Reviews

Thus is an exceptionally sad tale with no sympathetic characters among the major ones. The initial premise of how wonderful and successful of a great family they were faded so quickly that it wasn't worth painting in the first place. Then the hell that they put Natalia through upon discovering that she was not the adoptee they thought she was, was nothing short of psychotic. The worst thing about the documentary is that it was too drawn out with the trite overuse of Michael as a highly emotional, self proclaimed innocent, cuckhold/powerless husband;basically an over the top drama queen constantly wiping nonexistent tears. That technique by the director moved the content from a very serious and sensitive subject to a low brow Bravo Housewives episode. The real story, of how a Ukrainian child with serious psychological, emotional, and abandonment issues had morphed into or duped into a conspiracy to mask her real identity to the point that she emerged as a perpetrator, was lost amid the tale of what was supposed to be rational adults behaving poorly up to including feloniously. There are no winners in this case.

Nipsey Hussle was a gangbanger, pure and simple, and his life was ended because of his own lifestyle, his own involvement among his own people. He hadn't rejected or transcended gang culture, he had remained within the same culture and leveraged it, manipulated it to his business and personal advantage. Nipsey Hussle and Eric Holder were exactly the same and were both products of the same system of cyclical crimes perpetrated against the black community by its own. If Nipsey hadn't been embedded within the gang community, there would have been no way for him to have known about Holder allegedly being a snitch. There are no heroes in this tragic story and this vile , brutal and shameful behavior continues predominantly black, brown and Asian communities around the United States. If we want to honor the heroes in the black community, why not laud the teachers, nurses, bus drivers, police officers, social workers, super market workers and all the others who work hard to uplift our communities by being good citizens who live their lives within the confines of the rule of law simply because we love and respect our own people.

I'll start by saying that the romance fraud was actually laughable, particularly for an intelligent, world class journalist who met the Paolo doing a story on him. She should be ashamed that she let her journalistic integrity fly right out the window because he threw romantic magic dust at her and she was in such a trance that she was unable to do even the minimum amount of background checking to see if he was who he claimed to be;not even a Google search. Yet, she thinks the real story is about her romantic entanglement with a married man and a doctor of fraudulent and criminal conduct;a murderer. Interestingly, when the New York Times story emerged concerning his scientific misconduct, her mind went to pondering whether she was still getting married.

Once the story progressed beyond Benita's shallow perspective, I realized that what at first seemed like the backstory story was really the suck, criminal and immoral tale of a mad scientist. I'm so sorry for the families who lost loved ones only to later have the pain amplified by the unconscionable acts of a mad scientist.

The heroes were obviously the scientists and doctors who called out his work and the journalists who researched and told this sordid tale. Well done.

A sort of 1978 "Will & Grace" without a Jack. Witty. Zany. Funny. Real. Clumsy. Heartfelt. I actually thought this would be one of the many maudlin, tragic stories of the late 70s, but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself viewing something completely believable, interesting and really kind of a normal situation. I wish I'd seen this as a late teen when it was released.

It was thought provoking in that it dealt openly and honestly with the issue of gender and sexuality fluidity in a situation where both parties were aware that the other was more inclined towards same sex attraction. Thus is a story that's still relevant.

As a Black son of the South who is well informed about its history, good, bad and indifferent, I initially opted to skip this documentary. But I'm glad I didn't. I'm always interested in learning and was surprised to learn that Mardi Gras did not originate in my home state, Louisiana. My feelings about the events of Mardi Gras are a mixed bag. On one had people naturally socialize with those who travel within the same social circles and so the separate celebrations along racial lines are not inherently racist, but definitely racially segregated because historically one group had long barred the other from participating. However I tried to see current day separation as a choice, the reality of racism was clearly articulated by the older gentleman, Luce.

There were a few issues that struck me in the behavior of Black views towards the White crews. Those Blacks who appeared in the documentary expressed strong pride and support for their celebration, even through teaching Black children the drawbacks and the benefits of racial segregation. Long before "Green Book", the movie, Blacks, not just in the South, but countrywide, had hosted Black entertainers, political leaders, athletes, etc., because they were prohibited from lodging and eating at White establishments. As a child in Louisiana, we knew of places we couldn't frequent even before we could read the "No Coloreds" or "No Negroes" signs posted around our town. The older generation of Blacks in Mobile seemed to still tell children those stories. And while they focused rather intently on their own events, there seemed to be some longing for some level of recognition or participation in the White ones. Yet, they seemed willing to have Whites participate fully in their events.

