This show used to be a rather interesting show with compelling plot lines and multiple storylines woven together like an elaborate spy novel. Episodes like this feel like the product of a writer's strike. It is, sadly, a simplistic (and obvious) paint by numbers procedural cop drama. (Yawn). Hopefully there won't be many more "filler" episodes like this. It did nothing to advance the main story other than to introduce a new character whose condescending & ironic quips are an embarrassment for a show that has often been host to quirky, odd and amusing Reddington associates. - The oddball (different & unusual) friends of Reddington have often been the best bits. - Character actors who get the spot light for once. Mocking the "foosball playing lawyer" who takes care of his baby smacks of the same intolerance the show bends over backward to champion in other contexts. "He's weird but he's really good", is somehow allowed in THIS instance? ...Maybe tolerance should be afforded everyone? Not just those on in vogue? - Mock no one or mock everyone. But picking & choosing IS discrimination - However you justify it.
Reviews
23 Reviews
Gaslit
(2022)
Ugh Horribly Inaccurate
27 December 2022
The only people being Gaslit are the audience.
Either no one researched it before writing the show or no one cared for the real details. HONESTLY. The show just seems like it was created so that writers could try to show how clever they were with ridiculously witty try-hard) dialogue.
I have been obsessed with Watergate since I was very young. I remember seeing Nixon on tv when I was 6 & sitting at my grandmother's house while the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities was broadcast daily on PBS. Later in 7th grade I did a book report on it and wrote a 10. Page poem of it for my English class. (Yes, I was that weird geeky kid!) - Now that we have the internet, those very congressional hearings are available to watch on the Library of Congress site. Needless to say, I have watched every hour of testimony multiple times and will admit that, while others may drift off to sleep while listening to music or audiobooks, I listen to the testimony to fall asleep.
One of my 'comfort movies' is "All The President's Men" and I've a hard cover version of the testimony published as " Special Prosecutor and Watergate Grand Jury Legislation. Hearings, Ninety-third Congress, First Session on H. J. Res. 784". - It's obviously still relevant, Hollywood & the media still write about it.
Among the witnesses are; two of the plain cloths cops who responded to the Watergate call, Jim McCord, Dean, Butterfield, Halderman, Segretti, Magruder, Ehrlichman & the rest of the cast of characters.
The testimony was extensive & the cross examinations exhaustive. So It boggles my mind how they changed facts & detailed conversations to weave together this mediocre soap opera laced with boringly irrelevant relationship drama.
Jim McCord is characterized as an idiot who knows nothing about bugging or espionage when in fact he was a former FBI agent and an expert in physical security & electronic devices at the CIA.
There are hours of Jack Caufield's testimony related to the the initial revelation that men who gave false names were reported to have been arrested at Watergate. - All of it left out.
So so much more is just wrong or missing. It makes it unwatchable.
Either no one researched it before writing the show or no one cared for the real details. HONESTLY. The show just seems like it was created so that writers could try to show how clever they were with ridiculously witty try-hard) dialogue.
I have been obsessed with Watergate since I was very young. I remember seeing Nixon on tv when I was 6 & sitting at my grandmother's house while the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities was broadcast daily on PBS. Later in 7th grade I did a book report on it and wrote a 10. Page poem of it for my English class. (Yes, I was that weird geeky kid!) - Now that we have the internet, those very congressional hearings are available to watch on the Library of Congress site. Needless to say, I have watched every hour of testimony multiple times and will admit that, while others may drift off to sleep while listening to music or audiobooks, I listen to the testimony to fall asleep.
One of my 'comfort movies' is "All The President's Men" and I've a hard cover version of the testimony published as " Special Prosecutor and Watergate Grand Jury Legislation. Hearings, Ninety-third Congress, First Session on H. J. Res. 784". - It's obviously still relevant, Hollywood & the media still write about it.
Among the witnesses are; two of the plain cloths cops who responded to the Watergate call, Jim McCord, Dean, Butterfield, Halderman, Segretti, Magruder, Ehrlichman & the rest of the cast of characters.
The testimony was extensive & the cross examinations exhaustive. So It boggles my mind how they changed facts & detailed conversations to weave together this mediocre soap opera laced with boringly irrelevant relationship drama.
Jim McCord is characterized as an idiot who knows nothing about bugging or espionage when in fact he was a former FBI agent and an expert in physical security & electronic devices at the CIA.
There are hours of Jack Caufield's testimony related to the the initial revelation that men who gave false names were reported to have been arrested at Watergate. - All of it left out.
So so much more is just wrong or missing. It makes it unwatchable.
NCIS Producers Think We Are Dumb
28 October 2022
What an absolutely RIDICULOUS EPISODE!!
Gone are the days when NCIS had multiple plots and story arcs. Now we have simplistic plots, goofy dialogue & one dimensional characters.
Honestly, if you're going to write a specialty episode just for a dumb side character, at least make it interesting. This "Casey is super amazing at everything" thread the show keeps pulling is LAME. (It's like making Urkle a super hero - DUMB!)
I've watched this show since the first episode & am about to pull the plug on it. I'd hoped that the addition of Gary Cole was going to bring something interesting to the show. But it feels like the show has been re-tooled as a kid's program.
The dialogue has become ridiculous, the plots have become ridiculous, the constant grade-school gossip circles are ridiculous, the lack of any REAL knowledge on how NCIS (and other criminal agencies) work is ridiculous.
When i was growing up LOTS of shows had adult characters behaving ad adults. Today all shows seem to have replaced their leads with 20-somethings or adults acting just as juvenile.
Sad that the producers of NCIS think their audience is too dumb for real adult plots, characters & dialogue.
Gone are the days when NCIS had multiple plots and story arcs. Now we have simplistic plots, goofy dialogue & one dimensional characters.
