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Fargo (2014–2024)

Season 4 - A complete mess

[9/10 · 30 November 2020]

Loved Seasons 1-3. Season 4 was excruciatingly bad. Some of the worst over-acting I've seen in a long time, by too many in this cast. The were a few exceptions, but not enough for me wanting this show over and done by the 3rd episode - watched it to the miserable end just to see how much worse each episode would get. I seriously doubt I'll watch this series again.

Big Little Lies (2017–2019)

Excellent all the way

[9/10 · 26 July 2019]

Season 2 did not disappoint; in some ways almost better than season 1. One thing for sure is that Laura Dern really moved to the forefront this season. Have always loved her quirky roles and Renata is one of her best characterizations. Kudos to the entire cast & I personally hope that they might do a season 3, even if we have to wait a few years for it.

The Bra (2018)

Full of promise, then takes a big nosedive (spoiler toward the end)

[6/10 · 12 March 2019]

I knew very little of the director before seeing this film as part of the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival in the Bay Area, California. I had seen the trailer for the film and was intrigued by what I saw, especially the idea that it was all done without any dialogue. The Bra certainly contained some beautiful outdoor photography, along with the assorted quirky characters that I look for in films. The director was present at the showing of the film and we were looking forward to hearing him, asking questions, etc. He also found a very interesting assortment of actresses from different countries to play key roles (from Spain, Romania, etc.) while the story was set in and around Baku, Azerbaijan. So, these were all major pluses the film had going for it. The premise was that a retiring train operator snags a bra that is drying in the sun - he then sets out on a very determined journey to find the owner, just as the prince set out to find the owner of the glass slipper in Cinderella. Some very hilarious moments, along with the obvious nudity to be expected when women give it a try with the bra. Here is the spoiler - although the whole idea of finding the owner of the bra is pretty quirky and funny at first, it slides into some sadder moments and then downright creepy as the frustrations grow. The main character is an older man, some of the women seem to get younger, but the worst of it is that he actually climbs into a sleeping woman's bedroom to try to put a bra on her. What was the director thinking? This is a major assault of the worst kind. There was also a scene where he poisoned a doctor and nurse so he could fill in and take chest x-rays of women. As someone else pointed out in their review, some of these women were poor and putting their trust into the doctor to do the right thing, whereas the train operator exploits the whole idea in a horrible way. Since we knew the film was coming near the end, we sat it out to see the "happy" ending, but got up immediately before the credits rolled. Had no interest in debating the director on why he ruined an otherwise creative and interesting film.

I think some of the overly positive rating are are too high since there is no mention of these two major downfalls in the film.I gave it a six star rating because of the positives, but can't go any higher because of these two glaring plots in the story. So I say, viewer be prepared if you choose to see this.

True Detective (2014– )

What's With All The Mumbling?

[9/10 · 6 February 2019]

As some other reviewers have noted, the only way I'm enjoying this is by having to use the subtitles to see what's being said. Seems many newer actors are adopting this "speak as low as possible in the most monotonous tone you can come up with" (aka Mumbling) I've noticed this with a few other shows also, but this is one of the worst. Had it not been for being able to turn on subtitles/captions, I would have given up by episode 3. Most of the supporting cast, I had no problems understanding/following. Otherwise, season 3 is pretty engaging with all the talented actors in the cast, several outstanding performances, the various plots and subplots.

The Gertrude Berg Show (1961–1962)

Likable Show That Was Cancelled Too Soon

[7/10 · 28 November 2018]

I really enjoyed this show tremendously. I never got to see Gertrude Berg in her earlier classic sitcom (until years later). I was a teen when this show premiered and thought she was delightful in it; had a great supporting cast in Mary Wickes and Cedric Hardwicke. Was disappointed that it wasn't renewed.

Agatha Raisin (2014– )

Pure camp and nothing else

[2/10 · 19 November 2018]

Surprised at all the high ratings here. My partner and I lasted 3 episodes and that was it. Agatha here is a total bimbo whose only "solving" is which of several outfits to wear for each episode. She hasn't a clue about anything else, everyone around her puts the pieces together for her or she'd never solve anything. I picture the audience for this series to be mainly people who are discussing her outfits in the series or the next hunk she has her eyes on. In spite of what one reviewer tries to claim - Agatha Raisin hasn't the cunning, craftiness and intelligence of Agatha Christie's well-loved and superior sleuth. This is nothing more than high-camp for bored people.

Sense8 (2015–2018)

All Flash with No Substance

[4/10 · 5 October 2017]

Tired very quickly of this series. It began with good intentions then deteriorated into a carnival of repeated special effects, all done at a dizzying pace to make you think you were actually watching something profound. I'm no prude, but even I got tired of the constant sex scenes all over the place that seemed placed at moments when the "storyline" dragged (which happened more often as the series progressed). I began watching it in earnest, impressed by the locales, etc. but that quickly got tiring. My partner was more taken with the show than I was and followed it to the end, while I spent half the time glancing at the iPad in my lap for interesting news and fun things, so I wouldn't feel like I was completely wasting my time. I was never so happy to see it come to an end because by the last 3 or 4 episodes it had become excruciatingly painful to watch & all I could think was of the waste of money poured into this absolute mess where nothing rang true, but glitz overload moments abounded.