
TheLittleSongbird
Joined Jan 2009
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'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Dance, Lies and Videotape" (2020)
Opening thoughts: Despite it being a premise that could go either way in execution (with it either being harrowing and creepy or too sleazy and predictable), the dance setting really intrigued as a big fan of ballet and have always loved it when stories in the 'Law and Order' franchise revolve around music or dance. What was also notable was the casting of cult director/writers John Waters, which got a lot of hype when advertised and 'Special Victims Unit' does have a good track record on the whole with heavily hyped casting living up to the hype.
On first watch, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" (wonderful title that has a cult film ring to it) was another Season 21 episode that didn't come together for me and the hype wasn't really lived up to. On rewatch, it still left me with very mixed feelings and really wanted to like it more. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, instead being pretty borderline. There are good things but also a lot of problems, there were definitely worse episodes in Season 21 but also better in what is something of a middling episode in ranking the season.
Good things: There are good things about "Dance, Lies and Videotape". The production values are typically solid, with the right amount of grit and slickness. The music has presence without dominating and the dramatic moments are quite haunting. The ballet setting is great, with a good sense of how tough professional dancing is, and loved what was seen of the dancing. Wish there was more though.
Almost all the script is not particularly good, but there was a bright spot. Which was Rollins' dig at Carisi in regard to whether he had any ideas or keep playing the I'm the DA and I want more. The acting is all fine, with Waters making the most of his screen time and doing a good job.
Bad things: Having said all of that, this is an example of hyped guest casting that doesn't quite live up to it. While Waters' performance is absolutely fine, one would think that with how much hype it got before airing that it would be a quite big role. When in actuality his screen time is not large and for my tastes too short. The dialogue really lacks spark and tautness, shining only with Rollins' Carisi dig.
Story wise, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" promised more than it delivered, really appreciated it tackling this difficult subject that is important to address but it could have done a lot more with it. It's a hard hitting subject but even with some no frills scenes it did feel a bit too safe and phoned in with the way it's executed here to the extent that the episode was very forgettable shortly afterwards. It is also not always easy to follow, with too many characters (almost all of them bland except for Ashley) and an over stuffed second half that tries to do too much with not enough time to tell it. There is not enough suspense and the pace drags in the first third from taking too long to set up.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, watchable but pretty forgettable.
5/10.
Opening thoughts: Despite it being a premise that could go either way in execution (with it either being harrowing and creepy or too sleazy and predictable), the dance setting really intrigued as a big fan of ballet and have always loved it when stories in the 'Law and Order' franchise revolve around music or dance. What was also notable was the casting of cult director/writers John Waters, which got a lot of hype when advertised and 'Special Victims Unit' does have a good track record on the whole with heavily hyped casting living up to the hype.
On first watch, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" (wonderful title that has a cult film ring to it) was another Season 21 episode that didn't come together for me and the hype wasn't really lived up to. On rewatch, it still left me with very mixed feelings and really wanted to like it more. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, instead being pretty borderline. There are good things but also a lot of problems, there were definitely worse episodes in Season 21 but also better in what is something of a middling episode in ranking the season.
Good things: There are good things about "Dance, Lies and Videotape". The production values are typically solid, with the right amount of grit and slickness. The music has presence without dominating and the dramatic moments are quite haunting. The ballet setting is great, with a good sense of how tough professional dancing is, and loved what was seen of the dancing. Wish there was more though.
Almost all the script is not particularly good, but there was a bright spot. Which was Rollins' dig at Carisi in regard to whether he had any ideas or keep playing the I'm the DA and I want more. The acting is all fine, with Waters making the most of his screen time and doing a good job.
Bad things: Having said all of that, this is an example of hyped guest casting that doesn't quite live up to it. While Waters' performance is absolutely fine, one would think that with how much hype it got before airing that it would be a quite big role. When in actuality his screen time is not large and for my tastes too short. The dialogue really lacks spark and tautness, shining only with Rollins' Carisi dig.
Story wise, "Dance, Lies and Videotape" promised more than it delivered, really appreciated it tackling this difficult subject that is important to address but it could have done a lot more with it. It's a hard hitting subject but even with some no frills scenes it did feel a bit too safe and phoned in with the way it's executed here to the extent that the episode was very forgettable shortly afterwards. It is also not always easy to follow, with too many characters (almost all of them bland except for Ashley) and an over stuffed second half that tries to do too much with not enough time to tell it. There is not enough suspense and the pace drags in the first third from taking too long to set up.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, watchable but pretty forgettable.
