toniava Reviews

Persuasion (I) (2022)

I really wanted to like it but they cut the story too much.

[6/10 · 17 July 2022]

I don't mind them trying to modernize Jane Austen stories. Please do! I was looking forward to this cast. Unfortunately the writer and director stripped the story down too much.

They cut the story so that the characters motivations for their actions were not justified. They didn't really expand on any of the side characters or show the dynamics between the family and friends. Dakota being cast as homely Anne was a stretch but I like her so I went with it. We know Dakota is a beauty! We would never believe she is a spinster. They had this version not care about her family or any of the other characters.

Please watch Persuasion 1997 version with Amanda Root. The story is so much clearer. It's not listed on IMDb for some reason but you can see it on Amazon. You'll understand. It does not have the handsome new cast but the story is so much better.

I love period films so I gave it a 5 but damn, I was disappointed.

If you never read the books or saw other versions. You might like this because you don't know what you're missing;)

Dune (2021)

It ends abruptly, Be prepared and you won't be disappointed !

[7/10 · 23 October 2021]

Before you watch this, know that it ends abruptly. It was planned this way to set up the characters and vast world.

You'll enjoy the film is you know this before you start.

Tell Me Your Secrets (I) (2021)

Woof

[4/10 · 20 February 2021]

This was pretty bad. I wanted to like it because I like some of the actors from the show but the storyline was all over the place. It's not confusing like some of the other reviews stated. It's just so contrived.

I Imagine they wanted to create so many twists and subplots in order to surprise the audience. But all those plots were predictable. By the last episode, they tried to reveal them and led to every five minutes a realization you figured out an episode in.

It was bad. I wouldn't say 1 star but 4 stars seems honest. That's for the actors and the effort.

If you have seen everything else on tv because of the pandemic, still do t watch this. I Watched the first episode, skimmed the next few then went to the end to see if I was right. And I was! I am so glad I didn't waste the entire 10 hours of my life the show would have taken. I only wasted about two and a half hours.

To sum it up: it's pretty bad. You have been warned.

Warrior (2019–2023)

I wouldn't change a thing. It deserves a 10.

[10/10 · 15 January 2021]

I hate rating shows a ten because there are usually small thing that could make a show better. This show earned its score. Great characters, fight choreography, cinematography and storylines.

I would definitely recommend this show!!

Hoarders (2009– )

I'm glad it's back.

[7/10 · 9 May 2020]

I like this show. It helps a few people And their families who need help. It also shows that it is a mental disease so hopefully people will have more compassion for the disorder.

When it was originally filmed I always wanted them to help the families paint and fix the house a bit. But I am in 3 episodes of the 2019 episodes and so far that hasn't happened. I hope there are some happy episodes. That's what I liked to see from earlier episodes. When the family triumphs.

I understand why this show might make people feel depressed. My sister is an early stage hoarder and she says it gives her anxiety to watch. For me it motivates me to clean and declutter.

Another Life (2019–2021)

Enjoy it for what it is...

[4/10 · 10 March 2020]

The beginning of the series is very weak. It starts with no discipline bratty 20 somethings that you think, "How did they make it into a space program?" The writers really missed the mark on that. There are really unbelievable decisions that are not justified right off the back. That's where all the really bad reviews stop. I can't justify it, just awful writing/story decisions. That being said, the characters that do survive grow into their roles and the poor decisions become less ridiculous.

After three episodes it gets it's stride. Just expect to be frustrated for the first few episodes. If you can ignore a mutiny for no justifiable reason, an annoying stereotype Chicana whining until her demise and a bunch of illogical decisions like removing your space helmets on an away mission to an alien planet then you start to enjoy the characters and storylines.

It sounds terrible and believe me it is but something about the characters made me keep watching. I would even watch another season if it gets renewed because it became enjoyable with the remaining characters. Also it was smart to have more crew in suspended animation so you could bring different cast mates on the ship as needed. I did like the A.I. Character William, the captain (aka Starbuck from Battlestar Gallactica) and the special effects were alright.

