cloudstrife-03407 Reviews

Shōgun (2024)

One of the best period dramas of the last two decades

[10/10 · 6 May 2024]

After The Crown I can't think of a better period drama than Shogun that has come out in the last 20 years. Chernobyl, Downton Abbey, and Mad Men are up there.

But first an apology to Anna Sawai who I blasted as a terrible actress after watching Monarch. I am eating crow and Anna was stellar as Mariko in Shogun and I won't be surprised if she garners a well-deserved Emmy nomination. I am excited to see her career unfold.

The Japanese casting is spot-on, Hiroyuki Sonada was flawless. Costumes are amazing and I think the cinematography in low-light shooting was beautiful. The storyline is engaging and the chess moves between Toranaga and the Regents are exciting. I read many reviews saying the pacing is too slow/boring but I never felt like that, if anything it could have gone slower.

I was never entirely bought into John Blackthorn's character but Cosmo Jarvis was consistent in the acting, it may just not be my style/preference. I also wish the show dug more into the flashback scenes, they didn't connect well enough to the modern storyline.

Overall though it is amazing. I'd probably give it a 9/10 but since there's such a dearth of period dramas (likely because of high production costs) this handicaps to a 10/10.

Scoop (2024)

Netflix Made a Film That Wasn't Terrible! Yay!

[6/10 · 9 April 2024]

This film is as by no means great but given Netflix's track record in films this is, in my opinion, a big win because it wasn't a dumpster fire.

The good: Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell, especially the latter, are spot-on for acting and there's a reason why these are both legends. The show does a good job of laying the baseline as to why this is a historic interview, who Epstein is, and why Prince Andrew needs to make an accounting.

The bad: I personally couldn't get into Billie Piper playing Sam McAlister, I thought it was over-acted and awkward. I actually think the story would have been so much better had it been from Gillian Anderson and Prince Andrew's perspective and not Sam's. Sam's backstory and home life seemed out of place and disjointed and disconnected from the film. The office politics as well as signpost misogyny conversations also just seemed unnecessary, the latter treated the audience like idiots.

Overall though I'll take the win and hope Netflix continues to put out films that are not terrible. A low bar, I admit, but I think it is achievable.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024– )

Cool Concept, Bad Acting, and Logical Inconsistencies

[6/10 · 8 April 2024]

Haven't seen the cartoons so coming fresh into this

So first, is it me or is Aang the laziest protagonist ever? I understood that he was supposed to be learning all the elements and in the entire first season he took exactly zero lessons on any element save air. It wasn't like he wasn't around any bending experts. Hard to root for the guy when he puts zero work into upping his avatar game.

Point being, there are so many logical inconsistencies here that it's hard to ignore. Why is Aang afraid of falling off cliffs or through the air when he is an airbender? Why can't waterbenders just make people explode (I'm sure there is a good reason for this beyond a PG rating but I was never told)?

The child acting is mostly poor and their script dialogue was left wanting. I get that this is a young adult show but at least give them a chance at dialogue that isn't overly wooden.

The fights and adventure are fun, the scenery is beautiful, and the concept is great. The show sputters after episode 3 or so and begins a downhill slide.

All that said, I got through the season and will likely give a second season a shot. Just a bummer because this could have been so much more!

3 Body Problem (2024)

Pretty Good, Less Characters, Needs More Backstory

[7/10 · 28 March 2024]

First I'm glad the major networks are investing in SciFi which has been a backwater for the last couple decades. I also think this is the best SciFi television show since Westwood S1/Expanse S1,S2.

I loved the premise, especially the first few episodes. Unfortunately the show gets gummed up in the later half by spending too much time on the characters, odd priorities for the characters, and not spending enough time on backstory.

For example, why can't the San-Ti use their protons to start wiping out people they don't like instead of using half-baked assassins? They can control every television screen on the planet and impact machinery (I think), so why not start crashing planes of anyone they want dead. Why not start killing more scientists? There might be answers to these but the show does a super poor job of explaining the backstory.

I also had a hard time following character incentives and decisions, they were so moody and mopey for the fate of humankind to be on the line.

The show is at its best either when having action go down or getting into human nature. I loved the judgement day ship episode precisely because it was so uncomfortable and welded SciFi with painful morality decisions.

