Thoughts on 5 New TV Shows

1. Ms. Marvel - The Marvel TV shows have been hit or miss for me (mostly a miss, though. The only ones I like are Hawkeye and the first half of WandaVision). I didn't know much about this going in, but it definitely feels very immature. I feel waaaaay too old to be watching it (and I watch Riverdale so that's saying something!). This is also just so...unremarkable? I've seen a lot of people talk about the Marvel fatigue, but the bigger problem is that people want to keep watching these things if they were actually good. I understand that they need to cater to a younger audience in order to keep growing, which is why I want to be able to defend this show, but I just can't. It's dull, feels pointless, cheesy, *completely* predictable. My husband (still weird saying that) has been telling me for like 3 years that he's done with Marvel, but he keeps watching them with me. After the first episode of this, though, he turned to me and said "I can't do it anymore. I'm really done this time. You'll have to watch the rest of this by yourself", and I don't blame him. However, there are some good things about it. I love all of the cultural celebration - and I think it's very representative of Jersey City (and New Jersey, in general). Obviously diversity matters, and it's wonderful to see Marvel embracing the changes happening (slowly) within the entertainment industry. Iman Vellani is adorable. I also really love Zenobia Shroff - she was Pravesh's mom on The Resident and she was also in The Affair. I do feel like their relationship as mother/daughter is a little cliched and the whole plot is very similar to Turning Red. It just feels like I've watched this whole thing before...recently. By the final episode, I was barely paying attention. 

2. Five Days at Memorial - I've watched the first two episodes and it is very well done. It's very stressful and chaotic, which is exactly how I think it felt like to experience Hurricane Katrina (I think back to our big NJ hurricane, Sandy, and that was insane!). I also recently spent some time in New Orleans and spent some time with local people who told us their "Katrina story". It's so devastating to hear how our government failed these people and their entire city. I think the biggest takeaway from my visit is the chaos of it all. And that it wasn't even the hurricane that caused all this damage, nor was it flooding from the Mississippi. I had heard of "the levees breaking", obviously. But I didn't realize it was from Lake Pontchartrain (which is a GIGANTIC lake - if you told me I was looking at the Atlantic Ocean I would have believed you). And it happened after the hurricane hit, as shown in this series, people were actually celebrating the next day and practically laughing at how over-prepared they were. They had begun the cleanup process and were ready to move on. But instead of the water receding, like during a normal hurricane, it started to increase - and nobody was expecting or prepared for that. New Orleans is such a wonderful city, and one of the few that always seems to have "open arms" for tourism (I say this as a New Yorker, who despises tourists in NYC. I mean, you couldn't pay me to go to Times Square. But the reality of it is, big cities need tourists to survive - and all of these cities are slowly dying from the lasting effects of Covid. And Airbnbs (but that's a whole other rant and I'm too tired for that). But anyway, this miniseries, so far, is very interesting. I can't imagine having the responsibility of an entire hospital on my shoulders. But I also feel like that's soooo unfair? And seems impractical. There should be a team of people, which there is, but everyone on this woman's team has said at one point or another "it's up to you!" basically absolving themselves of responsibility. I certainly have empathy for everyone working at this hospital - they did not have the right information, just chaos and gossip. And now they have to live with themselves as the "villains" of this story. Also, Vera Farmiga and Cherry Jones are excellent. 

