planktonrules
I also write for Influx Magazine--where many of my opinions and reviews are also posted.
http://www.influxmagazine.com/
http://www.planktonrules.com/
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Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Monster (2004)
Once it begins, it's hard to stop watching!
When I watched the first episode of "Monster", I was expecting to see one or two episodes that evening. Several hours later, I was STILL watching episodes and found I was hooked.
The story is about Dr. Tenma, a young Japanese man who is a very skilled neurosurgeon. His life is forever changed when he disobeys the hospital administrator...choosing to work on a young boy with a gunshot wound instead of working on the mayor who suffered an aneurism. Why is this life-changing? Well, the boy turns out to be a vicious serial killer...and already at 11, he's killed several people! And, some of those are folks the Doctor didn't like...and their murder was a sort of thank you for saving him! Naturally, the Doctor cannot live with himself and he years later he ends up devoting his life to catching this young killer.
This series was based on a manga by Tatsuhiko Urahata, who also wrote the exceptional "Pluto"...another wonderfully animated and dark anime series. Well written and well worth seeing...and I can see why the show has the incredibly high overall score of 8.7.
Poker Face: The Stall (2023)
Likely to offend many viewers but the best episode of season one.
In this early episode, a barbecue chef is murdered because he no longer wants to eat or cook meat! This is, of course, a bizarre reason for murder...but what makes the show enjoyable is the evil dog. This hellish dog (which appears to be a Jack Russell) is evil...and a bit of a racist who enjoys far right wing radio. In fact, the dog is THE star of the show and Natasha Lyonne and the rest of the cast just sit back and watch the nasty dog steal the show!
Overall, VERY funny and weird...but also an episode which is bound to offend some viewers...particularly those who are from the far right. The show clearly is making fun of Rush Limbaugh-type radio hosts as well as supporters of the current president.
Poker Face: The Night Shift (2023)
On the road...
Starting in episode two, "Poker Face" begins in a different town each installment. Here, Charlie finds herself in a town in the Southwest which is incredibly lonely and rural. Before she appears in the show, you learn that a nice guy who works at Subway is murdered in order to steal his winning lottery ticket. As usual, once Charlie appears, she cuts through the lies and learns what really happened and that the death was actually NOT an accident but a murder.
This is well written, interesting and features the usual nice acting. Well worth seeing and one of the better shows of season one...which is filled with great episodes.
Conan O'Brien Must Go (2024)
Stupid...but in a good way.
After Conan O'Brien left television as a talk show host, he did a podcast as well as this HBO Max series...consisting of his traveling and meeting various fans as well as MANY people who have no idea who he is and why he's acting this way. The premise of "Conan O'Brien Must Go" is simple. Conan travels to various places around the world and acts like an obnoxious jerk. But because he's so obviously overdoing it and hamming it up, it all comes off as good fun. I also appreciate that sometimes I don't feel like watching something deep or involving my brain...and the show is a great answer to this.
No Eyes Today (1929)
A rather creepy plot for Koko the Clown....and not one of his best cartoons.
1928
creepy
While 6 might seem like a decent score, for a Koko the Clown animated short, it's not an especially good score. This is because during the 1920s, the Koko cartoons by the Fleischer Brothers were among the very best cartoons you could find. Seeing Koko leave the inkwell and interact with the real world is something you just have to see to appreciate.
So why is this one rated a bit low by me? Well, the plot is incredibly creepy and not as charming as you'd expect. It seems that Koko has been staring at a pretty model that Max is drawing and the model complains...so Max erases Koko's eyes!!! For the rest of the story, Koko gropes about until he finds replacement eyes!
Overall, the usual charm is lacking and the cartoon, while interesting, is a bit flat. Worth seeing if you are already a Koko fan...but for others, it's best to try another Koko film first.
Pluto (2023)
This one merits a rewatch.
"Pluto" is not exactly the sort of show a 60 year-old would watch, but my oldest is really into anime and over the years we've watched a lot together. While not a 'fun' show in the least, it's very interesting, posing some important questions about morality and is very complex. In fact, it's so complex that you'll likely enjoy it even as much (or more) if you rewatch it.
