shinedowness Reviews

The Lion King (2019)

Disney Went Greedily Coldhearted

[4/10 · 27 July 2019]

This film will NEVER be better than the original film. Why? Because the voice actors and actresses in this film made the characters have less emotional voices, less facial expressions to represent emotions, and less passion in their singing except for Beyoncé. Speaking of passionate singing. Jeremy Irons had very much more passion in his voice when he talked and sang in the original film for the role of Scar than Chiwetel Ejiofor did. Especially when Jeremy sang the song "Be Prepared". "Be Prepared", "Circle of Life", and "Hakuna Matata" were my song favorites from the original. However, I only liked "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata" from this 2019 remake. Thankfully, James Earl Jones reprised his role for the Mufasa character. For a digital film such as this one, the people responsible for making this film could have made the digitized animals have more emotional expressions like in the original film. Also, this film had missing lines from the original film that I really loved when I was a kid. Simba's lines were "Help! Somebody! Anybody!" when he tries to find someone to help his father Mufasa who died because of Scar unknowingly when he was a cub. When Simba said the words somebody and anybody, I felt an emotional reaction to that. But, this film decided to remove that. Even though the people tried their "best" to make this film, I only felt coldhearted greed on Disney's end. And Beyoncé's song "Spirit" gets repetitive and I can't seem to feel any deeply emotional meaning in her song compared to the song "Circle of Life". Removed lines from the original film just made this film like it was cutting corners instead of trying to make a deep meaningful message from this film. Shame.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Marvel Stooped Too Low Because of Disney Monopolization

[4/10 · 17 June 2019]

This film is why social justice warrior feminism has tanked the quality of superhero writing and will probably be why I will not watch future superhero films anymore until this social justice warrior media ends. Unfortunately, Disney is part of the progressive propaganda because it makes money. Which is why the quality of Disney films and Disney Channel shows have lowered considerably. It's not Brie Larson's fault for making this film suck, it's the writers, producers, and director's fault. Stop actor-blaming films, it's getting old and irrelevant.

The Son (2017–2019)

Glad They Are Ending This After 2 Seasons

[5/10 · 12 June 2019]

Apparently, Hollywood doesn't know about mathematics in a story timeline except it does know about production money mathematics to make this series. First off, Eli would have looked much older in the 1910's. Because he was not born in modern times, he would have died sooner probably. Especially since there was a lack of certain medicine, advanced technology, nutritional information about foods and drinks, and he smoked and drank alcohol, which made him have a chance of having his abused lungs kill him quicker. Other than that, Pete McCullough, Eli's youngest son, has been playing passive-aggressive for far too long that I am not paying attention to him anymore. Pete McCullough is kind of like Tommen Baratheon off of Game of Thrones. Phineas McCullough, Eli's older son, is selfishly manipulative yet predictable as a cookie cutter homosexual to me, so I am not paying attention to him anymore, either. Phineas McCullough is kind of like Renly Baratheon and Bronn from Game of Thrones. Sally McCullough, Pete McCullough's wife, is a brooding yet intelligent mother who is surrounded by money-driven monsters who kill each other for money and power and Sally just wants to get away from that to give her children and herself a better life to keep them from developing behaviors that will make their lives a living hell. Charles McCullough and Jonas McCullough who are Sally and Pete's sons are more like add-ins to this show instead of major characters that I find interesting because they are not shown in the show as much as Eli McCullough. Jeannie McCullough, Pete and Sally's daughter, is kind of interesting to me. Jeannie's personality is determined, analytical, no-nonsense, and intense. She lived a rough life as a child and never wanted to be undermined by men or women during her era. She embodies female empowerment in that sense. I can see why she might have developed depression and an understanding that there are people that could take advantage of her because of how wealthy she was. Other than that, this show has okay quality and not okay quality. I feel there could be improvements to this show, but I am afraid the writers may be done writing all of the episodes already and don't want to waste any more time finishing this series.

