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Euphoria (2019)
My teen experience was most DEF like this.
I really don't understand why some people are claiming it's unrealistic. I'd go as far as to say it's the MOST accurate portrayal of how it is to be a teen with drug addiction, body insecurities, sexual curiosity/insecurity, and mental health issues.
It's gritty, raw, at times even "offensive"..but most of all, it's 100% REAL!
I graduated high school in 2004 and my generation was the guinea pigs for mental health drugs for teens and addiction programs for teens etc. We were also the generation to have the first taste of social media, texting, s*xting, pictures etc, and how it impacted us.
Season one was amazing with the storyline.
My only critique is that not every actor/actress is amazing on the show, but the ones who stand out (Zendaya is the BEST actress on the show. Hands down.) The other ones are new (still need to get their feet wet and really connect with their characters.) You can tell they don't act full time and it isn't their career (with the exception of Nate and Nate's father (Mr. McSteamy) who are seasoned actors) and along with Zendaya really bring some beautiful (and sometimes scary moments on screen come alive.)
The actress who plays Jules is awesome (not the biggest fan of Jules the character for some of the choices she made toward the end) And I can't wait for Hunter to really learn even more about acting and see her really sink her teeth into this role going forward.
My only other critique would be that as super important as trans/bisexual/gay storylines are (trust me, I'm so thankful for these depictions and storylines) I really hope the producers/writers/directors don't forget about straight people in the next series.
Given Jules and Nate are going to become a thing, and it got out that an actor quit (Algee plays him now) due to some future homosexual scenes, I'm very worried that trans and homosexuality/bisexuality are ALL this show is going to be focused on now, and the straight characters are going to be pushed to the back.
I just hope that there is a way to make everyone and their issues shine. Otherwise it becomes another L word, orange is the new black, or Queer as folk (great important shows, don't get me wrong.) But part of what I love about this season was that ALL sexuality was portrayed and ALL kinds of relationships (including unhealthy domestic violence relationships.)
Also I don't know what his name is, but I LOVE the "drug dealer' character. I feel like he has such a story and a lot of love to give, despite being a dealer.
Quicksand (2019)
Not bad at all. But a few issues
This was one of the better netflix mini series I've come across.
In fact, I should probably preface this by saying I'm NOT a huge fan of foreign films. (I read a lot for a living, so having to read subtitles on my downtime doesn't appeal to me.) However, this was tolerable because it was dubbed. (Although I had a few issues with the main narrators voice. Mainly the kermit the frog voice she falls into with certain words.)
But it syned up pretty nicely and the actual story was riveting so it made up for it.
Things I liked:
-There wasn't necessarily a plot twist for me, as I've experienced a similar situation as Maja in my own life, but I do like how it was portrayed.
-The acting by some of the main characters was amazing. Specifically the lawyer and Maja had some really great moments (she also had a few less than stellar acting moments, but they were far and few between.) I also liked one of the female guards and felt her acting was authentic as well.
-This really nailed certain things about being young and being in an abusive relationship.
-The sex scenes aren't graphic at all (there is one against the door) but you can only see their faces and his face is buried in her neck. There's some deep breathing, but nothing is shown from the waist down. Most of the sex scenes aren't on screen at all and they usually cut to the couple in bed after it's over. Therefore I'd say this is safe to watch with older teens (although it is a darker storyline due to it depicting a school shooting so parents should decide for themselves and their children.)
Things I didn't like.
-As I mentioned above this nailed certain things about being in an abusive relationship.
However one gripe I have is that I wished we got one more episode (which is funny because I usually think we can do with one episode LESS when it comes to netflix mini series)
But in this case I would have loved an episode (or maybe a longer episode) that actually showed the couple falling in love.
Hold your horses, people. Let me explain.
I think in order to accurately portray an abusive and co-dependent relationship down the line, it would help people to identify with the MC if we were able to experience her fall in love.
I felt like the director/screen writer were SO focused on the bottom line and the so called "plot twist" that right away they choose to make the villain so bad.
