Boyhood

Boyhood is an intimate and beautiful story.

9 out of 10

 

I don't quite remember where I saw the trailer but I immediately knew I needed to see this movie. See the trailer for yourself right here:

In fact, my desire to see this movie drove me all the way to NYC to IFC Center where the popcorn was organic, nobody would give me grief about my age, and the movie was actually playing. It is a shame this movie has such a limited release but everyone seems to agree, Boyhood is something you should see.

 

In case you are a little confused, allow me to clarify. Boyhood is a fictional movie about a boy growing up. The boy was cast when he was 6 and the movie was filmed over the following 12 years using the same cast. It isn't a documentary but at times it seems like it could be. The dialogue feels natural and the moments so relatable they gave chills. Did you not grow up a boy? Not to worry! There is truly something here for everyone to relate to as the whole family, not just the little boy, goes through life and matures.

 

Boyhood is such an amazing experience. I went with a group of girls and after the movie we discussed it on our train ride home. It quickly became apparent that I missed almost all of the little details in this movie. I was so overwhelmed and impressed (not to mention lost in my head contemplating my own experiences) that I missed the "finesse points" of the film. The movie is so amazingly well done that I am excited to sit for another 3 hours and watch it again! Yes, 3 hours of studying a boy and his life. And let me tell you, there is not one car chase or gunshot. Does 3 hours of sitting in a theater with no action sequences scare you? If so, please don't watch this movie. For the rest of you, I can assure you the 3 hour run time is not a problem. Never once does the movie feel like it's dragging. By the end, I had been on a rollercoaster of emotions and I felt like I could look back on this movie and reminisce as if it was my own childhood.

 

I can't really express how amazingly well done this movie is. It is so amazing to watch these characters evolve as they are shaped by the world around them. The movie is incredibly in tune with the times, integrating pop culture with ease. The movie is just awesome. Do yourself a favor and see it.

 

Boyhood is rated R for language including sexual references, and for teen drug and alcohol use.

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Tags: drama, comedy, R, recommended, boyhood

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is unremarkable.

6 out of 10

 

I'll start by saying that my opinion will not be a popular one. Walter White has audiences and critics swooning. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why.

 

The show follows the life of Walter White, an underachieving chemist who is diagnosed with cancer and begins to cook meth with his former student, and drug addict, Jesse Pinkman. Turns out, their product is the purest ever and the two begin a dark journey to keep their business a secret and their loved ones safe.

 

Long ago I sat down to watch the first 2 episodes. I was not impressed. "Keep watching," they insisted. I was frequently told that it gets good later. It was actually quite comical, people even gave me the exact episode that changed their opinion. For example: "season 2, episode 8 is where it gets good." I can assure you the episode was nothing special.

 

The acting is inconsistent, ranging from riveting to barely passable (I think Aaron Paul was told to throw the words "b***h" and "yo" into his character's dialogue, a power he abuses.). Characters are also inconsistent, acting and behaving completely normal one episode and insane the next. I get that facing your own death and being in high pressure situations is stressful but it just gets exhausting. For example, Walt is fine and then the next episode he is completely insane, chasing a fly around his lab for the full 45 min (season 3, episode 10 aka one of the worst episodes of TV ever). Then the next episode, he is completely fine again!

 

Direction is adequate, occasionally pretentious. The whole black and white extended foreshadowing in season 2 was stupid, especially considering the event it leads up to which makes the whole thing feel like a waste of time. Breaking Bad is at its best when it remains modest.

 

Breaking Bad assumes that it is tense viewing. Many scenes have intense music and it assumes I am on the edge of my seat. It is wrong. I only felt any sort of tension thrice throughout the whole series (yes, I kept track). Perhaps, that was due to my lack of attachment to the characters but it didn't do much for me.

 

So what is it about Breaking Bad that makes it so widely loved? If I had to guess, I'd say it was the edge. This show is more edgy and gritty than some of the other shows on television (especially in its early seasons). However, it isn't too edgy in that most teens are able to tolerate it. Thus, it has become a rite of passage, of sorts.

 

It isn't bad, it just isn't that good. I know what you're thinking, who am I to disagree with all of your friends and every critic out there? I'm Skylar, and I write the purest reviews this side of the Mississippi. Remember my name.

 

Breaking Bad is rated TV-MA

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Tags: Breaking Bad, Bad, Breaking, TV-MA, tvma, drama, amc, television, 

The Fault in Our Stars is well-made but struck a nerve with me.

5.5 out of 10 

 

In his review of the film, Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic said, "If you don't cry or snort or at least tear up a little at some point during Josh Boone's film version of the popular young-adult novel by John Green, you're a pretty cold fish."

 

Well Mr. Goodykoontz, I suppose I am the coldest of fish.

 

Check out the trailer here:

And as I re-watch the trailer, I want to love this movie... but I simply do not. Believe me, there is nothing I love more than being emotionally destroyed by a movie but this one came nowhere close.

 

As far as movies go, this one is well made. The director clearly knew what he was doing and the way text messages and emails are incorporated into the movie is very cute. Acting wise, I have no major complaints. Both leads were great and did a solid job bringing the characters to life.

 

I did read the book. In fact, I binge read it in a 24 hour, insomnia ridden period. I walked into school the following day and voiced my discontent with the book. I had found myself getting very annoyed with the characters, but attributed that to my lack of sleep. But, by the end of the book, I felt nothing and I frankly felt like a jerk. I still had every intention of seeing the movie and hoped that actually seeing the story unfold would help bring the emotion to life. It did, in a very miniscule way. However, as soon as I walked out of the theater, I made eye contact with one of my friends, smiled, and said, "I hated it." She did too. I find something about this movie very off-putting, so much so that I considered getting up and walking out thrice.

 

Rotten Tomatoes, my movie review bible, gives this movie an 82% and calls it, "Wise, funny, and heartbreaking."

 

Let's start there!

 

Is it funny? Not really. It tries to lighten the mood but I didn't really laugh once. I was further frustrated when the theater was filled with giggles when characters stared at each other. I kid you not, every time the characters stared at each other for more than 2 seconds, the audience would giggle! Because I find the characters so unfunny, every joke they make seemed distasteful, which made me think the characters were mean, even though they clearly weren't trying to be. To the movie's credit, making jokes about dying of cancer as a teen is a difficult job. However, "cancer perks", certain perks kids with cancer receive, are not funny.

 

If its goal was to make teenage girls cry, it succeeded. The last half hour of the movie could barely be heard over the sea of sniffles and sobs that surrounded me. However, I wasn't heartbroken. I mean, I saw the tragedy coming a mile away.  We all did! When it finally comes, it's "whatever". One of my friends expertly stated something along the lines of, "The tragedy isn't in their love but rather the fact they are dying at such a young age." In that case, I suppose I understand a little more.

 

As for wisdom, it has more than most of the movies marketed at teenagers. The part I found most intriguing about this movie was the idea of family life continuing after losing a child to cancer. The idea of death is a heavy one to handle and this movie does a pretty good job with it. It doesn't really discuss anything particularly insightful but was thought-provoking, in that I caught myself starting off into space and thinking more than once. So while the movie doesn't really provide any great wisdom, it may make you think a little more than most movies.

 

One of my biggest problems was with the "ultra-dreamy" Augustus Waters, the leading man. One of my friends described him as "too perfect." Indeed. He walks around annoyingly and impossibly happy. He says ridiculous things like, "It would be a pleasure to have my heart broken by you, Hazel Grace." And don't even get me started on his cigarette metaphor. The one thing I like about him is his obsession with leaving his mark on the world. A concept that was glossed over, much to my despair.

 

Is it terrible? Absolutely not. Is it overhyped? Absolutely. If you think you'll enjoy it, I recommend you see it. You'll probably enjoy it! I just had some issues with the material itself. Don't judge me for that! Okay?

 

Okay.

 

The Fault in Our Stars is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language. 

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Tags: drama, comedy, PG-13, pg13, the fault in our stars, fault, stars, romance



Her is a tender look into what it means to be a human.

9 out of 10

 

 

Last night, I sat down to watch Spike Jonze's new film, Her, an unconventional love story set in the not so distant future. See the trailer here:

I had very high expectations going into this movie and they were all met and surpassed. This movie gave me the "feels". Samantha (the Siri like machine/lover) wants to experience all life has to offer as she learns about emotions and feelings. Her desires are simple but as a character, she is very complex and interesting. The movie is 2 hours and I enjoyed every single minute of it. It was perfect, the movie felt long and rich but never bloated.

