TDCornwell Reviews

Palm Royale (2024– )

A cartoon look at social climbing in 1960's Miami.

[7/10 · 2 May 2024]

Colorful sets and costumes, the cast and story is a vehicle for brightly colored and audacious outfits in a 50's - 60's style. The plot is fit for a soap opera, but the over the top acting makes it ok - as long as you don't take it seriously.

I'd call it silly fun. Don't expect anything more and you might enjoy it.

Kristen Wiig plays her usual slightly ditzy, exuberant, character with everything she has. If you've seen her before, you'll recognize Maxine. The other female characters are mostly competing for a high place in the local social circle, and a front-page item in the "Shiny Sheet" - the local paper that covers who's who.

American Gods (2017–2021)

A masterful presentation, until they lost the plot.

[6/10 · 4 January 2024]

The original Gaiman story could easily have been adapted into this series. But it wasnt. By the end of season 2 there were some deviations from the original. In season 3 it went off the rails and never found its way back.

Really a shame as the production quality and acting is first rate. They just changed too many things from the original, and couldn't bring it back around by the end of season 3 - which was an unsatisfying, confusing mess.

Season three seemed to try mixing in some of the Anansi Boys story line into Shadow's story line. Very confusing. The tree of life ending was not where the tale ends. Missed opportunity.

Perhaps there was a planned season 4? Not that I heard or saw. Magnificently unsatisfying ending.

Sweet and Hot (1958)

I remember the songs.

[10/10 · 24 March 2021]

The ONLY thing I recall about this from my childhood is a Stooge (Joe?) tearing a newspaper while someone sang "Let's Fall in Love". One of my all time favorite songs - because of this short.