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Game of Thrones: The Bells (2019)
Polarizing, a visual spectacle with some rough writing
I get the sense that people are still cruising on the disappointment from the last two episodes. I also had my problems with them and felt especially that last episode was an absolute low point for the show.
Ultimately though I feel the huge number of reactionary 1/10 and 10/10 reviews are equally misplaced for this episode. Nothing in-between?
I came in with very low expectations and while I have issues with some scenes, I was nonetheless left largely satisfied.
Yes, the way they developed some of the characters arcs was rough and rushed. I trusted the writers, D&D to do way worse than they did with this episode though. I'm certainly happy to see we aren't getting some cheap happy ending.
Daenerys going mad queen was practically inevitable, the extent of her rage was unexpected. She ended up fulfilling her mad fathers intentions to ''burn them all.'' I see a sense of tragedy in it that is fitting for Game of Thrones.
Rhaegal got sniped last episode by 100% accurate scorpions- that suddenly turned out to be 100% useless this episode. Missandei getting conveniently fished out of the water was questionable. The mad Targaryen in Daenerys suddenly activates when the bells ring and she decides to wreck the whole city?
Varys death was inevitable (due to Melisandre's prophecy). Revealing his plans so openly felt very unlike the smart spider we'd known from earlier seasons though.
Euron had a crappy ending for a crappy character. Of course he conveniently manages to survive and swim ashore at the same time and place as Jaime arrives.
Jaime & Cersei going out together was a fitting ending, their love for each other always remained. Even though Cersei wanted him killed in-between by Bronn? Also, dying by collapsing rubble certainly wasn't the most satisfying way to see them go.
Arya narrowly escapes death several times and conveniently finds a pretty stallion in the end, a bit hard to believe.
I'm sure one could go on but ultimately I'm left satisfied. The scale of destruction was visually astounding, the acting was as good, the characters story arcs were rushed but mostly believable.
Game of Thrones: The Last of the Starks (2019)
A new low for Game of Thrones
With this episode GoT has reached a new low as it comes to the end, leaving many of us disappointed. So it's no mistake that this episode is now the lowest rated of them all. If you thought the last episode was bad, this one showed it could only get worse. I think much of it can be broken down to a common denominator -
The writers D&D, aren't making the characters progress in a way that that feels natural any more. Instead they are working backwards now. They ask, where do the characters need to end up?
They then make it play out in a rough, rushed way. It feels contrived as the characters and narratives are quickly and awkwardly forced into place. This is especially true for the second half of this episode.
Characters motivations suddenly change and they act unlike themselves.
The encounters play out illogically. Important events happen off screen.
The story used to roll along with a gentle, believable stride. The scenes played out in a detailed and meaningful way.
Now it is more and more just a rough, rushed affair as the show hurries to an end.
I don't want to rate it lower because the acting, effects and set-pieces remain stunning, sadly there is a little of substance to back it up any more.
It would be sad to see this epic tale go out on a low note. To me, EP2 of this season was one of the best so far- only to be followed by the writing taking a dip for the worse.
Maybe it can still make up for the recent shortcomings, but with these last two episodes going the way they have, it's hard to be optimistic instead of feeling disappointed.
Game of Thrones: The Long Night (2019)
The night is dark and full of plot armor
Sadly, the more you think about it, the lower you want to rate it. Sure it's thrilling, but it's full of holes.
For one, anticlimactic describes it best. The ''Long Night'' was rather short. Aside from the issues present in the episode itself, it quickly disposed a large part of what GoT has been building up to for so long, the threat of the White Walkers.
The reason for not rating it lower is because of the great set pieces, great actors, great soundtrack and cool effects - the execution is where it fails. The actors and crew did 55 days of filming in a row. What a monumental effort. They and the crew working on the show deserve respect. Except the writers, they don't.
The largest issue is that the episode goes from showing people being overwhelmed and annihilated by the dead, to then suddenly being fine. The Hollywood movie magic writing finally completely caught up to GoT. Here's the result:
- The Dothraki do a cool charge into the dark, for what? During the battle plan, last episode it was clear they were outnumbered. Why did no one tell them, did they expect it to work? Thanks for sailing all the way over from Essos to die boys!
