mwbenz Reviews

Beacon 23 (2023– )

Unappealing Sci-Fi

[2/10 · 16 February 2024]

It's slow. It doesn't create much mystery. It's about rocks and PTSD with very few Sci-Fi elements besides the setting. Most the dialogue is weak/pursuit/chase dialogue and very little nuanced sci-fi fun.

Quite honestly, for MGM+, this is a huge disappointment. I cannot watch it without fast-forwarding through 1/2 of it because of how slow it is. Not holding tension, not really holding much.

Great VFX though for a TV series which is nice.

It's a plot that entails a lone beacon in the depths of space, not reachable without special laneways.

Doesn't even explain the ship crash in the opening scene of the series that sets up the whole plot of this show and why it happened.

Many many plotholes.

Again, it's fun as background TV, but this is not something you're tuning into weekly and can't miss.

1883 (2021–2022)

Good but not accurate

[3/10 · 3 February 2024]

First small bar in a small town has about 50 glass mugs... Not common/very rare in 1886 especially in USA.

These little things pull you from reality.

It's good, phenomenal acting, but many little historical inaccuracies.

Sets are good, casting is good. Writing is purposefully bositerous to help push a narrative, but it leans towards fun and realistic, for the most part.

Lots of authentic moments that make it fun, however, the small blurps of fanaticism take away from that authenticity, making it just trying to score those "big moments" with little payoff.

All in all, worth the watch but definitely hard for picky people like me that like things historically accurate.

Night Sky: La Capilla (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

I'm driving into a rock quarry...

[1/10 · 31 May 2022]

Honestly, such BEAUTIFUL cinematography lost on the poorest writing. A mother driving toward her daughter in an empty rock quarry is one of the worst scenes for the sake of filling air I've seen in a long time.

Day of the Dead (2021)

Best at being the Worst

[1/10 · 18 January 2022]

Well, I don't know where to begin other than at least you can have a good laugh at all the wrong reasons.

This is probably the worst Zombie TV series ever made and yes, I've seen them all including most foreign ones.

Horrible monologues, horrible scenes that make zero sense that are such a stretch you can only laugh at the imbecility.

Zero visual effects to add to the sense of anything.

SPFX for the zombies is good, must have been their entire budget because there is nothing outside of zombie makeup that contains real special effects.

Worst script and writing and you cannot blame the actors when they are handed a steaming pile of poop because they made the best of what they had.

Never let this writer write again. Find some new producers who know how to stretch a budget and make this series not feel like it was shot by students at a college.

Leverage: Redemption (2021– )

Sooooooooooooo.............

[1/10 · 4 October 2021]

Mediocrity. Beyond that absolute garbage and mediocre budgets I don't know what else to say.

Also, shot in Canada with garbage cinematography. This is drivel. Thinking it's actually decent is justhilarious. Film students could dwell bettter.

Snake Eyes (2021)

I don't review unless it's that cliche...

[1/10 · 29 August 2021]

Point being. Opening scene -- father, locking son in closet to hide away from bad guys that, future son, seeks revenge upon.

MY GOODNESS IT'S BAD.

Thank god for good visual effects, and cinematography. The writing is garbage, it's lost on any crowd (doesn't appeal to anyone but dads with kids that are looking for meaningless entertainment).

Do not waste money on this. Watch it free on a friends streaming sub.

Debris (2021)

Wayyyy too many concepts, otherwise it would be brilliant.

[2/10 · 9 June 2021]

Like most network series it's PrimeTime fluff, it's not very good.

Great concept, great actors. Really poor script, really mediocre writing. If they treated this less like a "one off" per episode and more continuity, it would be brilliant.

SORELY DISAPPOINTING.

The Expanse (2015–2022)

Everyone loves it, but honestly, it's mediocre at best with great CGI

[1/10 · 6 February 2021]

This series is definitely hit and miss, and it's more miss lately, especially Season 5.

First off, the belters language is horribly and inconsistently acted. It makes them look poor and educated but it's literally a mix of Jamaican / Caribbean accents -- what does that tell you?

