This show is potato chips. Tastes ok, no substance or nutritional value. I call these shows my hair drying shows. Not good enough to watch with my husband or really pay attention. I watch while I dry my hair or put on makeup. I think the main character is very pretty and I enjoy her outfits. And of course everyone she meets is hyper attractive and equally groomed. So watch for some eye candy and silly scenarios. It definitely takes you into a different (not super believable) realm where you can just keep popping those potato chips and relax.
Reviews
13 Reviews
Marriage Story
(2019)
Good but what's the point
10 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I just finished the movie and my husband asked if I liked it. I said, it was well done but I don't know why anyone would want to watch it. He said ever? Or more than once? I said I guess more than once. But really it probably speaks to a lot of people. I'm divorced but it played out very differently for me. Maybe for me it was a "what could have been" if we had any money or children to contend with.
Mostly I found it depressing, a testament to how unfair custody battles are towards good, involved fathers. Maybe worse in CA, not sure. It's bad enough to live these moments, I don't know about it watching them as entertainment. It offers very little entertainment beyond the good performances. It's more like art, which I'm not that into film as just art.
Anyway, didn't hate it, I definitely feel sad after watching it.. and the 10 year old in me just wants to see the main characters reconcile and be happy together even though I know as an adult that's not what the movie is about.
Mostly I found it depressing, a testament to how unfair custody battles are towards good, involved fathers. Maybe worse in CA, not sure. It's bad enough to live these moments, I don't know about it watching them as entertainment. It offers very little entertainment beyond the good performances. It's more like art, which I'm not that into film as just art.
Anyway, didn't hate it, I definitely feel sad after watching it.. and the 10 year old in me just wants to see the main characters reconcile and be happy together even though I know as an adult that's not what the movie is about.
Outlander
(2014– )
Cheesy Cheesy Cheesy
30 September 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I'm about halfway through Season 2. Judging by the reviews I've read, this show has peaked by now. It's only going to get worse. I have not read the books.
I'm trying to think of the good here. The landscape, some of the characters... mostly the Mackenzie clansmen are amusing (somewhat stereotyped), some performances are decent. I think Tobias Menzies does a good job in his role (with what little he is given to work with) but what I have a beef with mostly is the writing around his character, and others.
He's the obvious villain of the show, he shows that to the be case within 30 seconds of his screen time.. the first of many times he tries to rape someone. He is the most enthusiastic rapist ever depicted on screen. He wants to rape everyone. His acquaintances, his foes, children, men, women.. no one in safe. In the words of Antoine Dobson, he's raping everybody up in here. That seems to be one and only motivation in his life. He is one-dimensional, almost boring because he had one directive handed to him with this role- be evil.
Claire is supposed to be smart, and almost every character who meets her for the first time comments on either her beauty or her brains or both. I'm going to go with the fact that she has some "modern" medicinal knowledge probably alone makes her a total genius compared to the times. And she was teleported back to a time where people took baths like one time in their lifespan, so she's probably the most hygienic human possible, at 30 years old she's had thousands of baths, where these people maybe washed in rivers and whatnot. So there you go, she's the most beautiful and intelligent woman on the planet.
The premise of the show is somewhat interesting. But the execution is a lot of cheesy heroics, "chivalrous" moments, corset ripping, long gratuitous sex scenes (and some are violent and mostly unwatchable). I know a LOT of people have issue -myself included - with the prison torture rape scene (scenes really with all those flashbacks). I told my husband, I ended up skipping forward when those scenes popped up because I started to feel like a REAL CREEP watching them.
I will watch it for entertainment until the entertainment value dips low enough to no longer make up for the epic fails made in the production of the show. It's a lot like a soap opera. Or maybe a romance novel, the cheap kind with lots of torn clothing.
I'm trying to think of the good here. The landscape, some of the characters... mostly the Mackenzie clansmen are amusing (somewhat stereotyped), some performances are decent. I think Tobias Menzies does a good job in his role (with what little he is given to work with) but what I have a beef with mostly is the writing around his character, and others.
He's the obvious villain of the show, he shows that to the be case within 30 seconds of his screen time.. the first of many times he tries to rape someone. He is the most enthusiastic rapist ever depicted on screen. He wants to rape everyone. His acquaintances, his foes, children, men, women.. no one in safe. In the words of Antoine Dobson, he's raping everybody up in here. That seems to be one and only motivation in his life. He is one-dimensional, almost boring because he had one directive handed to him with this role- be evil.
