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Oracle-of-Delphi
Reviews
The Deliverance (2024)
Pray for good writers, deliver us from bad SFX
Who would've thought demon removal could be done without a priest? That's why I like this film. It's an original spin on the tried and true demonic possession narrative. This is slow burn horror which plays out fairly well. A fierce, single mother battling debt, alcoholism, her own volatile emotions, the world....and little does she know, an actual demonic presence too. Lee Daniels and the other writers did a phenomenal job writing a metaphorical, horror screenplay. This one has a heavy kind of fear. Psychologically and paranormally. Everyone in the house is afraid of each other, the outside world, and whatever is happening to all of them. My husband wondered if I was in a trance while watching this. That's how compelling this story was. But then...
Here's where Lee Daniel drove his film off the road and into the cornfields. The SFX scenes which occur more towards the end. Less is more. Our imaginations will conjure up far more frightening scenes than you could ever create with SFX. Sound effects are very effective and could've been utilized more instead of the graphic visuals. There aren't many of these scenes. My advice, close your eyes and listen to the sound effects. You're not missing anything vital.
The film was brilliantly casted. And the performances were on par, with what the actors were given. In my opinion, the characters could've been developed a bit more. There was enough of a connection for me to like them and fear for them, but I really wanted to know this family.
Overall, it's a unique horror film that's fairly well written with a very talented cast. I'm glad we're starting to see more smart, metaphorical horror, films, (but please, lose the bad SFX). This one's worth a watch. Enjoy.
Kaos (2024)
Lovely, Organized Kaos
Wow! Where to begin? The obvious disclaimer, this is a series that will most likely be a bit more enjoyable if you have a decent knowledge of Greek mythology. That being said, Prometheus, the narrator, does a decent job of explaining the myths involved as the story unfolds.
The decision to make Prometheus the narrator was an unexpected and in my opinion, genius choice. Who better to tell the story of how gods are just as flawed as humans and sometimes even worse? How about the god who was punished for giving mankind the gift of fire, then eternally sentenced to hang from a cliff while his liver is pecked away daily by Zeus in eagle form. Stephen Dillane was an excellent choice for the role of Prometheus. He exudes empathy for humanity in his performance as the Titan god.
This show's cast shines. Jeff Goldblum as Zeus, Cliff Curtis as Poseidon, David Thewlis as Hades. None of these men seem god like and that is why these choices were pure gold. The actors don't resemble the visual archetypes of the big three Greek Gods. And, not always their characters either.
Hades hobbles around like a feeble old man in the gray toned underworld, a realm in stunning contrast to the technicolor earthly world. Hades is kept in check by his devoted Queen Persephone. This Persephone runs the bleak corporation of this realm. And, she hardly looks like one who could be physically overtaken by Hades as in the classic myth. In one scene, Persephone even references the her abduction story, waiving it away like it was just a rumor. This is a great little detail in the writing that some viewers might miss. Most myths tend to focus on Persephone as the young kidnapping and assault victim. Feminist artists and writers for ages have referenced her tragic experience in their work. The original myth is horrific and disturbing, but it's been retold too many times, in too many ways. This series revamps her character. And, she resembles the Persephone written about in the notes by a few of the Pre Socratic philosophers. The Persephone who later learned to love Hades and embrace her role as queen of the underworld. The formidable and one of the most intelligent of goddesses. Seeing a version of this Persephone in the series is so refreshing. Although, we haven't seen her use any intimidation tactics yet, she's proven to be assertive, brave, and clever.
Poseidon is like the sleazy uncle, always boozed and oiled up on his yacht. He's got a bit of gut, but no trident. However, he has a tender heart. He's not the type of god who just thrashes the seas. I liked how the writers created a more multidimensional character for this god. And, watching his personal evolution through the series has been interesting
And then there's Zeus, the god of all gods, and a demanding, narcissistic, man child. He also lacks the god bod too which is hilariously evident in the bronze statue of him holding a thunderbolt. Now that I've seen this series, I actually can't imagine who could play a better Zeus. Goldblum has an ability which I hadn't seen him bring to any other role. He can mercurially flip, a golden smile seamlessly sliding into an expression of boiling rage. It was actually a bit terrifying to see him in some of the latter scenes. The Zeus in Kaos again defies archetype. He isn't the notorious lust filled god. Here, he seems more obsessed with track suits and watches than women. And despite Hera's collection of bees, (Zeus' former lovers) and her macabre yet comforting room of tongues, she doesn't show much outrage or jealousy toward Zeus. (Aside from one weird, but darkly funny scene when Hera masks herself as Zeus while with his mistress.) Hera actually seems like the level headed one in this marriage, trying to maintain order and stability at Mt. Olympus.
