I didn't know this series were 'one-shots'... the time travel story had son much potential - i would've love to see a whole season about this episode :(
47 Reviews
had potential
carlamifegogose7 March 2020
A trip back in time to find love and a switch of lives! A tale of fate.
blanbrn12 March 2020
This episode one called "The Cellar" from the new "Amazing Stories" series from "Apple TV" is one that was entertaining and interesting as this tale was one of finding love thru time and fate! In the present day Sam(Dylan O' Brien) is a fixer up kind of guy who works on and repairs old houses with his brother and on the side he's holding out for love. Only when him and his brother start to rework an old Iowa farmhouse his findings are strange plus the house has a secret portal. Yet during a storm the episode takes a twist and Sam finds himself back in time like the year 1919. It's upon his meeting of a society gal named Evelyn(Victoria Pedretti) that fate and time has changed for both! As this episode puts each character now on a different path in a different time period. Better for the both as fate and love with time travel has the final say. Overall well done touching emotional episode.
Felt Rushed
jaydogva12 March 2020
Overall an enjoyable episode and gave me the "feels" as they say, so gotta give it a 6 for that. However, with only an hour it was hard pressed to flesh out a believable love story. Time travel always is a hit with me though.
Should have been about the Cellar the entire season!
caroline_chupaa1 September 2022
Episode one was so good and captivating, so mysterious and interesting.
Really wanted Evelyn to find her way back to Sam and vice versa! They really seemed to belong together
Such beautiful episode with a somewhat rushed ending!! To bad they did not make the whole show about The Cellar!
Would also loved to see how Evelyn adapted to the year 2019 and how her music career went on.
We don't see many love stories like this in modern films and I love how they just mixed it up, lots of time traveling shows and movies have been made but rarely so I come across something as stunning and haunting as this episode.
Right in the feels and what a match made in heaven theeae characters and actors had so much chemistry.
Really wanted Evelyn to find her way back to Sam and vice versa! They really seemed to belong together
Such beautiful episode with a somewhat rushed ending!! To bad they did not make the whole show about The Cellar!
Would also loved to see how Evelyn adapted to the year 2019 and how her music career went on.
We don't see many love stories like this in modern films and I love how they just mixed it up, lots of time traveling shows and movies have been made but rarely so I come across something as stunning and haunting as this episode.
Right in the feels and what a match made in heaven theeae characters and actors had so much chemistry.
Such bad reviews, really???
Akanksh_ap7 March 2020
Declaration: I am 28. No teenager. And not too much into cheesy stuff.
The first episode 'The cellar' is basically a story of human relationships entwined over time due to something unexplained. It's not sci-fiction. So don't Watch if you are looking for a feeling of rush and darkness in the name of the title being 'Amazing stories'. That is what is wrong with all the critic reviews because they can't stop comparing it to other stuff that is much darker and hardly even is going to feel the same. However, If you want a good watch that makes you feel for the heart inside you, go on watching.
In this world, no one is a villain. People don't misuse technology. The world isn't about to end. Instead, we get characters that care for one another. It's a love story but not just that. The director has done a fine job. Cinematography is also decent as the episode is really easy on the eyes. In a total 50 minutes episode you get to see three time zones that can be discerned from each other and I consider that itself a win.
POSITIVES: 1.The relatable vibe of the characters 2.The acting - Really, someone give Dylan o'Brien some bigger n better projects. The guy never stops surprising with what he can do to a role. Here also, he was brilliant with the innocent yet charming mannerism of Sam Taylor in the first half and as a heartbroken man in love in the emotional scenes. Victoria Pedretti is a giant talent. She just ate any scene she was in. And the chemistry was cute and palpable enough. 3.Victoria's singing (never knew she was that good!) 4.No negativity in the larger picture. 5.beautiful portrayal of 1919. 6.It doesn't try too hard to explain the time travel as some magnificent technology. Here it's a simple concept, and in nobody's control. 7.Even when the ending will not be okay for many viewers, it leaves you wanting more. And you know it's good if you din't want it to end. 8.Beautiful message.
Negatives: 1. Could have been still better script wise. The characters had their moments but I was so in love with the lead couple that I really wanted a bit more light thrown on their bond. 2. Unnecessary brand placement from apple. Not appreciated. 3. Can't think of anything much apart from this.