I was also curious about Black participation only as bands, torch bearers and dancers in the White parades; never on a float. Unless I missed it, I was left wondering did the Blacks participate voluntarily or were they paid? I couldn't imagine me participating unless I was paid because of not, then I as a Black person would be a contributor of free entertainment/labor in a segregated event.

The MCA king had very interesting remarks. He seemed to say he's not against change, but also said several times that things don't need to change because they're fine as they are. Which from his perspective, they are and always have been just fine. I was left without knowing if he's ok with desegregation of Mardi Gras or not, which likely is a statement about bigger things in Mobile. Ironic that the Black Mayor issued his royal proclamation.

The documentary was even in its view of differing opinions and attitudes of participants. It was also interesting. I did think that it was reminiscent of a couple prior ones about segregated high school proms in this day and age for children attending the same school.

I would love to see every venue in this whole country accept people of all backgrounds, cultures, races and religions, but it seems social events will be the last bastions of racial division. While I'm all for desegregation (a must have for public education, government, jobs, housing, and public venues of all sorts), I strongly believe that the one barrier to private social settings is that we cannot force people to want to socialize with us who are different;thus, I probably don't want to. As a LGBT person, I frequently ask why people keep going to intolerant bakers to make their wedding cakes. Seems to me that I'd appreciate a sin untie window "No Blacks, No Gays" so I'd know for sure that I wouldn't spend a penny there or want to eat anything they'd prepared.

I do understand people who say that change, particularly regarding issues of prejudice, happens slowly. Well, it's been 157 years since the Civil War ended and we're still "hopey/changy" for less discrimination, while more vitriol and angry rhetoric abounds and actual violence ensues against Blacks, Latinos, LGBT, Jews, immigrants, Muslims, etc. How much longer?

Wow. Good documentary work. Kudos to the director. I'm a Christian and am all onboard with forgiveness under even the toughest situations. As an opponent to the death penalty, I'm glad Dale Wayne Sigler was spared execution, but after hearing his story, based on his lack of remorse, I'm not convinced he should have been released from prison or that he appreciates the gravity of what he did in murdering John Zeltner. He struck me as one of the many who was imprisoned and found God. I don't doubt prison conversions, as all who become Christians had a past. What I find difficult to reconcile is what I perceived as Sigler having an attitude of I've overcome and am fully forgiven regardless of who might think differently, yet he has unfinished business with John's family (I get that he can't contact them). I also see him as being (or attempting to be) highly manipulative, particularly with Carole Whitworth and her church members. What just blew me away was this whole new story about why he allegedly killed John. The whole story reeks of gaslighting in a feeble attempt to mitigate his reasoning for murdering a man in cold blood, particularly when if it had a scintilla of truth, surely he would have used it at trial. It's pretty easy, convenient, irrefutable and disgusting to concoct a story which negatively portrays a murder victim as a villain when even Sigler's own friend remarked that he took them around gay men. I believe that he had a sexual relationship with John. Maybe Sigler can't forgive himself because he can't tell himself the truth. I pray that he'll do better, get some therapy, tell the truth and actually be able to forgive himself, let God really make something positive of his life, and somehow, someday make amends to John's family. We all have work that we need to do. That is his.

Worse than the Indiana players' reactions to the atrocious behavior of the Detroit fans was the Uber level of hypocrisy leveled by the media hurling caustic allegations against the players and nothing against the fans/antagonists. Also quite poignant was the finger pointing at genres of music and cultural indicators that emanate from the American Black culture;kind of a backhanded racial slur. Good that fans Haddad & Green got what they deserved for initiating violence. I don't condone the players' reactions, but I do support defending oneself when attacked. Video is priceless and is resulting in many of the types of incidents that allowed one sided views and even outright lies to prevail to be successfully refuted and the truth be uncovered.

I found this to be a sad, bewildering, nonsensical, and almost tragic tale of what we now know about the catfish phenomenon. It's incredible that Manti, like many others in this era, allowed himself to be absorbed into and by the fantastical tale weaved by Tuiasosopo. For the life of me, I just cannot reconcile how anyone could become so intricately attached to and deeply in love with someone sight unseen.

