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Reviews
After Midnight (2024)
Boring. Rarely funny. Unoriginal, outdated concept. Disappointing and embarrassing effort
What to say first? Boring. Rarely funny. Unoriginal, outdated concept. Disappointing and embarrassing effort. Desperate programing. Poor replacement for either Trevor Noah or the Colbert Report who preceded this lame production. Why did it take so long to produce this garbage? Two teenagers in their parents' garage could have done better, or at least no worse. Or perhaps that's what actually transpired? Comedians appearing on this show are committing professional suicide. The only reason for CBS to keep this show is that it must be incredibly cheap to produce. Please, please, CBS, cancel this sophomoric insult and replace it with something that doesn't hurt my brain... and as soon as possible!!! As a thinking human being, I will expect an apology and some remedial psychological counseling for ever being subjected to this show.
House of the Dragon: The Rogue Prince (2022)
Even more boring that the pilot episode.
I was really hoping for more in this episode after viewing the first one. I couldn't have been more disappointed. The dialogue was a bit better in parts, but there is too much of it. Is this series supposed to be a legendary soap opera???
I feel like there is far too little story to be told since the plot is being stretched every so thinly and progressing so slowly. Any good editor could reduce this hourly episode into 15 minutes without losing anything in the process. Viewing this is like watching paint dry or grass growing. The torture of this show is that which is being foisted upon the audience.
Yes, I loved the original Game of Thrones, both the books and the HBO series. I hated the ending as most did. The high ratings being given to this show are from sycophant fans who have no objectivity. Get real folks. Had this been the first series shown on HBO it would have failed miserably.
House of the Dragon: The Heirs of the Dragon (2022)
Bored and Expecting Much More
First episode was mainly boring. Characters gave me little reason to care about them. Action scenes were few, bland, and predictable. The dialogue was okay, but not great. The actors seem to be very capable in their roles. The scenery was quite limited to the Red Keep and small parts of King's Landing, virtually ignoring the rest of Westeros. The dragons were interesting, but their presence really severed little purpose more than that of a common household match. ...yawn...
The original series gave us Stark children to follow and care about. What characters in this story were worthy of our interest? None that I could find. Perhaps later episodes will prove to have better content and characters to care about.
Good Sam (2022)
Unbelievable, Ridiculous, and Unwatchable!
I have attempted to watch this show several times, beginning with the pilot. I can't stress how really unwatchable this show is, and I have wanted to watch it! Where to start?
1) The basic premise is a fantasy and unbelievable. Surely the main protagonists presented to us would be the absolute worse choices for running any aspect of a hospital. They spend most of their time talking rather than doing any job. All hospital staffers must laugh themselves silly when looking at the plots for even five minutes. Even Scrubs was more realistic... OMG!
2) Casting for this show is atrocious, starting with Sophia Bush. I love to watch Sophia Bush because she is pretty and makes me happy. And yet I cringe when she gives orders or directions in that tiny, mousey voice, which I can barely hear sometimes. Hospitals are much louder than you might think, especially in certain areas. No one with that whisper voice would ever be effective in that environment and probably not taken seriously as a doctor. I've never known a doctor with a voice like that, have you?
3) The other actors on the show range from hack actors to unlikeable and unrealistic staff. Jacob Isaacs comes off as a bad doctor and a worse father. You can't compare the acting here with any really good hospital drama.
4) Is this a drama? It's more like a comedy and should have written that way. I'm laughing at it now, and I'm not supposed to be doing that. Try imagining a lame CBS laugh track while watching it and you'll see what I mean. The characters, the writing, and the acting all borders on comedy. Why not give in and go full-on laugh fest. At least I might be able to watch it then.
In the grand scheme of scheduling it's probably going to be renewed because it appeals to a non-discriminating audience who either love soap operas or otherwise have limited choices on Wednesday night. That said, I really, really hope this show doesn't survive even one more season. But it probably will if only because several other CBS shows are worse.
Ghasideyeh gave sefid (2020)
A Tragedy Formed by Religious and Political Realities
The movie synopsis reveals that the husband of a woman and father has been tragically executed in error. I would have like to have known a little more about his trial an execution because those were cornerstones of the premise. However, they were not the focus of the film. Viewers are told more about those circumstances throughout the film and they might have revealed secrets that were important to storytelling. The widow suffers in many ways far beyond the initial tragedy because of the regressive actions of her in-laws and the misogynistic attitudes and laws of her society. Moreover, the widow was not the only person who suffers great loss in response to the wrongful execution, as the effects of the tragedy spread to many others in unexpected ways. The film constantly challenges the viewer not only to acknowledge criminal justice and social systems, especially in Iran, but assess their own views of justice, consequences, and revenge.
This is a movie with a sad premise which gives us only brief episodes of happiness throughout and none at the end. I highly recommend watching this movie, but the viewer should be prepared to find little joy from the conclusion. I only hope that this film and others like it will shine some light on dark issues of women's and human rights in Iran and all around the world where supposedly good men impose their laws, values, and religious tenets unjustly upon others. Watch it and learn more about others and yourself.
Annie Live! (2021)
A Combination of the Great and Mediocre
The showstopper number, "Hard Luck Life", performed amazingly by large cast of talented children, was the highlight of the evening. Several of the "orphans" were much better singers than star Celina Smith, whose performance was otherwise more than capable. (Screaming the high notes is annoying and unacceptable.) The choreography was extremely entertaining during the large production numbers of the cast and chorus. The live audience helped to create a theatrical atmosphere.
On the other hand, most main actors were mediocre stage actors, obviously cast for television, and would have bombed in any broadway production. The production itself was flawed with several camera angles and poor direction, even for a life performance. The worst aspect was the frequent, annoying, repetitive, and unnecessary commercial interruptions which destroyed the continuity of individual Acts. NBC, who clearly sacrificed the theatrical quality for the mighty dollar, should consider airing those inane commercials only during breaks between Acts.
I recommend this for anyone who needs to kill a little time and especially so for those who can fast forward during commercial breaks. Most children will probably find it highly entertaining.
Ted Lasso: All Apologies (2020)
Episode Over Way Too Soon!!!
Every episode in this season so far seems shorter than the last. I savored every second of "All Apologies" and couldn't believe that the full 30 minutes had passed at the end. The script and the acting in this episode was brilliant. While each final outcome may have been predictable, the pathway to get there was anything but that. Along the way I not only laughed at the lines, but was also drawn into the complex emotions that were essential to story and the growth of the main characters in the series. I almost want to avoid the season finale because I don't know how it could possibly equal this quality of content and delivery.
FBI: Little Egypt (2019)
Weak start for second season
Very blah and predictable first episode for a second season. The dialog was often stilted and cliched. Plus, Alana de la Garza is no Sela Ward. The writers resorted to heavy-handed dialog in an attempt to help her appear tough and in command of her unit. It didn't work. This episode should have been able to build suspense and excitement, but that didn't happen. I really hope this is not the best the writers can do. Quite disappointing on many levels.