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Reviews
Salem's Lot (2024)
Plot has more holes than a vampire's tooth could ever make.
There are poor adaptations, and there are poor remakes, and even some of these, can bring new life or new angles to a story. This, however, leaves us with less.
One character in the book, and movies, fails and in later books, has a redemption arc. Not naming character to avoid spoiler, but this character is sacrificed almost casually, and without a look back.
Sadly this remake, relies far too heavily on the fact that some or all watchers will know the story or have watched the older movie. By leaving huge gaps in how things have happened, they will leave a casual viewer stumbling to understand how things have transpired.
This will disappoint those familiar with the story, and also alienate a new audience.
The actors did turn in fairly good performances, in spite of poor writing and direction, and I wish them well.
The Acolyte (2024)
Embarrassing
The idea of an earlier era in Jedi history is a very promising one, there is so much room for creative storytelling. However, when the result of said creative process undermines the original story in such a fundamental way, it must be put aside in favor of something that plays within the universe, as it was created.
The Acolyte is more of a poorly constructed work of fan fiction. It has a right to exist, but only in a dark corner of a very fringe fanfic website, where it would be forgotten by all, but Leslye Headland's small coterie of friends. One cannot help but think that Kathleen Kennedy and Disney are trying to destroy something they bought, but cannot meaningfully contribute to, in any way.
Tracker (2024)
Insults the intelligence of the watcher.
This beats the dead horse of the traveling Shogun to powder. Been done so many times, & sometimes it is interesting. The show "Reacher" is a good example of an interesting version. This is just a poorly written rebranding of "the Finder". Everything is done sloppily.
The pristine equipment, Truck and Airstream give the lie to the seasoned professional. The map themed wallpaper interior of the airstream, gives the impression that a cheap home remodeling TV show thought it would be clever.
Every plot punch, is heavily telegraphed to the point that one would have to assume that this is entertainment intended for the learning disabled.
Utterly ridiculous. I had hoped it would be slightly interesting.
Also ridiculous, is the support team of what appears to be a retired lesbian couple, to check the diversity and inclusion boxes. As well as the amputee tech wizard. All these elements could be fine, if the writing were slightly capable.
Writers, please do better. You have embarrassed yourselves and insulted your viewers.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
Embarrassing
This is an absolute black eye to Marvel/Disney. Not only did they fail to tell a coherent story, but kept tripping over themselves to make this dumpster fire burn brighter.
They even failed at scoring points for feminism, by demonstrating that the superior control she claimed she had, over her emotions was false.
Then further set back any claim to moral high ground, by including "twerking".
What is this shows targeted age group? Normalizing twerking, or even familiarizing a young audience with it, does no part of society any favors.
Do feminists think twerking, dignifies their cause?
Ultimately it failed at being even remotely interesting.
Cameos were the only points of interest.
Utterly Embarrassing Marvel.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Worst Marvel Outing so far
With Taika Waititi at the helm, I had high hopes, since I have seen greatness from his other work. Sadly, this pushed the self mockery too far, and became an embarrassment, instead of comedy, along with good storytelling.
The story failed, or at least, was overpowered by the flat acting, poor comedic timing and too much dependence on disappointing humor.
My eyes were tired, from constant eye-rolling at the embarrassingly dumb humor.
Disney/Marvel has really dropped the ball, since Phase 3 ended, with about only about a third of its content being of any reasonable quality.
The result being completely rudderless and more intent on wokeness than good storytelling and character development.
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020)
Plot written for 5 year olds, but with an R rating
Everything about this movie was done wrong. It undid everything Margot Robie brought to the Harley Quinn character.
Suicide Squad was a poorly done movie, but it's redeeming quality was Harley Quinn.
I think we were all looking for some character development, and a better story.
There was a lot of real acting talent available to this production, and this movie really ended up making them all look like amateurs. Such a shame.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
Using a Children's classic story for Gender Politics is Low
Youth indoctrination at it's finest. This could be a perfectly good story without the unnecessary dip into gender politics. Much less, the blatantly obvious attempts to compare the Skeksis rule with the current US President. The series title is no coincidence.
Let's just entertain, shall we?
Roswell, New Mexico (2019)
If you MUST include your politics in your writing, please at least be subtle. You might actually convince some people.
Writers have a great opportunity to allow their audience to examine things, from a different perspective. If successful, this can be illuminating, resulting in a broadened view among their viewers and tends to be inclusive even if the viewers are unconvinced.
It is one of the true glories of science fiction, that a fantastical story, can illuminate the human condition from new angles.
However, heavy handed, dogmatic, pulpit thumping, is never persuasive, but condescending. In this show's case, the condescension doesn't even have the merit of intelligence, to back the arrogance.
The Mist: Pilot (2017)
Has Christian Torpe met any real people?
The characters are caricatures, of tropes. The writer displayed disgust with heterosexual roles that are often portrayed as "macho". Cops, football players were high strung, rape culture exaggerations, that appeared on the verge of a "roid rage". At the same time, the writer tried to make sure the only male character who is above reproach, is a gay caricature. His attempt at showing that even the main characters have flaws, made them un-likable, cutting off viewers from connecting with them at all.