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shadowkat1.) I got EW, and am wondering why I still subscribe to this magazine. I don't listen to, watch, or read anything they are reporting on -- okay not true, I read, watch and listen to approximately 10% of what they are promoting reporting on.
Will state that I agree with their choice for worst film of the year -- "Fifty Shades Freed" -- it was, and I forgot it after I watched it -- for $5.95 on "On Demand", not worth the five bucks.
(Yet still more watchable than the Twilight movie...so there's that.)
I was discussing this with a co-worker today. The problem with television, film, theater, music, podcast, game and book critics is they review things then wonder why everybody isn't watching or reading them and raving about them too. Because most people aren't professional television, film, theater, game, book, podcast and music critics. We're not paid to watch tv shows and report on them or all the other stuff listed above. So most people just randomly choose whatever looks interesting or fits their mood, and they'll watch, read, etc if it entertains, if not, it's gone. And are most likely looking for something not overly thought-provoking. Add to this -- most of these shows are on channels that aren't accessible to everyone.
What films that I have seen that are mentioned? (It should be noted that I haven't seen that many movies this year. I go when someone else wants to go...and are selections have been...well not the ones listed on critics end of year lists..with the exception of Black Panther.)
* Won't You Be My Neighbor? - The Fred Rogers Documentary -- is a nostalgic trip down memory lane and worth watching. I saw it on the plane and was riveted. It's hard to get riveted on a plane, particularly when annoying kids are running down the aisles every fifteen minutes to get snacks.
*Black Panther -- only film I bothered to see twice in a movie theater in recent years. (Mainly because I saw the first version in 3D, which I do not recommend.) It's worth it. Also worth noting that Black Panther was the highest grossing film of the year -- it made more money than Avengers Infinity War (possibly less people wanted to re-watch Infinity War).
And a big game-changer. We're already seeing how that film has changed pop culture and film.
What films everyone seems to like and are touting? (I honestly find these selections bewildering and not all that appealing, but what do I know? I'm not a film critic. I don't watch film for a living. Considered doing it once, decided I wanted to eat and live in a half way decent apartment, also if I want to be a starving artist -- it would be writing fiction not writing film reviews.)
* The Favorite -- really this has made number one of more than one critic's best list. Curious the plot doesn't look that appealing to me, it's about two women fighting over Queen Anne's favor.
Why are people interested?
* Green Book -- basically Viggo Mortigensen drives Mahershala Ali around to music performances in the deep south during the early 1960s. (My father actually drove around the deep south with his black roommate during the early 1960s...so I might be interested for that reason. Although my Dad's experiences were obviously very different.) The African-American critics appear to hate it. So it's a controversial movie. They prefer other much edgier more topical and relevant films about the black experience in America. While white film critics adore it to pieces. Which is interesting.
* Roma -- is loved by everyone. This is Alfonso Cuaron's black and white film about a household maid and supplementary mother to her affectionately oblivious young charges, she cooks and cleans and hangs laundry on the roof.
* Mission Impossible - Fallout is mentioned (by one critic). The critics love of this one blew my frustrated film critic of a co-worker away. (Chidi aka mini-Lando). He doesn't understand why people loved this film. He said it was horrible.
* Everyone seems to love "Sorry to Bother You". (I've read two reviews of it, and, no. I have no interest in watching it. )
*Venom -- everyone hates. Apparently the Tom Hardy anti-hero Marvel film didn't work?
Television shows that I've seen that were mentioned (Seen may be the wrong word here, tried to watch and failed miserably except for three Killing Eve, Hannah Gadsby Nanette, and Marvelous Mrs. Maizel. Go watch those.)
* Barry -- couldn't make it past the first episode. See Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
* Dear White People -- my friend, MD, loved this. It didn't work for me.
* The Deuce -- FBFF loves the Deuce. I hate James Franco, so refuse to watch it on principal.
* Superstore -- eh, I don't understand the appeal, I'd have nominated The Good Place instead.
*I agree Hannah Gadsby's Nanette was the breakout act of the year, and basically made everyone look at comedy differently.
* The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story -- I tried to get into this and just couldn't. (Having the same problems with Dirty John). Let's face it, I just don't like True Crime stories.
* Killing Eve -- now I agree with this one. I'd put that above most of these, this critic put it as number two. I loved Killing Eve. It's a female anti-hero series about a female assassin and the female MI5 profiler who hunts her down in a cat-and-mouse game with a heavy sexual subtext. Stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Corner in the titular roles. Ignore the rest of this list and go watch this on BBC America on Demand, now. If you can. If you can watch Doctor Who, you can watch Killing Eve.
* You -- really?
* Brooklyn Nine-Nine...I couldn't make it past the first two episodes. It may have gotten better.
Obviously it did get better or it wouldn't have made the list -- or so one would assume. Flist loves it. Can't be all bad.
* The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel -- go watch this show. It's great. The best comedy I've seen in ages. Laughed my head off during the first season. Eagerly awaiting the second -- which I plan on seeing when I visit my family for Xmas.
