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RosemaryBlue
Reviews
Married to Medicine: Golf Cart Girls (2024)
Kema and Alicia think women are dogs and they are hard to watch
This episode reminded me of one of the things I like about Married to Medicine. The cast can get along and can keep it together. Jackie accepting Sweet Tea's apology, the men's cooking competition, the women's golf competition, the drama free yacht ride and Simone's harmless slumber party game all made for a light, fun episode. Reality TV can get mean and dark (👀 Real Housewives of Potomac 👀), so it was really refreshing to watch an episode in which the cast members weren't being mean towards each other or saying dark things about each other. Simone's game was fairly constructive and we (the audience) really walk away from this episode feeling like this cast has grown a lot and has outgrown boat fights and toxic, marriage breaking game nights. 10/10 for the 'OG' cast members and 10/10 for Toya in this episode, for not falling into the trap of entertaining Alicia's "Eugene needs to train your {behind}" statements. Superb!
HOWEVER. Speaking of Alicia... She doesn't necessarily blend well with the rest of the cast and her husband and their "marriage philosophy" may have a lot to do with that. Kema is very obviously different from the rest of the men in the cast and that's okay. But what isn't okay are some of the statements he's made in previous episodes including this one. The idea that an adult should have control over another adult and that a man (or he) trains his wife (Alicia) is concerning and hard to watch. Their reactions to their own statements are even more bizarre. Kema's hysterical laugh after Jackie very seriously tells him "women are not trained, dogs are trained" and Alicia's bizarre demonstration of being "shocked" into "temper" are incredibly hard to watch. Doesn't she know shock is a tool of torture? How many torture tools are electric shock devices? And what is amusing about a dog shock collar? Their lack of awareness that this type of thinking and the type of language they use is situated on the very thin line between so-called "traditional" marriage values and abuse is incredibly off-putting.
Heavenly and Damon's marriage philosophy is similar to Alicia and Kema's, but we won't see Heavenly and Damon invoke the type of language and imagery Alicia and Kema have in this episode and previous episodes. Clearly there is a way (and I'd argue, multiple ways) to uphold and advocate for so-called "traditional" marriage values without invoking the same type of language used to describe subjugation, pavlovian conditioning and torture.
Kema can say he doesn't mean to be derogatory and disrespectful but there's nothing more derogatory and disrespectful than using language that is commonly associated with training dogs (Alicia said Eugene needs to get a collar on Toya's {behind} and shock her) and describing treatment that literally mirrors Pavlov's study in which he conditioned dogs, and then reapplying it to your spouse and/or women. That is peak derogatory and disrespectful and they need to either acknowledge that the language and descriptions they've used this season are problematic or take their incoming train wreck of a marriage off-screen.
Long story short, Alicia and Kema are not fun to watch and this episode is a great example of why they are so hard to watch. Their marriage doesn't have to look like Toya and Eugene's, but can they at least recognize that the language and descriptions they've used here are problematic then do a better job at explaining their marriage philosophy without these problematic undertones (this is a show about marriage and medicine after all).
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Post-Graduate Psychopath (2021)
SVU turning point
This episode, and the episodes after, feel radically different from the rest of this season and possibly the season before it. This episode feels like classic SVU writing. It has a classic SVU plot. The previous episodes and season(s) had too much of a political feel to them, but not too much to put me off SVU completely. This episode came at just the right time because I was nearing my peak with the political tension plots, although they weren't done too badly, they were overdone at this point. And this episode is a true turning point. It feels like seeing an old friend and everything suddenly feeling like "the good old days", and then realizing you've been missing them way more than you thought. I've watched the last two episodes of season 22 and the first few episodes of season 23 and the political undertones are much lighter now. This is a welcomed change. Politics are a part of society (and institutions e.g. The NYPD) and politics were (and still are) at the forefront of American social discourse but it really started to feel overdone and repetitive.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta: Reunion Part 2 (2023)
Please DO NOT give Cousin Courtney any more air time
Courtney was generally hard to watch throughout the season. But she was extra insufferable in the two reunion episodes. Having a "villain" on the show might work for other shows, but it most definitely does not work on this show, especially not a "villain" like Courtney. Not only is she a nasty "friend", she also does not come across genuine or authentic. There's a certain brand of messy the casts engage in on the housewives franchises, Courtney brings the trashy aspects of that brand (talking about Drew's child in her confession, having genuinely unsavory retorts, piggybacking off of Drew's storyline and marriage issues). What does Courtney have going on in her life other than being supposedly related to Ralph? Does she have any charities she's founded? Does she have a fashion line she's working on? Is she a singer or an actress? What does she have going on other than Drew, Ralph and their failing marriage? Who is she? Courtney did not reflect well on the screen and it would be unfortunate to bring her back on screen for another season. Monyetta, on the other hand, was a much better "friend". Monyetta did not come on the show and completely torpedo the group chemistry by smearing a cast member, did not exhibit "mean girl" behavior, comes off a lot more genuine and authentic and has shown she has more going on for her in her personal life than being a "friend", and a nasty one at that. Monyetta seems to understand RHOA's brand of "shade", and if she ever gets a peach she may be the new bone collector. Monyetta is also genuinely wholesome - there are arguments she is willing to let go of, and although she stands her ground when necessary she still (seemingly) generally got along with most of the cast. Between Courtney and Monyetta (this season's two friends), I'd give Monyetta more screen time. Courtney and Drew's drama felt like a crossover between RHOA and Courtney's audition for Love & Hip Hop. And giving Cousin Courtney anymore screen time will turn RHOA into Basketball Wives/Love & Hip Hop. She does not fit on RHOA and was a bad pick for this season.
