beren001 Reviews

Detroit 1-8-7 (2010–2011)

Too good to last

[9/10 · 25 December 2015]

This is one of the best TV cop shows I've ever seen. I find it difficult to believe that is only lasted one season, but when I compare it to series that have lasted I'm afraid I know the reasons: Not enough sex between characters, not enough bad behavior on the part of the police (drug use, infidelity, etc.) and not enough intradepartmental politics, corruption and back-stabbing. Good acting, great actors, excellent and innovative direction and the unique character study provided by Michael Imperioli were just not enough to sustain the interest of modern audiences. I guess people today don't enjoy watching good men and women doing a good job. They want bad behavior and titillation. It was just too good to last.

Cold Justice (2013– )

Perhaps the best real crime show on TV

[9/10 · 6 February 2015]

I enjoy this show best of all the many crime shows I watch. It's difficult to understand why they have had a couple of very poor reviews, but as I read those reviews I can see that the reviewers seemed upset by the strength and confidence of our female investigators. Maybe they have some problems with strong women - who knows? I know that I watch each show from start to finish with interest and enjoyment. It's great to see that not only the lady investigators but the local police and DA's who are so interested in pursuing justice for the victims and family members. I'm glad they don't drag us through every detail of their investigations but go over the highlights in a rational and illuminating manner.

Hannibal (2013–2015)

A bit slow moving

[6/10 · 26 July 2013]

I'm not as enthusiastic about this show as I was when it first started. The acting is very good even though the director lets some of the actors, especially Hugh Dancy, get a little over the top. Mads Mikkelsen is wonderful though. About half way through the season I could feel that the writers knew they were going to have to go into a second season. The story stopped advancing, went round and round, covering the same ground over and over. The good guys became either crazy, incompetent, oddly charmed by Hannibal or all of the above. I felt as though I was chewing a nastier and nastier tasting piece of gum waiting to spit it out. Finally I just erased the last two episodes - felt good. I like a story to make headway, move toward a goal, have an ending. This doesn't look like that will happen.

Prometheus (I) (2012)

A good production of an old formula

[7/10 · 9 June 2013]

Despite good production values and a talented crew of actors this movie is just another try at an old formula. In the future a privately owned corporation gets wind of an alien race. They send a ship crewed by misfits, psychopaths, a few normal people and an android who seems to have its own agenda - or is it the corporation's agenda?

A series of truly stupid decisions and impulsive actions made by this "highly trained" crew of space explorers, exacerbated by corporate machinations, and other betrayals puts all humans at risk. Mayhem ensues.

Entertaining if you like this kind of movie, pretty well acted despite a mediocre script and very, very predictable.

Red Tails (2012)

Great movie despite ignorant detractors.

[8/10 · 17 December 2012]

My father-in-law was a bomber pilot who flew 52 missions in the Southern European theater. He said that he and the other crewmen did not know that the "Red Tails" were "colored" but they always cheered when they made rendezvous with that particular group. He stated that whereas many fighter pilots could be drawn away from the bombers, the "Red Tails" never left and provided the best protection of any fighter group. So, detractors, the story as presented by the movie is the truth. Production values, acting and dogfight scenes are as good as any I've ever seen. The characters were well acted and developed. I can't believe some of the criticisms I've seen in this forum and can only wonder that the real motivation for them is. I even wonder if the detractors bothered to watch the movie or if the only watched to jeer. It's a good movie about a bunch of brave and classy Americans.

Hell Town (1985)

Could have been great

[7/10 · 18 May 2012]

I enjoyed watching this series while it lasted. The concept was interesting and potentially a great vehicle for exploring values and character. However, at times, the actors, especially Blake, were somewhat over the top and seemed to be suffering from a lack of discipline and direction. A few times I wondered whether Blake was directing shows himself or, in some other way had too much control over the show. The characters were interesting and diverse and the idea of an island of generosity and care existing in a sea of poverty, despair and cruelty was appealing. I think it could have been a real winner with good, solid direction and writing. Too bad Blake bailed out before it had a chance to get it together.

The Addiction (1995)

Another attempt to make psychopathy interesting

[25 September 2011]

Vampires are essentially a romanticizing of abject psychopathy. They take pride in their "superiority" and, at best, feel somewhat sorry for their unfortunate but inferior prey. They just can't help themselves, of course, they are "victims of their own nature." When they observe normal, caring people with actual consciences, able to love one and other, able to sacrifice, able to believe in a higher power, they become enraged, which, to them justifies more predation. For some reason, we are attracted to sociopaths, whether it be portrayed by a politician, movie villain, serial murderer, bad boy with the tight jeans, or bad girl with the hard, gray eyes. Maybe it is their perceived power, maybe their life free from guilt, I don't know. But for whatever sociopaths (and vampires) are thick on the ground in modern movies and TV shows. I'm tired of them. This is just another movie about sociopaths, not even cute or sexy sociopaths, just sickies. Good acting (I love Walken and Taylor as actors, but despite its pretensions to philosophy, it is just another movie glorifying the coldness that resides in the hearts of some "humans".

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Great example for kids - not!

[4/10 · 16 March 2008]

One of the good things about heroic fantasy is that it can underscore the value of loyalty, bravery, character and honesty. The Brothers Grimm manages to avoid any of these principles.

Though the fx are good, the story line is weak and illogical, even given the peculiarities of the fantasy world involved.

Also we get to watch our "heroes" avoid the positive messages of heroic fantasy. They are studiously dishonest, avoiding the truth whenever possible. They apparently have no principles other than self preservation and "working the con". They spend most of their time screaming in fear, screaming at each other and begging for their lives. Good examples for kids they are not.

Also, some of the scenes are way too scary for little kids. (The little boy losing his eyes and mouth to the mud monster, and running around blind and deformed, is an example).

A good one to let slide.