I almost didn’t want to do this for “Silicon Valley” since all the seasons are pretty close together in quality (even the “worst” one is only a B- grade). Most likely, if you enjoyed any of the seasons, you’ll want to watch all the way through–as the real reason to stop will be repetition more…
Category: Mindless Mondays
“Silicon Valley” Series Finale is Exactly as Depressing as You’d Think–Defying HBO’s “Aspiratonal” Bro-Comedies
“Silicon Valley” has always occupied a weird space in HBO’s roster of shows. HBO has had a high number of “aspirational” bro-comedies about guys trying to “make it big” in increasingly obscure job fields. Of course, I’m talking about the much-heckled “Entourage,” but also the fashion start-up “comedy” “How to Make it in America,” and…
The Fall Movies I’m Most (and Least) Looking Forward to
August is upon us, and that means fans of adult movies might, maybe, kind-of, sort-of get something besides a reboot of a sequel of an adaptation from a superhero remake. There’s still plenty of stuff for the Comic-Con crowd–because, well, when is there not these days? But if you’re experiencing sci-fi/fantasy burnout (other than “John…
TV Review AND Predictions: “Game of Thrones” (and “Veep”) Are Back
Our long-national nightmare is over. Two of HBO’s longest running shows are back for their final seasons, although only one may have needed to return… “Game of Thrones”…Yes, it’s been two long years, but let’s be honest–we would’ve waited a decade to see the resolution of the best fantasy series of all time. [Certainly, the…
Every 2018 Movie Ranked From Worst to Best
The Worst Film of 2018: The Hurricane Heist…F Skyscraper…D- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 2: Crimes of Grindewald…D- Revenge…D- Jurassic World 2: Fallen Kingdom…D- Mortal Engines…D- Uncle Drew…D- The Predator…D- Hotel Artemis…D- Dog Days…D The Spy Who Dumped Me…D Tau…D Mute…D Peter Rabbit…D Extinction…D Proud Mary…D Tomb Raider…D Show Dogs…D Rampage…D+ The Ritual…D+ Irreplaceable…
Best TV Shows of 2018
I’ve already covered some of this ground in “Best TV Characters of 2018” and “Best TV Moments of 2018,” so check those articles out for further details… 10. Who is America?…Shamefully underrated, masterful satire that fully explores (and explains) why we are so very, very far apart in 2018. Not all Cohen’s set pieces work,…
Best Movie Moments of 2018
There so many great movie scenes in 2018, that I wound up having to expand the list to 12, and even then there were several I had to cut (like “most devastating ending” which belongs to The Kindergarten Teacher) Best Twist–“Tully”…I still don’t want to give it away for anyone who hasn’t seen it (the movie’s…
Best TV Moments or Episodes of 2018
10. Homeland–President Keane Resigns…This season of “Homeland” was arguably the best in years, dealing with Russia, a weakened Presidency, and the corrupting influence of propaganda, both foreign and domestic. Yet no moment served as wish fulfillment better than President Elizabeth Keane (a wide-awake Elizabeth Marvel, showing how paranoia can destroy idealism) resigning for the good…
What Will Be Nominated for Oscars (and What SHOULD Be Instead)
I’ve gotten pretty good at guessing the majority of the Oscar nominees in the major categories, but there’s a better list to consider too: what films I love that should be nominated… Best Supporting Actress Who Should Be Nominated Note on “The Favourite”‘s Emma Stone: To me, she’s really the lead actress of “Favourite,” but for some strange reason her…
The BEST TV Characters of the Year
Very, very tough to get this list down to only 10 spots, so I had to take it to 12 (top that, “Spinal Tap”). And this is even with no new episodes of “Fargo,” “Game of Thrones,” “Veep,” or “Mr. Robot” this past year. Even with that (seemingly) reduced competition, there are lots of shows I…
The WORST TV Characters of the Year
The good news is that I had a hard time filling up a full list of 2018’s Worst TV characters, and a very easy time filling one up for its best characters. The only bad news is that the following characters still exist. But who knows? The way things are headed, this list may not exist at…
Long-Title Reviews: “…Buster Scruggs,” “Bad Times at…” “Nutcracker and…” “A Star…” “Old Man and the Gun” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Is it just me, or are film titles getting longer? I guess with so many new films being released, they need a way to stand out… The Ballad of Buster Scruggs…The Coen Brothers are back with their Old Testament approach to narrative: creating fascinating characters only so they can torture them for the high-crime of…
TV Reviews: “Kidding,” “You,” “The Purge,” “Mayans MC,” “Deutschland 86”
Some brief reviews of great shows you might’ve missed, and a few crappy ones I hope you did overlook… Kidding…When you’ve seen as many movies and TV shows as I have, all you really want is something original every once and a while, and “Kidding” more than delivers. Jim Carrey gives the performance you didn’t…