tornado42 Reviews

The Morning Show (I) (2019– )

First season yes. 2nd season not so much

[4/10 · 8 March 2023]

The first season was inspired. It felt like a real story with multiple layers that didnt take the easy route with the heavy subject material. A lot elements at play, a lot of complex stories with unintended consequences. It was about realizing the gravity of your actions and they did a marvelous job going through the emotions of the characters involved.

The 2nd season feels lazy. Too much "I'm a victim because ______".

It's a shame because the first season had a lot of potential. It's too bad because truly nuanced arguments aren't presented that often in today's landscape and this show had more of it than most.

Home (II) (2015)

Uninspired and kind of sloppy

[3/10 · 13 August 2022]

In the post Pixar world we're used to getting more out of our animated kids movies. Even with DreamWorks being an inferior studio we're used to seeing better.

The script offers nothing unique. The soundtrack doesn't fit at ALL and its placement feels on top of the movie rather than an extension of it. There's some weird transitions in the scenes as well that feel sloppy in their execution.

Nothing is really memorable (in the good way) about this movie. We're used to higher standards now, even in movies more geared towards kids.

3/10.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Doctor Strange is the multiverses background character

[6/10 · 26 July 2022]

Dr. Strange came close to being a background character in his own movie. This decision and the overreliance on CGI keeps this in the lower echelon of the MCU. Wanda's story arc was decent enough if not predictable. Olsen did a commendable job in her role.

Sure cameos are fun and all, but they don't replace story...and that's where this movie was lacking. Sam Raimi was on point with his directing. It's not his fault the writing was average (at best) and its focus on the main character was lacking. I'm actually glad Sam was at the helm here, as a lesser director wouldn't have been able to even make this movie as serviceable as it turned out.

Ozark: A Hard Way to Go (2022) Season 4, Episode 14

Not as bad as Dexter. But nowhere near as good as Breaking Bad

[5/10 · 18 July 2022]

Disappointed.

The story had some of the right beats and progressions but overall the end felt half baked and served to us lukewarm instead of fully prepared.

It's a shame. But maybe this serves as a reminder that not every show will stick the landing.

In this case it didn't fall flat on its face. But I was not flawless by any stretch.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

A decent albeit slightly disappointing sequel

[6/10 · 4 June 2022]

Sonic 2 certainly adds higher stakes and more action to the 2nd movie. It feels bigger and has more going on.

Unfortunately it comes at a cost. The humor feels more basic and less clever this go round. The wedding sequence overstays its welcome and the main character in that sequence feels like they're overplaying it as well. It feels like an unnecessary speed bump when things really get going.

That said, the movie isn't bad at all. There's still a solid movie despite the shortcomings. Hopefully Sonic 3 gets the train back on track with a return to clever humor and better pacing.

Superstore (2015–2021)

Solid but not spectacular.

[7/10 · 18 November 2021]

In the post laugh track comedy world (please let laugh tracks and studio audiences go away in tv) comes Superstore. Those familiar with The Office will see there are stories and characters that are a little too similar, but over time it becomes more of its own show. There's some really good joke writing in the show over the years.

Unfortunately there is some downside. The show is indeed preachy and doesn't have as much nuance in arguments as it pretends to. I hate to be "that guy" cause I'm not however this show is a little too heavy handed in the social commentary. Some stories are not very interesting and the show is better when it focuses on the day to day of the average retail worker than their choice for some of the long running storylines.

I don't think it has enough downside to completely ruin the show though. For the most part it's a fun show with enough decent characters to keep you entertained.

Side bar: I love Sandra. Everything she does is hilarious.

BoJack Horseman (2014–2020)

Caught me off guard...in a good way!

[9/10 · 18 November 2021]

I had heard good things about Bojack before I had ever seen the show but didn't know much about it. I finally decided to start the show and ...wow!

Many shows attempt the comedy/drama but that many times equal drama thats too mellowdramatic or comedy thats too weak. This show however...nails both.

When it's going for comedy it's brash and hilarious. When it's going for drama it's powerful.

Favorite episode: Free churro...absolutely amazing.

The Masked Singer (2019–2024)

It really does feel like dystopian entertainment

[3/10 · 18 November 2021]

To anyone who has seen Fifteen Million Merits in the show Black Mirror this feels oddly similar.

Between the cringe worthy display of the "judges" (Nicole being the worst) and the utter pointless premise of the show in general, this really does feel like dystopian entertainment.

I gave it a 3 instead of 1 because the production values are well done at least. Whether or not that makes it more dangerous as a form of entertainment is up to the viewer I guess.

Black Mirror (2011– )

Incredible show.

[9/10 · 1 September 2021]

The Twilight Zone based in technology rather than Sci fi.

That's basically the best way to describe this amazing show. It can be dark, it can be heavy, but more often than not it's very compelling and worth watching.

I will say, since this is an anthology, that some episodes will be very different than others. Due to a person's personal taste their favorite/not so favorite episodes may vary dramatically. One of my personal favorites is the second episode, Fifteen Million Merits, yet often times I've seen it in the lower half of people's lists...and that's ok. Each episode will speak to someone in a different way. It's part of the fun.

As long as you can handle thoughtful stories that don't always have a happy ending, you won't be disappointed by this series.

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021–2022)

A worthy remake compared to most of them.

[8/10 · 1 September 2021]

In a world of subpar remakes, I think this does a much better job than most.

It does a good job of giving a modern update to a classic property without being too preachy. Lauren Graham was an excellent choice to lead the show. She's got the necessary comedic chops and has the versatility for the more serious moments as well. The kids aren't as good as the original, but by no means terrible. There's some good joke writing here too. Overall this is a much better remake/reboot hybrid than Saved by the Bell.

