dear_prudence Reviews

Dark (2017–2020)

Pandemic Viewing

[9/10 · 13 April 2020]

I'm certain I would have liked this series if I wasn't on lockdown in my own home with my family for a month, but I feel like the relevance of context might mean something to other viewers who are looking for something to watch. Dark is complex and engaging; I had to go back to certain episodes to study faces and names so I could keep track of storylines. It's a great puzzle. I find that I don't have a lot of patience anymore for banal narratives--I need to feel *engaged* in order to commit to a series. Readers: this series is one that won't let you down.

Other tips: watch it in German and read the subtitles. Overdubbed English ruins it. The soundtrack is a bit oppressive, but it also fits. Don't watch it all at once. Give yourself time to think it over. I'd say limit it to three episodes at one time. It's a lot to take in!

V-Wars (2019– )

Bloody Awful

[1/10 · 6 December 2019]

Alternate titles for this review: Bad Blood, Stop the Bleeding, Internal Bleeding, Unsanitary Napkin, Blood Clot, Varicose Veins, or Blood Stain

Michael: "How fast can you get here, Luther?" Luther: "Pretty Fast."

Those are the last lines these characters said before I stopped watching this emptied juice box of a show (maybe ten minutes in). I love the vamp genre, origin stories, and exploring new theories about why bloodsuckers need to suck. . .blood. V-Wars just sucks. Ian S was truly dynamic in the Vampire Diaries; why would he bleed out on this??

Cheap puns aside, it was painful to watch. Michael's speech as a "doctor" lecturing other doctors about global warming with cliches was just plain embarrassing. Please, Hollywood: Talk to at least ONE scientist before you ask an actor to lecture as a scientist. Ugh. I couldn't get myself to watch Michael and Luther's "pretty fast" trip to the arctic. Let me know if I missed anything, eh?

Thoroughbreds (2017)

The Soundtrack Will Stay With You

[7/10 · 12 November 2019]

While the plot forces the audience to resist identification with its protagonists, I found the leads' performances quite mesmerizing. The soundtrack is part of the magic of this film--the atmosphere, the suspense, the tension--it does not rely on violins! I'm usually not the audience for violent/sociopath tales, but I found I wanted to watch this one more than once--partially because of the open ending. Olivia Cooke is outstanding. It felt like an innovative cinematic experience. I can't give it more stars because I cannot defend the subject matter, but I'm still intrigued. The sound of the ergometer still haunts me.

Fleabag (2016– )

Superlative Comedy

[10/10 · 12 November 2019]

I've been obsessed with this show for months now--before the Emmys, before I knew that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was also a writer for "Killing Eve" (another show I just adore!)--but I have learned it is not a comedy for everyone. So here is a list of considerations you might find useful when deciding whether or not you want to spend time watching it: 1. She makes the audience part of the story through direct address (you know, like Ferris Bueller did--though she amps up our importance as *her* audience). If you don't like someone talking directly to you on camera, this isn't your bag. 2. Her name is "Fleabag." In case you were wondering, this is not a flattering nickname one gives oneself, which brings me to 3. She is a protagonist who shows you a number of unflattering choices. Some people cannot handle an "anti-heroine" protagonist. She's not a "good" girl. 4. If you are squeamish about female sexuality, you aren't going to like her raw portrait of a woman who is unabashed about having a sexual appetite. 5. I feel like my best friends immediately loved this show; my siblings hated it. Maybe Fleabag confronts some uncomfortable family dynamics many siblings would rather not touch. I found it cathartic. 6. I love the sister dynamic/the father dynamic. I love her poor decisions and her breakthroughs. 7. I loved he second season even more than the first. Andrew Scott was so outstanding. The ending was so outstanding. I can't imagine it continuing. 8. The entire cast is superb. I love the assholes and sensitive poets. I LOVE the portrait of the step-mother. I love the sister. I adored the the speech delivered by Martin at the end of season two. 9. Most of all, I love the writing. I love the facial expressions of PWB. Her asides are perfection. This series felt personal and authentic. 10. This is the best comedic/drama balance I've seen in decades. I laughed my ass off.

Crooked House (2017)

Don't Waste Your Time!

[1/10 · 12 November 2019]

I watched this film because my Amazon Prime algorithm brought it to my attention. It was only missing one star out of five on the IMDB review (Amazon borrows IMDB's numbers to post as the film's "rating,") so I decided to give it a try. After (barely) getting through it, I felt obligated to login to my ancient IMDB account to reduce the stars! Because UGH!

