AgDave00's Reviews

Supergirl: It's a Super Life (2020)

Season 5, Episode 13

6/10

7 June 2020

This show has at once been interesting AND frustrating, for very normal reasons. As a human being, each one of us understands the struggle between what we should say and what we DO say. I know there wouldn't be a show if each of the characters handled things rightly in every situation. And it was be patently false and not true to our life experience. With that said, this review is difficult to write because I do not want to offend anyone, but it may be unavoidable.

With all superhero shows and movies, you see the external struggle against some evil while they also have an internal struggle. Because of the nature of movies, and the roll out times being much further apart, the "messages" of the heroes being good and the bad guys being bad is more powerfully nuanced with their own failings - not the least of which is how often they need help. But since I've been watching several episodes of this a day, a recurring theme from "Supergirl" and those who work/live near her, have made the differences between Supergirl (the show) and other shows I've seen is marked in its contrast.

Part of the joy of life is the unknown. There is a joy that can be found in the myriad possibilities - both in our choices and the choices of others, but then the outcomes of those choices as well! But in Supergirl, the possibilities are predictable, which challenges the viewer to reject part of that human joy of wondering what will happen, i.e. what comes next. So what possibilities have been removed from Supergirl, and therefore from my viewing experience? Simply this: I know (A) the following scenes in ANY of the shows will lead (B) HERE:

Kara/Supergirl will doubt herself/choices, but other characters will express she always does what's right (even if it doesn't turn out well).
Lena will believe herself righteous and good and be agreed with, but the very things she hates about others is what she herself does (but that's when it's okay).
When crossover heroes join the show, they too will exalt Supergirl as the best of them, but her choices are clearly not always the best despite the ego strokes.
When Superman shows up to "help" with a problem he will be spoken of as essential, but he will both 1) fail where Supergirl does not and 2) tell her she's always been stronger/wiser/better than him.

After awhile, you have to realize that radical feminism has influenced the show to an unreasonable degree. As a father of a daughter, I want her to know her ability and strength more than anyone. I ALSO know she will fail often and fall HUGE unless she doesn't also understand her absolutely horrible selfishness and self-serving behaviors and justifications of her abhorrent behavior. Thing is, I have a son and I'm teaching him the same thing. They both need to learn that their shared weakness doesn't become a strength just by trying to paint it as such. "My weakness is I care too much. I'm wrong to always seek another's good over my own. I'm sorry that I love you so much it brings you pain." Come on. Really? It's not truth; it's false humility wrapped in self-righteousness.

And it's gotten old. It's tired, but expected. Curiosity keeps me watching, not any joy about possibilities... When the crisis comes up, it's possible that the show's writers will surprise me by writing Supergirl as a believably understandable character. But it's not likely.

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God Friended Me (2018–2020)

7/10

Repetitive but Good Fluff Show

16 May 2020

GOD FRIENDED ME may not be a new idea (Highway to Heaven, Touched By An Angel, Joan of Arcadia, Kevin (Probably) Saves The World, etc.), but it was a well done show. The actors were good, handling their lines well, and were beautifully framed by the scenes and the cameras that caught them both. I enjoyed the main characters, but you had good temporary players as well. I also enjoyed how these single-show focal points showed up in other shows as well. It allowed for a greater development of the characters and their stories. The themes of helping others, showing concern for another's problems, and personally struggling with your own issues as you "live the story" is pretty boiler plate, but it's a good concept with GFM. The faithful/atheist backdrop of the show is tangential despite its front-and-center focus in the show. You won't be offended if you're an atheist or a Christian. (At least I don't think you SHOULD be.) So that's the good part.

As is regularly the case, however, the show is no different than any other in having the actors speak in an affected (overly emotional), yet strangely mute, fashion when the watcher knows what needs to be said... and it isn't. This is a regular concern in shows today, so I'm not picking on GFM. Maybe that's an industry "trick" to keep people engaged, but it turns off people like me, and I've stopped watching a number of shows because of it. Honestly, I needed a fluff show to binge while I did other things, and this was it. I liked the idea of a "God account" technologically calling an atheist to help others, and the man's father being a pastor, and wanted to see the ideas the show was a vehicle to convey. I began watching the show out of curiosity, but I continued to watch to see how truly unbiblical it could be. It's understandable in light of the culture and the reality of certain denominations that hold the Bible loosely. But the negative, unintended consequences of the show's subject matter and soft-shell approach to faith is that neither religious "side" will see the point in following the show. If you're a solid believer, you'll recognize the show's writing as absent of a believer's influence, and the dialogue (ESPECIALLY from the pulpit) is more motivational speaking than faith-based. If you're a progressive believer, you may be drawn to the purposelessness of the faith element in the first place. It's just window dressing anyway.

