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Mr. & Mrs. Smith: First Vacation (2024)
Glad Erin5026 is not watching anymore!
So she won't be sending anymore negative reviews ! This episode cracked me up! I found the chemistry and hilarity between the two leads awesome! From the dining scene where she showed him how he ate like a percussionist to the way he said he looked "fly" and then he said he could act "cool" and put that sock-cap on half cocked, don't know how you couldn't get that this isn't supposed to be some sort of Mission Impossible type spy show, its supposed to be more Get Smart like a comedy of errors. They are supposed to be on some sort of mission but they are bickering like teenagers. I was cackling throughout. Just lose the "but isn't realistic" thinking and enjoy that it's not supposed to be!
True Detective: Night Country: Part 6 (2024)
YAAASSS!
Not much for writing reviews but had to at least try and offset the hate. I loved this entire series. Oh, but wait, I'm gonna cry because it wasn't like the seasons that came before it... Take it on its own merits. The Alaskan setting is a character in itself. The indiginous population and its spiritual beliefs/practices and how it affects their lives is all wound up in the entire story. Jodie Foster in anything is already 5 stars. And the actor playing Navarro holds her own! I thought they were the perfect compliment as a team. This episode was the best of the series and wrapped up the entire case. I for one did not see that twist coming while watching the episode even though the Blair theory had been floated all over Reddit. I mean heck we were in the last 10 minutes. And Clark didn't know who killed them. I was gonna accept the "Annie K woke up and took them" theory and then I would have been disappointed but MAN they gave a realistic, fact based answer to the killings and y'all are still hatin' on the show. I especially liked the way that after Danvers ripped Navarro a new hole, she falls through the ice, Navarro saves her and we see her vulnerable for the first time and see how tender Navarro can be. Putting her fingers over Danvers eye. Chef's Kiss! And the character of Rose was so perfectly written. I also loved the whole reason Annie K was killed - what the scientists had found and what they really were up to. Excellent explanation to their work. So, anyone reading this who wants a good character driven story that takes time to develop the different pieces and then pays off - watch it you will love it.
Reacher: New York's Finest (2024)
Neagley overcomes her phobia..
Can't believe nobody mentioned it yet. Russo holding his bloody hand up to her as he is dying and she is just staring at it with her jaw clenched thinking.. thinking... waiting... will she? Will she grab it or will she pull a Neagley and let him die without any human contact because she has a "thing" about touching people.. And she came through. In spades. She grabbed his hand and clenched it hard and then even put her other hand on top. This little touch almost made up for the rest of the episode which was just beyond belief. That ending with Russo dying was so sad and so good. The plot moved along too with learning about Swan.. kind of expected something like that... but now we know.. I wish Marlo had also pointed out that she *didn't* take the money when Dixon cracked that she made a nice payday (she took it but she left it behind..)
The Peripheral: The Creation of a Thousand Forests (2022)
More Inspector PLEASE!
I rarely write reviews but I was so astonished at all the tripe complaining about the most interesting character in the whole series I felt someone MUST come to her rescue. It was only when she appeared that I finally felt entertained for once. I was already engaged but the witty dialogue we got out of Lowbeer and the crisp manner in which it was delivered was high-brow, fun, and apparently do not fall into the category of misanthropic dolts who are posting reviews here. Do I want the series to continue? Only if she is front and center as a driving character and it appears as that might be the case. The relationship with her Koid alone tickles my snarky soul !
Law & Order: Organized Crime: New World Order (2021)
ELLYN BURSTYN!
Oh My Goodness. She just gets better with age! I wish they would give Diane Keaton dramatic parts again instead of putting her in all those comedies.. She is also such an excellent actress (REDS, The Godfather..). So glad Ellyn is being given such meaty work to sink her teeth into...She is flawless here.. Her every move, voice inflection, her eyes the way she reacts and double takes.. its like she isn't acting but just lives in the character... last year she was in a movie and I was sure she was going to be nominated for a supporting Oscar... I second the reviewer above... National Treasure indeed.
Succession: Dundee (2019)
Why no love for Kendall's rap?
