errant-52785 Reviews

Love in Country (2023)

Ambitious

[5/10 · 24 January 2024]

Look, this is not necessarily well made. Or well acted. It is very low budget and it shows. It was very ambitious, but its reach exceeded its grasp. Very different kind of gay story, and pretty moving despite its obvious limitations. I give it a 6 or 6.5 out of 10 for the effort. With a budget, and in the right hands, this could really be something big and classic, an award winner. I give the director and everyone else involved kudos for trying.

The 600 minimum character restriction on review is so ridiculous. Sometimes there aren't six hundred characters to share about a movie or a show. I understand the reasoning and the need for it, but 600 is way too high.

For All Mankind: And Here's to You (2021) Season 2, Episode 8

Karen Baldwin subplot

[22 August 2023]

People keep complaining about the Karen and Danny subplot, but to be honest, that's about the only thing of interest currently going on in this show. That and the daughter and her birth parents.

Guns on the moon is going a direction I am totally turned off by and I will probably drop this show completely if it keeps going that way if they just get away with murdering some cosmonauts. Gordo trying to get his wife back is just kind of pathetic and uninteresting. Oooh radiation glaucoma, how dramatic. Aleida's totally pointless story trying to win back what's his name after she personally insulted him was about the weakest bit of melodrama in history.

I ask myself almost every episode "Why am I watching this" and this being my 3rd attempt with this series since it debuted and when there's extra long episode this boring and pointless, I'm really tempted not even finish the episode let alone the series.

Legion: Chapter 23 (2019) Season 3, Episode 4

Brilliant FX gag

[10/10 · 15 May 2023]

Did you watch Buffy reruns on FX in the early 2000s? Did you watch anything on FX then? If you did, you saw the commercial for "The Shield" about 10,000 times a day. "Good cop and bad cop left for the day. I'm a different kind of cop" is ingrained into the wrinkles in your brain.

I was watching this episode and this scene from "The Shield" repeats several times, after a few other scenes do too. I thought I was going insane. I became giddy when I figured out what the hell was happening.

What I thought was an inside joke with myself (because I will sometimes repeat that scene in my head over and over for the last 20 years) was used to brilliant effect.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Body (2001) Season 5, Episode 16

Phenomenal

[10/10 · 8 November 2022]

Twenty+ years later, this is still one of the most impactful episodes of television I have ever seen. It really took my be surprise and was a gut punch. Fantastic writing and performances all around, really capturing the shock and numbness and silent horror of real world death, as opposed to most of the deaths on this show. No matter how many times I have seen it, I still openly weep when I come across it, or see a clip on YouTube, etc. It covers the the gamut and range of emotions as each character deals with grief in a very different way. I love this show anyway, but this episode is one of handful that has launched it into the pantheon of all-time favorite series.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

Bored of the Rings

[6/10 · 18 October 2022]

This is a beautifully lavish production, which is mostly why I gave it a 6. It's that gorgeous. And the characters and their motivations are somewhat interesting

On the other hand, it is soooooooo boring. I find that to be the case with my reaction to most of Tolkien's work and adaptions. However, this one especially so. When I saw that episode 6 or 7 clocked in at another 72 episodes, I said to myself, I can't make myself sit through this again. Because 72 minutes really means 90 minutes, because I kept letting my attention wander and would go back 2 minutes to see what the hell they were talking about or reacting to... sometimes multiple times for the same plot point. It is THAT un-engaging. I don't mind a show being this uninteresting if the visuals are this good, but the length of every episode is unnecessarily long.....

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

Fun

[7/10 · 16 October 2022]

One of the few of these Marvel or Star Wars Disney+ shows that warrants being a series (along with probably WandaVision), rather than a TV movie (Werewolf by Night was great without being needlessly drawn out).

First half of the finale was a nice commentary on what seems like about half of all IMDB user reviewers, but was too gentle. And a great fourth wall breaking visual gag straight out of the comics. The She-Hulk comics, I mean.

