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Reviews
Ronald Reagan: An American Journey (2011)
I've always liked Robert Kline
And he made a decent Pro-Reagan documentary on Reagan's time in office. My problem with it is that it just covers the basics of the main events of the Reagan era, while only giving the side that favors Reagan.
Perhaps a bigger problem is that this has been done over and over again. Does another gushing documentary on Reagan really accomplish anything? I don't think so. It offered nothing new, perhaps because new information likely wouldn't fit the narrative?
Kline is about 20 years too late here, unfortunately.
Work & Happiness: The Human Cost of Welfare (2017)
The problems with our welfare system
According to the people who created the very problems they criticize.
In other words, the arguments presented here are a strawman. All presented by people who want to get rid of welfare and have created the very problems they highlight here. Now they're using them to argue that welfare doesn't work.
Sweden: Lessons for America? A personal exploration by Johan Norberg (2018)
Norberg fails to understand the USA
Norberg's understanding of the USA is worse than what he believes Americans understand about Sweden. He ponders why Americans relish Swedish social democracy, while routing it's merits at the same time. He ignores that Sweden reached it's current position by moving from the far left, but that the USA would reach it by moving from the far right.
As a member of the Libertarian Cato Institute, I expect better. One Swede in the documentary mentioned that US labor unions need to "earn" the right for better treatment. Apparently they don't realize that American workers have far better productivity levels than Swedish workers. Apparently they don't realize the struggles that American unions go through just to exist.
Here's my question for Mr. Norberg: Why are you arguing for more US centric economics, when you're clearly proud of what you have in Sweden? If you truly want the US to be more like Sweden -- and who wouldn't, considering how the economies are moving in opposite directions -- than you're on the wrong side here.
Kong: Skull Island (2017)
The worst Kong movie ever made
This movie is so bad that I hope everyone that made it is extremely embarrassed. I know I would be.
Home & Family (2012)
Unvarnished
I never watch daytime talk shows, but I came across Home & Family over the holidays and now I'll tune in ever so often. The thing that sets it apart from other talk shows, at least for me, is that it's not sensationalized or full of razzle dazzle. It just seems real and unvarnished, more like talk shows were in my youth.
I'm not familiar with any of the hosts, but they're all great in what they do. And I like that none of them are big celebrity blowhards.
Before writing this comment, I read through the reviews and discovered something interesting. Most of the poor reviews seem to be from fans of the show who were disgruntled for some reason or another. I don't know if their reasons are legit, or not, but I think it's relevant that these poor reviews were written by obvious fans of the show, which makes me think the show's rating has been artificially lowered.
Anyhow, I don't watch much TV, but I like this show and I hope Hallmark will continue making it for years to come.
Idiocracy (2006)
And we have arrived...
I saw this film in 2006, after a friend recommended it to me. Back then, I considered it an interesting commentary on society, but one that was too exaggerated to really mean much.
Fast forward 10 years and I'd completely forgotten about it, until seeing it on TV recently. In hindsight, it no longer seems all that exaggerated. The character flaws associated with the stupid people in the film are more prevalent than ever, so it does make you wonder how far we could evolve in the next 488 years.
It's easy to associate this with younger generations and blame them for our devolution, but the truth is that they're just the manifestation of what the rest of us created.
Young Sheldon (2017)
Great show!
I love Young Sheldon, but I'm not surprised by it's so-so rating. The Big Bang Theory appeals to many types, because it has so many different interactions. In contrast, Young Sheldon will likely only appeal to BBT purists.
By "purists", I mean those who will connect with the characters. I've spent a lot of time around people in science, so I get a kick when something reminds me of someone I know, or even myself. Someone who doesn't care about science will likely find something entertaining with the BBT, but Young Sheldon won't offer them much. When I watch YS, I see myself and many others I know, so it's a hoot.
Those who say it could have been done better, probably are not wrong. While I don't think I would like it done differently, I do think there are things that might be more appealing to others. Regardless, I truly hope the ratings pick up and it remains the same, because I think it's close to perfect.