Honestly, if you're going to write a specialty episode just for a dumb side character, at least make it interesting. This "Casey is super amazing at everything" thread the show keeps pulling is LAME. (It's like making Urkle a super hero - DUMB!)
I've watched this show since the first episode & am about to pull the plug on it. I'd hoped that the addition of Gary Cole was going to bring something interesting to the show. But it feels like the show has been re-tooled as a kid's program.
The dialogue has become ridiculous, the plots have become ridiculous, the constant grade-school gossip circles are ridiculous, the lack of any REAL knowledge on how NCIS (and other criminal agencies) work is ridiculous.
When i was growing up LOTS of shows had adult characters behaving ad adults. Today all shows seem to have replaced their leads with 20-somethings or adults acting just as juvenile.
Sad that the producers of NCIS think their audience is too dumb for real adult plots, characters & dialogue.
The Last Victim
(2021)
We, the viewers, are the last victims of this movie
31 May 2022
Hard Pass on this film if it shows up for free streaming. It's not worth it. - It's not what you hope it will be.
The movie starts as a solid 9 and immediately plummets once Ali Larter's scenes begin. It's not her fault, the script is just awful. By the end of this unbelievably predictable movie we are left with a syrupy scene in which the two remaining characters stand off comparing each other's pain. (Oh please). Ali's character wins on that front too (of course).
The shame of it all is that the rest of the actors in the film were faces & names that you wanted to see. And had the script (and story) been better, they'd have been interesting, gritty, characters to explore. Unfortunately, this film is just the (much over done) "hunted human triumphs over all", regardless of how ridiculous or implausible it is - shtick. (Yawn). There have been 10 of those in the last 5yrs.
Maybe this movie would have worked 30yrs ago. But it often seems, after watching a film like this, that audiences are FAR smarter than Hollywood writers who get away with this junk. People today "know stuff". Information is easy to find and the level of general knowledge is higher. (Please tell me I'm not the only who catches these massive plot holes and mistakes!). Hollywood writers need to level-up. Audiences need to be less accepting.
Anyway.....Why this film has a rating over 3 stars is beyond me. The film is replete with tired tropes that even kids will recognize, since they show up (these days) in teen television shows on the CW & every Marvel movie.
The first glaring question that came to mind once the plot revealed itself was; How does a history teacher from upstate NY suddenly become a survival expert, strong enough to take out an armed man & knowledgeable about firearms? Hollywood. How does a woman who appears ultra high strung, then gets stoned, become a focussed survivalist? How does a woman, so high on peyote that she can barely move or focus, suddenly become skilled enough to over come a cop, steal a cruiser and flee down the road? - Oy
Honestly, Hollywood should stop putting out movies that have guns in them when they don't know a thing about them or how they work. (Truly ironic that they campaign against them but pump out movies to capitalize on their use)
Firstly; Anyone who knows firearms would have dumped that "dud" round out when they were loading the weapon.
Secondly; A dud does not backfire if it discharges. (There would be no spark). It would either fire normally or the primer would fire and the powder would fail (bullet would not go anywhere) Thirdly; Guns only backfire when something is blocking the barrel or chamber.
Fourthly; If a gun backfires, the user seriously injures their hand or face & the gun becomes unusable. - "It done blowed up yer silly!" Lastly; A person with no experience in firearms would not know that you must pull back the hammer for a revolver to shoot the first round.-Somehow this woman did. (Ugh Hollywood).
If none if that is bad enough, consider this; When Ali Larter's character locks the guy in the trailer she is no longer (legally) in any danger from him. He is no longer a threat. Burning him alive was murder. Plain & simple.
The movie starts as a solid 9 and immediately plummets once Ali Larter's scenes begin. It's not her fault, the script is just awful. By the end of this unbelievably predictable movie we are left with a syrupy scene in which the two remaining characters stand off comparing each other's pain. (Oh please). Ali's character wins on that front too (of course).
The shame of it all is that the rest of the actors in the film were faces & names that you wanted to see. And had the script (and story) been better, they'd have been interesting, gritty, characters to explore. Unfortunately, this film is just the (much over done) "hunted human triumphs over all", regardless of how ridiculous or implausible it is - shtick. (Yawn). There have been 10 of those in the last 5yrs.
Maybe this movie would have worked 30yrs ago. But it often seems, after watching a film like this, that audiences are FAR smarter than Hollywood writers who get away with this junk. People today "know stuff". Information is easy to find and the level of general knowledge is higher. (Please tell me I'm not the only who catches these massive plot holes and mistakes!). Hollywood writers need to level-up. Audiences need to be less accepting.
Anyway.....Why this film has a rating over 3 stars is beyond me. The film is replete with tired tropes that even kids will recognize, since they show up (these days) in teen television shows on the CW & every Marvel movie.
The first glaring question that came to mind once the plot revealed itself was; How does a history teacher from upstate NY suddenly become a survival expert, strong enough to take out an armed man & knowledgeable about firearms? Hollywood. How does a woman who appears ultra high strung, then gets stoned, become a focussed survivalist? How does a woman, so high on peyote that she can barely move or focus, suddenly become skilled enough to over come a cop, steal a cruiser and flee down the road? - Oy
Honestly, Hollywood should stop putting out movies that have guns in them when they don't know a thing about them or how they work. (Truly ironic that they campaign against them but pump out movies to capitalize on their use)
Firstly; Anyone who knows firearms would have dumped that "dud" round out when they were loading the weapon.
Secondly; A dud does not backfire if it discharges. (There would be no spark). It would either fire normally or the primer would fire and the powder would fail (bullet would not go anywhere) Thirdly; Guns only backfire when something is blocking the barrel or chamber.
