himpersonal Reviews

The Terminal List (2022– )

Poor casting

[6/10 · 24 February 2024]

The book was great. Read the whole series as quickly as I could. Was really excited to watch the series on TV. I think it did a decent job following the book, but I hated all the actors in it. No one had any chemistry with each other, and there were several actors who were just not very good at all (like the actor who played Tony Layun). On the other hand, sone of them are very good actors on other shows, like Chris Pratt and Constance Wu and Taylor Kitsch. I've enjoyed their individual performances on their other merits. But together, none of it worked for me.

My other major problem with the show was that it was filmed almost entirely in black, or so it felt. It was really hard to see, regardless of the settings I used on my TV or how closely I sat to it. Hoping they'll add a little light in season two.

Lessons in Chemistry (2023)

Miscast and missed opportunity

[7/10 · 22 November 2023]

I love Brie Larson, but she feels miscast, though Lewis Pullman and Alice Halsey were perfect. I am puzzled why they chose to ignore addressing the reason why the boys' school lied about Calvin's stay with them. It was a critical part of the book (in my opinion). Could they not have sprung for another episode or two?

It would've been fun to imagine a season two to explore this question, to see where Fran and Walter go, and to watch how Harriet grows her voice. There were enough deviations from the book to justify a season two. Oh, and I would've LOVED another episode dedicated to Six Thirty! <3.

Defending Jacob (2020)

Expected, wanted, kept hoping to like it, but couldn't

[1/10 · 10 January 2021]

Love all the actors but the story was horribly weak. Wasted eight hours of my life, each scene hoping it would eventually get better, but there was absolutely no pay off. Every plot "twist" could be seen miles away (and I'm usually really bad at that kind of anticipation). There was no closure and only a great taste of dissatisfaction at the end.

American Son (2019)

This is America

[8/10 · 16 November 2019]

This is an important piece of work. This is America today. This is how America has always been. This is how America will continue to be. Regardless of the civil rights we gain for every person, prejudice will always be everywhere. White privilege is a real thing. I'm betting people who voted the title low is because they couldn't stand the politics. I hated that the whole show took place in one room, but I get it - it's an adaptation from a play. Good to see Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale back in action!

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Horrible acting and chemistry plus a creepy relationship

[2/10 · 15 November 2019]

Padme met Anakin when he was eight (I think). A romance between the two is so creepy. That's bad enough, but the actor who plays him has no ability to emote and the two of them have no chemistry. Casting in general was totally wrong, even with all the heavy hitting names. Writing was just as awful. Other than wanting to know the storyline for the entire anthology, I'd never want to watch this movie for even just a few minutes. While watching this, I was embarrassed to own Disney stock the entire two plus hours. As with Phantom Menace, only Yoda it's makes the movie worth anything at all.

Raising Dion (2019–2022)

Loved every character and shocked by plot twist

[10/10 · 12 November 2019]

Kid is super cute and true of an eight year old's personality and maturity (yes, eight year olds are often annoying, but it's because that's how they see the world and we are seeing the world from their limited perspectives throughout the episodes). Love love love Michael Jordan. Wish he had more screen time and hope to see more of him next season. Loved the diversity of the cast and given it's only 9 episodes, thought they did a great job of developing all the relationships. Also appreciated the way social politics were addressed. Very thoughtful of the writers without any of it being overbearing. Glad I stuck it out. Never saw the twist coming!

Raising Dion (2019–2022)

Better than expected

[10/10 · 12 November 2019]

At the end of the first episode, thought it was going to be cheesy, but I stuck with it and realized every scene and character was written purposefully. Not a lot of shows I can say that about. Really impressed.

Dynasty (2017–2022)

Daniela Alonso brings the show down

[5/10 · 25 October 2019]

I was really enjoying the second season, though I thought the show suffered when Nicollette Sheridan left. Daniel Alonso makes the third season barely bearable. Iv'e seen her on other shows where she was fine, but in this case, she is a terrible actress in the role. And there's no chemistry between her and the rest of the cast. Nathalie Kelley was great as Cristal. Ana Brenda Contreras was even better. This latest recast is disappointing. I actually turn around do something else whenever she is on screen. I don't know if I can watch for much longer.

Nancy Drew (2019–2023)

Too much deviation

[2/10 · 11 October 2019]

Way too many differences from the original characters. Carolyn Keene would've been so disappointed, like I was and probably all fans. I read every book as a kid. Will never watch another episode. Characters are way too old and none of the characters are as she intended.