Books
The only one I recognize is the one I'm reading -- "Children of Blood and Bone" by Toni Adeyemi.
It's a YA novel about Zelie's efforts to restore magic to the kingdom of Orisha, decimated by genocide. The writer draws on Nigerian folklore to create the fantasy. It's different than any of the books I've read in this genre.
I haven't seen any of the theaterical performances they mention...but I did the same thing with theater that I did with the movies, I went where people took me. Which was admittedly to some weird ass performances.
In regards to Games and Podcasts? The appeal of both is completely lost on me. I've yet to make it all the way through a podcast or Ted Talk without a lot of rewinding, until I finally give up. My attention wanders. I need something visual to keep my attention engaged. I can't just watch people sing, talk, or listen to them talk. I can listen to them sing, but watching them stand on stage, play an instrument and sing...tends to result in mind wandering and boredom. It's very hard to explain to folks. Have similar issues with Games...which is a shame, because they tend to be very social activities.
2) Co-worker (who looks like Chidi but is far more decisive and not as built), asked me if I was going to see Tyrel. And I'm like, what the heck is that? Never heard of it.
Chidi: Go google it.
Me: Is this a film?
Chidi: Yes. You should see it.
Me: I don't have time to see movies. Haven't seen a movie in an age. (I've tried three weekends in a row to see Fantastic Beasts and finally gave up.)
I google. It's another horror movie about a disenfranchised black man who goes off for a nightmarish retreat with a bunch of white friends. Apparently the dual success of Get Out and Black Panther opened the flood-gates.
3) Ate too much dairy free (daiya) pumpkin cheesecake. Now my stomach wants to murder me in my sleep.
Will state that I agree with their choice for worst film of the year -- "Fifty Shades Freed" -- it was, and I forgot it after I watched it -- for $5.95 on "On Demand", not worth the five bucks.
(Yet still more watchable than the Twilight movie...so there's that.)
I was discussing this with a co-worker today. The problem with television, film, theater, music, podcast, game and book critics is they review things then wonder why everybody isn't watching or reading them and raving about them too. Because most people aren't professional television, film, theater, game, book, podcast and music critics. We're not paid to watch tv shows and report on them or all the other stuff listed above. So most people just randomly choose whatever looks interesting or fits their mood, and they'll watch, read, etc if it entertains, if not, it's gone. And are most likely looking for something not overly thought-provoking. Add to this -- most of these shows are on channels that aren't accessible to everyone.
What films that I have seen that are mentioned? (It should be noted that I haven't seen that many movies this year. I go when someone else wants to go...and are selections have been...well not the ones listed on critics end of year lists..with the exception of Black Panther.)
* Won't You Be My Neighbor? - The Fred Rogers Documentary -- is a nostalgic trip down memory lane and worth watching. I saw it on the plane and was riveted. It's hard to get riveted on a plane, particularly when annoying kids are running down the aisles every fifteen minutes to get snacks.
*Black Panther -- only film I bothered to see twice in a movie theater in recent years. (Mainly because I saw the first version in 3D, which I do not recommend.) It's worth it. Also worth noting that Black Panther was the highest grossing film of the year -- it made more money than Avengers Infinity War (possibly less people wanted to re-watch Infinity War).
And a big game-changer. We're already seeing how that film has changed pop culture and film.
What films everyone seems to like and are touting? (I honestly find these selections bewildering and not all that appealing, but what do I know? I'm not a film critic. I don't watch film for a living. Considered doing it once, decided I wanted to eat and live in a half way decent apartment, also if I want to be a starving artist -- it would be writing fiction not writing film reviews.)
* The Favorite -- really this has made number one of more than one critic's best list. Curious the plot doesn't look that appealing to me, it's about two women fighting over Queen Anne's favor.
Why are people interested?
* Green Book -- basically Viggo Mortigensen drives Mahershala Ali around to music performances in the deep south during the early 1960s. (My father actually drove around the deep south with his black roommate during the early 1960s...so I might be interested for that reason. Although my Dad's experiences were obviously very different.) The African-American critics appear to hate it. So it's a controversial movie. They prefer other much edgier more topical and relevant films about the black experience in America. While white film critics adore it to pieces. Which is interesting.
* Roma -- is loved by everyone. This is Alfonso Cuaron's black and white film about a household maid and supplementary mother to her affectionately oblivious young charges, she cooks and cleans and hangs laundry on the roof.
* Mission Impossible - Fallout is mentioned (by one critic). The critics love of this one blew my frustrated film critic of a co-worker away. (Chidi aka mini-Lando). He doesn't understand why people loved this film. He said it was horrible.
* Everyone seems to love "Sorry to Bother You". (I've read two reviews of it, and, no. I have no interest in watching it. )
*Venom -- everyone hates. Apparently the Tom Hardy anti-hero Marvel film didn't work?
Television shows that I've seen that were mentioned (Seen may be the wrong word here, tried to watch and failed miserably except for three Killing Eve, Hannah Gadsby Nanette, and Marvelous Mrs. Maizel. Go watch those.)
* Barry -- couldn't make it past the first episode. See Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
* Dear White People -- my friend, MD, loved this. It didn't work for me.
