Change Your Image
joe_mama101
Reviews
The Last of Us (2023)
Solid first season held back by major pacing issues
This is a show of two halves in my opinion. Episodes 1-5 were very nearly flawless and sent a message that at its best, this show can be something incredible. Even the "weak" episode 4 was necessary and allowed episode 5 to be emotionally deep and have some incredible payoffs. I still believe the pilot is one of the best pilots I have seen and the Bill and Frank episode is why I love television as a storytelling medium.
Ep 1-5 Rating: 9.5/10
Unfortunately this show sort of loses its identity midway through the season and we finish with a mad dash to the finish line. Episode 6 was actually really solid and was probably the best of the back half of the season. It provided emotional depth to the characters and I liked its placement right after the action packed episode 5. I appreciate what was attempted with episode 7, but after the standard set in episode 3, it fell short. It didn't really aid the plot nor did it contribute to the theme of the story it was kind of just there to try and make us sad. Episodes 8 and 9 were both intense and action packed but there was no build up and while I thought both the restaurant and hospital scenes were cool, I didn't really feel anything in them. In my opinion, episode 7 should have established the cult while including the left behind part as a single 20 minute max sequence at the beginning of the episode. Episode 8 could have largely stayed the same but the payoff would have felt mire rewarding. Episode 9 is pretty inexcusable in my opinion. A 40 minute finale? That is half the length of the pilot which is ridiculous. I guess they ran out of budget or they were just too impatient to tell the story. Similar to Episode 8, the finale was cool, but I felt nothing. I'm not complaining about Joel killing all those people as some people have, the show never established him as a good guy, but the scene was just so rushed and hand held.
Ep 6-9 Rating: 5/10
Overall this was a strong season with some very high highs and some very low lows. Season 2 needs to be at least 10 episodes and they really need to establish a central villain/conflict in a way this season did not. I think that will happen, considering what I've heard about the game. Looking forward to season 2.
Season Rating: 7.5/10
Side note, the make up artists are incredible for this show.
The Last of Us: When You're Lost in the Darkness (2023)
The best pilot I've watched since Fargo
As someone who has unfortunately not played the game (xbox gamer), I can't speak to any similarities and am strictly looking at this as a new viewer.
The opening act of this episode was perfect. It felt like the beginning to A Quiet Place 2, but in my opinion exceeded it and most other zombie movies (the exception being Train to Busan). The writers let the tension build over a substantial amount of screen time and the payoff felt like I was watching a movie. I also enjoyed the bait and switch of Sarah being the POV character in the first act. That takes guts as a writer to pull the rug out from under the viewer that early.
The rest of the episode is really good and does a good job table setting and introducing us to characters.
All in all this did not feel like a 90 minute episode and when it ended I wanted more. The first act is one of the greatest openings of television I have ever seen.
House of the Dragon: Driftmark (2022)
Great Episode but I Think the Writers are Scared
Warning: MAJOR SERIES SPOILERS
First off, I want to say that I really loved this episode. I think this one matches the tension of episode 5 and I think thats remarkable considering its only the second episode with the new characters. Aemond claiming Vhagar was the highlight of the episode for me, as it was so cool to see a dragon claimed in such an emotional manner. This episode once again allowed Ramin Djawadi to shine with an excellent score and the tension from start to finish was perfect.
I only really have two minor annoyances. First is the lighting, Daemons and Rhaenyra's beach scene was incredibly dark and thats probably due to Miguel Sapochnik directing.
Second and more concerning for me is the ending. I thought the ending was shaping up to be perfect, Rhaenyra killing Laenor would have made a lot of sense and would have encapsulated her desire for the crown. However, letting him live makes Rhaenyra look like a good person who was freeing Laenor from his troubles. This reinforces the writing of the first season that has largely been a black and white story in favor of Rhaenyra. My favorite part about the Dance was how evil both sides were and that you could make a case to root for either faction. But, the show seems intent on telling the story from Rhaenyra's POV and making her seem more so like the good person who's having everything taken from her. It concerns me how this will unravel with acts like Blood and Cheese and Rhaenyra calling for the death of Addam Velaryon, but I guess we will see. My other concern about the ending is that sense Laenor survived, it gives me fear that the writers may change other deaths, specifically Daemon's, later on.
