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Reviews
Frasier (2023)
I don't know why CBS gave this over to streaming...
When they could put this on straight broadcast for the whole world to see-while at the same time removing so many of their sucking shows.
Frasier is AWESOME! I only hope the "powers that be" read this and other reviews, etc., from THOSE THAT MATTER-THE VIEWERS! LISTEN TO US!!!
I would be happy to be a consultant, but until then, you need to listen. There is a REASON why "Cheers" was so successful (even in syndication-which I record/watch every day). There's also a reason why the original "Frasier" was so successful (and obviously the reason WHY SOMEONE in your circle decided it was worth funding to release a new "Frasier" on Paramount +.
However, this is one show that should NOT be relegated to the desert of subscription only viewing. This DEMANDS being broadcast to the public at large. If you need space to fit it in, TRUST ME, you have plenty of crap already on TV that you can get rid of to make room for this refreshing show.
Also, we never got enough of "Cheers", so any reference to the original would be appreciated.
(Although, I realize that "Cheers" was an NBC product, so I'm sure there are many legal IP issues; but, if you want this to succeed long-term, I would suggest trying to come to some sort of agreement so they both parties will be happy, but moreso, so that ALL fans of the "Cheers Universe" will be ecstatic.
After all, aren't the fans the ones who ULTIMATELY decide the success/failure of a show?
Last Flag Flying (2017)
What's with the language? No Need. READ THIS HOLLYWOOD!
This movie is great- WITHOUT ALL THE UNNECESSARY LANGUAGE! It's time for you people in Hollywood to get a grip and understand what the audience wants!
I am a veteran! I want to watch movies like this with my family! However, I can't - - because of idiots like you writers, etc., Das anyone who thinks that "we all talk like that all the time".
It's infuriating. JUST STICK TO THE STORY!
This is NOT a "war movie", where you are in the moment and screaming and yelling, anything and everything- which is completely understandable and realistic.
This is a heartfelt movie about a man trying to find his friends and fellow veterans to help bury his son. We (veterans) don't talk like this, so stop trying to make a movie like this- just speak from the heart. Leave the cursing on the battlefield.
Creed III (2023)
I struggled with this
I struggled with giving this a seven- actually, IMDb doesn't give you the option of fractions.
At any rate, I like this movie, but I wanted to love this movie. With Rocky out of the picture, it was hard for me to love. I understand the reasons for Sylvester Stallone staying out of this one, as well as Michael B. Jordan producing and directing this and his own right, but I just don't know. (I applaud Jordan for his talents and efforts. Well done.)
It's a great movie on its own, but does it live up to the Rocky franchise? One thing that stood out was the final fight with that "surreal moment" between the two boxers. It was inventive and visually entertaining. However, I couldn't help but wonder if the technology that is available now to create such a scene had been available back in 1976 when Rocky was released-would it have been used even then? I just don't know.
The original "Rocky" was filmed on a shoestring budget, written and pretty much everything else done by the star, Sylvester Stallone. He had a great cast, but had nowhere near the technological advances of today's filmmaking. However, what he DID have was the timeless art of creating, writing and filmmaking. Period. No amount of special effects, special lighting, or anything else can make up for those basic qualities.
Therefore, while I want to give this movie higher marks, I must reserve it for films that utilize heart and soul over high tech, etc. (I HAVE to say that I am a FANATIC when it comes to special effects, etc. My favorite films of all time are in the Star Wars saga; but this is not that, nor do I expect it to be - - this is a movie about boxing, and much more - - as you would expect in a Rocky franchise film.)
All in all, this is a great movie with a great backstory, but it just misses the mark of a true "Rocky franchise" film. Lest we forget that the Creed name comes from the Rocky saga?
SEAL Team: Conspicuous Gallantry (2021)
What the hell?!
ATTENTION! ACHTUNG! PARAMOUNT+:
GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER- NOW!
You are RUINING an INCREDIBLE show!
I don't know what they are smoking at Paramount+, but this episode seems to almost "pull the curtain back" on whatever dope-smokers are running that place! The episode is all over the place, makes no sense, jumps around from the continuing saga of the show- even going completely "off script" from the (what seemed to be) original intent of the show from it's inception.
