Good subject, I really wanted to like this, but ...
11 April 2024
The one "but" is Producer Ari Wallach. First off he turned me off with his speaking mode, frequently using 'kind of' or 'sort of', which are weasel words to avoid making a declarative statement.

Then there's the title - "history" of the "future" makes no sense. I suspect he was trying to coattail Hawking's "Brief History of Time" which does make sense.

Then after a brief introductory scene the program switches to a group of young adults in a room, like a conference room, around a table, and each is explaining their own take on what today is, and what the future might hold. Fine, that is a good approach.

But then, for no good reason, we see a participant for a few seconds, then we see Ari Wallach nodding "knowingly" as a person is speaking. Then a different person for maybe 5 seconds, then the camera moves to Ari Wallach's face, looking approvingly. And it continues this way.

What is with all the face shots of Ari Wallach? He is the least interesting participant. A good producer will try to stay mostly in the background but not Wallach, he seems to think this program is better if he gets his face in it constantly, even when he is not contributing.

I couldn't take it any more, a good subject that could be interesting but ruined by Ari Wallach's constant need to be the focus of the camera. It is an example, when you produce a 6-part series then you'd better be SURE that episode #1 starts great and makes potential viewers WANT to see additional episodes. This fails to do that. I did watch some of episode #3 but it didn't seem connected to anything, mostly random snippets from various movies that deal with the future in some way.

Sadly, a big miss, it doesn't do a good job of connecting with its purported subject. Also beware of the two quick "10" reviews, they have similar wording and are of accounts just established, and having only one review, for this program. While I would not accuse them of being shill reviews, it does raise that possibility in my mind.
9 out of 17 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed