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matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the latest episodes of Justice League Action, Supergirl, The Flash, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, Arrow, Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Legion, Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy, Star Wars Rebels, Once Upon A Time, Tangled: The Series, The Simpsons, Grimm, Sleepy Hollow, Bob's Burgers, The Last Man On Earth, Making History, Family Guy, Colony, Bates Motel, The Blacklist: Redemption, and Blindspot.
Upcoming reviews include Doctor Who: Series 9, The X-Files: Season 10, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Doctor Strange (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, Daredevil: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 2, The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar (DVD), Zootopia, Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, The BFG, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: Season One, Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow (DVD), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Blu-Ray), Justice League Vs. Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!: Get In Pig Out, Suicide Squad (Blu-Ray), The Flash: Season 2, Arrow: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 1, Gotham: Season 2, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, Lucifer: Season 1, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Earth's Last Stand, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Shredder, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half-Shell Heroes: Blast To The Past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Powr Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, The Legend Of Korra: The Complete Series, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, Under The Dome: Season 3, Quantum Leap: Season 1, Quantum Leap: Season 2, Quantum Leap: Season 3, Quantum Leap: Season 4, Quantum Leap: Season 5, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Sleepy Hollow: Season 3, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World, Lego Jurassic World: The Imdominus Escape, Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, 12 Monkeys: Season 2, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 6, The Peanuts Movie, Peanuts By Schulz: Snoopy Tales, Bob's Burgers: Season 5, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, Community: Season 6, Hannibal: Season 1, Hannibal: Season 2, Hannibal: Season 3, Preacher: Season One, Degrassi Junior High: The Complete Series, Degrassi High: The Complete Series, Danger Mouse: The Complete Series, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.
Justice League Action "Speed Demon"
Batman can pretend he's got better things to do all he wants, but in the end, everyone wants the chocolate ice cream.
Speaking of better things to do, I liked Jason Blood's reaction to Batman crashing through the window, and screaming at him to change into Etrigan. Has Batman never heard of knocking? Has Batman never heard of starting off a conversation with a "Hello"?
Love that Harley Quinn is in her classic design, instead of her hookerwear. Good ol' Paul Dini does right by Harl. Again.
However, seeing this Etrigan makes me realize how wholly inadequate the DCAU version was. As if it is THAT hard to make the character's dialogue rhyme. Bruce Timm et al, were just lazy.
I like Brother's Night's voice.
A good episode. ****.
Supergirl "Star-Crossed"
I'm gonna be reviewing everything except the Music Meister stuff, because at this stage of the game, it's irrelevant. My opinions there will form tomorrow night.
I understand why Mon-El lied to Kara. Completely. Because he knew she'd never forgive him and why. He has pretty much the biggest dirtbag origin story I've ever seen. He is SUCH a scumbag in that flashback, that I admire him simply for telling that version of the story, when a lie that would make him look less horrible and also suffice. So, yeah, I get never wanting Kara to know the truth. But...
The reasons Kara is upset are legit. Besides the lying thing, (which I think she is focusing too much on) the fact that he is pretty much the Daxamityest Daxamite who ever Daxamited is pretty much unforgivable for her. And the reasons she gave were 100% true. Daxamites are slavers who keep their people partying and drunk so as not to have them realize how much they were being screwed over by the Royal Family. And Mon-El was at the top of that. THAT is unforgivable. I get that.
What is interesting about the scene of Kara and Mon-El's mother is that Kara is not making a very good second impression. And I kind of see Mon-El's mother's point. Yeah, Kara DOES have the high ground in holding what the Royal Family did to the people against them. But their actions are not the only reason she is holding it against them. There is also some bona fide racism involved in that, and the mother recognizes that no matter what, Kara will always think she is superior to Mon-El. And I don't think the viewer has ever been led to believe differently either. Kara has NEVER treated Mon-El as an equal. Not once. And they were dating. She always treated herself as someone Mon-El should aspire to be. And that is a completely unhealthy mindset to have in a romanctic relationship. And it's messed up too.
I think Kara expecting Mon-El to find a fresh start with his parents, because not everybody gets that, shows that she does not get Mon-El at all. Has she ever seen The Wizard Of Oz? And does she actually get why that movie doesn't work at all? I wouldn't be surprised, as our society doesn't seem to get it, and thinks it's a classic, when it sucks, but The Wizard Of Oz is built on a faulty premise, in that the hero's journey is pointless. Dorothy wakes up in living color for the first time ever, with actual friends she loves, and adventures and fantasy and everything a girl like her could ever want. And all she wants to do during the movie is return to her black and white dirt farm with her poor and boring aunt and uncle. Oz could have potentially been a growing experience for this girl, and a way for her to enter adulthood and independence. "No place like home" is not only the wish of a child. It's the wish of a person who doesn't understand that Oz is in reality, the only home she has ever really known.
Mon-El is Dorothy on this show, and Earth is Oz. Except that unlike Dorothy, Mon-El actually appreciates the colors, and can never see his old life the same way again. Why would he want to? Kara taught him to be a hero, and a worthwhile person. How can she possibly expect him to want to go back to being a pedestrian dirtbag, of which Daxamites are a dime a dozen, after letting him experience that?
I thought a lot less of Lyra for turning out to be conning Winn, until I learned the reasons she did it. And despite how horribly she acted in the middle of the episode, like Winn, by the end I forgave her. And Winn urging Kara to do that with Mon-El shows that Winn has a VERY different perspective on relationships than Kara does. In our universe, Jeremy Jordan is a hunk. But in that corner of the Arrowverse, he is nothing special. And he doesn't really have the luxury to simply drop any relationship he wants to when it is hard. Kara's a supermodel and a Superwoman. People are lining up around the block to date a person like her. If she dumps Mon-El, she can get right back on the horse. Winn's perspective is that if Kara were NOT so hot and awesome, maybe she'd understand, that most people besides her would be willing to put in the work with Mon-El to try to make things work because he might be worth it, and they might not be dating ANYONE for awhile if they didn't. But while Kara thinks she is better than Mon-El, she'll never understand or appreciate Winn's wise lesson there.
Interesting episode that gave me a lot to think about. ****.
The Flash "Duet"
So underwhelming. And not simply because this continuity is ill-suited for a musical. They only did five songs. And I think only the Super Friends one was original (although the one Barry sang to Iris at the end might have been too). It's not just because musicals don't belong in The Arrowverse as to why this was underwhelming. It was also an underwhelming musical in its own right.
Let's talk about the good things. I am amused that only Caitlin knew what an amazing singer Barry was. But that makes no sense. Iris and Joe watched Barry grow up. Are they saying they never heard him sing before? I will forgive this plothole, just because it makes Iris' genuine delight and surprise at the end mean more. But it is a plothole and it does exist.
I am amused that in the dreamland, Stein and Joe are married. You got a problem with that?
Speaking of amused reactions, I like that Barry is not only delighted that Stein is an amazing singer, but also at the fact that he possesses a high fluttery singing voice. That was great. Getting John Barrowman and Victor Garber involved, even if it makes no sense as to why Barry is fantasizing about Malcolm Merlyn, made the episode a lot more fun than it would have been if they weren't in it.
I'd snarkily say I'm waiting for the Arrowverse episode done entirely in sockpuppets, but I don't want to put that idea in anyone's head. The producers might actually do it. No thanks. **1/2.
DC's Legends Of Tomorrow "Fellowship Of The Spear"
A Snart BEFORE he joined the Legends joining the Legion of Doom? On board. Fully. Simply because it is going to make rewatching season one awesome. We'll probably be able to see the specific reasons he declined to kill Rory for his betrayal, why he decided to go on the mission in the first place, why he was always trying to convince Rory their mission was bigger than both of them, and why he chose to sacrifice himself.
Speaking of Rory's betrayal, I would have betrayed the Legends in this episode too. Why? Specifically because Stein didn't stick up for him when the group turned on him for revealing info to Snart. I do not get why Stein blamed him for that. I think it was more Stein's fault than anyone's. Stein did everything in his power to convinced Rory that Snart was a hallucination. Those are in your mind. There is no risk in revealing info to something that doesn't exist. In fact, it's probably an emotionally healthy way to process what is going on. But because Stein didn't believe Rory once, Rory treated the situation in a way a crazy person should have instead of a rational one. And that is Stein's fault. And it's the fact that Stein blames Rory for that which tells me that Snart is right that the Legends never trusted or liked him. Even Ray at the end admits he must have picked up something with the bad vibes going around.
I like that Amaya pauses a moment before declining to go with the Rory and the Legion. Because I think she would have probably said yes had it not occurred to her that Eobard was the killer of Hourman. I think that's the sole reason she refused to do it. Right and wrong had very little to do with it.
Really looking forward to next week. I think Rory's redemption from this season's betrayal will be much easier to achieve than the Chronos stuff. Because I think in this instance he was right to do it. ****1/2.
Arrow "Kapiushon"
Shark jump. The series will never recover. It's over. I'd drop out entirely were it not connected to three other series I watch. I honestly never expected to feel this way about Arrow, of all shows. That was supposed to one of my few safe fandoms. Even when it sucked, it was something I could enjoy. No more.
Oliver LIKES to kill people? And he tortured a guy to death after he gave him intel just for practice? How am I supposed to root for Oliver after this? A better question is why the producers think I should.
We were supposed to be able to forgive the torture and killing because it tore Oliver up inside, and he hated doing it. That was the trade-off, and the understanding as to why the audience would tolerate Oliver doing some of the bad things he did. I have no idea why the series thought it would be stronger for getting rid of the one thing that made it bearable. I'm sick of this crap.
I'm sick of this show, and I'm pretty much sick of television in general, for all of the shows I watch pulling crap like this. There is NO safe fandom. It turns out all TV sucks. 0.
Samurai Jack "Episode XCIV"
I like that Jack killing the girl in the last episode really effected him. You can tell things are heading to a resolution based on the revelation that Jack has never killed a human before.