Finally, I wish D&D had written every episode instead of just half the show. If there is a season 2 they really need to keep their foot on the gas and not outsource any of the writing, this season felt disjointed at times and lacked a lot of backstory and hand-holding for SciFi.

Overall enjoyed it and hope more is coming.

Arrested Development (2003–2019)

Seasons 1-3: Best Sitcom Comedy Ever Made

[10/10 · 26 March 2024]

(opinions below ignore the sacrilegious reboots)

I've watched the first three seasons four or five times over the past couple decades and it's amazing it has staying power. Well, probably a couple jokes that are a little offensive now, but I still laugh so hard at this show.

Better than I Love Lucy, better than Seinfeld, better than Friends, there's no comedy sitcom better.

I was telling my friend how you could get a show with a bunch of Japanese businessmen in a house while a rocket man fights a giant mole over a mini development so it looks like a Godzilla fight. I'm laughing just typing that.

Friends (1994–2004)

Unfortunately Simply Not Very Good

[3/10 · 26 March 2024]

Do you ever have something everyone seems to love but you just can't figure out the draw? That's Friends for me, though over the years I've learned to feign enjoyment for the show for the sake of social cohesion.

It's simply not very funny, especially 25+ years later, except for a couple of Chandler's jokes. The acting is poor and the show is boring as the six friends sit in their apartment talking to each other; the season bylines are who will date who. I know it was the 90's but the show is just so bland.

I've seen every episode of every season and tried rewatching a few after Matthew Perry tragically died. I really wanted to change my mind.....but it's still bad. There is so much better television out there. It was bad then and it is bad now.

The best thing about this show back in the day was we were closer to watching Seinfeld.

Damsel (2024)

Entertaining But Takes Self Way Too Seriously, Needs Humor

[6/10 · 21 March 2024]

I laughed reading the wide spread of reviews here and totally get how people can love or hate this movie. For some reason Netflix really struggles to consistently make quality in-house feature movies.

This movie could have been so much better if humor and self-awareness were injected, it takes itself way too seriously. Now, that's fine if you have a tight script, strong character backstory, and believable/internally consistent storyline but this film doesn't. They should have taken a lesson from Robin Wright and added a couple doses of Princess Bride. Regardless, there is action and the story moves. Great airplane movie.

I hardly ever complain about this but the diversity in this film seems so forced and is borderline cringe. 2024 and Hollywood still seems to have not figured out how to incorporate diversity in a believable way.

The Gentlemen (2024)

Pretty Good But Can Tell Ritchie Only Wrote/Directed First Two Episodes

[7/10 · 18 March 2024]

You can tell Guy Ritchie only wrote (co-wrote) and directed the first two episodes as the show starts off with a crack and runs into a muddy and convoluted plot in episodes 5-7 and a fairly uncreative ending in episode 8.

The show shines with the casting - primarily Kaya Scodelario as Susie Glass. Actually everyone is strong except for Theo James who I thought was miscast and would think he is a poor actor given his track record had it not been for White Lotus Season 2. I don't think he has found his acting niche yet but this isn't it.

There are still Guy Ritchie vibes in the rest of the show after episode 2 and a fun and entertaining cast of characters. Messy plot in the back half and a little uncreative for Ritchie standards but a fun and high energy show.

Spirited Away (2001)

Best Movie This Century

[10/10 · 18 March 2024]

I know it's a bold claim but you'll regularly find this movie high on critic's lists of best films this century, up there with Moonlight, Mulholland Drive, and No Country For Old Men. This is Miyazaki's masterpiece and I've watched this film close to ten times now, the only film I have watched more is Casablanca.

One of the best things about Miyazaki's films is there is never a binary split between good and evil, a phenomenon Disney movies have trained audiences to need (that's not a bad thing, but it is a thing). Spirited Away is exploration, uncovering interests, and understanding the world around us. The film is beautiful, the score is amazing, and the pacing is just right.

Best movie of the century....so far.

The Brothers Sun (2024)

Wasted Opportunity, Should Have Been "The Son Sun" Without Bruce

[5/10 · 5 February 2024]

The first couple episodes are pretty good and then the show tanks, particularly the back half. I tried to figure out what happened and it looks like Byron Wu & Brad Falchuk, the creators, only actually wrote the first and last episodes (with Byron going solo on episode two).

