audreythejunglegirl-724-669637 Reviews

Cam (2018)

Abstract horror, not cut and dry

[6/10 · 28 November 2018]

Those who are upset that the movie doesn't "resolve" anything don't get the point of the film. The main problem, stolen identity, is resolved when Lola/Alice deletes her account. Her choice to recreate her account under a different persona is part of that resolution. Maybe you missed it, but the conversation between Alice and her mom while her mom does Alice's makeup at the end makes this clear. Mom to Alice: "are you sure you want to do this?" Alice to mom: "yes mom" Mom: "and if it happens again?" Alice: "then I'll make another one. And another one and another one". This is part of the solution. Cam is an abstract horror film, it's not going to focus on the what and why. We don't find out what stole Alice's identity or why or how, because that's not the point. Cam was created to shed light on the dangers of sex work, specifically for cam girls. Yes, the stolen identity has a supernatural/cyber horror element to it, but the message is clear, and the message is woven through every scene. Camming, and sex work in general, has risks. Your family can find out and shun you, you may not be treated appropriately by law enforcement if you seek their help, you may acquire a stalker, a client you thought was a good person can turn violent and possessive (especially meeting irl). I was totally into this movie. Madeline Brewer sells her role wonderfully and the portrayal of a cam girl is definitely realistic (aside, of course, from the cyber robot that steals her face. But stolen identity is still a common issue).

Private Life (2018)

Not a comedy

[8/10 · 15 October 2018]

Obviously a film about infertility is going to carry a weight, and that should be expected by the viewer. That being said, this was marketed on Netflix as a comedy, so the frustration by viewers who wanted a funny feel good movie is understandable. I did not go into this expecting a comedy, so I was not disappointed. I enjoyed Private Life. The aesthetic of Richard and Rachel's apartment and style was visually appealing, and I think the various moods of the story were conveyed well. Richard and Rachel, and every character, are flawed people, portrayed as such in what I consider a very accurate way. The seemingly endless loop and obsession Rachel has with getting pregnant was hard to watch because you can see her pain, and as a viewer you want to reach out to her and pull her away from the tunnel vision she has, not because of Kathryn's acting (which is superb as usual). Sadie's personality is grating at times, but that's because she is a real, dimensional person who has facets and flaws. The relationship between her and Richard and Rachel is what you're meant to focus on. The relationships between all characters is what drives the story. In the end, this is just a look into the lives of a couple who are struggling immensely with infertility. It's a snapshot of what their lives have become now. The ending scene, where they sit in an Applebee's several states over, waiting for a donor who will probably never show up (yet again) further drives this home. There's no happy ending or message in here. This is just a story that starts and ends in the middle. Don't watch this expecting gut busting laughs, or a happy ending, don't watch this if you "adore New York" and then complain that it takes place mostly in an apartment. This isn't about New York, it's about infertility

The Sinner (2017–2021)

Watch past the second episode

[8/10 · 23 September 2018]

First I have to address all those who are saying this series is "predictable" after watching only one or two episodes- it absolutely is not. It becomes easier to guess the true story towards the 7th episode, but the ending is not what you think. Yes, Cora does come from a very religious family which probably had a hand in causing a lot of her issues, but the religion is not the focus. This series actually shows a side of kids rebelling against strict religious beliefs that isn't often portrayed. It's very interesting, but it's not predictable. That being said, I expected something entirely different when I began this series. The selling point is that it explores the reasons why people kill for seemingly no reason, and going into this I thought I would be getting something more along the lines of Mindhunter. While The Sinner also employs an offbeat agent of the law who does things his own way, that's about where the similarities end. The Sinner is a tragedy. It's filled with symbolism and background psychology. It tells the story of Cora, a young girl who had a lot happen to her, and the effects of that later in life. The parallel between Cora and Harry, in terms of their guilt complexes, is intriguing. I know some didn't like learning of Harry's sexual deviance, but for me that helped flesh out his character and explained why he was going to such lengths to get Cora's backstory. Every detail of this show is important and integral to the story. You have to pay attention. This is definitely a series you'll have to watch again- there are hundreds of little clues and twists that reveal themselves only at the end. The Sinner is a slow burn, but it doesn't leave you bored and uninterested. It moves at just the right pace to make you nervous, make your heart race. In some ways, it is similar to Twin Peaks, without the supernatural element.

Insatiable (2018–2019)

It's satire

[6/10 · 12 September 2018]

This is by no means a 10 Star show, but I don't think it deserves less than a 5 or 6. This show is satire- the characters are supposed to be outrageous and stereotypical, and the storyline is supposed to be superficial. I think the dark humor is done very well, and the inclusion of LGBT characters (yes, Patty's best friend is a stereotypical lesbian and in love with her, but it is played as the overdone story trope that it is) and POC is nice, although there could be more of it. The show's portrayal of having an absent, addict mother is accurate in my opinion, and I really enjoy watching Coralee and Bob interact. They have a great relationship. Insatiable is a satirical caricature that has no category. The characters are selfish and sometimes over the top, but that is exactly how they're supposed to be. They make mistakes, and the show addresses the mistakes and offers solutions, although this is not intended to be a morally aligned feel good show. I noticed that the mood is similar to that of the later seasons of Hart of Dixie, and think this is more appropriate for ages 16 and up

Dark Tourist (2018)

Intriguing concept but poor execution

[4/10 · 24 August 2018]

The artistic camera angles and landscape shots are the only saving grace. As other reviewers have said, the host is not that great. I watched the first two episodes and agree that the host is whiny and very self involved. This is more like the diary of a very sheltered, privileged man from New Zealand who happens to be on a "dark" tourism trip and is recording it. He is disrespectful and ignorant of the traditions and cultures of the places he travels to, and it's hard to watch without cringing. Hopefully further in the season he becomes more respectful and less arrogant. Many of the scenes he shoots are obviously staged, and he doesn't get very in depth with the "dark" tourist spots. Instead of leaving you intrigued, it leaves you confused and unsatisfied.