jared79 Reviews

The King of Queens (1998–2007)

It started well....but

[5/10 · 19 August 2023]

My wife and I have just finished watching this series through. It all started so well, we laughed a lot, but as unfortunately as the series went on it got worse and worse. Doug went from a large lovable goof, to a self centred twit. Same with Carrie, started of funny and also turned into a self centred horrible person.

The bickering also drives us crazy, each and every episode Doug and Carrie fight about something, it's draining and not how a marriage should be at all.

I gave it 5 stars because there was the odd laugh and most came from Arthur. Who also over time became more and more self centred.

Characters and stories also go no-where. Carries sister disappears and no long exists. They had a dog for a few episodes, vanished, no mentioned of it ever again. Deacan and Kelly bought a house and then didn't move in, no mention of it.

This is one of those shows that can watch once through, but it's got no repeatability.

Anyway, we pushed through, but it was a mission.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Subspace Rhapsody (2023) Season 2, Episode 9

I like how they are not afraid to do something different

[9/10 · 3 August 2023]

Yes auto tune sometimes sticks out. But these actors were hired for their acting skills and not singing. Some of them can sing and most of songs are good and catchy. It was another fun episode and I think that is what is great about SNW. With everything being dark and gritty these days. It's nice to have a show that can balance both sides, fun and serious.

My wife and I enjoyed this episode, but we like musicals, so this worked for us. I understand that this might not be everyone's cup of tea. But I hope people do enjoy it.

Plenty of laughs too. The Klingon bit at the end is LOL hysterical. I only took off 1 star because sometimes the auto tune is pretty bad.

FUBAR (2023– )

A return to character driven entertainment

[9/10 · 28 June 2023]

I'm not sure I understand the low reviews for this show. Sure it's nothing ground breaking, but it's fun, it's well written and the characters are likeable, it's just good entertainment.

It kinda feels a bit old school and maybe that's it's appeal. Most of todays tv shows feel like they try to hard to be something edgy, I don't see that here. It's just a good old fashioned spy series.

Arnie is great too, he maybe older, but it still feels like Arnie of old.

It's easy an easy to follow story as well. Each episode doesn't feel like it drags either considering each episode is all most an hour long each. The chemistry between charters works too.

So, if you long for old school entertainment, this is a good place to start. Well done.

Star Trek: Picard: Imposters (2023) Season 3, Episode 5

Why....why couldn't the first two seasons been like this.

[10/10 · 17 March 2023]

Everything about this season is so so so much better than the previous two seasons. I know they were trying to do a series of Picard seperate film the next Gen crew, but they should have just bought back the TNG crew from the start.

This is not a review of this episode, more a review of the season so far.

While I do prefer the episodic style of Strange New Worlds as that is more traditional Star Trek, I am enjoying this arc season. Maybe it's just nostalgia, it's probably part of it. But everything about this season is so much better than what has come before. Picard feels like the real Picard and I respect him again. The first two seasons had done a lot of disservice to the character, but so far this has been redeemed IMO.

Star Trek: Picard: Disengage (2023) Season 3, Episode 2

Finally

[9/10 · 25 February 2023]

After 2 pretty bad seasons, we are finally getting something good from Picard. It would get a 10 if it wasn't for Michelle Hurd. Sorry, but she brings down the show with her bad overacting.

But, we finally have decent writing and an actual story line that doesn't feel disjointed. It's still early days, but I don't hate it. Kind of a "Strange New World" vibes, which has been the best modern trek yet.

The sad thing is Patrick Stewart is a little to old to carry a whole series and with mostly weak characters in season 1 and 2, it really struggled. Bringing back the TNG team was the right thing to do, and probably should have been done from season 1. But hindsight is good and they took two seasons, but they learnt.

I was super nervous going into this season, but so far, I am happy. Keep it up.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi: Resolve (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

I know she is getting a love action show but....

[10/10 · 27 October 2022]

Watching Star Wars growing, I liked it. Maybe not as much as my brothers, but I still liked it. But the prequels kinda ruined it for me. Then there was years without really much Star Wars related stuff. The Clone Wars came out, but it wasn't accessible easily.

