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Loki (2021)
Forget Marvel. Watch this for an examination of humanity.
First, allow me to disclose my bias against almost all Marvel-related shows and movies. I have found almost all of the productions to be either campy and silly or terribly predictable. So I waited with indifference as the two seasons came and went. As I waited, however, I would occasionally read or hear such superlatives as 'excellent' or 'genius'. So over a couple of days in Dec '23 I sat down and tuned in.
I will spare talk of episodes or scenes or lines...anything spoiler related. What I'd rather state is how moved I was on some of the truly profound moral, philosophical, even theological conundrums presented in this series. The nature of humankind, choice, fate, free will, suffering, joy, sacrifice.
Sacrificial leadership. Reluctant leadership. If only we had more.
The acting superb, the musical score flawless, the editing excellent.
But to the glorious purpose of the writers: I am honored to have witnessed your creation.
Hawkeye (2021)
What a mess.
A stupid mess of a show that can't decide if it's supposed to be serious, silly, or somewhere in between. Other than Renner, it's disjointed, dysfunctional, and disappointing.
Mr. Robot: 407 Proxy Authentication Required (2019)
No Words.
In my 60+ years I cannot recall ever watching a single, one-hour episode of television of such quality. The acting, the writing, the lighting, the cinematography...you won't find better craftsmanship anywhere. Bravo!
Blue Bloods (2010)
Blue Bloods through a Netflix lens
There are inherent advantages to viewing series on Netflix. No advertising and watching at one's leisure are a given. There are certain disadvantages as well. For example, when watching a series on a network, one has a week of distraction and contemplation before the next episode. Plus, there's the months of waiting from one season to the next. But when eight seasons are compressed into a few weeks of watching, irritations and errors are magnified and patterns of predictability become more obvious.
Preface aside, upon the advice of a friend, I decided to watch the series and write this review. First, the positives.
This is Tom Selleck's show and without him there is no show. His ability to convey emotion and passion are exceptional, especially given that his libertarian views are occasionally at odds with the show's themes. His casting as the man in the middle is genius and he rarely if ever disappoints. He is often the sole provider of both believable, tearful emotion and all too brief comic relief. His cohorts at 1 Police Plaza are usually involved in the best scenes in every episode and again, my hats off to the casting director.
Somewhere in the middle of good and not so much floats the family dinner table. Sometimes the interaction is profound and endearing. Other times it's anyone's bet that someone will pick up a knife and start stabbing things. I find it hard to believe that any family could or would tolerate such bickering.
Unfortunately, once Selleck and 1PP or the dinner table are off screen, the rest of the show is noticeably inferior. First, there's the typical lazy American police procedural writing. DNA testing is sometimes available on the same day as the crime. Tox screen results are sometimes known before the detectives have returned to precinct HQ. Guns that have been buried in muck for months can still have fingerprints extracted. Ballistic data can be resolved faster than a Google search and, of course, preposterous courtroom antics. It all reveals a lack of creativity and believability.
Secondly, the hypocrisy and pontification from the characters become predictable and boring. They all preach to one another about what is right and wrong, then have no problem in twisting their behaviors into whatever round hole they wish to fit. The means justifying the end is ever fluid depending on circumstance.
Thirdly, the arguments between Danny and Erin have long since grown tiresome. It's the same thing over and over.
And speaking of Danny...Watching eight seasons of his whining and bickering and combative, self-righteous, overbearing, loud-mouth self is a pain akin to attempting to recover from a migraine while a five-year-old bangs on a set of drums in the next room. And this one fact alone insures that season nine will not see the light of day on my screen.
Lost in Space (2018)
Likely worth watching...if you're a sophomore in HS
This show is lost in banality. Other than the visual effects I can find almost nothing worth watching. Really shallow plot, writing, acting. Too bad, was hoping for more.
Bosch (2014)
Not even close...
Other cops shows, that is. Far and away the best police drama on TV.
Season 4 is a work of art. Well done!
The Punisher (2017)
Red, Red everywhere
Back in the 70's, being a fan of both SNL and Monty Python, I can recall a couple of satirical skits each did about movie director Sam Peckinpah. Peckinpah was known for his over-the-top violence and propensity to have explosions all over the place. The skits were, and still are, funny.
As I watched The Punisher I couldn't help but recall those skits--well, except for the funny part.
In The Punisher you will see blood everywhere. Walls, floors, ceilings, sinks, faces, clothes. When that blood dries be patient--there will likely be another coat of blood applied over the top of the first. Maybe there will be bits of brain matter sprayed on the wall to add a little texture. The next scene may have bloody vomit or sputum that works as a top coat.
Like sledge hammers to the face? Rocks applied to the cranium in a forceful manner? The sound of knives slicing through an abdomen?
All committed by "a good man".
Too bad Monty Python's not around to cast a bit of humour on this excess.