I love the reactions of the Daughters of Aku to the stag and the doe. Whatever was happening they didn't like it. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.
Still don't know what the deal with the White Wolf is.
The fight at the end was totally sick.
Gettin' good. ****.
The Powerpuff Girls "Splitsville"
Wow, the fox, goose, and corn brainteaser is a lot stupider with even more ridiculous variables.
I like that when Bubbles sees a cloud that looks like a butt, she says it looks like a peach.
Average. **1/2.
Legion "Episode 7"
That was amazing. That was insane. That was mindblowing.
I don't know what the deal is with Oliver. All I know is I love him. That Bolero thing was awesome. And I still don't know what it was.
The teaser was terrifying. A scary as David Lynch at his freakiest.
The stuff with the chalkboard was riveting. "Write it down." Yes, yes, a thousand times, YES!
I have no idea what exactly what I just saw was. Only that it was one of the best hours of television I've seen this season. *****.
Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy "Lyin' Eyes"
I like the idea that Drax's middle name is The.
I love the precise reason Duct Tape makes terrible armor. Ouchie!
Loved the Howard the Duck cameo. His middle name is The too.
Fun. ***1/2.
Star Wars Rebels "Twin Suns"
What an interesting way for Maul to die, especially since I didn't expect him to die in this episode. Seeing Old Obi-Wan Kenobi in the flesh was a rare moment too. Am I mistaken or is this the only time we've seen the character at that stage of his life since the original Star Wars?
The stuff about the Chosen One was cool, as was hearing Aunt Beru calling Luke at the end.
Very nice episode. ****1/2.
Once Upon A Time "Ill-Boding Patterns"
Dread. Every week. And even if this isn't terrible, it didn't lessen my dread. Because this Once's entire shtick. Deliver the occasional acceptable episode to keep me watching the 3 out of 4 weeks it sucks balls. And yeah, this episode was pretty good. But I know the show is not fixed and never will be.
I liked Robin's reasoning as to why he stole the magic and went to Zelina. And honestly? It's a darn good reason. I actually agree with him and Zelina wanting to leave the town as soon as possible.
Possible Regina dies next week. That would explain why she isn't in the Gideon vision.
Rumple's flashbacks made me think a lot more of him and a lot less of Baelfire. I'm glad he used the memory potion at the end, because if he hadn't it would have been completely inconsistent with Baelfire's morality earlier in the series. I hate that they recast him. The original kid did such a great job that were I in charge of the show, I simply never would have used the character at that age again. I liked learning that Rumple actually tried at first, and his descent into evil wasn't actually all his fault (or even mostly). He put in the actual effort that we had always been previously led to believe he never bothered.
The Ogre battle at the beginning was the most epic battle scene the show has ever done. Then I realizes it's Once Upon A Time, and it doesn't freaking NEED epic battle sequences. Surely, that money could have been spent better elsewhere.
A good week of a series that is just going to let me down again. ***1/2.
Tangled: The Series "What The Hair?!"
Not much happened this episode, other than proving the Mother Gothel tease in the previews was just a fake-out. Which is a bad thing in my book.
Is the message of the episode anti-fracking? Maybe.
Mostly bored with this. ***.
The Simpsons "A Father's Watch"
Loved all of the pets in the Couch Gag.
Froggie Heaven actually sounds like Froggie Hell. Great gag.
Speaking of great gags, I love that Moe saying he's saying the third thing. The show doesn't even have to write jokes anymore to be funny. There is a shorthand to The Simpsons that would not exist if it hadn't been on the air for 27 seasons. Also funny in that vein is the idea that Sideshow's Mel's kids live in Nebraska with their mother. Why is he even there?
I saw Bart losing or breaking the watch coming. My question is why didn't Homer? Were I him, my reaction to Bart being gifted that wouldn't be jealousy. It would be concern. Homer actually is the kind of guy who takes care of his possessions, and knows how to be careful with things of value. Bart is the opposite. Nothing matters to him, even his own stuff. That's what would have worried me were I Homer, not the jealousy thing.
Is loser shaming actually a thing? I'm a little alarmed that with the wrong self-help book, it could be. I felt Lisa's frustration in that classroom scene, and especially for what she was forced to write on the blackboard. I don't exactly think kids today have it as easy as the writers think. But if they DID have it this easy, I would have a problem with it.
I like that at first Lisa can't help herself and retrieves the bogus trophy from the garbage anyways.
I liked this a lot. ****1/2.
Grimm "Zerstorer Shrugged"
Hank AND Wu?! Whoa! There's a chance the Healing Stick can undo it next week, but it's the last episode. They may not even need to bother.
Great explanation as to why the stick is so powerful and why it was hidden. Should have immediately guessed it was part of a larger piece.
Glad Trubel is back. I wouldn't feel right if she wasn't part of the series finale.
Speaking of which, I hope Bud shows up next week.
Glad they made Juliet human again, but if Nick IS gonna wind up with Adalind, they might not have needed to do that. We'll see.
Good stuff, although I don't see how they can wrap this all up in one hour (plus commercials). *****.
Sleepy Hollow "Tomorrow"
I think that the fact that the Henry from Crane's memory is evil says that Crane actually saw his son the way he really was. Which just makes me think more of Crane.
Excellent way out of that cliffhanger. The whole opening teaser was dynamite. Although I can't imagine where they are going to with Laura next.
Look forward to next week's finale. ****.
Bob's Burgers "The Grand Mama-Pest Hotel"
Linda looks like a girl who eats cigarettes for free drinks. Glad Louise took the tag off. That would have been embarrassing.
Linda is simply the worst. I like Dylan because she doesn't blame Tina for what a goofball Linda is. In fact, Tina's speech actually effects her enough to smile at her mom. That's cool.
I love that Bob is the kind of guy who doesn't bother denying his was crying at the speech. He is so great.
Linda is pretty much the most embarrassing mom ever. ****.
The Last Man On Earth "Hair Of The Dog"
Learned a lot about Melissa tonight and agree with Todd. I didn't know her at all. But Tandy is right that she is lucky to have a person like Todd looking out for her.
I only realize how essential Gail is to the dynamic of the show upon her interacting with others (particularly Carol) again. I didn't know I missed her so much.
Those rows and rows of bowling pins show that Tandy wastes time better than anyone.
I hope the mystery dude is Kristen Wiig and not Pat. We'll see. ****.
Making History "The Boyfriend Experience"
That was funny, but I'm pretty sure Dan already confessed to Deb in an earlier episode that most of his brags were b.s..
Good to see Ben Vereen getting work, but I thought he couldn't walk. Why did they cast him as a person who could? That's going to get tougher in future episodes.
Good. ***1//2.
Family Guy "Saturated Fat Guy"
I mostly found this episode gross. **.
Colony "Lost Boy"
Bram has turned into quite the liar and psychopath.
I do not agree with what the Red Hand is doing, even if my sympathies lie with the Rebels. Because since the Block is a death camp, the Red Hand is simply doing the Hosts' work for them. It's counterproductive, and Bram is too stupid to realize this.
I used to think Wesley Crusher and Tyler from the V reboot were the most annoying sci-fi kids I've ever seen. But Bram is getting up there. **1/2.
Bates Motel "Dreams Die First"
I predict that whatever the series finale is, it's gonna be amazing. I think if this show will not wind up being a better piece of filmmaking than Psycho, it will probably wind up as a better narrative, scriptwise. Norman thinks he's his mother so completely, that he has sex with men in bars without realizing it. Even if Hitchcock was crazy enough to come up with that idea, the standards of the time never would have let him do it. And it makes the story, as great as it already is, ten times better. Because it sort of gives a hint about why Norman is so threatened by Marian's sexuality. He's titillated by her and repulsed at the same time because he is two separate people warring for the same body. In the movie, Norman is simply nuts. In the show, Norman's motives make sense for the first time ever.
I feel Emma's pain, but I don't see how else Dylan could have told her that. I think her anger is going to be very short-lived. Because the first thing the look in her eyes said upon seeing Norma's obit was "Poor Dylan." The second thing is it said "Dylan was right," and Norman not only killed her mother, but his too. And they know nothing about Caleb yet either. I think the reason Emma is going to forgive Dylan is because this is going to have to be something they endure together, and it's not something either can do without the other. I felt Emma's fury, and realized it was the first time I actually saw her mad. But her anger at Dylan is misplaced. He is just as big a victim of his brother as she is.
Norman is an adept liar. I cannot believe he successfully bluffed a decent reason to have dropped in on Romero. Anybody else would be caught. What is amazing is that Norman is not a textbook criminal. He kills people, but isn't aware he's doing it, and follows the law when he is in control. But for some strange reason he has a criminal mindset, even when he believes he is innocent. He has an answer for everything, even things nobody else would ever have an answer for.
I'll tell you one thing about Dr. Edwards: I hope he survives the series. He might because they might never even need to bring him back, but I worry because he is a truly decent influence in Norman's life, and Norman destroys that. Every time. I would like to see him in the last episode doing a full diagnosis of that scumbag, but I hope not to see him before then, because Norman would probably kill him.
I love that Madeline is angry at Norman for making her feel stupid. Because the viewer is aware, just based on Norman and Sam's conversations in front of her, that is what he was deliberately doing. He was deliberately trying to make her look stupid and gullible in Sam's eyes. Norman wasn't holding that secret because he thought it wasn't his place to reveal. It was so he could torment a complete stranger in a public setting with his wife being unaware that that is what is happening. If I were Madeline, and replaying all of those moments in my head with fresh eyes, I would never forgive Norman for making her out to be such a dope. What is amazing to me is that Norman is actually surprised she's mad, when she pegged exactly what was going on immediately. For such a "sensitive boy" Norman does not seem to understand how his non-"Mother" related actions effect people.
