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Debris (2021)
Potential but ruined by the overuse of loud distracting music
At one point do a creative team decide that the annoying "stock" music should be so loud that it distracts you from the story?
Star Trek: Discovery: Unification III (2020)
Michael Burnham = Ja Ja Binks of the Star Trek Universe
Firstly, I love this show, season 1 was awesome and 2 was great as well.I have watched every Star Trek, and although I am not a trekky, for pure escapism I have loved most of what I have seen. What can I say, that has not been said before and by others. The Michael Burnham character is the worst character I have ever seen brought to screen. Just when you think there is a hope and an above audible whisper, the writers regress and try and sell us all on stoicism. The actress is in part at fault here, her frustrating delivery and expressions are just becoming tiresome.
There is a rich tapestry of characters on the Discovery, yet we have barely discovered any of them in depth. Instead we read and re-tread the Michael Burnham story and frankly, it's not as interesting as the arrogant writers seem to think. Sorry but Michael Burnham is the Ja Ja Binks of the Star Trek universe. Helen Reddy once sang, I am WOMAN here me ROAR, not whisper speak and cry!! Michael Burnham is the Tina Yothers (Jennifer form Family Ties), if it was a Jennifer-centric episode, I would tune out.
The only way forward is to KILL OFF Michael Burnham and let us explore the galaxy with a richer tapestry of characters.
The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
New Writers And You Can Tell...
A Netflix movie is never anything to be excited about, but sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised. The Babysitter was one of those sneaky surprise hits. Admittedly not a great movie by a long shot, but entertaining. Now this was just trying to hard to be 'relevant' and millennial friendly. FAILED on so many levels. Way to much CGI blood and gore and no real substance at all. Seriously what were they thinking. McG really needs to grow up, he is not as in touch with his audience as he thinks if this is what he considers to be entertainment.
Hot Ones: The Game Show (2020)
Abysmal...A lesson in overracting Americans
I hate that this terrible show is potentially damaging the Hot Ones brand. The beauty of the YouTube series is the totally organic approach to both interviews and the consumption of hot wigs. I never thought Sean could ever annoy me, but between him, and those godawful contestants and their attempt to out act each other, I was done after 2 episodes. To those of you who have not seen the YouTube channel, please watch, stop watching this drivel and enjoy the Hot Ones experience as it should be.
Random Acts of Violence (2019)
Its one reedeming feature..it ended...
Oh Shudder!! Why oh Why? Shudder, like Netflix is famous for producing sub-par content, and sadly, this is beyond sub-par. The cast are proof of their lackluster careers, both the acting and the self-indulgent script were bloody awful. This movie cost 3.5 million dollars to make? I am not sure where the money went. Do yourself a favor, skip this one and watch a classic instead..like The Changeling or Exorcist 3.
Unsolved Mysteries: 13 Minutes (2020)
Rob basically told us all he got away with murder!!
A few clues
1. Boasts about having a degree in criminology
2. Details exactly what he did the day his wife was killed
3. Suggests that a wheelbarrow could have been used to move her body (at 58 years of age at the time of her murder, and with suggestions from investigators that it would have required effort to move her 'dead' body to the location she was found.
4. Speculates that someone might have kept her as a "Toy"
5. References sleeping with her cremated remains like a "Teddy bear" or a toy?
6. Denies arguments with his wife, ever
7. Takes advantage of the fact that the investigating officer only follows evidence, not speculation
8. His hatred of his 16 year old stepson was disturbing and seemingly borne from jealousy
VFW (2019)
Terrible lighting should not be a plot point!
This could have been a low budget gore-fest! BUT a terrible decision by the filmmakers to use "lighting" (or lack thereof as a plot point) made this visceral gore-fest a difficult watch! What should have been campy and what I could barely see, practical gore-filled fun, was a dark and miserable time! This is lazy and conceited film making. We did not have enough information on the characters to care what they have to say, and boy, does it drag on with useless conversations. The Lizard character was unlikable from the moment we met her, and never really redeemed herself! Some horror movies need to be enjoyed in a dark room, if you watched this in a dark room, you would just end up in a noisy dark room! AVOID!
You Should Have Left (2020)
You Shold Not Watch This
And if you do, prepare for a good sleep! This is so so dull and lacks any "scared" or allows us as the audience to feel anything for anyone. When did Kevin Bacon last make a good movie?
Salem's Lot (2004)
My God This Was Terrible
Pandemic viewing, had me watching the 1979 version of Salem's Lot and then, sadly the 2004 version! What can I say? From the overuse of background music, which was to loud, the terrible American accents from the mostly Aussie cast, to the god-awful script and direction. This was just bloody awful. Peter Filardi as the screenwriter should be ashamed of himself, just so so bad! Not to mention Mikael Solomon's direction, nothing to add here!