From: Choosing Day (2022)
Julie Matthews is annoying
The episode was good. I just wish whoever wrote Julie Matthews character spared us the teenage drama. Julie did not need to be such a shallow caricature of a teenager. And her attitude completely ruins the flow of the show. I don't think the actress is to blame here, just whoever wrote her character and her script. Her "mother" Tabitha is equally annoying. They're both the kind of stereotypical, non-human character that runs back into a dangerous place to get some superficial thing they forgot. They're both the kind of daft character to do something obviously stupid despite being advised against it because it made sense to them. It's so unnecessary. And it is hard to watch. I hope they both grow a little more in Season 2, especially Julie the irrational teenager.
Uncorked (2020)
The definition of perfectly simple
I enjoyed every minute of this film and will most likely re-watch it at some point. The cast was great, the script was great, the scenes were great. Everything was balanced and nothing was over or under done. There are elements of this film that could have gone really bad but this film dodged all of that. It isn't trying to hard to be something it isn't and that's what makes it such an easy, enjoyable watch. I laughed a couple of times throughout the film, and at times I even felt sad, then hopeful, then I could relate to the main character. It's a movie that will make you feel something (and everything). Especially since it is not a stereotypical "feel good" or "underdog" movie. It's about real people who live real lives and have real dreams and real struggles. It's so simple but it's so good because it is so simple. It is worth the watch.
Silverton Siege (2022)
It's thriller! Not a documentary!
The film is great! The costumes, the camera work, the cast, everything. I found it enjoyable. And the length was just right. If you watch the film with the understanding that this is thriller (not a documentary), you will be sorted. You may even see the film for what it is: a well executed, well framed film that has us voicing our desires for local film and has us discussing the parameters and meaning of "inspired by actual events" in South Africa. All this is wonderful.
Now, to some of the points other reviewers have brought up. Firstly, there is the issue of how the film's cast does not match the actual Silverton Trio. In my opinion, this is not an actual issue, especially not one as pressing and serious as it is made to seem. This film does not stop other producers from creating a more "realistic" film. And although the producers chose to add (at the end) that this film is "based on actual events" (which is debatable), the producers also added the real photographs of the real Silverton Trio at the end. If that is not enough, other producers are free to produce films that are slightly more "authentic" (as in, documentaries). This film, and any other film for that matter, does NOT change the truth of history, therefore the supposed "unrealisticness" of this film is not a threat. It is an opportunity for the local film industry to hone in on our hunger for these largely untold stories.
Secondly, I appreciated the fact that the lead actors are *not* the same old actors we see on screen all the time. The lead actors did an amazing job. And I will definitely be looking up their other work.
ALL (and I mean ALL) the actors had screen time (rightfully so, because that is part of their job; being on screen). And I enjoyed how human every character was written to be (even the ones who seem incredibly shallow at first glance). EVERY character had a visible internal complexity that was refreshing to see. The producers/directors/writers could have fallen into the temptation of reducing every character to rigid, cardboard cut-out politically binary stereotypes but if one looks beyond the very obvious stereotypes the characters exhibit - the actions these same characters make unlock their inner complexity. The stereotypes are not bad in this sense, they're like a key, and for this reason they are practically harmless. I can't help thinking that the film makers chose specific stereotypes for specific characters for specific (and useful) reasons. And the core reason is so we can see the complexity every character has.
Also, about the "stereotypical characters": the film is set in a time when people would see the stereotypes of a person before the actual person. Perhaps that is also why the characters were written as they were? They did not bother me at all.
Again, if you watch the film with the understanding that this is thriller (not a documentary), you will be alright. Down voting a film for not being a different genre is self manufactured, misplaced disappointment.
The Real Housewives of Dubai (2022)
Show has serious potential - worth the watch!
