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joealbanese-53658
Reviews
Fallout: The Target (2024)
Ridiculous
I thought I'd check out this series because of the great reviews even though I never played the game but after two episodes I'm done and I am a big fan of post apocalyptic shows but this was so ridiculous it couldn't keep my attention. The characters and premise are so un-serious I had no desire to invest my time with something as absurd as this idiotic show. Maybe this implausible world works as a game environment but it just didn't work for me. For me, for a show to work I have to believe that the characters act in a somewhat reasonable way even if they are in an absurd world but I don't get that sense in this series. The emotions of the characters don't match with what is going on. Ever. It's as if everyone is playing their parts with their tongues firmly planted in their cheek. Well, that was a waste of a couple hours.
The New Look (2024)
Interesting premise poor execution
The series got my attention in the beginning episodes because I love history and the depiction of Vichy Paris was interesting but it was unable to overcome the horrible accents, uneven acting, and a style of cinematography that is exquisitely boring. Everything is shot with a low dynamic range, washed out look, that I assume the director thought was a stylish way to portray the time period. It didn't work for me and just made for a very unappealing visual experience and the storytelling was't strong enough to overcome that for me. As someone who does a lot of video editing I could help but think while watching that with a few tweets I could have made the movie look a hell of a lot better.
Délicieux (2021)
Beautiful
Loved this movie. It was as beautiful and sumptuous as a gourmet meal. The story kept me interested from beginning to end and was accompanied by some great cinematography, wonderful acting, appropriate soundtrack and intelligent writing. And the ending was a very satisfying one. I am not sure what else anyone would want in a movie of this sort. Oh, and there were no super hero's or car chases, another big plus.
There was one reviewer who complained that the protagonist had a beard which apparently was rare for the 18th century. He seemed truly offended by that but I guess he didn't catch in the movie where the chef was criticized by one of the Duke's dinner guests for his beard so I am not even sure what the point of the reviewer was all about. Again if your cup of tea is fast action, wild car chases, aliens and super hero's this is not a movie for you but if you love a sweet beautiful story told and photographed exquisitely then give it a shot.
House of the Dragon: Second of His Name (2022)
Can't wait for the next episode
When I find myself looking forward to the next episode I know that the show has succeeded in capturing my interest. There is no question HotD has done that. Those that are comparing it to GOT after 3 episodes are just ridiculous. Let's wait for an entire season and then we can make comparisons but so far so good. They are developing the characters, the writing is intelligent and the production values are off the charts.
Oh and pro tip, if you see any interview with the word "woke" in it, don't even bother reading because it is more than likely written by some little fragile little thing that just can't handle diversity in any form as it apparently threatens their world view. It is sooooo tiresome.
The Orville (2017)
Skip the 1 and 2 star reviews.
Another enjoyable episode but I have to respond to all the silly 1 and 2 star reviews. Inevitably the word "woke" appears in these reviews. These fragile little children that can't stand a program that examines social issues are truly sad closed minded individuals that let their political viewpoints govern their reviews. Star Trek which clearly this show is modeled on ALWAYS was used to explore societal issues. If you don't like that in your entertainment fine, stop watching, I'm sure there are plenty of shows where white males rein supreme.
Star Trek: Picard: Penance (2022)
Enjoying this. . .
Ok, I like where this season going. Very entertaining. I like the crew, I like the cinematography. I like the story. Again as other have said, much better than Discovery.
Star Trek: Picard: The Star Gazer (2022)
Great season opener
Very pleasantly surprised by the season opener. Like others have said, it seems more like an extension of TNG than any of the other Trek series and was definitely better than Discovery. Beautifully filmed, great effects. Can't wait for the next episode. Oh and don't mind the 1 star reviews, inevitably they are by those that are upset with the politics that they perceive in the show rather than quality. Silly angry boys.
1883: Racing Clouds (2022)
Another great episode
I just love this show. The writing, the cinematography, the music, it always transports me to another place - a harsh and cruel place with unimaginable beauty. The characters are not stereotypes and always reveal deeper conflicting emotions. It is powerful drama done exquisitely.
1883: The Weep of Surrender (2022)
Pass by the 1 star reviews
I find it humous that so many guys seemed threated by a strong female lead character that they feel compelled to write 1 star reviews. It think it says more about their deflated male egos than it has to do with the show. The story is about seeing this trek through the eyes of Elsa. That's the story. She is the narrator. If you don't like that then stop watching the show.
