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Reviews
Monarca (2019)
Muy Bueno
Monarca is a very good show. The big question is will it continue. Netflix has an extremely high cancellation rate.
This show is everything the new Dynasty could have been.
The core family has secrets, and there are twists, turns, suspense, and it's amazingly entertaining while relying on good writing. The actors have plenty of material to shine.
This is a show where everyone from the producers, crew, and cast are just spot on. The performances were right on cue.
If you don't speak Spanish, subtitles are available. With the theatrical cinematography, it will be like seeing a foreign movie.
The cast is too large to mention everyone, but this show is perfectly cast. Different generations of actors seem like a real family.
One Day at a Time (2017)
Amazing Show!!!
One Day at a Time is a quality production, and it appears Netflix was in remiss to cancel it after three seasons. The third season was perfection. We're fortunate that POP picked up the show for a fourth season.
While the basic concept is taken from the 70's/80's show of the same name, several elements were updated to reflect our modern era. The core family, now Latinx is portrayed by very talented actors, and they make their characters seem like goid friends.
Justina Machado plays Penelope. Viewers may remember her run on Six Feet Under where her dramatic talents were well utilized. She was also in Queen of the South, another high tension drama.
In One Day at a Time, we're introduced to her comedic side, and she's brilliant.
The legendary, and Academy Award winning, Rita Moreno plays Penelope's mother Lydia with nothing short of pure expertise. She makes every scene with her something special.
Rita Moreno is magic, and her timing is magnificent.
Isabella Gomez plays Elena, and we share her coming out story, and it's a heartfelt journey of laughter and tears. Initially rejected by her father, her mother, Penelope, and the rest of the main cast share her dance at her Quinceanera.
Marcil Ruiz plays Alex, the youngest child. We see his adolescent journey as he faces circumstances that really face teenagers.
Todd Grinnell plays Schneider, the eccentric owner of the building where Penelope lives with her family. He is good natured, and the Alvarez family depends upon him as much as he depends on them. His comedic timing plays superbly with the rest of the cast.
Supporting characters of Dr. Berkowitz and Syd are also amazing additions to the series.
The stories span from silly to serious. Viewers will laugh and cry.
It's also a show that you can watch with any age group. I started watching it when I was looking for something to watch with my nephew. A sign of the good writing is that the show is satisfying for multiple generations. It's funny without rauch, and has serious moments without being overwhelming to younger viewers.
One of the most important aspects of the show is that it illustrates diversity without being preachy. It addresses current issues without being derogatory.
This is a wonderful show, and I look forward to Season 4, and feel fortunate another network saw the magic, and felt it's worthy to continue the show.
Dynasty (2017)
Terrible
Before you read this review, you should know I was an avid fan of the original show.
This version is atrocious.
Elizabeth Gillies is great as Fallon, and one great character in an ensemble show cannot make up for all that is wrong with this version.
I liked the idea of a modern and multicultural version, but this has an amateur writing tream that appears to be more interested in reality TV, than writing a soap opera. More directly, the writing is for the lowest IQ viewers.
The actors do their best, but the scripts are bad... really bad.
One episode had Sammy Jo running a contest with potential nannies. There were more eye rolls than blenders (yes, blenders. They were making baby food.), and I was embarrassed for the actors. It was so bad, the baby story was dropped.
You would think Joan Collins provided a blue print for Alexis. Despite casting Knots Landings' Nicolette Sheridan, Alexis 2.0 was somwhere between disaster and being skinned alive. It was the writing. It was horrible. They called the character Alexis, but she was not Alexis.
Cristal was killed off after the first season, only for viewers to learn she had a spare Cristal, who just happened to have some weird crush on the Carrington family.
The spare Cristal became Mrs. Carrington, but... the actress has to leave the show, for personal reasons, just as Nicolette Sheridan had to leave the show for personal reasons.
It has been announced Season 3 will introduce a 3rd Cristal.
It's true. Linda Evans is a hard act to follow.
If you want to watch Dynasty, go for the original.
The reboot is a giant mess.
Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
Loved it! Hated it too.
