Audrey Fleurot makes the series worth watching. The concept is somewhat old - think Holmes + Will Hunting + saucy House and you get the idea, but after a few episodes the cast chemistry begins to show and as mentioned, Fleurot goes all-in for the quirky character. If the continues to improve, definitely worth the time.
Reviews
9 Reviews
The Orville
(2017–2022)
Terrible beyond belief
6 October 2017
After watching five episodes, its hard to tell whether the joke here is that there isn't any joke and Macfarlane is just having a huge laugh at everyone's expense, or that this is a 40s crisis and he's living out his fantasy.
Be that as it may, the show is terrible from start to finish. It is badly written, acted and directed (and not in a "good" bad way). It is not funny. It is often moronic, and goes against its own inner logic. Even worse, when addressing "serious" issues (episode 3) it does this so ineptly it is just embarrassing. You know you're in trouble when even Charlize Theron can't save the day. Compared to this, Galaxy Quest is a masterpiece of satire and humor.
In short, avoid.
Be that as it may, the show is terrible from start to finish. It is badly written, acted and directed (and not in a "good" bad way). It is not funny. It is often moronic, and goes against its own inner logic. Even worse, when addressing "serious" issues (episode 3) it does this so ineptly it is just embarrassing. You know you're in trouble when even Charlize Theron can't save the day. Compared to this, Galaxy Quest is a masterpiece of satire and humor.
In short, avoid.
Zygote
(I) (2017)
About nothing
14 July 2017
There is nothing innovative or new about this short apart from one image. The idea and execution seem more tired than anything else, and i got the feeling of a few excited kids getting their hands on a lot of high-tech gear and funds and not really knowing what to do with it - which is kind of a shame. So there's a lot of effort here, but at the end this was more boring than anything else.
Mom
(2013–2021)
Why
4 December 2015
Spoiler: Don't waste your time, boring, unfunny, sad.
I watched this show when I needed background noise while working. White noise would have been funnier. Which is a shame, because: Ana Farris is funny. Allison Janney is even funnier. Anything with French Stewart in it can't be all that bad. And yet, this is incredibly bad, unfunny. Which is really a shame, as all these fine performers deserve so much more than non-existing comedy with non-existing punch lines, the most artificial laugh track this side of Big Bang/Two & Half Men/etc. Every once in a while, there's a glimmer of hope where a somewhat risqué or nasty line comes out and you think this might go in a direction which could be interesting, and then they chicken out and go the middle, humdrum, path. Just sad.
I watched this show when I needed background noise while working. White noise would have been funnier. Which is a shame, because: Ana Farris is funny. Allison Janney is even funnier. Anything with French Stewart in it can't be all that bad. And yet, this is incredibly bad, unfunny. Which is really a shame, as all these fine performers deserve so much more than non-existing comedy with non-existing punch lines, the most artificial laugh track this side of Big Bang/Two & Half Men/etc. Every once in a while, there's a glimmer of hope where a somewhat risqué or nasty line comes out and you think this might go in a direction which could be interesting, and then they chicken out and go the middle, humdrum, path. Just sad.
The Pruitt-Igoe Myth
(2011)
Shallow
17 October 2015
The subject matter is interesting but the execution of the film is incredibly shallow. It's only redeeming point are a few of the interviews which transcend the discussion and manage to bring out some human feeling into is what basically a town-planning policy and execution story.
But as a film, it suffers greatly from the small number of people interviewed - I counted eight, of which only four or five are actual former residents. Much historical footage is used and some of it feels tacked on as a way of adding volume to what would have otherwise turned it be a documentary short. At some point you get a feeling of material being reused in order to fill the time. And that's a shame, as this is both interesting and relevant to much of our society. This case-study deserves a better retelling.
But as a film, it suffers greatly from the small number of people interviewed - I counted eight, of which only four or five are actual former residents. Much historical footage is used and some of it feels tacked on as a way of adding volume to what would have otherwise turned it be a documentary short. At some point you get a feeling of material being reused in order to fill the time. And that's a shame, as this is both interesting and relevant to much of our society. This case-study deserves a better retelling.
Vacation
(I) (2015)
Somewhat redeemed by second half
17 October 2015
Personally I never understand films in which the cast simply seem to be humiliating themselves portraying characters acting so incredibly stupidly that it goes beyond farce and slapstick. It's just sad. The first half of this film is just another example of this, substituting characters for a pile of bits which alternate between disgusting and stupid. The second half of the film marks a change. Stupid things still happen, but they are much less stupid, and they come together with some characters backing them up. And the movie gets somewhat more interesting, and funnier. Unfortunately, it is not that funny. The cast are sympathetic, and Christina Applegate is always great to watch even when she has little to do, but that's about it.