Fourthly; If a gun backfires, the user seriously injures their hand or face & the gun becomes unusable. - "It done blowed up yer silly!" Lastly; A person with no experience in firearms would not know that you must pull back the hammer for a revolver to shoot the first round.-Somehow this woman did. (Ugh Hollywood).
If none if that is bad enough, consider this; When Ali Larter's character locks the guy in the trailer she is no longer (legally) in any danger from him. He is no longer a threat. Burning him alive was murder. Plain & simple.
The Batman
(2022)
Rinse & Repeat
20 April 2022
There's really not much you can do with Batman ( it seems). Like Spiderman & Superman, The Batman 2032 just retells the same tired stories with minor tweaks & slants. Each time Hollywood does it, people say "ok, but it could have been cooler". So they do it again... and again.
Then point, I suppose, is the old adage about 'repeating the same thing & hoping for a different outcome' being a sign of insanity. And truly, it is. We are all drawn into the advertising machine's web of manipulation to believe that; "New is Better, and boy do we have something new for you THIS time". But ultimately, n the end, it's really just the same brooding snore-fest shot in constant darkness & tinted blue in post production.
The acting is fine, the costumes are fine, the 3d is fine & the camera work is fine. But it ain't new. It's basically an episode's worth of plot, dragged out to epic (Lawrence of Arabia) length. The same tired tropes crop up time & again, as you bet your viewing partner, "he's going to do this", "this is going to happen next". (Yup! Fist bump). - There's just nothing new or interesting in these bloated Hollywood super hero movies. (Anyone saying differently is lying to themselves or you).
Does it even matter who wears the cape & mask? The result is the same; Deep, brooding, low voice, same same same. Always at night; same same same. Does it matter who Catwoman is this time? (Or that she looks like a shorter Halle Berry?)
Maybe Hollywood has it right? They think people are generally gullible dolts who will watch anything with sex, violence, action & 3d. . They either prey on the current ADHD generation or created it (who can tell?).
I like those things as much as anyone (maybe more), but this isn't even interesting action. Encouraging them only seems to make the believe that they should keep creating these yawn-fests. - It's like paying your brother every time he farts, hoping it will smell like strawberries next time. (Oh Just stop!)
Films like the latest Dune reboot ACTUALLY offer the viewer something special. From the start, it set the stage in the most magnificent way. Gotham (and that world) are merely the same 2d cliche backdrop time and again. (We can change the story to say Bruce's dad was shady, but we have to settle for a world that means nothing to us or the characters?).
Sadly, that's not really the end of it. Half way through (when you're checking to see if the film is about over) they chose to throw in a not-so subtle virtue signaling line, delivered by a millionaire actress, born to a millionaire actress and a millionaire rock star dad (who's also cousins to millionaire Al Roker from the Today show). "All to entitled white guys". - Ugh. Can it get much worse? Zoe Kravitz is a fine actress. But she has more entitlement and privilege than...well most of us watching the film and (to be sure) most of the other folks who worked on the movie. (You go gurl!!) How insincere can you get?? Well... by quoting Spike Lee. Sure, it's scary to go out there & "do the right thing" when you get shot. Nuff said.
I give Hollywood 20 years.
Then point, I suppose, is the old adage about 'repeating the same thing & hoping for a different outcome' being a sign of insanity. And truly, it is. We are all drawn into the advertising machine's web of manipulation to believe that; "New is Better, and boy do we have something new for you THIS time". But ultimately, n the end, it's really just the same brooding snore-fest shot in constant darkness & tinted blue in post production.
The acting is fine, the costumes are fine, the 3d is fine & the camera work is fine. But it ain't new. It's basically an episode's worth of plot, dragged out to epic (Lawrence of Arabia) length. The same tired tropes crop up time & again, as you bet your viewing partner, "he's going to do this", "this is going to happen next". (Yup! Fist bump). - There's just nothing new or interesting in these bloated Hollywood super hero movies. (Anyone saying differently is lying to themselves or you).
Does it even matter who wears the cape & mask? The result is the same; Deep, brooding, low voice, same same same. Always at night; same same same. Does it matter who Catwoman is this time? (Or that she looks like a shorter Halle Berry?)
Maybe Hollywood has it right? They think people are generally gullible dolts who will watch anything with sex, violence, action & 3d. . They either prey on the current ADHD generation or created it (who can tell?).
I like those things as much as anyone (maybe more), but this isn't even interesting action. Encouraging them only seems to make the believe that they should keep creating these yawn-fests. - It's like paying your brother every time he farts, hoping it will smell like strawberries next time. (Oh Just stop!)
Films like the latest Dune reboot ACTUALLY offer the viewer something special. From the start, it set the stage in the most magnificent way. Gotham (and that world) are merely the same 2d cliche backdrop time and again. (We can change the story to say Bruce's dad was shady, but we have to settle for a world that means nothing to us or the characters?).
Sadly, that's not really the end of it. Half way through (when you're checking to see if the film is about over) they chose to throw in a not-so subtle virtue signaling line, delivered by a millionaire actress, born to a millionaire actress and a millionaire rock star dad (who's also cousins to millionaire Al Roker from the Today show). "All to entitled white guys". - Ugh. Can it get much worse? Zoe Kravitz is a fine actress. But she has more entitlement and privilege than...well most of us watching the film and (to be sure) most of the other folks who worked on the movie. (You go gurl!!) How insincere can you get?? Well... by quoting Spike Lee. Sure, it's scary to go out there & "do the right thing" when you get shot. Nuff said.
I give Hollywood 20 years.
Murderville
(2022– )
Horrible Copy of the Original
11 April 2022
I don't know why Americans insist on remaking so many of the wonderful UK comedies. They're often bad copies. This one is no exception. Where the original series, Murder In Successville, felt spontaneous, this version seems forced & quite "acted".