Just suspend your disbelief and enjoy It for what it is...

You've been warned.

Sanditon: Episode #1.8 (2019) Season 1, Episode 8

It's not over, it's a series.

[8/10 · 24 February 2020]

Jane Austen fans are upset at this ending because it's not the happily ever after they imagined. I didn't mind it because this is a series with more story to come. If they wrapped up all the stories there would be no place to go for season 2.

I though this ending was realistic but left the audience wanting more. I can't wait to see how it ends. Who is she destined to be with? All the characters are in a state of transition. Leaving the second season open to anything.

The only thing I don't like is that we have to wait a year to see how the story ends. That's the draw back to a series versus a mini series.

Birds of Prey (2020)

Harley's personality, Kill Bill's action and Kick Ass humor.

[10/10 · 11 February 2020]

If you liked Harley Quinn's character from suicide squad then you'll definitely like this movie. It also was reminiscent of Kill Bill type action with tongue and cheek humor similar in Kick Ass.

I saw a review that said he thought it was ridiculous when Black Canary used her voice to blow away bad guys. Don't forget it's a comic book movie and tc anyone who is familiar with DC would know that's her superpower.

Definitely check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. I knew it could be a train wreck or great. I thought it delivered. Not horrible girl power cliches like in Charles Angles!!! This movie held it's own. I'd give it an 8 but since there seems to be a bunch of women hating guys here giving it a 1, I'll up my review rating to a ten to offset.

Star Trek: Voyager: Once Upon a Time (1998) Season 5, Episode 5

Just skip this episode!!!!! Do yourself a favor.

[1/10 · 8 February 2020]

It's the worst episode of any Star Trek series. Period. It's boring and has no story. If you want to watch a whole episode of Neelix and a pouty little girl and her annoying holodeck friends then this is an episode for you. Otherwise just skip it. It does not add to Voyager's journey in any way so you can take it out of the series and nothing would be lost. I was bored early on and I only continued to watch because I couldn't believe this was all there was to the episode. I was wrong.

The Witcher (2019– )

Equivalent to Legend of the Seeker

[7/10 · 22 December 2019]

The CGI and writing is equivalent to the tv series Legend of the Seeker but without the humor.

The main characters Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri are well cast and the acting was solid. Unfortunately, the writers gave them very little dialogue to work with. The storyline was weak and the special effects looked like second year college level.

The main characters are the only draw here. The secondary characters are B level. Think Hercules and Xena.

I continued to watch because of Geralt and Yennefer. Everything else was weak.

I wouldn't mind seeing where they take this series if they fire the writing staff and special effects crew.

Don't try and compare this to Game of Thrones, it's not in the same league. It's like Dragonheart, Legend of the Seeker, and Xena quality.

Henry Cavill was wasted on this show. His performance with better source material would have been something special. Oh, well.

If you can get through the first 3 episodes the rest become less forced. But the writing, dialogue and effects stay consistently lacking.

Ready or Not (I) (2019)

It's a solid 7

[7/10 · 8 December 2019]

It's a comedy horror movie. So if your looking to be scared or see a lot of gore, this is not the movie for you.

It is predictable but no more or less then all the other horror movies that have come out. I liked the bride. And most of the supporting characters played their parts. The house staff was weird and their motives weren't explained or justified.

It had a better ending then most of the horror flicks I've seen. So many endings ruin the movie, this one suited it.

Definitely worth a watch.

North & South (2004)

A great period piece.

[9/10 · 16 November 2019]

A Pride and Prejudice type story with an industrial take. I actually liked Mr Thornton's character better than Mr. Darcy's because we know so much more about this character.

Great performances by the entire cast. Especially the two leads. The sets and costumes were perfect. If you like period pieces you'll like this mini series. I saw an earlier adaptation of this Gaskell novel with Patrick Stewart, and that adaptation did not develop the characters at all, this take was well thought out. Worth giving it a chance.

