jellyrhubarb Reviews

The Lovers (2023–2024)

Disappointing

[5/10 · 5 March 2024]

I'm game to watch anything Johnny Flynn does. I'm a fan! However, I was bummed that this was not my cup of tea. I didn't find it funny. The characters were annoying and the circumstance ludicrous. I know it's just a lighthearted rom-com but I expected something smarter.

The attraction between the 2 leads did not seem compelling enough that he would cheat on his girlfriend. The setting in Ireland was cool and I tried to make it through the series but bailed on episode three. It's too bad because I always welcome some lighthearted shows that I can watch in between the dark crime dramas that are everywhere.

I was kind of embarrassed for Flynn here.

Good Omens (2019– )

Season 2 is a delight

[9/10 · 4 August 2023]

I'm so pleased that the second season focuses on Crowley and Aziraphale. It is a pleasure to see so much of the Tennant and Sheen duo. They are both so good at inhabiting these characters. It makes the show magical.

The writing is funny and smart and I love the visits to various time periods so we can see our two leads in some crazy and colorful costumes. The riffs on the Bible are a delight.

The supporting cast (Miranda Richardson!) is also good and I love the little community around the bookshop. The Jane Austen ball is a hoot! I do hope they do another season. There are so few Amazon original shows that I enjoy.

Justified: City Primeval (2023)

Such a disappointment - cannot bear the daughter

[5/10 · 27 July 2023]

Huge Justified fan. So, my rating is even lower due to expectations... The daughter characters is so poorly written and acted (that voice!) that I have fast forward when she is onscreen. Such miscasting made more painful because she is his real kid.

In addition, Olyphant isn't on screen enough. I didn't feel like that with the original show because there were so many interesting characters. Dewey Crowe and of course Boyd Crowder. The South was an important character too. Besides, Raylan only Sweetey really stands out. The villain is just okay charisma wise and as others have said, has little complexity, he's just evil.

Detroit seems generic and the setting does nothing for the show really. I may keep watching but if the daughter continues to appear I will sadly drop it.

Music Box: Jason Isbell: Running with Our Eyes Closed (2023) Season 2, Episode 1

Love Jason Isbell did not love this documentary

[6/10 · 10 April 2023]

Haven't quite figured out why this documentary was disappointing in the end. I'm a big Isbell fan and the best part of the doc was seeing him perform in current days and over a decade ago with Drive-by Truckers and in his childhood bedroom. Great stuff. It was interesting too to learn that the band doesn't do much rehearsals prior to recording. Isbell shows up with the songs and they go from there.

Otherwise, I found the doc to be disjointed and fumbling and often times not very interesting. What were the filmmakers really trying to depict? It was barely about the making of the record. I think the band got short shrift and were barely heard from... The relationship stuff between Isbell and his wife was awkward (not surprising I guess) and I feel like it could have been edited better. Seems like we heard a lot more from Amanda.... I dunno maybe I was just put off by those dumb glasses. That said, what a talent she has!

In the end, the doc did renew my appreciation of Isbell's songwriting craftsmanship!! Wow. I'm back on Spotify listening non-stop to his work. That is a joy.

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

Melling as Poe is worth the price of admission and more!

[8/10 · 10 January 2023]

What an intriguing and enchanting portrait of Poe as enacted by Harry Melling. I loved the look, the language and the affectation. He outdid Bale in every scene! That said, I enjoyed the odd friendship and emotion shared between these two main characters.

The look of the film was dark and other worldly almost but it captured something about the time. Living life by candlelight and warmth of a fire. Toby Jones always adds some flavor. Good stuff!

I liked the twist and turn of the mystery and the expression of heartfelt emotion around trust and loss and grief. Finally a Netflix movie that I wanted to finish.

The Mosquito Coast (2021–2023)

Season 1 - yes, Season 2 -no

[7/10 · 12 December 2022]

Well... I enjoyed Season 1. The story was compelling, the acting strong and the writing was above average. I'm a stickler for writing!

So, Season 2 is a bummer and not good. Darn it. The dialogue is woefully cliched and really ruins the show. You can mouth the cliched lines before the character says the words. Obvious. The number of times the family said "are you okay" to the dad at one point was DUMB. They couldn't think of anything else? Melissa George is overacting probably made more evident by the bad lines she has to deliver.

I watch the show while I'm doing needlepoint, otherwise I don't think I'd stick with it. Too boring.

Miss Scarlet & the Duke: The Proposal (2022) Season 2, Episode 6

Not as satisfying as I'd hope

[7/10 · 22 November 2022]

I do love this show. However, the "will they won't they" declare love (or whatever) is getting old. Having Ivy and the Dr. Show up at the end was an unfortunate disruption. I fear the show will lose some of the attraction for me if this continues.

I have enjoyed seeing more of Mose and Ivy and more plot development for the Duke with the younger detective. I think those things work well. I'm curious to see if Miss Scarlett joins forces again with the other detective agency.

That could liven things up a bit.

The good news is that next season starts in January. Hmmm.....Seems odd but I will take it!

Documentary Now!: Soldier of Illusion, Part 1 (2022) Season 4, Episode 1

Herzog and Skarsgard -- Yes!