I love Conan's sense of humor, but his episode felt a lot like he was intentionally trying to be funny rather than rolling with (what should have been) impromptu dialog to let the humor happen. Maybe the lead's dialogue was too scripted as well(?). It certainly felt that way. It felt, in many ways, like the Hollywood version opted for scene "takes" rather allowing mistakes to happen & treating it as a live show.
Maybe the show worked better in the UK version because it was acted by its creator? Maybe Hollywood just didn't "get it"? Maybe they just chose the wrong lead for the show? Ultimately it doesn't matter. It feels as canned & contrived as everything else being spat out of Hollywood these days. Typical, predictable, safe.
I love Conan's sense of humor, but his episode felt a lot like he was intentionally trying to be funny rather than rolling with (what should have been) impromptu dialog to let the humor happen. Maybe the lead's dialogue was too scripted as well(?). It certainly felt that way. It felt, in many ways, like the Hollywood version opted for scene "takes" rather allowing mistakes to happen & treating it as a live show.
Maybe the show worked better in the UK version because it was acted by its creator? Maybe Hollywood just didn't "get it"? Maybe they just chose the wrong lead for the show? Ultimately it doesn't matter. It feels as canned & contrived as everything else being spat out of Hollywood these days. Typical, predictable, safe.
Killer Robots??
4 April 2022
Ok, so this show seemed to be picking back up after we FINALLY ditched Elizabeth Keene. But this feels like an "April Fools" joke. Honestly, I can't even get my Roomba iRobot to reliably vacuum a room without bumping into everything and chewing up chords to lamps. How are we to believe that robots this realistic exist? Ridiculous!
The Rookie
(2018– )
TEDIOUS beyond Belief
30 March 2022
This show started well. It was about a rookie. By season 3 there was no more rookie. By season 4 the show deteriorated into cliche childish shtick hung on implausible, unrealistic & ridiculous plots. - It's soul sucking.
If it weren't for Nathan Fillion, we'd have bailed long ago. One can only hope that hist contract runs out or the show is cancelled. - We won't be watching season 5.
Every episode includes a host of problematic dialogue and politics that scream "clueless interpretation of reality".
This show reaches as far to the bottom of the barrel as possible. Low humor highlighting artificially inflated stereotypes delivering insipid lines and juvenile one-liners.
The shame of it all is that, instead of taking the opportunity to FIX the social problems they believe they are addressing, they compound them by thinking "getting even with", "getting back at" or trashing the people they target is a solution. (HINT: Treating people the way you DON'T want to be treated isn't how you solve the problem. It doesn't stop people from treating you badly. It gives them an excuse to treat you worse. - You lose ALL moral high ground. End of).
But this show has kid-logic & does nothing to correct it. Shame on them & anyone who buys into this broken mindset.
If it weren't for Nathan Fillion, we'd have bailed long ago. One can only hope that hist contract runs out or the show is cancelled. - We won't be watching season 5.
Every episode includes a host of problematic dialogue and politics that scream "clueless interpretation of reality".
This show reaches as far to the bottom of the barrel as possible. Low humor highlighting artificially inflated stereotypes delivering insipid lines and juvenile one-liners.
The shame of it all is that, instead of taking the opportunity to FIX the social problems they believe they are addressing, they compound them by thinking "getting even with", "getting back at" or trashing the people they target is a solution. (HINT: Treating people the way you DON'T want to be treated isn't how you solve the problem. It doesn't stop people from treating you badly. It gives them an excuse to treat you worse. - You lose ALL moral high ground. End of).
But this show has kid-logic & does nothing to correct it. Shame on them & anyone who buys into this broken mindset.
Can This Show Get More Dumb??
22 March 2022
Tune in next week for the big reveal. (Spoiler alert: It seems to be following that trajectory rapidly)
There's nothing logical, reasonable or accurate about this show.
In this ridiculous episode....
Chen's psudo-psychological insights are irritating. No cop I know would listen to that garbage all day at work. - No person at ANY JOB would entertain her condescending, self-absorbed meddling. She's not representative of police. (She eats off Tim's plate ????) Ugh She's like a pathetic high school dweeb.
If writers don't know that Downtown LA cops DON'T cover Santa Monica beaches, they're idiots. If they do, then they think the viewers are idiots. (Ya'll take your pick)
As for the Italian cop..... They just took his word that he was a cop without checking his background??? ( Good to know next time someone wants to impersonate a cop!) Besides which, foreign cops don't have a right to carry weapons in the US. - It's not even legal to carry a weapon from another state into California, so pleeeeeaaaasssseee.
This show is no longer about a "Rookie". It's become the same bottom-feeding soap opera plot point and relationship drama that has become a joke to anyone with an education or brain.
Season 1 was great. But it's time to cancel this garbage.
There's nothing logical, reasonable or accurate about this show.
In this ridiculous episode....
Chen's psudo-psychological insights are irritating. No cop I know would listen to that garbage all day at work. - No person at ANY JOB would entertain her condescending, self-absorbed meddling. She's not representative of police. (She eats off Tim's plate ????) Ugh She's like a pathetic high school dweeb.
If writers don't know that Downtown LA cops DON'T cover Santa Monica beaches, they're idiots. If they do, then they think the viewers are idiots. (Ya'll take your pick)
As for the Italian cop..... They just took his word that he was a cop without checking his background??? ( Good to know next time someone wants to impersonate a cop!) Besides which, foreign cops don't have a right to carry weapons in the US. - It's not even legal to carry a weapon from another state into California, so pleeeeeaaaasssseee.
This show is no longer about a "Rookie". It's become the same bottom-feeding soap opera plot point and relationship drama that has become a joke to anyone with an education or brain.
Season 1 was great. But it's time to cancel this garbage.