But what they didn't realize was that doing that right away didn't help out our MC because we didn't really get to understand WHY she fell in love with him to begin with (especially when she was FIRM about stating she wasn't with him for his money and we're supposed to believe her.)
But because they failed to do that and build the relationship and it was all bad, bad, bad from the start, a lot of things were a bit glossed over and made it hard for us to connect/understand her actions. Including why she sympathized with him SO much (although the father was bad, but sometimes it was almost like the father was a "caricature" and was used for shock value) so because of that why she was willing to essentially ruin her life to be there for him was also lost.
I really wish we got to see a few more (dare I say) romantic moments or super deep conversations between them (that would have helped with my point above tremendously ) ...or maybe even more chemistry between them around episodes 2 and 3 so we could feel it more and understand it more.
-I really disliked the first episode. In fact, I disliked it so much I almost stoped watching, but I was polishing my nails and the second episode started automatically and by the middle of episode two I was sucked down the rabbit hole.
So basically, if you want to stop watching after episode one...stick with it. It gets MUCH better. I promise.
-I REALLY wish her lawyer had mentioned that (I forget his name, I think it starts with an S) The "nerdy" guy. Had such a huge crush on her and they had slept together before she went back to her abusive boyfriend. That would have helped the judges (I almost said jury whoops) understand that he can't be trusted and he was a disgruntled ex-lover rather than a believable "witness."
-I would have loved to get some kind of insight into WHY he shot the students. I totally get why he shot the father, but the students, I wish there was something. Even a message he sent her about be embarrassed or about how everyone saw his dad beat him..something (those are just my guesses) but nothing was implied for sure, and since this wasn't based on real life and it was a novel, that would have really helped me understand a bit more.
Usually, (not always) but almost always when people commit school shootings, there are accounts of bullying taking place or even love gone wrong etc.
But no one was bullying him and he never found out about her cheating on him, so I'm just trying to understand exactly why he decided to take his turmoil out on a classroom full of students (some of them his lifelong friends) for a class he barely even attended anymore.
-I know how I said above that it was safe for older teens to watch, but (and this is going to make people angry) but I feel like it could have gone a tinyyy bit grittier in terms of language , sex, and violence.
I'm an "either go there, or don't" type person when it comes to book, films, and music so that's really just my own personal preference. I like things to feel as authentic as possible and in real life people don't tend to censor the things (good or bad) that they do.
-Also since this was dubbed, those who speak English never got to comprehend what the newspaper headlines were or the text-messages between them were. (Sure we can guess what was implied, and we did get a few key text messages) but I'm the type of person who likes to have the full picture 100%.
Overall, despite my minor issues, it was definitely worth watching and while I don't see me re-watching (which doesn't mean much, since I hardly ever re-watch things) it was really good.
Unbelievable (2019)
One of the better netflix mini series with a hard hitting topic.
This series ran me through the gauntlet of emotions. Everything from being frustrated with the police officers in episode one to even finding myself a bit frustrated with the victim at one point because I so badly wanted her to stand up for herself and every time she claimed she was "lying" it broke pieces of my heart. Even more upsetting than the police officers who screwed up the case and didn't believe her, was one of her foster mothers. Every time she was in a scene my blood pressure would rise. That woman has NO business raising or being near ANY children. She is terrible and as a woman I was disgusted by her and I hated that the officer took what she said into account and doubted the victim.
I have to say as a nurse, the clinical scenes were portrayed accurately and I like that they took the time to explain to the victim what was happening and WHY while collecting evidence for the rape kit.
The series became so much better once the two female officers entered the series and I was elated when I recognized one of the actresses from Nurse Jackie (she was actually my favorite character on the show.)
I love how they were portrayed as strong, capable, career oriented women, but you could still see a bit of vulnerability and knew they were doing their job for the right reasons.
I also liked that their husbands were never "intimidated" nor were portrayed as "emasculated" by their wives working and kicking butt at their jobs. They were understanding, encouraging, and super supportive of their other halves (which is super smexy to me.) And I loved that it was able to show this accurately.
Most (good) men are not intimidated by their female partners success and most (good) men have no problem helping out at home or letting their lady shine at work. It's what a positive supportive relationship is.
