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Reviews
Shôgun (2024)
So Anticlimactic
There were some really interesting conflicts in this show that never evolved into actual storylines. I kept waiting for the big moment when the protagonist would strike and be victorious by leveraging everything he had learned. It just never happened. What a waste.
The scenery and the acting were all great. There were some parts that were a little difficult to follow at first, but things became clearer as characters developed more. They gave us all the ingredients, mixed them up, but never applied the much needed heat to start the cooking and produce an actual dish.
I would recommend this show only if you just want to be able to discuss it with others who watched or to witness the Japanese culture of the time.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)
Not a Smart Bunch
Let's just say, they wasted a lot of daylight trying to come up with a plan to kill a vampire. This was not a smart bunch. Neither were the makers of this movie.
Spoilers: They figured out how to help the victims infected by the strange creature and they figured out how to kill those they couldn't help. And, even after all those revelations, they still managed to come up with the dumbest plan imaginable for how to get rid of the vampire. Did I mention that the main character was a Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine graduate?
Dracula picked the perfect bunch for this voyage. I do not recommend this movie.
3 Body Problem: Wallfacer (2024)
Went Out With a Whimper
The show pompously assumes and takes for granted that it has revealed enough to hold the viewers' interest and be believable.
Are we truly to believe that the single point of failure if the world is in trouble is one country alone? No investor in their right mind would give millions of dollars to a single effort to solve a galactic problem that affects the entire planet without ensuring that multiple players were involved in the resolution.
The only part of the episode that made sense was the cheap motel in Florida where they all were staying after blowing millions of dollars and a friend's life on the only iteration of a failed experiment. The cheap motel was a far cry from the luxurious private jets they had flown to the U. S. on.
The Family That Preys (2008)
Massive Plothole but Still Entertaining
This movie is very entertaining and I have to admit, I watch it anytime it's on TV. My only gripe is the massive plothole regarding the "secret" bank account. Having worked at a bank before, I know two things: 1. There's no way Chris could've been on an account without his knowledge. You can't add an adult to a bank account without their knowledge. 2. There's no way Chris would've had access to an account that he didn't own. Even the scene where the teller gives him the balance of the second account is too unrealistic to take seriously.
Now I know how members of the military or first responders get frustrated by movies depicting their work.
Other than that massive plothole, the movie is worth watching and one of the few Tyler Perry movies I'll give two thumbs up.
The Price of Honor (2014)
Their Mother and Local Authorities Failed
Now that Yaser Said, Islam Said and the girls' uncle have been convicted, I hope a more detailed documentary is produced. It should more explicitly cover how the girls' mom and the local authorities also failed them.
I agree with others who have stated that the storytelling is a bit all over the place. I think it's partly because the Irving Police Department and other local authorities were unwilling to talk. The documentary also primarily tells Amina's story and not Sarah's. However, I'm glad someone had the courage to take the time to tell the story of what happened. There's just so much more that needs to be examined and exposed.
Smile (2022)
The Evil Spirit Was the Part That Made Sense
The most believable parts of the movie were the evil supernatural parts. The movie deals a lot with mental health and how people address it. The only problem is that how people dealt with it in the movie was unbelievable. I found it hard to believe that the moment the lead character begins exhibiting strange behavior, her closest family members turn on her. Even her own psychiatrist didn't really seem willing to help. The only person truly in her corner was an ex flame who, unfortunately, ends up becoming the next mark. I just thought it was weird that no one else came to look for Rose in the end when she went to a place that was so intimate for her, to confront what was happening.
It's supposed to be a thriller so I guess a lot of the scenes had to look dark and gloomy with little to no sound to enhance the effects of the scary parts. I kept thinking that no one sits alone in the dark as much as the main character in this movie. But, I guess it had to be that way to make the movie a little scary. I recommend it if you want to see something at home that was recently in theaters and doesn't take three hours to tell the story.
The Handmaid's Tale: Motherland (2022)
Canada vs Commander Lawrence
Commander Lawrence always gets what he wants in the end and this episode was the setup for Canada preparing to learn that the hard way.
Commander Lawrence has to be the one strategically baiting Canada into an attack that will lead to such a defeat that June will realize she has no choice but to agree to move to his New Bethlehem. She's the symbol he needs to legitimize the new colony and get others to go back so Gilead can join the U. N. I'm pretty sure the video of Hannah that came out of nowhere and the intelligence on the location of the wives training facility was his backup plan in case June said no to moving back. Did you really think we'd get through a season without multiple people being slaughtered on June's behalf?
Serena getting a taste of her own medicine is a nice side story that I wish was the main story. But, as long as Hannah is still in Gilead, we'll just have to bear with June's storyline for what feels like eternity.
