dyricci Reviews

Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Solid Flashy Meh.

[4/10 · 29 December 2020]

My 2¢: While superficially entertaining to a point, in no way was it worth even a fraction of the hype. Watching on Christmas Day afternoon, I actually started nodding off halfway through and so stopped it to finish the next day. I very rarely do that with any action film. Then, the next day, I felt like I should've just not even bothered finishing it and watched something else. Very disappointing, as Wonder Woman (2017) was at least entertaining fluff. WW1984, however, was just a sparkly mirage void of substance.

Glitch (2015–2019)

Season 1&2 Awesome! Season 3? Uhhh...

[6/10 · 24 October 2019]

Basically, seasons 1&2 I give 8 stars. Premise was good, character development & storyline engaging. Couldn't stop watching. THEN...I got to season 3. Rating totally started losing points as I watched. S3 ep1 VERY different writing quality. New characters very flat, multiple old characters just aren't themselves or act like their old selves AT ALL. I pretty much wanted to turn it off after watching the change in James (Yeah, no spoilers, but I bet you can ez guess if you've watched S. 1&2). Maybe just watch season 1&2 and leave it. Pretend there isn't even a season 3.

So...yeah. Season 1 & 2: 8 stars Season 3: 4 stars Sadly, that's how I got to my 5-6 star meh rating.

Medici (2016–2019)

Season 1 ABSOLUTELY 9-10 stars! Season 2...well...

[9/10 · 12 February 2019]

First season is top notch: acting, cast, writing & production ALL phenomenal...HBO-like quality. Second season, while still enjoyable, really felt like they were pitching to the teen set. The cast (especially) and limited depth of writing seemed more along the lines of CW with a STARZ.buget. Like I said, i still liked it, but...while S.1 I'd give a 9.5, S.2 fell to a 6.5 (except the last two episodes which were done pretty well). I really do hope they continue with a third season. There's plenty more to tell about the years that come after. Just please I wish they would bring back some good writers & give us some depth in both the characters and storylines. I know we're talking about historical fiction here, so they've got plenty to work with...just...please?

Open at Night (2016)

A very cute film

[6/10 · 25 November 2018]

A funny, silly at times, rambling caper film about friendships...with a people are not always as they first seem kind of message. Although it's not what I would class as high cinema, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Black Mass (2015)

Absolutely Perfect.

[9/10 · 20 February 2016]

Johnny Depp rarely disappoints and most especially does not here. Scott Cooper has assembled a superb supporting cast, and elicited brilliant performances from them all around. It is absolutely beautifully shot...the lighting, angles, tone...everything. Dark and emotional, yet with an undertone of functional coldness. It mirrors the characters, the emotional tone of the content, as well as the era. Coupled with a poignant score throughout, ranging from funk/disco to classic strings, you are taken on an emotional ride touching all bases. Be advised: this is not an action shoot- 'em-up gangster flick. This is a journey into the mind and soul.

Blood, honor, and loyalty...peppered with more than a touch of psychopathy. Bulger is a complicated and conflicted man and Depp seems to have captured all of him, especially his humanity, flawed as we all can be. I sincerely hope that he sees this film & realizes the honor Johnny has done him in this portrayal.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

A Mind-Explodingly-Good Eye-Orgasm of Ecstatic Delight

[9/10 · 5 June 2015]

I waited THIRTY-FOUR YEARS for another REAL Mad Max flick (that 1985 monstrosity with Tina Turner does not exist to me) and I never thought I'd see the day. Well, my pain and patience was worth it in the end; I've been rewarded with a mind-explodingly-good eye-orgasm of ecstatic delight.

This is seriously the most bad-ass action flick I have seen in years (the word 'ever' briefly flits through my brain...). It is classic Mad Max, over-the-top, crazy-weirdness done better and badder...and even beautiful in some of the few spots it slows down enough to focus on something still. It is dark, ruthless and brutal, yet at the same time hopeful, with a powerful message of warning: Greed Kills...Everything.

To say that Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron are both brilliant in bringing their roles of Max and Furiosa to life is a given. The complexity of each of their painful pasts, along with their respective hopes for redemption (or resignation to penance), weaves gracefully through the fabric of their personas and within the fiery, desperate gleam in their painfully dusty eyes. However, it is the unexpectedly shiny performance of Josh Helman (Slit) that held me fixated throughout his screen time. His is like the bubbles in a cold glass of sparkling water; the extra tickling enjoyment that thoroughly quenches one's thirst. Slit has such blossoming, full character arc for a supporting role…single-minded loyalty, anger, goodness, surprise, delight, and yet, poignancy…and he delivers each facet so perfectly and seamlessly one isn't sure what's coming from him next. He is that shiny bubble floating speedily through that glass of water to its inevitable destination, but the path that bubble takes around the ice cubes is unpredictable, and you can't take your eyes off of it.

Did I say it was good? Did I mention I want to do it again...like, right NOW??

Thank you SO much George Miller. And, please, sir...may we soon have another drink of your glorious, sparkling water?