Stars: 5/5 ⭐️ Season two of The Real O'Neals is way better than season one. Possibly because you have gotten to know these characters for some time, or the writing got better, or something, because the second season is great. So The Real O'Neals follows the O'Neal family, after the family reveals their secrets. The parents, Eileen and Pat, played by Martha Plimpton and Jay R. Ferguson, are getting divorced, the oldest son, Jimmy, played by Matt Shively, is anorexic, the middle child, younger brother, and main character of the show, Kenny, played by Noah Galvin, is gay, and the youngest child, Shannon, played by Bebe Wood, is a thief. And season two starts with the new school year, and right from the get go there is a lot of positive lgbtq+ representation. The first episode is about how Kenny wants to start a lgbtq+ club at his school, and he does so, getting only one person to join, but I think the character, Allison, is great in showing that it only takes one person (Kenny) to help you be open about yourself. Also, this season Kenny gets a boyfriend, and the relationship is treated like any straight relationship on tv with Kenny dealing with the same problems that straight character deal with when it comes to relationships. Also, the character V.P. Murray gets great character improvement in the second season, as in the first he's a little annoying, but when he starts dating Eileen, he gets so much character development, and he turns into a really great character. And while the show is throwing all these comedic plots and jokes at you, there is a lot of heart in the second season as well, and so when it's not totally funny, the show is still engaging. The show even tackles some big issues like parents not being accepting of their kids sexuality, and what life is like post-divorce but still living with your ex. So the second season is great, and amazing, and I think it has one of the best opening gags for the start of a season.
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Stars: 5/5 ⭐️ I was going to review Santa Inc. but then it got a 1.7 or something starts on IMDb, so here we are. Happy Holidays. The Real O'Neals is that show that was great, but it was cancelled two early. With only 29 episodes spanning the two seasons, it's a quick watch, but it's a hell of a ride. Following the O'Neal family, after the family reveals their secrets. The parents, Eileen and Pat, played by Martha Plimpton and Jay R. Ferguson, are getting divorced, the oldest son, Jimmy, played by Matt Shively, is anorexic, the middle child, younger brother, and main character of the show, Kenny, played by Noah Galvin, is gay, and the youngest child, Shannon, played by Bebe Wood, is a thief. And that's where the show kicks off, as it's the push and pull of the imperfections of the family, while also being "good Catholics" and trying to figure out what that means for them, and how to move on in life, especially with Kenny being gay and the parents getting divorced, while still being good standing Catholics. And the show isn't afraid to shy away from the nuances of new family life. Can you be friends with the person that you are divorcing, and how are you going to do it? The feelings and loneliness that comes from being the only out gay kid at your school, and how are you going to fix that? What does it meant to be a good catholic? And the show always is moving with jokes, and you will be sure laughing your ass off. What is great about this show as well is having Kenny, a teenage lgbtq+ character who's treated like every other character, and he has a lot of growth and development in the show. He's also not a stereotype, like he enjoys things that stereotypically gay men do, but he also is actively engages in student government, and is a great camper in a sense beating out his father and brother when the three go on a camping trip. So, this is a show similar to Don't Trust the B in Apt. 3, it's a knockout show that's a quick and fun watch, and fun for the whole family;. Stars: 4/5 ⭐️ I'm happy critics and audiences like this show, because it's a show with true queer representation. Following Sabi, played by Bilal Baig (who also created, writes for, and executive produces the show) it follow their journey as they move through the world as a non-binary Pakistani, nannying for a family, who's mother got in a horrible accident, putting her in a coma. Similar to Q-Force, having actual queer people behind the show, makes the show hilarious, and kinda like an inside joke for the community, even though there aren't that many queer specific jokes. There is also a lot of heart in this show, since a prominent character is Sabi's mom, who is trying to understand Sabi, and she goes on this journey where she opens up her accepts, being more accepting of her child, and realizing that she wants more out of life. Each episode is hilarious, and it always straddles between hilarity, but also heart, as the central story is about Sabi deciding if they should stay with the family, as they know the mom, and the two are friends, or if Sabi should break free, because at the beginning of the show, they're offered a trip, and a place to live in Berlin, with their friend 7ven, played bu Amanda Cordner, who is Sabi's confidant, and pusher. The first season of the show is less than 3 hours, and it's a