m-rugen Reviews

Dr. Death: 191 (2023) Season 2, Episode 5

Heartbreaking

[10/10 · 23 January 2024]

One of the most heartbreaking episodes of any television show I've ever watched. Luke Kirby absolutely shines in this, putting on an absolutely amazing performance with a completely shattering storyline. I honestly can't even bring myself to watch the next episode yet because of how I feel about what I just watched.

I've watched a lot of television in my life and certain episodes, certain moments, have stuck with me; and this will be one of them.

I don't want to give away anything else but just know that this episode is so good it could have been a standalone short film, and it would have worked.

The Morning Show: Love Island (2023) Season 3, Episode 5

Three Years Too Late

[1/10 · 4 October 2023]

We didn't need this episode especially not at S3E5. Season 2 ended with the big reveal that COVID had just began. Season 3 began with, what I assume was, three years later. Now halfway through the season you give us an episode that spans the entire time between the end of season 2 and beginning of season 3? We didn't need it. You did fine by bypassing those three years to start the season. I couldn't wait for this episode to be over. I had to deal with every other show I watch between 2020 and 2022 make individual episodes about COVID, January 6th, and everything that happened in between. Certainly didn't need all three years of what happened crammed into a 55 minute episode (and barely any Alex Levy). Everything else in season 3 has been phenomenal. Can't wait to be back on track next week.

Mayans M.C.: Slow to Bleed Fair Son (2023) Season 5, Episode 10

Much Better Than I Thought It Would Be

[10/10 · 21 July 2023]

At the time I'm writing this, the rating is a 7.2. I haven't liked this season much at all, even some of the better rated episodes overall I thought lacked the amazingness that existed in seasons 1-3. But this episode all but made up for the last two seasons.

I spent this whole season absolutely hating EZ's character. I spent the whole episode though hoping for a redemption of the character we all grew to live in 5 seasons.

I don't want to give any spoilers away, for people who want to read some reviews before watching, so let me just tell you that they do this show justice.

If you're a fan of this show, you should be a fan of this episode. I don't know why the rating is so low. Perhaps some viewers were expecting happier endings for every character but hey, you're in the wrong Sutterverse for that.

Copshop (2021)

Had me up until the last 20 minutes

[8/10 · 16 September 2022]

I was looking for a good movie to watch and stumbled upon this on Peacock. I immediately went to IMDb to check the rating and was disappointed to find it only had a 6.2, as I am a big fan of both Gerard Butler and Frank Grillo. It wasn't until I realized it was co-written and directed by Joe Carnahan that I knew I had to watch it. As a big fan of Smokin Aces, The A-Team, and Boss Level (honorable mentions for Stretch and The Grey), I knew I had to watch it.

I absolutely loved the first hour and 26 minutes of this movie. I knew it was going to have great acting, amazing comedic writing, good action, and a decent storyline. That part, he absolutely delivered on.

It wasn't until the last 18 to 20 minutes or so that I started to question why certain things were done the way that were. I don't want to put in any spoilers as I do want people to hopefully see this review without revealing anything, so I'll say that if you're a Carnahan fan and are looking for a movie that will hold your interest for 90% of the film, give it a shot. The 6.2 is too way too low, as it appears some of the reviewers tried to take it too seriously. It's not supposed to be serious. Here's the one spoiler I'll give: none of Carnahan's (directed) movies, sans The Grey, is supposed to be taken seriously.

Take it for what it is, and enjoy it for as long as you can.

Trying: The End of the Beginning (2022) Season 3, Episode 8

Happy Tears

[10/10 · 2 September 2022]

It wasn't until I went to write this review that I discovered it was renewed for a fourth season. I operated under the assumption throughout this entire season, and most notably this episode, that season 3 would be its last.

Just as I did S3E1, I cried happy tears the entire time. The love that Jason and Nikki have for each other and every one around them is just so inspiring and so endearing. This really is one of the best under the radar shows I've ever seen.

If this were in fact the series finale, I couldn't think of a better way to end it. But truthfully, I'm overjoyed at the fact there is a season 4 on the way, someday.

I will forever cherish these characters and I hope you all feel the same way.

As someone who doesn't want to get married or have children, this is the closest I will ever get or want to get. I love everything about this show, and I think I always will.

Trying: Home (2022) Season 3, Episode 1

It takes a village

[10/10 · 22 July 2022]

Perfect start to the final season. Was crying nearly the entire time. Looking forward to the rest of the season yet simultaneously not looking forward to it ending. Phenomenal show all around. Well done.

Black Bird (2022)

Phenomenal

[10/10 · 8 July 2022]

All around phenomenal. Acting, pacing, direction are all on point. Even though Jimmy and Larry haven't had any scenes together yet, the suspense of what's to come is already there.

Paul Walter Hauser really is a phenomenal actor. This might be Taron Egerton's best role yet outside of Rocketman.

I had never heard of these events so I went into it completely in the dark and absolutely loved the first two episodes.

Looking forward to the rest of the series for sure.

