bill2021 Reviews

Reacher (2022– )

Silly cartoonish farce

[1/10 · 5 January 2024]

This mess of a show is targeted toward children and adolescents. I wish I could have watched something like this when I was 5-8 years old instead of cartoons on Saturday morning. G rated cartoon violence that reminds me of "The Three Stooges". This is a big dumb almost mentally challenged Reacher that is really nothing like the novels. For the second season they chose the worst of the novels that fails to show the essence of Reacher's personality. If you never read the novels you would not believe the difference between this garbage and the character the author writes. The author must have made some serious money to sign off on this. Crap is king.

The Crowded Room (2023)

Outstanding, Heartfelt, Brilliant, Masterpiece

[10/10 · 29 July 2023]

This show is extremely well done with great acting, directing, writing, music, and settings. They take a complicated subject matter and put it on screen flawlessly and accurately. Never have I seen this subject matter so beautifully told. Every character is absolutely wonderful. The two lead characters are so good you cannot take your eyes off of them. This show respects the heck out of mental health workers and psychiatry. Beautiful. The defense attorney is either a real attorney or one of the best actors I have ever seen. So very real are all the characters. The creator and those responsible should be proud of this masterpiece. I was pleased to see the creator of the show had a short part in episode 10 which is very fitting. The use of and choice of music is pure genius. I found myself watching each episode more than once just mesmerized at the care and respect from the actors and writers completing this true work of art. The awards shows should be kind to this production and I would think it would win in several categories. This show took the time and care with the result being one of the best series ever.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

This silly cartoonish parody has not aged well

[1/10 · 18 July 2023]

I attempted to watch "Pulp Fiction" again recently and it was obviously a very silly movie almost a parody of itself. The violence is cartoonish and the dialogue is laughable. Travolta seemed like a guy desperately trying to act "cool" and with time this mess of a movie just comes off as ridiculous. Samuel L. Jackson's character pulls it off somewhat better but it still comes across as an SNL skit rather than a serious movie. I suppose with the great stories and acting on television these days movies like this come off as lame now when 30 years ago they seemed edgy. The director's style tends to make this movie seem more like several clips put together with very little flow as a whole. The director seemed to be much more interested in being cute and flashy vs. Being a serious movie maker. As a silly cartoonish comedy it still is not that bad but overall it is severely poorly written and directed as compared to some of the HBO, Netflix, Showtime and Apple TV crime shows you see in 2023. Very much overrated!

Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)

Wasted opportunity

[2/10 · 11 March 2023]

This show seems to have a good budget and talented people behind the project. But it falls way short for 70s style rock show. "The Deuce" on HBO portrays that time period in a more captivating manner with much better characters you actually can care about. The problem with Daisy Jones is she is simply not a likable character. It is hard to watch a borderline sociopath with no growth throughout the season. Most the characters are superficial and shallow. Music is okay but not great. Too much interview for the documentary style and not enough story line. The story is constantly interrupted by the meaningless interviews from wooden boring characters. The show comes off as cheesy and silly when it could have been gritty and serious.

The English (2022)

Masterpiece with the likes of Sergio Leone and Terrence Malick

[10/10 · 22 December 2022]

Absolutely stunning cinematography. The plot, acting and production value is more like a big budget film. This is art not just a television show. Violent (but necessary to the story) as well as subtle humor and a great deal of heart. The camera shots of the characters remind me of Sergio Leone's "The Good, the bad and the Ugly". The nature shots remind me of the great Terrence Malick. I Would love to see more shows like this one. Six episodes that completely absorb the viewer without any waste or unnecessary scenes. Writing is first class. Acting is first class. And the scenery is simply the most beautiful I have witnessed in a long time.

Aquarius (2015–2016)

Manson grew 8 inches and became handsome

[7/10 · 12 November 2022]

This is a cop good show set in 1967 Los Angeles with some nice period sets and good acting. But the Charles Manson character is simply not scary which ruins the show. Very silly. Best scenes and story lines do not involve the Manson character which is unfortunate. The uncut version is no doubt much better than the original NBC version. This could have been so much better if it was picked up by HBO or Showtime with some minor adjustments to casting. But all in all it is still better than most cop shows you see on network TV. The same feel and sets remind me of "Once Upon a TIme in Hollywood" which came out later than Aquarius.