CGI is amazing, for a TV series, among the best. Mandalorian, Star Trek, this.

Inconsistencies galore in space. Amos is by far the best and most intriguing actor, they should have spent more time with him.

It a series that takes a long time to make sense and come together, but it has potential if they executed more time on the good ideas.

Season 5 is almost no space battles, and pretty much all drama. Literally, it's melodramatic and lost it's appeal when it turned into a chick flick instead of a Sci-Fi Adventure series.

S.W.A.T. (2017– )

Night and Day compared to SEALS

[1/10 · 22 January 2021]

Same network, similar concept.

Honestly, not NEAR as good as SEALS. They try a similar format but it just doesn't work in Metropolitan LA.

Horribly executed scenarios, so farce and so obscure that you cannot fathom whether this is complete fantasy or pretending to be grounded in reality.

The actors, luckily are beautiful, brilliant and thorough, but given their lacklustre script material, they stand flat.

It is not innovative, it is hard to believe, when trying to be a believable show. Their is no cinematic adventure, their is no fun and complex intertwined story. It's basic material that you can put on in the background and not have to pay attention to.

SEALS makes sense. SWAT, sorry guys, huge miss.

New Amsterdam (2018–2023)

Prisoners in a hospital, with kids.

[3/10 · 22 August 2020]

Chicago MED and this show ARE THE SAME.

I want to like this, the lead actor is brilliant, the acting is REALLY GOOD, the EDITING IS REALLY GOOD, the script is GARBAGE, and medicine is either REALISTIC or FUTURISTIC or PAST. This show is nothing. It makes no sense. It lives in an alternate universe that you cannot even compare to our own. Not one thing they do in this hospital in any state/province is either legal or realistic.

Prisoners, in a hospital, learning, with kids, with 3 paid guards sitting "watch duty' and a 2 doctors to tell them about life.

Oh my goodness. This is close to soap opera level production quality, which means, episodes for dollars to fill air.

A darn shame because the cast is actually quite awesome. Cinematography is REALLY well done and clean. The writing, is ABSOLUTE garbage.

October Faction (2020)

Potential, as stated.

[1/10 · 14 March 2020]

Great premise, horrible execution. Director X needs to stick to music videos where people with ADHD can handle his direction/cinematography... You cannot shoot music videos like you do live-action film. Acting dry, cinematography is LACKLUSTER and that is being polite. Read the other reviews, you want to like it, you just can't.

Honestly. It's the worst original series I've ever watched on Netflix, and it pisses me off because I wanted to like it. Did anyone vet the horrific writing? Did anyone actually vie for better cinematography or settings or something? You're selling such an expensive concept with a garbage budget, and if the budget wasn't garbage I'd fire the director, producer, writer for not seeking outside assistance in this monstrosity of great intent.

Quantico (2015–2018)

they purposely dont allow review.

[1/10 · 5 September 2018]

So, if you are one word off, you won't see this in your search results or through spell check.

absolute garbage prime time tv.

there is nothing good about this series other than a garbage 20+ plot hook that leaves more loopholes than necessary.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The End (2018) Season 5, Episode 22

best episode of the season, beacause...

[10/10 · 10 July 2018]

It led up to this....

it was beautiful, frustrating and enlightening all within 43 minutes of airtime.

it gave us answers and want. both ends of the spectrum.

it fed some and it left some malnourished.

but, it doesn't take away from the fact that "network" television, (that is normally mediocre at best), allowed something to shine through -- regardless of its plot-holes and missing answers -- it gives you production value that allows you to transcend galaxies and pretend to wrap your head around the most complex (and benign) questions we're asking ourselves in 2018 (in our pop. cul. society).

<3 and hated it plot-wise, but the production value, acuity, cinematography, visual-effects are a few notches above anything in its league today, regardless of the sometimes laughable script-writing.

*** it's an escape from reality folks, and it does a great job of just that -- don't get too caught up in the plot-holes and you'll been in for a fantastic voyage.

Revolution: Dreamcatcher (2014) Season 2, Episode 15

Ep 15, s.2 - Beautiful Creativity... Finally Challenging the Status Quo

[8/10 · 9 March 2014]

Finally Revolution is amping up the volume, the intellect, the script- writing and I LIKE IT.