Then Disney+ came along and Disney made the Mandalorian came along and changed everything. Now this isn't review of that show. But it was starting point for me falling in love with Star Wars. Because of Disney+, I now had access to all thing Star Wars. The movies are fine. But Star Wars TV is were it's universe shines the brightest. The 3 sequels made sure that the TV shows continued to be the best Star Wars out there.

I started with The Clone Wars of course. I actually started the series before watching the Clone Wars movie. Probably a good thing as the movie was not great. But the show was and slowly as the seasons went on, a character, which at first was kinda of annoying grew, not only as a Jedi, but as a character. By the end of season 6 (the last season until it wasn't) Ahsoka had become my favourite character and Jedi. In my opinion, Ahsoka is the most skilful fighter in the Star Wars universe.

During the Mandalorian season 2, we finally got to see a live action Ahsoka and it was great. Rosario Dawson does an excellent job. HOWEVER, Ahsoka in the cartoons, played by Ashley Eckstein is still the best. It was great to see her back in this series.

So, while I have no problems with the live action Ahsoka series. Please, Dave Filoni, we want, no need more cartoon episodes of Ahsoka or even a series.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

A little slow, but picking up.

[10/10 · 2 September 2022]

Like many I had my doubts about if they can pull this off. The first episode was fine, they introduced the main characters, but nothing major happened. The second episode was certainly better, a bit more excitement and a bit more humour once the dwarfs entered the story. I did my best to keep an open mind and so far I'm enjoining it. Maybe a little to heavy on the female as the heroine side, don't get me wrong, I don't mind women heroines, but sometimes I find they over correct in modern TV and movies. Sure a lot of stories were male driven in the past, but instead of relocating men to minor roles, just even it out. Elrond has a bigger part than I expected, so that's good. Anyway, so far it's been pretty good and the people score it low probably haven't even watched it.

The Orville: A Tale of Two Topas (2022) Season 3, Episode 5

What I took from this episode...

[9/10 · 1 July 2022]

Some people think this is about trans rights. Firstly, while I respect all people, I do not agree with kids being given the choice to choose their sex. I wanted to be a pirate when I was a kid, if someone had said I could, I would have done it. I didn't have the maturity to make that choice. But here is what is different about this. The original choice was forced on her by her mother/father. That episode made me angry. I feel like this episode spoke to tragedy of children that transition early, even though it was not her choice as it was at birth, I see parents almost forcing transition on their kids these days which too me is basically the same. So great job to Seth for this episode showing the consequences of transitioning, especially the high suicidal rate amongst the trans community, it's tragic and we sweep it under the rug because we can't offend anyone. We don't see that a lot these days and I'm guessing that some will see it as an attack on the trans community, which is regretful. The one thing I disagree about is I think both parents should have a say in what happens, even if that guy was annoying, his voice should be heard. That would be my only negative about the episode.

Star Wars: Rebels: The Wynkahthu Job (2016) Season 3, Episode 9

If it's got Hando, it's a good time.

[8/10 · 13 May 2022]

He's not everyone's cup of tea, but I like Hando. He's sort of the anti-hero of Star Wars, dodgy and always in it for himself, but funny as hell and such a smooth talker. I snicker and laugh at almost all of Hando's lines. He comedic timing is amazing. AP-5's dry sense of humour is gold too. Great ep.

Stargate Origins: Catherine (2018)

Oh my....

[2/10 · 30 March 2022]

When I heard they were making this, I was excited. I wanted more SG. Universe took two seasons, but it got there and was cancelled too early.

Sigh....this is tragic. Bad acting, terrible story line and they basically made up a new origin story for the Stargate. Did they not watch SG1 or even the movie? Don't change things you're not supposed too.

I stuck it out till the end. But it wasn't worth it.

Star Trek: Picard: The Star Gazer (2022) Season 2, Episode 1

That's better

[9/10 · 4 March 2022]

Season 1 was a disaster and while this is only the first episode, it's much better. The writing is better, the pacing is better, it's just all around better. Let's hope they keep it up.

The Book of Boba Fett: Chapter 3: The Streets of Mos Espa (2022) Season 1, Episode 3

Could have been more stars, except for the bikes.

