NicholasMCG Reviews

The Morning Show (I) (2019– )

Season 3 review only (my review for 1-2 would be much higher)

[4/10 · 7 November 2023]

The third season is overflowing with triggers for anyone who is sober or struggling with addiction, as they unrealistically drink at all times of day and openly with constant single shots of whiskey bottles and vodka (why do they need their own close-up if that is not part of the storyline I do not know). No one actually lives and works like Mad Men 1960s, this is not realistic that people would be drinking this amount without trying to hide it. There is also so much aggression and exhausting storylines in the third season; just watching one episode leaves you feeling depressed and dark so what is the point? I know that this is a "drama" after all but why would anyone living in such a dark world with all we have going on in real life want to sit through this very heavy show with characters who are all so terrible you don't really care what happens to them? The only highlights are Mark Duplas, Reese Witherspoon, Karen Pitman and Billy Crudup because they can act their butts off. But they must leave this set exhausted from having to act out intense scene after intense scene. The writers need to calm down the booze for one, and give us just a splash of light PLEASE if returning for a season 4...

Dear Edward (2023)

It's a fine start except the music is exhausting

[7/10 · 8 February 2023]

This has some excellent writing and acting, I mean the actors are really outstanding in this. It's pace is a little slow, but that is really ok because it's a drama and fitting. The only distraction and issue I have personally, and maybe it's just me, is how it is constantly and endlessly drowning in music. The kind of music that is so sappy, so depressing, and it's overpowering in so many scenes where if they took it away we would have so much more power in the moment without feeling like we are being pushed to emote, So that is my only complaint, is the soundtrack. The music producer needs to just pull back about 60%. Again, phenomenal acting. What a great cast.

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (2022)

Great fun! Just fast forward through Jameela

[7/10 · 28 November 2022]

This show has a lot of fun and it is all comedy, and the casting is PERFECT except for the villain played by Jameela Jamil who is the only negative of the show and without her it probably would have been perfect. Why they chose to have her in a role as a German singer when she can't sing, and wearing those blue contacts is also pretty strange, I don't know. But everyone else SHINES. Our main trio is so funny and the chemistry between Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine is still there years later from Modern Family. And Peter Kramer is hilarious! Lera Above as his sister is a scene stealer too! So this is a fun bright show, and if you need a little light definitely watch it. You can always fast forward through the painful parts where forced to listen to Jameela Jamil sing.

Falling for Christmas (2022)

People are not being too harsh with the bad reviews

[1/10 · 21 November 2022]

The reason for so many bad reviews is because this movie is shockingly bad from start to finish. I watched the entire thing because it would be unfair to review something otherwise. I appreciate the crew on this because that is always a hard job from the camera Dept to the Art Dept hair and makeup etc. But my god the writing is like a computer generated script with no surprises and nothing new, so bland and boring. The directing, well, pretty sure a robot directed this because it's just so bad. It's like the kind of movie used in a real movie to be joked about if that makes sense. The acting? This is not a comeback for you know who, her 10 year old self would wonder where her acting talent went. It was not here.

Marry Me (2022)

Watch JLO sing for an hour and a half

[2/10 · 5 May 2022]

Umm.... if you don't like JLO's music or voice then this definitely isn't for you. It's majority of time is spent listening to her sing or perform on stage, bland pumped out pop songs. Owen Wilson is his adorable self as always but you feel like he only did the movie to make sure he can retire comfortably soon. The cliches are ALL here without anything new whatsoever. 20 yrs ago this movie would kind of work. It does not in 2022. Especially bc it doesn't even try anything we haven't seen. Skip.

Supernanny (2005–2020)

Despicable

[1/10 · 8 April 2022]

Shame on the producers for making this show, for exploiting the children in it that need real help and their parents. Shame on this idiot of a woman who is so full of it and clearly has no idea what she is talking about. I am so glad this is gone and done with but don't support the reruns. This show never should have happened. All staged, all set up, exploiting families for a buck.