We have NO IDEA what is going on, what it's about, or anything else. Just a complete OUT OF THE BLUE storyline. ONCE AGAIN, is this what we can expect from what was once an incredible show now that it is in Paramount+'s hands?
I have to tell you, the entire reason that I subscribed to Paramount+ was to continue watching Seal Team. CBS was a fool for dropping it, but it is in even worse hands now that Paramount+ is steering the ship- towards the iceberg.
SEAL Team: What's Past Is Prologue (2021)
From a veterans perspective, perfect middle finger for the way the current administration left Afghanistan!
I really enjoyed this episode, except for the unnecessary language (see my previous comments on the Paramount+ takeover and how I can't watch it with my kids anymore)- MAINLY because it was a combination of reunion, redemption, possibilities and, well, a BIG MIDDLE FINGER to the Biden administration, and the way they completely botched the Afghanistan withdrawal. (I am speaking from a veteran's point of view.)
Of particular interest was when Clay mentioned that they were fighting against our own equipment. (Referring to all the gear, weapons, ammunition, equipment, and vehicles, etc.)
THESE EXACT THINGS were what I was thinking (and screaming at the TV, at the time)
as I watched the inexcusable withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
SEAL Team (2017)
My OVERALL rating WAS a TEN, but since switching to Paramount +, Cut that in half!
I have been following the show since the beginning. I have loved this show since the beginning. Now I am faced with a dilemma. Do I continue to watch this now under the Paramount+ umbrella, or do I jump ship?
From the first episode that aired November 21 under Paramount, my overall feeling and rating of a perfect, 10 has been cut in half. Why? Because as a former operator myself, I loved how they showed the men and women in our military doing the things that most people never hear about, and therefore most of us (current or former) never get credit for doing- keeping our country, safe, no matter the cost.
Initially, I was able to watch this with my children because they wanted to know what Daddy did, and we were able to enjoy time together, watching a fairly accurate representation- at least for a TV series.
NOW, there is NO WAY I can watch this with my kids because Paramount+ seems it's necessary to drop "F bombs" all over the place, as well as other unsavory depictions to graphic for the whole family.
I AM NOT A MONK, and OF COURSE when you were being shot at you were not worried about watching your language (and believe me, words fly out of your mouth). The bottom line is that this show was fine as it were, but NOW that Paramount+ has THEIR grubby little hands on it, I guess they feel the need to "dirty it up" if only because they now can.
Look, there's an old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" So, to the a**holes at Paramount+ may I just say, GIVE US BACK OUR SHOW! YOU WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE A SHOW WITHOUT YOUR VIEWERS/SUPPORTERS!
Oh, and thanks for ruining what was a perfectly good show as well as ruining the time I got to spend with my kids watching what once was an incredible moment with them.
(I HOPE THE POWERS THAT BE AT PARAMOUNT+ READ THESE REVIEWS! Take them seriously!)
SEAL Team: Frog on the Tracks (2021)
First on Paramount+ means first to let the profanity FLY!!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE-ADORE-did I mention LOVE this show? As a retired member of the special services, I can confidently say that they got it right with this show. HOWEVER, I have a BIG problem with the "new found freedom" of Paramount+ and all concerned parties feeling the need to "showboat" the profane dialog as being "free from the confines of the FCC".
I am NOT a fan of a LOT of things the FCC has done in the past, but looking at THIS (?), I say "Thank God for the FCC"! Why? Simple.
I LOVE (LOVED?) this show because I was able to watch it with my kids and grandkids and talk to them about what I did for my country.
Sure, OF COURSE, within the military there is VERY salty language thrown around-constantly, in fact. Moreover, when you have bullets literally "whizzing" by your ears, you can and will say and do anything-even a preacher would curse himself blue in such a situation; so, I am NOT here to judge, NOR am I here to criticize the decision to write such language in this or subsequent episodes. It is real. It does happen. BUT, to the writers, etc., I say this: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!!
This is a show that started on CBS (prime-time TV), was taken over by a subscription service-OBVIOUSLY money was involved, but AS SOON as it changed hands the powers that be either thought or forgot (or both) about its viewers-its fans-its reason for even EXISTING!
