dashwilson-40000 Reviews

American Beauty (1999)

A timeless masterpiece.

[10/10 · 12 October 2023]

Please don't listen to anyone who tries to discredit this film because of Kevin Spacey. He is an actor and American Beauty is a perfect example of his brilliance at the craft.

Now to the film. I remember watching this in 1999 when I was 16 years old and it left a mark few films ever have. It had depth and nuance and is about everything and nothing all at the same time.

The screenplay, direction, acting, cinematography and music are to me, perfect (it won 5 Oscar's for a reason). This film gets under under your skin because it's a remind of what it is to be human, to be lost, to be seen, to be heard. And to be real. Utterly sublime.

Look closer.

The Truman Show (1998)

25 years on its even more brilliant than in 1998

[10/10 · 11 August 2023]

Truly a masterpiece.

Layered, deep, meaningful and honest.

Foreshadowed social media commentary and societies fakeness in nearly every way. One of the best screenplays of all time.

25 years on it's a little dated but truly this was the first film to say it all about society, life and where Americanism and the western world is ultimately headed.

Performances don't miss, amazing score and one of the best endings of a film in history. This film is special because it made a philosophical and science fiction setup accessible to everyone.

"We accept the reality in which we are given".

A modern classic.

The Other Two: Cary & Brooke Go to an AIDS Play (2023) Season 3, Episode 5

Absolutely hillarious.

[9/10 · 3 July 2023]

This show has really built each season. Season 3 is brilliant. Sadly most of the humour in this show is lost on the masses (coz they are simpletons lol) but it's so well done. The writing is Emmy worthy, smart as and great fun.

The scene with the Romeo and Juliet made me gag with laughter. This show is like a mix of Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock and Hacks but really it's like no other. The only thing I'd change is that Molly Shannon just isn't in it enough anymore.

Sad that this show is ending and that it's been slept on. This definitely is one of the best episodes of the series. Please god watch it and spread the word!

Scream VI (2023)

Solid af

[7/10 · 16 March 2023]

6 movies in and im still not bored. Better than 4, not as smart as 5, but better kills and refreshing new setting.

Tbh nothing that original here but super well done, including the opening scene. Kind of a combination of scream 2, 3 & 4 but definitely better than 3 & 4.

I hope they end this soon at 7 or 8 or change direction entirely but if you are a fan of this series then you will love this.

Lead actress is also much better in this than she was in 5. Cox is good but barely in it. Only major flaw is it's too long and it's not exactly super original - but really these days nothing is!

Enjoy!

The White Lotus: Bull Elephants (2022) Season 2, Episode 3

Ok, now it's getting somewhere

[9/10 · 17 November 2022]

The first season of this show was a get under your skin masterpiece.

This season was seemingly a bit flashier, higher production, not as biting and just not as good.

This episode however was brilliant. Sets the scene for the last 3 eps, it's slowly taking the mask of some of these very interesting characters.

Honestly this is the best written show on television- very few things can say so much about society and mainly though every day dialogue. Mike White is a genius and he has finally found a show that shows it off.

Is this as good as season 1 - only time will tell. This episode will absolutely hook you in (if it hasn't already).

The Handmaid's Tale: No Man's Land (2022) Season 5, Episode 7

Sublime.

[10/10 · 26 October 2022]

Say what you want about this show but that episode I just watched is brilliant tv. This is SUCH a step up from season 4. Anyone who says otherwise isn't watching the same thing.

Poetic, beautiful, complex, real. And talk about acting. If this season is eligible for Emmy's, this should be the submission for Yvonne and Elisabeth. For a show 5 and a half seasons in to produce this after many have given up watching says ALOT about the last 13 ish episodes left of the whole thing.

It may not be as good as season 1 and 2 but honestly name a more complex and interesting tv series about issues that affect us all.

Exception television.

The Handmaid's Tale: Border (2022) Season 5, Episode 3

Good ep!

[8/10 · 5 October 2022]

This is another solid ep for this season. It's a game of chess - all the pieces are being lined up for the final battle next season.

Yes it's 'slow' and it's not nearly as good as season 1-3 but it's way better than 4 - it's actually saying something.

If the writers are smart and focused this show can end on a high. Suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. The politics in this show are actually arguably its best part.

Serena is great to watch this season too after a lacklustre 4th. Very glad this show is ending but this season is intriguing again. Bradley Whitford is also a standout again this year.

