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Reviews
The Last of Us (2023)
Bitterly disappointed
Where do I begin? I was a big fan of the first game. Joel and Ellie invoked emotion in me I didn't know was possible to feel from a video game. After an amazingly perfect pilot episode, I thought this was going to be a series to rival Walking Dead or GOT.
Unfortunately, after episode two, things bog down in a hurry. The infected, the real danger in the show disappear and it devolves into a drama show. At least The Walking Dead had the good sense to spend a couple of seasons where the dead were the danger before it became a human drama story with largely hit or miss episodes.
The third episode in particular was insulting to say the least. Just when I'm fully invested in Joel and Ellie I get an entire episode of Bill and Frank who were glossed over in the game. Their relationship was merely implied and if not for a brilliant and emotional turn from Nick Offerman I might have stopped watching the series outright. There are ways to incorporate character development without actual filler episodes in a season one that only has seven episodes.
The biggest problem I have with the series, however, and the reason it couldn't manage even a 5 for me was the cast. Ellie's character is badly miscast. Bella Ramsay's Ellie is vulgar, snarkey, abrasive and totally unlikable. It's a chore to watch her scenes without shaking my head. The leader of the group in KC was an utter failure in casting. Does anyone think that anybody would follow that woman anywhere? I thought Tess was OK and true to the source material and as much as I dont like Pedro Pascal, he's not only a terrific Joel, he carried season one on his back. The misfire on Ellie is series killing for me though. How you could make the most important character in the franchise the least likable character in the series is unforgivable.
Infinity Pool (2023)
Hot Garbage
What a mess. Brandon Cronenberg gives us an LSD laced attempt to presumably warn of the dangers of narcissism, entitlement and excess. What he achieves is a weak attempt at a clockwork orange type depiction of depravity with virtually no character development. Who are these terrible people and why do I care what their problems are. The short answer is that I don't and neither should you. What a waste of an extremely talented cast. I can't believe any of them read a script and agreed to this steaming bag of entrails. Even as talented and alluring as Mia Goth is, she comes off as disgustingly annoying, particularly in the latter stages. As disgustingly vain and excessive the graphic scenes were, this was the sanitized version to avoid an X rating. I guess we all dodged a bullet there.
The Woman in the Window (2021)
Re-gendering of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window.
This movie lacked a suspenseful feeling of dread that Alfred Hitchcock was a master of providing in his work. Whether it was slow ominous pacing or using shadows as a foreboding, he got you to where you needed to be to set up a successful thriller. A great modern example of what im describing is the movie Hush. I like Amy Adam's alot but even she was kind of vanilla throughout this film. I realize that this film was based on a novel but it really does come off as a gender swapped Rear Window minus the suspense.
Barney Burman's Wild Boar (2019)
Remember that yardwork you were putting off?
I'll make it brief. Terrible story, weird cutscenes, bad acting and mostly cringe. The most disturbing thing in this movie is the relationship between what looks like a twenty-something brunette and her creepy Uncle. Whats worse is that her name is "Lamb" and his name is "Wolf". Accident? I think not. Avoid.
Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult (2020)
Proof that fame and fortune can't buy a lick of common sense.
This was one of the worst stories I've ever heard. Yet its hard to sympathize with the victims presented. Catherine Oxenburg insists that she was responsible for India Oxenburgs involvement and that may be true but India was not only involved in the cult she was complicit in the crimes with her recruitment and enslavement of new members. How do women that are seeking empowerment and their "best self" allow themselves to be subject to sexual humiliation and branded like livestock? India may have been victimized but she absolutely victimized others and deserves some form of punishment. My only sympathy for her was that she wasn't mentally capable of avoiding this shameful experience.
This Is Us (2016)
By far the best written show on TV.
Started watching this with my wife half looking and half playing with my phone and after 2 episodes I was more excited for the next episode than she was. The way they weave between past present and future is seamless. Always a thread that ties all tenses together in a common theme. It's like a magical, emotional life quilt that is pieced together episode by episode. I highly encourage binge viewing because you wont want to wait a week for more!!
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Seemingly written, directed and acted by sociopaths.
There is so much on screen talent here that its inexcusable to be so flat and boring. There must have been a barrel of mood stabilizers around the set and everyone generously indulged. What is ultimately the most painful and devastating choice a parent could have put to them is rendered impotent because of the brutally bland tone of the film.
Bliss (2019)
An addiction affliction
The main character spends the majority of the movie not giving a damn about anything and soon you wont either. The movie feels like it was written in 3 hours in a bar and they just grabbed the people in the bar to be in it. George Wendt must have been walking by and got yanked in. I didnt know you could write a script around the word f--k. Seriously, skip it.
The Strain (2014)
Worst casting choice in history
This show was really very interesting for about half a season. The characters were likable, there were multiple storylines and the acting was decent. About halfway through the first season I started wondering why they hadn't recruited more able bodies into their group. There were daytime scenes where there was abundant traffic. Is there a reason to keep the number at 5 adults 1 kid and 1 dementia inflicted woman?
The second strike for me was the laughably cartoonish, totally non scary Master. The Vampire in the Scooby Doo cartoons were scarier than this chump.
The final nail in the coffin, no pun intended, was the recasting of the son. The one constant that kept me going through season one was the innocent likability of the son character and the relationship with his dad. This was obliterated immediately with the plot choice and inexplicable recasting of the one character I'm sure everyone still watching cared about.
Joker (2019)
Brilliant film, difficult watch.
First let me start by saying that this film is absolutely award season material. The tone, music, story and jaw dropping performance by Phoenix should be seen by anyone who is a fan of film.
Having said that, this is one of the darkest films I have ever seen. There is little to grab onto for anyone who is an optimist or likes neat happy stories. It's a difficult watch, that for the excellent story and performance by Joakim Phoenix would have many not lasting until the final credits. I'm so glad I saw this movie, would certainly recommend this movie but i felt upon leaving the theater that I needed to wash my brain and would not view it again for a good long while.