Everything about this show is high quality. The cinematography is stunning, the writing brilliant, the actors and characters engrossing. One of the best shows I have seen in a long long time.
So those that rate this show a 1 on a scale of 1 to 10 is saying that there are not TV shows worse than this. Think about that for a moment. How ridiculous can they be. Listen you may not like the show, you might prefer it didn't focus on a 17 year old girl's perceptions of her journey, that's fine but that doesn't mean the show rates a 1. I don't know about the rest of you but when I see a rating of 1 I pass right by the reviewer because it ALWAYS has something to do issues other than the show but rather their politics or cultural perspective. I just had to vent.
Dune (2021)
Silly 1 ratings
I have to laugh at those giving this movie a 1 rating. Do they understand what a 1 to 10 rating means? To give a movie a 1 you are saying that there are no worse movies ever made. It is just so silly to give these really low scores. The movie may have not been to your liking, or maybe it was too slow for those with attention deficit disorder but that doesn't make it a 1. Was the cinematography a 1? The costumes a 1? The writing a 1? The music? Acting? Ridiculous silly people. Whenever I see such a low score I just pass it by as it is most likely written by someone so clueless that I have no need to waste my time reading their childish opinions.
Lovecraft Country: Full Circle (2020)
Disappointing
This series has been all over the place and inconsistent in quality. While the last few episodes were impressive the finale was pretty bad. I found myself so bored with the so called plot I found myself on Twitter half paying attention. Again, the series had great potential and at times was brilliant but this last episode was just a hot mess.
Mr. Robot: 407 Proxy Authentication Required (2019)
Damn
I hardly ever write reviews - only when I truly hate something, or I truly love something. I don't think I have to tell you which I felt for this episode. Brilliant, riveting tv. The writing, the cinematography, the direction and the acting are all superlative. Intensely enjoyable.
The Handmaid's Tale: Household (2019)
Incredible cinematography
The cinematography gets better and better. Every frame is a thing of beauty. I thought the episode was a little slow as far as moving the plot along but the imagery was powerful throughout and I enjoyed minute.
Star Trek: Discovery: Point of Light (2019)
Beware of some of these low reviews
So as I write this there are only 8 written reviews and 2 are clearly written by the same person with different accounts, one of which was just created this month. How do I know that they are the same person, well they use the same language regarding something called the "Bechdel Test". (and the reviewer completely gets the test wrong by the way)
So this person gives it a 1 and 2 stars review and says that the show is "propaganda" and that it proselytizes about accepting other cultural ideas and beliefs and that the show pushes an agenda. He/she says that the show panders to "progressiveness". So this is not really a review of the show but a political statement. What's really funny is that this reviewer ludicrously suggests that the old Star Trek would never so such a thing. Huh?. Star Trek was known for tacking current events such as race relations, sexism, militarism, etc. and being very socially conscious. That the reviewer doesn't know this leads me to believe he is not a true Star Trek fan at all.
So this reviewer felt soooooo strongly about the supposed political content of this entertainment show that he created a new account just so he can review it twice with low numbers. Who knows, by the time you read this he might be up to 3, 4 or 5 reviews. Just be forewarned to read his reviews with the huge grain of salt required. It is sad that people political agenda has to impose itself even here in a review of TV show.
Oh, and I thought the show was very entertaining. I look forward every week for the next episode and I am a die hard Star Trek fan. This show does honor to those that preceded it.
Sorry for the rant but those two reviews just annoyed the living heck out of me.
Vikings: Ragnarok (2019)
Disappointing
I was just underwhelmed by this episode and felt that it was so unrealistic and unbelievable that it turned me off. For example Bjorn is there in full view of his enemies, maybe 20 feet away, with no cover, for what seemed like forever, without so much as being wounded. Give me a break. Yeah, yeah "Ironsides" I get it but it was just unbelievable that the defenders would not concentrate their fire power on the handful of attackers trying to break down the gate. Silly, unbelievable, and quite frankly annoying as all hell. Stop taking your viewers for granted by trying to make us swallow such absurdities.
Maniac (2018)
Not for everyone
This series is not for everyone. And that is a good thing in my estimation. When you shoot to please everyone you usually end up with some mediocre bland product. But for those of us that like something a little different this was a real gem. Some have said this was similiar to Black Mirror in that it creates its own strange alternate reality which it does most appealingly as far as I am concerned and then it gets weird from there. What really made the series for me were the riveting performances of Emma Stone and Jonah Hill. I couldn't take my eyes off of them. Take a chance and you may find yourself madly binge watching like I did.