After the original series was cancelled, and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, everyone thought Twin Peaks was over. We didn't imagine we would ever learn the fate of Agent Cooper or Audrey Horne.
Nearly 25 years later, not only were we stunned so much time had passed, but the announcement came of a third season. It was a huge deal for me. I still listen to the soundtrack on a regular basis.
My excitement was through the roof.
I'm not going to go over all the ways to interpret the third season, and what it means to the Twin Peaks universe as a whole. There are dozens of sites that do that.
I'm going to discuss it from an entertainment perspective.
My rating of 5 out of 10 reflects that I literally loved and hated the third season equally.
The first episodes have everything to suck you in. We get to see characters we loved in the early 90's. It was like seeing old friends. If I could have hugged them, I would have.
We also meet new characters, and we witness supernatural events. All the qualities of a David Lynch production are present.
The artistry of his direction cannot be denied. The universe of universe filled with beautiful agony, and it's intoxicating.
There is an episode known for the footage of a nuclear explosion. It could literally stand alone as a short film.
My frustrations were all the snail paced scenes with new characters, and there were interesting scenes, but no stories for returning characters.
The Double R is still there. Norma and Shelly are still a team, but there just wasn't a story. When Audrey Horne appears, it's magical, but no story.
We finally meet Diane, and Laura Dern was perfection. This is one of the most satisfying Lynch characters.
As the season progressed, viewers can almost taste a satisfying ending is just a couple episodes away. Agent Cooper regains his heroic demeanor, after being trapped in the Black Lodge for 25 years.
The ending, which I will not spoil, initially angered me. I couldn't believe it would end that way after all the years. After a few days, I started loving the ending. Nothing was left neat.
I still wish all the returning characters had been part of more coherent stories, but we don't always get what we want.
Times have changed, since the original series, but I wanted more time with characters we hadn't seen for so long.
The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Really Good
I'm not going to offer spoilers, and I highly recommend this movie for fans of the horror genre.
The acting is spot on, which is especially noteworthy. Two of the main cast members are very talented children. You believe they're terrified.
The story, of course, is based on the Mexican legend, and the writers and director did a great job of creating a modern tale, based on the legend. This is a big accomplishment. Many times, a tale based on legend does not play well on the big screen. This one stands out, and I feel confident in saying it will be a Halloween favorite for generations to come.
The characters in peril are all more than likeable. They're either lovable, solicit your empathy, or have a perfect horror film presence.
Ir al cine. ¡La Llorona te espera!
Free Solo (2018)
A Job Well Done
I don't understand why anyone would want to climb El Capitan without a rope (who am I kidding? With a rope either), but this was an impressive accomplishment.
Watching stressed me out enough I had to look up the film.
Again, I don't understand the desire, but different interests are what makes the world go round.
I hate climbing a ladder, so a giant rock is out of the question.
The filmmakers did a good job presenting the motivation, and I imagine rock climbing enthusiasts will be thrilled to see this film.
La niña (2016)
Suspenseful and Entertaining
"La Niña" is a compelling story about a girl in Colombia that was kidnapped and forced to join the guerrillas. It is a Nextflix Original Spanish language series.
With 88 episodes, it really feels like four quality seasons of an American television show. Watching over the course of a few months, the show is very satisfying at its worse, and beautifully interesting at its best.
The cast brings more than talent, and this show features an ensemble cast that clearly placed their hearts into their work. Everyone does a wonderful job. I found myself rather emotional when I reached the closing credits of the final episode. The characters are developed in a way that makes them feel like you're visiting friends.
Being based on a true story, the narrative is rich in an array of emotions and personal struggles. I have not visited Colombia, and was unaware of the level of difficulty those who escaped the guerrillas faced. This prejudice is directly addressed by educating the audience as characters grow, or dig their heels in. It's done in a realistic way, without being preachy.
Initially, there are scenes set in the past and present that effectively add context when we meet Belky, La Niña. After escaping, at the still young age of 15, Belky is commits petty crimes to survive. She gets arrested, and lands in a re-entry program.
