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Love at First Sight (2023)
There were some good moments
I felt like turning off my brain and enjoying a RomCom tonight but got mostly Rom with very little Com.
Overall... it's wasn't horrible. But if you're looking for a similar set-up, the movie Before Sunrise does it better.
The acting in this was a hit for some (Oliver and his parents) and a miss for others. Hadley, her father, Charlotte, and Luther seemed to all be over the top and not very believable. I really didn't care for Hadley's performance or character in this. She just seemed whiny and flighty and the acting was phoned in.
There were a few moments of realness, but a lot of the movie was fairly contrived... which for the genre, is expected.
I think I wouldn't mind reading the book. To sum up, I'm not angry I watched it, but would not recommend to friends.
This Is Us: A Manny-Splendored Thing (2017)
Kate is such a spoiled brat
I'm late to this show, so I'm sorry if a lot of this has already been discussed and I'm hoping she later has a redemption arc... but as of right now I can't stand Kate. She faults her mom for existing... EXISTING! Seriously woman... get some help. I get that she has low self esteem due to society's views of weight and that can be really rough... but yeesh... she's 37... it's way past time to take some responsibility for your own issues instead of blaming someone who's loved and supported you your whole life. Most of us yearn for even a scrap of that love.
Onto something else, even though it's obvious that Toby agrees with Rebecca, I still like the fact that he is Team Kate. That's what ya gotta do in a marriage with the in-laws.
Anyhow, I do like most of the storylines on this show. Poor Kevin with the Manny... that was well done. It's showing Kevin's growth and maturity.
Randall and his wife are still my favorites. I adore them and their acting. I'm going to continue watching, but may start fast-forwarding the Kate scenes.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
So mad at the director
This seemed like it could have been such a good movie. Good actors, good premise. But the direction seemed horrible.
Like self-important, fresh-from-film-school kind of directing. I was amazed to see that the director is in his 40's and has actually worked before.
The angles, the pacing, the dramatic tension, the acting direction... all just... off... but not even in a clever, artistic way... just poorly done.
It seemed like he watched Hitchcock and M. Night Shyamalan and thought... how can I copy this but make it not work as well?
An example:
Julia Roberts can act... we've seen her do it before, she's got the skills... but that was a horrible performance. It seemed like she was told to do "bitter old white lady Karen" and then while trying to act had someone screaming "More bitterness! More anger!!" at her. She seemed so much like a caricature that it took away from the movie.
The same goes for the character Mahershala Ali played. So "pensive and brooding".... I swear it seemed like he kept trying to tone it down but all the long takes and horrible lines lines.
There was just so much potential with this film... for the art, the entertainment value and for the message. It's so frustrating that it was dealt such a poor hand.
I'm planning to go read the book now because I'm hoping so much that it is better than this.
Downsizing (2017)
Good first half
As many have already mentioned, the first half of the movie was interesting and well done. Of course there are some funky issues with the downsizing process, but it's really more of a "suspension of belief" type of element. If they could make it fully a fully factual process, it would be less fictional. I was definitely willing to buy into that because it was well played out.
Unfortunately, it did lose it's way. They had a great concept, but it seemed that they got half way into the movie and couldn't figure a way out.
Still, I enjoyed it... it was a great movie to watch while in bed with a cold. The acting, overall, was fabulous and the settings were interesting and pleasing to the eye.
Reboot: Growing Pains (2022)
Have not laughed that hard in a long time
This started out with a bunch of cringe when it came to comments about the new writers from the dad. But it was intentional cringe, so it worked. The contrast between the new writers and the old writers were very evident. A few of the jokes in the writers room were genius. For example, the one with the metronome made me laugh so loud that I scared my dog.
It's also good to see the non-sexy side of shooting sex scenes as well.
Seeing Bree's reaction vs. Reed's was interesting considering the "usual" gendered ideas of intimacy with male being more physical and female being more emotional.
