This is a ROUGH episode to watch.
When you are the protector of a mother, you feel a great responsibility. You become more than the Son.
But when she goes....
It is hard thing to accept. Very hard.
I felt everything Jack was feeling at the end. "I dont have a Mom" - yeah, that is hard to accept. VERY HARD.
I have seen more than my fair share of disaster films, and by far, this is one that hit me the hardest and on a personal level.
I have been through more floods than I care to remember. I have been swept away by swift moving water, forced to grab onto a tree and hold on for dear life. I have been taken in by strangers, scared and unsure where my family was and if they were alive.
And I was 5 years old, when this happened. (Around the same age as the middle child in this film).
I had coughed up more floatscum and dirty water.
And I have the mental scars as a result.
And this movie captures all of this and more. (The scene where the Mom and Lucas are sleeping / under anesthesia, and cant dream of anything but the water and the suffering and almost drowning. That is me. From age 5 to age 24. Everynight of my life. Wake up in a cold sweat, from the nightmares. And when the rains fall - nervous and trying to find a way to get home, and get with my family and get to higher ground).
People criticize the ending - the almost empty plane. You have to remember, this was a plane taking people to hospitals and to safety. And for many people, leaving wasnt an option. They had to stay. To find their loved ones. No matter what. (This was what my Mom went through during our first flood. She was rescued first and was taken in by a couple of the neighborhood moms. She stayed in their home long enough to put my brother in a crib (he was 13 months old, and had been held by her all night, while she stood on a dining room table, water up to her waist, waiting for it to end), change her clothes and then back to the water's edge. She waited, with two other moms, until he KNEW that I was safe and coming to her. That is what survivors do- they wait and hope and pray. And cry when then find out - good or bad.
It takes something else for me to get teary eye during a movie - usually when a beloved pet dies. (Yeah, I look at you, "I Am Legend" And you "Hitachi"). But when the brothers find each other and are hugging - yeah, I was feeling a bit emotional.
OMG- this movie should have an Surgeon General's Warning - "WARNING: Can do damage to the FEELS"
I watched this film with my dogs, during a rainy afternoon. By the time it was over, I was balling like a toddler, holding both dogs in my chest, petting them and telling them that I promise NEVER to die on them. EVER.
(To be honest, I think they were pretty happy for the attention).
It makes you cry, to think that for the rest of that dog's life, he waited and waited for the return of the greatest person in his life, not understanding that it will never happen. I am afraid that my one dog (the other one passed away last year) will be like this - he is so attached to me, and doesnt really bond with anyone else.
These "exra" episodes sort of feel like they are COVID filler episodes - one to 3 actors, socially distanced, and telling stories that, honestly, dont move the story along more than just give filler "a day in the life" of a character.
This one is another one of these. It's the Carol and Daryl show. (Many years ago, when Carol was the cookie making housewife of Alexandra, I said I could see her and Daryl having a 1960's style comedy - the happy couple. She cooks and cleans and gets blood stains and oil out of the clothes, and Daryl is fighting Zombies at the door and fixing up his bike in the garage....). They part ways (I love how Dawg goes with Carol. He knows where the soft home life is). Carol goes back and wants to be helpful in some way. And Daryl is just being Daryl - scavenging, surviving and look cool doing it.
5 minutes into the episode and I was thinking that the end of the season, we might see a La Forge cameo, thanking the crew for help bringing Voyager back, for the Starfleet Starship museum.
"You've demonstrated how you can handle an internal threat, while still managing to bring back the ship in one piece. :mutters: which is more than I can say for certain fellow officers and friends.....
I have big plans for you in the future."
And Boimier was right - there are some deep Voyager cuts.
And Kudos for acknowledging the "Pike incident"
Watching this episode, it realizes that this is "Parks and Rec", but set in a public school.
A Positive, Upbeat One
A realist who mugs for the camera and has a secret crush
A delusional, self-centered one.
This episode of Abbott Elementary version of "Eagleton" - a better, nicer, more positive school just down the road from them.
And now we know how THIS Wonder Years is connected to the Original Flavor Wonder Years
WOW- Talk about a BAD day for 3 of the Roy family - Kandall throws Shiv under the bus, so she strikes back, and then Logan realizes he can avoid the DOJ forever...
Meanwhile, Roman is dealing with trying to be a normal family, when he is anything BUT...
Tom continues to show why he is a dick (giving Cousin Greg "suicide pills"), and hopes to make his own way into the good graces of Logan.
The more I watch the show, the more I think we are going to end up Connor and Cousin Greg sharing leadership of the whole enterprise...
Wait - Spock dies in Wrath of Khan!?!? Spoilers!!!
Not sure what amused me more about this episode:
1) The sweet old Racists, who goes through all the EMS, trying to find one she likes to give her CPR during her "heart attack"
2) The Overlords are watching.
