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jwlbear
Reviews
Star Trek: Picard: Watcher (2022)
Piling On.
The moment I heard the song when those alien characters of Seven and Raffi were on the bus, I chuckled, and smiled a bit. Seriously? Dude was in San Francisco. Frak la. Those people really are self-serving and ignorant to Star Trek lore. Stop putting your crappy town in the center of the story when it could never be, unless you do it logically. Should've at least used the Voyager timeline and brought back Sarah Silverman, since la is the target town in this episode. The problem with hollywood is they think Trekkies are idiots, but they keep pushing their fascist/socialist/communist/marksist political philosophy onto us. STOP! You will eventually lose everything. For your own sakes, hollywood, STOP, and, "Choose to live!"
Star Trek: Picard: Penance (2022)
A Question of Logic.
Why does Raffi not know Q if she was a star fleet officer? In the next episode she clearly knows. What bothers me most is the contradiction in Star Trek philosophy for the entire series so far. Why must there be profanity? Why must there be the constant damning of religious philosophy? This is not true Star Trek. This is hollywood ruining a secular philosophy that helped shape minds that would be more receptive to the idea of "EQUAL", the only word in the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence that is all caps. Star Trek is meant to be embraced by the children as much as it is adults. Now if this show is meant to desensitize the public, mainly the beliefs of old that protect kids from profanity and other egregious forms of failed logic to make it normal and acceptable, then we have a problem.
Boston Legal: Stick It (2006)
False Premises
It is always good to understand a word, premise in this case, pun intended. Premise is evidence to validate an argument. It is simple. This show revolves around an establishment that is predicated on logic. What I find hilarious, or upsetting, is when folks decide to use an intermediate conclusion in the argument. This episode goes at the wmd topic for the Hughes case. Trying to say there was a lie perpetrated by the government about the reasons for going to war in Iraq is a problem. Since I was there, and we found wmd, I dismissed this episode. The failed logic probably got the show canceled.
Stargate Universe (2009)
Ugh!
The problem with potentially good shows is script writing from Vancouver/Hollywood. The next problem is logic, or maybe that should be first, since there isn't any being used. No military personnel ever act in the way portrayed in the series, except for maybe a half percent of it. The military personnel are too young for the rank they have. Here's an example. Why didn't the Greer character fire a couple rounds off when left for dead as he ran to the gate? If the response to that is elite military personnel, then that makes the script for them even worse. Failed logic in so many ways cannot explain the lack of research. No wonder the show lasted only 2 seasons. There is too much drama within the subplots. The whining math boy was terrible. There was too much moaning and groaning from, EVERYONE. Haha. I would reconsider hiring anyone associated with this disaster for one important reason. The logic fails miserably when you examine the personnel involved, and where they end up. NOBODY is EVER chosen for a mission that puts them in a situation away from the home planet without amenities of comfort, and then allowed to complain and want to go home, especially scientists exploring and military personnel. The characters, and I mean 99% of them, are spineless and lack logic skills to make proper decisions.
The Closer: Manhunt (2007)
For Laura
I am all about sat imagery. Perry's Cafe & Beach Rentals, CA is what you want to put into the map search. Definitely Torrance Beach. I did the same thing using the stacks at the water reclamation plant. It's difficult with how the cameras work because backgrounds always seem close. Now to the point. I enjoy a show that is based out of the LA area because that is where most of the major studios are located. It's easy to shoot scenes on location when they are so close. Gives it better authenticity. Of course, I am not from LA and having been there quite few times, I still wouldn't be able to say, that ain't place or something to that effect. I do enjoy looking for the places and ask a friend of mine. She always says, whenever you came this time or that, we went near there, or that place we ate at here is just down the block. Either way, LA and the whole basin is interesting and the melting pot of the west coast. Not sure why folks dog the place out when there is such a rich and diverse culture. Great food, America, more good folks and good food than the opposite. Good episode, Manhunt.
Forbrydelsen (2007)
Over the top acting, a smidge.
