Ratings
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Reviews
Everwood(2002)
Show should be called "Bad kids, worse parents"
I'm late to this show, currently binging it from Amazon Prime and have made it almost through season two. I don't think I can finish it.
It started promising. The backstory introduced early in season one was an interesting one. The characters were sympathetic and left you wanting to know more. The writing was clever and witty. As the season wore on, though, the cracks started showing.
At this point in my viewing, I find myself fast-forwarding through most of it. Every few minutes is a screaming session. There seems to have been a fighting quota the writers were trying to meet. I've never seen a show in which there's an argument in virtually every scene, one after the other.
And most of the scenes involve kids yelling at or smart-mouthing adults. The cliche writing of the spoiled teenager archetype is so exaggerated you start to wonder if the writers decided to turn this into a comedy. These aren't characters anymore; they're caricatures. And as the show goes on, it feels more and more unserious.
Offhand, I can't think of a show that had more frustrating character interactions. A constant stream of negativity; every scene contentious. The characters' constant misery starts to weigh on you as a viewer. It's just all too much.
Started out promising, quickly descended into a train wreck. Not sure yet if it's the kind of train wreck you can't stop watching or the kind you can't wait to get away from.
.
The Morning Show(2019)
From great to good to blah
The magic seems to have left with Steve Carrell's exit.
This show had a lot of promise in its first season. It seemed to be introducing you to characters with depth and interesting personal stories to share. The writing felt smarter and more nuanced. You had the feeling you were dealing with smart writers who knew how to thread the "woke" needle with the reality one. And that's a refreshing thing to see in Hollyweird.
Season 2 wasn't as intriguing as the first season but it was still a fun experience. You felt like the writers were laying the groundwork for a long journey with these characters and this story.
But season 3 shortened the ride. The juice seems to be gone. The subject matter feels dated and it's depressing (NO ONE wants to relive the pandemic or the hysteria surrounding Jan 6). Beyond that, the writers seem to have ditched Jennifer Anniston's character's entire personal story (where is her daughter?) in favor of Reese's character lesbian affair and the producer lady's random relationship with an independent photographer we've never seen before. Not a great trade-off. And it doesn't have to be stated that whenever Hollyweird tries to cover political events nowadays, they fail miserably. They can't help but insult a wide swath of the audience. I had thought this show was smarter than that but season 3 proves otherwise.
I am therefore not sure if I desire to stick it out with this show or even with the remainder of this season 3. Whereas it seemed different and layered before, now it feels banal and dry. I find that I feel labored now when deciding if I want to watch a new episode; it's more like a chore (finish what you start) than real anticipation and excitement. Sad that only 3 seasons in, I'm thinking this might need to be the show's last. *sigh*
Happiness for Beginners(2023)
Pleasant surprise
This is a feel-good movie with a throwback feel, one in which the writers aren't trying to shock or offend you, or bombard you with whatever the latest work lesson is from the perpetually-offended or pretend-to-be offended calvary.
This movie is the rare family-friendly movie that will appeal to most ages regardless of background or culture. It employs universal themes of self love, childhood crushes, second chances, finding hope again, etc. It just gives you that tingly feeling in your stomach, the kind that makes you glad or at least not perturbed that you spent a couple hours watching this random flick.
Recommended for anyone who just wants an easy, feel-good experience. I think the movie did what it set out to do, nothing more, nothing less.
Ted Lasso(2020)
Started off solid but season 3 has signs of a downward trajectory
This show amazed me at first. It was one of the few new shows that didn't capitulate to the tyrannical woke left that has infected Hollyweird, the movement that demands that every series and movie features a gay character. It's not enough to have a diverse cast, you must actually form a storyline around a character's sexuality. 'Ted Lasso' miraculously went two whole seasons without doing this and I believe that was a big part of its mass appeal; it felt like a throwback from an era in which proselytizing and extreme liberal indoctrination didn't have to be injected into every facet of life.
But then came season 3.
I just don't know what happened. Were new writers added or something? The show went from being aggressively PG to R-rated, bombarding the audience with not just one gay character's sexually trysts, but even making a previously-heterosexual character gay, out of nowhere! Speaking of nowhere, the patter's plot line went nowhere as they decided in the end to make her straight again. Go figure.
A directionless, discombobulated mess is what season 3 was. It felt more like the writers decided to make it a throwaway season just to check off the woke boxes. Very little of the actual story moved forward.