I'm only writing this review because I was so surprised to see people didn't like Kendall's rap song. First of all, to say it is not in character with what we know of him is incorrect. In the very first episode of Season 1, so the very first scene we have of this series which is now in it's 3rd season opens on Kendal listening to rap music while he pumps his fists into the back of the front seat of the limo as he gets himself pumped up for the meeting with Vaulter. There are 2 more scenes which I cant remember as clearly with Kendall listening to rap - one while exercising. He has been tormented in S2 but with the introduction of the actress in this episode, he seems to be back to his old self and so it did not seem out of character to me at all. And then there is the fact of the rap song itself, I couldn't believe how clever it was! OG meaning Original Gangsta - A beautiful play on words. I loved it!
Outside of the main plot, I have been bingeing this series for the little nuggets of side plots which I am dieing for more of: Greg's covert antics (who was that group of friends he has over anyway?) Marcia's long game (she has made some comments this season that need to be revisited about plans that she/Logan have made for the future and the way she inserted her son into the empire without telling Logan.. What exactly is the story about Rose the sister that died? And then the whole Gerri/Roman thing. What an inspired piece of script writing, whatever mind came up with that dynamic I am in love with your brain it is so wierd yet reads so true and it maybe that only Keiran and the actress playing Gerri are the only actors alive who could carry out that dynamic in a way that doesnt seem manufactured. Her facial expressions and the way she reacts to him are exquisite
On another note.
Only Murders in the Building: Twist (2021)
Still Lovin the dialogue!
Steve Martin:
"I saw you going up the stairs the night Tim Kono was murdered"
Oscar:
"I saw you shoot a crocodile that was smuggling drugs"
Martin Short:
"What flavor do you have there?"
Oscar:
"Vegan Sea Salt Oil"
Martin Short:
"When did ice cream become a hand lotion?"
Only Murders in the Building: How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors? (2021)
More fun cultural reference in-jokes!
"Winnie, don't stand so close to Sting" !!
Excellent line, ruined only by Sting singing it at the end of the episode. Would have been better to have let it be enjoyed by those of us who remember The Police hit from 1980.
When speaking of the broadway shows Martin Short's character steered Nathan Lane's producer character away from
Lane: "Hamilton!"
Short: "They picked the one founding father with no pizzazz!"
But he did produce "SPLASH! The Musical" which is exactly what it sounds like ;-)
Is it just me or does Short's character remind you of the one Dustin Hoffman played in Wag the Dog?
Only Murders in the Building: True Crime (2021)
Yes, it was Midnight Cowboy!
To reviewer Bevo-13678, I noticed it too! That was Dustin Hoffman's Ratso Rizzo character walking across the street and almost getting hit and yelling "I'm WALKING Here! I'm WALKING Here"
The movie was the 1969 Oscar Winner for Best Picture and first ever X rated movie to win an Oscar.
I have seen the first 4 episodes of this show and am marveling at all the cultural references for people of a certain age. If you are in your 60's you are in for a treat as you pick up these little gems.
To people who are complaining about Martin's acting or character, IDK what you are expecting... some wild and crazy guy? King Tut? This is a guy who has written books like "The Shop Girl", screenplays, does serious theater, is married to Victoria Tenant and his acting is pitch perfect for the character he plays. I will cut you some slack since you are reviewing him based on one episode.
Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: Cheerleaders (2010)
From someone who is not a fan of P&T
I am losing my Hulu subscription in 3 days and was looking for things to watch and although I can't stand Penn because of his foul mouth, I am all about the way he exposes myths. So I looked through the episode titles and picked out 18 of the 89 available ones that piqued my curiosity. I was all prepared to believe the one on Organic foods was the best and then I watched this one last and it blew that one out of first place. I was not even going to write a review of the Organic Foods one.
"Cheerleaders" would be more accurately titled "Cheerleading" since it isn't about cheerleaders as much as it is about the corporate body of cheerleading as a whole. The episode is focused on how cheerleading is not designated as a "sport" under Title 9 and how that specific issue leaves girls vulnerable to risk of injury, and that risk is far greater than what the general public has any clue. The statistics sited are mind boggling: Cheerleaders accounted for 30,000 ER visits in 2009, more than all other 10 sports combined: Soccer, Basketball, Softball, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Track & Field, Volleyball, Swimming, Field Hockey, and Ice Hockey.
