sstrudell-826-781963 Reviews

Echo (2023–2024)

I expected worse; I got something enjoyable.

[7/10 · 24 January 2024]

This beat my expectations. It turned out to be quite enjoyable, even if it's just a bit of filler. I admit I don't know much about the Marvel Comics version of Echo. It's still not among the best the MCU has to offer, but like any limited series of inside character, it does what it needs to do. It takes the character out of the formal storyline, takes them on a journey of discovery, and leads them in another direction.

The Choctaw culture embedded in this series was the real star. Grounding Maya firmly in that culture, while slightly altering her "gifts" works well here.

It's definitely worth watching. Not too long, not too short.

The Marvels (2023)

Fun, not great. Don't think too hard about it.

[7/10 · 12 November 2023]

I don't mean this in a bad way, but #themarvels seemed too small for the big screen. At times it seemed rushed. Would have been better with six episodes on Disney+. I enjoyed most of it, but the writing suffered in many parts. Good ending, nice extra scene. Vellani is wonderful.

I've also had this question asked: Do I need to see the previous Captain Marvel? Ms Marvel? Yes. You do. Or don't. If you do, then the relationships and emotional parts hit better. If you don't, it will seem a little vacant. It's a problem with all of MCU now. Too much backstory.

But if you are a completist, and simple enjoy MCU movies for being Marvel, then you'll at least enjoy The Marvels for the part it plays in a much larger story.

Miami Vice: Out Where the Buses Don't Run (1985) Season 2, Episode 3

Classic Miami Vice

[9/10 · 15 September 2023]

Miami Vice doesn't get much better than this. From the casting, to the balance of the writing, to the perfectly placed songs to add emotional depth, it hits all the right notes.

Up till now, there are many episodes where some of the characters are over acting. Bruce MCGill plays an ex detective on the emotional edge. He seems to be over acting at first but as the episode moves on, you realize it's all part of the story.

It's a solid episode music wise. From The Who's Baba O'Riley at the start, to Dire Straits at the end, both hit their mark emotionally.

Watching this again in 2023, it still hits hard and leaves me with goose bumps just as it did in 1985.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Charades (2023) Season 2, Episode 5

Hell yeah! Fun episode

[9/10 · 28 July 2023]

Even with DS9 or TNG, there is that moment where the actors completely grow into their characters. This is that episode. Humor. Passion. Weird Customer Service Alien.

In all of the season of Discovery, I felt little connection to the characters. (Except for the Pike season). This gets Star Trek back to bring Star Trek.

This season really has been very good so far. Pike is quickly becoming one of my favorite captains.

Like DS9 and TNG, these episode I can watch over and over again.

I don't understand the hate for this show. But to each their own. This, and the last season of Picard has restored my faith in Star Trek. Here's to being a Trekkie again.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Great film. Loved it. But....

[9/10 · 8 June 2023]

The only thing that stopped Me from giving this 10 stars was the audio quality at times. The conversations became muddled and was drowned out by the music or sound effects.

Other than that, this gave me the same joy as I felt reading comics for the first time in my youth. Very well done.

Art work. Pacing. Depth of characters. Character story arcs. Powerful dialogue. Emotional storytelling. This one has it all.

I grew up with Peter Parker as Spider-Man. But Miles Morales is Spider-Man too. So is Miguel O'Hara. So is Spider-Gwen.

Plus, this movie gives a ton of fan service to long time readers of the comic. Well done.

Star Trek: Picard: Imposters (2023) Season 3, Episode 5

THIS is Star Trek!!!

[9/10 · 17 March 2023]

Bloody hell. There really isn't much more that needs to be said. If you walk away from this episode feeling "meh" then I may begin to suspect you've been compromised.

This episode again proves that ST:TNG is the GOAT and Deep Space Nine was a great GOAT in waiting.

Halfway through this season and the action, suspense, and the nostalgic feels are peak.

Forget the first two seasons of Picard.

This is the Star Trek you've been waiting for.

The writers and director all do a fantastic job of capturing the essence of these characters we've known for so long. And throwing in a fan favorite blast from the past, only adds to their complete understanding of Star Trek lore and canon.

Star Trek: Picard: No Win Scenario (2023) Season 3, Episode 4

Best Star Trek since Deep Space 9

[10/10 · 10 March 2023]

This is some of the best Star Trek I've watched since Deep Space 9 ended on 1999. Jonathon Frankes should be one of the only people to direct Star Trek.

The first two seasons of Picard were rather meh, to down outright disappointing (Season 2) . But if you are only going to watch one season of Picard, you can jump right in tonSeason 3.

The look, the feel, the nostalgia, the pace, the action, the drama. It's all here. The characters are older, they act a bit differently, but time and circumstances have weighed on our Crew.

This season firmly declares that TNG is the GOAT of Star Trek. Engage!

M*A*S*H: A War for All Seasons (1980) Season 9, Episode 6

Purgatory

[8/10 · 3 February 2023]

This is the episode that convinced me that the entire series tells the story of a group of people who have died and are in Purgatory. The series as a whole always played loose with timelines. They all are their to either gain enlightenment, overcome personal challenges, or finish finding purpose. The 4077th is even in the middle... between a hell (north korea) and a more peaceful place (South Korea) the character age beyond their intended time. There are numerous references to angels, lifetimes, hell and heaven. In fact, it's Father Mulcahey said it best at the end of the series "when we reach the pearly gates, and they tell us we have to serve time in Purfatory, we can say No Thanks. I've already done mine."

M*A*S*H: Life Time (1979) Season 8, Episode 11

Best of M*A*S*H

[9/10 · 29 January 2023]

This episodes has stuck with me since it first aired. One of the 10 best episodes of the entire series. No laugh track. A real time clock ticking down the minutes. A real impact on the importance of life. An inside look at something that isn't talked that much about in the series: body part harvesting. The doctors take veins from the dead for use in future patients. What ever it takes to save a life. Not every patient, soldier can be saved. Waiting for a death is hard and the emotional impact on friend, doctor and others is evident. This episode always brings a tear to my eye. It's always one episode I'll gravitate to.

M*A*S*H: Dear Sis (1978) Season 7, Episode 14

It's a wonderful Chaplin

[8/10 · 24 January 2023]

This is a very gloomy episode. It's Christmas (again) at the 4077th. This time Father Mulcahey is questioning his impact on his fellows. Very much like George Bailey, he comes to realize that we all have a role to play in the war. Perhaps the most touching moment is when Major Winchester receives a gift from Radar ( at the suggestion of Father Mulcahey). Charles' stiff character is broken down and is touch (by the spirit of giving) and gives back.

A few lighthearted moments do nothing to break the gloom. But the viewer is left feeling sympathy for our wayward group of service men and women. Let their be peace on earth. But not here in Korea....

Ms. Marvel (2022)

A great 1st Episode

[9/10 · 8 June 2022]

Fans of the comic book won't be let down. The show has the same fun feel the comic book has. Ignore the naysayers: this is really Kamala Khan. Enjoy the show.