Reviews

I only intended to watch the first episode, but I couldn't stop. I *had* to find out what happened, and I wasn't disappointed, even though I stayed up way too late to finish it.

It's a tribute to the actors that they were able to show the increasing layers of their characters as the story went on and became more complex. Multiple sides of many issues emerged, and one important lesson I took away from The Other Black Girl is that there are no easy or simple answers to problems. It left me wanting more, and it seems that there is more to this story than one season revealed. So, let me just say: bring it on!

Very fond of Gina Rodriguez and Lauren Ash, so mainly watching it for them, as I've liked their previous work. And their interactions show the chemistry that comes with having worked together before. I've just watched the first two episodes, so we'll see what happens.

As others mentioned, the premise is somewhat like Ghosts, but without an explanation for why Nell suddenly sees the ghosts or why they disappear after she writes the obituary. But it's a bit of fun seeing the different ghosts and lives Nell interacts with and learns from. I'll give it some time, and hopefully the storylines and writing will improve.

The more we find out about these characters, the more I love them. Each episode has something new, and this one tells us a lot about why Sass is the way he is. I really appreciate the way the characters help each other grow and fulfill some of their dreams. I did not see that happening with the U. K. version, so that may be why I actually prefer the American version (which I did not expect). The music by Cat Stevens was the perfect backdrop for the storytelling, and seeing the father/son dynamic was very moving. I have to admit that I have tears every time I watch this episode (which I have many times).

Not a fan of Amy Schumer as a comedian, so I wasn't expecting to like this much. I was surprised at how much I like the characters, the storylines, the memories and decision-making in the show. Several episodes in, I will watch to the end and hope for more.

Was so excited to see the crew and adventures, but a bit skeptical as to whether it would hold up to the original. It does! But differently. They made two important good choices: because no one could replace Nate and many would resent anyone who tried to, Mr. Wilson is brought in for the audience to slowly get to know, accept, and root for, just as the crew does. And as much as I love seeing Aldis Hodge, the new hacker is awesome--brilliant, outspoken and yet vulnerable, and she really kills the important speeches. And boy, did I miss Parker! It's great that this time around, we get to see Parker expanding her roles. Sophie and Elliot also shine, as always. This is such a welcome treat. And, as they say in the show itself, we need them now, more than ever!

I waited until I'd seen all of the episodes to review WandaVision. Previously, I had liked the characters, I had liked the actors, and I had expected the show to be mildly entertaining. I wasn't prepared to be blown away emotionally. WandaVision feels to me as though it's channeling the grief and frustration we've been dealing with for a year now. Experiencing WandaVision was very cathartic.

The main problem for me is the difference in the central character (Miranda v Kat). While Miranda has a lovely vulnerability and is completely believable "spilling the beans" to the audience, Kat just seems too confident and sort of snide to pull it off. It's a shame--I like Mayim, but this doesn't suit her at all.

Much of what is covered in the film is known, or could be known with some research. The value of Totally Under Control is the way the film lays out, step by step, the timeline of this tragedy. Here's hoping that we do, in fact, learn from this horror show and take steps to be better prepared for future emergencies, whether pandemics or other natural disasters. The more the public questions leaders and demands transparency, the better.

Love on the Spectrum is what reality TV should be--a way to share what reality is for people experiencing life in a different way. Of course, it is edited, but the creators did a great job balancing the triumphs and heartbreaks and showing us all the little steps along the paths to love that the participants are taking. Very glad to hear there will be another season--each person interviewed shows us a different world view.

Started watching it as a joke, expecting it to be silly and stupid. It is, but it's also joyful and inspiring. Fire Saga belongs to Rachel McAdams, as her character learns to use her real voice and sing/speak to the world. Enjoyed seeing the cameos and supporting cast was very good. Someone said Fire Saga is the perfect pandemic movie, and I agree. I've seen it a few times now, and it always lifts my spirits. As was said in The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home." And don't we know it these days?

Though the premise is quite silly, I decided to give the show a chance and really enjoyed it. It does take a lot of familiar characters and scenes, but the cast were able to draw me in to appreciate the essential core of the story: we all want to be more connected, but we struggle to find a way to do that.

