dr_gonzo-08238 Reviews

His Dark Materials: The Fight to the Death (2019) Season 1, Episode 7

Armoured bears that take their armour off to fight. WTF?!!!!

[1/10 · 15 December 2019]

I wonder whether Jack Thorne even read the books before this sorry attempt at an adaptation. Did he go to the same school as Rian Johnson?

His Dark Materials (2019–2022)

Makes the Golden Compass look good

[1/10 · 3 December 2019]

The first thing readers of the books will notice is the P.C. "inclusive" casting. This is fine provided it does not change the nature or perception of the character or distract from the story. The head of Jordan college, Lord Boreal and John Faa are all played by black actors. This would be fine if the first two, particularly Boreal (over acted by Ariyon Bakare) weren't supposed to be part of the so called "white patriarchy". The casting choices alter first time viewers perceptions of the character and distract from the timeless nature of the story with 2019 identity politics. Another jarring casting choice is thalidomide actor Mat Fraser as gyptian, Raymond Van Gerrit. Gyptians live on boats. I couldn't help thinking that someone with short arms may not have survived to middle age, again distracting from the story and taking the viewer out of the moment. As a huge fan of the books there are many things about the BBC's version that irritate me. The writers spend way too much time on invented content and not nearly enough time on important issues and character development. It is as if they assumed that all viewers will have read the books and be able to fill in the gaps. Not nearly enough time is spent on Lyra's learning to use the Aleithiometer and she uses it in public, often, which would never happen in the books. The Old bear from Game of Thrones play's Farder Coram (badly) and one can't help but feel that he should have been cast as John Faa as he fits the description of the character in the books. Solid, brave, trustworthy, Lee Scoresby is introduced as a thief in his first scene and in his conversation with Iorek the bear comes off as whiney rather than regal. There are elements that are good. The introduction of Will's story line early on so as to overlap is interesting and promising and the relationship between Will and his Mother is well done. The only problem with this story line approach is that it introduces the idea of being able to cross into otherworlds (Boreal) too early in the story and takes away from what should be the climax of the first book, i.e. Lyra's crossing. Lyra is well acted by Dafne Keen and is far less irritating than Dakota Blue Richard's version. (she doesn't say "'ent" too literally for starters) but her character is badly written. Lucian Msamati does an excellent job as Lord Faa despite being an unusual casting choice, as does Ruth Wilson as Mrs Coulter although in my opinion the writers reveal her vunerable side way too early, depleting the strength of her character and making her less of an intimdiating threat.

There is still more to be done to get a true picture of where they are going with this but so far it feels like a very superficial renderring and I doubt they have the budget to pull it off if the Bear scenes so far are anything to go by. I imagine they are saving it all for the land of the dead and the war with heaven. It ticks boxes but doesn't offer any depth, feeling or meaning. It's not really as bad as 1 star but we have to do something to bring the average down and combat all these idiots who are giving it 10/10.

The X-Files (1993–2018)

The X-Files Old Verses New

[9/10 · 3 February 2018]

I grew up with the x-files before the proliferation of the internet and the massive expansion of conspiracy culture online. The original series (first 9) was great, in part because it had the feeling of a cult show. It referenced and acknowledged it's influences... The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, Twin Peaks etc and the direction style was in keeping with that. It gave tantalizing glimpses into the black budget world of the deep state and covered genuine conspiracies as well as flights of philosophical fancy. At times there were some comic moments/episodes but it was for the most part a subtle and dry humour. Conspiracies were presented with the necessary gravitas to draw the viewer in, creating dramatic tension and encouraging investment in the story line.

The new episodes however (seasons 10 and 11) are just bad. They make a mockery of everything that has come before. Story lines that have built incrementally over years are reduced to 30 seconds of pure voice over exposition, laying it all out without any imagination or commitment required by the viewer. Smoking man is in a full frontal position exposing the character to the point of doing away with all the mystery surrounding him, (That was the appeal) so much so that he can no longer be feared or even taken seriously. Mulder behaves in ways that the original Mulder never would, mocking out of the ordinary situations when it should be him that goes out on a limb and ends up being proven right. OK so he's older and more cynical but what is the point of Mulder or even making more episodes if Mulder has lost the need to find out the truth. It's the whole basis of his character. The pretty much continuous attempts at comedy are jarring and vanquish any air of mystery, intrigue or tension that the old show had. I accept that some subjects can and should be approached from a more lighthearted angle but these new episodes feel as if they are just trying to mock the conspiracy research culture it helped to awaken. Then there's the blatant propaganda. This is a Sci-Fi show not a platform for anti Trump propaganda. Chris Carter, please get David Nutter back to Direct and stop taking the piss out of your own creation. It is dear to many people. ;)