Undone (2019–2022)

Totally binge worthy.

[8/10 · 20 September 2019]

I binge watched this show. I thought it was interesting and I like the main character. I had to force my way through the first episode and part of the second because I hate the mother and the sister. The characters were very unlikable but it did make me have more empathy for the main character.

In the back of my mind, I liked that I was thinking "God I hope she's not imagining all of this."

I took off a couple stars because I hate it when original content shows don't end a season as if the show was canceled. Because it might happen and I'll have another show with an up in the air ending. I'm still upset about The OA not being wrapped up. This is not that bad because it is a cliff hanger but it is also set up for you to believe what you want.

I enjoyed it. I would recommend this show.

After Darkness (2014)

The worst movie I've seen in a long time.

[1/10 · 10 September 2019]

I can enjoy a doomsday movie, even a bad one. It's fun or interesting to see different characters react in end of civilization situations. However this movie's storyline was a non-starter. In fact there is no story.

The family comes together to supposedly wait for the arrival of the government coming to get them to take them to caves where they will survive a solar flare ending civilization doomsday situation. With an overbearing father they blindly follow his orders while waiting.

But he doesn't do anything. He doesn't prepare his family, talk to his family anything! And though the whole movie they have power and water and supplies. They literally haven't even started the end of day process through the entire movie but some how can't take the stress of her situation.

I take reviews of movies with a grain of salt but do yourself a favor and don't waste any time on this ridiculously bad story. I'm glad I was playing cards with my dad as this was on so I don't feel like my hour and a half of my life was completely wasted.

1 Star for the good cast.

Harlots: Episode #3.8 (2019) Season 3, Episode 8

I liked the season. Good wrap up.

[8/10 · 7 September 2019]

So like other fans I was not happy with a departure of a favorite character, actually two. But I like that the season ended with the comeuppance that many deserved. I wish all series would have season wrap ups in case they don't get renewed. That being said I liked the season and hope for another.

Ibiza (2018)

Fun Girls weekend/romantic Comedy

[9/10 · 7 June 2019]

I happened across this when my best friend was in town and it was light and fun.

I was a little nervous at first because I didn't know anything about it and it starts like every horror flick when you get to like the people and then something dark happens. This is not that movie. They do things that women traveling alone would probably not do unless they feel indistructable or are stupid. But in this case they only meet great people who help them on their route.

So relax and enjoy this wild weekend.

Project Runway: Client on the Go (2017) Season 16, Episode 8

9 for drama 6 for fashion

[6/10 · 29 May 2019]

Cheating, confessions and retractions. All the looks needed help today.

Great show,great season, but the twins are beyond annoying. Cringeworthy. So glad this was the last we see of either of them.

Except in the reunion where the cheating twin backtracks 😝

American Horror Story (2011– )

Great series. Give it a shot.

[9/10 · 21 March 2019]

I've heard good things about this series for a long time, but for whatever reason I never turned it on. One night on Netflix I started streaming it and it lived up to its hype. It's interesting and well written. The cast is excellent and the characters are complex. I like that each season starts a new horror story and the actors play different roles.

I would definitely recommend this show.

Supernatural: ScoobyNatural (2018) Season 13, Episode 16

I would watch this cartoon crossover if it were a weekly show!

[10/10 · 29 September 2018]

Great episode. There is something really satisfying seeing something from my childhood reworked with danger, dead bodies and sexual innuendo.

The show has outdone itself this time!

Overboard (2018)

Terrible remake... watch the original instead

[1/10 · 27 August 2018]

I love Anna Ferris but no! Not this movie. Terrible casting choices and script.

I noticed a lot of people suggested people getting paid for 10/10 reviews, so I checked. Every positive review for this, the reviewer reviewed only this movie. So there might be something to this paid review thing... a 4 or 5 maybe but no way a 9 or 10