hala-zabaneh1981 Reviews

Glamorous (2023)

Its no masterpiece but its a fun watch!

[7/10 · 14 September 2023]

I read other review and good lord people need to chill. We all knew walking into that show that its just your basic silly workplace fun show. I like the lgbtq stories and it can be a bit cheesy at times but I like some of the characters. Marco is so cute and Kim C i mean she's always awesome. Also Ben is freaking adorable!! A fun take on Devil Wears Prada. Except there is no devil, just lots of love drama. Haha. Its a feel good show, take it for what it is. It is not Euphoria! If silliness is not your cup of tea then I suggest you not bother. It is a nice binge if you are looking for something to cheer you up a bit.

Painkiller (2023– )

It was good but not great

[8/10 · 31 August 2023]

I read a few reviews and saw that Dopesick is a better version. I'll have to give it a watch. I don't have much to say about Matthew Broadrick. He was alright. Although i did find his characters' nonchalance a bit creepy. But it wasn't enough to make his performance great. The rest pf the cast however especially Uzo and Kitsch performances were spot on. Even John Ritter was awesome. However the editing was a but jarring at times with the repeated scenes and comments. I did get the message from the editing but the execution was a bit too jumpy and distracting. Nevertheless I was still compelled to watch the whole show which means, at least to me, that its worth it! But I shall see Dopesick now. Heard its much deeper when it comes to the Pharma characters. Which brings me to the point that in Painkiller was made morw about the victims and less about the culprits. Maybe thats why some people felt it lack. I think this show had a lot of heart especially when it came to the Kryger family. Heartbreaking.

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)

Meh

[5/10 · 30 August 2023]

Good for kids I think. Although...I will still give it a 5 because the adults were quite funny. Also the older sister haha. But the rest was just annoying. Then again it was not meant for my group age.

It is a family business movie. Obviously it was made so they can bank from it and also so they can work together. The latter is kinda cute because why not! Must have been fun for the girls to work with mom and Dad on set haha. I know I would! Lucky ladies.

Otherwise its just a silly movie. Although not sure we should encourage girls to believe that they become adults at the age of 13 especially at this day and age. But hey who am I to judge a whole culture. All I say is be careful and being a kid is a precious time! Enjoy it while you can.

Persuasion (I) (2022)

The worst adaptation of one of the best Jane Austen Novels

[1/10 · 24 July 2022]

I'm not going to beat around the bush. This was the worst casting in a Jane Austen film I had ever seen. The exception is Henry Golding, he was a delight as Mr. Elliot. The format of the show (as in breaking the forth wall and making ridiculous Gen Z jokes) did not fit the complexity of the book! I'm sure it can be done, bur ever executed this idea does not know anything about comedic timing. Also why Dakota Johnson? From all the English actors in the world why choose an American? I have nothing against her....she's great. Just not the Jane Austen type. And not the type that can carry English humour. Also her accent was rubbish. And where is the chemistry? She had zero chemistry with the Captain! Zilch. And finally the ending was far two abrupt...shoving the Captain's declaration of love into a letter? How very romantic. It may work in a book, but not on visual level! Anyways rant over. Don't watch it. It's a waste of time.

Bridgerton (2020– )

Woah Season 2 is FIRE

[9/10 · 30 March 2022]

I will be frank with everyone. Season 1 was okay. Even though i did like some of the woman rights issues they dealt with, the chemistry between the leads was a little lacking and the sex scenes were nearing soft porn.

However season two is leagues better when it comes to chemistry! Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley had the most amazing chemistry I've ever seen on television! Also the psychological burn was so much better! The obstacles were unusual for a love triangle with so many twists and turns that keeps you at the edge of your seat right to the end of the eighth episode. They chose to go the more complicated path where all three involved had high stakes in losing the love they built with each other, especially between the sisters. Usually love triangles involves sabotage schemes...but here the schemes are all done for the love of family. So bloody refreshing.

I think moving on every season will have its on flavour depending on which sibling they will cover next. I honestly can't wait for Eloise's season! That is sure to be hilarious!! But I definitely do love Anthony's (Jonathan Bailey) flavour this season; the portrayal of his emotional struggle regarding the death if his father and being torn between love an duty is equally hilarious and heartbreaking all at once. All signs of a great actor. Love love love is all I have left to say about season 2!!! WATCH IT.