I love Marion's boss. He is kind of a passive aggressive jerk, but I like that he's not obvious about it. He's perfectly polite, even when he's steamed at her, and has good encouraging answers as to what she needs to do to earn a promotion. Marion's boss in the film was a total d*ck. I like that the Jiminy Cricket version isn't overtly, which makes Marion's motives even more ambiguous.
Sam Loomis is in trouble. I cannot believe he never told Marion he was married. A lot of times the other woman KNOWS she's the other woman, so Sam is a special brand of d-bag for somehow managing to two-time two women at once.
Full on Psycho adaptation this week, and it looks like that's what the rest of the series will be. I look forward to the shower scene next week. Hope Romero returns soon (although Nester Carbonell was a good director this week) and that we see more fall-out with Dylan and Emma too. Perfect grade. *****.
The Blacklist: Redemption "Borealis 301"
I could listen to Mr. Solomon tell stories about his first kill at the age of 13 all day. The rest of the episode was good too. ****.
Blindspot "Evil Did I Dwell, Lewd Did I Live"
Better than average. Not much else to report. ****.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2
I am very happy, and I was not with the book.
There were three ways the movie could have gone down.
1. Exact same ending and subtext of the book.
2. Rewrite the sucky ending entirely and give us something remotely acceptable.
3. Use the sucky original ending, but try to fix everything that was wrong with it.
They chose number 3 and I'm glad they did. Before seeing this I would have told you I hoped for number 2, but this makes me very happy without betraying the original vision of Suzanne Collins, as misguided as it may have been.
The book's ending sucked and I can't believe Suzanne Collin did that to us. The books were all about Katniss Everdeen and were told from her perspective, but the way Collins wrote the shocking ending meant we didn't get any closure for any of the supporting characters or Panem itself. The idea that Katniss was seen as crazy by the people of Panem never sat right with me either. And to be honest, when Katniss shoots Coin in the book, part of it IS derangement. But here, there is no other solution, and instead of being held in a white room for psychiatric evaluation until she is deemed fit to return to society, she's held in the mansion for a few hours and let go. And she gets the updates about what is going on with Panem that we were frustratingly denied in the book.
I almost regret the fact that Philip Seymour Hoffman died before he could do his scene with Katniss at the end about exploring democracy, but I think it was the fact that Hoffman died which is the reason the movie made Plutarch's ultimate role in the movies benevolent. I still kind of got the idea he was b.s.-ing Katniss at the end of the book, but once Haymitch reads the letter that Plutarch expected her to kill Coin, and that she didn't disappoint him, I like both Plutarch, and the entire franchise more. Haymitch being satisfied with that outcome was great. In the movie, Katniss is not a hysterical mess who has to be locked in a room while other people decide both her fate, and the fate of Panem. She makes a conscious decision, and the people in charge realize she was right. Her going back to District 12 is a reward for doing the right thing, instead of a punishment because she did not belong in civil society. They kept the specifics of the ending the same, but changed the entire subtext of what those specifics meant for Katniss and Panem. Which is the right move.
I also resented that in the book, we never found out if Panem went through with Coin's horrid idea of a "Final" Hunger Games, but the idea that elections were immediately held instead shows us Katniss DID manage to change things for the better there.
I think the most interesting thing about the movie, is the most interesting thing about the book. President Snow is not the actual bad guy in the last book. Coin is. She played him and Katniss both. That was a shocking idea and Donald Sutherland plays the scene in the rose-room at the end where he reminds Katniss they never lie to each other as perfectly as I imagined and could ever have hoped. Yes, Snow deserved to die and he did. But Katniss' arrow always SHOULD have gone to Coin, and Coin was begging for it in her last scene. There is madness in her eyes right before she dies. She looks outright demonic as she says "May your aim be as true as your heart is pure." Evil. She is just like Snow. Perhaps her name is because they are two sides of the same Coin. Sutherland's line reading on "There is a particular savvy in that, isn't there?" was great too.
I love that Snow expresses regret and sympathy to Katniss over Primrose's death. He apologizes for it, even if it isn't his fault. Snow is a monster, but he isn't a total monster, if only for that moment.
The look on Donald Sutherland's face as he gently reminds Katniss they have never lied to each other was sublime (big grin!) as was his look at the execution where he seems to be daring her to shoot Coin instead. I like that the people rush up to kill Snow in that moment, not because they think Katniss did wrong, but more as taking her lead. That was another improvement from the book.
I hated Prim's death in the book because it made everything that Katniss went through seem pointless. Why bother volunteering to save her sister if her sister was gonna die two years later anyways? I don't feel the same way about the death in the movies, because the movies have always been bigger than Katniss, and we see that Panem was changed for the better by that decision anyways. And the updates we get about Gale and Annie at the end give us far more closure that Collins was kind enough to.
Snow saying the people in the districts never appreciated the Capitol's sophistication and comforts is like the weirdest brag ever. There is no part of Donald Sutherland that isn't amazing in this movie. I loved the whole "What are we celebrating?" thing because it shows that as crazy as he is, Snow actually understands exactly what is going. "Facile thinking." Love it. I also loved him in the corner correcting Coin's broadcast by saying he said "plucked" rather than "picked". I laughed hard at the way Sutherland played that. And I especially love when he is woken up with news that Katniss is alive, he seems happy and excited. Because it seems like he predicted that and loves being right. "The arena has moved underground", indeed. I love that his assistant now thinks he is nuts.
For the record "They do not share our values" is the motto of the conservative demagogue. It is said by tyrants everywhere to justify horrors. Both the book and the movie knew exactly what buttons to push.
When Snow tells Katniss they both know he isn't above killing children I'm reminded that as lovable as he is in this scene, he is still a total d*ck and monster.
Peeta telling the soldiers that the next logical step was for them to kill him was interesting because he was probably right. The fact that Katniss, Gale, and Finnick refuse to do it doesn't make their decision logical. The scene where he convinces Katniss to handcuff him was interesting too.
I love how offended he is by Katniss calling him an ally. And shouldn't have apologized for flying off the handle like that. After all they have been through, that is the most impersonal and clinical thing she could have called him. It WAS just another one of the many words Peeta has to use to figure her out.
I love the whole "Real or not real?" thing from Peeta because that question is something that has been hanging over his and Katniss' entire relationship. Do they truly love each other or are they merely playing for the cameras? When he tells her she loves him and asks the question, when she says "Real", it is the first time we knew for sure.
I love the moment where Gale idiotically states that killing often isn't personal in war and Katniss' perspective is it always is. Katniss is right about that and always has been.
The cool thing about the argument is that Gale has some points. Even the people mopping floors are working for the Capitol. Nobody is that scenario is innocent. But Katniss insightfully points out that is exactly the kind of thinking that started the Hunger Games in the first place.
I love the moment where Boggs reveals Coin never actually wanted to rescue Katniss from the Quarter Quell and had initially preferred if it had been Peeta. Because Katniss could not be controlled. I'm kind of thinking this is Katniss' first real hint that Coin's agenda is actually sinister.
Speaking of which, I was very moved that Pollux was frightened to reenter the tunnels because he barely bought his way to freedom five years ago. I don't like thinking to hard about the characters' past for this reason.
I find it very interesting that Finnick and Peeta are filming a propo telling the citizens of the Capitol that their fight is not with them and they will be an essential part of the future of Panem. Because that is NOT Coin's mindset at the end of the film. As is all things, Coin is full of sh*t.
In the scene where Coin suggests a last Hunger Games, I love that Katniss looks at Haymitch before giving her bogus answer, and that he's canny enough to realize she wants him to follow her lead, even if it's a decision he otherwise wouldn't have made. He trusts her and seems to sense she is planning something in this moment.
The last Hunger Games thing is the thing that truly turned me against Coin. As Snow noted, there are casualties in war, and it didn't seem like Coin killed Prim deliberately. But the idea of another Hunger Games sucked so much because it meant this cr*p wasn't gonna stop. And I sincerely doubt if it HAD happened, that it would have been just the once. Panem was broken and unwilling to learn its lessons from that while Coin was in charge. Katniss did the world a very large favor.
I loved the amount of trust Boggs puts in Katniss before he dies. He knows she's jiving about why she's there, but he trusts her more than he does Jackson or Coin so he gives the hologram to her. That was a VERY cool death.
I also like the scene where Boggs lays his cards on the table as to why Coin probably sent Peeta. She sees Katniss as a threat because she probably wouldn't automatically throw her support towards her in an election and her potential death would be a better rallying cry than any more propos. I love that he promises to protect her, she asks him why, and he says she's earned it. Boggs is one of the few purely decent people in the films.
Philip Seymour Hoffman wasn't in the movie much, but he played Plutarch as a man who thought he was gradually losing control of Coin. Which is the right performance, because that is what is happening.
I am very depressed at the end when Effie announces to Katniss she's moved all of her belongings into the mansion, that they could only fill a shoebox. Perhaps the picture means it would have to be a BIG shoebox, but there is no part of that girl that isn't low-maintenance.
The scene at the end of the little four-year-old girl recognizing Katniss amongst the Capitol refugees was chilling. And it was made even more so when she is screaming over her mother's corpse a minute later.
Very unhappy we didn't get an ending for Cesar Flickerman. He should have been tried and executed for war crimes. He was just as guilty about the Hunger Games as anyone.
I mean, I seriously hate him and the glee he takes in Peeta losing control and Katniss supposedly dying. I like that Finnick actually laughs when he sees his picture on-screen as a fallen tribute. That's how ridiculous things had gotten.
I'm glad we got to see Peeta reacting to the death of his family in the movie because Katniss didn't witness that in the book. It was very interesting that Peeta did not see Prim as a threat or a bad person, even though she's Katniss' sister. This shows that the conditioning was pretty d*mn specific.
I love me some Johanna. She steals Katniss' painkillers by actually ripping the IV out of her arm and transferring it to her vein. She asks Katniss if she can donate a lung, because she has two and everybody's job now is to keep the Mockingjay alive. I also love that after she says this, she says "Feel free to take any of this personally."