The story is a reimagining of the old "Astro Boy" story...which for me is a plus since "Astro Boy" is from a show that was targeted more to kids. Instead, this is a VERY dark, gritty and violent show based PARTIALLY on "Astro Boy"...but often it focuses much more on other characters. This darkness might put off some...but I liked it because the show really challenges the way you think. After all, the robots in "Pluto" are human in nearly every way...and death, love and families are ALL explored in the program in regard to these robots.
Overall, I loved the show's animation and the story was dark and reminded me of "Akira", though, thankfully, not as dark and bloody. Well worth seeing.
Conclave (2024)
Slow and subtle...yet brilliant.
I'll admit it right off the bat..."Conclave" is NOT exactly a crowd favorite by its concept. After all, most viewers won't care all that much about how a Catholic conclave works...at least up until Pope Francis' recent death which must have given the film a great post-Oscars boost. So, I don't think it's all that surprising that the film didn't take home a bunch of Oscars...though I am baffled how it didn't win for Production and Costume design as well as Cinematography. After all, the film looked amazing and how they made it look as if it was filmed at the Vatican is truly baffling...and amazing.
The film already has close to a thousand reviews...so I'll keep this brief. The film is wonderfully acted (especially by Ralph Fiennes) and is really interesting IF you are at all interested in the selection process for a new Pope. It also offers many cool twists and is a film I strongly recommend if you are a patient sort of person. But it's not for everyone. If you like action, then you might just want to see something else.
The Lawless (1950)
Occasionally difficult to believe...but a most earnest film.
"The Lawless" is a film which is part of a batch of movies from the same time period which address racism. A few other examples are "Crossfire" and "Gentlemen's Agreement" which concern antisemitism as well as "Intruder in the Dust" and "Pinky" which were about racial prejudice. Here in "The Lawless" it concerns the hatred of Mexican-Americans. Unfortunately, while the story is very earnest and worth seeing, it's also a bit farfetched at times.
The story is set in a small town where there are many Chicanos as well as whites. The two groups don't always get along so well and the Chicanos are looked down on by many of the residents. What follows is a case where the city becomes worked up over a relatively minor incident...and the white folks are intent on a lynching. Much of this is drummed up by some amoral reporters. One of the reporters (Macdonald Carey), however, is a bit more openminded and comes to champion the cause of this oppressed minority.
The film is very good and the story is never dull despite seeming a bit farfetched at times. Still, the acting is good and it's worth seeing...and Carey is particularly good in the lead.
Alien (1979)
The first and best.
"Alien" is the first rated R movie I saw in the theaters. Oddly, my parents let me see it at 16 because it didn't contain nudity...just horrific violence! Regardless, it's NOT a movie for kids...and led to several more films of decreasing quality.
With almost 2000 reviews, there isn't a lot for me to say. The story is incredibly tense, never has any dull moments and was made very economically by Ridley Scott and his crew. Well written, well acted and well worth seeing all these years later. But most impressive is the lighting...with an almost film noir look but in color and with massive amounts of blood to boot.
The Terminator (1984)
It still stands up after all these years.
I first saw this movie back in 1984 and recently saw it on the big screen at a special screening and enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time.
With over a thousand reviews, this one doesn't need to be indepth. Suffice to say the story is riviting and exciting, the acting very good and the overall message of machines taking over the world is as timely now as back in 1984. Its non-stop rapid pacing is also perfect. The only complaints are minor and one is not the fault of the production...such as some awkward stop-motion robot scenes near the end. The technology to make this more realistic that exists today simply didn't exist at the time. But one tiny quibble is the final scene...with a horrible matte painting of the mountains. It's not that noticable on TV but on the big screen it just looks bad. But considering everything else...this is really not important.
Thunderbolts* (2025)
Filled with surprises I'm NOT going to tell you about in this review.
"Thunderbolts*" is the newest Marvel Universe film and I was lucky enough to see it before most others, as I was in Hollywood during its premier at the El Capitan Theatre. There are many surprises in it...especially at the end...and Marvel fans should be very happy with the surprises as well as the rest of this film. All I know is that the theater was abuzz by the time the film ended and we all got to see the costumes worn by the actors in the movie.
This story picks up after the Avengers are no more and there are no heroes left...supposedly. Instead, the film concentrates on the 'losers'...those who aren't exactly heroes and are generally disliked. However, the evil head of the CIA has plans on killing them...as her using these misfits sure won't help her image now that Congress is ready to take action against her. But there is one more tool...an unexpected one named 'Bob'. Who is he and how do these misfits all fit together? See the film.
