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Reviews
Arrival (2016)
Glad I Decided to Watch It
I watched the trailer and read good and bad reviews and still wasn't sure if I was likely to enjoy this movie or find it boring. I'm glad I decided to go for it because l ended up really enjoying it.
It's important to know not to expect a more action based film like Independence Day. But if you adjust those expectations, the film will take you on a ride that makes you think about how we perceive language and time. It also asks interesting questions and has a surprise twist. I found myself still making connections and understanding pieces of this well crafted story, long after the film ended.
It's engaging and sucks you in without needing flashy action sequences. I highly recommend watching.
Hawkeye (2021)
Really Entertaining Origin Story for Everyone But Hawkeye
I gave this series a 10/10 because it was highly entertaining and I enjoyed everything we DID get to see and I badly want a second season. The dialogue was fun, the action was exciting, a lot was packed into a few (too few) episodes, it was great. The actors from the leads to the more minor characters were fantastic. That said, there's one HUGE and obvious area where the show missed the mark. It's not really Hawkeye's show.
It's annoying enough that Hawkeye is all but ignored in the Avengers movies but I expected he'd at least be the focus of his own show! Instead, the show focuses on introducing many new characters, particularly, Kate Bishop and Maya Lopez. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed these characters and learning about their backstory, and I can't wait to see where they go from here. But it didn't need to be at the expense of Clint getting ANY backstory. And now that deleted scenes have surfaced showing that they did film one, it's even more frustrating. They also reintroduced other major characters toward the end of the series, splitting the focus even further.
And don't get me started on how both this Hawkeye series and the Black Widow movie basically ignored their pre-avengers history when that would be another great story telling opportunity. It feels like Marvel gave up on the idea of Hawkeye being his own character right from the start and missed a huge opportunity with the lack of a Black Widow/Hawkeye movie or (at least) some flashback scenes. The scenes in this series that parallel that relationship with Hawkeye and Kate, would've hit 10x harder if they'd actually bothered to build a solid foundation. I just hope there's a season 2 with less of a need to launch other series and more focus on building upon what's already established.
9-1-1: Lone Star: The Big Chill (2022)
One of the Best Lonestar Eps Yet
A very good start to season 3. FINALLY we're getting a more balanced show with the whole lead cast. It's a such a strong group that's been severely underutilized but if this episode is any indication, maybe that's finally changing. As much as it makes me sad to see the 126 still split up (for now), I do like that they're exploring how private ambulance companies work differently, and also how it gives Capt Vega, Nancy, and TK a chance to get closer as a team. And even though they're testing my suspension of disbelief still with some of these calls, I'm very much enjoying the blizzard story line.
Mayor of Kingstown (2021)
Compelling, suspenseful, and thought provoking
This series is excellent. I was reluctant to start it because most shows in this genre are dark for the sake of being dark and have lead characters that either always pull off miracles somehow like they're the only competent badass in town or are so irredeemable themselves that you can't root for them. Thankfully, this was neither. While everyone is arguably a criminal one way or another, there are multiple characters that you're compelled to root for from the first episode.
Two things that really make it stand out is how they handle race and gender. The show calls into question issues within policing and the prison system, particularly around race, in a way that feels genuine and thought provoking. Regarding gender, while there's definitely mistreatment toward female characters, it's all from people that are pretty blatantly scumbags, not the (still flawed) people we're supposed to like/root for. Which is sadly refreshing in this genre. Also (minor spoiler alert) ....
.....they could've put the middle aged male lead with the very young female supporting character and I love that they instead had him take care of her but hook up with a woman much closer to his age.
It had compelling characters with top notch actors. Jeremy Renner, Taylor Handley, and Emma Laird in particular were fantastic. All ten episodes were highly suspenseful and made it clear from the beginning that anything could happen. But every turn, every choice, felt purposeful and right. All in all, this was a refreshing first of hopefully several seasons.
