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Matt Rife: Natural Selection (2023)
Well That Was Disappointing
My wife and I were waiting for Saturday night for the new Netflix special with Matt Rife. That's our "kickback and relax" night after a typical week of work and hauling kids around. We had both previously sent several video clips of Matt to each other and thought he was hilarious... even talked about going and seeing him live on tour.
I'm not sure what happened here but we both talked about the fact that every video clip we have ever seen with Matt has him bantering with someone in the audience and apparently, that's his sweet spot. His stand-up, without audience involvement, just lacks so much. He was like the opening comedian at a club show... that guy you chuckle at, but it's clear why he's opening for the really funny guy. He just doesn't make you laugh much at all.
We'd probably still go see Matt if he was playing at a local club, but I would encourage you to spend your hour on something else if you are pondering this Netflix option. It was hard to make it until the end.
Arctic Void (2022)
The Government Is At It Again
I rather enjoyed this film and since I had read reviews first, I expected a horrible ending (and maybe that helped lower my expectations out of the gate).. but didn't see it that way at all. I liked it and thought it made a thoroughly solid point. I feel like many reviewers here simply weren't grasping the true concept of the movie. Without spoiling anything, it's brought together nicely by making the point that Big Brother is going to do what they want to do.
I saw someone else mention there wasn't really a point to the whole movie but again.. there was indeed! They let you know why things were happening (even if they never exposed a particular person or group behind it) and the very issue they're dealing with in the movie is based on real life "conspiracy theories". It just makes you kind of take a step back and go, "Hmm.. what if.. " - and I think that was the full intention of the movie.
It had a bit of suspense, some good tense moments and some decent acting. I think it does a good job of leaving you considering things by the time the credits roll. It's not going to be up for Movie of the Year, but it was never made for that reason.
Jack Ryan (2018)
Started great but lost its way
I really enjoyed the first season... But every subsequent season fell well short of capturing the excitement season 1 gave us. I like Krasinski as much as anyone but his character is extremely one dimensional and almost sleepy in this series. At times, I genuinely feel like it is Jim, from The Office, trying to save the world. It's not bad acting though. It's just lazy writing and I kept forgiving episode after episode, believing the next one was going to.turn things around- but each one just lulled me into an earlier bedtime than usual.
I don't think a show like this does itself any favors by releasing one episode a week. It really makes the viwer lose interest. In any case, I tried to give it a chance. It's not terrible but it's boring enough that I won't be bothered to watch any more episodes. Maybe you'll like it though!
Logan's Run (1977)
A Hidden Gem From Yesteryear!
How has this series never been recreated?! I just spent the last 2 weeks rewatching it and being reminded of how absolutely captivated I was by it when seen through my 8 year old eyes. I fully expected to find it laughable now but it just brought smiles. I sure didn't expect to find myself invested in the series this time around, but I was! The chemistry between Logan, Jessica and Rem was perfection. It was a post-apocalyptic treat that still entertains after all these years. Of course I wished it could have continued but just thankful we had 14 episodes.
I predict that someday, someone is going to take another look at this and see the potential of bringing it back to the big screen. Watching the Carousel ceremony with today's FX would be sublime. Well done to everyone involved in creating this memorable masterpiece!
The Patient (2022)
Starts To Drag On... Endlessly
The acting is good, though Steve (who plays Alan) always has a bit of Michael Scott in him that he'll never be able to shake. But.. I didn't expect Tom Hanks or Harrison Ford, so I'm satisfied with his performance. The killer.(Gleeson) is superb as a nutjob.
The first problem is the writing. As the episodes go on, the writers realized they didn't have enough material to create an entire series about 2 guys in a room.. so Alan has a lot of visions and flashbacks. It makes for some really boring minutes where you'll find yourself getting drinks and using the restroom until Gleeson returns to make the show interesting again.