Queer Eye: Preaching Out Loud (2020)
Queer Eye Season 5 - Losing identity
Seasons on 1-4, like the title song suggests "Things just keep getting better" Season 5, 5 episodes in, I ask the question...what the hell has happened?
Queer Eye has always had 5 distinct characters, with Jonathan (Love to Love), of course being the most flamboyant. Season 5 however has me stumped. The other 4 seem to have taken their camp pills and have become screeching queens in their own right.
I have noticed too, a level of over-production and added schmaltz and cheesy moments, which is detracting from pure enjoyment (for me) of the show.
I hope A. There is a season 6 and B. They go back to their roots, re watch seasons 1-4 and tone it down a little and become themselves again, they are who they are and were endearing because of it. Let Jonathan be Jonathan and Bobby, Karamo, Tan and Anotni, be true to yourselves.
BTW, is it just me or are naughty words being censored? Seriously Netflix, censoring??I don't pay for censorship!
War of the Worlds (2019)
Bleak and Incredibly Satisfying European Science Fiction
Thankfully, there is a second season of this underrated Science Fiction show! From a purely Science Fiction perspective, this has it all. To those of you looking for a "traditional" re-telling of the H G Wells story, this is not for you. It is also not for you if you expect the Special Effects and quick paced story telling of most American television shows. This is very VERY European. It's very bleak as well. To me, it was comparable to the recent brilliant Chernobyl mini-series, mixed with the cold-war drama "Threads" .
I am very excited for season 2 which is currently in production.
Central Park (2020)
Loren Bochard and Josh Gads Love Letter to New York
This is just what the doctor ordered!! To a heartbroken New York City recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, Central Park is a quirky and refreshing animated Musical Comedy from the creator of Bobs Burgers and Josh Gad (Yes, That Josh Gad - who is a not as annoying as he has been in the past). Firstly, this is a musical which is animated, but I warmed to it from the first note. Voiced by Kristen Bell, Titus Burgess, Daveed Diggs, Stanley Tucci ,Leslie Odom Jr and Kathryn Hahn, you wil be well served and the musical numbers are to damned catchy!! Oh and not that it should matter, but Bravo for the Bi-Racial family :-) 13 Episodes this season with an average of 3 musical numbers per episode, that's 39 songs to get stuck in my head...Oh well, I guess "We've got to do it while we can"
Central Park (2020)
Loren Bochard and Josh Gads Love Letter to New York
This is just what the doctor ordered!! To a heartbroken New York City recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, Central Park is a quirky and refreshing animated Musical Comedy from the creator of Bobs Burgers and Josh Gad (Yes, That Josh Gad - who is a not as annoying as he has been in the past). Firstly, this is a musical which is animated, but I warmed to it from the first note. Voiced by Kristen Bell, Titus Burgess, Daveed Diggs, Stanley Tucci ,Leslie Odom Jr and Kathryn Hahn, you wil be well served and the musical numbers are to damned catchy!! Oh and not that it should matter, but Bravo for the Bi-Racial family :-) 13 Episodes this season with an average of 3 musical numbers per episode, that's 39 songs to get stuck in my head...Oh well, I guess "We've got to do it while we can"
The Good Fight: The Gang Goes to War (2020)
What the hell has happened to The Good Fight?
I used to look forward to this show, it was intelligent and bonkers at the same time. NOW, it's becoming thoroughly ridiculous! The story-line with Lucca and the trip WHY? I am so over memo 618 now! Yes, we get it White Privilege, it int pretty but it's the new reality (or old).
I see this has been renewed for a fifth season, I was hoping after the terrible season 3 choices, that season 4 would get back on track, sadly not yet!
Such a shame
Stargirl (2020)
My eyes and ears are bleeding!
I understand I am not the target audience, but c'mon! Give them some credit! From the stilted, forced acting, to the ridiculous character development, this is on par with bat girl as BAD! What could have been fun and camp is typical CW drivel! Thankfully we all have choices, I choose NO
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (2019)
Frustrating!
This was a really frustrating watch! On one hand, it highlighted what we already know about "Showbiz" and its view of homosexuality and treatment of minorities (Really, has much changed?) On the other hand it presented us with Mark Patton, who for 30 years has remained bitter and much like the character he played a "victim". For me, on some level I could empathise, but then part of me just wanted to shake him and say "Get over it" As he says, he made the decision not to pursue acting, his choice. As a gay man I too have been called names, but this did not stop me, in fact it made me stronger and more determined that ever. I agree with Jack Sholder (Director of Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2) when he says to Mark, move on, get over it and stop blaming David Chaskin (Screenwriter) for his decision to leave showbiz. At some point, we all need to take responsibility for ourselves.