While in the program, Belky meets Manuel, who also escaped, and they start a romance. Belky also identifies her dream of studying medicine, and she is reunited with her biological family.
The brother Belky traded places with when she was abducted died while she was captive. As would be expected, it's devastating. The family is indeed in great pain. The performances are so powerful, viewers are flooded with empathy.
Reunification isn't easy. Belky and her mother experience conflict. Her sisters fear she is dangerous.
At times, Belky's mother could be misunderstood as being overbearing, but it's clear she's experiencing her own personal hell. Not only was Belky kidnapped, but her son died. The family also struggles economically.
Spanning close to four years, Belky faces many obstacles. Her former commander hunts her, a doctor tries to poison her, and a vengeful former guerrilla threatens Belky's family when she can't get to Belky.
When Belky is accepted to medical school, she finds a whole support system among the professors and students. The best part is that each character is explored, providing 3 dimensional people that go through their own growth and challenges.
Belky experiences some bullying, and later establishes a semi friendship with her bully, who we learn has a stressful home life of her own.
To me, this show illustrates the strength that lives within us. Belky's experiences are horrific, and they never break her. She keeps getting up. She keeps fighting. She is strength.
I would like to see IMDB add more information about the cast and crew. They are so talented. The production values are top notch. I don't get tired of saying the cast did an amazing job.
If I were to identify criticisms of this series, there were a few times that Belky reached out for help and adults tried to tell her things weren't as bad as she sees them. I wanted to scream at them a few times, but in the end, they all come through.
If you don't speak Spanish, English subtitles are available.
If you have the opportunity, this is a rich story, well worth your time.
Enemigo Íntimo (2018)
Very Entertaining
In an era where nearly every show has taken at least some elements of a serial format, this super series stands out. It is beautifully cast, action packed, and offers many twists and turns.
The talented cast is lead by Fernanda Castillo and Raul Mendez. They play siblings separated after the murder of their parents.
Ms. Castillo portrays Roxana Rodiles with many layers. She is exotic, mysterious, and dangerous. You can almost feel danger radiating from her, and you want her to succeed. I've watched plenty of shows in the serial format, and I did conclude a few things before the actual revelations, and somehow that made Roxana even more desirable.
Mr. Mendez plays his character, Alejandro Ferrer as a man tortured by traumatic events of his childhood. While he is a man who believes in doing what is right, he crosses the line several times. He is more antihero than hero because of this, and it works wonders.
The story unfolds over the course of 53 episodes. The majority feature the prison Las Dunas. It is a terrible place plagued with corruption, and to my surprise, a cast of amazing supporting characters. Initially, I did not think I would like the prison aspect. Instead I found myself fascinated.
Roxana ends up in the prison after Alejandro tortures her, but failing to get information on El Professor, the mysterious leader of a cartel. At the time, Alejandro doesn't know that Roxana is the sister he has been so desperate to find.
Alejandro sends an undercover police officer to Las Dunas as a prisoner. Instead, of finding information to use in court, he falls for Roxana, and is caught up in all the prison drama.
Roxana also gets involved in the corrupt prisoner politics. She is pursued by the sinister Gullotina, in what is a frightening, and almost stalkish manner, that will make you yearn for a miracle intervention. Roxana is unaware that Guillotina is the man that beheaded her parents.
While prisoners play for power contained in a setting filled with misery, several fascinating characters emerge, and the result is a fast past drama.
While it's not feasible to mention every character, they are all played by talented actors, and I became invested in each of their lives.
One standout performance among the characters introduced at Las Dunas is La Puma portrayed by Maria del Carmen Felix. In the hands of a lesser actress, the role could have been a cliche. The Puma is a member of MS13, and she is fierce, and as the series moves forward, more is revealed.
La Puma is a testimony of survival. She is loyal, she hides her vulnerability. There were moments in the story where a tear from her eyes brought her humanity to the surface. She is among the most memorable characters, and she was played with such talent I would still love to learn more about her.
