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miladjavadi
Reviews
Baby Reindeer (2024)
Dark and Powerful
This dark and powerful true story is a complicated thriller that ultimately examines male abuse victims through an angle rarely seen or spoken of. Painfully honest and brutally paced to throttle the viewer into the personal and multi layered world of the main character this incredibly well acted dramedy is complex, beautiful and one of the best and most important shows in recent years.
Richard Gadd whose personal real life experiences is the backbone of this haunting story relives painful moments of his own ordeal as Donny with incredible honesty and bravery while taking full control over his own story. Jessica Gunning, as Martha, Donny's stalker, delivers a fiery and physical performance so unhinged and raw, the like of which has not been seen since Kathy Bates in Misery. Her ability to bring both red hot fury and dignity to a character with few redeeming qualities brings some much needed moments of dark humor to this otherwise serious story.
Unabashed and ever present until the very end Jennifer Gunning's, Martha is the backbone of Reindeer Baby. Nava Mau, who plays Teri, Donny's beautiful and loving on again off again fling brings tremendous levity and much needed charisma to the show. And while Teri is trans (as is the actress who portrays her) and Teri's trans identity plays a central role and an ongoing theme in the story, Nava Mau fully transcends this part of the characters identity allowing us to get a deep dive into Teri's toxic attraction to Donny and his many red flags.
The effects of toxic masculinity and homophobia and transphobia on men and how that particularly impacts male abuse victims has rarely been portrayed so masterfully and personally for wide audiences before. And judging by its global success Reindeer Baby's themes have never been more important than now.
Work in Progress (2019)
An Exhilarating Queer Masterpiece
It is not an overstatement to call this incredibly funny and heartbreaking series one of the most masterfully crafted series about queer life ever made. Deeply personal yet incredibly far reaching, Work in Progress is a study of queerness in modern American life with hilarity, awkwardness and heartbreak. A required watchlist for anyone who enjoys quality television and no doubt an instant classic of queer culture that will be re-examined and rediscovered over and over again. Beautifully acted, exceptionally well made and powerful in its delivery and artistry, 'Work in Progress' is a must see.
Fly Me to the Moon (2007)
Well it's not great...
This movie reaches for the moon, and crash lands right back down after what feels like a really really long time. Very young kids might like it... and there is a very random appearance by a confused Buzz Aldrin in the credits. Not really that good to make it worth your time.
Chandshanbeh ba Sina (2013)
The John Oliver of Iran
This refreshing and deeply sharp political late night talk show is truly one of my favorite weekend treats and I highly recommend it to any Farsi speakers out there. While Farsi talk shows of this format exist both within and outside Iran. None is more quality and refreshing as this show. In the deeply hyper sensitive and often dangerous world of Iranian politics, this show creates a space in which Iranians can actually find some sense of normalcy. A remarkably difficult achievement.