The other problem here are the short episodes. You're just getting into it.. and it ends and you have to wait another week. It makes the show endlessly slow. It's hard to ever get drawn into the drama because of this. If you haven't started, I'd suggest waiting until the entire season is out before you do.
The only thing left is a disappointing ending and I feel it's on the way. I'll finish the season though. I'm mildly interested enough to turn it on when there's nothing else on. If it can turn itself around or give me something truly unexpected, I'll update the stars.
Messiah (2020)
Loved it! ...Even as a Conservative Christian
Not sure why there's a problem with the movie among some of the church goers. I thought it was beautifully written and executed. It's fiction folks! It does make one think a lot though.. 'what if this happened? how much would/should I allow myself to believe?' That's a lot of what I like about it though.
The entire series was produced by Hollywood Christian couple Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (Touched By An Angel star) and they did such a great job with this. The characters are perfectly casted.
Give it a watch, watch with an open mind and remind yourself that God created us to ask questions. He wants you to come to Him through your own process of discovery so don't be afraid to ask the tough questions and look for answers to them. He wants us too!
There's nothing here that's infringing on the sanctity of religion. It's okay to love it. I can't wait for season 2!
Lost in Space (2018)
The Best Show on Netflix
Love this show. It's a great one to watch with the family. It's science fiction so not sure what the over analysis is about in a lot of the reviews. Star Trek wouldn't have held together under close scrutiny either but it was superb! Thanks for this one, Netflix!
The I-Land (2019)
The Island of Bad Actors
Somehow, all the worst possible actors and actresses end up on the same island in this Netflix series. If that's not enough, they all react to situations in the exact opposite manner a normal human would. I'm still confused as to how Netflix put their name on this?
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (2019)
Comedy is Alive!
It was refreshing to see a comedian discard the PC culture and return to the roots of comedy - where any/everything is a target. This was a return to the days of Richard Pryor. It was Dave Chappelle at his finest, unafraid of the critics and doing what he does best. Thank you to Dave for showing other comedians that it really is OK to still be funny!
Designated Survivor (2016)
2 Great Season, and then.... .
Really enjoyed this show but then season 3 came along and it became everything wrong with TV. Too bad. This was a great show for 2 seasons. Quit watching 2 episodes in on the third season. Many other reviewers have detailed the problems with season 3 so I won't drone on.
We need a new Kiefer show!
The Great Hack (2019)
A Democrat Propaganda Film
Disappointing. Clearly, data has enormous value and it's being utilized by the largest, most powerful tech companies on the planet... but this film would have you think the 2016 election was just a huge data hack by the Trump campaign. It wastes no time stating it's premise and then throughout the rest of the film, we are treated to all the wrong-doing by those deceptive Republicans, who manipulated the system to wrong. Apparently, Google and Facebook just need to be more careful, as a lesson, but those darn Republicans turned the whole system on end and anyone who placed a vote for Donald Trump did so only because s/he were tricked, because someone stole your data and manipulated you. All this time, we were told it was Russia but since Mueller proved that wrong, I guess they finally figured it out for sure this time!
The film is a pathetic attempt to forward the socialist narrative and deem the Republican Party as corrupt.
A Million Little Things (2018)
I Want More!
Just finished the last episode of Season 1. It's a great show. It gets quite heavy now and again, but it's filled with real, raw human emotion. Sure.. it's a bit cliche at times but pretty solid writing throughout, regardless.
Love the cast too. Some great acting moments. The only casting problem I have is Gary and Maggie being a couple. He seems like he'd be better slated to play her Dad.. but I still enjoy both their characters and what they bring to the show.
Please have a season 2! This show is just getting good!
Cobra Kai (2018)
I Freaking LOVED this show!!
Thank you soooo much to everyone who played a part in bringing this back. I can't say enough good about it. William Zabka (Johnny Lawrence) is the absolute best. This guy needs to be in a lot more movies. Hearing him yell at the Cobra Kai students never gets old ( I didn't anticipate laughing so much as I did on some of the lines ). He's always great. Really hope to see him in a lot more movies from here on. I love that they made him so likable and didn't just cast him as the antagonist only. We finally get to see why Johnny was such an angry young man and you can't help but like him now. He really makes this show.