Orpheus was not my favorite character, but he's one of the most important ones. If you aren't familiar with his mythology, read the following. *Orpheus had indeed been a revered poet and musician, and even had a cult following well beyond his death. The role of world famous rockstar in this series suits his character well. Orpheus' actual hymns were considered to be alternative versions of the classic Homeric hymns. (The myths most of us know.) They're similar myths with a few changes or different endings. The most interesting aspect of Orpheus' own story: He was considered a prophet before his journey into the underworld. In most versions of his myths with which I'm familiar, he never makes it out of the underworld or if he does, he doesn't live long.*
Eurydice was simply Orpheus' wife. According to most myths, she was known more for her death than for her life. It had been her death that caused the downfall of Orpheus, the prophet. Once Eurydice died, she never left the underworld. This is my favorite thread in the narrative. I love how Kaos spun the Orpheus and Eurydice myth around. Again, it reflects the thoughts of the Pre-Socratic philosophers. One can't fully understand life until they've pierced the veil of the underworld. And, Eurydice has now. She went from housewife to prophet. Her life has a significant purpose. The Eurydice as a prophet idea is brilliant in my book. I'm very curious to see where they take this storyline, especially now that she's met Cassandra.
I should mention Ariadne's storyline. It was the most poorly written thread in my opinion. The first scenes of dialogue, concerning her backstory, were confusing. Then her past became even more complicated when too much dialogue was crammed into the final episode. Chaotic, fast past paced, whispered, exposition. Some of the lines I could understand sounded contradictory. These are where the plot holes lie. In general, Ariadne's narrative felt rushed compared to the other stories.
Despite the writing flaws, those few plot holes, it wasn't damaging enough to ruin the narrative or the experience as a whole. Maybe some trickster god did work a bit of magic to maintain my suspension of disbelief. Not many writers are capable of tying all the strings together to form a cohesive narrative, as this one did. Even though Ariadne's thread had a few snags. All the storylines connected together, support the impending prophecy. We have two prophets, and a new president, one whom can separate church from state. And we have Cassandra? Nice cliffhanger.
Kaos is a brilliant show, in myriad ways. If you have a passion for Greek mythology, I'm guessing that you'll either love Kaos or hate it. I don't need to see another dramatic series about historic families or in this case, mythological figures that strictly adhere to the Homeric hymns. I want to watch more films and series like this one. Modern adaptations. Power dynamics spinning from Gods to Goddesses in unexpected scenarios. Deviations from certain myths that create new ones relevant to our current reality. Originality, unpredictability, satire, beauty. All those aspects are in this series, along with a certain lightness and humor.
But, this isn't a superficial series as some reviewers believe. This is a well planned, researched, high concept show. The question is will that be the ticket to its cancellation? It's certainly the reason why some of our most outstanding series have died quick, painful deaths. (R. I. P. Peripheral, 1899, Westworld, etc.) Some viewers just want the "feel good" shows. And, I understand. Kaos definitely has some of that. Dennis the kitten. (Ok, maybe not). Basically, it's wacky, smart fiction about a pantheon of graceless gods and their race against a prophecy, forecasting their downfall. But, it's also very much about real life. Fate versus free will. Life changing decisions. Sacrifice. True love versus obsession. A bonafide Greek tragedy. Will it have a happy ending? Who knows? Will it get a second season? I really f*ing hope so. If What's Her Face in Paris is renewed for a fifth season, then the my own prophecy will be fulfilled. The streaming services will doom all of us with moronic reality shows and Bridgertonesque programming for the rest of our lives. At that point, I'll gladly trade places with Prometheus.
Feria: La luz más oscura (2022)
Strong suspenseful start, but then.....
