ursulabearsmile Reviews

Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America (2021)

The first 60 seconds or so captures the truth

[10/10 · 4 December 2023]

I won't spoil the entire minute but part of what Jeffrey Robinson, the antagonist of the documentary, opens with is: "Slavery is not our fault. We didn't do it. We didn't cause it. It's not our responsibility. But it is our shared history."

I'm Caucasian, a full-blown European mutt--Italian and Polish mostly with Czech, German, English and who knows what else--and my ancestors weren't even living in America when slavery was legal. I once randomly spoke with a Black cashier at a convenience store about why we need a "Black History Month" (or a "Women's History Month", etc.). I said, Why isn't it just "history", period? She agreed with me.

The entire point is as American citizens (or residents), it is OUR country's history. We shouldn't be separating it by ethnicity or culture or race or gender. And it has literally been whitewashed for far too long. (Note, aslo, we still celebrate Columbus Day and Thanksgiving, erasing the Native Americans plight, another population who still greatly suffer consequences of colonization, bigotry, and marginalization to this day.) Why is it such a big deal that our country hasn't been perfect? That it isn't perfect? Because what country on this earth has been perfect for all of it's history?

Don't you remember, "The more you know!" (Insert rainbow)

Mr. D (2012–2018)

One note, lowbrow humor, and degrading to teachers

[1/10 · 29 January 2023]

From the first 60 seconds, I was shocked by how badly the jokes were. The main character, Mr. D., is a new teacher. It seems the writers wanted his character to be awkwardly and perhaps obnoxiously funny but really he's just obnoxious, and NOT funny! ... I went forth with the episode and the gist is the protagonist being a jerk to the kids and being as jerk*** in staff meetings. He has an inflated ego that is suppose to be funny because he's really more of the stereotypical loser. None of it works. The jokes are lowbrow and juvenile, no pun intended. I don't know who laughs at elementary school children being made fun of other than elementary school children. The Mr. D. character is a bully, not a teacher! It's despicable ... My mother was a teacher and she and the vast majority of teachers spend their careers devoting their hearts and souls to helping children. Seriously, writers, pick on someone your own size.

Teachers (2016–2019)

Lowbrow humor that is degrading to women and teachers

[1/10 · 29 January 2023]

This series makes women out to be airheads and even worse, airhead teachers who have no idea how to do their jobs or even treat children. Nothing is witty. All the jokes are low-hanging fruit. And the teachers actually make fun of and insult the children. My mother was a teacher and this is an insult to the vast majority of teaching who put their hearts and souls into changing children's live. The worst thing about this series is that it is written by women, who are also the stars of the show (ie the airhead teachers) ... They call themselves the "Katdids." I guess that explains a lot right there. There is a lot to the career of a teacher that could be made funny without portraying teachers as vapid and clueless. Kids are silly and many an awkward situation arise. Very disappointing.

History of Swear Words (2021)

Pretty funny and interesting but worst American swear ever not addressed!

[6/10 · 6 September 2022]

I swear a lot and am also a grammar and vocab freak so the "experts" were especially interesting for me. But damn is not a swear word and I really would have liked them to address the most taboo and harshest swear: the C-word. Especially because it's not taboo in the UK or Australia and both genders are called that whereas in the US (the series is definitely from an American point of view), only a female would ever be called that. So ironically, even the C-word is too taboo for the history of swear words! But serious, "Damn" as a swear?! Most kids don't even get scolded for saying it. Def skip that episode.

Echoes (2022)

Ready to give it a solid 6.5 until episode 6

[5/10 · 2 September 2022]

At least I did what was recommended not knowing it was recommended - do something else at the same time. I appreciated the twist ... But then it was just like, let's explore EVERYONE in the story knowing the twist! Normally, the story ends there - with the twist. Fade out, slight gape ... It just was too drawn out. Sometimes you want a "solid 6.0" to have going on in the background. But this should have wrapped after episodes 5. Only 7 episodes though so you'll live - if you are sewing up a chewed dog bed and doing laundry. Oh one good thing was the soundtrack. There is a wide range of songs and I was very happy to find myself Google-voice searching the songs. So thanks, producers, for that. But yeah, it really is as bad as the reviews. I couldn't believe it at first but it's true.

Another Life (2019–2021)

I have way higher standards, yet still watched both seasons!

[6/10 · 26 October 2021]

I'm a huge fan of the Expanse (and other such interstellar space travel sci-fi) Guessing this was what Netflix came up with try to rival that show.

Even as expectations were let down, people still watched, as I did, because the bones were there for it to be great - and I think one just kept hoping it was going to get there. But let's just say the first season felt like it should have been called "The Real World: Deep Space Nine". A good 90% of the crew was barely old enough to drink yet was on the most important mission to the human race? The second season was better. I don't think this is a spoiler per se - like Game of Thrones (that's where the analogy stops), they will kill off practically anybody. And quite frankly, I was happy with a lot of the characters that were bc it made for a better show as new (better) characters were brought in. If the writers could just stick to more of the action and adventure and science fiction than the melodrama, the ratings would be higher. Getting rid of the William/Niko plotline alone, which was the antithesis of Niko's character, would have gotten this to a seven star-rating for me. However they wrapped up everything in a pathetically neat package at the end of season 2 so I'm not holding my breath for season 3. It's sad because it really had a lot of potential.

