Good afternoon, gentle readers, and welcome to January 2nd! Here's hoping that your 2024 is already shaping up to be a winner ... or, at the very least, something a bit happier and healthier than was 2023! Am I right? I don't know about you folks, but I was certainly ready to leave that year behind!
Well, well, well ... what can I say for today?
In case you missed it, I did watch Rebel Moon on the ol' Netflix. (Review is here.) Since I wrote and reflected plenty on the film over there, I won't trouble any of you with a rehash ... well, except to say that I think it's a project conceived in the wrong format. I think it should've been one of those 8 or 10 episode limited series instead of cut into two theatrical-style films. There just was way, way, way too much ground to cover in the first part (it's a two-parter, for those of you who don't know); and I think Zack and his writers really did the characters a disservice if they weren't going to develop them more in it. Granted, the director isn't exactly revered for his character studies, but I think you follow my argument: I just didn't get to know these individual players enough to care about their journey -- much less their triumphs and struggles -- so it ends up feeling a bit flat. Visually? Well, this is Zack we're talking about, so visually it's very impressive if not a bit muddle at times, but it works 90-95% of the time. It just needed more. (Yes, yes, and yes: I know a longer cut is coming, and hopefully those deficiencies might be corrected in a redux.)
But ... enough of that!
As for the other thing? Well, the wifey and I discovered this great little list on the top TV programs for 2023, so we picked one out that sounded interesting and binged it on the Netflix. So The Fall Of The House Of Usher ... how was it? Erm ... well, it's the kind of program that I don't think anyone hates, as they say. It's technically very, very, very good; and it might be arguably some of the best produced programming for the year. Still, it had some issues, most of which relate to pacing and length (it's far too long for what it is, and it probably could've been a vastly better two or three-part miniseries), but it is what it is. It kept our interest well enough; it just wanders too much of the time with subplots that, ultimately, don't need to be there, and a trimmer version would've been a stronger edition. I'm tinkering with ideas to do a review, but I honestly don't know that I'll bother. If I do, then you'll see it in this space.
However, I do have a few other items that I am crafting reviews for as I write this. Nothing Earth-shattering, but I do so love shucking new content for you people. I hope you appreciate the effort.
In the meantime, here's the real reason that all of you are here ...
Well, well, well ... what can I say for today?
In case you missed it, I did watch Rebel Moon on the ol' Netflix. (Review is here.) Since I wrote and reflected plenty on the film over there, I won't trouble any of you with a rehash ... well, except to say that I think it's a project conceived in the wrong format. I think it should've been one of those 8 or 10 episode limited series instead of cut into two theatrical-style films. There just was way, way, way too much ground to cover in the first part (it's a two-parter, for those of you who don't know); and I think Zack and his writers really did the characters a disservice if they weren't going to develop them more in it. Granted, the director isn't exactly revered for his character studies, but I think you follow my argument: I just didn't get to know these individual players enough to care about their journey -- much less their triumphs and struggles -- so it ends up feeling a bit flat. Visually? Well, this is Zack we're talking about, so visually it's very impressive if not a bit muddle at times, but it works 90-95% of the time. It just needed more. (Yes, yes, and yes: I know a longer cut is coming, and hopefully those deficiencies might be corrected in a redux.)
But ... enough of that!
As for the other thing? Well, the wifey and I discovered this great little list on the top TV programs for 2023, so we picked one out that sounded interesting and binged it on the Netflix. So The Fall Of The House Of Usher ... how was it? Erm ... well, it's the kind of program that I don't think anyone hates, as they say. It's technically very, very, very good; and it might be arguably some of the best produced programming for the year. Still, it had some issues, most of which relate to pacing and length (it's far too long for what it is, and it probably could've been a vastly better two or three-part miniseries), but it is what it is. It kept our interest well enough; it just wanders too much of the time with subplots that, ultimately, don't need to be there, and a trimmer version would've been a stronger edition. I'm tinkering with ideas to do a review, but I honestly don't know that I'll bother. If I do, then you'll see it in this space.
However, I do have a few other items that I am crafting reviews for as I write this. Nothing Earth-shattering, but I do so love shucking new content for you people. I hope you appreciate the effort.
In the meantime, here's the real reason that all of you are here ...
There are some good bits to enjoy over there. I don't see any big pictures, to be frank, but that never stops me from including some forgotten gems or those downright stinkers that somehow miraculously get made and see the light of day. But my task is to bring you the facts and figures, and I encourage all of you to enjoy them nonetheless.
As always, thanks for reading ... thanks for sharing ... thanks for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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