Love Never Dies (II) (2012)

A Downgrade from The Phantom of the Opear and is Fanfictional Drivel

[2/10 · 9 May 2019]

Apparently, the writer of this show is seemingly bad at history and mathematics if you check the ages of the characters here. Christine is supposed to be born in 1854 and die in 1917. Love Never Dies does not make Christine's timeline before 1917 work properly for her age and the age she has for her son. Also, she's too different than the Christine from The Phantom of the Opera. Which that brings me to my point here. The point is that Love Never Dies is fanfictional drivel without any logical writing to back the characters up to make them as spectacular as they were in the original The Phantom of the Opera show and its music pales much more than the original The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall show.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Hollywoodized Garbage That is Inappropriately Sexual

[4/10 · 8 May 2019]

This is not The Phantom of the Opera, this is Hollywoodized filth that is too sexual to be considered the real story or horrifying for that matter. All of the characters in this film are less intelligent than the characters from the book and the 1986 theatre show. Emmy Rossum fails to showcase true soprano power in her voice because her voice is too light for the Christine Daae role with an American accent that ruins the film's setting. Gerard Butler did not get enough vocal training for his Phantom role, and so his singing is not appropriate for the Phantom role in the first place. Christine and the Phantom have this seemingly inappropriate sexual tension between each other in this film, which goes against the 1986 theatre storyline and the book that inspired The Phantom of the Opera shows to exist. Even though Gerard is handsome, his sexual appeal does not make me feel frightened by him looking like the Phantom whatsoever. So, I feel the horror theme of this musical was lost. This comes across as a soft pornography rather than a proper The Phantom of the Opera show. Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo are the only people who have made a proper The Phantom of the Opera show at the Royal Albert Hall. When I watched the 25th anniversary DVD about The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, I was very pleased despite it not having the chandelier fall down like this 2004 film. Besides all of that, this film was rushed to be made because some of the actors and actresses being miscast rather than carefully released to the public because of money. Minnie Driver was the only decent actress on this film who had a lot more vocal power and facial expression than Emmy Rossum did from what I saw. The only reason why I liked this film was because of the "Overture" song, the YouTube videos that make fun of this film, the "Poor Fool, He Makes Me Laugh" song by Minnie Driver, the chandelier falling down, Minnie Driver, and Patrick Wilson. Not because of the two main characters: Christine and the Phantom.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

The Fresh Lens of American Culture

[6/10 · 13 April 2019]

This show is like a lens that helps people understand the past culture of America with their eyes and how people fought for rights, justice, and equality while bringing humor into it to make it feel less intense for the audience. As a critic, I consider this show to be a rebel yell against traditionalists that kept black people from getting their rights and justice because of white supremacy while being humorous at the same time. So, I think that is why this show successfully stayed on television channels instead of being cancelled completely before this show's second season would happen. Lawyers, athletes, entertainers, and business people are both white people and black people from what this show taught me. Patriarchy is more influential in American culture in the 1990's in this show because this show was in the 1990's where women were fighting for rights and equality, too. Queen Latifah in this show will prove that women were doing their best to survive with female empowerment in a world where there were men that could try to sexually objectify them away from power to prove that she, Queen Latifah, is the queen rather than the oppressed female. Which all of these things I have mentioned make me think this show was a bombshell to patriarchal white supremacists. You cannot deny that The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a big impact to the U.S. if you are to be honest with yourself. That is why there are many memes, YouTube videos, products, and mentions of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air show because it gave people the feeling of empowerment and enlightenment through comedy. But I will be honest with myself. I dislike how long it took the character Will Smith to mature after season 4. But I understand why it took that long. The producers wanted to slow down Will Smith's maturity rate in order to make more seasons for money.

Jim Jefferies: This Is Me Now (2018 TV Special)

This Is Disappointing Now

[3/10 · 12 April 2019]

This is a representation of how California can ruin the quality of a comedian through Hollywood and L.A.'s political correctness from far leftists. Jim lost his edge and started making recycled jokes in this This Is Me Now. He said the word contract in this show, and other comedians that started to decrease their quality for Netflix have said the same word. Is it an indicator of a potentially bad show for all comedians now? Also, Jim has talked about how his audience paid for his show just like the other comedians who have decreased their quality for Netflix have. Is that another indicator of a potentially bad show for all comedians now? Should I just switch to another comedian if a comedian says their audience paid for their show and says the word contract in their show because those 2 things are indicators that their show will suck? Besides all of that, this show really disappointed me and made me think Jim being sentimental about his depression was too much for me to take. He needs to get some help and maybe when he does his shows will be better. I think because of his breakup with his girlfriend, his depression before that relationship I mentioned started, and his involvement in L.A. have all messed with his quality of comedy.

