christianhh Reviews

Black Box: Consequences (2014) Season 1, Episode 13

Poor Season Finally to an otherwise fabulous season

[9/10 · 2 August 2014]

For the season, 9 out of ten stars... for this episode... 4 out of ten...

For twelve episodes of the first season I marvelled at this show. The show's producers through compelling script work, direction and editing have taken advantage of Kelly Reilly's stellar ability to bring Dr. Katherine Black to life and bleed her condition into both her professional and private existence. Not only that, but Reilly is not constantly the centre of attention. She has managed to introduce us to a cast of excellent players portraying sympathetic characters that have dimension without getting in their way.

The pacing has been more than good, the stories compelling, the incidental characters interesting...

what has disappointed terribly is the final episode of the first season, and it's entirely due to editing. For episode 13, which aired as the second hour of the season finally, what we saw appeared to be a hastily cobbled together work that very likely was an attempt to squeeze a fourteenth episode, and possibly a fifteenth, into forty some odd minutes. It worked poorly. While it was apparent throughout that last hour, the point was hammered home in the very last scene where we saw a cliff hanger that had not been built up at all on a show that has done a fabulous job of constructing circumstances.

I fear for Black Box. I fear this may be the series finally and that would be a tragedy. To all the players and the crew of Black Box, thank you! I sincerely hope we see you next season...

Black Box: Exceptional or Dead (2014) Season 1, Episode 4

"Cat Fight" or "My Precious!"

[10/10 · 16 May 2014]

Episode 4 manages to stay largely focused on the business of the Brain Doctors. Two patients and their very different problems stand front and centre. But a pair of patients seems to be only the most prominent items that come in pairs. A pair of catty women. A pair of "unlikely" romantic pairings (in the form of blue collar guys with brilliant lady doctors). A pair of creepy situations...

I don't know which is creepier. The Doctor and the Plumber reciting the "One Ring" rhyme from "Lord of the Rings" or the over the top soap opera ending of this episode...

Either way, drama ensues when Dr. Black's colleague drops her engagement ring down a drain and, almost immediately after, Dr. Black has a rather catty conversation with Dr. Mahmoud, the resident Psychiatrist.

Part of me wonders if the writers are of the opinion that Psychiatrists are morons. It's not an unpopular opinion, especially were tales of diagnoses after less than five minutes with a patient are legion (in the real world). As with most points made so far in this series, this is yet another one made with brilliant subtlety.

If you saw last episode, you'll recall that Will, Dr. Black's fiancée, had a one night stand with one of his waitresses... well, turns out we're being set up for even more drama ahead. This story line seems to have more soap operatic qualities than the rest of the story lines, but, again, catty behaviour looms large.

Vanessa Redgrave is conspicuously absent for the second episode in a row. Considering she is listed as having appeared in all thirteen, that seems odd. I'm wondering if the plot line for Dr. Black's therapist just wasn't working causing them to edit it out. This episode moved very fast, almost as fast as the very first episode, packing a great deal of material... perhaps they felt therapy sessions would break up the pacing... perhaps...

But as much as I missed seeing Redgrave, this episode was what I have come to expect... completely unexpected, especially since it's so easy to become attached to the characters in it.

Nice job, folks...

Black Box: Who Are You? (2014) Season 1, Episode 3

I know you're a jerk, but I forgive you anyway or, snappy rubber bands...

[10/10 · 9 May 2014]

Episode 3 continues with the idea that the patients are incidental. They come and go, which is very likely the reality in a doctor's life. The show, however, is entering the phase where it develops the supporting cast.

Dr. Black's character, firmly established in the first episode, is now mostly carved in stone with the noted exception that we have, in this episode, learned exactly how much of a girl Dr. Black is (that is: too forgiving)... yes, her boyfriend isn't just a clueless tool (as we learned last episode, he can't seem to put two and two together, instead making ridiculous assumptions) but that he's a vindictive jerk as well... (not going to spoil that, watch and see).

I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to the boyfriend if Dr. Black had been off her meds... and he, admittedly, likes it rough... yes, there is potential for high drama that can spiral out of control and make for some amazing story lines...

