hp-jel Reviews

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Spock Amok (2022) Season 1, Episode 5

It's about empathy

[6/10 · 5 June 2022]

Oh oh. I guess this episode teaches liberals to have the empathy to understand conservatives.

This show is portraying more and more liberal agendas, which from their perspective is the right way to view the world and you have to have the empathy to see it their way. They already have the empathy to see it your way.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Strange New Worlds (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

It's ok, so far seems statement oriented like Discovery

[6/10 · 7 May 2022]

It definitely isn't over 8 stars or as good as some critic reviews I've read. They turned out to be intentional hype.

I hope it will be like the old Trek with each episode being a new adventure. But like all shows, it'll start going downhill when they focus a whole season or multiple episodes on the same threat.

The January 6th clip was a surprise. Seems like it's going to go the same path as Discovery with much of the same people running it. I stopped watching it after season 3.

Similar to Discovery, the bridge was very diverse in terms of color and gender but also likely sexual orientation.

The story was ok, although it was over the top that Pike made a decision on the whim to meet with the country's leader.

The direction seems edgy and statement oriented so far, like Discovery.

Eureka (2006–2012)

On long before the Smart Home, Phones & Tablets

[10/10 · 27 February 2022]

IIRC this was in Friday nights before Haven, which was the same but a drama. You'd really appreciate it more if you realized this show was on long before the smart home, smart phone and tablets.

It's a happy, funny show. There weren't really any bad guys, just accidents.

The alternate world was a change from the happy direction that I didn't like but they moved back to the original roots.

Great show. Watching the reruns brings back happy thoughts. The Sci-fi channel started going downhill after Eureka and Haven and the switch to Syfy. It was all around the same time.

Reacher (2022– )

Could have been solved immediately by surveying Teale

[7/10 · 15 February 2022]

It's entertaining, with the same mystery as the Cruise stories. The only thing I'd say is, the wise Reacher mind could have it solved right away by simply focusing on Teale. Instead, he goes on a wild goose chase.

Sliders (1995–2000)

Imaginative New Adventures

[7/10 · 7 October 2021]

I never watched it when it originally aired being where I was in life and work, not much TV. But watching the reruns take me back. It was imaginative. I loved that each show was a new adventure, except with the Kromaggs. I understand the recurring villain concept, but it took the show from new adventures each episode to fighting the same villains. It was the wrong turn for me.

One thing that bothered me was the cast chatting over coffee while the vortex is open. Gee... No wonder Mallory got shot behind the neck just when jumping into the vortex. I swear they did it in purpose.

I also read many negative comments with the new cast, but Beckett made the show light and fun.

Walker: Bobble Head (2021) Season 1, Episode 3

Finally a decent episode

[4/10 · 10 February 2021]

It was a pretty decent episode all around. The first two were 6 and 5 but I'd give it a 7 or 8.

It was funny. There were touching moments. I love the theme song but they don't use an intro musical in the beginning like the old days. That's where memories are built.

But a recurring problem are the cases. There were some arms dealers moving weapons around in a visibly open garage. The Rangers storm in start a shootout. The Rangers had sidearm while the bad guys had automatics. It was over before it started and the bad guys got rounded up. It was a rolleye moment.

Great episode but you have the same reviewers inflating the ratings and giving every episode 10/10 and saying it gets better (than 10). You kind of have to even out the rating and give it a 4. There's no integrity to these ratings.

Walker: Back in the Saddle (2021) Season 1, Episode 2

Don't call it Walker if it's not supposed to be Walker

[5/10 · 31 January 2021]

Ok the Pilot I gave a 6/10 but this is a step back. I was open and still had high hopes but it didn't happen.

We have Rangers investigating an insurance scam and the suspects are just two harmless individuals? We have an arthritic horse chasing down a Jeep? Weak. This is where I lost any hopes.

The cast is still good. The only actor I knew beforehand was Bonham, the Captain and Micki.

