umichjal Reviews

Resident Alien: 141 Seconds (2024) Season 3, Episode 3

Season 3 found the Writers again

[9/10 · 29 February 2024]

Wow. Season 1 was so much fun. You never knew what Harry would say or do. The cast was coming into their own. Then .... Season 2 hit. Ouch. Writing fell off a cliff. Politics crept into the show content. A season to forget.

Season 3 .... The writers creativity is back. Fresh dialogue. Compelling story arc is forming in front of our eyes. The writers are weaving some X-Files stories into the story arc and it is a breath of fresh air. Harry has never been funnier. The cast is really growing into their characters with some really good standout performances. I finally see this show taking off and breaking through the roof.

The Fog (1980)

Classic - cannot be duplicated

[9/10 · 19 July 2023]

So ... horror movies come and go. In the 2000's, they have tried horror with with contorted bodies, walking in ceilings, etc. All failed. Miserably. You cannot duplicate the horror that the mind produces. You cannot duplicate what the mind fills in when you show just enough to focus the person on what is going on ... without showing the person actually what is going on. Mind > CGC. The Fog combined eery music, dark cinematography, and a story that wraps into the very fabric of fear. What fear? The fear of the unknown. The fear of not seeing what is going on. This movie expounds on the darkness. What you can't see. But what you can hear. You know it's there. In the fog. But where?

1899 (2022)

Suspenseful ... dark ... and creepy

[10/10 · 5 July 2023]

Who the crap cares if this starts slow ... it's how suspenseful dark drama should be done. A slow churn of the BBQ ribs .... This slowly trickles out breadcrumbs and never tells you what's going on. But ... you can't leave the TV. You can't turn away from the show. Every turn in the ships corridors. Every twist of shadows from reality to alternate realities. Every time you think you know what might happen the story changes again. Setting this story at the turn of the 20th century on a ship was brilliant. There is no way out. You can't run. You can't hide on the ship. The layers are slowly peeled back like an onion. Until you reach the moment of despair and frantic dread that these characters you have invested on n are not real. None of this is real. Until the end. Then the series really starts and wonder ... am I real? Is the is reality or something else I cannot comprehend?

Why this show was cancelled blows my mind. Give it to HBO. They will do it right.

The Witcher (2019– )

Season 3 - Horrifically Bad

[5/10 · 1 July 2023]

Wow. Season 1 was a breath of fresh air. While not completely aligned with the book, it complemented it enough to be engaging to me. Season 2 a slight drop but still a show that was engaging - albeit straying from the book more. Season 3 - glaring garbage. I see why Henry wants to leave. The writing is terrible. In fact, beyond terrible. And they are striking for more money? LMAO. They need to go back to school and learn to write. Step 1 - Stick to the book. Follow the book. Keep to the storytelling path and style. Don't try and re-invent Netflix. Your writers are not good enough. Hoping season 4 changes things but I doubt it.

Items to note: 1. I do not fault the actors - the writers are terrible at their job.

2. I fault Netflix for destroying a fantasy series similar to LOR on Amazon Prime. If your afraid to follow the books correctly - THEN DON'T MAKE THE SHOW.

3. HBO should have done this show. The only network with the guts to make a show right.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

Falls short of Tolkiens Vision

[1/10 · 24 December 2022]

So .... I have watched season 1, and sadly will not continue to watch moving forward. It pains me to write it, but this Amazon series falls way short of Tolkiens vision.

First, the writing does not capture Tolkien's old world feel. While the LoTR movies did not fully capture the dialogue, they were able to hide the shortcomings with the cinematography. This Amazon series never pulled me into Tolkien's world through the story. It felt like it was always trying to describe something but you never could figure out - the what.

Second, A number of the actors seem miscast for some of the key roles. I never fully felt as though I was drawn into some of the characters. It felt like the writers were pushing round pegs in square holes.