Escape Room: Tournament of Champions (2021)

Decent enough

[6/10 · 8 July 2022]

Didn't do much for me, but as someone who enjoyed the first film I was ready to finally watch this one. Wasn't something I was dying to see. So if you liked the first one and you have an hour and a half to kill, might as well watch it.

Some people said it was predictable but honestly I thought the opposite. I thought some of it was a little outlandish that no way these people are figuring this stuff out that quickly. The movie could have benefited from being a little longer, and therefore provided a little more time/more clues within each level to really make us believe that anyone other than Zoey was smart enough to figure out any clues.

Wasn't a huge fan of the ending either. Seems like they only did that in anticipation of a third film in the franchise, which I don't think we'll get based on the box office and reviews.

So, again, if you enjoyed the first movie enough, and you wanna bang out a quick 88 minute movie, give it a watch. You'll be disappointed at times for sure, specifically with the writing, but it's suspenseful nonetheless.

Barry: 710N (2022) Season 3, Episode 6

Not a review

[10/10 · 30 May 2022]

Not a review. Just an opinion.

Best episode of the entire series. Not just this season. The entire series.

Goodnight.

Wait not enough characters.

Okay goodnight.

This Is Us: Us (2022) Season 6, Episode 18

fersiaf summed it up perfectly

[7/10 · 25 May 2022]

Their review was absolutely spot on. This was a fine episode, but the three preceding episodes were nothing short of amazing. It would have been hard to top any of those episodes, specifically The Train, but this was a little underwhelming for a series finale of such a fine show.

While the scenes of the kids were nice, we didn't want to see 40 minutes of the young Big 3. The majority of the episode focused on them and Randall. Outside of the small scene between Kevin and Nicky, and the small scene between Kate and Toby, you didn't see them again until the final 10 minutes or so of the episode.

Altogether, absolutely beautiful acting and equal happiness and sadness. But I would have preferred more screen time to older Kevin and Kate. Perhaps they filmed more scenes and were cut to get it down to a normal runtime as opposed to an extended run.

A worthy, beautiful episode of a fantastic series but an underwhelming finale. I hope awards season is kind to them, they deserve every award possible.

New Amsterdam: Unfinished Business (2022) Season 4, Episode 17

Had me up until the reveal

[6/10 · 27 April 2022]

Thought the episode had its classic New Amsterdam feel, very familiar to the season 1 finale. But the reveal of who drugged them and why? Come on. I usually never have any issues with shows utilizing modern real life problems in their material - it's free writing for them basically. But a bartender who was upset for being out of work, getting Covid and having no symptoms, and drugging doctors for it??? Get outta here lol. How about a bartender whose loved one was denied healthcare and died as a result. Not that that's a good reason to drug a bunch of people but still.

Overall an enjoyable episode, albeit frightening watching what's happening to Helen, Casey, etc. Just wish that big reveal was much, much different.

Outer Range (2022– )

First episode is a 10

[8/10 · 15 April 2022]

I'm writing this as I start the second episode. I loved the first episode but I agree with the few people that say it's so dark so that's why I'm calling it an 8 for now. I turned off two lights in my room and closed the blinds and I still could barely see a damn thing in the night scenes. I understand the material is dark and brooding so the show must be too but come on, turn on a light.

Someone also complained about the cast but I think the cast is great. Brolin aside you got Tom Pelphrey (who crushed it in Ozark), Lewis Pullman (great in Catch-22 and BTATER), Matt Lauria (crushed it in Friday Night Lights and Kingdom), Noah Reid (still trying to get used to his character after Schitt's Creek lol), Imogen Poots, and the great Lili Taylor. Cast is solid, acting was great so far as well.

Only blemish thus far is the lighting. Watching this show with two lights off and closed blinds I definitely need a nap. I think this is going to be a fantastic show and I look forward to see how it progresses.

Billions: Cold Storage (2022) Season 6, Episode 12

Just because it's Prince,

[8/10 · 11 April 2022]

You guys think this show sucks now. You know damn well if that was Axe across Chuck at that table you'd be raving about it. The nuts and bolts of this show are still there, all that happened was they replaced Axe with Prince. For those of you who eventually binge this show or just haven't started with season 6 yet, ignore all the terrible reviews all season long. This show is still Billions.

Severance: The We We Are (2022) Season 1, Episode 9

So intense

[10/10 · 8 April 2022]

Literally on the edge of my couch the entire episode. Amazing editing, pacing, writing, acting - everything that made this show so great all season. Going into the show and the first few episodes I never expected what we eventually got. One of the best shows I've seen in 2022.

How We Roll (2022)

I love Pete Holmes

[4/10 · 1 April 2022]

He's probably my favorite comedian. From his stand up to the short lived Pete Holmes Show to the WAYYYY short lived Crashing (if you haven't seen that show please watch it) but this was almost unwatchable. Not because of him either. Multi camera sitcoms with the "audience" haven't been good for years. I wish they set this up as a single camera show, no audience/no laugh track. Better editing, timing, deliveries. All that which makes single camera shows better. Shows like Community, Superstore, etc would NEVER have made it as a multi camera show.