To summarize:
Things I liked:
-the portrayal and accuracy of the rape kit scene .
-the portrayal of two hard working women.
-the supportive husbands being supportive of their partners without being depicted as emasculating.
-The emotions the victims felt and how they ALL felt differently about their rape/assault. Some were angry, some just wanted to understand why it happened, some wanted justice, other wanted to pretend it never happened and move on.
There is NO right way for a victim (male or female, because males get assaulted too) to "act" or "behave." when it comes to their personal traumas. And I LOVED that this broke the stereotypes.
-The flashback scenes of the abuse. While not overtly graphic, some scenes were so emotive tears dripped down my face (ex: the fraternity mother naked and vulnerable as he made her walk to the bathroom to clean up.)
Things I didn't like:
-It was 8 episodes but I do feel like everything could have been wrapped up in 6 or 7.
-We never got to see that awful foster mother's reaction when she found out Marie was in fact innocent.
-I wanted the female officer who contacted the officer from episode one to give him more h ell for what he did once she found out he charged her with filing a false report. She was tough as nails with her partner and everyone else it was kind of surprising (and a bit of a downer if I'm being honest) that she was so placid when she found that out and when she talked to him after. (She offered him snacks...like really?) I just felt like it was really out of character for how she was portrayed.
-I loved that one of the officers apologized and tried to make it right. I HATED that the other weasel just hid back on the staircase. I'm guessing in real life the second officer didn't just "so happen" to be coming down the staircase at the same time Marie confronted officer number one and he apologized, so we would have been better off without the dramatics. Especially when he just hung back and didn't say a word like the weasel he was. It actually ruined the moment with the first officer apologizing.
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Shot in the Dark (2017)
Some are good guys (Howard and Zak) Scott? Worst thing about the show.
To be honest, this is less of a review and more of a venting session after seeing some other reviews. So if that bothers you, please don't proceed.
I loved Howard (although at times I really wanted him to find his balls and stop blaming everyone else, when the real issue is his twin let him down by refusing to come back to work.) Before everyone goes nuts on me, I feel for what his brother did. It was no-doubt very heroic. However by taking an extended break and then eventually quitting, he DID make things harder on his brother.
I know some people have an issue with Zak, but TBH I'm not sure why. People call him a "kiss a**" but I call it having respect for other people, including firefighters and law officers. Not everyone needs to be a "gangsta" and talk crap to cops, firefighters, and EMT's. It doesn't make you a horrible person to have ever wanted to join the military or become a law official.
Which brings me to my next point.
Someone else mentioned in a review that Zak was pretending to be a law official by saying things like "I'm gonna shut the highway down."
1) He has that light for a reason. Chances are he's a volunteer of some kind (whether it be EMT/Firefighter/ Highway etc)
2) Even if he wasn't. He's STILL doing it for his crew (and other peoples) safety. Lord almighty, I can't believe people have an issue with that.
3) How Zak runs his business shouldn't be bothering anyone. If he wants to hire ten-thousand guys and pay them ten cents a night (as long as they agree) that's his prerogative.
Need I remind people how AMAZON became so big? For anyone who is business savoy, it was by literally doing what Zak is right now.
At least he's polite and isn't a crybaby like the other two.
Scott.
Biggest hypocrite ever. I hope to God his future kid isn't half as much as a dumb as he is. He's why kids should stay in school.
1) Packaging seems smart. But, in reality you're doing everyone in the industry a disservice by packaging NINE stories for one.
That said, that's also his prerogative. He can run his business the way he wants. Same as Zak.
What I have an issue with is the level of hypocrisy and saying things like. "He's 135lbs. He won't get lippy with me."
Dude whatever. I know scrappy/skinny people who would wipe the floor with your fatbutt.
I also find it hysterical (not really) that he will cut people off to be the first on the scene and make a BIGGGG production about how HE was first on the scene and demand a cookie. But whenever someone ELSE happens to be first he'll say things like, "It doesn't matter who's first. It matter who gets the better shot."
*rolls eyes* Funny how that works.