3) Bald Rob Lowe
4) The Bird Box victims (this is why you treat the Temps the same as the employees)
But I did have a "eeeeeewwww" moment, when Liv Tyler mentioned how hot Bald Bruce Willis is. (Brain: "Ummmm he played her Dad" Me: "I KNOW!!! I was there too")
The Food Porn episode.
After watching the first episode, I make it a point to watch the show while having a sandwich for lunch. (As close as I can get to having one of their sandwiches).
But this one - it takes the "food to pair with the show" to the next level.
During a rewatch of this and the 2nd half of the story, I was reminded how, when watching it when it was being broadcast, how timely it was, as relating to the events of the comics. How the mutant plague was an ongoing threat to the X-Family, and was taking its toll on various members.
For comic book bases cartoons, this was a new thing, compared to the the cartoons of the past.
This is the 7th episode of this reboot and I am just about at the point where I am about to give up. (If it hadnt been for the previous episode glimpse at the more extreme gifts, I would have given up).
I loved the original series - it was interesting.
This one - well, I am hoping to see some Caucasian males who are NOT racist, bigots, or sadists. I realize this show is to show the fridge and repressed as the the 4400, but come on - throw in a socially bullied nerd boy or the spectrum guy who is into things like books. (Maybe his 4400 gift is he can phase into a book or other medium and retain total knowledge from the book).
And speaking of 4400, I am wonder if one of the members of the 4400 might be causing the polarizing behavior of the male guards.
So far, this week alone has seen 3 different musical episodes. The 1st was the Simpsons. Ⅱ was great north. And now Riverdale. I'm hoping that this TV season is not going to have any more musical episodes
One line. They set up a season cliffhanger that is resolved with ONE LINE!! That's it - the FBI series is going on the back burner, for Summer 2022 viewing. ...... One Line.
And thus we have the episode that killed my desire to watch this series. Felt like a backdoor pilot for a spin-off - one that I haven't any desire to watch. About the best scene was the reunion meet up "How about them apples" that Jose did.
A part of me REALLY hopes there's a Bloopers/ Extra for the DVD scene where Lex is singing "Try a Little Tenderess," by Otis Redding...
You know you've watched WAY to much television over the decades when the main star sings a parody version of Salt n Peppa's "Let Talk about Sex" and you remember when the same star once sang the same song with SnP 30 years prior on another show of hers. #FromBlossomToKat
I am sort of wondering if this was Emilio Estevez's way of getting back at his dad for being grounded as a kid?
"Dad - got this great movie I am making. And I want you to be the star. You will get to see all kinds of sights in Europe - Mostly France and Spain."
"Sure, Em. What do I have to do"
"Oh you know - be in some shots with pretty backgrounds. Think "Dancing with Wolves"."
"Ok. Wonderful"
240 walking miles later...
"You....little...sh......I.....am....making Char.......lie my new.....favorite,....... Duck.....Boy!"
And now we can add ANOTHER actor from "The Suicide Squad" to the list of guest stars on the show.
(I almost want them to have a series finale where James Gunn yells "CUT" and we learn that the whole show was a project of his, which he was making while waiting on the final take over of the DC entertainment franchise. Maybe have Fillion ask "So, when do I get to play Green Lantern?
Gunn: "....."
Fillion: "That a no... ok, how about Booster Gold?"
Gunn: "cast already...sorry"
Fillion: "Youre going to put me in make-up or CGI again, arent you..... "
Gunn: "How does OA grab you? I would say Clayface, but Alan beat you too it....")
Growing up in Texas, in the 80s, it was hard NOT to know who the Von Erichs were. They wrestling royalty; to see them in public meant bragging rights among your friends. We would fill up on Pizza Hut Pizza, just so we could get the posters. A Von Erich picture on the cover of a wrestling magazine meant that it would be sold out.
And for me - it was a special bond I had with my Grandfather; he had seen Fritz wrestle back in the day, in Canada. (Mom made my grandfather promise NOT to tell me stories about how "bad Fritz was". Especially given how the Father was the Heel, while the boys were Golden). When my grandfather would come to visit every X-mas, we would have a stack of wrestling tapes ready for him to watch. (I would record the episodes on the weekends, then edit out the ads, so it was 45-60 minutes of pure wrestling). As Mom said "It keeps him entertained, he gets his wrestling fix, and he isnt getting in my hair, or upset your father by fixing things around the house".
So, when the opportunity to be part of test audience for the film came up during the summer, I volunteered and was chosen.
It took a few minutes to accept Efron as Kevin (who was my favorite and an idol of mine), and I just didnt see Allen White at Kerry, but man, did they score BIG with Dickinson as David Von Erich. (Later, when we actually saw Kerry on the screen, and how he had many of the same body language and mannerisms as Kerry, all doubt was cast aside). Even knowing what was in store for the family, it still had the gut punch when David dies, Michael commits suicide, and Kerry looses his foot and would commit suicide. I was told Kerry only lost part of his foot- not the whole foot and part of the leg .
