cantrelayne Reviews

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (2024– )

Could Be Better!

[5/10 · 24 April 2024]

Aden Young has either got to tone it down or go! I don't know if it's the way the character, DS Henry Graff, is written or the way Aden Young plays him. He's a misogynist; his boss and partner are women, he is narcissistic, arrogant and he thinks he's the smartest/ only one in the room - in other words a psychopath. He also does the William Shatner/ Mark Shepard dramatic - pause - on - line - delivery that just does not work! Kathleen Munroe is a great actor, and has a range, this character, DS Frankie Bateman, is way too subdued to be a DS. These are supposed to be equal footing partners, except they aren't. 7 episodes in and she hasn't done one thing a lead DS would do. She's better than this. So far every episode is DS Henry Graff monologue whilst everyone else just kind of stands around him. All Karen Robinson as Inspector Vivienne Holness does is stand around and say "I need more, you have 24 hours.". The stories are good, though, a little too Americanised and not enough Canadian, no French Canadian, no First Nations have been represented. I sincerely hope it gets better soon because Aden Young is very annoying. On the up side, as usual in all L&O, it is shot beautifully.

Cold Squad (1998–2005)

Time Frame : 23JAN1998 (1997 filming) - PRE CSI!!!!

[10/10 · 20 April 2024]

The bad reviews are due to the fact that the reviewers are not factoring in the time frame. The show is 26 years old people. This series PRE DATES CSI (2000); and Cold Case (2003) was a direct rip off of this series, right down to Lily Rush's hair style. On top of that this is set in Vancouver BC for Vancouver BC audiences and based on real cases from Van. US audiences would not be familiar with the authenticity. The fact that there were many character changes through out gave it a more realistic vibe. The only character that should have stayed besides McCormick was Logozzo, however, Michael Hogan left when he was offered the role of Colonel Saul Tigh. The other reason for bad reviews is that when the series went into syndication/ streaming for the US market 11 minutes were shaved off each episode, so there are key parts of every episode missing every time it runs/ streams in the US. Julie Stewart is Brilliant portraying a Sergeant that, as with real life detectives, devolves with the wear and tear of homicides on the soul. She also does a Brilliant job of portraying what it's like to be a top female homicide detective in a misogynist system. It also showcases Van at the time and the very real issues of the day. Much like NYPD Blue and Cagney and Lacey in the US, this was a groundbreaking show and most people watching the show now did not see it when it originally aired. Michael Hogan was absolutely stellar as Logozzo; much like Dennis Franz as Sipowicz; a veteran cop that has to learn to adapt to technological advances as well as changing police procedures. The on screen chemistry between him and Julie is palpable and all with proper BC English, which sadly, you don't hear in Van anymore. I was lucky enough to watch it when it first aired, in its entirety, rather than the cut up US syndicate version that airs nowadays.

FBI (2018– )

Why Is This Still On?

[1/10 · 22 March 2024]

Way back in the first season, when it first came out, the IDEA of it was great. However, I never got past episode 4 of the 1st season. The actors and characters were VERY immature, the story was predictable, it did not have any depth and the music over ran the story. I just read the reviews, thinking maybe I should give it another chance and start it again - NOPE- the reviews tell me it's only gotten worse. I get they can't be as honest and as thorough as Dick's other series, as the FBI does have to maintain secrecy to do what they do. This is why we will never ever see an accurate portrayal of the CIA, however, the show can be done in a way that can get as accurate as possible without showing secrets. Criminal Minds does an excellent job of doing this; so why is this still on? It was bad from the beginning.

Homicide: New York (2024)

Very Well Done

[10/10 · 22 March 2024]

5 cases that are told by the Investigators and Survivors. Dick Wolf, has a Midas touch with criminal and law themes, has always taken true, real life crimes and court cases and turned them into high quality shows. That's what makes his shows work. They are always based in real, true life cases. In fact some of his shows were forced to cancel because they were too honest and got to close to the truth. It's really good to see him do a docuseries from the people who lived through the cases. I wish he would have delved even further into these cases. If you are silent and you really watch and listen, you can hear and feel that the people that investigate what most people want to pretend doesn't happen are incredibly caring human beings. Politics take nasty turns, and people pay the price. It's easy to minimise and vilify and point fingers, however, without people like this docuseries focuses on we'd be in a third world dictatorship, and we need to respect that. Sadly, all these good people are retired now, and there isn't anyone replacing them. Looking forward to the next part Homicide LA.