They shouldn't call it Walker and people shouldn't defend it if it's not supposed to be like it. Slap a different name like Stetson Ranger Soap Box.

Finally, there are suspiciously a ton of CW employees pumping the ratings 10/10 consecutively with similar comments.

Walker: Pilot (2021) Season 1, Episode 1

Boring for a pilot

[6/10 · 24 January 2021]

I realize it's only the first episode and there's more to build on it, but it was boring. The original pilot was also boring, but I loved the series.

I had to watch it twice to see if I missed anything to explain for the boringness. But I don't think I missed anything. There seems to be things left unexplained for future episodes to explore, but the first episode was setting up Walker's family relationship. It's probably that simple.

Walker being a single dad with a brother and parents will make it difficult to compare with the original. It's likely going to stand on its own. I'm still interested to see how it goes.

It should be interesting to see where it goes after Walker resolves his wife's murder. I generally expect to see a show with that type of drama to be good the first season and then go downhill after the murder is solved. It's that predictable so far. The original show didn't have that. It had the flexibility to go in any direction each week and it lasted for almost 10 years. In a sense it's not good for the writers but it was constant employment and income for the actors for many years. You don't see that anymore.

As for the actors, I liked them all. The plot is strange though. Walker's daughter was glad to see him come back, but when he's back they get in a negative spiff. Weird. Walker went on sabbatical after his wife's death, also unexplained for the meantime. Micki seems tiny for action, but so was Sydney Cooke. On another note, Bonham Walker's house looks like a Joanna Gaines house.

But for now about the only thing I liked was the stupid funny police beating. I'm glad it carried over from the original show. I think this is the only thing in common with the original Walker so far. Only in the original show did people harass, threaten and assault a police officer and get a beating for it. It's so stupid, it's funny. Its like wrestling, you know it's fake, its coming, but you still like it. It wouldn't have thought this is CW though and I'm not sure it'll last.

I'm sure it'll get better but this episode was just about an intro to Walker's family and wife's death.

Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001)

Love it in re-runs

[8/10 · 3 January 2021]

I never watched the original airing because I was in college but watching the re-runs during the pandemic gave me an appreciation of how genuine Chuck Norris was. And no where do people threaten and assault police officers, and get away with just a friendly excessive police beating.

The show is a great laugh. I'm sure it wasn't intended to be that way, but seeing the police beatings generations later is so laughable.

There's also some great intended humor, like when the characters debated which famous actors would play them if they were a movie or when Trivette wanted to hear real music on the radio instead of hearing the theme song.

The Wandering Earth (2019)

Complete garbage, self-centered movie

[1/10 · 3 January 2021]

I could only watch 57 minutes in but two kids venture to the surface of the earth with no experience to survive there. They demand the military to save them over the survival of a city and the planet. Maybe they redeem themselves in the end but I couldn't bear to watch some egotistical kids who view themselves over humanity.

Magnum P.I. (2018–2024)

Same CBS, NCIS: Hawaii slapstick and accompanying music

[6/10 · 1 September 2020]

It's not bad and many episodes are watchable. The problem I have is it's like NCIS LA or MacGyver with the same slapstick and music that accompanies a wisecrack remark. It's like the same show different name and place.

I like the actors but they all have short liners bouncing off each other. That's how CBS is these days. The original cast was so realistic with their good buddies wisecracks. It stroked my own real life memories the way I talk to the boys. Maybe the original cast had better rapport or it's just the directing or writing.

The stories are ok, comparable to the original. Some are recycled from the original.

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Get past the originality complaints and it's a good film

[8/10 · 5 January 2020]

Return of the Jedi was the first Star Wars movie I saw in the theaters. I thought IX was very good especially if you are a kid and this is your first few Star Wars movie.

The Last Jedi was bad. It turned our hero who once wasn't afraid to go after the Empire, to a scared wuss.

IX helps to ease that tension and it also helps fill Rey's training, Leia's powers, and finalizes our old heroes.