The Handmaid's Tale: Together (2022)
Finally, A Storyline
All we've asked for is just the tiniest injection of common sense. Not soap opera dramatics of minimizing other strong characters to build up a heroine. Not the angry woman who has a climactic moment of violence to express her rage theme. Not the emasculation of the only male figure who represents a sense of the way life once was. We just asked for a storyline and one that recognizes common sense. This episode represents what common sense looks like.
Serena getting a taste of her own medicine has been the most interesting aspect of the entire season and an absolute delight to watch. Of course, the ending of this episode came as no surprise to anyone who's been following this season. But, that moment of predictability made the show even more enjoyable simply because it made sense. Even Aunt Lydia having to realize her reality of being powerless by Gilead's standards was long overdue. She may rule the handmaids with an iron fist, but she has no power to protect them or even her own position without the will of the Commanders, particularly Commander Lawrence.
The only missing piece of the puzzle is Commander Lawrence's motivation. Is he for or against Gilead? Is he a puppet master who doesn't agree with the beliefs of Gilead, but just sees it as an opportunity for power and balances the scales accordingly? Is he the real hero in this TV version of The Handmaid's Tale? Either way, outside of Serena's wake-up call, Commander Lawrence is the most intriguing character in the show.
Old (2021)
Surprised That It Was a Good Movie
Thought it would be terrible based on the reviews. It was actually a very good movie. The only thing that sucked were the horrible camera angles. They tried to build suspense with tight shots and it instead made the scenes look stupid.
Supermarket Sweep (2020)
Leslie Adds Much Needed Funny to the Fun
While I adore the original Supermarket Sweep, this one takes it to the next level with better trivia, better games and TONS OF PERSONALITY from the host. I can see touches of Leslie Jones all through the show with energy and humor that ranges from corny to hilarious. Her improv style of comedy adds a layer of entertainment that feels like two shows for the price of one. It cracks me up while keeping me I my toes like listening to my favorite Saturday morning show on NPR. It's a great show that keeps on getting better which is why I keep on tuning in.
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
Now We're Finally Getting Somewhere
It took seven episodes, but I think they are finally getting to the point of why this Season 3 exists. I stand by my, and everyone else's, views on the previous episodes being so drawn out that they could've been summed up in a few scenes over maybe 2-3 episodes instead of 6 episodes.
In this S3E7, June finally has an achievable goal. She now has a powerful ally who is motivated to align with that goal because it benefits him as well. Now that's storytelling!!! Getting to this point has been like watching paint dry and I'm surprised I made it over the hump. With Lawrence realizing he needs to help June to help himself they now have a defined goal we fans can root for. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm excited to see what happens next...FINALLY.
The Handmaid's Tale: Useful (2019)
File Under Hero Complex in Dictionary
We get it - June is invincible and everyone else is expendable. So far, June staying behind in Gilead is turning out to be nothing more than an ego boost instead of being about getting Hannah back and burning the place down. The only thing getting burned down is the number of handmaids as so many are sacrificed so that June survives. This latest episode reminds us of the constant contradiction of how valuable the handmaids are until they try to escape, only to be shot in the back. The Fred and Serena storyline is showing some potential with the revelation of her pregnancy. Other than that, the show is not making any progress.
Homecoming (2018)
Season 2 Redeems the Show
Season 1 really could've just been summed up in 3-4 really interesting episodes instead of 10. Season 2 was worth every minute. Unfortunately, you have to watch S1 to understand S2.
Killing Eve: I Have a Thing About Bathrooms (2018)
No One Fights Back?
Very entertaining show, despite being completely unrealistic. If someone who wants to murder you approaches you with a knife, chances are, you're going to fight for your life if you can't flee. The stabbing murders and assaults of the men so far have been completely unrealistic as there isn't much of a fight. Is it just b/c there was no budget for a fight scene choreographer? Other than the fact that the men whimper like babies before being stabbed to death instead of fighting for their lives, the show is decent. It'll do during this pandemic lockdown.
The Outsider: The One About the Yiddish Vampire (2020)
Time to Put a Bow On It
I have to agree with others who found S1E6 to be boring. It's to the point when you stop introducing new things and start to bring it all together so it begins to make sense. Anything new should've been introduced no later than episode 3 or 4. The story should be at an intersection where every piece of the puzzle fits in place and they've started to figure out how to stop more bad things from happening. This story is confirmation of why you don't tell a supernatural thriller story from the perspective of the law enforcement who are investigating it. Tell it from the perspective of the supernatural entity and those directly affected by its deeds.