This show's first episode had a hook within the first few minutes. Right out of the gate, this show seemed to moving in an interesting direction. Possibly even an original one. But half way through the season, the story fell flat. Sister drama, sister drama, sister drama. The angry detective who constantly questions everyone and every word. He's blowing up at innocent people unnecessarily. If the scenes are meant to show his true character, it's over done. We get it. The guy is filled with rage and needs to punch something. There's a great musical score during the suspense and action scene, and quite a cheesy, romantic, strings score during the dramatic scenes. The same music over and over. I'm going to be hearing it in my head. Why am I being so harsh? More negative than positive? This is a review that's been written immediately after I finished the last episode. I binged this show in two nights, after working ten hour days. I was invested in this show. And unfortunately, the investment crashed hard. I am filled with a bit of angst. Two nights of binging a show with a promising start, watching it gradually spiral downward, hoping that the story would improve. But, no. The reward for an investment of eight hours is a final scene of a horribly CG rendered screaming skull emerging from equally crappy rendered fake flames. And, the worst horror movie scream, I've ever heard. I listened to the English dub. Possibly the Spanish version had a better scream. Nevertheless, the skull ruined it. I was in shock for moment. I was expecting a video game graphics to scroll across the skull, "Game Over." The final scene did look like a it had been a video game clip inserted into the episode. I could hear the Super Mario Brothers game over song playing too. And, judging from the cliffhanger ending and lack of a renewed season. It seems like the game was actually over for the show. Oh well. Another example of a great premise with a subpar execution.
The Peripheral (2022)
Solid sci-fi....eye candy with intelligence
I don't even know where to begin with this show. It is overwhelmingly arresting. Visually, it's stunning for a streaming series. The sci-fi conceptual elements seemed credible. My belief never ceased to be suspended. The acting and casting was spot on. And, there were interesting, well developed characters for a change. So, what puzzles me is.....why in the world would Amazon cancel this show????? Who exactly is making the decisions over there? Seriously? They're either inebriated to the point where their critical thinking skills have been obliterated or they're the PC equivalent of stupid/insane. Why? Why, Amazon, Why?
Watch the first season; you won't be disappointed. And in the meantime, let's all pray to the pantheon of the streaming gods that this show will come back or be resurrected on another network.
Velma (2023)
No Scooby Snacks for Velma...an annoying mess.
The main problem with this show are the characters! None of them are likable, in anyway. And, Velma is the worst. As a woman, watching this annoying, self proclaiming feminist, teenage detective awkwardly walking into ridiculous situations, I cringed through most of the episodes. Velma has the most backstory and depth out of all the characters, but none of it really explains her behavior. All the other characters are vapid. And, where are the funny lines? It's supposed to be adult comedy! I rolled my eyes a few times, but I didn't laugh once. The writers need to focus more on the actual story and less on Velma's pointless antics.
There are a couple of decent mystery buried beneath all the crap. That's what kept me watching and hoping that the show would improve. But, it seems like the plot moves too slowly with each episode, because the writers were to busy trying to amp up Velma's character into this super sleuth feminist.......always trying to teach the audience a lesson about how society treats women. This show is for adults. We don't need to learn these lessons. The writers need to decide who their audience is: teen girls who need to learn these lessons or adults who've already had experience. They can't mix the raunchy stuff with the life lessons. It's annoying to the audience; it doesn't work. My advice: hire new writers and make it a truly adult show.
Glass Onion (2022)
No surprises here....just dreadful disappointment.
I watched this film right after viewing the film White Noise. And the very first question that popped into my mind was: Why is The Glass Onion getting higher ratings than White Noise? I already knew the answer. It appears that the average viewer doesn't want to watch a film that is truly unpredictable and thought provoking.....they merely want to be entertained. Some will say, "Oh...but The Glass Onion has so many twists!" Not really, if you think about it....it's pretty obvious who the killer was from the very start. And, the writers had to use the lazy literary device, half way through the film, of retelling the story from a different perspective. Rather than giving viewers a little more credit....assuming that they are keen enough to pick up clues that would point to a crucial subplot....they chose to employ a lengthy flashback that would explain everything. No need to think too hard, while watching this film. The acting, with the exception of Janelle Monae's performance, was horrific. Daniel Craig's Foghorn Leghorn accent made me cringe. An actor of his stature should've passed on this script. If you're looking for something to watch while your doing laundry or vacuuming this is the film for you!
1899 (2022)
Has the feel of dark....but not quite the quality of writing. Still worth it!
