LGBen Reviews

Elvis (2022)

I wish Tom Hanks was not in this film.

[4 January 2024]

This film would have been perfect if Tom Hanks had not been cast as Colonel Tom Parker. Really, the new America's Dad as the awful misusing "talent Manager". Christoph Waltz would have been a much better choice! Because of this casting decision, I cannot watch this film again without cringing. Austin Butler was amazing! He was Elvis reborn. Major applause to him. Olivia DeJong was impressive.

But I cannot get over the miscasting of Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker. Tom Hanks is an American treasure...the new America's Dad. He is among my favorite actors. He should have never been in this film Baz Lurhmann.

Badge of Faith (2015)

Uplifting

[11 November 2023]

Like all Christian driven films, this film is sappy and emotional. This is not a negative, my opinion.

One must look beyond the strong religious undercurrent and recognize the positive message...which is valid for any person of faith.

Since the story is based on actual events, it is more powerful. This is worth watching if you are a person of faith or are looking for an uplifting movie...but be prepared for a good deal of sappy emotionalism.

Sometimes sappy emotionalism should be embraced ... I cannot be the only fan of Hallmark and Lifetime movies.

If you are a fan of films from Hallmark and Lifetime, I think you will enjoy this.

Special Ops: Lioness (2023– )

Entertaining

[14 August 2023]

I haven't seen the haters referenced in other posts. I see no reason not to like this series. Although I am disappointed by the weekly release of episodes. I prefer to binge.

I am finding Special Ops; Lioness very entertaining. A lot of action and intrigue. Casting Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman...plus hunk Dave Anable is sweet casting.

Laysla De Olivera is new to me, but she is outstanding. I'll be watching for her from now on.

Special Ops: Lioness presents an action packed plot (all hail Zoe Saldana who is always outstanding in physical roles) with nice underlying character/family storylines.

Thumbs up from me.

With Love (2021–2023)

Cute series

[2 June 2023]

It's nice to see another LatinX series. Plus it's original, not a reimagined/remake of a seventies series or comedy playing to negative stereotypes.

Characters are likable and not completely homogenous. Finally a series that doesn't count on stereotypes. Transgender, gay, straight...nice and tasteful.

My one complaint: too few episodes in each season. Five or six episodes? I'm glad all episodes are released at the same time instead of trying to create appointment viewing like some other popular streaming series. It is fun to binge!

Thank you Gloria Calderon Kellett. Please keep them coming.

The 355 (2022)

Yay...A cast not dominated by white males...

[31 July 2022]

Instead a strong female cast in Chastain, Cruz, Krueger, Nyong'o, and Bingbing Fan - who I've never heard of, but she did a fine job. The plot is thin, but this is true of most action movies. Bring on more films that are not male dominated!

Father of the Bride (2022)

Great reinterpretation of a classic

[15 July 2022]

The Latinx spin on a fun, too often only remade film is delightful. The Miami setting is fun and beautiful. Entertaining with a great cast, and pretty good music as well. This is much better than the lame last remake.

The Adam Project (2022)

Enjoyable

[17 March 2022]

An entertaining film with a great cast. I'm a fan of Ryan Renolds (who is becoming my favorite actor) and Zoe Saldana. Keener, Ruffalo and Garner make up a sting supporting cast. Si-Fi with a funny, heart felt story...a fresh approach from the tiresome Star Wars stories.

Home Team (2022)

Embarrassingly dumb

[10 February 2022]

If the producers really wanted to make a "based on a true story" film, they failed miserably. Bad casting of Kevin James and Adam Sandler's family/friends. As a Saints' fan and resident of the Argyle, Texas area, this film is embarrassing, dumb and at times sickening. A very disappointing Adam Sandler production. He can be brilliant, but fell short with Home Team.

Ordinary Joe (2021–2022)

Bad knock-off attempt

[2 November 2021]

This is a poor attempt to replicate the success of This Is Us. It is confusing, very difficult to easily track the three potential futures of Joe. An interesting idea that was poorly executed.

AJ and the Queen (2020)

Chuckled Throughout

[17 January 2021]

AJ and the Queen is the best thing I've seen in months! Very funny with amazing performances by RuPaul and Izzy G, Very enjoyable!

The Romanoffs (2018)

disappointing

[20 October 2018]

This short series is very disappointing. A connected storyline would be better. These disconnected stories are frustrating to watch. Please provide a connected storyline. The supposed bloodline is insufficient...especially since so many of characters are weak.