There's a Reason Ratings Continue to Drop
17 January 2022
Another ridiculous plot.
Cops fixate on a treasure hunt rather than their jobs. Chen decides that 2nd place is the same as winning the bet. ("I would have won the car race if I hadn't had a flat tire" wouldn't cut it in the real world. But Hollywood writers are idiots. So Chen gets out of owning the loss like a grown women).
This show has lost the spark that made it so cute, funny, interesting and insightful for the first two seasons. Now it's just a cookie-cutter show with paint by numbers plots. Shame - I look forward to watching Nathan Fillion in some other project. 'Cause this one is no longer about his character, The Rookie.
Cops fixate on a treasure hunt rather than their jobs. Chen decides that 2nd place is the same as winning the bet. ("I would have won the car race if I hadn't had a flat tire" wouldn't cut it in the real world. But Hollywood writers are idiots. So Chen gets out of owning the loss like a grown women).
This show has lost the spark that made it so cute, funny, interesting and insightful for the first two seasons. Now it's just a cookie-cutter show with paint by numbers plots. Shame - I look forward to watching Nathan Fillion in some other project. 'Cause this one is no longer about his character, The Rookie.
Mother/Android
(2021)
Worse Than a School Project
15 January 2022
In an opening scene that is as unique as a chewing-gum commercial, this poorly written drama boldly claims itself to be Sci-Fi whilst avoiding any of the trappings of the genre.
There are no special effects to distract you, no complex social questions about a world filled with humanoid robot servants, no (actual) reasons given for the sudden robot uprising, no visions of a "post apocalyptic" world (Just a couple of kids running through the woods wearing shabby cloths & moaning).
The first half of the movie revolves almost entirely (and obsessively) around Georgia's pregnancy. Everything interesting is stripped out to make way for the cliche baby-drama.
The premise itself is completely illogical. Asia and Saudi Arabia are more obsessed with robots (Dubai has robots as police). There is NO reason to believe that the entire world wouldn't be effected by the robot uprising. (Where are most electronics manufactured for the US? How long after the iPhone did Asian companies produce smart phone clones? - Dumbest premise ever)
The "invisibility cloak" was also the silliest thing ever. Essentially, it was a vest with LED christmas lights and hundreds of tie-wraps sticking out so as to look sci-fi.
When the "twist" comes at the end, it's too late to be interesting. The final action scene occurs with predictable precision. Everything turns out as it should; Mommy, daddy & baby enjoying family photos while Boston burns around them.
Or does it?
It's a movie that never knows when to end. So slogs on with epilogue after epilogue.
The (near) final tearful scene, viewers with a brain will realize that Georgia's letter to her son will never be read by him. After all, America has clearly been lost to the world and the baby is to be brought up in Korea. It is unlikely that he will ever learn English. But who cares. The scene holds no power or interest.
Had this been a high school project it might be worthy of a C+. As a Hulu release it is no more than an F. - Entirely Forgettable. But mostly it's insulting to the intelligence of it's viewers.
There are no special effects to distract you, no complex social questions about a world filled with humanoid robot servants, no (actual) reasons given for the sudden robot uprising, no visions of a "post apocalyptic" world (Just a couple of kids running through the woods wearing shabby cloths & moaning).
The first half of the movie revolves almost entirely (and obsessively) around Georgia's pregnancy. Everything interesting is stripped out to make way for the cliche baby-drama.
The premise itself is completely illogical. Asia and Saudi Arabia are more obsessed with robots (Dubai has robots as police). There is NO reason to believe that the entire world wouldn't be effected by the robot uprising. (Where are most electronics manufactured for the US? How long after the iPhone did Asian companies produce smart phone clones? - Dumbest premise ever)
The "invisibility cloak" was also the silliest thing ever. Essentially, it was a vest with LED christmas lights and hundreds of tie-wraps sticking out so as to look sci-fi.
When the "twist" comes at the end, it's too late to be interesting. The final action scene occurs with predictable precision. Everything turns out as it should; Mommy, daddy & baby enjoying family photos while Boston burns around them.
Or does it?
It's a movie that never knows when to end. So slogs on with epilogue after epilogue.
The (near) final tearful scene, viewers with a brain will realize that Georgia's letter to her son will never be read by him. After all, America has clearly been lost to the world and the baby is to be brought up in Korea. It is unlikely that he will ever learn English. But who cares. The scene holds no power or interest.
Had this been a high school project it might be worthy of a C+. As a Hulu release it is no more than an F. - Entirely Forgettable. But mostly it's insulting to the intelligence of it's viewers.
So Tired of Chen
13 January 2022
This show started off so good. -- Now it's a freaking high school drama that has NOTHING to do with "the rookie" and all to do with childish cliche relationship drama, babies, long conversations about feelings and ridiculously improbable situations that rarely happen to the majority of officers over their entire careers, let alone rookies. It might as well be Gilmore Girls or 90210. (Groan).
I understand that they want to hype up the drama to make an exciting show. But there's a massive list of cop shows that came before this that didn't need to dumb down the show to appeal to high school age kids.
Heck, when I was a kid everyone in those cop shows was older than me. Now, they're not only younger, but so childish that they don't behave with the maturity required or desired of someone who graduated from a police academy and walks our streets carrying fire arms.
Also, another dumb writer mistake: .223 rounds are not a "sign that the sniper is a professional" with military training. .223 is the consumer version of the NATO 5.56 round. Virtually the same (since they can be fired from the same rifle), but technically different. - There's also no way to tell if a round is 5.56 or .223 because the bullets are the same. The only way to tell after they have been fired is to read the stamp on the primer end of the casing.
Writers are just too dumb to use Google. Sad. Lazy.
I understand that they want to hype up the drama to make an exciting show. But there's a massive list of cop shows that came before this that didn't need to dumb down the show to appeal to high school age kids.