Claire is supposed to be smart, and almost every character who meets her for the first time comments on either her beauty or her brains or both. I'm going to go with the fact that she has some "modern" medicinal knowledge probably alone makes her a total genius compared to the times. And she was teleported back to a time where people took baths like one time in their lifespan, so she's probably the most hygienic human possible, at 30 years old she's had thousands of baths, where these people maybe washed in rivers and whatnot. So there you go, she's the most beautiful and intelligent woman on the planet.
The premise of the show is somewhat interesting. But the execution is a lot of cheesy heroics, "chivalrous" moments, corset ripping, long gratuitous sex scenes (and some are violent and mostly unwatchable). I know a LOT of people have issue -myself included - with the prison torture rape scene (scenes really with all those flashbacks). I told my husband, I ended up skipping forward when those scenes popped up because I started to feel like a REAL CREEP watching them.
I will watch it for entertainment until the entertainment value dips low enough to no longer make up for the epic fails made in the production of the show. It's a lot like a soap opera. Or maybe a romance novel, the cheap kind with lots of torn clothing.
What/If
(2019)
Can't tell if it's bad on purpose
18 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
From the beginning of this show you know it's going to be over the top. Renée Zellweger's cheesy sinister voiceover interspersed with aptly times claps of thunder. The dialogue is wooden and forced, using "thus" and "as such." No one, not even hyper intelligent (and I say that because they tell you 1000 times the characters are meant to be brainiacs.. okay..) people.
Have to mention the dialogue again. Someone trying to explain generic mapping who clearly doesn't know what it is, using business buzz words they probably heard from a different tv show. It's painful.
Renée did a decent job with the crap sandwich she was handed with her character. She has a sexy voice, sexy swagger, all the things a femme fatale needs, even one as one-dimensional as this.
If this show knows it sucks and did all of it tongue and cheek, pretty good job. Every plot line was ridiculous, unbelievable, and did I say ridiculous.
I am saying all this having watched the entire season. So jokes on me.
Have to mention the dialogue again. Someone trying to explain generic mapping who clearly doesn't know what it is, using business buzz words they probably heard from a different tv show. It's painful.
Renée did a decent job with the crap sandwich she was handed with her character. She has a sexy voice, sexy swagger, all the things a femme fatale needs, even one as one-dimensional as this.
If this show knows it sucks and did all of it tongue and cheek, pretty good job. Every plot line was ridiculous, unbelievable, and did I say ridiculous.
I am saying all this having watched the entire season. So jokes on me.
Isle of Dogs
(2018)
Another success by Wes Anderson
30 April 2019
Good through and through. I have to say, I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. But it has great style, the dialogue you'd expect from one of his movies, dogs (can't go wrong there), and beautiful animation.
It really hit the mark on story-telling, cute moments, comedy, and fun. Obviously the movie is quirky and silly yet serious at the same time.
Lots of big names doing the voices, and everyone did a great job. I would watch again, and probably will.
It really hit the mark on story-telling, cute moments, comedy, and fun. Obviously the movie is quirky and silly yet serious at the same time.
Lots of big names doing the voices, and everyone did a great job. I would watch again, and probably will.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
(2018–2020)
Very Entertaining
5 November 2018
I've been looking forward to watching this show and I'm not disappointed. I think the TV-14 rating is a little low, there's a lot of adult themes and pretty messed up stuff.. but as an adult that doesn't bother me.. younger me might have been a little traumatized.
I thoroughly enjoyed the acting, the visuals, the individual episode stories, and where they left it on the finale. So ready to see what's next for Sabrina!
I thoroughly enjoyed the acting, the visuals, the individual episode stories, and where they left it on the finale. So ready to see what's next for Sabrina!
I'm Sorry
(2017–2019)
Not terrible but falls a little flat
8 October 2018
I'm several episodes in, and after a few you realize what you're getting. Kinda funny moments, awkward humor, a little shock value, "kids say the darndest things" R-rated version.
The main character's delivery reminds me of a younger version of Jane Lynch a little bit, but falls a little short of her biting, on-point delivery.
A quite adore Tom Everett Scott, but his presence on the show is LITERALLY as a prop, someone to bounce the "quirky" banter of the main character. What a waste because he has plenty quirkiness of his own, definitely shouldn't be the square husband whose only basis for existence is to shake his head at his "oh so zany, inappropriate but lovable wife!"
