susiewtsn Reviews

Find Me in Paris (2018–2020)

No good dancers available?

[3/10 · 7 March 2024]

Wha???? In a time of SYTYCD, why on earth didn't this show cast great dancers from every genre? The ballet talent is really low here. No one else seems to mention this problem, but why put money into a show that could so easily have featured all the great dancers looking for work that can also act at the minimal level this requires? There are so few vehicles for dancers to show their stuff, why wouldn't this be one of them? I get that this is g rated, but that is no excuse not to showcase talent. At the very least the dancers should be in great shape and have rhythm. And the music is dreadful. Fun family story idea gets it a three from me but please recast this.

Catch the Fair One (2021)

Kali Reis wrote and starred

[10/10 · 1 March 2024]

I had just finished watching Kali Reis star with Jodie Foster in True Detective - Night Country so when I saw this on Hulu, I decided to try it. The topic of missing indigenous women has been done many times, but never so hard hitting and heartbreaking as in this movie. Boxing was apt, as this movie was a gut punch and hopefully will gain more attention for human trafficking of all kinds. When I saw she had written the script, too, I was even more impressed by this actor. The hole left in families by stolen family members is a black one and here it is faced head on with an all-or-nothing passionate attack. Brava to Kali Reis!

God's Country (II) (2022)

A Movie About Justice

[9/10 · 7 August 2023]

Some movies are about vengeance or revenge. This movie sits squarely on justice. Thandie Newton is brilliant and complex as the lead, showing compassion, evenhandedness, and sensitivity. A compelling presentation of racism, sexism, small-mindedness, and hatred in all its shades. It gives a person hope that there are still people who will not let things stand. That is important in a world that seems to be letting justice slip slowly away. A reminder that fighting the good fight never goes out of style, and can still be seen as the heroism it is. I commend the writer, director and cast for this stoic sombre, portrayal.

Rabbit Hole (2023)

Left in the Dark

[3/10 · 17 April 2023]

Okay, just trying to figure out why this show is shot in silhouette with almost no light at all. I am guessing plastic surgery gone bad? Seriously, even the scene where Dance is sewing up a wound indoors in the darkest corner of a room. COME ON! And when the scene moves outside during the day, it is in a woods as black as possible. The actors needn't bother having expressions on their faces because they won't even show! A few dark scenes for drama is one thing but this is ridiculous. At least give us a way to dial up the light on Paramount+ the way that Netflix does. Why bother with detailed visual production if you are going to dial it down to dark gray and black. Not cool!!

Sayen (2023)

Great reminder on how big business ruins pristine places and cultures

[9/10 · 9 April 2023]

This was well done, and the lead actress was very good. On Prime, this defaults to English dubbing, be sure to change the setting to Spanish with subtitles. The habit of English dubbing for American viewers is a travesty and always ruins the movie. Lovely cinematography and a great way to see places we otherwise will never see. Loved the use of local modern music to remind us that this is happening now, just as it did throughout history. Hopefully, movies like this will help educate and deter unwanted development in remote and important ecosystems. I do hope for a sequel with this talented actress, will watch for it.

Dead Birds (2004)

Strange Little Horror Gem

[8/10 · 24 February 2023]

This was engrossing from start to finish, and full of odd surprises. Interesting camera work that underscored the twists and turns. Good supporting soundtrack. Spare acting by a decent and varied cast. Great creature designs. All the best scary tropes to build the dread. Even the title adds to the whole aura. This film is not recent but has actually aged well because it is so unusual that it isn't that dated in style. Because it is pre-CGI, it is fairly low-budget which even makes it more amazing as a solid horror picture. I wish more movies were big on psychological dread and not just leaning on CGI to make them scary.

Shahmaran (2023– )

Great original sound design and scoring!

[8/10 · 23 January 2023]

I was totally engrossed in this Turkish series. For me what made it so interesting and drew me in was the instrumentation (not the typical digital crap) used by the composers. Very few films score to the action as this did. That is ambitious and thoughtful attention to detail. Great example of the difference music can make to the overall impact of the storyline. The overall ambient sound work was really excellent, too. It made me realize how much that is lacking in most series and films. Even big budget films. Hollywood can definitely take some cues from this. So A+ to the sound design people and composers and musicians!

1899 (2022)

Gorgeous production that is beyond next-level filmmaking!

[10/10 · 19 November 2022]

The first episode is so overwhelmingly gorgeous with such incredible detail, you can't even take it all in the first viewing. I knew it looked very different from anything else I had seen and wondered how expensive it must have been to shoot so many locations and sets. Then I saw the "Making of" video and was blown away by the use of the Volume tech and what that makes possible. The stormy ocean scenes are gorgeous and the sets and backgrounds were seamless, as if they had all been shot on location. So kudos to the incredible producers, directors, and cinematographers. And a whole separate call-out to the wardrobe staff. Such exquisite detail in every piece! My favorite - the spider appliqué on the collar of one of the dresses.

This is a truly ground-breaking piece of filmmaking and I hope it wins all the awards it deserves.

Primal Rage (2018)

Better than the movie poster would have you think....