- They placed their catapults and trebuchets IN FRONT of their soldiers?
- Jaime and Brienne stood at the front line of battle with a literal wave of dead overwhelming them. They managed to retreat into the castle and between scenes cutting to other characters, they held out in the courtyard against a huge onslaught of the dead
- Sam escapes death numerous times, surviving on the ground surrounded by the dead. Sorry Edd, your plot armor wasn't thick enough :(
- The dead giant conveniently picks up Lyanna Mormont for no reason, so he can get stabbed through the eye. Just a cool fan service moment.
- Winterfell is completely overrun by the dead, but then the story has time to cut to an alternate 'Walking Dead' style universe with Arya sneaking through the library
- Jon somehow manages to cut his way through a sizable horde of of the dead surrounding him from all sides. Sadly, for the rest of the episode he is rather useless. Thanks ''prince that was promised''
- The crypts, in S7 a wight stayed in a wooden box in and made all the way to Kings Landing. Now they can break through stone coffins? Several people die off screen, but Varys Sansa and Tyrion all make it out unscathed- *sighs* well they have to survive for the later plot?
- Arya manages to sneak through dozens of Wights, and drops on to the Night King unnoticed? Cool twist but meh execution.
- Bran, thank you for nothing at all
- Lastly the poor lighting. *sigh* During most of the battle scenes it was just too dark. The quick cuts, the shaky camera work and the poor lighting all make for a disorienting series of events. This was worst during the dragon battle. Yes it takes place at night. But you're telling me to forgive all the plot armor, then perhaps you could forgive not needing a 'realistic darkness' that makes it difficult to watch.
I'm sure there is more to mention, but I don't want to deride it all. Because it is not all bad, however the execution is lacking. Arya killing the Night King is fine, perhaps make the buildup more meaningful than Jon trying to scream down a Dragon and Theon making a suicide charge? If the Night King had walked a bit faster to get the job done then perhaps he'd still be alive.
After what felt like the last goodbye to the main characters last episode, the majority make it out fine. Expectations subverted! Plot armor to the max.
Going beyond the issues in the episode itself, let's put it into context. For several years, spanning 7 seasons the White Walkers are slowly built up as being the existential threat to everyone in Westeros, the true enemy of all the living. It was now about more than the seven kingdoms and the Iron throne. It was about life or death.
Well snap now the great army of the dead are all gone. It feels as though one of the major story threads was cut abruptly short. Only to move on to Cersei and her badass pirate sidekick, who are the bigger bad after all?
Unless there is still some epic twist waiting, for which most of the characters had to be saved, then GoT has taken quite sharp turn for the worse. I'm optimistic, maybe it can still redeem itself?
GRRM better make up for it with finishing his books in a more meaningful way. If he ever does.
Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2019)
A near perfect episode, a step up from the last one
I can see how people may have been a bit annoyed with the previous episode, it's lacking dialogue and overall ''filler'' feel.
If that is true- then this episode was a huge step up. If last episode was all the ''reuniting'' of many characters we were waiting for- then this episode was the reuniting with great dialogue that we were waiting for. Disclosure- those that expected the battle to happen in this episode are probably the ones still disappointed.
It still turned to be out to be one of the most satisfying, intense and emotional episodes in the entire series:
We got tense interactions, humorous interactions all complete with great dialogue between the characters we've come to love. All woven together scene after scene perfectly, without fail.
Though, it's bittersweet because it feels like this may have been the last farewell to some of the characters before next episodes events, it has been quite the ride.
It even tied in a great vocal/song overlaying the last few scenes. I was reminded of Pippin's song in Lord Of The Rings. The perfect prelude to a great battle to come.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that it hearkened back to the some of the best interactions/ dialogue we saw in earlier seasons.
To conclude, GoT still delivers in it's last season and the best is likely still to come!
The Twilight Zone (2019)
Missed it's mark
This reboot is not up to par with what the original Twilight Zone was. You might say the comparison is unfair, but a show that brands itself as TZ better hold it's own in living up to that name. Even on it's own it doesn't work very well.
