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The Peripheral (2022)
Quality entry in a tough genre
I started watching this series with moderate expectations. By the end of the first episode, I was thoroughly intrigued. As some reviewers state, it can be a little slow and/or uneven at some points. Overall, this is one of the best sci-fi series ever.
Chloe more than carries her weight and the ensemble cast is spot on. I was crushed to here that while they perfectly set up for a season 2, the series was cancelled.
I don't blame the series for that. It was poorly promoted. I didn't even hear about it, I happened upon it from a viewer's recommendation.
Hopefully another network can pick it up and produce another season or two. There's more of the story to tell, they just need to work on marketing and probably cut the budget.
Highly recommended.
Big Little Lies (2017)
Dark and unredeeming
We were intrigued with the first few episodes. Big star power and some engaging characters. Interesting theme of a clash of strong personalities and fragile egos.
We gave up after 5 episodes. The storylines just got way too dark. All this money, all this success and yet everyone is miserable and screws their friends over.
The problems of the cast pale in comparison to what the characters in Band of Brothers endured. It was difficult to try to empathize with the parents, especially when most of the disasters were of their own making.
And to be honest, we have no idea why or how Woodley became a star. Monotone, resting b*tch face, no acting ability and after seeing her in Ferrari, not able to do accents.
Seeing Laura Dern as a villain hurt me emotionally. She's much better as the heroine. Kidman does a great job but her storyline is just so twisted and sick.
The child actors steal the show and add some much needed levity and humor.
This may be right in some viewers wheelhouse, it was just too dark for us.
Blue Eye Samurai (2023)
Surprisingly good
Not a big anime fan so I wasn't sure what to expect. Decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised. Stunning landscapes and terrific action scenes. The voice talent is top shelf.
Definitely not for kids, but still too much sex, nudity and violence. Yes, it's part of the story but it came across as a bit gratuitous.
I agree with some of the reviewers who felt lilke the first 5 episodes were perfection but the last three seemed a bit aimless and didn't really wrap things up to a satisfying level.
All in all, they've raised the bar for animation. The landscapes, and attention to detail for the costumes and movement are spendid.
Definitely worth watching and I look forward to the next season.
Justified: City Primeval: City Primeval (2023)
Oof, awkward start
I was really looking forward to revisiting Raylan and seeing what new adventures were ahead. After one episode, I don't know if I can even bring myself to watch the second episode.
Placing his character in Detroit is completely like a fish out of water. Characters are unrealistic and unrelatable. The dialog is nowhere near as well written as the first series.
Nothing against the actor playing the antagonist but there's really nothing that makes you want to watch or care about him.
It would have better to transfer Raylan to at least Texas, Arizona or Colorado where his persona would fit in better.
Outlast (2023)
Underwhelming
I really wanted to like this show. Survivor is okay but I was hoping for something with a little harder edge and less scripted drama.
The concept is good but the cast selection was awful. While I'm sure they are fine people, it came across like they scraped the bottom of the barrel of the nearest trailer park and the hills of Kentucky to get the least inspiring contestants available.
Not all were like that, but the rest seemed to be battling so much personal trauma it seemed cruel to put them in this scenario.
Overall it was tolerable but wow, humans can really be evil.
Please don't do a second season.
SAS Rogue Heroes (2022)
Surprisingly entertaining!
We get pretty turned off when period pieces try to incorporate modern music into the soundtrack. For a series about WWII, they should have big band music, right? They have AC/DC, Motorhead and the like....and it totally works.
It's about the unlikely formation of British Special Forces, but it's more about comraderie and what you can accomplish as a team, even if you're a team of misfits, degenerates, drunkards and miscreants.
These boys probably weren't having a lot of success in regular life so the chance to use their "skills" makes perfect sense.
The three main characters are perfectly cast as they combine their frustrations and plot to take it out on the Axis powers.
Well cast, good character development and stunning cinematography , especially for a tv series. We're about halfway through season 1 and already can't wait for a season 2.
The English (2022)
Great potential but falls a bit short
There's a lot to love about this series. The lead actors are terrific and the cinematography is top shelf. But the story is extremely dark, the story is confusing and there are simply too many time jumps to keep your place.
A few of the episodes it seemed like there was no written dialog and the actors were simply told to wing it. And the last episode just seems to go on forever.
