Change Your Image
davidmlandau
Reviews
WeCrashed (2022)
Excessively Done
A show about narcissistic excess undone by its own excess. Great casting and acting but Adam and Rebekah Neumann are so narcissistic
insane, insufferable and disconnected from reality it's really a crime to force an audience to wade through 8 hours of their schtick. This could have been an incredible 4 part - even 5 part - mini series but 8 hours is just too much.
Leto and Hathaway are truly exceptional. They shine throughout...but at a certain point we get it. The duration requires the viewer to sit through the same antics over and over. Don Julio 1942 should get third billing as it's featured prominently throughout 6 of the 8 episodes. There should be a drinking game attached requiring the viewer must take a shot of Don Julio 1942 every time the bottle appears on screen but that might lead to actual alcohol poisoning or death - which, on the positive side, would get you out of having to watch all 8 hours of the show.
Field of Dreams (1989)
A Moving Masterpiece.
Field of Dreams is a moving masterpiece that holds up over decades of viewing. Costner is perfectly cast and what might initially seem gimmicky or silly soon grabs at your heart.
The script is pitch perfect. The casting is wonderful. James Earl Jones in one of his most memorable roles, brings humor and emotion to a film you don't want to end.
The cinematography by John Lindley is lovely. He infuses energy into the film with camera movement and the magical moments are a thing of beauty.
If you have a pulse you'll need a box of Kleenex.
One wonders why The Director Phil Alden Robinson didn't go on to make more films. After this he directed Sneakers which is a lot of fun and a solid follow up.
Friday Night Lights (2004)
This is a Bad Movie...Really
If you like films that stay on the surface, trite caricatures of human beings and portrayals of a world where women essentially don't exist this is a film for you. It's SO bad. You care about none of these characters. You hate the coach. You hate the townspeople. You don't care about the football players and the women exist only to support the men or to be a hindrance to them.
The football scenes are boring, absurdly choreographed, highly unrealistic and silly.
Billy Bob Thornton is a card board cut out. The script is lame.
The camera work is annoying and dated.
The direction is non existent.
Otherwise it's great.
The Terminal List (2022)
Terminal. Do Not Resuscitate.
Trying to make it through Ep 02. It's just the worst, cliched crap ever. Keep hoping it will get better but it actually gets worse. DNR! How much did Chris Pratt get paid to do this junk?
Search Party: Genesis (2022)
How could a show so good get so bad?
How could a show so good get so awful. The 5th season is so dreadful I can't believe I'm still watching...waiting, hoping for a glimmer of a return to form but this show is off the rails.
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987)
Challenging, Frustrating and Fabulous!
Amazing this film has never been released on DVD and it deserves to be. Sammy and Rosie Get Laid is a remarkable and flawed film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Hanif Kureishi who worked together on My Beautiful Launderette. Thatcherism, the struggles of immigrants and oppressed races and Love are the main topics - chaos and excitement exist everywhere. Watching this film in 2021, the themes and scenes of riots and madness are as relevant today as they were in the mid-80's. The cast is great. The film will stay with you. It will haunt you. It will demand repeat viewings - as it has for me since.it's release in 1987. I was lucky enough to find a dvd-r bootleg which is serviceable but WHERE'S THE OFFICIAL DVD RELEASE???
Search Party: The Imposter (2021)
The Best Episode So Far...
This season. Brilliant. Love the Magnolia homage. Love how the whole thing pays off. All the crumbs come together in this episode and the Oprah character was brilliant and hilarious. 👍
We Are Who We Are (2020)
A Masterpiece.
There's nothing conventional about this coming-of-age story. Luca Guadagnino, director of Call Me By Your Name, understands the nonsensical, random, challenging, fluid nature of self-discovery. He also understands the beauty and complexities of creating connection at that age. All the elements of filmmaking come together and it blew me away. Guadagnino doesn't care for conventions and he blows them up and it all works. He also uses music -- much of it by modern classical composer, John Adams, and electronic/RnB artist, Blood Orange, to stirring effect. The casting is perfect, the lead is challenging, possibly autistic, but so beautiful in his searching of self. Kid Cudi is the weakest link here but it doesn't matter. All these kids are are stars and give authentic and deep performances. I really can't recommend it enough.
The Good Fight: The Gang Deals with Alternate Reality (2020)
Brilliant!!!
The Good Fight is the best show on television. It's as zeitgeist as it gets. Furiously creative and funny. It is no holds barred. Extremely Political - making fun of both the left and the right. The cast is perfection as is the writing and direction. The show is constant energy with purpose. Sly and witty. A must see from the beginning.
Years and Years (2019)
Best Show Ever?
Answer: Possibly.
It's like an Alan Ball show with elements of Black Mirror. It's incredible. Two episodes in and I can't stop thinking about it. There isn't a single false note. The casting is as fabulous as the writing and direction.