Physical: Series Overview

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Sheila Rubin, Rose Byrne, is a deeply unhappy house wife in a terrible marriage. However, through the power of Eighties aerobics she reclaims control over her life.

This one is hard to get through at times, the personal tension and the cringe can get to such a point where you will want to turn it off, and though that seems like a natural response to what you see stick with it. Trust me its good.

There is something oddly satisfying about watching Sheila both win and lose in near equal measure on a weekly basis. There is no denying that she is not a likeable character, but was she ever meant to be? I viewed this as a dark comedy going in, so when Sheila does something bad to her friends or how she uses people I view it in almost an anti-hero way. Even though she is arguably a bad person you still want her to win in the end.

The series runs the gambit from darkly hilarious to heart-breaking, it is not afraid to get dark and often does. I enjoyed seeing the series trying to tackle issues of body dysmorphia, and unhappy marriages, I thought the series made a lot of good points and I would like to see where these issues move to in season two.

Overall, though some moments may be hard to watch it is well worth sticking with.

Pros.

The soundtrack

Byrne

Sheila’s arc

The ending

Cons.

It can be hard to watch at times

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Black Bear: Hollywood Is Not Good For Lovers

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A husband and wife’s relationship falls apart during the filming of a film about a marriage falling apart.

This film could easily be viewed as pretentious. It is a film about a film, but that only get revealed at the midway point. Personally, I liked the twist and thought he helped to keep the film interesting after the domestic crisis was starting to get a little stale, but I do think it could have been done in a less smug and showing off how clever it is sort of way.

I have to disagree with some other reviewers who say this is Aubrey Plaza’s finest work to date, though she is good here the honour of that title belongs to, and likely always will, Ingrid Goes West. I think Plaza play’s the mysterious disrupter here very well, but I would say her performance is over shadowed by that of Christopher Abbot.

Abbot has quickly become something of a darling to me, I am finding myself appreciating a lot of his work recently be it Piercing, Possessor, or this. There is something about his acting style that is so expressive, without feeling over the top. That is perfectly captured here, and he approaches a character who is gaslighting his girlfriend into believing there is an affair happening in order to elicit a better performance from her, with such ease it is chilling. What makes the performance further layered is that it acts as a comment on society and how men often to just use women for their own ends, sparing no regard for them as people, and feeling nothing about it. I think there is a lot of subtext to this film, that marinates better with a second viewing.

Overall, a strong written film only let down by an overly inflated sense of ego and smugness.

Pros

Plaza

Abbot

The writing/ twist

Cons.

The smugness

The ending

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Reservation Dogs: Fckin Rez Dogs

3.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

We are introduced to the Rez Dogs and get to explore their world as they try and save up enough money to move to California.

I had the wrong expectations about this show going in, I was expecting a breezy half hour comedy but there is actually far more sadness, drama and depth than I was expecting. If I had to classify this show I would call it a dramady yes there are some comedic elements, but I felt myself being concerned for the kids and their well being more so than laughing. There were a number of scenes that were actually quite heart-wrenching to watch.

So far, I think all of the actors are doing a good job. I think the dichotomy of trying to explore these characters as both heroes and villains is interesting as we see the impact the character’s actions have on the lives of those around them in a negative way. I like the moral complexity and I think it leads to the characters being stronger as a result.

I am intrigued to see where the gang war story line goes, and whether it will lead to a change in their perspective about living on the reservation or just make them want to leave more. I hope the series doesn’t find a way to unify the two groups as the warring gangs storyline is good for creating tension across the series.

Overall, fun but not what I was expecting and often more affecting than funny.

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Gates: A Stroll Through The Kentish Countryside

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Estranged sisters reconnect during a trip through the Kentish countryside, all the while the spector of past trauma stalks them from the shadows.

I found this film to be deeply moving. I thought the bond between the sisters and how it grows over the course of the film is life affirming, serving to remind you that no matter how bad a situation seems it can always improve. Furthermore, the pair are very convincing in their roles with both Iona Champain and Lily Walbeoffe delivering solid performances that have you fully believing in them as sisters.

I think the biggest pro of this film is it’s ability to connect with the audience on a personal level and be reflective of the human experience, the struggles and the pain. This is beautifully paired and reflected by the Kentish countryside. The pathetic fallacy is strong here and each scene has a message reflected in the setting, which adds to the second meaning of the film when red on a deeper level.