This show seemed like an ambitious endeavor....the detailed set, the costumes, the great multilingual cast, the special effects, etc. The creators were obviously aiming for the moon. Did they get there? Not quite. The story is engaging in the first four-five episodes and then it just becomes chaos. However, despite the confusion, there is a mind blowing twist and the ending redeems the entire first season. Let's hope they do a second season. I think the main issue with the writing is that this show is trying to be too many different things. I see a bit of Lost, a bit of Westworld, a bit of the Matrix, a bit of The Truman Show, a bit of The Titanic....it's a wild mix of nuts, and we don't really see where exactly it's headed, which is the one saving grace in trying on all those hats. As I mentioned, I was surprised by the ending. With the overall story, there is actually too much happening...too many layers....too many subplots....and towards the end too much confusion. We are given Plato's Allegory of the cave as a sort of totem to hold onto during this storm of chaos. But, that is really it. We are left adrift with the passengers, wondering, "What is really happening here?" I like films and shows that are thought provoking....leaving you with some questions, rather than an ending that is wrapped up in a nice red bow packaged with all the answers. This will leave you with questions.....but I'm not even sure what to ask first. I will stick with it. 8 of 10 episodes were really well done. It's worth watching.
Unsane (2018)
Soderbergh returning to his roots.....but he could've done better.
This is what I expect, when I see Soderbergh's name attached to a film.....unusual, unexpected, and sometimes experimental. Sure, he's directed his fair share of blockbuster films.....and many directors have, in order to make the films that are special to them, but may not be accepted by mainstream viewers. Well, this film certainly didn't require a lot of time or funds to make, but if it were made by an unknown director, it probably would've gone unnoticed....and certainly wouldn't have appealed to everyone.
The film was shot beautifully, considering it was only filmed with an iPhone. And, Claire Foy and the other actors did a tremendous job.
The story was executed with a slow burn moving towards an explosive ending. I wouldn't classify this film in the horror genre at all. It is a straight forward thriller.
And, the writing is why I gave this film a seven rating. Current mental health facilities simply do not operate in the way, depicted in the film. I know this from experience. Maybe, Soderbergh was asking us to imagine that there are a few, which do employ sinister methods as the one in the film. So, I went with it, trying to forget everything I knew about psych wards. That enabled the story to work on some levels. That being said....if he wanted to go that route.....push it further.....make it more psychologically disturbing. Sawyer, the lead character is supposed to be questioning her sanity, but there are too many obvious shots are thrown in to show the viewer that she doesn't need to question anything. That was the biggest disappointment for me. The trailer made the film look far more disturbing than it actually was. Soderbergh has pushed the limits before......so why did he pull back with the writing here? The Knick, one of my favorite TV shows is an excellent example of his capability to give viewers a glimpse at something they could've never dreamt of in their wildest nightmares. He had the absolute perfect opportunity to do it with this film, but chose not to......and I have no Idea why.
Les Papillons Noirs (2022)
Stunning
As a writer, I have to say that this series was incredibly well crafted. I knew the basic plot, but the twists that were thrown in were powerful enough to cause whiplash. Only two of the twists were a bit predictable, but other than that the story kept me guessing.......just as Adrien's editor said, "Where is this going?!" I stayed up until 4:00 am to find out the answer that question and was amazed by the ending. It is a story that will most likely stick with me for days.....not only because of the writing, but the imagery too was unforgettable too. The majority of the series is shot with a vintage look, reminiscent of the film that would've been used during the 1970s and it works well. I felt like I was transported back in time, while watching the story unfold. There are scenes of Adrien listening to a recording in an art gallery, while sitting in an art installation. The scene is absolutely mesmerizing and really intensifies the words in the recording, which are pivotal to the story. The acting was also really well done.....kudos to the actors who played Albert, Adrien, Solange, and Adrien's mother. This is definitely a must watch! Another impressive French hit!
The Midnight Club (2022)
Definitely not like Flanagan's other work...but not bad.
I realized that this was YA horror when I first noticed the ads for the show, but I decided it was probably worth watching, since Mike Flanagan was behind the helm. The show had so much potential with the writing......a stunning Victorian mansion built on a wellspring of healing energy....a sinister cult....a hospice, possibly with the ghosts of dead children. There were so many different avenues that they could've taken this story down! Personally, I really wish they would've written more about the cult into the story.....that was the most interesting part of the show to me. Shasta's character is brilliant....the actress who plays her, gives the best wild eyed, psychotic facial expressions. I've liked her in other roles in Flanagan's work.
Obviously, Flanagan had to stick close to the novel's plot line, and make the show appeal to the YA crowd. I wish he could make an adult version....maybe a prequel that focuses on the cult. The last scene of the last episode really makes me want to know more about who Dr. Stanton really is or was and what secrets she may have been hiding.