Heck, when I was a kid everyone in those cop shows was older than me. Now, they're not only younger, but so childish that they don't behave with the maturity required or desired of someone who graduated from a police academy and walks our streets carrying fire arms.
Also, another dumb writer mistake: .223 rounds are not a "sign that the sniper is a professional" with military training. .223 is the consumer version of the NATO 5.56 round. Virtually the same (since they can be fired from the same rifle), but technically different. - There's also no way to tell if a round is 5.56 or .223 because the bullets are the same. The only way to tell after they have been fired is to read the stamp on the primer end of the casing.
Writers are just too dumb to use Google. Sad. Lazy.
LOL. Ridiculous
8 January 2022
Chen under cover? Yea. Sorry. Laughable.
Rookies don't get that chance. Besides which, the dumbest thing ever is watching her hair flips & goofy high school "awe shucks" expressions. - Maybe it would work if she was going under cover in a high school or college, but she about as "street" as Charlie Brown.
Her tantrum after the (very obvious test) reveals just how fragile she is. But it fits the actress. It's just bad casting.
Rookies don't get that chance. Besides which, the dumbest thing ever is watching her hair flips & goofy high school "awe shucks" expressions. - Maybe it would work if she was going under cover in a high school or college, but she about as "street" as Charlie Brown.
Her tantrum after the (very obvious test) reveals just how fragile she is. But it fits the actress. It's just bad casting.
Mountain Men
(2014)
Not a Comedy!
7 January 2022
I think this movie would have played better if it hadn't been classified a Comedy/Drama. It took a while to adjust. But as Dramas go, it wasn't a bad film.
Yes, in this day and age it might be somewhat predictable. But it was a story worth telling. It's a movie with no agenda other than to convey simple messages like; Family is important and even a supposed "loser" like Topher can rise to the occasion when called upon.
Yes, in this day and age it might be somewhat predictable. But it was a story worth telling. It's a movie with no agenda other than to convey simple messages like; Family is important and even a supposed "loser" like Topher can rise to the occasion when called upon.
They've Lost the Plot
7 January 2022
This season has had a lot of problems.
Frankly, I've grown tired of listening to Chen whine for a hug in every scene. She behaves like a petulant child rather than a woman who's maturely pushed herself through the training academy. (Let's face it, with her neediness, insecurity & body type, she'd never have gotten over the 6 foot fence or through the incredibly strenuous physical fitness program). - Training Academy's require cadet officers to be tased, CS gassed (tear gas) & pepper-sprayed. Chen being a whining, overly sensitive "fragile" personality would have gotten over her little-girl drama or failed out. - As would anyone in military boot camp.
In this episode Chen, who has previously brought a dog into the apartment without consulting West (resulting in the dog destroying all of West's possessions) becomes upset when West is suspicious that their new homeless-car-thief-roommate might have stolen a prized possession. She forces West to feel guilty and to apologize while never taking responsibility herself ( or apologizing) for lying to him about her involvement. - Typical Chen manipulation. Exhausting.
It seems that the writers have grown bored with their original purpose of the show. The focus seems to be increasingly shifted away from the stated plot of the series, the "story of the oldest rookie" in favor of story about everyone BUT him.
I'm pretty sure most people came to watch this show because it had Nathan Fillion. The first two seasons also treated us to some wonderful cameos by actors like Alan Tudyk, Ali Larter, Sarah Sahi, Enver Gjokaj and others from Firefly to Battlestar Galactica, Justified, Supernatural, Dollhouse etc.. We got a lot of comedy, drama and insight into the characters without getting too dark, too preachy or too ridiculous. This season we get Emily Deschanel (her character was so annoying in Bones), in depth family drama with baby & wedding drama, roommate drama, poorly constructed preachy political scenarios and more time in hospitals than most police ever spend.
Shame. The show had become a favorite in our house until this tattered season.
Frankly, I've grown tired of listening to Chen whine for a hug in every scene. She behaves like a petulant child rather than a woman who's maturely pushed herself through the training academy. (Let's face it, with her neediness, insecurity & body type, she'd never have gotten over the 6 foot fence or through the incredibly strenuous physical fitness program). - Training Academy's require cadet officers to be tased, CS gassed (tear gas) & pepper-sprayed. Chen being a whining, overly sensitive "fragile" personality would have gotten over her little-girl drama or failed out. - As would anyone in military boot camp.
In this episode Chen, who has previously brought a dog into the apartment without consulting West (resulting in the dog destroying all of West's possessions) becomes upset when West is suspicious that their new homeless-car-thief-roommate might have stolen a prized possession. She forces West to feel guilty and to apologize while never taking responsibility herself ( or apologizing) for lying to him about her involvement. - Typical Chen manipulation. Exhausting.
It seems that the writers have grown bored with their original purpose of the show. The focus seems to be increasingly shifted away from the stated plot of the series, the "story of the oldest rookie" in favor of story about everyone BUT him.
I'm pretty sure most people came to watch this show because it had Nathan Fillion. The first two seasons also treated us to some wonderful cameos by actors like Alan Tudyk, Ali Larter, Sarah Sahi, Enver Gjokaj and others from Firefly to Battlestar Galactica, Justified, Supernatural, Dollhouse etc.. We got a lot of comedy, drama and insight into the characters without getting too dark, too preachy or too ridiculous. This season we get Emily Deschanel (her character was so annoying in Bones), in depth family drama with baby & wedding drama, roommate drama, poorly constructed preachy political scenarios and more time in hospitals than most police ever spend.
Shame. The show had become a favorite in our house until this tattered season.
Awkward Intro. Hopefully Things Will Pick Up
7 January 2022
I'm always disappointed when a movie or series utilizes a voice over to convey story. (It really is lazy storytelling. It's not cinematic & comes off like an audiobook these days). I'd expected a little better from the makers of Yellowstone.
