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Reviews
Trees, and Other Entanglements (2023)
I get it
It's a different approach. It highlights the stories of people in contrast to the trees, which are often generations old. If you think about it that way, each tree might have a thousand stories. The documentary also highlights how fragile trees are.
I know this. I have a few acres and lost about 20 trees in a tornado. I've spent the last four years planting about 100 or so trees of which perhaps 60 are alive. My point being, they are easy to destroy, but hard to reestablish.
We need trees. And they can grow back. Subduing the earth does not mean destroying it. Good stewardship is vital. It's part of all of our stories.
Station Eleven (2021)
Incredible
I dunno. I rate these based on what I like, which is subjective. This show has really deep character development. Intensely emotional scenes, and great music. If you liked OA (on Netflix), you will like this. But if you like post-apocalyptic films, you'll like this too. If you like both, you'll be amazed. It's artistic, it is different. At the time I wrote this, doesn't appear there will be another season, but I understand this is planned, and the story closes well. Selfishly, I'd like to see another season, but the creators would really need to work hard to retain the magic that made this short series so great. Perhaps it's best to leave it be.
Dead to Me (2019)
Season 1 & 2 good, 3 a wreck
Seasons 1 and 2 were great for a laugh in nice about 30 minute chunks. My wife and I enjoyed watching it together. Then there was a looong break. I watched the recap, but couldn't reconnect. So I just started watching season three and it didn't make any sense. The writing went straight downhill. Every other word starts with "fu" and ends with "ck". Found myself looking at my phone and turning down the volume as the f word was loud and too frequent. This is something that rarely bothers me, except when overdone. The characters also changed physically and perhaps personality wise with such a long break. Anyway. I'm done. Too bad. I liked the first two seasons.
Spirited (2022)
Not a family movie
Getting everyone in the family to agree to a movie is extremely hard. First 20 minutes had too many songs, not enough dialogue, or character development. Lost my 15 year old in first 20 minutes. But that was ok, because what came next was the beginning of the end. First, Ryan Reynold's character has sex with the ghost of Christmas past. While there was nothing shown, the act was referred to. At that point, the cussing started.
Overall, the story bounces around. That in and of itself is not a bad thing, in fact some of the twists to the original Dickens storyline were kind of interesting. But the delivery and connectivity between scenes and characters including the emotion, vibe, consistency could have been much better.
This movie was a terrible fail for a family pick. Watch it with other adults if you want some laughs. There will not be many. Leave this one out if you want quality family time. Either as a family film or comedy this movie disappoints.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach (2022)
This is a really good episode
Star Trek always has-and always will-require a bit of imagination. For example, Cadet Uhura's ability to decipher a totally new language in such a short time may seem unreasonable, but her ability to do so helps build other parts of the story. Why if we can accept that they fly all across the universe would we not also accept her ability to decipher the new language? That's right, imagination.
For the overall story, I not concerned where the inspiration came from, nor am I too concerned about any politically charged messages. Star Trek has always used its creative license in this way. Remember what TV show aired the first interracial kiss? It's just good Star Trek. I had chills at the end and perhaps this is an episode that can serve as an prequel to a future episode. I'd enjoy that.
Outlander: Mercy Shall Follow Me (2020)
I can't believe it
I loved this episode. Reminded me of earlier seasons with its raw brutality, twists, and turns. Excellent. I'm glad they finally caught up with Stephen Bonnet. I cannot wait until the next villain emerges.
All the Bright Places (2020)
Depressing
Depressed teens and suicide. That's what you get. Keep your teen children from watching this poison. Too much of this type of entertainment these days. Sick irony. Terrible.
CODA (2021)
Good could of been great
I tried to watch with my daughters. We have a hard time finding shows or movies we can watch as a family with teens. This movie was ok, but a huge disappointment was sex addicted teen friend and parents, and drug references, both of which added little if anything substantial to the plot. My daughters also remarked (most) of "the actors playing teens look like adults", and "that would never happen in school. Good ending tho made up a lot of shortcomings.
Kiss Me First (2018)
Just kept getting better
By episode 3 I was hooked. The show's quality, (like filming locations), special effects, pace, and depth all seemed to improve, or should I say evolve with each passing episode. I really liked how the characters developed in the virtual and real worlds. Probably could have done more character development with Jonty or Azul. Maybe we'll get lucky for a season 2.
After Life (2019)
Great writing, but sad and maybe dishonest
Overall 8.5 seems really high for this show in my opinion. I'm half way through season two. Season one is really hard to watch, especially if you actually know someone depressed or suicidal. Ricky Gervais is a "Humanist", which is fine except the show can come across at times as an opportunity for him to espouse his point of view on this topic. And by doing this, the series feels dishonest. While my review may seem harsh, the show does have many high points. The emotions seem real. The humor is intelligent. Characters are likeable. Lots of touching moments where the main character even in his worst state show great compassion for others. These things outweigh the negatives.
Tides (2021)
I liked it
I'm confused by the bad reviews. I like the premise and the ending made a great stage for a part two or series. The human struggle to survive can make us do ugly things. This movie captures that well. And it's sci-fi. Sometimes with sci-fi you got to use some imagination to fill in some obvious holes. That, I think is why I love Star Trek TOS so much.
Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
No one needs to see this
We should be kind and loving towards depressed people or those struggling through any issue. However, this movie plays into depressing topics and just stays there. Awful.
Invasion (2021)
Hang in there. It's worth it.
Season 2 going great. This is the type of exceptional sci-fi that requires your imagination to fill in any perceived "gaps". Kind of like Star Trek TOC.
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I kept my original review below. Episode 9 is extremely well played. So worth it. Don't give up on this show. I think all character development will be worth it. I watched episode 9 twice. Just wow in a great way. Wow.
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As in other reviews, the series moves too slowly. If it gets a season 2, things will need to pick up. I'll bare with it until then. I may update my review on season 2.
Cherry (2021)
Very hard to watch
The section before the Epilogue was long, very dark and depressing. While I am happy I made it to the end, I'd been better off skipping this movie. Depressing.
Outlander (2014)
Excellent entertainment
Things happen in this show that gave me chills, plot twists I could never have guessed, and scenes so dark I could not watch. These are characters I genuinely cared about. I'm not the least bit bothered by historical inaccuracies. How could I be in a show involving time travel? The writing includes strong messages, flawed heros, action, romance, mystery - pretty much anything to keep anyone interested. Simply amazing show.
Servant (2019)
At first I thought the episodes were too short
At first I was bothered by the short episodes since there really isn't much being revealed. Then the next week still nothing revealed or maybe one little thing. This isn't slow, this is irritating. It's like the producers are buying time to figure out the plot, but need to meet a deadline for Apple TV. You could condense all of season 1 and first 6 episodes of season 2 key content into a 90 minute movie, and it would be pretty good. Just be prepared to spend much more time getting the same entertainment value. I'll make it through. I hope it is worth it. Not sure it will be.