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Reviews
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Subspace Rhapsody (2023)
Season 2 is awesome
Strange New Worlds explores possibilities of existence in fun and engaging ways not possible until now. This show is giving back story to canon stories and facts. It is staying true to the bold spirit of Star Trek where there is bright future. As a viewer and fan of this show, this cast continues a great tradition and legacy. The look is different, but the effect is traditionally good and satisfying.
The episode Subspce Rhapsody will prove to be a timeless classic. It is brave and bold and will onedtly challenge all your beliefs and preconceptions, but it will not break your trust in the show.
To the brave and inspiring cast and crew of Strange New Worlds, thank you for taking us on this journey.
Inside Man (2022)
Dark and Suspenseful? This is mind warping ghoulish!
From a technical and craft perspective, this is well done series. It has hidden riddles, good sets and scenes, and the plot moves logically. There is a tense wait for the two main characters to meet; and that reveal is well done. Tucci and Tennant are wonderful, and the remainder of the cast give wonderful performances. Bit of trivia, this movie marks the third movie that a Doctor Who actor has co-starred with Stanley Tucci.
As a movie, this is not a dark and suspenseful movie. It is ghoulishly mind warping. The story arcs and a fiend's task list in a mind game so twisted that a viewer might actually need to go to therapy. I am giving this series a 10, but you should only watch it if you are socially well-adjusted person.
The Offer (2022)
Wonderful. A great binge watch
If you liked "The Godfather", and if you like biopics, the this is the one you should watch. Clever writing, great acting, and a great story about the executive battles, egos, and drama that were behind the movie "The Godfather." This movie is like an Italian multicourse meal, you go in, you pace yourself, and you enjoy it.
Star Trek: Picard: The Star Gazer (2022)
He's Back and Let Band Play "La Paloma."
The second season begins with a bang like a festival. It is full of ingredients for many story arcs. There is love, regret, caution, hope, hope, despair and bravery. Capping this episode is Q, whose first appearance hits you like a shot of Tequilla.; add an elderly aged Picard and you have the lime and salt to make on hell of a party shot episode to start off this party!
But people cannot live on drink alone, and to bring substance to this story, we have Rios whose storyline is a like a good Chorillana - full of flavor and substance. He has matured since season 1 and packs power, depth and can hold his own.
But if spice is not your thing, and you want the give and take of a relationship that reflects the energy of a modern relationship or rich French cuisine, then look to Raffi and Seven. Their characters have believable growth and humor. There is a rich flavor in their interactions and banter that gives the foundations for a good story arc.
Looking for something cerebral, then look to Juradi and Elnor. While their stories would not reflect a dish at a meal, their stories provide the seasoning to this series. Then there is Guinan - ageless, but we also get to see a younger version who is dynamic and knows her stuff.
Lastly, without giving away too much, there is the return of Lariss played by Orla Brady. Orla Brady is wonderful and like a wooden whisk, she is brings the ingredients together.
Star Trek: Picard: Monsters (2022)
Good set up for season finale
I like this episode, despite the detracting comments by others. The series is about Picard, so it seems reasonable to go down this path of exploring his life, the choices he made, and why he is still single so late in life. It explains why he was distant with his past and present crew, explores his own family history, and gives hints about Q.
It also created a foundation for the last episode of the season, and perhaps set up season 3.
The Gilded Age (2022)
A brave attempt
Following the success of Downton Abbey, there were hopes for this show, but the grace and awe of country castle do not transfer to the US in this show. The first episode sets the tone and context for the story and characters, but the gaps weaknesses in this show are too obvious. The use of green screen to create old golden age rooms is too obvious and the result is something akin to a Star Trek video game from the 1990s; I am guessing sets and locations could not be provided. The digital house staff just look awful.
The pacing is pushed, the dialogue shallow, and the setting dull. Old money versus new money does make a story, it just looks like a Dallas remake. The actors either needed more time to get to know their characters or to go back to their drama classes.
I hate to write bad reviews, but this show needs a lot of help, which is surprising for a show on HBO.
Roo.s rooms.