I don't mind minor plot errors or character inconsistencies, especially in action shows, but they had so many things that didn't make sense or were illogical as the show went on. It was too much even for me.

The show had fantastic action scenes and nailed the casting of Boss Sun, Mrs Sun (Michelle Yeoh is flawless as always), and Charles......which brings me to Bruce. What in the world happened there? He sticks out like a sore thumb, the character isn't funny, the dialogue is bad, and he makes terrible decisions to the point they don't make sense. TK follows is cut from the same cloth and isn't funny either.

There are flashes of brilliance (I'm still laughing about John Cho's house) but with Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, and Johnny Kou this show could have been so much more. If they do have a Season 2 the writers need to keep this one under their thumb and no sloppy outsourcing. And no Bruce either, period.

Yellowstone (2018– )

I To Not Like This Show, Unfortunately It's Very Good

[9/10 · 25 January 2024]

(Review is only for the first two seasons)

I came into this show not expecting to like it but the storyline, acting, and cinematography is superb. Basically it's Mafia Wars in Montana with intermittent giant doses of testosterone (cowboys with guns on horses while fishing)! Costner is a master actor as lead of the Duttons. The show is at its finest when it shows the chessboard moves the Duttons and their enemies engage in.

The show gets gummed early in the second season but starts rolling again midway through. Kelsey Asbille is the weakest link as Monica and plays a poor hand badly, the storyline jettisons awkwardly out and the acting just misses the mark.

I think Cole Hauser as Rip may be the strongest acting (sans Costner himself) and looked forward to all the scenes Rip was in. Thomas Rainwater is great too. The storyline hums and the scenery is beautiful.

Just as Cormac McCarthy's "All The Pretty Horses" was a little more raw and brutal than the title suggests, this show strikes in a similar vein. Highly recommend and wish I didn't wait so long to watch it.

Reacher (2022– )

S1 (7/10) S2 (3/10) Fell Far And Fast In Season 2

[5/10 · 20 January 2024]

I have admittedly not read any of the Lee Child books or have a huge affinity for Reacher, I just want a great story with some action. Season 1 delivered with interesting side characters and small town justice. The battle at the end was fairly epic and Reacher was just a terminator and great to watch.

I have no idea if the show runners changed or scriptwriters went on vacation, but Season 2 has a totally different vibe. Reacher operates in a band of ex-military operatives trying to untangle a murder mystery. My frustration is he isn't front and center and this show works so much better with him as a lone wolf. The side characters are unconvincing and unlikeable, contrasted with Season 1's cop and lawyer who were great.

Really disappointed and hope this show does better for Season 3 if renewed. Go back to the roots.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023– )

Bad Story (sans 1950), Bad Acting (sans Kurt), and No Godzilla (sans 5 minutes)

[3/10 · 6 January 2024]

Wow what a wasted opportunity. The three lead characters have got to be the most obnoxious trio (and poorly acted) I've come across in a long while. They're simply unlikeable and it's really hard to care about their development.

The 1950's timeline is actually pretty interesting and not an acting dumpster fire.

I'm actually okay that they didn't show titans for more than a handful of 9+ hours of show time........but if you're going to do that at least make it interesting. Unfortunately this show is not interesting and why they didn't lean into having the IP for Godzilla is beyond me.

I started doing something in episode 7 that I recommend any fair-weather fans to do: only watch the 1950's timeline, scenes with Kurt Russell, and scenes with titans. You won't miss much and the show is immensely more enjoyable.

The Buccaneers (2023– )

Script Written By 7th Grade Girls

[5/10 · 3 December 2023]

I feel a little embarrassed giving this a score as high of a 5/10 but it's simply because I'm still watching. Trashy period drama with modern flairs and a script that, as far as I can tell, is written by 7th grade girls. The positives are that the story moves snappily and the cinematography is beautiful. The James storyline about gaslighting and emotional abuse was actually interesting and rarely seen on television so I appreciated that.

However, overall terrible acting (especially the buccaneers and their male interests), ridiculous storyline, and just a bad Bridgerton knockoff. I am, it embarrassingly seems, okay with that but am barely hanging on.

