Reviews

Major spoilers ahead. I have to talk spoilers to get across my frustrations with this finale. Readers Beware ;)

Ok so I am a fan of some of the more mature, just scary enough moments to freak kids out but not scar them, (I think we should be actually trying to scare, but not scar kids as isn't that the point of horror? I loved getting genuinely scared as a kid and this episode would do the trick.) there are stabbings, someone gets shot, there is imagery of the whole town getting burned (even though it turns out to be a fake out, it's still effective when it's happening.) so yeah, those parts were okay with me.

But the episode itself really ruined some aspects of the show. Goodness what did they do to Mr Bratt? Yeah they hinted in the last episode that he was going to side with Slappy to get his good ending to his book, but they took his stupidity too far and ended up making him pretty unlikable. When it is revealed to the kids that he is working with Kanduu/Slappy, I was thinking at that point, with the whole city being turned into half-doll-half-people servants that perhaps we would get another reveal that while Bratt may have agreed initially to help Kanduu, maybe he then was threatened or put in some sort of hostage situation or something that we hadn't yet been made aware of.

But nope. Mr Bratt just keeps on helping the super evil villain even as he is enslaving the whole town and turning them into dummy people. So at this point, Bratt totally sucks and as far I am concerned, a really terrible character which does not match up with the character we got to know throughout the season. We know him as pretty dumb most of the time, sure, but not selfish to that level. I mean it's kind of evil what he is doing, even before being told what's really going on. And then he's surprised when it's revealed that Kanduus plan is to kill all of them in a giant fire. Mind you, this is all after he saw the giant burning tower in a vision. Even his grandfather knew right when he had the same vision that something was terribly wrong, and he put a stop to it. And yes, again, Bratt is an idiot, so I guess we are supposed to believe he is THAT dumb. But even before that revelation, he was already way off the deep end.

The kids roast him a bit but then just kind of get over it when he calls himself and coward and says he's sorry. Oh okay then no worries. Our parents are about to be burned alive because of you but you're sorry so no hard feelings?? Dude what?? There is even a lame attempt at a joke when Isabella says she can't believe he would do this just to finish his book, and James says he totally can believe it. Well guess what? As an audience member, I can't believe it. So I see the whole thing with Bratt as a huge failure on the writers part.

That's definitely my main complaint. Other than that, the whole finale just feels super rushed especially in the last 10 minutes or so. Isaiah gets capped and basically dies but presumably gets revived by an incantation that I guess can just resurrect anyone, so let's just let go of any sense of real danger of anyone dying. That's great. Then it's revealed that Mr Bratt seems to be possessed once again, because you have to have a cliff hanger ending, even if it isn't set up at all. I guess a rushed cliffhanger is better than wrapping up story threads, like what happened with Lucas? Margot confesses her feelings to Isaiah's apparently unconscious and soon to be dead body, but she never talks to Lucas. Sure, they probably want to keep some story threads going for season 2, but good tv shows know that if there is a plot line that goes through one season, there should at least be some closure and if you are good writers, you will be able to continue it with new ideas in the next season. Same with movies. It is so lame when a movie doesn't wrap up a storyline just so they can keep it going in a sequel. Have the sequel run on its own storylines. Give us a satisfying conclusion to what you set up for THIS story.

So yeah. This show was never perfect and had plenty of flaws and inconsistencies but it somehow kept me entertained enough to keep watching every week. But this final episode really just tanked everything in my opinion. Seems like the writers could do a deal with Slappy to get a better ending.

This season is really impressing me so far. The writing in my opinion is pretty impeccable in 90 percent of this episode. I really love the few moments they take on this one to remind us that Loki has always been a villain. Every "anti hero" show or movie besides maybe "Joker" have treated its anti heroes like actual heroes. They leaned a bit too much into that in season one I think. So it's great to see them reminding us that they still know he has been a villain for most of the time we have known him, and I hope that they continue to develop on that. But I love how he admits that his invasion of New York was out of emotion and wasn't tactical. I found that a very interesting admittance from Loki.

Brad was a fun little antagonist, acted well. All the acting is phenomenal, especially the always brilliant chemistry between Wilson and Hiddleston. Their buddy dynamic is enough to keep me watching alone. And the writing? Seriously I don't see how people are hating so much on this episode. Both eps of this season so far have been so tightly written and craftily directed, scored to perfection and brought to life by the same brilliant set design and visuals from the first season. With the pure mediocre bilge that Marvel has been pumping out lately, this show comes off as pure gold! I'm honestly so impressed with it, it doesn't feel like modern Marvel at all and even has some notes of maturity above the good old Marvel I love so much.

