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Hazbin Hotel (2019– )
10/10
Provocative, fun, and endearing
27 January 2024
This raunchy and profane series explores themes of redemption, salvation, and virtue in a stylistically unique fashion with great musical numbers and distinctive animation. It's been a trip seeing this go from a YouTube pilot roughly five years ago to a popular Prime series that stands out for its original concept and exceptional talent. While a standout series just for its cast of Broadway talent alone, the question over whether fallen souls can be redeemed and who is truly virtuous - a dreaming and supportive Princess of Hell or pious angels bent on the violent purging of sinners - is sure to spur many meaningful and introspective discussions among viewers. This series has heart, evident in how the main characters relate to each other and their aspirations. Vivienne Medrano's distinctive character designs and world-building is - to quote Alastor the Radio Demin- "the sugar on the cream." Can't wait for the second season!
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Twister (I) (1996)
1/10
Painfully crammed with stupid
1 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Within minutes you can tell this is a misfired farce that rides more on its CGI effects than actual creativity or talent. Maybe it's the lovable goofball tornado chasers (yyyeeaahhhaaww!!) vs. The evil corporate meteorologist (whose team all drive matching black SUVs) or the tired trope of a struggling marriage tested -then saved- by actual carnage vs. Being further damaged by it. Or maybe it's that repetitive whimsical clip of the airborne cow that charms audiences but doesn't show what likely happened to it when it landed (it likely shattered all four of its legs, mega bummer!) Yes, it's a jaded reflection on a bloated summer blockbuster that's high on spectacle and low on brain cells, whose only real lesson is that while tornados can whip semis around like leaves, all you need to ride in the eye of one is a sturdy faucet and a leather belt. Seriously. Save your money and check out actual tornado footage on the Weather Channel, this gusty turkey doesn't deserve any more attention.
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9/10
One of-a-kind heart and soul tearjerker
11 April 2021
Quirky, jarring, touching, and overall unconventional plot which makes it a really unique film. I was reminded of other "broke the mold" stories like Harold & Maude, Being There, and Little Miss Sunshine but even then there's not much else to compare this remarkable dramedy-romance to. All the principal actors do amazing jobs with their performances, and issues of mental illness, PTSD, and living with trauma all come to light in this very powerful and unpredictable film.
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9/10
The Adams Family meets Julia Child
14 October 2018
Twisted, creative, and a bit dark, this show skewers all cooking show conventions with gallows humor and puppetry. People expecting a more ordinary program are apt to be a little rattled, but I enjoyed the how-to demonstrations with the bizarre but fun characters.

Christine McConnell is a perfectionist, so some of her creations are intimidating at first glance. But it's that same daring and meticulousness that propelled her to her or Netflix series, so know it's all for fun and to inspire audiences to their own curious creations.
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Back at the Barnyard (2007–2011)
10/10
Hysterical and slapstick
27 August 2012
This cartoon series is one of the zaniest and enjoyable out there. Most shows based on movies tend to be pale imitations, but the writers behind "Back at the Barnyard" series give it a silly yet entertaining life beyond the silver screen. There's lots of pop references (ranging from "The Dark Knight" to "Survivor" to "Star Trek" and humor that the grown-ups can enjoy, and enough oddball fun and jokes that the younger set can laugh at as well. Like a sophisticated sitcom, this show relies heavily on a strong ensemble effort, so it's carried by all major and minor characters. Not every episode is a laugh riot gem, but enough are that it'll grow on you.

My kids and I miss seeing this show but are hoping they'll release all the episodes on DVD soon.
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