Change Your Image
issaconeilmason
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020)
The Curse of the Perfect 1st Season
This is a show's first season is one of those few gems in which there is very little wrong with it. If I was just scoring the first season, I would give it a 9 1/2. It was different from anything that I had ever seen and had just such a likeable and talented cast. The premise worked because it was so entertaining. And that last episode where they are grieving the death of the father is one of the best episodes of television that I have ever seen. I hope in 2p years, people will still be talking about it. A perfect 10.
Then there is the 2nd season. I have actually had a hard time watching because unfortunately the whole 2nd season is about Zoey's grief after her father died. At first, I thought it was so touching that they are not just dealing with it in one for two episodes that they were going to show that it takes time. But then...that was pretty much the whole storyline this season and they made Zoey one of the most obnoxious self-centered characters that I have ever seen on television. After a while, you have to question why Mo was still friends with her and why either of the love interests would put up with her back-and-forth. It's a shame because it was one of the few shows that I was extremely excited about and now I just don't care that it was canceled.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
An Uncomfortable Watch
Is this movie bad, NO! Did I like, not really. This movie is 2 hours of being truly uncomfortable which is not what I call entertainment. I like a good artsy and thoughtful film with a few moments that push your comfort level. This movie pretty much from beginning to end is uncomfortable to watch. I realize that we all have different comfort levels when it comes to this but for it just isn't for me. With that being said, as someone who loves movies, this is a well-acted, well-directed, and well-written movie. Maggie Gyllenhaal is like that A student that you went to school with who can do no wrong. I have been a fan and will continue to be a fan. She should be very proud of this project. Also, I came into this movie to watch Olivia Coleman and she didn't disappoint but my gosh is Jesse Buckley who plays a younger version of the character a revelation. Where is the Oscar talk for her?
Veep (2012)
Am I Missing Something?
I just finished this show, and I have to ask everyone am I missing something? The show had potential in the first few years (you know when she was an actual VP), but then it just became one of the most unbearable shows to watch. The only reason I finished it was because I had already put in so much time already. I guess also I love shows and movies that receive award and critical praise so I think I was hoping that I would finally get why this show as so popular. Nope, never got it. The cast are extraordinarily talented but their character all get more annoying as the show goes on. Even the characters that you should have Symphany for are nothing but whiny and obnoxious. And then there is Jonah, probably one of the worst characters in the history of television who got more and more airtime. The only character that I truly like was Richard Splett played by the hilarious Sam Richardson. I have a political science degree and I lived in DC for over a decade working at political organization so I understand what they were trying to do but I just rarely got the joke.
Nisser (2021)
Listen to the Negative Reviews...They Are Not Lying
One of the worse shows ever. Just read all the previous awful reviews. I cannot say better. I have never wanted to see characters die on screen as much as I have with this annoying family. SKIP!!!!
Younger (2015)
CHEMISTRY!!!!This show has tons of it.
I love this show. I love this show so much that I only watched an episode of last season every couple of weeks so that it would take longer for it to end. To some that may seem silly, but this show has been my happy show especially during the last couple of dark years. I was always on the edge of my seat but was more invested in the relationships both dating and friendships. Let's be honest Darren Star knows how to write for women and gay men. He is the new Aaron Spelling.
Yes, it takes a few episodes to talk yourself into believing that Liza can pull this stunt off but Sutton Foster is so charming that you are rooting for her from the beginning. In real life if somebody did this, they would be a villain but the way they write Liza and the way that Sutton Foster portrays her makes you feel for her. The other part of the show that I love is that even though most of the storyline is based around the character of Liza Miller, this is truly an ensemble. There is no week spot among the actors, mostly because of the chemistry that you watch on tv between the actors. SPOILER: When the characters find out Liza's secret throughout the series (which is almost always done in the most entertaining way) the show does something that few other shows are able to do which is make you feel for both sides. They have a right to be angry but in every case the truth is that they are more hurt than angry, but you also always know that Liza didn't want to hurt anyone. So, you never leave an episode hating a character which is a nice feeling.
Another main part of the show is the triangle between Liza, Charles and Josh. Who should Liza pick? To this day, I still don't know. Is it weird to say that maybe they could live as a throuple. I wanted her to be with both. Her chemistry with both of these amazing actors is not something that you always get to see on television. Unfortunately, the show in the last season does ruin Charles a bit and barely uses Josh.
So, my rating is an 8 and I would love to have given it a higher score but that last season is not its greatest. I will say that in the back of my head, I knew that they filmed Younger during the height of the pandemic that we are living in so that probably impacted the vision of the last season but boy was it rushed. And they ruined a few characters which was a bit heartbreaking. Miriam Shore who plays Diana was not able to appear in the last season except for a brief cameo. Without her presence, there was something major lacking. They took the great character of Charles and turned him into a bit of a jerk. They barely used Josh. Instead of finishing the last season about if Liza should be with Josh or Charles, they focused their time on a triangle with Liza, Charles and Quinn Tyler which wasn't entertaining. Quinn, I guess is supposed to be the J. R. Ewing of the show, but it just didn't work. I love Laura Benanti and her character was fun to watch when she would pop up in earlier seasons as a hurdle for the company but that last season, it became way too soapy. I love a good soap and this show usually handle that aspect just right but unfortunately, they jumped the shark a bit with this triangle. And then, the last episode was just a disappointment. It was as if they were going to put a bunch of "happy ever after" possibilities in a 40-minute show and hope that it works with a surprise twist at the end that came out of no-were. It could have been so much more.