Honestly, as I was watching this episode I was waiting to see afterwards if people were loving it as much as me, and I'm very confused to see some of the hate on here. The only thing I agree with in some of the bad reviews is that it's a bit hard to follow and I found myself asking a little too many questions about everyone's motivations or how certain things are connected. A lot of juggling pieces so far and I will admit that this season is certainly harder to follow than the first, but I don't mind is the thing.

Pretty damn shocking and heartbreaking. This episode is the culmination of so many threads and character choices that lead to the fruition of a big plan... and then an execution. Literally.

Never would I think that the word "execution" mean a real execution. It's exactly what happens to our boy Howard. Not just a killing, but an execution. Point blank right to the head. Figuratively from Kim and Jimmy, literally from Lalo.

The acting in this season is on another level and this episode is no exception. Another execution earlier in the season, that of Nacho's, has phenomenal acting as well. And this final scene showcases all of the lead actors skills on full display. Kim and Jim sell true horror, first at the sight of Lalo, then after what he does, with a dose of shock for good measure. Their reactions are so believable it's bone chilling. And Howard's actor kills it in his final exhaustive and impassioned monologue.

Even without the final shocking scene, the rest of the episode is phenomenal with Kim and Jim's plan playing out flawlessly. It's so intense and brutal to watch. Howard's fall from grace is so undeserved and we are just forced to watch it unfold. The episode just winds the tension until those fateful last few seconds. A masterclass in tension and character work. Unforgettable.

I don't think I have ever had a rating for a movie before finishing it, but after the first lion attack I just couldn't believe how dumb it really was. It really says something when a movie gets so stupid so fast that I find it irredeemable even with most of the movie left to go. At this point it could be a masterpiece and it wouldn't help.

The film is still playing as I'm writing this. And I'm just laughing my ass of. I'm now at the part where Idris' daughter decides to get out of the car like an absolute Neanderthal while Idris is standing on the roof like a bigger Neanderthal. And Idris then misses his shot when the lion sneaks up him and gets pounced off the car. I laughed really hard. These idiots are rolling down windows, leaving the car, running around. The first scene implies a man standing two feet behind another man gets taken by the lion with literally NO noise being made. Like it's Batman. Good lord the characters are beyond stupid. A movie like this would be so elevated by the character being smart and using resourcefulness to outsmart the lion. That is literally what would make this movie good. The premise wouldn't just be a guy and his family try to escape from a rogue lion, it would be a man is forced to use every last piece of will, strength and know how he can muster to keep his family safe from a rogue lion. They establish that Idris is a doctor which is super convenient. But it's not used to good effect. He's just able to stitch up his buddy. But since he acts like a moron the rest of the movie it just comes across as Hollywood bs convenience to further the plot instead of enhance it.

Still watching. Now to the part where the poachers have been taken out and Idris is going after the keys on one of the dead guys to steal their truck.. in the dark.... With the lion literally right outside... he doesn't even take one of the many automatic weapons with him. And then to top it all of his IDIOT daughter starts using the radio to call him to see if he's okay. Well if he is, you just fully screwed him over. And then she starts honking the horn which at first I thought was to get the lions attention, which is still dumb if it was the case, but instead she's apparently just honking to tell her dad to come back already. Through honking....unreal.

Also clearly the lion must have been shot in the nose because it can't seem to smell anything and is hunting purely off sight and sound. It goes right under Idris and doesn't smell him. Look I don't mind that the lion is acting unlike any lion would. I really don't care. Clearly that's gonna be the case in a movie like this. It can be an overly violent lion so what. But you're telling me it can't smell either? Or hear very well?

Now they've escaped with a truck and found a little house to lick their wounds. And they have left the front door wide open. I'm baffled. This could actually be a decent place to hang low for a while. But like... close the door ya know? Oh. And the lion just showed up. Hmm I wonder if it's gonna actually kill his daughters. So suspenseful. Because teenage daughters always die in these movies and don't have plot armor at all.

The dad has now decided to fist fight the lion in a last stand. He is punching the lion. I repeat idris is punching the lion. He is throwing sand in the lions face. He is losing badly. He is getting torn tf up. Keep punching idris you will get him. Oh the lions have joined the fight. Oh the bad lion dies off screen. Awesome. Awwweeesome.

Alright so i guess it was a diversion as he knew tge tamed pride would attack the bad lion if it got close enough to them. I suppose that was set uo earlier so I guess points for foreshadowing? Does not change the fact that the climax of this movie is Idris Elba fist fighting a massive lion.