great investment in time, as it's a great laugh. Stars: 4.5/5 ⭐️ So since this is an anthology show, I feel that I can review each season by itself. So... Love Life season 2 is better. Facts. Like, unlike season 1, there feels like an end goal, where you have an emotional investment in not only our main character but also the person they end up with. Season two follows Marcus Watkins, played by William Jackson Harper, from about 2016 to a little into 2022. Everything about this season is better. The writing, the characters, the concepts, I wouldn't say the acting, because the acting in season one is also top-notch, but Love Life season two slams it out of the park. I think what makes this a really good season is that our main character is pretty flawed, and unlike in season one, where Darby, played by Anna Kendrick, is kinda quirky, Marcus feels like a real person with real flaws, which brings his relatability up so much. He also just has more personality to him. Another great thing is that the show only focuses on one side character one time, and it's Mia Hines, played by Jessica Williams, who is the main love interest throughout season two, and there is one episode that follows her when she has to go back home to help her mom. But just because they don't focus on the side character, doesn't mean that they're not fleshed out as people, because they most definitely are, but focusing all the time on Marcus allows us to understand him more. Also, the way that they handle the pandemic is good, where it's not a massive thing that's in the show, and honestly, it's used well to propel the story forward, seeing Marcus in isolation and how he comes to some hard truths, and also has great breakthroughs. I feel like I can't really get into too much of the show, because in a sense the episodes are derivative. Marcus meets someone, they have sexual relations for a certain time, and then they break up. Obviously, that's not all the episodes, but it's most of them, but what keeps you coming back for more is the character development in Marcus and the complexities that he has as well. It's a show that I feel anyone can relate to as well, because even though it's from a heterosexual male's perspective, the stories and characters feel universal and that most people could relate to one or two characters in the show. And I would also like to give a quick shoutout to the narrator because personally, I think it's one of the best narrations in a show. (Besides Kristen Bell's iconic Gossip Girl, obviously) Stars: 4/5 ⭐️ I'm happy Alex Hirsch is continuing to help make amazing shows. Following Reagan Ridley, voiced by Liszt Caplan, a worker at Cognito Inc. which is a secret government agency that manages the world's conspiracies. And the day she’s promoted to the boss, she gets a co-lead partner, Brett, voiced by Clark Duke, a Yale alumnus, with no good skills except people skills. Inside Job is a show that’s so self-aware that I think it works. There’s an episode including Jeff Bezos which rips apart his treatment of Amazon factory workers, with a flurry of other jokes that poke fun at the problems in the world. There is an episode dealing with lizard people, where the government just lets global warming because it’s the ideal temperature for lizards. An episode dealing with flat earth conspiracists, the moon landing, and how it might be fake, and clones of people that have passed away. This show is also kinda like Rick and Mort, where there are two levels with the jokes. There’s the “haha, funny” level of the jokes, but then also what the jokes mean in a contextualized world. Which can make you laugh, but then also makes you think, which I personally think is the best way to make someone more worldly, by using comedy. The characters as well, are wonderful fun poking fun at what the government might be doing, such as media manipulation and subliminal messaging. But at the central core of Inside Job is Regan’s unstable relationship with her dad, Rand, voiced by Christian Slater. The relationship is wonderful in showing how childhood relationships can mess you up, as a myriad of Regan’s issues come from her childhood, and how her dad wanted her to be a kid prodigy, pushing her to the point of breaking in the final episode. The show also deals with work-life balances, which Reagan doesn’t have, and it shows how unhappy someone can be when that happens. So, Inside Job is a show where you come for the quirky and edgy jokes about government and conspiracies but stay for the depth of the characters. Stars: 4/5 ⭐️ I wish this show got a second season. This show I think is the best of the three in the Archie-verse, or whatever people are calling it. And I know that means a lot since the Archie-verse also includes Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but Katy Keene just did it for me. One thing I liked right off the bat, is that there is a gay character in the show who isn't just gay, and actually does stuff in the movie. He's also not the butt of jokes either, which made me elated, and also he's a drag queen, which I think just makes him better because he's a feminine gay man, who is an actual character instead of a caricature. But stepping back, Katy Keene is obviously about Katy Keene, played by Lucy Hale, who is a wanna-be fashion designer, who works at Lacy's