3. The Bear - What a fucking show, man. I absolutely love it and I'm so excited that it seems to be embraced by critics and received an order for a second season. I'm also really happy that Jeremy Allen White is getting some recognition. He was definitely over-shadowed by bigger names on Shameless, but he was the strongest and most consistent on the series. And he made me care for a deeply flawed character. Lip made some awful life choices, and many mistakes, but White gave him heart, soul and a conscience. You could tell that he was always trying to do the right thing. I think he is doing the same thing with this character, but in an environment that feels very different. It's still Chicago, but 90% of the show takes place in this very confined space of a small restaurant (that I would call a luncheonette? Is that what it's called in Chicago?). It's very fast-paced and intense, and there is not a single second wasted. The first episode just flies by - and I couldn't even decide if I liked it because it was just a lot of yelling. And the dialogue is so quick that I thought I was missing parts. But I got used to the pace with the second episode, and was able to keep up with it. I always thought it was weird how many tv shows have characters that work in "normal 9-5" office jobs, when a large portion of the population work in more service based environments. I could not work in an office. I tried once and I really thought I was going to die. It's so...boring. And I'm convinced it's why so many people are addicted to social media - because they have nothing else to do...while they are AT WORK. My day isn't as intense as working in a kitchen, but once I get to work, I don't stop until I leave. There is always something to do. I'm hot-gluing flowers for an elaborate window display one minute, and the next minute I'm ringing up a *very* famous R&B singer from the 90s - who is in a HURRY because her team is telling her she HAS TO GO, but she wants to buy thousands of dollars of merchandise (this just happened to me the other night. She was actually very lovely, and one of the best celebrity interactions I've ever had). Anyway, what was my point??? Oh yeah, that I find fast-paced jobs like this far more interesting and there are very few shows that feature this. A sitcom based in a retail store could work really well, especially with the variety of people that one has to deal with. But back to this series - everyone in the cast is excellent. Ebon Moss-Bachrach has been in a ton of shit, but I've never really noticed him before. He really shines, here. And Ayo Edebiri does a fantastic job at being the more grounded character, while still showing complex emotions and frustrations (plus, she has a Speed poster on her wall so she is automatically the coolest). My favorite character, though, is Marcus (played by Lionel Boyce) because he is such a sweetheart. Never change, Marcus. Joel McHale is also in it in a small role (and he's serious in it!! It's kind of sexy). But what we really need to talk about is episode 7 - perhaps one of the best executed episodes of television...ever? I don't think I'm exaggerating either, as many others have pointed out the technical masterpiece of the 20 minute long one-shot episode. It works so well to exaggerate the claustrophobic atmosphere within this tiny kitchen - working so closely with different personalities, and the stress of having it all go so wrong. Yes chef, indeed. 