Mayor of Kingstown: This Piece of My Soul (2022)
Fantastic Finale
This finale was awesome. I loved watching Mike deal with coming back on the grid only to find that all hell had broken loose and this delicate peace he'd been trying to keep was shattered. It was especially great that, while he was called in to play an important role, he didn't end up being a savior to the situation. It felt more realistic than any sort of narrative where one guy finds all the answers. Instead his character was a vehicle for showing the audience that while these prisoners may not be good people, that doesn't mean the way they were being treated was just. It also fit with the fact that Mike knew things would head somewhere like this right from the initial dumb decision by law enforcement earlier in the season and it highlighted that an issue this complex is bigger than any one well-intentioned person.
This episode was also suspenseful right up till the last minute. I was equally surprised by things they didn't do as ones they did. Most of the time you can predict what characters will be killed and what sort of problems might arise for others but this episode surprised me (in a good way) by not taking unnecessary turns just to add to the drama. For example, I half expected Iris to be dead when Mike returned at the end or Milo to be waiting for him and I was GLAD they didn't go that route. Also, when the state cop read Mike his rights, I expected the way this was going to be resolved would some how involve Mike incriminating himself. But that wouldn't likely have made sense because the prisoners had no issue with him and wouldn't have demanded something that compromised him. But I don't put it past any modern show not to create unnecessary drama. Instead, every decision, good or bad, felt purposeful. Which is a high compliment in an era of entertainment where most writers care more about shock and horror than they do good story telling. I hope the show continues and that the writing stays on this level. It's dark subject matter for sure, but we don't need any more shows being shocking just for the sake of it.
Mayor of Kingstown: The Lie of the Truth (2022)
One of the Best of the Season
This was an excellent episode. I'm glad we finally reached the boiling point with the prison because I didn't want to see that get dragged out much longer. Though I would hope that breaking out of an actual wouldn't be as easy as getting your hands on one set of keys.
I'm glad Iris finally got a calm episode in a safe place and I love how they specifically chose to have Mike off the grid just as everything falls apart. I'm very excited to see how he resolves this situation in the finale.
Also, I continue to love how the McClusky family all have their own way of trying to make things better, even if they don't all see eye to eye. Mike keeping the peace, Kyle helping Mike and catching criminals, and Dianne Wiest's character, educating prisoners. I'd like to see Kyle's wife have more of a role besides "wife" but otherwise, I really enjoy this dynamic. It makes me root for all of them.
Hawkeye: So This Is Christmas? (2021)
Impressive Finale of Hopefully the First of Multiple Seasons
This whole series felt too big for 6 episodes but I'm impressed at how well they wrapped it up. I absolutely want to see more and I think they easily could've added a couple more episodes to flesh out some of it a bit more but overall I'm pretty pleased. It feels like a series that could stand alone or could have a second season (hoping for a S2). I wanna know more about Laura Barton and see her get some non-family related scenes. I want more of the Kate and Clint dynamic. They set up a really cool partnership there and I hope we get more of it! As someone who grew up with the OG avengers I'm not ready for things to move on to Kate and Yelena as the new Hawkeye and Black Widow just yet (not saying that happened but some viewers have implied it) but I definitely think that pairing getting their own show or movie down the line would be awesome.
This episode specifically was action packed, it tied everything together in a believable and satisfying way, it had humor, drama, action, friendship, everything I've loved about the series. Some characters that felt a little annoying and purposeless at times (the LARPERS and Jack) really shined in their moments and gave this episode a little something extra. Some of the shifts between funny and serious were a little jarring and I do think the dramatic moment between Hawkeye and Yelena could've been written a bit more powerfully. I feel like the writers didn't quite hit the mark there. The performances were great for what they had to work with and maybe part of it was limited time because they had to get her from point A to B emotionally in a very quickly but I would've turned the whole moment up a notch. But that's my only criticism of an otherwise excellent episode and series!
