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Reviews
Dark Shadows: Episode #1.442 (1968)
A Richly Deserved Reward
One of my favorite episodes of the remarkable 1795 timeline. Barnabas plots his revenge on Reverend Trask after he foolishly accused Victoria Winters of witchcraft, sending her to jail.
After dropping hints through his uncanny powers to scare Trask, Barnabas executes his elaborate plan beautifully.
It still makes me laugh. The way the lines are delivered by Jonathan Frid. What a great actor. I wish I could've met him. I did meet Jerry Lee Lacy and asked about the final scene. He laughed.
Trask gets his richly deserved reward.
The Sinner: Part VIII (2021)
A Fitting End To A Great Show
It was a good conclusion to a great show. If only it hadn't been the final episode. The Sinner gave us something different. Unlike other shows, there was more mystery and intrigue that kept the viewer guessing. I believe the subtle way they did it was what made the show so good.
I really enjoyed Season 4. The first half really had me on the edge wondering what really happened to Percy (Alice Kremelberg). We saw Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) take an interest in her after they met by the pier. Maybe he saw something in Percy. Who knew he would witness her jump into the ocean in the middle of the night.
I feel like we all questioned what happened. Even our troubled hero Harry wasn't sure what he saw. There were hints of potential reasons for her "disappearance." The Muldoon family didn't want to believe she was gone for good. Every family would feel that way.
The turning point for me was by Part VI when Ambrose finally starts to uncover the dark secrets about Percy. She had a lot of demons which were hidden by the Muldoon's due to their fishing company.
By Part VII, we learn about why things unraveled. As Ambrose gets closer, he keeps pushing until we get the emotional climactic season finale in Part VIII. Finally able to tie up some loose ends by paying close attention to fine details, we find out about the shady side business Percy's Dad Sean and creepy Uncle Colin had to help keep the Muldoon Company afloat.
We also learn how the Lamb's oldest son died tragically in a dispute about a boat he used. When it's revealed who killed him, it is pretty sad. No wonder Percy couldn't escape. She was broken. Her overly protective grandma Meg was selfish in wanting her to stay. We learn why Sean is so weak. So much is uncovered that it's hard to believe.
By the end, her Dad does right by her. Eventually, the Lamb's are off the hook and can have peace. So can Ambrose after he took some dangerous risks that made you wonder about his psyche. At the conclusion, we see him talking to Percy again by the spot she decided to jump. He finally kneels down in unison and makes peace.
I wonder though if that's really the last we've seen of him. Would they ever consider revisiting it down the road? It really was well produced, directed and acted. I thought the chemistry between Pullman and Kremelberg in their imaginary scenes was unique. Ambrose definitely related well to Percy. A tortured soul.
I will miss the show. Thank you to everyone who put so much work into it.
Half Nelson (2006)
Fantastic And Really Thought Provoking
I stumbled upon this movie tonight. Hard to believe I never saw it before. I'm a big fan of Ryan Gosling. I discovered him in Murder By Numbers when he was cast opposite Sandra Bullock with Jacob Pitts. That feels so long ago.
When I sat and watched Half Nelson, it just looked interesting. The subject was unique. How many teachers can connect with a student like he did as Mr. Dunne with Dre, who was magnificently played by Shareeka Epps? Wow. What a performance by both.
Obviously, these are complex characters due to Mr. Dunne's serious issue outside the classroom. Ditto for Dre, who has her own complicated life living in a tough neighborhood due to a challenging family situation.
I truly believe that's why they connect in the film. They understand each other. Not only when he's teaching history and relating well to the students while coaching the girls basketball team. But on a personal level. There's a mutual understanding.
It's definitely one of those movies that makes you think about how difficult life can be when things get in the way. Outside distractions. We learn early on about Dan's substance abuse problem and realize as things move along, it's going to come to a head.
The same for Dre, who's a good kid trying to learn in class and play basketball while not always having her Mom home due to her job. Real life situations we shouldn't ignore. Not everyone comes from a good home. She has to handle obstacles like her jailed brother's friend Frank, who's a bad influence.
I also found the lunch break scenes unique as I once subbed. Those shouldn't be overlooked either. I found myself rooting for both Mr. Dunne and Dre, who's the hero.
This is an excellent movie. I'm not surprised it received so many nominations and accolades. There is so much to like because they tackled a hard subject. Gosling really shines along with Epps. I know he's gotten so much attention for other movies. But I loved this role. He is superb.
