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Reviews
Westworld: Kiksuya (2018)
Mystifyingly Under-rated
This episode answers many questions and presents an incredible depth into how West World developed and how the hosts evolved.
All that said Zahn McClarnon, who doesn't appear at the top of the cast list (which frankly is total BS) is outstanding in the depth and breadth of his acting as he takes us through the true brutality of West World. There are so many great acting moments in this episode that he delivers. It's a hidden treasure because no Emmy will ever be awarded for McClarnon's work or the cinematography and direction of how the episode unfolds. Criminally under-rated.
Dead to Me (2019)
Amazing
Probably one of the most solid dark comedies I've watched in ages. Both Applegate and Cardellini deliver a very believable and surreal "Odd Couple" relationship that simultaneously makes you feel the sorrow and joy of the tragedy that brings them together. Here's why I gave this ten. I started watching it, ended up watching it until 4AM. Finished it in the morning and, STARTED WATCHING IT AGAIN. It begs to be watched again because of how the story unfolds.
Outstanding series and I hope that Netflix renews it.
Miss Sloane (2016)
Huh. How didn't I hear about this movie?
Honestly, I've never heard about this movie and I'm just in the habit of watching whatever Amazon Prime happens to show as "just added".
I like a good thriller and immediately enjoyed the pace of the dialog and the acting level of the actors forced to perform in a group and make conversation look natural.
I also enjoyed that it was unapologetically intelligent. Great plot doing a difficult job of showing more than half the movie in the wrong order.
Most of all, I liked that it showed what's it like when you're the genius-level chess player in the room. How odd it feels when people aren't thinking 4 or 5 or 6 steps ahead.
Even as the main character proves to be unrelenting and immoral in her approach to winning, you're still rooting for her because Jessica Chastain does an excellent job of showing that she (the character Liz Sloane) does have some feeling regarding what she must do to be an effective lobbyist.)
In short, an utter and complete surprise! Movie really felt like the old-school 1970s political/espionage movies like "Three Days to the Condor". This was made in 2016 and I don't remember hearing ANYTHING about it! Real shame. Strong cast with a great script.
The Blacklist: The Stewmaker (No. 161) (2013)
If you weren't creeped-out by "The Stewmaker" you're numb to drama..,
What's not to love about this episode? Essentially, a serial killer, played by the impeccable character actor bad-guy Tom Noonan, who disappears people in the hundreds. Elizabeth Keen's psychological sparring to buy herself more time and Reddington's casual execution of vengeance, combined with an above average cinematography, put to an evocative soundtrack. This ep stands up to a 2nd and 3rd viewing and set the stage for a great spy/espionage thriller, with more twists and turns than a crazy straw. This and many other eps is one of the foundational episodes that make this series a stone-cold addiction. Lots of great acting from Spader and Boone.