That said, even with the disappointment of a large part of season 3, the show was still watchable and still maintained its charm. I hope that the writers return to form for next season. This show deserves better. It could be and should be an international treasure-a family-friendly series with feel-good themes, smart writing, and intriguing characters that will stand the test of time. This is a show people should be able to watch twenty years from now and enjoy. (There just needs to be a warning label to skip season 3).
1923(2022)
Too dark, slow, and depressing with not enough payoff
I'm seven episodes in at this point. Tried to give the series time to find its footing so that I could give a fair review. My overall opinion: Too much darkness, not enough light.
I keep watching mostly because of the big names involved and because I know the writer is a quality writer given what he did with 'Yellowstone.' But I find I don't get excited about new episodes; it feels like a chore to be completed versus a story you're excited to explore more.
The Indian vs Catholic storyline is relentlessly depressing. The violence and suffering and gore and sadness is too much to bear. I've resorted to fast-forwarding through a lot of the beatings and violent encounters; they all seem to end the same way. It's gratuitous, not needed to further the plot line at all. After seeing someone beat almost to death five times, you kind-of get the point.
The Dutton farm storyline is okay; the big actors make it interesting enough for I suppose, but it's somewhat underwhelming as a main storyline. You know it's setting up something but it takes glacial pace to get there.
Then there's the third leg of the story: Hunter Spencer and the annoying trollop he collected and made a wife. I can't stress how much I despise the latter character. First, she looks too young to be paired with the actor; second, the endless little sarcastic quips they've made her entire dialogue is beyond grating.
The only reasons to still tune in are 1) waiting to see the "hero" Spencer Dutton save his family and 2) waiting to see the Catholic terrorists get their comeuppance. The problem is the show is soooo sloooow in getting to either one.
I'm not sure if this is a show I'll desire to return to next season (if there is one). I just don't know if there's enough of a payoff to endure the overly-slow, overly-violent storylines.
Truth Be Told(2019)
Starts off promising but gets dryer and slower each season
I'm in the middle of the third season and I'm not sure this show has a lot more staying power.
It started off much more interesting when the lead character had a personal life, a husband, something to give her more dimension. But that part of the story was done away with. Now she's just a nosy podcaster playing honorary cop. That might be okay if the actress had more charisma but for whatever reason, Octavia Spencer is playing the character very dry. Not much of a sense of humor or colorfulness. And while the supporting cast is adequate, it's not given much to work with in terms of script.
The writing feels somewhat lackluster. The stories drag. The show started off promising in that you didn't really know what to expect so you kept waiting for a big payoff. Instead you got a medium payoff the first season, a smaller the second one, and who knows about the third.
The show is watchable but not must-watch tv. It's a show that can provide solid background noise. It won't win any awards and won't be remembered in the annals of history. It will be one of those shows you vaguely remember when someone mentions random trivia one day. That's about it.
A Jazzman's Blues(2022)
Good buildup but no payoff in the end
Tyler Perry is not known for high-quality material, but this movie pleasantly surprised. It was pretty solid until the end.
I was engrossed in the story even if it wasn't necessarily original. The acting was good, the music was pleasant, and the story was compelling enough to keep you engaged while being uncomfortable awaiting the inevitable tragedy to come in the end.
And while you knew a tragedy was coming, you still hoped there was some kind of resolution. There was none. It was just a buildup to a tragedy. So underwhelming. I was surprised at how lacking the ending was. Then I remembered it's a Tyler Perry project, his art is still a work in progress I think it's fair to say.
Instant Dream Home(2022)
Interesting concept, too much filler
An interesting concept: a full (surprise) house renovation within a span of 12 hours. Compelling families (including extraordinarily charismatic, camera-ready kids), feel-good stories, not too much woke agenda pushing (though of course there's some, it's Netflix after all) but somewhat conservative for today's standards as religion was mentioned often, pretty decent designs, and a talented crew make the show watchable.
What takes away from the show is the filler, particularly with the host. I fast forwarded through most of her scenes when it became apparent she served no purpose except for dramatic flare. I found her scenes to be unnecessary (and somewhat annoying) filler.
