Monthly Archives: December 2015

Final 2015 TV Roundup

TV

Season 2 of Fargo proved to be another winner. I thought there was a major misstep in the penultimate episode, but looking back at the previous episodes, the event fits. I first thought it came out of nowhere and was used as a deus ex machina device which was especially shocking and jarring on such a well-written show. It was used at the start of the season and I had forgotten about it, so now I’m more accepting of it (I do think they could have left it out). Aside from that, a fantastic of mob story that was much different than last year. Phenomenal characters on both sides of the law and in between. Impeccable casting with a hell of a job turned in by Kristen Dunst.  I thought this season was going to be completely self-contained but there are character tie-ins to the first. Nice touch for the fans and it doesn’t take anything away from someone who only watched this season. A big break until season 3, but I’ll be there for sure. I expect this to go up for some awards.

Homeland has lost a lot of its original luster but I liked this season more than Season 4. Never the most realistic show, the plot with the Russians and jihadis was very grounded and well done. This season had it all. Information theft, a ton of spying, a nasty terrorist plot and our favorite characters put to the cast again. I especially liked the end, probably the most satisfying of the series as it had equal parts hope, pain, redemption, resignation and revenge. I expect next season to be another refreshing one as the slate has been wiped clean again.

Netflix’s black sheep original show, Hemlock Grove, never got much praise. It was, at least, interesting and had its moments (as vampires and werewolves can be) but I watched the final season more out of morbid curiosity than anything. Really sporadic season that felt stretched to hit 10 episodes. Major plot lines would fall to the wayside for long periods of time diluting any kind of momentum and threat it was supposed to carry (the entire Dr. Spivak plot). For some reason Pryce’s background was given a lot of time to flesh out and Olvia’s story, as good as a character as she was, goes on forever and really doesn’t end the way it was fortold (just a bite? That’s a cop out). Things do get resolved in the end at least which I always like to see. Not a whole lot of good happens in the town of Hemlock Grove I’m afraid. A stinger at the end teases a possible future, but that ain’t going to happen.

 

Making a Murderer

Netflix Original

MakingaMurderer

Shock. Disgust. Anger. Disbelief. Rage. Those were the main feelings I had while watching Making a Murderer. My favorite documentary has been Cocaine Cowboys for many years, but MaM thunders on through 10 episodes of absolute injustice and evil of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin police and the completely bent Criminal Justice system. This is a tale you won’t soon forget and want to talk about with everyone you meet.

The story of Making a Murder is Steven Avery. While he’s far from an angel, racking up a rap sheet by the time he was 18, he didn’t try to hide from what he had done and served his time. Then, in  1985, he’s accused of raping a woman. Despite spotty at best detective work (I’m being polite) and a multiple eyewitness backed alibi that is ignored for some reason, he was declared guilty and locked up for 18 years. In 2003, he’s exonerated through new DNA evidence. He said he was innocent the whole time and that the Manitowoc PD had it out for him. Two years later while his lawsuit against the county is underway (looking for millions in restitution and punitive damages and would ultimately end many careers and start serious reform), a woman who was last reported to be at the Avery scrap yard for work goes missing. The police come after Steven again and it happens all over again.

It sounds like a movie but it’s not. I’ve given a basic outline of the setup, but the follow through to condemn Steven Avery (and his family) is mindboggling. There was no hesitation, they thought Steven had to have done it. The following weeks of investigation construct a case for the ages.

I’m not going to get into great detail because you have to see this to get and process each bat shit crazy bit and it would take me hours to write about just a fraction of it.

The first case of 1985 is shocking in itself, Avery was clearly railroaded and the actual criminal went on to commit more sexual offenses for 10 more years. The cops got away with what they did to Steven.  Steven wants justice and sues the county with corruption allegations. Law enforcement circles the wagons to protect themselves when a few of them go to court. As the film clearly shows, step by step, the MPD (the 2 higher ups and a specific deputy) went after Avery again with a shocking disregard for protocol, humanity and the law they were sworn to uphold.