Tell Me Your Secrets (I) (2021)

Season 1- wowwwwwwwww

[9/10 · 25 February 2021]

Slow burn ... I thought for sure this was based on a book but it's not. there is every twist and turn you could possibly imagine and the ending definitely leaves an opening for a second season. Great acting, great plot, great dialogue/writing. All of it is really well thought out and planned to a T. I highly recommend this. I rarely rate series this high.

Please Understand Me (2018– )

The therapist is in on the "joke"

[3/10 · 20 October 2020]

Would probably have been funny if the therapist didn't know it was fake. After seeing all the camera angles, I realized I should look this up and confirmed via the Hollywood Reporter. Show glosses over this fact in the intro. And then it's genuinely not funny.

The Bureau: Episode #5.10 (2020) Season 5, Episode 10

Why?!?!?!?!?!?!

[2/10 · 3 September 2020]

Just why. My heart is broken. And in addition, the stories of the two agents abroad were abandoned with no resolution for new storylines. Even if there is a 6th season, I will never forgive the writers for what they did in the last 5 minutes of this episode. Just come on now!!! Let Malatrou have a little happiness for heaven's sake!!! No idea where a plot for season 6 would go anyhow. Can't stand watching Malatrou in pain anymore.

Munich (2005)

Blah

[5/10 · 25 July 2020]

Same thing over and over. I mean it is a really good story but think I'll try the documentary on it on it. Spielberg and Bana "names" we're probably the only reason it got nominated for so many Oscars, which was what drew me to watch a 15-year-old movie. Just so repetitive!

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Meh - every movie needs a plot!

[5/10 · 12 June 2020]

This is 2020. Special effects are a dime a dozen. If you just want special effects with no real plot, play a video game. It was promising but went nowhere. Could have done the two hour movie in one hour and then have the story arch getting up to the special city (this is revealed right away), which I am sure everyone, even the "special effects lovers," wanted to know about, be the second half. Instead, the ending is a cliffhanger of sorts ... Without a second movie to quench the thirt of knowing aboit the special city, this was totally pointless.

October Faction (2020)

Hokey and overwrought but great for pandemic zone out

[5/10 · 18 May 2020]

Overwrought - has about seven different plots/themes apart from the monster killing. Hokey - one minute chasing after monsters then the next trying to create "deep" emotional scenes. And then there's some mystery tied in there ... Might be all over the place and corny as heck but somehow there's enough sprinkled about that I just kept watching. It's one of those shows that you don't have to think deeply about and sometimes you're just in the mood for that, especially during a pandemic.

Colony (2016–2018)

I cannot believe no one rebooted this

[9/10 · 25 April 2020]

Well done sci-fi taking place "the the present." I just watched it on Netflix fully knowing that it was canceled after three seasons with no tidy "end". It was a great show and had many plot turns that kept the story going. Wow was the USA network stupid - I read that it was cancelled because the ratings fell after they switched the day and time slot. That happens all the time; they should have switched it back. And to Netflix and Prime and Hulu, y'all missed out on a money maker. Definitely worth watching even though the story isn't fully played out. Such a shame.

The Murder of Laci Peterson (2017)

Keep in mind: "Not guilty" does not equal "Innocent"

[7/10 · 25 July 2019]

You can think Scott Peterson did this. But the criminal legal system hinges upon reasonable doubt - "such doubt as would cause a reasonable person to hesitate before acting in a matter of importance." So do I think OJ Simpson killed Ron and Nicole? Sure do! Do I think that, in court, the prosecution prove this beyond a reasonable doubt? Nope! Not guilty is not that the defense proved the defendant is innocent. Rather it is that the prosecution could not prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Remember that when you watch this show.

Mrs. Wilson (2018)

Snooze fest

[3/10 · 3 May 2019]

Soooooo slow. I kept thinking there was going to be some big bombshell and there was nothing... Except a ton of swelling music and melodrama. It romanticizes a philandering man as if anything he did with his life would really make up for the fact that he had four different families and lied to everyone he supposedly loved. Very disappointed. Masterpiece normally has top quality programming but this definitely tried too hard.

Game of Thrones: The Long Night (2019) Season 8, Episode 3

Worst lighting ever

[5/10 · 29 April 2019]

Horrible cinematography. So confused for the first half bc couldn't see what was going on!!!! The "storyline" i.e. battle is just not very compelling. Yes, it takes directions you don't see coming, but they don't take risks. You can really tell that Martin isn't writing this. Just, ugh. I'm watching the last season just to see what happens but kinda over this series. Wish they waited til Martin had written HIS additional books to continue the show.