It might not be the acting as much as the script. Too much insubordination by the new detective. The relationship between the two detectives reaches a point you won't see until they've partnered for a longer time. Let the character development happen over time. It's easy to see it would evolve to this, but you can't let cliché speed the process. Ugh. Other than that, it was obvious to know who the killer was in the first episode. Still, I enjoy Scandi crime dramas. It's an automatic 5+. The Lund detective is quietly strong. I'm only in S1:E3 and the actor is doing a fine job. Casting chose a good one. She pulls it off rather well.
Stargate Origins: Catherine (2018)
Pfft
Nothing against the actors. The folks behind this flop ruined a decent movie and television franchise. The era in which this movie takes place did not have simpering fools like the two youngsters hanging around the female lead. This was catering to what the creators thought was good for a certain demographic. Just pathetic. Another group of people have had their works blacklisted in my book. I enjoy having freedom of choice, however, the idiot with black eyes might change the price of a ticket to $100. That's Socialism for you. I will be surprised if this type film would be allowed for viewing when the new Nazis get what they want off the hill. That's if they survive the next vote.
Snowpiercer (2020)
Mythical Show.
When the plot is based upon the mythical belief global warming causes this catastrophe, then add in a potential situation with perpetual train travel, give Hollywood credit for introducing humor for the science geeks. Intermediate conclusions as premises send this story spiraling downward and out of control. It cannot recover or it would be as silly as bringing back Victoria Principal/Pam Ewing on Dallas. The constant bombardment of clichés is laughable as always, and to make certain societal issues more of the norm against inherent reality is boring and an insult. This problem is just to dumb down the masses while trying to entertain them. Fortunately, there aren't enough viewers at a 1.2mil average, which is one-third of one percent of the population. Why is this show still around? Logic is lost in it. ><
Reacher (2022)
Finally, we have a correct height representation.
We finally have an actor closer to the height Reacher is in the novels. A couple inches is okay, instead of a foot, like that 'Maverick' kid is. I am only two minutes into the second episode, but I am giving it high marks first because of that. The only problem is the greediness of Hollywood, AGAIN. There are only eight episodes. This is hardly enough to be worthy of anything above a seven.
Atlantis (2013)
Needed to finish it.
Mark Addy is the anchor, and Aiysha Hart seemed to be kicking off her career in this. Her look, without words, actually made several scenes work. Some of the cameos by a few were nice, but the scripts weren't all that good. Donnelly seemed to overact with his perceived accent. His character and lines were very predictable, regardless of knowing the story beforehand. Both Oracles (Stevenson and Taylor-Joy) were believable, and pretty decent on the high end. Bones, Pickup, and Hannah (King Aeson) did quite well with what they were given. Rooper was a good Medusa, and did well with what she had. Could've taken on more to develop a separate arc with much to chew on in the way of building that myth behind her life. More often than not it felt like one of those shows, or movies, when the plot revolves around Hollywood or BBC making a movie or show in the script. The protagonist could've been Slade McDragonhood, or to that end, playing some hero named Guelph Thunderstorm. And of course they had to interject the alphabet crowd (theater bigotry is getting out of hand) into it and ruin Pythagoras. He was married and had 4 kids. No problem to do the letters crowd (nobody that is truly and righteously philosophical, cares. Philosophers NEVER JUDGE), but keep the metaphors away from the mythical Icarus (DEAD as a child) and the renowned philosopher. The parody in that was terrible and an insult to my letters community. Could've cleaned up most of the loose ends with Medea (Amy Manson, co-anchor) and introducing the Argo in some 90-100 minute finale. There was no way they could get anyone to agree to another season by hanging it on a cliff that had iffy scripts and a mediocre actor for the protagonist.
The Expanse (2015)
Great philosophical show.
The show is great at addressing real issues from a philosophical point of view. There is one problem. Nowadays it seems like it's okay to give an average of 6 to 8 episodes per season. That is is unacceptable. Folks should work harder. If the idea to provide entertainment for the leisure life aspect of humanity stops after 6 episodes, then we are going nowhere by teaching folks it's okay not to work hard. The court jester should be working a tad harder. ;)
Missionary Man (2007)
Reminder of our history.