Hawkeye: Partners, Am I Right? (2021)
Already Wishing This Series Was Longer
Another excellent episode and I'm glad to see a certain character introduced at the end. Can't wait to see where that goes. I'm curious to know more about Laura Barton after some of the interesting aspects of her involvement in this episode. I hope that'll be explored in a second season. And without spoiling anything, I thoroughly enjoyed the parallels to Black Widow & Hawkeye's past (good and bad). I still wish they'd made a movie staring just those two characters.
My only criticism is we're in episode 4 of 6 and it feels like the story is expanding to a point that can't be wrapped up in such short time and do all the characters justice. But also who knows when or if we'll get a season 2. A show with so many quality characters should be given time to breathe and explore those dynamics.
Hawkeye: Echoes (2021)
Favorite Episode So Far
The action in this episode was stellar. Awesome sequences, plenty of humor and interesting challenges faced by the characters. I'm glad that Hawkeye's hearing challenges weren't just a throwaway line from the first episode but rather brought into play in an interesting way here. Also, I love when a "villain" is introduced with an interesting past that makes you sympathize with them even if you are rooting for the leads.
Hawkeye: Hide and Seek (2021)
Quality Episode
This was a great continuation of the first episode building the dynamic between Clint and Kate. This is already a duo I could happily watch for multiple seasons. The stuff with the LARPers was amusing but maybe a bit too long of a sequence. I thought it was a nice nod to fans who are into that sort of thing but altogether not that important to the story. In such a short series, it just felt like a bit of a waste of screen time.
Hawkeye: Never Meet Your Heroes (2021)
Very Strong Start
This first episode exceeded my expectations. I've wanted to see more of Hawkeye's story for a while now and this is a great start. I usually have to warm up to new characters but I loved Kate immediately. The dynamic between her and Clint is endlessly entertaining. Even after the first episode I knew I wanted to see more of this dynamic than just this 6 episode series.
Hawkeye: Ronin (2021)
Great Character Driven Episode
I don't even begin to know how they're going to wrap this all up in 1 more episode but I am loving this series and hope we get a season 2 and that it's longer than this one. The twists at the end raised so many questions! This episode wasn't the most action packed of the series but it definitely highlighted the strength and complexity of the many characters in the show. I know everyone has their opinions on who is "good" or "bad" but I enjoyed the way this episode, series, and the MCU as a whole doesn't really treat it's characters as straight villains or heroes but rather complex beings with complicated motivations and morals.
My only criticism is this episode felt a little like The Avengers given the size of the main cast and Clint getting less individual attention. I'm torn because the other characters are fantastic and many of them could easily carry their own shows but it does feel a bit like Hawkeye is becoming a supporting character in his show.
9-1-1: Wrapped in Red (2021)
Decent But Depressing
Most of this episode was good despite being depressing for a Christmas episode. We got multiple calls for the 118 (something that's becoming rare). Athena giving excellent advice to the two women wronged by the same man, to focus on the real enemy (him not each other). Some funny discussion around Buck and Taylor getting each other gifts and being clueless. And my favorite, Christopher bossing Eddie around while decorating. That was very cute and amusing even though things escalated and we later realized Chris was really going through something. We even finally got Eddie beginning to recognize that he's been through a lot and sort of admit that he isn't over it.
That said, the cliffhanger was terrible. And I don't mean in the normal "I can't believe I have to wait to find out what happens" way. But rather, "This makes me sad and I hope they don't ruin the show" way.
I could tell it was going in that direction, and I know cliffhangers are supposed to be shocking and maybe make you worry, but this was too much. In a season where lots of fans have been frustrated by main characters being gone, acting out of character, being paired with people they have no chemistry with, having no scenes with characters who they're supposedly close with, having another fan favorite decide to leave felt like a knockout blow. The one positive, is it does offer a chance for more development for Eddie and I am always here for that. I just don't really trust I'm gonna like where it's going.
I'm still hopeful that the off-ness of this season is intentional and that the second half of the season will show everyone coming back together in the ways we love but it would've been nice for the cliffhanger to be a little more exciting and little less depressing.