What's in a Name? (2022 TV Special)

Tuned in for stand up routine and received a speech!

[10/10 · 14 July 2022]

I was not aware of any controversy regarding Dave Chappelle and his recent honor at his alma mater. Just as well because there is really no controversy. Chappelle certainly addressed the situation with the kind of artistic expression and class that very few could accomplish. I think it is because he is a once in a generation talent and genius. This 40 minute Netflix special is extremely captivating and I think history will show it to be a significant event in time. I feel so sad and sorry for the young men and women of the school who failed to honor this legend instead they treated his once in a lifetime art as if it did not exist. I thought of Vincent Van Gogh or Mark Twain returning to their alama mater only to be ridiculed by a bunch of spoiled unappreciative young adults. What a waste of what should have been a proud and wonderful moment for the The Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington D. C. Many so called art students were too deaf, dumb and blind to celebrate and embrace the moment. I think that may be one reason Chappelle was so hurt by it all. Masterpiece 40 minutes of television and thank you Netflix for airing this. When Dave Chappelle speaks you hang on every word. Still a relatively young man to be a legend. By the way does anyone have a problem with naming it "Theater for Artistic Freedom and Expression". And Dave Chappelle['s name certainly needs to be added if he chooses to allow that minor modification.

Seven Seconds (2018)

extremely poor writing to the point of absurdity

[1 July 2022]

This had potential with good premise and good actors. The writing is so bad it cannot save this mess. The investigators are the second dumbest group of people in the history of television. The first dumbest group are the criminals. Sloppy, unsophisticated and incompetent to the point where it is laughable. Everyone is stupid. Very slow show filling in time. Courtroom scenes rushed at the end clumsily done by someone who does not know the justice system. It reminds me of how good it is to make really good shows and there are many out there now. Just not this one. Waste of some really good actors and actresses.

Bosch: Legacy (2022– )

Not the original.... sub par intro song, production/camera work and advertsing interruptions

[7/10 · 21 May 2022]

The original was such a great experience as far as television viewing. This show is better than most but cannot compete with the original. Supporting cast is lacking in this one. LA scenery not near as good and the production looks cheaper than the first Bosch series. Intro song in the original was one of a few I would sit through every time. Awesome. Bosch Legacy intro song is horrible. Advertising ruins the flow of the show. It is difficult to sustain excellence and Bosch did it for 7 seasons. This new one is second class in comparison.

Big Little Lies (2017–2019)

Season 2 storyline highjacked by bizarre custody battle bordering on lunacy

[1/10 · 12 September 2021]

Season 2 went off in different direction no longer following the murder mystery but focused on an absurd unrealistic custody battle. The viewer is suppose to believe that a mentally ill grandmother can use the court system to steal children away from a loving and caring mother? Not sure what the writers were thinking on this one but it was so unrealistic it became sort of a funny spoof. Writing is horrible and laughable. Plot falls apart where nothing is happening. Scenery is very good and acting is great but not enough to save this horribly written show.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

The town with no running water and no soap

[1/10 · 6 September 2021]

Kate Winslet is really good in this as she is in everything she does. But they really went overboard with her lack of hygiene. If you are so depressed that you can go days without bathing or washing your hair you should not be allowed to carry a gun as a detective. In fact, most people in this town look dirty and disgusting to the point of being unrealistic. I applaud the writers and director for trying to do something different and make the actors look more like real life characters rather than Hollywood stars but most people in real life do not look like they crawled out from under a rock. The story is good but supporting actors are awful and the police are portrayed as incompetent. I know it is a small town but they really make the cops look like blubbering idiots. Great as a character piece for Kate Winslet but as a police procedure it is poorly written.