Miles' dad is an Episcopalian pastor who sounds more like a Unitarian/Universalist. Over two seasons, God is defined a number of times in terms that are more "this is how I feel" than "this is what God says"-so who cares, right? You either agree with the stated feelings or you don't, but none of the sentiments are transformative. The Hollywood pattern of writing a biblical person of faith (with conservative/Bible-based interpretations of life, culture, and relationships) as a curmudgeon and rude is so played out as to be expected. Far from being accurate of the majority though it may be, the lion's share of Christ followers is 2D and 8-bit. Maybe that's the fault of Christians like me who love performing but didn't want to do so much of what the industry asked of me. And maybe that's the fault of writers and producers who can see such portrayals as something deeper than a caricature and sign off on it. "Looks good to me, Sam, cast it and knock it outta the park!" If Hollywood's concern is at bottom finances (does it make me money?), then maybe it's time to demand accurate portrayals of EVEN the positions we personally disagree with. Right?

Bottom line: I'd rate the show as a solid 5, but I'm giving it a loose 7 because at least the show held promise and aimed to bring people together. It wasn't a home run, or a swing and a miss, but the show got on base. If I could suggest the writers aim for less overt hatred of those they disagree with, they might craft a show that people would care about and won't get cancelled after two seasons.

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The Morning Show: Lonely at the Top (2019)

Season 1, Episode 8

9/10

Good & Uncomfortable

26 April 2020

Warning: Spoilers

What to say about this episode? My title covers the breadth of my comments, but perhaps something else needs to be said. The show is very good, but I;ll say why. I am also made uncomfortable by the show, and tell you why there as well. Unapologetically, I'm not a fan of the language on the show, but I'm not oblivious to the fact that people talk like that. I'm also not oblivious to the dangers of sexual exploitation in our world which frames the context of every episode. Though I can see the show running its course on this subject matter, I believe they're also laying the ground work for additional seasons that cover much more than just sexual abuse. This episode especially dealt with so much that people know but don't often say, and for that reason deserves a review.

In every episode, Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell have been explosive in their depth of character. For both to shed their masterful, comedic personas from Friends and The Office to adopt this gravitas is nothing short of awe-inspiring. You long to see them succeed even as a part of you desires that they also be found out for the pain they've caused. In that way alone, "Lonely At The Top" takes off the gloves and kidney punches the viewer into submission. The relationships and report established in earlier episodes, and culminating in this episode, almost capture you unawares. With such dialogue, cinematography, and situational reality, we would be foolish to NOT watch in rapt silence as the nagging thoughts and questions run through our own minds: "Wow, how could he not see what he's doing? How could she miss the effect this is having on her family? And have I been that blind in the past?"

This is where the review gets uncomfortable. The gritty despicableness of sexual acts being conveyed on the big or small screen, especially when it's non-consensual, puts the viewer in a strange headspace. Some enjoy seeing such things, the man's and woman's body, the actions themselves, though I don't doubt some may be able to watch them with a detached and ambivalent clarity. But I don't know anyone who does. I know people who talk about how so-and-so is hot, how they'd "do" her, or they'd love to bounce a quarter off that @%$ or tickle those abs. I truly admire those who truly CAN witness such scenes unaffected, but I'm not there. We see Mitch being incredibly caring toward Alex and Hannah, and saying such profound words that acknowledge the pleasure and pain they enjoy/endure with their privilege. But he also completely misses the inner turmoil they all endure, and how their lives have brought all of that together.

I appreciate the great skill shown in this show, from start to finish. And I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the art that was Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Girl, I know you're an actress but I BELIEVED YOU! I saw each cranial explosion of thoughts, the internal screams that couldn't quite surface as you struggled with what was happening and, then, how you were unable to be addressed like the human who needed your experience to be heard. You showed fire, confusion, fear, hurt, and a deadened acceptance that was absolutely chilling. And I hated every minute of it. Not only do I know you were an actress who had to play the role (and despite the acts being faked, there were some parts that could not have been anything less than what they were), but you are a fictional "stand-in" for women across the world who are abused and never see their abuser punished. And you're working in an industry that continues to blur the lines between what needs to be shown and what doesn't, which will unavoidably continue to call for women (young and old) to play those roles and tell those tales.

This episode wasn't just good; it was great. It was very well done, but it was uncomfortable. I am thankful this tragedy is being addressed by a show, but I would hope that it would not be a part in propogating the cycle to continue the hurt. We should all learn something by watching the many struggle with feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. The reality that those who are hurt, and those who know something about the hurt, feel as though they can't come forward is a shame, and the reason who some many abusers and so much abuse can continue. Perhaps the worst kidney punch of them all is how this episode shows us the dangers of allowing fame, money, position, or fear keep so many from telling the truth. We can do better. We MUST do better. My daughter and son demand it!

