henryshear Reviews

Cocaine Cowboys: The Kings of Miami (2021)

Interesting and Detailed.

[9/10 · 20 August 2021]

The story of the Cocaine Cowboys was something that I was completely unaware of prior to watching this series. The exploits of drug lords such as Pablo Escobar are interesting, but Sal and Willie forever changed Miami and America forever.

Unlike most other drug traffickers, Sal and Willie were non-violent. They were absolutely beloved and considered icons in Miami. Even news stories called them by their first names. The money they earned from drugs was then given to others desperate for help.

Yet the government was committed to making sure both Sal and Willie lived their lives in prison. The tons of cocaine that they sold in the US most likely killed millions of people and destroyed countless lives. Their vendetta spanned decades and the series does a beautiful job of interviewing agents, attorneys and associates that really demonstrate the government's tenacity.

I enjoyed watching this series very much. The story was so interesting and I loved every moment. I highly suggest watching every episode and thank you for reading my review.

Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean (2021)

An Interesting Exploration of John DeLorean.

[9/10 · 15 August 2021]

I had very little knowledge pertaining to John DeLorean aside from Back to the Future and that there was a criminal case in the 80s related to drugs. This docuseries did an amazing job of recounting his story, but it was somewhat of a nuisance to watch.

There was a film reel on the left side of the screen when older footage was shown. It was greatly distracting and I wish that there was a way for it to be removed. I found the theme to also be somewhat annoying; I know it sounds picky to attack the theme, but it was so overused. I tried to ignore all of what I said above because of how much I loved the story.

DeLorean was someone absolutely obsessed with his own image. His persona was critical to him, even more so than the well-being of others around him. This character trait of his stems from his childhood and events that happened to him during that period completely influenced his decisions in his adult years. His entire life is examined which is something I appreciated.

I do not want to disclose too much about the series in this review. It might have been slightly irritating to watch since some effects, such as music and the film reel, were done too repetitively yet it was still decent. The story of John DeLorean (his rise and fall) is so rich and full of intrigue. For anyone curious in cars or DeLorean, it is a revealing exploration into who he is.

I highly suggest watching the show. Just know that it is slightly annoying and that if you pay attention to the story, it is entertaining. Thank you for reading this review.

Downton Abbey (2010–2015)

A Quaint, Lovely Series!

[8/10 · 15 August 2021]

This is one of the shows that I actually protested watching. My mom had the theme as her ringtone and I was tortured by the very sound constantly as a child. So, when she sat me down and said I should watch the first episode, I was stunned by how much I fell in love with the vast array of characters.

The Countess of Grantham, played by the brilliant Maggie Smith, was the most entertaining element of the series. Her words were scathing, biting and subtly (and sometimes bluntly) condescending. She's also the emotional core of the family since she was the former matriarch. I am nothing like her, but I felt a deep respect for her.

I did, however, relate to the Earl of Grantham and Carson. Both are leaders of Downton Abbey yet one rules upstairs and the other downstairs. I appreciate their fairness and dedication to others around them. There is a gentlemanlike quality that both possess that I wish others had in society.

The other characters are amazing as well. Mr. Bates, Anna and Molesley are all lovely. Some characters are quite distasteful such as Lady Mary. She is conniving, manipulative and narcissistic. Unfortunately, this remains consistent throughout the entire series.

There are a lot of characters that come in and out of Downton Abbey. Some are servants who leave for other opportunities or others pass away. In this way, it is a soap opera. Most of the plots are actually absurd, but it is lovely to watch. Downton Abbey is so peaceful and calming despite the drama. My personal opinion is that it is a reminder of how one should act civil and polite. Hopefully we can all act like the Granthams in our daily lives (besides Lady Mary of course).

I highly suggest this series. Thank you for reading this review and, as always, I hope that you found it to be insightful.

How to Become a Tyrant (2021)

A Cheeky Examination of Dictators!

[9/10 · 17 July 2021]

History has always fascinated me especially in light of recent events in the US such as the insurrection. The subject matter of dictators and their actions is inherently dark. That's why I appreciate that this series used a "textbook" of how to be the best dictator. By doing this, it is far more entertaining and the viewer feels that they are learning not just history, but how and why dictators are so successful.

Each episode is slightly different in examining how tyrants monitor and control their citizens, but all of them appeal to the underlying emotions their citizens feel. Most often, they speak about struggles that have existed for millennia like social hierarchy, religious discrimination or race. In actuality, all dictators or tyrants are narcissists who manipulate the world around them to achieve their own goals. They know that by proclaiming they can solve the country's debt or by blaming a scapegoat their goal is one step closer to achievement.

How to Become a Tyrant is not a historical series, but rather a psychological one. Peter Dinklage's humorous tone rarely recounts factual exploits, but stories that reveal what motivates a terrifying leader. It's simple: power and glory. Genocide, rape and the endless gratuitous violence were all methods to remain in power no matter the cost. Dinklage does an excellent job of making them sound like small men desperate for attention and adoration from everyone around them.

Unfortunately, there were some key leadership figures that were omitted. Some include Mao Zedong and Vladimir Putin. I do not know if this is because some of these people are alive, but I hope that at some point their own narcissistic needs can be examined. Some of the stories described in the series were absolutely hilarious due to their ridiculousness.

I highly recommend the series. The negative reviews do not represent the show well and I found it to be enlightening. Thank you for reading this review.

Halston (2021)

An Opulent and Mesmerizing Empire Yet Tragic.

[9/10 · 27 June 2021]

Halston was someone I had never heard of. When I watched the trailer and saw that his life was upended by the AIDS epidemic my curiosity was piqued. His rise to fame and then his tragic downfall is beautifully portrayed over the course of five episodes by the amazingly talented, Ewan McGregor.

Roy Halston was a man with grandiose dreams, someone full of ambition. He wanted every facet of his life to reflect his exorbitant wealth. His creative process consisted of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money in order to create the perfect dress. McGregor is the perfect amount of unbridled rage and anxiety when contemplating various designs. It is clear in every scene that Halston is risking his reputation with every new dress that he makes.