4. Black Bird - This might be a long one. I definitely have a lot to say. So where should I start??? I guess, I'll start with the show overall. I read the book that this was based on a few years back when it was announced that Taron was starring in it. It's written by James Keene (the main guy in this true story) and someone else (who clearly "wrote" most of it). I did not like it. I really wish Dennis Lehane wrote the novel because this mini-series is sooooo much better. Keene is not a likeable person at all, and he thinks that he is. He's so fucking full of himself, and I think the whole redemption arc is kind of bullshit. Lehane makes a better point of it all by focusing it more on misogyny and Keene's ego. But the clear problem is that he never really seems to feel bad for his actual crimes. Maybe I have a slight bias against him for personal reasons (the crimes are very similar to why my father is in prison - mostly weapons charges - selling and smuggling guns etc., and it was even during the same time period and he was even in a prison near Chicago for a while. I actually questioned to myself whether they might have known each other, but I thought best not to look into it. I try to not let my father take up any of my energy). As I said, the mini-series elevates the story, keeps it (mostly) focused, and features some of the best acting I've seen in a while. Overall, I think it is *excellent*. However, there are a few parts that are very, very bad. In particular, the first 10 minutes of the first episode. It's actually excruciating to watch and my heart was sinking by minute 9 because I thought "oh no...I'm going to hate this". And thinking back to it now, none of the first 10 minutes are really relevant at all - they could have easily shown most of that in flashbacks etc. I also HATED the ending. It would have been great if it just had Jimmy looking out the window of the plane - with the parallel image of the map that he drove himself crazy trying to memorize, but they had to add the stupid part with the flight attendant flirting. I'm sorry, but I don't buy that he has any regrets about being a man whore (his ego is just too big for that). I'm not going to suddenly like him because he is nice to *one* woman. Give me a fucking break. The show excels during the interactions between Jimmy and Larry Hall (brilliantly played by Paul Walter Hauser), which is most of the show (episodes 3, 4 & 5 are spectacular). It's slow-burn, but the dialogue is so intense and...skin-crawling - just really brilliantly disturbing. I think episode 5 is the best episode - the way it is filmed is really top-notch; it really makes you feel Jimmy's paranoia and the danger that he is in, plus it gives a voice to one of Larry's victims - which is necessary, in my opinion, especially when it's a true crime story. There are also some really great scenes between Jimmy and his father (the late great Ray Liotta), that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I think it will be interesting once awards season arrives because surely Hauser and Liotta will be nominated against each other? Hauser would deserve the award, but Liotta...um...died. Sepideh Moafi does a great job at being this no-nonsense "I will not put up with your shit" character that the audience still likes (although back to the terrible beginning - WHY did she just let a raid happen with a woman passed out on the couch??? LOL. She's, like, concerned that he doesn't know her name, as if that's a crime, but NOT that she....isn't waking up with all this noise around her? WHAT IS HAPPENING?!). I also have to mention Jake McLaughlin because that's Ryan from Quantico!!! I literally screamed out loud (he's usually so fucking hot, but obviously not in this...). So, let's talk about Taron, shall we? I'm obviously biased, but I also think that because I adore him so much, I am hyper-critical of his performances. I've watched Rocketman literally dozens of times, and he is obviously brilliant and should have won the Oscar (don't get me started), but I can still see flaws in the performance (I don't want to be this way. It's just how I am!). I can see the flaws here, but overall, he's excellent. And most of my problems are within the first two episodes (especially those first 10 minutes - that warehouse scene is...rough). I do appreciate the depth that the role requires - it's certainly not an easy character to portray. He has to be likeable, but also be completely unlikeable at the same time. He also has to internalize a lot of disturbing dialogue without showing it to the person in front of him (Larry), but showing it to the audience (I'm specifically talking about a scene in episode 5 that is literally a masterclass of acting and he BETTER get an Emmy for it). I also appreciate that Taron realized how important Jimmy's ego and narcissism is to the story - Jimmy would (and did) spend his days in prison working out because there's not much else to do in prison. We've seen Taron fit before with the Kingsman movies and Robin Hood, but *never* this fit. My husband walked into the living room while I was watching an episode and didn't recognize him (he never does - we have the same conversation for every Taron project. With him being amazed that that's the kid from Kingsman. He did it for Rocketman and Eddie the Eagle too. With Eddie the Eagle, he actually didn't believe me and googled it to prove me wrong). When I told him it was Taron, he was like "That's what the guy you're in love with looks like now???? Cool" and then he left slamming the door behind him (LOL - it was in a joking way, not in an actually mad way). And finally, I appreciate that this was the role that he chose after Rocketman. I'm sure he had a ton of projects thrown at him, and he has acknowledged mistakenly taking roles that didn't feel right in the past, so he waited and found something that excited him and challenged him. And he also took on an Executive Producer role so he would have more say in the project. I think he's got a good head on his shoulders, as the saying goes, and has proven that he has incredible range. I think a lot of people, like myself, were very worried when he suddenly dropped out of Stars at Noon (in which he was already on location, ready to shoot) and then even more suddenly dropped out of Cock (a play that he seemed very excited and passionate about). He also never did any promotion for Sing 2, which was odd. I had a strong feeling it had to do with his mom. I didn't want it to be true, so I never said it out loud (I knew it wasn't what all the gossip people were reporting *rolls eyes*), so my heart sank when he briefly mentioned it being due to an immediate family member having Cancer. He's posted a few pictures of his mom since then with her head shaved, but it seems like she is recovering and hopefully in remission. I'm glad that he has his priorities straight and decided to spend time with his family during such a crucial time. Okay, I think I'm done. I'm sure I'm going to think of a million more things I wanted to say, but this is already way longer than I intended. OH WAIT...HIS ACCENT! How could I forget! I think this is where I found myself being a little hyper-critical because I could tell which words he struggled with. However, it is SO much better than his American accent in Billionaire Boys Club. He worked so hard on it and it shows. Also, he's fucking hot as fuck. 

