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richieweisdorf
Reviews
The X Files: The List (1995)
I watch x files episodes like this to get lost in the thrills
These episodes are why I watch the show. I remembered this one from youth as a solid episode but upon rewatch in adulthood, it is exactly what I liked of the show.
Tense, thrilling, a mystery to get lost in, this had it all. The only thing was a rushed ending with little to no explanation.
The episode seems to borrow from Shawshank Redemption in terms of the corrupt warden and death row setting. But in content, about a executed inmate vowing revenge on 5 who did him wrong, it is very different. People begin to die, some of the 5, some not. Lots of people are suspects, guards, inmates throwing into question whether this is a case of a supernatural revenge story or something concocted by the living (which is the usual X Files ambiguity of whether to believe or not to believe).
Everything in the plot feels purposeful. Most seem to like the x files comedy episodes like War of the Cocophages or Bad Blood (an episode I have always detested); both highly rated episodes, since they relax from the show's seriousness. Oh please! I watch the X Files for what it was intended to be not for it spoofing itself and its characters.
There's likely not one funny moment in this episode. But some great lines. "Warden, how does it feel to be on death row?" Love it love it love it.
The X Files: War of the Coprophages (1996)
Very intelligent episode but it lacked what I like in X Files
I guess I am more a true monster of the week fan as this isn't really one of them. My 7/10 rating is very subjective. I rewatched this one wondering why I never connected to the story when I was younger and was hoping to get it now in adulthood. The episode is very smart but due to the cerebral element of its jokes, which are just sort of inserted throughout, it doesn't make me laugh. Somehow the story zips around to the possibility of cockroaches that are metallic constructions/robots and then aliens after a whole bunch of false starts being debunked by Scully (which is supposed to be funny). We have a few notable side characters including Bambi (who I actually thought was a pretty true to life character) and the wheelchair bound sensitive scientist (whose genius feelings were hurt when something was beyond his understanding) and the paranoid dung smuggler. All in all, none of this made the episode stand out for me. Had I been better at following some of the reasoning supporting the theory that these roaches were aliens, would I have liked it more? I don't know. I guess the story was weak for me because the villains were roaches and people's paranoia the focal point, the former of which is underwhelming and the latter being something too ordinary to be an x file.
I contrast this one to The List which I thought was excellent. The suspense that episode created was excellent even if it borrowed some Shawshank Redemption elements.
Tron: Legacy (2010)
This shouldn't have appealed to me but it surely did
I never saw the original Tron. I expected something more lighthearted when watching a disney film but boy was I wrong. For the most part, I was not happy with the bad boy main character but I think that was a bit purposeful as he goes on a hero's journey to mature and confront his father who abandoned him. This film took that tired archetype and created a unique world that doesn't completely make sense but compelled. The father son dynamic had me in tears. The effects were a level above because they were immersive and colorful as well as amazing.
The music seemed Blade Runner inspired. I was shocked to see it was from a duo called daft punk. Did they do the orchestration? It was awesome.
There are many unexplained things which I don't think the movie could explain. The reason for all the characters' existences, the mapping of the digital world, standards of perfectionism, where the isos came from, why a certain reintegration occurs, etc.
Somehow, despite the unexplained and the cliches and there are a bunch, they work! I believed in the characters. Jeff Bridges is always himself in films and somehow it works. Don't know how he does it but I guess he is just a likeable guy. Try it if you like something more unique than the standard.
The Office: Stress Relief (2009)
Good but overrated
This is a good episode of the office but overrated. I did not find the following that funny: Dwight's crazy fire drill and the ridiculous jack black movie. The subplot with Pam's father wasn't that moving to me as it is used as a device to highlight how great her relationship with Jim is. The episode's pluses do make up. Dwight is over the top here. The Michael Scott roast was quite funny and him not being able to take it progressively was true to his character. Stanley shines and Michael's comebacks are just so simple and great. They really have his character down well even if his stupidity is really piled on thick in this one. It's all a matter of taste but I find there are better episodes.