[6/10 · 12 January 2022]

Yeah, episode 2 was excellent, this was not. Sure we are building to something but like a lot of other reviewers, I just can't get past those bikes. What were they thinking putting Harley type bikes in Star Wars. They stood out a sore thumb and really took you out of the story. Hard to get past. The bike chase scene was meh. The rest of the story is ok, although I feel they haven't made it fully clear what the story is. The flashback scenes are the most entertaining and I kinda wish the show focused around that more, like episode 2. The problem is I am finding it hard to care about a power struggle between all these factions. The underworld of Star Wars never interested me much I guess. I do like that they are not making Fett just an all out bad guy. But I still don't know what the point of the show is yet. Anyway, it's Star Wars, so I'll continue on.

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Better than the rating.

[8/10 · 18 October 2021]

I liked it. Not as good as the first, but better than 5.5 and definitely doesn't deserve a Razzie. DC still don't have the best animators and there are a few terrible CGI moments. But the movie had heart and emotion and some great action sequences.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Stolen (2020) Season 7, Episode 10

Worst bad guy is the series.

[5/10 · 8 October 2021]

It's sad that the final bad guy of the series is the worst one yet. Nathaniel is just so blah. He's annoying, played terribly too. I hope the final few episodes rectify this. After the highs of the previous episode, this is a low. Not that the episode is bad bad. But he's just that bad.

Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

Funny and moving

[10/10 · 7 August 2021]

I don't think people that scored this low actually watched the same movie. Beautiful story, great performances and so much heart. Loved it.

Ted Lasso: Lavender (2021) Season 2, Episode 2

The slow decline

[4/10 · 2 August 2021]

I'm hoping it's just a bump in the road, but season 2 so far has been a big disappointment. Not as funny and the swearing has gotten out of hand. I'm still have hope it will pick up, but I think the idea of Ted Lasso is one that can't go on for too long. The whole idea was him trying to win everyone over with is positive kindness, now he has done that, it's seems like it has no-where to go.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–2024)

A slow start has turned into a great show.

[10/10 · 16 July 2021]

The first episode was fantastic, then it slowed for awhile and at first Omega was annoying, but that is changing. Kind of the way I felt at the beginning of The Clone Wars with Ahsoka, but she grows on you and she is now my favourite Jedi. While there is still a long way for Omega to go, she is becoming more likeable and the relationship between her and the batch is growing deeper. She is also proving to be useful to their missions. Not so much as she saves the day all the time, she's no Wesley Crusher, which is good.

Anyway, I look forward to each episode and I hope they don't can it before it's time.

The Tomorrow War (2021)

More like a video game

[7/10 · 10 July 2021]

Ok, it wasn't too bad, not great, but not bad. The dialogue was a bit cringe and to be honest most of it felt like it was a video game and it would have made heresy video game too.

My main complaint was the music was too loud, so much so you couldn't always hear the dialogue, which felt like I was watching a Nolan film, except a Nolan film would be better.

It was enjoyable and thrilling for most of it.

The Last Airbender (2010)

The best bits were when no-one was talking.

[3/10 · 14 April 2021]

Let's start at 0 stars and run through the list of elements of the movie and see how many stars we can get.

Screenwriting-when your source material is a very good cartoon loved by many people, you should be able to come up with a decent script. Alas, this movie doesn't have it. I will admit that adapting 20 episodes into a movie would be hard. But the movie is just over an hour and half, they could have added and hour on to solve a lot of problem, but it probably would have created more considering other elements of this movie. Star=No

Casting-A bunch of white actors playing technically mainly Asian characters, fail. But what makes it worse is the acting is so bad. A few actors manage to do ok. But the 3 main kids. They are so far removed from the characters from the tv show that it's just bad casting. Yes the kid playing Aang can fight and fight well, but that's as far as it goes. Star=No

Character development-there is none. I guess cramming 20 episodes of exposition into 100mins is more important than any character development, accept it's not. You just don't care about them at all. Character development is everything. Star=No

Music-Finally, something good about this movie. The soundtrack is excellent. Star=Yes

Adaption-I only just finished watching season 1 of Avatar today and thought I should watch the movie as I knew it was based on season 1 of the show. It's just awful. The adaption is shockingly bad. Yes, as I said before. Cramming 20 episodes into a movie is hard. But half the movie is the first 18 episodes and the second half is the final 2 episodes. It was so disjointed and skipped over some many important stories which they covered in short exposition. But unless you have seen the tv series, I doubt you could follow along. Oh and don't get me started on the pronunciation of the characters names. All the humour was left out too. Sokka is funny in the cartoon. He's annoying in the movie. Star=No

