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Reviews
The Good Doctor: Burnt Food (2017)
Watcher Beware
This started off as a good show with a unique premise. Shaun Murphy is autistic, and has gone above and beyond to become a surgical resident at a big hospital. Seasons 1-3 focused on his struggles with himself as well as others, including having a girlfriend. It felt good seeing Shaun grow and seeing his peers grow with him.
Season 4, though, started a downhill spiral that just didn't quit, and I had to quit watching. I'm not sure if the writers all were fired and new ones were brought in, if it is the fault of the producers, or what. I do know that a good show was made unwatchable by someone who felt the need to become suddenly political and offensive.
If you watch long enough, you'll see that women HAVE to always be right, especially women of color. I have nothing against women of color, except when they actually call out people for being white, as Dr. Lim does. One of the residents is chastised by a senior resident (of color) for interrupting "a woman speaking, especially a woman of color." The term mansplaining was used in that scene as well. White people become the villains; one resident candidate is dismissed because he was white and "arrogant", yet from the beginning of the show, it's said time and again that surgeons are arrogant. One resident is a Christian, who was chastised for being unable to perform an abortion because of her beliefs, while another resident, who was Jewish but to left the faith and is now an atheist, repeatedly says he doesn't believe in God, like it's the focus of his character.
I could go on, but you get the point. I had to stop about halfway through the episode where a trans man is pregnant. I'm not sure why a show would choose to alienate half its audience. I don't watch TV shows to see the latest politically correct topic. TV is an escape from all that, but this show chooses to break out its bat and beat you over the head with it.
I've seen several comments saying that these are current issues, this should be discussed, blah blah. I can't agree here. If the show has started out like that, great, watch it and I wish you enjoyment. But it went 180 away from it's starting premise.
So, watcher beware. Don't get too invested, or, if you do, know that you only get 3 good seasons before it all goes downhill.
The Good Doctor: Claire (2019)
Race Card
Why does everything these days have to come down to the race card? This episode was just fine on its own. It didn't need the Chief playing the race card with Claire, and flaunting HER privilege. It was needless crap that brought down the episode. Nobody cares what color you are, Dr. Lim. If you're the best doctor, you're who I want operating on me. There should be nothing else to be said. Yet, some writer just couldn't stop him or herself, and had to go there.
I enjoy this show. It has a unique premise, and I enjoy seeing Shaun progress. But if they're going to keep this crap up, I won't be watching.
The Incredible Dr. Pol (2011)
Love me some Dr. Pol
I really enjoy this show. It's wholesome entertainment that the whole family can watch. It's obvious from what they show that Dr. Pol and his staff genuinely care about the animals that visit the practice. If you need a break from bad language, politics, sex, or angst, Dr. Pol's your man.
I say "what they show" because they obviously can't show every minute of the care they give each patient. I see several negative reviews and all I can say is, you're not present when the patients are treated, so you can't comment with any certainty on the quality of care given. Dr. Pol's censure by the vet board was overturned; even the owner of the pet in question was satisfied with the care they received. (All this information is readily available from a simple search.)
Overall, a good show with a great leading guy.
Elvis (2022)
No. Just no.
This film looks like someone took a bad acid trip and is trying to come out of it. Austin Butler is made up to look like a side show kewpie doll. Visually awful, and somehow they even managed to screw up the music. Rap music in an Elvis film? Really?? I get that the director is trying to play up the roots of rock and roll, but come on! Rap didn't exist when Elvis was making his music (thank God).
I was skeptical about viewing this because of the director, and it looks like that skepticism was on the money. I kept waiting for the movie to turn around, to get better, but I should have known better than to hope for that. Overall, if you're looking for a good movie about Elvis, don't waste your time here, because it's not this one.
Grey's Anatomy: Personal Jesus (2018)
This used to be a good show
A watchable, corny and utterly made up fantasy.
Now it's just a bunch of political and politically correct crap.
Why would they even try to include a scene with a Bible debate?
Stick to the fake medicine fantasy land.
Guarding Tess (1994)
Just a fun movie
Nicholas Cage and Shirley MacLaine have great chemistry. It's well written, with several laugh out loud moments. It's just a fun little movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. Cage plays the straight, uptight guy very well, and he's a good foil for MacLaine's crabby old lady.
Cowboy Bebop (2021)
I love this show
I'm really disappointed that Netflix chose to cancel it before really giving it a chance. I think too many people who were fans of the original cartoon had unrealistic expectations and wanted the live action rendering to be identical. This show was funny, well written, had plenty of action, and was only just beginning to touch on the driving factors behind Spike's lonliness--something the haters seemed to want--when the plug was pulled. So much yet to be explored, but now will never come to light.
The Walking Dead: Nebraska (2012)
Such a good show.
This show is so well written and thought out. The character interaction is superb, and the development of each character arc is well done and deliciously suspenseful.
Having said that, the only flaw I can find is in the Lori character. It's said that when you actively hate a character, it just speaks to how well the actor is portraying the ideas of the writers. Normally I absolutely agree with that, but I strongly disagree in Lori's case. For a show that is otherwise so well written, superbly cast, and otherwise well acted, Sarah Wayne Callies is a complete let down. Since her first lines, Lori has come off as a whiny bitch; she can't be pleased, doesn't make good decisions, and can't see the big picture.
Overall, I do love this show.