Really It's the stupid characters that bring the movie way down. I'm gonna I'm finish it just to see how much dumber it gets but that's it. I'm really disappointed I was hoping for a fun survival movie filled with smart characters who rely on their human intelligence to outsmart or outmaneuver a wild animal that has them beat with raw power. But the characters are dumber than slasher movie teens. Not even exaggerating. There is a barely mentioned bit of drama with the mom dying and the dad not being there blah blah blah. Now he is gonna prove his awesome "dadness" by being a moron trying to keep them safe from a rogue lion.

It's a shame. Idris is such a great actor. He's being wasted on this garbage.

The Last Of Us as a property is always going to be seen as masterful, but damn if it isn't divisive. I think that's a testament to how great the storytelling and characters are. They followed the game pretty closely with this episode and that was the perfect move. From apocalyptic, terrifying themes to subtle but honest character work, The Last Of Us is not meant to be easy to watch. It's bleak. Because it's the closest thing to how it would really be.

I think the show was overall pretty great. My main complaints are with some of Bella Ramsays acting choices. Sometimes she is so great and others... it's hard to describe but it's not my favorite. . I feel like her "worried and in a bad situation" acting is better than her "everything is cool right now" acting. Make sense? Maybe not.

Also I thought it was great how they showed the DLC storyline because it's crucial to Ellie's character, but I didn't think it needed a full episode. Maybe half that, half present day Ellie surviving and trying to take care of a wounded Joel would have been better. I guess I just wanted to see more of how Ellie survived for however long it took Joel to heal and see her hone her skills. (Because if you have played the games, you know how badass she will be later)

Again, some of her acting was REALLY good. I.

More of the same. But somehow worse and more egregious in this episode. Especially with the questionable morals this show loves to show. In this episode, Velma and her father lie to her long missing, recently found mother about his new life with another woman and child. I mean, she was presumed either dead or to have abandoned her family, so I would personally not call it "cheating" if he moved on. But this show sure loves to call it that and further vilify Velma's dad (and Velma) by having them lie and make the waitress lie as well. Oh and if you thought Mindy Kaling has been giving a terrible performance on this show up until now, just you wait for some her line deliveries in this one.

I'm not proud to say that I "hate watch" this show, but I'm honestly curious week to week to see how much worse it can get. Or, perhaps if it might get better. If only. At this point, there is no hope for this show to ever improve. Something about it keeps me coming back though, so I guess that's something. It's not a good thing. It's just something.

As with every other episode of this show, the writing and acting are brilliant here. But I'll be damned if I didn't admit that this episode nearly turned me off of the show. Why? Because literally everyone in this episode is just SO hateable in their own ways. Seriously, try to find someone who is acting in any way that is anything but deplorable. It's pretty genius writing that all the characters stay true to themselves and act despicably in their own way. It is a testament to this show that the only reason I somewhat dislike an episode is because the writing is too good.

Roman acts like a complete ass with his girlfriend Grace. Connor is at his cringiest, cornering his "escort" to be his exclusive girlfriend by offering to pay for her theater career. Logan is demanding and viscous and he hits a 10 year old. It just never ends.

If this shows continues like this, it will no doubt be looked back on as just as good if not better than Breaking Bad. As near perfect and Breaking Bad is, I can't help but feel like this show is more tightly and subtly written. It seems like the writers have simply perfected their craft as the years have gone on, rather than become jaded and lazy like most television writers, particularly those who keep writing for the same property for as many years as this. Two full 6 season shows, 14 years in the making, and somehow it just keeps getting BETTER?? How does that work? Honestly.

Anyways, now that I am done fanboying out, let's briefly dive into the episode. What I love about this show is how it drops little hints as to where the story might go. I watch it with my family every week and we are constantly pausing and picking apart what's going on and whoops I'm fanboying again. Anyway, I knew when Lalo seemed ambivalent about who would perform the assassination on Gus that he was simply trying to lure out the calvary as a distraction. There's no way he would trust such an important task to the likes of Jimmy or Kim. And as we knew they were watching the property closely, viewers were lead to believe Mike would save the day. It makes the show so satisfying when you can kind of predict where things are going. And yet somehow it does it without feeling predictable if that makes sense. It's not as much predictable as it is rewarding for those who pay attention. Fanboying. Okay reel it in.

Lalo. What a villain. He went out with just a flare. Of course he died with his signature bastard smile on his face. Being the one man army he is, he executed a nearly flawless plan and got SO close to putting the kibosh on Gus' whole operation. But we have seen Breaking Bad so we know that as smart as Lalo is, there is only one who "knocks" successfully.

