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JimPettis-91-744140
Reviews
The Young Pope (2016)
Not as good as I had hoped, but definitely above average.
Heads up: this series includes - several nude scenes - two simulated sex scenes (one homosexual) - additional homosexual scenes
Pros: interesting "study" of a supposed Pope who struggles with personal faith and with running the Roman Catholic Church. Not "must see", but "rarely boring".
Cons: #1 - My primary complaint is that the Pope, Cardinals and other high-ranking Catholic figures seem unfamiliar with rather basic Roman Catholic doctrines, for example: - - the basic qualifications for sainthood - - papal infallibility
#2 - Several additional unrealistic characteristics, such as - - the age of Sister Mary compared to the two orphans (supposed to be 10 years older but appears at least 30 years older) - - the Pope, upon spending considerable effort and time proving that a New York City archbishop is a homosexual child predator, relocates the archbishop to a town of 8,000 in Alaska where - to all appearances - the archbishop will be free to continue preying upon children for the rest of his life - - literally not knowing the meaning of the word "homosexual" (evinced by the man who investigates the homosexual child predator. He contends that the homosexual child predator is not a homosexual.) - - the Pope frequently in the presence of women - LOTS Of women - while at the Papal residence
#3 - Several apparently missing (cut) scenes which are referred to in the story
#4 - Several story "arcs" unresolved - - who killed the kangaroo? - - did the Pope's strategy succeed? - - Did the FEMEN just give up? etc.
Some other problems. For example Sister Mary, VERY frequently shown playing basketball, is about the worst dribbler I've ever seen.
Conclusion: though interesting, I object to the several inaccuracies regarding Roman Catholic Church doctrines, to the sex scenes and homosexual scenes, and to the so many failures in realism that I was frequently unable to suspend my disbelief.
Sledge Hammer! (1986)
Not nearly as good as I would have expected from the average ratings
The jokes just aren't funny. Really. Not funny. Weak. Very weak. Lame. In fact, most of the jokes are SO bad that the laugh track seems out-of-place. (It never is - it's just that the jokes are really that bad.)
This *must* be one of those TV shows with a "cult following". That is: a small percentage of vocal fans and a large majority of people who can't stand the show.
This just isn't worth the time spent. Gets an occasional half-hearted laugh from me and no more. Most of the jokes just make me shake my head in disappointment.
Twin Peaks (1990)
How did this show get any high ratings? Terrible show...
I literally could not force myself to watch the entire first (pilot) episode (I watched most of it - about an hour - before I turned it off). Here's why: (1) - slow, slow, SLOW-moving story (2)- all of the characters are very odd - like in the movie "Fargo" - but not humorous like in that movie (3)- several of the characters are anachronistic - dress and act like characters from a 50s or 60s movie (both - some are 50s, some are 60s, most are modern-day). Perhaps this was an attempt at humor? It failed miserably. (4)- the high school students - which play an important role in the show - all appear to be in their mid-20s. Not done in a humorous way. (5)- inappropriate music. I don't mean that the music is adult; I mean that it is as quirky as the characters, typically not fitting either scene or plot. Again: not funny.
There are movies, shows and books that have included "out of place" things (characters, actors, music) in a very humorous way. The movie "Fargo" is an excellent example. This is not. In this series, we have out-of-place characters, out-of-place actors, and out-of-place music all done in a way that is neither humorous nor entertaining. The frustratingly-slow pace of the show seals the deal. One of the worst shows it has ever been my misfortune to waste my time watching.