notemanmusic Reviews

The Diplomat (II) (2023– )

Terrific except for the prodigious overuse of the F...word...

[7/10 · 7 May 2023]

Terrific series...the best. Perhaps our "diplomats" speak profanely all the time but it's so annoying, distracting. It's so unnecessary. We get it! She's a tough woman. Given that, she shouldn't need to use such language every five seconds. The writing is great...the best. But am sick of the constant profanity. It lends nothing to the story. It keeps me from recommending to others. I repeat, it is unnecessary. It demeans us all.

The overuse of profanity is a writer's laziness. That the actors don't rebel is a sad commentary on their servile classlessness. Is there anyone left in production that knows this? Guess not.

Shrinking (2023– )

Was great until episode 4...won't watch again

[4/10 · 11 February 2023]

This series is a terrific idea, a great set-up. The first 3 episodes were compelling. Then came the 4th episode; the show went from family friendly to family porn. No therapist, like the Gaby character, would urge a teen-aged girl to tell her father about her first sexual encounter with her next door neighbor; she wrecked her character with that stupid move. And why is she at odds with Lix? No reason beyond rank jealousy. Psychologists should behave better. Sean is a great character, as is Alice, Liz, Paul and Jimmy. Gaby was terrific until this episode; she blew her professionalism. Episode 4 was non-stop profanity; unnecessary and annoying. Not going to watch again. It suddenly became part of the cultural rot that has despoiled America.

Monarch (2022)

Pathetic, a waste of valuable time

[1/10 · 13 September 2022]

How could an obviously expensive show this bad be green-lighted? So bad, one might think it is a bad joke. Embarrassing. Can't believe Sarandon agreed to be a part of it; not a good project to go out on. The writing is bad, the acting is bad, the singing is bad (but for the source music). The family scenario/set-up is bad. Not to mention the fact that Sarandon is fifteen years older that Trace Adkins and everyone knows that! Hollywood clearly thinks the public is a dumb as rocks. One loathes this family five minutes into the first episode; any mother who asks what the Sarandon character asks of her daughter is evil.

Thirteen Lives (2022)

A must-watch....wil restore your faith in human beings.

[9/10 · 6 August 2022]

While long, it is a majestic glimpse into how truly good human beings can be. That this rescue was successful is a testament to a vast community working together, sacrificing so much and winning in the end. Ron Howard did a fabulous job bringing this miraculous rescue to the screen for all to see. This rescue was a miracle thanks to the people who were willing to sacrifice everything to save those thirteen young people, the boys and their coach who kept them alive and calm for nearly 20 days.

Dark Winds (2022– )

Excellent series....hpe there will be more to come.

[10/10 · 25 July 2022]

Terrific story, great performances. Makes me wish Longmire was returning. Don't miss this one. Life on American reservations is beyond hard and yet they prevail with honor.

Memory (I) (2022)

A very good story about what is really happening....it' a true story

[5/10 · 6 July 2022]

Unless one is paying attention to current events, this may seem a silly, sad tale but it is actually rooted in truth. The sex trafficking of migrant children is ongoing with the full knowledge of the current administration. Like the powers that be in the film, our gov't. Is in business with the cartels re: both drugs and humans. What is happening on the border is the Epstein scandal on steroids.

Terror on the Prairie (2022)

Could have been so much better

[4/10 · 16 June 2022]

I love westerns and wanted to love this one but, like the previous film Shut In, there are just far too many stupid choices and, in this case, bad shots, So many bullets fired, so few targets hit. Frustrating.

All the Old Knives (2022)

A complete waste of time...

[1/10 · 9 April 2022]

Can no one write a decent script anymore? This one stinks. It toys with the viewer in a most unseemly way. To distill a terrorist attack down to a lover's dilemma is unforgiveable.

Maid (2021)

Redundant...

[1/10 · 14 February 2022]

Having just watched Shut In starring this Qualley's sister, have to question the writing. Maid is just Shut In done sideways. Sweet but incompetent mother of young child/children keeps getting into dangerous situations due to her own poor judgement. As dumb as Shut In.

Shut In (I) (2022)

Don't waste your time

[2/10 · 12 February 2022]

Was really looking forward to this film as DW's first film was quite good. But this one is tedious and annoying. The young mother simply does too many really stupid things that precipitate her dire situation and perpetuate it. The viewer will find himself screaming at the TV, do this, do that, etc. It is not at all believable, not for a minute. Disappointed.

The Kingdom (2007)

A must-see film.

[8/10 · 29 September 2007]

To those who do not follow the war on terrorism closely, this film will be, should be, a wake-up call. For those who are aware of the danger Islamofascism poses to the West, it will be a terrifying reminder. While it is a fictionalized version of a real event, the filmmakers had the courage to to represent the terrorists as they really are...brutal and barbaric. And they teach their children to be the same.

The hand-held camera technique is annoying and at times disorienting. The music is truly terrible. A better score would have made an enormous difference. And the ending should have been heroic...the good guys prevailed. But, even in victory over evil, the tone at the end was morose, as though te terrorists had won. Still, it is a must-see film. Terrorism will be with us for years to come. That we have Americans willing to sign up and fight them is the miracle of this nation.