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moralpollution
Reviews
Interview with the Vampire (2022)
Best Show currently on the air
Absolute masterwork of an adaptation in which what was changed from the books actually ADDS to the story and characters in a beautiful and deeply thoughtful and human way. INCREDIBLE writing and acting, music, set design, all around production. Especially the writing is so stellar, the dialogue is some of the most beautiful I have ever heard. Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid are the perfect cast for Louis and Lestat, but truly every single person cast so far is doing an outstanding job in season and two. My only real qualm is that the episodes are in my opinion not long enough. 1h episodes would do this show a big favour.
Mary & George (2024)
Could have been great but wasn't
Just finished the show and was left with zero emotions. I was so excited when the trailer was released, esp to have more LGBTQ shows on air, and though the production and cast are great, esp Julianne Moor, the script is not good and does a disservice to the show. The pacing is weird all around and very bad in the last episode, the dialogue was not good and also felt weirdly cut and blocking during the dialogue was strange at times too. Someone else mentioned the mixing for the dialogue and I can only agree, had to watch most of it with sub titles.
Also, for an LGBTQ show to still perpetuate the "one of the lesbians has to die" trope was certainly a choice, when there are only 2 lesbians.
All in all I am down for funny-and-dramatic shows, such as BEEF, but sadly this one did not deliver though it had good parts/moments in between that if strung together by a stronger script would have made a great show. Please hire better writers. The LGBTQ community especially deserves better with the few shows that actually focus on complicated queer characters.
Mea Culpa (2024)
Instantly Bad
Made it 28mins into this movie but the first scene already showcased the atrocious writing, bad directing/blocking and bad acting. Dialogue especially is horrendous. As other reviews already mentioned, the characters feel over drawn and caricature-like and their motivations for their behaviour/the pre existing dynamics are not clear.
Also the sets, esp Mea's home + her job do not make sense with her supposed money trouble.
Then there is the introduction of Zyair, and idk if he is supposed to come across as sexy, but he merely speaks in a low tone, doesn't really play to the camera/the blocking is bad, dialogue worse, not even sure if it's the acting or just mainly the atrocious script.
Really wanted to give this movie a chance because I think the premise, although nothing new, sounded like fun, but no.
He Went That Way (2023)
Went nowhere, limited by "true story"
I truly wish this would have been a movie inspired by the true story, rather than what they gave us. The trailer looked so fantastic and the cast is ofc stellar, so I was very excited to watch it, but the movie although building suspense and tension, did not really do much with said tension. This could have been a 10min beautiful Short, instead it was pretty much the same thematic thing happening again and again with very little change. Also, why the hell was this movie so full of homoerotic subtext that then didn't go anywhere? If the movie had actually done something with that, it might have been interesting. But it didn't. By the end I was very much left with the feeling of "That's...it?" Very unsatisfactory, which I think is due to it being based on a real story. Would have preferred this as either a documentary or a more liberal, inspired-by but not beholden-to kinda story. Fantastic visuals though and solid acting, especially from Zachery Quinto. Elordi was also good. I also liked the suspense that was build in it by smaller scenes, just wish it had gone somewhere better.
The Changeling: Battle of the Island (2023)
Bad
Listen, I am not opposed to shows that go off track or have different story telling and I for one love episode 7, but what the hell was this finale? Why was this episode so short? I was so confused, and also the shortness made it feel like random bits of a real episode got chopped up and thrown together. I really want to see a season 2 bc I love the characters and think the idea of the show is super intriguing, but please don't do something so weird as here in this finale. There was no build up, no revelations in regards to the things that constantly got referenced (3rd wish), the repetition of the (cool & creepy) poem was at this point, imo, absolutely overdone. Strange fever dream of a finale. Also what was the use of Apollo not getting on the first boat, when Cal just immediately sends him to get on this smaller boat? That made no sense. All in all, a complete mess.
The Changeling: Stormy Weather (2023)
Beautiful character exploration
Was this a regular TV episode? No. But if one actually allows oneself to fall into it, this was an incredible ride. I actually really love that this is not what is usually done in a TV show (giving a whole episode to the back story and emotional depth of a secondary character). It's easily one of the best TV episodes I have watched in a while and Adina Porter's acting was mind blowing. The stories within this episode made me cry more than once and I like how they were more loosely woven together by Lillian's own story. Exploration of motherhood, immigration, aids/hiv without even having to name it, the murder of the trans woman/violence against women in general, all of this was done beautifully and emotionally and also visually breathtaking. And Adina Porter delivering those lines was point blank Emmy worthy.