The part of this show that never truly felt resolved, were the ghosts of the married industrialists who originally built the mansion. We see them mainly following the lead female character and her love interest. But, we never find out why the female character sees the ghost of the wife and then....poof....the ghost will turn out to be the sleepwalking, sick boy, whom she likes. Again, there could've been more potential there to deepen the story.....they threw in loads of jump scares, a few time warp tricks, but they never stuck the landing. The two ghosts felt arbitrary after a while. They could've been edited out, completely, and it wouldn't have affected the story at all.
I've read a few reviews complaining about the spooky stories that the kids tell during the midnight club. Sometimes, the stories became tedious.....I was pretty sick of Dusty the serial killer by the end. However, I do see what the writers were trying to do with the ghost stories......and half the time it worked out beautifully. Two great examples are The Two Danas story, told by Anya, and The Road to Nowhere, about suicide. I thought the suicide story was particularly powerful.....especially the way the character revealed how she actually changed the ending of her story....which ultimately led to the discovery of her terminal disease.
Overall, I gave this 6 stars. It did keep me hooked....the episodes tended to end on brilliant cliffhangers. Most of the acting was decent. The Dr. Stanton and Julia Jaynes characters were casted and acted marvelously. This wasn't a phenomenal series, like Midnight Mass or The Haunting of Hill House, but it wasn't bad.
Blonde (2022)
Visually stunning yet tragic film, based on a historical fiction novel.....
I think many of the negative reviews were written because these viewers feel that Marilyn Monroe's image was tarnished. And frankly, the portrayal of her wasn't flattering, but this film never claimed to be a factual biopic. It's called Blonde....not The Life of Marilyn Monroe. The film is based on a historical fiction novel, so there isn't a lot of truth in the writing. However, that doesn't mean it isn't worth watching.
The first thing that I noticed was how well composed and powerful the cinematography was. The imagery throughout the film has a elegant and beautiful dream like quality and works well with the story. Yes, the story has its very disturbing and bleak parts, and the camerawork and editing really bring the viewer into Monroe's mind.....allowing us to feel what she might been experiencing at the time...hazy, overwhelmed, confused...etc. The editing was done so creatively. This really reminded me of the work of David Lynch
The acting was also stellar as well...all of the parts were well cast. I particularly liked Adrian Brody as Arthur Miller.
The only thing that I thought could've been left out, from the novel....had to do with Monroe's pregnancies and CGI scenes.
I do recommend this film. Yes, it's controversial....and that's generally how you know it's good.....if it starts a conversation and is memorable.
Echoes (2022)
A Tour de Force of Bad Writing and Overly Dramatic Acting
The series boasted an interesting plot in the description on Netflix. I liked the lead actors from their work in True Detective and The Sinner...so I thought it looked promising. I was wrong. The first episode was strong, the next couple of episodes were incredibly confusing...and this is being said by someone who loves nonlinear stories with multiple timelines....they just didn't make it work in this case. It wasn't until there was an episode from the other twin's POV, that we finally understood what was actually happening ....four episodes in? It was basically an episode of exposition....it gave away all the secrets rather than revealing them gradually throughout the rest of the series. The story could have and should have ended there, but it didn't. Instead, the audience was suddenly thrown into a world of chaos...new subplots...old murders..childhood tragedies...etc. I don't understand the reason for unnecessary conflicts...they didn't benefit the story in anyway...their addition actually made the main plot even more unbelievable. The plot was on shaky ground to begin with, but with well crafted writing, this story could've had potential. This was a missed opportunity. The moral of the story...less is more!
Starry Eyes (2014)
Two films in one
I watched this film, because a review said, if David Lynch and David Cronenburg collaborated to make a film about cults....this is what it would look like. After viewing it, I'd say I partially agree with that. The first part of the film was well written....there was some great editing and cinematography done during the second audition scene. The lead actor, who plays the wannabe starlet did a remarkable job throughout the film. However, after..."The gates are opened", and her transformation begins...that's when the film turns into something else. Perhaps, it's a little Cronenburgish for a while. But ultimately, we go from an eerie, Lynchian, stylistic film....to a straight slasher film. And, there was no return to the feel and style of the first part of the film. It would've been nice to see what that pay off was for this actor selling her body and soul to...Satanists? I knew what I was getting into, but I felt like they could've pushed beyond the pentagrams and black masks and cloaks cliches. The actor who played the producer/ cult leader was a great casting choice...he had a sinister smile and was very animated. He reminded me of Leland Palmer from Twin Peaks.