CSI: Vegas (2021–2024)

What The Hell Happened?!

[5/10 · 5 March 2024]

The 1st season was cohesive, had a great cast and kept the twists and turns that kept us watching for 15 years. The 2nd season starts to fall down, and after a hellaciously long wait the 3rd season just SUCKS!

This show treats Marg Helgenberger like she's an old lady, and treats the Willows character like she's stupid! Willows was only gone for 6 years. That character is smarter than all the new characters put together, and yet the entire cast of new characters treats Willows like she's only been a CSI for a year! The new cast has no charisma, and the stories are flat. There's no leadership, no strength and the stories are remakes of the original, and not done very well at all. Science has come a long way, and if, in reality, CSI labs were attacked as much as this show attacks this lab, no one would work there. That was the downfall of all the CSI's, especially Miami - the Constant attack on the lab by the Bureaucrats.

There's no mystery either. All of the CSIs from 2000 - 2015 had one case based on a real life case and one made up case. Now it's just bad writers that smoke too much dope to think through what they are writing. I would not be surprised if this is the last season because the only way to save this show is to fire everybody except Marg and bring on people over 30 that might actually know how to act, and know what kind of characters they are playing. There's no fundamental understanding of scientific storytelling. I'd rather watch reruns of Quincy ME where the science is 40 years old than this crap, and Dr G is way more engaging than this drivel. It's sad, disappointing and annoying that in this day and age we no longer have ground breaking shows that challenge our imaginations - isn't that what entertainment is supposed to be for, especially this genre?

London Kills (2019– )

Middle Of The Road

[5/10 · 28 January 2024]

Pretty mediocre show. The first few episodes of the first season were unpredictable, and interesting. Then it flattened out and didn't have much of a story. The cases are predictable, the writing for the cast is all over the map, the storylines aren't very cohesive, and it isn't very interesting. It is a typical police procedural, in London. Blue Lights, Happy Valley and Bulletproof are far superior. That said it has some really great shots of the East End and the outside scenes are shot well. The cast does well with what they have to portray, they deserve better from the writers. It's a background series, popcorn entertainment, not horrendous, not great.

The Fall of Minneapolis (2023)

OH THE HYPOCRRISY

[1/10 · 14 January 2024]

The Hypocrisy of riots on one side and the denial that they are indeed riots on the other side is obvious to any free thinking adult person. The fact that the lies are getting more and more obvious the more humans rely on technology rather than going out their front door is astounding. Also, the fact that American society condones violence and hatred on one side and reacts with such a rabid irrational vitriol on the other side is going to lead us to another civil war. The L thinks it can do no wrong and blame the R for EVERYTHING wrong in the entire world; and the R thinks EXACTLY the same as the L, only reverse. The truth is BOTH sides are Missing The Point!!! This is an AND world, not an OR world and people die because they refuse to see that basic fact. This has created a mass crime wave that continues across the country. Minneapolis was not the only city that a police precinct was abandoned and Massive amounts of good officers left. Where I live was way worse than Minneapolis, and we are dead last in police to criminal ratio. All of our crimes and homelessness are worse than 47 other states.

That said, Nothing in this 'documentary' changes the FACT that a man put all his weight, with his hands in his pockets, on another man's neck for 9 minutes AFTER the man STOPPED RESISTING; and did NOT move the man to the recovery position as stated in the MRT protocol as soon as he STOPPED RESISTING.

