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Reviews
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
A once thought provoking, dystopian thriller devolves into over the top revenge drivel.
The first two seasons of this show were very good and warranted our Hulu subscription price. As a '80s Harvard graduate; I also enjoyed the scenery and faithfulness to Atwood's source material.
Season three signaled a change in tone in which, although the plot lines became convoluted, the emotional stakes seemed relatively high. During this fourth season however, all nuance just evaporated.
I think that any reasonable individuals can agree that rape "isn't cool" whether as a means of systemic control, tool of war, or individual act of aggression. Tragically, instances of all three types continue to occur throughout our modern, "real" world.
Unfortunately, during this season the makers seemed to decide that, perhaps rape's not really that bad after all provided that the victim is a male spouse of a traumatized (not by him) woman. I was somewhat surprised to see the plethora of 'reviews' posts that applauded the episode as "empowering", agency affirming, etc. Really?
Tonight's finale with the pack of women dismembering the Commander (s.o.b. That he was) seemed more like "I Spit on Your Grave", "Revenge", or some other grind house B-movie drivel than a worthy adaptation of an esteemed, prize winning author of Atwood's stature whose been decorated by her Queen. Indeed, the only moment of the finale that rang true was the look of palpable and abject horror/fear in the face of the hapless husband, Luke as he watched his psycho wife babble with blood on her face to the baby at the end.
Loki: Glorious Purpose (2021)
Loki's sex described in the TVA dossier/file as "fluid"
Did anyone else notice that? I'm not making any judgement. Rather, I'd never seen any depiction of "transgender" of any kind previously in the MCU. Of course the PC, censors, speech police declined to post my trivia/comment.
How is asking whether folks saw something that the Director obviously placed in the episode inciting hatred or whatever? So lame?
This site used to have forums where folks could ask questions and share ideas. Since Amazon took it over, well it seems to exist primarily to steer folks toward their products whilst pushing ultra "progressive" viewpoints. A "regular", middle aged person can't express a thought or ask a question without being cancelled. 'This a pity.
Servant (2019)
Well, that was... somewhat disappointing.
Let me start by saying that, over the years, I've enjoyed the balance of Shamalamadingdong's work. The Unbreakable/Split/Glass trilogy was inventive and interesting. Sixth Sense, The Village, and the Visit were pleasantly creepy. The Devil was cool and I even liked the Lady in the Water enough to rent, lol.
Following Spilt and Glass' return to form, I was psyched to see what he might do with Servant. Philadelphia locations? Check? Avant- creepy music? Check. Bluish - grayish and other color clue lighting? Check. Add haute chef foodie stuff, sprinkle occultism, and add Black Mirror/Koba British actor; my Six Feet Under crush, AND that kid from Harry Potter? Umm.. hell yeah. Already, I'm in.
Sadly... 20 episodes later, I'm not quite sure what's going on, lol. Perhaps I'm just not smart enough?
Servant (2019)
Well, that was... somewhat disappointing.
Let me start by saying that, over the years, I've enjoyed the balance of Shamalamadingdong's work. The Unbreakable/Split/Glass trilogy was inventive and interesting. Sixth Sense, The Village, and the Visit were pleasantly creepy. The Devil was cool and I even liked the Lady in the Water enough to rent, lol.
Following Spilt and Glass' return to form, I was psyched to see what he might do with Servant. Philadelphia locations? Check? Avant- creepy music? Check. Bluish - grayish and other color clue lighting? Check. Add haute chef foodie stuff, sprinkle occultism, and add Black Mirror/Koba British actor; my Six Feet Under crush, AND that kid from Harry Potter? Umm.. hell yeah. Already, I'm in.
Sadly... 20 episodes later, I'm not quite sure what's going on, lol. Perhaps I'm just not smart enough?
Girls5eva (2021)
Funny as heck with GREAT music.
I just sort of stumbled upon this browsing the rarely used (by me, at least) Peacock app. At first, the premise reminded me of a British 6 episode series called Wannabee eg. Former Girl group now middle aged moms trying to stage a comeback. Girls5Eva is much snappier however and the tunes are far superior. Sort of like Flight of the Conchords or Popstar Never Stop Never Stopping. You laugh at the words and satire but, the tunes ARE hummable.
