davepasnthru Reviews

The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014– )

Rebecca Gibney Rocks!

[8/10 · 10 May 2023]

Latest Episode. I was never convinced that Mike fell for Beth. Rebecca Gibney (Tabitha) was always his love. And it didn't seem he was all that disappointed when the wedding feel through.

Rebecca Gibney is still hot as hell!

I know they could never stay together but there is no substitute.

It was fun seeing the Brokenwood staff solve a mystery without Mike though he did pay an important role, but Kristen and Dan can clearly handle their jobs! Good for them!

Yes this is a spoiler and in one sense I am writing this to get to the minimum characters required but thus is an honest review of the latest episode of this show I love.

Irma Vep (2022)

Pretentious and Overbearing - a Show about Nothng

[2/10 · 12 July 2022]

This is one of those shows that we are told that if we don't like it we aren't smart enough to get it. It is literally about nothing. It has a "protagonist" that simply bounces from scene to scene without any direction. None of her interactions moves the story along because there is no STORY beyond the alleged concept! We are supposed to "like" the fact that nothing happens from scene to scene.

It's a story, we are told, about a bored American actress doing a remake of a classic French Vampire show. WOW! HOW COMPELLING! Then nothing happens! It is literally a show that meanders from scene to scene with no apparent connection and we are STUPID if we don't get it!

Sorry! I don't want to waste my time.

It's a shame because I really like the lead actress (so 2 stars for that) but that's not enough to make a show that is, on it's face, stupid, into something that is meaningful. It just ISN'T!

First Kill (2022)

How Original!...NOT

[10 June 2022]

Let's see. A vampire slayer and a vampire fall in love! How novel! Never been done before! Oh wait... there was some show called...Biffy...no..Boopy...er...Buffy! Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Yeah, that's it! It even had an LGBTQ couple. Willow and Tara. That show had several of the best episodes of TV ever made.

This one? Not so much.

To be fair Buffy was campy and cheesy to begin with but grew to become what is generally considered to be one of the best tv shows of all time. I see nothing in First Kill that shows that promise. I do like Elizabeth Mitchell, and I like the name Calliope for a girl but let's revisit in about 20 years. I might be proven wrong.

The Split (2018–2022)

This Is a Soap Opera, Right?

[5/10 · 19 April 2022]

I have watched one and a half seasons of this show and it is increasingly obvious that this is a soap opera at night rather than a daytime show. It's like watching The Young and the Restless or All my Children.

Where is the next affair? Where is the next lie? Where is the next pregnancy?

Where is the next gay marriage? Where is the next secret abortion?

LOVE Nicola Walker and I'm sure she appreciates the work but really! THIS IS JUST ONE BIG SOAP OPERA!

The Box (2021)

NO.

[2/10 · 1 December 2021]

*Ok this is my first review, but there seems to be a lot of overly harsh feedback on this show.*

The show is incoherent. People giving this a 10 must be on drugs.

I love Ana Friel...and now I don't.

Those looking for a new show for entertainment, look elsewhere.

Sorry, but pretentiousness is not a good quality.

Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

What the F...!?

[5/10 · 18 August 2021]

This was the strangest, most bizarre show I have ever watched. The only reason I started it was because of Rosa Salazar, of Alita Battle Angel fame. That is also the only reason I kept watching it.

As nearly as I can tell the show is about a witch-like body "hopping" entity that is over 900 years old with whom the main character, Lisa Nova (Salazar) enlists (and is recruited for selfish purposes) to right the wrong of her short movie being stolen by a down-on-his-luck, insecure, Hollywood producer, Lou Burke.

It devolves into a strange, chaotic series of spells, injuries, murders and general gruesomeness, which often seem to be intentionally designed simply to be GROSS and make anybody say "EEEEEWWWWEEEE" out loud!

There IS a plot which revolves around Lisa's attempt to get revenge for Lou's betrayal, often resulting in people close to Lisa being injured or killed.

In the end I gave it a 5 because I think it was mostly absurd in it's presentation but I thought Rosa Salazar was great.

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

They should have stopped while they were ahead.

[8/10 · 6 August 2021]

LOVED Season 1. Funny, charming, heartwarming. Loved the clash of cultures as, in itself, a character.

Only 3 episodes into Season 2, however, and it's gone off the rails. The comedic timing is gone. Wokeness is creeping in. It just ain't fun anymore. Will give it one more episode but it looks like I will remember this show as a one season show.

Relentless (2021)

It sucks you in but...

[4/10 · 21 July 2021]

When you get to the end it's like watching Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capones vault. There was nothing in it!

Ferry (2021)

What a Pleasant Surprise!

[7/10 · 30 May 2021]

Watched it on a whim and was a little concerned with the pacing in the beginning but the film really grows and you end up with a smile on your face even though lots of people die in it. The chemistry between Ferry and Danielle is great. Recommended!

