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Reviews
Wu-Tang: An American Saga: Dirty Dancin' (2023)
RZA's Tribute to Dirrrty
I'll start by saying I was SHOCKED when I came here and saw how poorly rated this episode was!
This is straight up RZA's brilliant tribute to ODB. Mike Martin and Mario had his back and together they created a funny, heartfelt and grand love letter to Dirty.
ODB would have LOVED this. This episode is like a journey into the mind of one of the most unique and eccentric hip-hop artists of all time. I can completely imagine that this is exactly what it was like behind ODB's eyes.
The departure from the standard style and the hot step into the 1970's was amazingly played out by everyone involved. Seeing regular characters in these new imaginary roles was a riot. (U-God and Divine especially!)
I always loved the Dirt McGurk moniker, so to now be able to catch a glimpse of his origin story was epic.
It's a shame this is currently one of, if not THE lowest rated episodes of the series. Personally, I think it's one of the best.
Shimmy shimmy, y'all.
Atlanta: The Goof Who Sat by the Door (2022)
Is It Good Though? (A Haiku)
Yes. Yes, it is good.
It's brilliant actually.
Simply amazing.
I love that Glover & Co. Brought B. A. N. Back for this. The storytelling is masterful. The footage is wild. The raw clips of A Goofy Movie and Astro Boy is a total vibe. I can't imaging how difficult it was to put this production into 37 minutes when it could have EASILY been a full-length feature.
Atlanta is a rare beast. Every week before I hit play on Hulu I get anxious and I think to myself "I wonder what we're gonna get this week?" Because you never really know where Donald and Hiro are going to take us. But it's always a fantastic voyage.
I'm melancholy to see the show go, but it's certainly leaving on a mad high note! On the plus side, out of all the billions of years that life has been on Earth, we've been lucky enough to live during the time that Donald Glover gave us Atlanta.
Sprung (2022)
TV Needed New Greg Garcia!
This series is off to a great start! If you're a fan of Garcia, (My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope, Yes, Dear, The Guest Room) you'd know this was a Greg Garcia joint right off the bat.
It's also nice to see Dillahunt & Plimpton (Burt & Virginia Chance from Raising Hope) back together. Their chemistry is undeniable. Plimpton's character, Barb ("like the wire with the sharp needles on it") is so over the top, it's hilarious watching Martha just run with it. Philip Garcia's Rooster is the guy to watch, that character is a riot!
The premise is brilliant and similar to Earl, without being derivative. The set up for each episode opens the door for a slew of guest stars and could lead to an enjoyable and lengthy timeline.
This is seriously one of the best new comedies on TV. I just hope that it being a Freevee exclusive doesn't limit its reach, Sprung has multi-season potential.
Looking forward to much more Sprung! Gregory Thomas Garcia is BACK!
Snowfall: Other Lives (2019)
Watch More Singleton, Then Watch This Again.
I'm shocked at the amount of negative feedback for this episode! For what is an obvious homage to John Singleton, this episode was beautiful. Right down to the Singleton cameo played by Akia Allan and John's baby boy, Seven being cast in the episode.
This entire episode was rewritten after John tragically passed. So as far as it being perfect for canon, perhaps not. But considering everything John Singleton has given this world, it was fitting and appropriate. I respect the writers and showrunners for making this bold move. JS deserved this tribute. I just wish more fans appreciated it.
I suggest y'all go and binge as many Singleton projects as you can and then come back and watch this episode. It'll hit you different, I promise you that.
Rest In Power.
Mayans M.C.: Self Portrait in Blue Bathroom (2022)
A Proper Slow-Burn
Mayans M. C. season 4 should be the go-to example on how to create a proper slow burner. Drama, storytelling and suspense done right.
Elgin James is creating poetry for the small screen and it is evident that everyone involved in this project believes in their leader.
Severance: The We We Are (2022)
Writers, Directors, Take Note...
THIS is how you create palpable tension.
This season finale is an absolute masterclass in building suspense. Every single thing perfectly aligns for one of the greatest 40 minutes in television history. Between Dan Erickson's epic writing and Stiller's direction and ALL of the actor's performances, it's one of them most engrossing episodes of any show that I've ever seen.
Zach Cherry's Dylan says maybe eight words total but puts on an amazing performance, perfectly portraying the importance and urgency of his task. Milchick's panic shows just how good of an actor Tramell Tillman truly is. The Emmy worthy showing from Adam Scott, Britt Lower and Arquette have all really made this show shine so bright.
Did this finale raise more questions than it answered? Perhaps. But as a result I forsee episode one of the second season being one of the most anticipated episodes since Ozark season four.
A shining example of this show's brilliance is how they've kept the camera very still throughout most of the season. (The Music Dance Experience being a notable exception.) But here in the seasons final episode, the camera is freely flowing to aptly convey the frenetic exigency from beginning to end.
I, for one, am very much looking forward to season two of this groundbreaking new series. Honestly, I think the last time I had to remind myself to BLINK while watching a television series was Breaking Bad. AppleTV made a brilliant decision by ordering this from RedHour.
A bonus to this being THAT good is that it will hopefully bring more subs to the platform so more people will discover Mythic Quest, a phenomenal comedy from Rob McElhenny, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz.
Reacher: Welcome to Margrave (2022)
Ritchson Shows Range!
Alan Ritchson really pulls off Jack Reacher. More authentically than previous iterations for sure. I was on the fence when I heard he was going to be the new Reacher. My mind immediately went to his roles in Blue Mountain State and Workaholics and I just couldn't see it. Pleased to be wrong about that.
Looking forward to seeing more!
Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet: Backstory! (2021)
The Emmy Episode
I've been a fan since S01E01 but this season is truly showing the capability of all involved. The actors are perfecting their roles, the writers have shown that they ADORE the subject matter and the storyline is engaging and massively entertaining.
But THIS episode shines even brighter than last season's Dark Quiet Death episode.
Rob McElhenny's direction is really what stood out for me. Followed very closely by Josh Brener's performance. Emmy worthy on both accounts. C. W.'s "backstory!" is heartwarming, heartbreaking, poignant and features a masterfully done payoff.
Brener shows depth I never knew he was capable of. He absolutely NAILS a young C. W. Longbottom in every way. I came away from this episode with a deep desire to see Josh and Rob team up again for something, anything. They definitely work very well together.
Mayans M.C.: The House of Death Floats By (2021)
Elgin James Is Making Moves
What an episode! This season has been building pretty intensely and the payoff is going to be mind-blowing, I know it. This episode's director, Elgin James (who is also the co-creator and a writer), has proven himself more than capable in all three roles. It's incredible to see this guy come up from the hardcore kid I used to see in Boston at shows on and off the stage to, in my opinion, one of the best up and coming writer/directors right now.
Kurt Sutter created something new and exciting with Sons of Anarchy but Mayans M. C. is different; more than a spin-off. It's darker, more visceral and has a life of its own without riding on the back of what came before it. I truly believe that James is the reason for this. I'm excited to see what's to come in the future for him. Well done. XBHCx.