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Reviews
Prison Break: Bad Blood (2007)
Robert Knepper and Rockmond Dunbar made this episode
I really liked this episode. Scenes with Michael, Linc and Sara where great for plot movement but there was something about Robert Knepper and Rockmond Dunbar's acting that made the episode have a lot of heart. I could feel the pain and frustration from both characters, desperation and a slight moment of fear in their respected scenes. It's not just about Michael and Linc's journey, despite us knowing that i think this really summed up the cause and effect with leave with our children. To do the right thing, or to wish you could be the right thing. It was an emotional watch, some say it could be cliche but this episode was well done.
The Boys: Season Four Finale (2024)
A Good Setup For Season Five
Literally the best Episode of the Season, in fact the best in the Show. Decent closure, paced better than most and exciting. Though a few questions still linger in my mind, but to stop the confusion i trust they will be explained in Season Five itself.
I'm not going to "ALL CAPS" fake review this without thinking of certain clarities. It was nowhere near the level of television we have witnessed from famous shows that have left our jaw dropped for minutes after, but what this episode did was make it meaningful and thus the story was back on point from what we can say was such a mediocre Season. Season Four's finale does well, i also see that Eric Kripke threw in some Supernatural cameo lines in as well. That was a nice touch. I am excited for Season Five.
Yes i still rated it a 10, but i see it as more of a 9.5.
The Boys: The Insider (2024)
Clarity, Tying Loose Ends, Development, Plot Movement
Miles better than last weeks episode, tying loose ends and progression. This weeks was intriguing and actually fun to watch and thus a great buildup to the final episode "Assassination Run". A catharsis, characters are starting to know where they belong and what they want, moments without confusion overshadowed by cringe. I sense we are creeping towards actual decent closure to what was an unfortunate mediocre season.
This episode had depth and twists, action and gore. It had everything you'd want from The Boys, and i am actually excited for the next installment. "Low budget fight scenes" another reviewer was talking about, i sort of agree they could have been better but from what we've seen this Season this was actually not that bad. A well needed episode.
New players in town, the skin changer sup had a lot of Supernatural vibes.
House of the Dragon: The Red Dragon and the Gold (2024)
Correctly Anticipated, A Dance We've All Been Waiting For
Going by the trailers, previews, images and story, this episode was destined to do great. Clearly the best of Season two so far. War has begun and dragons have danced, some have lost and others have triumphed. Daring tales for Aemond and his goal for power, Princess Rhaenys and her need for retribution and King Aegon with his lust for glory.
The episode's slower build up to the last 20 minutes still had me intrigued, core story and dialog did not let go. Characters wondering of their place in the world, Daemon's delusions only growing stronger, his mind being easily manipulated feels both imprisoned and claustrophobic. "The Song of Ice and Fire" shining more into light and the chaos Aegon the Conquerer's dream becoming more realised. This is the pinnacle turn for what i'm hoping is to be an excellent future for the series.
The Boys: Dirty Business (2024)
A very difficult episode to watch
I get that The Boys has always had weird sexual scenes going as far back as Season 1 but holy moly i have never felt so cringed out and the annoying thing is it took up a lot of the episode's runtime. Where was it leading, what was it supposed to mean? I'm really finding it hard to grasp anymore interest for this show but because it has likeable characters i've still a little bit of trust. I really hope it turns around and gives us a decent ending.
The 4th episode "Wisdom of the Ages" made me excited and felt like the Season was actually leading somewhere. All we've had around that episode is bloated filler sub plots with paper thin development. After the last scene in this episode 6 "Dirty Business" i can say i am interested in what will happen next for Butcher. Although it seems like the writers are slowly throwing this show into the pit.
Those who write reviews extremely early giving the episode a 10/10 just don't seem believable, have they even watched it? Do they even consider any clarity, do they think this episode is really that good? I know we are all entitled to an opinion but this was one of the weakest episodes of The Boys i've ever watched. The story barely moves forward.
