New Stranger Things. New Review.

Well, the new season of Stranger Things is now streaming on Netflix. I will say I liked this season more than last season. It flowed better and the acting has gotten better. But of course, it wouldn’t be a review if I didn’t discuss the good and the bad of the new season. So if you haven’t watched the new season, beware of spoilers below. You’ve been warned.

The Bad

Hopper and Joyce were so annoying this season. Oh My Gosh, every time they were on-screen arguing I wanted to slap them. Once they stopped I figured that one would die and I was right. Come on, they should have gotten together in season two and once that didn’t happen I knew it never would. Now, it won’t unless that end credit scene says otherwise. But really I don’t like them together in the first place. Hopper is a bully. Sure, he does things to get stuff done and people would dothe same if they didn’t have a conscience. But still, the way he was saying he can get away murder because he is the sheriff is alarming. I would move out of that town before all the monsters because of him.

Where are the parents? Like do they care about their kids? Especially when they are gone for hours and days. Nobody goes to look for them. It seems Joyce is the only one who cares about her kids and they call her the crazy one.

I didn’t like that the main group was apart a majority of the season. Dustin is with Steve all the time and not with his friends until the end. I get that last season Steve and Dustin together was a fan fav but it was too much this season. At least for me. I love the kids together fighting to save the world. That what makes the show special so seeing them do things separately throughout the whole season was disappointing.

The Good

Eleven and Max friendship was adorable this season. It’s good to see Eleven hanging out with another girl her age. She needs to be an individual and do normal teenage things. And I appreciate Mike at the end realizing that as well.

Robin the new character on the show was fun to watch. She has great chemistry with Steve and I started to ship them toward the end before the big reveal. I hope we see more of her and maybe see her with a girlfriend.

Great acting by Millie Bobby Brown this season. She really knocked it out of the park. The older she gets, the better her acting range has become.

Theories

An American is arrested in Russia and could it be Hopper? I kinda hope not because it would cheapen his death. Maybe it is someone we haven’t met yet.

Will Eleven get her powers back? Maybe who knows. I believe she will.

Lastly, with some of the kids moving away is this the last time we see these characters? No offense, I love this cast but how many times we will see them save the world in a dumb town. Come on, nobody knows what is going on? Like the adults are under some spell or something. They kinda remind me of the adults in Unfortunate Events.

Other than that this season was pretty good. I still think season one was my favorite. Until next time in the upside down.

Rating B+

Photo Courtesy Netflix

Dark Phoenix Review and the X-men Franchise

Where do I begin? Let me start by saying that I didn’t think the movie was terrible however it’s not good either. I had a feeling for months that the movie will be okay. I wasn’t overly excited watching it but a tiny part of me thought that maybe it would surprise me. But nope it didn’t. Now before I go on remember that this review will contain spoilers of the movie and all the other X-men movies. So catch up and come back or you will get spoiled.

The problem I have with this movie comes with the whole franchise and how Fox handled it. Sure there were some hits like Logan, Deadpool, X1, X2, and First class. But there were some misses as well. This reminds me Game of Thrones where there were great seasons and the ending just ruined it. That’s what this movie did. Plus, with so many timelines and actors playing the same role, it was like watching DC content. And that is totally wrong for Marvel. This movie didn’t bring anything new to the story. We saw this story in X-men 3 and it looked similar to Captain Marvel. And why kill a character that is one of the most popular characters of X-men? basically, it was a plot device. Don’t waste your money going to the theaters watching it. You can wait.

And don’t forget that in the last movie Jean already had the Phoenix powers so why now it was like she didn’t before? Once again people behind the scenes are not taking this seriously. I am happy the MCU is taking over now but I don’t know how it will work. So the mutants were on vacation while Thanos was destroying everything? I wished X-men were already a part of the MCU from the beginning. Can you imagine Wolverine and Captain America fighting together or Storm and Thor? Maybe we will in the new installment but there will have to be a good explanation? Good luck to the MCU writers.