Long story short and to the point (from a special operator, veteran, and more importantly a father and grandfather who USED to enjoy sharing this show with his family)-KNOCK IT OFF!!! Get back to the way it was.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
I'll add to another reviewers statement: This is WAY BETTER than the original!
I waited, seemingly forever to see this movie, but finally I got the chance when it became available on Amazon Prime. Anyway, I just finished watching it, and it blew me away. The story/plot was great, the cast was superb, and the action - particularly all the in-flight action - - was, in one word, AWESOME!
Normally, sequels are not better than the original. Although, there are exceptions. Star Wars-A New Hope v. The Empire Strikes Back; Rocky v. Rocky III, etc. (EXCEPT ROCKY FIVE!); Star Trek The Motion Picture v. Star Trek II- The Wrath of Khan, etc.; you get the point.
This is no exception. It was everything that I had heard about and everything that all of the hype built it up to be- an incredible ride at Mach 1 and beyond!
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015)
Good idea for scares, but stop using The Bible inaccurately...
...To try to drum up cheap thrills for a mediocre film.
Near the end of the movie when Skyler finds stuff that the husband has been researching, she "quotes" Revelation 5:6. However, her "quote" (Of course being created by the writers of this movie) completely trashes the ACTUAL SCRIPTURE out of context-in so far as to pick out the first phrase of scripture and then ADD IN a bunch of creative crap that has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REST OF THE ACTUAL SCRIPTURE! Obviously this is just a cheap means of trying to make up a cheap "scare". Pathetic.
If you want to try to scare the audience, at just be authentic and DO NOT take Scripture and try to mold it into whatever you think you need to add fear, etc., into your feeble attempt at making a "scary" movie. If a writer DARES use Scripture in any movie in any way, he/she had better make sure they respect and honor it "as is"-rather than tweaking it and/or adding anything to it that doesn't exist just to try to win cheap points in their movie-making attempts at selling a story.
Life of the Party (2018)
Pleasantly surprised- wound up, laughing my head off in parts.
First off, Maya Rudolph - - while only a small supporting role - - is in true form (a'la " Bridesmaids"). In fact, both she and Melissa McCarthy have that same vibe going again.
At first, I didn't know what to expect, but as the movie progressed it kept my attention, and I grew to enjoy it more and more as it went on.
When the time came for the restaurant scene (I won't spoil it) they had me hooked, as I was laughing my head off- much like in "Bridesmaids". (Plus it was an excellent twist in the plot that I never saw coming, which gives kudos to the writing.)
From that point on this movie had me.
Cheers (1982)
The first good joke of Cheers:
Diane asks coach, "where is your bathroom? ". Coach says, "Next to my bedroom."
This is when we all knew that this new show called "Cheers" might be onto something. Personally, I didn't like Diane. I never liked Diane. Rebecca was far superior, in every way. However, I will say that Shelley Long played the part of the character Diane perfectly - - if that means being pretentious, annoying, and grating on the nerves. Maybe this was the intention of the writers' design on the character of Diane. This would explain why Diane is seemingly so annoying to so many people.
Given that, the initial set up for what would become one of the greatest shows of all time seems to fit - - with Sam, Coach, and Norm being introduced to the world for the first time.
The Men Who Built America (2012)
The chronology drives me crazy!
I love history, and this series is no exception. However, the problem with this series is that it bounces around so much from multiple flashbacks to forewards and back again that I actually had to stop and look up certain individuals and research for myself to find out exactly what happened when, and in what order.
One of the most glaring examples is the relationship between Andrew Carnegie, and Tom Scott, and when Carnegie got involved in the steel business, and when Tom Scott helped him in his endeavors, and finally, when Tom Scott actually died. (This is just one example.)
Otherwise, this is a great series.
Confess, Fletch (2022)
Much better than expected
I don't understand why this movie did so poorly at the box office, and from looking at the budget, the studio took a bath on this one. However, it was pleasantly surprising and enjoyable.
I went into this with some trepidation as I was expecting more of the Chevy Chase version, and I didn't feel that anyone else, but him could play Fletch. But, it turned out to have the all too familiar sense of humor of the original, complete with the character names and references from the first movie. Of course, nobody could top Chevy Chase's wit, sense of comedic timing and overall general hilarity; so, this was a tall order to fill big shoes, and while John Hamm is not a "comedian", he did bring that expected dry sense of humor, and sarcasm.
