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Reviews
Don't Look Up (2021)
Critics are out to lunch on this one
Been a while since I offer the review above and beyond the rating on a film, but I think this one warrants it. This film encapsulate, at least for me United States perspective, the crisis I believe exist between those who believe what is fact and what is fiction. Unfortunately those who in real life grass the fiction side of things will likely get offended by what they see here, and as far as I'm concerned, c'est la vie.
State of Affairs (2014)
Don't waste your time
I didn't set my bar very high for this one, and I'm glad I did not. This show underperformed, even relative to my low expectations. The acting is all around tiresome. The writing and plot are ridiculously out of tune with reality. The editing and directing are choppy at best. The only thing this show has going for it is the camera work, which was pretty good in the action scenes and the only reason this show didn't get a 1.
There is plenty of written work and Homeland if you need a show in the genre. This program does nothing to do it justice. Save yourself an hour and indulge in one of those mediums instead.
True Detective (2014)
Excellent
So I sat back last fall and watched the last few episodes of Breaking Bad, thinking to myself that I would have to wait quite some time before a t.v. show of such quality were to be made, one that was brilliant on every aspect. Well, little did I know another show worthy of such praise was already in the works.
It has been said many times already in other reviews of this show that the pace may be painful for those looking for some quick entertainment, as this show requires more patience than most. But it is worth it. Picture Silence of the Lambs without the restraints of making a 2 hour flick, and voilà.
I had just finished watching the first two episodes, waiting eagerly for more. But after watching the third episode I am going nuts. That was one hell of a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait for Sunday.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
What to think of this film
I watched this film, and laughed my ass off in certain parts. It brought me to tears occasionally. From a comedy standpoint, this movie is gold, and why I gave it a 10 rating. I went to the theater to be entertained, and was not disappointed.
The acting was phenomenal. Every actor/actress played their part to the hilt, and should be the film that finally lands DiCaprio his first Oscar. Jonah Hill played his role to an Oscar worthy standard as well.
The plot of the movie is reminiscent of Boiler Room, with undertones of Wall Street and Glengarry Glen Ross thrown in. I suppose if you are looking for anything positive to come out of this movie, you would be disappointed. There is definitely no redeeming qualities of any of the characters. That being said, I think that's the point. We live today in a world of greed, where those who have want more, and will continue to satiate their thirst of the dollar by any means possible. Belfort said as much in the first 15 minutes of the movie, that money was the drug that compared to no other, and demonstrated for the remainder of the film that indeed he would go to all ends to earn whatever he could. The final scene of the audience of his seminar, all Joe Schmoes looking on with that hint of greed in their eye, hoping they too could be that one person to live it big...its what the world has come to. Scorsese's message is clear: you all want it, but this is what it costs - so is it worth it?
For those of you who walked out or decided that there was not enough happiness to warrant a decent review, I suggest you take a look around and let me know where the almighty dollar isn't ruling a part of your life. Ask yourself, if you had the means to change what was wrong, and go beyond, would you not?
Dexter: Remember the Monsters? (2013)
Let Down
After watching Breaking Bad's Ozymandias I really couldn't bring myself to endure any other TV shows until I got BB out of my system. So I waited until today to watch anything else, starting with the last 2 episodes of Dexter. I have to say, with all of the great plot lines and writing from seasons 1-6 of this show, the last 2 seasons have been very sub-par. And this finale brought closure to Dexter, maybe a fitting one at that, but the way everyone else was left hanging or abruptly erased was far from satisfactory.
Way to mail it in, writers.
I'd recommend not watching this. But if you have already put in the 95 hours (god...) it took to get here, may as well get your last look.
Breaking Bad: Felina (2013)
It got to me
Yes, I am going to spoil the ending, so move on to the next review if you don't want to ruin it for yourself.
Also, this will probably be long winded. So if you're not into that, scroll down (or up, whatever) Somewhere during early 2010, I decided to watch the series Lost. At that point, I had not really watched anything on TV except sports and movies. Everything network was garbage, in my opinion. But everyone said how great Lost was when it came out, so I borrowed season one from the library. And like everyone else watching that first season, I was very intrigued. Then, like everyone else, was let down as the series spiraled into that nonsense which it became.
In the middle of the first season though, I had started watching the show on Netflix. And when I was done with the show, I had no intention of watching anything else. But being bored one night after updating the DVD queue for my wife, I saw Breaking Bad as one of my recommendations. I decided to give it a shot, and I was hooked within seconds. And unlike every other show I have seen so far, it did not have peak seasons and valley seasons. It went straight up. And upon completion, has been one of the most incredible entertainment experiences of my life.
I never thought anything this show could do would rock me to the core. Of course, there were many, many "oh s***" moments (I still said that the second time watching Dead Freight, even though I knew what was coming), but watching Flynn walk into that house, with Walt looking through the other apartment, standing there after giving his proper goodbye to Skylar and Holly, not being able to do so to his son, was so crushing. It's still screwing me up as I write this. Maybe its the dad in me. I cannot imagine how hard just that action alone was on Walt.
I cannot wait to watch this again during the midnight repeat. I need to focus on Jesse's exhilaration again to get me back on a positive note.
Thanks for reading this.
Breaking Bad: Ozymandias (2013)
All Bad Things Must Come to an End
Yes, this review will most likely spoil the episode for you. So, watch it. And I mean it. This was by far the most powerful episode of any TV show I have ever seen. Throughout the entire series, I am constantly rooting for Walt to salvage whatever good there is left. I pray that he and his family have that chance to be that happy family as a more permanent situation rather than the occasional breakfast or dinner scene we've been fed from time to time.
Whatever chance there was, it dropped to the smallest percentage possible when Hank died. Then when Walt got things packed, urging his family to do the same - Skylar would not relent, Hank's outcome needed to be known. Then it crashed. Seeing Jr protect his mom after the fight - Walter asked the question of his family and then immediately knew, he did not have one any longer.
I felt so bad for Walter. I knew it was going to come to this, yet it still rocked me like no other program has.
Vince Gillian stated this was going to be the best BB episode ever. Well, he may have just delivered. I was very partial to Crawl Space, but I think this one outdid that. By a lot, too.
Breaking Bad (2008)
Maybe the best show ever
So I haven't seen shows like The Sopranos or MASH or others that are highly rated. But I have seen a lot, and out of what I have seen this show takes the cake, and by a lot. Nearly every aspect of episode, from the story to the acting to the sound and then directing and cinematography are top notch. I personally can't re-watch a TV series without getting bored really quick (2 episodes into Lost I was done), but I've seen this series 4 times already and am excited for just about every episode (peek a boo kills me, I skip through a lot of that episode) and will do so again when I have the final episodes in hand.
I think that if you have any excuse at all to start a series from scratch, this is the one for you.
Sons of Anarchy: NS (2010)
Extremely Satisfying
After missing out on this show for nearly 5 years, I gave it a try on a recommendation. I was hooked after watching the pilot, but felt after seasons 1 and 2 that there was too much unfinished business and left rather unsatisfied with the position everything was at. That in and of itself made it more of an interesting way to move from season to season, and also set up for such a wowzer sequence at the end of season 3. As the crew is loaded into the van, the chief parting ways with his gun and badge, you cant help but sit there and think "not again dammit". But still wonder what they have in store for Jax making amends in the upcoming seasons. Then, everything gets set right - and in a way that is up there with Shawshank as far as how big of a smile I was left with when the credits rolled. Kudos to the writers of this episode and of all others, as they have truly made this one of the best drama shows of all time.
That being said, when the heck is season 5 going to be on-demand with Xfinity or available on Netflix? I'm going to go nuts in about 3-4 days.