Mainstream/Broadcast TV (not specialty networks) has to cater to a PG13 audience... It's hard for adults to truly immerse themselves in these TV series that are meant to be escapes from reality but are so fake you cringe at the sub-plots...

Revolution started off pretty darn slow s.1 and has slowly gained momentum to build into a complex and wonderfully depicted dystopian apocalyptic society.

If you guys marathon this series, you will enjoy it. It's a pleasant and unique story that isn't demented like LOST, not going anywhere...

Helix (2014–2015)

Syfy Original with Potential but Urine Soaked Delivery

[4/10 · 22 February 2014]

Where to begin?

We're on the Syfy channel are we not? The foremost network for Science Fiction on the entire planet. Easily the most popular with the largest viewership...

Yet, I sit here and watch in utter disappointment for lack of reasonable execution of any of their post-production work.

The first two episodes had wonderful sound composition, mixing and effects that went downhill as episodes went on. Their niche, similar to that of BioShock entering the gaming industry was gone by the 4th episode.

I cannot put into words how dissatisfied I am by this series. When you have a network supported by a company that gross's BILLIONs (not millions) in revenue and that output such trash visual effects....

Have you all noticed how bad the greenscreen spill is? Yikes. Watch on a 70" and it's almost comedic.

Such a brilliant idea flushed down the drain due to their lacklustre ability to deliver true and raw content, instead they fluff it for the nonintellectual masses that have to comply with the PG-13 rating...

Good content cannot be made like this, ever. Challenge me otherwise on a show that has received critical acclaim for pushing boundaries, besides a doctor series... you cannot.

Sad times we live in when networks just don't get it... literally, decades of experience and they still cannot placate the people asking for quality....

The Switch (I) (2010)

How Dare They...

[3/10 · 22 April 2012]

Jennifer and my Jason have let me down significantly. They sold out and did the worst popcorn piece since Channing Tatum and Rachel in 'The Vow'.... What is going on in middle America with ALL STAR CAST and HORRIBLE SCRIPTS. Degrading, rushed and unbelievable pieces of garbage. I was so angry after watching this, I thought, Grandma's sure, senile dysfunctional inebriates, sure.

This is not heart-warming, this is pure satire written from a writer whom doesn't even know first-hand. PATHETIC Hollywood/NY not doing research and hiring proper script supervisors/writers.

I love these two actors with my soul (they are both so damn talented and they sold out) and I ask myself, what brought them to such a bad decision. This film, albeit, may have read beautifully to them in a script when they were sitting in their 15mm mansions but once the camera's lit up, all hell broke lose and you were left with a torrent of horrendously acted out scenes that didn't feel legit.

To that average boring American, this might have worked, to those that are just looking to pass time, sure, BUT for goodness sake, for anyone that ACTUALLY APPRECIATES good cinema, TURN AWAY. Do not waste two hours of this chalky spoon-fed cabbage. If you get a lift from this, you are truly simple minded. Tune into Women's network or something of the equivalent that does not even stimulant your brain synapses firing and you'll feel more nourished...

Setting and Cinematography WERE PATHETIC. How do you hire such high-end actors and then put out such a piece of garbage. How do the producer(s) or director sign off on this POS. How is there not any innovative nothing?

Cut and dry polished turd.

Enjoy it if it's free. If you paid for it, you're part of the problem.

The Vow (2012)

Desperation Never Wins

[1/10 · 21 April 2012]

Don't get me wrong, I love Channing Tatum and Rachael McAdams but this is the most unrealistic piece of bull I've ever watched. The film-work, the cinematography, all of it beautiful. Chicago, the sites, the settings, the environment, all the making of a gorgeous film but never ever ever ever does these even play to the slightest of realities. Based on true events purposely embellished to sell a script.

Add a few sexy songs to try and set the mood but no, let's be real. But the desperation in this film bleeds pity. It's chaotic tales that we all wish were true but its not.

