Reviews

These days I seldom write online reviews, but I found the faults with this series to be genuinely unforgivable.

Specifically, with the writing.

The show is built entirely around the one lead character/protagonist, which to be any good at all would thus focus primarily on that character's - and secondarily the surrounding/supporting characters' - developement and exposition, and in a manner that actually makes sense. However, in this case NONE of that holds true and the result is that the characters - ESPECIALLY the lead - and most of the situations we find them to be in - are entirely unbelievable. Even much of the dialogue is quite ridiculous.

There is no excuse for such horrid writing, particulary given that the project held such great promise to start.

Ugh...

I finally broke down and watched this attempt at a British-styled murder 'thriller" by Woody Allen.

Out of the multitude of characters in the film only ONE was actually likable. I'm certain that Allen thought that his *constant* use of old-sounding operatic music as the film's incidental scoring (complete with limited frequency range, lack of tonal depth, and "scratch" sounds to boot) was "geniusly inspired" but I found it to be SO incredibly annoying that I had to actually turn down the volume whenever he decided to crank it up.

I was tempted t actually stop watching the film about halfway through, but decided to stick it out to the bitter end hoping something ahead would redeem it and thus make the effort turn out to be worthwhile. I was wrong to do so. Allen needs to leave this sort of murder thriller to British movie makers, for they truly excel at it while he CLEARLY does not.

I consider myself to be a Star Trek "old-timer," having been a ST fan from day one, and I LOVE this show!

Lower Decks was *never* intended to be simply an animated version of traditional Star Trek sci-fi drama. That's already been done, and a repeat was not needed as there is much more *live action* ST drama to come. Lower Decks needed to be something STRIKINGLY different yet something that would still pay tribute to ST as we all know it. This humorous take on the franchise is, I think, EXACTLY what is needed - and hopefully appreciated - during these particularly dangerous times. And something that I think kids as well as us "older" folks will come to appreciate with successive episodes. Keeping the fingers crossed and hoping this thing has legs!

This IS "Star Trek" - BUT REMEMBER: Discovery takes place 10 years *before* The Original Series, and *absolutely* many aspects of the Federation - such as its fully fleshed-out values system, expected and accepted behavior and motives, etc. (and thus that of TOS onward) have *not* had the chance to more fully evolve in practice yet. That is why you see such great differences between the characters and story lines in this series on the one hand and all other ST series on the other hand... the differences are intentional, willfull, and otherwise deliberate. To *not* have done it this way would have amounted to turning the franchise into a very old and tired one; instead, this series effectively rejuvenates it by placing it within much more broad context.

EXCELLENT script, acting and directing all around, particularly regarding James Franco who unquestionably deserves awards for a genuinely incredible acting performance. It's actually a heartwarming dramedy that does NOT require viewers to watch the original "The Room" movie to thoroughly understand it. The film is quite an achievement, especially for a low-budget one based on a true story using a film-within-a-film structure. Kudos to the great Warner Bros. for picking up the international distribution rights. I STRONGLY recommend it.

Casting was *excellent*. Subject matter *very* interesting.

Script, dialogue & directing - only so-so, maybe even worse: post-production dubbing in dialogue when actors' mouths not even moving? - Just plain cheap & bizarre.

Storyline - WAY too deficient.

See it for the acting, nothing more.

Out of all of the dramatic comedies produced on either side of the Atlantic, Cold Feet is the finest to date. Its writing is consistently spectacular - with acting to match, and its return for a sixth (and soon seventh) season has been genuinely triumphant and a sheer joy to watch. A past attempt to develop an American version was - predictably - met with failure. THIS one is the real deal, the one worth "binging" on.