I also think the show could benefit by being a little more transparent. The premise was never really explained. Like, who's paying for these reno's? Where were calls for nominations listed? I never saw an advertisement. Why is there not more input from the actual homeowners? I found a lot of the designs to be impractical. Examples: Putting almost all bunk beds on ladders, what if that's not what the family wanted? Choosing drastically different paint colors to paint the whole house exterior, changing whole functions for rooms, enclosing a previously-open kitchen, using lots of white furniture and walls for a family of 11with lots of small kids, exchanging comfy lounge furniture for stilted formal furniture that looks uncomfortable (not even providing ottomans to prop up feet)! I could go on, but I think the point is made.
If there's a second season, I'd say reduce the host's input to the intro and the reveal (and possibly interchange hosts periodically. Same for the designers, maybe interchange every now and then to get a different aesthetic. Might not be a bad idea to drop the "surprise" concept and just have homeowners nominate themselves and collaborate with the designers. I don't see how that would take away from the show. I'd actually like to see the home customized to what the homeowners want and to see if it can be done in the allotted reno time.
No Demo Reno(2021)
Cute show, catchy concept but not without its flaws
Just discovered this show recently and I think I've seen enough episodes now to form an opinion.
Pros: Interesting and fresh concept in comparison to other HGTV shows. Not exactly "no demo" but the concept is a good one. Hostess/ designer is charming, witty, and fun-loving which makes the show fun. Most of the final designs are nice even if they show the designer's limited range.
Cons: The designs are often not practical. Lots of white walls, kitchens, and furniture when clients have small kids. She always leans towards taking out bath tubs as if no one takes baths. And when they ask her to keep the tubs, she always does stand-alone tubs with no storage. Also, her designs lack range in terms of diversity. I've never seen her install cabinets that weren't white (with a different color island). She tends to use the same greenish color for bedroom walls. I think she needs to stretch more, dare to change styles. Every countertop and cabinet doesn't have to be white.
Also, I think they could cut out the parts of the host doing things at her own home. It feels like unnecessary filler and makes the show a little too silly and unserious.
The show overall is definitely watchable and has potential to grow. Maybe the designs will get better as the young host gains more experience.
The Tender Bar(2021)
Pleasant movie but thin plot
You keep reading in reviews that it starts strong but Peter's out later and that's true, it does. About midway through, you come to realize there's not much plot or story arc, but you stay along for the ride because even with its shortcomings, it's a refreshing trip down memory lane in terms of Hollywood. Unlike most new offerings, there is no overt political or social agenda owing pushed. Just a good old-fashioned coming-of-age story with universal themes. And family-friendly to boot. Very much a rarity today.
So kudos to Clooney for having the foresight to keep things simple and not fall into the woke trap that has destroyed many a project these days. I think in that vein this film will have a lot more longevity than many others released nowadays. And it has great rewatchability, the feeling that every time you watch it, you'll see something you haven't seen before. Maybe that will improve the rating overall, but it stands I feel confident in saying that it was good, not great, not horrible, good. And that's okay,
And Just Like That...(2021)
So bad it almost feels like a parody
You don't have to be a conservative to admit this show is beyond over-the-top. The writers drowned it in wokeness, extreme leftist contemporary tropes and lingo to the point it almost seems like they've intentionally turned the show into a parody. If it was smarter, it would be a decent satire on how ridiculous the woke culture is. But unfortunately it's not smart, they aren't being sarcastic, they're actually serious. And that's a really scary indictment on society, that the writers offered up this garbage with no hint of irony.
As a fan of the original series, you keep tuning in hoping that the clever writers who created the magic before have some kind of trick up their sleeves to turn the ship around and bring the story back to sanity. But alas, every episode the hole is dug deeper. By episode five, you start to realize there's no saving this sinking ship. And you start to better understand why Kim Cattrall might have passed on being a part of this installment. Perhaps she read the script and knew what an utter disaster it was. I'm trying to figure out why the others didn't have similar instincts.
Anyway, I think this show should be put out of its (and the audience's) misery. It's hit the iceberg now. The ship's riders are too damaged. There are still some cute and funny moments and dialogue-hence the 4 rating instead of something lower-but the positives are overshadowed by the propaganda which only eats away at any redeeming qualities bit by bit. So disappointed it has come to this. SATC deserved better from a reboot.
Don't Look Up(2021)
Hollyweird is going to have to get over its obsession with Trump
I had no background on this movie before watching. Saw an all-star cast and thought I'd be in for a great ride. Not so much.