My only complaint is the unnecessary overuse of the F word, and I think the writers/studio thought they needed that to get an R rating.
Crawl (2019)
INCREDIBLE! NOT what I was expecting!
I went into this movie, expecting for it to be a B-movie, or some cheesy campy cheap made Jaws wanna be. Boy was I wrong! First, I like the nod to the University of Florida, and the fact that Haley is on the university swim team - - - - The Gators.
Next, they didn't waste any time getting right to the "meat and potatoes" of the story. As someone who is born and raised on the Gulf Coast, I consider myself somewhat of an "expert" on hurricanes-- I've dealt with them my whole life. How a movie filmed in Serbia got the whole experience of a hurricane so spot on is beyond me. The only complaint I would have (and that's a small one) is that the eye of the hurricane is NEVER that short. In fact, the comb in the eye, usually last at least half an hour; but, I can understand them doing this for time sake.
The bottom line is that I expected to see cheap, CGI, alligators, etc., but it was very convincing-- as well as the water, the destruction, and devastation of a hurricane, and the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness.
They got this one right.
True Lies: Separate Pairs (2023)
I love the show, but work on more accurate settings
As someone who has lived in Austria, I can tell you for a fact that, while the overhead aerial shots of Salzburg are accurate, the "streets" used in the chase scene, etc., are definitely not anything you will see in Austria. In fact, they are definitely American. (Case in point: - - as they are chasing the bad guy at the end, you see them turning a sharp corner, and if you look, there is a DO NOT ENTER sign, which is distinctly American; not to mention the basic layout of the streets, etc. I'm sure this was filmed in California, and I understand that. My only suggestion is to take more care in the accuracy of the settings, backdrops, and surroundings. ( I WILL say that the undercover van did have the correct German words on it.)
I look forward to seeing what the series hold in the future.
Cheers: Simon Says (1987)
Monty Python meets Cheers
Not only is this episode of Cheers one of the best ever, but it might just be one of the greatest sitcom episodes of all time. I love Rebecca mainly because she's the polar opposite of Diane (whom I hate), and John Cleese proves my feelings towards her are mutual.
Mike & Molly: Molly's Birthday (2013)
Modern Day Frankenstein hilarity!
This is one of the funniest episodes of all time! When Mike gets high and walks around town out of his mind (multiple OBVIOUS references to Frankenstein)--too funny!
Hearts in Atlantis (2001)
VERY underrated film!
Anthony Hopkins gives a stellar performance as always--the whole movie was well crafted and meaningful. I can see why Sir Hopkins wanted to do this film, and why he considered it "gentle" and "heartwarming".
Knives Out (2019)
AWESOME!!! "Clue" come to life!
They made the popular board game "Clue" into a movie back in the 80's, but THIS is the movie that should have been. It's Hitchcock, Christie, and Holmes all rolled into one--a modern day twist on the classic "who done it", with a wink and a nod and a "tongue-in-cheekness" to the whole thing. Great fun!
The Nun (2018)
Confusing, and hard to see what's going on
That's it. Seriously, it's way too dark (visually--like "Godzilla" 2014, by Gareth Edwards); very difficult to see what's going on, even with the latest state of the art technology AND watching it in total darkness.
Plus, like I said, it's very confusing and hard to follow.
The Edge (1997)
One of my all-time favorites! BUT...
There was an extremely unnecessary amount of profanity. I am convinced that the producers, studio, what have you, WANTED the R rating, so they put in unnecessary profanity to push the MPAA into giving it an R rating.
This masterpiece should (and does) stand alone by itself--cinematography, tension, acting (Anthony Hopkins?--I mean, come on), on and on. I just hate it when the language of a script becomes a distraction from an otherwise incredible piece of filmmaking.
If it weren't for the obvious overkill of profanity, I could watch it with anyone, parents, kids (to an extent). Otherwise, absolutely incredible.
Ps: Anthony Hopkins is one of my all-time favorite actors (I have been following him since "A Bridge Too Far"), but I consider this one of his finest works.