Emily Blunt has a great screen presence as always and Chaske Spencer is a rising star to keep your eye on. Not sure, but this might have been better as a one-off movie rather than a series.
We are really enjoying the renewed interests in westerns. All in all, this is a decent watch but could have been better.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
A Breath of Fresh Air
After watching 8 episodes of The Staircase (a labyrinth where all paths lead to....dysfunction), this was an absolute treat. It felt much like a late 50's/early 60's rom com.
I could totally see Cary Grant as the executive, Audrey Hepburn as the engenue...
A dress is simply fabric. Nothing more, nothing less. But in the eyes of the beholder, and created by the hands of true artisans, it becomes something magical.
Is it real magic or simply an illusion created by the haute couture industry to sell some clothing? It's all up to you, and if you derive joy from it, then joyful it is.
It was fun to watch the wanderings of such a seemingly pedestrian character who exudes such positivity that she leaves people better off just by passing in her wake.
Such great fun and we look forward to seeing more offerings from the director.
The Staircase (2022)
So good and so confusing
Top notch casting. Must have been challenging work for the actors to portray such a dysfunctional family. It's a sphincter-clenching ride but you buckle in so you can have everything explained in the end.
But...it's not. There are so many characters, so many theories and such a dizzying array of time jumps and red herrings, I just sat there after 8 episodes wondering what I just watched.
It's also a tough watch. As the family backstory is revealed, it's impossible to root for any of the characters. Even the French editor is totally gullible and gets sucked into the web of deceit and lies.
It sucks you in and it's worth a watch, just an unsatisfying ending after such a harrowing journey.
The Offer (2022)
Absolutely riveting
Top shelf ensemble cast. I know they took a bit of artistic license with the storyline, but it didn't matter. The character development was out of this world. Even the handful of distasteful characters have you rooting for them in the end.
It's funny in retrospect that the studio was in such a precarious position when making the movie. It's easy to acknowledge today that the franchise is one of the best of all time. And yet back in the day, this was a huge risk.
They do a great job of getting you vested in the venture, even though we know how it turned out. It's a bunch of narcissists, egotists, drunks, power mongers, gangsters and misfits that combine forces to create something magical.
A+
The Gilded Age (2022)
A Guilty Pleasure
My wife is typically the one to enjoy historical dramas. But this one is really well done. So nice they were able to film at actual period specific locations, it makes for great scenery.
Terrific casting, too. There's no weak link and they've gone to great lengths to make sure each storyline can be supported.
Too bad production was slowed by covid. They could be up to season 3 or 4 by now. Good show, highly recommended.
Lucifer (2016)
Good for binge watching
Nothing earth-shattering, but a fun watch. Ellis gets a little old with the one-liners but the female cast is outstanding.
German, Brandt, Harris, Garcia, Helfer, it's non-stop eye candy and they are all solid performers.
I was able to visit the set during a Warner Bros tour so it's been interesting to see scenes filmed exactly where I was standing.
Excellent ensemble cast, reminiscent of House.
Moon Knight (2022)
Good job on a minor Marvel character
As usual, there are plot changes from the original storyline. Isaac, as the main character does a good job. The Steven character is just whiney and annoying, gets tiresome. And there is entirely too much screen time for Hawke.
That said, the cinematography is special and plot twists abound. I wanted to go a little higher on the rating but hopefully they'll get things worked out for season 2.
Since Moon Knight originally appeared in Werewolf by Night, I'm hoping that's where they go for the next round.
Dark Winds (2022)
Best Hillerman entry
Excellent character development and the first legitimate adaption of a Hillerman work. Kind of a slow burn but when the action hits, it hits hard.
And the young lady (Jessica Matten) playing the female lead, is absolutely riveting to watch.
Hoping for a season 2, or at least keeping the cast together for another Hillerman story.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Entertaining but missed a couple of opportunities
I love the dialogue and character development. The mysterious ways of the Texas vernacular and accent are captured perfectly.
SPOILERS
A couple of let downs for me had to do with missed opportunities. The introduction of Woody Harrelson's character, literally went nowhere but there was a good story to tell. And the worst part was the build up between Llewellyn and Anton. To not even have that occur was a crime in itself.
Missed opportunities aside, it was a riveting movie. One for the ages.
