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DJM26
Reviews
Shrinking (2023)
Shrinkage
I feel like this was written for Vince Vaughn, but he wisely passed, so we get Jason Segel instead.
I am certain that this was a laugh riot in the writers room wherein LA types are neurotics who go to therapy 3 times a week and deal with the same problems everyone else deals with, but, because they come from Hollywoodland, they are certain that their problems are unique and require LA solutions.
This is a comedy that is not funny. These characters, and the situations in which they place these characters, can only come from a Hollywood writers room. So, they throw in Harrison Ford for some star power, but he looks as befuddled as do we.
One episode and done!
Patriot (2015)
Wow!!
Horrendously bad! It cannot make up its mind whether it's a comedy, a drama, or a spoof. It is as if all the creators and writers developed and wrote this IN an Amsterdam coffee house, as well as, the Amazon executives that greenlit this turkey!
And what a shame, because I like Terry O'Quinn and Kirkwood Smith. I watched the first episode, rooting for it to find its way, but instead, it remained what I can only describe as a violent satirical concept that should never have become a series.
Leading man, Michael Dorman, appeared to be as mystified as I. Even Luxembourg was confused for Prague!
A huge miss!
Ted Lasso (2020)
Pants!
For a season and a half this series was refreshingly new and funny. Then came the worst episode of the series 'Beard After Hours' and it was all downhill after that. I was literally pushing the progress bar in Season 3 in order to get to the end.
The reason the series did not continue to grow, other than the tedious writing, boring storylines, and the increasingly Liberal woke messaging, is that the characters were caricatures! Rather than grow on me, they grated; most especially the lead character, Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) and his 'Forrest Gump' act. So too with Keeley (Juno Temple), and sad sack backstabber Nate (Nick Mohammed).
The only two characters that continued to be interesting were Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster) and Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein). I thought Goldstein turned in the best performance of the entire cast.
Now, here's a novel concept that this series would hate: when you are a professional footballer, winning is your job!
Frasier: All About Eve (2024)
Headed Downhill
I rated Season 1 an 8, but I gave this episode a 4. This episode comes after last week's Valentine's Day in September!
One character can destroy a series and in this case that character is Eve. This peripheral character should never be the focus of an episode. Worse yet, the actress (Jess Salgueiro) is annoying in the extreme. Her histrionics and eye rolls and over-the-top reactions are the stuff of high school productions.
Now, last season Jack Cuttmore-Scott was over acting, with his exaggerated facial expressions, but he has toned them way down this season. Salgueiro got a feature episode and went to town like she was co-staring in a Buster Keaton silent!
No more Eve!
The Bear (2022)
A Fallen Soufflé
Like the promise of a great soufflé, until you take it out of the oven and it falls flat. That would be Season 3-a total disaster!
Now, since this show is about food and restaurants, let's talk about that. The only three people that belong in 'The Bear' (the restaurant) are Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) and Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas). The rest are all screw-ups or wholly unsuited to the restaurant business. At any other fine dining establishment, none of their arrogance and defiance would be tolerated for 5 minutes.
Which brings me to Sydney (Ayo Edibiri). I cannot abide this character and her constant passive-aggressiveness and false bravura. She constantly asks questions but, if she doesn't get the answer she wants, she turns belligerent. She is high-maintenance on steroids. She reminds me of the home chefs on Master Chef that absolutely crumble when they're put into a brigade. Her opinion of herself far exceeds her grasp, and that is combined with her constant need to be massaged and reassured. Wrong business, baby.
Of course, it is on Carmy that he doesn't take charge and fire these clowns as any other owner/head chef would do.
There are some stellar performances from Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Oliver Platt.
I will give the new season a try, but if it continues like Season 3, I'm out!
La Maison (2024)
Out of Fashion
In the brilliant, and still greatest series ever, 'The Sopranos', Christopher says to Adriana, in response to her saying to him that they could leave the life and start over and he could be a male model: "As far as male modeling goes, I'd probably be a success, but I don't want to be around those fkn' people."
