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FastEddie63
Reviews
Outlast (2023)
Great Concept, Horrible Humans
I've long been a fan of survival series of all types. I was really excited by the idea of Outlast since it takes place in Alaska, and I expected that it would provide the opportunity to learn techniques of survival in one of the most difficult places to live primitively on earth. How cool, right? Yet this series is not about surviving the elements -- there were no discussion on fire building, shelter building, foraging, fishing, or much anything else survival related.
The series is an example of the worst of human behavior -- it is a foray into the evil that some humans will do to others out of greed, which includes -- theft, destruction, deceit, bullying, and mockery. The aggressive gameplay and manipulation was not fun to watch, it merely underscored how some humans can rationalize the harm they do to others -- and how others within their orbit will passively accept, resign without challenging, or turn a blind eye to the misdeeds to avoid confrontation.
I have to wonder if the creators of this show encouraged the behavior perpetrated by the private investigator from Kentucky? This woman has such a heinous unlikable aspect, yet apparently her underhanded behavior was completely acceptable by the producers of this series. It didn't violate the rules, so all good, right? No.
The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022)
A lackluster mess
My wife and I are ardent fans of The Witcher series. Sadly this prequel was not of the same caliber as the main series.
Firstly I should note that the actress who plays the dwarf character (Francesca Mills) was great. When she's in a scene everything works. The other actors felt mostly miscast -- in part since everyone looked different and has different accents. Nothing felt natural.
As for the story, I expect that I missed a lot since the writing was absent of the cleverness that I had come to expect; some ensembles just work, this one didn't.
We watched the 4 episodes in one sitting. At the end we were pleased that it was kept to only 4. At the end I was left with a mild headache and no interest in more. Easily forgetable. And as one reviewer noted, this series is very reminescent of the "Wheel of Time" series, similar feel and characters that felt miscast, yet even that series was better than this.
Raised by Wolves (2020)
Unique and Cerebral
I've just finished episode.7 of season 2, for which I think season 2 is needed to really appreciate this sci-fi series. I've read a lot of the reviews and it seems as if folks either love it or hate it. The reason why I love it is that it's unique. It's not regurgitating the same old sci-fi themes -- there is no time travel, aliens inhabiting one's body, alien invasion, or other common tropes of this genre. The only somewhat familiar theme is the religious vs atheist factions. The acting is great. The storyline is slow paced, yet it builds and quickens a lot in season 2. Season 2 provides a lot of unique reveals, and for those who truly love sci-fi, it's a feast of imagining. This series is really well made, much as the Foundation series was well made. This is a series to watch with the lights off, without distraction, with an open mind.
Peacemaker (2022)
Unexpectedly Awesome
I'm writing since the negative reviews are just odd, considering how well done this series is. Having seen the Suicide Squad I knew who the Peacemaker character was. He's a literary caricature, exaggerated, outlandish, and utterly insane in a fun tongue and cheek way. What's great about this new series is that the character is explored, the layers are revealed, so that you come to understand why he is the way he is. Moreover, the dialogue and scripts are so well done. This series is unlike any I've ever seen. If you're open to intelligent comedic drama that pushes boundaries, and you're not easily offended, I think you'll love it.
Foundation (2021)
Not the Book yet still Excellent
I read Asimov's Foundation series many years ago, which I loved. The idea of pscyho-historians who use mathmatics to predict the rise and fall of empires was a fascinating concept, which this adaptation to television does include. While the series doesn't match the books, I found it to be capitvating on several levels. The visuals are stunning, the lead actress does a wonderful job, for which I was immediately capitvated by her character. The depiction of space and technology is a treat for those who love classical science fiction as I do. At this point only 2 episodes are out, but I am excited about watching more.
Watchmen (2019)
Like it now, not so much at first.
I initially rated Watchmen series 3-stars since I found it not very watchable. I had assumed that the series would be similar to the movie, which I very much enjoyed for its unique take on those with powers and the society of which they lived. To my disappointment the early episodes focused on racial discrimination, which just didn't seem to fit this world? Yet thankfully the show developed layers, or however best to describe a series that transforms into something special. At this point I don't know what to expect from this series, and that's what what's needed. Keep surprising me, go beyond the typical, and the next I visit this page I'll likely move my 8-stars to 10-stars.
Batwoman (2019)
I wanted to like it
I've been a long time fan of the caped crusader and so I was excited by the prospect of a creative retelling. A "batwoman", sure, why not? And then I watched the first episode and any hope I had for something special quickly eroded.