Beyond that though, I found Tuiasosopo to have weaved and carried out a powerful plot. Yet, after seemingly acknowledging his wrongdoing, came across as highly nonchalant about a scheme, a fraud, a deliberate deception which almost cost Te'o to lose everything he'd worked so hard for all his life. Frankly, as a LGBT person, Tuiasosopo's behavior disgusts me. It was the exact opposite of living authentically, what people like me have fought to do for so long. Yet, I pray mercy for him that he will do bin his seemingly authentic life.

Great , thorough, introspective and balanced documentary storytelling.

Good basic information about how technology is misused by criminals. I was not so keen at all about what appeared to me to be glorification of Rigmaiden's cleverness he used to mitigate his blatantly criminal behavior. Frankly, he disgusts me and his story didn't warrant two episodes.

Hunter Moore is just pure trash. I believe what he was doing, while legal, was definitely immoral. Having said that, what bothered me as much was the incessant whining of the "victims" all of whom had taken or had taken, nude shots. What thinking person in this age would take nude pics, send them to anyone, and logically expect them not to be shared. Oh yeah, I truly believe I'll be with the person I'm with forever, so it's perfectly safe to send them my nudes;said no one ever. Nude photos are fine. I like them. I've taken some, but I'm definitely smart enough not to include my face in any.

Like a stereotypical Hallmark channel movie, missing only a Christmas scene. Acting was mediocre, at best. Alyssa Milano, a joke. Storyline was very surface, not much depth. Type of movie I'd watch only on a long flight and I'd already seen everything else.

About halfway through, I started wondering when the story would gel. What I actually ended up seeing was what I'd describe as a really bad, trite take on the Whitney Houston storyline. I expected so much more with Lena Waithe's writing and powerful acting potential of Neicy Nash, Giancarlo Esposito and Sharon Stone. There was a definite lack of originality in the script. In addition, while Gracie Marie Bradley was beautiful, either he acting was subpar or the script confined her, or perhaps both. Definitely a disappointment.

My 9th grade algebra teacher used to admonish a wrong answer with, "good try, no cigar". Thus, having watched the prior British and American versions, I feel this remake tried but just didn't quite cut it. It was ok. The main characters, Ruthie, Mingus and Brodie were nothing more than exaggerated narcissistic, hedonistic, and not so varied character types ubiquitous in LGBT productions. Interestingly, some of the sub-characters were much more developed, nuanced and credible. Noah, Julian, Shar, Ali and Marvin so much better developed roles. While I appreciated the effort towards a more diverse LGBT universe, I'm not sure whether it hurt or helped when the setting was NOLA, a city with a significant black LGBT community. Yet, I'm not suggesting that it needed to be predominantly black. What I do want to be clear about is that a reboot of a known work needs to have it's own spark, which I just didn't get. I felt like I'd just seen this movie before. Was I watching "Queer as Folk", "Generations", "It's a Sin", "EastSiders" "Noah's Arc"?

This performance lacked maturity in myriad ways. At this stage of the game, Katt's comedy should be much more developed and complex that he need not resort to what amounted to teenage schoolyard humor. As many comedians have already proven, he could have done so much more with the pandemic. Chicken wings was ok, but lacked depth. God vs evolution, not much cutting edge substance there. Finally, with p_$$¥ it seemed as if he tried to make raunchy, low-hanging fruit into cobbler, but failed to give it crust. His drag was also dated and appeared to me to be too youthful for a 50 year-old man;a doorag under a cap dude which just made him look like an old, tired, sweaty and late Michael Jackson, hip hop wannabe. This was an overall sad presentation.

The series was well done and exceptionally thorough. Kudos to the director and producers for bringing forth yet another story that should serve as a cautionary tale to others about how the predators and fraudsters among us.

As fa as how I feel about Sarma, frankly I'm appalled. She is no dumb woman; an accomplished restauranteur, a superbly educated graduate of The Wharton School (full disclosure, I'm Penn alumni), affluent by way of family, and adept at navigating the NYC business world. But her demeanor of naïveté in allowing a stranger to infiltrate her business, acceptance of Anthony/Michael's myriad "X-Fikes" tales, and the exceptional volume of wire transfers of funds she didn't own personally, I'm calling BS! She is just as much a fraud as he is.

I'm throwing her on the fraudster burial pyre along with "Inventing Anna", "The Tinder Swindler"and all the others who who have intentionally defrauded and stolen from others. I do however believe in Karma tho.