wyliec Reviews

Fargo: Bisquik (2024) Season 5, Episode 10

Harkens back to original movie

[9/10 · 18 January 2024]

Season 5 throughout had many more ties back to the original movie - not in specific details but ambiguous similarities and parallels.

I suspect that if you were a fan of the movie before the intervening series appeared, you would find more appreciation of how it delivers the Coen-esq uniqueness.

No one should have been expecting an action movie type ending, particularly, again, with the original movie leanings. I feel episode 10 was as good an ending as possible within the context of characters and settings.

All of the characters seemed very well suited to their roles, especially Dot and Munch.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Wonderful Story - Never Gets Old

[10/10 · 23 December 2023]

I just updated my rating to 10 after our seventh watch since 2012.

This movie stands the test of time as we enjoy additional nuance with every viewing.

The fundamental plot, while not likely in real life, does come across as plausible in a pre-iPhone era small town. People exhibiting support and acceptance of an illusion - similar to how NORAD and TV/Radio often report Santa's progress on Christmas Eve. Besides helping Lars escape his past trauma, Bianca becomes a symbol of support and kindness for the entire community.

What I've truly come to appreciate is how much of the story is conveyed by simple facial expressions, particularly the eyes. Every major character seems to pull this off perfectly with subtle expression matching the sentiment of the moment. I can't imagine this movie working as well with any different cast.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Great build up then major let down

[6/10 · 9 December 2023]

After just a few minutes, we (wife and I) were pulled into the suspense and drama of this movie. For over two hours we followed the tense, taut events with several 'whoa!!' moments.

And then it just ended. With all the effort in building up the complex, intriguing plot, I can see how a definitive ending would be difficult or impossible to create. It felt like rather than make any attempt, they just chose an abrupt, inexplicable stopping point versus an actual ending. Many plot elements were developed and left hanging.

The first two hours I'd rate this an 8 or a 9. The last 10 minutes a 2 at most.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Wonderful Music and Story - Theatrical Cut works best!

[7/10 · 28 July 2023]

The first time I saw this, I saw the Theatrical Cut. When I purchased the BD copy it came with both Theatrical and Directors cuts. I typically prefer the Directors/Extended cuts but not here. I know the DC was the original intended ending until it bombed on sample audiences after which the TC was created. I can see why the DC bombed - the main characters dying and world ending simply doesn't fit with the otherwise wonderful musical sets and campy humor.

The DC also has an additional 9 minutes run time which includes an extremely drawn out world destruction sequence by the numerous Audry IIs that were marketed. The DC ending would have been much better with a couple of destruction scenes and a newspaper headline reading about world destruction by Audry IIs along with a goofy ad for a dishwasher or color TV.

In any case, campy happy ending fits best with the campy humor carries through the movie.

For me, the DC gets a 5-6 rating and the TC gets a 7-8 rating.

Night Sky (2022)

Interesting, slow and incomplete

[5/10 · 1 September 2022]

While this was slow, it did build intrigue as it developed with many different plot lines.

I wasn't clear if there would be a season 2 or if it would wrap up at the end of season 1.

Unfortunately, the last episode of season 1 was not a finale but intentionally left many unanswered questions - which one would assume to be the starting point for a second season.

With it now cancelled, my gut feeling is that I committed to watching a relatively slow program that marginally piqued my interest only to leave most of the story lines incomplete.

If I'd known this to be the ending, I probably wouldn't have watched beyond the first 2 episodes.

The Wolf's Call (2019)

Cheesy....

[4/10 · 11 June 2022]

Ugghhhh.... I could deal with a mediocre plot but the acting was so overdone it eliminated any tension in the scenes that were supposed to be dramatic or suspenseful.