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Scandal: Sweet Baby (2012)
Eyeroll Practice
SPOILER ALERT: Cringeworthy.
Also a Pro Eyeroll Practice, if you're into that.
The Man in the High Castle (2015)
Discouraged to Invest More Time on This by End of S01
Be Wary with your expectations about this show.
I've only seen the first ten episodes (Complete S01) of this Alt Reality; And now I'm very hesitant, and probably flat out set, to not invest (not to use waste) anymore time on this.
Apart from a respect demanding, detailed performance by the Dramatic Art Academy graduate Rupert Evans, and the impressive Reich Costume Design; there isn't much story to fill in the ~55 minutes run time this show occupies. Augmented, virtual, reality and Computer Graphics, do not, unfortunately, succeed in taking you into a completely different and unique world, a world of the show on it's own. Throughout, you'll find yourself again and again in the same office spaces, apartments and, well .. cars! going over the same Reich, Nap, thrifty or Neutral settings that you'll get accustomed to from the first episode, which isn't much detailed to begin with. And albeit the emphasis on the Japanese and German Cultures (Dogma!?) is commendable, it doesn't, however, pass without it's inaccuracies and dramatizations which end up feeling, I'd say, detached.
The plot stretched well beyond what it should have; I'm 9 episodes through and yet I find myself nowhere closer to comprehending the syllogism behind the whole thing. Instead, I was constantly brought to think that I've been here before (think "Prison Break") in a style of unfolding serial repetitions of whack-a-mole (or in this case whack- a-roll) while following the protagonists who succeed every time, in evading dangers and losing .. ehm, tapes and stuff.
That and a Yankee ego feeding, non-contextual, seconds of valediction of flag screen time that just makes everything before it seem like .. a Vanity.
However, not to discourage anyone else, and for the benefit of think provocative- innovation catalyzing entertainment; all and any attempt at Alt reality will always be welcome. And To Amazon it was a right call to approve something as unique and provocative so early on in the game of production; but, I think what's missing is an even bolder swing at this with a set of more experienced names, perhaps in front but definitely BEHIND the camera.