Change Your Image
vuxdinh
Reviews
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The most bland movie I've ever seen
If I can pick a movie that is the most overrated in the last 100 years, 2001: A Space Odyssey is on top of my list without a doubt.
Before watching it, I heard it was highly praised even thought it was polarized. Upon finishing the movie. I tried to see what there were to praise or hate about it because it was bland and mundane to the point of forgettable. The movie was a series of scenes moving at glacial pace to an ending that is comically ridiculous. All of themes in the movie from technology, AI to aliens are not new even at that time. They were all mixed in a storyline that was so incomprehensible that you might think maybe it was too profound for you. Nope, it was simply too dim.
The amazing thing about the movie was that despite how boring it was, you actually might pay very close attention to it because you would think a famed director like Kubrick would never make a movie this dull and there gotta be something worth watching here. The answer is its production design and usage of classical music. Those are the only things I consider positive attributes to the movie which otherwise should go straight to DVD.
2001: A Space Odyssey is the prime example of a bad movie is always bad no matter how much the critics or some nobody out there trying to glorify it over some obtuse references about some glowing baby in space. I personally recommend watching this movie because after watching it, I appreciate other movies so much more.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Under the Cloak of War (2023)
The worst episode of SNW so far
For a sci-fi show about exploring the new frontier of the galaxy, this kind of cheap political drama story-line is pathetic and annoying in my opinion. As members of a crew, Nurse Chapel and Dr. M'Benga should either speak their minds and protest something that they deem unjust or accept the request and live with it. Instead, they played the passive-aggressive game which is simply ridiculous. They are grown-ups with careers and somehow it is plausible to act like some cowards without any integrity. It makes no sense.
As a person comes from a medical family, I feel disgusted to see a doctor who took an oath to protect lives murdering someone in cold-blooded fashion. Then everyone seems to just ignore it like it is not a big deal. How on earth that is acceptable? Anyone who applauds this episode must be living in some fantasy dystopia in order to accept this kind of nonsense.
Silo (2023)
Stupendous sci-fi TV series
Silo is probably the best sci-fi I have watched in recent years. I thought it was yet another dystopia TV show that may bore people to death when I noticed it on the news. However, it was a well-made show that has delivered some nail-biting TV time so far. Well-written, well-acted with excellent production design. I like how they peel each layer slowly to make us keep guess what is coming up next. I haven't read the books that it is based on so I will continue to watch to find out what the ending would be. I do find the pacing can be a bit too slow for my taste but I guess that's how they build up the suspension. Can't wait for the next episode. I wish Apple would release all at once so I can binge watch it.
Bros (2022)
Flawed movie with great moments that are worth watching
Overall, I like the movie despite its flaws. I enjoy the two strong lead performances by Bill and Luke. Bill was all out relentless as a neurotic man who likes to speak his mind unfiltered and Luke was charming and adorable as a man who was seeking direction in his life. They made a great couple I gotta say.
My main criticism for the movie is its uneven plot. The beginning was over the top with a lot of babbling and crass gay stereotype that I'm not sure if they tried to hit the mark of being obtuse or confusing. I was genuinely thinking "What I am watching?" for the first 10 minutes of the movie and I was wondering if it was intentionally being absurd for the comedic effects. I don't think it was a smart opening for a movie that carries good amount of wit and smart dialogue later on. Starting with a beach scene in P-town, the movie was significantly better. The beach scene was the best in my opinion. Sweet moment with a really smart monologue from Bill which I thought was poignant but touching. Then, there were a few other scenes later on that were quite awkward which was intentional such as the diner scene. It was funny because it was so awkward. However, the awkwardness kind of drowned the mood of the movie. Then, the foursome scene was unnecessary because I find it was tacky and hardly made a point of anything. The ending was good and effective. The movie is certainly full of ups and downs moments.
Ultimately, I think it is a good movie that is funny and witty with some great dialogues that may surprise you.
Spoiler Alert (2022)
Wow, what an unexpectedly moving movie
I gotta admit that I only watched the movie because it got a good review and I was totally under the impression that it was a comedy. At first, probably the first third of the movie was walking very close to the land of gay-cliché but somehow every moment when it got close to be like that, it didn't. Then, it turned into such a touching drama that I didn't see coming despite the opening scene. The crying scene at the doctor office was one of most heartbreaking scenes I have been in a while because it was so quiet and so real. It was very well-made and well-acted movie that gave a full spectrum of emotions from the beginning to the end. At the end, I was in the verge of crying but I didn't. Instead, I feel deeply moved and I thought it was even better than crying.
