Bluechinaspecial Reviews

HouseBroken (2021–2023)

It Fills the Pleasant Comedy Niche

[7/10 · 5 June 2021]

The field is wide and there's a lot of competition. But based on the the pilot, this show fills a niche: comfortable, pleasant television you can put on and relax to, chuckling occasionally. Not groundbreaking, just... non-committal and enjoyable.

Let's be honest now. It's now exhausting to watch the "must sees." Shows so intricate, you feel you need crib notes to keep everything straight; or your absolute, undivided attention. I have gotten to the point in which gritty, tension-filled, award-vying TV makes me too tired. No, I DON'T always have the emotional capacity to commit to your complex story-arc filled with flawless people and absurd budgets. My spouse refuses to speak to me for most of these pretentious epics, insisting on pausing and rewinding for missing 3 seconds.

Life. Is. Hard. It can be good too, but for the love, people. Pleasant comedy is essential. And shows that don't cause trauma after viewing are becoming my new favorite genre. I'll take watching pets in therapy any day! It's imaginative and creative.

So if that's not your thing, fine. Don't rain on Queen Lisa Kudrow for doing the Lord's work.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

So sad I didn't like this.

[5/10 · 27 December 2020]

I acknowledge: This show has an excellent premise. I appreciate female show runners and protagonist/antagonists. I love the acting.

By all accounts I should love it, but... I hate watching the assassin systematically destroy Eve's life, loved ones, and marriage and I really don't enjoy the depictions of psychopathy. I saw there were several seasons before I started the show, but after I realized this cat and mouse game will have zero resolution; for who knows how many seasons, I said "nope" to continuing on past episode 4 of the first season. IMO, this might have been good as a one season limited series. I probably would have had enough interest to continue on that far. I ultimately didn't care enough to invest that much time.

Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

Cannot Wait For S2!

[9/10 · 17 October 2020]

Lifelong Star Trek fan here saying: this is a beautiful series, well done, well acted, well written and I am looking forward to the new season. I truly enjoyed watching Picard be willing to sacrifice himself and get back into relevance despite his age and disease.

It's good. Don't listen to the haters.

A Courtship (2015)

This is Sad

[3/10 · 13 September 2020]

I grew up evangelical, I married during the height of Joshua Harris' books, and I participated in (endured) more than a decade of SAHM, homeschooling, "full quiver" mania. By the grace of God, I am still married, and both spouse and I have (gratefully) distanced from the subculture that enabled this documentary's sad spectacle. So, I COMPLETELY understand all of this. I lived it. I know it by heart.

This movie is sad. The family that is using the woman that is the main subject of this documentary are not only creepy, but abusive. It is a crying shame that no one, including her own family, were invested enough to help Kelly escape. She is now 40, still single, and still under Ron and fam's thumb. Insane.

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

Enjoyable and Engaging Series With Some Flaws

[7/10 · 1 May 2020]

First, I love that the young woman they chose as the lead for this series is so relatable. She's a true girl next door. Not too pretty, she looks like one of your friends.

Was every plot line completely predictable from a mile away? Yes. However, that can be comforting. And it was a nice ride.

This show seems to be designed for wrapping yourself in your favorite blanket with snacks and losing yourself in a sweet romcom. Never underestimate that in entertainment!

I could have done without the cousin plot line. Kamala, who is an Indian dream (light skinned and everything, with the requisite head bob) dumped her poor boyfriend once she saw her arranged fiancé looked like an heir from a Bollywood movie.

So. We're against arranged marriage, as a feminist getting a doctorate, unless he's super dreamy as well as super rich? Got it.

#BlackAF (2020)

Gave it a good try!

[4/10 · 1 May 2020]

I wanted to like it!! It just didn't hold my attention. Just a lot of witty conversation with very little plot to move it along. So they explain. And explain, and rely on constant luxury brand dropping and the most precocious "old soul" crew of kids, it's like they were chosen by central casting for their variety of cliched personalities. Oh wait. They actually were. Meanwhile, the viewer waits for something to happen?? It's like, being at a trendy restaurant next to an animated group with a lot of inside jokes and a long history. You can tell they're really into it and you can't help but smile at them. But sitting the next table over, you don't understand a lot of why they're laughing.

Flowers (2016–2018)

Gorgeous. Different. Worthwhile!

[9/10 · 29 July 2019]

Please give this beautiful show a try. It's funny, dark, quirky and brilliant. It's primarily a portrayal of mental illness and it's forms, but is character driven. It's part high art, part horror imagery.. part comedy, part awkward Brit cringe-drama. Don't pass it up if you enjoy deep themes and excellent acting. Cinematography is top notch, also!

Huge in France (2019)

It's Biting the Hand That Feeds You. Ok, Maybe Puppy Nips.

[4/10 · 2 May 2019]

The first episode is uninspired, not well-acted, and did not work on a number of levels. I couldn't get a handle on Gad's character. Is he self-effacing? Arrogant? A buffoon? I did not care about any of the unlikeable characters, or have any interest in the weak storylines. The obvious satire of LA people and Americans just wasn't funny. I have wanted to like Gad ever since I heard him featured on an NPR podcast and loved his story. But his "magic" doesn't seem to plug in to his English specials or shows thus far.