This 'documentary' does NOT provide any real new information that was not brought up and shown at the trial. It does not do any kind of deep dive at all. I watched every minute of the trial and there is nothing in this film that was not brought up, watched, hashed out and rehashed in the trial, including the MRT. In fact, the first 20 minutes shows at least 12 opportunities for police to De - Escalate the situation and instead instigated aggressive responses. This body cam footage was released by TMZ on May 27th 2020, not months and months later. The public did and does have access to it. There is also footage from the store, across the street and two other officers. The public had access, it was on all over the world It was also shown many times during the trial. The trial even showed that Chauvin's body cam was knocked off and went under the unit. At no point on Keung's body cam; or anyone else's, does he actually tell Floyd he is under arrest, like the 'documentary' tries to claim. Quite the opposite. Floyd was calm, sitting down, with his hands behind his back at the 20:12:31 mark of the body cam. Had the two officers left him right there and questioned him, NONE of what happened would have. Had Morries Hall admitted what he did, NONE of this would have happened. There was absolutely no reason to put Floyd in a car when they all had body cams.

This film makes a big deal about the autopsy report. The 20 page autopsy report has been available to read online since June 1st 2020. It is full of inconsistencies, going back and forth to say there were injuries, then there weren't injuries, things are unremarkable (normal) then they are abnormal. Things are weighed at normal weights for a man his height, age and weight, then say they were abnormal. The tox report is a mess - Presumptive Positive means exactly that - it is NOT verified!!!!! It even says so literally on the pages. It does not equivocally state COD - which is so far from correct protocol. All the handwritten notes the film shows as 'evidence' is not signed, dated and stamped per COC protocols, and as of 2014 handwritten notes are not allowed due to Federal PPACA laws..... Read it yourselves. All of it was pointed out in the trial; and an ME is different than a Pathologist ; and a Forensic Pathologist is different than an Anatomic Pathologist and an ME.

It makes a big deal about the MRT, and shows side by side the correct position versus Chauvin's position, and in doing so, it proves murder. The correct position shows the 'officer' has his weight on his feet, has his hands out for balance and to even out/ control the amount of pressure that is being put on the suspect. The figure drawing further shows that the knee is not at all on the neck, it is 4 - 5 inches down - on the shoulder blades - which at no angle is Chauvin's knee on the shoulder blades, and if you want to believe the screwed up autopsy report, there are no injuries to the shoulder blades! You'd still get bruising if it was done correctly on the shoulder blades!! It shows that Chauvin had his hands in his pockets and No Weight on his feet to control the pressure!!!!! All his weight was on Floyd's neck!

It further points out that Chauvin Violated Section B #1a and #5 in the MRT manual that his mother brought! The Judge should have allowed the pictures, and the prosecutors should have shown the side by side, it would have further proved what the Chief and the Trainers said when he said he did not know what Chauvin was doing, and he is correct because Chauvin was NOT doing MRT correctly! Not a lie like the film wants you to believe!

This film loves to victim blame Floyd and bring up his past, yet does not mention Chauvin's 17 excessive force complaints, or Tou Thao's 6 excessive force complaints. It does not mention Chauvin also worked security WITH Floyd at a night club and had personal beef with Floyd, which was talked about in trial, and in the news.

I could go on and this is already way too long. Bottom line, and worst of all it was Morries Hall that passed the fake $20, not Floyd; THAT'S part of why he didn't take the stand. The store clerk testified to that. None of this had to happen on so many levels. We are ALL Human Beings. Like it or not we have to go back to understanding AND, stop living in OR otherwise we Will Be Destroyed, ALL of us. All of these reviews prove it.

Truelove (2024– )

Designed For An Older Audience

[8/10 · 14 January 2024]

Finally a story relevant for people over 40! This is a really good story, and a mystery snuck in for good measure. The acting was a bit stiff in some spots, and it is NOT a comedy. The best part - all the main characters, except one, is over 60. There are some holes in it, and the young police officer is annoying, that's why it only gets an 8. It could have had a better ending where Justice would have been served and Death With Dignity could have been preserved. As we all know justice and the law are two very different things. This has an Awesome soundtrack and it's not about pretty young people. It's more realistic in it's approach and it is a great watch for people that have to deal with their mortality - which is ALL of us. Whilst I'm not in that age bracket, I appreciate what it would take to deal with Death With Dignity. Highly recommend for the story, cinematography and realistic way it deals with it's subject. Would have like to see the younger person be more adult, though. A 28 year old should be way more mature. It's good enough to watch twice.

Black Noise (2023)

Really. Typical Hollywood Action Film.