Bonus points for the fact that Busy Phillips is SMOKING. She actually looks better than she did twenty years ago, IMHO. This middle aged man would smash mos def.
Battle: Los Angeles (2011)
Kick A*s depiction of conventional, modern land war management with Aliens to boot!
I read the NYT and Rotten Tomatoes when considering whether to watch/go see period dramas, Indies, "Oscar bait", etc. But when it comes to "entertainment"; I find that professional critics (and IMBD poseurs) often have their heads up their culos. As someone with past military experience, I found this movie to be grounded, resonant, somewhat realistic (there are aliens after all, lol), and entertaining. No McGuffins. No deep philosophy. No romance. No invincible, impossibly intelligent, unbeatable aliens and, thank God, no quantum physics.
The 'set up'/backstory took a whole of 15 minutes, the characters were sympathetic and once the action got underway, it was enjoyably relentless. In short, a "kick ass", popcorn munchin' flick which left me saying "That movie rocked".
Calls (2021)
Mind blown... would have rated higher were it not a Remake.
The visuals, short episode length, character interplay, etc. Was unconventional and striking. I thought, "wow... this guy's a genius". Like 10 star genius. Then I realized that he'd bitten the whole program lock, stock and barrel from a French dude, smh.
Still... the finished product IS pretty dope. Hence... 8 stars.
Cheers.
One on One (1977)
Brought back memories of pubescent yearnings.
I recently rented this for $2.99 on iTunes merely because it was featured for March Madness. I distinctly remember having gone to the theatre TWICE to see it back in 1977 when, two visits to see the same movie, meant choosing between comics or chocolate bars. I was ten (10) years old and in the sixth (6th) grade.
I remember wishing that I could play like that; do 100 push ups AND sit ups; and most of all, maybe have a real, live girlfriend that was smart, beautiful (Annette O'Toole's cheekbones, lips, red hair) and liked ME. She was my first "movie crush".
A very sweet, whist full time of lost innocence revisited. Good movie.
The Way I See It (2020)
Available for purchase on AppleTV/iTunes
@SheDolphin... the documentary is available for purchase on AppleTV. My basic cable doesn't include MSNBC. Thus, that's where I watched the film. Any road... Cheers.
Million Pound Menu (2018)
Scott Collins (MeatLiquor Guy) is the Worst
I enjoy food show such as Ugly Delicious, etc. I binged this series a couple of years ago and recently binged the second season. I agree with some of the other reviews take that 1) the lack of investment was frustrating; and 2) that the investors who did invest often made the "wrong" choice (to my mind at least). Oh well... "whatever."
After suffering through his banality for two seasons however, I felt compelled to write this review to call out Collins in particular for his thoroughly transparent disingenuousness. Time and again it's clear that he has no interest in investing in anyone. Rather, his primary interest seems to "peep folks' game" in hopes of ripping off their ideas to implement in his own joints.
Two glaring examples arise within the first few episodes of season one. The young cat from Trap Kitchen had a huge IG following from word of mouth, neighborhood love, street cred and cooking in his Mama's flat. Collins was like Snidely Whiplash constantly asking about "How'd you get so many IG followers"? "Tell me the secret sauce of getting more social media love". I half expected him to say: "Hey man, I'm not going to help you but would you mind helping me to steal some of yours"? 😂
I sensed a similar vibe from him with respect to the (again) rather young and naive Shrimpwreck guy. You could practically see the cartoon balloon over Collins' head thinking "Hmm... I'll ask this sucker kid about his supply chain, costs, etc. and add his two signature sandwiches to my own burger joints. Lame.
Knightfall: Do You See the Blue? (2018)
So Landry destroys the Holy Grail and everyone shrugs?
I've enjoyed the series, particularly the nods to "Templar lore". A significant part of the continuing fascination/interest in the Order are 1) the connection to the Holy Grail, and 2) the curse upon Phillip IV and his line line.
The entire season seemed to be about the Grail and the growing distrust between the throne and the Order. Suddenly at the conclusion, Landry smashes the holiest and most powerful relic in Christendom and... nobody blinks. Everyone just shrugs and lays in the cut whilst he bawls about his dead side piece (who also happens to be the King's wife) and what do with their kid.