I'm probably going to finish season 1 because I'm a masochist like that, but I didn't fall in love with this show as I hoped I would.
The main character's delivery reminds me of a younger version of Jane Lynch a little bit, but falls a little short of her biting, on-point delivery.
A quite adore Tom Everett Scott, but his presence on the show is LITERALLY as a prop, someone to bounce the "quirky" banter of the main character. What a waste because he has plenty quirkiness of his own, definitely shouldn't be the square husband whose only basis for existence is to shake his head at his "oh so zany, inappropriate but lovable wife!"
I'm probably going to finish season 1 because I'm a masochist like that, but I didn't fall in love with this show as I hoped I would.
Mad Men
(2007–2015)
My favorite series
27 August 2018
This is my favorite series of all time. I've watched it several times. The character development is gold, great scenery, costumes, I enjoy the office dynamic. It's funny, entertaining, complex, and gripping.
A lot of reviews are down on it because they're comparing it to the sopranos.. why? It's not the same show. I don't think one series sucks because it's not the same as a different one even though they share some of the same production staff. I've never seen the sopranos and when I watch it I have no intention of basing my opinion on much or little it's like mad men. Seems pointless to me.
Anyway like all things in life, this is my opinion and not everyone will like the same things, but I would say give mad men the first season and if you hate it, you will probably hate the rest. Nothing is universally liked but this is for me the best that TV offers.
A lot of reviews are down on it because they're comparing it to the sopranos.. why? It's not the same show. I don't think one series sucks because it's not the same as a different one even though they share some of the same production staff. I've never seen the sopranos and when I watch it I have no intention of basing my opinion on much or little it's like mad men. Seems pointless to me.
Anyway like all things in life, this is my opinion and not everyone will like the same things, but I would say give mad men the first season and if you hate it, you will probably hate the rest. Nothing is universally liked but this is for me the best that TV offers.
Spanglish
(2004)
Premise good, bad movie overall
25 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Good premise with some cute moments but overall a bit awkward and definitely forced.
A sweet but weak man is married to a controlling and complete psychotic woman who is verbally abusive to their daughter and dismissive of their son (although to be fair you hardly notice the kid is there, bad writing). A supposedly impoverished yet well-dressed and impeccably groomed gorgeous and kind housekeeper who doesn't speak English is hired by this weird sad family and when the mom offers her job she kisses her on the mouth. Wtf I'm telling you that mom is weird. I know you need a job but you're already #metoo'd in the interview maybe don't work there?
A bunch of nonsense happens, they get a beach house, the mom of the family tries to basically adopt the housekeeper's daughter against her moms will and gets her put into the same private school as her kids. None of that made sense, they suggest it's because the housekeepers daughter is pretty and that lady's daughter isn't. I'm telling you this freak is a total monster.
Oh also the housekeeper learns English while she keeps house.
The dad and the housekeeper have like two choppy conversations about their children. And then we are supposed to accept she's fallen in love with him. Okay.
Then we find out psycho mom has been cheating. Finally! Leave that bag of crazy and don't look back. No. He just has a painfully awkward date with housekeeper at his restaurant. Yes this deflated balloon of a man has somehow found the wherewithal to start and maintain a successful business. Sure.
Then he goes home, we are led to believe he's upset yet but willing to work on his terrible depressing awful marriage.
Oh and then former housekeeper (she quits) pulls her kid out of a full scholarship at private school and yet that kid still gets in to Princeton. Okay sure.
It's not a great movie. Adam Sandler has made some decent non-typical drama roles and great. I chalk this up to bad writing and directing.
A sweet but weak man is married to a controlling and complete psychotic woman who is verbally abusive to their daughter and dismissive of their son (although to be fair you hardly notice the kid is there, bad writing). A supposedly impoverished yet well-dressed and impeccably groomed gorgeous and kind housekeeper who doesn't speak English is hired by this weird sad family and when the mom offers her job she kisses her on the mouth. Wtf I'm telling you that mom is weird. I know you need a job but you're already #metoo'd in the interview maybe don't work there?
A bunch of nonsense happens, they get a beach house, the mom of the family tries to basically adopt the housekeeper's daughter against her moms will and gets her put into the same private school as her kids. None of that made sense, they suggest it's because the housekeepers daughter is pretty and that lady's daughter isn't. I'm telling you this freak is a total monster.
Oh also the housekeeper learns English while she keeps house.
