It has been a while since I have been this bored with a series. The Rig is another example of a series that should have been a movie. While it has some good moments, there aren’t enough to earn a recommendation. Do yourself a favor, don’t watch this series.
Out somewhere in the ocean, a greedy corporation drills for oil at any cost. Tensions run high on the rig as burnout falls over the workers. With another season coming to a close, strange things start to occur. The rig loses communication with the outside world as a mysterious fog rolls over them. There is something in the fog making people sick and damaging the rig. Can the crew find a way off before it is too late?
The series has a solid cast, but the narrative and pacing aren’t. The plot unravels so slowly that I lost interest almost immediately. I didn’t care about any of the generic characters or their storylines, I just wanted this series to be over. There may have been some neat visuals and interesting ideas buried within all the nothing, but they aren’t cool or interesting enough to save this series from mediocrity.
What I liked least about this series is how preachy it gets about its messaging. This series wastes too much time on its explicit green and anti-corporate messaging that it loses its effectiveness. The writing is so bad that there are lines of dialogue where characters will explicitly complain about bad oil is for the environment and how evil corporations are. I tuned out a lot of this series because it is repetitive and lazy. Had this series been condensed, it would have been a forgettable B movie.
It’s hard to write too much about this series because it is mediocre. This series is boring, and I can’t recommend it. You can stream it on Amazon if you have a Prime membership, but don’t waste the data.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!
Mythic Quest Season 3 Review
With the third season of Mythic Quest now fully released, I feel disappointed with how it all unfolded. I am a fan of this series, but I found it nearly impossible to finish this season. Don’t get me wrong, I still recommend this series if you haven’t seen it, but this season has left a lot to be desired.
Mythic Quest is a comedy series that satirizes the gaming industry as it follows the work life at the world’s most popular MMORPG of the same name. The series focuses on a collection of wacky characters and their budding personalities as they try to make Mythic Quest a game worth playing. The series criticizes the gaming industry through its use of humor and its well-written narrative.
While I loved the first two seasons of Mythic Quest, this season falls flat. The narrative was drawn out, with each episode ending in disappointing. This season felt like a setup for something that hopefully won’t get canceled by Apple. It began a lot of story threads bringing forth minor characters featuring stories you probably won’t care for. The overall experience was fine, but waiting week to week made this series harder to follow. Nothing was hooking me to come back for the next episode or season while we are at it. It is a better experience to watch the episodes back to back, but it remains the show’s weakest season.
What keeps me from hating this season is that if you look at it as a whole and remove all the fluff, there is much-needed character growth that I was happy to see. There are important story beats that give the narrative its meaningful advancement, but you have to sit through some boring story-lines.
I will probably watch the fourth season because I need my closure, but I lack the excitement I once had. Do not be discouraged, Mythic Quest is still worth watching. It has a fantastic cast playing great characters, and the story is mostly good. If you have Apple TV, you should have already watched it. If you don’t, it is worth the free trial.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today!
Best of 2022
In no particular order, I have decided to compile a list of the best movies and tv shows I watched last year. The links will take you to the respective reviews and I have separated them by streaming service.
Amazon
Netflix
Hulu
Apple TV
Shudder
Paramount+
On Demand
If You Can Find It
Series Review: Spriggan (2022)
Spriggan Is anime’s generic attempt at bringing Indiana Jones to the future. While a neat concept, it feels rushed and underdeveloped. It may not be the worst anime I’ve seen, but it makes it hard to recommend.
Spriggan is about a secret government agency whose mission is to collect powerful ancient artifacts and keep them from the clutches of evil. The story focuses on Yu, a talented high school kid who, with the help of a powerful mech suit, goes travels the world hunting these powerful relics. Each episode focuses on the lore and retrieval of a different artifact.
Right off the bat, I am not a fan of the art style. It feels stiff, fragmented, and cheap most of the time. The combat is okay, but it is anticlimactic. Most of the problems are solved by ex-Machina. My biggest issue with this anime is that Yu is a generic cocky male protagonist who is perfect. Most of his dialogue involves him being cocky about his skills, and it gets annoying. When he does struggle or start to get beat, he is saved at the perfect time, and the whole thing doesn’t matter.