Or how when some guy told him he missed the shot, he called the station and gave them his footage for FREE just to tick that guy off. However when ZAK called the station and the helicopters came and got the story he made a big cry baby deal about how it was ruined because of Zak. Waahhh. Wahhh. Wahhh.
And yes, when you're a jerk to law officials/firefighters etc. It makes your WHOLE industry look bad. You think these officials have time to stand there and think, "Wonder what company he works for?"
Yeah...No. What company you work for doesn't even cross their minds. You're all lumped together.
They think, "Another stringer with a bad attitude and no respect for the victims or law enforcement."
Anyone who owns a successful business will tell you that you get more flies with honey than vinegar.
Personally, I can't STAND hypocrites or "wannabe" gangsters who act like they're hot sh** and all hard. Please boy. Sit down and have several seats with your old butt. You wouldn't survive in the real street. Heck, HOWARD would do better there than you would.
Also, Victor. That man was was playing you. He was acting like he was loyal to your face but was clearly meeting Zak a few times behind your back looking to join his team on the downlow. So the real person you should be mad at is him. Zak didn't really seem like he was chomping at the bit to have Victor on his team during their last meeting. But Victor clearly was. Otherwise, why even entertain a meeting multiple times and ask what Zak could offer him? (hint: money.)
P.S: Speaking of Howard, I definitely lost respect for him by the end. Zak offered him part of the business and said they could talk about incorporating his logo possibly. Not to mention the way Scott acted during that "meeting." He got mad because Zak told someone he was disrespectful? Guess what? The guy IS. You can't claim to be gangsta and not give a crap one second and then be a crybaby the next. There is literally no getting through to stubborn people like him who have to prove their masculinity by threatening to "murder" guys like Zak who are respectful and are trying to run a business.
If Scott is part of the second season and Howard joins his team, I'm def NOT watching. Not so those two can just whine and cry about Zak for an entire season.
After (2019)
Terrible for those who haven't read the books.
Worst movie I've seen in a long time. I didn't read the books, (I tried but the writing was terrible and needed an editor...badly.) I figured the movie would be better and would be a good way to support it. But my god. TERRIBLE. The "couple" were in love in 2 seconds. The viewer didn't have enough time to even process what was happening or WHY. Because there was NO connection and NO plot.
Now, I KNOW I'm the "odd person out" because a billion people who read the books will disagree, but I'm sorry, I can't lie. For the 65% of the population who live on earth who have NOT read the books. This crap made no sense.
NO PLOT. (I'm going to keep saying this, because I've never watched a movie without one before.) However, It was like the director and author (who was highly involved based on all the press interviews with the cast members) decided to take the most popular scenes and just make a movie montage.
There was barely any tension or a challenge...just bad. The person I saw it with didn't read the books either and he wanted to walk out like 5 times because he was so bored and confused. We also laughed because some of the scenes were just so terrible. There was one scene where I guess (I have no idea because the way it was cut was so strange) but Hardin was supposed to be doing something sexual to her, but like...they just looked at one another for a few seconds (she didn't even so much as moan so it was super confusing just watching her face stare up blankly at the ceiling) before the scene cut and they were laying in bed cuddling with her pants off. Me and my partner looked at each other in confusion and both whispered: "Wtf just happened?"
The whole thing was just dumb. There were scenes that could have been cut. Like when she went to the car with that gut and asked where Hardin was. WHY? Why waste 2.5 minutes of film of that when the scene before the viewer (and the actress) were SHOWN the text messages explaining where Hardin would be. Those 2.5 min could have helped the beginning of the film and developed the relationship a bit more before the lake scene (like three scenes into the movie) where they're in love. I just don't understand how the heck they have all these deep feelings toward one another? They knew each other for 2 days max before they were in a lake and he was all, "I don't think we can ever be just friends?" Such a confusing and strange film. Surely people 16 and older are smarter than this?
Also: As a side note I don't understand the BS this movie got before opening day. This relationship wasn't "abusive" in the least. Hardin was actually really sweet and the bet wasn't that big of a deal. She fell in love, he fell in love. He cried like a baby in the rain for her. I am NOT going to sit through part 2 of a movie where this chick is going to berate him and for there to be no plot again. NO.