As Halston achieves success and his company grows, it was painful to see his morals loosen and slowly watch him become consumed by superficiality. The writers demonstrate this flaw several times. The emergence of Studio 54, his relationships and an addiction to various drugs begin to drain Halston; he becomes someone that is not even a semblance of his former self.

The only constant in his life is that of his dear friend, Liza Minnelli (Krysta Rodriguez). Both are seeking to prove themselves; she is attempting to escape the shadow of her mother and he with the infamous hat Jackie Kennedy wore. Their bond continues throughout the course of the whole miniseries and is one of his only friendships. Krysta Rodriguez was absolutely phenomenal: her ability to sing quickly along with her wittiness really causes Liza to shine.

Other notable relationships depicted were Joe Eula (David Pittu) and Elsa Peretti (Rebecca Dayan). Halston's meteoric rise to fame would not have occurred without them. In the series, they have a way of guiding his vision and eliciting a dress from him that complements their own tastes in jewelry and style.

Halston was a beautiful series to watch. It seemed as if every scene popped due to the vibrancy of the colors in the background. My eyes were constantly glued to every scene. I really love this miniseries and I am looking forward to the future work of Ian Brennan and Ewan McGregor. Thank you for reading this review and I hope that you appreciate what I wrote.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

Phenomenal Performances!

[9/10 · 4 June 2021]

Everything in this series felt authentic. Mare of Easttown is not a typical miniseries because it does not feel like Hollywood. There was no clear obsession with portraying Kate Winslet as this beautiful middle-aged woman or as someone who was extremely fit. It actually was focused on her every imperfection, something that I found to be really comforting.

Mare really changes as a character in the eyes of the viewer. She has a brutally cold exterior to everyone around her (even her loved ones). It's unclear as to why, but becomes clear very quickly. Her co-stars are able to draw attention to Mare's personality flaws and strengths.

Evan Peters surprised me the most as I have seen him portray a series of dark, twisted characters. However, he played someone who was clean-cut and earnest. A stark contrast to the other performances that I have seen. Jean Smart was amazing as always and Guy Pearce was a lovely addition to an amazing cast. Angourie Rice was incredible as Mare's daughter, she was perfectly able to capture tension and intense anger in her scenes. Lastly, Julianne Nicholson's performance as Mare's friend Lori was integral to the heart of the series. Their friendship was lovely to see and impacts plotlines as well as allows Mare someone to confide in (the only person that she chooses to). Others in her life have a different role.

Her family allows for some of the humorous and most heartbreaking scenes of the series. You never know what might happen in a given scene. Her colleagues at work allow for some of Mare's flaws to come to light (which I will not disclose here).

The accents in the show were absolutely hilarious. As someone who lived in Delaware, I can tell you that I heard this accent occasionally and Winslet was able to master the accent. It's not a large part of the population that uses the accent, so I find it even more remarkable that she was able to make the series feel even more genuine by using it.

The mystery of the show actually takes a proverbial backseat to dynamics between those in the small town of Easttown. I looked forward to scenes between two characters where they would just talk to one another. In other series, this might seem slow and boring yet with Mare of Easttown I was enraptured and captivated by what I saw onscreen.

Mare of Easttown is the best miniseries (or show) of 2021 so far. If they do another season, I hope that it is as masterful and authentic as this season. I highly recommend to watch the series and hope that you found this review to be insightful.

The Staircase (2004–2018)

Captivating but Far Too Long.

[8/10 · 3 June 2021]

What happened the night of December 9, 2001 will never be known. Did Michael Peterson, an established author and mayor, kill his wife Kathleen Peterson or have the past twenty years of his life been an endless tragedy? At the conclusion of this docuseries, I still do not know if he killed his wife or not.

This series is shot over many years with most of the episodes filmed in 2002-2003. For some strange reason, it seems that there is a vendetta to charge Michael Peterson with first degree manslaughter. The prosecution is convinced that he has killed his wife, but there is not really any proof that he did so.

I will not share the evidence that the prosecution has, but all of it is very slim and circumstantial. I was left with the feeling that everyone involved with the prosecution were complete morons and did not seem to listen to any form of logic.

It's their ineptitude that causes a hearing later on to address Michael Peterson's trial. Several pieces of information are brought to light that demonstrate the police's desire to blame Michael Peterson for the death of his wife (none of which I will disclose).

I do want to add that I thought Michael Peterson was a very odd individual. His tone of voice was strange and he always seemed to be pretending to be someone he is not. His choice of attorney, David Rudolf, was not the best selection as well. He allowed those on the witness stand to try to persuade the jury of Michael Peterson's guilt rather than the standard yes or no questions that a defense attorney typically employs. After the trial concludes, it feels like a different series.

This series was interesting as it morphed with the later episodes. It stopped focusing on the trial and instead became a story about Michael Peterson's family. It humanized the story and, as a viewer, I sought closure for Michael Peterson and his family. However, the episodes that were about his family felt too slow and it bothered me.

The Staircase is a daunting thirteen episodes and it is just too long. The pacing is a little uneven, but it is still fascinating. I just think that it can easily be ten episodes and the pacing would probably be better as well.

It is still an amazing docuseries and I highly recommend it. Just be aware of how long it is and that it can be somewhat boring at times. Thank you for reading this review.

The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness (2021)

The Definition of Obsession.

[9/10 · 9 May 2021]

The title of this series does not represent the crimes of David Berkowitz, but Maury Terry's dogged pursuit of the various crimes of the Son of Sam. Many claim that Terry was a conspiracy theorist, but there are far too many coincidences that occurred for his views to be false.

The NYPD committed a series of mistakes in their investigation and they were desperate to find a perpetrator. I will not go into their mistakes, but Sons of Sam states what they are. Son of Sam would not exist if the NYPD had investigated further. It might have been something similar to how those reference Manson such as The Family.