Overall, the episode was great and I the concerns I have are just in their beginning stages and there is still plenty of time for the writers to silence those doubts.
Shingeki no Kyojin: From You, 2000 Years Ago (2022)
The Rumbling Has Come
It finally happened, and holy cow it was epic. It was nice to get a backstory for Ymir and I am intrigued to learn more about this spinal looking creature. We have reached the climax of this season and the future episodes are going to be incredible. Its also worth noting that the music this episode has been top notch.
Hawkeye (2021)
All over the place
I liked the premise of this show, a murder mystery set in a christmas background but after the first episode, everything unraveled.
First off, we had a different antagonist it seemed every episode. Jack and the tracksuit mafia were put to the side for maya, who was put to the side for yelena, who was put to the side for "the kingpin". This made the plot very hard to follow and it was hard to understand motives and attack yourself to a character.
My second criticism is with disney, who has diluted entertainment this year. It seems every marvel character has to be colorful and funny, which gets very old, very fast. This annoyance came to its peak in the final episode with the way kingpin was portrayed. First off, what the hell was he wearing?!? The daredevil version of kingpin is one of the most menacing and well written if not the best written marvel villain. Its a shame what was done to him in this show and if he is actually dead, that is pathetic.
I did like some aspects of the show, i thought the music was good and i thought some of the plot lines were interesting. I also enjoyed the chemistry between steinfeld and pugh.
Lots of people criticize marvel for following a generic formula. We need to specify that DISNEY marvel follows that formula. (Netflix marvel and deadpool are counterexamples) I think some viewers are tired of every character being the same in these shows.
Succession: All the Bells Say (2021)
This Season was not About the Kids
This was Tom's season. From his fear and depression of going to jail to playing his cards with Logan and his ultimate betrayal of Shiv that is incredible writing and character development. I am in shock.
Succession: Retired Janitors of Idaho (2021)
Karl is the CFO?!?!?
This was such a good episode. A really good look at the behind the scenes of a last second deal. Shiv, as usual, is in way over her head and this ones probably going to come back and bite her. Meanwhile, Kendall is becoming more and more detached from reality. It starts at the beginning of the episode where he tells the nanny to give the rabbit the bagel, ignoring the consequences. Roman seems to be the only child with a shot at becoming CEO, but it does not look good for any of them.
Also, why was I not aware Karl was CFO? Thought he was like a glorified bodyguard or something.
Succession: Lion in the Meadow (2021)
Transition Episode
This episode serves as a prelude towards the upcoming shareholder meeting. The island interaction with logan kendall and josh was good, but josh just isn't that interesting of a character in my opinion to make it great. Overall, I think it was a very good episode that sets the stage perfectly for the next one.
Side note: I believe that we may see tom kill himself this season. He is mentally off the rails right now and has absolutely no one in his corner.
Game of Thrones (2011)
The Greatest
Even with the ending, this remains a must watch. The complex character sagas, beautiful shots, rich plot, and awesome music are incomparable in modern television. While I do not believe this is the best show ever, I can comfortably say its the greatest as there is nothing on this scale out.
Only Murders in the Building (2021)
Good Fun
A very predictable show with some mediocre moments yet very enjoyable to watch. I didnt find any episode boring and the quirky soundtrack added to the aura to the show. All in all a basic, but very enjoyable show, one to watch with the family.
Dune (2021)
An Incredible Spectacle
This could very well be the greatest combination of visuals and sound that I have ever seen on a big screen. Villenueves perfect shots and Zimmers unique soundtrack provide one of the most immersive experiences in film history. A lot of criticism seems to stem from the movies lack of story. I disagree, there is a story here, very similar to the first LOTR movie, and while there is no resolution, this movie sets the stage perfectly for whats to come. If WB decides a sequel is in order, we could be looking at a generational movie franchise.
What We Do in the Shadows: A Farewell (2021)
The Brilliance of Taika Waititi
Yes, I believe this is the funniest show on television, and yes I believe this episode takes a huge risk, but I think it is a good one. Waititi is known for having a vast emotional spectrum in his projects and this is no different. What we do in the Shadows has never been a basic comedy. The call backs to previous episodes and a slow build of a main plot through a bunch of side plots are one of the things I like about this show. Each episode is unique and each episode contributes to a bigger plot. While this episode had an emotional ending, I am curious to see what direction this takes us.