Of course I adore Glenn Close (and Agatha Christie), but this film does nothing to honor either of them. The lack of character development left the audience without anyone to get to know or root for (were we supposed to feel anything about that "grand" night in Cairo? Oof. About as much chemistry as flat soda). In order to view *all* of the characters as plausible killers, they robbed us of the chance to be involved. Instead of feeling the "twists" as the trailer promises, I felt collective groans. The ending felt positively stupid. Christie is brilliant, but this film felt like work. I'm sorry no one has updated Christie's work to showcase her mastery. I hope someone tries. Until then: read the book instead!!

Tag (I) (2018)

Fun and Funny! Better than 95 degree weather!!

[8/10 · 6 July 2018]

My teens asked me to take them to see this (17 and 15), and I almost bailed because the Rotten Tomato rating was 55%. What a bunch of humorless tomatoes they are! I'm so glad we went anyway. This movie was completely entertaining. We needed the laughs.The weather outside was melting our faces off! The theatre was ice cold!

There are probably a dozen ways you can spend time with your kids on a hot day, but I have to say this one was totally worth the time/money/trip.

TAG was 100 times more entertaining and original than Infinity War or Ready Player One. If nothing else, go see this movie in the theatre so they make more movies with original content like this. Please? It was totally refreshing.

Mr. Robot (2015–2019)

It Holds Up in 2018

[10/10 · 29 May 2018]

I put off seeing this because too many people recommended it (yes, I know how it sounds) and I wasn't really interested in seeing a nihilist narrative that critiques the information era with the generic complaint that "we" are all too complacent/stupid/lazy blah blah blah and deserve to be hammered because we just stick ourselves in the ground like nails without regard for our personal info/security. I KNOW I should do more. We are little men who know little; Elliot is a little man who knows much. The pilot episode contains more bile than the rest of the series, so if you are a little put off but curious at the end of it, I would strongly encourage you to press on. It is an entirely satisfying viewing experience. All three seasons. It is weirdly prescient (eerily so!), and fun to root for the main (unreliable) narrator. I was very fortunate to have avoided all spoilers because I stayed away from reviews. If you are interested in the show, please just watch it and don't read anymore about it. There are multiple ways to see it, and re-watching it is really fun too.

I loved the music, the writing, and the stellar cinematography. Every frame is art. I never felt like I was just watching a TV show. Rami Malek, Sam Esmail, Christian Slater---top notch work. A pleasure to see.

Legion (2017–2019)

Season One is a Mind Blower

[10/10 · 29 May 2018]

I'm happy to say I had no idea this series was part of a comic book universe because I probably wouldn't have bothered to watch it. That being said, I'm still happy to say that it defies all the conventions of what makes the comic book universe so tiresome. In short, here is why you should watch this series: 1. The unreliable narrator. 2. Aubrey Plaza & Dan S. in all forms. 3. Jermaine Clement reciting beat poetry. 4. Dance fights. 5. Peripheral characters that genuinely freaked me out. 6. Its visual style is a pleasure. 7. The music is a striking part of the narrative. 8. It critiques the X-Men genre. 9. It provides a new perspective on how "great" it is to possess a "super" power. 10. Great writing, great cast, inventive execution.

Season one is meant to be seen more than once. Season two? I can't say it for every episode, but the season is not over, so I will withhold comment. If you are in the mood to see something totally different, you must watch this show (at least Season 1).

Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (2017)

Her Answers Will Surprise You

[8/10 · 15 November 2017]

Joan Didion was born in 1934, the same year as Gloria Steinham. They both intrigue me as women writers who earned a living as outsiders--reporters--investigating gender, class, community, and the seismic shifts of the larger cultural world from refreshingly different perspectives.

I confess I didn't know much about Didion's personal life--her famous in-laws, her famous friends--and the documentary flicks out photographs, interviews, and archival footage that are a delight to discover. The film gives you a peek into the intimate life of an intriguing person who worked hard to stay hidden, even though her books are so personal. There is a detachment she employed as a writer to report back to us. The documentary strips away some of the distance.

I found the interviews with Dunne fascinating. Her answers surprised me. I loved seeing how the thread of her life weaved through politics, subcultures, music, film, and her own family. And kudos to Griffin Dunne (and several members of her extended family) for putting this together right now. A reflection worthy of your time.

Versailles (2015–2018)

Pretty! And Witty! And Gay!

