TheRealBambi Reviews

The Good Cop (2018)

Great start

[6/10 · 9 June 2023]

I loved this show until the writing clearly changed mid series.

There were two very similar plots & storylines, for example. That wasn't the deal breaker for me. What broke the deal for me was promoting Cora, Monica Barbaro's character. Cora is clearly a narcissist, bordering on being a cruel psychopath. What's funny about an old lady's body being sliced in half? Nothing. Cora's non stop joking about this was cringe worthy & sick. Portraying Cora as anything short of being a minor, throw away cast member was simply bad writing & directing.

What I really loved about the show, however, was Tony Danza's performance & character. Frankly, he carried the show. Josh Groban as his nerdy son cop worked well also. More Tony Danza please.

Too bad bad writing & directing decisions ruined what could have been a great series.

DreamKeeper (2003)

Loved it! Fantastic cinematography.

[10/10 · 10 April 2023]

There's almost always a little stiffness with films about our indigenous neighbors ... especially with older films. This 20 year old gem has a little bit of that, but it's just so darned good ... I let it go.

I really appreciated Fusco's attention to and focus on the stories. It's all about the stories with native folks ... always.

The cast is top notch. Everybody knocked their role out of the park. Gary Farmer is always a favorite for me. Eddie Spears is just amazing. It was especially great to see the younger Michael Greyeyes, Tantoo Cardinal & MIsty Upham .... along with the now departed John Trudell & Floyd Red Crow Westerman

The film isn't afraid to go dark in some scenes, but never morphs into the gratuitous. The characters are genuine ... there are no caricatures; which is sooo refreshing after decades of the violent or stoic noble indian baloney.

The action scenes are ... just wow ... really well crafted. The cinematographer honors nature with beautiful landscape shots. It's simply a beautiful film.

The Night Agent (2023– )

Decent, compelling series

[8/10 · 3 April 2023]

As other reviewers mention, this is not a big budget production. All the lead characters are decent actors with the exception of the actress who plays Diane Farr. It's possible that Diane Farr's character was meant to be annoying ... if so, the director succeeded.

The plot grabbed me right away. I wasn't sure who the good guys & bad guys were for several episodes ... and kept watching to find out. I appreciated the character development. It's important to me to be able to root for the heroes & boo the villains. I was also grateful that the shoot 'em up scenes were kept to a respectful minimum.

The cinematography was good and the pace, for me, was just right. It's the perfect series to curl up on the couch with the remote during a weekend where the outside weather is dismal.

This May Be the Last Time (2014)

Careful, Respectful Historical & Family Story

[10/10 · 23 February 2023]

This is a beautiful, well-crafted story of a family tragedy wrapped in songs.

The film starts with the death of Sterlin Harjo's Grandfather & the community coming together to search for him.

It's also a historical journey into the songs of the Creek Nation. The Creek Nation songs are a part of singing tradition that reaches back to the Highlands of Scotland. It's also part of the gospel tradition of the Black churches & of other Native Nations. These songs are part of a thread that weaves the musical, oral traditions connecting the people.

What really touched my soul was the careful handling of christian gospel being forced on the Indigenous people through genocide. Harjo's storytelling of the murdering colonization that left its legacy .... not only in destruction & loss, but in beauty ... through the songs .... was done brilliantly & with great skill so that the power & beauty of the songs would be the takeaway.

Basketball and Other Things (2022– )

If you love basketball; you'll love this series

[10/10 · 4 February 2023]

Don't know why Hulu didn't promote this. As a lover of basketball, I embraced every episode. They talked about the culture, the players, the beauty ... even the origins of the game.

The episode that dove into the financial aspect of the game was especially good. The episode not only discussed the issues sudden wealth brings to players, their family & friends ... but also how players are easy pickings for the financial sharks in the industry.

The series features players, sports media people, people in the industry & more. The series covered the whole enchilada of the game. It was prepared with love & good filmmaking.