Overall good episode... the ending wasn't quite as surprising these days as I think they were intending it to be.
Reboot (2022)
Why is it cancelled??
I just got to finish the season and am very disappointed to learn it was cancelled. I really enjoyed this show.
It was so clever, the writing, the jokes, the timing... excellent. Especially the timing... some of the jokes were sliders. They slip right in unnoticed and then hit a few minutes later. Chef's kiss. I wish all jokes could come together like that.
The actors in this were really good overall. There were a few that were overacting a bit, but because of the premise, it works.
I love the contrast between the old and new (people, writing styles, acting, etc).
The pacing was on point.
Anyhow, if Hulu or another network is watching and it's not too late... please pick this up... I want another season!
The Handmaid's Tale: Safe (2022)
The van... oi
Oof... it's so frustrating because I want to know how this turns out, but it's so hard to watch. I'll start with the likes:
Likes:
I do like that they are shining a light on the refugee situation in real life. So many people only hear numbers and don't think of them as real people with real life threatening situations that they are fleeing from. They just view them as a burden or as a drain... instead of using compassion. That's the great thing about acting/films/theatre... it helps you see through others' eyes and gain perspective and empathy.
Dislikes:
Getting hit by a van - 1. June knows something is up with the van. 2. She is on high alert enough to get a bullet-proof vest. 3. Actually sees the van coming toward her
Yet... she goes for a walk outside IN THE STREET and she can't take two steps to the right and get up on the curb? Bad writing and/or direction choice.
No one questioned that before committing it to film?? Or they are just pandering to a low intelligence.
I don't mind the train scene with June and Serena... they've always had a complicated history. It could have definitely been a better line to finish on... I mean... if this was the last episode ever... what a horrible last line.
The Handmaid's Tale: Testimony (2021)
Trauma take & protesters
First, the testimony... someone commented on her deadpan expression during it. As someone who has had to testify horrors... this is all you can do to get through it. It's like she was describing when being raped... your mind detaches, treat it like a job. If she thought about what she was saying, it would have been unhinged and wrecked her. The defense would have just said she was incompetent. She had to remain deadpan and detached from it to get through it.
The representation of trauma has been, in my experience, well done. From the sex issues to the flashbacks, to the silence, to the desire to destroy the destroyers... random bouts of anger at little things... like a drawer not opening... that needs to go in there as well.
And I think they did well with Luke. He should feel like he doesn't know her... because he doesn't. Trauma roots down into your very core and changes you. He's doing a good job, but him seeing a counselor would be very handy as well.
Protesters - Yeah, there are people in every country that will believe religious fanatics. I'm betting the people out there were mainly ones with lower intelligence and/or those who have struggled to conceive. Desperation and stupidity was what led to Gilead in the first place. It's why so many follow cult leaders/politicians that promise a "great" future and to fix everything even when logic and common sense would tell them otherwise. It's a brilliant bit of art imitating life.
The Handmaid's Tale: Vows (2021)
The refugee comparison
I'm really surprised I haven't seen more comparison to the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan that happened right around the same time this was filmed. They really should have spent more time on that... on the people having to face starvation and certain death... the desperation of families... especially since it's closer to a reality-based incident. Instead they dragged on with June constantly insisting on going back. I didn't care for her fear of losing Luke because she didn't bring the daughter back... that just hits wrong. Like it almost seemed more important in this episode than her losing her daughter and survivors guilt and all that.
As others have said, very tired of close ups of June's face.
It's like they went to the film school that insists, "All of the acting happens during extreme close-ups" Yeah, it's a good technique but ONLY used sparingly. It loses it's impact quickly.
That '70s Show: That '70s Musical (2002)
Not quite there
This was only 6 months after the Buffy episode of "Once More, With Feeling" that was a pretty decent musical success. It seems kinda like this show was trying it out as well. I think a few of the TV shows of the time did this.
The success with Buffy's was because they had some stars with musical experience/talent and they integrated the plot better with good direction.