Another issue I have with this series is that there isn’t a good villain to drive the narrative. This series revolves around different organizations whose motives are uninspired and lazy. Most people are evil for the sake of being evil. It doesn’t help that they are destined to lose to Yu.
The problem with this anime is that it is limited to six short episodes. While I appreciate that they didn’t drag this out as much as they could have, it isn’t long enough to build the world or develop its characters. Each episode is a different adventure, and all of them are generic. This series left such a small impression on me that I have already forgotten what it was about.
You can stream Spriggan on Netflix, but it isn’t worth it. It looks cheap, the story is rushed, and there isn’t anything worth watching in it. I could make the case of throwing it on for background noise, but there are better anime out there more worthy of your data.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!
Series Review: Tulsa King (2022)
Tulsa King is a cheesy gangster movie that isn’t worth the Paramount+ subscription. While the series certainly has its moments, it is a sloppy experience that only a few will enjoy. If you have nothing else to watch and happen to have Paramount+, go for it. Otherwise, it isn’t worth your time.
Tulsa King is the story of an old gangster trying to set up an empire in Tulsa. The story picks up after Ike is released from his 25 jail sentence. The family he works for sends him to Tulsa to set up a new operation. The series will focus on Ike’s rise to power as he struggles with his regrets. Will Ike become Tulsa’s undisputed king?
Stalone is hands down the best part of the series. He has the charm and charisma to carry the cheesy gangster aspects of this show but also has enough talent for some of the more serious moments. Unfortunately, this is a mediocre show with flat characters and no plot.
One of the problems I have with this series is how preachy it gets about its social issues. The series will grind to a halt to point out social issues like racial discrimination or government oversight at the detriment of the narrative’s flow. This recent push to create media that is overly politically correct is ruining storytelling. There is a time and place for these kinds of conversations, and none of them are within the runtime of a cheesy gangster series.
My biggest issue with the series is how hard they try to humanize Ike through his interaction and relationship with people. Some work out fine like when he is trying to reconcile with his daughter, but others seem forced and lazy, like with his romantic interest. The romantic interest in this series is poorly written to the point that no amount of charisma can save it. This character is flat, boring, and generic. The whole romantic subplot is forced, and this series would be better without it.
This series could have been better if it didn’t try so hard to be serious. At its core, Tulsa King is a cheesy gangster narrative. Had this series been true to its roots, it could have been been a great thing. I would have loved a cheesy and nonsensical mob series with Stalone at the head. I wouldn’t care how flat the characters are or how dumb the plot was if I got to see Stalone bust skulls for no reason.
This series was a missed opportunity to bring some dumb and fun entertainment to an otherwise abysmal catalog. It may not be the worst series Paramount has to offer, but it isn’t worth going out of your way to watch it either.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!
Series Review: Dragon Age: Absolution (2022)
In an odd unexpected twist and in the final moments of the year, I found a surprising little fantasy series that you should consider. It is a bit of a slow start, but when it picks up, it is worth the wait. It is a better fantasy series than Amazon’s Rings of Power, and one that is a more manageable commitment. Follow a group of misfits in one of their most dangerous heists yet. The inquisition has collected a group of adventurers to collect a magical item that will shift the balance of power in the world. But things don’t always go as planned, and now the party must fight off guards, zombies, mages, dragons, and even demons. Can they finish the job and make it out with their lives? You will have to watch to find out. While it may not be the best-animated fantasy series out this year, it sits in a good position within the genre. The voice acting is fantastic and the story is fine, but the animation leaves a bit to be desired. I am not a huge fan of the art style, but it isn’t terrible. My problem is that the fights and actions don’t feel as epic as they need to be. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t The Legend of Vox Machina. The series is based on the Dragon Age games, but I didn’t find it necessary to know any of the existing lore to understand the plot. The series does a great job of being independent and existing as its own narrative. The only real benefit of having exposure to the established lore is that you will understand some vernacular better. You won’t be lost without it, however, making this series a great place to start if you are interested in Dragon Age. I really enjoyed the villain choice for this series. It was a unique attempt at a villain that holds the narrative together nicely. The heroes are fun to follow and interesting enough to keep your attention. I like how the intrapersonal connections between the characters is what drive a lot of the narrative. The narrative isn’t perfect, some of it is rushed, but it was worth the commitment. Whether you are an avid fan of fantasy or looking to dip your toe in the genre, this series should be on your list. Whether we get another season, or it gets canceled, make sure you stream it on Netflix.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!