After all, for many of us, basketball is life.

The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch (2020– )

Like watching someone working on their car; that doesn't work

[2/10 · 21 July 2022]

It's awful. Nothing is conclusive. The editing is professional, but doesn't help. The main guy has an annoying accent and the stupid, creepy, drama inducing music makes it more of a bad comedy.

I think they figured out how to pay for their expensive equipment with this doc. Eyeroll.

I Am the Blues (2015)

Must see for Blues Lovers!

[10/10 · 18 July 2022]

What an engaging and heartfelt documentary. These are the folks who lived the blues ... and their music literally transmits that heart and soul to the audience. As elders of the music that shaped America ... they recall their early hardships & successes. It's a privilege to watch and listen to these amazing folks; it's like going to church ... which it actually is.

Not much else to write ... if you love the blues ... if you love real people ... you'll love this film.

Blackstone (2009–2015)

Yuck!!

[2/10 · 5 July 2022]

I'm amazed at the positive reviews. This production is incredible in that it made accomplished actors like Schweig and Cardinal look like rank amateurs.

The plot was thick & plodding. The pace was painful ... not slow, just excruciating. The characters were one dimensional; caricatures of the depressed, angry, righteous, good, bad ... in other words obsequiously portrayed. It's disgraceful to the First People.

Seriously, anyone who has lived or spent time on the rez (lived on 2 & visited many) knows that even in the worst of conditions folks laugh .... a lot. Yes, they get angry, cry ... over-use substances ... like everybody off the rez, but there is joy. To say this was joyless is an understatement.

Ramming the f-bomb into every line is the laziest screenwriting I've seen. Just plain gross.

Pine Gap (2018)

Vapid

[3/10 · 7 June 2022]

It looked promising. I was impressed that there wasn't one character I cared anything about ... zero. It was some kind of bizarre Australian/US idea of diversity that failed miserably. Even the Aboriginal folks were gussied up British bred style.

It appeared as if the actors all went to the same school: "keep it flat, humorless & make sure emotional scenes reflect no true emotion." God forbid ... make sure nuance is always lacking. Oh, and mumble.

The idea for the plot was very good. In the hands of a skilled crew, would have been fantastic.

Sad to say that since I watched 90% of reflects on me, not the film.

Reacher (2022– )

Formula all the way, but brilliant

[9/10 · 6 February 2022]

I fully expected to dislike this series, but it grabbed me & wouldn't let me go. Everything works in this film even tho' it's not a cinematic piece of art. Yes, it's predictable, but I didn't care.

I have two complaints: 1. It was filmed in Canada instead of the South 2. Roscoe, the lady cop, is a carbon copy lookalike of Ruth from Ozark.

The old me would have compared this series to the masterpiece The Queen's Gambit. The new me understands the need for damn good entertainment that knows its audience. The bottom line is that this film is skillfully crafted & gives us a hero I personally appreciate.

Being the Ricardos (2021)

Dark & terrible casting

[3/10 · 23 December 2021]

The darkness of the times is well told, but the casting is so bad, I was constantly distracted. Bardem & Kidman were the worst of the casting mistakes. I grew up watching "I Love Lucy" & Ball's films. Lucille had an expressive face ... Kidman just looked frozen ... expressionless. Lucy was all about sight gags & non-verbal mastery. Kidman couldn't have pulled it off in her youth, much less in her 50's.

This was a huge let-down after Sorkin's brilliant "West Wing". The storyline is very good & tells the bleakness of the times the TV & movies never portrayed. It's a shame about the bad casting ... because it's a great story that needs sunlight.

The Beatles: Get Back (2021– )

If you enjoy watching paint dry; you'll love this film.

[3/10 · 12 December 2021]

I subscribed to Disney + just for this film. I quickly dumped my subscription. The so-called creative process was bizarre & uninspiring & I LOVE the Beatles. This is where a good editor could have created a masterpiece, ala Bogdanovich's "Running Down a Dream" about Tom Petty.