I love that when Katniss doesn't want to go in to see Peeta, Haymitch says it doesn't matter what she wants, and that it's for Peeta. I loved him shaming her in that moment. And he was right. What was the harm in trying?
Speaking of great insults, when Katniss says Peeta has looked better, Peeta says that it isn't remotely nice for her to say that to him, and she tartly reminds him he was the nice one. And I'm kind of thinking where he's saying he should have saved the pig instead, that that nice label was past tense.
I love that when Katniss kisses Gale at the beginning, Gale says it felt like she was drunk. Didn't count. Suddenly Gale has standards for kisses.
I love the tension of the moments before the lizard mutts attack in the sewer. They hold that tension far longer than any other film would, so when it DOES inevitably happen, it's a little more of a shock had it been Pollux killed immediately upon waving an all-clear. Jackson and Caster dying instead was much more surprising.
The meatgrinder and the Pods say something interesting about the Capitol. I did not buy Paylor's explanation that the Capitol somehow rushed out thousands of perfectly working booby traps just before the rebels invaded for a second. It's a plothole. Full stop. But my alternate explanation is far more interesting, plausible, and something the movie could have (and SHOULD have) used: Those things HAD to be set up ahead of time. Those booby traps aren't the kind of thing they could just add to a structure. It had to be built into them all along. The meatgrinders are actually UNDER the pavement, and they painted roadmarks over it. Which tells me that whoever built the Capitol saw this revolution coming. What is even more twisted about the idea is that it's been hinted that the Capitol existed LONG before the initial uprising, so all of these traps that hadn't been used yet, were perhaps planned for an insurrection hundreds of years away. That's frightening to think about. And it amazes me it didn't occur to the writers. Because that would have been awesome.
I also like that we hear soft subtle voices in the sewer. Either someone is saying "Katniss" or a pipe is hissing in a weird manner. And you never learn which for sure.
Love that Haymitch kisses Effie on the mouth at the end. And an entire internet fandom ship is created in the space of five seconds. I love Haymitch's "You never make this easy" to Katniss too. Also funny was Haymitch telling Katniss to experiment with a little sensitivity and warmth.
I love Katniss' speech to the District 2 guy who holds a gun on her, that they were both slaves, and she was sick of doing Snow's work for him, and being in his games. One of the better scenes from the book.
Johanna saying she and Peeta were old friends, and they they were familiar with each other's screams was twisted.
Finnick calling the final strike the 76th Annual Hunger Games is a cool moment for the trailers, but it's also a little too on the nose. I sort of wince when he says it.
Katniss' fury at Gale at the end was righteous. She warned him against making those traps and he didn't listen. And now Prim was killed because of it. He sucks. "You can't protect anyone in an arena," is an essential theme of the movie.
I love the soft and beautiful music at the end over the montages of Katniss and Peeta in District 12. Really peaceful and melancholy and unlike the rest of the franchise. You really feel like things are wrapping down with that music. When Peeta is picking primroses for her at the end I am practically sobbing.
The final "Real or not real?" is so effective and moving because Katniss telling Peeta she loves him is not something a person like Katniss would volunteer. And yet, the reader and moviegoer needs to know that. So the "Real or not real?" thing allows Peeta to ask the question and for Katniss to confirm it, which IS something she'd be comfortable doing. The entire line isn't just about Peeta and Katniss' real or not real relationship. It is also so Katniss can definitively state she loves him without it being out of character.
"There are worst games to play" is a really memorable and iconic line. I'm glad they got it in the movie via Katniss stating it to her baby. Jennifer Lawrence singing the lullaby she sang in the first movie (Deep in the Meadow) to her baby over the end credits was entirely appropriate too. J Law has an amazing singing voice, and I'm a little bit infuriated she's embarrassed by it. Whenever she sings, it's the fact that is sounds so unprofessional which is why it is so beautiful. It's is a LOT more moving to me than Katy Perry and Lady Gaga's voices which always sound so robotic by the time the "studio magic" is done with them. It is the perfect ending to a great film.
I think the first Hunger Games book was better than the first movie. But the filmed adaptations of both Catching Fire AND Mockingjay wound up being better than both of those novels. *****.
Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2:
Massive documentary about the making of the film. The Blu-Ray is kind enough to separate it into sections as watching the entire three hour thing at once is probably asking too much. Overall: ****.
Walking Through Fire: Concluding The Saga: Julianne Moore has an interesting observation about Coin. She hopes the viewer is disappointed in her. Which is interesting because Katniss (and I frankly) never liked her in the books. But their relationship was much closer in the movies, particularly in the last one. That makes her descent into villainy worse, because in the book it was much less surprising. ****.
Real Or Not Real: Visual Design: Interesting that the Capitol was based on Germania, which was Hitler's fantasy city. Makes sense. ****.
High Value Targets: The Acting Ensemble: Julianne Moore is radiant. If I were Jack Donaghy, I totally would have chosen her over Elizabeth Banks. I think Effie is a much nicer and less malevolent character in the films than in the books. She does not have the opportunity for growth Banks was allowed here. Woody Harrelson hints that if there is an unexpected sequel (one so unexpected, even Suzanne Collins doesn't see it coming), perhaps Haymitch and Effie will wind up together. Jeffrey Wright and the guy who plays Boggs need to get their stories straight. Wright said the set was no-nonsense while Boggs claims everyone is always laughing. The two brief scenes of Boggs and the others goofing off hints HE is right, but the fact that there is no gag reel on the Blu-Ray hints Wright is correct. Michelle Forbes is beautiful too. Do you know else is? Gwendoline Christie! She makes me swoon here, and it just shows that it is laughable that Game of Thrones is always trying to convince me she's unattractive. Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes? I will never get used to seeing Willow Shields in make-up. Growing up sucks. Interesting that Josh Hutcherson had some problems doing Peeta dark and violent, because Hutcherson's a much lighter person than that. Two things about that revelation: I believe Hutcherson is probably a light-hearted nice guy. That is probably why he was cast as Peeta in the first place. The second thing is that you can't actually tell that Hutcherson struggled with those moments. He's quite convincing in the film itself. Donald Sutherland says he has never played the same character four times before. Is that true? Has he never been on a TV show? Or is he just talking movies? Hmmm. Robert Knepper has a total creeper moustache and goatee in real life. I would not allow T-Bag to own a van. ****1/2.
From Head To Toe: Costume, Make-Up & Hair: I noticed and liked Coin's gradual make-up transformations in the last two films. The actress they got to portray Tigress was amazing too. ****.
Navigating The Minefield: Production In Atlanta, Paris & Berlin: I didn't care for this part of the featurette. I actually find the idea that the movie used buildings constructed during the Third Reich a bit disturbing. **.
Collateral Damage: Stunts, Special Effects & Weapons: Jennifer Lawrence's stunt double is actually named Renae Moneymaker? Seriously? Wow. Sam Claflin had an interesting idea about the ultimate uselessness of Finnick's trident. Maybe if he had a machine gun like everybody else, he would have survived. I like the idea that the sewer water looked super gross, but the actual ingredients actually made it more like a day at the spa. ****.
Tightening The Noose: The Post-Production Process: About the visual effects, sound design, and music. ***1/2,
A Different World: Reflections: It's interesting that the older actors and producers had a different reaction to the experience than the younger actors. Maybe some of the younger actors think ALL movie experiences are going to be this good, but the older people involved know better. I love that they did a final curtain call for all of the actors who had major roles in all four films. Jennifer Lawrence's nephews played her sons in the Epilogue. Nepotism run amok I tells ya! I am actually glad the last scene was between Katniss and Haymitch instead of Katniss and Plutarch. Plutarch is MUCH more supportive in the letter Haymitch read than he would have been had Philip Seymour Hoffman filmed his scripted scenes. In the letter he says Katniss didn't disappoint him and that he expected that outcome. In the original script, he pretty much tells her she did what she had to do. If Hoffman hadn't died, Plutarch would have washed his hands of Katniss. But instead, the producers chose to have him be supportive of her in respect to Hoffman. I miss Hoffman terribly, but I like Plutarch much more for that letter. ****1/2.
The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey:
Murray Close used to work for Stanley Kubrick? That must have been a nightmare. I learned here that using digital cameras is harder than film. Not only are you your own lab, but you tend to shoot a ton more pictures too. Close claims that he got his big break on Greystoke and everything blew up from there. That amazes me, because even if that movie was hyped in the '80, I guarantee almost nobody remembers it. I forget it existed until he name-dropped it, and I'm betting it never even registered with Tarzan fans either. ****.
Cinna's Sketchbook: Secrets Of The Mockingjay Armor:
I can totally see the Joan of Arc themes in the costume. It looks tough but innocent. Much like Joan (and Katniss). ***.
Panem On Display: The Hunger Games: The Exhibition:
Somehow, a franchise dealing with genocide and totalitarian dictatorships seems a REALLY unlikely choice for a theme park attraction. Am I the only one who thinks this is completely inappropriate? Worst theme park idea since the "Dress like a Pretty Woman" thing in Disneyworld after the Julia Roberts Touchstone movie hit. This isn't as bad as dressing children like hookers. But it's in the same ballpark. *.
Jet To The Set:
Speaking of inappropriate. This is easily the worst special feature ever included on a Hunger Games DVD, including whatever was the worst movie trailer Lionsgate put on one of these things. The vapid, substanceless, self-involved hostesses reminded me unpleasantly of Trish and The Sizzle from American Dad's Morning Mimosa. The serious subject matter of these films looks like a complete joke when one of these idiots yells "Take that Katniss Everdeen!" and then falls over. I understand that these infotainment magazines exist, and it's something the rest of us have to put up with in a society filled with idiots. What I do not understand is why they included this as a special feature on the Blu-Ray. It is outright embarrassing. 0.
Blu-Ray Menus: These always have the best menus. That said, these are the weakest menus of the four films. ****.
