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Hacks (2021)
Love the show, hate some of the cheesy elements
Wonderful show, great writing, great cast. What I am most annoyed by are the two seconds of Oldies music between scenes. They add nothing but a burst of music louder than the dialogue. Are they supposed to be there to scare awake geriatric watchers? We don't need constant musical references to understand and enjoy shows, Hollywood. If you make the writing strong and cast well, it's not necessary to add music or laugh tracks or any other outdated TV cheesiness.
The other thing is the recent edition of nude lesbian love scenes. Completely unnecessary. Rather than being a spicy addition, they only serve to make me sad for the actresses who still have to put up with this nonsense. Just stop it already, Hollywood. We're not interested in your male gaze BS anymore.
The writing, cast, and show idea are enough. It's really not necessary to throw in the garbage elements.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
Annoying manipulative techniques
When I see a movie or show with constant music playing under the dialogue, it tells me the creators really don't care about the story. Not only is this inaccessible for those of us with hearing and/or sensory issues, it degrades the work of your writers. Please stop this practice. Let the actors do their jobs to tell the story and set the mood. Music has become too prevalent in film as it is.
Also, many of the scenes are lit too darkly to see what's going on. I could not see the entire opening sequence. This is another manipulative technique that degrades the set design and acting. It's also inaccessible for those with vision issues.
Aside from the inaccessible and annoying techniques, there is no character development other than a few minutes of dialogue that summarizing Lucy Gray's life story in an unsatisfying way.
The Bear (2022)
We don't need constant music! ARG!
If you need to show off that you know some obscure song by The Motels, then please make a mixtape. Stuffing your series full of song snippets just muddies the story. Especially for people with sensory sensitivities, it's too much to deal with on top of the chaotic and loud characters. Please, please, please stop smacking us on top of the head with unnecessary sound. I'm rather enjoying the story, and would like to focus on that. Thank you.
It's refreshing to see a story about a number of interesting and fully fleshed out characters who are not all white males. I could do without the obligatory love interest.
The Mandalorian: Chapter 17: The Apostate (2023)
Where's the Magic?
I was so looking forward to beginning a new chapter of the Mandalorian. Especially after the spectacular end to Season 2.
This episode doesn't feel the same. It is more like Disney or Marvel fluff than the last two seasons. The actors say their lines woodenly and there are strange pauses as if they're being over-directed.
The action scenes are filler and serve no purpose. How does some random story about a group of pirates further the main story at all? This episode could have easily been replaced by a 5-minute recap from Boba Fett.
Mr. Favreau, are you ok? Blink once for yes and two for if you need a trip to the dispensary.
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time (2023)
Embellishment, Not Filler
There are many post-apocalyptic offerings on film and TV, but not many of them remind us in such a poignant way what is at stake. Sure, it's fun for us to imagine a world where we must create a new way of surviving. A world that holds reminders of what we had and force us to reimagine the remnants of capitalism that are strewn around us.
But none go so far to remind us that love does not change, no matter what our surroundings are. Despite everything they've gone through to survive, Frank and Bill understand that mere survival is not enough.
What this episode does for the show is change Joel's mind. Up until this point, his heart is closed and he merely survives for himself. He does not allow himself to truly care for any other human. That changes with Bill's edict to take care of Tess. And Joel realizes he did nothing to care for her, but now he has another human to love. It was not only Bill's words that change Joel-it was the realization that the hardest, toughest survivalist he knew chose to stop surviving without the person he loves. That hit home for him. I can't wait to see his metamorphosis.
The Big Brunch (2022)
Joyful and a joy to watch
Of all the various American cooking shows I've seen, this show stands out in a great way. First of all, cooks from a variety of venues are invited to compete, so it's not just the sous chefs from NY hotspots. The contestants are the most humble I've seen in a professional cooking competition. Their focus is on lifting each other up, learning from the experience, and growing their personal skills. Not bragging about how they'll slay.
Of course we know they want to win the prize money to further their dreams, but the prize was only mentioned once and no one talked about it again. Instead, they focus on the challenge ahead and cheering each other on. Even the judges cheer on their accomplishments, encourage their dreams, and lavish praise where it is due.
To add to a show that celebrates rather than continually shames is a subtle score-none of the jarring or tension building music so prevalent in American competitive shows.
I'm happy to see a professional cooking competition show that reminds us that professional chefs are real people and that it's their love and passion for food, giving of themselves, and serving people that brought them to their profession rather than how many Michelin stars they can rack up or when they will become the next celebrity chef. Great job!
Ancient Apocalypse (2021)
Fascinating
Journalist Graham Hancock brings us the compelling idea that advanced civilizations existed on Earth as far back as the last Ice Age and that our technological knowledge was wiped out through apocalyptic events. He acts as a guide, bringing us to ancient ruins and discussing the advanced knowledge it would take to build these structures, along with his theories on why academia is getting our history wrong.
Unfortunately, this series employs a continuous soundtrack of music and booming sounds, which makes the dialogue difficult to hear and understand. I would much prefer to hear the information Graham has researched so thoroughly rather than cheesy sound effects.
Unacknowledged (2017)
Compelling but flawed
Compelling evidence and subject matter, however, I will never understand the need of film makers to play music over dialogue. It cheapens the information, makes it difficult to hear, and turns what might be an enormously important conversation into reality TV. Please, film makers, stop the practice of continuous music over dialogue.