* The Deuce -- FBFF loves the Deuce. I hate James Franco, so refuse to watch it on principal.
* Superstore -- eh, I don't understand the appeal, I'd have nominated The Good Place instead.
*I agree Hannah Gadsby's Nanette was the breakout act of the year, and basically made everyone look at comedy differently.
* The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story -- I tried to get into this and just couldn't. (Having the same problems with Dirty John). Let's face it, I just don't like True Crime stories.
* Killing Eve -- now I agree with this one. I'd put that above most of these, this critic put it as number two. I loved Killing Eve. It's a female anti-hero series about a female assassin and the female MI5 profiler who hunts her down in a cat-and-mouse game with a heavy sexual subtext. Stars Sandra Oh and Jodie Corner in the titular roles. Ignore the rest of this list and go watch this on BBC America on Demand, now. If you can. If you can watch Doctor Who, you can watch Killing Eve.
* You -- really?
* Brooklyn Nine-Nine...I couldn't make it past the first two episodes. It may have gotten better.
Obviously it did get better or it wouldn't have made the list -- or so one would assume. Flist loves it. Can't be all bad.
* The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel -- go watch this show. It's great. The best comedy I've seen in ages. Laughed my head off during the first season. Eagerly awaiting the second -- which I plan on seeing when I visit my family for Xmas.
Books
The only one I recognize is the one I'm reading -- "Children of Blood and Bone" by Toni Adeyemi.
It's a YA novel about Zelie's efforts to restore magic to the kingdom of Orisha, decimated by genocide. The writer draws on Nigerian folklore to create the fantasy. It's different than any of the books I've read in this genre.
I haven't seen any of the theaterical performances they mention...but I did the same thing with theater that I did with the movies, I went where people took me. Which was admittedly to some weird ass performances.
In regards to Games and Podcasts? The appeal of both is completely lost on me. I've yet to make it all the way through a podcast or Ted Talk without a lot of rewinding, until I finally give up. My attention wanders. I need something visual to keep my attention engaged. I can't just watch people sing, talk, or listen to them talk. I can listen to them sing, but watching them stand on stage, play an instrument and sing...tends to result in mind wandering and boredom. It's very hard to explain to folks. Have similar issues with Games...which is a shame, because they tend to be very social activities.
2) Co-worker (who looks like Chidi but is far more decisive and not as built), asked me if I was going to see Tyrel. And I'm like, what the heck is that? Never heard of it.
Chidi: Go google it.
Me: Is this a film?
Chidi: Yes. You should see it.
Me: I don't have time to see movies. Haven't seen a movie in an age. (I've tried three weekends in a row to see Fantastic Beasts and finally gave up.)
I google. It's another horror movie about a disenfranchised black man who goes off for a nightmarish retreat with a bunch of white friends. Apparently the dual success of Get Out and Black Panther opened the flood-gates.
3) Ate too much dairy free (daiya) pumpkin cheesecake. Now my stomach wants to murder me in my sleep.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-11 01:20 pm (UTC)It must have worked for someone: Forbes posted it had 850 million in box office to date. ;) It also has the most nominations by a landslide, and the most requests, too, I believe, for Yuletide.
Killing Eve looks so violent, plus it's about two characters I don't think I can stand on principle. Maybe, if it's a comedy?
I'd love to see it but so far, no DVD release, therefore my library can't purchase it.
Brooklyn 9-9 does get much better by the end of the first season but it's not especially character-driven. It's really just one ridiculous joke after another after another after another. I have become fond of the characters, except for Gina, whom I still can't stand. I would also have nominated The Good Place. It is a superior comedy, even this season, which isn't as good as the first two, imho.
My theory about critics is that they consume so much media that they're burned out. They get fixated on anything that seems different.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-12 02:35 am (UTC)Fandom is far more forgiving than film critics...possibly for the reason you mention above. I think most of us just want to watch, not think, while doing so. Critics bring along the critical brain -- and seriously this does NOT work with a superhero or comic book film.
Killing Eve looks so violent, plus it's about two characters I don't think I can stand on principle. Maybe, if it's a comedy?
Sort of...it's comedic in places and painful in others.
Eve is a MI5 profiler, who becomes obsessed with catching an assassin, who is being used by a covert group. The assassin attracts her on a certain level.
The violence isn't much more than what you would find on the X-Files or any of the Marvel series on Netflix. Is it more violent than The Good Place, yes. But I'd say about on par with Breaking Bad, less than Walking Dead and far less than
Game of Thrones. If that gives you an idea?
But it may be too violent for you? I guess I like it because for once it's women kicking ass and not men. (I like strong smart-ass women characters.) Also, I'd watch Sandra Oh read the phone book, so there's that.
But mileage varies. (shrugs)
Brooklyn 9-9 does get much better by the end of the first season but it's not especially character-driven. It's really just one ridiculous joke after another after another after another.
This is why I can't watch it. It's not character driven AND it's one ridiculous joke after another after another. I'm not a fan of American "broad" comedy.
I like subtle wit.