Mitchmuse Reviews

The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2025)

THT is an ultra Low-Frequency horror show.

[1/10 · 27 June 2019]

THT is an ultra 'Low-Frequency' horror show. You will not feel well after watching it - most likely malaise. Should you enjoy this type of dystopian society, and aren't really impacted by it, then perhaps you identify with both the psychopathic and sociopathic characters that run this Cult. You may also identify with the victims (i.e all the women/men) who suffer grave punishments to vital body parts for naive, or purposeful breaking of the oppressive rules. The show moves at a snail's pace, to add knots in your stomach, when "time is of the essence." You may well say that you are being held captively, frustrated by how time is manipulated.

You would understandably feel sickened watching this FEAR based show. What is in it for you? Someone(s) are putting out a lot of money to seed this propaganda to the public. FEAR! There are no shallow threats so don't expect any. 'FEAR, MANIPULATION, EXPLOITATION and DOMINATION with the use of VIOLENCE' are this show's mantra.

I moved on after a few episodes. It was apparent that the basic arcs of the story and characters were to be - same abuse, but a different week. It's Cult nonsense based upon quasi-scriptures to justify their violence. There are better shows out there to be watched.

American Crime (2015–2017)

AC2015, Season One, part of a series anthology, has well developed stories, with an exceptional cast of actors, who deliver.

[9/10 · 18 January 2016]

American Crime 2015 (AC2015) are intensely developed stories about a number of crimes committed in Modesto, CA. The stories depicted are not meant to make you laugh. AC2015 is a very intense drama — disturbing to say the least.

Before I go further, I must give credit to the insightful script writers, who wrote credible dialogue for the well developed characters within the context of the story lines. Also, credit must be given to the brilliant casting director(s). The actors give the necessary edge to escalate the frustration, grief and individual ways of coping with the futility of their situations as they saw them. You may find their chemistry as a whole odious. The direction and prime talent of the actors delivered over the top performances that will cause the audience disconcerting thoughts and feelings. AC2015 was well done. It's content is worthy of discussion. I recommend watching season one of the AC series anthology.

The stories are about many families involved with the fallout of crimes and what they do to sort things out in pursuit of justice. The characters are diverse within their own families, as well as without. Some adapt better and make things work to minimize loss, while others only know estrangement and blame.

I found the inability, for some, to exercise good judgment, overruled by wayward emotions, pathetic and tragic. Those particular characters show us about real peoples' track records of behavior, or narrowly, stunted intellectual latitude, resulting with an incapability to fully comprehend reality and culpability. These traits will always cause them to blow out in life. Anyone, who has ever sat on juries in the criminal courts, will recognize many of these characters' mindset, with their families included.

Barb (Felicity Huffman) is the pivotal character in the main plot. Felicity's performance is sterling. Love her. Hate her. Her grief is put on hold, because she must deal with the justice system as it is. The complexity of what Barb is up against, while desperately trying to understand answers to questions that never will be satisfactory is totally daunting to her. Disruptive people with their own agendas, whether 'passive-aggressive', 'aggressively destructive' 'on the offensive', 'in denial', 'absent', 'incompetent', 'liars' 'vigilantes', 'limited intelligence', 'racists' and Barb herself, all contribute to her ineffectiveness. Barb evolves, though.

Russ (Timothy Hutton) is static, reliving how he is past his previous self. Russ is not even close to resolving his personal inadequacies, nor recognizing them, yet he feels entitled to pick up where he left off. Tim gave another great performance.

Aubry (Caitlin Gerard) gives another incredible performance. Aubry and Carter (Elvis Nolasco) create a bizarre world of love and disaster. Allyah (Regina King), gave another fantastic delivery of counter struggle to right matters.

Alonzo (Benito Martinez), an illegal, suffers immense loss fighting for his family. AC2015 is an interesting contrast of families in crisis — individuals in crisis. How people communicate with each other helps or hinders finding the truth.

