markinsac Reviews

The Postcard Killings (2020)

Detective Negan

[4/10 · 5 February 2024]

I just can't see Jeffery Dean Morgan in anything anymore and not see Negan. So Negan is a US detective in Europe and he's going to get involved in trying to solve this "mystery" of who is doing these killings. Of course the local yocals across the continent are incompetent and just won't do their jobs so Negan has to get out Lucille and take over and figure it out. Well except for one German cop who randomly shows up in scenes for reasons I don't know other than he must be on the Marlboro payroll. Anyway, everything about this story is known about half way through and you just have to sit and wait for it to end. And that takes a while.

War of the Worlds: The Attack (2023)

OMG lolz

[3/10 · 5 February 2024]

So you know the story and the gist of it. I gave it a score of 3 for the movie makers showing kindness and keeping this nonsense at less than 1:30. Ok so there is nothing really redeeming or watchable about this. I think the funniest thing is that no matter where our young heroes are, their teacher (alien scientist or whatever) just kind of randomly shows up. I think she's in the same outfit. And didn't the walkie talkie run out of juice and then start working like ten minutes later? And I guess the scene with the priest was put in that for - well, I don't know why but how did the guys just not over power him or even just leave the house?

Anyway. Lol.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Started Out Okay

[6/10 · 5 February 2024]

This started off good and I was hopeful for a good story but then it devolved into endless nonsense. It just seemed to drag on and on and on and on. From the middle on, not a lot made sense and it was difficult to sit through. All I know for sure is that after half the movie all I could think about was getting a bagel. That part will stick with me. I felt like I should stick through it as it won some awards - but maybe that's a bad sign these days to be honest. On the plus side, I think Michelle Yeoh continues to show her acting chops and was the highlight of the show. She's been in a lot of stuff better than this one.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023– )

Best Ever

[10/10 · 30 December 2023]

If you're looking for a show where monsters throw each other up against city buildings for two or three hours with very little plot line, keep looking - this ain't that! This is a story with strong character development and story line, and I'm really enjoying it. There is more tension and suspense when the monsters do show up compared to what we typically see in the 2-3 hour monsterfest. Most of the episodes end with you wanting more - and having to frustratingly wait a week for the next episode! Hats off to Apple to making a really good series in the monster genre, and putting strong characters with a good script and well-selected actors.

Kaleidoscope (2023)

Really Liked It

[8/10 · 15 January 2023]

I love this approach of individual episodes that can present the story no matter the order the episodes are watched. I might have gotten lucky in the order I saw them but enjoyed seeing some backstory later that explained and illuminated elements of the story telling. Acting was good, story was good. Of course watching every story like this there are certain go-to tropes that you've already seen a billion times and you can predict the decisions and outcomes that will play out. But still entertaining and I often wonder if that's even intentional. As if we're "in on it" with the writer and know the big secret.

Locke & Key (2020–2022)

First season great

[9/10 · 26 September 2022]

Just binged all three seasons. I really liked the first season. Second was okay. Third wasn't very good. But combined I'd still rate the series as entertaining and well done. Yeh yeh yeh, they didn't seem to make the best decisions in planning their battle strategies. I agree with the comments here on that. They have some great tools available but kind of don't choose to use them or do something dumb. Plus the resolutions of some of their predicaments seemed a bit too far fetched. And the villains got a little silly as the series went on. Not like they were making the most strategic decisions, either. But it's a fantasy show. Just enjoy it.

Spiderhead (2022)

Actually entertaining

[7/10 · 4 July 2022]

After a loud round of mehs from critics, I have to agree with those who compared this to a Black Mirror episode. I thought both Chris Hemsworth and Miles Tanner did a great job in their roles. The story was a bit predictable but that was also part of what made it watchable. If you're in on it with the writers, and enjoying the characters, it can be a fun film. Didn't go on to long and just served up an interesting story.

