Reviews liked by neelyOhara
I'm sure Dennis would say this show "hasn't even begun to peak yet", but I think it did a long time ago. I find season 3 and 5 to be the best of them with the highest number of amazing episodes and the least forgettable ones. Season 4 isn't too far behind. It must be mentioned though, that that is when I got into the show. By chance I caught an episode on TV, got all of the episodes and binged season 1-5 and then I've watched 6 to the current seasons as they've aired. While on my rewatches, I don't find season 7 to be as bad as I used to. I do think that's when the ideas started to fall away. There are some episodes in season 7 that don't do much for me. Much of the humour in 'Frank's Pretty Woman' and 'The Gang Goes to the Jersey Shore' is just shock humour - think the vomiting blood capsules scene - and 'Frank's Brother' is one of the worst episode from the series (competing with 'McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century' from season 11). 'How Mac Got Fat' is decent but is put together from an unaired episode. The final double episode of 'The High School Reunion' is a letdown as well. So, despite having some strong points like 'Thunder Gun Express' ("One of the things I like doing most is banging whores"), it has many more issues than what preceded it. I must note though, that from what I've seen online, the above isn't a common opinion. Many love 'The Gang Goes to the Jersey Shore'. From there, I think season 8 was an improvement in consistency. They began to include many more call-backs, including the fun 'The Gang Recycles Their Trash' episode. Again though, the poor moments like 'Charlie Rules the World' are a lot worse than what we have from the earlier seasons. I won't review every season now, but the other issues on occasions have been the consistency of character. At times Mac in particular has been inconsistent with how he interacts with Dennis. From not listening to a word he says to acting like his puppy. Many of the show's greatest episodes, like 'Mac Bangs Dennis' Mum, 'Kitten Mittens' and so on, have the gang break off into pairs or a triad and then come together for the episodes' conclusion. That structure seems to have become less common, as did the bar as the episodes' setting. A little bit like The Simpsons, it isn't as consistent and amazing as it used to be, but for its peak, this show is a must watch. Some of the best episodes: Charlie Has Cancer Mac Bangs Dennis' Mom The Aluminum Monster vs. Fatty McGoo Mac Is a Serial Killer The Gang Hits the Road Mac and Dennis Break Up The Nightman Cometh The D.E.N.N.I.S. System The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis Paddy's Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia The Gang Gets Whacked Mac and Charlie Die Paddy's Pub: Home of the Original Kitten Mittens Thunder Gun Express The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award Season Rankings (need to add S12-14): S5 S3 S4 S2 S6 S1 S8 S10 S7 S9 S11
1
A decently entertaining popcorn superhero movie, but you can add it to the pile of movies in this never-ending genre that you won't remember a few days after watching. As I've mentioned with other movies of this category, at times watching the fighting scenes with these seemingly invincible characters is like watching two rocks fights. When there is no chance of them dying it ruins the immersion. That is one of the reasons why Batman is king. Two members of the Justice Society of America, who try to imprison Black Adam, Albert "Al" Rothstein / Atom Smasher and Maxine Hunkel / Cyclone, don't contribute much to the story except to add some scenes of flirting that goes nowhere. Atom Smasher is almost unhelpful, mostly being here for some attempted comedic relief, and Cyclone seems tacked on as well. If you love superhero/action movies, you'll enjoy it, but there isn't much substance.
1
One of the most creative and intriguing films I've seen. Kaufman has such an original narrative voice/view and it translates very well to screen.
2
A seemingly innocuous cartoon for grown-ups on the surface, Bojack Horseman is a layered, more nuanced series than it initially seems. With a painfully honest, beautifully dark, and compassionately told portrayal of depression, the show offers a sobering yet comedic (and wholly humane) look at what can probably be summed up as "simply the human condition in general."
6
a carefully crafted series in which each episode is a visual essay infused with observation, humble wit, and an overwhelming appreciation of life and humanity itself
2