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Bridgerton: Into the Light (2024)
Meh. Not awful, but could have been a better Season.
I'll admit right off the bat: 1) this is not my preferred genre, 2) I am a woman. I did watch S1, enjoyed it for what it was. S2 just felt weird & awkward to me. Tbh, Kate/Anthony weren't needed to be seen this Season, a letter saying where were would suffice. I watched S3 mostly bc I like Pen/Nicola. Either the season shoulda been condensed to less eps, or filled with more than what got. Colin was turned into an object basically. Same dialog most of the time, flip flopping to frustrate Pen's feelings. Could have been way better. Not sure I can take a S4. The men need to be more than playthings/foils. Yes, I realize women were treated as such previously...but it doesn't mean that to make the women shine, have brilliance of though, and strength of character, that the men need to be reduced to 2 dimensional creatures. I think the holding back on the Whistledown reveal for the entire season was a bad choice. It didn't create tension, it just kept creating repeated scenes and dialogues. Penelope/Nicola deserved better. I did like the moments btwn Pen and her mom this season. I agree with someone else saying mighta been too many side things going on. I think coulda have been OK if the Whistledown reveal had been shown earlier and them all dealing with that reveal woulda been interesting. Like, that Pen/Queen scene coulda been Ep 4. We all knew Colin finding out was gonna create the "will they/won't they marry" situation. I think it would have been more interesting to see Pen and Eloise find their friendship from Pen deciding to reveal her identity as she'd promised to Eloise. Then we could have seen El and Pen both working to repair relationships with Colin. Though, tbh I don't get him being so pissed. What she'd written re: Miss Thompson did save him from being tricked into a marriage where the woman was carrying another person's baby. I don't see why he was so pissed at her first issue of the season... Last they'd had contact, she'd heard him saying to his friends he'd never ever court her and then he came home acting so very very different, charming or swarmy? Flirty. Etc. Can't blame her for commenting on it. Also, Colin has tended to show himself as more reasonable... To hear one out before reacting. I feel like, given how strong his friendship was with Penelope prior to all this, that, while finding out would have been a shock indeed, that he would have let her explain everything to hear her side. That of all people, he'd know she was doing anything with venomous or vicious reason. I think El being irritated made sense, given her search for Whistledown that Pen was supposedly helping with and what she printed, again though she'd meant it with good intent. But I also think that Eloise is intelligent and would have gone back to reread all the old Whistledowns sooner and seen her friend in them not being malicious, but trying to help, be it not the best way. I also think that the fact that Pen did write about her and Colin trying to find her a husband, would have shown Eloise that she was willing to turn the pen on herself, as it were. I haven't read the books, but, that Colin/Pen team up felt a bit like a rehash of Dafne/Simon... Anyone agree?
Oh! And, again, not sure if it's a book think, but, did lady Danbury really hold, a what, at least 40yr grudge against her then 10yr old brother telling her dad she planned to run away??? Really???? I'd expected the situation to not be as she saw it, but I'd also thought that Marcus would have been much much older when it happened! That she'd thought he'd gone out of his way to chase away a suitor she liked, or told her father she was interested in someone below her standing, etc etc... Not a ~40yr grudge bc a 10yr old boy was worried what would happen to his beloved sister if she ranaway and was on her own. And they really never spoke about *THAT* for all these years? That was such a stupid storyline, I'm sorry. It was sooooooo overhyped and meant to add all this tension. Honestly, I thought it was gonna be that he'd had affairs or just been intimate with her friends and then abandoned them, which would explain her concern over him hovering around Violet! Her reasoning that she was worried he'd take away her happiness again, while a good reason to be wary of someone, just seemed overly reactive given what he'd done. Lady Danbury has been shown as poised, powerful, as well as very intelligent and thoughtful. Again, here the writing just didn't seem to match the character this season.
Side note, the Benedict storyline was fine. Not great, not bad, but fine. But, I will say that just found how they edited his threesome scene into this final episode was a bit bizarre. It was like it took place in an alternate timeline lol... OK, we are making out by the door... Now we see other characters doing things and it appears hours must have passed... OK now we see them just nearing the bed and starting to button clothes... Then we see other characters who again appear to be hours later, or at least some amount time passing... And yet again we return to the threesome and they have not even gotten on the bed yet. Why not NOT intercut that scene? Just let it play out and move on... Unless, was it supposed to be them doing that over multiple occasions? Because it looked like the same clothes and lighting to me, lol. I mean, if wanted us to see those three that many times, ok, but show them over different days meeting like that, not some weird - time froze for them but life played out for everyone else - thing. Again, it just seemed weird editing to me. I could be alone.