[2/10 · 14 January 2024]

Rescue mission, sonic mind control, the end. As with all Hollywood action films, same formula since the 1960's. Keep hoping they come up with something NEW. Instead: Rescue, and instead of doing something smart go after the 'why', revenge, everybody dies except the 'hero'. BORING!!!!! In this case Voice on the phone, off grid mission, and absolutely no imagination. The call wants to verify the person, however the person doesn't verify the voice. It's AI from the jump. Then once they get to the mission and the target is dead, they sit around FOR HOURS before they decide they need to get off the island. However, instead of getting off the island, after sitting around for hours, they decide to neutralise the threat. Who cares, get off the island, then figure it out. Stupid, boring, predictable. It only gets 2 for the scenery. If stupid ,boring and predictable is your thing then this is for you.

You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment (2024)

Pseudo - Science Prop

[1/10 · 12 January 2024]

One O & P test on the plant based diet twin would blow these results up. This is nothing but pseudo - science propaganda, that had the results skewed from the first 20 minutes of the first episode. For the reviewer that thinks we all missed the point, no one missed the point, everyone that did or did not like it admits the mockumentary is an opinion marketed as fact. If this was truly a legitimate scientific experiment they would have started by not telling either twin what diet they were on, nor would they have droned on about "plant good, meat bad, climate change". Legitimate scientific experiments that set out to prove or disprove do not start with biased opinions and feelings. That negates the whole reason to do an experiment. Interesting to note that none of them kept a plant based diet after the airing, promos and contract was up.

Shetland (2013– )

Set wis aff for Setter! {Set off on a journey}

[10/10 · 28 November 2023]

10 for the scenery and weather alone! 10 more for the acting and filming in reality (coats ,scarfs, wellies, wind), and not hiding the elements, or falsely creating them like Hollywood does. Some seasons are better than others, however, this is a much more realistic approach to mystery. As another stated, if there were that many murders going about on those Islands, it's be the murder capitol of the world factoring in the per capita, it is a tv show, though. Great believable story lines, brilliant storytelling, surprises and a wee bit o Shetland culture/history in the mix. May be hard for Americans to catch the language and understand the mannerisms, however, it is a gorgeous place that deals with human nature respectfully. Best part it does NOT 'Americanise' in any way. I do miss Douglas Henshall and Mark Bonnar; however, just like in real life, people retire, burn out, and move. I give it 30 stars. Well worth the journey!

The Alaska Triangle (2020– )

Filmed In Nova Scotia

[3/10 · 14 November 2023]

Do Not Even Bother! Complete waste of time. The only reason it gets 3 stars is because the scenery is so amazing - except it's not Alaska. There is no "Alaska Triangle" and this series never identifies it - in fact, it changes in every episode, at least the first four. Couldn't make it past the 'Haunted Cabin/ Giants" episode. Yes, there is a Black Pyramid, yes there is Sasquatch/Yeti/Nantiinaq/Hairy Man going back thousands of years. Yes there are secret military bases like Area 51. Yes there are imprints and haunting. Yes there are Lei Lines and Electromagnetic vortex interference. Instead of examining all of that with legitimate history, evidence backed by police reports, physics, missing person family members, and verifiable information this series instead chooses to pretend.

JFK: One Day in America (2023)

Still Perpetuating

[1/10 · 13 November 2023]

Lies That Have Been Proven As Lies First, this was created by National Geographic, so it's no surprise that it's highly sanitised. Second, if you are going to have colour footage, let it ALL be in colour - colourise all of it, not just parts.

Whilst the interviews were interesting, it was very clear they had been rehearsed for 6 decades and obvious the people are not telling the whole story.

What Is surprising is that with all the information that was recently redacted, with Jackie Kennedy's own words, with the Laws of Physics, with all the forensic science and even the three different caskets shown in this series NG would still perpetuate the same story from 22NOV63. Also surprisingly they allowed the footage of people talking about the Xd by amazon and Xd by amazon; and the man that said Congress did it. As Jackie Kennedy said to Mrs. Johnson when asked if she wanted to change her clothes "No. Let THEM see what THEY have done.

