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The King's Man (2021)
Ultimately, Just Too Depressing
The good part: The movie cleverly weaves versions of real historical events into a fictional world. - However, depressing developments in the course of the story induced me to bail even though 3/4 of the way through.
Peculiar choice of mood for the prequel to a popular COMEDY franchise.
Superman: The Animated Series: The Late Mr. Kent (1997)
Excellent Episode
Well written drama with plenty of action and emotional moments involving Lois, as well as Superman's Smallville relationships. Memorable also for the way Clark Kent is at the center of the story. But what I like best is the ending.
Magnum P.I. (2018)
Not Magnum-centric
I've watched this show from the beginning, but have just decided to bow out. The series has evolved into essentially an ensemble style show, and Magnum is not even first among equals.
Unscientifically, I estimate 50% of the focus is on Higgins, with 25% on Magnum, and the final 25% divided among Magnum's buddies, including Kumu and the police detective. For sure, Higgins has the most powerful profile, with a whole host of roles and skills. Magnum is almost her sidekick as he rarely investigates anything without her, but she does important stuff without him.
Superman & Lois: 30 Days and 30 Nights (2022)
Top of the Line Episode
A couple of characters elevated in exciting ways. Several plot threads brought to fruition. And an excellent set-up at the very end for the rest of the season.
As a 'Smallville' fan, I must say establishing this series in Clark's home town was a stroke of genius.
NCIS: Hawai'i: T'N'T (2022)
For me, they blew it
This was my first time watching this show, drawn in by the crossover with NCIS. But I won't be watching it further. Too much of the episode consisted of boring dialogue. And when there was action, it was executed in an implausible manner.
The producers et. Al. Had a great opportunity to pull out all stops and present a showcase story that would pull in a lot of new viewers. But I don't believe they tried very hard. An unimpressive show.
Get Out (2017)
Unworthy of It's High Rating
Not scary. Not funny. Drowned in outmoded stereotypes and cliches. Might have been a good movie if produced in the 60s.
M.O.D.O.K.: If This Be... M.O.D.O.K.! (2021)
Corny, Over-the-Top Fun
Very silly; some will hate it, but many will chuckle. It's Super Hero Squad meets Robot Chicken.
Nuff Said!
The Flash: Timeless (2021)
I'll give this one more episode
I'll tune in next week. But if it's another emo soaked, angst ridden, touchy-feely story, then sayonara to this show. Unfortunately, The Flash has not been a real super hero series for some time now.
Black Lightning: Painkiller (2021)
Exciting, Well-Produced Backdoor Pilot
Good action. And the investment in special effects paid off. A much more glitzy setting than Freeland, but appealing nonetheless. The main character's dual personality was also handled well. And the ending was intriguing.
Hopefully, the show will be picked up.
Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan: The Rise of Nobunaga (2021)
Informative and Entertaining
So far I've watched just the first episode. I can't confirm its historical accuracy, but the historians are legit and the narrative is believable.
I've seen nothing at all wacky so far. The docu-actors are all Japanese (or at least Asian). Most of the historians are Western, which makes sense as I presume Westerners are the primary intended audience. The action scenes are well executed, though the lighting is usually somewhat dark. (This style seems to be favored by quite a few directors, unfortunately.) The show has been described it as violent. This is true, but it is not exceptionally gory.
Already, Nobunaga is shown to have been a very impressive leader and innovator. (Minor note: the actor, Masayoshi Haneda, is not ripped, but has a "medium" physique. I suspect that this is closer to reality than the way Nobunaga would be depicted in a Hollywood action movie.)
Battlestar Galactica: Hero (2006)
Not Bad, But With a Plot Hole
Overall, an okay episode. But here's the thing. It would have been obvious to Adama at the time of the stealth mission that destroying a ship would immediately supply evidence to the Cylons that the armistice line had been breached. In the BSG universe humans and Cylons are the only intelligent beings, so any wreckage would be a sign of human intrusion.
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: 1mm (2021)
At least gesture at being realistic
I don't love dungeon episodes, but that's not my main complaint. There was a relatively brief shootout in which each agent agent expended between maybe 7-10 rounds out of the 13 their service pistols hold. Bishop says she has two rounds left, while Torres has only one. Fine. That's not unbelievable. But what is unbelievable is that they would not each be carrying an extra magazine.
I suppose the writers thought being almost out of ammo would help amplify drama, but doing so at the expense of realism has a net negative impact.
Another ridiculous story element is to have a registered historical site not appearing on maps.
There are other problems, but I won't go on.
Walker: Pilot (2021)
Bait and Switch, not Really a Reboot
The only connection between this and "Walker, Texas Ranger" is the name of the titular character. It's 95% family and interpersonal drama. Instead of being a top notch crime fighter, Walker himself is a "mess" (contradicting his supposed legendary stature). It's not a reboot at all; it's a bait and switch. So far, the only reason I can see why someone would want to watch this is if they're avid Jared Padalecki fans. I like him okay, but not enough to stick with this unless it changes dramatically for the better.
FBI: Most Wanted: Deconflict (2020)
Vacuous Script
Hewitt was supposed to deeply resent Jesse, but in reality there was barely any connection between the two. Hewitt's rampage against the former partner who betrayed him makes sense, but there is no logical association between Hewitt killing a policewoman and Jesse closing in from another direction. It was a run of the mill police operation.
Sadder than the above is presenting the star of the show as a miserable father. Not a good way to attract viewers to the show.