This one seemed to miss the mark. I give it points for effort and the fact that it reminds me of the cheesy Brady Bunch Variety Hour and others like that from the 70's.
Musicals are a ton of hard work, so kudos to the actors for trying so hard and doing a pretty good job of the choreography. The singing/lip syncing was on the painful side. If they were going to lip sync Donna and Jackie during Love Hurts, they could have got voices that matched the tone of the song better.
Schitt$ Creek (2015)
So romantic
I didn't care for the idea at first. I love a lot of the films with Eugene Levy in it but I imagined that a whole show of Levy's would be too much. I was wrong. Very wrong. I love this show. The acting in it... especially after season one is phenomenal. I love the relationships. They are not focused on what makes them different but what makes them normal and real. I haven't cheered this much for a couple in a long time. Anyhow, can't wait for the next season to come to Netflix.
Murder Mystery (2019)
Cheesy but in a good way
As others have said, it's light-hearted fun. A few good laughs and the scenery/actors were gorgeous. Great bit of escapism.
Wine Country (2019)
Things we say now...
I would have probably thought this was awful in my youth. However, many friends trips since then makes watching this very enjoyable. Loved that they skipped the gross stuff this time. Just wish I could have been there when they were filming it. You could tell it was great writing and they also let the actors run with stuff. Can't wait for Wine Country II or Beach House or Historic Downtown **insert city name**.
Grey's Anatomy: If/Then (2012)
Nice and Fluffy
I'm a late-comer to the series. Just started watching it this year. I had some free time to kill tonight and wanted to watch an episode but wasn't in the mood for the usual angst. This was great.
It hit the "what-if" spot that I have occasionally well up inside of me too. There was something very satisfying about the fate aspect of this episode. If you want something a little different from the normal style but still enjoyable... this was the episode for you.
Tig Notaro: Happy to Be Here (2018)
Not her best work....
I usually enjoy her stand-up, but this one missed the mark. The timing seemed off and only funny here and there. The ending was waaay too drawn out. I'm still a fan and will watch her in the future, but this one just didn't hit her usual level.
Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018)
We need more of the stories!
So, yes... some of the jokes were hokey... could have done with a little less of the hating on each other. But I absolutely loved the stories and pictures... it was like sitting with friends over coffee and chatting about the past. I also really enjoyed the banjo playing... now I have to go buy some of his music. Short's music was fun and lighthearted. Would like to see them do another one of these.
Fuller House (2016)
Cheese... but I love cheese.
The original show was extremely hokey... yet sweet and this version matches cheese for cheese. It's what I went in expecting. I was very pleasantly surprised when they threw in some clever jokes or they make fun of their own genre/show. It makes it feel like you're included in their family.
The bottom line for me is that watching it makes me happy and makes me forget the cruddy stuff going on in the world right now. It's the same kind of escapism that I liked back in the 90's too. It's not an intellectual masterpiece or a work of art... it's silly escapism... and I like it.
Keep up the fun Netflix!
Bones: The Signs in the Silence (2011)
Wonderful emotions and a great pace
The writing and acting in this episode were much better than the past two episodes. McKenzie Applegate was fantastic.
I agree with a previous review that the treatment of the girl was on the harsh side in the beginning and even though Bones is logical, it seems like she would have logically deduced a better method of cooperation if the direct approach wasn't working. So, I was confused why Sweets wasn't brought into the case sooner. Actually, I'm confused why this falls under the FBI jurisdiction vs. the police anyhow... but I don't know a whole lot about that, so I'll just go along with that.
Abuse and the foster system are not new topics but they are unfortunately a constant in this world and therefore need to be kept in everyone's minds... so I had no problem seeing this done again.
I agree with previous reviewer that the pace was excellent and the emotions seemed real. Booth's angry reaction was spot on. Would he get in trouble for that or would it be considered necessary action? Hodgins freaking out was a little over the top... but it was still cute. He's one of my favorites.
Overall, great show!