dudewholikesthepits Reviews

30 Coins (2020–2023)

Jumped the Shark

[5/10 · 2 January 2024]

I had to lower my rating from 8 to 5 after S2. This show was amazing in S1. It was everything I could want in a show like this. Horror, mystery, romance. S2 became a Charlie Foxtrot of convoluted ideas (a UFO...really?) with no focus. The characters weren't as interesting and the ending was moronic. There was too much "jedi" stuff with the coins and the rules of the story's world were inconsistent (Vergara didn't feel getting stabbed or shot after returning to earth, but screamed in pain every time he pulled a part of the staff out of his body, in example). The bad guy's idea is to fly a UFO into god's eye and go to another dimension? How far this show has fallen. There were some good ideas in there, but the execution was horrible. I'm not even sure I want a S3 after that mess. I went from loving the show to wondering what happened to it. Did the writers of S2 ever see S1?

Sprung (2022– )

Literally Laugh Out Loud Funny

[8/10 · 26 June 2023]

My wife clicked on this show last night. We decided to check it out due to our shared love of Raising Hope and My Name Is Earl. We were NOT disappointed. This show is hilarious. We found ourselves looking at each other and laughing multiple times per episode. This show should be shown in all writer's rooms before scripts are written. The jokes actually hit and the performances are perfection. Having Bert and Virginia back together is a blessing as their chemistry is undeniable. I can't wait to get home after work today to finish the series. I hope there are more seasons. This show needs to be around for a while.

Edit: Having finished the season I no longer want more seasons. Everyone got what they wanted (although maybe not exactly what we'd hoped for them). The only way for there to be another season would be for someone to lose/move backward from the glorious ending to this series. It should be left as a stand alone.

FBI: Most Wanted: Iron Pipeline (2022) Season 4, Episode 1

Horrible Writing

[1/10 · 1 June 2023]

Fully automatic weapon purchased from a gun store where it would be illegal to sell a fully automatic weapon. McOlddude as an undercover biker with no patch being told that the only reason he wasn't killed while being robbed is because he's a biker? Really? That was the best they could come up with? He's not patched. He has no affiliation. He's just a 61 year old on a motorcycle. Then to prove that legal guns are bad their plot twist is another illegal gun purchase used in a multiple crime situation. Guy was clean why didn't he purchase it legally? This was so poorly written that it makes me think about the monkeys in a room with typewriters?

The Mandalorian: Chapter 22: Guns for Hire (2023) Season 3, Episode 6

Din Djarin The Cuckhold

[4/10 · 11 April 2023]

Can it get worse? Forget the cameos. The actual storyline (what story line?) is bad this season. Everything is disjointed with no real focus. Din is now Katan's cuck. Baby Yoda (personal reason that I don't use his real name, lol, so save it) is little more than occasional comic relief. There's nothing here from the first two seasons. If they wanted a Bo Katan spin off did they have to hijack Mando to give it to us? The show has become as bad as The Book of Boba "Get Beat Up By Everyone" Fett. This senseless mess is not the show that brought in the audience. This is like people throwing ideas in a hat then drawing at random before the trained monkey's in the next room pound on typewriters until a script is accidentally created.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 19: The Convert (2023) Season 3, Episode 3

Filler

[2/10 · 20 March 2023]

Tell me you don't have a real arc for the season without telling me you don't have a real arc for the season. Any themes covered by bringing back two meaningless characters you don't even remember without a flashback to season 1 before the episode starts should be covered by using the main storyline and/or characters people actually remember. This was filler at its worst and makes me wonder about bothering to catch the remaining episodes the day they're released. I understand why ratings have been falling this season now that I've seen this episode. It need not have existed as the only parts important were basically bookends with main characters that weren't even half the run time.

Found (III) (2012)

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[3/10 · 20 March 2023]

This film was recommended by a YouTuber who's videos I normally enjoy. I feel like he owes me two hours of my life back for this one. He called it a "slow burn". I now operate under the belief that slow burn is movie code for "nothing freaking happens between the Fade In and Act 3". This film wasn't just slow, it was boring. Nothing happens for the first two acts that couldn't have been conveyed in a short film of no more than 40 minutes. If you've read the synopsis, you can save yourself a lot of time. Jump forward until the Dad hits the youngest kid and watch from there to the end...about 25-ish minutes. The rest is a pile of nothing melted with horrible acting and very bad dialog. The final shot is the ONLY thing that lives up to this film's reputation.

Tiny Cinema (2022)

Not even so bad it's good.

[1/10 · 20 March 2023]

Just a horrid mess of bad stories that have ZERO tie in to anything. They're written as if by a middle schooler with a head injury. Game Night was slightly interesting, but it goes downhill faster than a roller coaster after that. This film was either financed as a huge favor owed or to launder money because there is simply no way that anyone thought this film was good. I was looking forward to this one after I first saw the trailer. It was one of the biggest let downs of the past few years along with Found that was recommended on YouTube. Avoid this film even if you have nothing to do with your time.