I would've loved to have seen her transformation into an actual beautiful, starlet with her face on a poster for the Silver Scream, as the producer promised. Instead, we have to watch far too much footage of her physical suffering and decay, before she randomly decides to murder her friends. Then, she transforms into a woman with glowing green eyes and a bald head, (the skull cap was pretty noticeable). She is given a birthday present, because she has now been reborn....and in the box contains a dress, wig, and necklace. If I went through everything that woman did...I'd expect a lot more than that. I'm giving it 6 stars, because two thirds of the film was really well done, and worth watching for the visuals. Unfortunately, the ending was disappointing. This is an example of a missed opportunity...and it can be traced back to the screenplay. Writers can be experimental and avant-garde, but if you want to give us that....then give it to us all the way. Decide which genre of film you want to make, before you start filming. Not everything can be fixed in post.
Nobody (2021)
Hutch just needs to be set free...
It is because of Bob Odenkirk's performance, that I'm giving this film a 7 star rating. Otherwise, it might be a 5 or 6 star film. I normally do not watch action films that often. I like them when they are well done, and I think this one almost comes close.
Let's just get something straight, right now. Don't compare this film to John Wick. Yes, there are many similarities, but we'll save critiquing the director's body of work for another time.
From reading some of the other reviews, it seems like many viewers just don't understand or want to understand Hutch's motivation for violence. It's very simple. He's a psychopath. Usually, Hollywood films have been written to confirm traditional values, while independent films tend to challenge those values. A lot of viewers prefer a character whose motivation for violence is grief, rather than someone who just needs to unleash their aggression. The latter makes most viewers uneasy, and it makes for a darker film.
The film starts off with stellar editing to set up the character's daily routine....it's boring af. On top of the mundanity of Hutch's life, he's treated by his own family, like a peon. We think that we are dealing with a real underdog, and that's a classic moral...you always root for the underdog. Combine all of those elements in Hutch's life, and they might just cause him to crack. He's could've finally gone postal. It can happen, but usually not to that degree. However, we realize that he's not really having a breakdown at all. He's actually just found the perfect excuse to unleash his pent up aggression. He can finally break free of the façade that he's been living behind for the last 15 years or so. And, we learn his backstory...he said he was an auditor, but he wasn't doing military taxes. He was some sort of hit man or cleaner for the CIA....one of those three letter agencies, as he puts it.
There are some holes here, in the character development. Individuals with psychopathic tendencies, who do not form emotional attachments, are often chosen for the job he did perform in the past. However in his current life, we see that Hutch definitely does have emotional connections with his wife and daughter. If these emotional ties weren't added to the script, again we'd have a much a darker film. And in a way, I wish we did.
Let's make Hutch a true Psychopath. It worked with Dexter. Let's cut the happy ending. The fact that Bob Odenkirk played the role of Hutch was great casting. He was phenomenal, and it was an unexpected choice. It made me want to watch this film. With the emotional ties, the happy ending, his father on the road...it's obvious that Nobody 2, will be on the way sooner or later. This was a missed opportunity. Nobody could've been a brilliant stand alone film.
Ozark (2017)
Great storytelling and acting
The first season is a bit of a slow burn, but I see the necessity for character background and development. This area of the Missouri Osarks is hardly sleepy, but when the Byrdes show up, the residents know that these outsiders have an agenda.....and that it won't necessarily benefit their community. I found it brilliant how the writers were able to slowly weave these characters into the business world of the Ozarks, and make all the necessary connections to do their money laundering. It seemed believable to me, because of the skepticism of the residents.
Perhaps, the most shocking character metamorphosis is that of Wendy Byrde. In the first season, she seems like a neglected and bored housewife, who is having an affair with a man that she truly loves. Then she is forced to leave the city, because of her husband's business dealings, and move to the middle of no where. However, by season 3, she has transformed into a power hungry figure. We don't know exactly what she is or what she wants. And, the power dynamic in her marriage is changing. It's not clear who is really in charge.
