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Reviews
Slay (2024)
I really enjoyed SLAY!
Was it perfect? Oh no. But then I wasn't expecting perfection. I enjoyed the performances of Trinity the Tuck, Heidi N Closet and Crystal Methyd particularly. I was pleasantly surprised by Crystal as I did not care for her much when she was on Drag Race. Cara Melle was a bit of a disappointment. She didn't embrace the absurdity as much as the other queens did with their characters. The supporting cast surprised me with their commitment to their characters. I laughed, yelled out "Ewwwww!" frequently, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I could go all academic and do a high-falutin' critique, but why do that when I had so much fun watching. It's a silly bloody dragfest of a film and absolutely worth giving a go. Heidi N Closet and Crystal Methyd's performances alone are so absolutely OTT and, to use a RuPaul-ism, "STUPID!" that your will not be wasting your time.
P-Valley (2020)
Quality writing, photography, and acting.
Having lived more than a decade as an adult in Mississippi, I learned about casinos, jook joints, food culture, the Blues, and the amazing creative energy throughout the state. What I did not learn about, however, were the strip clubs there. I was very naive and, admittedly, judgmental when I lived there. Thankfully, I've grown since then and wow, did I miss out on a rich part of the culture.
Katori Hall's writing is on point. Her characters are legit. They're real. I know I could meet them in Mississippi or in Memphis very easily. They're very human too, not cartoonish or stereotypical. No, they're not all likeable, but they don't need to be.
Artistically? Wow. The viewer is drawn into the world of the club and its surroundings so utterly that they are transported mentally and emotionally. The perspective is not crude or lascivious, but almost haunting. I could practically feel the humidity. And the costuming! Very apt for every setting, be it the club or a public function in town.
As a regionalist, my favorite part of this series is that while it's definitely set in the deep South, it doesn't mock the locale or the people. That's everything to me. It's very real. So while it's true there are bare breasts and provocative dancing, it's not crude. This is one of the most genuine series I've run across in a while. I highly recommend it. It's a master class in writing and production if nothing else.
Blood & Water (2020)
Quality
I mainlined this series because I simply had to know what was happening next. I'd have given it ten * if the ending had been more satisfactory.
It's compelling TV. The characters are believable and the cast really good. The writing is well-crafted and I was enthralled.
It has soap opera qualities, but at a high level. Sure, parts of it were a tad cliched, but the story and developing mystery make up for that.
I enjoyed it thoroughly, though I'd be lying if I said the ending was completely satisfactory. I look forward to a second season.
Avenue 5 (2020)
Hugh Laurie deserves better --
Every single character is unlikable. The premise is not bad, but because there's not a single character of any worth, the whole thing is pointless. A pilot or first episode needs at least one being for the audience to invest in emotionally, but there isn't one. Laurie comes the closest to such, but the rest are meh at best and just crap generally. This should be funny, but it's not. I can't imagine it getting a second season. It's a darned shame, because the concept had real potential.
Pine Gap (2018)
Fascinating, scary, and very current. Worth everyone's time and attention.
If this series doesn't trip your head, you're not paying attention. The main plot is more than plausible and it's executed artfully. It strays a bit into cliche occasionally, but not so much as to make me want to throw something at the screen. It depends on stereotypes more than I'd like which is frustrating because the story, characters, actors, and production are all really good. It feels dumbed down which is insulting to modern viewers who watch dramas from all over the world via streaming services. So why eight stars? Because of its currency, the actors, the thinking that comes after viewing. Well, for me anyway. I recommend it. It's imperfect, but important. I really want a second season. So much fodder out in this nutty world of ours, particularly in re the US and Australia.