As the worlds of cartels and the federal police collide, viewers are presented with a very satisfying climax. The moment Alejandro learns Roxana, the woman he tortured, is the sister he lost, you see the tragedy of their story in the pain on his face. When Roxana reveals she is El Professor, their fate is cemented. They are lost to each other forever.
The more I grow my Spanish speaking skills, the more I love telenovelas and super series. The production values are top notch. I'm going to miss the characters.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)
When You Need to Laugh, Kimmy et. al Delivers
My first thoughts about the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt were initially full of skepticism. After seeing the first episode, I was hooked. Shame on me for doubting Tina Fey. She is comedic genius, after all.
I love the series. I've watched every episode, and the cast has a tremendous level of platonic chemistry. The wild characters are a bunch of outcasts that share great fondness for each other. In return, each becomes a friend you didn't know you needed.
Ellie Kemper portrays Kimmy as a woman who endured the horrible trauma of being held captive in an underground bunker. Instead of allowing fear, anger, or sadness to control her life, she embodies a refreshing positivity that is so infectious. Instead of seeing the world through rose colored lenses, she becomes the rose colored lenses for others.
Kimmy befriends Tituss Andromedon, a flamboyant, would be actor, portrayed by Tituss Burgess. He delivers slap stick lines, as if we speak Tina Fey on a daily basis. The friendship he develops with Kimmy makes one envious. His facial expressions are priceless.
Carol Kane, wonderfully, portrays landlady Lillian, a hardcore New Yorker, who longs for the good old days, before gentrification changed neighborhoods. Her misadventures often have her on the wrong side of the law, so don't be a snitch.
Kimmy's employer, and later friend, Jaqueline, is portrayed by Jane Krakowski. She is as talented at comedy as she is being a fashionista, and she KNOWS fashion. As she is plagued with first world problems, she will make you laugh out loud.
Jon Hamm, plays the serial kidnapper, and he provides comedic timing we didn't get to see in Mad Men. It makes viewers secretly like the bad guy.
Each season, it feels like we're lucky to spend time with the fantastic oddballs of Kimmy's world. They have adventures in love, dreams of prosperity, heartbreak, and live through unusual circumstances, as if everything was normal.
In addition to the chemistry of the actors and characters, the writing adds to the genius of the show. Each character has their fair of one liners that are delivered as being part of a normal conversation. Tina Fey projects share this quality, and it takes intelligent writers to tell a story through slapstick dialogue.
What makes this show stand out so much, is that it's incredibly funny without being overly crude or offensive. It has an innocent sophistication without being trashy. The combination of writing and performances are funny on their own.
If I were to share a criticism, I would say the storylines were too separate in the 3rd season. Kimmy and Jaqueline didn't have that much screen time together. I would have liked more episodes to accommodate this, or somehow make the stories intersect more. Part of the magic is the chemistry between the core characters.
The fourth, and final season, is as satisfying as the first two. While the last season is completely funny, there was a bit of sadness knowing the the series would end.
Many series have a finale that is disappointing. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is not one of them. The final episode is funny, and each character has a satisfying goodbye. It's a little sad, because you know it's goodbye, but it also makes you smile. They each have a happy ending, which makes the goodbye a little more tolerable, but you still want more.
That is the genius of the show. The characters are imperfect yet lovable, and they seem like friends you hold dear. You end up happy they have a happy ending, and I'm know I'm going to miss them.
Ingobernable (2017)
Sure to please!
Ingobernable is a superior show. It follows a serial format with short seasons that are popular today. I watched two seasons over the course of a couple weeks, and I loved every minute.
The First Lady of Mexico finds herself in the midst of intrigue that is illustrated by the dichotomy of the corrupt and powerful and those who live in fear and fight to be treated with dignity.
The characters are well written and three dimensional. Each episode is fast paced.
There is something about Spanish language production that have really made me a fan. They commit to the story, and go for it.
Kate del Castillo leads the ensemble cast. She was in the Telemundo production of La Reina del Sur, and again delivers a strong performance.
As First Lady, Emília Urquiza, she wants to fight corruption in Mexico that plagues the life of the innocents.
There are twists and turns, heartache, friendships, loyalty and betrayals.