This is a very good movie...and I generally dislike superhero films because there have been so many. But this one seems fresh, well acted and a bit cheeky at times...and is sure to make the uber-fans happy. Well made and fun.
Sinners (2025)
I mostly scored this one so high because it's so original.
I think several genres have been way overdone, such as superhero films and vampire movies. After all, after a while it feels like if you've seen one, you've seen them all. However, "Sinners" proves there are exceptions...and in this case they've come up with a dandy vampire pic because it is so different and original.
At this point, the movie is in its second week as the #1 movie in the USA...so I don't intend to do a lengthy review...as there are soon to be tons of reviews. What I will say is that the film has a great soundtrack with some nice old jazz and the acting is quite good. My only complaints are minor...it's NOT a film for kids or families due to the violence level and sexuality in the movie..though because it's rated R, you'd have an idiot to show it to small kids! Still, it's a nice change of pace for a relatively tired genre.
The Fish Thief: A Great Lakes Mystery (2025)
Apart from some horrendous CGI, a very good film.
I tend to cut independent and documentary films some slack when it comes to CGI. After all, the films aren't high budgeted and you need to make some allowances for this. However, there is a bit of CGI in this film which is terrible...so terrible it looks like it was made in 2000 or earlier. It's a shame, as the CGI scenes weren't really needed...but you can't help but be taken aback by how primitive they are.
That being said...this is still a very good documentary. Its purpose is to discuss two major problems the Great Lakes faced back in the 1950s-60s...sea lamprays and alewives...two saltwater species that somehow made it into the freshwater lakes. Most of the film is about the lampreys and their devastating effect on lake trout and, to a lesser extent, Whitefish. How the US and Canada eventually managed to reduce their numbers and create a better fishery is the subject of the movie. It does not, by the way, talk about the polution in the lakes (which has also been significantly reduced) or the state of fishing apart from salmon and trout. You'd never know it, but the yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and walleye in Lake Erie, for instance, are doing extraodinarlily well. But I am not faulting the film...in the time they had they had to pick what to focus on most. These are other success stories that other movies can address.
Overall, it's a very good movie...well made and surprisingly interesting. And, a rare case where fisheries have made HUGE rebounds thanks to technology and a lot of hard work.
Ms. Marvel (2022)
It starts off wonderfully...but then loses its way.
The first few episodes of "Ms. Marvel" are wonderful. After all, the hero, Kamala, is a very normal and likable teen with seemingly normal teenage issues. And, given that she's a Pakistani-American, you get a nice look into the culture...something you rarely see except when terrorism is involved. The normalization of these folks is nice to see...and you might learn a bit seeing how these Muslim people live here in the States.
When the show goes to Karachi, Pakistant and then returns to America...the quality slips drastically. Instead of focusing on people and culture, it becomes almost non-stop action and special effects. But in the process, so many questions are left unanswered...such as WHO are these two factions fighting each other and WHY?? And, the same can be said for the fascist-like US government agency. They certainly aren't SHIELD and their motivation is difficult to discern in this post-Civil War era. And what about the big villainess...her actions as she left the show were so confusing and left me baffled...like a HUGE scene was missing.
Overall, not a bad show but one which could have used a couple more episodes to create a smoother pace and answer unanswered questions. I'd like to see more "Ms. Marvel"...just one that is easier to follow and understand.
Hawkeye (2021)
I don't particularly love superhero movies but I enjoyed this one.
I should point out that I am not a big fan of superhero movies. Some time ago, I simply felt I'd seen too many and it's not surprising due to the many DC and Marvel superhero movies and TV shows there have been over the last few decades. I know many can watch them and only want more, but that isn't me. However, my daughter enjoys the genre and so to be a nice dad, I watched "Hawkeye" with her. Fortunately, even for a curmudgeon like me, the show is enjoyable.
Considering there are almost 1000 reviews for the show, I'm not going to write a long review. Suffice to say I enjoyed most of the characters and their adventures. Not a lifechanging show but one that is pleasant and worth seeing...even if Hawkeye clearly is one of the lesser heroes.
Black Widow (2021)
Pretty much non-stop fighting and action.
My advice if you watch "Black Widow" is to just turn your brain off and enjoy. It's a non-stop, action-packed movie where 'the rule of cool' is more important than physics or logic. Now I am not saying don't see the movie....you may well like it. But I'm just pointing out that even for a Marvel film, it's insanely frenetic and hasn't got a lot of plot.