Now that the Fox version of X-men is over, I will remember the good times I had watching the movies. It made me a fan of X-men and the story of mutants. So thank you for that. Also, it paved the way for superhero movies.  So goodbye Fox X-men we had our ups and downs. And goodbye to the Phoenix storyline, please I’ve seen enough of it.

Rating: C

Photo Courtesy FOX

Black Mirror Season Five Review

The seasons of Black Mirror are getting shorter and shorter it seems. I understand the quality is amazing and so are the stories but I miss the longer seasons. Anyway, you know the drill, if you haven’t watched the new season of Black Mirror you will be spoiled. So beware.

Striking Vipers

The first episode was an interesting one, to say the least. The question asked was is sleeping with a virtual character played by your best friend considered cheating? The answer is not so simple. Sure, the two friends when they kissed in real life, it meant nothing. So maybe it means that online/virtual relationships are just that, fiction. It’s not reality.  However, virtual relationships can become real but to test that the party has to meet in real life and discover if it is. It’s also interesting that the wife wanted something real and looked for it in the real world. She is actually cheating in the flesh. But whatever works for the couple I guess. I will say I loved seeing Nicole Beharie on TV again. She is so talented and the show Sleepy Hollow did her wrong. I will never forgive them for that.

Smithereens

Next up was probably my least favorite epsiode of the season. I thought the twist would be more interesting but it was just a warning of not paying attention to your surroundings. It’s not surprising thatin real life some accidents are caused by people driving while on their phones. The real scary part of the episode was the amount of information the app company had on the main character. Don’t post your whole life online people.

Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too

Lastly, probably the best epsiode and the scariest one was this one. It’s scary to think what people will do to others to stay relevant and wealthy. I loved the twist of the doll saving its human self. Miley Cyrus really killed it in this episode but it kinda did make me think if this is sorta her story in real life. Of course without the technology part of it. The funny scary thing is that this technology of holograms perfoming live and recording voices is happening. Dead artists with songs that they didn’t release are being released by their families or others to gain profits. I read somewhere that they might have a hologram of the late Whitney Houston preforming in venues.  So yeah, Aunt Catherine is real.

Well, this season of Black Mirror finished strong but the first two epsiodes could have been better or at least be at the level of the finale.

Rating B-

Photo courtesy Netflix

Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger Season Two Review

How do I begin on this up and mostly down season two of Cloak and Dagger? Well before I start, let me warn anyone who hasn’t seen both seasons because this review will contain spoilers. So beware.

Okay so let me start by saying that this season was not at all what I thought it would be. Last season’s cliffhanger was Brigid turning into this dark figure. So I thought she was going to be the villain of season two. Instead what we got was a split personality duo which comes together as one and is a hero again. So the cliffhanger was not as important. What should have happened was to have the villain of this season be the cliffhanger of last season. It would have made more sense. Plus, the switching of situations of Tandy and Tyrone really was supposed to be a huge deal but at the end it wasn’t. Tandy did ballet for one episode then quit and was barely home so there wasn’t much of a difference from last season. The writers literally killed the Tyrone cop situation which even if he was a crooked cop the fact the other cops didn’t care about his death is not believable.

As far as the villain, he was meh. He stole girls because he had some bad headaches. I understand what the writers were trying to do by mixing human trafficking in the plot. But it just felt short especially when he could have kidnapped anyone and had the same results. As far as the things I did enjoyed, I loved the video game scene where the characters were actually in a game. The way they shot that and edited was pretty cool. I loved that the explosion does have the possibility that others out there can have abilities as well. I loved the mention of other heroes like Luke Cage but it did remind me that the show was canceled.

Other than those few things, I was kinda bored this season. It didn’t have the spark of the first season. Especially, when Tandy and Tyrone were apart for some of it. Not having them together the show loses the chemistry and me. As of right now, I don’t know if the show will get a third season but if it does I hope it goes back to the magic of season one.

Rating: C-

Photo Courtesy FreeForm

Killing Eve Season Two Theories Results

Yes, if you remembered at the beginning of the season, I and my friend Amanda had some theories on how the season will go. Well, now that the season is over, let’s see how we did. Let’s start with Amanda’s theories.

