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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 6 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Rent The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt (screenplay by), Suzanne Collins (based upon the novel "Catching Fire" by)
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Jena Malone, Alan Ritchson
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.

Verdict
This hits a lot of the same notes as the first movie while also relying on that movie's foundation and trying to truncate an even larger story. Unfortunately it doesn't have the same emotional moments. It's clear this compacted the book's story as there are a lot of plot threads that don't conclude. This movie is more a teaser for the next more than anything else as the games end prematurely, lacking the intensity of the first movie. We're introduced to political turmoil, but that's not much more than a generic fascist regime desperate to hold on to power faced with a new threat.
It depends.

Review
This picks up soon after the first movie with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) on a victory press tour playing the part of a couple. Katniss must pretend to love Peeta while it's clear he really does love her. The ruling party in the Capital considers her a problem as her actions in the first movie sparked rebellion across the country. They also don't like her stunt in the first games where she threatened to poison herself, leaving the games without a winner. The Capital capitulated to her demands, and that irritates them that anyone was able to influence them.

Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence play Peeta, Katniss

Back in Katniss's home, District 12, a new peace keeper rolls in just to upset the locals and exert the Capital's authoritative rule. He threatens to kill Katniss and her mentor Haymitch (Wood Harrelson) when they intervene as he's beating a citizen, but he's forced to relent as you can't kill the Hunger Games victor without stoking a rebellion.

While the first movie hinted at the political undertones, this movie explores Capital President Snow's (Donald Sutherland) tenuous rule across the land. We see him maneuver to bend perception to his will, but he's terrified of the rebellious streak Katniss has created. He realizes how dangerous that is while fully aware that any false move to diminish her presence could have the opposite effect and cause a complete rejection of his regime. His scheme manifests with the next games comprised of former victors which ensures Katniss will have to play against much fiercer competition.

Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Wright, Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence play
Finnick, Beetee, Peeta, Katniss

The first glimpse of the competition is intimidating. These people are fierce. Katniss and Peeta get a week to train and earn sponsors, just like the first games. Haymitch encourages her to find allies. That's part of what helped her survive previously. I understand why this expands to include the political dynamics of this world, but this movie doesn't start the games until ninety minutes in.

This relies too heavily on seeing the first movie, both to set up the story and to satisfy the action. The games are cut short in this sequel, and it's nowhere near as effective. This never has the same danger nor tension, lacking the emotional moments of the first movie. I was supremely confident Katniss would survive. Also, Katniss and Peeta's fake relationship turns into a real romance. I get the games would illicit strong emotions, but it's a bit convenient and is an easy way to generate stakes. It's clear this movie is trying to fit a lot of story into the runtime. There's not enough space for it all, and truncating it doesn't work. This doesn't have a conclusion. It ends prematurely, teasing what comes next.

Title Card

The Sheep Detectives Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 5 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Sheep Detectives (2026)

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Written by: Craig Mazin (screenplay by, screen story by), Leonie Swann (based on the novel 'Three Bags Full' by)
Directed by: Kyle Balda
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Brett Goldstein, Patrick Stewart, Regina Hall, Bella Ramsey, Chris O'Dowd, Rhys Darby, Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Conleth Hill, Nicholas Bruan, Molly Gordon
Rated: PG
Watch the trailer

Plot
Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found mysteriously dead, the sheep conclude they will have to solve the case themselves.

Verdict
It's a sweet tale that's part mystery mixed with a children's tale about sheep. While sheep try to solve a mystery, they also confront death, grief, and how to deal with it. I didn't expect such a poignant and emotional take, and on top of that this provides a solid mystery that's surprisingly coherent.
Watch It.

Review
George (Hugh Jackman) loves being a shepherd, opening the movie by stating how much he likes his sheep, taking care of them, and in turn his life. He even reads his sheep mystery books every evening. What he doesn't realize is that the sheep understand completely and can even talk among themselves.

Hugh Jackman plays George Hardy

I don't know how the sheep communicate without being audible, and they even talk with each other when a human is nearby. It's something that cant' be adequately explained, so it isn't.