I found myself getting so sad at the end when Mike is telling them what will become of Howard and his legacy. It is just so tragic how he had absolutely nothing to do with any bb of this but was in the wrong place at the wrong time all because of Jimmy and Kim. Mike seems to purposefully drive home the point to Jimmy and Kim that they are at fault for his death, with the line "just keep telling the story you've been telling." And Kim just looks devastated. I wonder where their relationship will go after this.

With such a firecracker of an episode, things will no doubt slow down a bit for the next while to focus on our two leads and how the fallout of their actions will affect not only their lives but their relationship. We know from BB that Jimmy/Saul keeps on his path into the criminal world, but we also know that Kim is not a part of it. I have a feeling that this whole event will shake the foundations of their life together and Jimmy will press on, she may have been woken up to what a life of crime can lead to.

And wow. The fact that Lalo and Howard were buried beneath the lab this whole time. My goodness. This show is perfect. It's ingenious. Fanboy fanboy fanboy okay I need to stop.

After the explosive HEROGASM, this episode slows things down to focus on our characters before a most likely crazy finale. We get backstories for some well chosen characters that fill in some satisfying blanks. Butcher deals with his past and we get to see what actually happened to his brother. This it also sets up the theme of sons turning into their fathers, which cleverly sets up the big reveal at the end of the episode. Just as grim, yet more colorful, is the wonderful scenes of Black Noir and his "friends," a stylized and hilarious way to both give us a little glimpse of how Noir works, as well as show us how he got to be that way.

In those scenes we also get more corroboration that Soldier Boy is indeed an evil SOB. I love how the show makes you kind of like him while keeping him purposefully gross and unlikeable for a while, but slowly he is becoming more irredeemable with his actions and what we know now about his past. And with the final reveal of *SPOILERS* him bing Homelanders father, it all starts making sense. It's a great twist and they built up to it perfectly with little hints, like Meave and Crimson Countess confessing their hate in nearly identical ways.

I can't wait for the finale. I cannot imagine how this is going to turn out but it can't be good.

Truly diabolical. Ok before I share my thoughts on this episode, just a quick shoutout to season 3 overall For just hitting on all cylinders. This season seems to streamline everything that makes this show great with each deliberately crafted scene, and it all comes to a head here.

Anyways, about HEROGASM...

I have not read the comics, but I am aware that fans of the comics have been eagerly wondering if or when the show would bring the appropriately named party to our tv screens. In the lead up to this episode, several interviews, press junket and behind the scenes videos began to surface, featuring certain actors/creators essentially warning viewers of what would be on screen. And they weren't lying.

But beyond all that crazy, the storytelling and plot convergences are some of the most insane we could have asked for. A Train gets a couple amazing character moments, as does Ashley who tells him off for only caring about anything if it happens to him, and how she always has to clean up his crap. Frenchmen gets some potent, sad backstory fleshed out, all while in a situation that demands a lot from the actor, and like people tend to do in this show, he nailed it. Homelanders Gollum-like split personality in the mirror was amazing, another scene for the actors to shine. Soldier Boy gets some much needed characterization after his presence has loomed so large over a season in which he hardly has appeared in until now. They built him up so carefully and now he really does feel mythic and larger than life, which is such a clever juxtaposition over his actual personality, that of course being a dude bro mixed with your grandpa.

So many great things, and then it tops all of that off with a pivotal, suspenseful fight scene where we get some moments we always knew we needed. And a cliffhanger with Starlight telling the world what the hell is actually going on, FINALLY. Can't wait till next week, don't even know what could happen at this point. This show really is amazing.

This show has always been good. Let's be real. Every episode is a lot of good with maybe a few week points. But I have always been pretty indifferent to see the next episode. Like yeah I am satisfied every week but this episode does what only GREAT shows do: makes you feel sad that you must wait a week for more. Everyone is talking about the crazy "twist" ending of this episode, but I think the rest of the episode deserves credit too. Hilarious performance moments from Oscar Isaac, cute moments between Steven with a V and Layla, more great dialogue from Arthur Harrow, who is turning out to be one of the MCUs best villains, more uncharacteristically but welcome violence including a mummy disemboweling a still breathing man, and yes, an amazing ending that just keeps delivering. Love the moment of Steven and Mark giving each other a "so good to see you" hug. Overall, can't wait for more. Love it.