Also... whose idea was it that the Eiffel Tower be in every. Single. Scene. In Paris? Gad's place... Eiffel in background. Gad's Show... Eiffel towering like a parent watching petulant kids. Gad waxes nostalgic in a car and makes his driver pull over to watch a Father and son play... in front of the ET! It's almost ominous; like a looming token of caricatured France. I would like to believe Americans aren't stupid enough to think the Eiffel Tower is omnipresent like a god everywhere in Paris. Or, perhaps that's some of the dark, tongue-in-cheek humor all the French reviewers reference? That I did not "get?" Stupid Americans. The butt of the world's jokes, but also the stage on which everyone aspires to "make it." Indeed. Food for thought.

Workin' Moms (2017–2023)

Not Good Caricatures of Motherhood

[4/10 · 26 April 2019]

Hoo boy, where to begin? 1. The three women focused on in the pilot are far too successful to be relatable, so listening to one whine about being able to afford a third child, while living In one of Toronto's poshest neighborhoods, is annoying. 2. Three lily white women protagonists with women of color in servile positions taking care of their children. Ehhhh... 3. Show runners got point two after a screening, I suppose. They suddenly add an Asian character to focus on in episode two. 4. All the husband characters are as bland and uninteresting as saltines. Perhaps to demonstrate how fiery and awesome the women are? 5. Breastfeeding irregularities that could have been easily remedied by consulting a few women who have actually breastfed?? So many things that make you say, "that's not how it works " or "that wouldn't happen". When a kid is supposedly 9 months, dramatic pumping is not a big issue. You can do it like once at work, you're not rushing to the pump room every two hours like with a newborn. You also don't really leak anymore, and in case you do, you always have breast pads. 6. I think they used babies of different ages thinking no one would notice. It's definitely annoying when you know developmental stages and milestones well and the babies they are holding and talking about are well past or not even close. 7. Working mom support group is not where these irreverent women would ever go. It exists to make the other women sound like whiny, rigid miquetoast. 8. There are too many character inconsistencies that are so distracting, you start to not be able to focus on the storyline. They are supposedly highly successful, but exhibit behavior so unprofessional and erratic it borders on being fireable. a. The realtor who speaks of death with buyers and dunks her head in the pool during a showing to get a taste for drowning. b. Corporate Kate with her inexplicably loud and profane ringtone that repeatedly goes off with the board, crying over work dinners and is late to every meeting. Yet, they say she is "so good" they want to promote her on her first week back? Based on what? c. The therapist who is unable to see her own daughter's destructive behavior. d. The Asian lady who is supposedly so meek she *raises her hand* to speak at the women's group, then conducts a private activity while pumping milk in an unlocked room at work?After being uncontrollably "moved" by an emailed erotica? Then she uses a confrontational meeting with her new boss to leverage power over him? From submissive mouse to she-dragon?

My favorite scene was from episode one when corporate Kate is jogging through the woods with her baby and encounters a bear. She screams to scare it off, then a man tries to come to her aid and she screams at him in exactly the same way. I laughed out loud at that. It's too bad the rest couldn't have been full of witty and relatable moments like that.

My Husband Won't Fit (2019– )

A Show Built Around Non-Communication and Stereotype

[2/10 · 26 April 2019]

The cultural lens is difficult to eschew. Japanese culture is obviously and painfully less communicative than American culture, especially around intimacy and interpersonal connection. But after witnessing this, I am left with two conclusions: 1. I believe this show MAY have been written, in part or exclusively, to combat a certain pervasive stereotype about Asian men and their anatomy. With their new world stage on streaming platforms in which their television shows are presented alongside other Western entertainment, non-anime Japanese television has an "in" not held previously. I am not convinced vaginismus is the issue as another reviewer mentioned. Especially as the woman had successful relations previously. 2. Whether it's size or vaginismus, the claim it's "not possible" and nothing can be done is pretty ridiculous. Either show writers didn't consult Japanese therapists or Japan needs to import some. It's not ignorant to claim vaginismus CAN be overcome. Choosing a fatalistic "oh well. sexless marriage for life!!" is not best. The slow-motion train wreck is somewhat interesting, though.

About Time (I) (2013)

Trending On Netflix! No Idea Why.

[3/10 · 25 April 2019]

The beginning of this movie was absolutely charming. I found myself wondering how the time travel elements would play out and had high hopes...alas, his antics trying to "fix" things were neither comical or interesting or made ANY sense. Dad tells Junior: you can only go back and relive things you've already experienced. So, protagonist heads to a party he never attended within first 30 minutes. But little plot holes are forgivable, if everything else is well written and executed. This wasn't. I just checked my timestamp. 44 minutes in, out of 123?? Heck, no. I just don't care enough about anyone to continue. I assume based on some other reviews here a lot hinges on manic pixie dream girl sister. Sorry. Other than I found his dialogue about her being the most perfect girl in the world a little weird, her presence is scant for first third of the movie. Oh brother!

