shayleonia Reviews

Homicide: New York (2024)

TV Mini Series, THIS is how it's done!

[10/10 · 23 March 2024]

Dick Wolfe did such an excellent job closing the loop and making this series uniquely cohesive. I hung on every word and every scene. Had this been 10 episodes long, I would've easily devoted my day to watching every episode.

If you love Law & Order shows by Dick Wolfe and want to bask in a variety of authentic, New York accents, this is the show for you.

Something that truly destroyed me was finding out how successful Ros was in poisoning her son against his own murdered father's family. It did not have the "happy ending" I hoped for and my heart breaks for Howard's family who will never get to have that piece of Howard back.

"Ace" was another one... I can't fathom the level of bravery it took for those girls to recount their stories but I am so grateful they did. What a true POS.

American Nightmare (2024)

Massive Injustice

[10/10 · 19 January 2024]

As a SA survivor myself, the fact that participating law enforcement was never disciplined makes me so disgusted, to the depths of my soul. Thank everything holy for Officer Misty Carausu and the tireless work she put in to setting the record straight. People hear stories like these and don't understand that it's one of countless reason SA survivors don't come forward about their rape. The number of PD who mishandle SA and DV cases is a deplorable epidemic in this country. To survive the trauma we experience and then to be blatantly treated like we're liars leads to so much additional suffering.

Good Grief (IV) (2023)

This isn't for escapism... it's a mirror.

[6/10 · 7 January 2024]

For those who cherish Daniel Levy from the humor and escapism Schitt's Creek provides, this is not that... adjust your lens and your expectations. This is a beautiful film that portrays real life in a myriad of ways and the actors do a fantastic job sharing that story. This felt very ready for the stage yet as a film it never gave me the release I tend to crave. No high highs, no drastic lows... just a restrained and even keeled world in which the characters still remain in tact. Not exactly what I hoped it might be, but still has its place and I'm happy it exists, especially to offer greater representation of many underrepresented communities.

Frasier (2023– )

It pains me to say this...

[4/10 · 21 December 2023]

I have been a massive "Frasier" fanatic my entire life. After seeing other favorite sitcom reboots that dodged "bombing", I thought maybe this would surprise me in the best way.

Now that I'm on episode 7 I can confidently say that even a guest appearance from Lilith can't breathe life into this revival.

If Cheers and Frasier set the bar on clever, intentional writing, this reboot has let it fall to almost a "Disney Kids" sitcom maturity level.

I cannot understand how the writers were selected along with the campy, indicative over-actors. It's as if no one cares, and no one involved in the show has standards of excellence.

I'm truly devastated that the legacy of one of my all-time favorite TV series has stooped so low. I didn't expect it to mimic the former show, but I did hope it would respect its viewers enough to give us something of substance.

At least I'm able to watch the original series as a palate cleanser.

No wonder the other actors didn't sign on. They must have seen the script.

PS: My rating of "4" is strictly based on my loyalty.

Great Photo, Lovely Life (2023)

Perfect Portrayal of Disassociation

[6/10 · 10 December 2023]

I'm floored, disturbed, angry, and in utter dismay after seeing this. The bravery needed to tell this story must have been insurmountable. Endless gratitude to Amanda for doing this work and to her sister, mother, and all her grandfather's victims for surviving it.

The unending forgiveness and gifts of contact & affection, even still calling him "Grampa" instead of just "Bill" left me disgusted. It was a reminder at how skewed religion can make us in regard to the forgiveness aspect.

But I have no theory on the contact and affection. Only resentment. I'm sure it must have been difficult and complicated, but it made me angry that he got to experience the joy and love of having his family in his life when he clearly didn't deserve to.

Everyone should see this film, especially if you live with "a secret you shouldn't have to keep".