5. Baymax - I didn't really know what this was??? I saw some hoopla about it having a trans character and an episode about menstruating, but I never saw anyone talk about the actual series. First, each episode is really, really short. Approximately about 10 minutes long, which is actually perfect for a child's attention span. They are these cute little vignettes about helping others. Baymax, if you don't know, is an adorable robot featured in Big Hero 6. He is a healthcare companion who befriends the main character in the film. He is programmed to help people in any way he can (and he is the CUTEST most innocent big fluffy marshmallow that you just want to hug). Second, I wish it was a bit more like Big Hero 6, which I think was obviously made for children, but also made for the adults who are forced to watch it with their children and/or film and animation lovers. Instead, this is a little too kids oriented and I didn't really find anything interesting about it as an adult. Third, the hoopla is, once again, ridiculous. The menstruation episode is really, really well done. And just like I said with Turning Red, getting your period is a kid issue (some kids get their period at 10! While they are watching cartoons like this! Why are people so weirded out by it?). And there is no featured trans character. There is a person with a t-shirt that has trans flag colors and they hand Baymax a sanitary product that they recommend. There is a crowd of people doing the same. It is very much a blink and you'll miss it moment, and by talking about it (in a negative way), you're only bringing more attention to it. I'm honestly not even sure I would have noticed it if I hadn't already known about it. Also, who the fuck cares??? Trans people exist and have their periods. I also think people probably got mad that the girl uses a bathroom that is gender neutral? I didn't see anything about it, but I'm sure it was part of the whole conversation. Again, who cares? It's so weird to me that their are parents who view inclusivity as a *problem* when raising their children. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Bad Guys - I saw the trailer for this before The Lost City and I thought it looked really, really cute and funny. And it is, but it's also terribly unmemorable and very predictable (**spoiler** obvi the super rich guy is the bad guy because super rich guys are always the bad guy...duh *said with the same inflection as Billie Eilish in her song...."bad guy"*). Sam Rockwell has an excellent voice for animation (and in general), but the rest of the cast, well, I have a hard time with - Marc Maron sounds like Danny DeVito?? Which he doesn't usually so it was a weird choice. And don't even get me started on Awkwafina! I mean, her voice is probably the worst part of her??? It's like nails on a fucking chalkboard. God I feel like every post I do just gets meaner and meaner, and I really don't try to be mean, but it just comes out as I write. The whole thing is also really weird - like how they are all "scary" animals that can talk and do human-like activities, but then there are also actual animals that are just animals - like the cat stuck in the tree and the guinea pigs being used as...um...guinea pigs. Overall, it just feels odd. There are some funny/amusing parts, but nothing really laugh-out-loud funny - and most of the funny stuff is in the trailer (which is why I usually only watch trailers when I'm at the movie theater). The animation is fine. And there's really not much else to say about it. Meh. 

2. Senior Year - I watched this, even though it looked really, really stupid, because I surprisingly enjoyed Rebel Wilson in Isn't it Romantic? and that movie is actually super cute. This looked similar, so I thought maybe it would be just as cute and funny? I didn't like it quite as much as that movie, but I did find this highly entertaining. I think a lot of it has to do with the timeline - being that it matched up to my high school experience (I had that *N SYNC poster on my wall, loved TRL, and wore my hair in those stupid butterfly clips). The only thing I can't really get behind is the often over-used trope of cheerleaders being the popular girls (it's so weird? The popular people in my high school were not involved in school activities at all because they were "too cool" for it. I honestly can tell you the name of only one cheerleader in my high school. ONE.). I did expect the cheerleading routine to be a bit more risque ala the Glee "Push it" scene, but the routines were actually really good. It is interesting to see how much has changed in 20 years. They've already done the "the nerds are now the cool kids" thing with the updated 21 Jump Street movies, but it's gone even further now with performative activism, eco-friendly, overly politically correct, Instagram drenched high school experience. And I'm with Rebel Wilson's character - it all seems terribly boring. And I just don't think it's setting teenagers up for success because the real world is fucking harsh and you WILL be offended by something. And you need to learn how to deal with that in a mature way early in life or you won't survive. It's just facts. Anyway, I laughed quite a few times with this (her "three ways to gain popularity" is hilarious and the cheerleaders motioning the plastic straws. I died. And the line "Madonna is called...Lady Ga..ga now?" It's also funny how she pronounces the "Gaga" part), but the best part is the recreation of the Britney Spears "Crazy" video. Just absolutely perfect. 

