electric-crow Reviews

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

That Was Hard To Watch

[5/10 · 20 January 2024]

Seriously, that movie was hard to watch. The constant switching back and forth among multiple scenes for 10 seconds at a time got really annoying. It didn't add anything of value to the film and came off as trying too hard to be a novel approach. Add to that the music score that was mostly mismatched with each scene and it often drowned out the dialogue. The story itself was so weak. If you halfway paid attention you alread knew who the bad guy was way before the end and even then so what, the main event was long past. The only reason why I gave it 5 stars was because of the cast. Had there been a better director and intriguing plot it might have been a great film. I'm almost ashamed I watched it and feel like I have to take a shower.

The 100 (2014–2020)

It's Mildly Entertaining if You Can Get Past the Leaps of Logic

[5/10 · 16 November 2023]

Started binging this a week ago and the thing that stood out to me in the first season after they got on the ground was The Grounders. Really, in less than 100 years a group of people are reduced to GOT wannabe's? On top of that they have a whole new language and didn't find all the nifty prepper shelters and guns that the 100 found? That's a little taxing on the viewer to ignore. Other than that several of the characters have pretty stereotypical roles and after a while it gets kind of monotonous what with someone always getting captured and the convoluted schemes to rescue them. I can see where the show might have its appeal to a certain age group but it's not for critical thinkers.

The Diplomat (II) (2023– )

Madame Secretary/House of Cards On Steroids

[7/10 · 17 May 2023]

Here we go again......... another political drama mimicking current events where the main character comes through at the end of every single episode with the winning answer, tactic or puzzle piece. All the CSI:* and NCIS:* shows use a similar formula with finding the case closing microscopic piece of lint in the nick of time. It gets old and predictable very, very quickly. Diplomat does excel in the verbal exchanges and wit though. The settings are eye candy and a welcome relief from the drab city scapes of the U. S.. I do think they have over indulged in the f-bombs though and I'm a retired Sailor.

How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020)

Should Have Ended Earlier

[8/10 · 21 April 2023]

The series should have ended maybe after 4 seasons, definitely midway or at the end of 5. The revolving door of suspects and "surprise" opportunities to frame/murder/blackmail characters gets to be monotonous and predictable. There's always a "out" via fabricated information or evidence that's just too lazy and convenient. It's not unlike any of the NCIS shows where in the nick of time an incriminating microscopic piece of lint is found to put the obvious baddy away. Ms. Davis performance throughout the series though is magnificent but even for her the formulaic nature of the show ends up being a detriment to her skills.

Criminal Minds (2005– )

Just Stop. It's Done.

[4/10 · 19 January 2023]

Reluctantly watched the first episode of "Evolution" all the while remembering the alleged series finale that was so incredibly horrible. I had hoped the team would be without some members but alas, here comes Penelope trotting in on her unicorn. If she hadn't come back I was willing to give it a shot but her character is so annoying it makes me kick the cat. But wait! It gets better! What, no Spencer Reid? You gotta be kidding me! He was the most interesting character. So they keep the bozo and ditch the brains. Other than that it's no different than the original series but now with twice baked stories.

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)

Appeals to a Segment

[6/10 · 20 November 2022]

This film would definitely appeal to a certain segment of the population. Even the dialogue and flow seems geared for a young crowd. Anyway, if you have lived a good while there is nothing surprising in the film. You have seen all the conflicts and variations of them in other films. The end was a little disappointing and predictable. Seemed like after the trial the budget was getting low so wrapped things up in about 3 minutes. It might have been better just to end it with the goose analogy. All in all it's worth a look but not somethiing you'll crave to watch again nor expect to see anyone involved carry home an Oscar.

Goliath (2016–2021)

Time To Go

[8/10 · 12 October 2022]

4 seasons was just about right for this one. More would have been dangerous to the careers of the recurring actors, especially BBT, and possibly pigeon-holed them with their characters, e.g. Mark Hamill forever known as Luke Skywalker. The writing also started to get formulaic and the outcomes predictable ala the fiber or DNA found in the last minute that gets the bad guy (hello CSI and NCIS). Around Season 3 the series revealed how Tarantino-esque the overall structure was including character quirks but it was very entertaining, easily bingeable, and didn't overplay borrowing from past popular films.

Girl in the Picture (2022)

Well That Was Disturbing.....

[8/10 · 15 July 2022]

I thought this was going to be a fictional movie not a documentary. Just when you didn't think it could get more sick, it did. Just goes to show there are people who should not be using any oxygen. Well told though, sad, very sad but a riveting story until the end.

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

Forgettable

[6/10 · 10 July 2022]

It's better than the first movie but still very predictable and overly dramatizes superficial dilemmas. I thoughht the opening shot with the visual "roll call" of main characters was extremely lazy and kind of set the tone for a lack of creativity. Beautifully filmed though and the period wardrobe and sets make for some good eye candy for fans of the series.

Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)

Good But Not Great

[7/10 · 29 April 2022]

PB is a good series but there are a few things that are very distracting for me.

The music ........... not real consistent with the time period. In fact it doesn't match at all. In my opinion the director really blows it when they try this gimmick. Contorting the music with the time period is just not necessary and doesn't add any value to the film.

Accents.....oh man, Sam Neill may have been born in Ireland but moved to New Zealand at an early age and is trying to pull off an Irish accent........... it doesn't work. It's painful to listen to as are others in the cast who are not native Irish or Brummie speakers.

The set ....... very limited. Feels like a stage play and very pristine, very sterile and stereotypical, like the elements are overly purposeful. It doesn't give off a spontaneous vibe.

