CamdenGregware Reviews

Too Old to Die Young (2019)

A modern masterpiece

[10/10 · 2 October 2023]

Modern slow cinema for those who love their transgressive nihilism drenched in blood & neon. In a nation on the brink of societal collapse, to what extent is killing redeemable? Violence is a perpetual cycle- it eats away at men until they bring about their own demise. I have a million words for this 13-hour meditative magnum opus, but none could do better than Jena Malone's closing monologue in ep. 10:

"Soon...violence will become erotic, torture euphoric... as the masses hail public executions...propelled by the wrath of fascism. Concentration camps will be rebuilt. Ignorance will be exalted. And there will be race wars... for hate will be rewarded, and seen as truthful... and beautiful. Faith will be reduced to venomous platitudes... the morphine infested enslavement of thought. Perversity will be dignified. Incest, molestation, and pedophilia will all be praised. Rape will be rewarded. The few will have everything. The most will have nothing. For not all men are created equal. Narcissism will no longer be suppressed... but worshipped as a virtue. Indulging ones impulses will become instinctual. Our identities will be defined by the pain we cause. Pure, unadulterated nihilism... will be the only solution... in the face of glorious death. In time... we will have our own religion. Our own dynasty. And with it... we will wake the true fury of the world. And as man implodes in a wash of blood and silence... a new mutation will emerge. And on that day... I will declare the dawn of innocence."

Women will thrive off the sins of men. A story with no hero. The eye of Horus. Martin=martyr. A tarot reading on the ever-decaying state of America. Metaphysical, almost spiritual at times. I'm speechless.

Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake (2023)

A return to the world of ADVENTURE TIME

[8/10 · 29 September 2023]

I want to sit down and rewatch this all in one sitting before I go super in-depth on the series, especially since there's so much to unpack here...but as part of the top 1% of Adventure Time fans I feel obligated to at least give my initial thoughts after seeing the last two episodes (for now?). Since the announcement of Fionna and Cake I've kept my expectations relatively in check, but after the first two episodes came out guns blazing with whimsical cynicism & the ever-amazing world building that I've come to love so much, I couldn't help but to be hooked right away. This is modern 2D animation for my generation, we grew up on Adventure Time so it's only natural that the series matures with us. The innuendo & violence are tuned up a bit and the atmosphere is noticeably more depressing- it's not as subtle anymore. This isn't a series you put on for your kid to watch because it looks magical and colorful- this is lore for die-hard Adventure Time fans & an entry point to "high" animation for this generation of young adults. As much as I did fall in love with this pretty much instantly, it's not so easy to maintain such excellence over 250 minutes with a heavily narrative driven story. There's a large part of me that wants Adventure Time to go back to it's plotless & fluid structure, the abstract yet profound vignettes which always carried an underlying importance, instead of this strict formula that feels the need to tell a concrete story with multiple plot lines for there to be real stakes. I understand why it has to be structured this way, it was nearly impossible to market during season 6 for example when the show basically became arthouse... but man I miss the ultimate existential pondering of the original series that just doesn't come across as naturally as it used to. There's still an abundance of thought-provoking material & profound revelations in Fionna and Cake, yet I fear it's spiritual quality was dragged down by a formulaic narrative structure.

I'll probably have something better to write after I rewatch & digest. If not, I can't say I didn't love it, even with all my qualms.

Bates Motel: Marion (2017) Season 5, Episode 6

Wow, Rihanna sucks.

[9/10 · 11 July 2019]

The final 5 minutes of this episode saved it. Rihanna was abysmal as an actress and it was honestly hard to get through. The end of this episode was amazing though, which is what saved it from a low rating from me.

Stranger Things: Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister (2017) Season 2, Episode 7

man what am i watching?

[5/10 · 7 July 2019]

I dont know what it is I'm watching but it sure as hell ain't Stranger Things. This feels like the show took a complete left turn and I've forgotten what's really happening in the story.

Regular Show: The Movie (2015)

Really good

[8/10 · 23 June 2019]

If you like regular show, you will definitely like this movie. its basically the embodiment of every good aspect of regular show. definitely worth a watch

Salad Fingers (2004– )

???

[6/10 · 29 May 2019]

I really just dont know what to rate this. i can't tell if its good... or bad... or neither... im just so confused.

Total Drama (2007–2014)

Season 1!!!!

[8/10 · 6 May 2019]

Total Drama's first season "Total Drama Island" was very good. Great humor, fun characters, and a very interesting premise. The show was definitely something different and fresh, and the suspense of waiting to see who will go home at the end of each episode was awesome! Give season 1 a watch, everything after that is basically the same exact thing, but everything slightly drops in quality. Seasons 2 and 3 aren't bad, but they dont reach the quality of the first season. I didnt bother to watch any season after 3, because at that point it just felt like i was watching reruns of the same show over and over again. Total Drama was good, but the writers failed to keep it fresh.

Regular Show (2010–2017)

My Childhood...

[10/10 · 6 May 2019]

Regular Show was one of my two favorite shows growing up. The series starts off incredibly strong, with amazing humor and hilarious characters. The characters develop nicely over the course of the seasons and it might be the single best "slice of life" cartoon to ever hit the air. Its amazing to live along side these characters and see them love, hurt, laugh, and cry over the course of the 8 seasons. The final season creates a story arc which is much different then the rest of the entire show, but they executed very nicely. Once you start Regular Show, it will be hard to turn it off. Definitely worth the watch.

Over the Garden Wall (2014)

AMAZING

[10/10 · 6 May 2019]

Over the Garden Wall is an amazing miniseries that EVERYONE should take a halloween night to watch. This series has a very comforting yet eerie overtone, with lovable characters and a great sense of mystery. Over the Garden Wall only takes a little under 2 hours to watch, and if you haven't seen it already, go watch it in one sitting. You will not be disappointed.

Adventure Time (2010– )

Quite possibly my favorite show of all time!

[10/10 · 6 May 2019]

Adventure Time is near perfect. I have a personal connection to this show, as it was my favorite show to watch growing up. I decided to revisit this show and binge it start to finish, and i was not disappointed. I love everything about this show, the characters are incredible, the story arcs are amazing, the writing is great, and the world building is extremely captivating. Adventure Time isn't for everyone, and for most it might be tough to get through so many episodes, since so many episodes are useless filler, especially towards the middle of the show, but everything that this show does bad is absolutely shadowed by what it does good. The show gets better and better and more watchable as it progresses, despite a few rough patches. I've never seen character development as incredible as this in any other cartoon. I absolutely LOVE the three miniseries they threw together in the final few seasons. I love how much depth and backstory there is to every character. I could go on and on about what this show does right, but i think you should just go and see for yourself.

Gravity Falls (2012–2016)

AMAZING SERIES

[8/10 · 6 May 2019]

Gravity Falls is one of the very greatest animated series of this generation. I came into this show knowing absolutely nothing about it, not a clue in the world if i would make it past the first episode. And it immediately blew me away. The show starts off strong, and only gets better and better. Outstanding writing, amazing characters, and an equally amazing story. Definitely one of the most interesting shows I've ever seen, and definitely Disney's best show to date. Go and watch it, and you WONT be disappointed.