House of the Dragon: The Burning Mill (2024)
Scattered Pieces
Not what i would call a strong episode but it does relay certain plot points needed for it's up coming episode/s. Characters are now moving about the board and the battle is around the corner. Despite the weaker progress, it does also become slightly tiresome that scenes with such goof would eat at the episodes runtime. As i said in my review for the last episode, strong dialog is important, it has to make sense in every scene because it connects us with the story. Dialog aided the development but only by little, i found myself watching certain scenes confused as to it's connectivity. I was seeing more to what HBO could get away with and giving Aegon a scene to indulge his egotistical prowess with bad humour. What i'm trying to say is even though this episode had progress, it was also badly paced. The last scene with one or two others were interesting but this episode was the weakest so far of Season 2.
Let's just hope next weeks is the payoff we've been waiting for.
The Boys: Beware the Jabberwock, My Son (2024)
Some emotional scenes but a badly paced episode
Not that i disliked this weeks episode but it did have quite a lot of running time consisting of the slightly boring advertising stage work along with sub plot shenanigans inside Vought that we could roll our eyes at. Not to say that those parts of story shouldn't happen, but i just think it happened too much in this episode. In result it completely broke up the main story into badly paced slices that to it became a slight chore. Given the hospital scenes were emotional and acted well, that and also the progress with Butcher and the gang were the only thing that kept me interested in the story moving forward at all. But again, it also seemed that to keep it interesting, certain theatrics were placed to keep us entertained. Horrifying yes, but it seemed a little off, the whole Hughie's dad segments was my overall favourite. The Homelander scenes with his son on the other hand are getting tiresome, it needs to develop into something more by now.
It doesn't really bother me that people rated it 10/10. What bothers me are the bots that either don't make sense or people calling it the best episode ever. It really isn't, but that's not to say it's the worst either.
A mediocre episode but small promise the season isn't truly gone. Given that also episode 4 was a great one. This one was a little confusing as to what track it was trying to stay on.
House of the Dragon: Rhaenyra the Cruel (2024)
The importance of dialog
I'm guessing some people were expecting battle after battle but if we look back at Game of Thrones in it's prime days, we needed episodes like this because it sets up for the bigger action. In fact this episode wasn't even that bad, it had conflict and action but more importantly it had strong dialog. The effect the last episode had, it had characters in question and confusion, in others it had anger and vengeance. Cutting straight to a war scene would feel bloated. The importance of dialog is what makes shows like this seem more real, for us as an audience to digest the story in preparation for the bigger payoffs.
The Boys: Wisdom of the Ages (2024)
A cold episode
I think just about every party of characters in their own scene go insane at some point in this, this episode has cracked the breaking point for the show. Homelander's intimidation has the room quiet and Starlight goes insane. Without spoiling too much i think The Boys has reached the horror it was always destined for. Not to say certain episodes haven't been graphic but others can agree something has changed now, and there's no going back. Something seems chilling. I read a review further down and they said that this could literally be the best episode of The Boys to date, i think it's because of how cold it feels. Above entertainment, i actually felt anxiety.
The Boys: We'll Keep the Red Flag Flying Here (2024)
Best of the three but still growing slow
The first two episodes were a little random, branching off towards sub plots instead of staying on point. Entertainment over substance, yes the CGI is getting better but we needed more plot and development. Not that i disliked those episodes but they weren't the best, it was like they wanted us to care for characters without much context. Theatrics and cameos became the distraction this time.
This third episode was a little more back on track with the main story. Scenes were more centralised and tension seemed more real. I cared again for characters and conversations had meaning. Though it wasn't the best, the show still needs work but this episode gave me high hopes again. It was a good episode.
Lucifer: It Never Ends Well for the Chicken (2020)
Quirky in it's own way but shallow
I watched this when it came out then after a while i decided to watch the series again. This episode was already on my mind as soon as season 4 was close to ending. Such a solid season by Netflix to then downward spiral into an abyss of such fillers. I get the specialty and unique atmosphere that filled the writers room with an idea for such an episode, though it just ended up dragging for the most part. The acting is bad but it's supposed to be i suppose, this is a story told by Lucifer himself. I just found it somewhat cringe and not for my taste. Don't get me wrong, it's cinematography and costume design is great. The story and execution on the other hand isn't. A spinoff/parody that just makes a fool of itself.