FBI: Liar's Poker (2020)
Utterly Ludicrous!
Highly unlikely that a high ranking official would let a kingpin go free, even to save an employee. But on the outside chance that they did do so without authority, they would immediately be suspended, and would ultimately be demoted or fired. They could even conceivably be charged with a crime. That Isobel wasn't punished renders the episode absurd, and weakens the status of the show as a serious drama. The FBI series is being reduced to nonsense.
It's also worth mentioning that the episode literally offered propaganda that drug kingpins are honorable, even noble. Disgusting.
Professionals: Snipe Hunt (2020)
Throwback Television
Essentially, Professionals is a throwback to the Stephen Cannell style of TV show. A lot of action, even killing (unlike the A-Team), but a relatively light tone overall. You have to be in the right mood to enjoy it, or have a taste that skews towards the kind of shows that were popular in the 1980s.
It was pleasant seeing Tom Welling again, but I don't anticipate watching the show on a regular basis.
Supernatural: Drag Me Away (From You) (2020)
Not bad, but out of place
This was a fairly decent, retro-style, monster-of-the-week episode. Even though at least half the time the primary actors were not on screen, it rang a few nostalgia bells with me. However, I'm still baffled as to why this kind of episode would be aired while the main arc is heading for critical mass. I just hope the writers and showrunners don't screw up the finale.
I should note that this was not entirely a filler episode. There are a few developments related to the main theme of the season and the finale.
Supernatural: Gimme Shelter (2020)
Too close to the end for filler episodes
Both this episode and the last one were filler episodes. In themselves, they were so-so, but appearing in the home stretch to the finale makes them worse.
I'm really worried that the finale with be rushed.
Gone: Ride (2017)
Cliched and Poorly Produced
Gone comes in a long line of police (or FBI) procedurals, some of which are still on the air. For that reason it needs originality to stand out. I suppose, technically, "missing persons" is a new angle. But the actual story is pretty run of the mill and predictable.
The second episode continues the pattern of having two few law enforcement personnel deployed when tracking or engaging with a potentially dangerous suspect. This creates an atmosphere of unreality. It's hard not to suspect that WGN just didn't want to pay for enough actors or extras.
Travelers: Kathryn (2016)
Disparities Revealed
The episode is devoted primarily to the background of Grant and Kathryn's relationship, as well as where it seems to be headed.
The biggest takeaway, though, is that medical resources in the future, while advanced, are allocated in a very unequal way. The elect get premium treatment, while ordinary people, including even most travelers, get squat.
The Monuments Men (2014)
An Uplifting, Historically Informative Movie
Before viewing this film, I hadn't thought much about the endeavor to rescue art works and other treasures stolen by the Nazis. The Monuments Men gives a peek at what went into that effort. It presents a view of the noble efforts on the part of the Allies in World War II, especially, the Americans, British, and the French Resistance, to preserve history.
It is not an action movie, but there is some action interspersed. The tone is mostly upbeat, but it does confront tragedy.
Although the setting of the movie is amidst war, the war itself is mostly a backdrop. In this respect, it's comparable to Life is Beautiful (1997), though The Monuments Men is somewhat grittier, and based on real history.
Deathstalker (1983)
One of the Raunchiest Sword & Sorcery Flicks Ever!
The plot is basic sword and sorcery fare, featuring a muscular warrior-hero, a witch, a wizard, and a variety of magical talismans. What distinguishes the film, however, is the abundance of sexual violence, graphic non-sexual violence, and female nudity. It well deserves its R rating.
Nevertheless, it's a fairly entertaining adventure overall. Nothing deep. Just your basic battle between good and evil, spiced up with fighting, gore and sex.
Lastly, it may be worth mentioning that Deathstalker was popular enough to spawn three sequels.
Dollhouse (2009)
Gets better in Season 2
I just finished watching the entire series. The theme of each of the two seasons are rather different.
Season 1 focuses on individuals who have more or less voluntarily agreed to be brain-wiped and reprogrammed to perform various services, often sexual, to paying clients. An isolated FBI agent is engaged in an investigation into the apparent disappearance of these people. However, the last episode of the season jumps ahead to a post-apocalyptic future, the relevance of which becomes clear in the next season.
Season 2 is focused on a grand conspiracy to take over the world by means of the brain wiping technology. There is a lot of cloak and dagger activity, as well as action and violence. The origin of the dystopian future depicted in the last episode of the first season stems from the aforementioned conspiracy.
Topics brought to the forefront throughout the series include the nature of personal identity, the dangers of misusing technology, and whether limited-term slavery is ethical.
Overall, I found the series to be good, though not great. But I'm sure Dollhouse would have been a better show if it had been permitted to develop it's storyline over 4 or 5 seasons, instead of being cut short.
FBI: Most Wanted: Ride or Die (2020)
Dick Wolf Revisiting a Tired Approach?
The thing that always irritated me about "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" was that it would always conclude with some psychobabble, which would induce the culprit to confess. It's silly to think that criminals who meticulously planned out their crimes would be susceptible to such manipulation. Yet that's how this episode concluded; a psychopath breaking down and confessing when she had all but beaten the rap. Even the rationale behind the confession was weak.
NCIS: New Orleans: Bad Moon Rising (2020)
Okay, but not Great
Pretty cliched bad guys. I know it can't be Islamic terrorists or drug smugglers all the time, but it would be nice to come up with something ingenious.
One ridiculous element is having someone with a delicate constitution working undercover.
I hope that the Man in Red ultimately turns out to be someone interesting.