laurac-18432 Reviews

Ugly Americans (2010–2012)

A truly weird fantastic show

[8/10 · 5 October 2023]

This television show really deserved a longer run-I didn't watch it until after it was already off the air and I was so disappointed not to get more. Its humor is this impressive balance of both horror and charm; it's grimy and weird but not in a way that feels gross, just in a way that's deeply creative and thus really fascinating. It's in many ways a workplace sitcom, but with monsters and devils. Strong voice acting, great writing, interesting animation... a really unique show.

If you enjoy animation, particularly the slightly weirder shows like Futurama and Bojack Horseman, I'd give this one a watch.

Our Flag Means Death: Pilot (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

Go with it

[10/10 · 5 October 2023]

The first episode of this show has a bit of the problem many pilots do-you have to introduce a lot of people and circumstances very quickly, and figure out tonally what the show is going to be. When I first watched, I was not totally sold. It took me some time to settle into their humor and their rhythm. But by the time I finished the series and came back to this first episode again, I realized how much groundwork was laid in this episode. Some of the confusing energy is actually very intentional as the crew is on uneven terms. Stellar acting, lots of delightful comedic beats, and the beginning of an undercurrent of familial/childhood trauma.

Our Flag Means Death (2022–2023)

Hilarious, tender, exciting, surprising.

[10/10 · 5 October 2023]

Our Flag Means Death is one of my absolute favorite tv shows.

It takes a while to get going, I know a lot of people aren't as compelled by the first couple episodes, where both the show and audience are trying to find the stride. But it is ABSOLUTELY worth continuing because once Taika shows up the show really comes into its own.

The central story is fantastic, and takes you many places you maybe weren't sure you'd be going. You go on a journey with these characters. And so many characters to journey with! This is a stellar ensemble crew, bringing many different senses of humor and backgrounds and narrative purposes. Everyone fits together beautifully. And it's a delight watching a show where the youngest of the main actors is 30-this truly is a show about middle-aged people finding themselves and each other.

It's also very important to note how many queer characters there are on this show, and how incidental that ultimately is. Queerness itself is not a plot point (this is NOT a show about homophobia on the high seas), it's just a given in this world that some people are gay or nonbinary or polyam or whatever. Which is wildly refreshing compared to a lot of other television.

Every single department on this show did stunning work, from the music to the sets to the costumes to the lighting to the writing to the direction to... everything else. It's very apparent that everyone working on it cared deeply and was having a good time.

This tv show brought new amazing people into my life, and I'm so grateful. I have watched these first 10 episodes so many times, and I'm sure will watch them many more.

White Collar (2009–2014)

A triumph of a procedural

[9/10 · 5 October 2023]

White Collar is one of the shows I watch on repeat, and it still holds up. It's a procedural in the best sense-most episodes are new cases, with a few overarching mysteries tying a given season together-but it isn't rote or predictable like procedurals can sometimes be. Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer have *fantastic* chemistry, and watching them both work together and try to outsmart one another is a joy. There's some excellent supporting cast members as well (and since it's a procedural a lot of different actors come through for single episodes, some of which are big talents that I know from shows like The Americans). I appreciate that, unlike most crime shows, there's less violence. Still some violence, mind, but it's not a central theme, this isn't a murder mystery kinda show. A lot of the cases are really interesting, at least if you're compelled by forgery and heists.

The show ended where it needed to buy goodness I wish we could get another round!

Cruella (2021)

Surprisingly spry!

[8/10 · 5 October 2023]

I'm impressed by what a clever and nimble movie this is. Emma Stone and Emma Thompson are delightfully devious, and it's wonderful to see two women going head to head in something that has nothing to do with romance or men. The supporting cast is also fantastic (Joel Fry is a particular gift) and I really enjoy how aggressively scored it is-they made a point to fold big punchy songs into it in ways that really amplify the chaotic fun. Costumes are gorgeous, there are some truly excellent sets, it's a good time. I only gave 8/10 because some of it was fairly obvious-jokes and beats I saw coming from ages away. Which realtistically is appropriate for a Disney movie of this sort, but was still a bit of a bummer.