Timelines that make no sense. Suspects that were completely ignored. Tampered with evidence. Exploiting a retarded child’s trust in authority with blatant and gross manipulation and rights dodging. Collusion between the prosecution and a shady defense lawyer. Written down instructions to get Avery associated with evidence that was improperly obtained. Admitted tainted DNA results. Blatant lies to the media and on the stand. Bizarre double talk. Bias that you would not believe (MPD says they will hand over the investigation to another district PD, but they remain are all over the scene, going back multiple times and magically finding “evidence”.)

I watched the 10 episodes in 4 days. I never do that. Clearly the filmmakers had a view of what was happening to Avery from the start (they filmed for 10 years) and push that narrative and it’s around 30 years condensed into 10 hours. Steve’s trial went for 6 weeks and was shown in about 2 episodes. His nephew Brendan’s trial went for 2 weeks and was shown in 1 episode. Sinister music is played during the bad guys talking to drive the point home. But it doesn’t take background music to make the likes of former (haha) District Attorney Ken Kratz into a villain. You just need to see how he conducts himself and smirks when talking about a murder investigation. The number of suspicious events (at the very least I think the MPD is incompetent) stokes a lot of reasonable doubt. It’s hard to understand how this all happened. But, again, this idea is fostered from getting all of the information in Avery’s favor in a neatly organized package instead of a lengthy trial). In order for a jury to convict, there has to be a lot of information that the prosecution gave that the filmmakers left out (which could be circumstantial evidence, but with how shady the MPD and Lawyer Len were, you’d imagine it would be pretty easy to flip in Avery’s favor. It’s suspicious though).

I was obsessed with watching this to the end. I have never been so shocked and disgusted from a documentary of what’s wrong with our justice system. There’s no one person to blame, the whole thing needs to be re-evaluated and remade. Hopefully Making a Murderer stirs the pot again and puts pressure on the right place. Every bit of this trial needs to be made public so we can get all of the information and not a heavily edited film.

A must watch.

Inside Out

Movies

insideout

I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I did, but Inside Out captures that animated magic that few studios outside of Pixar can. They’ve made some good to okay movies recently, but Inside Out hit all the marks for me.

Things are going really well for 11-year-old Riley. She’s happy living in Minnesota with her parents. She loves her school, friends, and ice hockey. But when her father gets a new job in San Francisco and uproots the family, her life is turned upside down.

We’re guided through this trying time of Riley’s life with an inside look at her emotions: Fear, Anger, Joy, Sadness and Disgust. A combination of fantastic characters, voice casting, animation and creative storytelling makes this one of the top movies Pixar has made.

I loved all of it, partly because it’s reminiscent of the creative Monsters Inc. In that movie, the world of the monsters let Pixar come up with a wild world and show off their imaginative flair in realizing that world. In Inside Out, they get to go nuts again, but within the human mind. How thoughts go through the mind and are stored. How decisions are made. What makes your personality. The visual look of the real world and Riley’s mind are distinct and beautiful. The designs of the emotions and their animation are brilliant. I first thought that they were mimicking the felt look of the Muppets, but on closer shots you can see that they are made of some kind of bubbling energy (the “hair” looks really awesome too). Their shapes and colors work perfectly with their emotion, the juxtaposition is really subtle, but really striking when they talk together.

For example, Joy and Sadness are the stars of the movie and pulled me in every direction. My favorite scene is with the two talking while they’re riding on the Train of Thought. Sadness is blue and is in the shape of a teardrop (brilliant voice casting with Phyllis Smith) and Joy is yellow and in the shape of a star (the perfect role for Amy Poehler). Joy is constantly trying to prop Sadness up and they have a heart to heart sitting on boxes of facts and opinions. Joy is literally a light source and sitting together, both characters glow. It’s this little visual cue of what’s going on. They co-exist and need each other despite being on opposite sides of the mood chart. They’ve been separated from the other emotions in HQ and while they work together, Joy often dismisses Sadness and tries to do everything. It can’t work that way and that’s what the movie is about.

Inside Out tells a very mature story in a way that everyone can understand. Growing up is hard. Living is hard. It’s impossible to be happy all of the time and that’s OK. Understanding and working through life with every emotion bubbling inside of you is normal. You can’t have the good without the bad and the bad without the good.