Christopher Kimball's Milk Street (2017)
The best cooking show. Start here then go watch others
Christopher Kimball's Milk Street is my go to favorite culinary show. Great camera angles, clean crisp presentation of the full spectrum of cultural recipes and drinks pack a 30 minute episode. Like any good dish, the show employs a successful format in its recipe presentation. Kimball shares the screen well with his other presenters. They explain everything thoroughly. They also do segments in other countries to give them text and source of the recipe.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Discovering the possibilities and liking what I see
Star Trek: Discovery is a new flavor of the Star Trek franchise. While Picard may be the newest series, Discovery explores not just new ideas but also new views for how newer generations of viewers see the world. In the first season, we have to leave our biases and preconceived conceptions about Star Trek behind, in part because of the way Paramount and CBS had divided up intellectual property rights. This means that Klingons and ships do not look exactly like what we saw in TOS and Enterprise (whose history precedes Discovery), but it is possible to get past those biases and well worth it.
In my humble opinion, Discovery is visually rich, culturally inclusive and the dialogue crisp but relatable. I am Boomer, but found that I could now understand Millennials and Centennials by watching this show and see how these generations wish to express and be heard. And just these successive generations want their voice to be heard, Discovery's voice and vision should be heard and experienced. The creators of this show have crafted beautiful stores and respectable characters. This is achieved by stellar acting and directing.
Give Discovery a chance of more than just one episode. Dive in and watch several before forming and opinion. It is well worth it and you will better for it.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
A New Generation of Star Trek
I liked this show. I really did and I believe that it contained elements and values that reflect the best of the Star Trek franchise. Q's last line in "All Good Things" was "For that one fraction of a second, you were open to options you had never considered. *That* is the exploration that awaits you. Not mapping stars and studying nebulae, but charting the unknown possibilities of existence."
Star Trek Picard did a great job of merging the history and elements of the Next Generation and Voyager and a nod to DS9 (use of 3D console) with the look and feel that was the JJ Abrams and Discovery. It used a familiar theme of man vs machine as the plot, but in my humble opinion, Q's test was not the viability of the show, but the audience and fan's ability to chart and accept the possibilities with a new generation and new look and feel.
The acting is great. The music and dialog are great. The special effects and use of commercial stock images and videos are palatable and clever. The chemistry between the Previous (former Next) Generation and this New Generation is good, witty and feels real. Just as I could day dream that I was in a storyline of the other franchises, I am able to day dream the same of this one. To me, that is an indication of a quality show.
Be open minded, and take a leap of faith with this show.
Invest in its future and soul, you will not be disappointed.
What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018)
DS9 was and still is a 10
A wonderfully composed documentary. Seeing the cast, crew and management of any production and learning the history of it is always exciting. The Star Trek franchise seems being doing that with each of its series. What sets this apart, is that we the audience can see how a story arc is developed in parallel to hearing the perspectives of everyone originally involved. Knowing the backstories, the efforts expended, and hearing the passion and humor expressed by all who spoke adds to the show's legacy.
We also can see how audience reaction to the show affected the show's arc and life. This show stands the test of time, and pushed boundaries of scifi, just like Babylon 5 did. It is no coincidence that I make this statement. DS9 can and does stand on its own.
I am struggling with two parts;
1.) Seeing the proposed arc for Aron Eisenberg's character Nog and realizing that it became a foreshadow for the man.
2.) Not seeing Melanie Smith who portrayed Ziyal. Her character had an impact on the story arc, and yet the actress was not even seen.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Can Stand The Test Of Time
I enjoyed this film when it was first released. I recall when I first saw it and noted that unlike the previous movies, Star Trek V followed the format of the original show; an opening teaser, opening credits, etc.
My speculation on what really impacted the reception of the movie is that it became a victim of edits and budget cuts. It was the fifth movie, and the studios were going for maximum profits so at a time when VCR and DVDs were just entering the market, a movie's success was tracked by ticket sales, which meant heavy editing to get more showings per day. That was tragic.
The story is very much Star Trek. Finding GOD and an unknown half brother of Spock are not that much different than finding Christ in "Bread and Circuses", or finding Apollo in "Who Mourns For Adonis", or learning that Kirk broke up with a woman who now wants to kill him or that Spock was betrothed in an arranged marriage where his parents failed to make an appearance. What was innovative was giving character expansion. The novel did more of that, so I suspect that good scenes were either note done or were done and then promptly tossed into a waste bucket. One can find some of them on DVD or on the Internet, and they help fill the gaps.
