Do you ever feel like yesterday was so far away and you’re struggling to remember what you did? One of those mornings, I guess. I started a few shows yesterday. How did they stack up?
1) Only Murders In The Building (Hulu)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
The season premiere really set out to remind us that this show is very aware of itself, becoming quite meta. How does one continue into a second season of a podcast like this show? What if Amy Schumer wanted to adapt your story in an 8-10 episode limited series? What if you became the target of a different podcaster? A very brilliant written episode. While it can’t technically affect Emmy voting since this season is not the eligible one, I think that while people are thinking bout the past year, while watching this current season, it does remind them just how brilliant this show was back in September. Great start to the new season.
Episode Grade: A
2) the Offer (Paramount Plus)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I’ve made this show work hard for its grades. The actors imitations here are not very good. But in the 6th episode, which featured almost no actors interpretations of other actors, the episode itself became something of a love letter to cinema, featuring the start of production on The Godfather, with Francis wrangling his crew to shoot his scenes, as well as dealing with the fallout of Al being fired. But, thanks to Betty being bold enough to go where no woman has gone before, everything worked out just fine, and we got a great speech from Robert Evans about the power of filmmaking, which while he obviously pulled it out of his ass, was seriously on the mark. The best episode of the series so far.
Episode Grade: A
3) The Pentavorate (Netflix)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
This amusing new entry about a secret society clearly has something to say, and a talented cast. However, the narration here got me a bit angry. I was sitting there during the episode thinking to myself it would be nice to know which characters are being played by mike Myers (since he is playing multiple characters), then i convinced myself that “no, it’s uncommon to say actors names…” then they fucking gave me Keegan michael Key’s name. What. The. Fuck. The ACTUAL Fuck. He’s the only actor mentioned in the pilot, playing a character and not himself. So, you CAN list actors, you just wait forever to do it, and leave the Mike Myers characters to be a mystery? I rarely put narration on blast, but, what in the actual fuck. Is Keegan Michael key playing multiple characters that I would need to keep track of him? Seems like a hard no. So, why is he the only one? What is this madness? Sparta?
Episode Grade: A-, Audio Description Grade: Get Your Shit Together
4) The Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
Did I see the movie? Yes. Do i remember it? No. I remember thinking it was just average. And honestly, the guy playing Mickey has about as much charisma in the pilot episode as a blank piece of paper. The episode is written really well, it’s a solid pilot. It did everything it needed to do. I just question the casting. We shall see how this goes.
Episode Grade: B+
5) Angeline (Peacock)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
This limited series about something I knew nothing about didn’t do much in the first episode to change how I felt about something I knew nothing about. Emmy Rossum seems to be swinging for the fences here. I would not know that was her just by listening to her speak. Other than that, this show needs life.
Episode Grade: B
6) Star Trek Strange Worlds (Paramount Plus)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I haven’t been able to stick with any Star Trek show for the duration. This one starts out with an episode that reminded me heavily of Prometheus/Alien Covenant, so i appreciated that it was interesting. I still need to get to know this cast.
Episode Grade: B
7) Roar (Apple Plus)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
Nice guy turns out to be not so nice. I love how Black mirror this show is at times.
Episode Grade: B
8) Made For Love (HBo MAX)
English Audio Description Available?: Yes
I’ve come to the conclusion that I, not a Ray Romano fan, am watching this show for Ray Romano. I really don’t think this show is that funny, and up against Upload, I think the Amazon show does this better.
Episode Grade: B-
