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Legend (2015)
A Legend is supposed to be remembered.
Tom Hardy's brilliant performance (along with tons of others) aside, this movie misses the mark. The lack of world-building and stakes in this film hurts the story. What are the twins up against? Law enforcement, prison, other gangs, themselves? Sure, all of the above, but it's as if the twins are untouchable throughout the film until their unpredictable, violent nature and grief suddenly catches up to them. Except they were unpredictable and violent from the start so it isn't meaningful when there are consequences out of the blue. While there are probably restrictions to what the story can be because it is based on true events, there are no obstacles or conflicts that can be felt through the film. The detective, who tries to build a case against them, should have been given a real storyline, personality, and morals instead of just showing up a couple times. There is also no follow through with the conflict Reggie faces with the Italian mafia. The narration was also an issue because its use in the latter portion of the film undercuts not only the emotional impact of death, but also the permanence of it. This movie was entertaining sometimes, but ultimately a let down.
Searching (2018)
A Pleasant Surprise
Way more engaging than I thought it would be. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie and was pleasantly surprised by how the ending didn't disappoint me. Solid performances and a story with plausible and clever twists.
Death Becomes Her (1992)
(Not in) Violation of any Natural Law
Examining envy, beauty, youth, resentment, everlasting life, and the consequences of cleaving to and obsessing over the formerly listed, all with comedic grandeur, Death Becomes Her is quite an entertaining, albeit silly, movie. I wish this film was shown near Halloween more often because it is such a fun romp. The aesthetics, set, and production design reminded me a lot of a Tim Burton movie, specifically Batman. Unfortunately the trailer for the film gives away almost every exciting twist and turn in the plot, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Grantchester (2014)
Like Christmas Day...until all the presents are opened and the wrapping needs tossing
I love this show. It's cozy, mysterious, and immensely entertaining. With characters as irresistibly likable as this, it's understandable that change could bring some bitterness to an avid viewer. When you start to deviate from the natural progression of characters, it betrays everything audience members liked about the story to begin with. If it wasn't for the way the show has progressed, I would give this show a higher rating. Although I can understand the reasons for change, it is still frustrating in the way it was handled. I'm happy it is continuing; however, and I am eager to see what is in store for the seasons to come. If only there was some guarantee that characters finish their arcs in the most satisfying way, but alas, those decisions are always, sadly, (and bit unjustly now that I think about it) out of the audience's faithful hands.
Fleabag (2016)
Everything I Never Knew I Needed
This show is one of my all time favorites and even though I would watch a third season in a heartbeat, I don't need one. Fleabag has given me more than I could ever wish for. I have seen every episode at least three times and each time it gets better. This show and its reception shows that audiences kindly receive stories first and foremost and any messages or themes that come along with it when not shoved down their throats. I'm really happy that they decided on a second season because even though I loved the first one, I'm not sure it would have become so lodged in my heart if it didn't end in a somewhat happier way. Refreshing, creative, original, Fleabag is all those things and more. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and everyone else involved in the making of Fleabag deserves all the accolades they get as well as a huge thank you from me because this show is everything I never knew I needed.
Living with Yourself (2019)
Creative and Intriguing, Can't Wait for Season 2
I've always liked Paul Rudd, but now I really really really like Paul Rudd. He ups the ante with his character(s) and I have so much respect for him and those behind the making of a show as inventive as this one. Both lovable and kind of hate-able as a kind of person that we all know in some way or another, the part of ourselves that disappoints us. What's unique about the show is the fact that within the span of one episode each Miles makes you slide that scale from hate to love to hate and back again. It is such an incredible balancing act, not to mention Aisling Bea's Kate, who was relatable, compassionate, and wonderful. I'm sad that I've never seen her in anything else before this. Without letting the cat out of the bag, I would say that if for nothing else, watch this series solely for the dance number. Well that and a certain Patriots quarterback cameo.
Green Book (2018)
Not as memorable as I hoped it would be
I enjoyed it, but I just didn't fall in love with it as I thought I might. After all the hype I felt a little let down, although the hype may be to blame all things considered. I think the story was interesting and that both leads did a fantastic job with their portrayals, but I'm not entirely sure an Oscar nomination was warranted. Then again, usually when it comes to Oscar nominations, there is always a lot of debate. I must also confess that viewing this movie on an airplane probably wasn't the best way to see it, but still it was a well intentioned movie that couldn't pass the muster in my book.