DVD Menu: Interesting that the DVD Menu is not only fully animated, but has different images and music from the Blu-Ray Menu. Most releases don't bother putting up the expense to do that. ****1/2.
Upcoming reviews include Doctor Who: Series 9, The X-Files: Season 10, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Doctor Strange (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, Daredevil: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 2, The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar (DVD), Zootopia, Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, The BFG, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: Season One, Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow (DVD), Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Blu-Ray), Justice League Vs. Teen Titans, Teen Titans Go!: Get In Pig Out, Suicide Squad (Blu-Ray), The Flash: Season 2, Arrow: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 1, Gotham: Season 2, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, Lucifer: Season 1, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Earth's Last Stand, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Shredder, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half-Shell Heroes: Blast To The Past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Powr Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, The Legend Of Korra: The Complete Series, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, Under The Dome: Season 3, Quantum Leap: Season 1, Quantum Leap: Season 2, Quantum Leap: Season 3, Quantum Leap: Season 4, Quantum Leap: Season 5, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Sleepy Hollow: Season 3, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World, Lego Jurassic World: The Imdominus Escape, Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, 12 Monkeys: Season 2, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 6, The Peanuts Movie, Peanuts By Schulz: Snoopy Tales, Bob's Burgers: Season 5, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, Community: Season 6, Hannibal: Season 1, Hannibal: Season 2, Hannibal: Season 3, Preacher: Season One, Degrassi Junior High: The Complete Series, Degrassi High: The Complete Series, Danger Mouse: The Complete Series, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.
Justice League Action "Speed Demon"
Batman can pretend he's got better things to do all he wants, but in the end, everyone wants the chocolate ice cream.
Speaking of better things to do, I liked Jason Blood's reaction to Batman crashing through the window, and screaming at him to change into Etrigan. Has Batman never heard of knocking? Has Batman never heard of starting off a conversation with a "Hello"?
Love that Harley Quinn is in her classic design, instead of her hookerwear. Good ol' Paul Dini does right by Harl. Again.
However, seeing this Etrigan makes me realize how wholly inadequate the DCAU version was. As if it is THAT hard to make the character's dialogue rhyme. Bruce Timm et al, were just lazy.
I like Brother's Night's voice.
A good episode. ****.
Supergirl "Star-Crossed"
I'm gonna be reviewing everything except the Music Meister stuff, because at this stage of the game, it's irrelevant. My opinions there will form tomorrow night.
I understand why Mon-El lied to Kara. Completely. Because he knew she'd never forgive him and why. He has pretty much the biggest dirtbag origin story I've ever seen. He is SUCH a scumbag in that flashback, that I admire him simply for telling that version of the story, when a lie that would make him look less horrible and also suffice. So, yeah, I get never wanting Kara to know the truth. But...
The reasons Kara is upset are legit. Besides the lying thing, (which I think she is focusing too much on) the fact that he is pretty much the Daxamityest Daxamite who ever Daxamited is pretty much unforgivable for her. And the reasons she gave were 100% true. Daxamites are slavers who keep their people partying and drunk so as not to have them realize how much they were being screwed over by the Royal Family. And Mon-El was at the top of that. THAT is unforgivable. I get that.
What is interesting about the scene of Kara and Mon-El's mother is that Kara is not making a very good second impression. And I kind of see Mon-El's mother's point. Yeah, Kara DOES have the high ground in holding what the Royal Family did to the people against them. But their actions are not the only reason she is holding it against them. There is also some bona fide racism involved in that, and the mother recognizes that no matter what, Kara will always think she is superior to Mon-El. And I don't think the viewer has ever been led to believe differently either. Kara has NEVER treated Mon-El as an equal. Not once. And they were dating. She always treated herself as someone Mon-El should aspire to be. And that is a completely unhealthy mindset to have in a romanctic relationship. And it's messed up too.
I think Kara expecting Mon-El to find a fresh start with his parents, because not everybody gets that, shows that she does not get Mon-El at all. Has she ever seen The Wizard Of Oz? And does she actually get why that movie doesn't work at all? I wouldn't be surprised, as our society doesn't seem to get it, and thinks it's a classic, when it sucks, but The Wizard Of Oz is built on a faulty premise, in that the hero's journey is pointless. Dorothy wakes up in living color for the first time ever, with actual friends she loves, and adventures and fantasy and everything a girl like her could ever want. And all she wants to do during the movie is return to her black and white dirt farm with her poor and boring aunt and uncle. Oz could have potentially been a growing experience for this girl, and a way for her to enter adulthood and independence. "No place like home" is not only the wish of a child. It's the wish of a person who doesn't understand that Oz is in reality, the only home she has ever really known.
Mon-El is Dorothy on this show, and Earth is Oz. Except that unlike Dorothy, Mon-El actually appreciates the colors, and can never see his old life the same way again. Why would he want to? Kara taught him to be a hero, and a worthwhile person. How can she possibly expect him to want to go back to being a pedestrian dirtbag, of which Daxamites are a dime a dozen, after letting him experience that?
I thought a lot less of Lyra for turning out to be conning Winn, until I learned the reasons she did it. And despite how horribly she acted in the middle of the episode, like Winn, by the end I forgave her. And Winn urging Kara to do that with Mon-El shows that Winn has a VERY different perspective on relationships than Kara does. In our universe, Jeremy Jordan is a hunk. But in that corner of the Arrowverse, he is nothing special. And he doesn't really have the luxury to simply drop any relationship he wants to when it is hard. Kara's a supermodel and a Superwoman. People are lining up around the block to date a person like her. If she dumps Mon-El, she can get right back on the horse. Winn's perspective is that if Kara were NOT so hot and awesome, maybe she'd understand, that most people besides her would be willing to put in the work with Mon-El to try to make things work because he might be worth it, and they might not be dating ANYONE for awhile if they didn't. But while Kara thinks she is better than Mon-El, she'll never understand or appreciate Winn's wise lesson there.
Interesting episode that gave me a lot to think about. ****.
The Flash "Duet"
So underwhelming. And not simply because this continuity is ill-suited for a musical. They only did five songs. And I think only the Super Friends one was original (although the one Barry sang to Iris at the end might have been too). It's not just because musicals don't belong in The Arrowverse as to why this was underwhelming. It was also an underwhelming musical in its own right.
Let's talk about the good things. I am amused that only Caitlin knew what an amazing singer Barry was. But that makes no sense. Iris and Joe watched Barry grow up. Are they saying they never heard him sing before? I will forgive this plothole, just because it makes Iris' genuine delight and surprise at the end mean more. But it is a plothole and it does exist.
I am amused that in the dreamland, Stein and Joe are married. You got a problem with that?
Speaking of amused reactions, I like that Barry is not only delighted that Stein is an amazing singer, but also at the fact that he possesses a high fluttery singing voice. That was great. Getting John Barrowman and Victor Garber involved, even if it makes no sense as to why Barry is fantasizing about Malcolm Merlyn, made the episode a lot more fun than it would have been if they weren't in it.
I'd snarkily say I'm waiting for the Arrowverse episode done entirely in sockpuppets, but I don't want to put that idea in anyone's head. The producers might actually do it. No thanks. **1/2.
DC's Legends Of Tomorrow "Fellowship Of The Spear"
A Snart BEFORE he joined the Legends joining the Legion of Doom? On board. Fully. Simply because it is going to make rewatching season one awesome. We'll probably be able to see the specific reasons he declined to kill Rory for his betrayal, why he decided to go on the mission in the first place, why he was always trying to convince Rory their mission was bigger than both of them, and why he chose to sacrifice himself.
Speaking of Rory's betrayal, I would have betrayed the Legends in this episode too. Why? Specifically because Stein didn't stick up for him when the group turned on him for revealing info to Snart. I do not get why Stein blamed him for that. I think it was more Stein's fault than anyone's. Stein did everything in his power to convinced Rory that Snart was a hallucination. Those are in your mind. There is no risk in revealing info to something that doesn't exist. In fact, it's probably an emotionally healthy way to process what is going on. But because Stein didn't believe Rory once, Rory treated the situation in a way a crazy person should have instead of a rational one. And that is Stein's fault. And it's the fact that Stein blames Rory for that which tells me that Snart is right that the Legends never trusted or liked him. Even Ray at the end admits he must have picked up something with the bad vibes going around.
I like that Amaya pauses a moment before declining to go with the Rory and the Legion. Because I think she would have probably said yes had it not occurred to her that Eobard was the killer of Hourman. I think that's the sole reason she refused to do it. Right and wrong had very little to do with it.
Really looking forward to next week. I think Rory's redemption from this season's betrayal will be much easier to achieve than the Chronos stuff. Because I think in this instance he was right to do it. ****1/2.
Arrow "Kapiushon"
Shark jump. The series will never recover. It's over. I'd drop out entirely were it not connected to three other series I watch. I honestly never expected to feel this way about Arrow, of all shows. That was supposed to one of my few safe fandoms. Even when it sucked, it was something I could enjoy. No more.
Oliver LIKES to kill people? And he tortured a guy to death after he gave him intel just for practice? How am I supposed to root for Oliver after this? A better question is why the producers think I should.
We were supposed to be able to forgive the torture and killing because it tore Oliver up inside, and he hated doing it. That was the trade-off, and the understanding as to why the audience would tolerate Oliver doing some of the bad things he did. I have no idea why the series thought it would be stronger for getting rid of the one thing that made it bearable. I'm sick of this crap.
I'm sick of this show, and I'm pretty much sick of television in general, for all of the shows I watch pulling crap like this. There is NO safe fandom. It turns out all TV sucks. 0.
Samurai Jack "Episode XCIV"
I like that Jack killing the girl in the last episode really effected him. You can tell things are heading to a resolution based on the revelation that Jack has never killed a human before.
I love the reactions of the Daughters of Aku to the stag and the doe. Whatever was happening they didn't like it. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.
Still don't know what the deal with the White Wolf is.