Regan also is showing herself to be more sympathetic as Esme's adopted mother. I learned in this Episode that Esme has no idea Regan is not her birth mother, something that was unclear to me to this point. Regan observing Esme's nervous snapping of a rubber band on her wrist is a small point that pays big dividends by the end of the episode.

Subtle points throughout is what makes this show such a joy to watch... (such as when Dr. Black introduces Neurosurgeon Dr. Bickman as the new OBGYN with only the barest hint of sarcasm, few actresses could pull that off the way Kelly Reilly did). It's building constantly the way any good story should.

Vikings: The Lord's Prayer (2014) Season 2, Episode 10

Wasting Airtime...

[6/10 · 2 May 2014]

First off, I must say this: Vikings is my favourite show to follow. The characters are diverse, well developed and engaging.

My criticism I think is for the Season 2 Finale and largely aimed at the editors and script writers. I was let down by it... unfortunately...

It seems to me there was significant time wasted making points that had already been made. When Ragnar continues to lay into King Horik's corpse it seems over-long. I had no sense of urgency during the episode, and that disappoints me terribly. What suffered dearly was how the aftermath of King Horik's death set up Ragnar's new position. That point was made in too hurried a manner.

The other part I take issue with, and I point my finger directly at the writers, is the development of the Siggy and Floki plot lines. Floki's sudden turn against Ragnar over the course of the season seemed unexplainable. There seemed to be nothing at all behind it. King Horik tells Floki to kill someone who matters, and Floki looks around for someone to kill, which he "does," but we don't know the truth of it till the end. Siggy's questionable loyalties are also an issue. She's "With" Rollo, but does she have genuine affection for him? Or is he just a means to an end of questionable value. The latter is what I see. Be it the former, I'd like that to be a little more clear. I cannot blame the actors for this. Performances by Jessalyn Gilsig and Gustaf Skarsgard are a big part of the reason I love this story so much. Siggy and Floki are two of the most interesting characters on the show and they deserve better.

I hope my issues with this episode are made arbitrary by a spectacular third season.

Black Box: Sweet Little Lies (2014) Season 1, Episode 2

Setting up plot twists...

[9/10 · 2 May 2014]

The second episode of Black Box does not move at the breakneck speed of the series pilot.

The opening scene, however, having a young woman's head explode, is as shocking as it could be. Thankfully, nobody dies... go figure (that's my big spoiler!)

I was interested to see one of the Pilot Reviewers, who rated the show rather poorly, inadvertently deliver a prediction of doctor malpractice, something that is front and center in this episode, threatening Dr. Black's career while, at the same time, providing more of a glimpse into Dr. Black's past... all is connected, at least in Dr. Black's mind.

The only issue I personally have with the plot is with Dr. Black's sister-in-law Reagan, who seems a bit of a hard-assed b---- and needs to be shown to be more sympathetic and righteous. So far, and I cannot blame the actress so much as the script writers, she seems to be operating more out of a power trip than out of real concern for her adopted daughter in keeping her away from Dr. Black... Regan seems to be acting as if she is Dr. Black's mother in punishing Dr. Black by not letting her go to Esme's recital.

Seriously, guys, I'm not feeling that, and it's important... the rest, well, the rest has me hooked...

While this episode slows plot pacing significantly, it builds, on what it is we learned in the first episode without getting in the way of the story. It also adds more interesting elements and a pair of interesting characters in the form of two interns played by Geeky Leo Robinson (Tasso Feldman) and Determined Ali Henslee (Aja Naomi King). How they get developed will be fun to follow.

Black Box (2014)

Thinking outside the Black Box

[10/10 · 1 May 2014]

Yes, I watched it because Kelly Rielly has impressed me ever since I saw her portray Caroline Bingly in Pride and Prejudice. I expected it would be an interesting piece because, like any good character actress, she tends to select interesting projects with interesting characters, and this is no exception...

What is better was the script. Dr. Black's character is well fleshed out in a single episode with an intense amount of drama that ran as fast as it could to pack two hours worth of material into 40 odd minutes of airtime. Not a single second of film was wasted. The two patients she treats, in the short minutes we spend with them, are also fleshed out to the point that we are given reason to love them and understand fast what it is they face.