 

Performance wise, this movie was astonishing. Joaquin Phoenix expertly portrays a sweet, possibly creepy man. I felt his sadness and could really relate to him as a character. Scarlett Johansson gives an absolutely fantastic performance as Samantha, the Operating System. Her voice is warm and inviting, you can't help but love her. Together, as the go around experiencing life and you cannot help but feel with them. Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde, and Rooney Mara are great supporting actors.

 

I know what your thinking, this movie seems so odd. How could someone fall in love with Siri? I will not deny you that the movie is odd, but Scarlett Johansson does such a fantastic job bringing Samantha to life that it doesn't feel that awkward. Their chemistry is palpable. I may have even fallen in love with Samantha a little bit!

 

Something about this movie really spoke to me. It truly is a sweet movie and an emotional rollercoaster. It is fresh and exciting. And be honest, is the premise really THAT unrealistic? Think about it. As a society, how far are we from falling in love with out gadgets? Food for thought.

 

Overall, Her is a wonderful and refreshing love story that may be odd but is definitely worth watching.

 

Her is rated R for language, sexual content and brief graphic nudity.

http://www.impawards.com/2013/posters/her_xlg.jpg

 

Tags: her, comedy, romance, drama, R, recommended,

The Wolf of Wall Street is distasteful and disgusting but wildly entertaining.

8.5 out of 10

 

 

I walked in to the theater thinking I was going to see a movie about the corruption of the finance world. Within 30 seconds, I knew I was getting something else entirely. Wild debauchery and constant bad behavior poured onto the screen and continued for 3 hours. Meet Jordon Belfort, a young man with big ambitions. At the age of 22, he begins his journey by working as a stock broker. He soon learns the business and starts his own with the help of his friends. The movie follows his climb to the top and his fall to the bottom. It is distasteful and vulgar but is interesting all the same. Make no mistake, this movie should not be written off. It is directed by Martin Scorsese so it has to be good right? Well...

 

What could have been a cautionary tale of Wall Street corruption was instead a showcase of bad behavior. It was almost like someone sat down and said, "Let's make a very inappropriate movie! We can make the characters do A LOT of drugs and feature constant nudity and sexual content. And why not throw in every bad word under the sun!" Indeed, I often felt I was drowning in questionable content. I read that the F-word was said 414 times in this movie... and trust me, that is the least of your concerns. The movie seems to lose its way in all the partying. The woman who sat behind me agreed. At one point I heard her say, "Oh this is disgusting." Indeed, she was correct. I doubt she liked the movie very much. As soon as the credits rolled I turned to my father (I saw the movie with him) and said, "Well, that was interesting!" He turned to me and said, "You cannot blog about this." "Why not?" I asked. He looked me right in the eyes and said, "Because they will arrest me if they knew I took you to this movie." I can assure you my movie attendance was entirely legal but he had a point. I have no idea how this movie was not NC-17. The debauchery is tolerable, even entertaining, in the fist hour but by hour 3 it had lost its sparkle.

 

All that aside, I did enjoy myself. All 3 hours I was never bored. I always had a smile on my face... even if I was simultaneously rolling my eyes at the screen. With 3 hour movies, problems with pacing are common... not here. Sure they may have wasted time with party scenes but it didn't really affect the pacing. It was shot beautifully and the writing is very well done. The story itself was interesting, albeit predictable. The performances, wonderful. Leonardo DiCaprio was great and very funny. Jonah Hill was very funny. Everybody was funny! The movie was funny! I truly did enjoy it. My only major complaint is the constant explicit content.

 

It is not for young kids. It is not something you will want to enjoy as a family movie. It is not for the faint of heart. However, The Wolf of Wall Street may satisfy you... just know what you're signing up for.

 

The Wolf of Wall Street is rated R for sequences of strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language throughout, and for some violence. 

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Tags: comedy, drama, R, recommended, the wolf of wall street, wall street, the wolf,

Glee starts strong but soon becomes awful.