Let's go Ben Stiller. This whole show has been a showcase of great storytelling, rich character dynamics, acting, artistic set design, camera movement, music, the whole thing. And this episode brought ALL of that to a new level somehow. It's a cliffhanger for sure, which I can either love or hate. In this case I thought it was perfectly executed. They let it go juuuust long enough to answer burning questions that you are begging them to address, enough to move the story forward in the way a good finale should. When the cut to credits eventually comes, you are satisfied, yet wanting more. And DUDE I want some more!

(Mild spoilers ahead)

The idea to stick with "innie" the whole episode was perfect. I kept expecting it to get cut short and perhaps the innies would go back to work and tell each other what they saw. Instead, things just keep escalating as revelations unfold like wild. I have so many questions that will have me waiting for next season. This episode brings every thread of the story to a boiling point and does it with amazing editing, music, themes, surprisingly funny moments, really intense moments... I could list so many more things. Okay one more, it's another seriously impressive acting turn for Britt Lower and Adam Scott, as they are having to confront the harsh reality of who they are, while also fake conversations with people they don't know, and remain in character as their innie personality. Bravo. Bravo indeed good sirs. All those involved.

This quickly became one of my favorite shows. I rarely watch comedy, more of a fan of dramas and thrillers. However, I decided to give this one a shot, primarily because of my love for Alan Arkin. And boy am I glad I did. Now I'm just a big of a fan of Michael Douglas. He carries this shows humor AND dramatic moments perfectly and makes it look so easy. He really inhabits the character of Sandy and brings him to life wonderfully. As for my boy Alan Arkin, the man can do no wrong, and here he proves again how hilarious and lovable the can be.

Apart from the tremendous talent on screen, the writing and even direction/editing also elevate this show above and beyond even some of the better comedies airing these days. The show has a great flow with its story, easily weaving longer, more drawn out plots with the smaller stories contained in each episode. It feels like we are a part of Sandys life, witnessing it all play out like we are one of his best friends, family or students. I can't remember a time when I felt so cozy and at ease watching a tv show. And I can't remember another show making me laugh out loud quite as much as this one.

It's a really feel good show, while still dealing with plenty of heavy subject matter that we all can relate to. The show often makes the wise choice to let a situation or conflict play out smoothly and have a happy ending after getting its point across, rather than juicing it for all its worth. The result is a feeling of "oh this looks like it could be really bad, but I'm sure it'll be okay." Which makes the viewing experience very digestible and binge worthy. I have only three issues with the show

1. Sandys daughter is an insufferable character in my opinion. She is constantly hypocritical and annoyingly rude and is always pushing herself into everyone's business just to talk down to them and "take the high road" or give off an "I'm always right and I always know what's right" vibe, all while wearing her little face of disgust at every little thing. Like she is dating a much older man and yet she incessantly tears him down for talking and acting like an old man. And what bothers me most is that she is clearly written to be the one with the moral compass and the only character that seemingly is truly good and innocent. But she drives me up the wall with nearly very line and that damn face she makes at everything.

2. The fact that Alan Arkin is nit in season 3 at all. The second the season started with Normans funeral, I panicked, assuming that Alan Arkin had passed away there for forcing them to write him out of the show. Now I know he is quite old and maybe the coronavirus got in the way or something or perhaps he is just winding down and hit and taking it easy after he suffered a minor stroke in 2016. I'm not sure why he's not in season 3, but I'm not too happy about it, despite the writers making his death very poignant in the story and keeping the show as quality as it ever was. Season 3 is so good that I admit I forgot that he was even gone at times. So I suppose in the end it turned out okay, but I can't help but imagine how much better it would be if we got one more season with him to explore and tie up and the loose threads set up by season two. The. He could die at the end of the season calling it off and making us sad but ready for a fourth and final season, which season 3 would serve as perfectly. And that leads me to my final issue with the show.

3. It's Over. I mean if it were up to me I would have this show go on forever. It's that good. But unfortunately, I guess 3 seasons is all we get. I'm usually all about a show telling it's story and ending when it's fitting. It's always better than going and going until the quality declines and it dies a slow death. Finish while you're on top is what I say. But in this case i really do feel like we could've used much more of this show. I just feel like there was so much more story to tell with these characters and I'm pretty sad that this is all we get.

In short, the Kominsky Method is a wonderful show with rich characters and laugh out loud comedy. On top of that, it hits the heart in way more ways than I ever thought it would by miles, and is not only a brilliant showcase of acting prowess, but at times, due especially to Sandys class, a great insight and class unto itself OF the art of acting. Never in my life ccc have I enjoyed a show that was able to make me laugh, cry, think and fill with joy all in one like this. And I suppose THAT.... is the Kominski Method.