My only critique of the film is that it has pacing issues. Despite a relatively short run time this film feels longer, and it really shouldn’t. Most of this film feels very needed and is well paced and structured however, a few scenes carry on longer than they should, and it is in these moments where the pacing issues become apparent.

Overall, an emotionally powerful film.

Pros.

The performances

The use of setting

The dialogue

The ending

Cons.

A few pacing issues and overly bloated scenes

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Tuca And Bertie: Sleepovers

2/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Bertie has a hard time being alone and Tuca finds it hard to balance her friendship with Bertie and her new relationship.

I honestly can’t tell at this point whether it is the friendship between Tuca and Bertie that is toxic or each as individuals. Neither can seemingly let the other be happy or live/ enjoy life without the other constantly with them, which of course means sabotaging anything that might separate the two of them. I understand there will be friendships like that out there, but it makes the characters and their friendship hard to root for.

Moreover, I am starting to find the show a little immature. Yes it does now and again touch on some very adult themes and issues and handles them well, but my issue comes from how the characters behave on an episode by episode basis. We are expected to view these characters as mature after all they have been through, however they act like children often. This episode is the perfect example of this behaviour, whereby Bertie essentially has a temper tantrum because Tuca is not giving her enough attention.

The one pro I would say for this episode is I liked what they did with Tuca’s storyline. I thought the exploration of her new relationship was interesting and seeing whether she can allow herself to be happy and seeing whether the other most important bond in her life will also become toxic were interesting questions to ask. I thought the cliff-hanger ending worked well, and I am intrigued to see how the series will resolve her arc.

Overall, the characters and their friendship are becoming more and more toxic, though I do like the arc that is being set up for Tuca.

Pros.

Tuca’s storyline

The ending

Cons.

Bertie

Their friendship is toxic, I’d rather see them drift apart or fall out then resume the status quo

The Bertie storyline is surprisingly immature

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Limbo: The Struggle To Start Over

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Limbo tells the offbeat story of a refugee’s experience in rural Scotland.

I think this film needs to be seen. It should be mandatory viewing for just about everyone, as it shows the horrors that refugees have to go through once they arrive in the country: everything from the uncertainty of their asylum status to visits from the police to be deported back to the country they fled. It is heart-breaking and moving.

However, I don’t want this review to make the film sound too dower and serious, there are also a number of light hearted moments that provide some much needed respite and allow us to feel a sense of hope for proceedings again. I thought the ending of finally having Omar, Amir El-Masry, play his oud again was a wonderful choice as it highlights this enduring sense of optimism that maybe everything can be okay.

I think this film is incredibly timely and will open your eyes to something you may perhaps have never thought about before. I think it’s message is needed, now more than ever.

The performances across the board were all terrific with every single member of the cast having their own time to shine and individual moments that really help to make each character standout and be memorable.

Overall, I can’t recommend this film enough and though it might not always be the easiest of watches it is very needed.

Pros.

The message

The performances

The ending

The powerful emotion

Cons.

It is bleak at times, truly bleak

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Zola: The Twitter Film

3/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Based on the infamous twitter thread, Zola tells the story of a road trip gone wrong, highlighting how easy it is for people to end up in dangerous situations.

I had no expectations for this film going in, I didn’t really keep up with the thread when it was viral, though I was aware of the story itself.

I found the film to be on the better side of average but nothing to write home about.

On the positive side I thought the film managed to perfectly nail the tension and produced several scenes that were captivating as they feel so unexpected and threatening. You could feel the danger these women would have been in, and honesty it is both terrifying and heart-breaking.

Moreover, Colman Domingo was magnificent as X, the pimp who runs the girls through the later stages of the story. Why the character works so well and why Domingo’s performance is so good is because it is unpredictable, one minute he is cool calm and collect and the next he is knocking someone through a wall, the character works as they are seemingly very spontaneous and that is reflected in the performance. Furthermore, the character represents the moral ambiguity of our tale as we don’t know who to trust or believe, none of these characters are morally good and each do good and bad things throughout the film complicating them further.

