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Reviews
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
As a woman in business for myself, I can appreciate this show so much.
The first season of this show was off the chain whip smart and showed us how Midge was separating herself as a wife and also becoming more financially independent, even in not the most ideal circumstances. Susie is by far one of the best characters as is Abe.
Season 2 was a nice change from NYC as part of it took place in the Catskills and really explored more of the family dynamics and Midge's apprehension about a second marriage. It also explored how her family finds out about her secret stand-up life. Susie dropping in on Midge in the Catskills made this season hilarious.
Season 3 was back to Midge's career when she got an opportunity to tour with Black musician Shy Baldwin. I loved the diversity of the casting in this season and Sterling K. Brown was amazing as Shy's manager and longtime friend (he made me cry in the finale). The topics of racism and sexuality were touched on and I appreciated the deeper storylines that took place. The scene where Susie tells off Sophie Lennon after Sophie bombs her Broadway debut was impeccable writing. This season was also really aesthetically pleasing because we were shown different locations around the U. S.
Season 4 was Midge picking up the pieces after Shy fired her from the tour. I was waiting for Midge to admit that she had done Shy wrong vs. Feeling like she couldn't trust her headliners anymore (thus Midge only wanted to be a headliner and not an opening act, although she goes on to emcee at a gentlemen's club, which is actually a step down from her past). The scene when Midge apologizes to Shy is touching as is the scene where Lenny Bruce tells Midge that she has to set her bruised ego aside and take opportunities that could help her climb the ladder again. Midge is rightfully skeptical in that she tried to do an opening for Sophie's new show and Sophie's ego once again interrupted what could have been a great partnership. We also saw Susie grow her business and also become more empathetic towards her clients and employee.
I do think the Weissmans became a bit much in Season 4. I cannot believe that Abe would be jealous of a brief dating period his friend and his wife had some 30+ years prior, that seemed totally ridiculous. They did also bicker a lot, as someone else pointed out.
I think people sometimes expect these types of shows to always hit the same marks but for me, that is exactly why I stopped watching network TV-it was the same predictable formula every episode/season. I like not being able to predict what will happen next. I like that these characters are far from perfect and are messy-isn't that so human of them? I like that we get to see them make mistakes and learn from them.
I see many people saying that there should be less cussing and that Midge should be more focused on being a mother and to that I say she was living in a time where women were literally put in cages to marry and birth children-that was their soul purpose. Much like the present day, where women are realizing how much the game is rigged (ahem sexism), Midge realizes that she doesn't want to be conventional or traditional anymore. The show isn't a study on her being a mother, its' focus is on her career and navigating her post-divorce life as a single woman which was really frowned upon back then.
I loved how the 4th season touched on mixed race relationships, potential death, being honest when it isn't the most popular thing, exotic dancers (showing them as PEOPLE with context and not just bodies) and also how women can choose to be supportive of one another or not (and what happens when we get too competitive). As I mentioned in the title of this review, being in business for yourself is anything but linear and if this was another rags to riches type story with no flaws, I wouldn't identify with it and find it boring.
Some of these storylines also run parallel to current events and I love that. I will miss this show after season 5, but I think it's great the creators know when to shut it down. Still one of my favorite shows.
Sex/Life (2021)
Does this chic not know how to use password protect on her computer?
This was an alright show. Billie could be very weapy and I kept feeling like she was self sabotaging when she was clearly a smart person.
I did like that it explored how women (and men) try to do all the "right" things and sometimes that isn't enough. I also like that it didn't hold back on sexual desire.
The music was actually pretty good and the clothes were awesome. Aesthetically, it was well shot.
I will watch the second season, but this is more of a fun show, not something I am looking at for high quality writing or acting.
The Ten (2007)
Horrible Film
Saw this at the Sarasota Film Festival. I am a huge film buff and I have seen these cast members give wonderful performances in other films, but this film was wretched. It was not funny, (unless you think guys raping each other in jail is funny or cartoon dogs having sex with other animals is funny or Wynona Ryder having sex with a wooden doll is funny). I am pretty much a liberal person when it comes to films and what I like, (love drama, comedy, indie flicks, etc.) but the humor was grotesque and the bursting into random song was just plain stupid. People walked out of this film and the audience gave it the worst rating on a scale of 1-5. I liked Wet Hot American Summer, but this seemed to be nothing like that. I cannot believe they are releasing this film into wide release in August. (And I wonder why I hardly go out to the movies anymore...)
Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story (2004)
Saw this at the Sarasota Film Festival
I was instantly attracted to the title of this film when I was walking by the Sarasota Film Festival box office. Blackballed
.what could that possibly be about? Moving closer to the film poster I realized that the man in the shot had his back to the frame and was carrying a helmet and a gun with paint splattered on the floor behind him. All I was thinking
this is going to be interesting.
"Blackballed:The Bobby Dukes Story" stars Rob Corddy of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart fame. Corddy plays Bobby Dukes, a once famous paint baller who infamously "wiped" ten years ago (i.e. tried to wipe the paint off of himself in order to stay in the game). Dukes has come back to his roots in New York to prove himself in "The Classics", a paint ball tournament in which he has to face his former friend now nemesis Sam Brown who is married to Dukes' old flame Jill. Dukes' problem: no one wants to play with a "has been", so he has to formulate a new team in a very short period of time.
Enter a Canadian, a drill sergeant, a paint ball referee, a video game enthusiast and Dukes' sister and we have the "Rounds". While the "Rounds" may not be the most compatible group of players, we see the way they connect while preparing for one of the greatest paint ball moments in their lives. Preparation includes drills, kick boxing and facials, (of course
) In the end, the various personalities unite to form a fierce front on the paint ball field with a surprising twist at the end of the tournament, making this a little less cliché than other films we have seen about sports teams.
The film stars some of the folks we see on VH1's popular "Best Week Ever" such as Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel. The other less notable actors make the story that much funnier and add originality to the storyline. The film is shot in a mockumentary style, much like Christopher Guest films such as "Best in Show" according to director Brant Sersen. Sersen, a recreational paint baller, got the idea for the film when he would go out to play on the weekends. He took note of the odd characters around him and was inspired to write the script for "Blackballed". Sersen also mentioned that about 90% of the film was improvised allowing for a lot of original humorous moments, something many Hollywood comedies try to capture, but the timing is frequently off.
I enjoyed "Blackballed" immensely for its' honest characters and storyline as well as the amateur-looking format in which it was filmed. The entire film was shot on digital video, but it works for the comedic, yet simple, story being told. There is never a dull moment in "Blackballed" and the cast of the film plays off each other in refreshing performances. I would recommend this film for anyone looking for a good film about sportsmanship, but also understands the wacky humor attached.