Archer- Season 11

8/10

NOTE: This review could be considered a general spoiler if you haven't seen the last few seasons. However, there are no spoilers for this season. 

In season eleven, Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) has finally woken up from his coma and finds himself readjusting to life back at the agency. After three seasons of coma dream alternate world scenarios, I'm pleased to say that this is a pleasant return to form. 

Although the coma seasons had some neat ideas, I, like many viewers, was frustrated that these didn't involve the actual characters and didn't affect the canon of the show at all. So, I was glad that Archer was finally conscious. However, especially with the showrunner leaving, I was worried that this could be a case of the writers relying on the traditional Archer formula and just going through the motions. Everyone was just magically back at the spy agency after losing their license several seasons ago, which had me worried that the show would be too reactionary and wouldn't try anything new. However, I'm happy to say that the story does go to new places (without breaking from formula), and takes into account Archer having to deal with changes while he was gone. He hasn't fully recuperated and has to rely on a cane, which leads to some fun visual gags. Even when you think the show is falling back into old habits, like Archer searching for new valets to abuse when he'd manage to survive without one for a couple seasons before the coma, the story goes to a different place. There is some actually good character work in this anarchist comedy.

However, this season did lean way too heavily on Archer picking on Cyril (SNL alumni Chris Parnell). I mean okay, we get it. For a while, it felt the like we were getting away from that but then the private detective season came, and the show felt like it needed to double down on that. At least in the earlier seasons, Cyril got to talk back a little.

The humor is also refreshingly back to peak Archer, There are just a lot of good plot setups. The finale is the only weak point as it felt like it was trying to do too much in only thirty minutes. (Should've been a two-parter and the second-to-the-last episode just felt more like the right spot to end on.)

Overall if you've been disappointed with the later years of this show, this may get you back on board. 

Come Play

 

7/10

In Come Play, based on a short film from a couple years back, autistic child Oliver (Azhy Robertson) becomes the target of a monster named Larry who wants him to be his friend... forever! Bum, bum, bum! But yeah, it's decent.

The biggest strength here is that the movie looks at what it is like to have more severe autism (Oliver barely speaks in this) and what it is like for a parent raising one. The movie does a great job making you feel for Oliver and his mother Sarah (Community's Gillian Jacobs). There is also a part with a group of bullies that could've been really predictable, but I was pleased that it went in a different direction.

Larry, who's invisible for most of the time if he isn't seen, is a fun skeletal design, though the budget on his computer animation didn't feel particularly high, so it's probably a good thing they keep him to the shadows. I like that the character gives off this dark fairy tale vibe.

Nice lighting scheme in this; it managed to be eerie without being darkly shot enough that there's no color or you can't make things out.

Acting is good, especially from Robertson. (Heck, all the child actors in this are good.) After what I thought was a disappointing performance in Magic Camp, I'm glad to say Jacobs has bounced back and is believable as a worried and stressed-out mother. 

That all having been said, this is a competently handled movie, but it didn't "wow" me that much. Too many of the scares lack something or went by too quickly to register. In general, a lot of parts of this feel too similar to other works. The dramatic/real world parts also could've been trimmed down a bit. All complaints aside, the final confrontation is pretty good with strong visuals and tension.

 I can't say this is a particularly original or standout film, but I think most horror fans will have a good time with it.

Books of Blood

 

6/10

In this anthology on Hulu based on the short story collection from Clive Barker, we get three horror stories es based around a book containing the tales of the dead. Didn't hate it, didn't love it.   

First off, if you were a fan of the original Books of Blood then be prepared to be disappointed. One of the tales is original and the others are based on the wraparounds in the first volume which had already been adapted into a film. So if you've been waiting for one of these tales to be adapted, you'll have to keep waiting. I wouldn't have minded more stories in this myself.

The Achilles heel here is the first story after the wraparound, about a college-aged woman (played by Britt Robertson) on the run from her own life who ends up renting a room from a couple that are almost too friendly. Half the short suffers from being being a little predictable in the set up. It's missing a certain "oomph." The other half of the content does get creative, and I wouldn't have predicted it. But, I found the big reveal in this to be a little too messed up for my tastes. Now if you like it when horror gets dark, dark, this'll be right up your alley. But if you like horror, but you have your limits then be forewarned. 

The wraparound, about two enforcers in search of the Book of Blood, and the other short, about a skeptical professor (Pushing Daisies' Anna Friel) investigating a man's claims that he can communicate with the dead, I rather liked. They are both nicely paced with well executed scares. The second story has a really striking ending, and Friel delivers the best performance in the film. I appreciate that this has a substantive wraparound, not a vague one like with VHS or no connections at all for the segments. More importantly, this movie has one of the strongest finales I've seen in an anthology. It's been bugging me lately how predictable these have become. (I mean you can only see the characters realize they're dead or that they've been talking to Death/the Devil only so many times.) 

I appreciate that director/screenwriter Brannon Braga and other writer Adam Simon had a clear vision and they do a very competent job with setting up and telling the story. The look of the whole thing is well done, too. However, as good as parts of this are, they weren't enough to negate how the first story left me a bit empty and was too disturbing. However, this feels like one of those movies that will be very subjective across the populace. I can see some getting a lot more out of this.

The Haunting of Bly Manor

 

9/10

The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix is the sequel show to The Haunting of Hill House and based on Henry James' novella The Turn of the Screw. In it, Dani Clayton (played Victoria Pedretti from the last show) is hired on as a nanny for two kids at solitary Bly Manor which has born witness to recent tragedies. Also, it's haunted, hence the title. The show has a slow start, but I ended up being so impressed at where this goes.  