If the follow up episodes live up to the pilot, we have a series deserving of being a big hit.

The Red Baron (2008)

Extarodinary

[9/10 · 27 April 2014]

I gave this film nine out of ten stars for two reasons.,,

The first was that when Verner Voss dies there was no mention at all of the tremendous odds he faced the day he died. Anyone interested should google "The Death of Verner Voss Video" and see the recreation of it.

The second was it's very liberal creativity with historical events. There is, for example, no evidence that Richtofen had any contact with Roy Brown, the man who eventually shot down Richtofen, prior to their meeting the day Richtofen died.

That said, this film is extraordinary in several ways which make the two items above forgivable. The depiction of those flying men as gentlemen trying to be honourable in a time of war, their happy-go-lucky attitude regarding their deadly profession and the relationships they had make for an enjoyable ride.

The areal combat sequences are, simply put, the best I have ever seen in a film depicting World War 1 and certainly rank in the top five of those I all I have seen.

Cudos to the actors who brought their characters to life for us. They could not have done better.

I am only sorry I did not see it on the big screen...

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Providence (2014) Season 1, Episode 18

Agents of Nothing

[6/10 · 15 April 2014]

Where the heck do we go from here? This current episode feels rather like a bridge. There was little action and a lot of what seems like set-up for future episodes.

Coulson and his team are running as fast as they can as the U.S. Air Force is moving in and taking over. The Bus is busted, and barely patched together, and Coulson makes it perfectly clear that he is livid with Agent May and no longer trusts her.

By now you should know Fury is not dead but Coulson knows this only by his own faith. Meanwhile, Ward and Garrett are off to raid the most secure facility Shield had to get what goodies are there... Brett Dalton's Ward I like as an Agent of Shield... but the performance in this episode lacked something now that we know he is a villain... perhaps it was that he didn't show himself to be conflicted save with his lines... Dalton might want to work on that a bit.

Too, both Ward and Garrett need to show us they're invested in HYDRA though both scripted dialog and acting... nothing we've seen so far convinces me they are. Clark Gregg, however, does a great job of selling Coulson as a man ready to crack this episode.

Of note: Ruth Negga's performance as Raina continues to shine. She is one of the most interesting villains on the show so far even though she's revealed very little about herself. Her manner shows that she is invested and a believer. Her shock at discovering the true nature of "The Clairvoyant" is believable.

About Time (I) (2013)

Poignant and Riveting - a true movie for Adults

[10/10 · 10 April 2014]

I took a chance watching this film hoping it wouldn't be a waste of time. As dramas go, there are no villains, and the cathartic moments are so small it might require some life experience to understand them.

We follow Tim (Domhnall Gleeson), who learns he's able to go back in time on his twenty first birthday from his father. Tim immediately informs his father he'll use it to get a girlfriend... which he does manage to pull off. I suspect more than half the world's men will identify with Tim.

Mary (Rachel McAdams) deliver's a wonderful performance as a young woman who recognizes her insecurities but has no solution for them... and perhaps those insecurities serve her well as she's met Tim who jumps through a lot of hoops to connect with her... those hoops being time travel.

Even though time travel is part of the film, it does not dominate or overwhelm it. Its simply a plot device that allows Tim to grow and learn what is truly important.

Films with a well delivered message are rare these days. This one is a true gem.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Turn, Turn, Turn (2014) Season 1, Episode 17

See Captain America 2 first...

[9/10 · 8 April 2014]

At the end of our last episode (Episode 16) the Agent Coulson and Skye are holding Agent May at gunpoint, and the Bus suddenly decides to change course all on her own... the episode is aptly titled "End of the Beginning" but we don't find out why unless we've seen this latest episode and, hopefully, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

Having seen CA:TWS I already knew that Hydra had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and the organization was dying because of it.

Turn, Turn, Turn (Episode 17) gives us the insight into the internal S.H.I.E.L.D. fallout during and following the movie, as they take place at the same time in the Marvel Universe. When we look back Captain America: The Winter Soldier may be the pilot what may become a brand new show. The first sixteen episodes being the "prelude."