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Outer Banks (2020– )

7/10

Real Life Is No Vacation

19 April 2020

Me and my wife went to Buxton on our honeymoon, and I was struck by how beautiful it was. It even rained while we were there, but the scenic, irenic location struck me even then as 'divided.' We were there to celebrate the joining of two families in a place we might never be able to afford to visit again. And we were being served by people who lived there.I can't even imagine what that would look like. You can always assume that some are there just working because they live there, while others are weekenders or tourists like we were, and then there are those whose circles you'll never walk in because you don't even know what that kind of money looks like. Sure, a bunch of details about the Outer Banks, but not much about the show, Outer Banks. But stay with me.

TV shows and movies are observably slanted toward the story they're telling. And anyone who's ever been into treasure hunts (hello, Goonies anyone?) is NOT going to mind the hunt of a potential sunken treasure--no spoilers will be spilt here! Outer Banks plays that line and, with the suspension of disbelief and the obvious hyperbole in the characters and situations, the world of the show being created is nevertheless believable. Now, with almost 13 years of marriage under our belts, we see this show that confirms what we saw back then. Everyone understands relationship issues, money issues, drama, bullies, and family relationships that leave much to be desired.

Outer Banks tells a story that is at once hyperbolic and relatable, both "there's no freakin' way all of that would happen to the same people" and "I've had the same conversations with my friends," and I can say that at 42! I'm interested to see where the show goes in the future.

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To Save a Life (2009)

10/10

To Be Pleasantly Surprised... Again

30 January 2010

Just so you know how my seeing the film came about, as a youth minister I sometimes get invited to free advance viewings of Christian films. As an actor and writer myself, I go for the "freeness" of it all but rarely have high expectations where Christian movies are concerned (and here's where you may get upset with me)-I expect professionalism to be sacrificed for a message. This is not that movie.

During the screening I genuinely laughed because it was funny, not because it's my Christian duty to support a Christian work (as is too often required for sub-par work). I was pleasantly surprised throughout the film by the performances of the actors, the use of humor and silence, and the over all quality of the video, sound, and editing aspects. These things must be done well to avoid my disapproval and I regret to say there are very few Christian movies which do not-at least on some level-make me ashamed of my affiliation (not with Christ, to be sure) with other Christians. To Save A Life has set the bar remarkably high and challenges other Christian endeavors to sacrifice nothing if they truly believe their message is one that needs to be heard.

To Save A Life confronts its audience with the pains and struggles of teenagers who must confront issues like depression, teen sex and pregnancy, peer pressure, self-mutilation, and suicide on a daily basis. The truth is met not with clever arguments or pithy sayings, but the uncomfortable tension of teens and adults living out their questions and feelings in front of us. The natural humor of relationship, which inspires us to laugh and live with these characters, is made possible by playing for the reality of a moment, not playing for a laugh. In the end, the message is not a "come to Jesus" talk that has audience members looking for aisle-walkers with Bibles or pamphlets to pass out. We are left with crucial questions and respected enough to answer them on our own-or at least given the choice to discuss them with others at our will.

The powerful question that others in this film exist under-What do you want your life to be about?-does not leave apathy as an answer anymore. Refusing to choose, or ignoring your importance, is still making a choice. The characters wrestle with their answer to this question, as with others, and our enjoyment of being a part of that journey with them is a great encouragement to ask ourselves questions as well.

On a selfish note, this film has me hoping that other artists, who happen to be Christians, will devote themselves to pursuing the same level of professional integrity in their work. I was surprised to see that so many Christians were working on this film. I was surprised that the movie's quality did not suffer at the hands of the message, but that the one complimented the other. I was surprised that I left the theater planning my return trip with others in tow and wondering how long I would have to wait to purchase it on DVD. Most importantly, I was surprised to find myself wondering why it has been publicized as a Christian movie at all. To Save A Life is simply a great movie, one that we all should see.

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Nightmare (I) (2007)

9/10

Crafted with Skill

10 April 2008

This is my second time to watch Nightmare since it came out and it was still interesting. The film is well done, good DP work, nice effects, and the work done by Ashten is top notch. Ashten appears very conscious of the needs of the camera without being conscious, and therefore self-conscious, of it. The time and effort taken with this project shows when one watches other short films that look like they were done with a home video camera. The variance in screen shots contributes to the disorienting effect without disengaging the viewer.

The script was well-written though the imagination behind what I first read brought it to life in a way I had not anticipated. One can easily surmise that great thought and work went into Nightmare before the piece was released. It shows.

Very well done.

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