All articles tagged with #tv show review
The article harshly criticizes the TV show 'All's Fair' starring Kim Kardashian and produced by Ryan Murphy, describing it as one of the worst shows of the year due to poor writing, acting, and production quality, despite the star power involved.
Hulu's true crime drama series "Under the Bridge" respectfully navigates the pitfalls of the genre but ultimately falls flat, lacking the compelling craft and distinction of other recent true crime dramas. Starring Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough, the series revolves around the sensational murder of a 14-year-old girl in Canada, but despite its self-awareness and empathy, it struggles to captivate with its portrayal of the crime and its aftermath. While the show addresses important themes such as racism and incompetent law enforcement, it fails to deliver a nuanced and compelling narrative, leaving it feeling tepid and reminiscent of other, better true crime dramas.
Hulu's "Under the Bridge" features moving performances but ultimately falls short in tackling the complexities of a true-crime drama, shying away from delving into the humanity of its characters and the true empathy for their experiences. Despite strong chemistry between Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough, the series struggles to maintain its initial promise, leaving the audience with a vague and muddled portrayal of the story's central themes.
The Sympathizer, based on the novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen, plunges viewers into a whirlwind of espionage, unreliable narration, and complex alliances in the midst of the Vietnam War. With director Park Chan-wook's signature style and Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles, the premiere sets the stage for a gripping and visually stunning series, though some moments of broad comedy may not land as intended.
"Baby Reindeer" is a dramedy series based on Richard Gadd's own experience with a stalker, offering a complex and darkly humorous portrayal of the challenges faced by both victims of stalking and mentally ill individuals. The show balances difficult subject matter with flashes of humor, delving into moral ambiguity and the protagonist's internal struggles. While it may be difficult to endure at times, "Baby Reindeer" is praised for its originality and compelling storytelling, making it a binge-worthy but unsettling watch.
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" is a joyous homage to friendship, showcasing the lengths a dysfunctional group of friends would go to help each other out of a fix or in pursuit of a good wheeze. The show's legacy is as much about friendship as it is about social intolerance, with real-life connections between the actors adding depth to the dynamics within the series. The recent passing of comedian Richard Lewis, Larry's best friend on and off screen, highlighted the show's sentimental heart and rawest nerve.
Apple TV+'s "Franklin" attempts to strip away the superficial understanding of Benjamin Franklin to expose his human frailties and genius, but struggles to create a cohesive narrative in its eight-episode run. Michael Douglas plays Franklin as a figure who is simultaneously mythic and easily overlooked, while the series is criticized for its poorly focused storytelling and lack of visual variety. Despite pinpointing compelling historical details, the show fails to engage viewers and falls short of delivering a satisfying portrayal of Franklin's French campaign for American independence.
Robert Downey Jr. shines in HBO's adaptation of "The Sympathizer," but his multiple roles often overshadow the narrative, causing the series to lose its balance. The show, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, follows the unnamed narrator's confession in a Vietnamese re-education camp, exploring themes of identity and duality. While the series is substantive and audacious, Downey's performance sometimes dominates the screen, leading to an identity crisis that affects the overall viewing experience.
The second season finale of "Tokyo Vice" showcases the series as a great gangster show and a compelling journalism show, exploring the ethical dilemmas faced by journalist Jake Adelstein as he navigates the criminal underworld in Tokyo. The finale highlights the contrast between Jake's compromises and his editor Emi's commitment to journalistic principles, raising thought-provoking questions about the role of journalism in a society rife with corruption and power struggles.
"Sugar" is a new Apple TV+ drama starring Colin Farrell as a private detective hired to find a missing woman in L.A. The show takes an unexpected turn late in the season, revealing a genre-bending twist that drastically changes the narrative. While the initial hard-boiled detective premise and Farrell's performance are entertaining, the delayed revelation feels like a cheat and undermines the earlier episodes. The conflicting parts of the series make it interesting but may frustrate viewers, potentially impacting its future.
"Mary & George" on Starz is a juicy and soapy historical drama featuring Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine in a potent romantic affair set in the last days of King James VI and I. The series is filled with steamy sex scenes, wicked humor, and icy pragmatism, making for delicious drama despite some flaws in tone. While Moore's performance as the ambitious and jaded Mary shines, the series lacks depth in character development and scope, focusing mainly on the Villiers' maneuvers without much consideration for the broader historical context.
AMC's "Parish" is a derivative crime drama set in New Orleans, with Giancarlo Esposito as the only standout element. The show, while attempting to introduce distinctive elements, ultimately falls into familiar territory with clichéd plot mechanics and overplayed references to New Orleans. Esposito's performance as the emotionally volatile lead character is the highlight, but the series lacks enough originality to set it apart from other crime dramas.
Showtime's "A Gentleman in Moscow" is praised for its restrained adaptation of Amor Towles' novel, following the story of Count Alexander Rostov's house arrest at the Metropol Hotel after the Bolshevik Revolution. The series features solid performances from Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, but lacks intellectual depth and character development, while offering a visually sumptuous portrayal of the era. Despite some repetitive loops, the show's general claustrophobic sumptuousness makes it an enjoyable watch.
Jerrod Carmichael's new HBO documentary-style reality show is a compelling yet obnoxious exploration of his life, relationships, and artistic values. The series delves into themes of queerness, fidelity, trauma, and creativity, while focusing intensely on Carmichael's relationship with his mother and his own shifting perception of himself as a gay man. It also examines his interactions with friends and family, revealing both his charismatic charm and his flaws as a friend and partner. The show's self-conscious exploration of performance and the public self adds a tiresome element, but it still manages to deliver powerful and moving moments.
The new Apple TV+ miniseries "Palm Royale" is a mix of comedy, drama, and mystery set in 1969 Palm Beach, Florida, featuring a cast of wealthy and aspirational characters. The show follows protagonist Maxine as she navigates the social hierarchy and schemes to secure her place among the elite, all while vying for inheritance and club membership. With stunning visuals but mixed humor, the series is still finding its footing, leaving viewers questioning its substance and direction.