The ideas and themes are sound and relevant, it's the execution that sucks the life out it. The episodes in this reboot feel like a chore to get through. Let me explain-
The messages in the original TZ often weren't subtle, but the 2019 version has swapped engaging tales with thin narratives that drag on for too long or with message that just beat the viewer over the head without any style. Additionally there haven't really been any twists- and they were a TZ trademark.
EP1, The Comedian felt like a joke that overstays it's welcome, with inconsistent characters and an obvious outcome. Didn't really drive home much of a point.
EP2 Nightmare at 30k Feet, was decent, but the payoff was not. It goes as expected but then tops it off with a bizarre ending that goes nowhere.
EP3, Replay had a socially relevant premise, but it felt like being clubbed to death with it's message on racism, and it went at the expense of a story.
EP4 The traveler, starts promising but derails into a story without any real arc or narrative to follow.
Unfortunately, it's a pass from me. No hope it will improve.
PS: It doesn't help that this is pretty much only offered on CBS obscure 'all access' platform, making it inaccessible to many. Not much of a loss.
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
History is written by the victors
...as they say. This is a poignant example of where this applies. The film gives a good a look at the enemy of the US, in the pacific theater of war during WW2.
It does so exceptionally well. Portraying the human cost of war and the personal tragedies of some of the Japanese soldiers fighting in it. You really become engrossed in the tales of the soldiers stuck on the island, waiting, suffering and dreading for the Americans to come. Death and chaos finally ensues.
While this slows down the film a bit, it manages a healthy balance between drama and tension, and it doesn't become detrimental to the experience.
The film being entirely in Japanese does little to distract from the story, if anything the film is more authentic this way. Seeing the 'other side' represented is a refreshing take on a war movie, driving home the fact that the enemy was only human as well.
Impressively, this films budget was way lower than it's co-production 'Flags Of Our Fathers', but honestly measures up to it in every regard, perhaps even surpassing it.
The score is a wonderful, emotional companion to the visuals- especially the main piano riff.
In short, Clint Eastwood masterfully crafts a tale of the Japanese soldiers that fought and suffered in the war, leaving a lasting impression on the viewer. I'll remember this film for quite some time.
The Mist (2007)
Unfortunately a mess
Seeing this film at a relatively high 7.2 score convinced me that this would be worthwhile. Directed by Frank Darabont? The writer / director of the Shawshank Redemption and Greenmile- sign me up.
Starting off strong and intriguing, unfortunately there is little merit in what follows, the movie slowly descends into a murky dramatic mess- you may find yourself laughing at parts of this ''horror'' movie.
Throwaway philosophical lines, fruitcake bible lady and her flock of sheep believers, characters trapped in a small enclosed space making idiotic decisions.
Oh and don't forget the hilarious CGI monsters, even in 2007 I can only imagine they would have looked silly.
Funny enough the movie parallels the The Walking Dead in many ways. This comes as no surprise as Darabont is also the writer for the latter.
As much as The Walking Deads boorish drama dragged down many of the seasons- this isn't much different. Except we have less screentime and less reason to care about these characters.
Miss out on this one, the high score is misleading and the ending a hilarious mess.
The Terror (2018)
Barren, like the Arctic itself- don't let the praise fool you
Just as barren as the polar region is, so is this TV show. Alluring at first and gleaming with flawless cinematography (the costumes and set designs are great) the first episode starts off in a slow but promising matter.
Though just as the ships slowly freeze in the ice so does the plot, it treads slowly, aimlessly. I stayed along for the ride, wondering where thee 8-9-10 star reviews come from to see if it satisfies in the end. I can promise, it does not get better and slides off into nothingness. The talented cast (with many recognizable faces from GoT) cannot hold the long drawn drama for long, after a few episodes it wholly runs out of steam.
''Terror''? Perhaps the book may convey this in a meaningful manner but this show cannot do more than bore and wander aimlessly.
I don't want to spoil much but I never really felt terrified, compared to true arctic Terror like Carpenters ''The Thing'' this is moot. There is nothing here. Don't waste your time.