At the beginning, it was like the Last Jedi and jumped scene to scene so fast. I didn't like It. It eventually slowed down but then it was similar to the Last Jedi in that our new heroes go on a mission in search of a device to find the Sith base.

IX on its own is very good if the Last Jedi hadn't been made. But because it was, it was more of the same but without the wuss Luke.

The showdown with the emperor was very good. Then again it was all the same with Return of the Jedi when Luke faced off with him, overlooking the space battle. Obviously it was meant to be that way, maybe to give new generations of kids the same feeling. Old school guys before me probably don't like it.

On its own, it's a very good movie if you can get past the originality complaints. It's probably on par with the Force Awakens but with the humor toned down.

Star Trek: Discovery: Such Sweet Sorrow (2019) Season 2, Episode 13

The Sphere Didn't Protect Itself From a Control Attack?

[4/10 · 24 June 2019]

I'm confused how the Sphere can protect itself from a Federation attack with never seen before shield strength but couldn't do the same from a Control attack.

It's apparent these episodes haven't been vetted.

It's not a bad episode but it has a noticeable gap.

The Rain: Keep It Together (2019) Season 2, Episode 5

Simone is a geneticist?

[2/10 · 24 May 2019]

Wow! I've never seen anyone without a high school degree suddenly have the brains to be a geneticist, playing around with her brother's genes. Awesome!

Star Trek: Discovery: The Red Angel (2019) Season 2, Episode 10

Loved Season 1 But Season 2 + This Episode Was a Letdown

[5/10 · 22 March 2019]

I thought this episode was flawed because if they wanted to capture the future version of Burnham, the future version would know the plan. Up to now I was hoping the season buildup to this would be good but I was disappointed. Still a good show though. And I agree, I'm tired of the cry baby Vulcan. Nothing about her is Vulcan. They should have written her with human upbringing and disconnected her from Spock and the Vulcan. If she wants to cry all the time, put her in a different show.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

I Was Wrong About This Show. Movie Type Action and Drama

[1/10 · 9 March 2019]

It's hard to create movie level drama and action in an hour but they did it for the most part in the first season.

When I first saw the cast, I was thinking this would be junk. But when I saw the first 5 episodes and was introduced to Lorca, I was like damn! This is your dark sinister Trek! He reprises his mad scientist role from the OA. Don't expect the previous philosophical, jolly holodeck stories or musical scores. I do not want that!

The action and drama in season 1 wasn't lacking and carried through each episode. Maybe 6 - 8 was a little slow. Season 2 up to episode 10 so far is really slow. I lowered my rating from 8 to 7 but I still look to watch each new episode.

The cast is good. I really like Pike but it's hard for anyone, even Kirk to top Lorca's large role. We need him back in a different Trek if not this. I like Burnham but started to get real annoyed with her showcasing emotional, caring, crying eyes skills. I started to expect it coming with each episode. Make it convincing she grew up a Vulcan! There's nothing Vulcan about her - 100% a cry baby. Stamets and Culber are great. It takes a bit to acclimate to their relationship and I'm not a fan of political statements but it's slightly toned down for those who aren't fully acclimated to it. Culber especially was under-utilized in his role but it seems they're doing something about it in the second season.

The one thing that was obvious and annoyed me was the writing wanted to make a statement on disobedience. Burnham or whoever were always questioning and disputing their captains. I felt it diluted the role of the captain and made them look dumb and simply a person to bounce thoughts off. They made Lorca and Pike look bad. Do it a different way if they have to.

Overall a great show. I was all wrong about it but my rating seems to be getting lower with each episode in season 2. I also had to edit my review basically to say it's amazing how many purist losers have nothing in their life but to troll every new positive review after mine and immediately give a thumbs down and thumbs up every negative reviews.

