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Reviews
Apparitions (2008)
This show gets some things right and a lot of things wrong
I have been at war with the demonic realm, and those who serve it, for the last few years and I have consistently been surprised how many shows accurately reflect some of what is going on. The show Evil in particular has hit upon, albeit lightly for entertainment, the demonic agenda and inner workings quite accurately. This show I though might do the same but when I got to episode 3 and saw that the lead priest didn't listen to the advice of his wise black colleague regarding the flower smell and dismissed it, I started to wonder if this show was a waste of time. The truth is that wasp and scorpion energies, that usually take female (hag or jinn or witch) form, use perfumes and soaps that smell like flowers. I have smelled rose, orchid, and lavender in various places as these entities have stalked me, stung me, and stabbed me in an effort to use me for their work. And their work is to seduce and control and brain wash through witchcraft. The Jezebel demon is most strongly aligned with them, as is Leviathan, so any flowery smells are indeed aligned with a demonic agenda and spirit and should be bound. Nothing will possess or enter a person or animal in violation of their free will unless it is aligned with something evil. But the lead star rejected this argument and thought it to be a saint. He is wrong. He was also wrong to tell a man he should question whether he was forgiven by God after the man said he repented and God said he was forgiven. That is scriptural. He was also wrong when he said the vision of Mary was a demon because it said to worship her son, who IS God btw (the word became flesh and created the world in the beginning), and not her. That is also scriptural. So tired of Catholism or any kind of religious clergy pushing their own views over the Biblical truth. So basically this priest, who demons already said loved him for his pride, ever gets a clue or if I abandon watching the show because it is based on blatant lies disguised as spirituality. And side note...the vicious killing of that poor pig in episode 5, totally unnecessary. Hope that wasn't real.
Mean Girls (2024)
First impressions aren't everything
I started out not liking this movie, mostly because of the casting decisions (the cast was far less attractive than the initial cast) and the initial songs were kinda lame lyrically, and I could barely hear Cady's character when she sang so I got the impression she really wasn't a very good singer. But as the film went on, they changed my mind. The girl who played Regina nailed the character well, and her voice was awesome. The girl who played Karen also nailed it...frequently giving the "deer in the headlights" look as she pondered life. I enjoyed the cameo roles by Tina Fey and others from the original cast...I won't say who (but it didn't include Amy Poehler and that was a shame). I laughed out loud multiple times, especially towards the end. And Cady's character finally proved she could somewhat sing with the last song...when she finally had a microphone and I could hear her. I am trying not to give too many spoilers, but am encouraging people to give it a good 30 minutes before you turn it off. It does get better.
Perfect Plan (2010)
Not terrible. 6.25 stars
The acting in this movie was good, the plot was decent and somewhat believable, and the scenery was beautiful (and this is Chicago we are talking about so that is not an easy feat). But at least 5 different times, I commented out loud in frustration, "Why are the women in this movie so dumb?" Don't get me wrong...the female characters as a whole didn't strike me as being low IQ, but they consistently stupid mistake after stupid mistake as if they have never watched a suspense or horror film before. If you are following someone in a car, everyone knows you don't get too lose and you should write down the make/model and a plate number. If you see a murder or fraud suspect, you should call the police, not your BFF. Everyone knows most French guys cheat, and anyone who is living rent free on your couch instead of contributing is a user. I mean don't they? Isn't this common sense? So my biggest beef was with the screenwriters.
Irish Wish (2024)
4 stars is generous
My first impression was that Lindsay's face was stretched so tight from plastic surgery that she could barely smile. My second impression was that her acting was also subpar and cheesy, maybe due to the inability to emote authentically? Idk but it made me sad cause I used to admire her talents and natural beauty.
The film itself is cheesy and full of cliches.
It has a regurgitated plot and surface level character development. But the movie was shot in Ireland so the scenery is breathtaking and the film still manages to be mildly entertaining if you can't find something better. It is the kind of movie you can leave on in the background while you do other tasks and not feel like you missed anything important since you have seen the same storyline in 100 other films.