It certainly goes down as one of my least favourite episodes in this entire show.
Gears of War 4 (2016)
Fun gameplay but lousy characters
I know it can be difficult bringing new characters into an already critically acclaimed franchise but these "young'uns" just don't seem believable. JD, Del and Kait talk as if they don't have a soul half of the time, just riffing off each other and snapping corny jokes. This worked in the original three games because we already knew their personalities and when things got serious, it got serious. Now JD's dad (Marcus) is captured and could possibly die but "Let's play rock paper, scissors for who goes into that cave". I get JD had problems with his dad but the game displays him like a sociopath with no feelings. Then when he does get upset, it just isn't believable. Maybe it's the voice actors, i'm not sure. It could also be the animations and just overall tone, i mean blood and guts but the game looks PG-13 compared to the first trilogy. Where's the horror?
The story is mediocre but fun enough to get by and stay interested, that is if it didn't look like a bunch of glorified spoiled rich kids running around aimlessly with a free pass at all the bells and whistles their parents fought for.
I don't hate the game, it's fun, colourful and cinematic. I just don't feel the tone and the characters just aren't believable enough for me which makes the story average at best. That can be said with a lot of controlled in-game interfaces that basically guide you through nearly every challenge. Which a lot of games do now because of the lack of attention spans.
Gameplay- 9/10
Graphics- 9/10
Story- 7/10
Characters- 5/10.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)
People expected too much
I like this show, no it isn't exact to the animated series but that isn't essentially a bad thing. It follows as close as possible with having a stellar look-a-like casting choice and you can tell the heart is there. Media change is probably the reason for the rushed development, they had to squeeze in the budget and time frame. Whereas on an animation you can draw what and who you like.
I like to see this as more of a "This is what it would look like to turn the animated series into live action" and that's what we got. The world of Avatar: The Last Airbender in stunning CGI and real people. You have to give it to the actors for really trying to resemble their animated versions, even if their dialog is a little wooden. The 'Cabbage Guy' in episode 3 was more of a cameo gag but i understand why it was in there. The writers really tried to map the cartoon but it unfortunately comes with it's problems. Same goes for most of the dialog from certain characters.
My point is, don't let yourself get annoyed at the fact it isn't copied (as someone said in another review) "frame by frame", because it would just be daft to. Media change changes all aspects, it's not easy going from cartoon to live action, different rules apply. Different availabilities. Just sit back and enjoy some cool effects with still a good story. Remember this is an adaption, and it's good. Much better than the movie from 2010.
Zeruda no densetsu: Tiâzu obu za kingudamu (2023)
Exceptionally Brilliant!
Me and my partner played Breath of the Wild 100% completion for the second time to warm up for this game. Straight away the differences in landscape like a shadow over the previous world already sparks the elevation of curiosity with almost endless areas and things to discover.
First of all i just want to say the story is breathtaking.
With loads more added bells and whistles to clothing, treasure and enemies and that's just the small stuff. I read a comment with someone stating they enjoy how this game (Tears) has way more hidy holes to explore than its predecessor (Breath) and they aren't wrong. Tears of the Kingdom with it's countless caves and goodies also has three different map levels; Sky, Land and Depths.
Talking about the Depths, it has been an age long comeback for me to have a Zelda game gain it's horror atmosphere back. Ocarina of Time and Majoras Mask were my childhood and i found them eerie and unsettling in certain aspects to areas and types of enemy but this made it more intriguing . Breath of the Wild had this, of course it had this..... but i have to say Tears of the Kingdom up notches it by 10. The game is insane and is everything you want in a Zelda game. 10/10
And that's after me playing for just a week, my journey has only just begun.
Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (2023)
Mystery is definitely back
A much better episode compared to The Star Beast. Wild Blue Yonder certainly had the elements of a mysterious Doctor Who episode again along with thrill and a good amount of comedy (although i wouldn't recommend a goofy comedy scene right before a serious one). Apart from that i actually liked this one.