in the personal shopper section, so think like Prada or Gucci, or something, because they're said to be a department store, and alluded to be very expensive. It is also about Jorge, played by Jonny Beauchamp, who is the drag queen who wants to be on Broadway, and also save his block from gentrification, and also get a boyfriend, so he's doing more than just being gay, and I'm so happy to see it!! There is also Josie, played by Ashleigh Murray, who has moved to NYC after high school to pursue a music career, and Pepper, played by Julia Chan, who is this entrepreneur/con artist. The show has so much life in it and compared to Riverdale, or CAOS, this show is light, and airy, but still fun, and interesting, and makes the characters rootable, and enjoyable to watch on screen. Though I will say, there are some episodes with musical numbers, sometimes it goes with the theme of the episodes, because Jorge wants to go to Broadway, and Josie is a singer, but other times it doesn't make any sense, but personalty, deepening on who's singing, it's okay. What sucks is this did so well on rotten tomatoes, getting a 91%, while shows like Riverdale got an 84% (which is still good, but Katy Keene's is higher) and get at least seven seasons. This show is so amazing, and I wished more people watched it, because there were some interesting cliffhangers at the end of season one, that I wish I knew the answer to, as well as seeing these characters, who are super likable, and you will like them, grow as people, seeing what will happen to them. Will they succeed, or fail? If they fail, what will they do? Will all their New York dreams come true? I don't know, but that isn't to say not watch the show, because 9.1 hours of fun happen in the first season. Stars: 5/5 ⭐️ What to even say about this show. It's great for one. It's funny, mysterious, thrilling, and interesting simultaneously. Following three people, Charles Haden-Savage, played by Steven Martin, Oliver Putnam, played by Martin Short and Mabel Mora, played by Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building is about the three people who come together over their love of true crime podcasts, to create one about a murder, only in their building. There is so much great about this show, but I think the better is is the mystery. I am so happy I waited until all the episodes were released, because the mystery is so addicting that you'll need to know what happens after each episode, because each episode digs deeper, and gets more interesting than the last. I am so happy that this show got renewed for a season 2, because what makes the show great is the characters in it. they all have a tie to the mystery, some in more ways than one, and each character feels like a real person, which most of the main characters getting voice over backstories about what has led them up to that point in their life. It also has cross generational friendship between Mabel, Charles and Oliver, which older generations have been exited by because it allows younger generations into interact with Steven Martin media, so even though it's technically a mature show, it's a show that could be enjoyed by a whole family. There is so much good to say about this show, and honestly it feels like we've been in a resurgence of mystery shows, and I'm happy Only Murders in the Building is part of that! Stars: ∞/5 ⭐️ They always say all great things come to an end, and sadly it's true with this show. As said before, Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23 is probably one of the best shows ever, cause it was so crazy, and ridiculous, and a gut-busting laugh all the time, while still being an ABC original. So season two picks up where we left off with Chloe, played by Krysten Ritter, and her friend June, played by Dreama Walker, and James Van Der Beak, played by himself, in all their crazy fun. What was amazing about this season is there were constant plot lines in the show, with the best being about James' stint on Dancing with the Stars. There is also June and her flirtationship with her boss/friend Mark, played by Eric André, as well as Chloe just being Chloe, with her dysfunctional family, and her growing love for June. Which I think is the best storyline. It's cute, while also being hilarious, and being able to be heartfelt all at the same time. Chloe helping June, June helping Chloe, with their friendship evolving into a believable friendship, which I think is great writing, because when the show starts, they're polar opposites. But with each episode, they become more and more alike, obviously keeping their values, which makes them feel like real people. There is also Luther, James' gay assistant, who is a joy in season two. He gets more screen time, and always has a hilarious joke on hand, which always makes him a delight. Thankfully, the second season has 19 episodes to satisfy you, which is great, but also sad, since there isn't a third season, but there is so much packed in the second season. One of the more interesting plotlines is Chloe's budding relationship with Ben, a film director, who is equally as crazy as Chloe. And their relationship doesn't make Chloe suddenly stop having sex, or being crazy, but it motivates it, which is a joy that her character isn't compromised so that she can fall in love, and be loved by