I’ve been watching a ton of Korean dramas this spring — so many of the classics have been on German Netflix for a while, and they’re now also adding shows produced in 2020 and 2021, so I have a looong list still to go. Here’s my ranking of what I’ve watched so far.
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In Daniel Craig’s last movie as James Bond, the character earns an ending that is as fitting as it is final; while giving the franchise a push into a new direction.
Spoilers ahead! This review contains major spoilers for all plotlines of the movie. Go no further if you wish to remain unspoiled.
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SOLOS is about 8 people, from different times but the same universe. Eight people who drift together or apart, who are tied up together in the fabric of space. Each episode stars one person, only the finale features two. Each protagonist has someone to play off of, either themselves in a double role, or sometimes, an AI companion, a disembodied voice. Each performance is stellar, and each script is tangled up in speculative fiction tropes. Time travel, humans and bots, space and the advancements of technology. The good ones, and the bad ones.
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Why casting a Black man rather than a smug-ish prick white guy in the role of the famous French gentleman burglar is timely social commentary and adds a much needed layer of depth to the aspect of disguise and social stealth & playing roles.
Warning: the end of this post contains spoilers for the cliffhanger of the series!
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In Season 4 of The Bold Type, the writers manage to build up and then summarily destroy the credibility and joy of its bisexual protagonist, Kat Edison, by neglecting the intersections of race, class, and queer identity at every turn.
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The Queen’s Gambit is an American drama television mini-series based on Walter Tevis’s novel of the same name, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. It was created by Scott Frank and Allan Scott and premiered internationally on Netflix in October, 2020.
Let’s do things differently this time. Let’s start with the ending.
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First published on Patreon early access as The Old Guard: A Close Comparison Reading of Netflix’ Adaptation of the Graphic Novel.
The Old Guard as a movie a standout feat — in terms of craft, narrative as well as production. The majority of production staff were women, with an above average number being Black or women of colour. Led by a Black female director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and boasting a stellar cast, The Old Guard is entertaining, an exceptionally well-made action movie, and an extraordinary comic book adaptation, to boot. It helps that the original graphic novel (script by Greg Rucka) is unique and exceptionally well told.
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How the French crime/horror drama series gleefully subverts key moments & concepts from the 90s cult show as it flirts with the genre and parallels.
Warning: contains major spoilers for Season 1, minor spoilers for Season 2, of Black Spot; as well as for Twin Peaks.
1. The new district attorney, Siriani arriving in town — tall trees, fog, grey skies. For a moment, it could be déjà vu. It’s could be Agent Cooper’s arrival in Twin Peaks. But where Coop’s first appearance and entrance into that small Washington town, extended and filmed from the passenger seat, was by far the most peaceful of his experience, the DA’s car stops without warning before we ever meet him. He has to get out. He has no reception, but there is a telephone pole just down the road, vandalised. A thing fallen out of time, just like so much in Twin Peaks — like so much in Villefranche; like the town entry sign that is as quaint as can be.
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Arkane Studios and Bethesda released Dishonored: Death of the Outsider yesterday. I’ve played it to the end, and I have a lot of thoughts and feelings. Thought I’d share them. Warning: spoilers. Continue reading →
I could write you a five-page essay on why I loved Wonder Woman, dir. Patty Jenkins. Well, I have a week off soon, so I actually might, but tonight I am tired and in desperate need of a nap, so I’ll keep it brief.
So, what happened was that Series 10 so far has been really solid mystery storytelling, and I’ve been enjoying it a lot. And then, apparently, Steven Moffat had an idea for a blockbuster. Continue reading →
Doctor Who Series 10 is shaping up to be a true mystery series — rather than the only challenge being to outsmart an obvious villain, a lot of work is being done by Bill and the Doctor to figure out what they’re even fighting and/or running away from. In these two episodes from early May, that set of challenges comes in the shape of a haunted house and murderous capitalist spacesuits, respectively. Continue reading →
Crime and Relative Dimension in Space 