5 out of 10

 

 

When the pilot of Glee came on as a "sneak preview", I was unconvinced. It was about a high school Spanish teacher who wants to reboot the school's glee club. He assembles a diverse group of singers to compete in show choir competitions and together they overcome many obstacles from bullying to the evil cheerleading coach. Basically, it is a teenage soap opera with music. When I sat down to watch the second episode, I was hooked. I am unsure what about the second episode I found so attractive but it was good. From then on, one night a week, everyone had to take a vow of silence because Glee was on. It soon became a family affair and I was lost in the bliss of Glee.

The first and second seasons were awesome! The show was edgy, but still not over the top. Characters were interesting and Sue, the evil cheerleading coach, was hilarious and a joy to watch. The plotlines were twisty and follow the teens as they jump from one romantic partner to the other. The cast of characters is extremely diverse and had a "feel good" message. However, the greatest aspect of Glee was the music. Glee took new actors and made them superstars, expertly showcasing their talents. The musical numbers were very well done, featuring a wide variety of songs. Glee was great... until it wasn't.

 

Until season 3, I had never missed an episode of Glee. However, somewhere in the middle of season 3, I lost interest. What was once fresh and edgy was now dull and tired. The show focused too much on stupid romantic interests and the result was disappointing. I occasionally tuned in to an episode but never really liked it. Everyone just felt annoying. Glee is now a prime example of a show that refuses to give up even though it is time. It no longer feels genuine and is frankly a waste of time. Last week a Glee clip caught my eye on Youtube. Turns out it was a performance of "What Does the Fox Say?" done by the cast also holding puppets. It saddens me that Glee has fallen to such a level. Overall, Glee starts out fresh and engaging but fails in its later seasons.

 

Glee is rated TV-14

 

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Tags:comedy, drama, musical, FOX, tv, television, tv14, TV-14, Glee

 

Closer is magnetic, heart-wrenching, and explicit.

9 out of 10

 

 

Closer is difficult to explain. It is a movie based on a play and centers on 4 adults in London. Life throws them together in a series of chance encounters and a story unfolds; a story of sex, betrayal, and revenge. But in the end, Closer is a story of relationships and the fickle nature of love. Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen star. Jude Law is the weakest link and often feels boring. He calmly explains his actions at times when I expected raw emotion. Julia Roberts has the same problem but to a lesser extent. It is more appropriate due to the fact that her character is a "depressive". Clive Owen is very good, successfully portraying the slimy character he is and I often felt his pain. He is a wounded man who seeks revenge and (in my opinion) ends up the most unlikable character. However, Natalie Portman steals the show as Alice. She expertly conveys Alice's naïvety and is a joy to watch. Her character is so complex and she tackles it with ease. All the movie's characters are magnificently complex and make for a strange but enjoyable experience. The movie itself is sexually-charged and occasionally uncomfortable. However, the explicit nature of the film serves a purpose. Through frank discussion and heated arguments, the topic of sex is explored and allows for a raw and affecting product. The movie is basically a play with about 10 scenes and the timeframe can be a little confusing so be sure to pay attention! The movie may not appeal to everyone, especially anyone who may be sensitive to the explicit content. However, if you can handle it, Closer may turn out to be a rewarding and affecting movie. Overall, Closer is beautiful but not for the faint of heart.

 

 

Closer is rated R for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality and language.

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Tags: drama, recommended, R, Closer,

Skins (U.K) starts out edgy and addictive but becomes dark, weird, and semi-ridiculous.

7 out of 10

 

 

Note that this review applies to the U.K version. There is an American version of Skins, it's just terrible. Because the show is from England, it is uncensored. Skins follows a group of British teenagers as they navigate life and find strength in their friendships. Each episode centers on a different character but everyone's lives are largely intertwined.

 

When I began the first season, I was immediately hooked. It all felt so fresh and new. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone had an accent but it was a whole new experience for me. The show expertly deals with heavy and relevant issues among teens such as eating disorders, drug addiction, depression, and so much more. It would seem like the show would be a downer but it isn't! Instead, it mixes complex topics with humor. It should be noted that this show is largely aimed at teens due to the fact that the characters themselves are teens and behave in extremely questionable ways. The whole first season was fantastic. The show was funny yet dramatic (at times) and never failed to entertain.

