Change Your Image
bfleury
Reviews
The Simpsons (1989)
Jumped the shark...
Leave the musicals to Matt and Trey, this episode is trite and boring. This is the first time ever I stopped watching an episode of The Simpsons before it ended. I was done one-third of the way through. It cries, "Help us, we've run out of ideas." Time to stick a fork in it.
American Dad!: Klaus and Rogu in Thank God for Loose Rocks: An American Dad! Adventure (2021)
A cry for help...
I think the writers are pleading, "We've run out of ideas. Help us." I have never once in the past wanted to turn off an American Dad episode in the middle, but when the singing started, I thought I would be ill. Not their best effort.
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Venezuela (2018)
I cannot express my level of disappointment (hint: it's great)
The United States is currently in a political crisis and has been for the past 30 years. The reason -- the unwillingness of the supposed mainstream media to cover stories the go against the policies of the corporate elite and to engage in (now legal) governmental propaganda that fits a narrative pushed by the state department, the Pentagon, or a particular political interest group.
During the reign of Jon Stewart on The Daily Show, the media, to their complete surprise, began to realize that Americans were being better informed by comedians than by pundits and media giants armed with an overriding agenda and axe to grind. Now, Stewart has left the field (how did he know it was time?) and one of his brilliant colleagues, John Oliver, has his own show.
Last Week Tonight started out famously with his tirades against animal cruelty (chicken farmers/corporate food producers) and his support for Internet NET neutrality rules. With the campaign/election of Trump, however, Oliver like his former colleague Samantha Bee, he joined the rest of the media in Trump derangement syndrome or at least in the same spirit, based his jokes on the craziness of the Trump campaign/presidency.
With this "report" on Venezuela before their presidential election, Oliver has plumbed the depths of using ridicule/humor to benefit the oligarchy at the expense of the truth. There are many very detailed rebukes of this error-filled segment, anyone can look them up.
I can stomach the anti-Trump stupidity because sometimes it can be really clever and funny. It is mostly frustrating since, unlike his (possible) mentor or former boss Jon Stewart, his ridicule is being used for evil rather than for a beneficial purpose.
I will continue to watch, but this episode stood out as the worst example of his pushing popular media memes rather than looking under the covers for the underlying truth.
The Simpsons: Throw Grampa from the Dane (2018)
Another travelogue episode
Is is just me or are The Simpsons now going to do a country by country travel channel? This would be the fourth or fifth so far. I have never visited Copenhagen, but I have spent time in Scandinavia. I have enjoyed both Finland and Norway and the lack of poverty is striking.
Normal Simpsons humor and quips. I do have one complaint. Why do they have to propagate the lie that Nordic countries are somehow suffering due to generous social benefits? Americans are fed this pap all the time when, in fact, we need a lot more Socialist policies and programs in this country.
They're shoveling against the tide, however, younger people know that unbridled Capitalism is destroying the United States.
Designated Survivor: Home (2017)
Even dramas should not be promoting false narratives
I have been a fan of Designated Survivor from the beginning. Unfortunately, the underlying plot of the show seems to have run out of steam and now it has become The West Wing. Not sure, I never watched it.
In any case, in this episode the president responds to an Afghani who protests the US invasion and occupation of his country by stating, "you provided sanctuary and assistance to the people who attacked my country."
This is factually incorrect and should not stand. I know of no objective proof other than the planners of 9/11 having been residing in Afghanistan, not that they ever received any assistance from the government or the Taliban. As a matter of fact, the Taliban offered, when demanded by President Bush, to extradite Osama Bin Laden to a neutral third country for trial. Bush refused.
Bush wanted his war. He invaded Afghanistan and this has led to the longest war in American history. No, this misrepresentation of history should not be allowed to go unanswered.
South Park: Put It Down (2017)
Disappointing
What is this, a Saturday morning cartoon from the 1970s? This episode was boring, predicable, and preachy. No spoilers, you have to see it for yourself. I was so excited to see this episode because last season was incredible and the first episode of this season was amazing. This one is a clinker, possibly the worst South Park I can remember.
The Rebel: Night on a Rainbow (1960)
A period piece that misrepresents drug dependency
I normally forgive older TV program/films/books that are a product of their time, however, this one is so damaging as not to ignore. In the 1960s, government propaganda concerning the use of illegal drugs was ramping up. This episode of an otherwise excellent series is a reflection that that paranoia.
The representation of the drug dependent character, Ted Evens played by James Best, is an extreme caricature of a drug addict, hopelessly addicted to patent medicines. This is a ridiculous portrayal, in my opinion, used at the time to prop up the later war on drugs which was a war of people with medical problems.
We can hope that in the enlightened 21st century, people would see through this two-dimensional representation. Sadly, many today would believe this portrayal as an accurate story about a drug dependent individual.
National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002)
Worst movie of the century!
This is without a doubt, the worst movie I have ever seen. The main character, chosen no doubt for his uncanny resemblance to a young Chevy Chase, is funny but the plot simply does not exist.
The gags (when they're there) are trite, hackneyed, and old as rock. This movie will even die in videoland.
In my 47 years of life, I have seen a lot of movies. I have walked out on better movies than this. I did leave 10 minutes before the end because after I visited the bathroom I just wanted to get back into my car and go home.
Not a good movie!