It's predictable but that's ok. Not everything works (the commentator in particular might be the worst part of the show). Its probably not actually an 8 but grading on a curve because of the low quality of many modern remakes...it works for me.

Atypical (2017–2021)

Solid show hurt by a sub par final season.

[6/10 · 1 September 2021]

Sometimes a show lives and dies by its lead character. When the story of that character doesn't hold up, the secondary characters aren't good enough to hold up fort.

Such is the case with Aytypical. The first 2 seasons in particular are strong mostly because it leans on the shoulders of its capable lead, both in the actor and writing presenting his character. The secondary characters were around but none of them all that interesting or what made the show worth watching.

Unfortunately Sam's stories decline in both quality and quantity over time. The screen time goes to less important characters and veers strongly into the trendy "oppression" stories which does more harm than good to their fight in real life society.

It started as a strong show but unfortunately lost its way along the timeline.

Dexter (2006–2013)

Yes the final season sucks. But still a great show as a whole

[8/10 · 20 October 2020]

Dexter has the unfortunate distinction of having one of the worst final episodes (and season) in history. That much is true. However a lot of the show is worth your time.

The first 4 seasons in particular (thank you Clyde Phillips) are must see tv. The influence in future shows have been realized because of how tremendous the early year were.

The final 4 seasons are up and down (still some good stuff, just not as consistent) but I still recommend this show overall. Just know going in that the ending will disappoint.

Supermarket Sweep (I) (2020–2022)

Supermarket Crash

[4/10 · 20 October 2020]

In many cases reboots come in with unmeetable expectations. The charm of something that was enjoyed by someone years ago won't be replicated and they will be left disappointed regardless of how excited they were going in. Nostalgia is for the old, not the new version.

However with that being said....

Hate to jump on the bandwagon but Leslie Jones was indeed a terrible choice for the host. She doesn't have the charisma to pull in an audience. She is trying to make it more about getting her jokes in than injecting humor in the game naturally. Not that the original host was special but he knew to keep it about the game. Leslie should not be front and center. The game should.

We've been in an era for quite some time of overproduced contestants. "Make sure you're excited and good for tv." Price is Right in particular has been cringey for years in the current era due to this. Unfortunately here is another example. Most people's natural excitement have always worked fine for game shows. The artificial kind does not.

Reboots can be somewhat polarizing. Sometimes it's unfair. In this case however, the dissatisfaction is earned.

13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)

First season is solid. Then it falls off the rails.

[5/10 · 12 August 2020]

The first season had a strong coherent story that, while not perfect, had it's merits and knew what it wanted to accomplish.

After that it becomes a mostly lame teen drama with a lot of inconsistent messages and cliche elements. The quality of the show flips from mostly solid with some subpar to mostly subpar with some solid after season one ends.

Most of the cast is capable. The writing is what keeps it from being in a better echelon of shows. It really feels like they had a contained story...saw it was a hit then decided to keep it going when it was actually unnecessary.

The Joke Thief (2018)

There's a lot of stat padding going on here.

[2/10 · 14 January 2020]

It's clear that in today's landscape we have films get their numbers and reviews placed by people involved with the movie. While quality is certainly somewhat subjective, the theory that stat padding is usually pretty clear when you've seen a movie that has much different reviews than the rest while those positive have it being the only one that account has filled out. Lesser known films this is more obvious.

This is certainly a case of that.

The Joke Thief is written, directed, starred, produced etc all by the same individual. A Canadian entrepreneur who has so much money that he basically creates movies as a hobby. It's too bad they aren't good ones.

Even the best scene in the movie is ruined by a reveal immediately afterwards that the movie is taking itself way too seriously. It's ironic that a movie called the Joke Thief doesn't have very many good ones.

Sometimes you find a small film and it's a welcome experience. You wonder how this is so under the radar. This one proves that sometimes small films aren't very widely known for a reason.

Lord of the Flies (1963)

Doesn't do justice to the story

[5/10 · 31 March 2019]

Often times you'll see a positive review because either A. They love the book and are just glad to have any movie about it or B. It's considered better than the 1990 version so this gets bumped up by default.

However when you're looking at this as a movie...it's considerably poor in it's execution.

I love the book too, I love the story as well, but it doesn't excuse this mess.

The editing is inconsistent as best and atrocious at worst. The sound is often mismatched and choppy. The acting is at best competent at times.

I could only point to one scene that I thought was really well done (hint: it's the ending). I understand that the movie is older but I don't see these same technical issues when I watch 2001 A Space Odyssey released just 5 years later. I honestly feel if the movie wasn't so old then many would see it for the mess that it is.

I only bumped up the score even a bit because at least they didn't drastically change anything. It's just too bad that the execution of the story was not what it should have been.

Boyhood (I) (2014)

Dissapointing

[6/10 · 18 February 2019]

It's funny. As I was getting closer to the end I thought to myself "This reminds of the Before Sunrise/Sunset movies." and I look it up after the fact....same writer/director. From what I've seen Richard isn't your typical storyteller. He's more of a character study type of creator. Problem is the final cut doesn't always equal a satisfying result.

The concept is outstanding. Take the same cast and keep them on board for over a decade for the same movie. Tell the story of them growing up (and make no mistake about it. This movie is much more about the kids than the adults)

Problem is...there's a lot of cliche's along the way. Some ideas feel thrown in because it feels like they should be. Some ideas seem recycled. Some things just don't add up.

I enjoyed it for what it is because it's still a great concept. At the end of the day though it could have been a lot more.

P.S. I would have said 7, but knock a full point down for force feeding the politics in. Using them to tell the story of a character is completely fair game but this was more just creator taking an excuse to establish timeline and using it preach instead.