And the Francesca storyline just felt, like, "wah wah wah waaaaaaahhhhhh" (sad trumpet sounds). It was kinda boring, but it was kinda cute/sweet. And, again, there it was confusing to me why Violet didn't like it. She wanted Francesca to find love, right? To not just marry whomever for the sake of getting married. How did her mother not notice that until the very end? Wasn't her not going along with the marquis a sign of that?? Now, here again I think the writers did a disservice by having the Marquis say he wanted lots of kids, because that alone would have driven her against him, despite her wanting to be married fast, as she wanted that to get some peace and quiet. I feel like her then going with John just seems like "well guess he'll do", except it wasn't that. I think she did fall in love with him because of who he was, they are quite similar but also have enough different to make it work. But, the marquis's comment re the kids kinda diminishes why she chose John. Also, did Violet know about the marquis wanting lots of kids and that's what turned her off from him? I didn't think she did. So, to Violet, it should have looked like her daughter DID choose John for love and not convenience... Right? I mean, she watched her stop him to speak to him on the street all giddy and deflate when he left. Saw her light up when he returned at the ball and beg to leave early bc he gave her a gift. So, why did Violet not see her daughter WAS in love, WAS marrying for love!! Did she just not know her daughter at all bc she had been away? I could get Violet being wary of the match given the Queen's involvement, but it seemed like she kept bemoaning the "marry for love" aspect.
Bah, I don't know. Again, the whole season just seemed like small insignificant pebbles of problems being inflated to appear as mountains no one could surmount. But, could just be me.
Wrote way too much. I mean, I wasn't expecting a ton, as this show really is meant to be the overly melodramatic romance genre. But, I think the writers did a disservice to the characters this season. Especially to Nicola Coughlan, who I think does such a splendid job as Penelope, and, again, it was because I knew the season would be primarily focused on her that I even bothered to watch.
A Murder at the End of the World: Chapter 7: Retreat (2023)
Predictable, but still enjoyable
Sadly, the twist is easily seen in episode 1. But, that said, I still enjoyed the show and I'm glad I watched it. I think people who complained about pace just aren't familiar with Marling/Batmanglij shows/movies... They build up. You get lots of info that feels weird and random, and some is meant to distract, others are red herrings, others very important. But, it's how their projects go. I feel like one needs to watch this series not as an episode by episode type thing, but more view as a whole, like a very long movie. It's a reason why I tend liked binging the OA. I think this show was well made and clever. And, tbh, I'm not sure the twist was meant to really be a true twist. More felt like, ok, that's the obvious answer, but maybe I'm wrong...as more info comes out, you start to question stuff. Regardless, I still quite enjoyed the show. I eagerly look forward to their next project!
A Murder at the End of the World: Chapter 1: Homme Fatal (2023)
Brit Marling project... Yeah, I'm in.
I'd seen this show popping up on hulu and mentions a few other places. It sounded interesting, I enjoy true crime stuff and live Clive Owen. I didn't watch trailers so didn't know much beyond that. So, I'd figured I'd give it a go at some point. Just finished another series and was looking for my next one, decided to look more into this. I saw it was Brit Marling's new project (along with Zal Batmanglij) and I no longer had a decision to make. I HAD to watch it. I absolutely have loved all of her projects... The Sound of my voice, Another Earth, The East, and of course The OA (I'm still sooooooooo ticked at Netflix for cancelling it, I was dying to see what would happen next! Honestly, that helped along my decision to cx my Netflix sub). Anyway, episode one definitely pulled me in. Great visuals, love the song choices, cast seems solid, intriguing characters, interesting start. Exciting to see where this show goes! On to episode 2!
Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult (2020)
I recommend watching the Vow before moving to this
Definitely recommend this if you are interested in this topic. But, though I get how people get lured in to other groups, I just couldn't get it with this one based on India's comments. After this I watched The Vow and I got it. So, I recommend watching at least S1 of The Vow first to get the full big picture, start to finish. Then, proceed with this to see just her experience. It's nice too bc The Vow S1 included her mom's fight to get her out, so it ties it nicely. Recommend both docs! I think Keith Raniere hates women in many ways and needs to feel worshipped. I can understand how a lot of the things offered could be helpful. But, I think it's important to think about why he did what he did and his end game.
See: I See You (2022)
Jason Momoa is a treasure!
Jason Momoa is just a frickin treasure! He plays Baba to perfection. Now, I do not cry much in my real day to day life, it really takes a lot of make me cry. But, I do cry when I watch series/movies, when I'm connected to the characters. And man did I just cry my eyes out for Baba! Someone else said that it felt a bit forced, and I know what they mean...that, it felt like something Baba would 100% do, but getting to the moment was maybe a bigger dramatic buildup that was required. But, damn....daaaaaaaamn! He IS Baba Voss!