Some of the information that is said in the series is questionable. Terry became consumed by the case until it became his life. He could never quite fit the puzzle pieces together and it devastated him. People's lack of interest, the lack of help from the NYPD and the fact that no one seemed to take him seriously negatively impacted his life. Sons of Sam shows that, most likely, there were multiple killers involved with these killings. This fact was corroborated by Terry's research.

Most of the information in the show needs to be taken with a grain of salt. However, there is one piece of information that I find very plausible: as many as five killers were involved in the Son of Sam killings. Others will view this docuseries and think different thoughts, but I was astounded that the NYPD refused to further investigate the crimes. New York was crime-ridden in the 70s, but this is still no excuse. Politics should never come in the way of justice.

I personally want to thank Maury Terry for all of his research and his numerous discoveries. His research gradually ruined his life, but the Son of Sam crimes will forever be seen differently. If you are a crime buff and unaware of certain events regarding the Son of Sam crimes, I highly suggest you watch the show.

Wild Wild Country (2018)

Morally Ambiguous.

[8/10 · 6 May 2021]

I thought that this would be similar to other docuseries that portrayed criminals; the cult would be guilty of crimes and there would be no questions remaining, but I was wrong. The Bhagwan, the leader of the Rajneeshees, was a mysterious figure and no one seemed to understand him. His followers described his graceful and loving presence while his enemies described him as a con man.

What's clear is that that the Rajneesh community was a cult. A follower tried to state that it was not, but it clearly was. The irrational love for the Bhagwan, intoxicated mannerisms and the inability to wear other clothes besides their signature red are clear signs that the Rajneesh movement was a cult. However, I do not think that they had any ill intentions until there was conflict with local residents in Oregon.

The issue with introducing a foreign religion to an established city, like Antelope, with its own traditions poses issues. Catholics, Quakers, Christians and other religions have territories across the US and this was the goal of the Rajneesh movement and its followers (Sannyasins). They came to Oregon under false pretenses stating that they wanted a small community, but really they wanted to extend their influence throughout the US. Veiled threats from citizens of Antelope greatly increased tensions and both parties committed morally ambiguous choices.

Sheela was responsible for the conflict. She was the Bhagwan's assistant and acted as the spokesperson for the movement. When I watched, it was interesting to compare her past and present self. I detected a complete lack of empathy in her past interviews, but she did seem to have a little remorse or sadness in the present. The Bhagwan claims that she was responsible for every criminal act that occurred, but as leader of the commune in Oregon and of the movement how could he be unaware of her diabolical plans? This is where people have wildly different opinions.

Even I was questioning how much the Bhagwan was aware of what happened. The creative team clearly wants viewers to have these same questions and I was impressed. The interview selection was perfect. Prosecutors provided essential information, but nothing that really portrayed the Bhagwan as malevolent or particularly deceitful. Sheela seemed to be the perfect scapegoat if he was involved with any of the crimes. Something that irked me was how every single one of his followers still deeply love him. These grown men and women became childlike when they described him, it was unlike anything I have ever seen.

I loved the pacing of the series. As a viewer, I was annoyed that no one seemed to have the complete truth. There does not seem to be an unbiased participant of the events that can accurately share what happened. That's exactly why I feel that the content of Wild Wild Country is morally ambiguous. I recommend the series and I hope that this review was helpful.

Shadow and Bone (2021–2023)

Fantastic Adaptation!

[8/10 · 30 April 2021]

Huge fan of fantasy and Ben Barnes (Stardust, Punisher, Narnia), so I had moderate expectations. What impressed me most was that everyone in the cast is really talented. Shadow and Bone has the potential to become the next Game of Thrones for Netflix.

The world-building and set-up is what mostly occurs the first four episodes of the series. Full disclosure, I almost stopped watching the show during this period. However, the story really develops and each episode beginning with episode 5 is absolutely amazing. I will not go into the world-building because I believe the viewer needs to see Ravka and other key countries with their own eyes, but I want to discuss character development.

Alina and Mal are the Ross and Rachel of Shadow and Bone. Both have a connection to one another and clearly have feelings for one another. Yet, I do not feel that they are very interesting as characters. They seem to be a little one-dimensional to me and do not seem to have any unique character traits.

Alina begins her character journey as a naive and gullible girl without the love of parents. Mal is somewhat similar, but seems to be your characteristic loyal friend who is a fighter. In future seasons, their characters need to be given unique qualities. The Crows are some of the best characters I have seen on TV in recent years because of how unique they are.

Kaz is a fascinating character. He is leader of the Crows (his robbing team) and responsible for devising plans. His cane is very distinct and a part of who he is. Let's just say he uses his cane to his advantage. His best friend Jesper is probably my favorite character in the show. He is cocky, easily distracted and the heart of the Crows. He's easily the funniest and has the most personality of the three. Inej is a ninja: stealthy and agile. Her friendship with Kaz is so reassuring to see when modern TV seems obsessed with coupling characters.

The writers seem to really understand these characters. Characters did not make contradictory decisions that compromised their personality traits. The writers did an excellent job of this and I was shocked that over half of the plotlines did not occur in the books. The fact that they so seamlessly introduced the Crows into the story is a small miracle as it was not a storyline in the books.

Another strength of the writers was using multiple storylines. Most shows I watch completely fail or disinterest me when they do this. What I really loved was that two or more separate storylines connected multiple times and not just once. This is something I hope to see in future seasons.

Well, I really liked the show. I began watching this when sick and it was a pleasurable way to pass the time. Highly recommend for anyone who loves fantasy or just decent television. Looking forward to future seasons and I am most certainly a fan.

This Is a Robbery: The World's Greatest Art Heist (2021)

Fascinating with Minor Issues.

[9/10 · 11 April 2021]

I had actually heard about this theft during an episode of Drunk History. When I first heard about it, I was shocked that these paintings were robbed and then never found. So, I was really excited to watch the docuseries, but I found that there were some issues.