Corporate Monster (2019)

I wanted to like it

[4/10 · 16 December 2022]

It's very well made. There is obvious talent behind this film. I wanted to like it. BUT I grew up during the 80's. I've seen They Live too many times and read The 10 o'clock People by King too many times. All I kept thinking about was They Live with pills instead of sunglasses. The film could draw in your more if you either haven't seen They Live, or can set your love of it aside. I'm too hooked on my teens to do so. I do hope to see more work from all involved, however as they have bright futures ahead based on the talent shown in this film. The performances and technical work (cam, design, CGI) were top notch.

Halloween Ends (2022)

Kenny Powers, you are Bleeping OUT!!!!

[3/10 · 17 October 2022]

What was that? Seriously? What. Was. That? This film is the exact opposite of not only what everyone was expecting but of what was promised by every piece of promotional material as well. Not a single trailer gave a hint that this film would actually NOT be about L vs. M to the end. Michael was turned into an afterthought. Not only that, but he's too weak to stand or even to beat Kooky Kory in a wrestling match for his mask. Imagine if the two reporters in 2018 who taunted him with his mask had then beat Michael down in the gas station bathroom. You now know what happens here. The "huge" showdown promised by the trailers was 5 minutes at the end. I have so many negative emotions in regard to this dumpster fire of a film that I would spend days trying to type them all out. All I can really say is that if you want to watch a film about a character previously unknown in the Halloween universe, watch this film. If you want to see a film about MM and a final showdown with Laurie, watch the trailer.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Of For the Days of Phase 1

[5/10 · 16 September 2022]

Pros: Beautifully shot film Good FX. Nice cameos from the GotG. The kids (to not spoil) were a riot near the end. Great use of GnR tunes. Absolutely mouthwatering pit shot from Tessa Thompson (too bad not the same from Portman....remember Black Swan?).

Cons: Plot was so so. Too many jokes for its own good. The goats scream was funny the first couple of times. 500 times later it was just bad. Thor is a male bimbo. Underused Bale. Crowe can't find a gym or sound Greek.

I hope the next film is better. It feels like Marvel shot their shot in Phase 1 - 3 and is just floundering now. I hope they can find their footing again soon. Just throwing out content isn't going to cut it in the long run. They need to focus rather than trying to give shows to every character, etc.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

Paint By Numbers

[1/10 · 7 September 2022]

A few of the jokes hit. A few miss. My real issue is where's the adversity? She can control her Hulk from moment one because she's a female and life is hard for women. Ok, but where's the adversity? She's in control of this raging beast from moment one. No fear that she could lose control, etc. Who's the antagonist? We saw the (ever so sexy) Jameela Jamil, who needs to let me nurse her injury, for a few seconds in episode 1. Other than that there's been no antagonist and once again no adversity. She lost her job, but she got a better one within moments. There are no stakes and nothing is really on the line. This is a very basic show with no real cohesion that comes off like a filler for hardcore Marvel fans that will like anything the company puts out.

Prey (I) (2022)

Average

[5/10 · 11 August 2022]

An average though fun film. There's no need to go over all the things already pointed out (misogyny, a person from a primitive time in human history quickly picking up on alien tech, etc); let's just say this was a fun popcorn flick and move on.

Brown Sugar (2002)

Came at the perfect time

[7/10 · 10 August 2022]

This well made film was recommended to me when it hit DVD by someone who knew I was going through a bad time. It was the perfect romance for my ailing heart. The film was so well made, the characters so rich and the story perfect for the times that even now, writing this, I feel a pang in my heart for that time in my life. Few films have touched me. This one did.

31 (2016)

Average

[5/10 · 18 July 2022]

An average horror film. No likeable characters among the protags. Richard Brake stole the show with his performance. Sex Head was a let down as my clown chick fetish was left wanting for little screen time with that character.

The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007)

Poor Research

[1/10 · 13 July 2022]

I stopped watching when the dispatcher told the mom that they couldn't send anyone out for 24 hours. There's blood in the yard and a missing child. That's a code 4 priority call. They'd be all over that. For a film that's supposed to be "reality" this level of poor to zero research killed it instantly. If they filmmaker couldn't be bothered to get even an obvious detail right, I'm not trusting them to do anything right.

The Boys: The Instant White-Hot Wild (2022) Season 3, Episode 8

Poor Writing

[4/10 · 11 July 2022]

Noir's backstory was a complete waste as there was no faceoff with Soldier Boy.

Soldier Boy himself was a waste as he accomplished nothing that truly affects the story arc. He killed no one of significance and Homelander still has his powers. Mauve's new life was filler at best. They could have done that in a million ways without the SB character.

Kimiko felt that she was a monster for killing the scum that is human traffickers. BUT she gets her powers back and brutally slaughters Vaught security (people possibly with families that are just doing a job) with no thought or remorse. She has the power and the ability to hurt them without killing, but instead she slaughtered them as if they were lesser forms of life than the scum she felt remorse for.

Hughie and SL are back together with zero real affect to their relationship.