Impressed from the start to the end. It’s funny and sad and poignant and amazing to look at. Even the two shorts “Lava” and “Riley’s First Date?” are fantastic. Highly recommended.

Bing Bong forever!

Into the Badlands <> Season 1

TV

With just six episodes, the first season of Into the Badlands is more of an appetizer than a meal. I liked what I saw, I’m a big fan of this genre and I’m left wanting more. I’m sure that was the show runners intent, so I’m calling this a success.

The season ends wide open for a season 2. The basic framework for the clippers (Sunny), the barons, M.K, and the Abbots and what’s outside of the Badlands is given but I think about just about every question we have hasn’t been answered. They didn’t try to cram too much into these episodes and left behind breadcrumbs in every episode to keep the trail fresh and interesting.

I like just about every character and the more boring aspects of the story arc (the Ryder, Quinn, Lydia and Jade entanglement) ultimately worked out well. That angle is rather played out and obvious, but major stuff went down in the finale to break it up and move it on. I’m interested in seeing where it goes from here.

Speaking further of the characters, I love the barons and the surrounding players. Everything from their clothing to their names is unique and stylish (except for Tilde’s hair). The Widow, Jacobee, Quinn, Penrith, Zypher and The River King, all really memorable.

The fight choregarphy is really outstanding. Action technicality, execution and direction that no other show airing right now can touch. The final fight might be the best of the season and there have been more than few standout moments.

Really dug the ending, I hope we get a season 2. I want to know what happens to Sunny and M.K. and get a lot more mythology down. Season 1 was just the tip.

F is for Family

Netflix Original

F

I had no idea Bill Burr had a show coming out until it was just a few days out from hitting Netflix. I’m a fan of Burr and I’m stoked for him that this turned out so well.

F is for Family is about the Murphy family, boys Kevin and Will, mother Sue, father Frank and daughter Maureen (plus Major the dog) in the 1970’s.  Frank is more or less the main character, working in the baggage department at the airport.

I wasn’t sold after the first episode, but once the family dynamic takes root (especially with Kevin and Will), it really comes together. Every episode is simply better than the last, they really found the heart of the show by the end. The parents struggling to keep afloat and happy and the kids who range from screw up to princess tomboy who are all getting old enough to see the cracks in the world. I think the best material is with the kids, as it’s the most well thought out and given the most time (Will is my favorite). I wasn’t too sure of Frank at the beginning, but the last episode really got to me. I found him to be more of a loud cartoon character before then, but the culmination of his trials at work came together in a smart and beautiful end.

While this show looks like it could be for The Simpsons and King of the Hill audience, it’s not for kids. A ton of swearing (weird hearing Burr in interviews saying they were careful about F-bomb usage when it’s all over the place), some seriously dark humor and a heavy dose of sex jokes have this show pegged at the older crowd.

Fun surprise and bonus points for casting Laura Dern as Sue!

Ant-Man

Movies

Antman

The smartest move they made was casting Paul Rudd in the lead of Ant-Man. He also had a hand in re-writing the script so his fingerprints are all over this great movie.

Ant-Man is one of the most enjoyable movies in the current Marvel stable. Rudd is a really likeable guy and he brings that charm and comedic lightness as cat burglar Scott Lang. With such a strong guy in the lead, everyone else around him has to perform well alongside him. Michael Douglas as the genius Dr. Hank Pym is a great father figure and mentor. Evangeline Lilly as his daughter Hope makes for a great driving force and teammate. The trio od Michael Pena, T.I. and David Dastmalchian are funny sidekicks. Really like Corey Stoll as the main villain Darren Cross. Many of these movies have crap antagonists that are largely forgettable, but Cross’ motivations work and he looks awesome as Yellowjacket.

I can’t think of anything to complain about. Ant-Man is really well paced and light hearted enough to be fun, but not stupid. It gets the drama and serious parts correct right when it’s necessary. A solid and smartly told origin story for both Scott and Dr. Pym. The shrinking powers make for creative and well-executed action scenes that can’t be done elsewhere (in terms of speed and momentum, closest to Spiderman’s locomotion capabilities). Each set piece gets more and more elaborate right to the finale so there’s always something to look forward to and admire (top notch special effects bring Ant-Man to life).