Saltburn (2023)
Gothic horror with a splash of 2007 humour
Clearly in tradition of Brideshead and other classics set in Oxford and big English country houses, this movie explores what desire looks like in stylised beautiful daring and unapologetic form.
Is it over the top? Only in so far as all gothic horror is. It is also a wonderful example of a female or queer gaze and subverts how women are usually exploited by film through the male gaze (that objectifies them for titillation and profit)-in this movie we are instead treated to the freshness of looking via our main protagonist at JE's character with desire.
Emerald Fennell the writer-director does not shy away from portraying want and yearning in all its insanity and crafts a narrative that is heartfelt, true and exaggerated in tragical tradition.
There is also humour that balances the sinister parts wonderfully and makes it all the more real.
I would agree that the ending could've used some work in pulling it all together and pacing, but that did not lessen my enjoyment of the movie by much.
It is gorgeous to see a gritty non-exploitative queer story put on the big screen in an age when queer representation is still so rare for main characters and all the more so when telling not hollywood-type-Good-Guy-gay-stories that are sanitised and leave little room for grittier themes (that exist galore for straight media).
I would like to reiterate how beautifully and carefully done everything is in this movie, every detail is gorgeous, music, cinematography, acting, set design, etc etc etc.
Obsession: Episode #1.1 (2023)
Horrible script, super uncomfortable
Started because I really enjoyed Armitage in a handful of things but this script ruins even an actor of his calibre. There is no build up for the characters' meeting and thus no substance to their attraction or their actions. It felt incredibly uncomfortable to watch. Why would this accomplished man who seems to love his family start an affair with his son's girlfriend? We are shown zero reasons or motivations for this from either of the characters. Also the sex scene on the hardwood floor? Uncomfortable. Also I thought this was supposed to be "sexy" but it was just in and out in like ten seconds...like... what would such an underwhelming moment give either of them? No idea because the script does nothing to help us understand or empathise. Moreover, the styling of the female lead seems so... incoherent? Almost black nail polish because she is sooo secretive, or what? In a look that otherwise is skirts above the knee and an out of place bob? Seems a strange mix of "lets make her very normal. But a TINY bit goth." All totally alright if a little cringe-y, if the rest were even barely believable. Sad to see so much money wasted on nonexistent storytelling. Also the dialogue? Just plain bad, when it's there at all.
Acting is hard to judge in such a weak script.
Please adapt better books and hire better writers and showrunners.
Interview with the Vampire: ... After the Phantoms of Your Former Self (2022)
Wonderful Second Episode
This episode is a great continuation of the pilot and also serves to set up many of the conflicts to come as well as delivering humour and tragedy, emotions very much in line with the book canon. Sam Reid as Lestat is giving all a fan could ever hope for and Jacob Anderson should be handed his Emmy immediately (especially after his performance in the pilot). Very interesting exploration of character especially for Louis in his changed circumstances and the troubles he still faces in a segregated society. This also ties in with the difference between him and Lestat and the tension it creates, which makes an even stronger case than in the books.
Interview with the Vampire: Is My Very Nature That of a Devil (2022)
Beautiful Exploration of Characters
This episode absolutely delivered on showing and not telling us who these characters are and how flawed they are in communicating with each other. Th love between them as we know it from the book series is finally on the big screen, as is the terrible way in which their past trauma and external circumstances hinder them. I especially love how the casting and time change give Louis much more agency and make his character not only more understandable but also likeable (not that book Louis isn't, but show Louis is even more so). Another lovely aspect is the humour here and there that exists alongside tragedy. Also I quite enjoyed the gender-swap for Antoinette as it contrasted the difference between Lestat with her vs Louis with Jonah and all its societal implications. Once again an addictive episode.
Interview with the Vampire: ...The Ruthless Pursuit of Blood with All a Child's Demanding (2022)
Beautiful and Painful
Finally we meet Claudia and I must say once more the show even enhances what the book gifted us. This version of Claudia is so relatable and painfully human in her suffering. I love the change in point of view for this episode. It made me wish for these three to simply be happy together despite knowing what's to come. The show continues to dazzle with its beautiful writing, award worthy acting, its music and setting, everything in short. Bailey Bass has taken on the role of Claudia with a force of nature and I cannot wait to see her portray the many different aspects of Claudia. Both Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid continue to be phenomenal. This world is so rich and carefully crafted and so clearly made with love for the source material. It truly is all I could have hoped for as a life long fan.
The Sandman (2022)
Great adaptation of the comics
As acfan of the original comicsI was skeptical at first but the second I started watching the show I was enchanted into the beautifully imaginative world of Sandman. Cried many a time. Love it & need more.