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ondrejbelak
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Black Mirror: Loch Henry (2023)
Well made but a see-through.
I have just realized a new season of Black Mirror came out and got so happy about it I watched two episodes straight away, expecting the good unique storytelling with of a new complex dilemma with a twist here and there, that would make me think about what I saw even days after. Long story short, I am dissapointed. I think I won't remember of this episode by myself ever again.
It's not that it would be a bad piece. Not at all. The production quality was there, acting was right on and it was a nice episode overal. But it's nothing like old Black Mirror. The context is different. The it's not as captivating and surely not as surprising as some prior episodes were. In fact, this episode was very easy to see through. You could not predict the exact way things will play out but you had the correct idea about where the story is going since the beginning. And it did.
In a spoiler-free review I must say, it's not worth the watch if you are looking for something like the old Black Mirror. But it's still a decent "movie", mostly production-wise, so I will give it a 6/10.
South Park: The Worldwide Privacy Tour (2023)
My first South Park episode ever and I had so much fun!
Poor animation probably to leave budget for story-telling, this episode most certainly give one. It's highlighting the obvious. Thing we all heard of and somehow unwillingly paid attention to. How did it come to it? Well, this show doesn't shy from portraying motives as most of people see them. It's witty, extremely funny and most of all, true. BRAND over personality or individuality. False shouting from the full breath, that you ask people to be left alone. Waaagh. Nothing else.
It doesn't matter how you see the big picture. Some events are obvious and easy to assess. Sharades. This show succinctly reminds you of them in a comedic manner that was definitely worth watching.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
I wish I did not have to be that harsh
I wish I did not have to be that harsh in my review, but at the very least, I won't be vulgar. Even though I probably should.
Let's forget that this is an adaptation of incredible written work of art. Of course it could not reach the heights it aspired to, so let's consider the show just a regular project. I will express my opinion related to Tolkien's work only once, because I really think I have to.
1. The show lacks pacing in story-telling and character development. Pacing in development is a strong word, as there is none.
2. The characters are superficial and don't act in their presented nature. There is no deeper sense to their motives and behavior apparently, and as the show says: they are just dogs barking on the moon. The presentation of individuals is one of the worst things in the show so far.
3. Dialogue. Ugh. I can't say anything else but eww. It's strongly correlated to characters actions (2) and their place in the story (1) but it never sounds good, believable or in general, worth of interest.
4. Politicizing : FOREIGN ELVES WILL TAKE OUR JOBS. This is the part where I would love to be vulgar. To avoid this, I will just list the point and move on.
5. GALADRIEL - if not the best, then one in the very top of all female heroins, female idols and generally people/characters adored and respected by so many. She is supposed to be THE HUMAN, the person representing all the qualities a human being could possibly possess, perfect and share with others. It was always challenging to portray character of such quality and it was probably always destined to fail as a project, but not this much. The Galadriel impostor in the show deserves a slap each time she speaks / treats someone / takes action towards others or even smile while riding a horse. She does not evoke disappointment but frustration and anger in me. I did not want to see her like this.
6. Costumes. I saw better preparation in regards of finding out what the costumes should portray and symbolize, in high school plays and dramas. And this is not a joke. Some of the costumes just don't make sense and do not look believable. They could have saved money on CGI and cut few one-time shots the showed us and rather invest in this area.
But one thing was also good. The orcs. Their whole perspective and the time they got on the screen. I could comment on some things regarding Adar and his plans, but in general, this is a part of the project they did very well.
Unfortunately it seems that there are lots of median-viewers that like the show simply because it's running on TV and it's (it hurts to say it) COMPLEX enough to keep them invested into it. I have quit it once, but failed. Now I am quiting again and do not intend to come back to it. I hope this review shows how I feel about the whole adaptation.
Snowpiercer (2020)
Why this way?
The 2013 story adaptation had its flaws, but was quite pleasurable to watch.
The 2020 story adaptation has all the typical flaws you can think of and is pain to watch. I made it only through two episodes and that only for seeing Jennifer Connelly, who is the only person whose acting and looks are attractive here.
Waste of time (even during quarantine).
PS : I am surprised by the number of fine actors taking a part. What lead them to this? Why did they not oppose so apparent bad script and directing?
Westworld (2016)
This piano is tuned perfectly and plays beautiful music. If you don't like the music, don't blaim piano. It's just not your genre.
"Some people choose to see the ugliness in this world. The disarray. I choose to see the beauty."
I am delighted to be so fortunate and having seen Westworld without having ever heard of it. I knew nothing about its genre, its plot, its cast or why on the Earth it was made. The story uncovered before me the same way a newborn learns and see the world it is born into. And I have not ceased to be amazed and shocked by its rich story, the complexity and profundity of it.
It's full of compelling and intriguing story, BREATHTAKING acting, first-rate production and an unusual thing for many shows produced nowadays - it will always deliver more and more and more, and you will keep going back to it.
However, I have to be honest and say there were a few times when a question crossed my mind "Would they really act like this?". Few issues could be found, but even though I consider this show a PIECE OF ART.
Yes, it has its imperfections, but do you blame Michelangelo for a muscular flaw on the statue of David? Do you blame Rembrandt for a small anatomic mistake on The Night Watch painting? I believe that you don't, and as most of us, you adore them and all the beauty they put into them. I believe you are in love with the idea of bringing beauty to the world.
And this show does. It most certainly does.
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PS: I have heard of some people who complained about the complexity of story and change of scenes? Newcomers, to avoid this, please don't sit on your ears and cover your eyes while watching. It's the other way.
Love, Death & Robots (2019)
Please cancel the show
Visualisation is remarkable, however the stories you watch it for lack any quality at all. One-time binge-watch CGI exercise.
Euphoria (2019)
Not non-american material
I would like to say this simply and honestly.
I am aware that in the US television, high school is always a big deal. And maybe the local audience can even relate to relationships and situations advertised in this kind of stories, but no, this is not non-american material.
The production is amazing. The work with set, scenes and performances is incredible. I would like to sum up the show as visually stunning.
However if you are looking for a deep story, realistic characters, tension or something new, you will not find it here. The story line is pure cliche, characters are stereotyped for easy-going story.
Of course, the events that take place in the series are huge and influential in real life, but you cannot take them seriously enough if they are presented so trivially and childishly.
To sum up, I am not sure if I can explain how generally the US. audience is different from the rest, but I can see this as perfect series for them, and terrible for others. This is just another Riverdale BS.