Good sub-plot about Native American People and what's been taken from them. Pale Rider for sure going here. Nice iron horse symbology for the contemporary western vibe. Nice lighting for the film without too much flash and dazzle. Focus remains on the story and the stoicism of Dolph. He will always be an iconic mainstay and has his own particular corner of the genre. "Never forget" is part of the truth told in the sub-plot. Bring back indigenous language and recognition of a hard past and maybe we can start to heal humanity. This movie touches that with the continuing argument against corruption. It gets a high mark from me because of it. The entertainment value is there for anyone who appreciates how we portray life in the zeitgeist of this era of filmmaking.
Enhanced (2019)
Decent.
Let the humanity out, and quit smothering it with cliches. Inject reality into the script next time. Good fight scenes. Some lines add something new to an existing, and growing, genre. Who knows. Somebody may get it right. Never did like it when full power enhancements turn someone into their remains in an instant, but the star somehow is able to resist it. NOBODY EVER PAUSES TO LOOK AT ANYONE ELSE WHEN A ROUND DOESN'T END A PERSON. EMPTY THE MAG. END THE BAD GUY. THE SUPPOSED ROUNDS IN THAT RIFLE WILL SEVER THE HEAD. END OF PERSON.
Educating Rita (1983)
Rita before Molly
I saw this when it hit HBO, or something, after it was on the big screen. Either way, Dame Julie Walters hadn't got the title yet, and I was in high school. The story made sense to me because I chose the military. I couldn't afford college. I'm still working class, and didn't make a difference that it was a female pushing herself to get a higher education. We are all deserving of knowledge. The movie hammers two points well, especially with great acting. Mr. Caine was already established. Thirty years later when I see the Harry Potter series, Ms. Walters is icing on the cake, but she will always be Rita, first.
Quincy (2018)
Mr. Jones
I've yet to watch this, but I know it should be amazing. My brother told me that Quincy Jones and Henry Mancini were the only two people he knew that could put out a melody at the drop of a hat. Mr. Jones' legacy will be some of the best tunes we can hum along with and sing to, and more. He has been a major contributor to the soundtrack of my life. I very much hope to see that his daughter, Rashida, is able to carry the venerable family name, Jones, forward. From a historical perspective in the area of theatrical arts, we couldn't be more proud of what Quincy Jones has given us. Would be nice to see Rashida get the opportunity to stretch her talents and show us more of those untapped gifts.
Wildfire (2005)
What?!
I liked it because Dennis Weaver was in it and Nana Visitor. I didn't know anyone else. A bit over the top with the same dribble, from the same teenage drama plot lines. But I like horses. The Cortese girl seemed fresh and new as a character. What's with teenagers being able to make adult decisions about horses and the business of running a stable. That was a stretch. Sports agent with the teenage jockey? Nope. It seems all these shows have to have a bar, that headlines a band, that actually exists, just so they can sell more albums. Who started that, Smallville or Charmed, or some other show? Probably further back. Wouldn't be surprised if it was WB. I'm actually watching to see when one of the ism's showed up. At least one has. Waiting for more. Pathetic to see it, but that's what we get with H'wood. I'm looking for how many shows that continually try to divide us. That's H'wood as well. The show could've done better had they drawn out the character development, stayed focused on Wildfire, Matt learning trainer skills from Pablo and Henry, and then see how the colt or filly foal from Belladonna turned out. Maybe they would've called it Bellafire. If "I" can guess the lines in the show, finish the sentence that is, yikes. There are too many negative storylines and not enough positives. I like the connection depicted in the main theme between girl and horse, and that she was rescued, and she rescues the horse. Anyway, I watch because it is theatrical history, which is history nonetheless. What made folks happy in their leisure time?
Downton Abbey (2010)
Historically Significant!
History is filled with dramatic accounts of the human condition, no matter if it is written or played out on stage or screen. I have only just begun S2:E7, and at over a century old, I have never been this impressed by any period piece of work before. The depth is staggering, bravo!