Mr Inbetween (2018)
An Instant Favorite
The episodes are short and they leave you wanting more. Effortlessly bingeable and entertaining, Mr. Inbetween is a joy to watch. Amidst the current golden age of television there are tons of series worth watching with high production value and wonderful stories, but with new content coming from an ever growing, varied field of services, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This show is one viewers shouldn't let fall through the cracks not only because it has incredibly hysterical, heartfelt, imaginative, subtly thought provoking, original story, but also because its episodes are usually around 25 minutes long, giving viewers time to watch all their other favorites too.
Van Helsing (2004)
A lot of fun, but wouldn't pay to see it
I love movies like this, but yikes, it had waaaaay too long of a run time. The inclusion of werewolves, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankensteins's monster, and Dracula himself made this the perfect inclusion to a list of spooky movies to see near Halloween. I had seen it many years ago on TV when I was a child and I loved it, although now I think that some of it was a bit boring and gross, especially Dracula's offspring. The addition of Carl as comedic relief was a bit unnecessary. If anything I would have like his character more if he were more intelligent and scientific. Also the ways that certain characters met their end didn't really make sense due to what they walked away from previously. Those complaints aside however, Hugh Jackman's performance was well done, the adventure and mystery of the story was intriguing, and the ghouls and monsters of frightful classics are always fun to see on the big screen.
Modern Love (2019)
A Wonderful Surprise
When I first saw the title and trailer of Modern Love, I thought it would be a terribly over-emotional and wildly over-acted series. I guess the phrase, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." is something I have to remember. Though I'm still not a fan of the title, despite the fact I understand it's based on the New York Times article of the same name, it is a wildly charming, varied, and beautifully written show. I say that, also as a viewer who typically doesn't enjoy anthologies either and no offense to Amazon, but their ad campaigns haven't been stellar as of late and I think that is why I had such low expectations for the series as well. With all of the above stacked against it, the series blew me away and even though not every episode resonated with me, I could understand, or at least connect with, all the characters in them. My favorite episode is the very first one and the very last one, which is not to say that everything in between wasn't great also. The acting is incredible, as is the way the episodes are structured. New York is also given a spotlight as the magical place it is although perhaps a bit more lovely. In any case, it's nice to see both tourist attractions and regular side walks around the city. I don't want to give anything else away besides the fact that it's a pure delight.
The Craft (1996)
It's alright
If you're looking for a cheesy, angsty, and sometimes subpar Halloween movie about witchcraft then this is the movie for you. (*Although, maybe don't watch if you have a phobia of snakes, rats, insects, or other vermin)
It's premise wasn't bad, but it failed to follow through in certain aspects of the plot and specific storylines. Viewers never really get to know the woman who ran the Wiccan store and helped Sarah as well as Sarah's mother, which were missed opportunities.
The ending was not satisfying due to the fact that Rochelle, Bonnie, and Nancy never seem to understand that what they did was wrong despite the consequences they face. I also think that by reversing the order of the last two scenes, the viewer ends on a slightly better note.
There is a lot of untapped potential to this film because it begs the question, if you had the power to solve seemingly unsolvable problems in life - would you? It's an intriguing question which is perhaps why a remake is in the works.
Some movies can get away with bad sound recording and it's a job in Hollywood that is sadly overlooked more often than not. Unfortunately the dubbing/ADR for The Craft was so bad it takes the viewer out of the film's environment.
Looking for Alaska (2019)
A well-done adaptation of the book
A beautiful story about friendship, love, and loss, this show had big shoes to fill. I'm admittedly biased because it's difficult not to bring feelings and impressions of the book to the screen adaptation. Any show or movie adaptation has to compete with, or at least be compared to, the intellectual property it is based on, yet some fail simply because the producers, or those who had any input in the production, either don't care enough or don't try enough. That is definitely not an issue for Looking for Alaska, especially considering John Green's role as writer and executive producer. Green's involvement aside though, any viewer can tell that the boarding school is a character unto itself, the costumes - impeccable, the acting and casting - superb, the attention to detail - remarkable, and the emotions, tone, and mood - steadfast through the screen. It's impossible not to notice how much care and effort went into the production.
I enjoyed watching this show and overall I would recommend it to anyone; however it sadly lacks the authenticity and raw emotions associated with the main character, Miles/Pudge (Charlie Plummer). Perhaps it is because narration is used sparsely throughout (which would usually be good). In this case, the absence of narration condemns Pudge to the back seat. In fact, every other character was more compelling than him, which to be fair, in the book he is blander than his peers. But the focus is on him not only because the reader knows what he's thinking, but also because he is endearing in his innocence and morbid fascination. Almost every actor in the show was practically the perfect counterpart to their character, but Plummer's portrayal of Miles left me disappointed. Instead of the charming character my expectation demanded, Pudge was a bit annoying and frustratingly hollow. Despite that though, I didn't think Plummer, or the show for that matter, were bad necessarily.