The Flight Attendant (2020–2022)

I expected Cary Grant and Grace Kelly to appear somewhere

[10/10 · 4 September 2021]

This is a great show that dares to be different. Kelly Cuoco is wonderful and able to display comedic and dramatic acting talent. I was not sure what to expect and soon got the feeling of an old Cary Grant comedy/thriller with twists and turns. Curious how the writers will approach Season 2 with different story line.

Let Him Go (2020)

Hollywood is a tough business for Lane and Costner to agree with this garbage

[1/10 · 31 August 2021]

This movie is an example of why people no longer go to movies. Much better programming on television. This movie is so stupid it is an insult to the characters and the viewer. The primary character played by Costner would have to be the dumbest most incompetent ex-law enforcement officer in the history of the world. Irrational decisions continuously. It became a laughable spoof but I do not think that was the intention. One of the worst movies I have seen in a long time from two very good actors. This is garbage.

The Undoing (2020)

Writers manipulated the viewer. Turns into a comedy spoof.

[1/10 · 26 August 2021]

The rule has always been that in a good mystery the writers should play fair with the audience. The first 2 episodes were interesting but it went south quickly after that to the point of laziness and incompetency from the writers. So many plot holes that it was hard to remember all of them. The street cameras capture everyone walking with exception of the killer. Bloody tux to the dry cleaners with no follow up. Keeps the murder weapon at his house. Worst police detectives in the history of television. They showed you numerous times that Grace played by Nicole Kidman new the victim well. They show her having continued flashbacks including details of the murder that only she could know if she had been there and committed the act. Phone calls from the victim that are mentioned and dropped. Awful police investigation. It is like the writers ran out of time and improvised the last several episodes. Could have been good but turned out to be a cheap one hour drama type show you would get in the 1970's. With all the good shows on Netflix and Prime Video it is hard to get away with this mess of a show. Laughable spoof.

After Life (2019–2022)

Had some promise but poor production value and boring repeated storyline

[1/10 · 24 August 2021]

This started out okay and sort of interesting but really goes nowhere. I like Ricky as a host and standup comedian. He's confident and funny and says what he thinks. This series, however, falls flat after the first few episodes. He makes fun of his coworker's weight but yet he is just as big and flabby. Does not make sense. How many times can you walk by the school yard and visit the lady in the cemetery? Boring show. Same old jokes and same old pouty attitude from the lead character. Supporting cast nonexistent.

Virgin River (2019– )

Soap Opera with Scenery

[1/10 · 21 August 2021]

Sappy little soap opera with some nice scenery. Mel and Jack are the lead characters. Mel's character is played by a good actress and is interesting character. Jack's character is whiny and boring and dull. Rest of the cast is generic. The show gets much worse with each episode. Showed some promise in the beginning but poor writing/storyline and cheesy characters make this into a very bad hallmark type production.

House of Cards (2013–2018)

Extremely overrated with no likable characters

[1/10 · 14 July 2021]

A far fetched farce of a show. All the politicians are dim witted and stupid with the exception of Kevin Spacey character. The viewer is to believe that The President of the United States and the Vice President of the United States are easily manipulated like a couple of dimwits. Every time every scheme. Very unrealistic. Can you really believe that there is only one sleazy politician in all of Washington with the others being victims of his sleazy scams? This show is more on the level of creepy science fiction parody than as a political drama. All the characters are unlikable and just plain stupid. Too much smarmy and smug does not make a show. It is very difficult to watch a show in which you dislike all the characters. I guess the acting is okay but the writing is so poor with the same thing over and over and over again. The main character is smarter and more psychopathic than everyone else therefore he wins every battle in which he engages. Boring and sloppy. I recently watched the series "Billions" which is a much better show with higher quality acting, writing, production and entertainment. In "Billions" you have many diverse and interesting characters sometimes doing immoral things but overall you see the humanity. In "House of Cards" you only see one psychopath unleash all his evil on everyone else. And everyone in the show is deaf, dumb and blind with the exception of him and his wife. Likely the most overrated show in history of television and just a few years later it has not aged well at all.