Normally I would rate it a solid 8 or 8.5 . However, gave it a 10 considering the brutal bashing it's enduring from the critics and reviewers. Reviews should not be written by comparing it to something you wanted it to be. And the creators never intended it to be black mirror or Twilight Zone. And it's beautiful in what it wanted to be. Pure, Positive and Optimistic.
POSITIVES: 1.The relatable vibe of the characters 2.The acting - Really, someone give Dylan o'Brien some bigger n better projects. The guy never stops surprising with what he can do to a role. Here also, he was brilliant with the innocent yet charming mannerism of Sam Taylor in the first half and as a heartbroken man in love in the emotional scenes. Victoria Pedretti is a giant talent. She just ate any scene she was in. And the chemistry was cute and palpable enough. 3.Victoria's singing (never knew she was that good!) 4.No negativity in the larger picture. 5.beautiful portrayal of 1919. 6.It doesn't try too hard to explain the time travel as some magnificent technology. Here it's a simple concept, and in nobody's control. 7.Even when the ending will not be okay for many viewers, it leaves you wanting more. And you know it's good if you din't want it to end. 8.Beautiful message.
Negatives: 1. Could have been still better script wise. The characters had their moments but I was so in love with the lead couple that I really wanted a bit more light thrown on their bond. 2. Unnecessary brand placement from apple. Not appreciated. 3. Can't think of anything much apart from this.
Normally I would rate it a solid 8 or 8.5 . However, gave it a 10 considering the brutal bashing it's enduring from the critics and reviewers. Reviews should not be written by comparing it to something you wanted it to be. And the creators never intended it to be black mirror or Twilight Zone. And it's beautiful in what it wanted to be. Pure, Positive and Optimistic.
a charming story
rshawis5 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I'm surprised at the exceedingly low reviews of this first episode. Okay this show may not have the budget that the glut of superhero shows do but it was a very nice story. Yes, the mode of time travel seemed kind of far-fetched, but I thought it was an interesting plot device to use a decheco. The reconstruction of a small town in 1919 was very believably done. This one episode could make for a very interesting expanded TV series and I could see a story that could be fleshed out further. Otherwise it was very enjoyable.
It Was... Okay
Gislef8 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's true what they say about how there's nothing new on TV. "The Cellar" hits many of the same notes as the Christopher Reeve movie ('Somewhere in Time"), the first Twilight Zone ('The Long Morrow'), the revival back in the 80s ("A Message From Charity"), and the '11/22/63' miniseries based on the King novel of the same name. Two people fall in love but are separated by the vagaries of time so that they can't be knowingly together for long.
"The Cellar" adds a few 2020 MeToo fillips (Evelyn raises a child by herself!, Sam's brother Jake is gay!) but it basically boils down to the same basic plot. A kinda/sorta time traveler (always male) falls in love with a woman, they have a brief time together, and then time marches on and somehow separates them. and they gaze at each other longingly across the gap of years.the music gets soapy as they do so so, and cue the end credits.
Retelling old stories is good when done right (see 'The Outsider", which takes a basic premise and an okay King novel then runs with it). But there's just nothing really there to inspire the spirit. As at least one reviewer said, it's just not that amazing an Amazing Story. It lacks the pathos and/or humor (sometimes at the same time) of the original' Amazing Series'. Unwise to judge the new series with just one episode, and like most anthologies if you don't like an episode, wait a week and you'll get something completely different. "The Cellar" is an okay starter with two decent leads, but the creative team seems well aware of that and tries to serve up 80s comfort food rather than "Amaze" the viewers. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
"The Cellar" adds a few 2020 MeToo fillips (Evelyn raises a child by herself!, Sam's brother Jake is gay!) but it basically boils down to the same basic plot. A kinda/sorta time traveler (always male) falls in love with a woman, they have a brief time together, and then time marches on and somehow separates them. and they gaze at each other longingly across the gap of years.the music gets soapy as they do so so, and cue the end credits.
