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roaldellsworth
Reviews
Dexter (2006)
Great Show with Excellent Characters
"Dexter" is the perfect example of how a TV show or movie can have some plot problems or an odd ending or some seasons that are weaker than others, yet still hold your attention simply because of the excellent characters and the darkly witty dialogue.
Because of how well-written Dexter Morgan and Deb and Doakes and all the others are in this series, it's easy to overlook the other flaws. Too many shows and movies either concentrate on plot and end up with flat characters just moving through the motions or concentrate on action and special effects to try to keep the viewer's attention.
But the problem is this: you can have great special effects and the most complex plot, but if your characters are poorly-developed, the show is going to be horrible. Yes, "Dexter" also has some great plot lines and plenty of action, too - but it mainly stands out from other shows because of the rich characterization. Dexter Morgan is a complicated person. The writers of this show managed to make a serial killer sympathetic, which is no easy achievement.
The other plus is that, while "Dexter" is dark, it also has a darkly humorous side. Humor is very valuable, even in drama. When I think of all my favorite shows, no matter how serious their subjects, they all have hints of humor in them. Shakespeare, who often put a jester in his darkest plays, knew the value of comedy - and its relation to tragedy. A lot of dramas take themselves too seriously (maybe in a vain attempt to be taken seriously by the viewer?) and come off as insincere and one-note.
"Dexter" is up there with my favorite shows of all time. If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Dull House
As someone who read and enjoyed Shirley Jackson's novel, I was excited to watch this show... and then disappointed. Instead of actors, in most scenes, they could have just propped up cardboard cut-outs. I've never seen so many people in one show with no facial expressions at all. It was almost as if they cloned a bunch of Kristen Stewarts circa "Twilight."
What's worse, all the children (and their adult versions) were hard to tell apart. I watched the first couple episodes with a family member, and we spent the whole time asking each other, "Is that the one who was on the sofa?" / "Is that one the one with the key - or is that a different one?" / "Which boy is that?" Jeez, throw in a redhead or a kid with a scar or something. The viewer shouldn't have to spend all their time trying to figure out who's who.
Even more confusing were the constant jumps from past to present. And then, in the present day, the show introduced more characters who looked very similar to the adult children, but who weren't the adult children at all, and wow - we just gave up. The point we officially gave up was when the screen said, "6 years ago," and we both laughed. The show actually tried to include a flashback wrapped inside a flash-forward. Yikes! It was a total Flash-O-Rama.
At that point, my family member walked away and I soldiered on alone. By the time the expressionless characters were all having a cat funeral, I knew I had to stop. I cared so little about the characters, I was just hoping that the ghost woman would dispose of them all so more interesting people could move in.
In summary: Read the book. Skip this drivel.
I, Tonya (2017)
One of the Best Movies of 2017
When I first saw the preview for "I, Tonya," I laughed. It looked cheesy, like a soap opera on ice - but I definitely wanted to see it. I just didn't expect much. I remembered the events unfolding in real life. I was about 13 at the time and watched it all happening on TV. It was just the sort of drama that grabbed the attention of a young girl in the early 90's. What's more, I was a dancer back then and (of course) there was that one girl who was my main rival. So there was some projecting going on.
I went into "I, Tonya" thinking it would be nostalgic and funny to see the figure-skating drama queens. But by the time I finished watching it, I realized this movie was far more than a trip to the past. I discovered how much I can relate to Tonya, and how much she (in this movie) is really a metaphor for the American Dream. She's also a symbol of the obstacles faced in pursuit of it. Specifically, she's an excellent example of how class affects our pursuit of the Dream.
No matter how hard Tonya works, and no matter how talented she is, her working-class background stands in the way of her dream. It doesn't just affect her ability to afford nice skating outfits and such. It affects her on a deeper level, destroying her self-esteem. Then she makes one bad choice after another - like staying in an abusive relationship.
In America, we don't like to talk about class. We like to think there are equal opportunities for everyone. This movie puts the issue front and center. You get the feeling that Tonya suspects what a lot of working-class people suspect: that the world is rigged against them. That the only way to get ahead is to cheat. Is that true? I'm not sure. I like how the movie isn't sure, either.
On one hand, you get the feeling that Tonya could have won the Olympics. Her coach believed in her. She had the talent. There's a reason why Rags-to-Riches is a cliche. Even though we have class divisions, we love it when people rise about their economic status to achieve their dreams. If she had the confidence in herself, could she have pulled it off?
On the other hand, the movie hints at what I mentioned before: that the system is, indeed, rigged. We hear whispers that Tonya just isn't family-friendly or the image the skating world wants to project. The implication there is that, no matter how good she is, they still won't let her win.
That's why I loved this movie. It doesn't really give any pat answers. It leaves the possibilities open. It shows that, yes, things are stacked against Tonya. But on the other hand, she had opportunities. After all, she did make it to the Olympics.
I also loved the way the movie handled the Nancy Kerrigan incident. Was Tonya Harding involved? It's essentially left up for you to decide. The move basically says, "Here she is. Here are the choices she made in her life leading up to that point." Then it doesn't draw conclusions for you.
That's why I enjoyed "I, Tonya" so much. It was much better than that fish love movie, in any case.
Little Women (2017)
Poor Casting for the Little Women
I've only watched the first part so far, but I might not watch the rest. I'm having a hard time believing the actors in the sister roles. They seem poorly cast, particularly Amy. She looks too old for the role, but that's not the only reason. She just doesn't seem to fit. Her acting style feels like it belongs in a 21st Century teen drama. Meg and Beth are both kind of bland. There's really nothing else to say about them. Jo is okay, but not nearly as good as Winona Ryder in the 1994 movie. I don't feel like I can critique the plot because I haven't watched the whole thing. But choosing the right actors for the main roles is very important. If I had invested in the characters, I would want to continue, despite story problems. But I'm finding the Little Women to be largely boring.