3. X - I absolutely love Jenna Ortega and I totally dig her as the next generation "scream queen" (she was also in the new Scream movie). I also like Mia Goth and I had NO IDEA that Brittany Snow had such a big role in this. She is adorable. Also, that's Kid Cudi??? I don't think I've ever seen him before, but I definitely expected him to be...younger? He's three years younger than me, but if you told me he was 50, I would believe you. He's also a terrible actor. The film is slightly disappointing - it's basically Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but instead of a mentally ill man with a chainsaw, it's a creepy 100 year old lesbian with a knife. It's very slow, and nothing really happens for the first 40 minutes of the film (aside from some cheesy porno sex). I do admit that I was highly distracted for most of the movie because The Love of My Life (Taron Egerton) did a Twitter Q&A and answered my question (!!!). I actually had to restart the movie, but I still was definitely looking at my phone more than usual while watching a movie (hangs head in shame). There are a few things I really liked - *spoiler* the alligator (or crocodile, I don't know the difference) attack is fucking HILARIOUS and so unexpected that it actually made me jump (and I never jump during horror movies) and then I laughed for a good 15 minutes. And the ending has a nice little twist that I wasn't really expecting, either. Oh and there's a Debbie Does Dallas reference that made me laugh. While I was disappointed, I am still looking forward to the Mia Goth starring prequel. And I do feel like if I watched this again, I might enjoy it more - now that I don't have the high expectations or the distractions. I highly doubt I'll ever watch it again, though. 

4. Lightyear - And speaking of being disappointed - Jesus, is this movie a mess or what? It's soooo boring. Like, most animated movies are cute and funny and enjoyable for kids, so they usually automatically get 3 stars from me. But this is none of those things. First, I should point out that I am not the biggest fan of the Toy Story movies (but I would never rate them below three stars - I just don't see why everyone raves about them). I thought this was actually a great idea to keep the franchise going, while giving it an update instead of repeating the same thing over and over. And it could potentially continue with other Toy Story characters. It's just overly complicated and really hard to pay attention to. And, if I had problems with it, then I can't imagine children enjoying it. I'm not an expert on what children like, though, but I was at a birthday party with a bunch of parents of 5 year olds and I overheard a parent say that they went to see this with their daughter and she fell asleep within the first 20 minutes and all the other parents started to agree and say how terrible it was and how disinterested their kids are in it. So, I'm clearly not on my own in thinking that it's not really made for kids to enjoy (although the party was minions themed, so you can't always trust kids...). Also, Chris Evans has such a monotonous boring voice, I can totally understand why a 5 year old would fall asleep listening to him. The only good part was the cat, obviously. 