I had a lot to say about the last season because it is the freshest but I promise this show is worth it. It is a journey well worth it. These characters are I believe this generation's Sex and the City which I grew up on. And I think many of them will age much better. Enjoy the show.
Shrill (2019)
A Show for Some, But Not for All
I want to say that the reason why I started to watch this show was 100% because I love Aidy Bryant from SNL. I am sure that I am not the only one. Also, as a person of a certain size, I wanted to see how they were going to handle a plus-size character. They do a great job of not making her a caricature, but a person who is dealing with what it is like to be plus size. I don't think that it could be handled in better hands than Bryant. There is a storyline in the final season in which her character Annie deals with dating someone who seems interested, but it is more complicated than that. I have that story a few times in my own personal life and it was like watching my own story. That is what this show does well. But the true delight is Lolly Adefope who plays Fran. She steals the show. She is truly funny, and unlike Annie I actually root for Fran. Unfortunately, the character of Annie just is so whiny that in some of the episodes she comes off unbearable to watch. I understand that to make a hit show or movie today that the character has to be broken but other shows and movies do a better job of making that character somebody to root for, and unfortunately that isn't always the case with Annie. Honestly, there will be a really good episode and then the next two shows might be painful to watch. Another issue is that some of the supporting characters are just obnoxious. My question for the writers of this is do you have to make so many of your supporting charters either jerks or just over the top weird.
With all of that being said, I don't regret watching it. I don't think this show is for everyone, but it definitely has its charm.
Hunters (2020)
Should have been so much more and so much better.
The premise of this show is brilliant, and when I heard that it was being made and it was going to be headlined by Al Pacino, I was really excited. But after watching the season, I just am disappointed. Let's start with the lead character of Jonah Heidelbaum played by Logan Lerman. Logan is a good actor and he did what he could with the material, but as the lead character he should have been the heart and soul of the show and it just never happened. I wanted to root for him but I just never did. And then Al Pacino who is truly one of our greatest artists just in my mind miscast in this show. I never connected with his character and towards the end of the show I didn't even want to.
The best part of the show is the supporting cast. As I am finishing up, I realized that this should should have been less of a showcase for Pacino and Lerman and been more of a show about all of the characters. I want to know more about them but they have really been writen with now character development.
As I titled it, this should could have been so much more but it was just less. It has its moments but not enough for the caliber of the story and cast. I know there is supposed to be a 2nd season but I have to be honest I am not sure if I would give it my time.
Black Christmas (2019)
Trust me, use your time more wisely.
This is one of the worse file I have ever seen. No redeeming qualities at all. I rewatched the original Black Christmas the night before and have such a high respect for it. This movie has nothing to do with the original. Skip it and watch the original.
Nina (2016)
Why This Misses the Mark?
I gave this movie a 5 because of Zoe Saldana's amazing performance. Should an actress with darker skin have portrayed her...yes? It was part of Nina Simone's identity, but Ms. Saldana was chosen and she did a great job.
I love biographical films. A truly amazing bio flick should either highlight an important time in the artist's life or it should summarize perfectly the life lived in 2 hours. This movie truly fails. Recently, I saw a documentary of Nina Simone's life and it is a very complicated history with lots of stories to tell. Why did this movie decide to highlight this part of her life? It makes no sense. With all of the limited series on television now days, I would love there to be a series that highlights an artist for 10 episodes. Nina Simone deserves that type of treatment.
I say watch this movie if you want 90 minutes of listening to Nina Simone's greatest hits.
The Duff (2015)
I am a Duff
I am a DUFF. I have always wanted to know my role in my group of friends, and now I have a term for it.
This is a cute movie, and I can tell that this is one of those movies that I will watch every time it is on Freeform, FX or USA. It has a great cast with a lot of chemistry. Mae Whitman is an amazing actress, and Robbie Amell has charm for days and days. This will become a cult teen classic just like 10 Things I Like About You, Pretty In Pink and She's All That.
With all that being said, this movie follows the classic teen formula so don't expect any surprises. Mean Girls and Easy A are a lot smarter than this flick. Also, Bella Thorne is a great actress and she does great with her role in this movie. Bullying is real, but people don't act like her in real life at that age. Every time her character came on screen, I cringed. I don't like to feel uncomfortable watching films like this. The thing that makes it worse is that this character isn't part of original book. I would have rather used that screen time for the main character's relationship with her friends.
Still, this is a good film. I will add this to my Saturday afternoon ritual when it starts playing on cable.
Once Upon a Time: Dark Waters (2016)
What is happening to our show?
What is happening to Once Upon a Time? The reason why I have always loved this show is because it is like no other television shown currently on TV. But this season has been such a disappointment. I hate to say this but it doesn't even seem like the actors are enjoying the material that they have received.
1.) Stop the Rumple and the Evil Queen "romance story line" It makes no sense and it is very awkward to watch. It would make more sense to have the wicked witch involved with Rumple.
2.) Stop forcing story lines on us just for drama sake. The wicked witch hating Regina so soon was so disappointing. Can't we have them happy for part of the season and than torn apart? Also, why would anybody believe that Henry would ever listen to the Evil Queen. Plus, when did he start having doubts about Hook? They have always had a great relationship but all of a sudden he doesn't like him. I won't even mention how "wimpy" they are making Hook.
3.) Where are the Disney characters? The Disney characters have always been the icing on this delicious cake. These tales from the untold stories just are not interesting.
The best part of this episode was the fact that Emma reacted in a positive way towards Hook. It was grownup moment that was needed in this relationship that I would like to see end in marriage.