The first part is decent, keeps your attention, keeps you anticipating more.
The middle part is when you start to see hints that this is one big political metaphor and that once again, as per usual these days, Hollyweird has roped you in yet again to throw down the leftist hammer and to let us know again -because we didn't hear them the first hundred thousand times-that Trump (Meryl Streep in the movie) is bad and his supporters are hopelessly stupid and that "following the science" only goes in one direction. You recognize about midway through the movie that the movie is a just a backdoor channel to talk more, proselytize more about covid. And the narrative has a clear bent. Per usual, leftists spray their arrogance around and deem themselves perfect no matter how many times they're proven wrong.
The last part of the movie is when the whole thing comes crashing down (both literally per the plot and figuratively). You realize you've been had and you're angry you gave this tripe two hours of your time.
But the anger soon turns to sadness as you find yourself nostalgic for a different era, one in which Hollyweird focused more on creativity than politics. And you realize these people are suffering from some kind of derangement, perpetuated by the mainstream press which most of them worship. They see normal people as "r*dnecks," enemies. Anyone who disagrees with them are somehow inferior. They are living in a psychosis and trying to drag all of us into it with them. It's really quite depressing what's happened to that industry. They are self-destructing and can't seem to stop. The comet is really their industry, they just haven't realized it yet. For all our sake, I hope they wake up soon.
New Amsterdam(2018)
Solid show being ruined by exhaustive virtue signaling
Why oh why are they ruining this show? It always had a liberal bent but season three, it's unbearable. How do the writers not sense this? I'm not even conservative per se and I find the constant proselytizing a huge drag. It's unrelenting. Every episode brings a new liberal lesson to bludgeon the audience to pieces.
Hollyweird, please stop this. Please find a way to come back to sanity, come back to the middle. This show has good actors and interesting material that doesn't need the sermons. Give your audience a break already. Give them the feel-good hospital drama they came for.
The Secret: Dare to Dream(2020)
Refreshingly likable characters
Such a nice change of pace to see a film with no real villain. A nice message even if it's a bit abstract for some. Nothing offensive or political. A quiet film with a calming pace that allows for the characters to have depth.
Speaking of characters, they're all likable. I think the kids especially make the film endearing. So different and refreshing to see kids, teenagers even, who are actually nice and respectful. Hollyweird really tends to overdue the "bratty teenager" trope, but this film thankfully avoids that. The older daughter has her moments of acting out a bit, but she, like her younger siblings, show love to her mother and grandmother. The son is also a special character. Kind and smart and positive. And the youngest daughter rounds out this cast of likable characters nicely. So there are no "I hate you" outbursts or doors slamming or cussing out or anything like that. How different is that?! Thank you writers!
The adult characters really bring the idea of southern charm to life too. They are layered but still portrayed as good people in the end. The sassy grandmother is blunt but you know she is coming from a place of love. The boss/ wannabe boyfriend/ fiancée definitely gets the short end of the stick in this movie but he shows maturity and understanding when things don't go his way. You root for him to find the love he deserves. The interaction between two main characters is slow-building but intriguing and has a nice surprise in the end that you might not have seen coming the first watch. On a second viewing, you see a few more clues though, which makes the movie all the more interesting. It's layered and not so obvious.
Good job writers and cast.
Christmas in the Heartland(2018)
Cringe on top of cringe
Started out okay, the two teen actresses were refreshingly likable instead of bratty as most teens are portrayed in modern-day cinema. But that's where the positives end.
The singing scenes were especially cringeworthy, not only because of the corny, mediocre singing, but also because the songs are voiced over even though they're supposed to be sung in the scene.
What took the cake though was the ridiculous plot twists toward the end. It had to be some kind of inside joke the writers were playing after they determined the movie was trash. "Let's see how many ridiculously plot twists we can add and get away with."
FYI This movie is titled "Christmas in the Heartland" on Netflix. Not sure why the two different titles, but letting you know what title to look out for-and avoid if you don't want to waste your time. You're welcome.
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel(2020)
Solid TV movie
Hits-EXCELLENT singing. Great acting. Engaging enough to capture the viewers' interest throughout. Refreshingly PG in an age when most new offerings go out of their way to be offensive or push an agenda. Was definitely the kind of movie that could bring in diverse audiences with its general themes and historical angle.
