Change Your Image
woodsy86-279-516874
Reviews
How I Met Your Father (2022)
Oh no. Oh dear.
Truly, truly awful television.
It is absolutely apparent that the need for overacting and terrible script writing is a pre-requisite for getting a role on this show. There is absolutely zero comedic ability with any of the cast and the repetitive canned laughter surely has to pack it in at some stage due to overuse.
This show is the perfect example why chemistry between cast members is absolutely critical for a show to be successful. HIMYM had this in spades, whereas this is clearly a bunch of people thrown together in the name of diversity and the hope that things can click.
Well, it hasn't, and now the biggest resentment I have is the need I felt to take 10 minutes out of my day to criticise this truly awful show. Shame on you.
Monster (2022)
A very, very long burn with outstanding acting
Let's get this out of the way first; Evan Peters is nothing short of phenomenonal in the title role. His immersion in the character is evident and the layers to his performance are superb. If you also need any reminder (not that anyone should need it) that Richard Jenkins is one of the most versatile actors on screen today, your proof is here.
My issue, however, is in the tempo and creative licence taken by the writers. Very similar to what happened in The Watcher, the very long, very drawn-out story simply doesn't follow a lot of the well-publicised timelines and movements of Dahmer, and instead paints him more as an unwilling participant in compulsive acts rather than the predatorial individual he was.
Murphy's writing style obviously strikes a cord with many, but it's not without its frustrations.
Summer Love (2022)
Promising E1, but oof in E2
The series begins strongly in episode 1 thanks to great acting on a relatable topic and some terrific photography that takes advantage of the Victorian coast. The episode accurately showcases how once similar lives can go down very different paths and the trials and tribulations that come with that. All that great work, however, is almost brought undone by almost comical (not in a good way) over-acting that wouldn't look out of place on a Studio 10 infomercial and a complete lack of chemistry between the two leads in episode 2. It made the series suddenly feel amateurish and the episode was completely unwatchable.
Hopefully the series can be salvaged going forward, as it's an interesting concept that is clearly capable of attracting a talented cast as seen in E1, but how episode 2 got anyone's tick of approval to be aired is beyond me.
The Old Man (2022)
Started with a bang, but sadly fizzled out
Started as strongly as any TV series in recent memory, but sadly lost all its steam by Episode 4 through the introduction of pointless characters, nonsensical sub-plots and plot holes the size of Texas. Bridges and Lithgow are phenomenonal, however.
Goldstone (2016)
Slow burn with a non-sensical conclusion
Although it follows the traditional Mystery Road very slow burn, the storyline is interesting enough thanks to the efforts of David Wenham, Jackie Weaver and Alex Russell. It does takes an odd turn towards the end, however, that contains strangely compliant antagonistic gunmen with terrible shooting skills.
Good, but not great.
Breaking Bad (2008)
One of the best TV shows in modern history
I'm not one to get all melodramatic over a television show, I can't stand people who do it, but this show seriously cannot be rated high enough. The brilliant mix of A-grade acting, top-notch writing, suspense, humour, twists, photography and soundtrack is something that will keep fans of any genre entertained.
The change that comes over Walt's face when he turns from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to Heisenberg, the all-conquering drug manufacturing king-pin is remarkable when accompanied by that little head-tilt. You want to see a drug-manufacturer lose, but you want Walt to win.
I could go on about the show, but nothing I say could do it justice. Just watch it, there is literally no way you will regret it.