The first episode focuses on the theft and those who were directly affected by it (e.g., the director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, security guards and donors). I think that some of the interviews were completely unnecessary. The director had a unique perspective because she was in charge of the museum, its security and the protection of the pieces inside. However, interviewing the guards and a key benefactor did not add anything to the story.

Several interviews felt pointless and felt like the writers wanted to lengthen the story when it did not need to. There are several theories about where the paintings are today and This is a Robbery goes down all of these rabbit holes by even talking to experts and those with criminal backgrounds in the UK. One of them even asks why they are asking him these questions and seems very angry. It's somewhat of the same emotion I felt because I knew this interview was only a waste of time.

The main issue is that this series needed to be two episodes that detailed the theft and its aftermath. I still found it quite interesting, but it needed to be shorter. Murder Among the Mormons (another amazing Netflix docuseries) was a perfect length and this was just too long. The writers and directors clearly felt a need to talk about a seven year gap after the theft, but I am a little unsure why. All of the information regarding what happened March 18, 1990 did not occur until the late 90s-early 2000s. It's this block of time in the early 90s that the show focuses on that is really damaging.

So, I loved when some answers were finally delivered in the third and fourth episodes. This is a Robbery is very entertaining, but expect the story to move slowly. It is only four episodes and I finished it quickly, so it is easy to get through. Thank you for reading my review.

The Serpent (2021)

A Brilliant Story with a Beautiful Performance From Tahar Rahim!

[9/10 · 6 April 2021]

This mini-series has been on my mind for the past few weeks. Tahar Rahim is an actor that I completely idolize and respect. His characters always have a vulnerability and a sentimentality; his character in The Serpent is quite a departure for him. Rahim plays gemstone dealer Alain Gautier (Charles Sobhraj) who robs and kills foreigners.

As someone who is obsessed with serial killers, I was surprised to learn of Alain's story because I had never heard of him. His story does share some similarities with Ted Bundy, but I am not going to divulge that information in this review. Unlike any other serial killer, Alain has multiple accomplices who help him commit his crimes. Ajay (Amesh Edireweera) and Monique (Jenna Coleman) follow his orders with no question.

Alain, through a series of flashbacks, is depicted as someone who greatly enjoys observing others. He's someone that recognizes human desires in others even before they do. This is how he is able to manipulate so easily and how he forces Monique to go along with his schemes. He makes her feel seen and wanted, which is not what she experienced in her everyday life.

Alain's story is only half of the series. The other story is of Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle), a Dutch diplomat investigating a missing Dutch couple. His tireless work and strong sense of morality provides a nice contrast to the sinister Alain Gautier (Charles Sobhraj) storyline. His wife, Angela (Ellie Bamber), is an unsung hero. She's the one responsible for speaking Thai with local authorities, driving him to destinations and helping him organize key information. I really liked the chemistry between the two of them and this storyline was far more wholesome than the disturbing acts of Alain Gautier (Charles Sobhraj).

Herman has to face diplomatic red tape from various authorities such as his boss, local police and even other embassies. However, he forms a team with one common goal: the arrest of Charles Sobhraj and the end of his horrific crimes.

I enjoyed these scenes as everyone involved has a vested interest in bringing him to justice, but I do have one small complaint. I did feel that there were some scenes, most of the time from Billy Howle, that were melodramatic and overly self-righteous. This is a key character trait that Herman Knippenberg is shown to have, but after the fourth or fifth time he is yelling at a government official and criticizing their work or their conscience it becomes repetitive.

The investigation takes place primarily in present day and Alain's scenes are in the past. At first, this flashback technique is a little disconcerting as the storylines do not connect. However, I was shocked by how extremely clever it was because the same scene would be used twice and show two different perspectives. By doing this, the viewer sees how characters view Alain and his actions. So, I did like the technique in later episodes because it felt far more seamless. I do think it was wise to do this from the very beginning because the audience learns about Alain while Herman is conducting his investigation. Herman's investigation is the main narrative and then it relates back to Charles's crimes.

The mini-series was very well done. I watched this in two days and it was an amazing way to spend spring break with my family. I hope that, if you are reading this, you found my opinions to be insightful. Thank you for reading my review.

Lupin (2021– )

A French Sherlock Holmes!

[9/10 · 24 March 2021]

Lupin happily surprised me and Omar Sy was the perfect actor to play a suave, charming thief. He wowed me with his performance in Jurassic World and I was so pleased to see him again. The series, however, does have some serious faults. But first, let's discuss what the show does well.

The tone of the series is sleek, meaning that every scene pops and draws the attention of the viewer. I found myself feeling almost like I was looking at a painting, my eyes never seemed to drift away from the screen. Not that I had much choice since I watched Lupin in its native language of French.

Another reason not to avert one's eyes is to witness Omar Sy's captivating performance as Assane Diop. His character is a cross between Danny Ocean and Sherlock Holmes: calculating with a sense of flair and improvisation. He is inspired by the actions of Arsene Lupin as that was his favorite book series as a child. He frequently leaves small callbacks or references to events found in those books when he commits one of his elaborate crimes. Each episode contains different tricks and I would never know what Assane would be planning. However, this is where I started to see issues with the writing.

Two come to mind immediately and it shifted my thoughts away from what was happening in front of me to wondering how something so blatant could not be addressed. I did not mind, but it did trouble me slightly. I think the show needs to improve on lazy writing and provide answers. Lupin continues the trope of inept policemen and I think that is what is responsible for these plot holes.

The writers want to depict Assane as a genius, but this is at the detriment of other characters. The main character is only as smart as his writer/s and the writers make other characters seem like bumbling idiots in comparison. Even Assane's decisions are extremely questionable and seem too dumb for a character like himself. Assane makes a decision in one episode that makes no sense whatsoever. Given his ability to improvise under stress, it felt odd to see him make such a critical error in judgement.