The movie follows Natasha Romanoff's journey from her bizarrely inappropriate childhood to her ultimate showdown with the film's baddie. Oddly, her adventures with the Avengers are skipped...like the middle of the story is missing. The end is much like a more action-packed James Bond film where there's a bloody confrontation with the megalomaniacal genius.
So is it good? Well, that's hard to say. The action is great...simply amazing. The story, while scant, is pretty interesting. But the logic...well, it's pretty much non-existent. So, as I said before, just turn off your brain and enjoy.
Murder Once Removed (1971)
Incredibly hard to believe...but worth seeing.
I agree with one of the reviewers that said this made for TV movie is much like "Columbo"...without Columbo! It's mostly because unlike many murder mysteries, you see how the killer does it from start to finish.
Dr. Wellesley (John Forsythe) is NOT an especially ethical doctor. Not only is he having an affair with one of his patients, but he apparently has a LONG history of killing patients who get in his way. So, it's not at all surprising when he decides to kill his lover's husband...especially since the husband knows that Doctor's past. But how...how will the Doc kill this husband and how does he plan on getting away with it?
This is a film where you just need to accept for what it is and not worry about how improbable it all is...especially at the end where there are multiple twists. But despite it all, it IS entertaining...which is what really counts.
Visions... (1972)
A blessing...or a curse?
Back in the 1970s, the major networks made a ton of made for TV movies...and some of them hold up very well today. One of the better ones is "Visions..."...a really interesting and tense supernatural thriller.
Professor Lowell (Monte Marcum) is a brilliant man...a graduate of MIT even. But he also has another talent..precognition. These glimpses of the near future might seem like a great thing...but they are also a curse. One day he begins seeing images of a bomber planting these devices all over Denver. He knows one of them is going to go off soon and he goes to the police. However, the police lieutenant (Telly Savalas...a year before becoming Lieutenant Kojak) thinks Lowell is either a nut...or he's planting the bombs himself. But try as he might, the Lieutenant can't prove Lowell did anything wrong. In fact, his grilling and testing Lowell shows that he can, indeed, see the future...at least in bits and pieces. So what's next? See the film...and it's currently posted on YouTube.
The acting and especially the script are excellent. While I don't believe in these sorts of things, the film does a great job of making you forget these doubts and makes you feel for Lowell and his 'gift'. Well worth seeing and a heck of a good movie from start to finish.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Well made...but not exactly an enjoyable film.
By any standard, "Oppenheimer" was a wildly successful film. After all, it was a huge box office draw AND earned several Oscars...including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. So, I am not saying it's a bad film...it isn't. But it's also a film I didn't love.
The film is about the career of J. Robert Oppenheimer from his days before WWII to his losing his security clearance and fading into relative obscurity. To tell this story, it bounced back and forth in time and uses very rapid edits and tense music...to the point where I found myself respecting the movie but also not enjoying it very much. To me, I think it is very good...just not quite as good as all the hype would imply. Well worth watching...but I probably would have preferred a different style...such as a more linear film. But of course, with all the money and prestige the film has...who am I to complain about these small details?
The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973)
This made for TV movie is sad, since it's based on a real case.
"The Marcus-Nelson Murders" is a made for TV movie set in the summer of 1963 that turned out to be the pilot for "Kojak". It's based on a real case, 'The Career Girl Murders' of Emily Hoffert and Janice Wylie, though names and a few other details have been changed. The film details the investigation as well as the misconduct by the New York Police Department, as the accused was denied his rights to an attorney and was forced into confessing for a crime he did not commit. This is a fact, as the real killer was eventually caught and later confessed to the crime...though the falsely accused man was also sent to prison for several years! The injustice of the case helped lead to the landmark Miranda Decision in 1966.
The story begins with two young women being attacked and viciously murdered by a psycho with a knife. One was also raped.
You never see who he is and the film shows the case from the standpoint of the police department...as well as from the investigator, Lieutenant Kojack (the name was changed to 'Kojak' for the TV series). Over time, he starts to wonder if the confession was infact coerced and if the
young man is being victimized. Naturally, the Department is not thrilled with Kojack's actions and they just want him to just drop his inquiry...especially the prosecutor.