This is the third film I have watched written by John Francis Daley, and I have to wonder what the hell. There is little originality, or actual fun, in any of them. Perhaps he can type quickly.
This is the third film I have watched written by John Francis Daley, and I have to wonder what the hell. There is little originality, or actual fun, in any of them. Perhaps he can type quickly.
Cooties
(2014)
Why
9 October 2015
Why would anyone want to make such a film is beyond me, a close-second to watching it. Which I'm sorry I did. Not that I have something against zombies, but this is drivel. It's stupid even on its own terms, showing a bit of gore for gore's sake, with characters bordering on the moronic. The only reason I can think of, actually, is that this is a not-so- subtle vegan propaganda film. The clear connection between the opening sequence - the only really disturbing thing in this film - showing chicken nuggets being prepared, leading to the zombie outbreak leads to the logical conclusion that "meat makes you a blood-sucking foul- mouthed crazed child zombie", so don't eat meat. Like I said, moronic. It's amazing that talented people like Wood, Wilson et. al. would be willing to take part in this crap.
Liar Liar
(1997)
Boring
8 October 2015
I think Swoosie Kurz sums it up nicely in the bloopers: OVERACTOR.
There's nothing in this film except Carrey doing his over-the-top routine in front of a camera. He's talented, but it's just silly and at times even embarrassing. It seems as if the script was "let's have a basic plot outline, and then have Carrey do whatever he wants in front of the camera for about 80 minutes. And that's a wrap". This isn't comedy, there's nothing funny or entertaining about it, and even as slapstick it doesn't hold up. In his own words, had "somebody stopped him", the film would have benefited greatly. As it is, it is just boring, which is a shame.
There's nothing in this film except Carrey doing his over-the-top routine in front of a camera. He's talented, but it's just silly and at times even embarrassing. It seems as if the script was "let's have a basic plot outline, and then have Carrey do whatever he wants in front of the camera for about 80 minutes. And that's a wrap". This isn't comedy, there's nothing funny or entertaining about it, and even as slapstick it doesn't hold up. In his own words, had "somebody stopped him", the film would have benefited greatly. As it is, it is just boring, which is a shame.
The Martian
(2015)
Enjoyable feel good movie
4 October 2015
The title basically sums it up - the movie is constantly upbeat, optimistic, happy and amusing. Watney (Damon) almost never losses his composure, constantly turns lemons into lemonade and so on. The rest of the characters all exhibit the same can-do attitude, and the way you go with this will probably effect how you experience this movie - a guilty pleasure ride of optimism and belief in the human spirit and scientific prowess of humanity (well, NASA...); or as a very long, detailed and visually striking infomercial for NASA and the Mars mission goal.
Assuming you have chosen the first option, Damon is optimal casting. His character plays well into the Damon persona, and seemingly requires little effort on his side. Watney is likable, cutesy and well, slightly boring - you couldn't call him a protagonist as he doesn't really change or evolve. But, then again, that's true for all characters in this film. What little conflict there is is played out in calm and polite conversations, a hymn of professionalism and technocracy. And they all come out the same as they came in.
From all technical aspects - visual, cinematography, acting, direction, score - it's well-made. It is entertaining, interesting, suspenseful almost throughout despite the obvious end (spoiler: he doesn't die on Mars). Towards the end the can-do attitude is a bit too over the top and the finale plays out a bit like an extended Macgyver times 6 episode. This, with the epilogue, are actually the weakest part of the film.
I went with my family, and my kids (10, 11) loved every minute of it and in particular the realistic aspects of the film. That in itself was worth the price of admission.
Assuming you have chosen the first option, Damon is optimal casting. His character plays well into the Damon persona, and seemingly requires little effort on his side. Watney is likable, cutesy and well, slightly boring - you couldn't call him a protagonist as he doesn't really change or evolve. But, then again, that's true for all characters in this film. What little conflict there is is played out in calm and polite conversations, a hymn of professionalism and technocracy. And they all come out the same as they came in.
From all technical aspects - visual, cinematography, acting, direction, score - it's well-made. It is entertaining, interesting, suspenseful almost throughout despite the obvious end (spoiler: he doesn't die on Mars). Towards the end the can-do attitude is a bit too over the top and the finale plays out a bit like an extended Macgyver times 6 episode. This, with the epilogue, are actually the weakest part of the film.
I went with my family, and my kids (10, 11) loved every minute of it and in particular the realistic aspects of the film. That in itself was worth the price of admission.
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