The Greatest Love Story Never Told (2024)
Very confirming of my gut
I have long viewed Jennifer Lopez, who is an amazing actress and artist, as a bit of a narcissistic diva. In other words, I appreciate her art and talents, but wouldnt want to know her in person. She seems kinda fake, like someone who tries overly hard to project an image of perfection when reality is anything but that (and she confirms that is what she has been doing in the movie), and it makes it hard for the discerning person to like her, trust her, or root for her. This movie, in many ways, confirmed my perceptions of her and the irony was that this was her attempt to let down her guard and be vulnerable, yet it seems like she just can't help but be less than honest. It was funny (in an ironic way) to watch Ben try to call her out on her dishonesty in some respects. It also confirmed to me that they are not in love, nor are they soul mates. All I feel is tension between them, which I have sensed from afar, not infatuation or even love, and certainly not the greatest love story never told. So if my perceptions are correct and she can't see that - if she is unable to face reality because of the stories in her head and the need to control the narrative and her image - it makes me sad for her.
The only shocking part to me was that Ben has a deeply romantic and thoughtful aspect to his personality (in terms of the "bible" he gave her). He has a deep side, which you really don't see in the chatacters he chooses to portray. So it was nice to get a glimpse of that. And I think he genuinely cares about her as a person. But I don't think they are in love.
But their relationship kinda makes sense...a recovering alcoholic/liar pairs with another narcissistic liar (someone who lies to herself, not just others) in an effort to make things appear okay to the outside world. I mean...he didn't even realize their first break up broke her heart until he read the script for this movie. So what do they talk about with each other? Work? The weather? How can a relationship grow when people stay at such a surface level with each other? So I hope for their sakes, they can find the deeper path to honesty at some point. Cause truth truly sets us free.
The overall impression I have gotten from Jennifer Lopez lately is that she thinks we are more enamored with her than we actually are, and I have gotten that impression from her last 2 projects. So maybe she is confusing self-love for self-worship? Cuz they are not the same. So I just pity her more than anything. (Probably not the expectation a famous millionairess would expect from others.) That said, I hope she continues down the path to learning greater self-honesty. This was a step in that direction in some respects so I gave it 5 stars that reason. And I liked seeing her without makeup. Props for that.
Suits: She's Gone (2017)
WTF???
So let me get this straight...one minute Jessica is getting upset about an offer being made to merge with another firm because she worked too hard for too long to have her name be first on the company's name to settle for anything less, and then next thing you know - literally like 3 minutes later - she has decided to walk away from the entire company without a second thought? Did this episode have a change of writers come in half way through? And don't even get me started about the next episode where Mike is suddenly chronically angry at Harvey and the company, even though they constantly tried to help him. I have whiplash and have suddenly lost all desire to continue watching this show!
Love and Monsters (2020)
The best Hollywood has to offer!
This was hands down the best movie I've seen in a while. It will make you laugh (a lot), feel scared, and maybe even cry. Ariana Greenblatt is sooooo talented. I hope she sticks with acting cause she blew me away. Original script, original storyline, awesome special effects, excellent acting all around, and didn't make the same tragic mistake that made me HATE "I am Legend." (So well done all. ππππ) This is cinema done right.
Infinite (2021)
So bad it's funny. π
I agree with the person who said Nick Cage would have liked to be in this movie. πππ I also agree it's kinda like the Matrix made by the Kardashians. Except I was bored after the first 7 minutes. What I can't figure out is how they talked Mark Wahlberg into doing this. He's usually a better judge of films. Predictable hackneyed script, subpar acting, poorly constructed plot, but decent special effects. Worth watching if you can't find anything else, I guess. But better advice is to use those 90 minutes and read the reviews. I couldn't stop laughing. π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£
Avanpost (2019)
Cringe-worthy
I'm 10 minutes in and am already cringing and laughing at the cliched language of the script and the overacting. I'll give it 20 more minutes and if I manage to finish, will update this review. But so far... TERRIBLE.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
I expected way better
Good acting, decent special effects, but the script has so many idiotic, illogical aspects to it that I spent most of the time feeling irritated, not entertained. πππ
Best part of the movie was watching Ryan Kiera Armstrong emote. That little girl is going to be a BIG star someday. Major talent.