 

Season 2 centers around the same characters but is a somewhat different. The show is considerably darker. For example, one episode centers on a stalker who stalks one of the regular characters. Throughout the season, she does some pretty crazy (and disturbing) stuff. The show is less humorous, instead opting for a more dramatic script. It succeeds in being heart-wrenching but sometimes takes it too far and becomes downright depressing. That is not to say it isn't enjoyable. The more dramatic side of the show was a great and refreshing aspect to add. The end of season 2 is particularly interesting and left with a cliffhanger. I often found myself marveling at the honesty of the show and found it incredibly enjoyable. After season 2, the show says goodbye to the characters and picks up a new cast in season 3 (every 2 seasons there is a new cast).

 

Season 3 has an all new cast and is (once again) different from its previous season. The show once more opts for a more humorous side and the result is somewhat off-putting. Where the show was once clever, it is now crass. One of the new characters, Cook, is a disgusting human being and made the show uncomfortable. Aside from him, the other characters are still good. The story is still occasionally heart-wrenching and beautiful but is sometimes ridiculous (putting Ecstasy in brownies and feeding them to a mother? Come on). The result (sometimes) feels more like a sitcom than the raw and honest show it once was. It is still fun... enough to make me sit for a 4th season.

 

Season 4 was the darkest and craziest yet. The show now feels entirely different but remains engrossing. The season starts out with a suicide which sets it up for the dark product it was. Some parts were good and enjoyable but towards the end, things get strange. It almost felt like the show's writers were sitting in a room thinking of ways to throw "curveballs to viewers". The show feels a little ridiculous but I tolerated it. After all, how much worse could it get. The answer was a lot worse. The season 4 conclusion was appalling. It completely shocked me, in a very bad way. After it was over, I immediately swore off Skins. I also began to notice a pattern that the show follows every 2 seasons. Season 4 was less than perfect.

 

After season 4, Skins was no longer released in the US (apparently they have different DVD players in England) but all 7 seasons are available on Netflix. I plan to continue watching the show and will add to this review once I finish watching. Overall, Skins is an addicting show but is inconsistent.

 

Skins is rated TV-MA

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Tags: comedy, drama, skins, TV-MA, tvma, TV, television



Awkward manages to entertain despite inconsistency

7.5 out of 10

 

 

 

Awkward is a scripted show on MTV centering on a girl named Jenna. One summer, she begins a causal relationship with the school hottie, Matty McKibben. She returns home to find a letter addressed to her. Inside is a list of reasons why Jenna sucks signed by "A friend." A freak accident follows that looks a lot like a suicide attempt and changes her from "invisible girl" to "that girl".

 

 Season one follows Jenna and her friends as they begin a climb up the social ladder and as she struggles to maintain the attention of Matty, all the while trying to find out who wrote her the letter. The result is utterly engrossing. Sure, it is stupid but it is also raw, honest and often funny. The show itself is utterly ridiculous as illustrated by fast talking and word-inventing Tamara and the completely inappropriate guidance counselor, Ms. Marks. Plenty of other character are interesting such as Jenna's parents and school bully, Sadie Saxton. Jenna is a character I could really root for as she generally had the best of intentions and was a victim of circumstance. All the actors and actresses are fantastic all the way through. They are funny and generally authentic. The mystery of the letter also adds a unique dynamic to the show. A sort of whodunit part left me wanting more and contributed to a successful first season.

 

With the drama of season 1 behind her and the mystery of the letter solved, season 2 find Jenna back but changed. She is now considered popular and has a new set of problems. Jenna is considerably more annoying, always complaining about her life. She often fights for the man she wants, changes her mind, changes it again... so on and so forth. Jenna, who was once the adorable underdog, now comes off as a floozy. I frequently found myself screaming at the TV, "PICK A MAN JENNA! STOP MAKING OUT WITH EVERYONE AND PICK A MAN!" And so I came to regard season 2 as the show's darker days, as it was ultimately less inspired. Let me be clear, the show still has some redeeming qualities, such as humorous scenes and a memorable heart wrenching moment, but mostly just feels like a cheesy teen soap.