It did however have it's fair share of bad pacing, it was a clash between a suspenseful scene and one that just dragged. Towards the second half it all started to fit together though and thus the tone was back. I think one of the main things i liked about this was how weird it was, that's what Doctor Who is supposed to be...a thrilling mysterious ride. Besides the certain scenes in this that were extremely goofy with lower budget effects, that was a little too weird. Nevertheless, better than last weeks.
I'm also going to just ignore the opening scene with Isaac Newton because compared to the rest of the episode i just couldn't find it's relevance to the story. It was too random and daft.
Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Chapters: Special 2 (2023)
Mixed Feelings But Don't Believe The Low Ratings
First of all i want to thank all the team in production that helped bring this show to life. Animators, sound department, voice actors and writers/directors etc. It's been great.
Over the past few months this series has been slammed yet again and the high rated episodes have been dropping yet again. This is an occuring problem and it's skewing how people can end up judging a show. I have watched Attack on Titan all the way through many times and each time the story just gets better and better, top tier and god like for some of the action to conclusions we have seen. The build up to this very episode has been one of the biggest in television history along side Game of Thrones and probably a few others. My anticipation has waited for this day and i can tell you the episode was NOT a disappointment.
Then said, to judge the episode in terms of ratings going by how the ratings for the rest of the show were more than half a year ago before the show got slammed by trolls, i would put this at a solid 9.6. This is where i get mixed feelings. We all want this final episode to be the best in the series but it unfortunately for me doesn't beat some of the god tier episodes we have had throughout the seasons. Nothing wrong with the action, nothing wrong with certain dialog, but it lagged in areas. It was a huge pile of story fist fed from different angles with the action and the chaos. Which skewed my vision away from the bigger picture, it seemed almost like moments of filler and theatrics just to get to that final moment (no spoiler)......and then it was suddenly over. It's like...."oh......okay, yeah it was great i guess". I feel like they should have just had the Final Chapter Part 1 be an extra 30 minutes long and done one huge episode. This well over 1 hour Part 2 seemed too long, too much dialog and not enough conclusion. That's coming from me who's been and still is a huge fan of the series.
Overall the episode was great but it seems the show reached it's peak at the start of the Rumbling, it's not been able to top since that episode. Although not for a second do i think this episode was bad, it was actually rather good just stretched out.
Click (2006)
A great lesson overshadowed by silly comedy
As silly as Adam Sandler movies can be, Click has a more moral tone to it. Given that Sandler can overshadow his movies with tiresome corky-ness it does emotionally level out with some family desperations. Time is linier and it eventually runs out for all, if you drone yourself away from the people that love you it can bite you later in life. Aside from using the power of the "Universal Remote Control" for shallow jokes it becomes a realisation that we do want to skip certain things in life. The problem with that is we eventually have to lose that potential we had for greater choices. I liked the movie, it's one of Sandlers best, but sometimes his jokes can be a little distracting. Definitely worth a watch.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Victory and Death (2020)
I cried
From the low episodes to the high episodes, this whole series has at least never failed to do one thing, and that's show the development of the clones throughout. If you skip to these last 4 episodes they just don't feel the same you have to do your homework first. Seeing the episode "Shattered" and the Order given it crushed my heart to know everything the clones went through to still have them compromised in the end (It was like your family suddenly turning on you after years of wholesome compassion). I felt sorry for Rex, he was brought back from corruption and saw what his brothers had become. To see them die because they "had to", then the ending with Darth Vader. Separated from his Padawan to only be in the shadow of her footsteps as a sith. You could feel his heart in there as he picked up Ahsoka's lightsaber. This episode really pulled on the heartstrings, the development, the loss.
The Whale (2022)
A good stage play type film
Set in a small rugged house centralised around Charlie, a self loathing morbidly obese teacher who's self pity drowns him away from his family. Fraser's acting definitely brings heart to the character and thus the movie's tone is set right. This isn't a movie about a fat guy eating all of the time, this is a caring regretful father trapped in a "Whale" so to speak.