Misses-Overly long. Some of the writing felt incomplete, the plot not fleshed through thoroughly. Examples: 1) The matriarch's first marriage wasn't ever shown and yet it produced one of the Clark singers. And there was a brother birthed from the first marriage and that was mentioned literally NOWHERE in a film that otherwise went out of its way to show how much the mother loved (and fulfilled her dreams through) her children. 2)Denise's leaving the group was not fully explained, seemed to come out of nowhere and was reduced to one blowup scene at a deal signing. Similarly, her sisters' hostility towards her even to the point of shunning her at their mom's funeral seemed out of place. There was nothing shown that would have led to that. 3)Twinkie's abandoning her mom even after the mom fell ill wasn't fully explained. Where did the hostility come from? It wasn't addressed. 4) And what happened to the man Twinkie was shown to go away with? Did they marry? Have a kid? Just a few holes that could have been filled in a two hour plus movie had the writing been a little tighter.
But those details are in the weeds. From a 20,000 foot view, this movie was memorable. It had interesting subject matter and good actors to deliver it. Ultimately a feel-good movie at a time when the world needs just that. It's clear Lifetime is rebranding itself to include more urban content, which is okay if it continues to produce high quality offerings like this.
P.S. A minor squabble, I wish it had showcased one of the Clarks' best songs- "Expect a Miracle." Would have been the icing on the cake. 😉
Justine(2019)
A good character study but not much else
Good acting was the only thing that made this slow, brooding film watchable. It's clear the writer/director/lead actress had a clear vision for the film but I'm not sure she accomplished much past showcasing her admittedly great acting skills. Maybe too good in that the character was so cold as to be unlikable. In fact all of the actors, including the kids, turned in strong performances. But it's the story, plot, etc that left a lot to be desired.
It meandered on. Lots and lots of dead space with the camera stuck on the lead character's sour face staring into nowhere or doing something trivial like staring at her phone. And while most of the story didn't give enough, there were random parts thrown in that tried way too hard like the "racist" angle. Really didn't seem to have a point except to provide a sanctimonious liberal a sounding board.
Ultimately I just think the movie wanted to be more than it was. The plot was too thin, not enough background provided, and the theme to the extent there was one, was oversold. Made for a dark movie with very little light and payoff for the audience. So in the end, you're just left with a solid acting showcase and not much else.
Knives Out(2019)
More not-so-subtle agenda pushing from Hollywood
This movie is waaay overrated. It is not a murder-mystery; it's yet another vehicle for Hollyweird to subtly push its liberal agenda. "Illegals are good; Americans are bad." That's the lesson. The illegal immigrant, or rather the daughter of an illegal immigrant, is literally painted as a saint. I can't count the times she's called "a good person." On the other hand, the American characters are painted as greedy, shallow, dishonest, and pathetic. This, juxtaposed with the immigrant saint is literally incapable of dishonest as she supposedly gets physically ill if she tries to lie.
The "mystery" part of the plot is solved almost halfway through. I thought it was clear then that that part of the story was secondary. It was obvious to me, with the way the writers went out of their way to inject political discussions especially about immigration, into random conversations, and readily mocked the apparent non-liberal characters. I can't believe more viewers didn't catch this.
In modern Hollyweird, the proselytizing comes first now, the art is secondary or tertiary. It was clear to me that "Knives Out" was simply a vehicle for a political agenda to be pushed. I should have known it would be, with TDS-stricken Chris Evans involved. But what a shame, as I was honestly looking forward to a legitimate murder-mystery. In my opinion, "Knives Out" was not that. I left the theater feeling duped.
Holiday Rush(2019)
Cute enough feel-good Christmas movie
This is a cute enough little movie. Very "Black-ish" / "Best Man Holiday" esque in terms of production quality, aesthetics, and setting, with a dose of Hallmark movie cheesiness to make it acceptable for a general audience. If you accept it for what it is, keep your expectations realistic, you'll find it enjoyable enough. Well, at the very least you'll find it watchable and won't be upset you spent time doing so.
Speaking of expectations, the two main characters exceeded mine. I've been so-so on Romany Malco's acting skills in the things I've seen him in, but I was pleasantly surprised with his performance in this movie. But it's his co-star whom deserves the honorable mention. I'm not familiar with her, but I think she carried this movie! I can't believe I haven't seen her in other things. I think she has tremendous star potential! The actor who played the son was also a pleasant surprise. Will also give a shout to Deon Cole for playing the funny villain pretty well.
