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Hold the Dark (2018)
Command performance by all.
This movie delivers on many levels, and the entire cast delivered stunning performances, rich in nuance and emotion.
Moody and thematic, the movie can feel slow at times, but this is more than offset by the bursts of action as they occur.
Jeffrey Wright always delivers a great performance, and this role is no different. His expressive face shares emotion and tells a story all their own.
All of the supporting roles brought a resonance that sometimes threatened to "steal the scene" throughout; this was a great cast that had solid onscreen chemistry.
Alexander Skarsgård also adds an ominous, almost supernatural, tone as the father of a slain child.
The ending on this one did leave me puzzled. Overall, 7 out of 10.
One Day at a Time (2017)
The answer to why this show got canceled is in the Trivia section.
I was reading the trivia section on this show and I think this trivia bit explains a lot about what got this show, and probably so many others, canceled,
"None of these episodes would have been made today. Indeed, the 2017 reboot; while getting rave reviews from the critics; has few if any shock moments in it. Lear is less interesting in shocking audiences now than simply educating them; and widening their parameters about race; gender; and other issues. It should also be noted that while the 2017 is getting much better reviews than the original; the ratings are also lower; the original 1975 was in the top 20 for all but one year it was on the air."
specifically, this line,
"Lear is less interesting in shocking audiences now than simply educating them; and widening their parameters about race; gender; and other issues"
is the proverbial nails in the coffin for a lot of great shows.
I read that bit of trivia, and later got to thinking about it. Then I reread it again. And it hit me.
People are just tired of shows that focus on this stuff a little too much. They want to be entertained, not "educated" in the producer's politics, morals, or anything else. Filling a show with political (or sexual, or religious) banter leaves little room for actual story, because so few writers today can mix them intelligently and make it sound natural.
If my 'immersion' is constantly broken by this stuff, I lose interest and move on to another show. Same with movies.
We have to use our brains all day at work, and then come home and watch shows that are all trying to be 'edgy' or whatever, and are filled with bad dialogue, politics of any sort, confusing symbolism, and a host of other stuff that I would think most folks really want a break from when they get home and begin to unwind.
And so, another one joins the real 'cancel' culture.
The Blacklist (2013)
Spader born to play Reddington.
Early in Spader's career, I will admit to not being his biggest fan. Over the years, this veteran actor has matured into a force to be reckoned with. The creator's of the show took a big risk partnering him with much younger actors, but they pull together to balance the scene stealing powerhouse that Spader brings to this show.
In my humble opinion, the one younger star being overlooked and under- sung here, is Diego Klattenhoff. I was not crazy about his performance on Homeland, but recognized he was not given a great part, little screen time, or great writing in that show. But here, he takes what any other actor would have made a wooden character and turns in a performance that rivals that of anyone else on the show except Spader. Even in scenes involving Spader, he holds his own well.
The show is fantastically written, the suspense is just right, no deus ex machina or other script writer BS. The show is flawless, the actors deliver gripping performances that draw you in a leave you breathless until the very end of the show.
The only thing I can find negative about the show? It ends far too soon. I have few shows in my experience that make me sad to see end credits.
Looking for a show that will deliver an awesome story line, drama that draws you in deep, and acting that rivals any show running today? The Blacklist delivers in spades.
10/10 is a score I give grudgingly at best to a TV show. This one deserves 11/10. It will not disappoint.
Bullet (2014)
A descent Cop movie with Trejo and Banks delivering the goods.
So the movie is not a blockbuster, but its not a crappy B-movie either. It fit's somewhere in between. It's a flick for guys with a few laughs thrown in amid gritty action scenes, we even get a few 'bullet' time shootouts that are pretty nicely done.
Danny Trejo is Danny Trejo. What else can you say? That stoic face delivers good lines and those hammer-fists deliver country-boy style beat-downs.
Jonathan Banks works nicely opposite Trejo delivering a performance just as edgy as he gave in Breaking Bad. These two together on screen just doesn't get any better in my humble opinion.
You can just tell these two guys, along with the rest of the cast, had a boatload of fun making this action packed film and prove once again that producers don't necessarily have to use high-end special effects and martial arts to make a great action flick. Give me a good story and some solid acting like this film delivers.
Like a fine wine, Trejo and Banks only get better with age. I look forward to seeing these two in a film together soon.
A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day (2013)
Much better than I expected.
Solid acting performances and some riveting cinematography have gone under appreciated in this dark, gritty tale of medieval monks running for their lives.
Paul Jibson gave a really good performance but, sadly, we get to see to little of him in my opinion. I think he should have been cast in a longer lasting role.
Mark Lewis Jones gives a solid showing as the grizzled warrior trying his damnedest to save the monks from the vikings and their own stupidity.
Marc Pickering plays the coming of age monk trying to live as the monk amidst the reality of viking assaults. He commands a solid understanding of his role and leaves you wanting more.
Jibson, Jones, and Pickering really deliver and I look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
This good movie, while not perfect, is worthy of a watch if you are into medieval pieces.