Ricky Gervais: Humanity (2018 TV Special)

I Laughed a Lot, But That is Not Why I Am Giving This 4 Stars

[4/10 · 9 April 2019]

There are times that recycling jokes is fine, which those times are not in reality if you want to sound original as a comedian and if you want to sound like you are not desperate for money from your audience. Luckily, I am a somewhat young person who did not get to hear Ricky Gervais's old jokes before I saw his Humanity show. Unfortunately, I have gotten to see his older shows and see why reviewers are complaining that this Humanity show is not as original as Ricky's older shows. So, that is why I am giving this 4 stars. Netflix had this available to watch, but it appears to me that Netflix is scraping at the bottom of the barrel for money in regards to quality.

Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias: One Show Fits All (2019 TV Special)

One Show Fits None

[5/10 · 8 April 2019]

I only laughed a few times in this comedy special, but Gabriel Iglesias is still recovering from his health trauma. There is a lack of energy that I felt from him that I felt in older comedy shows he was in. And there is a lack of originality in some of the things he said. I already saw him be thankful of the people getting him to where he is today by making him famous. However, I do not want to keep hearing him say he is famous and talk about his former glory because it is getting concerning for me. Before the I'm Sorry For What I Said While I Was Hungry comedy special, he was at his prime. But because of his health condition, I am praying he gets better and gets time to heal completely before doing another comedy show. This just felt like a desperate cash grab to me.

Nate Bargatze: The Tennessee Kid (2019 TV Special)

Seems Like an Original and a Humble Comedian

[7/10 · 6 April 2019]

This guy seems like an original and a humble comedian. Some people are overly sexual, some people are overly sentimental, and some people are overly predictable in their comedy shows to me. But, Nate seems to have a chill personality without sounding like a know it all from what I have seen from him.

Amy Schumer: Growing (2019 TV Special)

I Will Start Looking at IMDB Ratings Instead of Netflix Ratings

[3/10 · 6 April 2019]

The Netflix rating system is deceptive. Amy Schumer was funny one time in this show for me. Only one time when she showed a painting that kind of looked like Markiplier with blonde hair. Nothing more, nothing less. Unfortunately, I was wanting something more than this standup comedy. Amy's career in comedy is not panning out in a way that makes her truly funny but more like she is profitable. She has predictably talked about almost the same thing she talked about in The Leather Special that has been said here in Growing. It looks like there is no growing but stagnating and sleeping with Netflix employees or something to get high ratings on Netflix. All I know is that Amy Schumer is not funny anymore. Discussing tampons in that manner and talking about how girls date jackbutts and Amy getting sentimental were all ingredients to make me not have an easy time laughing.

Whiskey Cavalier (2019)

A Downgrade from the Show Castle

[1/10 · 23 March 2019]

This show is about an emasculated man, Will Chase, who is overpowered by a woman, Francesca Trowbridge, whose powers of beauty, intelligence, and physical strength bewilder this man's brain. Come on, get real. FBI and CIA employees are not supposed to be acting this childish and reckless. The fact that the character Edgar Standish acts like a loose cannon immaturely and Ray Prince was unprofessional from the start gave me red flags about this show. Also, the writers of Whiskey Cavalier seem like they have never met FBI agents, CIA agents, etc. and seem like they never read what realistic government workers do. Which all made me come to the conclusion that this show's intention was to appeal to people who don't care about reality and mature characters. No more Whiskey Wednesdays for me.

The Bachelorette (2003– )

Shows Absolutely No Sign of Decency and Helpful Intelligence

[1/10 · 13 March 2019]

If you are looking for decent people, then do not watch this show. A pathetic audience watches this immoral filth created by the lowest common denominator who only care about entertainment and money. Nothing more, nothing less. You can say "don't judge people before knowing them," but I would not have my child near these monstrous creatures who cause stupid hatred, revenge, drama, etc. for views because that would be me being a decent parent that actually cares about my child's health. Bad role models are who go on this show and run this show.