5/10.
'The Storyteller: Greek Myths' "Theseus and the Minotaur" (1987)
Opening thoughts: Was a big fan of 'The Storyteller' as a child and still do consider it a timeless classic. Didn't even know that 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths' even existed until it appeared as a recommendation when working my way through reviewing all the episodes of 'The Storyteller'. It immediately interested me, as someone who has always really liked Michael Gambon and who loves Greek mythology. While loving the original story, "Theseus and the Minotaur" was not quite as highly anticipated as the other three, having seen some very badly designed and characterised minotaurs in film and television.
Luckily, that was the complete opposite in "Theseus and the Minotaur". In fact, the minotaur is the main interest here in another truly excellent episode of 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths'. "Theseus and the Minotaur" may not have "Perseus and the Gorgon's" creepiness (or at least quite in this case) or "Orpeheus and Eurydice's" poignant emotional impact, but everything that is so great about the show is obvious here and it is a great accessible introduction to the story.
Good things: It still holds up incredibly well, it is beautifully and atmospherically shot and has the standout setting of the show with the genuinely creepy maze. Also notable is the look of the minotaur, was honestly expecting it to look cheap and goofy considering the show's age but it is actually pretty imposing and scary. The minotaur is also genuinely sinister in characterisation.
Music is rousing in parts and haunting in others, in a way that never jars. Writing never came over as awkward or cheesy and is always intriguing and thought provoking. The storytelling is also spot on and truly arresting, mixing rousing adventure and dark suspense adeptly sometimes in a way reminiscent od something like 'The Dark Crystal'.
Everything in the maze is suspenseful in a nail biting way and the climax thrills. Theseus is a strong, heroic and relatable hero and the minotaur as said is very memorably sinister, one of the creepiest minotaurs seen for me actually. The acting is fine from all, though actors in the other episodes stood out more. The minotaur comes off best.
Closing thoughts: Overall, excellent.
10/10.
Opening thoughts: Was a big fan of 'The Storyteller' as a child and still do consider it a timeless classic. Didn't even know that 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths' even existed until it appeared as a recommendation when working my way through reviewing all the episodes of 'The Storyteller'. It immediately interested me, as someone who has always really liked Michael Gambon and who loves Greek mythology. While loving the original story, "Theseus and the Minotaur" was not quite as highly anticipated as the other three, having seen some very badly designed and characterised minotaurs in film and television.
Luckily, that was the complete opposite in "Theseus and the Minotaur". In fact, the minotaur is the main interest here in another truly excellent episode of 'The Storyteller: Greek Myths'. "Theseus and the Minotaur" may not have "Perseus and the Gorgon's" creepiness (or at least quite in this case) or "Orpeheus and Eurydice's" poignant emotional impact, but everything that is so great about the show is obvious here and it is a great accessible introduction to the story.
Good things: It still holds up incredibly well, it is beautifully and atmospherically shot and has the standout setting of the show with the genuinely creepy maze. Also notable is the look of the minotaur, was honestly expecting it to look cheap and goofy considering the show's age but it is actually pretty imposing and scary. The minotaur is also genuinely sinister in characterisation.
Music is rousing in parts and haunting in others, in a way that never jars. Writing never came over as awkward or cheesy and is always intriguing and thought provoking. The storytelling is also spot on and truly arresting, mixing rousing adventure and dark suspense adeptly sometimes in a way reminiscent od something like 'The Dark Crystal'.
Everything in the maze is suspenseful in a nail biting way and the climax thrills. Theseus is a strong, heroic and relatable hero and the minotaur as said is very memorably sinister, one of the creepiest minotaurs seen for me actually. The acting is fine from all, though actors in the other episodes stood out more. The minotaur comes off best.
Closing thoughts: Overall, excellent.
10/10.
Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo
'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' "A Fright at the Opera"/"The Invasion of the Scooby Snatchers"/"Scooby and the Bandit" (1981)
Opening thoughts: On the whole, 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' is one of the weakest of the Scooby Doo shows. It did though have a very watchable first season, with the best episodes actually being very good and only one episode being below average. After the first season, the show very quickly went downhill and never really got better despite some watchable shorts here and there. Shaggy and Scooby were always the most interesting characters and didn't mind that they were main protagonists, did mind though that the other protagonist is one of the main reasons as to why Season 2 onward did not work.