The juxtaposing of characters throughout the main plot and subplots add to the heaviness all share in getting through the awful circumstances that these families were suddenly thrust into, because of American Crimes.

Pola X (1999)

Turn the DVD to play, then go to bed.

[1/10 · 20 October 2006]

Turn the DVD to play, then go to bed. Be sure to open the windows in the morning to air out the bad vibes. Very bad take on Herman Melville's story: The Ambiguities, or Pierre. Modernized in this film version, it loses it's gullibility and believability. Pierre should be savey enough to figure this one out, but you see, he's not 'wrapped real tight'. The implied ambiguities, that don't exist within the actual relationships in the book only complicated the movie's ambiguities more. The movie unfolds at a snails pace, so go to bed — it may actually still be playing by the time you wake up. The ultimate question that exists is: Is Isabelle, or isn't she? Pierre is pathetically living in his mind and dreams, chasing after ghosts and signs of truth. The obvious never occurs to him — even preventable death. That nagging question keeps coming back: Is Isabelle, or isn't she?

Shallow Ground (2004)

A Sequel Seems Imminent

[7/10 · 18 March 2006]

I really enjoyed this movie. I like to be scared, surprised, and confused with a vexing predicament. This movie supplied all of the above. The suspense kept going. A sequel seems imminent. Casting was great, mainly because the anonymity of the actors did not get in the way of the story. There's nothing worse than having a great script ruined by someone's fame. You end up watching them & miss a lot of other important things happening in the movie. A big plus was the great music in this movie. It really added to the ambiance of the action and settings. Another plus to this movie was that it wasn't cheapened by an assumed romance taking precedence over everything else. Due to circumstances in this movie, people's relationships with one another seemed appropriate. There was a very unexpected thing that happened, that never occurred to me, although, it should have. You will like that unexpected thing. There's plenty in this movie to creep you out.

I strongly suggest you watch it while eating, and drinking, your favorite foods and beverage.

S C A R Y ! !

Modigliani (2004)

Same old Same old SAME OLD

[1/10 · 25 January 2006]

How many variations on the same scene can be done? This movie attempts to set a record. Set the movie to play, then leave the room & go to bed, knowing that while you sleep, it's dullness will dissipate into the empty room. Awake refreshed, & relieved that you did not waste your time on Modiglilani.

p.s. If this movie were the honest truth about Modigliani's life, then it would be an absolute miracle that he painted as much as he did. He appears more indisposed than available to do anything other than stumble around drunk. The underlying theme with all character portrayals is Narcicism ad nauseam. The only 'feel-good' thing about this movie is 'THE END'.

Primer (2004)

Drink lots of coffee

[1/10 · 15 September 2005]

To get through this movie, one needs to drink lots of coffee along with a room full of friends to chat and pass the time. I was not convinced with the acting, nor were the sets very interesting. It took forever to make any points, at which were very vague. Over shooting the scenes left me with the impression that there wasn't much content to this film. Tick, tick, tick... Once the principles did make their discovery, side-effects went by in a blink and were not investigated, nor were any significant opportunities as a result of the discovery explored. The writers presented these supposed geniuses as simpletons for the most part. I suppose that's why they were incapable of doing anything profound with this discovery. Maybe, and I am guessing, that is the whole point of this movie. This movie has no climax. It just goes on, and I imagine it will keep going on just the way it always has for those characters.

Stitches (2001 Video)

Stay stitched to your seats--there's a good movie here!!

[8/10 · 5 November 2003]

Watch this one! The writer, casting person, director & actors delivered. Great idea for a film. Manipulation is an art as one will see. You won't be disappointed. This may well become a cult horror classic.

Unhinged (1982)

Great movie for it's time!!

[4/10 · 5 November 2003]

Highlights of bizarre people who reside in the house. I wished they had a

bigger budget to do more with them. There are flickers of other past movies in it, but not a nusance to the film. I wasn't disappointed with the realistic ending to this movie--just like life--you never know. Include it in your horror movie

marathon night.