Nobody (I) (2021)

Obviously Polarizing

[8/10 · 23 May 2021]

If you look at the reviews you either love it or hate it. I loved it. Of course its over the top ridiculous and hyper violent. But intentionally and comically so. The events are impossible but I found myself with a permanent smile on my face once it really got going. Oh, and a great soundtrack!

Stowaway (I) (2021)

Stupid

[3/10 · 7 May 2021]

I gave it three stars because it has a good cast. Other than that there is nothing redeemable about this movie. They find the stowaway after BARELY starting their journey and yet somehow they have gone too far to be able to turn around and go back? If they had gone at least half way I might buy it but they just got started! What crap!

Cheyenne & Lola (2020– )

Veerle Baetens - nuff said

[7/10 · 24 February 2021]

I've been a Veerle Baetens fan for years and I think she is one of the best but perhaps most under appreciated actresses working...ANYWHERE. She is why I decided to watch because otherwise this would generally not be my type of show. And Veerle doesn't disappoint. She almost always looks completely different in each of her roles. Would recommend Code 37 and The Broken Circle Breakdown. As for Cheyenne and Lola, Charlotte Le Bon gives a strong performance as the second half of the mismatched duo. The script does wander a but is generally compelling and populated with some interesting characters who move the story adroitly with good tension being built. There are also some well placed and appreciated comedic elements mostly involving the the two leads. It's definitely worth the watch.

Run Hide Fight (2020)

Very Entertaining.

[8/10 · 28 January 2021]

Compelling and gripping from the very start and never lets you go. Rot Tom critics score is 25% and audience score is 93%. That should tell all you need to know!

Blades of Glory (2007)

One of the funniest movies I have ever seen!

[9/10 · 17 January 2021]

I have watched this movie at least 5 times and have laughed just as hard every time. Yes it's sophomoric. That's the point. Yes it's silly. That's the point. No will Farrell's body isn't a skater's body. That's the point. It is so over the top it's thunderously hilarious. The opening skate off has me rolling on the floor laughing every time. And I love the participation of all the really great skaters who knew enough not to take it seriously. And I never laughed so hard as I did when the tape of the attempted Iron Lotus was played. Don't watch if you are easily offended. Don't take it seriously. If you follow that advice you will love it. Here I am 13 years after the first time I watched it and I am still belly laughing.

Monsterland (2020)

Is There an ActualStory?

[2/10 · 3 October 2020]

In fairness I have only watched episode 1 but my question is...was there an actual story there? It was well acted (thus 2 stars instead of only 1) but besides being very depressing there wasn't actually a story, It was just somebody reacting to bad circumstances by doing something even worse. Well, I guess you have to see it to see what I mean. Don't want to have spoilers.

Ratched (2020)

They should have just called it AHS.

[4/10 · 19 September 2020]

I like Sarah Paulson but this really isn't Nurse Ratched or a prequil to OFOTCN. It's really just another season of AHS. If you like that then you will like this.. (I think I liked one season of AHS)

This is very super stylized, contrived and too quirky for it's own good. The scene color shifts are irritating and overused - once is enough. The Doctor is oddly cast. This is not a knock on his talent. He just seems out of place.

I know when you portray a character that has been memorable (Ratched) you want to make it your own but the way Sarah Paulson portrays Ratched seems like a caricature. Give me Louise Fetcher.

All in all I have had difficulty watching it but, as I said, big AHS fans will like this.

Wynonna Earp (2016–2021)

Went off the tracks.

[8/10 · 28 August 2020]

First of all I loved this show until I didn't. Like so many shows it was great until it got rediculous. They ran out of ideas and then they just got stupid. Emily Andras, I am a trump suporter but I love you but don't think you have to get off the charts...shows just get more and more outrageous. This last season is frenetic and not really Wynonna. My thought is 100 episodes or 5 seasons which ever comes first. That is what you should strive for but QUALITY is foremost. The current season is frenetic and nonsensical and not really Wynonna...it's just absurd. It's like you have to out do the previous season...but you don't. Dont fall into that trap. Do GOOD stuff. The current season is disappointing because it is a continuation of absurd ideas even in the Wynonna Universe. I lOVe the Wynonna universe but this latest seasons is doing damage to it.

Mapleworth Murders (2020)

Lame With the Odd Chuckle Now and Then

[5/10 · 18 August 2020]

I gave it a 5 simply because I had a mild chuckle now and then but it's pretty lame with old, obvious jokes and gags, stiff, unfunny and stereotyped performances and odd pacing. I mean "That's a strong password" was the comedic height of the first episode.

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

This has NOTHING to do with Perry Mason!

[1/10 · 5 July 2020]

This show is a complete fraud! If you want to make this type of show, fine. JUST DON'T CALL IT PERRY MASON! Call it...I don't know...Colin Kaepernick or something. But It's NOT Perry Mason! This is classic bait and switch.! It's a lie. They called it Perry Mason just to get Perry Mason fans to watch it but the ONLY thing it has in common with the original are a few names. That's it!