• Nico dies in mid-season toward the end of the season. Wrong. He is still alive in a storage unit in London. However, his potential girlfriend is not.
• New assassin kills Nico and Eve believes Villanelle did it. Wrong again. Nico is alive. The new assassin did not touch or see Nico.

Sorry Amanda, 0-2 on your theories for the season. Moving on to my theories.

• There are two private organizations. Maybe but not for this season. This season really focused on the main characters and not on the 12 or other potential organizations which is unfortunate.
• Carolyn is a double agent of both organizations. So far, no. Can we please know more about what’s Carolyn deal next season!
• The new assassin works for the other organization. Nope, the Ghost worked for Aaron Peel.
• Not the same feelings. Yes on the fact that Villanelle realizes Eve doesn’t feel the same way as she does. But no on Eve’s feelings changing at the end and no kiss.
• Assassin vs assassin showdown in the season finale with Eve caught in the middle. No, more like the 12, not the Ghost and Eve is the killer.
• Eve gets hurt in the finale. Yes but she gets hurt by Villanelle not by the Ghost.

Well, it looks like most of my theories were on the right path but with a few changes. So I won this round. Until next season for round two of predictions for Killing Eve season three.

Photo Couresty AMC

KIlling Eve Season Two Review

Another season of Killing Eve bites the dust which is sad because fans have to wait a year for the new season. Before I discuss my thoughts on season two of Killing Eve, I will warn you that if you haven’t watched both seasons, you will get spoiled.

So if you read my other post on my worries of the new season based on having a new showrunner, then you know how skeptic I was on the season. Now that the season is over, I have to say it was not bad. It did have a different feel to season one but I enjoyed it. Now I will say this season did have a slow start but after episode two is when the season got better. If there was anything I would change about series two is that to not abandon the secret agency of the 12 and answer some questions from series one. Also, the cliffhanger should have been different and have Eve and Villanelle run off together than Villanelle shooting Eve. I felt like the season’s ending was a repeat of the last one and we are back to square one. We can’t have the characters with the same outcome every season because it will feel repetitive.  Sure, I ship Villanelle and Eve and I felt tricked at the end but looking at the bigger picture, seeing the inconsistent decisions the characters made because of their attraction to each other just for one of them to potentially kill the other, doesn’t make sense.

You can’t write a character as a psychopath then change some things that a psychopath wouldn’t do just to go back to saying oh yeah she is a psychopath. Then write the other character doing bizarre things to get close to the psychopath just to say nope she didn’t want that. I’m sorry in the last episode with Hugo, it looks like she did. Because of the lack of the spy mystery and the full reliance of the two main characters’ attraction towards each other, the fans expected a different outcome and it’s understandable why some are upset.

On the positive side, this season was pretty good and the acting was amazing. Jodie Comer really stole the show this season. And whoever is responsible for the wardrobe of Villanelle deserves all the awards. I wish the best of luck for the new showrunner for season three. I wonder what the new season will bring but we will have to wait a year to find out.

Rating of the season: A

Cliffhanger: Ugh WHYYYYYYYY?!!!

Photo Courtesy AMC

Games of Thrones Downfall

Wow, and not a good wow but a bad WOW. So the Game of Thrones series finale aired last night and from the looks of it a lot of mixed reactions. Mostly bad reviews which are a shame considering how this show was one of the best shows on television. People all around the world for years watched and connected with this show. The ending was disappointing. Before I share my feelings on the finale and the series as a whole, I will warn anyone reading this that there will be spoilers of the whole series. If you haven’t watched the show just don’t start now.  There is no point to waste your time watching.

For years, fans have always wondered in the end who will sit on the Iron Throne. Hence, the title Game of Thrones. But I doubt anyone predicted that Bran would be one to win. It makes no sense considering he himself said he is no longer Bran and is the 3 eyed raven. But now all of a sudden is back to being Bran. His story is not worthy of being a king. The rightful heir is Jon and sure Jon doesn’t want it so why not give it to Sansa or anyone else for that matter. But not Bran. Bran winning makes most of the storylines wasted. We spent so much time on the mystery of Jon’s real parents for nothing.