I'm still going to watch it because of him, and even Chi McBride I'm a big fan of, but I hope it gets better from here.

Billions: Hindenburg (2022) Season 6, Episode 9

"Dang, he's good."

[10/10 · 20 March 2022]

Say what you will about this season but this episode was amazing. People complaining about the "wokeness" and missing Axe, I get it, but this episode has all the writing and twists that make me love this show.

Snowpiercer: Ouroboros (2022) Season 3, Episode 7

Not the best episode but still better than most of this season

[7/10 · 15 March 2022]

This season as most of you agree has been completely lackluster. Melanie being gone and Wilford being irrelevant has given us not much to look forward to. When I saw how bad these reviews were, I was gearing up for a horrible time watching this episode. But, in fact, this was actually probably the episode that held my interest the most. Discovering new characters within familiar faces allowed me to experience the show from a whole new point of view. While also having quite a few important storylines outside of the coma sequence, such as Audrey maybe not being a total nut, Zarah and Josie reconciling, and Wilford discovering that Melanie may actually be alive; the coma storyline was still quite relevant. We knew that Layton was aware of his lie to the train about New Eden but we didn't know it was to this extent. Yes, it's a filler episode, but quite an important one at that. I'm surprised that the people that dislike this season disliked this episode. I assumed that like me, this episode would have been a refreshing change of pace from the lackluster season we've all watched thus far. I went into this episode thinking it was going to be horrendous but I was pleasantly surprised, and tonight's episode is now my most anticipated episode of the season. For anyone who reads this while binging the show in the future, or is a week or more behind like I was, please, ignore the 4.1 it currently has. It's not a bad episode at all.

Suspicion: Persons of Interest (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

Intrigued

[8/10 · 4 February 2022]

Only watched the first episode so far of the two they released but I can't wait to watch the second episode tomorrow. Very intriguing characters to start this episode and I'm interested to see how this progresses. Could be a really good show or a really bad one. Good cast, good writing and score, very well paced.

Search Party: Song of Songs (2022) Season 5, Episode 8

I feel bad for anyone who binges the whole series

[2/10 · 21 January 2022]

Season 1 went from a mystery to a zombie apocalypse in season 5. If it was a standalone series, it wouldn't be terrible. But after 5 seasons and 5 years of watching this show, this has been a complete disappointment.

Still has its funny moments of course, but this is not the Search Party I grew to love.

New Amsterdam: In a Strange Land (2021) Season 4, Episode 9

Apparently a lot of republicans watch this show

[10/10 · 18 November 2021]

Good to know that you don't just watch Alex Jones, Tucker Carlson, and Fox & Friends

"Oh no. TV show focus on trans and immigrants. Bad TV. Bad. Me no like. Me rate low."

Arcane (2021– )

Complete outsider

[10/10 · 11 November 2021]

I have no idea what League of Legends is nor do I ever really watch this type of show (specifically anime). But when I saw the reviews I had to give it a shot. And holy hell this is some of the best television I've ever seen.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)

I need subtitles

[6/10 · 2 October 2021]

Could barely understand anything Venom says. Tom Hardy's American accent (I nationalized it to American rather than just San Franciscan cause it is in NO WAY an SF accent) is also barely audible. Woody Harrelson is to me one of the greatest actors of all time and he did not disappoint. Naomie Harris was forgettable. Overall the movie was too quick. Could have had ten more minutes of material, maybe learning about Cletus' murders rather than them putting it into a montage in the beginning. Certain elements like that made the film seem rushed, which it most certainly was at only 85 minutes of actual film before the credits rolled. I'm all for short movies if they get the job done but to me this one didn't get the job done entirely.

Other than Harrelson's performance and the after credits scene, most of this movie is forgettable. Three stars go to each of those factors.

The Problem with Jon Stewart (2021–2023)

Intense

[10/10 · 1 October 2021]

Such intense subject matter. I was expecting more stuff along the lines of The Daily Show or Last Week Tonight but damn, Jon Stewart really left me speechless during the first episode. It's weird, I'm looking forward to every episode now but at the same time I'm not, because I feel like I'm going to be floored each time. Even if you're not a fan of Jon Stewart or programs like The Daily Show or Last Week Tonight, this is truly eye opening material and I think everyone needs to watch it. And for anyone reading this who thinks it may be too political, there wasn't a single mention of democrats or republicans in the first episode. Obviously it focused on a governmental issue on a nationwide scale but this needs to be viewed by everyone regardless of political affiliation.

American Rust (2021–2024)

Never been so bored in my entire life

[1/10 · 13 September 2021]

A few weeks ago I tried to watch the original Dune in anticipation of the remake. Turned it off after 34 minutes. I thought that was the most bored I had ever been. It probably was at the time, but it is now in second place after watching an hour and four minutes of this.

Black Monday: Two! (2021) Season 3, Episode 9

Funniest episode of the season.

[10/10 · 26 July 2021]

As much as this season disappoints me, this was one of the funniest episodes of the season.