Searching (2018)
Everyone needs to see this movie.
Everyone (including people without children) should see this movie. If nothing else is reminds you of the evils that are out there because your mind will be spinning all over the place thinking of the different scenarios.
Even though I figured out the "twist" pretty early on, I wasn't disappointed. I also loved the unique way it was shot (the audience is invited into the computer screen and instead of watching the movie unfold it's almost like we play a part in it which further helps us have a deeper connection.) I thought it was brilliant.
A Simple Favor (2018)
One of the better movies this year.
This movie ticked all my boxes.
-Dark humor
-Suspense
-Twists
-Something different
-Great actors
The first half of the movie was fantastic. The last half dragged a bit. And the ending of the movie was over the top and then some, but overall it was a good movie.
Peppermint (2018)
Great concept. Terrible execution.
This movie was a great concept. I'm a fan of vigilante justice, but this one fell short.
I'll keep this short and sweet.
Pros:
-great concept.
Cons:
-The watcher was never able to identify with out heroine. She basically was a charactercher and it made it hard to root for her.
-Unfortunately, this movie jumped ahead and we weren't able to take the ride with her. We saw the aftermath.
All the people the viewer would want dead were already dead by the time the film jumped ahead five years. The lawyer who tried to bribe her, the three gangsters who killed her family...all dead.
-the only thing we got a front row seat to her trying to take down the guy who ordered the hit.
-She obviously went to study her fighting craft for 5 years, but we were never privy to that either.
- The dialogue was terrible. Like cringe worthy.
5 stars is being generous.
Bird Box (2018)
LOTS of potholes and unanswered questions.
If it wasn't for Sandra's acting, I would have DNFed. I should also mention I didn't read the book (I know the book was written before The Happening came out, so I don't think it plagiarized anything like some people are suggesting.)
But I didn't read the book (I have no desire too now after this movie) but maybe some of these questions were answered there, and Netflix dropped the ball.
I'll start with the good first.
-Sandra's acting. As always she proves her craft is top notch.
The first 15 minutes of the film was action packed and had me on the edge of my seat. Everything from the fear of watching people go crazy, to meeting the other characters and them taking up shelter in the home, it all was on point.
-The symbolism of the ending.
What I did NOT like:
- SO. MANY. UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. Lord, where do I begin?
- Felix and the female cop. What happened to them? (In my mind they became the people in the cars) but there is nothing to support that, so it's just my own mind trying to make sense of it.
- The river. But before I get to that, I should note My husband HATED this movie because he just didn't understand how someone could ever navigate a river and continue heading in direction if they were blindfolded. He also hated that there was no explanation for anything. Like it made him so mad he couldn't enjoy the rest of the movie.
However, the river WAS a little over the top in terms of believe ability.
- We never get an answer as to why this is happening in the first place. Which, normally I can wrap my head around (sometimes stuff just happens as such is life.) But this was...I don't know. Lazy?
-Why are some people dying but others aren't? Aside from the obvious (blind people), I don't understand why most were dying, but others weren't. MY guess, in the beginning, was that Sandra's character didn't die because she was pregnant (and babies can't see) so somehow the life-form she was carrying was protecting her. BUT again, that was just ME filling in the blanks for that character. It was NEVER discussed why some people weren't dying when they were exposed. I know it's because we needed more bad guys to kill the good guys to create conflict etc, but again, a little explanation would have been nice.
-The chemistry/ romance between Tom and Sandra. *sigh* I didn't feel the romance/ love between them. Like I thought they made GREAT friends, but there wasn't a romantic spark between them. I wouldn't care because this wasn't a romance, but the consequence down the line was that when Tom ended up dying, the emotional element wasn't there for me. (I felt for the children though.) Even though, again, I know it wasn't a romance, I personally wish there was another was another scene between them, something that made me see their romantic connection (not even sex) just...I don't know...something. For the sake of character development. Heck, I felt more of a connection between Sandra when she was drinking in the kitchen with that guy than I did with her and Tom. I guess what I'm saying is, I just wished they would have remained friends because the romance aspect felt forced.