This movie really explains William Shatner. He is an actor who can see a big picture and wants to direct. He is a director who knows the entrainment industry and craft and wants to be an executive producer. He is a product of what is called "old school" and the "studio system". He is a talented individual and in this movie it really shows. There is humor like there is in the tv show. Women have a prominent part, and if one adds the deleted scenes, they have a more prominent and substantial role. Their is good music scoring, good cinematography and photography. The original special effects blended well and do not dominate the movie.
Parts of the movie which did not get shown ultimately find their way onto another movie must see, "Galaxy Quest". That tells a person something.
So ignore the rumors, ignore the snide remarks and bad press and watch this movie with an open mind. You will not be disappointed.
The Grand Tour (2016)
Successful Start
I am enjoying The Grand Tour on Amazon. I liked and enjoyed Clarkson, Hammond and May when they were on Top Gear and I feel that they are finding their stride here on Amazon.
The opening sequence of episode was gorgeous. Seeing all the cars and people gathering in the desert in background of The Hot House Flowers singing their rendition of "Bright Sunny Day" was a great opening. I have played the opening sequence several times, never tiring of each viewing.
Since that opening sequence, the subsequent episodes have been entertaining and informative of the cars being presented. Season Two started with a surprising ending on episode 1, but the changes have been complimentary and positive.
I truly hope that the show will continue. Clarkson, Hammond and May have been working together for a long time and hopefully they will not retire for a while. Keep going guys, you are doing a good job!
Jean-Claude Van Johnson (2016)
Great idea and hilarious execution.
This is hilarious. Well crafted, good writing, good cast and camera work. Imagine, "Red". "The Expendables" and "True Lies" merged into 30 minute episodes. Very clever and well worth watching. The end credit music is very cool.
Great job Amazon.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
Hidden Jewel
This is a film that has been unfairly rated and I consider a hidden jewel in the Bond series. The critics have unfairly punished George Lazenby's performance in part because it was his first major role and then he made the mistake of departing the series after one movie.
First, the music score is excellent! Forget the song by Louis Armstrong. The opening music theme just gets your attention. It is action, it is danger, it is Bond! Adding to that, the collage of past villains and women who scroll down the hour glass frame and the audience has one last chance to pay tribute to the past and look forward to a potentially good future.
Second, the balance of humor and drama is perfect. In my humble opinion, Lazenby is not stiff. His humor is dry, but the timing is good. Though he does not have the delivery of Connery nor Moore, his with practice he would have surpassed them. Physically, his fight scenes were realistic, yet he delivers the witty comment credibly. Diana Rigg and the other cast members have good chemistry and they too also deliver the needed balance of humor and drama with charm and style.
Third, there is Lazenby himself. This man has been tragically maligned for decades since he made this movie. His acting was good. His physique was good. A lot of people have jumped on the tired-old-band wagon of bash Lazenby in part because he quit the series after one movie. As Bond, he was more rugged than Moore or Bronson, more romantically human than Connery or Dalton.
Let's be honest. Could you see anyone else be romantically involved with Diana Rigg? Moore and Bronson would have been laughed out of the bedroom by the former "Mrs. Peele"! Connery would have been arrested for battery. Dalton, maybe would have had a chance, but it would not have been believable. Lazenby was the right choice.
The problem with this film is Broccoli. He changed too many variables. New actor. New format for M, Q, Moneypenny. Bond gets married! A strong female lead (only surpassed by Honor Blackman). Too many things. Blame Broccoli.
Then there is Telly Savalis, who portrayed a good crazy but real Blofeld! Who loves ya, baby? He should have been Blofeld through out the series! Lastly, the female lead was great. Only Honor Blackman has been stronger. Ever since OHMSS, the female leads have either been witches, wenches, bubble brains, or so flat that they are like puppets. Michelle Yeoh is athletically strong, and would rank third, but she did not have the fun classy sex appeal of Blackman nor Rigg.
Sadly, it will take at least a generation before people realize that this was a very good film, with a good story, good cast and good music.
In my opinion, Lazenby has been punished because he quit the franchise too soon, and we as Bond fans had to endure Diamonds Are Forever, For Your Eyes Only, Moonraker, Goldeneye, and License To Kill.