This might interest folks studying psychology or die-hard fans who find eyebrow movements of their favorite celebrities inspiring. For me, it just left a bad taste for all of the lads except Ringo.

The reason I gave this a 3 instead of a 1 was because of the last 15 or so minutes of the series. It was almost worth the $7.99 fee.

Dopesick (2021)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 24 November 2021]

This is not only a great story of a relentless muckraker, but a deep dive into both the victims & villains. Everything works: screenplay, acting, directing, editing, cinematography, pacing. Even the music is done carefully; it works as a mood reflecting background without shouting or whispering.

The series deals with the truly painful effects of addiction & greed without being too soft or succumbing to (currently popular) gratuitous visuals.

This is a skillful production clearly made by people who are passionate about their work.

King Richard (2021)

One note Smith plays annoying father

[4/10 · 22 November 2021]

If you're going to make a film about an unlikable person, just do it. Will doesn't have the range (or maybe the desire) to just jump in & go full on annoying and unpopular.

I'm not familiar with the true story, but I can tell the tale has been Disney-fied. The screenplay isn't compelling, the acting isn't great ... the timing is okay.

It's a good enough film to do chores by.

Schultze Gets the Blues (2003)

Sweet, gentle, heartwarming & well made

[10/10 · 17 April 2021]

This is film is just the ticket for a crazy, chaotic time. It's nicely paced & portrays the spirit of the main character, Schultze, within the first few minutes of the film. We fall in love with this wonderful lad immediately, & cheer him on ... as he goes on the journey led by the newly discovered music that touches his heart.

Zydeco, boiled crab, beer, dancing, lovable Germans & soulful Alabama folks charm us in every scene of the film.

Rock of Ages (2012)

Sweet, fun movie

[8/10 · 27 February 2021]

This is a great movie if you want to put a smile on your face. It's a bit like cotton candy at the county fair: don't eat too much or too often for the best results.

The film was clearly created by folks who knew what they were doing: fine acting, good music & a reliably uplifting plot. It's just a fun film that doesn't take itself seriously. It's just what the doctor ordered during these really intense times.

The Way Back (I) (2020)

Basketball is life; Affleck understands this

[10/10 · 22 February 2021]

There are so many topics in this film that could have drifted to the trite or sappy involving family trauma & the importance of sports in the lives of people. This movie didn't go there .... by going there.

Mr. Affleck put his shoulder & heart to the wheel for his performance. Disclaimer: as a former ballet dancer, now disabled, basketball has become my spirit animal ... you don't see a lot of ballet on TV, so basketball has become my new love.

What it takes to achieve greatness in any discipline is a personal journey. Affleck chose basketball to portray this path. Watching these journeys lifts us all up.

The editing was fantastic. The pace and cadence of the movie was just right. The cinematography was stunning & the film knew exactly the story it wanted to tell. That's no easy task for such an emotional movie... as "going there" can sink into the insipid. This movie didn't come close to that.

Ben, you've won the heart of this disabled, old Grandma. My wish is that your film gets a boatload of awards.

Buckjumping (2018)

A living history of America

[10/10 · 14 September 2020]

..... a story of the America we can be proud of .... told with respect, joy & love. I especially appreciate seeing how the Second Line honors the First People who helped the slaves hide while honoring those who have passed. As long as the ceremonies go on, America just might save her soul.

Hunters (2020–2023)

Great concept; too long

[7/10 · 4 April 2020]

The concept really spoke to me. I was engaged with the series early on, but it felt like the film was grasping at the next straw to keep it going. Three episodes or one long movie could have told the story very well. All in all, though, it was a well crafted & acted film. I didn't hate it.

Yellowstone (2018– )

Longmire set the bar, Yellowstone shimmied under it Limbo style.

