What’s good? #53

With so much stuff on the various streaming services, it can be a little overwhelming finding something to watch, especially when one scrolls through, seeing many possibilities, but nothing that in particular that stands out. With that said, the purpose of these weekly posts is to share something that i watch on the service. Hopefully it will help someone find something new…or keep them from something they might have wasted their time with otherwise.

This week I’m going to cover…

Genre: Comedy
Duration: 4 seasons (53 episodes; ~22 min each)
Cast: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, D’Arcy Carden, Jameela Jamil, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, Maya Rudolph, Marc Evans Jackson
Streaming Service: Netflix

It was pointed out to me recently how much my opinions on the current state of television as opposed to yesteryear are almost a contradiction. You see, when it comes to today’s shows, I prefer something that hasn’t been done before, and yet I am a sucker for sitcoms (we’re talking those with laugh tracks, people!), which are…or were…a dime a dozen for the longest time. The Good Place falls into the former category.

Before I get into this quick summary/review, it needs to be said that this show deals with the afterlife and existentialism. Much like Soul, there is no specific mention of any particular religion, though it does seem to skew more toward Christianity with crossing the line and flat out saying that is what it is doing. 

So, the show is about a group of recently deceased individuals who wind up in the good place…or is it? The leader/architect of said space is Michael and his assistant/computer/source of all knowledge, Janet. As the show progresses, a secret about Michael is revealed that changes everything we have learned up to that point. Sadly, I cannot go more into things without reaching spoiler territory.

As far as comedies go, this isn’t bad, especially for one that, on the surface, feels like it should be more of a drama. Kristen Bell leads the cast of the deceased with a funny, likable, charm…even though her character for the first couple of season is meant to be pretty unlikable. Ted Danson still has the cool from his days on Cheers and he shows it as Michael, only without the womanizing. Newcomer Jameela Jamil is a delight, but sadly she seems to be sidelined as the show focuses more of Bell and William Jackson Harper’s characters, as well as a plot that starts to go over the top as seasons progress. Speaking of William Jackson Harper…he plays Chidi, the ethics professor who died by accident. Manny Jacinto is Jason, the stoner with a heart of gold and a die hard love for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The comedy in this series comes from the situation, memories of their lives. Jacinto’s Jason brings most of the laughs with how delusional or removed from reality he seems to be.

There is some relationship drama to be seen, as well as some emotional baggage, if you’re into that kind of stuff.

All in all, this is a good show that just ended it run on NBC before the pandemic hit, I believe. Give it a go if you’re looking for something to watch while we (im)patiently await things to get back to what passes for normal.

Movie Review: Frozen II

PLOT:

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land with hopes of finding the origin of Elsa’s powers and saving their kingdom.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Welcome back. In 2013, we were introduced to this world, these characters, and the unforgettable earworm that is “Let it Go” (I bet some of you just got it out of you head and now it’s back, right?) Having grown to love these characters in the original Frozen, as well as followed their conflict and enjoy a true fairytale in the old, traditional Disney style of storytelling, it is good to see them again, much like visiting an old friend you haven’t seen in years. Many things are the same, but you’re really interested in seeing what’s changed, what’s new, etc. The filmmakers knew this is what audiences wanted and gave us exactly that.

Let’s rock! Much like the first film, the music in this film isn’t so much a character in its own right, like in many musicals, but rather it helps drive the story along. We get exposition and character development in these songs that we either would have missed without a musical interlude or it would have been a segment that more than likely would have bored audiences with how long and unnecessarily drawn out it would have been. While there is no “Let it Go” this time around (more on that later), two songs really stuck out to me. “Into the Unknown”, which is sung by Elsa as she is deciding whether or not to leave Arendelle and “Lost in the Woods”. The latter is an obvious love letter to 80s power ballads. The scene in which Kristoff is singing it has some typical music video visuals. Look it up on Youtube or find it on whatever music service you use and enjoy.

Frozone. A big question many of us had following the first film was where did Elsa’s ice powers come from? From what we were able to tell from the quick glimpses we got of the parents, neither of them had powers and neither did Anna. To use a term from the Harry Potter universe, she was muggle born. There have been memes, jokes, etc saying everything from she’s a mutant and belong with the X-Men to her powers are a family curse. Not to spoil what the true nature is, but there is a reason she has control over ice. The explanation may not be as fulfilling or definite as one would have liked, but we do get an answer.

What didn’t I like?

It was let go. As I mentioned earlier, there is no “Let it Go” in this film. For some, that is a good thing, as that song rivaled “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic as one that would never go away. What I don’t dog about not having a song like that this time around, though it isn’t for lack of trying, is that “Let It Go” was pretty much the identity of the franchise. With none of these new songs living up to that legacy, if you will, one has to wonder what is there to bring people in to this film, other than the name?

Kristof, we hardly knew ye. There is a point in this film where Anna, Elsa, and Olaf leave on the quest, while Kristof (and Sven) are off doing something out in the woods. For a good portion of the film, Kristof is not a part of this movie. I get it, this is supposed to be about Anna and Elsa, but leaving Kristof out just didn’t feel right.

Snowball/Hurry home, princess. We’ve all seen movies, tv shows, etc where the funny sidekick is suddenly given more screen time and then becomes annoying. Olaf is on the border with that. They don’t use him too much, actually, but the fact that he is still pretty much the same annoying/funny sidekick from the first film is what I wasn’t digging on. His saving grace was the way he summed up the first film (al C-3PO in Return of the Jedi). As far as the princesses go. The first film was a straight up fairytale. This one, not so much. As with seemingly every other story of its ilk that comes out these days, female protagonists suddenly become action stars. My issue with this is the sudden onset of these skills. If there was proper development, I’d be more on board, perhaps, but as it is, maybe they, or at least Anna, should just stick to being a traditional princess.

Final verdict:

Looking at the box office for sequels in the last couple of years, there is obviously a case of sequelitis hitting audiences, even in the case of those that people are enjoying. I won’t lie to you and say that Frozen II is anywhere near as good as the original, but it does have its moments. Not only are there magical and musical moments that will hit you, but the story is perhaps a bit stronger and the action scenes add a new element that was unexpected. With all that said, while I like the film, I wasn’t in love with it. I didn’t come out of the theater saying I have to see it again or singing any of the songs, nor did I come out of there demanding my money back, so there is that. Do i recommend this? Yes, if you have little girls, they are going to dig this. Disney fans and those that were into the first film are also sure to enjoy. As far as everyone else, you might be better waiting for it to show on Disney+ or the inevitable day that they begin to show it ad nauseum on Disney channel, Freeform, etc.

4 out of 5 stars