I know film-making is meant to be make-believe but don't portray two gorgeous people in circumstances that would never pan out. If you GOO*GLE this and check out the real characters. They do not even resemble ANYTHING remotely close to these two beauty's. NOT THE SAME.

8/10 Cinematography. 8/10 Cast and Acting. 3/10 Screenplay/Writing

What more can I say besides when you put a sexy cast like this together you need to play to the realities of North Americans for them to truly connect. Unfortunately at 26 years of age, and a lot of experience in the dating field this is just benign crap and I'm in a happy relationship.

Watch at your own peril or forever succumb to fake Hollywood B.S. that feeds into the plasticity of morrow years.

Disappointment extreme.

Then I started reading the reviews. I am so disappointed in most Americans it's sinister. If you see the international reviews, its below 4 stars. If you read the Americans its above 6. How are you guys so used to spoon-fed B.S. that you settle for something so pathetically mediocre that with that budget, you'd pee roses.

Do any of the IMDb reviews take into consideration actual film-making? NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST. Therefore, MOST (95%) review's are incomplete and unsubstantial with misleading information. Given this budget and the cast, I expect clockwork, not miss-edited fragmentation that placates to mo.ons under the 100IQ taboo.

Falling Skies (2011–2015)

How is TV still progressively getting worse?

[5/10 · 19 July 2011]

DreamWorks Television & TNT, sigh & why... my first and only reaction to this series.

At the very least I expect DreamWorks TV to throw a little bit more into their visual effects budget, seriously. Or even the script... Instead they just spend it aimlessly to hire 10 producers, 14 archaic exec producers and approx. 23 associate producers, (there's your frickin' budget).

After watching episode six of Falling Skies & having read thousands of reviews for years on here I figured its my time to comment because I'm so blown away by how bad TNT & Dreamworks did with this series.

It's a hybrid of Jericho (the aftermath and re-gathering of a community of people) & Outcasts (humanity lost Earth, fighting for survival - great UK series cancelled after s1), but not near as good.

It's character driven because their writers cannot pen a harmonic blend of sci-fi mixed with drama to save their life. Instead they turn it into a family drama where dialogue is slow and there is absolutely no complexity to this series.

Hell! Why not put it on MTV with some music dub'd over top and call it artsy. Why is this not on Lifetime Network or daytime TV? TNT+DreamWorks TV also seems to allocate their entire budget towards the cast and one prosthetic alien that they tend to re-use over and over and over and over so that they don't have to expend it on VFX.... Who is your moronic producer(s) thinking that one prosthetic alien can provide dynamic, action filled shots, it's 2011 guys, kids are OCD, ADD, ADHD and just plain wet for better content.

Any action they engage in is sub-par and almost always contained within one set location. The visual effects & CGI are not coordinated with the actual TV series, ie. you have photons that magically shoot from an alien mech that stuns one single child at the end of the show but when these aliens fight a human army the entire 3 episodes prior to this event they can't manage to kill any of the soldiers nor fire anything other than what seems basically exactly like human ammunition.

But the bit that gets me is how they hype it up to be this SciFi, Action/Drama but in all entirety its really a family drama that promotes that crucial parent/child bond.

Don't expect much. In fact, having no expectation will allow you to sit through most of it.

Polar Storm (2009 TV Movie)

Exciting yet predictable, fun yet easily missed clinical errors. Delirious and bleek but elegant for a budget Sci-Fi Movie of the Week.

[10/10 · 28 April 2009]

Well, this was a fun film all and all. Jack Coleman did a great job in one of his first lead roles in a feature film, like a really good job. Apart from that, the rest of the cast were great too, I particularly liked the scene of the mugger car jacking them in broad daylight, well played.

For the budget, 9/10.

Overall, 5.5-6, because like many said, it has too many loopholes and the continuity team could have briefed over this script a few more times, hell a joint smoking monkey could have fixed some of the errors, but one writers bad attempt at an exciting action scene might be a visual effects artists opportunity of a lifetime, or an actors golden shot for their reel.

The humour is far and few between, but it has its moments and it's pretty genuine, for the most part.

Enjoy it as a fun B budget disaster movie of 2009.