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Reviews
Apples Never Fall (2024)
I was eating this up
Admittedly, I only initially started this show because I love Sam Neill.
The acting is what truly saved this show by the end, and the build up was much better than the resolution. Tennis was an interesting sport to choose for a family to be involved in. I feel like I don't see many tennis dramas. It perfectly captured the upper middle class WASP family they were trying to achieve. Out of all the kids, Amy's acting was definitely the weakest. Each kid was a pretty dynamic character very quickly, though.
The end with "Savannah" was really weak, and I wish we could have seen more of her motives as the detectives were finding out new information.
Black Mirror: Loch Henry (2023)
This IS Black Mirror and about technology
I was stunned to see the negative response to this episode. No, it is not directly about technology, but it is about how documenting and amplifying horrific events affect the people that were traumatized by them.
Davis is a true dichotomy. He is influenced by Pia to make "something people actually want to watch" with such dark material while also being affected wholly by this tragedy.
This is a commentary on shows such as Dahmer that glorify the killer, create a morbid fan base (red masks in the pub), and tourism around disaster and death. However, Netflix is simultaneously calling themselves out for making series like these and continuing to be hypocritical for exploiting victims (the Polaroids of Janet/Kenneth/Iain's victims alluding to Dahmer's Polaroids and the recreation of the evidence Dahmer left behind in the Netflix series; making a television show from a documentary)
Netflix shows it is a self aware company by broadcasting a hyperbolic evil version of the company (Streamberry). BUT Netflix cannot have 100% praise from me if they continue to profit off real trauma.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
I expected more in the year 2022
Overall: 6.2 is where I am sitting at. At first, right out of the theater, I was an 8/10. The visuals were spectacular, especially in 3D. I have always been fascinated by the biology of Pandora, and they had a lot of potential with showing different adaptations to the environment. Then I had time to marinate with poor writing and cultural appropriation.
An anti-colonization movie is not an anti-colonization movie if it still perpetuates white savior tropes and steals from indigenous cultures. Down to different outfits/beading from African peoples and the stolen Haka from Maori culture. It is not a good look. This movie talks about respecting the Na'vi culture and environment while simultaneously stealing from real world cultures. Just because these characters are blue does not mean we can forget about the white actors behind the faces. Jake Sully's character should have never had locs. Spider should have never had locs. I could go on. Cameron is so close to hitting the point, but it passed by him.
If the franchise continues like this, it should have never left 2009.
Disenchanted (2022)
It will never be the original
The music was honestly very good. Maya Rudolph kinda threw me off in the casting. Just kinda took me out of it. It will never be the original. Sequels almost never live up to the original unless it's Shrek 2. However, I don't think it was so bad to turn it off. The music is what really kept me watching. It was also nice to hear Dempsey sing for a bit.
For someone who talked about over acting... if they were turned into a fairytale town, it only makes sense for them to overact as fairytale characters. I will say again, Maya Rudolph did not really sit with me. I think it's because I'm so used to her as Kamala on SNL. Overall, an enjoyable watch if you approach it with the Mamma Mia mindset.
1899 (2022)
Great show! I've never watched Dark...
Very enjoyable show. Probably could have been 6 episodes. I was glued to it the whole time. I don't have Dark to compare it to, which probably influenced how much I liked it. Dark is probably next on the list. Lots of actors from shows I like: Game of Thrones, Wheel of Time, Borgen
I loved how much Danish dialogue there was and fueled even more love for the language. I would suggest watching this subtitled rather than an English dub. All the languages provide so much variety. I loved seeing each of the back stories of selected characters as well, especially how they were culturally relevant to the characters.
Some nudity, but nothing "graphic" shown. You could probably watch this with 16+ ages.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
A very Sam Raimi film
Not a bad movie. Just different. If you have seen any of Raimi's work, especially Evil Dead, you won't be surprised by the direction he took. I did enjoy watching it! I appreciated the homages and cameos to his other movies!
Turning Red (2022)
Comedic Coming of Age Film
This movie does not glorify disobeying parents. It shows how overbearing parents often cause the same problems they had as a child because their parents were overbearing. A cycle, if you will. Of course this movie will make you cringe, feel awkward, and maybe experience second hand embarrassment! It's about teenagers understanding who they are! I often remember growing up, reading fan fiction, awkwardly expressing my interests, and hiding some things from my parents.
Disobeying parents is part of growing up. Yes, the child may get punished, but typically both the parent and child learn something from a "hairy" situation.
When you boil it down, the concept is very similar to Mulan going against her father's will to do something she thought was right. This is exactly what Mei does! She keeps the panda. It's a part of her she enjoys, even if it is against the matriarch of her family's ideals.
This movie is very sweet, and was very relatable. I loved the diversity of Toronto being displayed. However, I think Disney and Pixar have a very big problem always turning BIPOC into animals instead of letting them simply be BIPOC characters. Examples: Brother Bear, Princess & the Frog, Emperor's New Groove, and Soul. Give us BIPOC characters that stay human!
The Witcher: Kaer Morhen (2021)
Better than E1, but still disappointed
I understand taking creative liberties, but I don't think cursing Eskel was the right choice. Kaer Morhen looks awesome. I think this episode would have been better if it was an outsider that was cursed. Im glad they introduced training Ciri. However, the writing and dialogue has still disappointed me.
The Witcher: A Grain of Truth (2021)
A Let Down
I think this was a weak season opener. The SFX and make up was great, but the story didn't need to be the entire episode. The writing doesn't seem as great as season 1.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Not the worst. Not the best.
I don't understand all the hate. DC always has subpar movies. This was enjoyable. Pascal had a great performance. Wiig was an interesting choice, but she did a pretty good job.
"Well, I guess she flies now." So what? It's a movie, dawg.
Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2019)
A 4 is being generous
This was an extension of the first episode. Basically it was reunion and extraneous conversation. Watch the last 2 minutes and the episode preview--you will miss nothing.
I have never actually been disappointed in Game of Thrones.
I am extremely disappointed with the writing for Arya. It was completely out of character for her to want to have sex. I have never been this upset at a series, honestly. The writing was awful.
Highlights:
-Ser Brienne
-Jon telling Dany his true name
-Looking at the Night King
TLDR: I'm pissed.
Captain Marvel (2019)
See it before you rate it!
I am not one to usually write reviews, but I feel it is necessary with all the hate surrounding Captain Marvel.
It has been a while since I genuinely enjoyed a Marvel movie. The last one was Logan, which I think we can all agree that was one of the best things produced by Marvel thus far.
I honestly did not think Wonder Woman was amazing (maybe a 7?). However, I am all for female empowerment. Captain Marvel was exactly that: female empowerment, but in the best way possible. It didn't have a political agenda at all. It did not promote a feminist view. I was worried Larson's acting would have been lacklustre due to the previews, and some of the lines in the movie were pretty iffy. I was also worried that she would be a total Mary-Sue, but I was completely wrong. There was no lame romance (even though I am hoping that Carol will end up sapphic. She has to follow in Ms. Blanchett's footsteps, right?) to take away from the action: aka Hulk and Widow.
Unlike Infinity War, this movie did not try to pack too many things in at once. I thought it told a complete story, which is what I look for in movies. I don't like the set up for a sequel, even though Marvel clearly intends to add on to her character. Don't knock it until you watch it!
Hereditary (2018)
i wasn't expecting it to be good...
So, for starters, i never write reviews. this movie genuinely surprised me. should it have the title "scariest movie of the year"? no.
the cinematography and use of surround sound was phenomenal.Toni Collette did an AMAZING job.
i highly recommend this movie in a movie theater setting.