Third, it is clear the money was spent to make it look realistic. While the cinematography clearly is the winner in this show, the acting and writing miss the mark for me.

Still waiting for someone to make a true vision of Tolkiens work.

The Walking Dead: Family (2022) Season 11, Episode 23

WD Comic Reader and Longtime fan

[5/10 · 15 November 2022]

I've said this before over and over - the show should have ended seasons ago but AMC wouldn't let it go. The only saving grace would have been evolving the walkers which FD opened the door in season 1 and squat since then on it. The storylines are recycled again and again with little direction in these last seasons. In addition, this show moves best when the core team was on the move and constantly trying to find a new place to survive. This pretend the world is ok makes no sense, as every time they setup shop (cough cough) another threat magically pops up. I am hoping the mini series spin-offs provide deeper storylines and smarter progression of the WD universe. Evolving walkers that are already falling apart is 10 years to late.

Cobra Kai: Head of the Snake (2022) Season 5, Episode 10

More Chozen Please ....

[10/10 · 14 November 2022]

Look ... forget what people are saying about this should end here. Yes, this was one bad a** and phenomenal season to end on a high note. However, there is more story they can tell. More from the past they can drudge up. Kreese back was less than stellar considering the manner, but I'll roll with it. I think they need a season to let the Miyagi Do flourish while the wickedness of Cobra Kai festers in the shadows for a new enemy to emerge. Good is always fighting some form of evil, and Cobra Kai's roots is left with many. I'll close with - more Chozen. A phenomenal actor, excellent character, and brings the realism to the show.

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)

Utterly Fantastic

[10/10 · 1 November 2022]

I was highly skeptical when I discovered this 'gem' in 2022. I had seen the original 3 movies and loved them. I figured - no way could they make a show that matches the movies. Wrong. This show takes the movies and x2 in terms of quality, story, and laughs. People think horror and suspense is what they produce in movies today. Wrong. Ash vs The Evil Dead sets the standard on how to do it right. It brings the creativity, horror, and comedy from the movies and blends it to perfection.

Ash is not for everyone. True. But the story has always stayed to true to the original concept which is why it ages like a fine wine.

The Walking Dead: Lockdown (2022) Season 11, Episode 17

Just end it already

[2/10 · 7 October 2022]

I found my self laughing throughout this episode. First time in awhile that this has happened. Writing is predictable. Storylines are somewhere between Pluto and the outer solar system. Negan, Carol, and Darryl carry the show. Start a new show with the the three of them and I am happy. These stormtroopers have got to go. Put the core group back out of the road. The show moves better and has more suspense when they are moving in the open. While this is the end, I am not said. The show should have ended seasons ago. Thank you for many great years but it is now time to say goodbye. And I say goodbye.

Resident Evil (2022)

Avoid

[1/10 · 16 July 2022]

Absolutely nothing to do with the game storylines. Another boring Zombie drama but can't come 1/1000 as close to the Walking Dead, which set the standard. Might as well as thrown vampires in here in love and called it a wrap.

The Innocents (1961)

Boy oh' Boy ...

[9/10 · 12 May 2022]

This one is a nail bitter. In the same cane as the movie The Haunted (original), this movie forces you to think, listens to bumps in the night, and forces your imagination to take over. Classic horror and suspense.

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Don't listen to the foolish reviews bashing it

[9/10 · 29 April 2022]

3/4 of the people think this is a good movie and I do as well. Better than the first movie, and adds to the knowledge of what is going on. The writing thing s better than the first movie, and adds to the lore. Minimizes the stupid CGI and expands on the storytelling for us. Recommend.

From (2022– )

Surprisingly .... Very good story-telling

[9/10 · 24 April 2022]

What I like about this show:

• Horror without the stupid CGI
• Creepiness done with sounds and your imagination
• Slow paced story-telling that lets you slow chew on the details
• Odd breadcrumbs on the origins for the 'things' that makes your head scratch

Recommend. Looking for to season 2.