The ratings might be higher, if Sheldon's mother did the narration, but it's meant to show the world from Sheldon's perspective and that's exactly what I like. If it showed the world from Sheldon's mother's perspective, then I'm not sure that I'd even enjoy it all. It's nice to see programming that doesn't attempt to appeal to audiences by using normal run-of-the-mill ideas.
The Overnight (2015)
Quirky, Dry Humor
This was a funny movie. Admittedly, not everyone appreciates this sort of quirky, dry humor, but I found it entertaining.
The best part was the "Bada Bing" moment at the end. After spending the night resisting their new friend's overtures, Alex and Emily eventually agree to give in and play along. So, the next time they see Kurt and Charlotte at the park, they hint that they're now ready. But much to their surprise, Kurt interrupts them to say that he's receiving treatment and attempting to make his marriage work. So in the end, this long, uncomfortable night, was simply a long, uncomfortable night for Alex and Emily; not to mention that Kurt and Charlotte didn't even seem that interested in being friends, any longer.
Passengers (2016)
Sci-Fi at it's best!
This is a movie that almost has it all. Those who didn't like it were probably disappointed by the lack of earthling fighting alien scenes, because there were none. It's more like Gravity, except much better.
I've always been disappointed by the lack of good science fiction movies. While it's fun to see alien/earthling battles, science offers fiction so many other possibilities, although we mostly just concentrate on those that are the most outlandish. But it's actually quite fun to dream about what may be realistically possible and isn't out of the realm of reality.
That's where Passengers exceeded greatly, despite the liberties taken with some scientific truths. The movie presented a futuristic, realistic situation and explored it to the hilt, while throwing in some drama and romance along the way. The romantic subplot was also done very well, even though it was only a subplot. The futuristic gadgets were interesting and provided intrigue, as well.
The movie explores a future world that's quite believable and possible, so I think this must have been what it was like to read Asimov, Clarke or Verne in their time. This is coming from a viewer who hated the last 3 Star Wars movies, but considers Bicentennial Man one of the better Sci-Fi movies in recent times, so take my opinion for what it's worth to you.
The Client List (2011)
Felt like an after school special
I just couldn't buy Jennifer Love Hewitt as a prostitute, so I had to quit watching. It seemed far too scripted and contrived to be plausible enough. It felt like an after school special on prostitution. Jennifer Love Hewitt was out of her acting range and unable to pull this one off.
Ozark (2017)
Ridiculously stupid and sad
The premise for this show had promise, but the path taken is just horrible. Essentially, the show is just one depressing moment after another and many of them are just too far fetched to believe. It does have a good cast, but that's all it has going for it.
The depiction of the Ozarks is also just sad. In the first episode, they mention it being a place with money, but then every native character is poor, or a criminal, or both. Anyone who's ever visited the Ozarks will know better.
This could have been entertaining, if only it were more realistic. Instead, it's just incredibly stupid and too far removed from reality.
Orange Is the New Black (2013)
Fascinating Character Study
I completely understand why some people don't care for Orange Is the New Black. I didn't expect to like it either. Normally I'd have no interest in watching a sitcom based in a women's prison. I doubt that the little nudity it contains is that enticing for anyone and it really doesn't have much of the shock factor, either.
The story is interesting, but the best thing about Orange Is the New Black is the character studies. Most episodes will give some background on one of the prisoners and these backgrounds help the viewer identify with that prisoner. They show a different side than the viewer is used to seeing and it's normally a softer side. In essence, we come to understand how they ended up in prison. Sometimes we'll sympathize with the prisoner, but other times we won't. Either way, it allows the viewer to know the prisoner better and involves our emotions in the process.
I'm not sure that I'd call it a great show, but I do know that I'm hooked. I'd never seen Taylor Schilling in anything else, but she's fantastic as the lead character in Orange Is the New Black. The only thing I dislike is the opening to the show and mainly the theme song. The theme song isn't really bad, but it just gets old and I wish they'd change it up.