Reacher (2022– )

Clunky And Mildly Entertaining

[6/10 · 25 February 2022]

Lots of holes in this one and stereotypical characters but it has its moments. The main character talks like Clint Eastwood, walks like The Terminator, fights like Chuck Norris and has the brains of Sheldon. Kind of over the top even down to the .50 cal Desert Eagle he carries. The Tom Cruise version of Reacher was much more believeable.

Under Suspicion (2000)

A Directors Limitations

[3/10 · 30 January 2022]

This movie illustrates the difference between good and mediocre directors. In the hands of a John Ford this might have been Oscar worthy but it's just cringey throughout.

Mayor of Kingstown (2021– )

Great Cinematography

[3/10 · 24 January 2022]

..... that's about it.

MoK reminds me of The Saprano's in that it's a story about people who are mediocre at best, subscribe to very flawed values, and predictably make the worst possible life choices. Watching stupid people do stupid things gets old really quick and I didn't watch all of it either.

Mom: My Kinda People and the Big To-Do (2021) Season 8, Episode 18

What Was That?

[5/10 · 17 May 2021]

Well that was unremarkable. They should have combined the last two episodes into an hour long series finale instead of mailing it in like they did.

And oh yeah, whose idea was it to give one of the cast members cancer on the final episode? That certainly wasn't fitting for a finale.

Nomadland (2020)

Low Bar

[6/10 · 8 May 2021]

It's an okay film. Kind of confusing in the beginning. After about 15 minutes I thought it was just going to be a docudrama and almost turned it off. It does continue to evolve in that theme but with a little more development of Ferns character and background. It was refreshing to see Mr. Strathairn have a role.

Ms. McDermott is a great actress but to receive the Oscar for Nomadland? Really?

Not a whole lot of dialogue in the film and her natural demeanor greatly lends to the character. I've seen Viola Davis in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and there's a whole lot more character there to draw on Ms. Davis talent. It's a flashback to the Out of Africa - Color Purple debacle in '86.

Big Sky (2020–2023)

Big Stink

[4/10 · 28 April 2021]

I've invested too much time in this show to give up now. Please catch Ronald and give the show a quick death. It's excruciating to watch.

Grace and Frankie (2015–2022)

It Was Okay

[6/10 · 20 April 2021]

The first two seasons were pretty good but after that it fell into the same rut as most every other show. The script of "make the worst decision and how will it get fixed" is old, formulaic, repetitive and boring.

Seven Seconds (2018)

A Lot of Potential but Disappointing

[6/10 · 29 March 2021]

The show was pretty good up until the trial. Too much time was spent on why the boy (Brenton) was in the park, the reasons to dismiss the hate crime charge didn't match the alleged motives for the hate crime, the cop Osorio had scratches on his arm from Nadine which would have left his DNA under her fingernails and discovered during her autopsy, and the "seven seconds" during the accident as retold by KJ during the trial fell flat, really flat, like flat tire flat.

Schitt's Creek (2015–2020)

The Best Comedy Show I've Seen In Years

[9/10 · 19 February 2021]

The best thing about this show is it has no laugh track. It is funny on its own merits and doesn't need any subliminal help. It might take a few episodes to catch on but it is well worth watching.

Clarice (2021)

Keeping My Fingers Crossed

[5/10 · 19 February 2021]

I want this show to be good but I don't think the patient will live.

There's just something off about this show. Maybe it's because the plot doesn't get developed???? It's like well here's Clarice thinking out loud while looking at the victim and shazam! Bad guy caught. We also get to experience Paul Krendler being an over the top jerk which gets real predictable real fast.

Blue Bloods: Triumph Over Trauma (2020) Season 11, Episode 1

A Sign of Things to Come?

[4/10 · 5 December 2020]

I hope not

I haven't looked to see if BB has new writers, a new director or both but this first episode was bad. The acting was bad and especially Franks script. Even the main plot and subplots seemed like they were just mailed in and revisions of older ones. I'll wait a few more episodes before I decide to stick a fork in it.

Greyhound (2020)

One And Done

[5/10 · 16 November 2020]

It was OK.

I retired from the Navy and there were some things they got right. At least Hanks depressed the button on the phone when he talked............ even if those phones were normally used for internal ships circuits. In 22 years I never saw one used for external communications.

The CGI was bad. At times it seemed like watching a computer game.

Yellowstone (2018– )

Here We Go Again

[5/10 · 6 October 2020]

Throw in some Bonanza, some Big Valley and any other large family ranch/cowboy movie from the 50's or 60's and it's Yellowstone. Could barely make it through the first episode because the characters were so unoriginal slogging through a predictable storyline. I gave it 5 stars just for the scenery.

Outlander (2014– )

Don't Binge This

[8/10 · 28 August 2020]

Well obviously due to the virus and lack of new programming many of us have perused what we haven't watched in years past and probably binged several series dramas. Outlander has been one of my recent binges and I have to say that although the concept and production are excellent I have found the story a bit tedious especially starting around the midpoint of Season 3. It's like in every episode it's out of the frying pan into the fire. Not only that but Jamie has been shot, sliced, whipped twice, branded and beaten on several occasions. It got almost comical and predictable. I have to assume it is because on film the time is condensed and it makes the events seem day to day where as in the books (which I haven't read) I imagine the reader can set the pace. Don't get me wrong the story will grip you and if you have ever had to say good-bye to love it will stir up some emotion but don't binge it if you can muster the patience to do so.

House of Cards (2013–2018)

Don't Binge This........

[8/10 · 9 July 2020]

....... because if you do it will make all the time you spent getting to a terrible last season and ending that much more disappointing.

For the most part the show was pretty good but then Frank er uh Kevin had to leave unexpectedly and the pressure to write him out and end the series on par with the previous seasons must have been too much for the writers. Actually the best episode was probably the end of season 3 which sealed the deal as Doug Stamper being the most interesting character.