The fight at the end was totally sick.
Gettin' good. ****.
The Powerpuff Girls "Splitsville"
Wow, the fox, goose, and corn brainteaser is a lot stupider with even more ridiculous variables.
I like that when Bubbles sees a cloud that looks like a butt, she says it looks like a peach.
Average. **1/2.
Legion "Episode 7"
That was amazing. That was insane. That was mindblowing.
I don't know what the deal is with Oliver. All I know is I love him. That Bolero thing was awesome. And I still don't know what it was.
The teaser was terrifying. A scary as David Lynch at his freakiest.
The stuff with the chalkboard was riveting. "Write it down." Yes, yes, a thousand times, YES!
I have no idea what exactly what I just saw was. Only that it was one of the best hours of television I've seen this season. *****.
Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy "Lyin' Eyes"
I like the idea that Drax's middle name is The.
I love the precise reason Duct Tape makes terrible armor. Ouchie!
Loved the Howard the Duck cameo. His middle name is The too.
Fun. ***1/2.
Star Wars Rebels "Twin Suns"
What an interesting way for Maul to die, especially since I didn't expect him to die in this episode. Seeing Old Obi-Wan Kenobi in the flesh was a rare moment too. Am I mistaken or is this the only time we've seen the character at that stage of his life since the original Star Wars?
The stuff about the Chosen One was cool, as was hearing Aunt Beru calling Luke at the end.
Very nice episode. ****1/2.
Once Upon A Time "Ill-Boding Patterns"
Dread. Every week. And even if this isn't terrible, it didn't lessen my dread. Because this Once's entire shtick. Deliver the occasional acceptable episode to keep me watching the 3 out of 4 weeks it sucks balls. And yeah, this episode was pretty good. But I know the show is not fixed and never will be.
I liked Robin's reasoning as to why he stole the magic and went to Zelina. And honestly? It's a darn good reason. I actually agree with him and Zelina wanting to leave the town as soon as possible.
Possible Regina dies next week. That would explain why she isn't in the Gideon vision.
Rumple's flashbacks made me think a lot more of him and a lot less of Baelfire. I'm glad he used the memory potion at the end, because if he hadn't it would have been completely inconsistent with Baelfire's morality earlier in the series. I hate that they recast him. The original kid did such a great job that were I in charge of the show, I simply never would have used the character at that age again. I liked learning that Rumple actually tried at first, and his descent into evil wasn't actually all his fault (or even mostly). He put in the actual effort that we had always been previously led to believe he never bothered.
The Ogre battle at the beginning was the most epic battle scene the show has ever done. Then I realizes it's Once Upon A Time, and it doesn't freaking NEED epic battle sequences. Surely, that money could have been spent better elsewhere.
A good week of a series that is just going to let me down again. ***1/2.
Tangled: The Series "What The Hair?!"
Not much happened this episode, other than proving the Mother Gothel tease in the previews was just a fake-out. Which is a bad thing in my book.
Is the message of the episode anti-fracking? Maybe.
Mostly bored with this. ***.
The Simpsons "A Father's Watch"
Loved all of the pets in the Couch Gag.
Froggie Heaven actually sounds like Froggie Hell. Great gag.
Speaking of great gags, I love that Moe saying he's saying the third thing. The show doesn't even have to write jokes anymore to be funny. There is a shorthand to The Simpsons that would not exist if it hadn't been on the air for 27 seasons. Also funny in that vein is the idea that Sideshow's Mel's kids live in Nebraska with their mother. Why is he even there?
I saw Bart losing or breaking the watch coming. My question is why didn't Homer? Were I him, my reaction to Bart being gifted that wouldn't be jealousy. It would be concern. Homer actually is the kind of guy who takes care of his possessions, and knows how to be careful with things of value. Bart is the opposite. Nothing matters to him, even his own stuff. That's what would have worried me were I Homer, not the jealousy thing.
Is loser shaming actually a thing? I'm a little alarmed that with the wrong self-help book, it could be. I felt Lisa's frustration in that classroom scene, and especially for what she was forced to write on the blackboard. I don't exactly think kids today have it as easy as the writers think. But if they DID have it this easy, I would have a problem with it.
I like that at first Lisa can't help herself and retrieves the bogus trophy from the garbage anyways.
I liked this a lot. ****1/2.
Grimm "Zerstorer Shrugged"
Hank AND Wu?! Whoa! There's a chance the Healing Stick can undo it next week, but it's the last episode. They may not even need to bother.
Great explanation as to why the stick is so powerful and why it was hidden. Should have immediately guessed it was part of a larger piece.
Glad Trubel is back. I wouldn't feel right if she wasn't part of the series finale.
Speaking of which, I hope Bud shows up next week.
Glad they made Juliet human again, but if Nick IS gonna wind up with Adalind, they might not have needed to do that. We'll see.
Good stuff, although I don't see how they can wrap this all up in one hour (plus commercials). *****.
Sleepy Hollow "Tomorrow"
I think that the fact that the Henry from Crane's memory is evil says that Crane actually saw his son the way he really was. Which just makes me think more of Crane.
Excellent way out of that cliffhanger. The whole opening teaser was dynamite. Although I can't imagine where they are going to with Laura next.
Look forward to next week's finale. ****.
Bob's Burgers "The Grand Mama-Pest Hotel"
Linda looks like a girl who eats cigarettes for free drinks. Glad Louise took the tag off. That would have been embarrassing.
Linda is simply the worst. I like Dylan because she doesn't blame Tina for what a goofball Linda is. In fact, Tina's speech actually effects her enough to smile at her mom. That's cool.
I love that Bob is the kind of guy who doesn't bother denying his was crying at the speech. He is so great.
Linda is pretty much the most embarrassing mom ever. ****.
The Last Man On Earth "Hair Of The Dog"
Learned a lot about Melissa tonight and agree with Todd. I didn't know her at all. But Tandy is right that she is lucky to have a person like Todd looking out for her.
I only realize how essential Gail is to the dynamic of the show upon her interacting with others (particularly Carol) again. I didn't know I missed her so much.
Those rows and rows of bowling pins show that Tandy wastes time better than anyone.
I hope the mystery dude is Kristen Wiig and not Pat. We'll see. ****.
Making History "The Boyfriend Experience"
That was funny, but I'm pretty sure Dan already confessed to Deb in an earlier episode that most of his brags were b.s..
Good to see Ben Vereen getting work, but I thought he couldn't walk. Why did they cast him as a person who could? That's going to get tougher in future episodes.
Good. ***1//2.
Family Guy "Saturated Fat Guy"
I mostly found this episode gross. **.
Colony "Lost Boy"
Bram has turned into quite the liar and psychopath.
I do not agree with what the Red Hand is doing, even if my sympathies lie with the Rebels. Because since the Block is a death camp, the Red Hand is simply doing the Hosts' work for them. It's counterproductive, and Bram is too stupid to realize this.
I used to think Wesley Crusher and Tyler from the V reboot were the most annoying sci-fi kids I've ever seen. But Bram is getting up there. **1/2.
Bates Motel "Dreams Die First"
I predict that whatever the series finale is, it's gonna be amazing. I think if this show will not wind up being a better piece of filmmaking than Psycho, it will probably wind up as a better narrative, scriptwise. Norman thinks he's his mother so completely, that he has sex with men in bars without realizing it. Even if Hitchcock was crazy enough to come up with that idea, the standards of the time never would have let him do it. And it makes the story, as great as it already is, ten times better. Because it sort of gives a hint about why Norman is so threatened by Marian's sexuality. He's titillated by her and repulsed at the same time because he is two separate people warring for the same body. In the movie, Norman is simply nuts. In the show, Norman's motives make sense for the first time ever.
I feel Emma's pain, but I don't see how else Dylan could have told her that. I think her anger is going to be very short-lived. Because the first thing the look in her eyes said upon seeing Norma's obit was "Poor Dylan." The second thing is it said "Dylan was right," and Norman not only killed her mother, but his too. And they know nothing about Caleb yet either. I think the reason Emma is going to forgive Dylan is because this is going to have to be something they endure together, and it's not something either can do without the other. I felt Emma's fury, and realized it was the first time I actually saw her mad. But her anger at Dylan is misplaced. He is just as big a victim of his brother as she is.
Norman is an adept liar. I cannot believe he successfully bluffed a decent reason to have dropped in on Romero. Anybody else would be caught. What is amazing is that Norman is not a textbook criminal. He kills people, but isn't aware he's doing it, and follows the law when he is in control. But for some strange reason he has a criminal mindset, even when he believes he is innocent. He has an answer for everything, even things nobody else would ever have an answer for.
I'll tell you one thing about Dr. Edwards: I hope he survives the series. He might because they might never even need to bring him back, but I worry because he is a truly decent influence in Norman's life, and Norman destroys that. Every time. I would like to see him in the last episode doing a full diagnosis of that scumbag, but I hope not to see him before then, because Norman would probably kill him.
I love that Madeline is angry at Norman for making her feel stupid. Because the viewer is aware, just based on Norman and Sam's conversations in front of her, that is what he was deliberately doing. He was deliberately trying to make her look stupid and gullible in Sam's eyes. Norman wasn't holding that secret because he thought it wasn't his place to reveal. It was so he could torment a complete stranger in a public setting with his wife being unaware that that is what is happening. If I were Madeline, and replaying all of those moments in my head with fresh eyes, I would never forgive Norman for making her out to be such a dope. What is amazing to me is that Norman is actually surprised she's mad, when she pegged exactly what was going on immediately. For such a "sensitive boy" Norman does not seem to understand how his non-"Mother" related actions effect people.
I love Marion's boss. He is kind of a passive aggressive jerk, but I like that he's not obvious about it. He's perfectly polite, even when he's steamed at her, and has good encouraging answers as to what she needs to do to earn a promotion. Marion's boss in the film was a total d*ck. I like that the Jiminy Cricket version isn't overtly, which makes Marion's motives even more ambiguous.