Parallels (I) (2015)

Should Revisit This

[8/10 · 28 June 2022]

I liked it and wish it would have been picked up for a series. I tend to like the genre of time travel or alternative universes, so while this checked the boxes it also was well written and engaging. No reason it couldn't be rebooted with a new "next generation" cast and pick up the story.

Night Sky (2022)

Great writing and cast

[9/10 · 23 May 2022]

This is a great science fiction drama. The writers take care to get you involved with the characters' stories and the mystery going on initially behind the scenes, and then that picks up as the stories unfold. JK Simmons is simply amazing in this role, and the overall cast does a fantastic job. After finishing the first season I am so looking forward to what's next.

Outer Range (2022– )

High Quality Show

[8/10 · 16 April 2022]

This is very well put together. The script, the acting, the cinematography... It is a slow burn of storytelling, but it lets it all play out and unseats you with some suspense as the western/SciFi yarn unfolds. I like it. Good job!

Solos (2021)

Depressing

[4/10 · 20 February 2022]

I thought it was boring and sad. After watching episodes I felt kind of depressed. Didn't finish it but got pretty close. I had to give it four stars as I thought some of the ideas were good but just ended up unsettling.

All of Us Are Dead (2022– )

All of Us are Falling Asleep

[5/10 · 6 February 2022]

Over all show was ok. Too long. Characters kind of doing the same thing over and over again, episode after episode. Started out ok as things fall apart. Decent stories on the people involved. Really started to drag about half way. Too many repeat battles with the main antagonist. Srsly? Ending couple of episodes were a bit better than the middle episodes. I think this genre has gone on a little too long.

The Woman in the House (2022)

Not bad and quick watch

[6/10 · 6 February 2022]

I didn't know this was a parody satire thing going in, and was watching it as a mystery who dunnit. I kept telling myself ... Really? As I watched this. Especially the ending. But now knowing it was a bit of a spoof it makes more sense. And I did oddly laugh here and there even not knowing I was supposed to be. The series does a good job of misdirection and keeps you wondering if events really happened or is this just a hallucination? I think it works better as a mystery than a satire - and I enjoyed it as such. With some what I thought were some inappropriate laughs but now I don't feel as bad about it.

Enjoyed Kristen Bell and thought she did a great job in the role.

Invasion (2021–2024)

Great Storytelling

[9/10 · 18 November 2021]

One of those shows that has a lot of story in addition to the alien invasion happening all over. It's like people dealing with this or that while in the background the invasion is happening and increasingly impacting the world. Really enjoying this. High quality going into this.

The History of Time Travel (2014)

Nice!

[9/10 · 20 July 2021]

This was a good one. Very clever story. I had to go back and watch the beginning again as what is subtle at first rolls into a big ol' snowball as it picks up speed gets rolling.

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

No spoilers

[10/10 · 27 February 2021]

This is one of those movies you like to watch at the same time friends are watching it, so that you can talk about it as it plays out. Otherwise you sit and wait, "Have you watched it? What episode are you on?" Because you want to talk about it.

Watch for clues as you go!

Really liked it.

Hamilton (2020)

Made me sleepy

[5/10 · 25 July 2020]

Phew, finally finished it. Had to watch over a few days as I'd lose interest and get sleepy after a few songs. Seems like it goes on and on and on without end. I kept clicking the remote to see how much was left. The first half was better than the second half. Maybe the whole thing is better in person rather than streaming on tv. On a positive note, I thought the King George role was the best of them all. I admire the performers who can pull this off. Some of the music was rather clever, and I did let the credits role as I googled some of the characters portrayed and the actors who played them.

Anyway, not horrible. On the other hand, if I was stuck on a desert island and could only watch one musical for the rest of eternity, this would not be it.

Unlocked (I) (2017)

Similar to others but fun

[6/10 · 5 April 2020]

Seems like we have seen this plot a thousand times, yet it is easy to watch. Sometimes, I think the fun part of this is that you can guess what is going to happen and pat yourself on the back when you get it right. Overall, I thought it was enjoyable. The sinister plot seemed a bit darker given the current global situation. An easy watch during the shelter at home times.