Now, Christopher was a junkie, woman beater, and a made Mafia guy, but no truer words were ever spoken regarding the fashion industry!
I made it up to the 'eco-warriors.' I am sick-to-death with these self-indulgent ankle-biters thinking they own the patent on self-righteousness!
I'll take the mob over these fashion effete poseurs!
Monsters (2022)
The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story
There are two monsters is this heartbreaking and compelling story, but they are not Erik (Cooper Koch) and Lyle (Nicholas Alexander Chavez), they are Jose (Javier Bardem) and Kitty (Chloë Savigny).
I don't want to delve too deeply into the legal aspects of this case, because this is not a documentary, but a dramatic series. However, let me start by saying, if Erik and Lyle had been Erika and Lyla-two daughters-they would never have spent a day in jail. That's not to say that Erik and Lyle were blameless, but the mitigating circumstances were so overwhelming and compelling that they should have been sentenced to voluntary manslaughter with a 10 year sentence.
Then there is Dominic Dunne (Nathan Lane) a despicable man who trafficked in gossip and celebrity cocktail parties. He was sort of a straight Truman Capote.
I want to highlight Episode 5 'The Hurt Man.' There are only two characters in the entire scene: Leslie Abramson (Ari Gaynor) and Erik. Director Michael Upendahl places the camera about 12 feet away from the table where the two are seated. Abramson with her back to the camera (we never see her face) and Lyle facing. Slowly, imperceptibly, the camera pushes in on Erik until it passes Abramson and ends with a close up of Erik as he explains the title of the episode. Riveting!
Cooper Koch does a tremendous job throughout, but especially in that episode. Nicholas Chavez is also terrific as Lyle. Javier Bardem and Chloë Savigny are outstanding as Jose and Kitty.
Fargo: Bisquik (2024)
A Disappointing Season
The acting and the dialogue were excellent, but the story was dishwater weak!
There wasn't one bad acting performance, but most especially performances by John Hamm, Jennifer Jason Lee and Juno Temple stood out.
For creator, director and most especially writer, Noah Hawley, this story was, by far, the weakest of the series. Episode 7 'Linda' was deadly dull and very heavy-handed. Something borrowed from the Lifetime Network's movie of the week.
The music was outstanding. The bleak, wintry landscape captured the usual Fargo atmosphere. The raid/siege was pure Hollywood writer's room ludicrousness!
The Instigators (2024)
I Love a Good Heist Movie...
...but this ain't it!!
This film is an absolute mess. It's not funny. It's not clever. It's not entertaining. It's just stupid. It's another payday for Matt Damon who has been phoning it in-and picking up big paychecks-for years. His last good performance was in 2013's 'Behind the Candelabra.' Casey Affleck is following in Damon's footsteps with the phone-it-in-pick-up-a-big-check business plan. Then they show up on talk shows and are ever so witty and charming.
Terrific actors, Michael Stuhlbarg and Alfred Molina are completely wasted and cannot do anything with this dreck. Same for Ron Perlman. Gronkowski?! Really?!
The Old Man (2022)
Overrated Claptrap
So I settle in for a good spy thriller and after two episodes I realize I'm in for a boring relationship story. Rather than being the hoped-for adult espionage slickster, I got plodding storylines with leadened dialogue!
Jeff Bridges, John Lithgow and Amy Brenneman are all in fine form, but they simply cannot rise above the writing and plotting. Plus, John Lithgow is about 12 years past mandatory FBI retirement age and Jeff Bridges is far too old to be doing the intense physical work depicted herein.
I bailed early so you don't have to waste your time believing the hype that surrounds this show.
Sons of Anarchy (2008)
Very Soapy...
...Mostly dopey!
I had wanted to watch this series for a long time because of the great buzz it had. What a disappointment! The storylines were incredibly uninteresting and the characters were unbelievably stupid; making one bad decision after another. Or, Jax (Charlie Hunnam) constantly telling someone: "I'll fix this," whilst unable to fix anything. Gemma (Katey Sagal) was the absolute worst, having never made a good decision and constantly causing fallout which everyone else just went along with. Katey Sagal also did some great singing on the soundtrack!!