Sam Loomis is in trouble. I cannot believe he never told Marion he was married. A lot of times the other woman KNOWS she's the other woman, so Sam is a special brand of d-bag for somehow managing to two-time two women at once.
Full on Psycho adaptation this week, and it looks like that's what the rest of the series will be. I look forward to the shower scene next week. Hope Romero returns soon (although Nester Carbonell was a good director this week) and that we see more fall-out with Dylan and Emma too. Perfect grade. *****.
The Blacklist: Redemption "Borealis 301"
I could listen to Mr. Solomon tell stories about his first kill at the age of 13 all day. The rest of the episode was good too. ****.
Blindspot "Evil Did I Dwell, Lewd Did I Live"
Better than average. Not much else to report. ****.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2
I am very happy, and I was not with the book.
There were three ways the movie could have gone down.
1. Exact same ending and subtext of the book.
2. Rewrite the sucky ending entirely and give us something remotely acceptable.
3. Use the sucky original ending, but try to fix everything that was wrong with it.
They chose number 3 and I'm glad they did. Before seeing this I would have told you I hoped for number 2, but this makes me very happy without betraying the original vision of Suzanne Collins, as misguided as it may have been.
The book's ending sucked and I can't believe Suzanne Collin did that to us. The books were all about Katniss Everdeen and were told from her perspective, but the way Collins wrote the shocking ending meant we didn't get any closure for any of the supporting characters or Panem itself. The idea that Katniss was seen as crazy by the people of Panem never sat right with me either. And to be honest, when Katniss shoots Coin in the book, part of it IS derangement. But here, there is no other solution, and instead of being held in a white room for psychiatric evaluation until she is deemed fit to return to society, she's held in the mansion for a few hours and let go. And she gets the updates about what is going on with Panem that we were frustratingly denied in the book.
I almost regret the fact that Philip Seymour Hoffman died before he could do his scene with Katniss at the end about exploring democracy, but I think it was the fact that Hoffman died which is the reason the movie made Plutarch's ultimate role in the movies benevolent. I still kind of got the idea he was b.s.-ing Katniss at the end of the book, but once Haymitch reads the letter that Plutarch expected her to kill Coin, and that she didn't disappoint him, I like both Plutarch, and the entire franchise more. Haymitch being satisfied with that outcome was great. In the movie, Katniss is not a hysterical mess who has to be locked in a room while other people decide both her fate, and the fate of Panem. She makes a conscious decision, and the people in charge realize she was right. Her going back to District 12 is a reward for doing the right thing, instead of a punishment because she did not belong in civil society. They kept the specifics of the ending the same, but changed the entire subtext of what those specifics meant for Katniss and Panem. Which is the right move.
I also resented that in the book, we never found out if Panem went through with Coin's horrid idea of a "Final" Hunger Games, but the idea that elections were immediately held instead shows us Katniss DID manage to change things for the better there.
I think the most interesting thing about the movie, is the most interesting thing about the book. President Snow is not the actual bad guy in the last book. Coin is. She played him and Katniss both. That was a shocking idea and Donald Sutherland plays the scene in the rose-room at the end where he reminds Katniss they never lie to each other as perfectly as I imagined and could ever have hoped. Yes, Snow deserved to die and he did. But Katniss' arrow always SHOULD have gone to Coin, and Coin was begging for it in her last scene. There is madness in her eyes right before she dies. She looks outright demonic as she says "May your aim be as true as your heart is pure." Evil. She is just like Snow. Perhaps her name is because they are two sides of the same Coin. Sutherland's line reading on "There is a particular savvy in that, isn't there?" was great too.
I love that Snow expresses regret and sympathy to Katniss over Primrose's death. He apologizes for it, even if it isn't his fault. Snow is a monster, but he isn't a total monster, if only for that moment.
The look on Donald Sutherland's face as he gently reminds Katniss they have never lied to each other was sublime (big grin!) as was his look at the execution where he seems to be daring her to shoot Coin instead. I like that the people rush up to kill Snow in that moment, not because they think Katniss did wrong, but more as taking her lead. That was another improvement from the book.
I hated Prim's death in the book because it made everything that Katniss went through seem pointless. Why bother volunteering to save her sister if her sister was gonna die two years later anyways? I don't feel the same way about the death in the movies, because the movies have always been bigger than Katniss, and we see that Panem was changed for the better by that decision anyways. And the updates we get about Gale and Annie at the end give us far more closure that Collins was kind enough to.
Snow saying the people in the districts never appreciated the Capitol's sophistication and comforts is like the weirdest brag ever. There is no part of Donald Sutherland that isn't amazing in this movie. I loved the whole "What are we celebrating?" thing because it shows that as crazy as he is, Snow actually understands exactly what is going. "Facile thinking." Love it. I also loved him in the corner correcting Coin's broadcast by saying he said "plucked" rather than "picked". I laughed hard at the way Sutherland played that. And I especially love when he is woken up with news that Katniss is alive, he seems happy and excited. Because it seems like he predicted that and loves being right. "The arena has moved underground", indeed. I love that his assistant now thinks he is nuts.
For the record "They do not share our values" is the motto of the conservative demagogue. It is said by tyrants everywhere to justify horrors. Both the book and the movie knew exactly what buttons to push.
When Snow tells Katniss they both know he isn't above killing children I'm reminded that as lovable as he is in this scene, he is still a total d*ck and monster.
Peeta telling the soldiers that the next logical step was for them to kill him was interesting because he was probably right. The fact that Katniss, Gale, and Finnick refuse to do it doesn't make their decision logical. The scene where he convinces Katniss to handcuff him was interesting too.
I love how offended he is by Katniss calling him an ally. And shouldn't have apologized for flying off the handle like that. After all they have been through, that is the most impersonal and clinical thing she could have called him. It WAS just another one of the many words Peeta has to use to figure her out.
I love the whole "Real or not real?" thing from Peeta because that question is something that has been hanging over his and Katniss' entire relationship. Do they truly love each other or are they merely playing for the cameras? When he tells her she loves him and asks the question, when she says "Real", it is the first time we knew for sure.
I love the moment where Gale idiotically states that killing often isn't personal in war and Katniss' perspective is it always is. Katniss is right about that and always has been.
The cool thing about the argument is that Gale has some points. Even the people mopping floors are working for the Capitol. Nobody is that scenario is innocent. But Katniss insightfully points out that is exactly the kind of thinking that started the Hunger Games in the first place.
I love the moment where Boggs reveals Coin never actually wanted to rescue Katniss from the Quarter Quell and had initially preferred if it had been Peeta. Because Katniss could not be controlled. I'm kind of thinking this is Katniss' first real hint that Coin's agenda is actually sinister.
Speaking of which, I was very moved that Pollux was frightened to reenter the tunnels because he barely bought his way to freedom five years ago. I don't like thinking to hard about the characters' past for this reason.
I find it very interesting that Finnick and Peeta are filming a propo telling the citizens of the Capitol that their fight is not with them and they will be an essential part of the future of Panem. Because that is NOT Coin's mindset at the end of the film. As is all things, Coin is full of sh*t.
In the scene where Coin suggests a last Hunger Games, I love that Katniss looks at Haymitch before giving her bogus answer, and that he's canny enough to realize she wants him to follow her lead, even if it's a decision he otherwise wouldn't have made. He trusts her and seems to sense she is planning something in this moment.
The last Hunger Games thing is the thing that truly turned me against Coin. As Snow noted, there are casualties in war, and it didn't seem like Coin killed Prim deliberately. But the idea of another Hunger Games sucked so much because it meant this cr*p wasn't gonna stop. And I sincerely doubt if it HAD happened, that it would have been just the once. Panem was broken and unwilling to learn its lessons from that while Coin was in charge. Katniss did the world a very large favor.
I loved the amount of trust Boggs puts in Katniss before he dies. He knows she's jiving about why she's there, but he trusts her more than he does Jackson or Coin so he gives the hologram to her. That was a VERY cool death.
I also like the scene where Boggs lays his cards on the table as to why Coin probably sent Peeta. She sees Katniss as a threat because she probably wouldn't automatically throw her support towards her in an election and her potential death would be a better rallying cry than any more propos. I love that he promises to protect her, she asks him why, and he says she's earned it. Boggs is one of the few purely decent people in the films.
Philip Seymour Hoffman wasn't in the movie much, but he played Plutarch as a man who thought he was gradually losing control of Coin. Which is the right performance, because that is what is happening.
I am very depressed at the end when Effie announces to Katniss she's moved all of her belongings into the mansion, that they could only fill a shoebox. Perhaps the picture means it would have to be a BIG shoebox, but there is no part of that girl that isn't low-maintenance.
The scene at the end of the little four-year-old girl recognizing Katniss amongst the Capitol refugees was chilling. And it was made even more so when she is screaming over her mother's corpse a minute later.
Very unhappy we didn't get an ending for Cesar Flickerman. He should have been tried and executed for war crimes. He was just as guilty about the Hunger Games as anyone.
I mean, I seriously hate him and the glee he takes in Peeta losing control and Katniss supposedly dying. I like that Finnick actually laughs when he sees his picture on-screen as a fallen tribute. That's how ridiculous things had gotten.
I'm glad we got to see Peeta reacting to the death of his family in the movie because Katniss didn't witness that in the book. It was very interesting that Peeta did not see Prim as a threat or a bad person, even though she's Katniss' sister. This shows that the conditioning was pretty d*mn specific.
I love me some Johanna. She steals Katniss' painkillers by actually ripping the IV out of her arm and transferring it to her vein. She asks Katniss if she can donate a lung, because she has two and everybody's job now is to keep the Mockingjay alive. I also love that after she says this, she says "Feel free to take any of this personally."
I love that when Katniss doesn't want to go in to see Peeta, Haymitch says it doesn't matter what she wants, and that it's for Peeta. I loved him shaming her in that moment. And he was right. What was the harm in trying?
