ILuvTVMovies Reviews

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999)

Chicken soup for the soul

[9/10 · 9 November 2023]

Settling onto the couch for an episode or two of this show will make all your troubles seem miles away.

Unpretentious and never taking itself too seriously, Hercules is super fun. But that doesn't mean the show is shallow or meaningless. It deals with all sorts of great topics like friendship, love, loss, growth and many other of life's concerns. But most of all it's about adventure.

Best of all is it's positivity. It isn't weighed down with sarcasm, snark and nihilism like many of today's shows are. It's got an uplifting and positive feel to it that can't help but put a smile on your face.

It's a throwback to when shows were fun first.

The Mummy (2017)

Doesn't deserve the low rating.

[7/10 · 21 October 2023]

There's a group of people who are absolutely obsessed with the Brendan Fraser movie. They saw it when they were kids and they talk about it constantly on places like reddit. So when they're favorite meme of a movie got remade, they were outraged. You can even see them calling the Fraser film "the original" in some of the other reviews here. Obviously, that wasn't the original.

There is also a group of people who love mummy, Dracula and Frankenstein films from Universal and Hammer. I was excited to see all these great characters come to life again. The first group has never seen the Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee Hammer films or the Universal movies.

This is not a bad movie at all. And to realize that a chance to see these great, classic horror characters and stories be retold again was ruined because of the first group is disappointing.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Miles better than anything else out there, but...

[8/10 · 21 October 2023]

Not as good as the previous movies.

Here are the pros: It doesn't feel like over 2.5 hours, these movies never do feel long. You're also not being lectured to, you're not being scolded, you're not being subjected to the rantings of an identity and race obsessed leftist at any point. You're watching a great, well crafted movie.

Cons: First, you can tell this movie was filmed during the panicked overreaction to covid, because the world this movie takes place in doesn't feel populated. It feels like everyone's moving around in a unpopulated dream world that gives off post-apocalyptic vibe. But I can't fault the movie for that, it was probably a challenge to work under such absurd conditions.

Second, Vanessa Kirby is not a good actress. Her idea for a character is to do the non-blinking, wide-eyed and staring thing while slowly sauntering across the frame. Obviously the filmmakers think that, because she has an interesting face, letting the camera linger on her will make up for the lack of an interesting performance. It doesn't.

I'm sure the second installment will tie it all together and elevate this one, I've yet to be too disappointed in anything this franchise has done.

Those are really the only negatives I can come up with.

Grimm (2011–2017)

Kind of a hate watch

[5/10 · 3 September 2023]

I love supernatural/fantasy stuff so when I found this, I started watching it. It had a great premise but was just missing...something.

It started to get a little soapy, with some of the standard soap stuff (loved one is in the hospital, loved one is under a spell and will have to tell the truth etc etc).

For some reason I didn't stop watching and it morphed into a hate watch. I found just about every single actor and actress incredibly annoying. With the exception of the guy who plays Monroe, the rest are barely better than the local theater company.

Juliette is a nervous bundle. Hank is a wooden plank. Sergeant Wu is a short guy pretending to be a tough, street hardened cop who, for some reason, never stops bobbling his head side to side when he talks.

And Rosalee was probably the worst of the bunch. The actress has a bad habit of reallllly articulating with her mouth. Big, dramatic movements. Like a bad habit she picked up in theater and never worked out of. So whenever she was on the screen, I couldn't stop staring at her giant mouth, while this ACTRESS really made sure the camera saw her speaking.

So, all in all, this is not great TV. It's good for background noise while playing a mobile game, because there will also be an exposition dump to tell you exactly what's going on in case you missed anything.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Revenge of the Creature (1997) Season 9, Episode 1

Bill Corbett's arrival marks the beginning of the end of MST3K

[5/10 · 1 July 2023]

This is the first episode after the brilliant Trace left and we get a new Crow voice actor in Bill Corbett. Bill was an absolute dud from the start. He turned Crow from a lovable, spastic "little brother" character into a sarcastic misanthrope. His riff ability was either some variation of "this movie is bad because it's bad", "something something White people" or weird sexual riffs.

