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Reviews
The Hardy Boys (2020)
Interesting take on the Hardy Boys
I want to start by saying I never read any of the original Hardy Boys series. During the pandemic lockdown, I started listening to the audiobooks of the Hardy Boys Adventures series which are newer books that started in 2013 (I think). So, I can't say if this show is similar to the older books, but it's not all that much like the ones I've read/listened to. But it does have some elements from the books, enough to keep me interested and watching. My favorite thing about this show is when Frank and Joe are working together/investigating together, they have some great brotherly moments. I really wish there was much more of that, but unfortunately, they spend a lot of time keeping secrets from each other and working with their friends behind each others' backs. I'm not used to that, in the books I read they always do things together even if they split up to investigate they always come together to figure everything out, so I hope there's more of that in the next season.
But that aside, Joe has some great one-liners and sarcastic comebacks which is totally on point for his character. And even though in the books I read their mom wasn't "dead" I do love how they deal with their grief and lean on (and sometimes fight) with each other. It's very realistic for me as a sibling who lost a parent.
I also have to say I like these young actors, especially the guys who play Frank and Joe, they do a really good job. I find myself worrying about them, even though I know this is fiction. I rarely get attached to characters like that so these guys are doing something right. I also like the way the show is shot with a dark edge but not too dark and I love the fact it's not over-sexed like so many TV shows for young people these days. I enjoy the supporting cast as well, but I did like the 1st season
Fenton better than the 2nd, but what can you do?
The only thing that's really weird for me is the supernatural aspects of the story, I've never come across anything supernatural in the books I read, in fact, the Hardy Boys were usually debunking those kinds of things, but it's interesting in the show. I would prefer more of the plain old good detective work.
Wicked City (2022)
Women and witches - watch and see
First I want to start by saying I waited until I saw a few episodes before I wrote a review. It seems like there's a lot of criticism from people who haven't given the show a chance. Which tells me they never went into it with an open mind. This is something I've never seen before, black female witches on a television streaming service, not Youtube, not some random website but an actual TV service. That's big on its own. The story is well written and the main actors are amazing. A few of the side characters are a little green but not bad, and yes some of the special effects aren't the best. HOWEVER! This is not a MARVEL TV show, you can't expect them to have that kind of budget from a network that's taking a big chance on something that's never been done. If the show is successful they'll probably get more money and that kind of stuff will improve. (Just like the first season of Shadow Hunters, those effects were sad but it was much better as the series went on.)
People should be paying attention to the writing and the acting. There are some great characters and I love the bonding between the women on this show. At its heart, it's a show about black women with some supernatural aspects. Which I love! I'm excited to see where the story takes the characters and how the villains come into play. I really hope it gets a season 2. People should actually watch the show through and not be so quick to judge based on a few minutes or the trailer and come with an open mind not looking for negatives. And remember that people can only do what they can do with the budget they have. If we don't support these kinds of shows you'll never see anything like this again!
Sweetheart (2019)
Lacking in basic ways
My major issue with this movie comes from a few basic things that don't make sense. You're stranded on a deserted island and you don't write S. O. S. In the sand. You find food, make shelter but you don't write S. O. S.? People in real life have been rescued by writing S. O. S. In the sand.
And you have a flare gun but it's not ready to shoot at all times. Also, everyone should know by now that if someone has an object embedded in them you don't pull it out. I'm not a survival expert and I know that it's basic first aid. These kinds of errors are so unbelievable that it puts me off the whole movie. I have a real problem with this type of writing because the characters are not believable. It's especially important when you're dealing with something Sci-fi that the rest of the movie is so realistic you get caught up in it. If I don't believe the human characters how am I supposed to believe your monster?