It's so sad to some of these reviews because many of them are so extremely biased. This show is not bad at all. It is well filmed and interesting. It is not meant to be a documentary about Arabic or Arab culture or Emerati anything. ALL Real Housewives shows are about a group of women bonding together - and this show (season 1) is exactly that. All the women dressed according to Real Housewives standard and Chanel Ayan's unique and unusual outfits were a treat. The season could have benefitted from a few more episodes and a few more scenes centered around Sara's home, Caroline Brooks' new business and Ayan's home (was anything even filmed in Ayan's home?).
Let's start with the good things: Every episode was filmed well. There were some extra shots that are unusual for a Real Housewives franchise (e.g. The cast in a wardrobe choosing their outfits). It would have been nice to see the regular glam team shot and to see them actually get ready (like how it is filmed with the Beverley Hills cast). The episodes did not feel dragged and the dialogue did not seem forced. I liked seeing the housewives in their element (in their homes) and I liked seeing them in different settings (the desert, restaurants, each other's homes). I also really liked that the drama was not toxic. There wasn't a lot of nastiness, just a harmless amount of shade, and that's good. And most importantly, I liked that unlike any other Real Housewives cast, the Dubai housewives are a culturally diverse group of women, some of whom are multilingual and most (if not all) of whom have lived in different countries. Having expats on the show is a positive thing, not a negative thing. It's refreshing to see Dubai from their eyes as expats because Dubai is full of people with varying national and cultural backgrounds.
I connected with Chanel Ayan most. She's unusual but she played a huge role this season. She opened up the most and was the most direct cast member. I did NOT mind her English at all. She's multilingual and owes nobody fluency in English. My two other favorite cast members were Lesa and Caroline Stanbury. Seeing Lesa's scenes with her husband was interesting and Caroline's personality works well for the show if only she would loosen up (she seemed very distracted this season). I did not connect with Nina at all - she is the least interesting, the least vocal and the least open. She cried a few times and did her things with her crystals but that's not enough for me to connect with her. On the other hand, Caroline Brooks and Sara could remain for one more season with some development but nothing beyond that. Caroline Brooks is chaotic and Sara really is preachy. We'd benefit from seeing Sara do something other than preach (does she have a business too?). And we'd benefit from seeing more of Caroline Brooks' family (Maybe a birthday party for her son? A birthday party for her mom? A new romantic partner?)
Some critiques:
1. There are too many entrepreneurs cast in the show. It'd be nice to see a Dubai housewife with a unique career (beyond fashion, beauty and real estate).
2. Did the domestic workers/helpers filmed in this season (season 1) agree to being filmed? And if they're being filmed anyway we might as well see the housewives engage with them beyond just giving them orders. Otherwise why film them? So we know they have help?
If there are plans for a second season, I'd like to see the housewive's progress on moving into their new homes and how the empty building business we see in season 1 look when they are complete or semi complete.
It would also be nice to see more scenes filmed in "public spaces" (or is that not a thing in Dubai?). And it would be nice to see the housewives travel (girls trip) outside of the UAE, to see them travel to another African country and maybe even overseas.
Overall this was a great watch and I would most definitely recommend this show!
Alice (2022)
Great film!
Unlike other reviewers, I found Antebellum (2020) to be an absolute disappointment. Alice (2022) is way better than Antebellum (2020) in my honest, well-informed opinion. The colors in this film are absolutely amazing. All the costumes matched the spaces the scenes where filmed in. The dialogue was simple (good simple). The acting did not feel forced and I think everyone involved in creating this film did a great job. You may feel like some parts were not developed enough but the point comes across and the film ends on a good note. It is worth watching!
CSI: Vegas (2021)
Above average but needs some work
Firstly - all bogus reviews on here about how woke CSI:Vegas apparently is are just that - bogus! Those are reviews written by people who do not like the fact that there are characters who look like Allie, Chris and Maxine all in one show. So 5/5 for whoever casted people who reflect how current society looks. It's really not far fetched AT ALL that the characters in the series can all work in the same lab because that's a literal reflection of what's going on today. I'm on episode 8 of season 1 and the characters' ethnicities weren't even mentioned once, neither was anything remotely related to social justice. So really, there's nothing woke about CSI:Vegas. There's only an ethnically diverse cast, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. None of the characters are out of place because of their ethnicity. And the stories are not affected by it either. So why mention it and make it the sole or main reason to down rank this good show? I will never understand.
The acting is not bad. But the chemistry (beyond Sara and Grissom) isn't quite there yet. I reckon if a few more characters, specifically CSIs, are added then that would positively change how the chemistry translates on screen.
I like that while there's the Hodges story line going, they still featured other crimes and crime scenes for every episode. The dialogue does not seem forced. I just wish there were more CSIs and not just Allie and Joshua (Chris? What's his role?). I also wish the crimes investigated were a lot more memorable. There's tons of past CSI crimes I can recall and I haven't watched the other CSIs in years. Hone in on refining the story part of the crime and add more CSIs. Then it'll be 10/10. Glad CSI is back! Hope it stays for a while.