Mike and Kevin did their best to keep it elevated with their usual high quality stuff and managed to carry the show for the next few seasons but Bill's presence really turned out to be too much of a burden.

This is probably one of the lower rated episodes in my view as Bill drops dud after dud and the awkward silence hanging in the air after each one becomes impossible to ignore.

Things do get better and there are some incredible episodes in the next few seasons, even a few of the best. But make no mistake, those great episodes are because of Mike and Kevin's brilliance. Don't stop watching, by any means. Best advice is to ignore 90% of Bill's riffs.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Catalina Caper (1990) Season 3, Episode 4

Joel's bigotry at his worst

[6/10 · 14 February 2023]

In a few of these early episodes Joel seemed very willing to throw around racial slurs and this one is probably the worst display of racial bigotry.

The other guys on the show didn't seem too willing to play along, but there were a few instances where it got the better of them. Lots of lazy racial stereotypes thrown around instead of the fun, escapist humor we came to know and love as the show progressed.

I'm glad that they moved away from this kind of open bigotry as the show progressed because there were a few moments in this episode that were difficult to watch.

This episode probably takes the cake as the worst of the Joel era and stands alone as a low point.

Stand Up Guys (2012)

If you like watching these guys do impressions of themselves

[2/10 · 28 December 2022]

You'll love it.

The only thing missing from this was Jeff Goldblum doing his usual impression of Jeff Goldblum. Better yet, throw in De Niro and you'd have the Super Bowl of actors relying on one trick and never evolving.

It's fine if you like these actors, there are actors I like watching no matter what they're in because I'm just a fan of what they do.

But I've been watching Pacino do this for 40 years now. The same with Walken. They've turned into SNL cast members doing parodies of their own over-the-top tics and mannerisms.

Usually actors do these "one last romp" metaphor films and then ride off into sunset. But that didn't seem to happen.

Timecop (1997–1998)

An entertaining, undemanding hour

[7/10 · 14 December 2022]

A fun mystery/adventure show with a familiar time travel concept will charm those looking for a light hour of entertainment. Not bogged down in melodrama or scientific technobabble, Timecop is a laidback show with a different puzzle each episode.

If you're like me and enjoy that episodic format you won't be disappointed. This isn't hard science fiction or hyper-realistic legal drama, it's a quick romp through time while our hero Jack Logan, played by Ted King, partners up with the usual gallery of sidekicks (smart and sexy female partner, lovable egghead scientist back at HQ, older boss/captain).

It only ran for 9 episodes but worth the time if you find it somewhere online.

Brimstone (1998–1999)

A fun show, with lots of spirit! (See what I did there?)

[7/10 · 5 December 2022]

I recently found Brimstone while looking for shows from the 90s that might have been overlooked and boy was I pleased! It was exactly what I was looking for: That 90s (pre-woke) feel, different mysteries and puzzles to solve with each episode as opposed to a single, season long plot and elements of the supernatural.

If I had to pick one thing I disliked, it would be the scenes with Lori Petty. I don't know what kind of character she was going for, but the ridiculous accent and mannerisms were completely off-putting.

She was apparently the "it girl" for a brief period of time during the 90s and decided to resort to over the top scenery chewing and phony voice affectations to try and steal the scenes. Fortunately, she's only in a few episodes so she isn't a drag on the show too much.

But overall the show is a lot of fun with great atmosphere. If you see it around, check it out!

Forever Knight (1992–1996)

Fun show, old school style

[10/10 · 21 November 2022]

Back when shows were about the stories and not made in service to a political party.

Forever Knight follows the adventures of Nick Knight, an undead vampire turned police detective trying to be a good guy while fighting an internal struggle with his own twisted, vampiric urges.

Each episode shows him attempting to solve a new crime or mystery in the city. There is also an ongoing story about his past life throughout history.

The show has a haunting, moody and atmospheric soundtrack. The music isn't overbearing, it's actually very subtle but it adds a really great texture to the show.

You can find the show online very easily. Queue up the playlist, camp out on the couch and binge away. Vampire fans will enjoy it!