This brings me to another issue which was the plot holes and there are too many to count. Arya training to have many faces to only use once and who is the person that she will kill with green eyes? We will never know. Bran is the 3 eyed raven and then is not. Jon is not King of the Seven sorry, Six Kingdoms. Drogon a dragon is out there in Westeros and nobody cares. Arya and the white horse meant nothing I guess. Why only Winterfell is allowed to be independent but not the other houses? Why is the Night Watch needed if the White Walkers are dead? And these questions are just a few plotholes out of many from the show. Unfortunately, we will never have the answers.

Okay, let me remember the positives of this show which was the fun I had watching with my friends and discussing it afterwards. The community it formed all over the world and new friendships were made in the process. And it taught me what not to do once I become a TV writer myself.

I know its hard to please everyone when a series ends but I think the best way to approach it is to never destroy character arcs for plot and pacing is key. If you do these things then at least the majority should enjoy the ending. Or at least take note of other shows with a good ending. They exist I know because I’ve watched them. I will like to thank the cast and crew and George RR Martin for bringing this show to life. As for the writers D&D no comment.

Rating: Disappointment

Photo Couresty HBO

Take a Bite Out of Lucifer Season Four

The once-canceled show Lucifer only to come back on Netflix returned yesterday. I will say that I really enjoyed season four over season three. Before I share my thoughts on the new season, I will give a warning that this review will contain spoilers for the new season and previous seasons. So beware.

Just in case you forgot, last season’s finale Lucifer revealed his true face to Chloe. So finally Chloe knows the truth and that Lucy was not pretending to be the devil but he is actually the devil. Of course, this revelation will take some time for Chloe to accept Lucy and the writers did a great job on Chloe’s process. Now that Chloe is in the know of the mythology of the show, I love the show more. Lucifer can share things that he is going through and she can help. In previous seasons, anything devil related was keeping them separated. Chloe wouldn’t understand why Lucy would do some of the things he would do but now she no longer has that problem. Plus, if they ever do have a romantic relationship they can be open with each other. The show just flows better now. There is a true partnership not just in the professional setting but also the personal one. And Linda has another human to talk too about the secret. I don’t want Dan or Ella to know yet because we need other humans to not know. And if Ella knows it would affect her faith. She believes without the proof and I love seeing that.

I enjoyed the plot arc of the prophecy and Eve than the Cain one from last season. I will say that Eve was annoying and clingy but I still prefer her than her son Cain. I love hearing her point of view on Adam and the famous story of the apple. Well, it wasn’t an apple more of a banana, wink wink. I hope she returns in a later season. I really would love to see Lilith aka Maze’s mother. Another thing the writers did that was great was the constant talk about Charlotte throughout the season. In most shows, once a character dies, they are never mentioned them again after the funeral. That’s not how it works in real life. I appreciated that because even though Charlotte is dead, her presence was still there. And it will always be there because Linda and Amenadiel named their son Charlie after her.

Lastly, Lucifer moving to Netflix did not change the show. It is still funny and the cases still tie into the main story even with fewer episodes. I wanted more but I prefer it this way because we can focus on the story and no filler episodes. I hope it gets another season on Netlfix. This season was great and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I can’t even think of anything bad. I am not saying there wasn’t anything I didn’t like. It’s just that I don’t remember. It was worth the year long wait. So please if you have not watched the new season, please do.

Rating A+

Photo courtesy Netflix

 

 

American Gods Season Two: All Setup with No Pay Off

So let me start by saying that I didn’t enjoy this season as I did the first one. And before I tell you what I dislike about the season, let me say that I don’t think the season was horrible. It was just slow and meh. There were things I enjoyed such as any scene with Orlando Jones. All the awards go to him this season. He is such a great actor and I remember him from MADtv. So I go way back when it comes to his work. But on this show, he has been his best as Mr. Nancy. Now let’s go back to the reasons I didn’t enjoy this season. And spoilers below if you haven’t watched season two.