Married at First Sight (2014)
Seasons 1-3 were decent, but season 4...
The saddest part about this show is I can usually see the red flags in the participants and why certain couples shouldn't be matched or won't work by episode 2. So the rest of the season is like watching a car crash happen in slow motion. Season 3 was really tough...watching Ashley trample all over David's heart (I didn't know quality single guys like him even existed), and watching Samantha's amazing growth only to end up with her heart broken (which made me cry).
But ohhhh my gosh...Season 4 is the worst. The couples were adequately paired imo, and the show cut out some of the more boring aspects that were included in seasons 1-3, which was an improvement. But the experts are questionable. Pastor Calvin Roberson in particular makes my skin crawl. Pretty sure the guy is a full blown narcissist, not a man of God. He seemed to approve of Tom's decision to cleverly hide his van-living situation with careful wording, instead of encouraging Tom to be transparent and honest with his wife. And he verbally berated Heather and Derek for having unpleasant feelings about the experiment (basically told them the experts did a perfect job of matching and they need to suck it up and make it work) and even told Heather to "Smile" at the end of the conversation which I think is soooooooo offensive, unhealthy, and controlling. I miss the experts from seasons 1-3 who were compassionate, insightful, and helpful (even though their matching abilities needed some improvement imo).
Married at First Sight: 6 Months Later, Part 1 (2015)
Davina is a flipping narcissist
Played the victim, wouldn't admit any fault, pictures falling off the wall. She has a demon attached to her. (I'm being literal) Did she EVER give to him? Even once?
That said, Shawn, you shouldn't have said you are willing to move when you aren't.
Ryan and Jessica won't last imo... but I'm still proud of them for growing. Ryan's softer side makes all the difference. And Jacqueline and Ryan are a match made in heaven providing they both keep being self-aware and growing.
Wander (2020)
Wowwwwww...that was bad!
All I can say is Aaron Eckhart and Tommy Lee Jones must have been strapped for cash to take on this film. The script was predictable and full of hackneyed language. The plot was an unpleasant ride through a pot hole-laden dirt road. It reminded me of something a college student would write in a script writing class. Doesn't surprise me Heather was in it - she always chooses movies with bad acting and cheesy one liners. But I can't for the life of me figure out what Tommy and Aaron were thinking.
Lost Girls (2020)
Am I the only one...???
Am I the only one who thinks it's OBVIOUS the police were somehow involved in the murders? Evidence goes missing. Evidence isn't collected. Obvious places to search for a missing girl arent searched. Mother is stonewalled. Police didn't respond to a distress call for over an hour despite being 12 minutes away?
C'mon people! Yet the filmmaker NEVER ONCE pointed to that as a remote possibility. ππ€¦ββοΈ
This film had strong acting, but a weak storyline, and an even weaker ending.
Hannibal: Mizumono (2014)
Disappointing Conclusion
This series is focusing more and more on glorifying the evil inside of the psychopath, and less and less on good triumphing over evil, or on justice. It's getting increasingly difficult to like any of the characters, especially since they constantly make stupid decisions. IRONICALLY, given the superior intellect that is supposedly Hannibal's, the only way to enjoy this series - and especially this season - and ESPECIALLY this episode - is to completely turn off one's common sense. Don't ponder why the police haven't arrived yet after multiple calls for help and arrest warrants already issued. Don't wonder why Alana, a generally intelligent woman, continually ignores all guidance she receives from her peers, including Hannibal himself. Don't wonder why Will doesn't tell the girl to run when Hannibal calls her to him. Turn off your brain and maybe you'll be able to enjoy this macabre "faux intellectual" series. Like Hannibal said, "Choose to be blind." π
(Thankfully, season 3 does better if you can get past the first episode.)
Teen Wolf: The Divine Move (2014)
Good except for one Massive Glaring Flaw
Overall this episode was great like all the others except for 1 glaring flaw...
All the others were stabbed with the Oni swords and magically healed from them (even people who weren't wolves). But Aiden, a werewolf with the ability to self-heal, somehow died by being run-through by an Oni sword? It made NO SENSE...especially after just stating that the fight wasn't even real. So the scriptwriters and director should have explained this flub better if they wanted to make an exception to the rules.