If Cheerleading was given "sport" status, it would be regulated by the individual states, have coaches who were properly trained and certified in health, safety, first aid, CPR, etc. , have the proper medical equipment and risk/injury prevention apparatus on site (like spotters) and these injuries would be not only less likely to occur, but far less serious when they do. The motivations from those who want to keep cheerleading from being designated a sport are the same ones you might guess: profit and control.
America is sending their little girls off to cheerleading camps at very young ages and watching them grow up in the ranks as cheerleaders doing stunts requiring an extreme level of difficulty and athleticism and with coaches who have no more than a 3 hour training class on a Saturday morning. Its egregious.
Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: Vaccinations (2010)
CULTURAL ANACHRONISM WARNING
QUOTE FROM PENN:
"Careful Carl your Doctor might get so pissed at you spilling the truth that he gives you that shot that turns you gay."
I doubt that he would have included this line in an episode produced in 2021..
L'amica geniale: La fata blu (2020)
Production values are incredible
Well this is an HBO property all the way. But so different then what they are known for. A very slow moving but compelling drama. I am so used to watching content that is so fast and keeps you on your seat, it was a little difficult at first to sit back and take this in.
The cars, the dress, the littlest details are so right it seems for the time and the place. The music I have already mentioned is so wonderful. Piano chords I have never heard the likes of and learned most of it was original made for this production.
The cinematography is so beautiful, Italy in the 60's will take your breath away. Because it is so slowly developed, you spend time watching the lead character's eyes, her mouth, waiting for that small smile to appear to find if she is happy or sad.
For the first half of this season I could hardly keep watching because her heart is broken over and over and her friend is so cruel to her (it seemed to me..) She is so dear, so wonderful, so beautiful but not in the sense that most can see. But Ariota sees her for the beauty she really is, the beauty we know her to be..
Watch the way she walks. So slowly, so deliberately, as if self-conscious anyone would notice her. So much is said in her silence just by her eyes. Never giving away too much with her words, nobody can know what she is feeling, thinking.. .
The scene in this episode where she kisses the boy beneath the Tower of Pisa is gorgeous. The small details: the pay rotary phones, the understated makeup, the smoking and the WAY they smoke with the dangling out of the mouth, the lack of true warmth and intimacy she feels with her mother. She never once tells her she loves her - neither do, but you know they do.
The coffee, strong and made with the old steeping pitchers pouring the grounds right in and straining them as you pour it out. The fruit and the food - so right. She cuts rosemary right from the bush to use to cook at the beach.
The episodes are longer than most series - a full hour and it is easy to stop and come back to, so you are not held captive by the suspense of those shows you binge..
Yes, you come back and are again enraptured by the piano chords, the al fresco restaurants, the lady singing in front of the small band, the record player playing slow Italian music, the Classic books in hardcover you remember the smell of from the library when you were a kid, and above all, the girl with the sad eyes. Highly recommended.
L'amica geniale: I fantasmi (2020)
What about the music?
I just had to write a review based on the musical score alone. It is BEAUTIFUL YO! The piano score in every episode is different and so beautiful I go back and listen again and look it up on YouTube and I remember it when going to sleep!
The last few episodes there has been the most amazing songs being sung by singers live before a little band in al fresco places. But the best was the song that was being played on the turntable as Lena and Lila enter the party at the professors. I think it was 2 episodes ago.. Some Italian song that was so gorgeous and hypnotic I can't get it out of my head. One I haven't been able to locate. I am not big into music in the movies so this is even more of a surprise that I am so moved by this music.
Last Days in Vietnam (2014)
I am forever profoundly affected by this film
On April 30, 1975, the Best of the Best did their best for the Least of the Least.
The Directive: Only evacuate Americans at the US Embassy in Saigon.
The Response: The Hell You Say!
US Marines and Naval forces performed black-ops, under the table rescues, skirting authority, bending rules, strategizing on the fly, emptying their hearts and pockets and Risking All to get the South Vietnamese to safety as the Viet Cong ruthlessly advanced on Saigon.
I declare:
You who were spat on as you returned from the war to your native soil.
You who were disrespected for serving your country.