Season 3, was actually rather emotional for me. We are introduced to Wendy's brother, Ben. Ben has Bipolar Disorder, and seems to show up out of the blue. Immediately, I wanted to see if his portrayal of someone who suffering from Bipolar was accurate. So many films get it wrong. The actor did a phenomenal job! The writing in the episodes with Ben was also outstanding. You get to see his his swings between passion, for helping his family, his deep love for Ruth, his rage when he sees actual threats to Ruth, and unfortunately you see the reality of what it's like to be in a psych ward, probably medicated on antipsychotics.
This is where I lose all sympathy for Wendy, as character. She is no longer redeemable in my view. It was clear from season 1, that Wendy had a limited understanding of mental illness when she saw her son with the animal carcass. It was a cause for concern. But, her first words were, "what if he's like my brother?" You can not compare Bipolar Disorder, which is a mood disorder and Psychopathic behavior. Psychopaths have personality disorders. She doesn't understand this basic difference. When we finally meet her brother, of course, we realize that once he knows their business, he could pose a terrible risk. The situation seems somewhat under control, for a brief period of time. Wendy eventually does try to get Ben help, through forced commitment. But, it's still evident that she doesn't really care about anything that's outside of her orbit, and she's certainly not going to let anything get in the way of the world that she has created. It seems like she and Marty have a plan to get Ben out of town. Ben agrees to the plan, but still makes dumb moves, like buying a cell phone, and calling the woman who wants him dead, just to apologize. The cellphone is thrown away, an argument ensues between Wendy and Ben, but the plan is still a go. He's going to leave the state and make a new life for himself. There's a touching scene in a restaurant, right before Wendy leaves her brother, and we think things just might turn out ok, but this is Ozark.....nothing sweet ever happens. Wendy calls a hit on Ben. You can think she did it to save her own family....it was a hard decision. We do see her go on a bender afterwards. Or, you can think that she prioritized the cartel above all else....including her family. Which, if you think about it, Marty and Wendy are both guilty of this. They had agents nearby and they could possibly have figured out a way to go into the Witness Relocation Program from the very start. They had to move to the Ozarks to work for the cartel after all, they could've just as easily moved to Alaska to escape the cartel.
Touched with Fire (2015)
Such high hopes, but.....
I've been waiting to see this film for a while. Because I suffer from Bipolar disorder, I was eager to see a film that accurately portrayed others who had the same mental illness. The film was an incredibly, romantic yet tragic love story, and many of the visuals were stunning. However, I don't agree with the viewers here who are saying, "This film hits the nail on the head, with Bipolar", or "Only a person with Bipolar could understand this film."
First of all, let's talk about that psych ward. I've never been in any psych ward like that....when I've checked in, I've had to check my shoelaces and hoodie at the door. But at their psych ward, they seemed to have the run of the place.....they got into the kitchen and were able to get forks! When I've been in the joint, they've collected the plastic flatware after dinner. The nurses are mysteriously absent of course, until the scene where Marco and Carla are torn apart.....and then suddenly, there are a dozen of them. There is a funny part too....somehow Marco is able to drug the one nurse that is around at night. Wow! What a place!
There is a second missed mark...I might get some blowback for this opinion. From my interpretation, it seems like Marco has Bipolar 1, like me, which can include bouts of psychosis.... Marco's not from this planet. And, it seems like Carla has Bipolar 2, which is a bit more manageable, no psychosis, hyper mania, but mostly depression. Carla is actually a published poet, in the beginning of the film, on the surface, it seems like she has her life a bit more together. So how does this relationship spark? They're both in the psych ward, theoretically Carla should be getting better, if she's taking her meds. We definitely know Marco isn't taking his. There's something missing in the scenes, depicting the beginning of their attraction. It's true, you often form bonds with the unlikeliest of people in psych wards. But, with all the supervision and rules, it's nearly impossible to get that close to someone.
The third issue....burnout. I've had several best friends who also had Bipolar. And yes, we would sometimes feed off each other's mania, but that does not last for long. The manic energy and fun will eventually turn into annoyance or arguments. I've never met two manic people who were constantly in sync. I think that is one of the worst elements that the film gets wrong about Bipolar. They romanticized Bipolar and mania too much. It's not an honest portrayal, it's fantasy. A relationship between two people with Bipolar is not a Thelma and Louise....we're in total agreement to drive this car into the river...best friends forever kind of relationship. On the contrary, many people lose friends and family, because of this illness. Bipolar is a rollercoaster, and when you are up, your bestie with Bipolar may be flying down the hump, about to crash.