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Reviews
Shôgun (2024)
Boring
I didn't see the original series in the 80's. I'm 40. I didn't read the book. Not my genre. However, I was looking forward to this and a new entertaining series for spring. Wrong. This show is an absolute snooze fest. My number one complaint is the subtitles. Most of the show is in Japanese with English subtitles. I want to watch a movie. Not read a movie. If I wanted to read a movie I'd get the book. Watched episode one figuring it would improve. As episode two ended I realized it was again full of subtitles and I had slept throw 1/3 of it. None of the characters are likeable. Its just overall boring.
The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
Most disappointing "Horror" film of the season
I love horror films. This was a pretty decent season for them at the box office starting with Talk to me, The Nun, and It Lives Inside, but I was most excited for The Exorcist. However, the director managed to take an iconic original film and turn it into a massive mess. So many holes in the plot that never got answered. Where were the girls for 3 days? How exactly did they get possessed? Why were both of them possessed? Then the Catholic Church declines the exorcism and it becomes a "unity" of all races and religions to eradicate the demon. Oops! The softy man chose wrong by "picking" his daughter and was tricked. Awe man. You lose. Your daughter is dead. Next scene: Angela returns to school like nothing happened. Just complete garbage. I found myself wanting it to be over with about 20 minutes of run time left. The best parts of the film were in the preview.
Euphoria (2019)
Wild
Euphoria surrounds the lives of a group of high school students and their personal stories/challenges. Narrated by Rue (Zendaya) who is a struggling addict; Euphoria weaves through drug abuse, violence, and over-sexed teens. I found Zendaya to be cast extremely well as Rue.
The writer did a great job of diving into each of the main characters and providing their back-story. I was hooked from episode one and it was a great way to binge the weekend away.
Drawback: None of the characters are really like-able. You learn the "Why" behind the reason they are insufferable people, but it doesn't really make you root for any of them, except perhaps Rue if you overlook the fact that she's a hard-core addict.
I'll echo what a few viewers have written in their reviews: Euphoria teeters on the edge of glorifying drug abuse. You see a lot of the highs, but the real effects that habitual abusers have on their family, friends and personal life is swept under the rug. Rue is loaded ALL THE TIME, yet she is able to move through the educational system with absolutely no effect on her academics?
There's a lot of sex. I mean A LOT. Some relevant. Most doesn't need to be as graphic as it is. The writer or director seem overly obsessed with Sydney Sweeneys boobs.
Euphoria makes it a bit difficult to remember you're watching HS aged kids. If this is what HS is like currently, I'm glad I'm out and I'm glad I don't have kids.
Despite the drawbacks, it's a good watch and I felt myself engaged enough to want to continue.
1923 (2022)
Least favored of the Yellowstone franchises
1923 continues the Yellowstone series as a prequel to Yellowstone and a sequel to 1883. 1923 follows the Dutton family; continuing to tell how the Dutton's have fought over their land throughout the decades.
Harrison Ford is cast as Jacob Dutton. Brother to James (Tim McGraw) from 1883. Helen Mirren plays Clara; Jacobs wife. The Duttons once again find their land trying to be stolen out from under them. Then comes the side story of Spencer (James and Margaret Dutton's son) who is being summoned home from his African hunting excursion by his Aunt Clara to help fight for Yellowstone.
I was excited for 1923 based on this cast alone. However, it's just not drawing me in. Harrison Fords acting is dry. The gravelly voice; Complete lack of emotion like he's reading a script. Helen Mirren has a horrible Irish accent that isn't really needed at all. There is no "Connection" between these two. It's like watching paint dry.
The story of Spencer is like a whole different series that makes zero sense. Not only does it seem disconnected, but his love interest "Alex" is the most unlikeable person. Stupid jokes. Misplaced sarcasm. I cannot stand her. I wish a lion would eat her, or she'd drown.
I'll finish watching the series because I am curious how it will tie into Yellowstone and John Dutton, but after the beautifully written 1883, this is a let down.
1883 (2021)
Near Perfection
I started out watching Yellowstone. I found it to be a slow start, but I eventually drew me in. Once I finished the Yellowstone series I started on 1923. I will hold that review for later.
1883 caught me by surprise. I had no expectations. No knowledge of who were the lead characters. Just simply a fan of Yellowstone and looking for something else to watch.
Wow. 1883 blew me away. Tim McGraw. Sam Elliot. Superb. Sam Elliot has never let me down.
1883 tells the story of how the Dutton's came to settle on Paradise Valley through their plight of travels as pioneers across the Oregon trail. Not sure how some viewers became confused on how Elsa narrated, and became star of the journey, but 1883 is told from her perspective. No need to be confused. I found this to be beautifully written; it drew me in from the first episode. The journey, plight, and struggle of the pioneers wasn't pretty. Neither was the story of the Native Americans. Taylor Sheridan did a phenomenal job of balancing both sides.
I found myself in tears at the end. Not only because of the death of such a young lady, and a daughter, but the pain through a parents eyes. The journey and sacrifice made just to find a free and peaceful place to settle. This left me feeling empathy. Sadness. Love. Thoughts for my own daughter. The way movies and television was meant to be.
The Last of Us (2023)
5 Stars is being generous
I have watched 5 episodes of TLOU in effort to give the series a fair, objective review. I really don't know how anyone can watch 1-2 episodes of a SERIES and claim it's a 10 out of 10. It's not. I have fallen asleep on 3 out of the 5 episodes. I find it slow. It has a terribly weak story line. The characters aren't like-able. The zombies aren't scary. It's just an overall "Meh" show. No repeat value.
I'm a fan of many great TV series. Game of Thrones. Sopranos. Breaking Bad. Vikings. These are all deserving of a 9-10 rating. TLOU is nowhere near that caliber of writing, acting, or character development. People need to give it more time before providing such misleading ratings.
Stranger Things (2016)
Predicable
Maybe I'm not watching the same show as those who are rating this series anything above a 6. I found the plot to be extremely predictable after season 1. It is basically the same plot from season 2 recycled over and over again. Monsters come. Nerds unite. Parents have a side quest. Eleven saves the world.
The acting is pretty bad with the exception of Hopper and Eleven. CAG dominated season 4, and not in a positive way. Pizza dude and Munsen in season 4 are just awful and so cringe worthy. None of the characters remained likable as the seasons trudged on. I found myself caring about them less and less. At least mix it up and have a semi-main character die unexpectedly!
I FORCED myself to finish season 4. By episode 4 in season 4 it was just brutal. Background noise at best.
Bridgerton (2020)
What happened?
I adored season one. Season 2 was such a let down. The writing is bad, and the two lead females are horrible actresses. There is literally no chemistry between "Kate" and the Viscount. The scenes seem awkward and forced. They have about two hostile conversations with each other and miraculously the Viscount is madly in love, and she is all he can think about. Totally unbelievable and a complete let down after the beautifully written first season.
The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
A Ghost Story. Not a Horror Film
Good writing. Good acting. I wished it was more of a scary series with jump scenes. It isn't scary, but it is a good ghost story and quite entertaining