First off, let me make it clear that this isn't the fright fest that Hill House was. Bly Manor has its creepy parts, but there isn't as much emphasis on the scares. This is more of a gothic tale like Crimson Peak was. The show does retain Hill House's focus on the human condition and relationships, which is its best strength. Things do start slow. I was initially going to rank this a notch lower, but when all the pieces connect and everything is revealed it is done so well. The ending becomes a gut punch of emotions. I found the payoff entirely worth it. 

The heart and soul of is the excellent character work. The cast really pulls it off. Pedretti gets more screen time and just does a really emotional job as the lead. Oliver Jackson-Cohen returns and plays a truly multifaceted role as a former employee of the manor's owner. He can be both intimidating and sympathetic. The two biggest newcomers here are T'Nia Miller and Rahul Kohli as the housekeeper and cook, who also steal their scenes.

A couple last criticisms: there is some great dialogue, but there can be a few moments where it feels too verbose and manufactured. This is especially obvious when it is done with the child actors. Now, they both do an excellent job, especially considering how difficult some of what they were required to say was. However, I think it is unfair to have expected so much from any kids. This is a backstory flashback heavy show. I did find that they all could've been skimmed down a bit. Nothing that breaks the show, I just think the pacing could've been improved.

I'd say Hill House was the stronger effort, but this show is definitely worth your time. At least try to make it to the halfway point when things start getting juicy. The show is only nine episodes long.

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

7/10

Olaf's Frozen Adventure is a short film on Disney+ that shows what the titular snowman (voiced by Josh Gad) did during the first Frozen film between his coming alive and meeting up with Kristoff and Anna. Ever heard of or see Lion King 1 1/2? It's basically the same concept, a series of humorous scenarios linked to the events of a popular movie. It's okay.

This is the definition of innocuousness; there's nothing wrong with it, but it doesn't register much with you either. It's mostly just Olaf wandering around and nothing big enough happens.

Olaf's naivety- and positivity-natured humor and Gad's performance remain true-to-form. There are a couple heartwarming moments. Also the Disney animation remains strong, especially the last scene which looks really, really good.  

This is the weakest of the three Frozen shorts, but if your kids like Olaf, then they'll like this. Running at only eight minutes, this is a quick watch anyway.

Ted Lasso- Season 1

10/10

In this comedy on Apple+, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), the new owner of a mediocre English soccer/football team, hires Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis), an upbeat American football coach with very little knowledge of soccer. I loved this show.  

The character of Ted Lasso started off as a few commercials where the dimwitted Lasso tried his hand at commenting on English sports. Compared to how the character started out, it's impressive how they elevated him. The character was wisely changed from a dummy who's completely out of his depth (there are plenty of those in comedy) to a Columbo-type who hides his wisdom behind the appearance of simplicity. Instead of being a base level comedy like the commercials, the show is more of a borderline dramedy.

I know I'm not saying much that anyone else hasn't already said, but this is a real feel-good show with so much heart. All the main characters are end up being extremely likable. Many of them have hopes or dreams and personal issues that are engrossing. 

I appreciate the optimistic tone and avoiding more obviously cynical routes things could've gone. For instance, Rebecca starts off being hard on her underling Higgins (Jeremy Swift). So, I expected the show to go the basic Burns/Smithers route of the boss who is constantly mean to an employee, but this show is far more nuanced and ultimately goes a different route.

The backbone to this is definitely Lasso himself. After SNL and Horrible Bosses, Sudeikis kind of disappeared for a while. I'm glad this show gave him a shot in a role that might very well have an Emmy nomination sometime in the future. His Lasso is just a really nice guy, immediately trying to help with his team and making friends with whoever crosses his path. He's got a simple enthusiasm that is just infectious. Rebecca is also a very interesting character. She's the opposite of Lasso, coming from a place of cynicism, but she has a strong background that makes her quite sympathetic and her emotional journey is one of the best parts. 

It doesn't hurt the show that the entire thing is pretty funny. Strong distinctive humorous voices for most of the characters.  

I have one nitpick for the show. The writers appeared to have done their research when it comes to English soccer/football, however not so much when it comes to English pop culture. There are a lot of references to American films and shows, but being in England you'd expect someone to reference their own entertainment. Again, just a minor quibble.

Overall, I highly recommend this.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

 

9/10

The Trial of the Chicago 7, Netflix's new Oscar grab, follows the real life trial of eight leaders in the protest against the Vietnam War. When the cops started using force, riots broke out. The eight were put on a politically motivated trial (the title Chicago 7 makes sense if you watch) for charges of intentionally planning the riots with hostile judge Julius Hoffman (Frank Langella) presiding. This was a really good film.

This is just a well executed courtroom piece. The thought-provoking serious stuff (how the judge treats Black Panther Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is especially shocking) is balanced with humor managing to make this both a film with something to say that also entertains.  The various historical/political aspects to this is pretty interesting. (And yeah, there are obvious connotations to today's climate). The protest leaders come from different factions with different views on and ways of protesting, and one of the driving forces is seeing the characters work off of one another.     

If the movie has any weaknesses is that it can be a little too obvious at at getting those big emotional Holywood moments. In particular, there area lot of scenes of prosecutor Richard Schultz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) having multiple crises of conscious which doesn't seem like that is how that played in real life. 

The acting is top notch in this with an array of big or experienced names. The two best performers are Langella and Mark Rylance as defense attorney William Kunstler. Langella does an excellent job of characterization with these little facial, physical touches that sell it. (I guess when if you have a very distinctive voice you'd try extra hard too make sure people see the character and not the actor.) Rylance brings a really different energy than the soft-spoken roles I've seen him do in the past. 

Overall, I highly recommend this.