A Haunting on Brockway Street (2019)
I feel bad for the ghost...but not for the reasons you think.
Imagine being a ghost, wanting to enjoy the afterlife in your home, just desiring peace and quiet. Suddenly, an entire film crew comes traipsing through uninvited, ignores all your warnings to GTFO, continues to call you by the wrong name, and repeatedly attempts to make superfluous conversation so they can prove your existence, get their own adrenaline flowing, and use the encounter to make themselves rich and famous. Wouldn't you feel annoyed and angry if you were that ghost? I know I sure would be.
Also, it goes (almost) without saying that certain parts were contrived, fake, and poorly acted.
A Haunting on Brockway Street (2019)
I feel bad for the ghost...but not for the reasons you think.
Imagine being a ghost, wanting to enjoy the afterlife in your home, just desiring peace and quiet. Suddenly, an entire film crew comes traipsing through uninvited, ignores all your warnings to GTFO, continues to call you by the wrong name, and repeatedly attempts to make superfluous conversation so they can prove your existence, get their own adrenaline flowing, and use the encounter to make themselves rich and famous. Wouldn't you feel annoyed and angry if you were that ghost? I know I sure would be.
Also, it goes (almost) without saying that certain parts were contrived, fake, and poorly acted.
The Vampire Diaries: The New Deal (2012)
Script Writers are starting to flub!
I love this show overall. But this episode was super irritating due to some writing errors that made the character choices seem massively illogical...
1. Why would Elaina call 911 when Alaric was bleeding instead of calling one of her many vampire friends to heal him with their blood, especially once the suggestion was made by a hybrid to use his own?
2. Why would Elaina make the utterly STUPID and irrevocable mistake of inviting Klaus into the Salvatore mansion to retrieve his sister? Once a vampire invite has been made, it supposedly can't be undone.
3. Why would Elaina think it remotely wise to ask Damon to compel her brother yet again after witnessing how damaging making such a choice for another person could be in the past? Sooooo much redundant unhealthy codependency in this show!!
4. How would Damon even be able to compel Jeremy? Surely he is on vervain like everyone else at this point... ππ€¦ββοΈ
Absentia (2017)
Sometimes good, sometimes crap
Stana is an amazing actress. In fact, all of the actors are great. But whoever writes the script and choreographs the fight scenes needs some tutoring. Or perhaps it's the director who is to blame. But I get seriously frustrated when the common sense approach to handling a situation is completely overlooked in the interest of making something appear more dramatic. Not only is it insulting to the intelligence of the main characters, who are USUALLY very sharp, but it feels like my intelligence is being insulted as well. A good example of this is the fight scene on the train in season 3, episode 6. Rather than push the waiter (who is an enemy) from the train when he's standing in front of an open door, Emily chooses to haul him back inside the cabin and punch him. π€·ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈ Soooooooo stupid. Mistakes like that cause me to periodically hate this show.
The Mentalist: White as the Driven Snow (2014)
I usually love this show but...
This is the first episode in all 6 seasons where I've said, "Really?" Wayne gets shot twice in the chest, once with a rifle and once with a handgun, WITHOUT a bullet proof vest on, and not only manages to survive, but to walk, stand, and swing an axe? Give me a break!!!! π
Grimm: The End (2017)
*face palm* ILLOGICAL
Don't read this until AFTER you've seen the episode. Too many spoilers.
