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Kristinwithani71
Reviews
The Comey Rule (2020)
Good production value, but horribly one one-side
Surprised that with how so much of this has since been proven false that they don't at least put a disclaimer on it like they do on other shows that falsely depict/or mislead about real events - but maybe that doesn't apply to Netflix? Even though the acting and production is really good, and the story keeps your interest, it is so obvious these scenes are designed to show the characters as much more virtuous and well-meaning than any real life people actually are. So not a single one of these people who were fired for political-based misconduct in what is supposed to be a strictly non-political organization actually did anything wrong? Give me a break. And the Trump character was just silly sometimes - like was the scene about the McDonalds really necessary? I usually can see through bias and appreciate a political movie even if it takes a certain side (I really liked The Loudest Voice and that recent documentary about the Reagans), but this one just took it too far and was at the level of cringe - but I guess it's a nice expose of how government liberals see themselves when they are interacting w/ Trump - as though they have a certain virtuosity that is beyond reproach and that any means are justified cause they are right and the voters who voted for him are just wrong. It's actually kind of scary and is a threat to democracy, even though that's what the left is always accusing others of.
Inventing Anna (2022)
Interesting story, but too long cause of unneeded stuff
I didn't follow this story in the news so was learning as I was watching and it sure was interesting watching the Anna character fool and manipulate all the elitist snobs and society wannabes of NYC. All of those scenes (the flashbacks of Anna pre-jail) were well acted and well produced - I'd give those an 8/10. What bothered me is how in the later episodes the show took a direction of sympathy towards Anna and tried to make the audience feel bad for her - like c'mon - she was an awful person taking advantage of other awful people who's intentions were fueled by their own greed and/or desire to be associated w/ the type of people who think they are better than everyone else. Even the regular people were still out to get free stuff and elevate their social status in the same ways. Didn't feel bad for any of them - even the girl who had the 60K vacation on her credit cards (shouldn't have went somewhere so out of her league financially to begin with and definitely shouldn't have given them her credit cards).
Plus this whole storyline of the reporter's pregnancy was unneeded and just sad - they could have just left all that out and saved an episode or two. Also the wife of the lawyer all upset about the vacation - so weird and unnecessary - like the guy has a huge case he worked on for months and she's all upset and threatening divorce cause he can't go on vacation on a certain date? The personal lives of the reporter and lawyer just should have been cut out - they had enough drama and storyline just focusing on their professional stuff (like the reporters reputation struggle was enough), didn't need to bring their families into things. All of it was awkward and boring - 2/10 for that stuff.
Averaging out I'd give this a 5.
The Reagans (2020)
Interesting and Informative (Somewhat Biased, but Not Too Bad)
This was a good documentary on the Reagans. I was a child and a teenager through most of Reagan's presidency, so I remember a lot of these events, (and even some of Carter's presidency) but it was nice to see it all narrated w/ more historical detail.
I think some of the good things Reagan did were downplayed (I mean he did turn the economy around significantly in his first term (compared to what a mess things were w/ Carter)). The program also had an overly ominous tone in general - as though the Reagan presidency was this dark awful time for everyone but the very rich - which was not the case. Things improved compared to Carter for many, many regular people too - thus why Reagan was so popular. However, these types of programs always like to make conservatives villains so the negative slant wasn't unexpected to me (got to just take it with a grain of salt).
I especially liked the commentary of Kitty Kelly, their son and Stu Spencer - was nice to hear their real life accounts. James Bakker was good too.
The Loudest Voice (2019)
This was excellent - surprised how unbiased it was too
Excellent acting and excellent script. I personally didn't know most of what happened before watching as I don't really follow cable news behind the scenes stuff at all - I didn't even know who Ailes was, had only heard of Murdock, so was learning as I was going along. Crowe was spectacular and the supporting actors were all great too.
I will say thought this told the story in a surprisingly neutral way politically too. IMO the average Netflix drama series has 50 times more liberal bias than this did - which says a lot since this was a series exposing a sexual predator who created a network for conservative propaganda! And many NetFlix shows aren't even related to government or politics.
Horrible what Ailes did to all those women - he apparently was extremely accomplished and talented professionally (whether you agree w/ his views or not) - but all of it was tainted cause he was a sexual predator. Sad that we see this so much with powerful men.