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mpcurrivan
Reviews
Loudermilk (2017)
So much promise; so little follow-through
The first two seasons ( well, first season plus start of second season) were outstanding. Three or four main characters who were well developed, fascinating to watch, and the writing was top notch. Plots were unpredictable and hilarious.
However- and it's a huge however- when the supporting cast ( members of Loudermilk's recovery group) started getting their own plot lines, everything went to sh&t fast; really fast. 5 or 6 characters got more than one shot at carrying the show, and with the exception of Brian Regan's Mugsy ( whose character barely reached "above average" status), all failed miserably. There were throwaway and nonsensical plots that made me think the scripts were taken over by AI. Such a rapid demise for a show with such great promise.
Betrayal: The Perfect Husband (2023)
Is my watch broken?
I have been watching for 31 minutes, and it seriously feels like 2 hours. NOTHING of interest has happened, yet I'm expected to watch an entire season of this? Did Jerry Seinfeld secretly produce this 'documentary about nothing?'
Here's what I've gathered so far: There are 2 people being filmed recreating a podcast, and there is drone footage of a college campus and a prison. There has been no mention of conflict, crime, or suspicious behavior of any kind; only ad nauseum ( sp?) repitition of what a great guy hubby seemed like, and how magical the relationship appeared.
Maybe it gets better, but I will never know. This production is way too slow getting out of the gate, and there are so many better things for us all to do.
American Gladiators Fitness (2013)
Made it through 2 episodes
Nice journey down Memory Lane ( oh, those early 90s when we all turned a blind eye to steroids). Giving this a try, I was happy with the production quality and the pacing but ( Disclaimer: I only watched 2 episodes) I found myself asking' ' Why?'
I'm intrigued by the ' Where are they now" genre, but am satisfied after 45 minutes to an hour....
Perhaps I didn't hang around long enough to hear any blockbusters revealed, but truth be told, I couldn't find anyone or anything compelling enough to warrant further watching.
It was like a high school reunion; good to see everyone is doing well ( again, only saw two episodes), but 2 hours was enough, and I truly wish you all well, but I've got my own stuff to deal with.
The Office (2001)
Simply Outstanding
Psychologists should use this series as a study of human personality traits. Characters are so well developed ( warts and all), with vastly different life goals among employees working within 15 feet of each other. David Brent is the epitome of the 'Peter Principle'- someone who has deservedly risen to his present position, but will clearly go no further. The genius in the writing is that, for as much as we know this guy is a buffoon of a boss and socially inept, Rickie Gervais conveys just enough glimmer of hope in David Brent, that we both cringe at his actions, yet still emphasize enough to give him one more chance.
Accepting that promotion to Regional Manager was the worst choice David Brent ever made. Poor guy is in so far over his head, and he's the only one who doesn't recognize it.
Grand Jeté (2022)
People I would otherwise never meet
As a kid watching 'Siskel and Ebert at the Movies',
I loved Roger Eberts description that movies take you to places you've never been and introduce you to people and lives you'll never encounter.
This movie fits that description freakishly well.
While it's a very watchable film, the characters come across as the last 3 survivors on earth ( there are NO supporting characters) and while fascinating to watch, their personalities fail to elicit any sympathy. I didn't like the characters; I didn't dislike the characters; but I was still too far removed to develop any empathy for anyone.
And for a movie set in Berlin, I expected at least some scenes of architecture, culture, etc, but alas, whereas I met characters I normally wouldn't meet, I never felt that I was traveling anywhere outside of 3-4 studio sets that could have been filmed anywhere.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Most Annoying Protagonist Ever
What am I missing here? Is it illegal to say that this movie was bad? I get that Wes Anderson attracts A-list actors and has a quirky directorial style. I agree that stills from his movies ( reluctant to call them films) are beautifully shot and perfectly centered/balanced, but nobody in the movie rises above their marquee name to convince us that they are the character they are portraying.
I watched well-known actors read lines in a story I didn't care about, while everyone else seems to think it was high art. My bad? Maybe, but I don't think so. Is it wrong to hope that the lead character gets hit by a bus? If so, my apologies.
The Penthouse (2021)
Empty Coffee Cups at (approx) 1 hr 7 min mark.
