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chrisrbaxter
Reviews
Standing Up, Falling Down (2019)
A funny, well-written gem with chemistry
I started it obviously a fan of Crystal and Schwartz, but you never can tell what these lesser known films are going to deliver. This was surprisingly poignant, funny and universal in a way that anyone with past mistakes can relate to. It has a different vibe, but the story reminded me of Garden State in the sense of the main character coming home and having to come to terms with things in his past. The timing of the jokes and the pacing back and forth was spot on, and they managed to show real drama and versatility in a small but entertaining story.
Edinichka (2015)
For a small foreign film this was actually impressive...
I'm not sure why the rating is so low. Sure, this isn't Saving Private Ryan or anything. It doesn't have the big box office script or character development, but I found the story to be engaging, moving, and it hit all the right notes without a minute wasted.
I don't get the reviews saying there is no plot. A small unit has to protect a bridge and comes across innocent children that they fight to protect. There is your story.
This is one of the better unknown little movies i've seen in awhile.
Yellowstone: Resurrection Day (2019)
One of the best episodes of television ever written...
Hands down, this episode was perhaps one of the best things i have ever seen on tv or probably on screen period. Any fans know that the creator, Taylor Sheridan, is cementing his legacy as a storyteller with his depiction of the modern frontier in Yellowstone and across his cinematic work.
This episode has the drama, suspense and heartbreak with just the right amount of laughter and redemptive qualities to be an example of how to make an audience feel the full spectrum of emotions through beautiful writing and cinematography.
I don't remember too many other shows giving me this sort of feeling after an episode. One of my instant top five favorites of all time.
Doctor Who: The Tsuranga Conundrum (2018)
Where is this season going???
Each episode is disjointed and gets lost in some convoluted adventure. This one is no different. I'm all for Jodie as the Doctor, but we are five episodes in without a single real tie back to the Whoverse in terms of origins, villains, etc.
I get they want a new direction under a new leader but where is the connective tissue of past stories? Are the writers completely oblivious to tying this all together somehow? I can't keep watching episode after episode with some random adventure that leads to nothing.
Decent acting. Poor writing so far.
Westworld: The Riddle of the Sphinx (2018)
Perhaps the BEST EPISODE of the series so far
1. The dialogue between Jonathan Tucker (Craddock) and Ed Harris alone deserves an Emmy. The Man in Black's response is one of the greatest lines ever delivered on film or television.
2. Peter Mullan OWNS this entire episode as Delos. His entire delivery and body language was unreal. There are layers upon layers of symbolism for the entire show just in his scenes with William.
3. Even though it feels like so much was revealed to the audience through Bernard and Elsie's discovery in the lab, there are still so many possibilities and levels to explore.