Scream VI (2023)

Just NO

[1/10 · 3 November 2023]

If I could give this a MINUS 10 I would. There is absolutely NO POINT to this weird non- cohesive bs. There are certain movies that need to be left alone as they are truly unique and any attempt to remake, re -do or 're - imagine' them is futile. The entire Scream trilogy is that. Anything past 3 was a complete waste of time, money and effort. 5 and 6 are even worse than 4 and 4 was scraping the barrel. It's time for Hollywood to get rid of 're - imagining" and fire people that cannot come up with something original, especially in horror. If the next generation is too stupid to like the original then too bad, make up your own sht. Leave the originals alone.

The Wrath of Becky (2023)

More Glorifying Psychopathy

[5/10 · 3 November 2023]

The sequel to Becky. The entire time I'm thinking she looks like Sarah Michelle Gellar in Buffy, which was distracting. As with Becky, it's still BVS's Faith (Eliza Dushku) in an R rated movie. It's still Psychopathic Brat against White Supremacy. Still don't know what is up with the stupid key. This time, though LuLu Wilson is not so great as a supposed 16 year old. She seemed more like 30. Becky is a little more likeable, and only a little. Still a narcissistic psychopath though. The ending was one of the dumbest I've seen and way too predictable. Too many stereotypes. Whilst it's nice to see a female psychopath for a change, it's not really worth watching, especially when the key is still not explained after two movies and the ending is so obvious.

Becky (II) (2020)

Psychopathic Brat Against Psychopathic White Supremacy

[5/10 · 3 November 2023]

5 stars because this is right in the middle. The good of it is that it is fairly original. The bad of it is it's all a bunch of narcissistic psychopaths trying to out psychopath one another and all the non - psychopaths are held hostage, including the audience.

It is entertaining in it's novelty and seeing how a supposed kid comes up with ideas to foil the criminals in a brutal version of Home Alone. That said, it's over the top and predictable. LuLu Wilson is a great actor, and she looks like Sarah Michelle Gellar. Becky is pretty much Faith (Eliza Dushku) from WB's Buffy The Vampire Slayer if the BVS character was in an R rated film instead of a TV show. No surprises there. It's interesting and will keep your attention, and it glorifies psychopathy.

Totally Killer (2023)

Better Than Expected

[9/10 · 3 November 2023]

Yes, it's campy, yes it's a little predictable, yes the main character is a typical brat, and yes it is fun to watch. It was also pretty accurate in going back in time. Lately that seems to be 'all the rage' and most of the time the people writing the script, doing props and continuity f it up. This doesn't. It's fun, it's funny and it's an good homage to 80's slasher films. It doesn't bog down in explanation and it takes the time - space continuum into the equation without stereotyping. The best part is it does not take itself too seriously, so sit back and watch it for the pure entertainment without some sort of modern commentary that it is meant to be - Fun!

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)

Updated Frankenstein Is Not Original

[4/10 · 3 November 2023]

Stereotypes are stereotypes for a reason. Whilst Laya DeLeon Hayes is a Fabulous actor and the reason it gets four stars, there is nothing original here. Frankenstein meets Weird Science meets Tales From The Hood with a smidge of Totally Killer, with a happyish ending. It is entertaining, and very predictable. Has all the stereotypes without any real substance. There's no Blade creativity, no surprises. No twists that you cannot see coming. The critics gave this a lot more credit than it deserves for stereotypical reasons. Pop the popcorn, watch it and forget about it, much like the 1931 version.

John Carpenter's Suburban Screams (2023)

It's Definitely John Carpenter, If You Don't Like Him, Don't Watch It

[6/10 · 17 October 2023]

5 of the 6 stories can be verified. 2 of them are in Canada and the last time I checked Canada is NOT "hometown America". The Jamul, Ca. Story is the only one (so far) that cannot be verified. It is typical John Carpenter with unnecessary scenes, stupid dialogue and long held shots that are annoying, not suspenseful; and it takes too long to tell the tale. It's all of John Carpenter's trademarks. If you don't like JC, don't watch it. That simple. I like JC, so the stories are interesting, and I know how he's going to tell them. Also, all the stories but one have multiple sources to back up the stories. Canada has strong libel laws so the first two episodes have the most sources. I will say that the 'Ouija" board is pronounced "we - ya", as in oui the french word for yes and ja the German word for yes; not "we-gee". In what universe has the "a" ever been pronounced "eee"? Otherwise the show is the John Carpenter version of true story, NOT true crime as some of these reviews have stated. It's about the story.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023)

