dreamaninsomniac Reviews

The Leftovers: No Room at the Inn (2015) Season 2, Episode 5

What a waste of time & lazy writing

[2/10 · 31 January 2023]

I am officially out. This show had some intriguing ideas but this episode is the final straw. Just like the worst parts of 'Lost' where the writers just threw everything at the story board, the same mistakes are made here. Jamison isn't making some great sacrifice, he's making idiotic decisions to uphold his sanctimonious and deliusional self-image. Mary is his responsibility and he dumps her on his sister who already has a newborn look after and runs away. It's no great sacrifice, it's idiocy.

I'd heard so much praise for this show and I must say beyond some parts S1, it's not worth your time

All in all this show is ludicrous & nowhere near as clever as it thinks it is.

Inventing Anna: Two Birds, One Throne (2022) Season 1, Episode 3

3 episodes & I'm still bored

[5/10 · 17 May 2022]

This is going nowhere and is so poorly written. Slow pace, no plot whatsoever. And having now read about the real Anna Sorokin, the story is even less interesting. Expected so much from a Shondaland show.

Do yourself a favour and don't bother with this show.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Meh

[6/10 · 17 April 2022]

I was really excited to see this movie, I'd heard good things.

Sadly, it is poorly written, very disjointed, not cohesive and a rehash of the original Ghostbusters film. It's not funny. The best thing is McKenna Grace and return of the Ghostbusters. I normally enjoy Jason Reitman's films but I feel he was out of his depth hereot there was too much studio interference. Ghostbusters (2016) had it's faults but at least it was a laugh and tried to do something different. I say don't bother and just rewatch Ghostbusters (1984).

The Sinner: Part IV (2020) Season 3, Episode 4

I give up. Bad writing. Waste of a good cast.

[3/10 · 17 February 2021]

I really wanted to enjoy Season 3 but the writing is abysmal. Repetitive and not engaging at all. Just meandering. Complete waste of a very talented cast. Huge disappointment. I gave it until episode 4 but I couldn't finish that episode, it was so boring and tedious.

Hollywood (2020)

Such a bad, muddle mess. Opportunity squandered.

[3/10 · 17 February 2021]

I enjoy most of Ryan Murphy's productions. I also enjoy his revisionist fantasies. That's not the problem here, the problem is it is so poorly written. I have no idea what the premise is supposed to be. It is so muddled and the protagonanists are difficult to sympathise or relate to. I have up halfway through episode 4. I only made it ep 4 bcos I'd read Harriet Harris was appearing in that episode.

Love Life: Luke Ducharme (2020) Season 1, Episode 5

Honest portrayal of teenage trauma

[8/10 · 12 October 2020]

This is the most honest depiction of teen trauma, the heartache of first crush/kiss, the lies we tell to feel accepted or get some much needed love and attention to fill the void left by parental neglect. Really brilliantly written and portrayed by the young actors.

'Built on the carefully constructed fantasy that Getting married would prove once and for all that she was loveable' So many adults believe this fallacy, it's truly sad. Great episode! Don't listen to the haters, judge for yourself.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Absolute joy!

[8/10 · 18 August 2020]

It's just what the world needs during the Covid-19 pandemic. A movie that brings belly laughs, heart-warming moments, endearing characters and how Eurovision transcends countries, is a joyful human experience. The cast a fantastic. All are sweet and lovely. Dan Stevens steals the show!

Westworld: Crisis Theory (2020) Season 3, Episode 8

I choose to see the beauty of Westworld

[9/10 · 11 May 2020]

The evolution of all the characters in Westworld is one of the strongest and commendable aspects of the series. Many are complaining it is no longer the show season 1 was; yes this is true but is also why the series so refreshing. Instead treading old ground by being stuck in the park, Westworld has braved the world beyond. Stop being so narrow-minded and embrace the journey set forth by this season.

Evan Rachel Wood deserves all the awards for her performance in S3. Dolores' journey this season has been tantalising, leaving us guessing what moves she'd make next and the twist in the end was great pay-off. The post-credit scenes are stunning.

Widows (2018)

Should be called 'Plot holes'

[3/10 · 12 January 2020]

I had high expectations for this film but it was disappointing. The story dragged throughout with no real pay off. Motivations were muddled. No cohesion. Why did we not see Victoria pay $2 million to Manning when that was her whole motivation for the heist?? The ending was twee and amateur.

Jackie (V) (2016)

Awful

[1/10 · 15 November 2019]

Poor, laxy writing. Terrible acting and direction. Save your money and time.

Ready or Not (I) (2019)

Fun, campy horror like Cabin in the Woods

[7/10 · 8 October 2019]

Switch your brain off and enjoy the rollercoaster ride that is this movie. The cast are super fun and good calibre. It is campy, obvious but hilarious from start to finish. We giggled all the way through. It was like Revenge the TV show meets Get Out meets Dead Man on Campus with a sprinkle of The OC.

The Losers (I) (2010)

Jason Patric can't act & other issues

[2/10 · 30 May 2019]

Switch your brain off and you might enjoy this. It doesn't surprise me that Peter Berg wrote the script it's so gung-ho, mindless and just poorly written. I love a good action movie but alas this is not it. Highlights are Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Chris Evans.

An Open Secret (I) (2014)

More people need to watch this documentary

[10/10 · 12 March 2019]

This documentary focuses on how deeply entrenched the paedophiles at various levels in Hollywood are. And how Hollywood protects them all. How children have been exploited and abused for decades. How the law is so lax in Low Angeles there no welfare protection for child actors. The law favours the studios to whatever they like. Why are we letting children be abused sex slaves all at the expense our need for entertainment. A movement needs to be mobilise with #MeToo specifically to protect children from exploitation, abuse, suffering and a lifetime of psychological and physical scars.

The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)

Overated with so much potential

[7/10 · 1 March 2019]

I'm not surprised to find out that the stories from six comic book issues were stretched across these 10 episodes. That explains why the characterisation of the majority of the characters is very thin. Why the plot is slow and boring at times. I love quirky stories and their homage to Wes Anderson and Quentin Tarantino is noticeable without any of their artistic flair. Not that the set pieces aren't impressive, it's just all window dressing with very little depth or dedication to a coherent through line. You're left with buckets of cliches masquerading in a weak attempt to be subversive. The character of Five is outstanding. Klaus also steals the show. But how can you cast the Queen Mary J. Blige and make her character so bland? I'm a fan of Ellen Page but I feel the script and characterisation (or lack thereof) makes her performance one-note and irritating. Allison was probably one of the few fleshed out characters and the actress was great. You could watch the first two and the last two episodes and that would be a better use of your time. If you want to see quirky comic l-inspired characters executed perfectly with depth and nuance watch Legion and even Fargo, as Noah Hawley is the master.

Titans (I) (2018–2023)

Surprisingly great!

[8/10 · 28 February 2019]

I had low expectations for this, as a life-long DC fan I've had my fingers burnt. I'm a huge fan of the Berlantiverse but even those shows are losing steam. Titans is completely different, it's much grittier, free of the constrains of TV broadcast and incredibly badass. The cast are outstanding. The individual character vignettes in various episode provides the depth needed in an ensemble show like this. It's a slow burn at first but when you get midway the show turns up to 11 and will blow your mind. As will all Berlantiverse the stunts and fights are awe-inspiring. The writing is tight and the direction is cinematic. I'm so surprised and pleased. Episode 11 is for every DC fan out there! 😍