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shadowkatFeeling better today. As the rain clears off, so too is the bug that afflicted me and just in time to go back to work on Wed.
I finished watching Marvel's Runaways S2, Mission Impossible: Fallout, and episode 1 of The Kominsky Method.
1.) Mission Impossible
I like a good action film. And this was overall a fun action film, caper movie. It holds true to its namesake. Even if there was a lot of back-story from prior movies and feels a bit too much like part of a franchise, but perhaps that is the point? It let's the audience know from the outset that this is a "Mission Impossible" movie. If you aren't into that - this ain't for you. That said, I didn't see the last two movies in the franchise, so didn't know most of the back-story, and was okay. (The last Mission Impossible film that I saw, Phillip Seymore Hoffman played the villain and he was excellent by the way, far better than the guys who played the villains in this film. But I've no memory of the plot outside of Hoffman.) So, it's not really necessary to have seen the previous films to enjoy this one. And Cruise's personal life and background doesn't bother me enough to turn me off of Cruise. He's in a weird business.
Say what you will of Cruise -- but the man is fearless. At fifty-six years of age, he did all his own stunts. And taught himself to fly a helicopter. The guy playing the villain was in his thirties and he didn't look like he was doing all his own stunts nor did he do as many as Cruise.
The weakness in the film was the villains. Neither were compelling. Actually the broker, who was an ambiguous character played by Vanessa Kirby was a standout in the film and almost stole it. Scean Harris and Henry Caville bored me. Both played their characters as card-board cut-outs, with few dimensions. Of the two, Harris was the better actor and the most compelling and that's saying something. Don't get me wrong, Henry Caville is very pretty and a hunk, but he can't act to save his life. I get that people like restrained performances, but seriously? I missed Philip Seymore Hoffman. Note to Mission Impossible -- don't hire "hunks" to play villians, hire actors. (Although I figured out who the main villain was pretty much from the moment the character was introduced, due to the poor acting.
2. Runaways S2 -- surprised me. It started out slow and plodding, not taking enough risks and focusing far too much on the kids romances, then took a wicked left turn and got interesting. I'm not sure what it says about me that I'm kinda rooting for the aliens? Probably not helped by the fact that the more interesting and better actors are playing the aliens.
Anyhow, if you haven't tried it -- I do recommend it. But you do have to have a bit of patience. It's wickedly slow in places and somewhat juvenile. Think Gossip Girl/The OC meets The New Mutants/Teen Titans and Pinky and The Brain. The parents are the super-villains, and they are sort of fun, for a lot of reasons -- in part because they don't see themselves as villains. Most villains don't. And what they are plotting is for the greater good (from their perspective). They are also wickedly bright and come up with inventive ways to outwit their own kids, who have understandably run away from them.
Also as an added bonus? We have James Marsters (Buffy's Spike/Brainiac) sharing the screen with Julian McMahon (Demon Lover in Charmed/Christian - Nip/Tuck/ Dr. Doom)...and at one point they end up playing the same character in different ways. If you are at all familiar with each actors background playing villains, this is geeky fun.
But the Asian-American actresses playing Tina (Brittany Ishibashi)and her daughter Nico (Lyrica Okano) are stealing the show, along with the actress Brigid Brannagh who plays Stacy (Gerdt's mother and co-creator of the Dinosaur) steal the show.
Marsters adds more nuance to Victor Stein and the other role, than McMahon does (although Australian native McMahon is far prettier and in some ways the better actor)..in that Marsters was inspired by Vincent D'Orthino's portrayal of Wilson Fisk -- in making the choice to play a sociopath as vulnerable. Marsters looks as villains as human and flawed, portraying them as heroes. Which is what Vincent D'Orthino also did. And an interesting acting choice. The villain never sees themselves as a villain. Everything they do is justified in their own head. McMahon in stark contrast chose to play the role the same way he played Doctor Doom as a privilege rich guy who can do whatever he wants.
Quibbles:
* Like a lot of Television Superhero Series -- the casting falls into stereotypes. The Asian-Americans play the martial artists and security whizzes, the African-Americans play the street-smart thugs from the hood and gangsters, the Whites play the brains and nerds and rich church cult leaders.
I'd have switched things up a bit and played against stereotype. But this series is based on Vaughn's comic series and it plays to stereotypes as well. Marvel? We know you can do better -- see Black Panther.
* Plays a bit too much to stereotype. The nerds are too nerdy. Gerdt got on my nerves. As does her parents. It's too over-the-top. Alex is a bit more interesting, but he also got on my nerves. And Molly...sigh, too precocious.
* Chase is boring. I keep hoping one of the aliens takes over his body. They won't. The actor's range is limited. Another tall pretty boy, who's a bit on the stiff side.