Aside from that, the story seems very cobbled together. Sam Elliot's introduction, though tragic, seems unnecessary in the scheme of things. It feels very much like HE is the main character of the story.
James Dutton's introduction is confusing. (He just seems like "some guy" that Sam Elliot's character runs across. Only later do we figure out who he is and that we should care about him).
Margaret Dutton is barely a sketch all throughout her time on the screen. I think more could be said about her stricter sister.
The there's the daughter. The whole "Laura Ingalls-eque"/ Holly Hobby characterization makes her seem frivolous and immature in a way the entitled 21st century children behave. In everything I've ever read (and been told by great a grandmother born in the 1800's) life then required all children to be responsible contributors to the family. She really just seems goofy. Ultimately (unfortunately) we know far more about her than anyone else on screen.
Lastly, it seemed VERY odd that the daughter would be so carefree so soon after the violent events of the previous night. Daft really.
Aside from that, the story seems very cobbled together. Sam Elliot's introduction, though tragic, seems unnecessary in the scheme of things. It feels very much like HE is the main character of the story.
James Dutton's introduction is confusing. (He just seems like "some guy" that Sam Elliot's character runs across. Only later do we figure out who he is and that we should care about him).
Margaret Dutton is barely a sketch all throughout her time on the screen. I think more could be said about her stricter sister.
The there's the daughter. The whole "Laura Ingalls-eque"/ Holly Hobby characterization makes her seem frivolous and immature in a way the entitled 21st century children behave. In everything I've ever read (and been told by great a grandmother born in the 1800's) life then required all children to be responsible contributors to the family. She really just seems goofy. Ultimately (unfortunately) we know far more about her than anyone else on screen.
Lastly, it seemed VERY odd that the daughter would be so carefree so soon after the violent events of the previous night. Daft really.
Good Cast - Bad Writing
7 January 2022
Forgetting for a moment that the entire premise outlined in episode 1 has been seen in enough television & movies that it makes one groan as it's delivered, the entire plot-line surrounding "the bullet" is 100% factually wrong. Sad really, because I saw the cast list and was excited to have found a show I'd missed on it's first run. Any idiot could google the bullet making process themselves. The writers should have stepped up to get it right rather than believing their viewers ignorant.
Firstly, there is no way to tell if a "bullet" ( and by this the writers mean "ammunition" or "round") is home-made. (FWIW, "Bullets" are the jacketed lead projectiles that forced out of the casing when the gun powder ignited). No one casts their own bullets these days unless they are shooting black powder firearms. - Like muskets. - "Jacketting" a bullet with copper would require hotter smelting than most people can achieve at home. Getting that coating on precisely is more difficult than it's worth - It's cheaper & easier to just buy bulk "bullets" if you're going to press your own rounds.
Secondly; Bullet presses don't create identifiable marks on the casing, bullet or crimp. They just don't - Bullet "dies" barely touch the bullet when the press comes down to seat the bullet & crimp the casing around the bullet. Bulled dies are, again, very precise in their construction and must withstand a LOT of pressure when a press is pulled.
Thirdly; No one "makes a home-made press". They are made of cast iron. They are heavy. They have to withstand a great amount of torque when the lever is pulled. Plus, the precision in engineering used to make a press is the reason company who make them charge a lot of money for them and are highly regarded. Besides which, no part of the "press" ever touches a bullet or casing. The only things that ever touch the round are the "seat" and the "die". - So, again, ridiculous premise.
I see the same sort of sloppy writing when a plot line involves computers. Sad really. Pure laziness on the part of writers. There's really no excuse in the 2020's.
Firstly, there is no way to tell if a "bullet" ( and by this the writers mean "ammunition" or "round") is home-made. (FWIW, "Bullets" are the jacketed lead projectiles that forced out of the casing when the gun powder ignited). No one casts their own bullets these days unless they are shooting black powder firearms. - Like muskets. - "Jacketting" a bullet with copper would require hotter smelting than most people can achieve at home. Getting that coating on precisely is more difficult than it's worth - It's cheaper & easier to just buy bulk "bullets" if you're going to press your own rounds.
Secondly; Bullet presses don't create identifiable marks on the casing, bullet or crimp. They just don't - Bullet "dies" barely touch the bullet when the press comes down to seat the bullet & crimp the casing around the bullet. Bulled dies are, again, very precise in their construction and must withstand a LOT of pressure when a press is pulled.
Thirdly; No one "makes a home-made press". They are made of cast iron. They are heavy. They have to withstand a great amount of torque when the lever is pulled. Plus, the precision in engineering used to make a press is the reason company who make them charge a lot of money for them and are highly regarded. Besides which, no part of the "press" ever touches a bullet or casing. The only things that ever touch the round are the "seat" and the "die". - So, again, ridiculous premise.
I see the same sort of sloppy writing when a plot line involves computers. Sad really. Pure laziness on the part of writers. There's really no excuse in the 2020's.
Unmasking a Killer
(2018– )
Good Story - Bad Documentary
13 November 2021
Probably one of the most poorly produced documentaries out there. Yes, the video & graphics have a polished look and there are some crime scene photos and interviews, but for the most part, the series is nearly 7 hours of talking heads and repetitive graphics that could have EASILY been edited down to an hour.
In the style of those real crime documentaries that A&E used to crank out in the 90's, these seven separate episodes "tell you they're going to tell you something", "tell you something", "then tell you what they told you". Rinse & repeat.
There's really no more information here than any newspaper article before it. At no point do we see surveillance video leading up to the arrest, video of the arrest or interview of "the killer". There's no build up at all, just relief that it's over.