There were a few things that I felt were wrong with the film - the main one being the exclusion of Chris Von Erich from the story line. But, leaving the theater, I felt I had seen next year Oscar buzz worthy film - definite nominations for Efron, for the screenplay, and the directing, and as well as the film overall. (In some ways, I want it to win - so that the Von Erich "curse" is broken).
Back in the earliest days of the DCEU, when they announced that they were adding Aquaman to the list of heroes to be seen on the big screen, I was "really.... really....Aquaman?!?!?"
Yeah, he was still a joke of a hero, in my mind, back then.
Then they announced that Jason Momoa was cast in the role. Now, I had only seen Momoa in "Stargate: Atlantis", but even there, he was a bad ass. Suddenly, Aquaman was going to be less of a joke and more of a hero.
And then we get Justice League - and we actually get to see a BAD ASS Aquaman. One who loves a good fight and is fun to watch. (As well as an actor who is really enjoying his role).
So, of course, they announce a series of movies, based on the Justice Leaguers - and we waited. And waited.
We got Wonder Woman 1984 during the Pandemic (so you could stay at home and watch it. Or, be like me, and go to the theater and sit alone in a row, to see the film).
Then, the announce that the DCEU era is over. That some movies are being shelved/ had been cancelled (Batgirl & Cyborg), and others are will be burned off released in 2023 (Shazam; Fury of the Gods, Flash, Blue Beetle, Aquaman 2).
So, going to see this film was like going to see "New Mutants" in 2020 - the last of an era and not really important, in the overall arch.
Which is a shame, really - the movie was fun.
As I said, Momoa really looks like he enjoys playing the part of Arthur Curry / Aquaman. He adds his personality to the role, so that when you hear him give a war cry, you image that he just added it for fun himself, and not because it was in the script. There as less of Mera in the film - which is probably a way to give her character justice, while the public hate-on continues towards Amber Heard. Patrick Wilson continues to play the stiff deposed Atlantian King, Orm. (I had a moment, while watching the movie, where I imaged if they cast him as Aquaman. Then we would have gotten the Cartoon Aquaman I grew up watching - one who could talk with fish, rode a seahorse, and had a pet dog/ sea lion. And I doubt the movies would have been as fun to watch). And what's a hero without his nemesis - yes, Black Manta is back, and is a major threat.
The movie does pull elements from other successful films - yeah, I'm looking at you, the Faux Jabba the Hutt and the Max Rebo band. And, there was one point, in the film, where I almost tell where they said "Ok, this series is over - finish out what you are doing, and start saving things to the servers. We are not doing any major CGI post-production work" .
Finally, there is a mid-credits scene - but it doesnt promise any type of future adventures, but instead, plays off a joke that was seen earlier in the film.
Oh man, the moment they caught the attempted rapists, and Joe said "Spread him" I was thinking they were about to pull an "Immortals" on the guy and use the butt of their rifles to ruin the guy.
But nope - it was much more justified for Joe to do the damage. But I have to wonder - did she break just his tailbone with the stomps, or his hip bone? And surely there is some permanent damage to soft tissues as well.
Getting some real "Return of the Jedi" vibes from when the Rogue Agents stormed the storage center for the A.I. Up to and including when they came out.
All that was missing was Ewoks.
A part of me wonders if Bear isnt destined to be a Shaman for the reservation - that the visions he experiences are just the first signs of him having a higher purpose.
Once again, Lower Decks takes a DEEP DIVE into Past Trek shows, and pulls out another winner.
I am starting to think that, unlike "Star Trek Picard", we are going to see Trek Reunions in animation, more than in live action. Which is fine - the actors are starting to look like Kirk' crew, circa the early 90s, but with animation, it means they can look like they've aged only a few years. Plus, we can get characters from the past (Like what they did with Prodigy) return and get updated storylines.
Not to mention, if SNW ever is cancelled (perish the thought), we know that animated can come in to the rescue.
It's been 30 years since this episode was broadcast.
Time to be on the look out for Tooms - he's due to make a liver run.
Before Seeing the Episode: "Take a fan favorite character, who is known for having dialogue which barely breaks 100 words in a episode, and send him to France, with french speaking characters. On this is going to be interesting..."
After seeing the Episode: "Oh yes please!!! Mais Oui, svp!!!
Another reunion episode.
Shame that the show was cancelled - it would have been interesting, to see what other reunions could have happened. (Image the Facts of Life Girls, taking part in a "Grandmas Gone Wild" fantasy. Or a "Happy Days" reunion.
Welcome Back, Gang. It's been a long 10 years for us.
Plus, how many shows an brag about being cancelled 2 twice and still get a come back.....
As for this first episode - it was amazing. Sure, there were plenty of meta jokes - but they had the same thing when they came back on Comedy Central. And let's face it- many of these animated shows like to poke fun of their parent networks.
What I found highly amusing is that Bender, a Robot with A.I. was responsible for the writing of the show on Fulu. The very thing that the current WGA strike is against - A.I. written shows/ series. But then again, it's Bender. So that A.I. is drowning in booze and hookers