The Dark Knight (2000– )

Not a history lesson, it's an adventure show

[8/10 · 21 November 2022]

Don't tune in for hyper-realistic depictions of history. Tune in for fun costumes, overacting, interchangeable set pieces, comedy, sword fights, taverns, maidens, monsters, magic and wizards.

It's all done purposely, it doesn't take itself very seriously. But it also isn't laughing at or insulting the viewer by mailing it in and being cynical.

Each episode has the heroes faced with another mystery, another bad guy or another quest to go on. Of course they win, of course the bad guys lose and of course we laugh along the way. That's what it's all about!

It's a lot of fun if you're into this kind of old school adventure show. Fans of the genre will love it.

Seven Days (1998–2001)

Takes me back (See what I did there?)

[8/10 · 10 November 2022]

So, I found this show the other week while looking around for stuff to watch from the late 90s era. The era before all forms of entertainment turned into thinly veiled political lectures and far left propaganda.

It's a lot of fun! A new adventure or mystery each episode. A great cast that seemed to believe in what they were doing and were making an honest effort without being overly serious.

It has an interesting premise that has a lot of fun with the concept.

If you are a fan of fun adventure/thriller shows and just want to enjoy some fun stories, give it a shot. You won't be disappointed!

First Wave (1998–2001)

If this slipped past your radar, you are missing out!

[9/10 · 3 November 2022]

There's really no other way to say it: This show is great!

Cade Foster and Crazy Eddie make an awesome partnership uncovering an alien conspiracy to wipe out the human race and take ownership of the planet.

It may take an episode or two to really get the laidback vibe of the show but once you do, it's addicting! It's completely unpretentious and Sebastian really finds his rhythm as the vulnerable yet determined Cade.

Offsetting the even and calm Cade is the colorful and eccentric Crazy Eddie played by Rob LaBelle.

Check it out and you won't be disappointed!

PS: Release an upscaled DVD set now!!

Jeremiah (2002–2004)

I love it

[7/10 · 7 October 2022]

There's just something about these lesser knows scifi type shows from the 90s that I find super comforting. For the most part, they avoid the overt political messaging that's slipstreamed into today's shows by the activist writers of today. They tend not to be pretentious and even though they're dealing with some heavy topics, they tend to be uplifting and positive, another difference from today's crop of shows that wallow in trauma, snark, sarcasm and anger.

Anyway, the show follows Jeremiah and his partner Kurdy who live in a world after a virus wipes out people older than a certain age. Each episode they travel to a new settlement or city and solve some problems, outsmart some bad guys, rescue some good guys or just have a fun adventure.

Luke Perry and Malcolm Jamal Warner work together really well and it seemed like they enjoyed the roles. I certainly did.

If you're looking for something to check out, give it a shot!

Warehouse 13: Mild Mannered (2010) Season 2, Episode 2

One of my favorite episodes

[8/10 · 11 September 2022]

This is one of my favorite episodes of the show.

I really like the comic book elements, even though I'm not a huge comic book reader anymore. I think it was an interesting choice to make the characters work in a diner. It really made it kind of cozy and and you pulled for them and their innocent but noble bond.

I think this episode is a perfect example of the show's fun and adventurous, more innocent and fun feel of the early seasons. Plus the focus is more Pete and Myka and less Claudia and her singing and her endless string of pop-up, superpowered relatives.

The main story is clearly better than the drama going on back at the warehouse. I wish the whole show kept this kind of feel and vibe to it, but that doesn't mean the rest of the show isn't awesome.

Warehouse 13 (2009–2014)

Great fun, with a few flaws

[8/10 · 24 August 2022]

90% of the show is super fun. Lots of adventures, mysteries, humor and great chemistry between the actors with some seriously funny lines and situations.

However, towards the end of the show, two things become annoying. You can tell the writers were mostly women, because they turned Pete into what women think men are: a dumb adolescent. Women can't write men and it's obvious.

The second issue in the later seasons is the amount of time dedicated to the Claudia character. The actress obviously using the show as a vehicle for her real life musical career. It seemed like every other episode ended with her singing or performing. I didn't mind the character's arc and where she ended up, but if you find that kind of person annoying and overbearing, you might struggle.

Other than those two things, I loved it and watch it all the time.