Retelling old stories is good when done right (see 'The Outsider", which takes a basic premise and an okay King novel then runs with it). But there's just nothing really there to inspire the spirit. As at least one reviewer said, it's just not that amazing an Amazing Story. It lacks the pathos and/or humor (sometimes at the same time) of the original' Amazing Series'. Unwise to judge the new series with just one episode, and like most anthologies if you don't like an episode, wait a week and you'll get something completely different. "The Cellar" is an okay starter with two decent leads, but the creative team seems well aware of that and tries to serve up 80s comfort food rather than "Amaze" the viewers. But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
Very good
cpacheco-582146 March 2020
Enjoyable watch but not amazing
msmichellesize16 March 2020
I find the reviews amusing on this. Either people are saying they were in tears with how good it was and others very annoyed at the "political correctness". I'm in the middle somewhere. I've no doubt that many of those people complaining would be complaining in every story where there's a gay person. However, in this episode there is a scene which serves no purpose to the story other than to deliver a message - I've no issue with the message however I don't watch TV and films to be taught lessons. I want entertainment. Not a spoiler as happens right at the start: In this episode the main character goes on a date at the start which serves no purpose other than for the character to show his date a picture of his brother with his male partner and baby. This was pointless as it served to purpose to the story. I think him going on a date would make sense to show how he is with women or to build into the story with what happens at the end, but no, a jarring scene to teach us a message. Overall though it's not a bad story and I did find it amusing. Nothing wildly original.
Amazing!!!!
Just-A-Girl-1422 July 2021
Absolutely loved it! What a magical heartbreaking story! Great acting, great story and great atmosphere!! I wish it was a series on its own. I could keep watching this beautiful story for many more episodes. I really loved it!!! Such great acting and great characters! Beautiful from start to finish! Absolutely amazing!!!
The low reviews are totally undeserving! Give it a try! Highly recommended!!!
The low reviews are totally undeserving! Give it a try! Highly recommended!!!
1919 AND a derecho!?!?
nicarnzen25 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
That was nuts! First off, I really enjoyed this kick off to the reboot. It captured the youthful excitement and family friendly journeys of the original. So fun.
So, the first episode, released in March, had two huge elements that just happen to tie into today's world.
1) He travels to 1918/1919 - um influenza pandemic anyone??
2) The time travel is a result of a rare and not well known storm surge called a derecho that hits Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Last week Cedar Rapids, Iowa was hit by a derecho for the first time in like a century.
Wow!
Apparently one of the writers really is a time traveler and I LOVE it.
Wow!
Apparently one of the writers really is a time traveler and I LOVE it.
a wasted opportunity
kokomo12315 March 2020
Feels dated already
FionnyAnseo14 March 2020
Really excited for this series and must admit I was hoping for a black mirror alike show. But this this is weak. The story feels like something we've heard hundreds of times before and the cast is underwhelming to say the least.
It really feels like this was shot in the early 90's.
Disappointed.
It really feels like this was shot in the early 90's.
Disappointed.
Need a whole season/movie of this story
dreamingoflondonskies26 December 2021
I loved this episode! The parts that felt rushed I know could just be solved by expanding the story into its own movie or even mini-series. Bring back the same cast and everything. Sam and Evelyn made me swoon and the ending was just so pure.
Love love love Dylan O'Brien and Victoria Pedretti literally can do no wrong.
Love love love Dylan O'Brien and Victoria Pedretti literally can do no wrong.
Magnificent!
udana-fonseka28 November 2020
Everything feels slightly rushed in this episode. Nevertheless, it makes up for the shortcomings with a great story with a beautiful emotional journey. This episode should have been a feature film or a TV show on its own.
Love it! Amazing episode!
Love it! Amazing episode!
I expected more
subliminalwhisper7 March 2020
"Somewhere there's a time for us..." (West Side Story)
Bel_Zedar8 March 2020
A lovely story. Two people, each adrift in the world they were born to, found each other and a way to be where they ought to be. This was more a story about identity, searching for a purpose, belonging and community than a love story.
Time travel is dumb, but a satisfying narrative device.
vprice50918 July 2020
Good show. I enjoyed it. I will spare you another review on it. I just came here to say that I noticed something that bugged me in the final scene: (This is not a spoiler; remain calm) The painting on the right-hand side of the shot is quite crooked on the wall. Either a glaring oversight or a nice touch. And now I shall go and look again, but will not return to report what I find. Perhaps you might find out for yourself... in the FUTURE!
Waisted potential
ve87be18 March 2020
Great cast, nice story but not really original. I have seen many different interpretations of the same boy-meets-girl-time-travel story but much better executed as this one. I am very disappointed since Apple made so much notice around Steven Spielberg being the producer etc.
A Great Story
wayner83-55-172217 March 2020
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