Bokeh (I) (2017)

Movie title misspelled. Should be 'Boring'

[4/10 · 18 February 2019]

The first 70 minutes or so was about the couple looking for life, shopping and sightseeing. You keep on thinking there would be suspense soon. But nothing except they meet an old guy while exploring his cabin. Her quick dies of age related sickness. The rest of the movie was more of the same sightseeing. I understand there's a deeper meaning of solitude but life doesn't have to be that way.

Atomica (2017)

Better than I expected

[8/10 · 10 February 2019]

Wow. I'm surprised. I thought it was good despite the ratings. I passed up on it a few times while browsing for something to watch. The pace was a little slow at the beginning and maybe some dialogue could have been left out for more drama. The actors were great. I didn't prefer the way it had to end but I guess it needed closure instead of a sequel.

7 Splinters in Time (2018)

Very weird movie, but good story

[6/10 · 10 February 2019]

It's was hard to watch most of the movie. I stopped it early on and later force myself to finish it. I'm pretty sure the wackiness is artistic intention. There was something left unanswered to leave you wondering and intrigued. The acting was and story was good.

Paradox (III) (2016)

Story was good but acting and directing was terrible

[5/10 · 9 February 2019]

I wanted to give this a lower score because the acting and directing was terrible and the fight scenes were poorly choreographed. But what saved it was the story was good and had multiple twists.

Realive (2016)

It's ok but I couldn't watch it twice

[5/10 · 8 February 2019]

I'm not sure what to think. It's about a depressed guy who died of cancer and he saved his body to be brought back to life in the future in hopes of a cure. Well... he's back to life 60 years later and still depressed.

It's not a bad movie, good cast and acting and all. But it could also work with a happy jolly guy so that kind of ruins the thesis on the negatives of extended life.

The mood, color, meaning of life, especially in the end, is a page off Gattaca.

The Gateway (2018)

Not bad, a little drama

[7/10 · 8 February 2019]

I was kept intrigued during the movie. Sounds like it's low budget so I guess they couldn't take it too far with the imagination. Overall it seems they did well with what they had.

Life (I) (2017)

The crew is just as dumb as the Aliens crew

[4/10 · 8 February 2019]

This movie is so hard to watch because the crew is dumb an emotional. Each crewmen broke containment protocols multiple times to save one other person or themselves at the expense of the entire crew and the planet. At the end the mission leader leaves a blackbox recording saying her crew were heroes by sacrificing themselves to maintain the firewall. Whatever.

The Rain (2018–2020)

Didn't make it past 12 minutes

[1/10 · 27 January 2019]

Sorry but I couldn't make it past the first 12 minutes. During that time the father goes to the school to pick up his daughter and drives his family somewhere. During the drive the son refuses to put on his seatbelt. The father yells at him, doesn't pay attention to traffic and they get in an accident. Then they run to a bunker. While there the father leaves and the daughter was told to not let anyone in. She does and a truck driver tries to pull her brother out. The mother runs into the truck driver and pushes them both out to the rain. She and the driver died. That's it. I turned it off. These kids are idiots. I couldn't stand watching it any further.

If the creators of the show want people to watch it, they shouldn't try to piss off the viewers, especially in the first minutes of the show.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Had to create an account to write this review

[4/10 · 22 January 2019]

I've used IMDB for years but I had to create an account just to write a review on this movie. Another reviewer summed it up better but I'm too lazy to write as thorough a review.

1. A couple decides to bring a loud baby into that world. Really?

2. Evelyn tears the bag of potatoes on a nail sticking up on the stairs and she later steps on the nail. Who hammers a nail up facing the steps and who leaves it there after the first accident? Even after stepping on the nail she still leaves it there. What a joke.

3. The creatures were lurking and Lee leaves the home to find the kids without a rifle. Right.

4. Wow, it turns out you can yell as loud as you want by the waterfall. Why not live there and allow the baby the cry 24/7? Why not just find a highrise and live there? They can make enough noise to farm a field but they can't drive to the city? It's too loud to haul lumber to the waterfall and build a home there?

5. For some reason the water in the tub was left on and flooded the house. What? How did that happen?