Suprisingly Better Than Expected

[8/10 · 15 October 2023]

Way better than the dumba** '19 remake, however it isn't the backstory Stephen King wrote. As long as you know this upfront, it's good. Not great, and not bad. It's a good stand alone, and if you don't associate it with the original novel, it's a good story on it's own. Good, not Great. Much, Much better than the POS remake done in '19 that absolutely f'd up SK's story. The only 3 complaints I have is it's long - winded (some of the scenes, especially the last 15 minutes are too long and irritating instead of suspenseful); it's supposed to be 1969 Maine, so the accent should have been in; and apparently no one on set knows how to drive a '68 Chevelle. They must have burned through 7 sets of tires and 6 sets of modified locking brakes because the stunt drivers don't know how to drive a real car. Otherwise, good show.

Psycho: The Lost Tapes of Ed Gein (2023)

People, This Is A Deep Fake, AI Generated BS !!!

[1/10 · 26 September 2023]

People out there honestly believe that in the last 66 years 'someone' 'unearths' a 'never - heard - before' recording of Ed Gein? Especially after 'Psycho?' People honestly think Alfred Hitchcock wouldn't have exploited that if it was real, really? All the supposed people on the 'tape' are long dead. Then people believe that an actual tape that is 66 years old and has not been stored properly {'unearthed'} is retrievable? No degradation, seriously? No pops, no hissing, no distortion, really? It would be dust if it was not stored in very specific perimeters. There is no authentic verification of these three voices. None. Digital conversion can do a lot, however there is even more it CANNOT do for a 66 year old 1/4" short reel, and that's IF it was in PRISTINE condition! It only took 7 minutes into the first episode to know this is a deep fake.

The facts are not even correct. Gein was a grave robber, there was no evidence to support anything outside of 2 murders. Gein was not a genius, and building him up to hero worship status that this mockumentary clearly does is almost worse than what he did, especially by the 'author'. It is clearly AI reading case notes and police reports 'in the style of law enforcement questioning a suspect circa 1957.' Dragnet is more authentic than this. Sadly there are too many people out there that will believe this is real. There is nothing new here except sick egos making money off a clinically diagnosed mentally ill 'human', 2 humans that were murdered and 9 human remains that were violated/ abuse of corpses {and all their family members' pain}. There is a reason the farm was burnt to the ground. How would you feel if it was your family member?

Psychopath with Piers Morgan (2019 TV Movie)

Not A Full Documentary, Just An Episode In A Series

[8/10 · 21 August 2023]

This is an episode of Serial Killer With Piers Morgan, that started in 2017. Not sure why all the negative reviews, and all the sympathy for a brutal necrophiliac except most humans really do not get what a psychopath really is, and Paris Bennett is exactly what a psychopath is. They kill simply because they want to. It means nothing more to them than when humans kill insects {like mosquitos, roaches, etc} and spiders. It's not complicated for them. Most humans don't seem to be able to get that basic concept. You are not going to get straight answers, you are not going to get emotion, remorse, logic, reason or anything 'insightful' from a psychopath. It's brains are completely different, literally, shows up on MRIs, SPET, and PET scans as a completely different brain. Most humans, as these reviews clearly show cannot wrap their heads around the fact that psychopaths are not human. You cannot get self awareness from something that is not aware of self, or some 'insights' from something that does not look inward. It's like asking a four legged animal to speak a human language fluently. It's not going to happen. Not sure what people are expecting especially based on these reviews. I'd like to see how most of these negative reviewers would interview a psychopath, I'd like to see how they'd react to being in the same room with one, especially one like this one. I'd like to see how many questions they would get answered - you do not treat psychopaths the same way you treat humans, and Piers Morgan was extremely careful and cautious. Piers Morgan is not the focus, and should not be. If you don't like him, don't watch, that simple. Why would you? Paris is up for parole 5FEB27, if it gets out, it will kill again, no question. There is no rehabilitation and recidivity is 100%. Like the mom says, they will not be safe, no one that crosses paths will be. Simple.

