SeatontheAisle Reviews

Gray Matter (2023)

NOT GREAT. NOT HORRIBLE.

[27 July 2023]

This isn't so bad as I was led to believe. Neither is it great. First quarter is too slow, and the movie does feel longer than it is, which is unfortunate. A little slow and repetitive in the "dream" sequences. For me it got better when Dillahunt showed up. I thought his scenes with Mia Isaac (who's fantastic and has a great career ahead of her) were more sparky and interesting. Script needed work and its a shame it didn't get it. This is a repetitive truffle made more watchable by talented actors. I found myself much more disappointed in the accompanying series, Project Greenlight. Was so clearly manipulated and set up for maximum "drama", but her support system was nonexistent. Found myself disappointed in Issa Rae.

Sprung (2022– )

Best New Comedy of the Year

[22 August 2022]

I loved this show for so many reasons. Cast is top-notch and operating at their peak, led by Dillahunt and Plimpton, who have mad chemistry with whoever they seem to work with, especially each other. Dillahunt is the beating heart of the show and Plimpton's Barb carries a large responsibility for the comedy in the piece. New faces are vey talented and interesting as well. Writing is witty and creative and fresh without feeling the least bit preachy or formulaic--I was never told how to feel about anything, I could make up my own mind.

And I also didn't know how much I needed a laugh. After the last few years, we've all been through so much, and it felt good to look back and say "yeah, that was some weird stuff we all just went through and are still coming out of." I was also unexpectedly moved. I won't spoil where, but I did not see either of them coming.

And the music is great.

Give it a watch. Support this show. Tell your friends. Stuff like this on these small streaming platforms need help finding visibility, sustaining life. This one deserves it. Great job Freevee. Great job Greg Garcia and crew.

Mighty Oak (2020)

This Movie is Like No One Involved Has Ever Seen a Human Being Before

[26 November 2020]

I guess I'll applaud the effort, but I just can't pretend this is a good movie. It smells like they found a kid who could play guitar and sing and built a movie around him. Almost no interaction smells genuine or is believable. So many things provoke groans of disbelief. Opportunities to go deeper, by either cast or director, flash by unexplored. Maybe this movie is for 6 year olds, but even if that's the case, why not make a GOOD movie for them?

Don't waste your time.

Fear the Walking Dead: The Key (2020) Season 6, Episode 4

AT LAST. Genius.

[6 November 2020]

Loved this episode. The whole thing. Very sensitive hand from director Underwood. We knew exactly what John was thinking every moment. The mood was just right and hooked me from the opening moments. You knew something wasn't right from the jump. Music was spot on.

It's a real lesson, isn't it? What happens when you write a decent script and lean on the massive talent on display in this show. They are capable of so much more than has been asked of them the past few seasons. More of this, please. And good job by all. And thank you.

This was thrilling. We watched a masterclass in acting. Thank you for turning him loose.

Now for the others...

Sergio (2020)

A shame. This could have been good.

[22 October 2020]

Very interesting decision to sideline so many great actors in this. Giving it 5 stars because so many great characters were wasted. Really wanted to know more about the rescue in the hole. The lingering shots on Moura's face while rescuers were blurry and inaudible was disappointing. I have a feeling if the actors knew that would be their fate they wouldn't have signed on. There's a huge, interesting part of the story lost. I don't know why Barker made this movie. His documentary was so much more interesting and complete.

The Disaster Artist (2017)

Falls Short

[26 September 2018]

An amusing performance by James Franco is not enough to overcome the shortcomings of the film. At least not in so much as to make this Oscar-worthy--I really don't understand the hype for this film. Dave Franco turns in a wooden, high-schoolish performance that drove me up a wall. Constantly pulled me out whenever he was onscreen--and he was onscreen a lot. Diverting, but ultimately disappointing, and quickly forgotten.

White Rabbit (I) (2018)

What a Shame

[25 September 2018]

I know this isn't Vivian Bang's story, per se, but the director's notes at Sundance indicated that White Rabbit is heavily influenced by her life as an LA performance artist. I wish it was even more specifically her story, cause what we have here is, unfortunately, a film that unfolds in a very predictable fashion. A complaint I often level at "historical" films---why am I able to predict what's going to happen next in what should be a wildly unique tale? I shouldn't. The same applies here. Ms. Bang is undeniably talented but she deserves better. She will do better. She is far and away the best thing about this movie. Everything else seems hackneyed and familiar and bargain basement, even by indie standards. The rest of the cast seems like friends of the director or friends of Vivian or random people who were grabbed off the street. I didn't find that charming. I'm ready for a nuanced film about "the other" experience. The hammer to the head and the over-the-top obviousness of the oppression render the criticism toothless. It's a shame, cause the problem is real. Nothing new is illuminated here.

Hand of God (2014–2017)

Smart, Well-Acted and Complex. Watch it.

[30 August 2014]

I loved this pilot and anxiously await the next installment. I really appreciated having to think and pay attention, I thought the acting was top notch across the board (the most I've ever liked Dana Delaney or Ron Perlman) and the plot was intriguing and leaves this one with a lot of places to go. I felt for a father trying (and failing) to cope with the loss of his son. We see a man who has done bad things trying to change (and it will be a slow process) and STILL making mistakes. The sense of doom as Pernell and KD hurtle down a path the audience knows they shouldn't take, and then the twist at the end leaves you saying "Now what?!"

I think it is interesting that most of the one-star ratings reviews I read complain about one of two things: 1) It's too pro-Christian or 2) It's too anti-Christian. Which is it? Maybe it's not so clear cut as that. At no point did I feel like this was supposed to be a champion of either camp. It's just the frame for this particular story. Flawed people grasping at any reason they can find to justify their actions. This didn't change any view I already have about Christianity or religion in general.

There are plenty of unlikable people here (as in every good story) but plenty, also, who I am rooting for as well. They don't go about things the way I would--but I already know how THAT story plays out. I want to have an experience far from my own and far from the expected.

It's not for everyone--nothing I seem to really enjoy is. Deadwood, No Country For Old Men, Breaking Bad, Assassination of Jesse James, Chopper, Animal Kingdom. This series has a lot of potential and I hope Amazon gives it the chance to grow and expand on what is an excellent beginning.

Enjoy.