I have a feeling it may take a few episodes to really develop the potential here. Looking forward to seeing more episodes.

Off The Record is a masterpiece of storytelling. For viewers of Lucifer, it added layers of complexity to the mythology. For non-viewers, it can stand alone as a lesson in responsibility and karma. The main cast was very strong, and the guest actors were a wonderful addition. Something to think about for a long time...

Lucifer is one of those rare shows that is even better with encore viewings. Each season is better than the previous, as the characters develop layers and stories become more complex. With some episodes, the second time around the viewer is in on an entertaining subplot, while with others a second viewing allows the viewer to catch quips they may have missed the first time (such as a humorous reference to Nietzsche).

The entire cast is excellent, and Lucifer really knows how to make the most of storylines featuring guest stars. I never watched Lucifer until it came to Netflix, as the promos I saw before then made me think it would be silly and superficial. In fact, Lucifer is the opposite: an engaging exploration of responsibility, friendship and family dynamics, and what it means to be human. There is an abundance of story possibilities in this fictional universe, and I hope we get to see many more.

Watched this just because John Cho is the lead. He doesn't disappoint, nor does the film. Edge-of-your-seat from start to finish, with humor and great twists. As others have mentioned, the cast is Asian, but the story is universal, and that makes a difference. It's not an Asian story, it's a human story, and what a story it is. Very highly recommended to any fans of John Cho, mystery and suspense.

Yes, Cloak and Dagger is different. It does not have the usual origin story, instead the viewers are discovering what happened, how and why at the same pace as the characters. So, it's going to feel slow to some people.

I appreciate the character dynamics and how they work against cliches. The black teen has a great family, goes to a private school, and is socially reserved. The blonde teen struggles with her family situation and is a con artist. And I really appreciate that it appears that they will have a close relationship, but not romantic. Instead, he is interested in a black schoolmate and she is interested in him.

While the main narrative develops, issues of bias, white privilege, corporate corruption, and many other current issues are entwined in the stories. The main actors are very good and the supporting cast are good as well. I'm hooked and eager to see where this goes. (I believe the show differs somewhat from the comics.)

Outstanding performances by all of the actors, especially the leads. It brings the books to life, which seemed to be an impossible task. The design, directing, sound/music all enhance a wonderful production.

Though the main character is rich and privileged, the stories and underlying themes apply to many who have suffered abuse of any kind. The narrative shows the hard work involved in becoming the person you were meant to be.

Kudos to all involved in this magnificent production.

This is the first anime film I've ever seen, and I loved it. IMO It's best to see this film without knowing too much about it. Just let the beauty and haunting yearning of the characters sweep you along. The story is so compelling that I had to look up whether the place is real and if the major event in the film actually happened (they are fictional). It's also inspired me to want to learn more about some of the cultural issues and items featured in the story. Highly recommended, even if you're not usually into anime.

Jordan Peele masterfully creates an engaging hero, a mysterious atmosphere, and an action-filled story that never lets up. Get Out is a suspenseful film full of humor. It explores a lot of social issues revolving around racism in the U.S. Get Out really isn't a horror film (which is what I thought it was going to be). I think Jordan Peele called it a social thriller, and that seems right to me.

Get Out is for everyone. I saw this with a mixed audience, and as far as I could tell, everyone loved it. Because Get Out deals with how we treat one another, I think it's best to see it in a theater with other people. I'm sure it will translate well to a small screen, but it was great to see it as part of a group.

Have seen Doctor Strange twice now, first in IMAX 3D, second on a regular screen. Go for the IMAX 3D if you can, but it still holds up in 2D. But this film should really be seen in a theater to get the full effect.

Everyone in the cast is terrific, even those in smaller roles. More fun than I've had with most recent films--lots of action, good humor, very cool graphics.

It IS an origin story, so some of the story is similar to others, but the settings, the new elements of magic, and the intersection with other Marvel characters and stories make it different enough to shine.

Be sure to stay through all the credits. There is one scene mid- credits, but the more interesting one is after all of the credits have rolled. Check it out!

The Imitation Game is a must-see. Perfect for those interested in history, technology, social conventions affecting groups (women, gay people, those with autism) and the struggles of visionaries way ahead of their time.