Uncharted (2022)
Tough watch
Solid cast but what an incredible waste of time. Marky Mark just goes through the motions and the producers must have said "Hey, let's have Tom Holland lift weights for six weeks, then make a movie."
Bad script, weak dialog, every cliche in the book. The worst part, it looks like they're gearing up for a possible sequel.
Unless you've got little kids in the house, don't bother.
Mayor of Kingstown (2021)
Highly entertaining
A lot of plot holes and a couple of annoying characters, but oh so entertaining. Kind of like The Wire but a different locale.
I've read that the ratings have been just so-so, hoping there will be a second season as there are a lot of loose ends.
Nobody (2021)
Surprisingly entertaining!
No new ground broken here but it's a solid entry into the action genre. It took me a while to spend the time to watch the movie but after seeing a lot of positive reviews, I decided to check it out.
I thought Odenkirk was an odd choice to play the lead but he does a good job. Definitely a Liam Neeson type role. And Connie Nielsen is absolutely ageless. She's almost 60 and is drop dead gorgeous. Always a treat to see her on the screen.
Christopher Lloyd steals the show as the grumpy Grandpa not happy in retirement.
The action scenes are over the top and completely entertaining.
Love on the Spectrum (2019)
Noble, but forced and unnatural
My wife was totally sucked into this show so I watched a couple of episodes with her. It made me uncomfortable as the producers tried to assimilate the participants into traditional dating conformities.
Why not take a different tack and come up with a way for them to become comfortable with each other on their own level?
If someone is socially uncomfortable and perhaps awkward, it's seems cruel to set them up for failure.
I'm certainly no expert on social norms but it really hurt to see their souls crushed again and again.
Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet (2020)
Not the usual prattle here
I've gotten a few chuckles out of Phillie so I thought I'd give this one a try since I recognized a couple of big names from that series in the credits for MQ.
First couple of episodes were okay but then the series really hits it's stride. Excellent character development and the stand alone episode was fantastic.
For that episode, I got about 5 minutes into it and had to check to make sure I was still on the same series. I recognized the actors so I decided to stick it out. Wow am I glad I did. I prefer action and comedy to drama/romance but this was done perfectly.
A few big names in the cast but the key is the ensemble work. Each character has their own story and many are seriously dysfuntional. It's how these effed up personalities all come together under stressful circumstances to keep their fans happy that really makes it work.
Hope this series has a good run, I love it so far.
The Night Clerk (2020)
Better than the rating
I'm surprised to see such mediocre ratings here. I thought this was considerably better than "okay". Like an updated homage to a Hitchcock film more than anything else.
I thought Sheridan did a great job in the lead role. De Armas was spot on as the femme fatale.
Overall, a good movie worthy of a viewing.
CBS This Morning (2012)
Prime time slot
Not a bad show but for occupying such a crucial time slot, I'd like to see a more interesting set of hosts as well as far less commercials. For a two hour show, it sure feels like 1/2 the time is spent on commercials.
Anthony is solid, Gayle comes across as a little under-informed and Tony is just shallow and uninteresting.
Jeff Glor, Norah O'Donnell, John Dickerson and Bianna Golodryga were by far the best.
Jungle Cruise (2021)
Entertaining, a fun movie experience
Nothing ground breaking here but the Rock always delivers fun, laughs and action. And Emily Blunt is one of those rare actors that has such an engaging screen presence. Whitehall has a Hugh Grant-like performance, very solid and a good ensemble performer.
Special effects were over the top but it is a Disney flick. Overall, not a must-see movie but a good escape.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Nothing to see here folks
I'm a genuine movie buff and have watched literally thousands of movies. I can appreciate eccentricities in films but I've never understood Anderson releases.
Quirky, cute, fun? Not in the least. Shallow characters, terrible dialog and aimless, wandering, boring plot lines.
I gave this a try after seeing the stellar cast. What a waste, the premise actually had some promise.
It took me three nights to trudge my way through this. I was hoping for some redeeming quality but in the end, all I wanted was two hours of my life back.
The Little Things (2021)
Don't waste your time
Denzel, Malek & Leto. What could go wrong? Everything. The dialogue and pacing are terrible. I think the actors did the best they could with what they had to work with. But it's just 2 hours of cliches and bad red herrings.
A complete waste of time, don't bother.