conorlyn Reviews

Real Time with Bill Maher: Andrew Sullivan/Gavin Newsom/Ari Melber (2024) Season 22, Episode 1

Always entertaining...

[6/10 · 22 January 2024]

.. but I'm not sure he likes his guests! And it shows. Quite a serious return episode for Bill. Lots of politics. I would imagine this will be his final season on HBO as I don't think there is an audience for this type of show. The show touches on democracy, the 2024 election, racism, diversity, uhm, more politics, Barbie.....

At times it felt like a political debate. Bill also seemed strangely muted and jaded and still managed to say the 'jew' word - fine, but in every single episode?! Religion is irrelevant on a chat show every week.

Maybe Chelsea Handler could be a good substitute for the next season - maybe that's what she's waiting for 😉

Tár (2022)

Everything and nothing

[10/10 · 12 February 2023]

I'll keep this brief without giving away spoilers or even anything about the story. Tár is an experience where not much but everything happens. It demands a repeat viewing. The overarching theme is cancel culture with elements of #metoo. The acting is universally good but Cate Blanchett deserves every acting award thrown at her. She gives a towering, cold, ambiguous performance. At first watch the story seems slight and drawn out. However it's more complex and intricate than you think. The long run time flies by. The music is beautiful and dramatic and the Berlin and NYC settings perfect. I enjoyed the director's last movie, Little Children, all those years ago. This is a different experience, more artsy, but also gut wrenching. Recommend!!!