Shining Vale: Chapter Eight - We Are Phelps (2022) Season 1, Episode 8

I'll be generous here ... giving it another season

[8/10 · 21 April 2022]

So .... Thule first season was up and down. Some good episodes, and some 'meh' episodes. Characters are interesting, and Courtney is amazing in her role. But ... show needs more horror and less Desperate Housewives. I like the comedy element, just not the Desperate Housewives angle. Add more horror to the mix. I mean traditional horror and suspense. Old school. Not black eyes popping out CGI. Add some old school bumps in the night you can't see but can only hear. The dark shadows moving in corners old school horror.

Overall .... Will give this another season and see where it goes.

Stealing Home (1988)

Love life like their is no tomorrow

[8/10 · 4 December 2021]

In the beginning of the movie, you understand about 'stealing home'. But, not in the sense you think. Through flashbacks, you travel the adolescent to adulthood path. You learn about Love. Friendship. Pain. You learn that ... life gives us curve balls when we least expect it, or want it. Stealing Home let's see life through the eyes of a coming of age teen. A boy who became a man while struggling with hardship.

The curve balls will come at you. But, it's how you handle them that counts.

Highway to Heaven (2021 TV Movie)

Original is much better

[5/10 · 25 November 2021]

Jill Scott was great in the show, but the story was bad. Not enough religious background like the original. The story did not add any feeling that Angels walk among us. The story was just - meh. Michael Landon was religious and it showed in his acting and stories. This was like a Hallmark show that Lifetime picked up.

Eternals (2021)

Misses the Mark from the Comics

[5/10 · 14 November 2021]

As an avid comicbook reader, this story and cast completely misses the mark. The story was mashed together with no theme and too many flashbacks/flash forwards. The cast made no sense and was Marvel the melting for the audiences stead of being try to the comicbook. Not terrible. Not great movie.

What If... (I) (2010)

Pleasantly surprised

[8/10 · 15 October 2021]

Went into to this movie expecting a Hallmark Channel story. Left with a lasting impression and a renewed belief that the power of God is alive and well. Excellent story. Excellent acting. Bravo!

Resident Alien (2021– )

Really Great Show

[9/10 · 30 May 2021]

Wouldn't mind seeing Fox Mulder make a guest appearance with Dana Scully. The perfect show to have an X-Files case cross-over.

The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch (2020– )

Great Show

[9/10 · 29 May 2021]

I am always fascinated by the non-scientific folks who want Hollywood horror in a reality-tv show. The show is entertaining, and brings to light events that actually happened. If this is was so "fake", why does the U. S. Govt keep what Bigelow found classified ?

The Walking Dead: Diverged (2021) Season 10, Episode 21

Walking Dead fading fast

[1/10 · 1 April 2021]

As a comicbook reader and fan of the show, it needs to end. The stories are bad. Character development has stalled. Nothing new or exciting. Create the spinoff with Darryl and Carol and move on.

Debris (2021)

Meh.

[5/10 · 11 March 2021]

I am not seeing it with this show. Writing is spotty at best. Acting is not believable. The music is annoying. It is trying to be something it isn't, and that is a problem. Maybe it gets better. But for now, meh.

Resident Alien: Sexy Beast (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Funniest episode yet

[9/10 · 6 March 2021]

This episode had so many funny lines. The show is really coming into its own. The supporting cast really makes this show, and complements Harry completely. It is a winner.

Resident Alien: Love Language (2021) Season 1, Episode 5

Cast hitting a stride

[10/10 · 28 February 2021]

Really like where this is headed. I like the kids becoming friends with him. Opens up some interesting aspects to the story now.

Meatballs (1979)

Classic One Liners

[10/10 · 21 February 2021]

Meatballs is a slick comedy that kicked off the 80's slappy comedies. It is chalked full of classic one liners that are still said today in 2021. This movie never disappoints to make me laugh - even after the 1000x seeing it.