House of 9 (2005)

There's a reason we don't see this actress anywhere

[2/10 · 31 March 2022]

Just the first 10 min of this with Kelly Brook's over the top dramatic acting that frankly, is similar to a middle school play, and you will know why you've never before heard of this movie. It is not a gem, it is not some amazing relic from 2005, it just sucks. The movie has zero redeeming qualities.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000–2015)

Once you get to mid season 13 just skip AHEAD to CSI Vegas reboot

[3/10 · 30 March 2022]

The new writers that came on board from 13-15 were so terrible, frankly I am surprised they got away with such cheazy ridiculous dramatic corny lazy awful writing that disrespects our characters in every way. Do yourself a favor if going through the series again, once you get to mid season 13 just stop watching (you will regret it if you don't lol) as incredible as Shue and Danson are the writing is TERRIBLE. Just skip ahead to the 2021 series reboot which is outstanding.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Trends with Benefits (2012) Season 12, Episode 17

Has not aged well - would never go over well today with how they handle sexuality

[4/10 · 28 March 2022]

This episode would never be ok in 2022. They use a mans sexuality against him, viewing him as a suspect because he's not "out of the closet" and using his gayness against him. It really leaves a sour taste. It's unfortunate no one at the time even felt it wasn't ok to say or write lines like that. But it's old and let's be real, no one will ever watch it.

Yellowjackets (2021– )

Not as good as some reviews might say and nothing special or original

[5/10 · 5 January 2022]

I much prefer reading the synopsis to each episode which I did as well as watching 7 episodes. The show drags on, it is ALWAYS heavy, which is tiresome, and it's not an original concept - in fact I am surprised it hasn't been mentioned more about the original show Amazon had on literally last year where teen girls crash on an island and go all Lord of the Flies. Is this one done better than that one? They are equal in every way. I was disappointed and bored :(

A Mouthful of Air (2021)

A story told a LOT lately in many movies but it has its moments

[5/10 · 5 January 2022]

This is a topic that has been in so many movies lately and books so it is not breaking any boundaries not already broken BUT it does have some very good acting in it. It's quite sad of course.

The Return (III) (2020)

Don't treat us like we are stupid for one

[4/10 · 24 December 2021]

If you are going to cast someone who is clearly 30 years old playing a young college student, know that it will bother the majority of us. If you want the older actor so much make the character older. Otherwise we will be annoyed for much of the plot. As for the film, pretty boring, and pushing it's thrills down our throats.

Candy Corn (2019)

Good for indie horror movie making

[8/10 · 24 December 2021]

This is a genuinely cool indie horror film, independent yes, but done well. Great DP and lighting and art direction. I thought it was pretty cool and watched on Amazon, though I could see it being at some of the cool horror festivals I frequent each year.

Gossip Girl: You Can't Take It with Jules (2021) Season 1, Episode 11

This show is pretty bad

[1/10 · 13 December 2021]

First of all, Max looks like he is 32 years old and supposed to be 17. This is distracting in the whole series. In this episode in particular we are supposed to believe that Kathryn Gallagher as Heidi Bergmann is this stunning woman who men fantasize about and the casting is head scratching as the actress is not attractive or interesting at all. The storyline with Aki and Audrey (and her newly capped teeth which are horrifying, why do people do that) has run its course but the writers keep circling it. The only good part of this entire episode is the amazing and way too talented for this series actress Grace Duah who can do so much better than this show.

Creepshow: Mums/Queen Bee (2021) Season 3, Episode 1

The makeup and hair is really bad

[5/10 · 5 October 2021]

It is unfortunate that the hair and makeup is so bad in this episode "Mums." The hair they gave the mother was so distracting and in poor taste. The other woman in it always has a full face of heavy makeup on which makes no sense for her living and working on a farm (I am talking heavy). The issue is that things like that pull you out of the episode and make you uninterested. The story itself is probably a good read and written well, but they didn't do a good job. The actor playing the Dad is the highlight, he is so good.