The major reveal of Shadow Moon being Odin’s son was way too late. In other words, we were getting clues from the beginning of the season so the reveal was not surprising. Instead, it was just a confirmation and to rely on that being the major plot twist in the finale was disappointing. Viewers nowadays are smart and can figure out plots very early. We don’t like to feel dumb. The finale could have actually been the war between the old and new gods. Which brings me to my other reason.

This season was just set up after set up with no payoff. In season one we were seeing the new gods and old gods gathering to prepare for war. So I expected actually to see that war but instead, it was just set up to start the war and then nothing. First, it was the meeting with Odin to get more old gods to fight for him. Then he had to repair his weapon which took a few episodes only to get destroyed in one second by Sweeney. So all that time was a waste. Not to mention introducing new old gods for just to be there and contribute to nothing. And the only new change for the new gods was Media and we didn’t see any more new gods joining their team. Last season every episode we saw new and old gods and how they adapted to this world. How they were brought to America. It was interesting to see but this season we got nothing. It was like the writers didn’t know what do the with the arc this season. Or just had the Shadow’s father reveal and Odin’s weapon to span in eight episodes. This brings me to my last point.

Once again, a change of showrunners ruined another show. I’ve mentioned this before that once a show change showrunners that the show usually takes a turn for the worst. So far I’ve haven’t seen otherwise. Last season Bryan Fuller was in charge and the show was great. Of course, it was because Bryan Fuller is amazing and I love all his work. He has done my favorite shows like Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal. From the first episode of season two, the magic of his words was gone. I knew this show would never be the same. If he was still working on the show, the plot would have been moving so much faster than it is now. Instead, we had eight episodes of information that could have been done in two episodes and we still have no war.

So what happens next? Well, the show got renewed for another season and I will give it maybe three more episodes before I decide to continue watching. Which is a shame because I love the concept and the cast but this show deserves better and Bryan Fuller. If nothing changes then I doubt this show will continue after season three. Because viewers will have other options to watch on Sunday night even after Game of Thrones ends.

Rating D

Photo courtesy Starz

 

Thoughts on the Cancellation of The Gifted

First off, I am not the one who wants anyone to be fired and lose their job. Trust me, I know that being unemployed is not fun. But I will say that the news of the cancellation of the Gifted is not surprising. For the few people who follow my blog, you might have noticed that I stop reviewing the Gifted. I can recall saying that I would take a break on reviewing the second season. But really, I have stopped watching the show completely a few months ago and it looks like I wasn’t the only one. Here is why I think the main reason the show got cancelled.

The plot. Season one’s plot was better than the current season but at the same time that’s not saying much. I’ve said season one felt like potential was there but the writing had to be better. Eventually, the chase with the Sentinels and the Underground would get boring. It would have been better to have them chase each other every once and while and have the Sentinels hidden in the background. So the audience won’t expect them when they do show up. Every week the audience felt that the X-men would come out fine. There was no suspense, however the show was new and seeing some well known mutants and new ones were refreshing. Also, seeing a family experiencing having children as mutants and how the world treated them was great to see. But when the second season happened and the writers decided to split the core group, it was a bold but bad move. The problem is that now you are adding another group against the X-men and once again it was tiring to watch. The plot felt predictable and I didn’t care to see how it ends. I lost interest in all the characters or their stories. And once that happened, I stopped watching. The problem with the X-men franchise is that it could be a hit or miss on film. Maybe this show would have been better as a movie of the future after the X-men. It doesn’t work as a TV show and it doesn’t compare to the other Marvel shows. The other Marvel shows are successful because it follows one or two characters not 10 or more.

Sure, some Marvel shows are cancelled like the ones from Netflix but I think that is more on Disney’s part, budget and not so much of a lack of an audience. And now with the Disney new streaming service, who knows if the former Marvel Netflix shows may get renewed. And if they do why would anyone want the Gifted to be back where is Daredevil’s plot is way better. There are rumors that the Gifted could be pick up on the Disney streaming service and if it does good for them but I won’t be watching. The show would need to start completely over with a different concept.

I wish the cast well in their future endeavors because they deserved better from the scripts they were given.Just stick to the movies X-men.

RIP The Gifted.