Change Your Image
tlaurance
Reviews
The Report (2019)
Feels like propaganda
Acting is great, but script feels like political propaganda which makes democrats look like angels (the good guys) and republicans look like devils (stupid thugs). When a political story clearly does not show all the facts - does not show the real debate over the issue - of course you feel compelled to choose the angel's side. No brainer, right? The truth is, this is a very troubling topic and sometimes there is no right answer. This movie missed an opportunity to really push the viewer into a moral debate. And no, I am not a republican.
Riverdale (2017)
Darn
I used to read Archie Comics as a kid, so I was intrigued. After the first season, I became increasingly disappointed. This is just a 'teen' soap opera. I hesitate using the word 'teen' in my description because the the main characters are supposed to be Sophomores in high school, but their lifestyles are more like fully grown 22-25 year old adults with total freedom to do pretty much whatever they want including drinking, clubbing (in a small town lol) and staying out all night. They have fully developed bodies and sex lives as well. They can solve murders and also sing and dance like professionals, most without even practicing. Also, Cheryl and Veronica's dialog is increasingly annoying with every single line containing multiple pop-cliche phrases that are meant to be sharp and witty, but it's just too forced and too much. If they toned it down a bit, I might have been able to tolerate it. The adults / parents ,,,, most are just annoying cliche characters that are still hung up about stuff that happened in high school. Not just one or two.... almost all of them. The only parent character that seems to be believable is Luke Perry's character as Archie's dad. I liked the Jason / Polly storyline along with the Blossom family background story. Are the writers that clueless about this age group? Or were they tasked with using the brand 'Archie and the Gang' to fit entirely different characters/storyline? These characters don't really feel like Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead from the comic books.
The Favourite (2018)
Not what I expected
I absolutely loved the acting, especially Olivia Coleman's performance. Unfortunately, I expected a high-end period piece about Queen Anne, not a far-out, fictionalized dry comedy. I disliked how much fiction was inserted into this story - but that was just myself being 'off' in expectations. I suppose if one goes into this movie with different expectations, they would appreciate. I laughed out loud at the weird dance scene, tho it was one of many bizarre moments. The one-note, repetitive music score was also bizarre, and a little annoying, although it was appropriate for what I believe the director wanted you to feel. The fish-eye camera angles were... unnecessary? Maybe it is beyond my own tastes. I loved the costumes, and realistic makeup. (I can't stand it when period pieces show 21st century makeup trends. I assume what shows here is more realistic for the time and makeup quality.) At the end the of the movie, I did want more -- more of the real story. Thanks internet. Lastly, I detested the hard-to-read, acute, justified block typography. Someone apparently wants to start a new trend in graphic design which I'm hoping will not be accepted nor duplicated.... please, no.
Designated Survivor (2016)
If you liked 24, you will probably like this
This series feels a lot like '24' with much less action - and of course, not in real time like the '24' series was. There is one main storyline unraveling throughout all episodes with new characters and new information introduced and focused on within each episode. The acting and writing is just okay - this is no House of Cards. But, admittingly, I loved '24' and keep watching this series because it's my guilty pleasure. I do wish the writing had more shock and awe, and I wish it was a bit more gritty... because, let's be honest, most of us imagine the White House community has much more of an edge to it. I'm only on season 1, but so far, I'm unimpressed with the FBI character development and their performances, which is my main issue with this series. Kirkman and his family are a bit too fairytale perfect as well. I still enjoy the subject matter and watching Keiffer Sutherland in this role reversal.
Scandal (2012)
Annoying dialog, relationships and way too far-fetched
I feel the writers were striving for something like 'House of Cards,' and ended up with something like 'One Life to Live'. The story line suggests that everyone at the top, including the POTUS, only care about power, greed and lust, and have very little regard for actual real issues -- yes, everyone in Washington. Not creative at all, including the while B613 storyline. Hasn't this been done before, over and over and over again? Olivia Pope and the POTUS have an on and off affair for like 6 seasons. Seriously? Is this what the main story is really about? Ugh, who cares! And now in S7, in an effort to join the every other network's agenda for feminist PC, women are in charge of it all. Other than this idea is saturating Hollywood lately, I would normally be okay with it - but this is only too common with Shonda's other productions. I'm seriously feeling like it's more a personal agenda vs good story-telling. Unfortunately the writing of this particular scenario is not only a disappointment, but terribly unrealistic and deplorable. First of all, suggesting Kerry Washington's position would have this much power is beyond silly. Second, when the going gets tough, instead of women behaving like professionals, they just behave with pouts and ignorance. When they attempt at any diplomacy ... you know, the actual job -- they pretty much resort to blackmail and using their power in an abusive manner to get their way. What a disappointment. This is an insult to women, not something to be admired or applauded. Finally, all characters at some point talk in a monotone frenzy, kind of like someone who has had 20 cups of coffee. I believe this is to suggest these characters have an off-the-charts IQ. Its really nothing more than lazy writing. No matter how gifted someone might be at their job, most people don't talk like this. Its annoying.
Match Game (2016)
Disappointed
Growing up in the 70's, I had an appreciation for the old Match Game. Gene was charismatic enough to highlight the stars' talents and was very welcoming and respectful of the guests along with being carefree and funny at the same time. I normally like to watch Alec Baldwin, however as a host for this show, he appears a bit desperate for attention and getting laughs, rather than facilitating laughs from the stars. I actually think he would be better as a guest star rather than a host in this one since he has a very strong personality and he has the potential to be very funny, especially in the role of filling in the blank. Additionally, this version of the Match Game is not nearly as clever as the old version from the 70s. Most of the questions are blatantly requesting a sexually-toned answer -- not nearly as subtle as the old version. It's crude enough that my 17-year old daughter would probably be a bit uncomfortable watching it with us. I actually don't even think she would find it that funny because the jokes are kind of gross sometimes -- desperately gross. Don't get me wrong -- I'm no prude, but after a while, its just not that funny anymore when ALL the questions and answers are naughty and crude. It's much more fun when most of the questions are a bit challenging/creative without being so naughty, while highlighting our current events of this era -- but then adding a few shockers/blurts of naughtiness from time to time. It just seems like everyone is trying a bit too hard to be crude and R-rated instead of keeping it mostly PG with a 'hint' of R-rated innuendo. Regarding the guest stars -- I got the feeling they were roped into doing the show. I felt bad for a few of the contestants because some of the stars didn't even appear to try to win them money (or perhaps being on a game show just wasn't their thing). I'm not a big Rosie fan, but I found her quite enjoyable on this show -- she had some of the best answers and was the 'Richard Dawson' of this era. My advice -- get Betty White and a few more classic, well-known clever stars on the show, tone down the questions a bit so that the answers don't HAVE to be so naughty in nature (keep a few shockers in there), and this will be much better. I have hopes this show will be fine-tuned so I will keep watching. :)