If you are expecting something like "Kojak", you'll probably be disappointed. Aside from Telly Savalas and a brief scene where George Savalas plays a reporter, the cast is entirely different from the TV show. This isn't good nor bad...it's just different. And, it's generally a very good film. My only quibble is a very small one...everything looks like 1973 instead of 1963...such as clothing and hairstyles.
By the way, this film came out the same year as "Serpico"...a true film about corruption within the New York Police Department.
Kojak: Unwanted Partners (1975)
A Crockercentric episode.
So far in "Kojak", the various cops working for Kojak have been little more than accessories...with little, if any, backstory or personalities. This episode is unusual then because it features Detective Crocker. It seems he grew up with a guy who, over the years, has gone very differently in his life than Crocker. Instead of becoming a cop or an upstanding member of the community, he's developed a criminal record of mostly petty crimes. However, it now appears as if this 'nice guy' has changed drastically...and leads a group of muscle who shake down bar owners...and very violently so. But Crocker can't bring himself to believe that his old friend has gone THAT wrong...which hinders his objectivity significantly.
This is a decent episode though it ends very well. Not a great episode (Crocker does seem amazingly naive for a cop) but still well worth seeing.
Kojak: The Goodluck Bomber (1975)
A surprisingly original episode.
Several weird bombings have occurred around New York City that have the police stumped. In each case, the bomber has left notes taunting the police about upcoming bombings. And, the bombs that the police have found are VERY complicated and have stumped the Bomb Squad...resulting in a detonation which killed the cop trying to disarm the bomb. However, a guy with a criminal record and amazing skills as making and disarming bombs offers to help the police. But Kojak suspects there's way more to the story than this. Watch and see what I mean.
The plot is truly unique and exciting. It's among the better episodes of season 2...and is well worth seeing.
Kojak: Elegy in an Asphalt Graveyard (1975)
For me, a tad too schmaltzy.
This is an episode that you might like much more than I did. I thought it was generally good but the singing by Telly Savalas at the beginning and end was just too much...bordering on the schmaltzy.
The episode begins with some hired goons breaking into an apartment. Soon, she's discovered dead...hanging by an apparent suicide. But those who know her, particularly Kojak, know she wouldn't have taken her own life. So, despite being a very professional job...things just didn't add up and it's eventually seen as a possible murder. And, since Kojak liked her...he's taken the case very personally.
I thought the episode was generally good...and I might have scored it a 7 or 8...until the final credits began to roll and Savalas sang the song...one very heavyhanded and unnecessary.
Kojak: Night of the Piraeus (1975)
Philately for fun and profit.
The episode begins with a freighter arriving at the port. Two groups of people are there waiting for one of the passengers....though one group has no idea the other exists. Once the man passes customs, his girlfriend meets him. But their relationship is soon cut short when she maces him and one of her confederates shoots the man dead and steals his belt. Why the belt? Well, it turns out a super-rare stamp is inside the buckle...and the other group expecting to get the stamp are maced for their trouble! Soon, bodies pile up and the man responsible for all this is expecting a $1,000,000 pay off!
This is a very good episode...even if the super-valuable stamp is fictional (the German stamp in the show isn't especially rare). I really liked the ending...it was very fitting and think it tied everything together very well.
By the way, the Greek song you hear was sung by Telly's brother, George. George (also billed as 'Demosthenes') plays the sloppy detective Kojak makes fun of on many occasions.
Kojak: Queen of the Gypsies (1975)
One of the best...even if it's not politically correct.
"Queen of the Gypsies" is an exceptionally good episode. However, since it debuted, times have changed and nowadays talking negatively about Gypsies (now referred to as the 'Roma' or 'Romani") isn't so acceptable. Regardless, it's good and offers a few amazing twists at the end.
A con artist is trying to pass counterfeit money in a bank. Coincidentally, the bank is held up at the same time...and the con artist is nearly shot by them. One unfortunate guy IS shot...dead at her feet. Since she's the only one who saw who one of the killers was, the police bring her in for questioning. But she's really not interested in helping the cops, after all the Roma traditionally distrust police, but she's interested in finding the gang and assisting them in their next heist!! But a LOT happens...so much so you need to watch this amazing show.
The writing is THE star of this one. Wonderfully written and an episode which really surprised me with the twists. Well worth seeing....no...a must see!