The "grand finale" is a recap of everything you've already seen 6-8 times. (Yawn). We're left wondering if there is a better documentary out there that will tell the story better.
The real crime here is how much money you imagine HBO paid for this to be made.
In the style of those real crime documentaries that A&E used to crank out in the 90's, these seven separate episodes "tell you they're going to tell you something", "tell you something", "then tell you what they told you". Rinse & repeat.
There's really no more information here than any newspaper article before it. At no point do we see surveillance video leading up to the arrest, video of the arrest or interview of "the killer". There's no build up at all, just relief that it's over.
The "grand finale" is a recap of everything you've already seen 6-8 times. (Yawn). We're left wondering if there is a better documentary out there that will tell the story better.
The real crime here is how much money you imagine HBO paid for this to be made.
The Blacklist
(2013–2023)
Keene storylines put me to sleep
30 October 2021
If it weren't for Spader I would stop watching. The rest of the characters are great, but suffer at the hands of script writers insistent on perpetuating the horribly contrived Elizabeth character.
As a spy story, the show works. But the mommy issues and daddy issues are tedious to endure.
Yes, the FBI does make deals with criminals. But the constant excuses Elizabeth's "team" make for her violent & illegal behavior are ridiculous & unrealistic. According to their logic, terrorists have "good reasons too" (if we got to know them). - Rubbish.
As a spy story, the show works. But the mommy issues and daddy issues are tedious to endure.
Yes, the FBI does make deals with criminals. But the constant excuses Elizabeth's "team" make for her violent & illegal behavior are ridiculous & unrealistic. According to their logic, terrorists have "good reasons too" (if we got to know them). - Rubbish.
LOL Garbage
3 October 2021
Overly simplified political message delivered like a bumper-sticker for those who would honk in agreement at any slogan they already agreed with. Yay Team! - Had the political messaging been reversed it would equally out of place and trite. A prime example of "entertainment" & escapism losing it's value. It fails to entertain as much as it fails to educate.
The Many Saints of Newark
(2021)
Bait and Switch Garbage
2 October 2021
All the ads will tell you this is a prequel to The Sopranos story. What they don't tell you is that Tony's character barely appears, that the primary Italian story revolves around Christopher's father on one side (though he's barely mentioned in the Sopranos show) and wanna be black gangsters trying to make a name for themselves on the other. No mention of. No mention of Irish or Jewish gangs. Just a distorted story to virtue signal "inclusion in all things", regardless of relevance.
Dispatches from Elsewhere
(2020)
If Your Pony Has Only One Trick - Milk It
4 May 2020
Essentially this is an advertisement for the pseudo documentary that the writers/directors made a few years ago to to hype an "immersive experience game" they helped create in 2008. (Really just an interactively rigged room in a San Francisco office that they created with a bunch of supporting art work, flyers, video etc..).
Having visited 'the room' at one point in 2009-10 I can only say that the documentary does a much better job than the actual "game" (or this show) to create a 'creepy cult like experience'. But that is the nature of the cinematic experience, especially when the premise is to set it up to appear like a real documentary.
In the end, while the authors might want to pat themselves on the back for creating something "soo cool", "Dispatches from Elsewhere" (aka, "The Institute"), (aka, "Jejune Institute"), (aka "The Games of Nonchalance") is HUGELY derivative of the 1997 Michael Duglas film "The Game" as well as past efforts like Allan Krapow's "happenings" in the 50's.
Cinematically the series covers all the same ground as other shows before it. Nothing new. Same old tropes.
Ultimately, this is nothing more than a marketting video for McCall's previous documentary and for the services of Hull,Thatcher & FInley's "immersive game design".
In the end, while the authors might want to pat themselves on the back for creating something "soo cool", "Dispatches from Elsewhere" (aka, "The Institute"), (aka, "Jejune Institute"), (aka "The Games of Nonchalance") is HUGELY derivative of the 1997 Michael Duglas film "The Game" as well as past efforts like Allan Krapow's "happenings" in the 50's.
Cinematically the series covers all the same ground as other shows before it. Nothing new. Same old tropes.
Ultimately, this is nothing more than a marketting video for McCall's previous documentary and for the services of Hull,Thatcher & FInley's "immersive game design".
Happy!
(2017–2019)
HA!! This Caught Me by Suprise. Wonderful
29 April 2019
If you're looking for something unique, complex, compelling and funny - this is the show. On one level is a proceedural cop drama. on another it's like and anithero comic book story and on another is a psychotically humorous adult comedy.
I'm a pretty jaded viewer. I watch a LOT of movies and television. Mostly I watch UK or European shows because I'm sick of the same rehashed Hollywood tropes that seem to be in every American show. Having said that, I didn't expect to like this show. But minutes into Episode One I was broadsided by a joke that just came out of nowhere. By the end of the first episode I was hooked.
Christopher Meloni is fantastic as Nick Sax. I haven't always been a fan, I never liked Law & Order SVU. Bur he's perfect in this role. I also tend to dislike Patton Oswal (A LOT). I'm always bummed if he shows up in a show I'm watching (like Agents of Shield). But his voice work as the unicorn character Happy is great!
Keep it up guys!
I'm a pretty jaded viewer. I watch a LOT of movies and television. Mostly I watch UK or European shows because I'm sick of the same rehashed Hollywood tropes that seem to be in every American show. Having said that, I didn't expect to like this show. But minutes into Episode One I was broadsided by a joke that just came out of nowhere. By the end of the first episode I was hooked.
Christopher Meloni is fantastic as Nick Sax. I haven't always been a fan, I never liked Law & Order SVU. Bur he's perfect in this role. I also tend to dislike Patton Oswal (A LOT). I'm always bummed if he shows up in a show I'm watching (like Agents of Shield). But his voice work as the unicorn character Happy is great!
Keep it up guys!
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