that G.R.R Martin signed the creative rights over to HBO; now I'm sure -- in my own humble opinion.
The chasm between the end of the plot lines in A Dance of Dragons and HBO's season 5 finale are so wide, I see no feasible way for Martin to resolve them in Winds of Winter. So, my own guess is that HBO will finish the GOT Saga with season 6 because at this point, they will be writing the plot for the Winds of Winter, and this season they set the stage.
Again, I'm disappointed immensely with the author, Martin. And HBO? I'm not sure. This started out closely following A Song of Ice and Fire. The adaptation up though season 4 was fantastic. The success of this show was about the synergy of Martin's writings combined with the amazing cinematographic style provided by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. But I think that here, at the conclusion of season 5, the rudder may have just come off the ship. Where's it go? With Martin in his own world of fantasy that is timeless, and HBO which, as a business entity, has scope, schedule, budget, and ratings to worry about - darn, it's anyone's guess! And if Martin does finally publish the Winds of Winter, it may end up looking nothing like what HBO will use to end their part in this saga. Maybe we end up with two completely different story lines: one for the end of the HBO cinematographic saga, and one entirely different story line for the end of A Song of Ice and Fire epic. As novel as it sounds, it may not be a bad thing if, in fact, that is what happens.
Game of Thrones: The Dance of Dragons (2015)
Where does HBO go without Winds of Winter published?
As we end season 5, it should be all be obvious that the story-lines are being moved in directions that the books never went.
Why? My guess is the HBO has no real choice. I guess you take a chance when you start filming a saga that the author has never finished. My guess again, HBO may have to pull the nuclear option, and for lack of the Winds of Winter being published, they may end up using their contractual rights to finish the Song of Ice and Fire Saga with or without George Martin.
Personally, as a viewer I have no complaints with HBO - this is a wonderfully filmed epic. But as someone who has read all the existing books in the SOIAF twice, I'm quite a bit disappointed in the author. Do I expect the Winds of Winter to ever be published? Truthfully I'm pessimistic: 50/50 chance at best imho. And how does Martin, let alone HBO, resolve all the plot discrepancies that are now water under the bridge as HBO heads for season 6? To paraphrase Martin regarding WOW: It will be done when it's done. My thoughts, using Martin's own dialog: "Words are wind." But then again, maybe, "You know nothing connda."
The Objective (2008)
Eerie, unsettling film
I liked the film. It's eerie and unsettling but it could have done better. The movie leaves too many open ended questions and at the end I feel like I did after watching X-files -- I want more answers.
The desert is just haunting and adds much to the substance of the plot. Combined the contrasts of the desert Bedouins and their beliefs and cultures, and this movie takes on a realistic tone. You come away from the film wanted to get behind the scenes to see and comprehend that force that the soldiers are dealing with. I would actually like to see a sequel that takes that plot a little further, but unfortunately it looks as though I'm one of the few reviewer who really liked this film.