People are saying that Kofun's decision at the end made no sense and it was stupid. TBH, I was only surprised he'd not done that sooner, or gone around with a blindfold on. Kofun has always been very uncomfortable with his sight. You see him closing his eye much more than Haniwa, trying to use his other senses, and he is told by Baba and Toad that his sight is a hindrance. I think it would make sense for him to wear a blindfold for a while to make sure he can really commit to it, but we don't know what they did, or how they went about it, as the show concluded. I can't imagine Mahgra being like, "ok, get the hot poker!" But, who knows.
Haniwa's end also make sense. She is the exact opposite of her brother. To her, her sight is absolutely everything. While she loves her family, her need to see and be seen trumps that. I think them finding everyone at the NYC Public library is interesting. Other reviewers say they think it was weird they could just walk in and that there were no defenses...well, maybe there were! Maybe the sighted can move around them with ease as they WANT more sighted to join them. We just didn't see it all. If we did, it would have taken away from the impact of seeing all those sighted individuals.
I think Sylvia Hoeks is a goddess! Lol. She played Sibeth to perfection, just as Momoa played Baba. Truly a gifted actress and I hope to see more of her in the future!
Madekwe and Cooper...hmmm....well, I haven't seen him in anything else so I can't judge him. Cooper was in a great netflix show called Travelers, and played her role very well there. I think here they were just terribly miscast. I think there are currently so many wonderful young actors/actresses out there that forcing mid-late 20yr olds into a 17yr old role just isn't necessary. Honestly, the age stuff is what bother me the most out of anything in the show and I haven't seen anyone else mention it. How old is Bow Lion supposed to be!?!? When the series began, the actress was 24. We see her in that first episode fighting next to Baba before the twins are born. And then fast forward 17yrs and she still seems like shes in her early-mid 20s. I mean, lets say she was 17 when she was fighting...that puts her at 34? Same with Belu ("Lu)...she is fighting in that initial episode and then she pops up again in season 3. Dunno...all the ages were weird to me. The only one we see aging in anyway is Paris with her greying hair.
Ok. SOOOOO many people have said that the show forces you to suspend belief because there is no way the blind could make all that stuff and do all that stuff. And to that, I say, you are vastly underestimating the abilities of those without sight. And that is terribly sad. Those without sight are able to do way more than you can imagine. And, remember, this is 600 years after that initial virus. SIX HUNDRED YEARS!!!! You think that they haven't evolved at all? You think they haven't learned how to do even more than they could at first? That is a LONG time. Think about how much has changed in the world since the 1400s! Yes, it still looks ragged, but you also have to remember that they aren't just starting from scratch...they are having to build upon an old and ruined world. It feels insulting to say they couldn't make swords of that caliber or build that catapult. And, I do believe that woman could have heard all she did, though, I grant you, it's weird she could hear the specifics of Baba whilst all the fighting and other noise was going on. But, don't underestimate our other senses. I know that when I need to hear something or listen closely, I always close my eyes so I can focus on that sound. And, again, over 600 years, I'd imagine sense are even more honed and, like much of survival of the fittest, I'd bet those with stronger senses have passed those skills onward and so forth. I personally have hyperosmia, which is a heightened sense of smell. And, I can smells things from very far away that it surprises people...I always smell things first before others are able. So, I 100% know that other sense CAN be stronger. I think it's funny that people comment on not believe they could build that stuff, but have no issue with the presages, hahahaha. Though, I guess we do call that a "sixth sense," right? I don't have an issue with it....this is a show for goodness sake! Also, regarding the catapult...remember that they had Oloman and crew helping them build all these things....he could have explained what to do or assisted in the process. If they had a blueprint they could follow (elevated to feel and/or with knots to explain), they absolutely could have built it. I DO wonder how they know who to kill when they are fighting in large groups, but I'm going to guess that it might have to do with smell and feel of what they are wearing? Hmmm.... I'll have to look into that! Though, tbh, I kinda wonder how anyone managed that in old battles too, lol.
Don't close your mind the possibilities and abilities of others. You do yourself, and them, a disservice.
Ok, rant over. Bravo Mr. Momoa. Bra-VO! I'm sad to see this show has ended but enjoyed the journey. :)
See: The Lowlands (2022)
Take the review from Stephan fr with a grain of salt...
So, I think it's terribly sad that the only review for this episode is from Stephan fr. And that he felt such passionate hate for the episode....that he wrote his review about the last episode, for this episode. So, he clearly is not one who pays much attention to the finer points.... (eye roll).