The writing in this is stupendous. They nailed it! It's this old 80's humor and music combined with a good story line of tricky relationships. Daniel San (now, Sensei Daniel) is great. He's a well to do car salesman now but still has the old boyish moments of befuddlement that we remember him for. It's interesting to see that as far removed as Daniel is from his past, the fear creeps right back when his past comes back around to revisit him. It really takes you back to the original movie when this happens.
Maybe it's because I'm older and the original Karate Kid movie is one of those master classics from my past that makes this so endearing now, but I can't say enough good about this reboot. I also loved that they honor Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita - RIP) a few times throughout the show. No doubt he would be proud of this masterpiece.
Keep the seasons coming! I'll watch this for as long as youtube makes it. It is simply brilliant in every way!
The Heart of Man (2017)
A Deeply Moving, Honest Look Into Why We Feel Unworthy of God's Love and a God Who Always Loves Us
This is a movie that takes a hard and honest look at the roots of shame. It examines why so many feel unworthy to be loved and why these feelings create destructive behaviors. It addresses how many use pornography as an extension of their imagination in an attempt to find fulfillment - with interviews of top thought-leaders, William Paul Young ("The Shack"), Dr. Dan Allender (Professor of Counseling Psychology), John Lynch (co-author, "The Cure) and Jackie Hill Perry (spoken word artist), on brokenness, identity and shame. It's a movie about unfailing love and hope.
It features a small part from Serena Karnagy (from the Hawaii Five-O series) and it has an amazing music score and cinematography. It's uniquely done and admirably so, as the retelling of the ancient prodigal son story is intertwined with real life testimonies.
This movie is a piece of art. I have every intention of watching it several more times. There's a lot to take in - a lot to chew on. It moves you. It's about our human nature and it's a confirmation of a spiritual journey that we are all on - one that ultimately yields great reward.
"Shame hates it when we reach out and tell our story. It hates having words wrapped around it - it can't survive being shared. Shame loves secrecy. When we bury our story, the shame metastasizes." - Brené Brown
Out of the Furnace (2013)
Great Action Turns Into a Sleeper
Maybe I was just expecting too much. Having seen the trailer, I was wanting to see this one for a while and excited to finally get an opportunity. It started great - lots of action and let's face it - you really can't go wrong with these actors. They're superb. But.. even great acting couldn't save this one. I found myself clock staring for the whole last hour. The build to the climax was far too long and the climax was certainly the worst part of the film. It was one of those movies where you anticipate the many exciting, different ways the story could play out and when you see how it actually does, you just wish you had spent the night laying on the couch and watching something on Netflix. Wait for it to come out on Redbox. Shouldn't be long.
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Good entertaining movie - Just enjoy it for the action
As has been repeated over and over here, it's not very plausible, but... I just went to be entertained with some action and it didn't disappoint in that respect. The ending could have been much better. This dude was too smart to allow for the ending that was given us. I thought for sure that the "secret friend" emailing was our vigilante himself, planning his own death and that he had planned everything, right up to the bomb being brought back to his cell and seeing himself out. I was waiting for the 'Hope you learned something' email to pop up after his death, but.. nope. He was just dumb and got caught.
The most impressive thing of all though was the cell phone coverage that he was getting while in solitary confinement. He was tunneling back in through brick and mortar.. and here in the midst of this dark, stone encased cell in the bottom of this huge building, he was going to call this other phone to send a signal and blow the bomb up. Impressive. Was this Verizon, AT&T....? Someone please let me know so I can get this carrier.
Still a fun flick to watch with some great lines throughout. I just prefer my vigilantes to have a bit of a moral compass when taking out vengeance.. not this "kill em' all" attitude.