The production values are stunning. Sets include a presidential palace and desperate neighborhoods.
Even if you need subtitles, it's worth watching. I noted there were complaints about the subtitles. Not every sentence spoken in one language translates well to another language, but the subtitles serve the story well.
La Reina del Sur (2011)
It DELIVERS
La Reina del Sur is a top notch production!
The story is told by a talented ensemble cast of actors, brilliantly lead by Kate del Castillo who portrays, Teresa Mendoza, La Reina del Sur.
In a narrative that spans 12 years, and beautiful international settings, we see Teresa transform from a woman terrified by circumstances out of her control, to a confident and ruthless drug smuggler.
A phone call telling her that her lover is dead, sets her on the run for her life in Mexico. Unable to reach her friend's in time, she finds their lifeless bodies. As she starts her fight for survival, we meet Señor Vargas, an unscrupulous man with political ambitions, which are incredibly corrupt.
I liked that this novela focused more on Teresa's circumstances that lead to her life as a crime boss. She's encouraged to become a prostitute, faces racism, jealousy, friendships, a few romances, and even prison.
Tragedies aid Teresa's embrace and transformation of a life of crime. More notably are the tragic death of her friend Fatima. Fatima and her son are killed because Teresa didn't know her enemies would use those she lives as pawns.
Teresa also befriend's the eccentric Patricia, and she is pansexual, careless, live in the moment, spoiled heiress, and the opposite side of the Teressa coin. Sometimes, the character was a little too over the top, but I really liked her too.
Most unexpected, was Teresa's friendship with a Russian smuggler. Oleg grows to respect and care for Teresa, and they form a loyal bond. The sexual tension that builds through the series has a very satisfying, if not romantic resolution.
As a smuggler, Teresa finds herself under investigation, and what I found refreshing in this series when compared to a standard American series is that the cops were committed unethical quite frequently.
About 3/4 of the way through the series, you see police and agents planning and doing illegal things to set their traps. It really illustrates how we're all human, but good and bad are arbitrary terms based on our worldviews.
I felt the series had a very satisfying ending. The length of 63 episodes was long enough to spread out over a few weeks, and still get a couple binge watching days in.
This series is beautifully cast, well acted, well paced, and well layered.
Corazón valiente (2012)
Bad writing
Viewing three episodes in to this show was more time than it deserved.
The scripts were full of bad cliche. Sometimes, it can result in a juicy novel. In this case, it was just bad.
The cast appear to be dedicated to doing their best, but it wasn't enough.
One of the characters literally sexually harassed a woman, even after she told him she was a lesbian. It makes me wonder if the writer knows anything about passion beyond a prepubescent fantasy.
I can't imagine the torture of watching it until the end.
El Cuerpo del Deseo (2005)
Muy Muy Bien!
This very entertaining telenovela embraces nearly every soap opera cliche, and the result, by far, exceeded my expectations. It takes preposterous stories and makes them work on a level only an ensemble of very talented storytellers can do. Instead of laughing, the viewer is drawn into the fabulous world of Pedro José Donoso as if being welcomed as a part of the family.
The lead actors, the late Lorena Rojas and Mario Cimarro are amazingly beautiful, and brought over the top characters to life in a manner that keeps the viewer glued to the screen. I was not familiar with either before watching, and they are very talented.
The other characters are also deliciously over the top. It was like reading a gossipy novel that delivers more excitement than it appears to promise it will provide. They include scheming relatives, a devious butler, household staff full of wit, a singing fortune teller, a scheming lover, a simple yet tragic mother trying to understand the incomprehensible.
A few episodes concentrated on what appears to be slapstick comedy. Sometimes they were a bit much, but that is really the biggest critique I have about this show.
High drama was plentiful, and it was like having your favorite dessert made especially for you.
Being made prior to the smartphone era, it aged very well.
The story begins with Señor Donoso marrying the a much younger and very duplicitous Isabel Arroyo. He loves her dearly, and she returns his love by scheming against him with her young lover.