Oh, and if you want to play a drinking game, take a shot every time a character says: "I'm sorry." You'll be drunk by the end of every episode!
The reason I am giving it a 5 is because there was some good acting. The ONLY character I liked and rooted for was Wayne Unser, played by the always-great Dayton Callie.
It's usually difficult to give up on a series after investing 5 seasons, but in this case, it was easy!
The Americans (2013)
From Russia With No Love
The only reason I'm giving it a 5 is because the acting is superb, other than the daughter (Paige) played by Holly Taylor.
The storyline borders on the absurd, as does the obvious attempt to draw moral equivalency. Of course, Hollywood cannot resist throwing some cheap shots at Reagan.
In addition, I cared not a wit for the whole storyline of Nina (Annet Mahendru) back in Russia. Martha (Alison Wright) was highly annoying. I liked Phillip (Matthew Rhys) because of his ambiguity, as I disliked Elizabeth (Keri Russel) because she was a hard-core Commie. She also wanted to recruit her daughter into this mess, whereas Phillip firmly did not.
I also thought it was a mistake to phase out Claudia (Margo Martindale) as her character was very strong.
I gave it until Season 4 Episode 7 and finally said: What am I doing? I don't care about these people or what happens to them.
Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos (2024)
Fade To Black...
Just as 'The Sopranos' was a masterful combination of writing, directing and acting, so too is this documentary. I thought it would be good, but I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.
Setting it in Melfi's old office set was a master stroke. The audition clips were fantastic; especially watching other actors read the lines that would become so iconic and so identified with the actors who eventually played those characters.
We got some real behind-the-scenes insight into the enigmatic James Gandolfini. When the director, Alex Gibney asked David Chase, upon hearing that Gandolfini had died (at age 51), were you surprised? Chase's one-word response was chilling: No.
My biggest complaint was that there was very little of Junior, and absolutely no Dominic Chianese. I would have also liked to have seen Steve Schirripa, John Ventimiglia, Vince Curatola, Federico Castelluccio, Max Casella, Joe Pantoliano, Steve Buscemi, Ray Abbruzzo, David Proval, Aida Turturro and Sharon Angela. Also, a brief 'In Memorium' of all the actors who have passed.
And then the ending...!!
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 (2024)
Very Mediocre
This reminds me of an updated version of 'How The West Was Won': just not filmed in Cinerama.
Cinematically it's gorgeous, but thematically it would have been much better suited to a series. A series format would have also handled the storyline edits much better. In movie format, the story is very peripatetic. The other problem is that the individual storylines aren't all that compelling or interesting. It's not boring, but it doesn't draw you in the way 'Open Range' did; which I think is Kevin Costner's finest directorial effort. Yes, better than 'Dances With Wolves.'
Acting wise, no performance really stands out. Overall, because I had high hopes for a classic, it's disappointing.
Justified: City Primeval (2023)
Put Her On A Plane, Raylan!
You know how one character can pretty much destroy a series?
You know how Hollywood keeps giving us these annoying, smart-ass, faux-hip, know it all, angst-ridden, teenage girls? As if the typical Hollywood daughter is representative of the rest of the world. Well that's exactly what has happened to the 'Justified' reboot: 'Justified: City Primeval.'
The character, of which I write, is Raylan's (Timothy Olyphant) daughter (Willa). She has grown up to act like she was raised by Ava and Boyd. Worse yet, the actress is Tim Olyphant's own daughter, Vivian. Clearly, this was a condition of Tim returning as Raylan. However, in addition to being a thoroughly annoying character, the girl cannot act. At all! And, she has an annoying voice to compliment her annoying character. As soon as it was clear that Raylan was locked into a dangerous case, the only logical option was to act like a Dad, instead of a friend desperately seeking his daughters approval, and put her on a plane home to Mama.
