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romeroposadadaniel
Reviews
Free Guy (2021)
Great Popcorn movie with the amazing Ryan Reynolds
The first half of the movie was simply put amazing. The second half didn't seem as out there and take the same risks in story that the first half did and was very heavy-handed with the connections with the real world. There was also less Ryan Reynolds in the second part, so it might have just been that :)
If you're looking for some good laughs from an extremely likeable cast of characters (even Taika's villain is extremely likeable) and don't mind a bit of heavy-handed brand- and streamer-placement, this is the movie for you. Don't worry about the plot, that's not really the point of the movie anyways. The point is that Guy and Buddy are best friends!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Lessons (1993)
It's all about Picard
As it is most of the time, the writers are only interested in showing a guy's (Picard's) perspective. The whole tension of the episode is in what Picard does and how he feels. Replace this 'love interest' with a really smart dog and you'd get the same result at the end. I almost thought that they'd kill her off, which would have made this review 1 star instead of 4 because it would have been the ultimate objectification.
As a classical musician myself, I enjoyed the grounding of their relationship with their shared love of music. Without this it would have been an episode
devoid of redeeming qualities, since most of the emotional anchoring of this episode is based on the Kanaan episode.
All in all: mediocre episode.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Next Phase (1992)
My favorite Episode thus far
This is EXACTLY what I wanted out of a Star Trek Episode. A fun concept that had me on the edge of my seat for a solid 30 min. Geordi and Ro mesh so well in this episode and Ro herself is at her best here (she's also my favorite character on the show thus far).
I can't overhype this episode, it is just that good. Watch it for yourself, you won't regret it.
The only issue is of course, the 'evil Romulan' thing that's going on here. I feel it would have been a much more cathartic episode if the Romulans had done something on accident to mess with the Enterprise's controls and only Geordi had noticed it. Because of this I'm 'only' giving it 9 stars.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Masterpiece Society (1992)
Nuh uh
This episode can really go all the way to hell. The comparisons being made, the horrible way women were written in the episode (specifically Troi). Very unpleasant experience especially towards the end. The last 'prime directive' scene can frack all the way off. All the way. If that society couldn't stand taking s bit of criticism from the outside before collapsing, it was clearly going to collapse some time or other. Just BAD writing.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Silicon Avatar (1991)
Great Sci-Fi and a broken woman's search for revenge
Explorations of human concepts such as revenge and love are where I believe Sci-Fi shines best, since the 'science' part of the genre tends to become obsolete very quickly.
This episode in particular was about a woman's search for revenge. Her 'madness' is well-documented, starting with the wild change of her relationship with data from being cold to adoring and doting. For over 20 years this woman had nothing more on her mind than searching for revenge, and she simply cannot grasp the idea of attempting to communicate with it. There seems to be a moment's hesitation when she sees the entity for the first time, where she says that it is beautiful, but she's in too deep, so she pulls the metaphorical trigger and destroys the entity, refusing its right to being. It is masterfully written and filmed, and the acting is on point by Ellen Greer.
This episode only gets 8 stars from me though because of its spreading of sexist attitudes. The fact that she was a mother with a career who ended up paying for her wanting to be really good at her job by losing her child is an old trope. That she went insane because of this makes it even worse. I understand that this episode is reflecting the time it was made in, but as a great reviewer often says "It's both possible, and even necessary, to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of its more problematic or pernicious aspects." It is important to mention and acknowledge these stereotypes and narratives that have been fabricated to keep women docile and in subservient roles, to make sure we don't repeat them and don't get sucked in by them.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Host (1991)
Review from somebody who hasn't watched DS9
I understand the reservations that people have for Star Trek when it comes to their female characters: ever since Dr. Pulaski left, there haven't been many episodes that could pass the Bechdel Test and just treat their female characters as pieces of meat with little personality.
Despite this episode also not passing the Bechdel Test, the struggle felt real for Dr. Crusher to accept Odan. Her wants and needs seem real this episode. It is a shame that the writers don't manage to use flesh out female characters' wants beyond those in the love department, the show is much worse without it. I have not watched DS9, do I'm judging this episode solely on its merits alone and that said, I enjoyed this episode quite a bit!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Half a Life (1991)
Brilliant and concise
This is one of the few TNG episodes that could achieve timelessness. Great acting on all sides and Lwuaxana gets to shine brighter than ever, this is the first time I see her as a person and not as a joke. This is the kind of debate that sci-fi does so well: should we all just die at 60/65? No matter what? Do we have a responsibility to care for our elders in their frail age? This central debate is very well argued on both sides. No strawpeople, the discussion was legitimate.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Elementary, Dear Data (1988)
Wholesome and wondrous in all the best ways
This episode shows TNG tackling big questions on consciousness and being, arriving at a warm, wholesome ending where curiosity and love of being alive are enough to make an entity "good'
Mr. Robot: 407 Proxy Authentication Required (2019)
Elliot Reborn
Esmail, always keen on experimenting with as many genres as possible made a play this episode. Divided in 5 Acts and set in 1 room it is the polar opposite to last week's episode: it's all in the dialogue.
High angles and grimy lighting is the cream of this episode, as Elliot and the viewer dive deep into his mind. No flashbacks, however, it's all in the excellent dialogue and performances of the small cast for this episode.
Best episode of the season thus far, if not the entire series, after a bumpy start to the season.