Eureka (2006–2012)

Could have been my kind of show, but was more drama than fun

[6/10 · 16 August 2022]

After a few episodes, they started to get more dramatic and serious. I was hoping for lots of quirky hijinks, kooky characters and scientific mishaps and less stuff about who's in love with who.

I definitely don't mind sexual tension between characters it can add to the atmosphere but for my preference it should take a back seat to the fun and not the focus of entire episodes.

All in all it's not a bad show, don't get me wrong. I would have liked more lighthearted stuff.

Van Helsing (2004)

Unironically one of my all time favorite movies

[10/10 · 5 July 2022]

I love it and I'm not sorry! I think it is a great fun time.

Filled with adventures, awesome locations, a great score, cool looking characters, spooky castles and mysterious villages, horse drawn carriages, big candles and of course vampires and werewolves!

It finds the perfect balance between "not taking itself too seriously" and "not laughing at the viewer".

It's a ton of fun.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Perfection

[10/10 · 3 July 2022]

A perfect movie making a perfect ending to a perfect trilogy.

It just doesn't get any better than these movies. I watch them all the time and never get tired of it.

It's a masterpiece from start to finish.

Peacock (2022– )

I was surprised by how much I liked this

[8/10 · 30 June 2022]

I think cringe comedy is getting a little stale but this was done well enough and the character was likable enough that it didn't matter.

A unique gym setting made for some funny situational jokes and the guy's struggle of growing old and looking for companionship is universal so it was relatable.

Many shows I've seen lately are filled with completely outlandish, unrelatable characters acting completely over the top absurd. So it starts to feel like watching a bunch of cartoon characters in increasingly contrived situations. This avoided that by grounding it reality, but still allowing for some silliness.

I recommend it...I hope there are some more episodes because it was kind of short to be honest.

The Night Caller (1998)

I love this movie!

[7/10 · 21 June 2022]

Tracy Nelson really gets into this role and has some hilarious lines and insults! I was surprised how much I got into it, it's one of the better TV movie gems out there.

Tracy plays a childlike loner without much direction who becomes obsessed with a radio host. She comes up with all sorts of schemes to insert herself into the host's life and all sorts of undermining and plots are hatched.

Watch it and enjoy, but don't take it too seriously. It's fun!

Citizen X (1995 TV Movie)

Absolutely fantastic movie

[10/10 · 19 June 2022]

Very efficiently made, straightforward and with no gimmicks, this movie is great.

Citizen X shows us how the totalitarian nature of socialism corrupts all aspects of any system it infects. Horrors from soul crushing beaurocracy to actual madmen on the loose, taking advantage of and being protected by a system designed to protect those in power only, while ordinary people are sacrificed.

Highly recommended.

The Witchfinder (2022)

Very funny

[9/10 · 5 June 2022]

Tim Key is quirky and strange and a perfect fit for the twitchy witchfinder, Gideon, who may or may not believe in the silly omens and rituals of his own profession as much as he probably should.

His latest capture, Thomasine Gootch, was accused of killing a village pig with her witchcraft and Gideon takes up the task of bringing her to trial.

Along the way, we meet all the absurd contemporary characters who populate the era. The dialogue is rapid fire, so keep your ears open. The jokes are plenty and very clever and very rewarding.

Frank of Ireland (2021)

Another show filled with mean-spiritedness, sarcasm and snark

[1/10 · 31 May 2022]

This is what passes for comedy in the modern era.

Instead of well written situational humor, we're supposed to laugh simply because the character is saying terrible things and yelling.

We wonder why we live in a culture of anger and division when the shows we consider funny are ones like this. Conversations are filled with an endless string of insults and sarcastic remarks.

If you relate to the kind of people in this show, you're most likely the source of your life's problems. Not everyone else.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– )

Netflix shows are always rated 2-3 stars higher than what they should be

[2/10 · 28 May 2022]

This is because of the paid/nested accounts used to hype and promote shows. Netflix is the very definition of mediocrity.

The show is bogged down by uninteresting, untalented actors who have only been given the part because they're there to fill a mathematical formula instead of ability.

You can't expect something to be good when the production studio's focus is on something else other than making a worthwhile show.