Ben. And their relationship is wild, from having sex in all the NYC bathrooms to Chloe deporting Ben, to their rotations, and such, it's an innovative take on relationships. But there is so much more to say about the show, but I really really really really encourage you to watch the show if you can. It will be worth your while. Stars: 5/5 ⭐️ Oh what a way to finish a show. The third season of the masterclass of a show was such a perfect ending to a wonderfully humorous show. So, Nick break down: Difficult People follows Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner's, alter egos, Julie Kessler and Billy Epstein as they try to become famous in NYC. However, this season, the characters have their sights set on other things besides being famous, most notably: What do they want their future like, since busting their asses to try to be comedians has been hell for them. Julie contemplates possibly becoming a home body, and selling little "bags of desires" (or something) on Etsy, as it's more stable for her, and she actually feels happy. While Billy on the other hand wants to get out of the city since he doesn't find anything good about it anymore, and wants to try his hand in LA, to see if he can make it as an actor. The show, I thin, really examines how fucked up Billy and Julie are in their own respects when it comes to dating, and mental help, and career aspirations which at the same time is both hilarious and heartwarming, as they might be difficult people, but they are in fact people first. The two most interesting is Julie's plan to continue trying to make it in comedy, even though she isn't exactly happy with it, but she feels like she needs to, which I think is quite the sentiment of many people today who believe that they have to take on jobs that make them unhappy in the hopes of getting something, may that be a job, or something else that brings them happiness. The other which I thought was quite revealing about Billy, was him deciding to just leave his boyfriend in NYC, without saying goodbye properly to leave to LA, because he didn't want it to be a goodbye between him and his boyfriend, which showing toxicity in love an interesting and intriguing route. Just like season 2, there are a good amount of call backs to previous episodes throughout the season, and with this season there is more of a coherent storyline, as it seems the show knew there wasn't going to be a season 4, and so they had to wrap up all the character arcs. There are again so many cameos by people, which really adds an extra layer of humor on top of the show. Again, as I said in my season two review, Difficult People is a stand-out season with hilarious plots, great cameos, and an overall great time, and the third season is just as great, with a bittersweet ending showing everyone still together. Stars: 4.5/5 ⭐️ Chicago Party Aunt is a show, which I think brings flavor back to the raunchy animation shows. This Chicagoan tale follows Diana, the self-proclaimed Chicago Party Aunt, after her nephew, Daniel moves in with her, after deciding to take a gap year from Stanford. This show is hilarious,s raunchy, and overall, a great show with representation. One of the things that popped out at me was that Daniel is gay, but the show doesn't announce it with all these gay jokes, you just learn it, when, in episode two, his mother walks in on him watching gay porn. Then the following episode he lusts after a college (or post-grad, there weren't that many details with the character) boy, and the only other reference of it is that on Halloween, he wants to go to a gay bar and make out with a random guy. There were also a few jokes sprinkled in, but they weren't offensive, which I loved that there wasn't an incessant need to point out his sexuality. However, there seemed to be a lot of jokes pointed at millennials and millennial culture, as Daniel starts to work at "Kreativ Jūs", a place where turmeric shots are 17$. As this show is set in Chicago, there are plenty of references that Chicagoans will pick up. (I think, I only picked up a few, but I'm not from Chicago) Which I think enhances the reality of the show, as the show is written kinda like an inside joke for Chicagoans. This is very obvious if you go on the Chicago Party Aunt Twitter, you can see people doing side by side of real places. The character of Diane though is the best! She's your typical I-don't-want-to-grow-up-but-I-am character, with a lot of heart, jokes, and tricks up her sleeve. Teaching book-smart Daniel how to live a street-smart life in her apartment, they always seem to get into crazy shenanigans, which with the power of animation on their side, it can be anything. Speaking of art animations, there isn't anything crazy with the animation of this show, which isn't bad, but it felt there could have been times where creative animation liberties would be taken to enhance the show. But, other than that, it kinda gives the vibes of F is for Family, without the horrible people aspect to it, and a great thing about this, is that there is already a season 2 on its way, as Netflix ordered 16 episodes, and the first 8 dropped on Sept. 17th. |
AuthorRyan Jones is an aspiring screenwriting, and an environmental enthusiast and activist. Archives
December 2021
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