rblument-1 Reviews

The Watcher (2022– )

Very Entertaining Garbage TV

[8/10 · 14 August 2023]

Okay, so I've read various reviews of this series, watched it, and then accessed the New York magazine article on which it was supposedly based. And after all of the analyses and ponderings, I found this series to be rather shallow, hokey, and very, very entertaining. Remember this is Ryan Murjphy we're talking about, who is the master of kitschy and overdone TV.

There are some similarities between the real story and the TV show, but some obvious differences. 1. The family lived in the town all their lives, not in MYC. 2. They never actually moved into the house, being turned away by the letters they received while fixing it up 3. They had 3 children, not 2, and the oldest was 10. So no gorgeous highly seductive teenager girl, 4. No realtor best friend, no Jennifer Coolikge character., and more.

I did find it amusing that one of the major complaints from people was that the case was left unsolved, probably the most accurate detail in the production. So what we are left with is a great cast, very quirky Ryan Murphy characters, and an intriguing story. If this appeals to you, then go for it.

The Bear: Fishes (2023) Season 2, Episode 6

A hyperactive mess, with some lovely tender moments

[6/10 · 10 July 2023]

Sometimes I don't completely understand how I fit into the human species. The Bear has become one of my favorite all time series, and I especially have liked how they have chosen to tone it down in the second season. I noticed that the episode Fishes was the highest rated episode of the series. I found it overall, to be completely over the top and lacked the subtlety of what I consider to be the best in drama. I found this episode to be overly long, and, really, kind of annoying. For example, the portion with Michael and the fork went on way too long for my taste.

My favorite parts of this episode were the scene with Richie and his wife in the room upstairs, and the expressions on Sugar's face when dealing with her mom. Subtlety, in other words. I didn't mind the scenes of the mother and her sinking into psychosis, for this was a very real, family impactor and helped to explain a lot of what happens later on. I loved the past two episodes before Fishes of Marcus being mentored as a pastry chef in Copenhagen and the one where Carmy and. Claire are slowly leading up to their first kiss, but this episode was just too much for my taste.

The Law According to Lidia Poët (2023– )

Wonderful lead character

[8/10 · 19 February 2023]

I really liked this brief 1st season, finding the production values, cinematography and acting to be first rate all around. I loved the character of Lidia Poet and her portrayal by. Matilda De Angelis. I was constantly charmed by her, finding her strong but vulnerable as well.

This is obviously a jazzed up version of the real life of Lidia Poet, but it is most entertaining. It is quite lush and not for the realistic reenactment crowd. The soundtrack is quite varied, from classical to new agey to downright punkish.

My main objection to this series is that each episode (40-45 mins.) is a complete case in itself. Because of this, the crimes are solved rather quickly and, it appears, very unrealistically. This would have been a much better series if the cases went over 2 episodes, as they do in Vienna Blood.

Away (2020)

What a pleasant surprise

[9/10 · 5 December 2020]

I had avoided this show for weeks because of the lukewarm reception it received from both users and professional critics in their reviews. I am so glad that I finally decided to give it a try. Not only have I enjoyed it, I actually think that it is one of the best shows that Netflix has produced.

I am rather particular about my viewing of science fiction. As a teenager, I soaked it up. As a senior, I find much of it to be juvenile and too action-packed for my taste. I greatly prefer the much more thoughtful science fiction (my favorite science fiction film in recent years has been Arrival). Away is certainly not for the Star Wars or Gravity crowd. There is little action of any kind and little edge of your seat action. It is very much a character driven film, and deals more with the emotional effects of what it is to be away from one's loved ones for three years during the mission to Mars. The show is created by Edward Zwick, one of the creators of Thirty Something, so that should tell you something there.

Five astronauts set out for a three year mission to Mars, and the story focuses mostly on the commander, played by Hillary Swank, and her husband and teen aged daughter. There are some problems, some of them critical, that do occur during the journey, but most of the action is around how everyone deals with the separation from each other. The four other astronauts all have separation issues as well, though they do play a lesser role in the story.

Overall, I found the series to be very affecting and emotionally compelling. There are some moments that border on maudlin, and maybe even cross the line. But the characters are well-drawn. And I felt that the show got better as the season wore on. I have only watched the first seven episodes and haven't yet watched the 8th. I assume from the description of episode 8 that they planning a second season. I certainly hope so.

The 100: Damocles: Part Two (2018) Season 5, Episode 13

Best Ep[isode Yet

[10/10 · 25 October 2018]

I have always found The 100 to be way above my initial expectations, but this final episode of Season 5 takes it to a whole new level. The final 5-6 minutes was science fiction at its absolute finest, up there with the best of Star Trek or even 2001: A Space Odyssey. And because I try not to supply spoilers, you will have to watch it to see for yourself.

This episode starts with the classic war for survival on planet Earth, and some of it became a bit too glorified war epic for my taste. There are some tender moments that involve Clarke and Madi and Bellamy and Octavia, and there is a ridiculous down to the wire moment that I could have done without. That ending though, quiet, thoughtful, compassionate, spiritual, moving, and so well done. It was simply some of the best television I have seen.

The 100 (2014–2020)

Surprise, surprise

[10/10 · 18 November 2017]

Great writing, great characters. I cannot believe I am actually writing this. I needed a show to entertain and distract me while on the treadmill for 40 minutes and I decided, after much waffling, to give this one a go. I watched the pilot episode and was not impressed much at all. Everyone is gorgeous and too Hollywood perfect for my taste. It seemed to be a science fiction version of a mediocre CW teen drama. The writing was a bit trite and the acting seemed a bit self-conscious and forced. Apparently there was enough there to give the 2nd episode a go. It was much better, and I decided to take the full plunge into the series.

What I have liked so much about the series is the characters and how they are developed. I especially like Eliza Taylor as Clarke, who becomes a very dynamic and complex individual, forced into a leadership role that she is not sure she is prepared for. I also love the dynamics between her and her mother, Abby, played by Paige Turco. There is a lot of interesting parent/child dynamics explored, as well as the wonderful brother/sister relationship between Bellamy and Octavia.

In addition, the writers create a rather interesting and somewhat complex tale that was much better than I ever thought capable. And they employ a technique that I consider the anti-Star Trek countdown. In Star Trek, there always seems to be a moment towards the end of the show where a timer is counting down, and with somewhere around 4 seconds to go, the day is saved. I hope this isn't a spoiler to report that The 100 is careful at various times to avoid this somewhat trite technique.

Be forewarned, this show gets pretty intense--there is much bloodshed and brutal torture. One of the codes of a group called The Grounders is Blood must have blood. It can be somewhat hard to watch at times. Also, there is little break in the survival tension. There always seems to be some threat out there that needs to be defeated. This can be a little wearying at times.

I am towards the end of the 3rd season now, and my feeling is that the show just gets better and better. I am very happy that a 5th season is being produced.

We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004)

Real people, real emotions

[9/10 · 28 December 2004]

"We Don't Love Here Anymore," based on two short stories by Andre Dubus, is a pared-down, very effective view of marriage and infidelity. If you are looking for an "entertaining" film, then go elsewhere. Dubus, author of the short story that the film "In the Bedroom" was based, is not out to entertain. He is into dealing with real people in situations that are catastrophic to one's life. John Curran, the director, peels away at the emotions of these 4 characters who share loveless relationships with their respective mates, with the exception of one of them. There is no flash, no melodrama, and no special effects (thank God). It is also beautifully filmed in the Vancouver, B.C. area, and the acting is top notch, especially the performance of Laura Dern. It's like watching an episode of Thirtysomething without all the smaltz and cutesiness. Highly recommended!!