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Reviews
Echo (2023)
I wanted to like this!
I was really looking forward to this.
Perhaps if there had been more gratuitous flashbacks to Native American mythological events. And less action. And less character development. Then, then I might have been on the edge of my seat. Or perhaps if the pacing had been just a tad slower. So many what ifs!
Let's put my obvious sarcasm aside.
Even though I'm a big fan of this genre and this particular world. And a huge, huge Wilson Fisk fan, this show just did not engage me. I think I've gotten to the point where I will just rewatch old shows over and over again. And give up on anything made within the last two years.
The Creator (2023)
Incredible Movie!
Incredible that a movie could have such good production value, and such a good cast, but no original ideas!
This movie asked a question that has been asked many times before: will the line between artificial intelligence and organic intelligence blur?
The overall feel of the movie, in my opinion, was reminiscent of the more progressive thinking on the Vietnam War: a cruel and unreasonably vicious Western Military Machine waging an unjust war against a completely peaceful and deeply spiritual Eastern People. Most of the scenes of violence took place in humble villages, beautiful beaches, and yes....even rice paddies! Images of massive tank like vehicles rolling thru the rice paddies down to the quaint beach. And the mindless cruelty of the Americans.....Argh! How old is this trope?
The characters were more than a bit stereotypical: an American General who could have been taken from any parody of an anti-war movie, and cruel, blood thirsty special operation types. Contrasted to AI characters who included farmers and Buddhist monks, etc. Heck! The ultimate AI even assumed a humble and prayerful posture when exercising her transcendental power (always for peaceful ends, of course).
Overall, if you were looking for a new perspective on artificial intelligence, you will need to keep looking.
The Last of Us: Left Behind (2023)
Paced too Slow
I absolutely Love this show.
All previous episodes had a great mix of action, character development, backstory, etc....
Except this one....it was just kind of paced a bit too slow. I know...some will say it was necessary back story and character development. And the characters are truly likable.
But minimal action. And so much more could have been done with this episode. I was very disappointed - especially compared to my great enjoyment of previous episodes.
The minimal screen time of Pedro Pascal made me wonder: Was Mr. Pascal simply busy this week? Did he have other things to do? Perhaps the Mandalorian was taking up too much time?
The Rookie: Feds (2022)
Kind of Sad
There are all these really good supporting actors here. Top notch people that we've seen before and who've delivered in the past. But no good leads to carry the show. The supposed lead actor is (at best) a quirky side kick type.
The writing and plot is not not engaging. It just did not grab me at all. Normally, I give a show at least three episodes. Just to see how it works out. Perhaps they just need to "set the table". But I couldn't do it. Nope. I violated one of my most sacred rules. I had to bail after only one episode.
What were they thinking? Disappointing. Such a waste. Heart breaking, really.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
So Disappointing!
No one agonized over pronouns!
There were no transgender people in this movie!
There was even an implied heterosexual sex scene!
I don't understand how a movie like this can still be made???
Other than the above issues (very disturbing to our modern and enlightened sensibilities) this was a great movie!
Outer Range (2022)
Bores The Heck Out of Me
Great Actors. A decent premise. Maybe? I don't know. It's just so boring. I keep falling asleep while watching. And I don't have narcolepsy. The direction seems good. Photography good. It has to be the writing. But what do I know? I just turned off an episode mid-stream and trying to wake myself up. I'm done.
Last Looks (2021)
Just What I Needed - Entertainment!
I found this to be so much fun!
Maybe I just was at a time when I needed something that wasn't very deep, or socially conscious, or whatever.
This movie had a good mix of action and comedic elements. With a little "Film Noir" feel thrown in.
The acting was great. The filming was wonderful.
I enjoyed it so much!
Star Trek: Discovery: Choose to Live (2021)
Turns Our Gender Norms Upside Down!
This show is thought provoking, not just in that we have a female captain, but that gender norms are turned upside down across the board.
So not only does an all female team go on a mission to track down a highly dangerous killer, but who is left "back home" overwhelmed by emotional issues? The cis gendered male!
And the "men of science" searching for a break through are probably not the traditional male role models.
So perhaps it's easy to see why some find this serious disturbing or disappointing.