See this film. It makes a difference.
The Sinner: Part III (2021)
Buried Family Secrets
Things are getting interesting. Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) makes some fascinating new discoveries by doing good investigative work. How much do the Muldoons really know about Percy (Alice Kremelberg)? More than they're willing to discuss.
We also find out where Percy stayed when she left home to live on the mainland. Apparently, she had a very different life than working for her family's fisherman company.
The most intriguing part was the uncomfortable dinner which Ambrose attends with his girlfriend. He pushes the envelope. Tension mounts. A few fireworks lead to a very interesting ending that leaves viewers asking more questions. What other secrets can he uncover?
The suspense builds. I can't wait for Episode 4.
The Sinner: Part II (2021)
The Suspense Builds
In the second episode, we learn a lot more about Percy's history. A hidden secret relationship not even her grandparents know about. But it's more than that. There's an interesting conflict that boils to the surface.
As usual, Ambrose (Bill Pullman) is able to discover a lot more by picking up on some key details. The imagery that I've come to love about The Sinner is on full display. Throw in some revealing flashbacks which provide the viewer with more subtle hints.
There's also another secret that feels sinister in nature that Percy might've been tied to. Did it change her? The actress Alice Kremelberg is very good as her. Strikingly beautiful in a haunting way. But so convincing.
I can't wait for Episode 3.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Trade (2008)
An Emotional Cliffhanger
I'd never seen this episode before. It looked interesting. So, I finally watched it. Your classic rich father/son duo in the coffee business. Both flawed in character. Especially the egotistical Dad. He was very unlikable. But played well. I thought both actors did a good job portraying each and the odd relationship they had. Dad impregnated the son's fiancée after we learn he couldn't get her pregnant.
She turns up dead. It looks like either one or both are involved. The case becomes complicated due to a juror. But all the assumptions they make are wrong. The ending is a total cliffhanger. Shocking the audience. The ending left a bitter taste when the guilty person is revealed. It was unnecessary.
A good episode with lots of drama and excitement. But a crushing ending that tarnished it somewhat.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: True Believers (2011)
Frustrating But Understandable
It's a good episode for sure because of the controversial subject. Of course, you feel terrible for Sara, who lets him into the elevator not knowing what was about to happen. She complies after being held gunpoint.
The confusing part is we don't know much about the previous black male she had set with which put the case into question. That along with Amaro not being able to convince them he had a gun after the search hurt their chances.
You feel for Olivia, who's so good at her job. Mariska is amazing. But she couldn't even have her partner's back due to not seeing the gun. Danny Pino, who did great work previous on Cold Case, feels let down. The evidence is circumstantial. DA Ellis just does his job. It's not easy as he tells Benson at the end. I thought that was good with him offering her an outlet. We all need that.
You feel awful for Sara and her parents. It's tough on the eyes.
El Final del Paraíso (2019)
Entertaining But Lacking A Better Ending
I enjoyed it. There were a lot of interesting subplots. Especially between Titi, Catalina Santana, Hilda, Mariana and Diabla. Albeiro as well.
It's definitely a lot go digest. I will have to watch the previous two series to fully understand the relationships. The flashbacks help tell the story. However, they overused it.
I feel like the ending was rushed. Maybe due to cost of production. Or ratings. What really happened to Santiago? I wish we could've gotten more of an explanation. What about Cata's husband Hernan? I'm not even sure how they could've found him once Alexander had Mariana killed. That at least was well executed with her dying in Catalina's arms apologizing and telling her she loved her. Very emotional scene.
What became of Shadow, who was a likeable character despite what he'd been through due to the evil Black Hand? Did he really start over with his untrustworthy son or was he killed? What about Sebastian? He was a foolish character. A total waste.
Shouldn't Diabla have had to face her family for her actions? Yesica was so evil. But portrayed well. Did she go to jail? Shouldn't the media have found out the truth?
They really could've done a better job tying up the loose ends. Titi was one of my favorite characters. He was hilarious, but at the same time had a serious side despite all his regrettable actions as a drug trafficker who manipulated Mariana. And his words proved prophetic. He died for the woman he truly loved.
Does Albeiro wind up with Catalina? This needed five more episodes to complete. I liked how the location took place in Colombia. Very nice production and direction.