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Reviews
Lost Girl (2010)
I really like this show
I'm excited because this show is about to premiere in the US on SyFy so now I will have peers who have seen it as well. I've watched through into Season 2.
It's not Sopranos, Mad Men, The Good Wife or Six Feet Under, but it is a smart show in its own way. In fact, I prefer a show like this because it isn't a heavy drama. It's funny, campy, sexy (loads of sex be warned), shot beautifully, and has great women characters. Who knew Canadian shows could be so hot and sexy? I love a lot of Canadian shows, but I've never seen anything this steamy.
I hope people enjoy it. Push past the first episode, which might be a little so so, then get into it.
Albert Nobbs (2011)
A mixed review: but encourage all to go spend $$$ to see...
Spoiler: Premise only
I have a mix of feelings about this film. On the one hand, it has everything I could really dream of for a contemporary film I desire: transgender characters, period piece, Glenn Close and Janet McTeer looking smoking hot, flawless performances and it's technically perfect. In many ways I loved this film.
Here's the critique. As a queer person, I'm really exhausted from the "Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant" syndrome. The lesbian tragedy (in this case the transgender tragedy). To see queer stories being told, with such high production value, cultural attention and a true artistic quest to tell a cathartic and symphonic vision, lives always in my subconscious. I've spent a lifetime of trudging through invisibility, to 90s over-sharing in theatre and spoken word and mediocre gay film and television to a contemporary expectation of complex queer characters and stories. There's a dream I have that someday queerness will help destroy the beaten to death formula of American storytelling in cinema. To radically restructure the fundamental narrative abused in film so I don't walk into a Hollywood or Indie theatre and know exactly what is going to happen within 60 seconds. To be more specific about this film, since the opening moment of light, I felt as though I had begun my walk down the plank. And, for nearly two hours, I held a knot in my heart, a feeling I frankly work to avoid everyday of my life. I want to learn something new about life when I see art, I don't want to feel all hitherto tragedy...it is exhausting. If we only teach people how to die in art, how can we ever expect to live in a better world with sustainable visions?
Apologies for getting so metaphysical, but it's a real critique. I value and appreciate that people pushed and got this made. It is beautiful, honest and accurate, a parable for many today. A story for anyone who has spent their lifetime hiding their soul. And, I am truly glad it exists. Though, emotionally, I can't walk around with this stuff in my head anymore.
But, I encourage everyone to go out and spend their 10 guinea at the Box Office to see this film. Because without it, there would be one less film in the legacy to build on. And, I'd bet people put their asses on the line to get this made...so ask a hot date and go.
Boss (2011)
A quiet dark horse that may surprise people who love great TV
I'm currently on episode 5. I'm writing a review because there are currently so few reviews.
This show caught me by surprise. I've never been a particular fan of Kelsey Grammar. Though who doesn't love Gus Van Sant? Which is the name that drew me in.
The writing is excellent. All the technical components are great, the camera work, the locations, costumes, production design; it's all impeccable. The acting is mind blowing, which I credit a lot to the directors and producers who are doing all the right things, staying out of the way when they should and thinking out loud when they should, to get great performances on a TV screen.
It may be a cult, love it or hate it, show. It may win a truckload of Emmys. But, in the eyes of this often fickle and bored TV misanthrope, it is a fine piece of craftsmanship that I believe will hold up to the test of time.
And to the previous reviewer who is tired of Chicago being portrayed this way, I just have to explain. This is fiction. It is about as true as True Blood. It is, I believe, a dark piece of satire. A character-driven-wry-look at contemporary politics in America. Every time they say Chicago, imagine they are saying The Land of Oz or Bon Temps. I think you'll enjoy it more for what it is. And thank whatever cosmic splendor that this is not another show with zombies, vampires or housewives.
The Walker (2007)
Good, but It felt like a dish that just didn't have enough salt.
There are certainly flaws in this film. It's a little frustrating because this could have been a great film, a true classic.
That being said there were some great lines in this, really interesting performances and great production design. I love movies with themes like this. Stories that are unique and portray a world that is an allegory for so many things in our culture but says something different portraying the lives of people never represented in cinema before. I also love a smart movie where there are more great actresses than actors built in the narrative. I admire filmmakers who do it. It's a real treat, especially when it's not a romantic comedy or some 'female/family empowerment' drivel. There were three of the best in here (and Woody Harrelson really stretched his chops and I liked it).
There's a few clunkers in the dialogue, especially in the beginning (it evens out later and gets good). And the characters sometimes are a little Sunday morning cartoonish for me (but it may just be style). The thriller component of this is a bit convoluted. It actually seems like the back seat passenger in this film and didn't get fleshed out correctly, which could have been their intention.
If I were involved in this film I would be really proud of it. I think it's important to articulate new ground in American storytelling. While I can't say this was a home run, I'm open to the possibility that on a 2nd or 3rd viewing I may adjust this opinion. I believe it's worth watching if you like noir, thrillers, queer stuff and all these actors. And if you watch a lot of movies, but don't finish many of them, like me, because they are all the same Hollywood crap.
Blue Bloods (2010)
it's just really bad
i'm a little surprised at the high rating for this show. i too wanted to like it. i'm sick of cop shows generally (dead horse pummeled) but i like most of the actors in blue bloods and thought this might be a little different.
this show has every cliché about cops, men and women, and new york. inside the family, the men are all on the conservative side, the women defend the ACLU pov (i haven't heard an ACLU dig since the 90s). there is a shocking lack of people of color in this show. i don't know what new york these people live in. there's the sort of PC version of racial diversity here...but it's a really lame attempt. black kids are thugs (but there's always the nice misguided one). you get where i'm going here....very boiled down ideas without complexity and character. the show all revolves around a white cop family (every guy is a cop/detective/commissioner and the daughter is a DA). this is a completely unbelievable premise. i won't even go into these crimes the episodes have revolved around. it's just really bad.
and lastly there's absolutely no humor in it despite the fact they have one of the funniest actresses working, jennifer esposito (unless tom selleck's overwrought expressions are funny to you). good writers know the best dramas always have comic relief and vice versa. i'm afraid of what they would do with a toy called humor in the writers room on this one though. it is probably better left untouched by their clumsy paws.
Dirt (2007)
Again, a great show that got canceled...
I love this show. It is so rare to see leading women who are funny, genius, ball busting and gorgeous. Courtney Cox and this amazing ensemble cast have created one of the smartest satires of contemporary Hollywood and Journalism/Media culture. Cox, who has probably experienced the worst sides of tabloid journalism, still plays her role with such intelligence. All while you think Lucy is Satan herself...it is still impossible to hate or revile her. Truth is her God. And who can fault that level of honesty-her most consistent trait? Only those that are true pariahs. Lucy Spiller best line ever, "I'll sleep when they put a stake in me." This show got panned by the critics-I think they weren't patient enough and maybe had trouble seeing Cox play someone so diabolical. I'm glad to see it has a high IMDb rating. It runs a long the vein of Jay Mohr in "Action". Which is also a favorite. Courtney and casting directors if you ever read this crap, please do something like this again. I could never watch that steaming pile called "Friends". But take your chops to the big screen. Lucy Spiller (Cox) should not be wasted on TV sensibilities.