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Reviews
Dark Matter (2024)
Great Adaptation by Blake Crouch
I never review something before a season is up, but the negative reviews were almost laughably unreasonable; and they failed to acknowledge that this is an adaptation of Blake Crouch's book, by Blake Crouch himself. So far, it is almost pitch perfect to the book. I have frankly never seen an adaptation so true to the source.
If you loved the book like I did, then so far so good. Solid acting from the leads. Edgerton and Connelly are superb. Simpson is great.
There's a real status-shift that each character has compared to their other-dimensional ones, and the show really brings this to life in a way I couldn't quite conjure in the book. Crouch is not terribly descriptive with his character development in the book, but he does a great job differentiating everyone on screen.
For example, Jason the burnt out professor vs. Jason the famous scientist; Daniela the mom and gallery owner vs. Daniela the famous artist; Ryan the prestigious up-and-coming scientist vs. Ryan the overweight, insecure underling.
Read the book, it's great. And so far the show is, too.
Will update when S1 wraps.
Luchshe, chem lyudi (2018)
For F's Sake... Watch the original with subtitles, not the overdub. You owe it to the actors.
This exceeded expectations in all ways and, at 16 episodes, was quite a slow burn. Characters cycled in, then out, almost as if two seasons had passed. They tie it all together in the end and it left me feeling satisfied with it being a one-and-done season, if that's the case. Well done all around; solid acting, directing and editing. Please watch the original Russian version; I honestly don't understand people who are too lazy to watch subtitles but it depresses me. Watching the original is worth it.
Middleditch & Schwartz (2020)
It's not just "Yes, And..."
Improv enthusiasts may have beef with this special, as hardcore Del Close followers would attest to: improv is meant to be shared in the moment, not recorded or saved for posterity.
That said, long form improv can sometimes produce some of the most hilarious, thought-provoking, and creative theater in modern times. Middleditch and Schwarz have the combined experience and comfort with one another that make for a long form improv experience unlike which I have ever seen.
What makes it so unique is not just that it's recorded in front of a live audience, or that it's not some reboot of a beloved short-form improv show from the late '90s, but the fact that the duo allow themselves some leeway in breaking and bending "the rules".
Performing long-form improv is a hard enough job all by itself, but the two create and weave stories that center around dozens of characters, they themselves playing all of them interchangeably. It is a feat I have not seen accomplished so smoothly across the hundreds of live performances I have witnessed both as a player and audience member. Usually you have a team to step in and help fill the gaps. These guys do it all by themselves and manage to patch it all together in the end.
I understand if the old school enthusiasts cry foul that this was not only recorded but that so many rules were broken. Yes, the duo sometimes forget which character is which, or where they're headed, or what the plot is or "why" in general, but the fact that they are so quick on their feet to recover and the fact that they make light and fun of this imperfection -- because what mere mortal could remember all they're spinning?! -- is part of why this is so entertaining and endearing.
When long-form improv becomes more of a household thing (streaming services will take note from this success) we will look back in 10/20/30 years and cite Middleditch and Schwarz as the main influencers.
They weren't the first to do this, but they're among the best, and will be cemented that way thanks to Netflix.
The Public (2018)
Alec Baldwin didn't ruin the movie
Just need to balance it out, here. Alec didn't ruin the movie. It was pretty damn good all around.