Fantasy Island (2021–2023)

Better Scenery, No Charisma, Too Much Side/ Backstory

[5/10 · 8 July 2023]

Firstly, Mr. Roarke never revealed his first name, he had no brothers, no sisters. He did have a step - son, Jaime Marsh (The Wedding Season 3 Episode 7), and two Goddaughters Delphine ( Delphine/ The Unthinkable Season 4 Episode 20), and Julie (21 episodes). The writers could have chosen this route instead of making up a bs story. The smart choice would have been to have Delphine (whom also had powers) take over the island. Julie was a mortal, not very bright and better with the children.

Secondly, since this show had to make a huge deal out of diversity, Mr. Roarke is Spanish (this is mentioned in several episodes), not Cuban; even though Ricardo was Mexican and Roselyn is Puerto Rican, also not Cuban (as mentioned in Once Upon A Time In Havana Season One Episode 3). Tattoo and Hervé (character and actor) were French.

Thirdly, it was Mr Roarke that had the power, not the island. He was also immortal (Ricardo is obviously not). This is also why he had a step - son, not a son, two Goddaughters, no daughters, no family, married a mortal who died, and made another mortal forget who he was.

This series could have made new stories, instead it just remade and updated the same stories. Apparently people that watched the original didn't recognise this. The whole mermaid thing was more ridiculous than Princess Nyah ever was and the writers completely forgot that the man that went with Nyah had no family at all. They could have at least re-watched the episode. Mr Roarke didn't lose anything, in fact there were four more episodes after that.

It was also completely ridiculous to have Roselyn running around in impossibly high heels - even if there was that stupid looking wooden path to the plane (with all the beauty they could have made a better dock!!!), she still stepped off it onto the friggin beach!!! Hello broken ankles!!! Who cares if she was a foot shorter than Ruby? It would have made a nice twist on the original, duh!

This show could have really really worked, and worked well if they had focused more on the guests than the residents and remembered that the majority of America does not give two shts about virtue signalling. The stories should have been solely about the guests, that was the magic of the original series. The mystery of Mr Roarke and Tattoo were part of the charm.

The only saving grace to this attempt was the island shots, and the reality of wind on an island in the first few episodes.

The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

REALLY?

[3/10 · 23 June 2023]

'Spain' is actually Ireland. Why they did not film on location, when they went to Rome, who knows.

Supposedly set in 1987, the boy wears headphones that did not exist then.

The story was good, The execution stupid. Russel Crowe is a great actor, lately though he has been in some very bad movies.

This one has every cliche that has ever been in every 'exorcist' movie ever made. It's all over the top and boring. The worst part is the stories of Father Armoth are interesting and if Hollywood would stick to that instead of over indulgent special effects and CG they could make a decent movie about his stories.

Glad he's not here to see the ridiculous mess they made out of his writings.

I Melt with You (2011)

For Gen X, Anyone Under Won't Get It

[8/10 · 16 June 2023]

Definitely for and an understanding of Gen X. The film is for us, and it deals with what we lived through. The drugs weren't being used for fun. Not then, not now. The soundtrack is extremely important , as the well placed lyrics are part of the story, as music was so much a part of our lives. We were seen and not heard as children, told we were never going to live past 21. We grew up with the threat of Nuclear War everyday of our young lives. We lived with real dictatorships, communist rules, and shown by glaring example that socialism leads to dictatorships. When we lived past 21 we didn't know what to do because we didn't die, however, no one told, let alone showed us how to live. Now we are middle aged, ignored and forgotten. We were ignored as children, we were never supposed to live and we did; and as adults we are ignored again. Our lives, our lived experience have been re - written by Millennials, Gen Y (and no you are not Millennials, a generation is only ten years) and Gen Z. So if you are in the last bit you don't have enough life experience to understand this film, and it isn't for you any way. Maybe if you live long enough you'll get it, you won't though because AI is coming for you, and you are going to let it.