Change Your Image
arctusxz
Reviews
Jules (2023)
Sweet and Cheesy Sci-fi- A New Genre!
Milton and his life as senior in small PA town begins with small town council meeting that we have seen many seniors showing up. But, this shows the indelicacies of being a old person in a capitalistic society in a town. It really takes a turn with the arrival of Jules, An outsider to the town. The friendship that begins between these two grows and includes more people later. The movie is a simple and cheesy take on an age-old sci-fi trope with the vantage point from an old and experienced group of people. The person playing Jules did an excellent with their performance. Or was it Gary? Jules? It takes on heavy themes of morality, independence and relationships in a new lens. Remember, you need seven cats for this to work!
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Subspace Rhapsody (2023)
Surprised, hated and then loved.
The actors are also good singers? What?
I hate musicals for the most part but this is an exception. I was surprised by the 'gimmick' but then hated that it was a novelty but turned around when the singing got good. Even though some of it is nonsense but it was turned good overall which is a feat by itself.
It was a well done gimmick that feels genuinely heartfelt and the actors seem to be having fun. It shows in their performance that they had a blast during this episode. They have an infectious form of joy and it made me smile/laugh. It makes thing better and such a fun to listen to and watch. Klingon boybands was so dumb and fun :D.
The Last of Us (2023)
Pleasantly surprised by the excellent story telling from a video game based TV show
The first two episodes were excellent in setting up the world of The Last of Us. I was skeptical about seeing Pascal in another taking care of a youngling role similar to The Mandalorian. But this is a different flavour. More grounded and realistic in its portrayal of an apocalyptic wasteland and human misery with brief moments of human decency showing its light. The use of prologues in this show is just masterful. That is one of the reasons I started watching this show. It ramps up the show and leads you smoothly into the world. I have to say there are slow moments at times in the show but there are payoffs waiting for it in the end.
Great acting performances from Pascal and Ramsey as a duo.
Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett(White Lotus) were spectacular in their roles in my favourite episode of the show(S01E03).
This show is so good. I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing story telling based of a video game. Since, The recent video game-based projects have lost their marbles or so bland/boring that you cannot watch more than one episode.
Run the Burbs (2022)
Its starts slow but gets much better
Run the Burbs is an interesting take on the hyphenated Canadian experience. It is unique in a way this focusses not just on the fact the co-leads are both culturally different but the tiny quirks that each of them have and has a lot of nuance. It is a sitcom. They are not stereotypes of specific ethnicities which was such a relief to see. They are an amalgamation of their cultures which is a beautiful thing in itself. I am glad that they show an intercultural family as happy and not as full of strife and only buffoonery for the sake of the audience.
I annoyed to see some of the reviews here. I felt like they didn't quite understand the show but realised it their own experience and it is valid. I am just happy to see people just having fun and a good time instead fighting against racism or colorism or some heavy topic. There is a time and a place for those things. I hope they provide a comedic and nuanced take on these things a bit later. The writing can be dull in the first few episodes and it is funny to see some white characters as one-note caricatures but brings the writing a bit down at times.
It is entertaining!
Three Pines (2022)
Remind me of Nordic thrillers and that is a good thing.
It is a slow burn but it keeps your attention. Alfred Molina as Gamache is the arguably the most well-known actor to general audience .I have seen Tantoo Cardinal in many shows but never really knew who she was. What a legend! She has an understated and intense performance as usual. For me, the draw was Molina in one of the lead roles. It is nice to see Estrie region(Eastern townships) in Quebec represented well. It has a mix of both English and Quebecoise/French. I like looking forward the character development of Agent Nichol. I feels she has a good arc waiting for her. I like that the show is not afraid to acknowledge about the horrors of Canada/Quebec past in the form of boarding schools for indigenous children which led to the loss of cultural identity and personhood.