Great show with lots of humor that has a nice balance of wit and charm. Episodes run just under 15 minutes, which works for this show, making it a great example of quality over quantity.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Chambers
(2019)
Eventually worth it.
16 May 2019
This one dragged hard in the beginning. None of the characters started off very compelling or even that likable or with much depth, and none of them had the type of essence required to carry the slow burn of this story. So why bother? Well, when the story finally picks up, it flies.
Somewhere Between
(2017)
I think it's worth it.
5 January 2019
There were a lot of things to nitpick about this limited series, but when it was all said and done, I enjoyed it. It had a strong made-for-TV feel to it, which normally I wouldn't give the time of day, but overall, the story and acting managed to pull it out of the dumps.
There were times when I rolled my eyes so hard it felt like the atmosphere was shifting. The daughter was no doubt an annoying character that consisted of massively unlikeable traits only Hollywood's lazy writing could produce. Paula Patton's acting had such a strong Lifetime movie feel to it, I didn't know if I could make it past the first episode. The ending felt choppy and was a significant contender for a cheesy award.
Nonetheless, there were plenty of good things. JR Bourne's acting was on point. He made my skin crawl at one point and then made me feel compassion for him the next. Carmel Amit (Jenny) had a minor role but her no nonsense character was a breath of fresh air. The police captain, played by Samantha Ferris, was initially infuriating, but as the storyline progressed, she was able to adapt and become reasonable. Devon Sawa (Nico) had his own over-the top moments, but at the end of the day, he was one of the primary characters that saved the show.
Even though the story was flawed, it was still compelling. The writing and acting had moments of "ugh, cringe, oh gawd, are you kidding me, please stop, no one would do that, why doesn't someone knock the crap out of that person, please die and go away, why didn't you stop when I told you to, that doesn't make any sense, why are they still alive, and oh gawd just stop." Now, take all that and sprinkle an oedipus complex between the mother and son antagonists on top, and you've got something you want to punch yourself in the face with. Nonetheless, the show STILL found a way to be interesting enough for me to ride the darn thing out. That's a solid 6 stars in my book.
There were times when I rolled my eyes so hard it felt like the atmosphere was shifting. The daughter was no doubt an annoying character that consisted of massively unlikeable traits only Hollywood's lazy writing could produce. Paula Patton's acting had such a strong Lifetime movie feel to it, I didn't know if I could make it past the first episode. The ending felt choppy and was a significant contender for a cheesy award.
Nonetheless, there were plenty of good things. JR Bourne's acting was on point. He made my skin crawl at one point and then made me feel compassion for him the next. Carmel Amit (Jenny) had a minor role but her no nonsense character was a breath of fresh air. The police captain, played by Samantha Ferris, was initially infuriating, but as the storyline progressed, she was able to adapt and become reasonable. Devon Sawa (Nico) had his own over-the top moments, but at the end of the day, he was one of the primary characters that saved the show.
Even though the story was flawed, it was still compelling. The writing and acting had moments of "ugh, cringe, oh gawd, are you kidding me, please stop, no one would do that, why doesn't someone knock the crap out of that person, please die and go away, why didn't you stop when I told you to, that doesn't make any sense, why are they still alive, and oh gawd just stop." Now, take all that and sprinkle an oedipus complex between the mother and son antagonists on top, and you've got something you want to punch yourself in the face with. Nonetheless, the show STILL found a way to be interesting enough for me to ride the darn thing out. That's a solid 6 stars in my book.
American Violence
(2017)
Nope
17 September 2017
Texas is wavering on a execution because it's an election year, so they ask a 'world renowned psychologist' to conduct an interview and make a recommendation - Yeah right. She agrees because it's a good opportunity for her studies in the cycle of violence - Plausible. The 'world renowned psychologist' has her eyes opened and lady bits tingling in 72 hours - Just stop.
How about interviewing a violent offender with nothing to lose? No problem, let's just push this desk up against the bars with electrical cords in reach. Need a light? Here's a Zippo they let me to bring in. Need to build rapport? No problem, I'll start with anger and self-righteousness. Don't like something he says? Wad up some paper and throw it at him. Heard a few stories that got you changing your mind? Stand up against the bars with him like you're the big spoon. Back at the university teaching? Tell us how you feel by glancing wistfully at the Zippo on the lectern.
I chuckled when the guy's love interest was introduced. I'm not sure what was happening with her outfit, but a Goodwill thrift store cried that day. She seemed to be wearing too big business type clothes on top and raggedy underwear looking shorts on bottom. The humor stopped though when she started talking in that awful accent. Her clothes got better, the script and acting didn't. Not sure how much a person can take of a grown woman lounging in a bikini in front of her father, whom she calls daddy, with her chest thrust out. Don't worry, she throws out some range when she pouts and coos at him. Like when daddy offered her up to his body guard. I think it was the movie's attempt at humor. God stop the pain of this script.
2 stars - the cinematography wasn't bad.
How about interviewing a violent offender with nothing to lose? No problem, let's just push this desk up against the bars with electrical cords in reach. Need a light? Here's a Zippo they let me to bring in. Need to build rapport? No problem, I'll start with anger and self-righteousness. Don't like something he says? Wad up some paper and throw it at him. Heard a few stories that got you changing your mind? Stand up against the bars with him like you're the big spoon. Back at the university teaching? Tell us how you feel by glancing wistfully at the Zippo on the lectern.
I chuckled when the guy's love interest was introduced. I'm not sure what was happening with her outfit, but a Goodwill thrift store cried that day. She seemed to be wearing too big business type clothes on top and raggedy underwear looking shorts on bottom. The humor stopped though when she started talking in that awful accent. Her clothes got better, the script and acting didn't. Not sure how much a person can take of a grown woman lounging in a bikini in front of her father, whom she calls daddy, with her chest thrust out. Don't worry, she throws out some range when she pouts and coos at him. Like when daddy offered her up to his body guard. I think it was the movie's attempt at humor. God stop the pain of this script.
2 stars - the cinematography wasn't bad.
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