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Reviews
Ancient Apocalypse (2022)
Fascinating and even compelling, but didn't need the overly dramatic soundtrack
This is a VERY tightly condensed treatment of several (but not all) of Hancock's wide-ranging and enormously well-referenced books. Those who are posting "1" and "2" star reviews and ridiculing the ideas presented here most likely didn't watch all 8 episodes and clearly have never looked over the pages and pages of references that support the findings and ideas presented in this series.
My one serious criticism is the somewhat alarmist tone and the unnecessarily loud, dramatic music and sound effects. These revelations are compelling enough on their own. The choice to punctuate these findings as such smacks of bravado, which is absolutely not helpful when conveying controversial information of this type. Maybe this is what happens when producers and directors select music from a library instead of employing the services of a film composer - hard to know. I'm sure cost was a factor.
For myself, having read most of Hancock's books and enjoyed them, I was still fascinated by the information presented here despite the fact that much of this is covered more deeply and thoroughly in written form, as one would expect. Watched the entire series in a single sitting.
Succession (2018)
13 minutes into S1E1 and ShakyCam® has made me so nauseous that I'm giving up
I'd love to enjoy this. It has some folks I really like. But when, OH FRACKKING WHEN are the d-bags in the "Industry" going to catch up to the fact that the ShakyCam® gimmick is NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE! And adding in the zoom-in / zoom-out nonsense only makes it worse.
Do they do this to distract from lack of an engaging story? I don't get it. Never have. Whatever the reason... PLEASE MAKE IT STOP.
Lucifer (2016)
Lucifer Season 6: a Masterclass on how to ruin a series
Had to change my previous rating from a 9 to a 2 after trying and failing to sit through this last season. Finally had enough around Ep 6.
I have never seen writing for a once-great show devolve to the level of S6. Was a huge Luci fan, and even willing to look past the overwhelming, preachy, tiresome, now-cliche politicized nonsense that had to dominate every single episode. S6 is not funny, witty, sharp, entertaining or even watchable, as S1-4 (and most of 5) were.
Great job Netflix, your pandering nonsense has ruined another show.
The Expanse: Winnipesaukee (2021)
This is not The Expanse I've been watching for the past several seasons
Too slow, too wordy, working too hard to deviate from the source material in weird ways, for the sake of... what, exactly? Amos is 'taking a break' while they're literally under the gun? All so he can have a heart-to-heart? Seriously?? That scene exemplifies the problems with this and the last few eps. The books (at least to this point) were smart. The show used to be smart. What the heck's happening to this series??
The OA (2016)
Because it requires effort on the part of the viewer...
... this is probably one people will either love or hate (and/or just be bored by), I think - especially once they reach the climax in Ep 8. Kudos to Marling/Batmanglij and Netflix for having the courage to create and produce it.
Personally, I enjoy entertainment that requires some investment on the part of the reader/listener/viewer/player - something that strays outside the comfort zone within which most "mainstream" storytelling remains. The OA does that.
If you feel like you "didn't get it" or just really didn't like it, you may have been reacting to the rather slow-moving pace or the story may have challenged your views and expectations in ways that made viewing "too much like work". Or perhaps you're used to having the meaning of things provided for you - something many folks are used to in the Age of Entitlement.
Either way, The OA is probably an acquired taste, and not for everyone. For those to whom it speaks, the show can be quite compelling - in small ways and large - and quite moving. Looking forward to the possibility of a Season Two.