The dad and the housekeeper have like two choppy conversations about their children. And then we are supposed to accept she's fallen in love with him. Okay.
Then we find out psycho mom has been cheating. Finally! Leave that bag of crazy and don't look back. No. He just has a painfully awkward date with housekeeper at his restaurant. Yes this deflated balloon of a man has somehow found the wherewithal to start and maintain a successful business. Sure.
Then he goes home, we are led to believe he's upset yet but willing to work on his terrible depressing awful marriage.
Oh and then former housekeeper (she quits) pulls her kid out of a full scholarship at private school and yet that kid still gets in to Princeton. Okay sure.
It's not a great movie. Adam Sandler has made some decent non-typical drama roles and great. I chalk this up to bad writing and directing.
Santa Clarita Diet
(2017–2019)
One of the shows that surprises you
28 March 2018
I admit when I started watching this it would be garbage TV. But it is actually really great. I haven't laughed out loud this much watching a show in a long time. The writing is really clever and some moments that happen are actually hilarious. I love the husbands character a lot, and everyone does a good job with what their role is. Nathan Fillian is a nice little bonus too. I recommend this show to people all the time.
The Hateful Eight
(2015)
Very entertaining, but I think misunderstood
23 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Guys.. those of you who are specifically offended by the scene w/ the cowboy and the major's "Johnson" in the snow... are you sure you watched the whole movie? Everything about the Major's persona was 100% made up. He literally did not have a letter from Lincoln (hello, last line of the movie?). The old racist man was traveling to try to honor the memory of his dead son and find closure, so of course the number one way to bait him into pulling his firearm was to make up some horrible, twisted story about his death. C'mon people!
This movie had a ton of great one-liners, it really read as a play to me. I had this feeling I was watching some alternate reality version of Clue with the whole "who done it" angle, which by the way, the plot twist got me.
I thought it was in line with most Tarantino films - ya know, a ton of awful, sometimes evil people who are clever enough to be likable or at least hold your attention for almost THREE HOURS. It flew by to me.
Not my favorite of his catalog, but definitely an entertaining watch, happily recommend this movie to any QT fan.
This movie had a ton of great one-liners, it really read as a play to me. I had this feeling I was watching some alternate reality version of Clue with the whole "who done it" angle, which by the way, the plot twist got me.
I thought it was in line with most Tarantino films - ya know, a ton of awful, sometimes evil people who are clever enough to be likable or at least hold your attention for almost THREE HOURS. It flew by to me.
Not my favorite of his catalog, but definitely an entertaining watch, happily recommend this movie to any QT fan.
Cute Concept, but Nope
9 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I give this movie two stars because as many have already pointed out, the scenery is exquisite and makes me want to visit Hong Kong. Although it sounds dangerous. I would run the risk of running into these two and dying of boredom.
The two main characters' banter is extremely awkward and wooden. It makes you realize it's probably pretty hard to write good dialogue so I have a better appreciation for filmmakers who do. These two sound like they are actually Barbie dolls and children are speaking through them. For example:
Boy: what are you doing here? Girl: I actually live here now. Boy: what? You moved here? To Hong Kong?
I guess in case the audience fell asleep and forgot where the movie was set in.
There are some problems that I had with the movie. Mainly how painful listening to the characters talking to each other which is the main focal point of the movie.
I feel like I maybe could see what they were trying to go for and the premise is promising.. but you really need great writing to hold the interest of the audience. Too bad this fell very short. It's not saying much when the saving grace of a film is looking at the natural beauty of the setting its in - nothing the filmmaker can take much credit for, other than having access to a nice camera.
The two main characters' banter is extremely awkward and wooden. It makes you realize it's probably pretty hard to write good dialogue so I have a better appreciation for filmmakers who do. These two sound like they are actually Barbie dolls and children are speaking through them. For example:
Boy: what are you doing here? Girl: I actually live here now. Boy: what? You moved here? To Hong Kong?
I guess in case the audience fell asleep and forgot where the movie was set in.
There are some problems that I had with the movie. Mainly how painful listening to the characters talking to each other which is the main focal point of the movie.
I feel like I maybe could see what they were trying to go for and the premise is promising.. but you really need great writing to hold the interest of the audience. Too bad this fell very short. It's not saying much when the saving grace of a film is looking at the natural beauty of the setting its in - nothing the filmmaker can take much credit for, other than having access to a nice camera.
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