[8/10 · 15 November 2017]

I think if history were taught with all of the sexual intrigue left in, more of us would pay attention to it. I loved the plotting of this series (I have only seen the first season). I'm sure there are others on here who can tell you what the inaccuracies are, but I'm not too unhappy about the "sexed up" details.

Louis XIV had a big old vision for France, and it is satisfying to watch him craft his legacy as a person who thinks he was chosen by God to do it. HA! Who does he think he is, God's gift to man? YES! And to woman! I looked up the number of children this dude fathered from over twenty women and thought--wow--the series may have actually underplayed his affairs.

Very fun to watch. It is not ashamed of its decadence. Just go with it!

Loving Vincent (2017)

A Visual Feast!

[7/10 · 15 November 2017]

Every frame of this film is a painting. Think about that! They employed 100 artists to create 65,000+ frames to make this film. I loved the idea that the audience is looking through the eyes of an artist--how an artist might see. If that kind of thing interests you, you should go see this film in the theater. It is stunning.

As for the narrative? Well, now, if you know anything about the history of Van Gogh's life, you know it wasn't terribly happy. There is a lot of drinking and smoking and despair to go around. They employ a plot device involving a letter, and it works. Do not go in thinking there will be thundering revelations about the life of the artist. But it offers some quiet insights about some of the subjects of his paintings, and I really loved this.

If you are familiar with Van Gogh's works and appreciate his aesthetics, you owe it to yourself to go. A totally unique cinematic experience.

Alias Grace (2017)

A Good Binge and Timely

[7/10 · 13 November 2017]

If you are a fan of Margaret Atwood, you will recognize her use of the bonnet, the needle, the suspense, the violence, and the perseverance of resilient characters.

It's hard to reflect on Alias Grace outside of our current historical context. I found the portrayal of an unprotected, pretty young woman to be unflinchingly contemporary, even though the story is set in 1843 Ontario.

In lieu of writing spoilers, I'll just say that an intriguing plot almost delivers a satisfying answer about why the crimes were committed. I think it was well-acted and believable (save some shabby science with a little mysticism).

Sarah Gadon's eyebrow expressions deserve their own award.

Twilight (I) (2008)

Aliens, Not Vampires

[3/10 · 13 November 2017]

Book adaptations are always difficult, and genre fiction has a hard time hiding its generic qualities on film. The Good: Extreme Longshots of Pacific Northwest; Anna Kendrick's astute critiques of the story itself; the unexpected fits of laughter I had with my daughter at emotionally dislocated scenes (we laugh/cried when Jacob & Bella's dad's "goofed around" in the background. Who pokes a guy in a wheelchair?). The Bad: the costumes, the hair, the lack of humor, Edward's complete lack of confidence, and the Cullens in general. Ugh.

There is no way to defend the series as a literary triumph, but they were absolutely fun to read. The film was not fun to watch. I felt sorry for the director who had to stick to the author's color palette, which has the visual dynamism of mop water, and contact lenses that actually made the vampires look like aliens. Instead of being the shrewd students of human anatomy, physiology, & psychology, the Cullens are conspicuous outsiders.I mean, a doctor in the hospital with winter- white painted skin and yellow eyes--in florescent lighting--would be hard to blend in. Are you sick, doctor?

Here's the solution: regard the Cullens as aliens, not vampires. It makes a little more sense.

I Love Dick (2016–2017)

Recommend it to your Mama

[10/10 · 20 June 2017]

I loved this series. I loved it so much I watched it twice in a row so I could catch the little things I missed the first time around. Is it "arty"? Probably. Is it ready for large-scale, commercial consumption? Probably not, but oh, if it could just reach Gen-Xers, they would find it to be a fantastic, unflinching look through a female gaze in a way that matches an aesthetic they will recognize (and appreciate).

Great art allows participants to experience emotion within the (safe) confines of its boundaries. Sometimes narratives evoke emotion through exaggeration, and when we see unfamiliar perspectives this way, we sometimes find them uncanny, grotesque, or awkward because they are so new. I suspect this is why the "best" reviews for this series on IMDb are a series of "one" star tirades. I get it. Female desire is rarely given this kind of freedom to be explored. Films are directed by, what, 92% men in Hollywood? I'm not saying that men don't know or portray narratives about women authentically, but 8% is just not a big enough sampling to speculate about the spectrum of perspectives that might be missed. Luckily, Jill Soloway doesn't miss.