Another Life (2019–2021)

Star Trek with Lost in Space with Battlestar Gallactica

[6/10 · 12 September 2019]

So I went into this with the low expectations of an "IMDB below 5" rating, and actually have enjoyed it enough to rank it a 6.

Katee Sackhoff is the same character as she always is. She's conflict oriented, angry, and doesn't get along with anyone. And it's a sci fi space show. Check. As expected.

The remaining cast is also young and conflict oriented. So there is a lot of dialogue that just doesn't make sense in a military like "save the planet from the aliens" kind of way. Focus people!

But each episode seems to have an interest story about what they are encountering on their journey. While there is an over arching story, there is enough episodic uniqueness to keep me interested.

Kind of like it.

The Society (2019)

I liked Season 1

[7/10 · 15 May 2019]

I had a different experience watching this than some of the more negative reviews. I like the concept of the show, how it began and how season 1 ended. As I watched, I was asking myself questions about what I would do in the various situations.

Pros: Good story setup. Interesting characters. Suspense. Thought provoking for viewers (What would I do?). Great ending to season 1.

Cons: Very much like a CW show full of teen angst. Obviously poor and non believable decisions in life is on the line survival scenarios. Lots of political correctness (which may be realistic in the situation but too obvious and forced on the television). Story lines seem familiar to other shows.

Hey don't they have a couple of dirt bikes they can try to ride East in one direction towards where the next town or ocean is supposed to be?

The Rain (2018–2020)

You're going to need a bigger umbrella

[6/10 · 30 May 2018]

Ok another one of these end of days stories that follows around a group of survivors as they battle the baddies and Mother Nature. I wanted to like this more, and being a decently dubbed foreign flick made it at least interesting. I like how other countries aren't afraid to kill a major character. Or two. This one is watchable and does go into character backgrounds. Some of it is a little predictable- as if, "hey this looks similar to what I saw in this other apocalyptic show." I gave it a thumbs up on NFLX and a Six on IMDB. But not sure if I will be back for season 2...

Body of Lies (2008)

Like a cup of lukewarm coffee

[5/10 · 30 May 2018]

I generally love Leo DiCaprio movies. Seems like he never takes a bad script. Add in Russell Crowe and you think it would be a slam dunk. Well, just ok. Watchable. But that's about it. It lost me when Leo falls for the Persian woman and then the plot goes where she gets taken hostage and he has to rescue her. THATS WHERE YOURE TAKING THIS? Ugh. Trust me. You'll wish you had watched a different Leo movie. Thumbs down on NFLX. Five stars on IMBD.

The Battered Bastards of Baseball (2014)

One of the best baseball movies

[9/10 · 30 May 2018]

This is the kind of film that makes you want to go to the ballpark and eat a sack of peanuts. I see a lot of minor league baseball as I go around the country and relate to the fan friendly experiences. Thoroughly enjoyed the story from beginning to end. Thumbs up on NFLX. 9 Stars IMDB. Not sure why I don't give it a 10. It's that good.

13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)

Great Show

[9/10 · 30 May 2018]

I love this show. Great character development and story lines. The first season was especially good. The second season was good but the the Hannah-Zach storyline deep dive just didn't seem to fit in with season 1 - at first. But I think the intent was to show us that we don't really know what we think we know. So I give it a pass even though it seemed wrong at the time. Thumbs up on NFLX. 9 Stars here.

Dude (2018)

No Story and don't care about characters

[2/10 · 30 May 2018]

Besides the lack of a plot or story, there wasn't much character development. I almost turned it off half way through - and should have. But stuck with it and ended up thinking it was quite pointless. None of the characters are likeable. No laughs in any of the scenes. Just smoking, drugs, alcohol, and being upset. Thumbs down on NFLX. 2 Stars here because I am feeling charitable. Bleh.