Speaking of great insults, when Katniss says Peeta has looked better, Peeta says that it isn't remotely nice for her to say that to him, and she tartly reminds him he was the nice one. And I'm kind of thinking where he's saying he should have saved the pig instead, that that nice label was past tense.
I love that when Katniss kisses Gale at the beginning, Gale says it felt like she was drunk. Didn't count. Suddenly Gale has standards for kisses.
I love the tension of the moments before the lizard mutts attack in the sewer. They hold that tension far longer than any other film would, so when it DOES inevitably happen, it's a little more of a shock had it been Pollux killed immediately upon waving an all-clear. Jackson and Caster dying instead was much more surprising.
The meatgrinder and the Pods say something interesting about the Capitol. I did not buy Paylor's explanation that the Capitol somehow rushed out thousands of perfectly working booby traps just before the rebels invaded for a second. It's a plothole. Full stop. But my alternate explanation is far more interesting, plausible, and something the movie could have (and SHOULD have) used: Those things HAD to be set up ahead of time. Those booby traps aren't the kind of thing they could just add to a structure. It had to be built into them all along. The meatgrinders are actually UNDER the pavement, and they painted roadmarks over it. Which tells me that whoever built the Capitol saw this revolution coming. What is even more twisted about the idea is that it's been hinted that the Capitol existed LONG before the initial uprising, so all of these traps that hadn't been used yet, were perhaps planned for an insurrection hundreds of years away. That's frightening to think about. And it amazes me it didn't occur to the writers. Because that would have been awesome.
I also like that we hear soft subtle voices in the sewer. Either someone is saying "Katniss" or a pipe is hissing in a weird manner. And you never learn which for sure.
Love that Haymitch kisses Effie on the mouth at the end. And an entire internet fandom ship is created in the space of five seconds. I love Haymitch's "You never make this easy" to Katniss too. Also funny was Haymitch telling Katniss to experiment with a little sensitivity and warmth.
I love Katniss' speech to the District 2 guy who holds a gun on her, that they were both slaves, and she was sick of doing Snow's work for him, and being in his games. One of the better scenes from the book.
Johanna saying she and Peeta were old friends, and they they were familiar with each other's screams was twisted.
Finnick calling the final strike the 76th Annual Hunger Games is a cool moment for the trailers, but it's also a little too on the nose. I sort of wince when he says it.
Katniss' fury at Gale at the end was righteous. She warned him against making those traps and he didn't listen. And now Prim was killed because of it. He sucks. "You can't protect anyone in an arena," is an essential theme of the movie.
I love the soft and beautiful music at the end over the montages of Katniss and Peeta in District 12. Really peaceful and melancholy and unlike the rest of the franchise. You really feel like things are wrapping down with that music. When Peeta is picking primroses for her at the end I am practically sobbing.
The final "Real or not real?" is so effective and moving because Katniss telling Peeta she loves him is not something a person like Katniss would volunteer. And yet, the reader and moviegoer needs to know that. So the "Real or not real?" thing allows Peeta to ask the question and for Katniss to confirm it, which IS something she'd be comfortable doing. The entire line isn't just about Peeta and Katniss' real or not real relationship. It is also so Katniss can definitively state she loves him without it being out of character.
"There are worst games to play" is a really memorable and iconic line. I'm glad they got it in the movie via Katniss stating it to her baby. Jennifer Lawrence singing the lullaby she sang in the first movie (Deep in the Meadow) to her baby over the end credits was entirely appropriate too. J Law has an amazing singing voice, and I'm a little bit infuriated she's embarrassed by it. Whenever she sings, it's the fact that is sounds so unprofessional which is why it is so beautiful. It's is a LOT more moving to me than Katy Perry and Lady Gaga's voices which always sound so robotic by the time the "studio magic" is done with them. It is the perfect ending to a great film.
I think the first Hunger Games book was better than the first movie. But the filmed adaptations of both Catching Fire AND Mockingjay wound up being better than both of those novels. *****.
Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2:
Massive documentary about the making of the film. The Blu-Ray is kind enough to separate it into sections as watching the entire three hour thing at once is probably asking too much. Overall: ****.
Walking Through Fire: Concluding The Saga: Julianne Moore has an interesting observation about Coin. She hopes the viewer is disappointed in her. Which is interesting because Katniss (and I frankly) never liked her in the books. But their relationship was much closer in the movies, particularly in the last one. That makes her descent into villainy worse, because in the book it was much less surprising. ****.
Real Or Not Real: Visual Design: Interesting that the Capitol was based on Germania, which was Hitler's fantasy city. Makes sense. ****.
High Value Targets: The Acting Ensemble: Julianne Moore is radiant. If I were Jack Donaghy, I totally would have chosen her over Elizabeth Banks. I think Effie is a much nicer and less malevolent character in the films than in the books. She does not have the opportunity for growth Banks was allowed here. Woody Harrelson hints that if there is an unexpected sequel (one so unexpected, even Suzanne Collins doesn't see it coming), perhaps Haymitch and Effie will wind up together. Jeffrey Wright and the guy who plays Boggs need to get their stories straight. Wright said the set was no-nonsense while Boggs claims everyone is always laughing. The two brief scenes of Boggs and the others goofing off hints HE is right, but the fact that there is no gag reel on the Blu-Ray hints Wright is correct. Michelle Forbes is beautiful too. Do you know else is? Gwendoline Christie! She makes me swoon here, and it just shows that it is laughable that Game of Thrones is always trying to convince me she's unattractive. Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes? I will never get used to seeing Willow Shields in make-up. Growing up sucks. Interesting that Josh Hutcherson had some problems doing Peeta dark and violent, because Hutcherson's a much lighter person than that. Two things about that revelation: I believe Hutcherson is probably a light-hearted nice guy. That is probably why he was cast as Peeta in the first place. The second thing is that you can't actually tell that Hutcherson struggled with those moments. He's quite convincing in the film itself. Donald Sutherland says he has never played the same character four times before. Is that true? Has he never been on a TV show? Or is he just talking movies? Hmmm. Robert Knepper has a total creeper moustache and goatee in real life. I would not allow T-Bag to own a van. ****1/2.
From Head To Toe: Costume, Make-Up & Hair: I noticed and liked Coin's gradual make-up transformations in the last two films. The actress they got to portray Tigress was amazing too. ****.
Navigating The Minefield: Production In Atlanta, Paris & Berlin: I didn't care for this part of the featurette. I actually find the idea that the movie used buildings constructed during the Third Reich a bit disturbing. **.
Collateral Damage: Stunts, Special Effects & Weapons: Jennifer Lawrence's stunt double is actually named Renae Moneymaker? Seriously? Wow. Sam Claflin had an interesting idea about the ultimate uselessness of Finnick's trident. Maybe if he had a machine gun like everybody else, he would have survived. I like the idea that the sewer water looked super gross, but the actual ingredients actually made it more like a day at the spa. ****.
Tightening The Noose: The Post-Production Process: About the visual effects, sound design, and music. ***1/2,
A Different World: Reflections: It's interesting that the older actors and producers had a different reaction to the experience than the younger actors. Maybe some of the younger actors think ALL movie experiences are going to be this good, but the older people involved know better. I love that they did a final curtain call for all of the actors who had major roles in all four films. Jennifer Lawrence's nephews played her sons in the Epilogue. Nepotism run amok I tells ya! I am actually glad the last scene was between Katniss and Haymitch instead of Katniss and Plutarch. Plutarch is MUCH more supportive in the letter Haymitch read than he would have been had Philip Seymour Hoffman filmed his scripted scenes. In the letter he says Katniss didn't disappoint him and that he expected that outcome. In the original script, he pretty much tells her she did what she had to do. If Hoffman hadn't died, Plutarch would have washed his hands of Katniss. But instead, the producers chose to have him be supportive of her in respect to Hoffman. I miss Hoffman terribly, but I like Plutarch much more for that letter. ****1/2.
The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey:
Murray Close used to work for Stanley Kubrick? That must have been a nightmare. I learned here that using digital cameras is harder than film. Not only are you your own lab, but you tend to shoot a ton more pictures too. Close claims that he got his big break on Greystoke and everything blew up from there. That amazes me, because even if that movie was hyped in the '80, I guarantee almost nobody remembers it. I forget it existed until he name-dropped it, and I'm betting it never even registered with Tarzan fans either. ****.
Cinna's Sketchbook: Secrets Of The Mockingjay Armor:
I can totally see the Joan of Arc themes in the costume. It looks tough but innocent. Much like Joan (and Katniss). ***.
Panem On Display: The Hunger Games: The Exhibition:
Somehow, a franchise dealing with genocide and totalitarian dictatorships seems a REALLY unlikely choice for a theme park attraction. Am I the only one who thinks this is completely inappropriate? Worst theme park idea since the "Dress like a Pretty Woman" thing in Disneyworld after the Julia Roberts Touchstone movie hit. This isn't as bad as dressing children like hookers. But it's in the same ballpark. *.
Jet To The Set:
Speaking of inappropriate. This is easily the worst special feature ever included on a Hunger Games DVD, including whatever was the worst movie trailer Lionsgate put on one of these things. The vapid, substanceless, self-involved hostesses reminded me unpleasantly of Trish and The Sizzle from American Dad's Morning Mimosa. The serious subject matter of these films looks like a complete joke when one of these idiots yells "Take that Katniss Everdeen!" and then falls over. I understand that these infotainment magazines exist, and it's something the rest of us have to put up with in a society filled with idiots. What I do not understand is why they included this as a special feature on the Blu-Ray. It is outright embarrassing. 0.
Blu-Ray Menus: These always have the best menus. That said, these are the weakest menus of the four films. ****.
DVD Menu: Interesting that the DVD Menu is not only fully animated, but has different images and music from the Blu-Ray Menu. Most releases don't bother putting up the expense to do that. ****1/2.
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