Ben Aldridge and Jim Parsons made one hell of an adorable and believable couple. Ben Aldridge in particularly was terrific in his role. He acted with such a confidence and sensibility that was so engaging. Jim Parsons was as reliable as ever as an actor. Also, Sally Field AKA the best mom in movies since Forrest Gump was sweet as a pie and brought such a warm tough to the movie that I enjoyed immensely. Well-done for whoever casted them for their roles.
I want to say I'm a bit sad that some people will watch at this movie and think "oh it is a tragic gay movie" and focus on the gay part. We can all recognize it is a movie about a gay couple and that is an important part of the story. However, ultimately, the movie is about love, loss and most importantly acceptance not just about their sexual orientations but also the unexpected moments in life. C'est la vie.
Boston Legal (2004)
Stranger Things of legal show
TLDR: Boston Legal is a must-watch show.
I only began to watch Boston Legal recently out of a whim and wow it was terrific from the very first episode. I never watch a show that is delightfully weird like this and I can't even describe why it is weird. Every episode has at least one insane moment that genuinely made me gasp or say WTF to myself. Every moment is so unique and so unexpected that it creates a wonderful sense of suspension of wanting to know what happens next. The best part about those moments were they somehow look plausible. It is certainly NOT the hysteria that you see from comedy NOR the absurdity from the drama show. It's like a puzzle that just triggers your curiosity.
The main cast was second to none. James Spader was magnificent as a brilliant and borderline sociopath lawyer that you genuinely want him to represent you in a trial. I love how cold and distant Alan Shore was but still possessed a great deal of emotional intelligence that you can't help it but admire. William Shatner was flat-out terrific as Denne Crane. Shatner and only Shatner can play Denny as a lovable and ingenius a**hole. Candice Bergen is a class on her own I think. So much wit, clarity and command in her voice. I also want to mention Mark Valley. I have seen him in other roles after Boston Legal before I actually saw this role and I gotta say he was a delight to watch. Charming and sharp but the thing stood out the most is his sense of principle he portrayed so well in the show.
One negative thing I would say about the show was its random changes in the main cast. Some actors/actresses left and their characters just vanished or the reasons behind their departures were dubious at best. For a legal show, that is just cheap and makes the show look dumb to be honest. Other than that, the show is a real gem in TV history.
Uncoupled (2022)
Over-the-top gay show but with some true to life moments
First of all, I really enjoyed the show. I admitted it that I watched the show because of NPH who I like him as an actor since HIMYM. I wasn't interested in the storyline given there isn't anything spectacular about it. Another romantic/breakup show.
Make no mistake that the show is kind of gay-extravagant that some people make find it too much at first. However, every episode always brings some quietly intriguing moments that make you think for a moment. Looking passed all of the noises and overblown gay niches, you can certainly enjoy some heartwarming moments that bring the hearts to the show. It reminds me of comedic shows in the past with all of absurd and laughable stories but always managed to have at least one moment of truth scene somewhere to carry the real message behind all of it. Frankly, most of comedic shows out there are always going for the extreme to create the laughs. Uncoupled is mild compared to those.
One thing I find very refreshing about this show is the amazing supporting roles. They created many hilarious moments that I laughed a lot. Especially, the actor who played Stanley was simply terrific. Well-done.
Wedding Season (2022)
Unexpectedly delightful movie
I gotta admit that I watched the movie on a limb as it was a recommendation passing by my streaming account. Perhaps, watching it without any expectation truly gave me a chance to watch the movie just it is and I enjoyed it greatly.
The movie is so sweet, entertaining and full of laughers but it touched several difficult topics that I don't think any movies out there were about to convey to the audience with such a light-hearted sense of humor. The relationship between parents and children, the pressure of finding success, the pressure of fitting into social norms, the struggle of being an immigrant family. All of those packing in a romantic comedy that doesn't appear like a SNL sketch or some depressing drama is quite an achievement. As an immigrant myself, I find the movie is so relatable without being pretentious or cheesy. Most surprisingly, the movie brings up the solutions for many of those issues by being understanding and being willing to communicate honestly. That was really refreshing.
Without giving too much away, I enjoyed the wedding scene at the end very much. Incredibly hilarious as I was laughing out loud so hard and the scene itself is infused with just a right amount of self-reflection and poignance as well. Really good ending.