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Reviews
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Heavy Spoilers for book readers:
It was a packed house for the February 25 fan premiere and the film did not disappoint.
Since the first film, several like myself have read the books and now we're going to compare --- because that's what happens when an IP gets famous, i.e. Most of us didn't compare GOT season 1 to ASOIAF when we first watched it.
Alia is not in the film. At all, except as a fetus who speaks to Jessica. So of course she doesn't kill the Baron. It actually works out. From a filmmaking point, good luck finding a child who could do justice to the role, even if you age her up.
Jessica, in my opinion, becomes the villain after drinking the water of life. She essentially manipulates Paul into become the Mahdi. It was previously ambiguous as to her birthing a son, and by extension the Kwizatch Haderach, was due to love or vanity. This would almost now appear to be the latter. Again, just my opinion, but I don't believe the water changed her, more likely it awakened a dormant ambition.
Chani is by far the most improved character from the books. With all respect to Frank Herbert, she didn't really do much. She was the love interest and ultimately the mother of the Tyrant and that pretty much sums up her relevance in the Dune Saga. She is still all that of course, but while she loves Paul, she's an outspoken cynic concerning him being a Messiah. This was a welcome change.
Stilgar is exactly what he was at the end of the first book but all that throughout. I am mildly disappointed. Nevertheless, he is the most comedic character.
Paul kills the Baron. Chani breaks up with him (kinda). The door is wide open for part 3.
Those are the most significant changes from the book. I would encourage anyone to watch it and not allow these to detract from your enjoyment.
Everyone did a great job on the film as a whole and of course it's a 10!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Game (1991)
Uh, what?
7.4? Really? Did everyone forget that Geordi is blind?? Yes, Ashley Judd was adorable and great. Honestly, Wesley was fine and he really did grow on me. It was nice seeing him again.
While this was technically another "all the adults are stupid and it's up to Wesley to save the day again" episode it really wasn't that awful.
Yes, it had a message that was way ahead of its time about addictive gaming, and it was a unique role reversal with the kids not playing.
But, come on! Geordi... Is ..... Blind!
I can get the appeal of this episode, and I'm normally generous, but I just can't look past that.
Star Trek: Prodigy (2021)
F Paramount plus!
This is the best Star Trek show on TV right now and the "geniuses" at Paramount are cancelling! Cancel it, fine. I love it but I can understand that it didn't get the views it deserved. But removing it entirely?!? WTF?!?
If you're reading this, and you love Star Trek (of course you do) do yourself a favor and go watch it RIGHT NOW!
I have nothing else to add about Prodigy that hasn't been said. It's a fantastic show. It has developed a cult following for a reason! I genuinely care about every character.
As we look back in a few years, mark my words, Prodigy will be remembered as the best Star Trek of the 2020s!
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Loss (1990)
To each their own but I actually liked it
I can understand why this episode's reviews are mostly negative, even the 7's tend to be snarky. Anyway, I thought it was a fairly well done character episode for Troi. While it's naturally jarring to watch a regular character act unlikeable, to me it was more about Troi losing her confidence than her ability. While none of us are "empaths" in this sense, many people would react harshly to suddenly losing a natural talent that they've come to depend on. Our confidence would most certainly take a massive blow. I can't go higher than 8 because I felt the resolution was a bit too rushed. The idea of Troi losing her ability, and then regaining her confidence, would have made a good b-plot in a three episode arc, if done well. I get the negative reviews, but I don't agree with them.
King of the Hill: Bill's House (2005)
Corruption in recovery *mild spoilers*
I currently live in sober living myself and a haven't drank or used for nearly 18 months. Typically, I roll my eyes whenever recovery is portrayed in media since more often than not it typically relies more on stereotypes, usually portraying recovery and AA as a pseudo cult. The fact I personally love this show where the four guys regularly drink in the alley hopefully debunks some of the myths
While this episode is a bit mild in that no one is a drug addict and felon, it's pretty much spot on everywhere else.
The fact is: Alcoholics and Addicts certainly have a tendency to blame everyone but themselves for their lives (which is primarily the goal of the 12 steps to change), this also makes us a perfect target for exploitation. I.e. These guys are having their funds literally stolen from them but since they're not exactly credible people, who would believe it? The natural reaction would be to assume they're just playing the "blame game".
I applaud KOTH for bringing this mostly realistic portrayal of recovery and sober living. However, I would have preferred Draper to end up in jail for fraud since he will likely revert back at some time since he avoided punishment already. Sadly, it is accurate for 2005 Texas. Not as much today but still exists.
(I rated a 10 but feel it's more an 8.5. It's certainly better than a 7.3)
Star Trek: Picard: Hide and Seek (2022)
Anyone remember this scene?
Because clearly the writers don't:
PICARD: Whenever I look at you now, I won't see a powerful Cardassian warrior. I will see a six year old boy who is powerless to protect himself.
MADRED: Be quiet.
PICARD: In spite of all you've done to me, I find you a pitiable man.
That extremely well-written scene from Chain of Command part 2 pretty much sums up how I feel about this show. They're trying to make something epic, trying to make Picard sympathetic and human, but they have instead made him powerless and pitiable. Fortunately I refuse to view this as canon.
You can make good Trek without being a fan. Wrath of Khan is proof of that. But do your homework like they did! 1) Picard had a brother. 2) His mother lived to old age. 3) Guinan first met him in the 19th century with Mark Twain, along with Data. 4) There's no way Picard would have known the events of "Assignment: Earth" off the top of his head.
The complete lack of preparedness puts this in the apocrypha bin with Captain April.
King of the Hill: Pretty, Pretty Dresses (1998)
This is the episode that sets KOTH apart from the rest
It was a few years ago that I first saw this episode and the ending literally made my jaw drop. Bobby Goes Nuts is the most iconic episode, but Pretty, Pretty Dresses is the one that really separates KOTH from Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, etc. And it's the best among them. I can tell you to expect an unexpected ending and you will still be shocked. More so that this was waaayyyy ahead of its time in 1998.