* The first half is rather slow and my attention wandered. We spend far too much time with the Alex/Darius/Tamora/Livy/Crooked Cop subplot -- which is a side story that none of the other characters are all that invested in and all of them resent being pulled into. Basically, the writers chose to do a Boyz in the Hood subplot. It's almost as if the series decided to become another series entirely for the space of five episodes then jump back again. (The subplot is there to show how nasty Alex's parents are -- specifically his Mom -- but it doesn't quite work and I found it to be a bit cliche. Alex basically takes a sabbatical from the gang to pursue a romance with Tamora's sister Livvy and a partnership with his father's ex-buddy/frenemey Darius in the old neighborhood (Darius and Tamora are married and having a kid)-- to take down his parents. Darius double-crosses him, Alex's mother double-crosses Darius and kills him, Alex decides to take down his parents with help of crooked cop who double-crosses Alex and makes a deal with the Parents and ...and I'm bored by it -- because seen this story one too many times already.) That said, there are some great character driven gems in the middle of these episodes that have zip to do with this subplot and are about the wider arc.
Right now my favs are Victor, Janet, Tina, Robert, Nico, Stacy, and Karolina. This series has some awesome female characters. And there's a great fight sequence between Nico and her parents - Tina and Robert, who are both experts at martial arts. Nico rocks. Now that the stupid Darius subplot is over with -- Alex and the Wilders have potential.
And kudos to casting the great Kathleen Quinlan as Karolina's grandmother. Also, the alien mythos has potential. This season ended in a far more interesting place than the previous season. Season 3 can't come soon enough.
Possibly the best thing Marsters has done since Buffy and Angel. (Yes, I watched most of Smallville and Supernatural. This is better written than both of those..in that it subverts various tropes and does some interesting things, also more ensemble.) I think he may be enjoying this more -- it's ensemble, so no divas, and probably a more professional cast and crew, plus bigger budget - Marvel and Hulu. Which means better pay, shorter hours, and higher production value.
3. The Kominsky Method -- comedy writer/show-runner Chuck Lorre's new series, starring Michael Douglas as an acting teacher and Alan Arkin as his best friend Norman. It's about the pitfalls of aging and acting. I know someone who is a lot like the character of Stanley Kominsky. (I know an acting teacher/coach who taught Ted Danson.) So the series feels very real to me. Also, I admittedly have a weakness for Michael Douglas, who tends to be good in whatever he's in, as is Alan Arkin.
And I enjoy watching acting classes -- because I took them once upon a time and I'm very glad I stopped. And I find shows that talk about the process of acting -- fascinating.
This series was recommended by my Father, who adored it. It's not very long. About thirty minutes tops. And considering my Father's attention span isn't much longer than thirty minutes...
It's about two old guys in their 70s and 80s stumbling through life with all the assorted physical and health issues that come with old age. It's also about acting and trying to be an actor as an old Dude in Hollywood. The first episode was more poignant than funny, but it has potential.
I finished watching Marvel's Runaways S2, Mission Impossible: Fallout, and episode 1 of The Kominsky Method.
1.) Mission Impossible
I like a good action film. And this was overall a fun action film, caper movie. It holds true to its namesake. Even if there was a lot of back-story from prior movies and feels a bit too much like part of a franchise, but perhaps that is the point? It let's the audience know from the outset that this is a "Mission Impossible" movie. If you aren't into that - this ain't for you. That said, I didn't see the last two movies in the franchise, so didn't know most of the back-story, and was okay. (The last Mission Impossible film that I saw, Phillip Seymore Hoffman played the villain and he was excellent by the way, far better than the guys who played the villains in this film. But I've no memory of the plot outside of Hoffman.) So, it's not really necessary to have seen the previous films to enjoy this one. And Cruise's personal life and background doesn't bother me enough to turn me off of Cruise. He's in a weird business.
Say what you will of Cruise -- but the man is fearless. At fifty-six years of age, he did all his own stunts. And taught himself to fly a helicopter. The guy playing the villain was in his thirties and he didn't look like he was doing all his own stunts nor did he do as many as Cruise.
The weakness in the film was the villains. Neither were compelling. Actually the broker, who was an ambiguous character played by Vanessa Kirby was a standout in the film and almost stole it. Scean Harris and Henry Caville bored me. Both played their characters as card-board cut-outs, with few dimensions. Of the two, Harris was the better actor and the most compelling and that's saying something. Don't get me wrong, Henry Caville is very pretty and a hunk, but he can't act to save his life. I get that people like restrained performances, but seriously? I missed Philip Seymore Hoffman. Note to Mission Impossible -- don't hire "hunks" to play villians, hire actors. (Although I figured out who the main villain was pretty much from the moment the character was introduced, due to the poor acting.
2. Runaways S2 -- surprised me. It started out slow and plodding, not taking enough risks and focusing far too much on the kids romances, then took a wicked left turn and got interesting. I'm not sure what it says about me that I'm kinda rooting for the aliens? Probably not helped by the fact that the more interesting and better actors are playing the aliens.
Anyhow, if you haven't tried it -- I do recommend it. But you do have to have a bit of patience. It's wickedly slow in places and somewhat juvenile. Think Gossip Girl/The OC meets The New Mutants/Teen Titans and Pinky and The Brain. The parents are the super-villains, and they are sort of fun, for a lot of reasons -- in part because they don't see themselves as villains. Most villains don't. And what they are plotting is for the greater good (from their perspective). They are also wickedly bright and come up with inventive ways to outwit their own kids, who have understandably run away from them.