SEAL Team: Close to Home (2021)
A Metaphor for the USA
I'm a bit slow.... But I've finally figured out that the show is a metaphor for the USA - Jason and the USA are failing both physically and mentally. Illness and and physical decline is a theme that pervades the show.
Morally, the characters are uncertain of direction. No real clarity of purpose.
The relationships in the show are as dysfunctional as the American Dream.
No one is pulling in the same direction. There is no sense of purpose. No feeling that there is a bright future (or even an acceptable future) that is worth the sacrifices being made.
Everything is joyless. Including Jason's romantic interludes.
Now that I understand where the show is going, I appreciate the artistic value of the writing. But is it entertaining? Depends on what you are looking for. Some could find it depressing, albeit enlightening.
Star Trek: Discovery: Anomaly (2021)
Trends that are accelerating this season
I've figured out what I don't exactly like about this season:
- The characters don't spend enough time talking about their feelings and emotions
- Also, too little time is spent celebrating their individual differences and their unique pronouns
- And too little screen time is given to the individual character's inadequacies, and how these traits which in a traditional world view might appear to be inadequacies are REALLY strengths. Yes. Much more time should be devoted to this theme.
- Much less time needs to be spent on traditional science fiction plot elements. Who would like that?
- And I did mention discussing feelings, right?
SEAL Team: Conspicuous Gallantry (2021)
Great Stuff! If you want to be depressed....
The direction they are taking the show is wonderful. If you want to be depressed. And sad. And maybe suicidal. Because....let's face it....nothing will work out well. We might as well end it now.
But if you want to be entertained and uplifted, this is no longer the show for you (or at least for me).
The acting is top-notch. Wonderful direction. But the story. Oh. Oh. Why go on? Why?!
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Kudos!
Netflix made their first Blaxploitation movie. Kudos!
It's just that it wasn't very engaging. Very hackneyed theme. Acting was meh. And nothing really grabbed me.
Got bored and couldn't finish watching.
Invasion (2021)
I'm not strong enough
I just can't do it. Not strong enough.
I know. I know. Maybe if I gave it a year (or two) it would develop into something interesting. Or gripping. Or develop characters that I care about.
But I don't have the strength. Or persistence. Or whatever. I'm bailing. In search of something that is, for a better word, entertaining.
Good bye.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
Disappointed
The backstory wasn't that interesting. And the action wasn't that intense. Dominic Purcell was not a major character. So....rather disappointing.
Kung Fu (2021)
Rather Boring
This is just so boring. It kind of plods along and nothing really grabs my interest.
MacGyver: C8H7CIO + Nano-Trackers + Resistance + Maldives + Mind Games (2021)
I'm done 😢
The show was really never all that science based. But it was kind of fun.
But it's been getting more and more political.
Can't we just have some fun and innocent entertainment? Guess not.
This episode pushed me over the edge. I'm done.
Goodbye Mac! 😢
Boss Level (2020)
Just a Lot of Fun!
Yup. A very high rating.
I'm not a professional movie reviewer and don't know much about cinematography and the fine points of directing, etc...
But at a time when things are just kind of down, and people have so much angst about everything, I just found this so much fun to watch.
I thought it was very exciting and well done.
Deputy (2020)
NOT Socially Conscious
Sure. The deputy protects undocumenteds from ICE. And his sidekick is lesbian. And 'Deputy' portrays Inter-racial relationships in a positive light. And the latest episode even showed the horrible consequences of not having universal healthcare.
But what is the 'Deputy' doing to highlight income inequality? Or the plight of transgender people of color?
This show may be trying to be socially conscious, but it's falling short!
The Last Ship: Air Drop (2018)
Huh?
Usually the tactics and strategy makes sense. And are very, VERY interesting.
But this time, I didn't get it.....
They had to make an "Air Drop" (yes, very exciting and problematic) that was actually within range of the Nathan James and it's helicopter.
Why not just have the Nathan James deliver the weapons????
I'm probably missing something. Because this episode left me wondering, "What happened to the writing?"
The Last Ship: Warriors (2018)
HORRIBLY DISJOINTED
Horribly disjointed.
Jumping from point of view minute by minute.
Ok. Sure. The write(s) we're trying to compare the conflict of war to the conflict in family life. And how maybe warriors were maybe not suited to home life. BUT IT DIDNT WORK.
I felt sorry for two people: me for having to watch this POS, and Peter Weller for trying to direct it.