Of the many useless scenes there was one that stood out to me ... Ruby saves the life of her ex-lover, with her identity hidden with the batwoman disguise. She then reaches down and places her index finger on the lips of her ex, and rests it there for a few seconds. At the moment I thought , why would she do that? Why? The only answer that came to mind as plausible was that she thought that is what a man would do. Ah, but Batman certainly wouldn't have done it since a person of class and distinction does not combine romantic gestures with the sworn duty of protecting the innocent. The act was machismo, overt, and immature. And this is what's wrong with this show.
We come to learn that Ruby desperately wants Daddy's approval, and is supposed to be well trained in the art of combat ... yet with all her skills she manages to get knocked out from behind by thugs exiting an elevator (apparently good hearing and common sense are not her strong points). And then there is the overt "look folks, I'm a lesbian" persona in style. I personally have no problem with her sexual preference, but this should have been presented as merely an aspect of her identity, not a driving force in her style and choices. Bruce Wayne may have been perceived as a philanderer, yet this was a ruse, in private life he was serious, a man driven. Sexual conquest was not his agenda. The bottom line is that this show is weak, without heart, without sinew and fiber. Maybe it will get better, but I doubt it.
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
A Different Take
There have been many reviews of this movie, which isn't surprising considering how anticipated it was. As for what has been said before, I agree with much of it. Yes, Kristen was a bit one-dimensional in her performance (young Snow White was very good though), the only smile I noted of Kristen was at the end (gave me the feeling that she was saying "whew, now that's over and I can get paid", and it had the same "twilight" smirky quality. Yes, Charlize was amazing, sexy, scary, terrific, and the rest of the cast was good and believable in their roles. And yes, the music was great, the CGI was top-notch, and the landscapes and trappings were well done. That being said, there was something missing, or maybe lacking is a better reference here.
The storyline was fine in my opinion, but the movie seemed poorly stitched together, as if instead of taking the time to craft a masterpiece, there was a rush to just get it done to meet a deadline. I believe the feeling I had here was primarily the result of a lack of character development of most everyone excluding the Evil Queen. The dialogue did not inspire introspection, or genuine empathy, it just was, serving the purpose to move the story, but otherwise it fell flat. There were no real transformative elements as is typical of fantasy, and the Fey realm was poorly transitioned into, and a bit too comic for me.
What I did find interesting is that the movie uses the Arthurian idea of the King's connection to the Land, meaning ... when the evil queen takes power the land begins to wane and die, but when Snow White comes of age, and the mirror notes that she is now the fairest of the land, the Land begins to heal some, and of course recovers fully at the end. This was referenced, but glossed over, which is sad since it is a powerful concept. In the same regard we have the white stag of the Fey realm (a potent symbol in mythology), which shows respect to Snow White, and again this could have been conveyed in a much more powerful and emotionally engaging way.
Getting back to Kristen, I personally feel that she was miscast (she would have made a good kitchen wench), but one could argue that her emotionally flat, sullen quality fit since she had been locked away in the evil queen's keep for approx 10 years, her father was killed, and kingdom taken. But the "idea" of Snow White, at least to me, is that she is the fairest of the land, not by birthright as one of royal blood, but by possessing an inner beauty as well as outer, a genuine love of the land, a love of others. And while I understand that Snow White was presented in this Grimm style as a darker warrior princess, she doesn't really embody the qualities inherent, be it as a warrior, as a princess, or as one who has a deep connection to the land. If the producers/directors had spent a bit more time developing this, and other missing aspects, I believe the movie could have been much better.
Finally, we are treated to a very cool looking Troll. I loved the short sequence, but once over, nothing. Really? Snow White was good, but "Snow White, Blood Red" was better, why? The richness of characters, and the fullness of the plot. Look to the original Excalibur, and the Lord of the Rings, these are epics, sadly, this Snow White was not.
Red Riding Hood (2011)
Failed Attempt at a Classical Retelling
I had high hopes for this movie, since I have long had a fondness for the classical retelling. Sadly, the movie fails on most every level. The "wolf" is nothing special, and we are not treated to any transformation, merely a shaggy beast that does little to frighten. The plot is formulaic, which I somewhat expected, but without some back-story to explain its origin, or some philosophical discourse about the beast that resides in the souls of each of us, the movie merely plods along as a "who done it". There is no connection between the characters to make one concerned for their plight, the dialogue is without depth, and the general styling of the movie is underwhelming. That being said, the movie is OK, but seemed more like the typical sci-fi channel fair, which is fine if the budget and one's expectations are low. My suggestion, wait until it makes its way to network TV and save your money for something of value.