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

Season 1 (9); Season 2 (6); Season 3 (3)

[6/10 · 3 June 2023]

TL;DR: just watch Season 1 and call it quits

I'm questioning whether I have recency bias not giving this entire series a 5 or if I was in a Covid-era induced craving for any feel-good television with Season 1.

I don't know of many shows that have fallen this far this fast, Westworld and Heroes come to mind. I think a lot has to do with Bill Lawrence leaving for Season 3 to focus on Shrinking, I have a lot more respect for him now.

Anyways, Ted Lasso is a show of light hearted feel-goodisms, some blatantly artificial and shallow, others deeper and more developed. The show leaves so many opportunities left unturned and while Season 1 was a tight and deep show focusing on Ted and the team, it tries to cover far too much ground in Season 3. Nate's story arc is so unsatisfactory, Keely is obnoxious (and shame on this show for not addressing the eating disorder or whatever she is going though), and Ted just spouts tag lines here and there.

Finally, this show seems to have a knack for showcasing inappropriate relationships forming from huge power inequities and passing them off as normal: bosses and subordinates, investors and funded company CEOs, and counselors with counseled (gross!)

Anyways, just watch Season 1 and call it quits.

Beef (2023– )

Refreshing

[9/10 · 25 May 2023]

Glad to see Netflix take a risk here and there and it paid off with Beef. Incredibly well cast and a constant drum beat of uncomfortable escalation.

I wish they had dug into the two main character's history (especially Danny's) more with flashbacks, and feel this was a lost opportunity. I felt like I understood the main chapters so much more after those and how childhood and generational trauma carried over into two damaged people.

Overall though it was fantastic and hard to keep from binging. I just wish Hollywood, particularly Netflix, made more original series like this instead of cheap reality TV trash.

Citadel (2023– )

Basically Playing a Bad 90's Action Video Game

[5/10 · 17 May 2023]

So is Amazon just asking AI to write its scripts these days? I was excited when I saw the Russo brothers name attached but then realized they are not actually directing any episodes. So far I am through episode 4 and am barely hanging on.

There is little chemistry (in fact awkwardness) between the leads, the dialogue is cringe, and my goodness Richard Madden's American accent is a train wreck.

That said there is action, and lots of it. Mindless action, much of it makes no sense, but it is action nonetheless. There is a dearth of this genre in the streaming services so I am still watching but I have no idea how Amazon blew $300M on this pile of garbage. Granted they incinerated even more on Rings of Power which makes this look like John Wick.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)

The Best of Bridgerton

[8/10 · 17 May 2023]

I've seen the regular Bridgerton series and Queen Charlotte trumps them in spades. Incredibly well cast, good acting, and a decent dose of humor.

My criticism is that much of the second half drug on, particularly episodes 4/5 when King George was off for treatment. The show shines when him and Charlotte share a scene and it became pretty monotonous. I think they also did a disservice by bringing in Lady Bridgerton into the story, it wasn't necessary and they could have focused on present day Queen Charlotte instead.

All that said the show is engaging, light and funny. My spouse said, "you want to watch some junky fun?" and I knew she meant Queen Charlotte.

The Night Agent (2023– )

Tom Clancy for Dummies....and I am okay with that

[7/10 · 29 March 2023]

Terrible acting, especially the lead? Check. A Swiss cheese of plot holes? Check. Completely unrealistic? Check.

But it hums and has action. It knows who it's audience is and it hits that right on target. If you liked Jack Reacher or Jack Ryan with some more speed and more dumb then this is for you. Frankly there is a lack of these types of shoes on TV these days.

There are a few bright spots. The assassins are fun characters and Fola Evans-Akingbola is a solid actress.

I hope for a season 2 or at least more shows like this on streaming networks. A little smarter with better acting wouldn't hurt.

Shadow and Bone (2021–2023)

Sun Summoner's Slothful Storyline

[7/10 · 19 March 2023]

This series really runs the gamut on storyline and acting quality. Not a lot of shows out there that are this hit and miss.

The Crow gang is fantastic and Netflix really should do a spin-off with just them (or make the show about them). The characters are interesting and the actor who plays Kaz is fantastic.

Meanwhile the main storyline with the Sun Summoner is dull and her love interests are frustrating to watch on screen. It's really hard to stay invested when the main character is unlikable.