That being said, I did love the show. Despite the plot holes, I was amazed by the action, drama, suspense and originality. Other TV shows have attempted to do what Lupin has, but I have only seen successful heist plots in film. Lupin has a concise plot line and still has all of the elements of a heist movie. I am a newfound fan of Omar Sy and will watch his future projects.

I definitely recommend watching the show, I loved learning new words and seeing everyday life of a different culture. Lupin is not perfect, but it is still a very impressive series and I admired that it was not something that I had really seen before. Thank you for reading my review and I hope that you found it to be helpful.

Murder Among the Mormons (2021)

Short and Sweet!

[9/10 · 13 March 2021]

I was deeply surprised by how amazing this docuseries was. I love that Netflix is a place where truly fascinating true crime stories come to light and are exposed. I really loved how effectively they were able to go back and forth between old news footage and present day interviews, it added a cohesiveness to the series. Most importantly, there are twists and turns in every episode.

I feel that with every religion there is some controversy over how it was exactly founded or there are questions surrounding the validity of fantastical tales that seem impossible. This is exactly what the series discusses and goes into great detail about the motive behind the crimes.

I do not want to add more because I do not want to spoil anything about docuseries. It was told very well and I definitely think that it should be watched!

The Confession Killer (2019)

Disturbing Examination of US Justice System!

[9/10 · 3 March 2021]

Well, when I first started watching I could not believe that someone in the US killed hundreds of people. Not to mention, I consider myself fascinated by serial killers and was shocked that I had never even heard of Henry Lee Lucas. However, all is not as it seems.

Henry Lee Lucas's case is most likely the greatest mistake in the history of law enforcement. However, it becomes clear that it is not a mistake. Texas Rangers are taken to various locations where Lucas killed his so-called victims, but he is not independently recalling moments of the crime.

The real injustice is that this case was crafted by Sheriff Jim Boutwell. We will never know how a deal to confess to murders ever took place, but he was a very powerful man hellbent on keeping his secret. This secret connects to both journalist Hugh Aynesworth and the biggest defamation case of the 20th century.

The series is riveting and there is always a cliffhanger at the end of each episode. It is very easy to keep watching even though the subject material is grim. The story shifts away from Henry Lee Lucas to these families that desire closure. I was impressed with the Cold Case Foundation, but their influence is limited since none of them are current police detectives.

This docuseries was nothing short of phenomenal. I was consistently impressed by how detailed it was and effectively showed how flawed our judicial system is. This is a must-watch documentary that I found to be really informative.

The Devil Next Door (2019)

A Gripping Documentary!

[9/10 · 3 March 2021]

World War II has always fascinated me and the premise of this series further educated me. This national story would not have occurred if it were not for the Cold War. The Soviets desired a rift between Jewish and Ukrainian Americans in the US. By claiming that John Demjanjuk was the infamous Nazi guard Ivan the Terrible, that is precisely what they accomplished until he left the country for trial.

At the conclusion of the series, one can make their own opinion if Demjanjuk was Ivan the Terrible. The camera footage of his trial in Israel is truly disturbing. Israeli citizens that were prisoners in Nazi death camps claimed that he was the guard and I found myself agreeing with them because of his numerous reactions.

There are facts throughout the show that cast doubt as to whether he was Ivan the Terrible. Even the testimony of Holocaust survivors don't seem to be trustworthy as they became senile due to age. However, he seemed to be smiling and comfortable listening to the testimonies. There was something very sinister about his demeanor in the courtroom.

This series was very well done. As a viewer, it was very easy to continue watching because there were so many twists and turns. I highly suggest to watch the show, it is impossible to be disappointed!

Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist (2018)

A Fascinating Diabolical Plot!

[9/10 · 16 February 2021]

The research behind this docuseries was incredible. This foiled bank heist was something I had never heard of, but I became riveted by the complicated plans. The answers to the investigation largely occurred from luck rather than an ingenious detective connecting the dots to clues.

I watched the film 30 Minutes Or Less before I watched this series and noticed some surprising parallels. Both involve a pizza delivery driver, a bomb strapped to someone's chest and a large amount of money at stake. However, the real world version is far more peculiar and full of eccentric characters.

Those involved in the scheme were deeply angry and felt that the world owed them. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong is deeply troubling and I was even frightened of her as I was watching footage of her. Her eyes are deeply troubling and multiple eyewitnesses tie her to locations close to the bank during the time of the robbery.

While there were answers about the crime, there are still many, many questions that will most likely never be answered. This is due to the fact that many people involved have since passed away from natural causes. The research involved in bringing all of this information to light is something that I deeply respect and admire. The dedication to such a difficult investigation and finding answers is truly admirable.

This is one of Netflix's best true crime series. The quality and attention to detail is truly amazing. I hope that 2021 brings more docuseries exactly like this one. I highly suggest to watch the show and peruse other docuseries that are also on Netflix.

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)

Riveting!

[8/10 · 26 January 2021]

My knowledge of Ted Bundy before this series was incredibly limited. I have seen the Zac Efron film that chronicles his life, but I felt that as I was watching that it most likely was not the most truthful adaptation. Conversations with a Killer chronologically examines the life of Ted Bundy and further reinforces the idea that law enforcement makes several errors in their attempts to capture criminals.

Ted Bundy was a genius. He was someone that knew how to mask the darkness inside of him far more than his other counterparts: Richard Ramirez, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer and others. He seemed to be kind and his amiable disposition created doubt that he was capable in sexually assaulting and murdering young women. For those who do not know, Bundy lived in several states and girls always seemed to disappear wherever he went. Local police departments in Utah and Washington did not collaborate with one another during the 1970s when these murders occurred as they were not aware of the similarities between the murders. Now, there would be communication like this that would exist thankfully.

Ted Bundy worked in politics and analyzed how he could best commit crimes in order to remain undetected by police. He was also smart enough to become an attorney, but obviously chose an alternative career path. The trial of all of his murders in Florida was, by far, the most troubling and interesting part of the series.