Let's hope they get the next few eps right. Praise be.

Monster (2022– )

Could have been a masterpiece

[8/10 · 5 October 2022]

It's brilliant in so many ways. Peter's and his father are particular acting standouts.

I hate to say it but this is 2 different shows. The first 6 eps are some of the best television I've seen in years. Dark, brutal and in many ways real. Episode 6 on its own is a masterpiece - watch it.

Ep 7-10 is a overcooked, netflix central trying to give to much emotion, focusing on side characters when they audience get it and doesn't need to be told how other people feel. That part is obvious. It would have had much more impact 2-3 eps less.

Less is more. But other than this, it's a deeply impressive series.

Monster: Silenced (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

Stunning.

[9/10 · 2 October 2022]

One of the best episodes of television I've ever seen. The scene in the diner literally made me weep. Yes it's semi humanising a killer but it's also showing that everyone has a soul - even for just moments and deep down people just want to be understood.

Brilliantly directed episode too. To me the series could have ended at this point. I think 6 eps would have been enough - let the audiences minds do the rest. Peters deserves an Emmy nom for this ep alone. This episode wasn't about Dahmer. It was about being human, about being different, and about being alive.

Watch this show, it's got something.

Scream (I) (2022)

Better than the 4th.

[7/10 · 1 October 2022]

Look this isn't a great movie. Lead performance is weak (she is no Neve). What makes it good is the nostalgia and the script - both are excellent and not over done. Super self aware like the first 3 films. The music is also great.

There isn't enough scares. Plenty of kills, some surprises and some great nods to the original (and best film by a long way). Opening scene was also a let down; I simply don't care about most of these people - that's what made the original standown - we actually cared.

Whilst this should be the last Scream movie - it certainly won't be. If only box office dollars didn't trump creative license.

A decent reboot but far from a classic.

And Just Like That... (2021– )

Original is a masterpiece, this is not.

[4/10 · 23 September 2022]

There are so many thing that could be said here. How on earth have the creators of the original, a show that is considered a classic for a reason botched this reboot so much? Did they even watch the original series they helped create?

Look, there are elements of IJLT that have potential. SJP is decent and her character is interesting -ish. Miranda the best character of SATC has been ruined in this. Drop Che, bring back her soul (cinicism, reality and the friend everyone wants). Bring back hope about love and life and friendship. Bring back the damn narration. Bring back up the less rich friends, the realness 1 It's so important to this show. The soul of it is missing.

I had hope for this I really did. Maybe like SATC season 1 will be the 'worst' as honestly, it can't get much worse than this reboot.

Do better.

The Handmaid's Tale: Morning (2022) Season 5, Episode 1

User reviews don't do this justice

[9/10 · 21 September 2022]

Exceptional episode.

Poetic, moving and honest. Not a lot of action but it isn't needed. It's setting up the entire season. It reminded me of season 1-3 (4 was a considerable misfire for me). Yes there is the obvious continuity issue that we have been aware of since season 3 (that she would have been put on the wall long ago) but this ep gives me hope that the show is back to its better days.

It's the best ep Moss has directed so far. If they focus this season - it has huge potential now that we know that it will wrap up in 6. I think if you suspend a bit of belief and just enjoy the ride, then this show is still of the best that there is.

Ozark (2017–2022)

One of the best tv shows of the last 20 years

[9/10 · 20 November 2021]

Bateman is a revelation (particularly as a director). It is riveting, amazingly acted and gets better with every season.

Dark, funny, poignant and tense. Yes it's Breaking Bad lite in some ways, but it other ways it's better (and easier to watch tbh). For a Netflix produced show it is honestly brilliant. Linney should also have won the Emmy for season 3.

Do yourself a favour and watch it!

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

WATCH THIS SHOW

[9/10 · 8 October 2021]

One of if not the best new show of 2021. Brilliant, subtle and dark satire about life and white privilege.

Seriously, after a few episodes I wasn't quite sure of the point of the show but it gets under your skin and stays there. I've watched it twice in 2 months. It's adult, and it's brilliant. Watch it!

Offspring (2010–2017)

Season 1-5 is some of the best Australian TV ever made.

[9/10 · 6 October 2020]

Watch season 1-5 (at least). It's sublime in so many ways. The Patrick and Nina storyline hit a chord with the public for a reason. Brilliant and real (and on Netflix). Watch it!