The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness (2021)

Compelling documentary of an obsessive delusional journalist

[10/10 · 17 May 2021]

This documentary features some interesting footage surrounding the events of the Son of Sam Killer very well produced. I never knew there was any question whether or not Son of Sam acted alone. He obviously did act alone and the police got it right and got the killer off the streets. One man took it upon himself to pursue this delusional theory and ran with it for several years to the point of lunacy. This mini series shows just how a person can become obsessed and removed from reality. The Son of Sam story is in the background but you still get some interesting facts and footage. The journalist tried to sell it at every turn and to the credit of other reporters they were not buying it. The sensationalist media of the 1980's and 1990's gave the man some air time to help fuel his delusions. In the end though it was pretty much determined by friends and colleagues that the journalist's thought process was just little bit off and truth won over conspiracy theories.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012– )

Nice little show worth binge watching despite the smug host.

[10/10 · 14 May 2021]

The guests are mostly entertaining and engaging many of them showing characteristics you would find likable. The host, Jerry Seinfeld not so much. In fact, many of the guests laugh in disbelief of his smugness. Seinfeld struggles mightily when it becomes clear he is not the most engaging or funniest person in the car or in the coffee shop. Seinfeld made a good living at being upstaged as he was always the fourth funniest person on his own show. That was part of Seinfeld's strength in not interfering with his costars when they would get the laughs. Same is true to a point with this show although he will interrupt somewhat when the more interesting guest is talking. It is like "shut up Jerry" I want to hear Bil Maher or Alec Baldwin not you. Many great guests and good format for this quirky show. The Eddie Murphy episode is really good. He is so relaxed and so real that even Jerry was engaged. Never seen Seinfeld show respect and admiration like that. Then again, Eddie is the best ever. But like many others have said, Seinfeld made a good living on smugness and overrating his own talent and this show is no different. Also, the way Jerry treats the staff at the coffee shops is cringe worthy and many of his guests look embarrassed to be with him.

Twin Peaks (1990–1991)

Yes, it is overrated.

[1/10 · 17 April 2021]

The first 15 episodes of the series is much better than the final 15 episodes. The show is like two different shows with two different directions. The first part of the series focuses on the murder of Laura and the investigation of who killed her. After that is revealed in episode 7 of season 2 the show takes a different path that leads to confusion and stupidity. No plot. No story. Just quirky characters. The show offers a lot of good interesting characters but you need to have a plot or the entire mess falls apart. The director tries to be different and quirky which would be welcomed if he knew how to write a good story. Fine line between genius and lunacy. ABC made the right decision in cancelling this mess back in the day.

Homeland (2011–2020)

Entertaining show but no way the CIA is that stupid. Are They?

[10/10 · 10 February 2021]

They do a great job of developing characters and keeping audience in suspense with right amount of action and wonderful acting. Two primary characters are Carrie played by Claire Danes and Saul played by Mandy Patinkin. Carrie is an excellent strong character throughout the series with some personal flaws that contribute to her genius. Saul was what I expected from Mandy Patinkin the first four seasons but the writers truly sabotaged his character. He went from a free thinking independent sort of rebel to a buffoon type bureaucratic politician for the last several seasons. Big waste of the character and actor's talent. Way too many sleazy politicians for one show without many characters to cheer for with exception of a few. Season 6 is the worst season. It is more of a soap opera turned toward absurdity. Big time manipulation of the writers trying to fool the audience with regards to the direction they want to take you. Viewer will get frustrated at times with regards to how dim witted they often portray the CIA (the shows main cast). Incident after incident you say to yourself "why would they do that?" "Why would they allow one of their own agents turned Russian spy responsible for several deaths allowed back on the street to kill more allies" ??? They caught her and had her in custody but they let her go. Absurdity. I guess the answer is because it is a TV show and they have to make dumb mistakes in order to keep the dead body count up and the audience involved. Big mistake by the writers because if the viewer is sitting at home knowing the killer is going to strike again the leaders of the CIA should also know. They had the same information as the viewer. Poor story line as if they are making fun of the CIA. Sort of a comedy satire which I do not think was the intent. Season 5 and 6 it is difficult to watch due to the continued incompetency of primary characters Saul and Dar. Saul was great for first 4 seasons but season 5 he seemed to become mentally challenged which should be an insult to CIA agents everywhere. Oh yeah, and Saul was having an affair with the same agent who was a Russian spy working against him. This guy makes Barney Fife look like James Bond. I was disheartened to see Saul and Dar, another idiot bureaucrat, still in charge beginning in season 6. These two bozos could not manage a Taco Bell. The show is far from perfect or even realistic due to the manner in which they portray the imbecile politicians of the CIA. Seems to be more of spoof and a farce. The shows writers and directors clearly have a dislike or grudge against the CIA as they continue to portray them in a cartoon sort of manner full of outrageous stupidity. You will laugh out loud at times. However season 7 and 8 are much better. Overall, the show is better than most television series with some wonderful characters such as the Russian agent played by Costa Ronin and the White House Chief of Staff played by Linus Roache. A major flaw is the stupidity at which they depict the military, FBI and CIA as incompetent which allows for death and destruction throughout the series. Carrie is outstanding character right until the end. But she stands alone surrounding by blubbering idiots.