[2/10 · 31 March 2020]

Unwatchable for me. Yellowstone is filled with gratuitous violence, cringe worthy portrayal of Native Americans & caricatures instead of roles showing real humans. The acting is good, but even this fine cast can't fix lousy screenwriting.

Longmire spoiled me. It set the bar very high, but Yellowstone did the limbo flat on the ground ... instead of trying to match or exceed it.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Eddy Murphy is back & brought Wesley Snipes with him!

[10/10 · 5 January 2020]

I cannot say enough about this heartwarming, hilarious, gritty movie. I was a contemporary of Dolemite, but never heard of him. I thought The Sugarhill Gang were the godfathers of rap. Color me ignorant!

Anyway, everything works in this film, acting, directing, editing ~ inviting the audience back to those very messy 70's. There are probably more "motherf......s" per minute than in any film ~ it would make Richard Pryor proud.

The film is like a Mr. Rogers sunshine ray ~ lighting up the dark corners of prostitution, drug addiction & poverty. The film doesn't gloss over or deny the ugliness, it celebrates it in a weird, hilarious & authentic way.

Most of all, the film honors a man who was warm, kind & loyal. I for one, needed an uplifting movie like this during these very unkind times.

Punk (2019)

Absolutely Fantastic

[10/10 · 4 April 2019]

What a delightful surprise to find this outstanding series. So many music documentaries are narrated by word salad tossers who talk over the music ~ competing with the artists & their art. The narration in Punk comes from the participants in the punk movement themselves. The artists tell their stories while sitting on some very fascinating couches that became, for me, co-stars in the story.

The documentary traces punk from the late 60's through what's left of punk today. I enjoyed punk in the early days, but drifted on to other music as I aged and as the internet changed the music game. After watching Punk, I'll be exploring old & new bands.

This is a well crafted, perfectly paced film that left me wishing for chapter 5.

Homecoming (2018– )

Great acting, nice cinematography, lousy screenplay

[5/10 · 1 December 2018]

The actors showed up and did their job. The visuals were great. The writing was, well bad. When I can finish the lines, it's all over for me. What really got me, though, was the music. The soundtrack, for me, was a manipulative musical salad designed to pull on one's emotional strings. My strings weren't tuned to the same key as the movie apparently.

As one reviewer noted, the story could have been told in 2 hours or less. I liked the story concept, so I hung in there. Great movie to put on and do household chores.

Designated Survivor (2016–2019)

Good, steady, well paced entertainment

[7/10 · 1 November 2018]

This is a better take on the TV show "24" in its delivery of suspense in every episode. It's not a perfectly crafted series, but topics covered are spot on relevant in these bizarre political times. Kiefer Sutherland isn't the greatest actor, but that's okay. Most of the cast does a great job. The editing is superb and sets an ideal pace. For me, this series keeps me entertained and strangely comforted. It's a versatile series in that you can watch it very intently, or have it on in the background while doing chores and feel like you haven't lost the plot line.

Danny Collins (2015)

Predictably Entertaining

[5/10 · 1 January 2018]

This is a very sweet & sappy film; one that kept me kind of entertained. The actors did their jobs effectively. The screenwriting, for me, was the real issue. Cliche bingo kept me alert as I watched the particularly snooze worthy scenes. Naming the Grandkid "Hope" was an effective, lazy way to have lines write themselves. "Mr. Collins, say goodbye to Hope" ... please.

I reckon all great actors need an easy film to pay the rent ~ and this one was a slam dunk paycheck for skilled veterans like Pacino, Benning, & Cannavale. Nobody broke a sweat except Pacino ... but he does sweat easily. Plus, Danny Collins looks like he's a loving, loyal & colorful person in real life. He probably would have been fun to sit next to at a bar and chatting; something I truly appreciate in a person.

If you want a film that isn't dark, won't provoke one deep thought, and that you can watch while doing menial household chores ... this is it.

Didn't hate it; didn't love it. It's like oatmeal for breakfast; healthy and bland.