Pacing-again, terrible. Rush through the first half, focus on the second half. No time to pause and contemplate what's happening. Got to get to the North Pole. Star=No

Acting-bad, wooden, unemotional. Star=0

Direction-Shyamalan why do you disappoint so much. You had good movies in the past. But you took a much loved cartoon and dragged it through the sewer. Shyamalan couldn't direct he way out of a paper bag. He makes George Lucas look good for SW Ep 1. Star=No

Special effects-pretty good. Not perfect, but worthy of a star. Star=Yes

Set/Costume design. Ok, so I bundled these two together. But they were good here as well. Very close to the cartoon. I'll give them a star for this. Star=Yes

So there you have it 3 stars. I've given lower scores. Mainly to movies that push their Woke agenda. There is none of that here, but it was made 11 years ago, before woke.

Like I said, the best parts are the parts where they don't talk. The action is pretty good, the music is great. Just cut out the talking and you might have a good movie.

Tenet (2020)

Not as hard to follow as some say.

[8/10 · 11 April 2021]

Sure, I will need a second viewing, but it wasn't that hard to follow in general and by the end, it all falls into place.

Movies about time travel will always confuse people because that's the premise of time travel, it's confusing. I won't call you stupid if you can't follow it. These things take an IQ greater than the average human, so it's not your fault if you don't understand, it's genetic.

Anyway, good movie if you concentrate, action is good and the the reverse stuff is great.

Soundtrack wasn't too loud like people said, but I didn't watch it in the cinemas because, you know COVID, so maybe they fixed it for home viewing.

Is it as good as Inception? No. But it's still good. I like a mind bending movie and Nolan knows how to make them.

Time Trap (2017)

Better than you think.

[8/10 · 4 April 2021]

For a low budget sci-fi movie, this is way better than you think it will be. Acting is passable and while some things are a bit far fetched (GoPro's that never run out of battery) it had some great twists and turns. They could have explained it more at the end, but it was still satisfying.

Snowpiercer (2013)

Yeah, it was fine.

[7/10 · 16 March 2021]

Sure, plot holes galore. But who cares, just enjoy the ticket to ride.

Although I really wish they didn't leave it hanging like that.

Heavy Rescue: 401 (2016–2023)

It's not Highway thru Hell.

[6/10 · 7 March 2021]

Heavy Rescue 401 is Highway Thru Hell's poor cousin. While it is interesting, the heavy rescue characters are not as interesting and I question their choices.

Steve and Sonny are annoying, always yelling and panicking. We only have seasons 1 and 2 in Australia, so hoping they are not in future seasons.

Anyway, it's an interesting diversion when we don't have anything else to watch.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

The best of the 8.

[9/10 · 25 February 2021]

I wasn't a Harry Potter fan for a long time and while I wouldn't consider myself a true fan. I enjoyed the movies, with this one being the most enjoyable. I've never read the books, so can't comment in the comparison between them and the movies. But as far a person that enjoys movies goes, this one tops the others. The pacing is perfect. It moves along nicely with the odd action sequence thrown in to make sure it doesn't drag. I think in terms of character development, this one is spot on. Of course we know the 3 hero's from the previous 6 movies, but this one feels like you really really get to know them. Nothing is rushed, the story unfolds as it is supposed too.

It's also beautifully shot. Everything from the grand landscapes to the suspenseful parts is right on. A bit of hand held camera mixed with sweeping shots to the more traditional shots. All perfectly placed at the right time. It drew you into the story.

The sound track is also well done. While it doesn't have any overall memorable parts, it sat perfectly under everything and never took over. While I love a good memorable score (Hans Zimmer fan here) I never felt like it got in the way. It built tension perfectly and then disappeared when it needed too. The whole chase through the woods scene for example had no music until the end and was just some excellent sound design of breathing, running and of course wand action. It was amazingly shot and the tension from the editing meant that no score was needed. Well done.

Of course you can't really watch this movie without seeing the others, but for me, it's stands alone in the way it was put done.

Veep (2012–2019)

Not funny and just horrible

[1/10 · 10 February 2021]

Only got half way through the first episode and the language it terrible. Wasn't funny either. Avoid.