But no matter, the Crow storyline makes up for it and I've enjoyed both seasons one and two. Here's hoping for more.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Everything I Wanted, All At Once

[10/10 · 2 February 2023]

I haven't felt like this since watching Being John Malkovich over twenty years ago. What a fantastic and deep movie which explores existentialism, nihilism, and regret. However, it really is a story of a mother and spouse's relationship with her husband and daughter, particularly the latter.

Michelle Yeoh demonstrates a new side of an overstretched parent who also chooses not to see her daughter and is losing her. She is incredible in the first twenty minutes of giving off the day-to-day chaos energy the universe throws at her.

I'm sorry, but not surprised, to see so many negative reviews here. This is a purposefully chaotic, strange, and whiplash movie that so rarely graces the screen these days and is so refreshing to see Hollywood still has some originality. Kudos to the producers who green kit this, I can't imagine the gut wrenching of that decision. I hope it pays off in spades at the Academy Awards.

Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021)

Starring not He-Man

[2/10 · 28 December 2022]

My goodness what happened here? Masters of the Universe always meant He-Man but this show shunned their greatest assets of He-Man and Skeletor and really should be called The Adventures of Teela.

The episodes are slow and packed full of almost over-the-top tacky very left-wing leaning messaging. Kevin Smith tried to pack in everything but the kitchen sink into this but it would have been so much better being classic He-Man with some wholesome lesson at the end.

I hope Netflix gives Kevin Smith a budget to run projects on his own- Jay and Silent Bob was a fantastic series and he could really make a mark in children's animation, just not ruining and ignoring a beloved 80's action character. Don't let him ever touch the He-Man franchise again.

The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022)

Not that terrible but certainly not great

[6/10 · 28 December 2022]

I'm embarrassed to give this a "6" but I actually enjoyed this show as a guilty pleasure and liked it far more than Rings of Power or Wheel of Time. The action and events move at a very fast clip and I was never bored watching it, it didn't take itself too seriously.

Now for the bad: the storyline and plot are dumpster fire level terrible and at times make no sense. There is very little effort to world-build and quite frankly Netflix should fire the showrunners and writers for this series. The CGI is atrocious and much of the dialogue is not creative and bland. I have no idea why they would market this as The Witcher and the reception would have been so much better if they gave it a generic fantasy title.

Despite the other reviewers I actually thought the casting and acting was solid, these folks played a bad hand well with the junk script they were given.

All that said, for some reason I still enjoyed this as mindless fantasy fast paced action mind-candy which I have a soft spot for and is hard to come by.

Finally, Michelle Yeoh really needs to have a discussion with her agent over how she ended up in this show; she is far too great an actress to end up in this series.

Mythic Quest (2020– )

Great S1, Good S2, Dumpster S3

[7/10 · 26 December 2022]

I had a hard time rating this show since it had a steady slide and then after Season 2 it just dropped off a cliff. My theory is Rob didn't expect to get that far and didn't really have a plan for what would happen after Season 1, certainly not Season 2.

Ian and Poppy are just fantastic characters and carry the show. The flashback episodes are amazing, especially Season 1's, and this show tackles assumptions and discrimination in the video game industry. I have no idea why they didn't dump Rachel after Season 1 as the character is incredibly obnoxious and detracts from the comedy.

All that said, anyone should watch Season 1 of this series, it is a gem. Season 2 is "meh" and I have no idea what happened with Season 3, I quit after three episodes since it was obvious they lost their way.

Harry & Meghan (2022)

Worst Netflix of The Year

[1/10 · 10 December 2022]

I admit I came into this not being a fan of Meghan and Harry but I did my best to approach it with an open mind. Unfortunately I only lasted one episode.

I honestly don't understand the point of this series. They seem to complain about the press hounding them and a lack of privacy and yet turn around and put out a Netflix documentary. Much of the time is then retelling stories of how they met, private periods of their lives, and how difficult and stressful their lives can be. It's simply tone-deaf and hard to feel sympathy for such a privileged pair.

The documentary jumps around with no real purpose either. Netflix can certainly do better. I honestly think there may have been a good story here but this is just a mindless word salad of nothingness. No real tension, no real sympathy, and no real story.

I think this surpassed Resident Evil for my Netflix Stinker-of-the-year Award.