[15 November 2022]

I was planning on fast forwarding through this to watch the good parts, but it was compelling enough to make me keep watching from start to finish. Loved the Native American ceremonial parts, well produced and well staged and propped and lit. Also loved the witch, probably one of the best witch designs ever, and a great cackle. Loved her scenes, especially some of the detail shots like shoving the spider. Nice filming there and nice colors and lighting and props. I think having a subtitile using the name BigFoot was unecessary, as the creature design was way better than a mere Bigfoot. The bark masking, the mouth, the curling lip, (nice touch!). Even some funny moments in the script. Acting was just OK. Female lead better than the male. Liked all the non-white casting. Good job for low budget!

1883 (2021– )

Kudos to Isabel May!

[8/10 · 19 August 2022]

She has a great future ahead of her. The script is wonderful and especially Elsa's narration. The music is hugely additive to the lonely aura. Very engaging series.

Brahms: The Boy II (2020)

Creepy doll in a suit..

[4/10 · 12 June 2022]

That looks exactly like a certain political figure from a past administration. Very scary!!!! The movie really benefits from the likeness and ratchets up the fear factor. Great horror watch for a few hours. Hopefully, we will never see that person or his doppelganger doll again! Kudos to the propmaker.

Hard Cell (2022)

A great comedy because of the empathy

[9/10 · 12 April 2022]

Describing this as simply a mockumentary belies the great heart of this show. I will never again think a comedy is good if it can't show tear-jerking empathy, too. This one really delivers. Looking forward to season 2.

Bridgerton (2020– )

And the stars of the show are.....

[8/10 · 26 March 2022]

1. The Fashion Accessories - the utterly amazing wigs on the queen, the hats and feathers and jewelry and hairstyles. All emmy worthy!

2. The Fashions - Especially those for Polly Walker, gorgeous jewel-toned brocades accessorized with the wonderful feathers and jewels.

3. The Music - Early baroque music translations of pop songs - brilliant and fun.

4. The Stars - shoutout to Claudia Jessie especially - a delight to watch her act with her physical comedy stylings.

Red Dot (2021)

Bad Idea

[3/10 · 12 March 2022]

So you hit a parked car but drive off without saying something, then they key your car next time they see it, so you key their car, then drive on up the road a ways, park right by the side of said road, then are surprised by red-neck revenge at your tent a little ways off? I guess it only goes downhill from there.

Money Heist (2017–2021)

The Gold Standard for me

[10/10 · 14 February 2022]

Character development, story development, script writing, acting. Most series don't have even one of these. This one has it all. And without any CGI or technical tricks, they batted it out of the park every episode. No wonder it won so many awards. I will miss all of them!!!!!!

The Rental (2020)

Clever, clever, clever

[8/10 · 3 January 2022]

I really liked this. I had just been saying, you know what kind of movie would kill the AirBNB market? This one! You may think you know what is happening, but not so fast.....

The Expanse (2015–2022)

Best sci-fi series EVER

[10/10 · 26 December 2021]

Great writing, great character development, great plot lines, great tech and fabulous actors! Amaz ed this is not on more people's radar. Hope it continues for many more seasons. So glad Prime has it.

Being the Ricardos (2021)

Miscast of Lucy

[4/10 · 23 December 2021]

For a movie that talks endlessly of Lucy's physical comedy, casting Kidman was a mistake. Arianda, who plays Vance, should have been Lucy. From her deep smoky voice to her snarkiness and physical comedy, she would have been the better choice. I wonder if casting saw that it in retrospect? Bardem was very well cast and played Ricky in a very believable, non-trite way.

Maid (2021– )

Everyone should watch this

[8/10 · 9 October 2021]

We all need to understand how our social systems work and this was a great place to start. Emmy-worthy performances from MacDowell and Qualley and the best child actress ever in Whittet. The on-screen relationship between mother and child is completely engaging without any sacharine overtones. Yes, it is sad, but there is also hope and the performances are nuanced and believable.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Bravo to the designers of Steppenwolf

[10/10 · 9 July 2021]

My favorite comic book movie of all time. But have to say this Steppenwolf is the baddest and best villain ever created. Couldn't get enough of him!

Triassic Hunt (2021)

Simply horrible - and not in a good way.

[1/10 · 8 July 2021]

Even schlock has its limits, so this is just too bad, in every way.

Baby (II) (2020)

Gorgeous work!

[9/10 · 18 May 2021]

Loved the music soundtrack, the cinematography, the gorgeous detail of the production! Unusual and memorable.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

Cailee Spaeny, take a bow!

[9/10 · 26 April 2021]

Of course Kate Winslet is amazing in every role she plays, and this is no exception, but I was particularly taken with Cailee Spaeny in the role of Erin. Her role could have been forgettable, since it was so short. But she was so vulnerable, so hopeful, so tragic. She should go places in the future.

Wander (I) (2020)

Wanted to like it, but........

[3/10 · 21 April 2021]

The first sentence in this movie gets the word cavalry wrong. The actor says Calvary, the religious term, instead. Seriously, how could no one notice that and not do another take?

Thick as Thieves (1999)

One of the best cult films ever!

[10/10 · 17 March 2021]

My husband and I know every line by heart - ever since seeing the premiere at Sundance! If you haven't seen it you are in for a treat! Michael Jai White was brilliant! Script, brilliant!