5. Thirteen Lives - It's so weird to me when a movie like this suddenly appears on a streaming service and I've seen ZERO people talking about it. It's Colin Farrell! And Viggo Mortensen! Directed by Ron Howard! About an incredible true story! Why is nobody talking about it?? It's *exactly* what you would expect it to be, but with such an amazing story like this, that is hardly an insult. The bravery, self-sacrifice, and heroism that went into rescuing these 13 people is truly astounding (and I totally just googled how many people were rescued as if it's not in the fucking title. Use your brains, Michelle!). Colin and Viggo do a satisfying job - most of their roles are underwater, but there are these really small scenes where you see their internal struggle and the pure torture of not knowing if they were going to be able to get these kids out. The accents are...weird. Not because they are bad, necessarily, but because you just don't expect either of them to have British accents (I think we've only seen them with their own or an American accent? And Viggo with that Italian accent in Green Book? Have they done a British accent before?? It just feels weird). But I was able to get passed it pretty quickly. It's rightly intense, but it does drag out the whole cave diving part (there's just a LOT of cave diving scenes - it becomes a bit tedious). I remember when this story happened and SO MANY people (at least in America) were very quick to judge everything and place unnecessary blame on certain people. But the reality is that the cave they went in was a well-known and visited cave, they just had very unfortunate timing. I would totally visit a cave like that (and I have - I even did one of those lava tube tunnels in Iceland). And then people were like "why can't they just swim out" as if a professional cave diver didn't die trying to get to them?? Like, obviously children can't handle that kind of danger. What's weird, though, is that I actually had no idea how they rescued them! I just remember hearing that they all were rescued and all had survived, but I never questioned how it happened. And how it happened is FUCKING WILD. I mean just imagine if that *didn't* work??? The responsibility of that decision is just mind-blowing. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Gray Man - I don't even care what it is, I will ALWAYS be excited about a new Ryan Gosling movie! It's been FOUR freakin' years! (although...I might be the only woman in the world not excited for the Barbie movie? It looks...horrendous? And I'm a big fan of a lot of that cast.). I have the book that this movie is based on (I think it's part of a series?), but I have not had the chance to read it yet. It's definitely my type of movie - very Bourne-like. While I think overall, the movie is fine, there are also some things I really like about it. Obviously, Gosling is the highlight. It's a perfect role for him that highlights his onscreen charisma, but also pushes him into new territory of the "action hero" (he truly can do it all! I still think he's best at the quieter more reserved roles, though). Julia Butters is a super-star. And I'm completely in love with Ana de Armas (especially in that floral suit - I need it!), and this Blade Runner 2049 reunion with her and Gosling is much appreciated. I hope they make movies together until the end of time. The action is relentless - in a mostly good way. There is one scene in particular that is so well done, it almost made me sad that I wasn't watching it on a big cinema screen. Unfortunately, it's also just a very unoriginal, paint-by-numbers action movie. And it's odd that the good guys are actually good actors, and the bad guys are...well, Chris Evans with a horrendous mustache, the guy from Bridgerton - who is one of the worst actors I've ever seen (even on that terrible show, him and the main girl were the worst parts of the show), and Jessica Hardwick in an extremely unflattering wig. I think it's weird that so many people praise Evans for...acting. He's hot, sure. But I've never, ever seen him be anything other than Chris Evans. But ultimately the biggest problem with this movie boils down to this anecdote: My husband came home from work about an hour into me watching this. He sat down on the couch and started watching with me, which is super rare (he doesn't really watch a lot of movies). He watched the whole rest of the movie and when it was over, he said "that was decent. Really short, though". I replied "oh there was a whole hour before you started watching it". "OH GOD REALLY?!" It's clearly a problem that someone can start the movie A WHOLE HOUR IN and feel like they haven't missed anything. He also said "wow, Chris Evans really can't act, can he?" LOL. 

2. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande - Well, I saw a few people say that this movie is quite lovely, but I had NO IDEA what it was about, so that was a bit of a shock. I figured it was about Emma Thompson having a relationship with a younger man (from the poster, obvi), but it's actually about her hiring a male prostitute because she has a really, really, really sad sex life. Seriously, her describing her sex life with her husband of 31 years is one of the saddest things I've ever heard and I really don't understand why women live that way?? I don't think sex is the most important aspect of a relationship at all, but she doesn't seem very emotionally fulfilled either or loved, even. Why waste away your life like that with someone who doesn't do everything they can to make you happy? Anyway, this is a cute, little 100 minute long dramedy. Emma Thompson is delightful, as per usual, and it's lovely and refreshing to see someone embrace a sort of sexual awakening in their 50s. I think women, in very general terms, tend to become more confident with their bodies as they get into their 40s & 50s. But I also think we finally come to the realization that all of the things we are insecure about don't matter at all to a guy that they are about to have sex with (they don't care about the little belly pouch, or if you shaved your legs that day, or if your thigh has a stretch mark. They are about to have sex. They. don't. care.). And I also don't even think that our insecurities come from men, because they mostly come from...other women. Wait, I've gone off track again, haven't I? The guy in this has a super sexy Irish accent (I don't know his name, but I recognize him. Maybe from Peaky Blinders? Is he in that? I can picture him in it.), but he's a little too "perfect" in this - the character is just very unrealistic (overly supportive, patience of a saint, and has abs like that? Just non-existent). It also has a few laugh out loud moments (her saying "safe word" got me real good).

3. The Princess - Another solid 3 star movie (I feel like that's all I watch nowadays. Just solid 3 star movies one after the other). I like Joey King a lot. I did not like her in that dumb Amazon/Blumhouse horror movie (I don't remember the name of it), but I still think she has great screen presence. She just needs to find better roles. I'm not sure this is really it, either. And I was really annoyed in the beginning when they show this tiny, tiny young girl fighting like 5 grown men - I wrote down in my notes "come on - she would have to have, like, extensive martial arts training" and then the next scene it shows her, extensively training in martial arts. Well, okay, then, I guess I'll buy into her being able to defeat men double & triple her size (but still not really...). It's very fast-paced and action-packed, but the story isn't very original and the fight scenes become a little tedious to sit through. I think it's a great movie for young girls to watch - although it might be a little too violent, it's still empowering, for sure. It kind of reminded me of Brave, which I loved. 

4. The Bob's Burgers Movie - Well, I didn't love this like I thought I would. I LOVE the tv series. It's so funny, uplifting, smart, ridiculous, and lovely all at the same time. It's so hard to even pick my favorite character, but it mostly goes back and forth between Louise and Gene. Louise is just overall hilarious and chaotic, but Gene makes me actually laugh-out-loud way more. But, I don't know, this movie fell really flat for me. I didn't hate it or anything. It's just nothing special. There are definitely funnier and more cinematic episodes that this movie would suggest (I saw quite a few people say that they were watching the movie having never watched the show, and that makes me sad because this movie wouldn't really make me seek out the show). I did laugh really, really hard at the line "you know what they say, babies come out of holes, but they never go into them". I'm still laughing at that, in fact. The plot is just dragged out way too long (you know, to make it long enough for a movie when it should have just been an episode or even a two-parter would have been more acceptable) and they've already done the whole Louise never takes her bunny ears off thing multiple times on the show so it felt really overdone. I just wish there was more substance to it and that it was a bit funnier (and shorter!). It's still fun, though, because these characters are wonderful.

5. Umma - Well, I know I seem to complain a lot about movies being "solid three stars" (as the previous four movies that I just wrote about are), but I guess it's better than watching atrocities like this. I really love Sandra Oh, and I can't wait for her to be a big movie star, but this just isn't it. She got out of Grey's Anatomy *just* in time (I can't believe I still watch that fucking show. It's been 17 years! Just kill me, please) and she was wonderful on Killing Eve in quite a complicated role. I went into this fairly blind, other than knowing Oh stars in it and that it is a horror. While it is atmospherically creepy, it is hardly scary. Unless you're scared of bees?? Then, maybe? But it's just very slow and basically nothing happens. Oh is great, as expected. And the girl who plays her daughter (Fivel Stewart) is stunning looking. I was curious if she was actually Korean - since it is about a Korean American family - because to me, she looks Native American. It turns out that she is both (and also Russian, Scottish, Japanese & Chinese). It's not really important, but as I said, just stunning. And she held her own with Oh, too. I'm interested to see where her career takes her. Anyway, I don't have much else to say about this movie. It's saved by the acting, but there is a whole lot of nothing to it.