It does bring a underlining of development but as a movie it suddenly became limited. 95% of the film is set in Charlie's house, in his front room no less partial to the kitchen when he needs to eat or makes food. Even though it does set a sense of realism and connection to the character, it does become somewhat bland in certain areas. Characters would come and go like a stage play using the front door as the exit/entrance. All we were missing was the live audience. If this is how the movie was supposed to be set then fair enough, it worked and us viewing the movie from Charlie's point of view worked well enough to feel his alienation and isolation away from the world. That i can understand, it just as a 2 hour movie seemed bland in areas. This would have been better as a 90 minute movie or less. The ending was a little phased out like a finished play and thus the curtains are drawn and the audience claps type of thing. I got the message but it seemed a little quick for a movie.
I wasn't keen on Ellie for most of the movie, a stroppy mentally affected teenager built on trauma made her somewhat evil in certain aspects. The underlining development was that she does have a heart and her father is proud but i couldn't stand her half of the time. It wasn't her anger towards her father that annoyed me as much, that was necessary for the most part. It's just the way she talked sometimes and what she talked about, sometimes she just needed to shut up. Especially with how she talked to Thomas in their first few meetings. Maybe that was just me.
Other actors were also great and the movie gets a solid 8 from me.
Succession: With Open Eyes (2023)
Mixed feelings
Where do i start with the finale of one of the most well written and well acted shows i've ever seen? The first half of this long episode was a little slow but the pieces were coming together, secrets unfolded, tension rising. It built up to a promising ending and then took a shocking twist before the close. Who knew Kendall's guilt would eventually catch up with him after all this time, it was the shade that stayed his feet as he grasped the crown. Dropping the news about him killing someone back in season one just before he takes the throne was like a gunshot to him, it ruined him. Since the death of Logan, Ken has always been about sitting in his chair and being better than his father but like his father said "You have to be a killer, and you're not", in a metaphorical sense it makes Kendall no where near as strong as logan was.
Side Note:
The kitchen scene at their mothers was one of the most cringy pieces of television to come out of such a well equiped show as such as this. I actually had my head in my hands at one point looking through my fingers. Cringy as it may be though, it brought together Shiv, Ken and Roman as a trio again which lit the fire for the second half.
It makes you feel sorry for the rich though, to have all that money and fame and still lose. Tom had been walked on by the Roy family for years to only then land on top in the end. The Roy kids never had what Logan had, they were born rich and it's all they depended on. Logan had the strategy for power, he built everything up.
I'm a little concerned at Shiv's pullout, but she obviously did it so Tom could win, seeing them possibly getting back together? She didn't want Kendall in charge but i don't think it was because he killed someone. I think it was power in her own sense, alienated by her family so she sides with the enemy.
And now it's all over, was a great show but i feel the ending could have been made better.
Succession: Church and State (2023)
Kieran Culkin Emmy?
I read a few weeks ago about Kieran Culkin's possible first named nomination to this years Emmy awards after the wrap of Successions final season. Now i can see why, he truly displayed a broken son under too much pressure at the funeral and of all his Roman "full of himself" comedies underneath is just a sweet boy who misses his dad. It brings out the under skin of what makes us human, and what makes us real.
Kendall's grab at the podium crumbling more hearing about Roman's invite to Mencken and among other things like with Rava, Ken's serious talk with Hugo trying to negotiate a chance at the crown again. His Ego seems to be the only thing that will help him belong, at least that's how i see it. He's losing everything else, even Mencken's lifting his eyes to Lukas now with help from Shiv.
Roman losing his mind at the end just sparks how much he cared about his dad despite his dad's sour personality. Kieran really is deserving this years Emmy.
Succession: America Decides (2023)
America "tries to" Decide
Another great episode. From start to finish it's been one chaotic defusal with different coloured wires and each pull creates tension for a certain party.
Tom and the touch screen problem exploding fear throughout ATM creating agany for Kendall. Roman having his own game with Mencken, leaving the podium open, Ken wanting to be the one leader is no longer a straight arrow. Shiv having her own problems but she's been digging a deeper hole ever since she decided to team up with Lukas. Lukas doesn't care for her, only himself and using Shiv as a way into the Roy party like a spy is evidently killing her out of the family. Shiv threatening Gregg as a power play backfired straight away, it's more than just being part of a rich family. Shiv just doesn't know how to play people.
