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Reviews
A Christmas Story Christmas (2022)
Nothing like the original
What made the original great was that it was based on one of the acclaimed author Jean Shepherd's books. He also wrote the screenplay and narrated it. (His cameo is the guy who says "You'll shoot your eye out kid" in Higbee's.) Shepherd's books were extremely funny and wry which is what made the film a classic.
This movie has no Shepherd content. The humor is terribly dumbed down compared to the original. And the acting, aside from Erinn Hayes, is simply bad.
The one real holdover is the Bumpus family and it's not done well at all.
Don't waste your time. Have you and your kids read "In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash" instead. Or stream his reading of the relevant chapters at the very least.
Listening to Shepherd on the radio (WOR-AM) greatly enriched the lives of millions of people in NY Metro. We are the ones who appreciated the original film the most.
The Song Remains the Same (1976)
Terrible concert footage
If you expect to see how the musicians actually performed, this is not the movie for you. The band had 3 of the most talented musicians in the history of rock but you'd never know it from this film. The cinematographer chose to focus in their faces rather on their hands. I wanted to see Page play his amazing solos and how Bonham and Jones operated as perhaps the greatest rhythm section of all time. Nope. Far too little time spent on that and far too much on unimportant things.
This is not even close to great concert films of the same era. "The Last Waltz" and "The Kids Are Alright " put the musician's virtuosity front and center. Yeah, the former was directed by one of the best but the latter (and dozens others) weren't and they still blow this away.
I learned virtually nothing about Led Zeppelin from this movie. I wasted my time: don't waste yours.
Our Flag Means Death (2022)
A smart comedy
I didn't know what to make of this show until Taika Waititi showed up. Then I knew it was going to be worth watching. It's a smart comedy that has a great amount of farce.
As for the people who say it's "woke" because of the cast or their roles, they clearly have never enjoyed a Mel Brooks movie. He was playing with gay characters and silly casting 50 years ago.
Age of Tanks (2017)
Very inaccurate
The Anti-American bias of the film makers is so obvious. I have studied military history for decades. This series barely mentions the US and the role that our tanks played since WW1. Yes, the Sherman was a bad weapon but what about the Patton and Abrams? The series would lead you to believe that the good American models didn't exist.
Ozark (2017)
Season 4 bad acting
I was never a fan of Laura Kinney. She's a C-list actress at best. This season she's excruciatingly wooden and...just bad. Really sucks the air out of the episodes.
Hired Gun (2016)
Not real world
The movie does a pretty good job explaining the role of a hired gun. Unfortunately, the film maker completely ignored anything outside of the US. Most great rock has and still comes out of the UK and not a single British musician is in the film. It also ignores almost all American genres except for hair bands and heavy metal.
The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Only for nostalgia
Having grown up in North Jersey, I was familiar with so many locales and character types in "The Sopranos " The first strip club I ever went to was the Bing.
This movie really isn't good at all. I stuck with it having grown up during that period. I was sucked in when they played the radio ad for Palisades Amusement Park.
If your not from North Jersey and grew up amongst Italians in the 60s/70s, don't waste your time.
The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Only for nostalgia
Having grown up in North Jersey, I was familiar with so many locales and character types in "The Sopranos " The first strip club I ever went to was the Bing.
This movie really isn't good at all. I stuck with it having grown up during that period. I was sucked in when they played the radio ad for Palisades Amusement Park.
If your not from North Jersey and grew up amongst Italians in the 60s/70s, don't waste your time.
Hit and Run (2021)
Unrealistic
I tried for 3 episodes. The show asks you to suspend your disbelief more than a bad sci-fi series. The Lior Raz character would have been jailed and prosecuted for so many criminal acts by the end of the 2nd episode. The NYPD are portrayed as boobs who can't catch a murderer (Raz) despite an over abundance of evidence.
I usually stick with series made in Israel but had to bail on this one.
Dave (2020)
Season 2 NG
I enjoyed Season 1 a great deal. Part of why is because you rooted for Dave. Season 2 he's become a very selfish and unlikable character, sending the show down the drain.
Dave (2020)
Season 2 NG
I enjoyed Season 1 a great deal. Part of why is because you rooted for Dave. Season 2 he's become a very selfish and unlikable character, sending the show down the drain.
Dave (2020)
Season 2 NG
I enjoyed Season 1 a great deal. Part of why is because you rooted for Dave. Season 2 he's become a very selfish and unlikable character, sending the show down the drain.
Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021)
Not sure yet.
I'm trying really really hard to love this show but can't yet. I really enjoy Annie Murphy and her acting in the "dark" parts of the screenplay. The problem is that the "sitcom" parts are so cringeworthy and go on far too long. Showing the 2 parts is a great idea but the show would be much more engaging if it was a 90/10 split between the 2 scenarios. And having lived near Worcester for 20+years, I can say that Kevin and crew are completely unrealistic. People there simply aren't nearly that stupid.
In the Heights (2021)
Contrived
As a New Yorker, I enjoyed all the references to things I love about The City. However, the plot is contrived and the music is mediocre at best. I was really bothered by the Nina storyline as it was so far fetched. Why not go to Columbia University IN the Heights?
The film is an hour too long. Had it been 90 minutes, I would have given it 6 stars.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Season 3 was simply terrible
This past season may be the worst season of any ST Series of all time. No action, too much talking. All about peace, love and understanding. The Adira/Gray storyline was totally superfluous. The worst part is that it took until the penultimate episode to find the reason for The Burn and it turns out to be a child's temper tantrum? I'm a total Trekkie but I hope this show either gets an entirely new writing and showrunner team or gets cancelled outright. It's been renewed but the switch to "Paramount+" might change that.
Warrior Nun (2020)
Utter waste of time
I watched it because, while the pace was far too slow, there were some moments of humor and good for fight scenes. I won't spoil anything other than to say the finale is horrible. You've watched a season long commercial for a second season.