Really impressed with how this movie turned out. Terrific introduction to a character many don’t know, smart tie-in to The Avengers with Sam Wilson/Falcon and a satisfying ending to boot! I put this at number 2 on my Marvel cinematic list behind Captain America: Winter Soldier.

Jessica Jones

Netflix Original

JJ

Thankfully the show is much better than the promotional image you see above! I knew nothing about Jessica Jones coming into it. She’s a character that sits in the shadows of many Marvel super heroes and I think that works for her benefit. A lot of people know about her and The Defenders now. Following behind the charge of DareDevil, Krysten Ritter headlines the cast of

Following behind the charge of Dare Devil, Krysten Ritter headlines the cast. Jessica prefers to stay out of the limelight. She uses her powers (super strength) for good in her job as a private detective for hire. She’s a survivor. First of a car crash that killed her family when she was a child and then from the terror known as Kilgrave.

Kilgrave makes this show as good as it is. More precisely, David Tennant as Kilgrave is the reason to watch. He’s a sociopath with mind control and that puts him head and shoulders above many villains in the Marvel stable. While The Avengers run around punching through another alien invasion, Jessica has to deal with a man who has no empathy and does whatever he wants to anyone with no fear of consequence. The only one he does fear is Jessica, so she has to stand up and stop him.

Ritter and Tennant’s scenes together are easily the best, but the supporting cast is very good. Mike Colter as Luke Cage is the main highlight and he’s got us all pumped up for his solo show coming up in 2016.

Jessica Jones is a rather atypical super hero show which is refreshing. Special effects are subtle and used only when necessary. Action scenes are intimate and well done, even if they are infrequent. Smart and interesting storytelling to fill out backstories. As a big Batman fan, I appreciate the detective angle (she’s really good at her job).

My biggest complaint is with the pacing. I think the season is around one episode too long, maybe a little more. A good hour of the show could be cut to make things move faster. The first few episodes plod along a bit and the action scenes take awhile to show up (the best being in episode 11) and add the needed kick in the pants.

Jessica Jones is a really well-made show that respects the character and its viewers. It’s a grown-up show that doesn’t condescend or pander to the lowest denominator. I don’t think it’s as good as Dare Devil, but a worthy follow up that keeps the Marvel Netflix collaboration strong and promising.

Mid season and stuff

TV

ITB

The Walking Dead is half way through the season and is now off for two months or so. I’m kind of indifferent about the mid season finale. Overall it’s been a rather strange season as most of it has been pulling taffy. They stretched out Glenn’s fate for a month. Daryl has barely been used. Morgan has been bringing in an irritating angle of drama that I think everyone wants to go. The kid playing Sam is really good because he plays a basketcase really well. The problem is everyone wants the basketcase to go. I call him Dogfood because that’s what anyone next to him is going to be turned into he’s such a liability. The cast could use some trimming.

I’ve been liking Gotham this season so far a lot. I’m not a big fan of Michael Chiklis as Captain Nathaniel Barnes because the character is just a walking cliche. I’m digging just about everything else. Satisfying half season arc that seems to have come to a conclusion that was well played out. Bruce Wayne is being used just enough I think and he learned some serious lessons in the last few episodes that will shape his adult self. Selina Kyle is great, the growth of Riddler is cool, Penguin is always great. I’m still surprised they air the show at 8pm, it can get really violent.

I look forward to Into The Badlands every week because there’s nothing else like it on TV. Good companion show to TWD and it’s going to remain on during said show’s break so I still have something great on Sundays to check out. Really like the way the show looks, the fighting remains on point and I hope they can keep up the quality.

Ash vs The Evil Dead is so much fun to watch. I’ll take all the Ash I can get and a horror comedy show is such a good idea.  A lot of cool ideas, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and we even get some quality lore building (now that we know who Lucy Lawless is playing). The bookstore demon design is totally metal, that thing looks crazy. I hope they keep that kind of stuff coming. 4 more episodes after tonight!