I knew a bit about Turing from computer science studies, but was eager to learn more. While The Imitation Game does take some artistic license in dealing with the facts, it more than makes up for it by delivering an intense, thrilling and surprisingly funny drama with a tragic ending.

The story covers the historical aspects of Turing's work and includes some glimpses of his earlier years in a beautiful, engrossing way, thanks to a stellar performance by Alex Lawther. Benedict Cumberbatch gives his best performance yet as the adult Turing, and the rest of the cast is excellent as well. I was pleasantly surprised by Kiera Knightley's strong performance as Joan Clarke; she movingly portrayed the struggles faced by a brilliant woman in a technical setting, and she showed the compassion and support that helped Turing endure some of his struggles.

STID was much better than I expected. It is nonstop action with a ton of special effects, but what enchanted me was the humor and game-playing between and among the usual gang and the new "baddie." I loved that John Harrison is a master chess player, always several steps ahead of anyone else, and even after the end of the film, I'm left thinking that we haven't seen all his moves yet.

Since some of the previews/trailers had dialogue that sounded cheesy, I thought the movie might be fun but corny or campy. On the whole, though, even lines like "I will walk over your cold corpses" make perfect sense when you hear the context of what the character is saying. Anyone can enjoy this film, even if they haven't seen all or most of the other Star Trek pieces on TV or film. Check it out and have fun!

Some films absolutely must be seen in a theater. Inception is one of those rare films that will not be truly experienced without a big screen, the bigger the better (IMAX if possible), or else you will not feel as if you are in the... (well, you'll see).

On a Saturday afternoon, the theater was packed with the most diverse audience I have ever seen: ages from early teen to people who looked as though they had not been to a theater in decades; all races; many, many ethnic backgrounds; male and female. And everyone seemed entranced from the opening scene, all the way through to the final moment, when the entire audience gasped in unison. (If you have seen Inception, you will know exactly what I am talking about.)

Don't miss seeing a new classic be born. Enjoy!

I was hesitant to see this film, since I loved all of the books so much. I was afraid that the film would be a big disappointment. No! This is a great film, although it seems to me that without having read the books, it might be difficult to "get" everything.

Another concern was the amount of violence that might be portrayed on screen. Again, no problem. It could not have been done better--only enough is shown so that you know exactly what is going on and can feel the anguish. But there is no gratuitous or unnecessary violence shown. Kudos to the director for making great choices and to the actors for their brilliant portrayals.

The casting is superb. I know that some people do not like to see films with subtitles, but I am really wondering if the American version will in any way be able to even come close to the beauty and brilliance of this film.

My recommendation is to read the books and then see this beautiful and haunting film, which provides another way to experience this intense, idealistic and inspiring story.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was very impressed with the combination of comedy, tragedy, and historical explanation. Yes, there is a bit (or more) of playing to the camera by Moore himself--however, I enjoyed the grandstanding--kind of an investigative revenge fantasy to physically call attention to one of the biggest crime scenes ever. While the use of 1950s instructional film segments is played for laughs, other historical footage is literally breath-taking. My NY audience was utterly silent when we saw what FDR wanted to do, and might have done, had he lived longer. MY REQUEST, at least for the DVD version, would be to have more labels on the lesser-known political figures, so we could more readily identify the few, brave souls who spoke out in vain. I plan to see it again.

Found PROFIT via comments/suggestions from DEXTER fans. Watched the DVDs from Netflix and had to order my own set. This is a series to watch over and over! It can't be said enough: PROFIT was WAY ahead of its time. Although some styles or technical elements may be out of date, the series is still VERY cutting-edge in 2009. I second the motion to bring back PROFIT, preferably on cable, where it would flourish in today's environment. There is a growing interest in sociopaths/psychopaths in everyday life; for true-life stories, check out the book, "Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work." Adrian Pasdar was very modest in the commentary about the show. He brings Jim Profit to life in a brilliant, breath-taking characterization. All of the actors are superb, the scripts both funny and suspenseful, the directing and editing pull it all together wonderfully.

What would it take to bring back PROFIT? Inquiring minds want to know!