I have to admit that recommending this series is slightly hard to do linguistically. The announcement of the title is difficult to get out without a chuckle or an immediate explanation about how it is not pornography or a parody featuring lascivious babes who are trained to please voyeurs. The title tests us! We only accept female desire one way in pop culture. But I digress. I love Kathryn Hahn in this. She is hilarious and awkward and authentic. I love Griffin Dunne as Sylvere, and empathize with his horrors--adore him for his character's willingness to reevaluate what it means to *be* a muse. I loved Roberta Colindrez so much-- another artistic representation that truly broke free from its box. And Kevin Bacon is so wonderful--masculine and vulnerable and cruel and desirable.

The end is what makes this series so incredible. I know it will make a certain part of the population squirm, but I think mothers--the ones who work with the abject material of motherhood--will revel in Dick's conclusion. Gorgeous. A satisfying adventure to behold.

The Hangover (2009)

From a woman's perspective

[7/10 · 27 June 2009]

Because of the hype, I decided to give this one a try. I'm a fan of Wedding Crashers, Role Models, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and I expected this film to be of the same general caliber. It was, in many ways.

However, this film is definitely a dude-flick (paralleling the *chick-flick*) as it explores the male-escape fantasy through a device I will not reveal due to IMDb's scary spoiler laws. I feel like it crossed the line several times in regards to a woman's sense of humor and her tolerance toward "humor" using violent sexual offenses, pedophile-related jokes, and sexualized breastfeeding--hard to make the ladies bust out laughing with this list of serious icks and no-no's.

The other annoying part of this film was its audience. Sadly, half the theater was filled with "gentlemen" that had seen it before and were either yelling things like "OH GOD, I LOVE THIS PART" before the scene happened, giggling during silences in the movie, or naming the item (repeatedly) that is making him laugh so hard in the first place.

I think movies like this should be made, and I'm so glad men are laughing and enjoying themselves--but ladies--you may decide to just let the guys go ahead and enjoy this one their own. Having seen "The Proposal" last weekend, I would definitely save my money and go see that with your girls instead. Hilarious, worth the ticket price, and a genuinely good time.

Seeing Other People (2004)

Worth Seeing

[8/10 · 13 December 2004]

I rented this movie without having heard (or read) anything about it. What a shame! This movie is intelligent, witty, hilarious, fast-paced, and realistically ridiculous. The characters manage to get developed without relying too heavily on clichéd, tired stereotypes. It was refreshing to watch. I couldn't help thinking that marketing would have helped lob this not-so-mainstream movie into the starved-for-intelligent-comedy mainstream. The quality of the dialogue and the ease with which the actors execute a huge range of awkwardness, heartbreak and comedy is so rare these days--I felt that the actors must have really enjoyed participating in something this rich. How is it that National Treasure was number one at the box office for three weeks in a row--it is so weak in too many ways to mention. I guess I'm just happy that movies like "Seeing.." are still being made somewhere out there.

Closer (I) (2004)

Satisfying

[8/10 · 3 December 2004]

It was nice to finally see a movie with some meaty dialogue--wit, bite, banter--it seems to be missing from so many films lately. Yes, the material is not uplifting, but it was intriguing enough to keep me in my seat. It was hard to buy the absolutely stunning Natalie Portman as a stripper--she was magnetic, spritely, and interesting. It was also nice to see Julia Roberts playing a character against her "type"--I was quite taken with some of her more difficult scenes. As for those silver tongued British men--well, they didn't disappoint. The passion in Mr. Owen's eyes was so real, so literate--again, interesting to watch. Worth the theater trip.

Coupling (2003)

No chemistry, no comedy

[25 September 2003]

Plainly put, it is awful. For all of its hype and banning--one would expect something more than its pathetic offerings of cliches and bad timing. The characters are vapid with a cardboard depth. The dialogue is boring, fake, and tired. I suppose viewers may be curious about this tripe, but I can only assume it will fade into sitcom dust soon enough.

Undercover Brother (2002)

If you like Dumb & Dumber, Naked Gun, Austin Powers (I)...

[9/10 · 17 June 2002]

Then you will love this movie. It is silly, it makes fun of itself beautifully, and is in no way, shape, or form meant to be taken seriously. The comedic timing was perfect from beginning to end. As I read some of the other comments from users on this site, I gathered that the gen-x crowd is the one who will get the most enjoyment out of this film. For me, it was a treat.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Smooth

[8/10 · 10 December 2001]

"Ocean's Eleven" was fun, well-oiled, and smooth--like silk on glass. I'm not sure the actual *heist* logistics were completely intact--but I really didn't care. It seemed believable enough, and I didn't get bogged down (and frankly, bored) with minutia the way I did while watching "The Score."