[9/10 · 3 November 2022]

I have tried to watch Documentary Now in the past but never found it funny. However, I could not resist the lure of Skarsgard doing Herzog. What a treat.

This was funny and smart (for a change). I was even able to tolerate the thankfully brief appearance of Fred Armisen who I really can't handle in most things. He does not appeal to me at all. I could stomach Portlandia because it was so specific and well-written with Carrie(!) but not anything else.

Anyway, Herzog is one of a kind and I love the spoof of his films and persona. Not sure how this episode would land with people not already familiar with "Grizzly Man" or "Fitzcarraldo", not to mention "Burden of Dreams."

Then there's Skarsgard who I love in his oddball roles where is good looks are in retreat. Check out episode 1 of Becoming a God in Central Florida. He was fab. He is versatile and game. Love it.

Nice to see Diehl and well. So, many great German actors. Would love to see Lars Eidinger in Doc Now episode but he kind of creates his own chaos anyway.

Irma Vep (2022)

Smart, funny and creative

[9/10 · 10 August 2022]

What a gem of a show. Sure, it starts off a bit slow but I became engrossed. The writing is smart and the acting is strong. I particularly liked the Gottfried character. The intermixing of the "real life" of the actors, the rehearsals, the old film and the new was very artfully done. I wasn't sure what would happen next.

I also loved the international settings and languages. Why can't we have more of these types of shows!

The Lost City (2022)

Disappointing - stick wit the trailer

[6/10 · 21 May 2022]

Well darn it. I really wanted to like this movie! The cast is really likable and the trailer made me think it'd be a fun, smart romp. The trailer had all the best parts it turns out. All the filler in between a few funny bits was boring.

I'm glad I didn't see it in a movie theatre as I had planned. I ended up not even finishing the movie. Why bother with uninspired writing. Ho hum. Dumb.

Beecham House (2019)

Poor, poor writing

[5/10 · 23 April 2022]

Need I say more. Couldn't stomach the hackneyed writing. I wanted to like this as I like some of the actors and the setting is interesting. However, I felt embarrassed for the actors having to speak such cheesy lines. UGH.

Why can't the writing be better??? So many lousy shows.

Bridgerton (2020– )

SEASON 2 review is 7 stars

[8/10 · 16 April 2022]

I love an enemy to lovers romance so can't go down too hard on this season. I thought it was off to a promising start but then petered out a bit... First of all, I love the bright and lush production design and I'm a sucker for Regency fashion. Points for that! I thought the actor playing Anthony was quite good and seemed sincere but didn't tip over into soap opera land. He was quite compelling. Alas, the Miss Sharma actress could not match him. It's like she didn't know how to express herself or show nuance or archness so she's just shake her head or move her arms around. Bummer. She is beautiful!

Also, didn't welcome seeing Daphne from Season 1. What a boooooring character with little charisma. Please can she go on permanent holiday? I do like the Eloise characters (is it just me or is she doing a British Emma Stone?). Colin is a stuffed shirt and I don't look forward to more of him.

I liked the Bridgerton matriarch and Queen performances this season as well. I do hope the next seasons improve upon the books. I tried to read the Eloise book recently and couldn't finish it.... I like the "commoner" romance story for her. Also, when do we get a queer Bridgerton? Seems like Benedict was heading that way but maybe not. Perhaps two Bridgerton sibling romances could be done in one season.

Murderville (2022– )

Hoped for better!!

[4/10 · 10 February 2022]

I like Will Arnett. The premise of this show looked fun. What a disappointment. Some of my favorite celebs were featured but for the most part the funny bits were few and far between. I fast forwarded through some parts because snooze.... It was painful to watch celebs flounder.

Annie Murphy -- why was she there? Why didn't she speak up. BORING which was a bummer as I admire her talent.

Conan- OH MY GOOD. One of my top 3 comedians. He looked bored or scared or something. So disappointing.

Marshawn -- My favorite! I didn't even know who he is. However, he was the most natural and engaged and thus most fun to watch.

Kumail -- First noticed him on Portlandia. He really stood out with his humor. Great on Silicon Valley and others. He had a few good comments here but overall so restrained.

Sharon -- Second to Marshawn but in a different way. She also was more interactive and was so far above the stupidity of the show that she came off as smart and funny.

Ken -- Started this but didn't finish.

Maybe show will come back with different cast. Rob Huebel was the best villain and added some humor to the feeble efforts.

Reacher (2022– )

Boooooring

[3/10 · 6 February 2022]

Bad writing, acting not great. I kept looking at Reacher's arms. They look deformed with all that muscle. Not appealing.

Wish Amazon would produce shows I actually want to watch.

The Gilded Age (2022– )

Poor writing ruins the show

[5/10 · 3 February 2022]

I looked forward to escaping into a lush historical drama. This is a disappointment after seeing the first 2 episodes. The writing is so banal and the plot lines so predictable. The acting comes across as wooden because the writing is bad. I hope someone does a show about this period that is smart and compelling. I've read novels about this time period and there is a lot of material if someone had a more interesting perspective.

