mster1978 Reviews

Franklin (2024– )

Can't get past the Michael Douglas casting

[15 April 2024]

I love Michael Douglas as an actor. He has had some great roles and really lights up the screen. But I can't buy him as Benjamin Franklin. His distinct voice in particular just made me think "oh that's Michael Douglas in a period piece". I was waiting for him to bust out with some slick monologue about Wall Street. As such, I couldn't get involved with the story about Franklin.

The costumes and set designs are fantastic and Franklin the man had an epic life, so if and when I get past the casting I hope to make it through the entire series. Apple TV has released some really high quality programming.

Argylle (2024)

I just want to have fun at the movies!

[9/10 · 13 April 2024]

This was a really fun movie. Love the actors, they were having a blast! The story was very original. Sure there were some super silly parts, but who cares! This movie doesn't take itself too seriously.

This is more of a Spies In Disguise-type movie than a Marvel movie (and yes, I know Spies In Disguise is an animated film). It's a great film for a first date or with the family.

I was very surprised by how much I connected with Bryce Dallas Howard in this movie, she did an excellent job. And we don't see enough Sam Rockwell! I didn't even know it was him in his first scene and fel in love even more once I knew who he was.

Don't overthink it and enjoy the ride!

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (2024– )

A change of pace and very fun!

[9/10 · 3 March 2024]

I'm so sad to see all the negative reviews! I didn't know this was a reboot, so I don't have experience with the original to compare it to.

The show is about a band of misfit criminals that seem more interested in fame than stealing anything.

I found the show funny, the lead character charming with great comedic timing, and the supporting characters fun. There's no gratuitous sex or violence, so it's a show I can have on without worrying about the kids seeing something they shouldn't (at least thru the first two episodes).

I read another reviewer say they didn't laugh once, but if you like British humor and dry wit, you will appreciate this.

I look forward to more episodes!

The Baby-Sitters Club (2020–2021)

The world is failing pre-teen girls / I hate Netflix

[10/10 · 26 March 2023]

I watched this for nostalgia reasons when it first came out and liked it. I had fun watching Alicia Silverstone too.

My daughter was too young when it came out but we just watched the first episode and she is SO EXCITED. It's the first show we can watch together that is not too childish and not too adult. She asked about the absent dad and we had a good discussion about parenting and families. This show is going to open the door to other talks I'm looking forward to but don't want to force.

Then I read this show was canceled after two seasons and I'm gutted. I'm realizing society and culture just don't care about girls, especially girls moving from kids to adolescents (and heaven forbid, getting their first periods).

I'm guessing preteen girls don't generate Marvel-level revenue or boy-centric "fandoms". So the MOSTLY MALE entertainment exes don't care. "Representation" on Netflix is BS lip service.

Spirited (2022)

Hated it the first time, then when I knew it was a musical....

[9/10 · 19 December 2022]

Poor marketing tanked this film. I was settling in for a Dickinson spin, but then a musical?? Not what I wanted and I basically hated it first round. Then watched it again with the kids and I warmed up. Now I absolutely love it. The cast is so great, the acting is incredible. It's a very high quality production, amazing script, something Christmas movies don't get (aside from the underrated Disney movie Noelle movie). A Christmas classic. This is a great movie, people, if you like musicals. And not everyone does. Thank you, Apple, just stop mis-advertising in the future.

Merry Christmas and happy new year.

Wednesday (2022– )

CW Show

[4/10 · 5 December 2022]

I would first like to say that every actor is a delight. It's so fun to see the adults, and the young adults are talented. But after a few episodes, I felt like I was watching a CW teen show. Nothing special about the filming or script.

Wednesday is a misfit in a school of misfits. Like, what? She's so much more entertaining around "normal" people, who end up looking like the real weirdos.

The dance sequence that has gotten so much media coverage is actually quite good. But watch it on YouTube.

Watch the first few episodes for the fun actors, then walk away like I did. This is a bore and is not worthy of the average IMDB rating.

Andor (2022– )

Best Star Wars Story

[10/10 · 19 November 2022]

I'm not a huge Stars Wars fan. It took me years to watch the last of the three trilogies, which were good but sent a disappointing message at the end: you can only be special and a hero if you have the right blood line.