You who DIED in that very war in order to stop the inhumanity of a Communist regime.
I salute you.
I remember you, Soldier.
I Remember You.
Truth Be Told (2019)
Annabella Sciorra was worth the whole series
I just wanted to say that this is the best work I've ever seen from Annabella Sciorra. She is pitch perfect. She plays her character so amazingly, from the way she stutters when she answers a question to the way she walks and holds herself like she is half out of it... I even think she is prettier now that she is older than she was when she was 25 years ago when I first saw her in Reversal of Fortune.
One of Us (2017)
Choices Have Consequences
The movie is about 3 people (Luzer, Ari, and Etty) who leave the Satmar Hassidic sect of Judaism. No effort is made by the filmmakers to distinguish this uber-strict sect from other sects of Hassidic Judaism. No effort is made to make the film more balanced. It is only this issue of a biased perspective that I had to (like another reviewer) give it so few stars.
Luzer makes the point, explaining the community he walked away from, that his view on secular life is informed by the movies: "Movies had the biggest influence on me. My excitement of the secular world, is based on movies. My understanding of the secular world is based on movies. My idea of fun in the secular world is based on movies." So, Luzer himself is pointing out the reason the Hasidic Jews have the rules they have. The Old Testament (as well as the New) is clear about avoiding worldliness (secularization). As Luzer's experience shows: movies inform culture and social mores. Luzer says "When you look at the outside world, your perception is wrong." But it isn't. His perception is exactly the way the Jews in his community want his perception to be. Luzer clearly wanted the forbidden fruit. And he chose it and he is living with the consequences.. He identifies as an ex-Hasidic Jew, but a Jew nonetheless. He misses the purpose and meaning that he had in the community that is part and parcel of Satmar Hassidic Judaism. He says he is still searching for that meaning. But for him, it was worth the cost. (divorced and kids left with his ex-wife in the community)
Ari overdosed on cocaine twice before he was 19 years old. His father paid for rehab. Yes, he was raped as a child in the community. But that happens in the secular world, and at much higher frequency. He wants to secularize himself by his looks and breaking the rules on internet use and tattoos and cigarettes. He wants to rebel. But he wants to still be part of the sect. He can't have it both ways. If he stays he will need to conform, if not, he needs to go separate himself from the support and community. He even tried evangelical Christianity. His father is supportive.
Tellingly, his father asks Ari about how he is doing in his secular life and Ari tells him he is looking for a job. His father says "good, don't disappoint everybody." So, Ari hasn't disappointed everybody already by his rule-breaking. His father said this in relation to a job.
Ari argues the same question every rape survivor posits: How can abuse happen if there is a God? His rabbi counselor admits there needs to be a better response to people like Ari. And he is doing what he can as one person. "Come back little boy. " "There should be an embrace or something. I cry for him and his parents, because he is in pain"
This was the most balanced of the 3 stories. I was encouraged to see them circle back to Ari and he is at an event (wedding?) in the community he is wanting to rebel against. He says he is not ready to walk away from so much that he has in the community. He is going to give it another go. He doesn't blame anyone for his desire to rebel.
As far as Etty goes, this was the least balanced. Yes, the way she was treated for trying to protect her children from violence is horrible. As another reviewer said. "The decision from the judge (as presented in the film) flies in the face of almost all New York State Court decisions. Something weird that was not in the film must have occurred for her to not get custody." I agree. We are never given even a basic description of the abuse. Nothing more than a statement that she and her kids were abused.
"It's difficult to raise your children in a "status quo" when you're exploring an outside world" Yes. "They don't want the children to be modern". Exactly. She was warned. She chose the courts knowing that the odds were stacked against her rather than to come to the table with her husband who was ready to settle. If it had been as simple as stopping the abuse, than she should have pursued that through the community.
"It's not me, it's my kids" she says. Her support group leader says: "It is you, too." "The community truly believes that they are saving the souls of these kids." But she was wanting to break with the community and explore the outside world through secularization. She is allowed an hour a week supervised with them. She made the choice to break, the community wanted her to stay. There was never any discussion from the filmmakers as to what the husband/community response to her allegations was and how they could address it. Her kids know that she chose to leave them.