Fargo, Under the Shadow, Talk to Me, Strange New Worlds: S1, Breaking Bad: S2

- Fargo [1996] - 93
To quell any disbelieving gasps that I’d never seen Fargo before: I have. It’s just been many, many years and, in that light, you should also revisit it. Not all film ages well and not all recognizably stylish writer/ directors are able to create something that outlives its initial “wow factor” upon being released. Fargo both ages incredibly gracefully and stands as an ingeniously unique script even to this day. There’s a subtle cleverness to the film’s narrative that trusts its audience to figure out a few nuanced plot points that really elevates this beyond its already soaring heights, and I think that few films since have ever followed the skill displayed here. 2020’s Blood on Her Name comes to mind, and I’d love to know what the Coen brothers think of that. This movie really is just tremendous. If you haven’t seen it, oh geeze, you absolutely need to and, if you have seen it, well… same conclusion.

- Under the Shadow [2016] - 62
The wide range of ratings on this film suggest there’s something here I’m just not seeing. I’m sure that those who belong to the culture it depicts will connect with it on some levels that I don’t, but it very much feels like a Middle-Eastern response to 2014’s The Babadook… except way more poorly paced. That said, however, I am incredibly intrigued by writer director, Babak Anvari. Though the film is about 45-mintutes too long, when Anvari actually commits to the more horrory aspects of his story, it begins to shine in a way that would turn heads even over at A24. Despite being a total slog, the moments when Shadow wakes up to what it truly is are so good that I still came away from it with an overall positive impression. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Anvari’s work since has been any good, but there’s still a very sharp vision here that I think can be honed.

- Talk to Me [2023] - 75
This [as I’m sure I’ll reflect in my full review later in the week] is one of the hardest things I’ve ever rated. For all intents and purposes, Talk to Me is… well… perfect. As a pure, genre horror piece, Talk to Me is an absolute flawless modern take on the possession tales of yore. There’s really nothing like it in modern media in terms of completeness and glossy finish. However, while I rate some what I call “pure” films like Come True and The Vast of Night very highly, there’s just something about this one that doesn’t speak to me [heh]. Aside from one scene near the end that’s absolute nonsense, there’s really nothing wrong with this film in any way, horror fans are going to absolutely fall in love with it, and it will make many-a Halloween watchlist [mine included]. However, unlike some of those other “pure” genre films that I’ve loved so much recently, Talk to Me is lacking a certain magic — a depth of intrigue or wonder. It’s difficult to put my finger on but, it seems like its edges are almost too smooth, its plot too tight, and something has been lost there. The film is very good, even excellent [for what it is] — I truly do not think that calling it “perfect” as a strict horror is outlandish — it’s just missing…
s o m e t h i n g.

- Strange New Worlds: S1 [2022] - 77
Whatever shadows we bring with us make the light all the brighter.
Strange New Worlds is the most recent entry into the Star Trek lineup of media and has been rightfully welcomed with open arms. From production design to performances and score, Strange New Worlds is a marvelous foray into the far reaches of both the galaxy and the past, boldly going where I don’t think TV could have so adeptly gone before. The show wades into some dangerous waters with other episodic giants like The Mandalorian hanging about, but does so with a confidence, style, and grace that allows it to not only exist within that sphere, but be the best it has to offer. These sound like big words for a rating of 77/ 100 but, for a light-middleweight, episodic, frivolous adventure show, this does a helluva job keeping one engaged. While I have a myriad of moderate to major issues with various issues of the first season, they haven’t dampened my enthusiasm for S2 in any way, and I will be beginning it just as soon as it can be binged. If you’re looking for something fun, thoughtful, and great to look at, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will fit that bill better than anything else currently airing.
Exult the fallen and commit them to the cosmos.

- Breaking Bad: S2 [2009] - 68
Season 2 of Breaking Bad, on the other hand, was overall pretty boring. I’m not quite completely out of the boat on this series, but I do wonder how long they can string along the concept of “Walt is addicted to control, Jesse is a good dude, and drugs are bad m’kay” before they start literally repeating entire episodes. Without the introduction of Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, the great drama between Jesse and Jane [Krysten Ritter], and the generally just exceptional performances of the entire cast, I’d definitely be relegating this one to the bin of “money-grab, perpetual show nonsense”. It has moments of greatness, but I’m entirely unconvinced that those moments warrant 13-hours/ season.