Change Your Image
anthony-sorendino
Reviews
Monk: Mr. Monk Gets Cabin Fever (2005)
Classic Monk
This is such a classic episode and feels like a movie from start to finish. It's rare you get to see the gang go on an adventure like this. The resolution at the end with Monk and Randy is so clever.
The plot line with Randy was well done as well even though you catch on as the viewer pretty quickly.
The storyline with the wife and husband across the pond is a little campy, but it ties the story together nicely and it's entertaining to watch Monk figure out the crime while evading the sniper fire.
I like the little comment Natalie has at the end as well about the double indemnity clause. She makes an endearing look at Monk as to say "Yea, I'm worth every penny you're paying me."
Black Mirror: Beyond the Sea (2023)
Still processing the episode.
Someone had said it would have been better had it ended with Lana not knowing who was inside of her husband's replica. That wouldn't have worked and the hat scene was a clue as to why. David would never be able to pick up on all of Cliff's mannerisms (like wearing a hat out), not to mention his memories. Also... the mission requires two people. Neither Cliff nor David can perish as they each need each other. David can't just kill Cliff and remain in the replica, because he'd be sacrificing his real self up in space.
Someone also mentioned why David had zero interest in the murder of his replica and his own family. I thought that was interesting.
What doesn't make sense to me is why Lana lied to her husband, and swore on her son's life that "nothing happened" after David touched her during the dance scene. I don't understand her motivation to lie there. Then she sort of comes clean and says David wanted her and she wanted that to?
I definitely thought at the end David would kill Cliff, but then realized they need each other, which is why he couldn't abandon him in space either.
The ending scene was a little absurd. Why would Cliff not tackle David out of pure rage and anger and start attacking him? He clearly had no issues physically confronting David when he found the nude drawings but now he MURDERED your wife and you're standing at a distance just staring at him? That made zero sense.
He should have attacked David, killed him by accident, and then realized he couldn't complete the mission alone and was now either lost in space for eternity, or had to spend the remaining years of the mission alone, afraid to re enter his replica into the murder scene of his wife.
The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (1997)
Not great
Somehow my childhood missed this movie entirely. I've seen the first and the last and have fond memories of both. The first certainly still holds up.
This movie had a lot of promise. The entire movie is set in two locations, Rob's dorm and Rob's lab, both of which are very boring. And the plot is as limiting as its locations. The charm of the first movie was in its adventure and journey. There's no sense of adventure or even danger in this movie. The appliances never have anything to overcome. We're supposed to be emotionally invested in a group of animals that we just met. There are too many characters to be invested in and it all falls flat. I felt more stressed about Rob's lost thesis than any other conflict in the movie.
A setting of a college campus would have been very fun to explore for the appliances. Choosing a veterinary school was an odd choice and the limited setting kills any adventure of the film.
How to with John Wilson: How to Cook the Perfect Risotto (2020)
Delightful
A delightful finale to a wonderful season. I've never seen a show like this before and enjoyed it from start to finish. I didn't even realize I was watching the finale and was disappointed the season was over so soon.
I can't wait until season 2!