The Bachelor (2002– )

Made By Sociopathic Producers Enabling People for Money

[1/10 · 13 March 2019]

This show was made by sociopathic producers enabling people for money. As a result, people on this show are acting immaturely on the outside to entertain people who are all part of the lowest common denominator. Decent people do not watch this show or be contestants in this show. Instead, they actually find other decent people without causing stupid hatred, revenge, drama, etc. that you see in immoral shows like this. Most or all of these people on The Bachelor are fame-hungry monsters who try to pull on people's heart strings by adding children onto the show. I was done with this show after a few seasons.

The Jungle Book (2016)

Would Let Kids Watch This with Caution

[6/10 · 15 February 2019]

Alright, I'm gonna be honest here. The Mowgli in this film did not make the same expression all the way through the film. Some reviewers of this film in this website were not paying attention and were merely complaining subjectively instead of being constructively critical and objective. Songs that were in the original The Jungle Book were actually more upbeat than this 2016 version. Yes, this film's version had a more dark and violent vibe to it. Which could make some parents prevent some children from watching this. Sure, the adults who admired the 1967 classic may feel disappointed by this from it not regurgitating the same old feeling the much older masterpiece captures. Disney is not in the business of cowering down to the audience's expectations too much, though. Disney's goal was to make this remake for luring profit in its money vault in order to make better films that are more original and fresh as possible. This is why remakes and sequels of films that have less quality than their predecessors exist. In order to make monetary gain to help make something better come along. By my surprise, I actually liked this adaptation that is 3 years old because it was closer to realism than the cartoon's interpretation.

Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable (2018 TV Special)

The Audacity of Ellen

[1/10 · 13 February 2019]

Okay, Ellen. You can evade taxes while us average people have to pay them in America the land of the "free." You can have butlers do things for you while us average people have to do things on our own in America. You are friends with people who are part of the elite while some of us average people find some of those people in the elite to be ridiculous with their fame. You were funny once upon a time before you became famous and rich because you were more humble. You tried standup again. At least you tried. Please stop doing that or change your ways. When you said you could buy another vehicle, I felt that was unrelatable and more distant from you. Just know there are people hurting because of the elite and the increasing inequality and trying their best to survive.

Legacies (2018–2022)

Legacies? More like Idiocies.

[1/10 · 24 January 2019]

This Vampire Diaries universe has been annihilated by this show that strays from how things worked in the original Vampire Diaries show. Every chance Julie Plec can play deus ex machina is furthering the universe's craziness indubitably. And Rotten Tomatoes has become a puppet for money instead of being truthfully honest about the banality of this show's treachery. The teenagers represented in this mockery are all merely pretty faces out on the outside who do every course of action that has been displayed in countless shows in the past. Nothing more, nothing less. Sure, this is a brand new television spin-off with original characters and fresh faces that have never been seen in the past arguably. However, the fact remains that older shows already had the drama, action, etc, which what the characters in Legacies will potentially do. Bran Stoker's "Dracula" story is an old timer that is deemed as a classic, and yet Legacies mocks every supernatural theme at every turn it gets. Miss me with that balderdash.

Aquaman (2018)

Can't Relate to Any Character Except for Mera

[4/10 · 31 December 2018]

For a film that was created by many people through time and "effort," I cannot relate to any character in this film except for Mera who seems more decent than Aquaman. Jason Momoa and Aquaman themselves are all jerks with egos up their butts and play the same jerk if you pay attention to how Jason approaches people. Jason even ripped Amber Heard's pages from her books without her permission while working with her for the Aquaman film. I don't think I am going to be able to watch another Aquaman film if Hollywood is going to hire unprofessional jerks who don't know how to adapt to different characters and treat people with respect.

Will & Grace (1998–2020)

I Felt Gay (Happy) For This at First But Got Disappointed After 5 Seasons

[7/10 · 30 November 2018]

I thought this was great for a few seasons but felt as though there was something missing. Then, I figured out what that something was. Grace kept staying with Will. Jack kept having moderate success in his work life instead of excellent success. Will kept being awkward with people in regards to his sexual orientation. And Karen kept failing to comprehend blue collar people and their struggles. All of these things made these characters stagnant in some ways instead of interesting to me. This fact is why I said farewell to watching Will & Grace.