Lunatics (2019)

Maybe it's Just For Australians?

[3/10 · 23 April 2019]

Netflix algorithms seemed to believe I would love it, so I gave it the old college try. I've never seen anything from the actor/writer/creator before. I admit he is an impressive actor and I appreciate his skill with the female characters. The male characters less so. I abandoned ship after two episodes because it wasn't going anywhere and seems very much like it should have been a mockumentary film instead of a series. There are too many characters to focus on, and the comedic potential is flimsy at best. I'd cut the 7 foot college girl, the foul-mouthed boy "earl" in the odd fat suit and the "objectifile."

I just didn't get it.

On My Block (2018–2021)

It Was a Ride! Too Bad the Destination isn't Clear

[8/10 · 11 April 2019]

I don't cry at TV shows very often and I cried through at least 3 episodes of "On My Block." This show had the potential to be GREAT, and I did enjoy it! Unfortunately, the writers and show runners couldn't decide what kind of show it would be. There were very funny moments that ultimately felt out of place and distracted from tragic storylines. One major plot in particular felt too much like it belonged in a Disney fairytale instead of a neighborhood in the center of gang warfare. You definitely have to suspend reality many times.

But. This show IS worthwhile for two major reasons. 1. It humanizes marginalized people in dangerous and poverty stricken areas. It forces people to feel for, and even cheer on, people many only see as villains in negative news stories. 2. It confronts head-on the often perpetuated belief that only kids from "wealthy" areas are smart and have futures. Now the more serious problems with the writing. 1. It encourages the stereotype of precocious promiscuity among inner-city kids. The two leads begin a sexual relationship and behave adult-like before they even enter high school. There are so many references to banging and pounding and whatever sexual euphemisms, it gets pretty ridiculous. Geez, a significant percentage of high school Freshman girls haven't even started their periods yet. Get 'em while they're... still children?? Ugh. 2. OMB is often guilty of making too many characters become "wise sages." Often, they are completely out of character when they spout this preternatural wisdom. 3. One of the show's strengths, displaying high intelligence where not much is expected, becomes a weakness when every 13 or 14 year old has the vocabulary of a Rhodes scholar and know things most 30 year-olds aren't familiar with. 4. Season two ran out of steam. 3/4 of the last episode was mostly uneventful.

Still, darn good and better than most teen-centered shows!

Kim's Convenience (2016–2021)

Easily the Best Currently Running Sitcom!

[10/10 · 11 April 2019]

This show is smart, very well written, the characters are fully dimensional and developed and it's FUNNY. The fact that it's a groundbreaking cast in terms of diversity on television is secondary to the quality of this series. I find it a little irritating that most of the buzz around KC is race-related. It ain't "Crazy Rich Asians". It's just crazy good.

The Lobster (2015)

Couldn't Even Finish... Not Sorry

[1/10 · 18 February 2019]

I had heard such great things about this movie and I normally agree with the critic's consensus. I believe I have good taste and an eye for detail and metaphor. After 40 minutes, I realized I was grimacing reflexively. After nearly an hour and a great deal of vocalized "whys" and "buts" and witnessing horrible attempts at humor, I paused playback, saw that I was barely past the halfway point (in utter disbelief because it felt like an eternity), and couldn't turn it off fast enough. I looked at my husband and said, "I hate this film." I didn't care about a single person. The only character I cared about at all was Bob. So after Bob was brutally murdered? No reason to go on. And it was abundantly, gratuitously and tediously clear: there's no moral that any human being that believes in light, beauty, and truth will find resonance with. Ick. Just... ick.

One Day at a Time (2017–2020)

Not Really a Sitcom, a Series of Political After School Specials

[5/10 · 11 February 2019]

I enjoyed seasons one and two, for the most part. It's an easy to watch sitcom; albeit, with a heavy dose of lecturing and you (mostly) like the characters. It enters cheesy territory a little too often and the jokes can be uninspired. But season 3... I'm having a lot of difficulty believing the phosphorescent, can-see-from-space-glowing reviews because it's neither funny or well-written. A must for a sitcom.

Gloria Estefan should have left her mark with the theme song. She adds nothing to the show and her acting is awful. She seems like a lump next to the sparkling Rita Moreno.

The main problem are the heavy-handed "lessons" which are so pervasive and strong that they seem more like a character on the show. Oh, "enthusiastic affirmative consent" is here and he... no, she... no... they... want the floor while Schneider cracks weak jokes about being a letch. The show instantly stops being funny and becomes a cheap, unfunny after school special. I'm fairly liberal, and they push controversial issues so much, that I cringe and cannot for the life of me understand how anyone other than the coasts and some urban pockets will watch? For a show to have mass appeal, you gotta dial back the hyper-political energy. I guess preaching to the choir is enough for the show runners. They get to pretend Trump country watches and "learns their lessons" and get to feel self-righteous. Again, and I'm liberal!