There were numerous witnesses that were damning for Bundy's defense. Ted Bundy, unlike any trial in the 20th century, was the head of his own defense and equally consulted with the attorneys defending him. It was my opinion that he enjoyed asking questions to investigators so he could relive his crimes. I was stunned while watching him ask his questions, but this also intrigued me.

Serial killers are so fascinating. Many kill to feel alive and love to reminisce their crimes by revisiting the scene in question. Almost all of them suffer from an abusive upbringing and are sociopaths. In the 70s and 80s, it was an afterthought to have serial killers examined by a clinical psychologist before trial. Ted Bundy had a series of conditions and was also a pathological liar. I highly doubt that he grasped the severity of the accusations against him and the punishment he would suffer if convicted.

I will not spoil other aspects of the series, but I was truly surprised by how much information there was about him. There was a very strong case against Ted Bundy and his crimes. I highly suggest to watch the show and I hope that, if you are reading my review, you like it.

Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)

Fascinating Perspective of the Investigation!

[9/10 · 25 January 2021]

My mom was the first person to tell me of the terror the Night Stalker caused in California. She was a junior in high school living in Bakersfield and told me how during the summer of '85 he was in the news frequently. So, my curiosity was immediately piqued from my mother's description of the case.

The series is very fascinating and succeeds in portraying the Night Stalker's savagery. Strangely, I have always been fascinated by serial killers. I think it is because I am perplexed by what causes them to kill. Often events in the childhoods of serial killers lead them to kill and it is my only critique of the series that his upbringing is never discussed.

The investigation is the main focus of the series. LA must have been smaller than it is now, but I found myself shocked that the Night Stalker's crimes affected the investigators. I will not spoil how, but I found myself repeatedly surprised.

If someone watches expecting an in-depth analysis on the Night Stalker's fascination with Satanism, that someone will be deeply disappointed. However, what was deeply upsetting was the lack of attention to detail of various law enforcement agencies. Serial killers seem to be able to avoid detection for a long period of time due to rivalries between these agencies.

There was also some scrutiny that Gil Carillo (one of the lead investigators) faced in suggesting the idea that the victims of the Night Stalker were all one man's crimes. In serial killer history (that we know of), there has never been someone that does not have a type of some kind. Ted Bundy killed attractive young women, Jeffrey Dahmer killed men who lived on the fringe of society and numerous others killed only one gender all similar in age. The Night Stalker defied these stereotypes: he sexually abused children and women, beat children and sometimes targeted men.

What caused him to vary his victims? Why did he jump between different genders and ages? When I researched the Night Stalker, I realized that he lost his innocence at a very young age. Perhaps when he targeted children, he wanted to feel their innocence in a very misguided attempt to remember his same feelings before the evil that was in his soul crept in. His eyes were truly haunting, black and almost lifeless.

Survivors used to describe how before he attacked the air was still and it felt like something was there that was not human. Many cultures believe that eyes are windows into our souls and I feel like there might be evidence to this theory. Other killers, those who have been defined as pure evil such as Ted Bundy or Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, also have black eyes. Investigators noted that Ted Bundy's eyes turned black when describing his victims and Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong's eyes were equally notable as witnesses were able to distinguish her solely because of her eyes. Black eyes seem to denote pure evil.

I highly suggest this show! There is more insight into who the Night Stalker was inspired by, but not much more is learned about him. If you are reading this review and interested in exploring the investigators' opinions, it is an amazing watch. I learned a lot of information about the Night Stalker, but I wanted to learn more about him rather than what he did to others. Thank you for reading this review and I hope that I was able to help make a decision about watching the show.

History of Swear Words (2021)

Educational!

[8/10 · 10 January 2021]

When I saw the trailer for the series, I expected it to be more of a comedy with various celebrities explaining curse words rather than established scholars detailing the words' various meanings and origins.

Some of my favorite scenes were misconceptions about some of the words and debunking them. For example, there was no such thing deemed Fornication Under Consent of the King. That was just an elaborate origin concocted by someone who wanted to give the grandfather of all profanities a fitting story for its name. There is an official term for this: acronymic etymology. Acronymic etymology is the practice of using letters in a word to create an origin story.

Acronymic etymology is not alone when it comes to crafting a fascinating origin story of an expletive. Another term, folk etymology, achieves this very same goal as many people believe a false tale to be true. So, I will not spoil that story as that is quite funny to watch.

I do have to say that some of the celebrities were very annoying in my opinion. I always love Nick Offerman and what he said was very funny in every scene. I have liked her in other projects, but I found Nikki Glaser to be somewhat annoying in this one. I did, however, really like London Hughes and Joel Kim Booster. Both of them were very funny and I am planning on watching London's recent special.

Another thing I really liked was how different cultures view the same curse words. If a Caucasian person were to say the word damn, it would just be a plain damn. However, the perspective of African American comedians who appeared on the show said how it is prolonged, similar to DAAAAMN. I have noticed this, but it was interesting to see that even certain words can be said differently. The inclusion of Isiah Whitlock Jr. was absolutely genius to further demonstrate how intonations and speech can vary with different cultures.

Nicholas Cage was an amazing host and I hope that I see him in more TV shows and films. His sense of humor was something that I appreciated.

I highly suggest the series because it is very educational. I also did not consider different meanings of famous swear words until I watched the show. If you are reading this review, I hope you watch History of Swear Words and enjoy!

Little Fires Everywhere (2020)

Layered Story With An Outstanding Cast!

[8/10 · 6 January 2021]

I started watching this over my Christmas break and I was not disappointed! Unlike most people, I knew nothing about the plot. For those who do not know, Reese Witherspoon plays a Karen by the name of Elena Richardson. Elena embodies the connotative meaning of the name Karen and her actions towards those around her create a story worth being told.

In the first opening minutes, there is an event that causes a mystery for the entirety of the series. Without this moment, the entire show would be thought of differently. There are other mysteries, but none as central to the opening event.

Kerry Washington's character Mia Warren is the mysterious newcomer to town that threatens to upend Elena's (Witherspoon) idyllic little community Shaker Heights. Mia's race defines her relationship with Elena. All of their interactions have an undertone of racism. This is present mainly in the first episode and then the series uses other metaphors for white privilege in America.