Shooter (2016)
Rehash of familiar themes
Shooter is a replay of numerous revenge/government conspiracy/corrupt federal agency/falsely accused dramas. (Other than Jack Ryan, has there ever been one person working for the CIA that Hollywood/Vancouver hasn't depicted as totally amoral?) The acting is reasonably good, but attention to detail is mostly non-existent.
How convenient it is that no one's on the golf course in the middle of a nice day.
Are we on the west coast...no, wait it's VA. Wait a second, couldn't be VA as they were just hiding in the woods in WA. But no, it's VA because that evil guy's HQ is there. Couldn't be VA as that hill is full of scrub that grows in CA (or some other western location).
Dozens dead, bodies everywhere. "What are you going to do with all those bodies?" "Leave them there, let nature take care of them." (What about all the black SUVs they rode in on?)
And it's 2017. Why are we beating this "trace that number while using a cell phone" drum over and over? It's not the 40's any longer, find something new.
Well, you get the drift.
Lexx (1996)
Started slow, got better in seasons 2 & 3, totally tanked in season 4
After catching only an occasional episode over the years, I finally got around to watching the entire series after it appeared on Amazon Prime.
The first season was a bit flaky, but had its moments.
The second and third seasons improved quite a bit. The satire and morality play employed in the latter half of the second and third seasons had its moments and was even inspiring at times.
The fourth season had to be the worst season of any TV series I've ever seen. It's almost as if the writers/creative directors wanted it to fail. My advice is to watch the first three and forget the fourth. You'll close the series on a positive note.
The Magicians (2015)
The show with the most...
My apologies, but I'm afraid this won't be a typical review. I won't waste my or your time other than to say I've never watched a show with more self-loathing, self-pity, passive-aggressiveness, codependency, dysthymia, self-medicating, dysfunctional and plain, old-fashioned whining than exhibited by the characters in this melodrama.
Do yourself a favor and watch something more affirming and positive.
The Blacklist (2013)
Spader vs the rest
I've just ploughed through the first season and thought I'd share my thoughts on what I've seen so far.
One of the reasons I enjoy Mr Robot is based on how the show regards its viewers. It assumes we have a brain and doesn't try to dumb itself down to reach a larger audience. In my opinion, shows that present themselves as being serious subject matter should be held to a higher standard than comedies or spoofs, of course.
Therein lies one of the glaring problems with this show. Serious, timely, relevant subject matter built on a framework of haphazard plot hole management. For example: Our protagonists declare they have 9 hours to complete a mission. This announcement comes in the evening. The story progresses through the night, all the next day, and into the next night. I understand the writers' desire to create a sense of urgency, but why allow such glaring and silly mistakes to exist? Over and over the team flies to this place or that and are back in DC before the next coffee break. It may sound as if I'm nitpicking, but this kind of thing happens ad nauseum.
Another problem I have with the writers is the repetitive nature of each episode. They all start with how Red has set them up, how they're never going to work with him again, but by the end of the episode they are (although sometimes reluctantly) singing his praises. And for agent Keen, this problem is even worse. They've written the same lines for her over and over. It became predictable as to what, how and when she'd give her "I'm done with you" speech.
And speaking of Agent Keen, my apologies, but Ms Boone is simply not a very good actress. I'm hoping she'll improve in season two.
Yes, I'm watching season two despite the shows numerous flaws. The reason: James Spader. His acting is superior in this show. Very nuanced, subtle, demonstrative when necessary. He is very much at ease in his role and that alone is enough to watch more episodes.
********
Addendum 2016.12.13
That's it. A season and a half and I can no longer tolerate the writing and the acting of Megan Boone.
Nice work, J Spader!
Spectral (2016)
Excellent effects-Acceptable acting-Plot holes galore
If I were 30 or 40 years younger I'd likely rate this movie higher. But I'm not, so I can't...or won't.
The FX, both visual and sound, are very well done and my hat's off to those teams. Score: A The acting is decent and mostly believable. Score: B- But those plot holes are large enough to sail a modern-day cruise ship through. So I'd have to score the script a solid F.
Summary: this won't be the worst film you've ever seen and if watched with a thumpin' sound system (a big woofer is required)you'll likely get a little pumped in spots. But don't be surprised if you look at your buddies and do a few eye rolls.
Luke Cage (2016)
Which half to rate?
The first half of season one rocked--the second half flopped.
Excellent acting performances for complex characters, masterful integration of powerful music, introspection and confrontation with current social issues--all highlights of the first several episodes.
Unfortunately, as the season progressed, one could sense that whoever was driving this bus fell asleep, or was otherwise distracted. A couple of scenes were reminiscent of old Batman and Robin episodes. B-rated, campy, predictable dialog replaced the eloquence of the early episodes. Logical progression of plot lines and at least cursory explanations of how this-lead-to-that were ignored. All capped with an uninspired, unsurprising finale.
My hope is the show will learn from its mistakes, correct the flaws, and become even better next year.