Young Royals (2021–2024)

Amazing portrayal of anxiety and social media

[10/10 · 6 January 2022]

This sow is meant for young adults but it speaks to generations of people who suffer from anxiety. It is the only show i have seen so far that portrays social media as the destructive force that it can be. Another great thing about it is how accurate the characters experiences are to real life. The teens on the show are closer to the ages of real teens, some of them ARE teenagers! Especially the main Protagonist who is 17 years old when the shot the show and damn...what a talent at 17. The cinematic style and music are so beautiful and visceral. The story is not completely original, but it has clever twists the relate more to the world we live in now so saturated by social media and television. The only thing i didn't like was how short the season was! Maybe the next one will be a little longer! I finished it in one day and it changed my life forever!

The Bachelorette (2003– )

Bachelorette is a terrible show

[1/10 · 11 August 2021]

This show is so archaic and fake. I only saw the last 6 episodes of the 17th seasons and let me tell. It is garbage. And so is Katie. Horrible woman. This show perpetuates archaic ideas about companionship and and rushed engagements; it is so unrealistic when one woman DATES SO MANY MEN AT ONCE. Thats just a recipe for disaster. All those men dogged a bullet i say...except the poor guy at the end. Yeah good luck buddy. Thats if all this is real anyways. Ugh waste of time. Do something better with your life people. Enjoy nature. Its good for your skin.

Two Weeks Notice (2002)

Love it forever!

[10/10 · 3 May 2019]

I don't care if people don't like this movie. I think it's fantastic. It's absolutely hilarious and the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are just off the charts and their comedic timing with each other is just perfect. Also beyond that, The story is really adorable. even the smaller characters have a lot to play in the story. Definitely one of my favourite romantic comedies.

Queen: Magic Years, Volume One - A Visual Anthology (1987)

Great Anthology!

[10/10 · 23 November 2018]

Holy moly! What a great documentary! Tells you all about Queen as a whole band and I love the inserts of all the different stars/friends that shed an even brighter and more beautiful light on their journey. I recommend this to any Queen fan and quasi-fans (there are so many of those...I was one!) Seriously if you want to all about their music this is the series to watch!

Bodyguard (2018)

Definitely a heart thumper

[9/10 · 21 November 2018]

I do agree with some of the people. The last 15 minutes were a bit too cheesey and unnecessary, yet it was a logical deduction on Budd's part. He's too smart not to guess. But the again I am a true believer of leaving some things to mystery. Creates a need of wanting more in vase of a second season! That being said! Still a fantastic show, great cast, carefully excecuted story with cool plot twists and moments that would make me want to sit at the edge of my seat! Aslo Cudos to Madden for some excellent acting chops!

Stay (I) (2005)

One of my ALL TIME favourites

[10/10 · 27 October 2018]

Where to begin with this film? It is a special one. One that you'll have to see more than once. I watchced this film a year after it came out. I was out at Blockbuster at the time and I was hankering for a Ewan Mcgregor film. And I found this gem. Upon the first viewing I was compelety and utterly confused, but something about the ending made me want to watch it again. My mind was blown. I mean it is rare to see a film a second time and still have a first time experience! And even more rare when a physiological thriller is so beautifully shot as well. The transitios may seem pretentious at first but there is a reason for every switch and fade and abrupt cut. There is a structure, you'll just have to look for it and oh boy what fun it is! It is always a great treat to have a film that always keeps on giving, even after a dozen watches. I have seen it more than that and everytime I still find something new! The sheer amount of details in the costumes (even down to Mcgregor's small outfits) and the art in the backfround and even the background performance. It is definitely underrated and I do believe it is one of the cleverest films ever made. Marc Forester is a brave man. Even braver than Christopher Nolan and that is saying something.

The Good Cop (2018)

It's a silly fun detective show

[7/10 · 6 October 2018]

It's no Brooklyn 99 but it is still likeable with josh groban's self-depricating humour and his female counterpart Cora being a believable edgy Cop. His relationship with his father is hilarious but not deep enough. The only thing that I wish for this show is to have better much crispier and original stories. The old silly even-regular-people-can-crack-ten-hours-before-the-episode-even-starts kind of cases are bogging down the show. People are TV savvy these days especially with so many shows now coming out thanks to all the online networks. Old style won't hold up. Now nothing wrong with the old style if it is married with new original ideas. It needs just a bit more substance and a little quicker snappy editing and it should solve that problem. Other than that it is still entertaining.