White privilege is the focal theme of the series, not black vs white or anything else. In America, there is rampant racial inequity against everyone who is not white. This theme of white privilege builds over the course of the series. First, it is every interaction between Elena and Mia in the first episode. Then, it continues until the Richardson family and their loved ones become divided. I do not want to elaborate on how white privilege and racial inequity continues in order to prevent spoilers, but it is abundantly clear.

Why can we not live in a world without racism or the thought of white privilege? There would be no Little Fires Everywhere if there was not widespread bigotry and racism in America. What makes any show about racism or white privilege feel even more prevalent currently is the murder of George Floyd. Little Fires Everywhere released in March 2020, a little over two months before his death. I remember thinking to myself about shows like Watchmen and Underground and wondering about their significance in our society. Up until 2020, I thought that we were moving on, but I was deeply wrong. Little Fires Everywhere is the dissolution of Elena's life, but I feel that there is also an allegorical meaning. Little Fires Everywhere can symbolize how racism destroys progression, destroys the very notion of fostering meaningful relationships that change who we are.

White privilege and racism are unfortunately the only reason there is a story to be told. I hope that one day we can see past race and see others for their merits regardless of the color of their skin.

Well, that was a slight detour, but let me add one small critique about Kerry Washington's performance. Her facial expressions in almost every scene unnerved me. I have no idea why, but she seemed to be haunted in every single one of her scenes or come across as very gruff. Her gruffness was deliberate, but I do not know if she was trying to seem haunted in every scene or not. However, she was phenomenal as was the entire cast.

I definitely suggest Little Fires Everywhere. If you do not want to witness white privilege and detestable human beings like Elena Richardson, then I do not suggest putting yourself through eight episodes of repeated injustices. I hope that you watch this show and that, if you are white, it makes you question your role in white privilege. I know that it made me reflect on my own and I hope that the series has that same effect for others. Hope you liked my review and that it inspires you to watch the show!

I Know This Much Is True (2020)

Beautiful Story Enhanced By Mark Ruffalo!

[9/10 · 4 January 2021]

The dark themes and cinematography prompted me to delay watching this series. I wanted the light tones and trinkets of wisdom a show like Ted Lasso could provide, but I Know This Much Is True is important in a different way.

It is important that most people are redeemed for their actions. This is the character arc of Dominick Birdsey (Mark Ruffalo): a painter who has dedicated his entire life to his schizophrenic twin brother, Thomas. In caring for his brother, Dominick has neglected his relationships and his own health. Dominick's ex-wife Dessa (Kathryn Hahn) creates a reflection of his selflessness in caring for his brother Thomas, but also how his selflessness created ruin in his own life. The story between Dessa and Dominick provides insight into who Dominick is as a human being, it is as if he is not a TV character at all.

All of the characters in I Know This Much Is True are real. They are not written to be peculiar, overly happy or adventurous. The camera angles help to demonstrate this point. Jody Lee Lipes focuses on the anguish and pain of characters by zooming in, almost to the point that it is uncomfortable for the viewer. However, that is how you are supposed to feel when watching. Mental health was not treated as well as it is now. There are scenes that are very disturbing, but essential for understanding how those who were mentally ill in the 1990s were treated.

Another important theme of the series is that of identity. Dominick never learns who his father is from his mother (Melissa Leo) and he constantly questions his own identity throughout the series. His lack of knowledge about his father leads to anger towards his stepfather, Ray (John Procaccino). Not having a loving father figure makes him question his self worth and why his father would not want to raise him and his brother. Anger and sadness are interchangeable, similar to love and hate. The mystery of his father contributes to the mood of the series well.

Mark Ruffalo is the hero of I Know This Much Is True. He creates two very different people, it is remarkable it is the same actor portraying both of these characters. Everyone should watch this just for the sole purpose of witnessing his performance. I first thought he received accolades for his portrayal of Thomas, but it is the tension and anger that he exudes from Dominick that transforms the story from mediocrity to artful storytelling.

More TV shows and films that actually describe a problem while telling a story is content that I hope to see in the future. I Know This Much Is True was beautiful from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend this series and I hope that you are able to see the same beauty that I see.

Death to 2020 (2020 TV Special)

An Introspective Satire!

[9/10 · 29 December 2020]

Charlie Brooker presents complicated technology and malicious human desires in his series Black Mirror. Death to 2020 has those same themes, but it is slightly more terrifying because real events are being described by people with varying views.

These views that offer a glimpse into the lack of knowledge, or rather ignorance, some of the speakers have are large contributors to the humor of the special. There are many different characters from both liberal and conservative parties, but also from around the world.

More important than any character was the presence of a narrator and Laurence Fishburne was a genius choice. He has amazing zingers that I will not spoil in this review, but the writing was absolutely phenomenal.

The jokes related to climate change, Brexit, America, Silicon Valley, Trump and more were so reflective of this year. I shamefully had forgotten the Australian fires with everything that has happened over the course of this year. What I appreciated about Death to 2020 is that it educates and has brilliant segues. However, my one critique is that I felt it was a little skewed and flawed in its portrayal of politics.

There is a bias against conservatives throughout the entire special. I do suggest if you are conservative not to watch as Brooker depicts conservatives as Karens, racist, uneducated and unwilling to listen to others. This was something that I did not appreciate because I know many conservatives who are not one-dimensional and have their own opinions regarding events that took place in 2020. I think the criticisms were glaring as Democrats were not as openly teased.

However, there were jokes regarding Biden that I found to be very humorous. Whoever came up with the remarks about his age is a complete genius. Of course, Hunter Biden and his inappropriate touching came up frequently and I found their quips caused me to cry as I was laughing so hard.

The most glaring topics discussed were the George Floyd murder and COVID-19. Brooker somehow found humor in those two depressing topics. That's why he is so successful not just with this special, but his career: he is able to find humor from the most depraved subjects.