When Señor Donoso suddenly dies, we are taken to the location of a young and strong man who drops dead, for no explained reason. Donoso, not wanting to give up, somehow takes the younger man's body and makes it his own. This definitely requires suspension of belief, but do it. It's worth it.
When Donoso returns, he learns his wife was never faithful. She and Andres Corona have been plotting to steal his fortune.
Donoso, takes on the persona of Salvador Cierenza, and reclaims access to his former home, not as patriarch but as the chauffeur. It would be difficult to argue why Isabel would not be attracted to Salvador.
As they soon find themselves in a love affair, there are back and forth mind games. Isabel makes some really bad choices which lead to more irresistible drama.
Supporting characters also have plentiful storylines. There is romance, insane obsession, yearning, plotting against each other, and time for memorable moments of the fortune teller, Gaetana, singing.
What makes the over the top characters work so well is that none are drawn as perfectly good or perfectly evil. They are imperfect people placed in extraordinary circumstances.
The exception would be Cantalicia and Mocho, Salvador's family, before his body was inhabited by Donoso. Cantalicia is also over the top, but endearing. She is experiencing tremendous heartbreak.
I want to discuss more about Lorena Rojas. She made Isabel a true soap opera diva. She commands attention in her scenes. At times she is shocking. At other times she is loving, and she is at her best when she is scheming to quench her desire. Her beauty is other worldly. She also sang the theme song for the show. This immense beauty can only be achieved by a person who has a beautiful soul in real life.
As the story twists and turns, there are surprises along the way. As characters begin to realize Salvador's true identity some will have a second chance to express their love and adoration to a good man. Some will have an opportunity to heal old wounds, and some will be confronted about unscrupulous actions.
To the producers, cast, and crew, I send thanks. Watching was a treat. I decided to watch because I'm trying to learn Spanish, and I'm leaving a fan.
Gracias, mi amigos.
Disjointed (2017)
A Little Bud, and Lots of Laughs
This Netflix series definitely had potential. It's sad for viewers it won't get a second season.
If you never enjoyed marijuana, some of the jokes and mannerisms may not make sense.
If you live in a state where it's legal, this is a show for you.
Kathy Bates portrays the central character, Ruth White Feather Feldman. She's a lovable marijuana enthusiast and along with her son, she owns a dispensary that serves as the primary location for the stories told.
The supporting cast of characters include Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galáctica) as Taekwan Doug, a martial arts instructor in the same strip mall as Ruth's dispensery. I rather enjoyed his comedic timing. Despite fulfilling the role of ongoing antagonist for Ruth, Doug establishes a friendship with Pete, Ruth's master grower.
Doug also serves as a primary example of an uptight individual who could really benefit from sparking up some kind bud. I'm sure it would have eventually happened had more seasons been ordered.
Break out characters are Dank and Dabby, portrayed by Chris Redd and Betsy Sodaro. While introduced as stereotypical stoners, their chemistry and comedic timing made them stand out, and the true way to savor their scenes is with a spark of your own.
Dank and Dabby make such an impression, they have a real presence on YouTube.
While enjoyable, the series did have room for improvement. Some episodes seem uneven, and some appear to have been a struggle for writers to write.
Early in the series, Ruth's son, Travis, has a near romantic interlude with one of the bud tenders. The arc was dropped after the first few episodes.
In general, the show is just fun. It never took itself too seriously, which makes it good for laughs.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Wow!
Before I begin, I need to admit I expected to dislike this film. As the 4th version, I expected some misconstrued attempt to make an old story new again.
I was wrong.
First, the actors are excellent. Bradley Cooper handles his scenes with significant competence and artistry. Lady Gaga's performance is pure genius.
We have seen Lady Gaga in costume, looking glamorous when she performs a concert. We saw her bring a vampire to life in American Horror Story, looking glamorous.
In "A Star is Born," we are introduced to her without the glamour, and she shared her authentic and incredible beauty with the world. She performs the role of Ally with such honesty that your heart literally aches for her to find happiness.
We are fortunate to have many stellar performances in film each year. Lady Gaga's Ally is beyond that.