Mark is a presented as a fragile human being, and he even states that at the time of the movies release and backlash, he was a closeted gay actor with a dying lover, so he had so much going on and needed to compromise to much to work in the Hollywood system! This movie may have done him a favor, and acted as catalyst that sees him, alive and happy today, despite his personal setbacks.
I personally am grateful for his generation of activists who have paved the way for me, and others to live and breath is a less prejudiced world. This documentary, to me, was just OK, a little preachy in places and uneven.
Worth a watch? Yes! But not brilliant by a long shot
April Fool's Day (1986)
A CUT ABOVE THE REST
Ok, like most of you, LOCK-DOWN!! So with the inspiration from the Dead- Meat Kill Count on YouTube, I have been re-watching classic and not so classic movies from the 80's. I remember seeing this on VHS when i was much much younger and being totally surprised by it. I watched again last night and it holds its own! For the time, and budget this movie is surprising, not just for the twist, but the movie looks great, the soundtrack is eerie and original and not overlayed with the 80's synth music, that most movies of that time were. What surprised me most was the acting and character development. As a thriller/horror, this movie broke the mold of what was expected from the genre at the time. I am not totally surprised, as this was directed by the same man who told us that the "Call was coming from inside the house" - When a Stranger Calls! Give this a go!!
Upload (2020)
"Condom size disupte aisle 4"
So, was interested in this show when I saw the trailer, and anticipated it would be more of a straight comedy. Initially I thought it would be a carbon copy of The Good Place, which it sort of is, sort of!?!
Don't want to share to much, but am finding this incredibly funny, it's satirical with a blend of conspiratorial and dark and not so dark comedy.
A truly pleasant surprise and an easy binge. I laughed out loud with the "Cuddle Suit"
Devs (2020)
A deliberate exercise in fact masking as science fiction
Being mindful not to share much, know this though, 10/10. Two episodes in and my mind is blown. Intense and moody, shot beautifully, sound design and music just mind blowing. For those who enjoyed the OA and of course Ex Machina, this is for you. Again, this is not going to be spoon-fed to you. Don't expect resolution, watch and rewatch (if necessary) every scene and interaction, they all have meaning.
Schitt$ Creek (2015)
How dare you Dan And Eugene Levy!!
You have singlehandedly created one of the best comedies ever, and NOW it's almost over! Devestated! I have never enjoyed a cast and scripts that are so "on point" on so many levels. Heart, compassion and nuanced would describe each character and their arcs. I have laughed, I have cried and more. On one hand, I am grateful that so many people are discovering this now, on the other hand I hate shark g this fantastic show with others. What a shame this is the final season. But due to the scripts, delivery and charm, this show has such wonderful rewatchability.
thank you all for the memories
The Outsider: Must/Can't (2020)
Landing not stuck!!
What an odd way to finish! I am confused! Was it all really that simple?
Sadly they did not stick the landing.
Devs (2020)
A deliberate exercise in fact masking as science fiction
Being mindful not to share much, know this though, 10/10. Two episodes in and my mind is blown. Intense and moody, shot beautifully, sound design and music just mind blowing. For those who enjoyed the OA and of course Ex Machina, this is for you. Again, this is not going to be spoon-fed to you. Don't expect resolution, watch and rewatch (if necessary) every scene and interaction, they all have meaning.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Trekkie misogynists , enough already!!
Fair or unfair to say, Trekkies may not have a lot of experience with women, so maybe complex strong women scare them. Much of the hate for this show is directed at the lead character. Listen, Weinstein and the #metoo movement is the first real public movemnt for female empowerment in the entertainment industry, but that is a battle that has been silently fought for decades. So this renewed outcry over strong female driven storyline's and protagonists is getting boring. I remember there was the same amount of vitriol directed at Catherine Janeway when Voyager started, and now she is a much loved character. Anyway, compared to Picard this is an outstanding Star Trek, yes!! Even with the women :)
The Outsider: In the Pines, in the Pines (2020)
Those looking for standard procedural fair... step away!!
If you love jigsaws, this is the story for you. You take your time, observe and in time, pieces will fall into place. Sorry, this is no criminal minds?!? A slow burn that amps up the suspense while being a sting character driven piece! In this day and age, with quick fixes all around, stop, relax and enjoy this excellent slice of the macabre and suspense.
Star Trek: Picard: Absolute Candor (2020)
Oh no!!! Beam me up
What the hell?!? How dare anyone criticise discovery after this show! I am sad to say that Picard is so terribly boring and this episode was particularly bad. I hope for Patrick Stewart's sake this is cancelled after season one! Both he and the genre deserve better. Yes, TNG fans have grown up and matured, yet this show and writing is juvenile and something is just not right about it!!!