I enjoyed watching this special, but it is not for everyone. If you think you will not be offended by what is shown, I suggest you watch. Be sure to look out for easter eggs if you watch. Brooker always loves references to other characters and events which is something I do not think will ever change. I hope you liked reading my review and enjoy watching the special!

The American Barbecue Showdown (2020– )

Surprisingly Informative!

[8/10 · 18 December 2020]

I remember my first experience with barbecue: Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse in Dallas, TX. BBQ still evokes happy memories of childhood and my recollections of the newspaper themed wallpaper at Sonny's. I was excited to watch a barbecue cooking show because I have only seen pastries or entrées and this did not disappoint.

Unlike most cooking shows, each episode really challenges the cookers. There are a variety of meats most have never experienced, limited amounts of time to prepare meals and foreign equipment or tools they are forced to use that complicate the challenges. These complications produce some of the most heartfelt interactions between the competitors. In competitive shows like Top Chef, Chopped, Nailed It! or any other series competitors will never help one another for fear they will be eliminated, but this show is different.

There is a camaraderie and respect between everyone involved: the judges and the cookers. Melissa Cookston and Kevin Bludso, the judges, were very respectable and it was clear that they had a wide knowledge of barbecue. Cookston really educated the viewer well with regards to certain mistakes cookers were making such as: incorrectly identifying areas of a hog, temperatures, time constraints, lack of flavor from brines, etc. Bludso seemed to nod his head and agree, but I felt he had constructive advice for food that cookers prepared that improved their performance in future rounds.

Their critiques, however, were very annoying. Cookston constantly complained about spice and Bludso seasoning. Also, the presence of the comedians added nothing to the show. There could easily be judges who talk to the contestants and then relate information to the viewer rather than comedians who talk to the contestants and add zero value to the show.

Now that my critiques are done, I want to talk about the element of the show I loved the most: how informative it was. There is some very interesting terminology: shigging, spatchcock, tagine and more. Shigging refers to stealing someone else's barbecue secrets, spatchcock means splitting a chicken in half so the leg and breast cook evenly and a tagine is a Moroccan cooking pot used for stews and vegetables. I always enjoy learning and I was impressed that I learned so much over the course of eight episodes.

This show definitely has a niche audience. If you love barbecue, it is a must watch and I highly recommend it! If you don't, I would not suggest watching this series. Thank you for reading my review and I hope you enjoyed it! Please recommend this series to friends and family if you like to barbecue!

Dash & Lily (2020)

Wonderful Holiday Series!

[9/10 · 17 November 2020]

This show is now going to be a Christmas tradition for me. I am known for playing Christmas music any time of the year and the soundtrack of this series is amazing! Last Christmas, River, A Holly Jolly Christmas are some of my favorite songs and each one is played throughout the course of the show. Now, let's get into the show.

Austin Abrams plays Dash, a recluse who associates Christmas with loneliness and pain. The viewer thinks of him as snippy, depressed and witty. I loved Dash's sense of humor and his intellectual curiosity. In the Strand (the bookstore in NY), it becomes apparent that Dash is not only extremely clever, but he relentlessly searches for answers to the code found in the notebook.

The whole premise revolves around a notebook. Lily (Midori Francis), a radiant and intelligent teenager, devises a way for her to meet a cute boy with the help of her brother Langston. She plants the notebook next to The Catcher in the Rye in the Strand and waits for someone to go along to play the game.

As someone who loves to read novels, it was so refreshing to see two teenage protagonists my same age who have the same love for reading that I do. There are so many literary references sprinkled in each episode. One character's nickname was a reference to a novel that I read in 4th grade. Every little detail in the series is so impressive, even the perfect titles for episodes. The title of the fourth episode is very appropriate.

What impressed me more was how they both changed each other. The notebook becomes a character as both give each other tasks to perform. Lily tries to make Dash see the positivity in the world and Dash forces Lily to come out of her shell. By the time that we are adults, we are completely set in our ways. We have decided if we are going to be cruel, use hateful language, give compliments to others or just be kind. During our teenage years, we can truly find out who we are and who we want to be. I think that there are plenty of people who have had a toxic relationship or are currently in one, but Dash and Lily are so good for each other. They force each other to decide who they want to be. Will they continue their destructive habits or change for the better?

I keep trying to think of what I can compare the show to and Notting Hill is coming to mind. However, Notting Hill does not really explore Julia Robert's character and instead focuses entirely on Hugh Grant. Both Dash and Lily are explored, but so are their social lives. Boomer (Dante Brown) is amazing as Dash's best friend, he adds moments of levity that are dearly needed just like Spike (Rhys Ifans) in Notting Hill provides. Boomer is the moral conscious of the show who acts almost like an advisor or person of wisdom. He is easily one of my favorite characters. Lily's brother Langston is very humorous and I greatly enjoyed his scenes too.

Someone reading this review might be asking why I rated the show a 10/10. For me to rate a show 10/10 signifies a personal connection. I felt a personal connection to all of the music, but also to Dash and Lily. In a weird way, I am a perfect amalgam of the two of them. It's rare for me to come across two characters who love books as much as I do, love Christmas music and embrace their weirdness or their quirks. Both also have support systems, whether it is through friends or family. I love this series very, very much and I wish teenagers were depicted like this more often.

I do have a very minuscule critique. The cameos of the Jonas Brothers were somewhat awkward. I realize that is a slight spoiler, but it doesn't change the story. Nick Jonas was also an exec producer which is interesting to me. I wonder if he is friends with the authors of the books or if he read the book himself and loved the concept. Their cameos were still funny and if you are a Jonas Brothers fan then you will love it.

I will probably watch one of the episodes again Christmas morning. I love the idea of going through a book store in search of clues. I would definitely not mind if I were locked in one, it would be a Christmas present for me. Please watch the show! If you are a parent, it would be great to watch as a family! Thank you so much for reading my review and please be sure to suggest it to your friends and family!