The bombshells are revealed at the end, though one is almost painfully obvious to anyone watching. Two Agents are presented as a red herrings, then revealed to be loyal... but wait: is that agent loyal? One of those agents is a main character... so, when I say bombshell, I do mean it... all in all, the episode lives up to its billing: Everything Changes.

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

Great Acting! The material was horrible!

[1/10 · 29 May 2013]

let's take a well known fairy tail about kids burning a witch alive in her own oven, grow them up, and make them superheroes... Great Concept, LOUSY execution. Don't get me wrong, the acing by Renner, Atherton, Jensen and the rest, especially the Sheriff, was fabulous. They sold their characters as best they could. But when Jensen narrates this mediocre reveal about the past, the story, already in a shambles, completely fell apart. The end monologue, delivered by Jeremy Renner, was just out of place and sophomoric. They're treating the film as if it's a pilot for a WB TV show doomed to get cancelled after four or five episodes...

Beauty and the Beast (2012–2016)

I'll be following it

[7/10 · 18 October 2012]

I can't understand the negative reviews, I enjoyed the first episode and found it demanding of my attention (I watched on HULU while doing other tasks... or not doing them, because, as I said, it grabbed my attention). The acting in this show is quite a bit better than most CW offerings, and Jay Ryan is well cast as Vincent. IMHO, and Kristen Kreuk's personality aside (I don't see how it has anything to do with the quality of the show, as actors are notoriously self absorbed, so I think the hit piece published above is irrelevant and I'm surprised it was approved) I find Kreuk's performance to be just the right combination of tough exterior with fragile insides. So far as the story is concerned, it's off to a bit of a slow start, but it's not uncommon for a good or even great show to take some time to build it's world. This will take a bit of time as the writers seem very focused on establishing the two main characters and their relationship to each other. I was also impressed that the action sequences did not dominate the show. They were short, well done and added to the story instead of hiding any flaws. This one I'll be giving a few episodes to see how well it builds.

Taken 2 (2012)

Good, but not great

[7/10 · 6 October 2012]

First off, I enjoyed the film, and think it was worth the money I paid to see it. While other reviewers have been beating this film down, I find that the story itself was carefully structured in the beginning and grants it believability from that point. By carefully structured, I'm mostly talking about the way an ex wife brings her daughter to Istambul to see her ex-husband.

The action sequences are, frankly, amazing. But not being an action junkie, I tend to go more for the story. What bothered me about the story was the portrayal of Kim Mills' boyfriend, and the resolution at the end of the film.

Just to note, the sequence on the rooftops of Istambul, someone mentioned it was believable, I wholeheartedly agree... let's just say one of the characters put guts and enthusiasm on display without suddenly becoming an expert... 'nuff said...

I loved Taken, I enjoyed Taken 2.

I Can't Think Straight (2008)

Highly Enjoyable Love Story

[10/10 · 28 September 2012]

If this were simply a story about your average, every day, star crossed lovers, one might describe it as a "chick flick". It is a romance with some comedic elements, but I doubt it can honestly be called a "romantic comedy". Instead, it is a rather simple love story that, toward the end, threatens to leave the viewer hanging. The characterizations by the two lead actresses is stunning and highly believable. They do not play their roles over the top, but in a somewhat subdued manner that is consistent with the behavior of women from their respective cultures. Even so, Tala (played by Lisa Ray) is something of a maverick in her opinions, outlook and something of a problem for her family even before she meets Layla. I fell in love with both the characters early in the film and they took me on an enjoyable ride.

Haywire (2011)

She just wasn't believable...

[3/10 · 19 September 2012]

It's unfortunate that this film, which could have been a great vehicle for Gina Cerano, lagged. It's also unfortunate that Gina Cerano's acting ability is not at all on display here. Channing Tatum, who gave quite a good performance in The Eagle, shows us why people doubted his own abilities early on. The film is carried by the more well known actors. Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas and Antonio Banderas, but their parts are too small to make a difference. Do they actually believe in Gina Cerano? Or were they well paid to get Gina a shot... You have reasonable skill as an action hero, but your acting leaves a lot to be desired. Try watching Daniel Craig sell a roll... you might learn something...