The Handmaid's Tale: Mayday (2019)
I Could Poke Holes, but...okay, I will
Although a million holes could be poked in this episode, it was still a much-needed redemption episode for the entire season. Those of us who stuck it out got some satisfaction from this finale. Here are the holes. First hole: This season 3 was boring up until around episode 10. Not much happened before episode 10 to lead to the outcome we saw. Second hole, and it's a big one: There doesn't really seem to have been much of "a plan". It was more of an idea and they just winged it when it was time to act. Also, everyone involved was away from their households for a very long time. How did the wives not notice? I agree with another reviewer who found it difficult to believe that the kids would be so willing to go along without protest. Third and final hole; there's more but I want to bask in my relief that this season was not a complete bust: I agree that there was no basis for Serena's arrest after Fred revealed that she had forced June to have sex with Nick. Why were they so quick to believe Fred? Anywho, as fuzzy as some major details were, it was a great redemption episode for a season which otherwise sucked. I look forward to Season 4 being better and a finale that's more realistic yet at least equally victorious.
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
Now We're Finally Getting Somewhere
It took seven episodes, but I think they are finally getting to the point of why this Season 3 exists. I stand by my, and everyone else's, views on the previous episodes being so drawn out that they could've been summed up in a few scenes over maybe 2-3 episodes instead of 6 episodes.
In this S3E7, June finally has an achievable goal. She now has a powerful ally who is motivated to align with that goal because it benefits him as well. Now that's storytelling!!! Getting to this point has been like watching paint dry and I'm surprised I made it over the hump. With Lawrence realizing he needs to help June to help himself they now have a defined goal we fans can root for. I don't know about the rest of you but I'm excited to see what happens next...FINALLY.
The Handmaid's Tale: Heroic (2019)
Opportunity Lost
The moment June didn't get into the back of that van with Emily and baby Nichole last season is proving to be the unraveling of The Handmaid's Tale's great run as a series. This season 3 could've been about how June negotiated the return of Hannah while living in Canada. It could've been about how she used what she learned to help other countries take down Gilead. Instead, we have these slow and empty episodes that have yet to lead to the hope of June taking down Gilead from the inside.
While this episode sticks the knife deeper into the heart of the pro-life hypocrisy of valuing the unborn over a woman's own life, it still fails to reveal how June is any closer to achieving her goals or confirming that she will never achieve them. The more I watch, the more I wonder, why in the hell didn't June go to Canada when she had the chance? I hope I'm not still asking that same question when I reach the end of this season.
The Handmaid's Tale: Unknown Caller (2019)
Missed Opportunity
I just can't look past the missed opportunity to see Hannah in exchange for Serena seeing baby Nichole. That recording June made for Luke had better come in handy later on in the season somehow. Oh, and the rest of the world sympathizing with Gilead is something that can't be justified. Season 3 is looking like a flop to me so far.
The Handmaid's Tale: Under His Eye (2019)
Please Make Me Regret This Review Soon
We're all the way to episode 7 and June doesn't seem any closer to getting Hannah. Still don't understand why Luke didn't make seeing Hannah a condition of allowing Serena to see baby Nichole in episode 5. I can't look past that missed opportunity.
I was happy to see some emotion at the end of episode 7 when June choked out Ofmatthew. It was long overdue. However, I left with the questions like "why wasn't June punished for stalking Hannah? Why only the Martha? Are they afraid a punished June won't be camera-ready for public prayer sessions when pleading for Nichole's return?" Gilead is known for hanging citizens on the wall for far less offenses. This entire season is proving to be inconsistent, slow, and dull. I hope it picks up the pace soon and gets to the damn point.
The Enemy Within (2019)
Where's The Paper Trail?
The Enemy Within reeks of trying too hard and a poorly thought-out premise. Three episodes in and I've poked too many holes in the story for it to stand. The number one issue I have is the fact that Erica Shepherd is deemed so essential because she worked for Tal. Well, news flash!! Shepherd didn't work for Tal. You would think an FBI or CIA investigation would determine the difference between one random act of treason vs. a long term relationship of a compromised CIA agent with a terrorist. There has been no mention of a paper trail that led anyone to believe she committed any other crimes on behalf of Tal. Too many unanswered questions leads me to believe the writers just want viewers to take whatever they throw at us no matter how ridiculous it is. There's also the issue of what can only be explained as super human eyesight that allows Shepherd to read very detailed exerts from nearby FBI files as she is escorted through the office...completely unbelievable. I'm going to take a hard pass on The Enemy Within.
Valley of the Boom (2019)
Thumbs Down to Documentary-drama Mix
It's a no for me. I was so looking forward to the tale of the dotcom rise and fall depicted by familiar and not-so familiar actors. The keyword here is actors, not real-life contributors and experts. The mix of commentary from the real life key experts intertwined with scenes from a docudrama was annoying. Choose one: a documentary filled with interviews from those who lived the tale or a docudrama illustrating the tale based on said interviews. Going back and forth between the two and mixing them together equals a flop.