Switching gears, what didn’t work for me at all was the dialogue. I understand that the way the main two characters speak is based on the real life tweets, you even get the tweet sound here and there, but I would have preferred it if they could have written it as actual dialogue for the film rather than just inserting tweets. Not only is it hard to understand but it quickly becomes annoying and grating as you watch.

Overall, it has its moments, but the dialogue really brings it down.

Pros

Solid tension

An interesting premise

Domingo

Cons.

The dialogue

The performances from everyone other than Domingo

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Tuca And Bertie: The Moss

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Tuca and Bertie’s building gets new management which causes a crisis for all the residents.

This is Speckle’s episode. Speckle is often there on the side-lines supporting Bertie and waiting for something to do, this episode finally gives him that. Honestly I didn’t like this episode for a lot of reasons, that I’ll get into later, but the one thing that worked well was Speckle- honestly he was hilarious. Speckle’s descent into madness was always very entertaining, and I thought his rants were standout.

I also enjoyed Tuca’s storyline as she was fighting to prevent change, which is very in keeping with her character, and to keep everyone together. I thought the scenes with her, and he ghost were interesting and I would like to see more of Tuca’s bonds with other people who aren’t Bertie.

Bertie here is simply awful; she would rather stay in a moss riddled flat with her friend that live with her boyfriend who has never done anything other than support here. If this episode proved anything it is how much of a toxic relationship they have and how Speckle and could and should be with anyone else. Why does she not want to live with him? Because he made some design choices she didn’t like……… Really? Worst of all we are supposed to still like her after this.

Overall, the episode until the final decision to revert was good, but the ending spoils everything, perhaps even the series.

Pros.

Speckle

Tuca

Cons.

Bertie

The ending

The morals of the show at this point

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Pig: Food Is The True Window To The Soul, One Of Nicolas Cage’s Best

4/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A former chef goes on a quest to reclaim his truffle pig after it is kidnapped.

Pig is not the film you’re expecting. The trailer played on John Wick vibes and tried to turn it into something it is not, this is not an action thriller film, really quite far from it. This is a soulful reflection on life, love and loss, told often through the facial emotions of the actors rather than through dialogue.

This film almost certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, it is not always a pleasant viewing experience there are moments of extreme grief and trauma throughout that might adversely effect those watching, but they need to be there as it is in these moments that we see the film’s true soul.

Nicolas Cage proves his vulnerability and versatility here in this role as he manages to change between intimidating, cold and detached and passionate breakdown all within the space of a few seconds, this really is one of Cage’s finest performances and proves his strength as a performer. Likewise Alex Wolff is also terrific I believed his emotional damage and his strained relationship with his father and thought his whole performance dripped with nuance.

Overall, this could have very easily have been silly, but it isn’t it is deep and soulful and perhaps one of Cage’s best. Be careful how you view this film before you see it, as the trailers are deeply misleading. Well worth the watch.

Pros.

Cage

Wolff

The emotion

The bond between man and pig

Cons.

A little depressing at times

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Tuca And Bertie: Vibe Check

2.5/5

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Bertie receives unwelcomed sexual fantasies and Tuca worries if she has been ghosted by her hopefully new girlfriend.

At this point I don’t think this show is a comedy anymore. It is never funny and is more often than not depressing. That is not to say it is bad, rather to adjust your expectations with the show.

For this week’s storylines I thought Bertie had by far the stronger arc. I think the further exploration of how Pastry Pete affected her is important character work, I think the storyline is handled maturely and actually makes some great points about sex and relationships widely.

Tuca however…… The show does not seem to know what to do with her this season, we have established that she is lonely and that she pushes people away, but the show does not want to seem to explore these issues deeper, rather it just gives her character throwaway storylines such as this. For most of the episode she worries she has been ghosted, and then she hasn’t been, that is the depth of the arc here.

It seems to me this show is far more interested in exploring Bertie and her character than Tuca and if that is true that’s fine, but then it shouldn’t really be called Tuca and Bertie it should just be called Bertie.

I may give this show up as I don’t find myself enjoying watching it and if anything it often bums me out.

Overall, Tuca is side-lined once again but Bertie has some interesting, nuanced character work.

Pros.

Bertie’s storyline

Exploring the aftereffects of abuse

Important conversations about trauma, sex and relationships

Cons.

They don’t know what to do with Tuca this season

It is depressing

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