Series Review: Hot Skull (2022)
Hot Skull is an interesting take on the zombie genre. While the series may not feature the traditional zombie, it does feature the traditional tropes. The series is in Turkish, but there is dubbing in multiple languages. I always recommend watching shows in their original language, but the English dubbing for this is pretty good.
Hot Skull takes place in the middle of a global pandemic. The world fears a contagious disease that transfers through audio. People affected will start rambling endlessly, slowly forgetting who they are. People will turn to ramblers if they are exposed to rambling, so people live their lives wearing noise-canceling headphones. The government has taken advantage of the chaos and uses the pandemic to control its citizens. In a world without a cure, hope falls to Murat, the only person immune to the disease. Now the race is on to find a cure before the government silences Murat forever.
I enjoyed Hot Skull, but it isn’t without its faults. The series looks great and has a decent story, but some poorly written speeches were hard to sit through. It wasn’t bad enough to give up on the series, but I did zone out a few times. You notice it a lot whenever it deals with the peaceful protest group, but you can always skip around.
What I liked about this series is how it criticizes authoritarian governments. Hot Skull does a good job of showing how the government took advantage of the situation. Travel becomes restricted, curfews are set in place, the public narrative is heavily edited, and the government is not afraid to use excessive violence on what they consider to be dissidence. Civil unrest brews in the shadows because people no longer have control of their lives. I just wish they did a better job with the rebels. The group seems a bit lazily written and only exists to move the plot forward at points.
I enjoyed Murat as a protagonist. Murat is the only person who is immune to the disease, but he spends his time in hiding. As he becomes exposed to the cold reality around him, he becomes more involved in the revolution. It is cool to see his transformation as he becomes more active in finding a cure. His transition to heroism may not be fluid, but it was well enough for what this is.
The only complaint I have about this series is that it slows down halfway through. As Murat gets more active about his role in the pandemic, the series gets bogged down with a lot of revolutionary ideology that I didn’t have much interest in. It might be a translation issue, but there are a lot of sappy speeches about freedom and martyrs I didn’t care for either. The pacing picks up eventually, but not until I was ready to give up on the series.
Overall, the series stands pretty well. There was a good amount of suspense and tension. It handled a lot of its themes and criticism well. It may not be the best story, but it will pass the time. While I don’t see myself rewatching this series or waiting for a second season, I’m glad I watched it. I’d say that if you like the zombie genre and want to see something different, give this series a try. It’s better than the recent resident evil movies. Otherwise, wait till you have nothing to watch.
It is available for streaming on Netflix.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!
Series Review: The Rings of Power (2022)
I was initially keeping up with Rings of Power when it was first released but fell off after a couple of episodes because of its pacing. I was initially excited about this series, but that excitement has since dulled. The Rings of Power isn’t a bad series, but it isn’t the epic prequel I was promised either.
The Rings of Power is fine, but it is not without its faults. The acting is fantastic, but the writing holds them back. I love the diverse casting and it makes me happy to see people of color in prominent roles in fantasy. The fantasy genre has always felt exclusive to white people. Growing up, I enjoyed fantasy but had to hide this fact to avoid getting picked on. It is amazing to see characters of color who make an impact on the narrative instead of just being villains and henchmen. I hope this is a growing trend in the genre, even if this series isn’t the best.
The biggest issue I have with this series is its pacing. It was too slow to be released weekly. I wouldn’t mind if this series was slow because it was carefully developing its lore. Instead, this series is bogged down by its excessive use of metaphor. The Rings of Power is desperate to sound poetic and it is off-putting. It is safe to say that the writing for this series isn’t great, and at times it sounds like a cheap attempt at emulating Tolkien. It wasn’t bad enough to make me stop watching, but it made it difficult to finish it.