There are weak spots: the older daughter's acting is somewhat mediocre. The plot is somewhat predictable. But not to the point it insults the audience's intelligence.
I think overall this is a quality, family-friendly offering from Netflix. Given some of Netflix's other more "agenda" -driven offerings, you have to take the non-offensive, non-controversial stuff when you can. Enjoy!
Christmas Wedding Planner(2017)
Unbelievably bad
There are bad movies and there are so-horrible-you're-angry-you-watched-it bad. This movie is the latter. The script, especially the ridiculous ending, is so bad you really have to wonder if the writers are just trying to troll the audience. There's just no way to rationalize releasing something this awful unless it's some kind of inside joke. How did anyone-much less many people-see this and think it was good enough to be released? This movie makes Hallmark movies seem like Oscar material. With Hallmark movies, at least there is a predictable feel-good ending that allows you to forgive the possible cheesiness, subpar acting, and weak plots. This movie offers no such payoff.
Horrible, unconvincing acting. Horrible, insultingly-bad script. Horrible, cheap production. The bad-movie trifecta. Watch at your own risk/ peril.
The Kominsky Method(2018)
Season one spectacular, season two not as much
A funny, quick-witted show. Both seasons one and two delivered in this area. Season one felt more complete plot-wise. Season two felt overly-short. It took me a minute to get used to the introduction of Paul Reiser's character, which I'm still not sure adds that much to the show. I also didn't understand or appreciate the injection of politics into the second season. WHY must Hollywood continue to undermine and dismiss half its audience? And why introduce it later and not earlier? It's like a sneak attack. Reel them in, make them think it's a benign, apolitical smart show, hook them, then start injecting your personal political opinions. It's quite disingenuous and irritating.
Please don't ruin this show by continuing the politics. Just let it be its best version of itself-a funny, smart, mature comedy everyone can enjoy.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood(2019)
Powerful climax couldn't save overall film
This is one of those films in which you have to ignore the exorbitantly high ratings that precede the official opening of the film. Clearly a lot of insiders or self-important movie buffs inflated the rating based on the reputation of the director and maybe personal nostalgia for the era depicted in the film.. I do not think anyone could objectively deem this a "10" or perfect movie.
It was overly-long, it dragged and dragged, and its plot was thin. I dozed off at least twice. I almost walked out I was so bored and frustrated. It just wasn't going anywhere!
Then came "the scene." It was everything you'd want and expect from a Tarrentino film. It shocked you into attention, shook you awake from the long slumber that preceded it. I will concede that even though as a somewhat squeamish person, I had to look away a couple times, it was an overall satisfying and invigorating climax.
But it wasn't enough to save the overall film.
A great film has to provide more than ten minutes of compelling footage. It has to keeps the audience's attention throughout. It has to tell a story in which the audience can follow and find some type of meaning. "Once" just doesn't do that.
I was going to rate this film a 4, but I reconsidered because I do think "the scene" provides enough excitement to make the film memorable, at least short-term, and I believe that at least warrants another rating point. 5/10 is my final answer.
Alpha House(2013)
West Wing meets Newsroom...Thumbs way up
I have now completed the second season and thought that based on the small number reviews, it would be a good idea for me to write a review to give those who haven't seen it or don't know about it, to give an idea of what to expect.
If you liked West Wing, you'll like this show. Just as witty and equally thought-provoking on current-day political culture without Aaron Sorkin's lightning speed dialogue style (thank goodness). Like West Wing, the acting is superb and there are numerous cameos of newspeople and politicians for your political/news junkie pleasures.
If you like Newsroom, you'll like this show. Newsroom was satire at its core. So is Alpha House. Both mostly pokes fun at the current day Republican Party but AH does it better. Both use characters who are Republicans to satirize the party's platform but AH is less preachy and thus more effective than Newsroom was. So far AH hasn't gotten too preachy but there is a possible vulnerability there that I hope the show manages to avoid going forward. This specifically surrounds one of the biggest subplots of the show concerning one of the characters and his inability to reconcile the conservative values he feels pressured to uphold with his sexuality. In fact this character and his family provide the bulk of not only the humor but the backdrop for the overall satirical message of the show. I will stop here to avoid giving too much of the show away.