 

Season 3 part 1 finds Jenna finally settled on a man... until she meets a new one. And just like that, all certainty goes out the window. Immediately, it veers into some darker territory by killing off one of the supporting characters. The characters then begin to try to piece together the death and determine the cause all throughout the first part of the season. This seems to be an attempt to recapture the "mystery" aspect of the show but ultimately fails. The show seemed more humorous than its previous season but still managed to frustrate. Jenna's promiscuous nature was really getting on my nerves and I wasn't sure if I could handle the inconsistency any longer.

 

When season 3 part 2 came around, I was skeptical. I sat down and once again found myself pulled in. It is a completely different product than the first season but still manages to be entertaining. Jenna is still confused about what she wants and in this season makes some terrible choices, which was an utter joy to watch. For once, she finally seems sorry for her infidelity and shares a lot of teary-eyed, heart-wrenching moments. The show finally is able to balance its humor with emotion and never feels sappy. Dialogue is poignant and affecting. I once again felt satisfied when the credits rolled and find it a joy to finally see scraps of a deeper, emotional component of this show. I am certainly glad I stuck with the show because this season is what I was waiting for. Awkward is almost done airing its 3rd season. Overall, Awkward is fun but very inconsistent.

 

Awkward is rated TV-14

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Tags: MTV, comedy, drama, television, tv, TV-14, tv14, awkward, awkward.,

House of Cards is a dark and satisfying political drama

8.5 out of 10

 

House of Cards is a new Netflix show aired entirely on the internet. Dark and slick, it serves up good, albeit slow moving drama. Frank Underwood (Spacey) is a congressman who thinks he is going to get the Secretary of State nomination but the president elect screws him over. Hungry for revenge, he embarks on a twisted quest to destroy the presidential administration from the inside. Frank himself is a very interesting character; an intriguing anti-hero. The young reporter he manipulates, Zoe, is even more interesting and makes one question the price of ambition. Lighting is dark and sets a dreary and daunting tone to the show. Music creates a very tense atmosphere and manages to keep you on your toes. Characters are complex and have their own ambitions and personalities which makes the show as interesting as it is. Wonderfully directed and skillfully acted, it makes you question the need for cable. If a show this good can be made in the internet, why should I pay for cable? One thing I must note is that the show is very political and talky. To be honest it is the definition of no action show. However, if you can stick with it, you may be greatly rewarded. It has one season available on Netflix and the second season is set to air in 2014. Overall, House of Cards is a slow but intriguing political drama worth considering.

 

House of Cards is rated TV-MA

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Tags: drama, tv, television, TV-MA, tv, tvma, recommended, House of Cards, cards, political

Game of Thrones is a television triumph

9 out of 10

 

 

Game of Thrones is an absolute gem. Utterly engrossing and addicting, it is the definition of quality television. Welcome to the land of Westeros where summer can last for years, and winter even longer. Noble houses rule the land all united under a single king, protector of the realm. Lord Stark of Winterfell knows that winter is coming. He begins a journey up the political ladder. Complex plotlines and interesting plot twists follow and he learns that in the game of thrones, you either win... or you die. There is no question, Game of Thrones is worth the hype. It may start out slow but it achieves great success and provides great reward for those who can stick with it. Game of Thrones is the definition of excess; excess violence, sex, and money. Make no mistake, it may look like Lord of the Rings, but this is an entirely different ballgame. The violence is gratuitous and occasionally cringe inducing. Anyone who doesn't handle violence well will most likely not find comfort in this show. Sex is also extremely prevalent in this show, which I do not have a problem with except it doesn't always service the story. Occasionally, graphic sexual content is thrown in just for the sake of it and can lead to some very uncomfortable moments. I understand the show is on HBO and is allowed freedoms but those freedoms do not need to be used constantly. This show also has a very large budget, and it is used very well. A whole new world is created filled with lush scenery and interesting sets. Each landscape and city offers a new and interesting setting. The characters and actors are stunning. The characters are complex and never fail to entertain. There is a healthy balance of characters I love and characters I love to hate. Multidimensional characters allow for a more complex and dynamic viewing experience. The plot is also amazing with betrayal and intrigue around every corner. The show certainly does a great job mixing it up as it will kill off a major character without a blink of an eye. It has aired 3 seasons and has been renewed for a fourth. Overall, Game of Thrones is a very mature and complex fantasy absolutely worth checking out.