It still has some of the blandness of some of the other D+ series, and could have been really biting in some of the episodes, but it went another way. Also, there was too much Hulk and too much Wong to be honest.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022– )

Bored of the Rings

[6/10 · 15 October 2022]

This is a beautifully lavish production, which is mostly why I gave it a 7. It's that gorgeous. And the characters and their motivations are somewhat interesting

On the other hand, it is soooooooo boring. I find that to be the case with my reaction to most of Tolkien's work and adaptions. However, this one especially so. When I saw that episode 6 or 7 clocked in at another 72 episodes, I said to myself, I can't make myself sit through this again. Because 72 minutes really means 90 minutes, because I kept letting my attention wander and would go back 2 minutes to see what the hell they were talking about or reacting to... sometimes multiple times for the same plot point. It is THAT un-engaging. I don't mind a show being this uninteresting if the visuals are this good, but the length of every episode is unnecessarily long.....

RWBY (2012– )

Huh?

[3/10 · 17 August 2022]

If you enjoy plot and characters, look elsewhere. It is devoid of either. And what little there is of either is completely incoherent, inconsistent and doesn't follow any rational or internal logic.

It's pretty though.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018–2020)

Fantastic.

[10/10 · 27 June 2022]

I have been a He-Man and the Masters of the Universe fan for over 40 years. Even before the original cartoon premiered.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is, hands down, the best thing to come out of the entire franchise.

Phenomenal show for all ages.

Halo (2022– )

Decent

[7/10 · 21 May 2022]

Decent and interesting series adapted from source material, characters, and lore that I couldn't care less about.

Also, Master Chief has a great butt.

Injustice (2021)

It was alright....

[7/10 · 6 March 2022]

At this point, I've seen so many interpretations of Superman as the jerk or the Justice League as the bad guys, I think having them be good guy heroes would be a novel take. Kind of tired of the grim and gritty versions of these character trying to outdo the knockoffs that try to deconstruct them.

I didn't care for this animation style either. But it wasn't the worst or most tasteless version of this theme I've been subjected to.

Peacemaker (2022– )

Stupid fun

[8/10 · 13 January 2022]

I really didn't want want to like this.

But I did. John Cena didn't even annoy me and he usually does. Vigilante is my favorite part of the show. So stupid, but reasonably funny.

The Wheel of Time (2021– )

Pretty good overall

[8/10 · 25 December 2021]

It kept me engaged for 8 episodes. I have never gotten past the first 100 pages of the book in my 3 attempts before bailing due to boredom and lack of interest.

Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020 Video)

Now this is Superman

[8/10 · 24 December 2021]

Glad to finally have a decent representation of Superman back in the adaptations. The New 52 movie universe... I don't know what that was, but it didn't work.

And this should be required viewing for Zack Snyder and his sycophant fanboys. If they don't like this version of Superman, then they don't like Superman. There are plenty of grim and gritty edgelord j.o. Fantasies out there to get into, don't ruin Superman by trying to make him one of them.

Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020 Video)

Thank god this era of DC animated movies is over

[6/10 · 20 December 2021]

Beginning to wonder if WB can do anything other than grimdark edgelord fantasy pandering anymore.

Ever since the Flashpoint movie, there's been a noticeable shift in these animated features.

There a few gems, mostly the ones that don't tie into the New 52 "continuity" they've established in this universe, and all of them have a few great moments here and there, but they are stuck in a rut.

Ted Lasso: Make Rebecca Great Again (2020) Season 1, Episode 7

I was wrong about this show

[9/10 · 18 August 2021]

I tried this show a year ago. Struggled to get through the first episode and stopped in the middle of the second.

But it kept getting such high praise, I decided to give it another shot in the midst of season 2

I have really enjoyed it this time.

But this episode was where I fell in love with it. Really phenomenal half hour of television, with almost every main character getting a chance to shine, however brief. I laughed, I cried. Everything I'm looking for in a half hour episode.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Better than the first one at least.