Nashville (2012–2018)

Nashville has become tired

[15 June 2018]

The elimination of the Rayna James character predicted the demise of Nashville. It's now a collection of unengaging storylines. The plot line about Scarlett is absurd and boring, as are the plot lines around Will, Gunnar and Avery. The anguish of Rayna's children is boring. Bring back Juliette Barnes to make Nashville a little interesting....otherwise I hope this is the last season of what began as an interesting television series.

Madam Secretary (2014–2019)

Growing increasingly tired

[8 January 2018]

I liked Madam Secretary very much last season. Unfortunately this season the show is growing irksome, monotonous and over acted - leaning more soap opera like than interesting drama. Part of this problem may be the current real life political situation - Madam Secretary seems to go to great lengths to be positioned on the opposite end of the political spectrum: both this drama and the current U.S. administration are laugh inducing. Boredom is increasing for both, but I expect better entertainment from television.

Get Out (I) (2017)

Disappointing

[8 January 2018]

I find it difficult to believe this film was nominated for two Golden Globe awards. It reminds me more of a second rate seventies horror flick than an award eligible film. The plot is distressingly predictable. The acting is better than in a second rate seventies horror flick, but that is the only highlight of this film. This film is not worth watching.

Ray Donovan (2013–2020)

Time to end this program

[30 October 2017]

This has been a very enjoyable program, until this season. It has become much too dark, boring and irritating. The story line killing off Abby has been drawn out much too long. The father character (Voight) should have been killed episodes ago. Please end series or bring it back to what made it interesting in the first two seasons.

Survivor's Remorse (2014–2017)

Started strong, getting weaker

[9 October 2017]

I really enjoyed the first three seasons of Survivor's Remorse. The development and interaction of the characters was entertaining. The story line of an athlete who is suddenly thrust into amazing success and fortune, and seems to handle it well, should be appreciated given the number of opposite stories seen on the news today. The series started strong but it is increasingly lame. I'm having trouble sitting through full season four episodes. The show needs something to punch it up again. I do not see the show lasting much longer without a significant change.

Kevin Can Wait (2016–2018)

I will no longer watch

[26 September 2017]

This was mostly a cute show last season, but the season 2 cast change is a big mistake: the firing of talented Erinn Hayes is a tragedy, as is the hiring of Leah Remini. I have zero interest in seeing The King of Queens II - 10 years later. The character interaction between James and Remini is stale. I cringed trying to watch the first episode ... bad jokes, canned laughter ... huge mistake.

Empire (2015–2020)

Going downhill fast

[24 May 2017]

The first season of Empire was entertaining ... now it is just silly/stupid - no longer worth watching. The characters have become too extreme. Racist portrayals are disturbing. For a family that supposedly is close, there is far too much back stabbing and maneuvering - especially since they are portrayed as being hoodlum-like. One expects more character elimination and less soap opera drama. Without major improvements, I don't expect Empire to last much longer. BORING AND TEDIOUS.

Great News (2017–2018)

Not worth watching

[13 May 2017]

I watched two episodes and found both painful to view. The characters are more irksome and predictable than funny. Perhaps this show will appeal more to people who can relate to an intrusive, overbearing mother or a weak willed daughter ... ? I am especially disappointed since Tina Fey is an executive producer - she is usually spot on.

I Love Lucy: In Palm Springs (1955) Season 4, Episode 26

Rock Hudson tells a tale about annoying little personal habits and marriage

[28 May 2007]

After picking at each other about their annoying personal habits, Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred realize they're bickering because of spending too much time together. Having previously planned to go for a weekend in Palm Springs with their husbands, Lucy and Ethel decide just they will go, leaving Ricky and Fred in Hollywood. By the pool in Palm Springs Lucy and Ethel encounter Rock Hudson.

I think the "Hollywood" and "Connecticut" episodes of I Love Lucy are the best, and this is another humorous "Hollywood" episode with a movie star cameo. But it doesn't live up to the potential that having a star of Rock Hudson's magnitude presents; plus, it fails to feature the physical comedy that made Lucille Ball's Lucy Ricardo famous. It is not nearly as funny as the episodes with cameos by William Holden ("L.A. At Last"), Richard Widmark ("The Tour"), Cornel Wilde ("The Star Upstairs"), John Wayne ("Lucy and John Wayne"), or Harpo Marx ("Lucy and Harpo Marx").