 

 

Game of Thrones is rated TV-MA

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Tags: Game of Thrones, Throne, Thrones, Game, HBO, TV, television, drama, action, fantasy, tvma, TV-MA, recommended, 

Smash starts out fresh and fails in its second season.

7.5 out of 10

I stumbled onto Smash accidentally. Shortly after I abandoned the sinking ship called Glee, I saw a large amount of promos for Steven Spielberg's new musical. I sat down and watched the pilot and was immediately hooked. It centers around a group of New Yorker's who are trying to create a Broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe. Julia and Tom are the writers and the struggle to figure out what they want their show to look like. Ivy wants the starring role and believes she deserves the part. She has served her year in the ensemble (and is a close friend of Tom). Karen is the new girl from the south who appears suddenly and is graced with a chance at the part of her lifetime. And so enter other great characters into the web of lies and betrayal that is Broadway. Season one was amazing. The show brilliantly captured the tension and stress and created a lot of drama while never being too cliché. The characters all weaved together very nicely and the product was rich and elegant. One very interesting thing about Smash is that every single character is unlikable in some way, yet I stay attached. Such characters demonstrate a certain finesse. After season one, I was left waiting for more. I was overjoyed when I sat down for the 2 hour start of season 2. About halfway through, I remained unconvinced that season 2 would be any good. I shook it off and thought the new season just needs to regain its footing. It never did. Season 2 was a huge and insulting downgrade. New characters were not only unlikable, but annoying. Old characters became stale. The whole show was just a mess of tangled plot and bad writing. To its credit, season 2 featured some great music but the predictable story was problematic. About halfway through, it was switched from its primetime spot on Tuesday to Saturday... a death sentence. Sure enough the show was canceled... but not before the writing was degraded to sitcom antics. Overall, season 1 is a stunning showcase of betrayal on Broadway but season 2 is a less inspired mess.

Smash is rated TV-14

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Tags:smash, NBC, TV, television, tv14, TV-14, drama, musical, recommended

Stranger than Fiction is charming and unique.

8.75 out of 10

 

Stranger than Fiction is unlike anything I have ever seen and is remarkable. It centers around a mundane tax collector named Harold Crick (Will Ferrell). His life is calculated down to a science. One day, he hears a voice narrating his life. Convinced he is not crazy, he sets out to find answers. He finds that he is a character in a book but the question then becomes, "Am I in a comedy or a tragedy?" Clearly, it is a strange movie. However, it works well. The movie finds Will Ferrell in a very interesting role (he isn't a man-child!). The rest of the cast is amazing as well. I struggle to figured out if the movie was a comedy. I decided it was not. In fact, it is genuinely heartbreaking at times. I was very impressed with how the movie was able to handle heavy themes while still creating a lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, Stranger than Fiction is a original and amazing movie absolutely worth seeing.

 

 

Stranger than Fiction is rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity

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Tags: stranger than fiction, comedy, drama, recommended, PG-13, pg13

Weeds is fun but its plotlines get repetitive in its middle seasons.

8.25 out of 10

 

Weeds is brimming with colorful and interesting characters and some very interesting plot twists. There is no way around it, Weeds is a highly addictive series. Well, at least it starts out that way. Nancy Botwin is your average soccer mom from California. Recently widowed, she is forced to start selling weed to maintain her lifestyle and support her family. The show follows her struggle to balance work and family as well as manage the dangers of being a drug dealer. Nancy turns out to be the  ultimate badass. Mary Louise Parker is absolutely hilarious and does an excellent job with the character. Her supporting characters are what really make the show shine. Each character has their own personality that makes them likeable in their own way. Weeds has an excellent first 3 seasons. In fact, I watched the first 3 seasons in 1 week (season 2 and 3 on one weekend). Weeds first 3 seasons were edgy and fun. They had raunchy humor but also a lot of emotion which made it very easy to feel attached to the characters. In season 4, the show seems to become less inspired. After some major changes at the end of the 3rd season, it almost feels like an entirely different show. Season 4 is by no means bad, just different. Season 5 is similar but season 6 caused me issues. It felt less anchored. Again, it is not bad, just not nearly as good as the first 3 seasons. Season 7 is able to stabilize the show and bring is to a satisfying (albeit strange) conclusion in its 8th season. Weeds is the perfect show to binge watch and its easy accessibility on Instant Netflix make it that much more enticing. Overall, Weeds is a highly addictive show definitely worth watching.

