rockridgehouse Reviews

The Last of Us (2023– )

the next big thing?

[8/10 · 12 February 2023]

I know everyone is supposed to really like this show but to me it feels like a version of The Walking Dead.

The impressive sets didn't impress any more than most other sci-fi shows. The tight camera work with a lot of close up that seem to be there to raise the tension, have been obvious and noticeable and distracting from the first episode.

The acting is good and the interaction of the characters with each other is well done.

I turned it off in the middle of the 5th episode and though "eh, not for me".

Incidentally I loved The Leftovers and the German series Dark. And there's always rewatching the excellent episodes of Fargo to cheer me up.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

This movie is a lot like barbequed ribs.

[7/10 · 13 September 2021]

The flavor is good, but there's not a lot of meat on the bone.

If you want dialogue, this isn't for you - which lead, for me, to a lack of empathy for any of the four main characters. Everyone does a lot of quiet emoting but there's a lot less time spend on their interaction than on the gorgeous long shots. I believe the kitchen help, who are rarely in the movie, have more lines than the main characters.

This is a quiet movie with grand, beautiful, lingering shots of the isolated landscape. There are also plenty of lingering close-ups of Cumberbatchs' sweaty, dirty, somewhat psychopathic face.

By the end of the movie my reaction was - "so what."

The Oath (2018)

Wickedly funny, screwball comedy with a serious polital theme.

[9/10 · 2 February 2019]

Wickedly funny, screwball comedy on the order of I Love Lucy, with a very serious political theme. The main character is an irritating, opinionated liberal played by Ike Barinholtz, (also the writer and director) who is wildly successful in the part. Plenty of twists and turns and I laugh a lot. If you are a lib who can make fun of yourself, this is for you.

Monica in Black and White (2002 TV Movie)

and Jennifer Flowers was the enemy?

[10/10 · 22 September 2018]

Twenty-three years after Linda Tripp became a pariah for exposing Monica as liar during Paula Jones case. Bill Clinton lied under oath that he had not had sexual relations with Paula or Monica. Today Trumps approval rating is at 54%. Hillary Clinton is at 27% This episode in history is more relevant than ever.

Modern Marvels: The Erie Canal (2000) Season 6, Episode 23

love the erie canal

[10/10 · 22 September 2018]

Sucker for this doc and it's available for free on that "tube" site.

Maniac (2018)

not my age bracket

[10/10 · 22 September 2018]

As a female senior I didn't expect to like this series since it is addressed to a younger, hipper crowd - and that's true - I'm not riveted. Amazingly enough, the series so far (3 episodes) has a cohesive plot, unlike the plotless trailer. It is fast-paced and hopefully will catch up with itself in later episodes, and I find the two lead actors very distracting since they cannot seem to evolve beyond their own personal identities which for me is the bane of the tendency of having "movie stars" in tv leads. This will never be "The Leftovers" or even "Ozark" but if you have 30 minutes to waste this is it.

Downsizing (2017)

In addition to everything else,

[1/10 · 12 March 2018]

I though Hong Chau's accent was exceptionally grating.

Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Too long and boring.

[1/10 · 22 December 2017]

I found this film rather emotionally unengaging. I was very aware that the characters were acting and that I was being manipulated. This film felt smug and self-congratulatory. I thought Armie Hammer was too old for the part. I didn't like the way in which the girlfriends were reduced to bit parts and foils with no real existence of their own. Ditto the housekeeper.

I loved Moonlight and one of my all time favorite films is Brokeback Mountain so gay love is no barrier at all for me. This film verged on pretentious.

This Is Us (2016–2022)

It gets old after four episodes . No, it doesn't!

[8/10 · 5 October 2017]

I really liked the pilot probably because this was such an easy watch. But after four episodes the neediness of everyone in this series is getting really old. There is a plot surprise at the end of every episode which should keep most viewers interested, but it seems like a very dysfunctional family recap week after week.

(Dear God, my only review and I'm going to have to amend it from a 5 to an 8.) Yes, yes, yes, I see the point now. It is still cheesy but endearing and charming and well-written at times. The docs cynical responses in ep10 clinched it for me. So "This Is Us," I hope all is forgiven.