The Americans (2013–2018)

One of the best shows and characters. FBI agent Stan Beeman stands out!

[10/10 · 25 December 2020]

So many great moments in 6 seasons and 75 episodes. The relationship between Philip and Stan is always heartfelt and touching and without that the mission and violence from both sides would not be enough to make the show one of the best of all time. So many great characters and depth. It shows what thoughtful writing and good acting can accomplish. The final scene with Stan and the Beemans is the ultimate perfect ending. Looking back I found it so ironic that Stan let them walk away after all the killing. Early on in the show Stan murdered a man in cold blood because he thought the man was responsible for the murder of his FBI partner. As it turned out the man responsible is the one he let walk away. Friendship is golden and Stan and Philip had it. The writers of this show and the actors and actresses should take note that this piece of work is far better than any movie out there in years. Thank you FX and Amazon Prime for providing quality television shows.

Reckoning (2019)

Disrespectful to police officers and detectives.

[1/10 · 24 October 2020]

This is a somewhat entertaining but complete garbage of a crime and detective show. Absolutely no detecting. A serial killer is on the loose brutalizing young women and it is left for the small town/small department of the county sheriff office to solve the crimes. No FBI. No reinforcements. And more importantly no competent detectives within a hundred miles of that town. The main character tattoos his body with the crime victims tattoos and resorts to LSD drugs as a means to help him solve the crime. The show goes through 10 episodes in which the detectives do absolutely nothing to investigate. Completely unrealistic and insult to law enforcement officers everywhere. The serial killer is trying to be portrayed as a "nice guy" other than brutalizing and killing defenseless women. This is so bad I almost thought maybe it was suppose to be a comedy satire of what a police show should be. Like they are making fun of cops and how stupid they are. This is more comedy than drama although I am not sure that is what the writers were aiming for. Complete mess of a show and the ending which is mentioned in several reviews is really funny although not intended I'm sure. As it turns out the lead detective knew who the killer was the entire season but only comes out and says it in the last line of the series. But did not do anything about it. Thus no ending. The killer apparently gets away with it and the incompetent law enforcement lives with outcome. Bizarre. Give it a 2 for original and a positive outcome for serial killers everywhere. A tragic satiric comedy vs. a crime and police thriller.

Goliath (2016–2021)

Worst attorney in history of television

[1/10 · 30 July 2020]

This man has one case as an attorney to represent an innocent child. And he fails miserably due to his own negligence and recklessness and selfishness. This show is so bad I think they are purposely making fun of themselves and the viewers. Can you imagine being an attorney at law with only one case and not even disciplined enough to work that one case. Drunk, stupid and lazy is no way to go through life. Oh how the main character is so stupid! Writing is so bad it seems they wanted to make a show like "Breaking Bad" or "Ozark" but advertise it as a legal drama. The former mentioned shows have violence for a reason with good writing and characters. "Goliath" fails on all levels. It goes to show that a good actor is nothing with poor lazy writing and story. No court room scenes at all in Season 2.