La Brea (2021–2024)

Oh it's bad

[1/10 · 29 September 2021]

They spent a LOT OF MONEY on this and it didn't help. The premise get's old fast. The characters are cliche and uninteresting. The acting is soap opera level yet not as good and somehow worse. It will be cancelled for sure so don't waste your time on the pilot. Watch Sweet Tooth instead.

Big Sky (2020–2023)

Nothing special in a land of hundreds like it

[1/10 · 12 April 2021]

Beyond being bothered by the lead actress's really odd speech/accent.... there is nothing that makes this show stand out in a SEA with dozens if not hundreds of other shows in its genre. It's just not special and the casting and acting is - whatever. There are better shows to give attention to. And that's just what it is.

The Craft: Legacy (2020)

Full of plagiarism from indie horror movies

[1/10 · 15 November 2020]

I fully expect that Blumhouse Studios will be sued. This movie sucks and even the scenes they stole from some great indie horrors realeased in the last few years weren't as good. Don't bother. Blumhouse must be too busy in his hot tub or on a yacht to be checking for plagiarism from his lazy untalented writers.

The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

Jim Cummings really loves himself way too much

[5/10 · 9 November 2020]

You can tell Jim Cummings is a newbie to film because the guy has his name in the opening credits 4 times! In case you didn't know, he directed it, wrote in it, and despite having a more famous actor in this get's top billing as ACTING in it too. Any professional in film knows not to give yourself so many top credits like that or put yourself first because it makes you look inexperienced and vane.

The film itself is fine - it's got great cinematography for a low budget film. The actors are really good and natural. The story is predictable.

Paranormal (2020)

Excellent - but the WIG! oh boy

[9/10 · 8 November 2020]

This show is high quality, excellently written and acted and interesting. I love the set design, and it's classic spooky qualities. My only complaint is the horrid, crooked red wig that one of the main actresses has to wear and I just don't understand it? It distracts me. But this show overall is truly a gem.

Snatchers (2019)

Reminds me of other indie films a lot

[6/10 · 1 March 2020]

This is very reminiscent of the 2016 indie film HoneyBee even a scene in the first act with the mom checking in over homework is very similar and the wardrobe with all the characters is totally similar its nuts. This movie is quite campy however, very very campy and it knows that and maintains that tone. Some of the dialogue is stiff and feels scripted, but I like the actors cast anyway and think they chose well when casting them. It's a decent indie campy comedy horror flick!

Desolation (I) (2017)

Lazy

[4/10 · 26 January 2020]

The script is so one layered and even the conversations if you listen, don't actually make sense between the characters and it sounds like they're reading right off a page. The setting is very cool, and the actor playing the son is the most likable in the script. But it felt like the Director just filmed straight from the page and didn't give a hoot about making it natural.

Assimilate (I) (2019)

Admittedly couldn't finish it

[4/10 · 26 January 2020]

Just the opening scene where the actress was directed so poorly and is overly freaking out and such a cliche had me wanting to turn it off. I kept trying with it for about 27 minutes and again, terrible acting. A huge letdown seeing as they had a great budget and should have known what to do with it. I did not finish this film.

It's a Disaster (2012)

The star is only for the Poster

[1/10 · 7 December 2019]

What a waste of time I can never get back. Hopefully I can save others from watching this awful film where every character (save for America Ferrara's) is despicable and selfish. We don't care if they live or die; they are all cheating, horrid people, so why do we care what happens to them? Well great news, you don't get to find out because the ending pulls a Soprano finale. In my book this film is the winner of "Wasting my time"

The Shed (I) (2019)

Low Budget but good lead

[5/10 · 25 November 2019]

I believe this must be the first feature for this writer and director so they will continue to grow and learn and get better from this. The lead actor was great and they scored with him, he is from Death Note. The script is slow at times, very cliche and not really current with 2019 and how teenagers act. More like teenagers in the 1990s or 80s. Things are different now. If they had based the story in the 90s that would have worked better. I thought the makeup in the climax scene was very cool.