Other than the daughter, the Detroit setting doesn't really work. The characters lack the essential flavor of the original series. Raylan feels like a fish out of water. Boyd Holbrook (Clement Marshall), who did such a great job in 'Narcos,' is outstanding herein.
Seeing 'Boyd Crowder' (Walton Goggins) was a breath of fresh air, but a reminder of this series former greatness!
If there is a Season 2, leave the daughter in Miami and get the series back to Kentucky!!
Bad Monkey (2024)
Bad Monkey Is Good Entertainment
I like it. Hopefully Vince Vaughn will not turn out to be an alien!
First things first, the opening credits are terrific. The soundtrack is excellent. The writing and atmosphere remind me of Elmore Leonard's 'Rum Punch.' It feels like it was custom tailored for Vince Vaughn who is terrific in the lead role. My only nitpick is Vince should lose the dye job and look his age.
The supporting cast is interesting and eclectic, and other than John Ortiz, essentially unknown to me. Tom Nowicki does a nice job with the rum-soaked narration.
It will be interesting to see if the series can maintain its great start because Apple+ does not have a good track record with original series. But, I'm rooting for Vince!
Mayor of Kingstown: Comeuppance (2024)
"Today We Settle All Business"
Episode-writer Dave Erickson, in a brilliantly written season finale, opened with an homage to 'The Godfather.'
Christopher Schrewe, who directed some of the best episodes of this season, returns to give us a riveting, topsy-turvy season finale so good I had to elevate my usual 8 stars to a 9. This is a gripping episode that is introspective, as well as, action-filled. It never drags. It also clocks in at slightly over an hour; the way finale's should.
Jeremy Renner (Mike) shines in this episode as he navigates a river full of crocodiles with lions waiting on the shore. His intensity is off-the charts!
The scene on the boat must have taken a week to shoot-fantastic!
Warden Kareem (Michael Beach), I've written for several episodes now that he was barely hanging on.
Iris (Emma Laird), I've also previously written that she was on a one-way collision course with destiny.
And then, like all good season finales, it cliff hangs characters and storylines for Season 4. I can't wait!
Bravo!!
Mayor of Kingstown: Home on the Range (2024)
Dramatic...but slow
The top tier drama series' all understand the importance of humor interspersed with the heaviness of the drama. 'Mayor of Kingstown' has never understood this salient fact. So we get heavy piled on heavy and the danger is it can become one note.
This episode is very expository, punctuated by some very dramatic events...and one big surprise!
Mike (Jeremy Renner) is moving pieces around the chessboard like Bobby Fisher, and makes a very tenuous rapprochement with Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa). Warden Kareem (Michael Beach) is barely hanging on. Robert (Hamish Allan-Headley is unraveling. Iris's (Emma Laird) Southern accent appears to have left for good. It's as if the actress said: I'm tired of that accent.
Land of Bad (2024)
Not Bad
"How do you know when someone's a Vegan? They will tell you!"
'Land of Bad' is not bad, thanks to a very adult script by David Frigerio and William Eubank and very taut direction from the self-same William Eubank.
Liam Hemsworth (AF Sgt J. J. Kinney) does a nice job, but it's Russel Crowe, as an implausible Air Force Captain (AF Captain Eddie Grim aka 'Reaper'), who steals the show. The funny vegan references are dry and very funny. Crowe's trip to the supermarket should be taught in acting Master Classes!
Unlike many action films, this one doesn't require too much buy-in and the dialogue is not loaded up with cheesy cliches-vegan, or real!
Mayor of Kingstown: Captain of the Shit Out of Luck (2024)
Cui Bono
It's getting hot up in here!
All Hell breaks loose in this episode, once again, directed by Guy Ferland.
Iris (Emma Laird) continues on her ambivalent journey that has only one end. The Southern accent seems to have disappeared with the red hair!
Meanwhile, Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa) has gone to war. Warden Kareem (Michael Beach) has gone to a dark place. Konstantin (Yorick Van Wageningen) has gone slightly insane. Merle (Richard Brake) received a wake-up call. Robert (Hamish Allan-Headley) has gone off the deep end. Ian (Hugh Dillion) is trying to do police work. Kyle (Taylor Handley) is clueless. And Mike (Jeremy Renner) is smiling.