Downton at least kept me going for a couple of seasons (gave up when it became too soap opera-y). This one is dead in the water.

American Rust (2021–2024)

Too bad

[5/10 · 29 December 2021]

The writing is poor. Bummer because I really like watching Jeff Daniels act. I lasted only 3.25 episodes. The dialog was so clunky and obvious I couldn't bear it. The three leads (and Bill Camp) did their best as they can really act. The actress who played Lee English was really not up to the job and the poor writing just emphasized her wooden/flat delivery.

Disappointing.

Love Life (2020–2021)

Season 2 is a huge improvement

[8/10 · 30 October 2021]

I've watched the first 3 episodes of Series 2 and so far it's a huge improvement on Season 1. The writing is *much* better and more interesting. William Harper Jackson is a skilled actor. His performance is engaging and subtle when appropriate. The supporting characters are also well done, particularly his buddy Yogi and Mia.

Will definitely finish the series if it continues in this vein.

Black Monday (2019–2021)

Consistently great

[9/10 · 4 August 2021]

I love this show. It's so smart and funny and crude. The jokes are fast flying and the cast absolutely delivers over and over.

I wonder how the actors keep it together. They have to be so quick and not break at the very funny bits! I was around in the 80's so I get a lot of the references. I wonder why this show hasn't been more high profile or all over the Emmys. First rate.

Physical (2021–2023)

Such a disappointment

[9/10 · 3 July 2021]

I lived through the 80s aerobics craze... and I am a big Rose Byrne fan so I had high hopes. However, I could not get through 2 episodes. All the self loathing is too much to hear over and over. Her husband is annoying as hell and seeing her subjugate herself to his needs over and over is not fun. Sure I get it is supposed to be dark humor but it is not smart humor and thus it is intolerable.

Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned (2015–2017)

Expected more... writing is poor

[4/10 · 14 March 2021]

I tried this but quit two times. The third time I was out. I kept hoping I could suspend my disbelief and find a way in. I stuck it through episode 2 mainly because I think Suranne Jones is fab.

The coincidences in the plot are truly ridiculous. The last one where she runs into the brain tumor guy at the bar at 2am was the last straw. I just couldn't believe these people were real and I am not into soap operas and this is what this is. That her husband would have a mistress and hang out with their mutual friends is unlikely... there were so many dumb moves. Cannot give this junk any more of my time.

Staged (2020–2023)

Such a treat

[9/10 · 3 October 2020]

This has been a real pleasure during stressful COVID19 times. Tennant and Sheen are such wonderful actors with range. It's great to see them united after Good Omens. Love the back and forth about the credits and the guest appearances of Lester, Jackson, etc. It's smart and funny. More please!

Birthmarked (2018)

A nice surprise

[7/10 · 3 October 2020]

I stumbled upon this quirky comedy and stayed for the duration. Toni Collette is great as always. It was particularly fun to see Matthew Goode hiding his good looks behind a beard and big glasses. Don't think I've ever seem him so animated, not stuck playing the beautiful cool guy as usual.

The lakeside setting and period details were engaging. Music was good. Really an unexpected delight to watch this during stress covid19 times.

Young Wallander (2020–2022)

Disappointing. Generic show with obvious writing

[5/10 · 13 September 2020]

I admit the Wallander name brings expectations. So, maybe it's particularly disappointing that this show is so generic, obvious and boring. Yes, as others have said, why isn't this in Swedish with Swedish actors? It would have been MUCH more interesting from a cultural perspective.

This should could have been anywhere and its lack of commitment makes it soulless and boring. The Wallander character is not developed and is so bland. He took off his shirt one to many times...

Netflix, please do better and give us some shows with complexity and international flavor.

High Fidelity (2020)

Better than expected?

[7/10 · 12 June 2020]

I put off watching this as I assumed it would be a "too cool for school" kinda show with a beautiful person at the center. I was surprised to find that I enjoyed the first 6 episodes (more than latter half). It's funny and funky and a glimpse into NY that CA natives like me enjoy.

I thought the last 4 episodes introduced some plot point disbelief which ruined the flow. Kravitz was good I thought though I'll admit her beauty and parental heritage hangs heavy. I loved the exuberance and bluff of the Cherise character. More of her please. The character I found most problematic was Simon. He just felt so flat and uncompelling though admittedly that's somewhat in comparison to the other two leads. I didn't think there was enough "there" to explain the attraction of the lawyer and others.

Mac was well played by the actor, in particular the scene in the stairwell where he accuses Rob of being so self-centered. The Clyde character was surprisingly of interest. The clean cut white boy character is old but he added some nuance.

Oh yeah, the music was fun.

Loved the original movie and it's okay for this to be something different.

Defending Jacob (2020)

Quite disappointed

[5/10 · 12 May 2020]

Wow, don't understand the high rating. I really wanted to like this. However, in my opinion, the writing is not good. The dialog is so obvious as to be painful at times. I know EXACTLY what someone is going to say next. Other times, you have to wonder why after being married for years why Dockery character is just now asking Evan character about his father. It's convenient for the script but dumb maneuver. There is little complexity here just cliche after cliche. Darnit. These actors could have done much more with a better script.