There are dozens of examples to explain why this is such a bad production, but my favorite is at the (approx) 1hr 7 min mark when two women are meeting over coffee, and the coffee cups are SO obviously empty, that I wondered whether this whole movie was meant to be a farce; because the women continue to drink their Starbucks in cups that are increasingly filmed from angles that show how empty they are. Was this sabotage or an inside joke by the film crew? Don't actors speak up when they must know that an element of their scene is inane? Was this movie so poorly done on purpose?
Any investor who lost money on this project has no one to blame but themselves. I am grateful that I waited long enough so I didn't have to purchase it on streaming......still a waste of my precious time, but at least I still have enough money for coffee tomorrow.
'Breaker' Morant (1980)
"War is normal men in abnormal situations"
Fantastic, but overall disheartening, film in which long term political aims are worth more than the lives of those soldiers fighting on the ground. Also addresses the age-old question of it/when "I was just following orders" might be a valid defense.
So many participants had the opportunity to stand up and do the right thing, yet they bury their personal complicities in the name of self- preservation. Beautifully filmed, extremely well acted. One of my 5 favorite films of all time.
Scenery is spectacular, and story is enough to make you want to further research the Boer War.
As a history teacher, I appreciate any quality movie like this.
Vengeance (2022)
YES. Read no reviews& watch no trailers. Thank me later. It's good.
Very much above average " fish out of water" story where stereotypes are presented, then just as quickly smashed. Clever, intelligent writing, realistic characters, accurate assessment/skewering(?) of social media artificiality among today's generation, as well as a clear snapshot of American politics today, but with the hopeful message that immediate family is still the bedrock that is our last hope of holding everything together.
Bottom line: clever premise, well presented, funny, on-point, yet still a murder mystery.
(Just to fulfill my word requirement): The only show I've ever seen where Ashton Kutcher showed promise as an actor. I groaned when I saw his name in opening credits, but must now tip my cap to him. Well done, sir.
White Bird in a Blizzard (2014)
Sound track is cool, however...
... everything else is bad. How can an in-demand actor/actress ( Eva G. & Christopher M.) NOT realize that they involved in a dud, and agree to play supporting roles to a lead who cannot carry a show, and to other cast members doing their best impressions of mediocre high school drama club acting? Movie went from ' disappointing ' to ''unfathomably bad' fairly quickly. Trust me; skip it.
The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)
OK "film" if it were made by a high schooler
Once the idea that these actors reminded me of Driver Ed films of the late 70s came into my head, I couldn't take anything seriously. Maybe they all went to the same acting school!
The opening aerial shots of upstate New York in the Fall are beautiful, though.
The Neon Demon (2016)
Miami Vice style but without the story.
Another LA movie that makes LA look like it is populated by 10 citizens.
Stylish, some big names, but not very good.
Character background, character motivation, character arc, giving the audience a reason to root for a character? Is this no longer taught in film schools?
Sushi Girl (2012)
Wannabe David Mamet flick that misses the mark
Note: I only lasted 45 minutes...wasn't put off by language or violence, no, I couldn't take it because it is simply not good. Plays like a stage production in which each ( very 1 dimensional) character explains himself fully, nobody talks over anyone else, the core issue is rehashed continuously, and (biggest turn-off), no character is at all interesting or worth caring about.
Perhaps the second half of the movie blossomed into something spectacular, and it's my loss that I missed it. But, somehow, I know that is highly unlikely.
Perfect Bid: The Contestant Who Knew Too Much (2017)
No Scandal. No Bad Guy. But an OK watch.
Other streaming services would have dragged this out for 2-3 episodes, which is unnecessary. Thankfully, we're presented with a 1 shot production that is more fascinating in showing the reality of a "live" game show (with an audience of less than 200) that airs to tens of thousands and comes across as a nationally known & important institution. Bottom line: there is no scandal, there is no fraud. It's actually kind of interesting to see the small audience regulars wrest control of a major network show that only intended to use them as background props and window dressing.
Fresh (2022)
What if you made a movie, and none of the characters were worth caring about?
The first 40 minutes showed slight potential. Acting, lighting, story were strong, but film quickly morphed into a combo CSI:SVU /Lifetime production. Kudos to set decorator who created a cool hostage house, but as a viewer, I had no vested interest in the outcome of the story, or the fate of the characters.