Also as an added bonus? We have James Marsters (Buffy's Spike/Brainiac) sharing the screen with Julian McMahon (Demon Lover in Charmed/Christian - Nip/Tuck/ Dr. Doom)...and at one point they end up playing the same character in different ways. If you are at all familiar with each actors background playing villains, this is geeky fun.
But the Asian-American actresses playing Tina (Brittany Ishibashi)and her daughter Nico (Lyrica Okano) are stealing the show, along with the actress Brigid Brannagh who plays Stacy (Gerdt's mother and co-creator of the Dinosaur) steal the show.
Marsters adds more nuance to Victor Stein and the other role, than McMahon does (although Australian native McMahon is far prettier and in some ways the better actor)..in that Marsters was inspired by Vincent D'Orthino's portrayal of Wilson Fisk -- in making the choice to play a sociopath as vulnerable. Marsters looks as villains as human and flawed, portraying them as heroes. Which is what Vincent D'Orthino also did. And an interesting acting choice. The villain never sees themselves as a villain. Everything they do is justified in their own head. McMahon in stark contrast chose to play the role the same way he played Doctor Doom as a privilege rich guy who can do whatever he wants.
Quibbles:
* Like a lot of Television Superhero Series -- the casting falls into stereotypes. The Asian-Americans play the martial artists and security whizzes, the African-Americans play the street-smart thugs from the hood and gangsters, the Whites play the brains and nerds and rich church cult leaders.
I'd have switched things up a bit and played against stereotype. But this series is based on Vaughn's comic series and it plays to stereotypes as well. Marvel? We know you can do better -- see Black Panther.
* Plays a bit too much to stereotype. The nerds are too nerdy. Gerdt got on my nerves. As does her parents. It's too over-the-top. Alex is a bit more interesting, but he also got on my nerves. And Molly...sigh, too precocious.
* Chase is boring. I keep hoping one of the aliens takes over his body. They won't. The actor's range is limited. Another tall pretty boy, who's a bit on the stiff side.
* The first half is rather slow and my attention wandered. We spend far too much time with the Alex/Darius/Tamora/Livy/Crooked Cop subplot -- which is a side story that none of the other characters are all that invested in and all of them resent being pulled into. Basically, the writers chose to do a Boyz in the Hood subplot. It's almost as if the series decided to become another series entirely for the space of five episodes then jump back again. (The subplot is there to show how nasty Alex's parents are -- specifically his Mom -- but it doesn't quite work and I found it to be a bit cliche. Alex basically takes a sabbatical from the gang to pursue a romance with Tamora's sister Livvy and a partnership with his father's ex-buddy/frenemey Darius in the old neighborhood (Darius and Tamora are married and having a kid)-- to take down his parents. Darius double-crosses him, Alex's mother double-crosses Darius and kills him, Alex decides to take down his parents with help of crooked cop who double-crosses Alex and makes a deal with the Parents and ...and I'm bored by it -- because seen this story one too many times already.) That said, there are some great character driven gems in the middle of these episodes that have zip to do with this subplot and are about the wider arc.
Right now my favs are Victor, Janet, Tina, Robert, Nico, Stacy, and Karolina. This series has some awesome female characters. And there's a great fight sequence between Nico and her parents - Tina and Robert, who are both experts at martial arts. Nico rocks. Now that the stupid Darius subplot is over with -- Alex and the Wilders have potential.
And kudos to casting the great Kathleen Quinlan as Karolina's grandmother. Also, the alien mythos has potential. This season ended in a far more interesting place than the previous season. Season 3 can't come soon enough.
Possibly the best thing Marsters has done since Buffy and Angel. (Yes, I watched most of Smallville and Supernatural. This is better written than both of those..in that it subverts various tropes and does some interesting things, also more ensemble.) I think he may be enjoying this more -- it's ensemble, so no divas, and probably a more professional cast and crew, plus bigger budget - Marvel and Hulu. Which means better pay, shorter hours, and higher production value.
3. The Kominsky Method -- comedy writer/show-runner Chuck Lorre's new series, starring Michael Douglas as an acting teacher and Alan Arkin as his best friend Norman. It's about the pitfalls of aging and acting. I know someone who is a lot like the character of Stanley Kominsky. (I know an acting teacher/coach who taught Ted Danson.) So the series feels very real to me. Also, I admittedly have a weakness for Michael Douglas, who tends to be good in whatever he's in, as is Alan Arkin.
And I enjoy watching acting classes -- because I took them once upon a time and I'm very glad I stopped. And I find shows that talk about the process of acting -- fascinating.
This series was recommended by my Father, who adored it. It's not very long. About thirty minutes tops. And considering my Father's attention span isn't much longer than thirty minutes...
It's about two old guys in their 70s and 80s stumbling through life with all the assorted physical and health issues that come with old age. It's also about acting and trying to be an actor as an old Dude in Hollywood. The first episode was more poignant than funny, but it has potential.
no subject
Date: 2019-01-01 10:02 pm (UTC)