Butcher was dumb enough to attack SB before he could finish taking HL's power. Ok, he hurt the kid and needs a butt kicking, but would it have killed you to wait another few seconds? You could have snapped HL's neck and then fought SB. He deserves to have 12-16 months just for being stupid.

Frenchie's "cake hole staying open" was the only real character or plot development of the season.

Lazy, bad writing that led to nothing of real consequence. The season had some cool scenes strung together with weak plot. Hopefully next season is better...and the last.

American Housewife (2016–2021)

No likeable characters

[1/10 · 29 June 2022]

The lead is an irritating bully who thinks that only she can be right. Her grating screeches when she says her husband's name make my teeth ache. Her beta husband crawling behind and she orders him around is also cringe. The way the kids talk to the parents. Every relationship in this show is toxic. The only good thing about this show is Angela because Carly Hughes reminds me of an ex with whom I had some very hot and fun times.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

Almost as bad as Bobba's Book

[5/10 · 27 June 2022]

Didn't do much for me. Finished it more out of curiosity than a desire to know what would happen. Vader can grab a ship in the air, stop it, land it and tear it apart with The Force. BUT he couldn't grab Obi across a line of flames or just crush him like a grape? Disney is overdoing both Star Wars and Marvel.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Part III (2022) Season 1, Episode 3

Why?

[4/10 · 17 June 2022]

Money. That's the only motivation. "When I left you I was but the learner, but now I am the master." If he was "but a learner" while tossing Obi around like a rag doll, then the fight in Star Wars (refuse to call it episode 4, etc) should have been two seconds long with him "the master". There's no need to keep retconning everything. Also there's a little bit of fire between Obi and Darth, so Darth, who had just lifted the dude into the air and tossed him around, just stands there and watches them leave. He doesn't use his force powers to snatch him up again? Come on.

The Northman (2022)

Average

[5/10 · 13 June 2022]

Basically plays like someone printed Conan the Barbarian from simplyscripts, rewrote parts (leaving in the starting voiceover) and put their name on it. The trailer is much more exciting than the slow film. The action scenes that there are were well done, but you won't really care about the characters. Overall I was let down and am glad I streamed it.

Mayans M.C.: The Calling of Saint Matthew (2022) Season 4, Episode 9

Don't

[5/10 · 9 June 2022]

Remember much about this episode. WhY aRe YoU StIlL wAtChInG? Because my wife likes it and there's one TV in the house. Other than that this episode was, once again, slow. Olmos was wasted again (mope and cry). The cartel angle is cool, but then Alvarez said no. That died fast. Another woman (are there really that many in this world who would throw away their life for this?) who blows her cover and her life apart to tell a murderer that she's a cop. Dude goes Nomad (another opportunity to play in a better film/show for the actor?). The writing is pretty weak in this. A lot can happen in 10 episodes, but it doesn't here. I'm sure next week will be a blow out episode to end the season on a cliffhanger, but I'm not really looking forward to this coming back for S5.

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

Main Character

[4/10 · 8 June 2022]

Ruined it for me. Pathetic and whiny is not what I look for in a lead. "Troubled" is one thing, but this guy was horrible. I ended up forwarding after about 30-ish minutes just to find out whodunnit.

Interceptor (2022)

The only person that I don't blame is

[1/10 · 7 June 2022]

Chris Hemsworth. That's his wife, so of course he was there to cheer for her. Everyone else involved needs to get a different job. Horrible clichéd writing. Typical "redneck gun toting racist cra*ker hon*y villain Crap plot that makes zero sense. Less than no research into military uniforms, procedures or any other aspect. Woman (albeit with great shoulder and arm development) beating a 6 foot plus 250 pound mountain of muscle with higher a higher level of training in hand to hand combat. Woke checklist. Horrible.

Hemlock Grove (2013–2015)

Started Solid

[3/10 · 1 June 2022]

This series started solid. The first season, which follows the book, was good. The werewolf change was one of the best and most creative I've seen. The characters weren't perfect, but the show was worth watching. Then came season 2. Not nearly as good, but the cliffhanger ending was a good hook. THEN...Season 3. This season felt like they not only hired new writers, but they hired new writers who had never seen S1 or S2 and specifically forbid them from doing so. The cliffhanger was a side note. The characters were out of character. Nothing fit the tone or the mythology or the character relationships. And that ending.... Really?

Mayans M.C.: Dialogue with the Mirror (2022) Season 4, Episode 7

It's 2022

[3/10 · 26 May 2022]

And they attack in a hospital? There are apparently no security cameras in the 2022 of this show's world. Their faces would be plastered every freaking where. Olmos is wasted in this show as he just mopes and shows up every now and then. EZ killing Gabby was expected (by me as soon as she said she'd go to the cops), but wasn't necessary unless they're trying too hard to show how being locked up kills you inside to paraphrase Dog Pound Chick. Bishop has become a Terrible Twos toddler. The show rambles worse than this review. Angel getting beat down for bleeping his so-called "brother's" daughter was the only really good part. The writing is bad and lazy. The plot has no real focus. They never should have gotten rid of Sutter.