Two episodes left, Roman has a chance to go higher than Kendall, Shiv is most likely completely against her family now and Kendall is like a worried puppy. Directions are turning fast.
Succession: Tailgate Party (2023)
More than just a party
Some more tension in this weeks episode mixed in with mingling and tasteless wine. The party gathered by a load of important leaders set off to a good start with Kendall giving a toast type of speech to the room until Lukas walked in. Lukas looking like a polished turd with his sparkly jacket on hiding his faults that were later revealed. A flaw in his success, it's a hole that could destroy him like a grenade. Nate being invited was also awkward, but truth be done Kendall being told he wasn't his father twitched his ego again. Towards the end with Ken talking to Frank about the flaw in Lukas' numbers after Nate telling him to his face that he's not his father, it's become clear that Ken wants more than that now. He doesn't want to be his father, but better. "One head One Crown", he's willing to cast Roman and Shiv aside. Although will his ego be his downfall? Maybe not but i guess we'll find out.
Tom and Shiv's relationship had it's own grenade, the start of the episode looking promising with them back together then there was the Scorpion gift that to Shiv's face told her what Tom really thinks about her. Although she didn't get the verbal wrath of it until later on. I do think Tom has a point, a little forced but truth hurts. Tom throughout this series has been nothing but a private to the leader of the army being the Roy legacy. I've been on and off with how Shiv has treated people throughout the series, it's a sudden complication. It's like she's only there because of her last name, it's always been that way. Women can make good business leaders but i never saw that in Shiv, to me she's always been just a rich girl living off daddy. She's intelligent but she lacks people skills.
Gerri threatening Roman with a lawsuit reminded me of Karl with Kendall in the previous episode. The snakes have their own podium, it's only Frank but i believe Ken is winning him over. Am i wrong?
A tensional episode with some small truths and hard truths, this series is revealing more into the final fight. It's going to be chaos.
Succession: Living+ (2023)
Living+ with a lasso around it's neck
The awkwardness still flowing through the Roy family as they try to unfold the new launch of Living+. It was almost like Ken and Roman were certain stages of Logan's personality, Roman being Anger with his short fuse on Joy and Gerri saying they're fired for having a hairs width of an opinion. Kendall being the negotiator trying to set up the perfect launch to set off Living+ despite the last minute snags. Ken being the light and Roman being the dark but maybe that wasn't the intention however it's how i saw it.
I don't think Shiv realises that Lukas is just using her, i did think she started to know but towards the end when she realised he went too far with the tweet is when i'm concerned to what side she's actually on here. Karl playing dominance over Kendal as a bargaining chip, the snakes are closing in. Ken and Roman under the fragile ice with the snakes underneath ready, the question is can Ken and Roman keep it together. I feel a fuse has been lit. Gerri, Frank and Karl are at their own game now. When the king treats you like dirt and then dies, the burning eyes of hate turn his children. The Roy legacy is a huge room of chaos and Ken and Roman are stood right in the middle.
Something's building up.
Succession: Kill List (2023)
The True Definition of Kingless Soldiers
Wow what can i say, the whole Norway trip was so awkward you could smell the tension between both parties. Something tells me Lukas will be the main villain for the rest of this series, now Logan being gone the podium remains empty and thus the children have no real battle tactics. Lukas' line "You're just a tribute band" sounded so patronising to the Roy family legacy which now hangs by a thread over a lava pit.
So much weight on Kendall, Roman and Shiv's shoulders that trying to cut a deal with Lukas was more than negotiations. A test of Ego was the real power play, Logan had tons of it thus why he always won. Lukas hit Roman's nerve towards the end and sabotaged the whole deal but for a good cause? The Roy family stands on it's own two feet again, Lukas got told to his face. Now it's only nerving on what he might do, Lukas asked Shiv which he feels he has the most humble connection to, to blindly manipulate her into taking a picture of Ken and Roman's faces. Quite literally, Shiv has no idea what she's just done.