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)

Hollywood Doing a Disservice to History By Disrespectfully Twisting it For Money

[4/10 · 24 November 2018]

This film teaches me important lessons: that the world does not revolve around you completely and that arrogance kills the good content of someone's personality. Unfortunately, the people who made this film either did not read the real book Seven Years in Tibet or just wanted to twist history for the sake of quick money. All of this makes me understand why China banned Brad Pitt and David Thewlis from entering its country. Because China does not want Hollywood infesting its culture with people who disrespect history by making a joke out of it.

Fantastic Four (2015)

Fantasstic Bore

[1/10 · 11 November 2018]

This film was nothing but cold and crammed non-stop action that could have been made into numerous films instead of being in this one film. And that guy chewing gum every time he had a scene was making me almost lose my mind. Give your mouth a break, will ya? But seriously, there was more physical activity that was not talking that made me have an impossible time liking any of the characters here. Shame. The only reason I give this 1 star is because of Toby Kebbell's very handsome sex appeal and that I find Toby talented, adaptable, smart, and playful but deserving more than this treacherous abomination called "Fantastic" Four.

The Rookie (2018– )

Cliché Overload

[1/10 · 11 November 2018]

If you like watching repetitive themes with clichés that make the show predictable, then this show is for you. Nathan Fillion is the only actor that makes this show watachable, but if the writers make the other characters smaller in quality, then it seems to me that this show is a cash grab to me. An experienced female police officer gets to play tough guy, but a male cop gets harassed by her to make him look weak in this show. I already saw this in another show, but it is unprofessional in the real world and looks like cheap and ugly feminism propaganda. Somehow, I do not get to meet The Rookie's son. I wonder if this son is upset that his father is not in his life. Other than that, I find Eric Winter to be a toxic has-been when it comes to his job as a police officer. He is playing illegal favoritism for his ex wife who is a drug addict. The law and mentally ill drug addicts like her do not mix with each other at all. Eric seems to be the only character besides The Rookie to have depth for his character development. But, this show is getting predictably dramatic and The Rookie is predictably successful as a police officer. I am done.

American Idol (2002– )

An Insult to Contestants

[1/10 · 29 October 2018]

Somewhere in the beginning of this show was my first exposure to a "reality" show as a kid when I was more ignorant then than now. Unfortunately, I went away from this show after a very few seasons when it was new in America and realize this show is fabricated to look real by greedy producers that allowed impractical conditions to be pressured onto contestants. And then you wonder why the quality of life is low to average in America, right?

The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003–2023)

Unfair and Deceptive

[3/10 · 21 October 2018]

President Donald Trump has never made an appearance on this show directly. I know why. People applaud too loudly on this show. I know why. The games on the Ellen DeGeneres Show are not as clever. I know why. And the guests that come on this show have to adhere to Ellen's liberalism and let her talk as much as she wants and needs. And I know why. What I have concluded is that people who have a problem with the LGBT community, Ellen's ego, and how this show deceives you into thinking it is about compassion will not be as welcomed as the other people who buy into this propaganda aimed to please Ellen more than the people outside of her life. People do not have to like the LGBT stuff, Ellen, and her show disguised as compassion when it is really about Hollywoodized politics that make people not able to talk about their opinions if they are not gay friendly or something else. This does not allow room for inclusion but exclusion.

Chappaquiddick (2017)

This is Not History, This is a Controversy

[1/10 · 14 October 2018]

What happened in this film is more about controversy about what really happened to Mary Jo and the Kennedys. Not real history that can be 100% verified to be true. In my perspective, the Kennedys were greedy criminals that cared about their family's power at the expense of people who were more qualified to be politicians for the people instead of their greed. This was a time of white patriarchy for Mary Jo where white men could get away with their crimes and abuse women to make them not able to fight against them when they are violated. So, who knows what the females dealt with when they were around the Kennedys and the Kennedys' political associates. I understand women in the US had to work with people, who were products of their time in the American government that treated the women like 2nd class citizens in regards to safety from abuse, in order to get the power they do now. So, I can imagine Mary Jo understanding the reality of her world and feeling hesitant in being a politician.