The rest of the series was fine, but I wouldn’t have finished it if it wasn’t for this review. It looks pretty. The CGI cities look cool, the action is decent, and the costumes are great. They even have a fantastic villain, but at its core, this series is just average at best.
I don’t think this series is for everyone. If you aren’t a fan of fantasy, watch the movies instead. This series is a slow burn that barely pays off. The Rings of Power only works as a supplement for those casual Lord of the Rings fans who want more stories in the universe but don’t want to read the books. This isn’t a series I’d rush through, and I definitely recommend you skip around. You can stream it all on Amazon if you have a Prime membership.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!
Series Review: The Peripheral (2022)
The entire season of The Peripheral is finally available for streaming, and it wasn’t worth the wait. I started watching this series as it came out but quickly gave up when I lost interest. Having this series be a weekly release was a mistake because there isn’t enough happening to get you excited for the next episode. If you are looking for a good sci-fi series to binge, look elsewhere.
Flynn Fisher is the best VR gamer in the world, but she is also poor. She and her family live paycheck to paycheck and use Flynn’s gaming skills to make extra money. One day, a mysterious benefactor offers to pay her to test a new VR headset. Flynn finds herself in a hyper-realistic simulation where she must complete dangerous tasks to earn her paycheck. But there is an evil cabal working against her benefactor. Flynn finds herself in the middle of a deadly conflict where she and her family must fight to survive. Can Flynn get to the bottom of this mystery before anyone she loves dies?
I am happy this series has a recap before every episode because I struggled to remember the plot. The plot isn’t confusing, but it is boring. There clearly wasn’t enough plot for a whole series because they drag out what little plot they have over the eight episodes. This series is terribly paced. This series needed to be thrilling, fast-paced, and suspenseful, but it isn’t.
The cast is decent but they are wasted on flat characters and dull narrative. Flynn is a Betty Sue who seems to care the least about being in this series. She is much too perfect and will easily beat every encounter she faces. Any suspense and action that could have saved this series from being an abysmal flop are poorly executed. The action scenes are lethargic, the build-up is slow, and the big reveal comes out of nowhere. This is a series that suffers from a severe identity crisis as it struggles to try to define itself. There are too many plotlines fighting for your attention, and none of them will earn it.
I haven’t read the book this series is based on, but I can assure you it is a very loose adaptation. If you are here because you are a fan of the book or the Westworld series, prepare to be disappointed. This series was a waste of time. You can stream it on Amazon, but I wouldn’t bother.
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!
Series Review: The Bear (2022)
You should be watching The Bear on Hulu. It is a fast-paced, anxiety-inducing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. My heart is still racing from this hectic experience, and I love it.
After his brother’s suicide, Carmy moves back to Chicago to try to save his family’s restaurant. Carmy inherited this restaurant from his brother. Carmy is a classically trained chef, and he brings with him new innovative ideas. But saving the restaurant won’t be easy. The staff is stubborn, and his brother left the business in shambles. Can Carmy bring the staff together and help bring the change necessary to save the restaurant?
I am still shaking from the stress and anxiety this series gave me. The Bear does a fantastic job of showing a realistic view of the fast-paced and stressful environment that is in the kitchen. The series deals with hard topics such as depression, anxiety, and death while telling a powerful narrative.
This series is best at showing the worst of the human experience. You follow as characters are crippled by stress, anxiety, depression, and other complications in such a real way that it gets uncomfortable. Watching people live with their mental illnesses is something that resonated with me deeply, and I am sure I am not alone in this. it is an aspect of the show that is sprinkled expertly throughout the series as it tells its story.
What I enjoyed most is how the character processes their grief about the suicide. It is a slow process that all characters worked through as the series progressed. I loved watching the characters change through their process as they each went through the different stages in their own way.
The Bear is a fantastic series, and I hope I did it justice. If you like cooking shows, heartwarming shows, or shows about mental health, go check this out! Go watch it now on Hulu and thank me later!
Now for a shameless plug, check out Canva. If you need a quick and easy photo or video editor that works in your browser, try Canva. It is free, easy to use, and you get access to a wide selection of templates for those who are like me and aren’t that creative. Check out my affiliate link today! You can also try Amazon Prime with my Affiliate link!