Final thought: How did we go from Eddie making Buck Chris' legal guardian if he dies to Buck and Chris sharing 0.5 mins of screen time this season and Buck's level of concern for Chris being that of a casual acquaintance?
9-1-1: Past Is Prologue (2021)
Mixed Feelings
I gave this episode a 5 because I'm truly split. On the one hand, the Bobby & Athena content was some of the best we've gotten and, barring one storyline, the episode was light and funny which is why I watch the show.
On the other hand, Buck and Taylor's relationship is exhausting. It's funny that this episode is called "Past is Prologue" since it feels like they threw away Buck and Taylor's individual pasts entirely. Based on Buck's past, if the writers wanna imply growth, he should be with someone he doesn't have to chase and someone who is completely honest with him, who he can trust.
And Taylor was introduced to us by trying to do a story (in Season 2) that would've really hurt Bobby and yet the way they go about explaining in this episode why she is the way she is, only makes knowing that even worse because it's hypocritical! And that's not even getting into the lack of chemistry. I'm really not trying to hate the character or this relationship but this pairing has never made sense and this episode somehow made it worse while trying to make it better.
9-1-1: Defend in Place (2021)
The 9-1-1 I Know And Love Is Back (At least for this Episode)
This is the 9-1-1 I've been missing this season!! Amazing episode. The core cast all had great moments, the story centered around a massive fire & rescue operation (not cop drama like we've had for much of the season), there was an emotional and inspiring sequence that reminded me of season 2 rescuing Buck from under the fire truck. It had everything I needed and left out the things I've disliked most about this season. Whoever wrote this episode should probably write the rest of the season.
9-1-1: Brawl in Cell Block 9-1-1 (2021)
Best Episode This Season (So Far)
FINALLY. This season has felt like a collection of good moments mixed with a lot of confusing writing and character choices, some of which I hope will make sense eventually? But this episode is what I watch the show for. Yes, I'm biased in that I love any episode heavy on Buck and Eddie but honestly, it was just solid all around.
Despite most of it taking place in a jail, it was one of the least cop-heavy plots of this season. It centered around the 118. Even split up, everyone got good moments; Hen's medical school plotline advancing, good Bobby and Ravi moments, Buck proving again why Eddie made the right choice with his will, Eddie getting some really good moments, though I would've liked to see something character development wise for him in an episode like this. Just seemed like there were possibilities that didn't get utilized here, but still a very strong episode for him. AND an actually interesting plot with a twist I cared about and didn't predict!!
My only real criticism would be that Buck and Eddie had ZERO interaction after the kidnapping. Their characters sometimes seem attached at the hip so that just felt out of place? I get that there's only so much time in an episode but they left the hospital at the same time, 1 frame of them interacting out of earshot in the background as they exit would've been satisfactory. But if the rest of this season could come close to this episode I'll be happy.
9-1-1: Ghost Stories (2021)
A Few Great Moments But Lacking Overall
This episode had a few REALLY good moments. Chimney's former mentor, Eli, popping up was the highlight of the episode for me and something I didn't know I needed. Detective Ransone is a great minor character and the convo he had with Harry was the PERFECT way to resolve the tedious Jeffrey storyline. And it was nice to see Karen although the Eva storyline felt resolved before this so not sure why that came up again?
That said, the overall plot was not great. This isn't the first time an episode has focused on the more minor characters but this might be the weakest example of it. The wife and husband wanting to kill each other plotline just pales in comparison to the other mystery episodes we've seen. Seems like it's meant to set up Taylor's backstory but I think maybe it could've been better if they just combined her backstory with this plot? Get it all done at once so we know why a) Taylor led the episode b) The 118 was barely in it (and Eddie not at all not even mentioned) and c) to make it a more interesting episode in the first place. I admit, on a show full of extremely enjoyable major and minor characters, Taylor is pretty far down the list for me, but I just think, whatever this was, it was too much set up, not enough of content most of us watch the show for (The 118, fire & rescue calls).