[7/10 · 8 August 2021]

The first one of these was an unmitigated disaster. And that's just speaking to the plot incoherence, not even touching on every single other facet of it being unwatchable.

I was skeptical. I knew it would be better. Because Warner has decided to try to turn the Suicide Squad into Guardians of the Galaxy, but they actually hired James Gunn to do it this time.

If you like James Gunn's take on Guardians of the Galaxy, this is fine. I don't particularly care for those, but they (and this) is stellar compared to what the first one was.

As with every single one of these DCEU (or whatever it is now) movies, it's way too long. This one could have the last 30 minutes lopped off and it would have been a more satisfying experience than the obligatory final CGI battle/cut-scene.

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power: Promise (2018) Season 1, Episode 11

Phenomenal episode of a phenomenal show

[9/10 · 1 August 2021]

Really digs into Adora & Catra's history and relationship.

You really feel for Catra. Amazing episode.

The Avengers (2012)

After 9 years...

[9/10 · 16 May 2021]

... and 23 films, this still holds up. The film industry is STILL trying to replicate this. What they accomplished here, is still astounding even in light of all that's come since.

The New Mutants (2020)

Loved it

[8/10 · 25 April 2021]

As a movie, look, it's whatever. It's fine. Probably in the upper half of the Fox mutant movies.

But as a New Mutants movie?! What more could you possibly ask for?! The roles are perfectly cast and characterized, it's adapted well from the source material, more or less and Illyana Rasputin is actually MAGIK with the soulsword and Limbo and all.

The Demon Bear is also well done and impressive.

As a fan of the New Mutants, I absolutely adore what they did here.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015 Video)

It's fine...

[7/10 · 31 March 2021]

It's fine, but like most alternate reality stories, I found myself asking what the point is.

Tina (I) (2021)

Phenomenal

[10/10 · 28 March 2021]

Tina Turner's story has been often told, through interviews, books, film. And for good reason. It is a phenomenal story of triumph.

One thing this documentary does that I haven't seen much of before, is some exploration of Tina being forced to re-live these traumas. She shared them to put them behind her and have an answer to point toward when interviewers and articles came calling to rehash the story.

But it didn't work that way, and is a testament to the power of her story and the unabashed triumph that came out of it.

Tina Turner is a legend and her story is an inspiration through and through. She shouldn't have to tell it any more but it should never be forgotten.

Justice League: War (2014 Video)

Still better than the live action versions

[6/10 · 14 March 2021]

I've been watching all of these DC animated films in order of release on HBO Max.

I realize this and Flashpoint Paradox are part of the New 52 universe rebranding, but there's been a noticeable turn toward the grim and gritty. Which I feel just does not work for this collection of characters. It hasn't worked in the DCEU live action iterations and it doesn't work here, although these at least demonstrate a level of competence in storytelling logic. Mostly.

The characterization is garbage though. Why does DC/Warner think we want all of their heroes to be a-holes?

Justice League: Doom (2012 Video)

Ending is a bit outlandish

[7/10 · 7 March 2021]

Yes, I realize the title of this review is laughable when you're talking a Justice League cartoon.

But it was really good until the shift in tone toward the end and then you get multiple exposition dumps, a rushed, generic outlandish global threat, an even more outlandish solution and some fairly generic "comic book logic" to tie it up.

Was really enjoying until the aforementioned shift in tone. The climax didn't really fit with the rest of it, which was superior to it.

All-Star Superman (2011 Video)

Pleasant, bit doesn't really work.

[8/10 · 4 March 2021]

After all the raving about all these DC animated movies I've dine, especially Batman: Under the Red Hood, I'm sad to report that All-Star Superman doesn't really work as a movie

Not a huge fan of *most* of the comic to be honest, but it works in serial format. The movie feels rushed and disjointed and still retains most of the problems I had with the comic (namely Grant Morrison's cutesy, arbitrary weirdness baked in).

But in the end, just like the comic, it gave me a major case of the feels 🤗