Mayor of Kingstown: Marya Was Here (2024)
Heavy Metal!
The good news is that Paul Cameron, who directed the previous two very slow episodes is gone, and Guy Ferland directs this one. He brings back the pace of the first four episodes of this season.
But, man oh man, was this episode ever dark. Soul destroying darkness. There is no joy in Kingstown! Bunny (Tobi Bamfeta) has declared war on everybody and tells Mike (Jeremy Renner) that he has unleashed the inner monster!
Iris (Emma Laird), who has suddenly become a blonde, is once again, doing one of her death-wish-mode moves. Please, somebody, put her out of her misery!
We get a big dose of Matthew Del Negro (CO Breen) in this episode, as a man of mystery, but clearly up to no good. Matthew was good in a small role in 'The Sopranos,' and excellent in a larger role on the gone-too-soon 'City on a Hill.'
Mayor of Kingstown: Ecotone (2024)
Even Slower
Paul Cameron directed last week and again this week and he's given us two slowly-paced episodes in a row. Let's get back to the lightening pace of the first four episodes of this season. We were off to such a great start and then we hit a brick wall!
The very best event in this episode involved Iris (Emma Laird, whose Southern accent comes and goes), when she gets roughed-up a bit. Mike McLuskey's (Jeremy Renner) fondness for strays may get him killed one day!
Meantime, things are heating up, both on the streets and in the prison, as the turf war between the Russians/Aryans, Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa) and Team McLusky heats up!
Mayor of Kingstown: Iris (2024)
Bunny Goes New Testament
I had rated all the previous episodes with 8 stars, but I dropped this one to a 7. Paul Cameron directs, for the first time this season, and he fails to maintain the pace and intensity of the previous 4 episodes. This one dragged a bit. It wasn't the sharp end of the stick that the previous Season 3 episodes have all been.
And then, as the episode's title proclaims, 'Iris' (Emma Laird) is back with a vengeance. I've been on to her since she first appeared. She's the fruit of the poisonous tree, but Mike (Jeremy Renner) just keeps coming back to the Garden of Iris; oblivious to the fact that she is a scorpion and a scorpion does what's in its nature! Mike lives in denial, just like his brother Kyle (Taylor Handley) who makes the SWAT Team.
Meanwhile, Bunny (Tobi Bamtefa) decides on some Biblical retribution!
Mayor of Kingstown: Rag Doll (2024)
Axis of Evil
The stories and writing are tighter this season. There is much less meandering and navel gazing. The directing is also reflective of the faster pacing with quicker cuts. In this episode, Aalia Brown gets the writing credit and Nina Lopez-Corrado, who also directed the last episode, is directing again.
Another reason this is an excellent episode is that there is no Iris (Emma Laird), however I see the next episode is entitled 'Iris' so this interlude shall pass!
'Bunny' (Tobi Bamtefa) gives 'Mike' (Jeremy Renner) a big assist, whilst 'Kyle' does some excellent police work, but gets a ration for it from trigger-happy 'Robert' (Hamish Allan-Headley).
An unholy alliance has been reached which is sure to dominate the rest of the season!
Rocketman (2019)
La La Land Meets Moulin Rouge!
Damien Chazelle meets Baz Luhrmann, directed by Dexter Fletcher.
I was expecting a bio-pic on Elton John, not a musical. Accordingly, the film did not work for me. However the casting was quite good, lead by Taron Egerton, as Elton. Jamie Bell (Bernie Taupin), Richard Madden (John Reid), and the always terrific Stephen Graham, as Dick James.
Egerton is a competent singer and the film captures the look of the 70's, as well as, Elton's flamboyant costumes and lifestyle. All the Taupin/John hits are there. But it's more of a collection of musical numbers than a cohesive film. So, I think this would have been a better stage production than a film.