 

 

Weeds is rated TV-MA

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Tags: Weeds, TV, television, comedy, drama, tvma, TV-MA, recommended

The Great Gatsby is a feast for the eyes but leftovers for the soul.

7 out of 10

 

 

This update is visually stunning! I am a fan of the 1920's and seeing it come to life was wonderful. The story follows newbie Nick Carraway who has come to NYC to trade in the stock market. He meets the super rich and super mysterious Jay Gatsby. A story of love and betrayal unfolds, with some awesome party scenes. One of the movie's great disadvantages was its run time. Halfway through, I couldn't help feel antsy. However, the biggest problem with this movie is the soundtrack. Visually, I feel like I'm in the 20's... then JZ plays. Pretty sure he wasn't popular back then. It killed the mood. It succeeded in being hip and modern but sacrificed some of its authenticity. It is in no way a bad movie and many of the performances are swell but it felt like something was missing and the visuals were the cover-up. Overall, The Great Gatsby is worth watching, just make sure you have the time and patience for it!

 

 

The Great Gatsby is rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying and brief language. 

 

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Tags: drama, Gatsby, great, great Gatsby, PG-13, pg13, The Great Gatsby

The Newsroom is a fresh and inspiring look at what TV should be.

9.25 out of 10

 

 

HBO's The Newsroom is a stunning look inside journalism and the news today. It features wonderful and stinging social commentary. Will McAvoy is a famous news anchor on the fictional news network ACN. He follows the status quo until Mackenzie McHale appears and shakes up his world. From that moment, the ACN newsroom covers real life news with a very interesting and honest twist. It is filled with colorful characters (Sloan Sabbath is particularly interesting) and a fair share of relationship drama (just the right amount). Inspiring and well written, The Newsroom had me cheering for more. It's second season was more focused in its narrative and was just as wonderful as the first season. A third season has been confirmed and I anxiously await its release. Overall, The Newsroom is a wonderful (and very mild by HBO standard) show and is worth checking out.

 

The Newsroom is rated TV-MA

 

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Tags: comedy, drama, HBO, news, newsroom, recommended, television, the newsroom, tv, TV-MA, tvma

The Bling Ring is an oddly cold and strange crime drama.

3.5 out of 10

 

I struggled to figure out what The Bling Ring was. Enticed by the promise of Emma Watson as a valley girl, I sat down for what turned out to be a very strange 90 minutes. The movie centers around a group of teens in California that break into famous people's homes and steal their possessions. It is based on a real life crime ring that did the same thing in 2010. The group steals from a variety of homes from Paris Hilton to Lindsey Lohan. The whole movie feels cold and it was a struggle to find a scrap of sympathy for the characters. Everyone acts out of control and has no morals. It almost feels like a nightmare because we know it ends badly. Seeing this movie made me oddly uncomfortable but perhaps the was the goal. Maybe I was supposed to see the error is idolizing celebrities and the oversexualization of today's teens. Maybe it was just a strange movie. However, Emma Watson was stunning as the snotty valley girl. That alone was enough to make the movie worthwhile.

The Bling Ring is rated R for teen drug and alcohol use, and for language including some brief sexual references.
 

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 Tags: Bling ring, crime, drama, R, the bling ring,

Black Swan is a stunning psychological thriller.

9 out of 10

 

Black Swan is a trippy look into madness and the pursuit of perfection. Brimming with chilling visuals that never seem to lose their power, Black Swan can only be described as deeply disturbing. Ambitious ballerina, played by Natalie Portman, finally gets a chance to stand in the spotlight. Innocent and sexually inexperienced, she struggles tying to capture the sexuality of the black swan. Consumed with desire to be perfect, a descent into madness begins and a thrilling ride ensues. Portman is absolutely fantastic. Chilling and absolutely stunning, Black Swan is an amazing movie that will have you cheering (and on edge).

Black Swan is rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.
 

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 Tags: black, black swan, drama, R, recommended, swan, thriller