In the 1930's Greta Garbo was cast in Camille. The 1940's gave us Mildred Pierce. The 1950's started off with Bette Davis as Margot Channing in All about Eve. Elizabeth Taylor's Martha from the 1960's is unforgettable.
Joining those ranks is Lady Gaga. With subtle brilliance, she conveys emotional pain with the slightest change in her facial expression. With a single tear she conveys the tragedy of being hurt by someone you love dearly.
Cooper's Jackson Main starts with the promise of being a knight in shining armor, and you soon learn he could have been, had he not been plagued with addiction. As he succumbs to his addiction, his career takes a nose dive as Ally flourishes.
The jealousy Jackson experiences may sound petty, but it's really too common. Fueled by alcohol consumption his actions become more cruel.
The characters are so well crafted in this film, viewers yearn for a happy ending that will never come.
The use of close ups to tell this story is very well done. In the biggest crowd, Jackson and Ally are each other's world.
Days after seeing the film, I still think of ways to find a happy ending. Could we get Jackson help? Could we find a way to get Ally to stay home that night?
That's something that differentiates a good film from a great film. Great films stay with us after the credits roll.
This is the best film I've seen years.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Extended Video or Movie?
The title, "Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again," is deceptive.
The happy ending from the first film is literally ripped away, like an old bandaid that takes a good chunk of flesh along with it, creating an unnecessary wound. Donna Sheridan, the beloved lead from the first film, played by the grand actress of our era, has been unceremoniously killed off.
We are asked to believe Donna's best friends Tanya and Rosie had the same basic hairstyle their whole lives. I admit this is a petty critique, and that's how much I was disappointed in this bad idea that managed to get turned into a film.
When we last saw the characters from the first film, they were filled with glee. Donna reunited with Sam, Sofie had three dads, Rosie started a romance, and everyone received their happily ever after.
That is until this movie opens. In place of the charming fable, we are slapped with characters in the midst of grief, and they're scattered. They lament they can't be together for the grand reopening of Hotel Bella Donna for half the film. By mid film, everyone not on the island decides to show up.
When the cast is finally reunited, there is Hope the mood will change, but the film delivers more musical numbers that are not nearly as dance inducing as those from the original. In fact, they were silly at best, and quite tragic considering the magic generated by the first film. Instead of utilizing ABBA songs that weren't in the first film, the most popular songs are reworked, and the results didn't make you want to get up and dance.
The highlight of this film is Cher. Her plastic surgeon is brilliant. Many people who have undergone a facelift have telltale signs, such as that joker mouth, overfilled cheeks, or eyes that just aren't quite human. Instead, she is flawless. She is Cher. The script gives her very little, and she still turns her time on the screen as something special.
When I heard Cher was in the film, my first thought was that her voice would be perfect for Fernando. The film makers agreed, and her voice is indeed perfect for Fernando.
Looking glorious, Cher delivers a line about becoming a great grandmother that works because in real life she is an icon on so many levels, it's easy to forget she is mortal. Her ability to invoke dry humor is part of her genius as an entertainer.
Unfortunately, Cher has so little screen time, it's not enough to save the film.
We do get a visit from Meryl Streep, and I'm shocked she agreed to do the film, if she read the entire script. She does a sad song, that slaps viewers with the reality of our own mortality, and then the movie ends.
While there are certainly films that serve different aspects of the human experience that are more difficult, it's not why people flocked to Mamma Mia on stage and movie theatres.
The original is a multigenerational story that made us forget our woes, if just for a couple hours. It encouraged even the most inhibited among us to sing and dance.
This film took it away, damaging the mythos created by the stage play and first film. You can never see Mamma Mia without knowing it's a lie. Donna doesn't get a happy ending. She dies.
The makers of this film do not understand the music or the magic.
Frenzy (2018)
Cheer for the Sharks
The script is so bad, and the characters are so stupid, the sharks are the heros of this subpar film.
People as stupid as the characters in this film should never procreate. Natural selection is our friend.
Don't watch unless you're in a state with legal marijuana. You'll need something to ease your pain.