What is to be enjoyed about this film is its perfect finesse, its thoughtful dialogue, its excellent timing, and its numerous comedic bonuses (hats off to Affleck and Caan). There is a certain elegance about this film that I appreciated--no bullet holes, blood, or violence--yet it managed a real sense of suspense and climactic thrill without them. Refreshing.

This film had class; it didn't tell you that it did, it showed you how it's done.

Sgt. Bilko (1996)

SAVE YOURSELF--DON'T WATCH IT!!

[2/10 · 16 October 2001]

This film is a pure failure. I am a Steve Martin fan, but even he can't save the tired idea and swiss cheese script. Think "Police Academy 7" and apply it to a military parody. Yuck.

I DO NOT feel the other user comments reflected the poor rating this film received (and rightfully deserved!). It is extremely misleading. I have often seen this film marked down to $3.00 in the grocery store and now I certainly know why.

If only I could get my 90 minutes back...

Quick Change (1990)

Disappointed

[5/10 · 13 September 2001]

I am an enormous Bill Murray fan, and I can honestly say that this is the worst movie I've ever seen him in. A true waste of his talent.

It's sort of an 80s cliche, and though the robbery itself had some funny moments, the flimsy, melodramatic thread that ran between Gina & Bill's characters just made the rest of the film unbearable, and sadly, unfunny.

If you would like to see an underrated, truly funny Bill Murray film, you should watch "The Man Who Knew Too Little." It is a treat!

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)

Funny...Embarrassing...Funny

[8/10 · 4 September 2001]

The small portions of Jay and Silent Bob in Smith's previous films were perfect Saturday-Night-Live like tidbits that provided bursts of well-timed idiot humor. I was very much looking to the release of this film. And scared.

I felt that Jay & Silent Bob were going to face the same problems that most SNL characters face: will their comedic essence be watered down or amplified? While this film definitely had some watery bits (um, girls in cat suits doing gymnastics in full make-up as ostensible badass-jewel-thieves) and some completely grotesque physical jokes involving the male anatomy (can't repeat, but I will say I had to look away from the screen more than once) I found that I laughed my way around most of those parts. (pun intended)

I enjoy Smith's pop-culture references and his ability to make fun of himself. Jay & Silent Bob are caricatures that made a very silly, but overall successful transition to the screen. As I'm sure it has already been suggested--this film requires a study of Smith's other films. It is worth doing to get the full effect of the cornucopia of inside jokes.

Even if Jay & Silent Bob take themselves seriously, to enjoy this film you definitely should not.

Rat Race (2001)

See it in the Theater!

[8/10 · 28 August 2001]

This was a funny movie that seemed funnier in the midst of the packed crowd I saw it with this weekend. I found it to be perfectly harmless, and laughed out loud many times. It focuses on physical humor, greed, and gambling--and generally has a lot of fun doing it.

You are not going to learn anything profound from this movie, and you are not going to walk away with a better understanding of why those poop jokes make you both shake your head and laugh at the same time. You just might, however, really enjoy being around so many giggling people (and even join in yourself!).

In my professional estimation, it is a chuckle's worth of funny.

The Anniversary Party (2001)

A Voyeur's Delight

[10/10 · 20 August 2001]

"The Anniversary Party" provides you with the perfect opportunity to watch the kind of party you'd want to be invited to, but not necessarily attend.

This was a great film with numerous funny, dramatic, awkward, and stressful moments. It embraced many universal points of conflict in relationships--be it with a spouse, a neighbor, a boss, a co-worker--and allowed you, as a viewer, to watch all of the varying (and often hilarious) perspectives. And then it showed you all of those same perspectives on ecstasy.

The film maintains a large cast of talented people and uses them well. I found myself doubled over in laughter for at least half of the movie--Alan "Uppin" Cumming, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jane Adams, Parker Posey, John Benjamin Hickey, John C. Reilly, Michael Panes, and the entire Cates-Kline family gave a lot of comedy to their characters, complimenting the difficult and trying moments that were weaved throughout the film.

It was shocking to see the number of negative reviews in this index. I think if you are between the ages of 25-49, it would be hard not to relate to the social satire that is portrayed brilliantly in this film. It is thoroughly enjoyable.****