The show's writers continue to execute their recent losing streak of intelligent scripting in this episode (see my review of Episode 12 for more gaffaws). This is the most important episode of all 6 seasons, as everyone knows a poorly done last episode can leave a lasting icky taste in people's mouths, despite the overall success of the series. (Game of Thrones is a great example.) Really should have gotten more sleep guys. π€¦ββοΈ
My complaints:
No one thinks to make Juliette into a Hexenbiest again so she can actually help. And no one tells her to sit out the fight after it becomes clear she can't really help in battle anymore as a fragile human. π€¦ββοΈ
It doesn't occur to use the healing stick while Juliette is still alive. He waits for her to die and then tries. π€¦ββοΈ
No one thinks to make some more invisibility dust after discovering Kelly is also a target in the last episode. π€¦ββοΈ
No one thinks to find a way to break the staff into pieces again, since it was previously disclosed that it had been shattered (into 100 pieces) and scattered to prevent this very evil from having power. Must be a way to do it again. π€¦ββοΈ
No one thinks to use Trubel's blood (pssst...she's a Grimm too) for the Force du Sang potion, despite the fact she's 10 feet away and Nick is miles away. π€¦ββοΈ And why is Nick even going to them? His whole reasoning in the last episode was that the kids would be safer is he stayed away. π€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈ
There's no explanation why Diana suddenly *wants* to go with skull face, instead of being scared of him, or attempting to defend her friends and family from attack. (She's probably the only one powerful enough to defeat him by herself.) π€¦ββοΈ
Not once does Nick try to use the stick to heal people *BEFORE* they die. (Never resurrected people previously...just healed them.) π€¦ββοΈ
Why is it no one can hold the stick but Nick, not even Trubel (another Grimm), when it belonged to all Grimms before him? π€¦ββοΈ
And why didn't skull guy just tap his stick on the ground (like he did in the other world) and blast everyone away?
And if you are going to bring back ancestors, do it BIGGER!! This magnificent untouchable enemy was defeated easily by 4 Grimms, when 2 Grimms couldn't make a dent? Not remotely believable. π€¦ββοΈ
And why does Nick throw the massive stick on the ground in defeat, when he's already seen its power to resurrect previously (Trubel).
What the eff??? Why is everyone so senseless and stupid in these last 2 episodes? Your audience shouldn't be thinking of the next move (and of BETTER moves) before the main characters. π€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈ So frustrating.
Grimm: ZerstΓΆrer Shrugged (2017)
Ugh! WHY?!?!?!
I have loved this show for the most part up until this particular episode. For some reason, the writers suddenly became very stupid. Maybe they need more sleep or some energy drinks. But Eve/Juliette transformed back into the stupid, selfish, annoying version of herself (like how she was when she lost her memory in season 2), and went rogue, martyred herself, and made poor decisions that jeopardized everyone. Drives me nuts when she acts like that because it's so out of character for her. She's usually smart, logical, calm, and a team player.
Everyone kept calling Nick to "come see this" or that when time was of the essence and they could have just given him the info over the phone multiple times.
The writers never explained why Adalind didn't become the nasty version of herself again now that's she's once more a hexenbiest (after such a dramatic build up over this issue in previous episodes).
Certain characters stupidly charge into mortal combat, despite noticing that bullets couldn't harm the skull guy, and pay for it. And Nick never once thinks to use his stick as a weapon? Hmmm...
And Trubel magically shows up claiming the threat of black claw was completely defeated, despite previously being considered a worldwide issue. HUH???
Way to drop the ball, fellas. This episode was sooooo insulting to the viewers' intelligence that I felt enraged and had to leave this review. It takes a lot to get me to make the effort to write them... either in a positive or negative direction.
Eat some brain food π₯πππͺbefore your next gig, writers. π€¦ββοΈ This was terrible.
6 Underground (2019)
Not great, not terrible.
I expected more from a Ryan Reynolds movie. The script was full of cliches and corny one-liners. The acting was over the top and downright cheesy at times. The action scenes, while visibly explosive and beautiful, were completely unrealistic. And the characters were overplayed stereotypes stolen from other movies. If you can get past all of that, it gets a bit better in the last half. All in all...watch this only if you can't find anything better and are extremely bored. I would rather watch reruns of Leverage than see this movie again.
The Walking Dead: What Comes After (2018)
Ugh...
I started to hate this show several seasons ago, but like a bad car wreck, I can't seem to stop watching.
Dear show producers, directors, and writers...
STOP killing the poor horses.
STOP killing off the decent-hearted folk who have compassion. People can care AND be smart.
PLEASE stop allowing Rick to be the leader as he sucks and always makes the wrong decisions. I literally keep hoping he - not his horse - will die. It's not good to hate a main character (a purported "good guy") as much as I detest him.
STOP with the fake drama. Negan's tears? Didn't feel a darn thing. So either he sucks as an actor or he was playing Maggie big time.