johnnylightfire Reviews

Warrior Nun (2020–2022)

Could've Been Better

[6/10 · 8 August 2020]

Having never heard of the comic book Warrior Nun, I was drawn to the show by the beautiful main lead, Alba Baptista, who I must say has one of the most healthy-looking faces on television. She should be a spokeswoman for skin-care products. Instead, she's an "accidental" Warrior Nun named Ava.

In general, I liked the premise of Warrior Nun. And the appeal of Ava kept me interested. But after a promising first episode Ava's journey stalled for the next couple of eps. Too much time spent on random characters (four 20-something adults, including one who Ava is really into) who turn out were just filler for about four pointless episodes before disappearing from the story completely. It was like the studio was going for an unnecessary love angle just to push out 10 episodes and get a full season. Also, I could've done without some of the random cursing by some of the characters. Including Ava. Seemed out of place with the whole religious aspect of the story involving, nuns, the Vatican, demons and angels.

Anyway, it got a bit better from Episode 5 on when the true plot of Warrior Nun was underway and Ava truly embraced her special mission. Along that journey I enjoyed the character of Sister Beatrice (played by Kristina Tonteri-Young). She had some great moments. The actress who played Shotgun Mary was a bit annoying, but I learned to deal with that as time went on.

The final episode was stellar and interesting for the most part. But as other reviewers have noted, left a cliffhanger and things left unanswered that can only be cleared up if Warrior Nun gets a second season. Based on a number of reviews I've seen, doesn't seem likely.

Nancy Drew (2019–2023)

A Daring New Take on the Book

[8/10 · 16 April 2020]

This updated modernization of the ND book series has grown on me with each passing episode. The characters are being built up beyond cardboard cutouts, and the mystery in the show is steadily drawn out, episode by episode, which makes me want to come back each week to find out more.

Initially I was a little put off that Nancy hooks up with Ned "NICK" Nickerson in a grungy garage (where Nick works) less than ten minutes into the pilot episode. And that George is a bossy diner owner that has anger issues and wasn't even friends with Nancy. And that Nancy and her lawyer dad Carson Drew are not even that close to a cozy family feeling. That's NOT AT ALL like it was in the books I read as a child. But that initial weird vibe has passed as the show gained ground. Now I'm happily enjoying the new take on the mystery series and accepting all its novel ideas. Plus Nancy is still that hardened detective we grew up loving, working arduously to uncover clues each week.

And I absolutely love the homages to the original books. Names such as Larkspur Lane, The Golden Pavillion, Pine Hill, Blackwood Lodge and Hidden Staircase are just a few of the name drops of locations that have already been part of the show. For the reviewers who shot down the show after the first episode, I say.... you just didn't give it a fighting chance.

Lez Bomb (2018)

Could've been better

[4/10 · 2 September 2019]

Too many superfluous backstories spoil the broth of what should have been a sweet story of a girl coming out to her family over the holiday. There were a few patches of comedy, but not enough to truly merit a great rating. The leading lady, Jenna Laurenzo, who is also a first-time director, was decent in the lead role of the girl coming to grips with her sexuality. Decent, not great.

If you're looking for a LGBT film that truly is on point I'd recommend "Imagine Me and You" (2005). It stars Lena Headey and Piper Perabo. And it is much more charming than Lez Bomb.

X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

Not As Enjoyable as the Trailer Suggests

[5/10 · 7 June 2019]

Entertaining enough fare from an X-Men franchise that always seems to border on mediocre, but not great. Logan being the exception.

Dark Phoenix suffers from several flaws:

A) The lack of any real emotional depth from what has transpired to Jean Grey in a freak space mishap. Seems like the X-men are just going thru the motions talking about one of their own. There's no genuine feeling, no heart, even though Xavier and Beast try to make it appear so. Ergo, I just wasn't invested in the issue like I was for the MCU characters when Thanos snapped his fingers.

B) Underdeveloped (and unknown) villain. The strength of a great superhero film is a villainous foil to our heroes -- Thanos, Lex Luthor, the Joker, and Bane come immediately to mind. This new villain doesn't make the cut, cause I never even heard of the bunch. Chastain as the lead villain was poorly cast.

C) Flat storyline. I know it's all about Jean Grey, but, as mentioned already the lack of emotional impact makes it feel less than important. Or is Sophie Turner just not ready to play the lead in a big budget film and that why the film suffers?

Overall, Dark Phoenix was enjoyable on the level that I love seeing superhero films, there were some really cool action sequences, and I like many of the actors in the film, including Fassbender, McAvoy, J-Law, and Turner. But there wasn't substance enough here to really make this a standout film.

Evil Dead (2013)

Decent Remake

[6/10 · 25 October 2018]

Director Fede Alvarez heaps on the gore ....sometime more than I wanted, in this re-imagining of the original Raimi film.

Jane Levy is very solid in the role of drug-addicted Mia, who wreaks holy hell on the rest of her group of trapped cabin dwellers once she becomes demonically possessed. She looks Exorcism ghoulish -- props to the makeup department -- while entertaining as well, throwing in a few zingers like the one she says to her brother, "Mia's not here you idiot! Your little sister's being raped in hell !!"

Again, if you can stand all the gore there's a story here. Most importantly, never open a book that has been bound shut by steel wire. It ultimately leads to your death.

The Outpost (2018–2021)

Growing On Me

[7/10 · 31 August 2018]

The first episode was pretty weak, very cliched/formulaic, poor CGI, and set up for a possible love triangle which seems to always be a staple in shows. But I pushed forward and continued to watch and I've seen The Outpost mature. Just finished watching the seventh episode. The show is not awesome, but it's entertaining enough. I find several of the characters quite engaging -- Gwynn (the lovely Imogen Waterhouse); Captain Spears; Constable Whythers; and of course the main heroine,Talon.

One negative to the show -- the weak link -- is the actor who plays Janzo. He just seems out of place and comes off as a half-wit in an otherwise stellar cast. Though I think that's the role he is supposed to play. Another negative is the cheesy CGI, but I figure that has to do with budget constraints. So basically my two peeves are not really any fault of the actual show.

Here's hoping The Outpost gets a renewal after it's summer run is over.