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williamsymingtonv
Reviews
Skjelvet (2018)
Sequel to The Wave
I think it's important to understand that, while a disaster movie, The Quake is a sequel , and pursues the storyline of the original central character(s) relationships 3 years after the original movie. Thoroughly enjoyable and well acted, it is centered on the emotional back story more than just action sequences, though there are plenty of those too. If you liked The Wave you'll like this- the disaster part of the film is less of a surprise, but so it goes with these types of movies. At least this one has an emotional core that is believable.
Ratched (2020)
Modern Classic
One of the first things you notice is the incredible production design and costuming put into sharp focus with the beautiful cinematography. Color, angle, and lighting are used to effectively communicate not only tone and style, but each character's motivation and core. Sure, there are broad strokes, but I see it more as an homage to period pieces that were clearly an influence, like Hitchcock's work and even later, Kubrick's "the Shining." If you like the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but want something totally opposite from a comedy, here you go.
United We Fall (2020)
Old School Comedy
This show does use the old school laugh-track, joke every other line, formula. That doesn't make it bad- not when the actors are talented and have good comic timing and performance chops. These are all talented people delivering well-written lines with snap. The exploration of family dynamics, raising kids in the modern, frenetic world, and marriage may be tried and true, but this show does it with a fresh tone. Boasting SNL alumnus Jane Curtin as the live-in mother in law and Mad TV's Will Sasso, among other talented cast members, including 2 funny child actors, United We Fall is a refreshing, light, break from the onslaught of overly serious, self-aware, under-lit dark dramas and pseudo-cerebral comedies that too often lack any real warmth or relief- and that's the thing: a show like this hearkens back to a time when there was no shame in escapist television. That is not to say it is old-fashioned in style, on the contrary, it touches on the modern life challenges of raising a family. United We Fall is a fun show, full of laughs, that is a perfect respite.