This is an above average triple bill and one of the better faring ones for 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo'. It boasts one of the show's best shorts, which despite having its faults is the short that stopped the triple bill from being average at best. One short was also decent, though uneven but good enough to make the triple bill worth watching. What stops this from being better than it was was that it also had one of the show's worst shorts, that was really lacking in most areas with little redeeming.
"A Fright at the Opera" is the best of the three shorts and is one of the show's best. It isn't perfect, the recycled "it's for you" joke is a little repetitive and leaving the truth about the phantom inconclusive made the short feel very incomplete. The animation mostly is pretty flat, which was true in all three shorts. Did love the fun, atmospheric setting however and the chemistry between the gang. Shaggy and Scooby are good fun and at least the short doesn't suffer from Scrappy overkill as tends to be the case. It is one of the funniest shorts of the show, like the last scene with the villains and the phantom is one of the show's best designed characters and is creepy.
Worth seeing too is "The Invasion of the Scooby Snatchers". Which was very cute and amusing, with the very funny clones stealing the show and the music and voice acting are fine. As are Shaggy, Scooby and their chemistry. Some serious suspension of disbelief is needed however, with it being so obvious that the clones weren't the real people with the lighter colour and antennas yet nobody could see that. The short did also feel too short and rushed.
"Scooby and the Bandit" didn't work at all, saved only by the music and voice acting (both well done in all three shorts). On top of being too short and rushed feeling too, betrayed especially in the animation and how everything is wrapped up in such a hurry, it felt incredibly tired and repetitive. There is nothing funny or original, can't tell you how truly annoying the "shut up Wilbur" thing got, which made it come over as really bland. Scrappy is overused and annoying and Scooby and Shaggy don't have enough to do, the villains have no distinction to them (pretty much standard bullies) and are obnoxious.
Closing thoughts: Overall, one quite good short, one decent but uneven one and one very bad one, which makes this triple bill one of the better faring ones of the show (where most of them don't fare that well).
6/10.
Opening thoughts: On the whole, 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' is one of the weakest of the Scooby Doo shows. It did though have a very watchable first season, with the best episodes actually being very good and only one episode being below average. After the first season, the show very quickly went downhill and never really got better despite some watchable shorts here and there. Shaggy and Scooby were always the most interesting characters and didn't mind that they were main protagonists, did mind though that the other protagonist is one of the main reasons as to why Season 2 onward did not work.
This is an above average triple bill and one of the better faring ones for 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo'. It boasts one of the show's best shorts, which despite having its faults is the short that stopped the triple bill from being average at best. One short was also decent, though uneven but good enough to make the triple bill worth watching. What stops this from being better than it was was that it also had one of the show's worst shorts, that was really lacking in most areas with little redeeming.
"A Fright at the Opera" is the best of the three shorts and is one of the show's best. It isn't perfect, the recycled "it's for you" joke is a little repetitive and leaving the truth about the phantom inconclusive made the short feel very incomplete. The animation mostly is pretty flat, which was true in all three shorts. Did love the fun, atmospheric setting however and the chemistry between the gang. Shaggy and Scooby are good fun and at least the short doesn't suffer from Scrappy overkill as tends to be the case. It is one of the funniest shorts of the show, like the last scene with the villains and the phantom is one of the show's best designed characters and is creepy.
Worth seeing too is "The Invasion of the Scooby Snatchers". Which was very cute and amusing, with the very funny clones stealing the show and the music and voice acting are fine. As are Shaggy, Scooby and their chemistry. Some serious suspension of disbelief is needed however, with it being so obvious that the clones weren't the real people with the lighter colour and antennas yet nobody could see that. The short did also feel too short and rushed.
"Scooby and the Bandit" didn't work at all, saved only by the music and voice acting (both well done in all three shorts). On top of being too short and rushed feeling too, betrayed especially in the animation and how everything is wrapped up in such a hurry, it felt incredibly tired and repetitive. There is nothing funny or original, can't tell you how truly annoying the "shut up Wilbur" thing got, which made it come over as really bland. Scrappy is overused and annoying and Scooby and Shaggy don't have enough to do, the villains have no distinction to them (pretty much standard bullies) and are obnoxious.
Closing thoughts: Overall, one quite good short, one decent but uneven one and one very bad one, which makes this triple bill one of the better faring ones of the show (where most of them don't fare that well).
6/10.