I MIGHT watch this show IF they change the title and the names of the characters. Until then...NOPE!

Vagrant Queen (2020)

UGH! Can I give it MINUS 10?

[1/10 · 2 April 2020]

The...worst...TV...show...I...have...ever...seen! Weak, wooden, HORRIBLE acting, TERRIBLE dialogue, absolutely DUMB "action" scenes, totally agenda driven. There is a smugness about it that counters ANY possibility of it being fun. Apparently the reimagined Star Wars with Anakin as an incel and in doing so shows that she has ZERO understanding of Star Was. The first episode is 52 minutes of utter, excruciating pain!

The Pale Horse (2020)

Agatha Who?

[1/10 · 17 February 2020]

To put it bluntly, this is the least "Christie-like" adaptation of anything I have ever seen, and on top of that it's boring! I watched both episodes and I still don't know what I saw. When it ended my first reaction was "Huh?". If you like Agatha Christie don't bother with this.

FBI: Most Wanted (2020– )

I Can't Believe I Made it to Episode 4.

[2/10 · 29 January 2020]

I'm always looking for things that I can put on in the background, watch a few forgettable minutes and go back to doing something else. Shows you don't have to think about. That's what this was. Now it just made me mad.

This is a spin-off from FBI...which became a barely passable show that has the advantage of having Missy Peregrym who has good chemistry with Zeeko Zaki, though the stories are generally quite boring. This show takes boring to a whole new level and seems to be the very definition of LACK of chemistry.

Plus it's just wrong on so many levels which pile up and was finally why I turned it off. Barely into episode 4 there is a scene where a gang leader walks into a room with 5 rival gang members and opens up with a fully automatic rifle, killing them all. I though to my self "they are going to call the gun an AR15 - which is semi-auto." Sure enough, the next scene opens up with a statement something like "Well he's on the loose and he's armed with an AR.". Click-that was finally enough. I turned it off and will never look back.

Messiah (2020)

Who would actually follow this guy?

[3/10 · 3 January 2020]

I have to say that that I find it laughable that the creators of this thing would think viewers would find "The Messiah" compelling. All I could think of when listening to this guy "preach" is of Sphinx in the movie "Mystery Men". The characters are supposed to have super powers but typically they are things like only being able to disappear when nobody is actually looking.

Sphinx is played by Wes Studi :" -What's his power? -He's terribly mysterious. That's it? That's his power? He's mysterious? -Terribly mysterious."

Batwoman (2019–2022)

Not quite as bad as I thought it would be...but close.

[4/10 · 7 October 2019]

First of all, simply because you think something is bad doesn't mean you are an intersectional hater. While I have nothing against Ruby Rose because of her proclaimed gender fluidity, I think she delivered every line in the pilot like an atomoton. Flat, lifeless, completely without emotion. But I think it's a completely bogus criticism of Ruby to say "she isn't gay enough"! Spoiler alert! Acting is PRETENDING! It's a matter of casting and Ruby Rose is badly cast in this. I feel like her Kryptonite would be a strong wind.

Rachel Skarsten is better cast as Alice! She is almost unrecognizable and deliciously evil. She wasn't on screen enough.

For running what is apparently one of the top security companies, Kate's father is incredibly inept. Eaqually inept is they guy guarding Wayne Enterprises! This is obviously intentional to emphasize the superiority of woman which is a theme that is ENTRENCHED in the pilot! Virtually every competent authority figure is a woman. Men tend to be incompetent in this show. Could the writers and producers at least TRY to be less heavy-handed?

Most of the cringe elements from the trailer are here, including the one where Kate says Batman's suit will be perfect when it fits a woman. Frankly I wish she would have said "...when it fits Me!" I would have liked her more.

There are some good action scenes which I didn't expect but they are frequently marred by the previously mentioned Ruby Rose casting. Someone her size and build with no super powers can't throw a two hundred pound man around no matter how well trained she is...even if she knows that Israeli stuff called Crab Rangoon or whatever... it's science!

And lest you think I'm afraid of strong female leads let me say I think Ellen Ripley, Wonder Woman, Sarah Connor, Buffy and Margaret Thatcher are AWESOME!

Yes I'm a straight, white male...and NO we don't hate lesbians! We LOVE them.

Wu Assassins (2019)

Bad martial arts choreography and strange story

[5/10 · 15 August 2019]

Let's start with the choreogrophy... It seems like everyone is posing! My fave MartialArts chory is Netflix Daredevil. Off the charts great! In this show its all about posing. After every move there is a freeze frame where we have to marvel at what just happened. NOT! It's stilted and forced and the skill level is inconsistent.

As to the story, it's incoherent. There are sub-stories that are interesting but the whole is lass than the parts.

And frankly the lead actor...the title character!...is completely forgetable! I don't give a crap about him! I dont cheer for him. He's a nonevent!

Not a destination show.