Is See the best show around...no. But, I still have very much enjoyed it. I think Jason Momoa is an absolute treasure in general, but particularly in this show. Hera Hilmar and Sylvia Hoeks are also just wonderful (especially Hoeks, my gosh she plays deranged perfectly, lol)! I do agree with others that Archie Madekwe and Nesta Cooper are the weaker links in the series. I can't say they aren't good actors, as this is my first time watching Madekwe. Cooper was in a show called Travelers (which I loved) and I think she played her role quite well. I think the issue here is that you have mature mid-late 20y/o trying to play naive 17yr olds and it just doesn't work well. So, I feel it was more of a miscasting than anything. Or, they could have increased the age of the characters a bit....have them start their search at 21? Dunno.
As for this episode, I think this season has been more about quickly wrapping things up that anything, which is a shame. But, I still this it is enjoyable. This episode introduces us to a different kind of people and lets us see who Harlan truly is behind his bravado (Tom Mison is fabulous as well, btw).
Garbage? I think someone isn't actually seeing this show for all is has to offer...
For All Mankind: Triage (2021)
WHHAAAAAATTTTT.....!!!!!
Holy hell! Great end of the episode! I'm dying for the season finale next week! I just love this show! Season 2 definitely has a much different tone than season 1 (in many ways), but I still love it. Dying to see last episode, but then will be sad because will have to wait until get a Season 3 (fingers crossed!)
Banished (2015)
Bummer because it could have been a great show!
I so wanted to like this show a lot. I know a lot of the cast from other shows/movies, it has an interesting premise that I'd not seen yet, and it's a "period drama" which I've been binging a lot of lately (lol)...but, it just never quite got to being beyond a "meh" show for me. And that's so disappointing to me because it really could have been a great show!
My opinion is this...they didn't do nearly enough character or world building. Like, at all. They give a little info blurb at the start of episode 1 that tells you the year and that England transported criminals to New South Wales (NSW)...then BAM, you are expected to suddenly care about these characters. I barely knew the names of most of the characters - except for a choice few (Tommy Barrett, for example), many names aren't said often and without imbd I'd have never known their names. I think the show would have been better if they gave us viewers some flashbacks of the characters pre-NSW...showing us some of their life before they were arrested, why/how they were arrested, etc. Maybe even showing parts of the crossing from England to NSW...something that showed the characters meeting and bonding. They could have done with more than 7 eps...felt like that must have been massively restrictive! If had at least 10, they could have done 2 eps to start where we get to know the setting, the characters, and their dynamic...those stories could have continued but thereafter the eps would have maybe been focused on one of the main characters (these eps they could show flashbacks about character and we'd get to know them better and why there, etc). That would have helped us build relationships with the characters and care about them. I just really didn't care about them, which is a bummer & no fault at all of the actors, they did the best they could with what they got.
Anyways, that's my 2cents on it. If there had been more than one season, I would have continued watching in the hope that it was a first season baby-steps kinda thing. Again, I SO wanted to like it, and I didn't hate it, I just feel "meh" about it.
***Possible spoilery thing (but not totally)***
They talk a lot about the dangers of the bush, of NSW in general, and the "natives" but we really don't see a lot of that scenary & we never ever see or feel any danger from the "natives." Would have been nice to see more of the actual NSW environment at least so we can feel how foreign it must have been for these English folk.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Trailer misleading, jump off the track...
I very very rarely write reviews. And I watch a LOT of TV series an movies. Here, I feel the need to say that this wasn't worth it...sadly. I'm giving 4 stars, one for each of the actors with strong performances (Pike, Dinklage, Messina) & the 1/2 stars to Wiest (sooooo underused!) & Eiza Gonzalez. They did the best they could with what they got. It started off rather strong and interesting...then it just jumped off the track and then it crashed into a wall. Kinda sad because I think it could have been a good movie. I watched it because of the main cast (Pike/Dinklage), had a 6.5 here on imdb (not amazing rating, but by no means awful), & the trailer looked interesting. The trailer is misleading. By all means, watch for yourself...just be warning.
The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015)
What in the what WHAT!?!
I'm the kind of person that once I start a show/mini-series, I just about always will push through to the end of the first season to give it a fair shake...it is extremely rare for me to just stop watching a show, really just doesn't happen. Whelp...it just did. Got all the way through the halfway mark of Ep 5 and gave up. This is just not good. The direction is kinda bizarre and I'm not a fan of them using more modern music with this time period...plus it being nearly entirely fictionalized (which, I know it says it's that in the description) just bugged me. Not a fan. And I like Christina Ricci too. This mini-series was not for me...at all.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Perfect.
I had a lot of high expectations, a lot of anticipation, a lot of theories, and I was not let down at all. Yeah, there are some little nitpicks here/there, but honestly, not enough for me to not call it the perfect conclusion of the 21 movies leading up to it. Rest up, bring tissues, and wear a diaper (as Ruffalo instructed so you don't have to leave to pee, lol). Go watch and just enjoy. <3