I hope Amazon continues this show. It really is a breath of fresh air. And I think it's better that it's on a forum like Amazon versus television. I didn't think so at the time but in hindsight I concede that HBO may not have been the best venue for Newsroom. The type of audience it and shows like AH attract is quite specific. It's not a general audience type of show. I'm glad the powers that be apparently realize this. Speaking of those producers, I noticed Jonathan Alter, a regular commentator on MSNBC is executive producer of AH. This is simultaneously fascinating, impressive and alarming. It alarms me because MSNBC has become way too biased and preachy for its own good. I am hoping the kind of disingenuous proselytizing it does doesn't spill over to this show. I am hoping the setup of the show--the interaction of four Republican lawmakers--keeps it grounded and somewhat balanced. I am looking for a positive future for this show.
Check it out!
This Is the End(2013)
My 3/10 rating is generous.
One of the worst movies I've ever seen, definitely one of the most overrated. As other commenters have stated, I am still trying to fathom the high score it has received on IMDb. It defies logic. There is nothing about this movie that is even in the vicinity of an 8. I smell something untoward going on with the rating system here.
The movie reminds of "Bruno." Almost just as crass, almost just as offensive, almost just as bad, definitely similarly overrated. I was never angrier after leaving a theater than I was when seeing Bruno about which I complained often about wanting my money back, but I was similarly upset about wasting my time on this movie. Where does one start? To start, it's not a movie. It's some kind of experiment, semi-reality based, semi-scripted. The weak plot takes a back seat to the crass, offensive, juevenile dialogue. There is so much time spent on hearing characters rant about their bodily functions you forget that they are supposed to be in the middle of the apocalypse. When the plot does take center stage, it's clear the whole movie is just as an excuse for the writer (Seth Rogen?) to show off his black book of Hollywood friends. In fact the whole experiment seems to just be an excuse for cameos from random celebrities.
Laughs were few and had I not had such high hopes for this film based on the misleadingly high reviews, I would have walked out. Save your time and your money. You haven't missed a thing.
2016: Obama's America(2012)
Falsely Advertised and Promoted
Let's start with what is most obvious from this film--this D'souza guy is a narcissistic sociopath. He spends most of the time comparing himself to Obama, seeking to elevate his status and validate his bona fides. This documentary is one big ego stroke.
Beyond that, he is an anti-intellectual. He forms a conclusion, then offers "evidence" to prove that conclusion, not the other way around which is what true intellectuals do. Instead he is a propaganda machine who has determined by his great insight and likeness to his "brother" Obama, that Obama's mission is to take down America based on his desire to fulfill the wishes of a father he met one time. Obama's bailout--nevermind Bush's--is rooted in anti-Americanism and a desire to bring down America. Obama's deficit--nevermind any of his predecessors--is the beginning of his takedown of the colonial oppressor. Obama's Harvard professors--nevermind that they work in Ivy League institutions--were part of his "founding fathers of communism and marxism and anti-Americanism."
His calculated use of soundbites and manipulative illustrations are an affront to decency. As much as he tries to convince the audience and himself that he is a part of "we" --America--he does a darn good job of contributing to the dumbing down of the country. He is a dangerous man. He is someone out to prove something who will do anything to prove it and--through calculated steps from childhood to get to America and get to the power class--has accumulated the contacts to help him do it. I do not think it is a stretch for me to call him a potential terrorist. I think there is more than enough proof, based on what he offers as his life story, that he has been calculating from an early age to get to America and infiltrate the ranks of power to push an agenda.
The alternative explanation is that he is a real-life Clayton Bixby. He is someone who has surrounded himself with right-wing racists so much that he has become one, as he clearly thinks himself--and Whites--superior or "more" American than the "others," the "foreigners." His mission is to prove that he is good enough for what he deems the cool crowd. His insecurity with his own identity is much more apparent than the apparent identity crisis he tries to paint for Barack Obama.
I attended this movie--read: wasted my money (can I get a refund as I have never regretted spending my money more than on this trash?)--with an open mind, thinking based on the relatively high rating and reviews that this movie was "objective." It turns out those reviews were blatant lies, and I am wondering now if those commenters were not solicited by the author to flood IMDb upon the introduction of the film to the masses. Hmmmm In truth, this is a well-produced piece of trash. That's the kindest thing I can say about it.