This show is so different. You don't have to know much, if anything, about the original storyline. Cassian is a victim of circumstance and rises to the occasion over and over again.

The oppressiveness of a totalitarian regime and the formation of a resistance is fascinating and on-tone with modern times. No sorcery or magic necessary to get lost in this science fiction world.

Each episode is an excellent, satisfying story and stands on its own, serving the overall story arc.

This is closes to GOT-level storytelling, with much more hope and much less gore. Well done, Disney.

A Perfect Pairing (2022)

So much makeup

[8/10 · 2 June 2022]

I can't get past the fact that the main character wears Oscar-level makeup in every scene. Victoria Justice is surely very pretty. Does the director not think so or is she insecure and demanded this? It sends a message: "be daring, brave and risk-taking, girls, but no one will take you seriously or love you if you don't have on your full face 24/7."

Moon Knight (2022)

It's great, totally new Marvel hero

[9/10 · 17 April 2022]

Feels very different, different characters, much darker. To the critics of Oscar Isaac's accent: it's a TV show. It's believable and relevant to the storyline. Just sit back and enjoy a fun ride.

The Gilded Age (2022– )

Super fun but not Downton Abbey

[9/10 · 20 March 2022]

Why don't the actors have inflection in their delivery? Downton was better in this respect. Comedic lines landed so much better. It's so hard to see these people as three dimensional characters. But the scenery and historical references are impressive. 9/10 because you should watch this beautiful series. Deduct 1 Because I don't care about anyone other than Peggy, Oscar and Gladys.

And Just Like That... (2021– )

Updated review, downgraded rating based on season 2

[4/10 · 4 February 2022]

I recently rewatched the first movie. I recommend it over this series if you are nostalgic for SITC. It had heart. This show does a disservice to Miranda (lost, out-of-touch, puppy-dog-in-love, doesn't seem to care about her friends or family, and an alcoholic, really?) and Charlotte (flakey, bumbling, with a cringey, superficial Rock storyline). Carrie weirdly doesn't interact much with either of them.

There are now way too many characters and they steal too much time away from the core group. Seema works as a replacement for Samantha. LTW is interesting but should have her own show, which I would watch. The writers don't seem to know what to do with Nya. Anthony was great as a supporting character but does he really need his own subplot? And Che-rather than reduce her screen time, they dominate a lot of the plot in season 2. What were the writers thinking?

The show works when it follows the old format-such as Carrie having a one-episode relationship with George. But that happens so rarely it almost feels out of place.

Encanto (2021)

Like the Greatest Showman-movie is a mess but soundtrack is legendary

[10/10 · 3 February 2022]

The music is amazing. We can't stop listening. But the movie is confusing and way too much. What was the resolution-gifts are all that really mater? Or not? Be yourself? Magic will always comes back if you are worthy?

Foundation (2021– )

Lou Llobell is amazing

[10/10 · 23 October 2021]

The top billed actress does an amazing job narrating the story and then acting out the painful sequences of events in Gaal's life. Leah Harvey is also a great character that has kept me invested. And Lee Pace playing different versions of the same person-so well done! This is a fun, beautifully shot and produced show, regardless of whether it sticks to the source material.

Invasion (2021–2024)

Gripping television about humans

[10/10 · 23 October 2021]

I don't understand why the average rating is so low. I am so pulled in by this show. Acting is terrific. Far better than Dune, which also just came out. I could not care less about what happens to those characters.

I'm eager to see something terrible happen to the husband and that school boy. Not by aliens, but by humans. If you are as invested as I am, you know what I mean!

Animal Crackers (2017)

Thoroughly enjoyed this!!

[8/10 · 19 September 2021]

Why didn't this get more attention. Although the fact Harvey Weinstein voices Esmeralda is bad taste...

Black Widow (2021)

Her character deserved so much more

[7/10 · 12 July 2021]

This would have been a decent second instalment in a Black Widow trilogy. But I think this is all we get. Natasha had so much potential with her back story and character development, this movie was so shallow. So much material to work with in her training, deflecting to SHIELD, her mysterious connection with Clint and Budapest. As a fan, I'm a little heartbroken that I didn't get to see the history that Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Thor, even Bruce Banner got to experience on screen. Dear Marvel Studios, women can be complex, unattractive (gasp) characters too.