- Same issues with her chemistry with Olivia. The little girl (Olivia's daughter) played a bigger role than the biological son did, and we're meant to believe that Sandra's loyalty to this girl is because she was "so close" with her mother. (think woman raising her best friend's child after she died kind of relationship.)
That said, there was a scene with the little girl in the river that made me tear up (I actually added another star because of it.) It was the scene where Sandra announced that one of them were going to have to open their eyes and look in order to tell her what direction to head in. Her little boy volunteered twice but each time she said, "I will decide who it is." And the little girl...man, she just knew. It broke my heart.
-I was also waiting for something super traumatic or intense to happen during the river scene or the forest scene after. Like my adrenaline was pumping and I was ready for the big showdown to freedom. But...there wasn't much of one. I honestly thought she was going to have to gouge one the children's eyes out or even her own eyes out in the forest in order to save them, but alas. Nope. It was a fairly quick scene (just some voices) before they found safety at the blind school. (That part was brilliant.)
In short, It started off as a dystopian/apocalyptic thriller with some serious potential, but ended up becoming this strange, I guess....inspirational journey? That wasn't really all that inspirational.
If I had paid money to see this film in a theater, I would have felt ripped off.
Hollywood Dirt (2017)
As usual, the book was better but the movie adaptation was better than Hollywood blockbusters.
6.5 out of 10.
I read the book a few years ago and only had some minor issues and overall thought it was a decent read. That being said, there were some great things about this movie and some not so great and rather stiff and uncomfortable moments that should have been executed better.
I'll start with the things that I liked.
The length was good. Hollywood blockbuster films are rather short these days and in that we lose characterization. Although we did lose some important scenes from the book, I thought they did a good job at giving us the overall essence of the film and stayed true.
Casting for the role of Summer was spot on, although at times her excessive facial expressions and delivery of lines was a little off. Same goes for the actor who played Cole.
One thing the two actors did have together, though was chemistry.
Which brings me to another highlight of the film. The love scenes were the perfect combination of tasteful and raunchy and overall I thought it was well done. The two actors clearly have chemistry together, so nothing felt forced.
The setting for the film was spot on, although at times it was clear there was use of a green screen. Then again, this wasn't a big Hollywood blockbuster so it was understandable.
Another thing I liked was the casting for the role of Brad DeLuca. I actually thought he was the most talented in the film.
Things I had issues with:
-The casting of the role for Ben. In the book, he was one of my favorite characters, so I might be biased. Unfortunately, in the film the charisma aspect was missing from the character and he and Summer's relationship felt off and forced, which was a shame because it was amazing in the book.
-The acting for The Fortune Bottle. Obviously, we know from the book and the synopsis that the main characters are involved in making and acting in a film within a film. I understand that there had to be a distinct difference in regards to the acting of the main characters Summer and Cole vs the actors they were playing on screen in the Fortune Bottle, however, it was bad. The Fortune bottle scenes were so bad and uncomfortable, both me and the friends I watched it with visibly cringed. And given that a large portion of the film was based around them acting in the movie, it goes without saying that it ruined a good portion of my enjoyment for the movie.
- Cocky. In the book, he had a bigger role and was used for more endearing comedic relief and character growth. Even in the trailer for the movie they made cocky out to be a major character like he was in the books and I for one was very excited about that. As strange as it seems, the rooster helped Cole's growth in the book and it's so sad that aside from a few remarks that the relationship with Cocky didn't really happen. I know it sounds silly if you haven't read the book, and you probably think I'm crazy, but it could have been so much more.
-There were a few stiff moments (the scene where Cole takes over building the fence come to mind) and a few others which didn't flow as well.
Overall, it wasn't a bad movie. The book was better. But the film was better than a lifetime movie, but NOT nearly as good as a showtime, HBO,or Netflix original series or movie.
Passionflix has some work to do and an uphill battle and I'd urge them to go for some indie romance books with real character dynamic and maybe even controversial reads to make some real gripping romance movies that will get people talking in the future. Otherwise I foresee it being a big flop.