washedone Reviews

Five Days at Memorial (2022)

Fact-based drama undercut by sensational hearsay

[4/10 · 12 September 2022]

This story began as a compelling drama that we had never seen before on the screen. Persuasive performances, tension, crisis and desperation very realistically portrayed.

Unfortunately, as the episodes continue, rumors, hearsay, speculation, racism, petulance and hatred become the primary story. This is so overblown and ridiculously handled that it yanked me out of the story and kept me from engaging at any significant level afterward.

Great potential during the first few episodes and even a wonderful opportunity for a healing message of love and unity are tossed aside in favor of odd plot tangents and bizarre character behavior. Hopefully, one day a more thorough presentation of this story will be told.

Prey (I) (2022)

A Pleasant Surprise

[7/10 · 8 August 2022]

Wow - sometimes, good sequels (or, as in this case, prequels) sneak up on you. In the current ocean of bland, recycled work, this film has such an original and unpredictable take it really refreshes the tale. I wasn't expecting much, but it drew me in quickly. The acting was very good, the visual effects minimalistic and nearly all practical, and the tone and characters compelling. Well done.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– )

Good story with forced distractions

[5/10 · 5 June 2022]

Scale 1 (Poor) - 10 (Excellent)

Plot: 7 Characters: 6 Pacing: 6 Distracting PC Stuff: 3 Changes from Book: 6

Intriguing, and fairly true to the novel with some predictable, current trope-esque changes.

The Book of Boba Fett (2021–2022)

Disappointing First Episode

[5/10 · 30 December 2021]

After all the anticipation and promotion, the first episode is a let down. The sets are great and the effects fine, but fight choreography is stilted and slow, and Boba Fett's character is not that of Star Wars lore. Too many and too long flashbacks are distracting as well and paced much too slowly to establish compelling background. I'll continue to watch future episodes in hope that the show improves.

Invasion (2021–2024)

Gave it a shot

[3/10 · 24 October 2021]

The reviews here aren't wrong - the plot opens very slowly; but more to the point, this series is really a bait and switch. Alien invasion? Technically that is part of the story, but don't expect it to feature prominently. This is all a statement about human behavior. Some interesting characters, but they are drowned by "woke" tropes, social-mission-writing and low-budget CGI. After investing a few hours, I'm regretting wasting the time and left wondering, when will we get back to just telling a compelling story vs trying to get viewers to change their views?

The Company Men (2010)

Exceptional film - a sleeper

[8/10 · 7 October 2021]

What a great story! The recession is not the story here - the different paths the characters take as they wrestle with reality and their own identities is the point, and their arcs are wonderfully developed.

This is the best performance I've seen from Ben Affleck. All of the main actors give textured, subtle portrayals that are natural and convincing despite familiarity with their faces.

Truth Be Told (2019–2023)

Tons of potential squandered

[3/10 · 21 September 2021]

The premise is packed with potentially stirring drama and the caliber of most of the cast is solid, but the writing is inconsistent at best and low-budget/amateur TV level at worst. Season 2 takes Season 1 and drops a level. In a nutshell, not nearly as compelling as it believes it is.

Before I Go to Sleep (2014)

Ridiculous and nonsensical

[3/10 · 29 August 2021]

Good performances inside a completely implausible story. The premise was intriguing, but the conclusions we're asked (expected) to reach are incongruous with what would happen should this type of memory loss occur in real life. From the opening five minutes, the story requires suspension of thought - too much for me to enjoy it.

Defending Jacob (2020)

Acting: 8, Writing: 4

[6/10 · 10 August 2021]

Wonderful performances, including from the child actors. The main characters are realistically portrayed and given solid depth in a compelling premise, and the supporting actors are excellent.

The awful (and wholly avoidable with research & consultation) misses in the writing are procedural in nature. One blatant example? A DA would NEVER tell parents of the victim the name of their suspect 1) the day of his arrest; 2) when he was a minor; 3) without any physical evidence beyond a fingerprint on clothing with no timeline. This would put their own case at horrendous risk and possibly even result in a mistrial. There are other examples, but this one illustrates the point. Such an abrupt violation of common sense so early - in episode 2, when emotional momentum is just beginning to build - is hugely distracting and drains the energy from the story.

Unfortunately, the writers' lack of thoroughness to vet their own ideas severely weakens the thoroughly convincing work of the actors.

Jupiter's Legacy (2021)

Intriguing, layered plotting and serious treatment without being overbearing

[9/10 · 12 May 2021]

I'm loving this show so far. Binge watched Season 1, then watched it again focusing more on the elements of the story. My initial impression was of a mature, live-action Incredibles. There are apparent parallels, but this is not a kids' show.

The characters are multi-dimensional - not something that can be said for very many series. The acting ranges from excellent to average; the main actors are all quite good, the supporting actors varying. The premise seemed a bit two-dimensional in the previews, but is much more satisfyingly developed in the actual episodes, and the characters' relationships and interactions quickly pulled me in. While gratuitous, irrelevant sex scenes (seemingly obligatory on Netflixx shows anymore) still make their appearances, they are mercifully short, and nudity is completely absent. Violence is graphic but not crudely or sensationally so, a la The Boys.

I'm hopeful Netflixx will approve another season soon. I strongly recommend watching!

Bosch (2014–2021)

Very good, better than most

[8/10 · 15 August 2019]

Excellent adaptation of Connelly's novels with remarkable accuracy to both plots and character portrayals. I can't read any Bosch novels now without picturing Titus Welliver. Acting is superb, chemistry between principals is easy, writing is realistic without over-the-top, unrealistically graphic violence.

Absentia (2017–2020)

Promising start, wasted potential

[3/10 · 15 August 2019]

Erratic, nonsensical behavior by the characters and average to poor acting by much of the regulars make this series much less watchable than it could have been. The premise is intriguing but is portrayed with too much confusing plot and too little engagement to make me care about any of the characters, even Emily, the "protagonist".