The sheep are able to force themselves to forget upsetting or painful memories. They also believe sheep and people don't die but turn into clouds. That belief is challenged when they find as unresponsive George lying on the ground outside of his trailer. Faced with the uncomfortable truth, many attempt to will themselves to forget George so they don't have to face the pain. Lily decides not to forget, concluding it's murder and deciding to use what she's learned from mystery books George has read them to solve the crime. She's joined by Mopple and Sebastian.

Brett Goldstein, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tommy Birchall, Regina Hall voice
Reggie & Ronnie, Lily, Winter Lamb, Cloud

Reporter Elliot (Nicholas Galitzine) on assignment in the town to cover a meager festival also thinks George was murdered. While the local, inept policeman Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun) tries to write it off as a heart attack, Elliot pushes him to investigate. The humans and police investigate in parallel. George had company that night. If he had a heart attack why would he go outside? Most mysterious, one hand is died blue and the other green. Blue makes sense as George invented a medicine for the sheep that turns his hands blue. The green is baffling.

George had two twin children, and it turns out he was incredibly rich despite being a shepherd. Daughter Rebecca (Molly Gordon) recently arrived in town and the inheritance provides her motive. While the sheep find an important clue, they have to lead Tim to find it as he's out of his depth.

With Rebecca looking like the culprit, I guessed so early in the movie it had to be misdirection. Lily also has second thoughts. She teams up with others from the flock to find the truth. In turn they use various means to relay that information to Tim.

Molly Gordon plays, Julia Louis-Dreyfus voices Rebecca, Lily

With a lot of help from the sheep, Tim manages to 'solve' the murder just before Rebecca is taken away. This does a great job of providing all the pieces to solve the mystery. Often times movie resort to making it an impossible puzzle. This mystery is comparatively straightforward.

This is darker than I expected. Not only was Sebastian a circus ram forced to fight and later saved by George, this confront death and grief. The sheep will themselves to forget any difficult memories. While that helps them remain happy, as Lily points out forgetting George would mean losing out on many good memories in trying to erase grief. That's a message with a lot of depth, and the movie has a lot of heart.

Strange Days Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Fri, 4 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Strange Days (1995)

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Written by: James Cameron (story), James Cameron and Jay Cocks (screenplay)
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D'Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, William Fichtner, Nicky Katt
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
During the last days of 1999 in a gritty, futuristic Los Angeles, an ex-cop turned street hustler finds himself thrown into a conspiracy of murder and blackmail.

Verdict
It's a bit of a pulpy mystery with a black market hustler finding himself embroiled in the middle of all kinds of crimes. Initially he's asking why, but soon enough he's trying to escape. While the story isn't bad, it's the setting that makes this movie. It's a dirty, sleazy future Los Angeles that skews cyberpunk with a low class high technology world. I love that genre, and it's a fun setting we don't see often. It's a movie where I like what it wants to do more than what's actually accomplishes.
It depends.

Review
The story focuses on first person 'virtual' recordings. The opening scene depicts a robbery from that perspective, and it turns out Lenny (Ralph Fiennes) is buying the video. He's a hustler on the black market selling these banned videos. This is the future in 1999, and Los Angeles is a war zone with civil unrest and militarized police. Lenny is a former cop that sells his wares in the seedier joints of Los Angeles. Everything is dark, dirty, and covered in graffiti. Everyone seems depraved to some degree, but part of that is this is the world in which Lenny resides.

Ralph Fiennes plays Lenny Nero

He's still hung up on his ex, Faith (Juliette Lewis), and the videos he peddles allows him to relive their moments together. These videos also make him a target of one of Faith's friends Iris. She's in trouble, and trying to locate Lenny for help. She's too late, and someone gives Lenny a disc of Iris's murder. He's left another video, likely from the same person that killed Iris. It's clear they're trying to scare Lenny away from looking into this situation.

Lenny wants to find out what's going on, more for the movie's plot than anything else. I suppose being a former cop he has a sense of justice. We saw a pair of cops chasing Iris previously, and it's certainly plausible they killed her. Now they're after Lenny and the disc Iris managed to get to him. Is this just dirty cops trying to cover up their misdeeds? What did they do?

Juliette Lewis, Michael Wincott play Faith Justin, Philo Gant

When Lenny finally sees what was on the disc, he realizes how big it is. It's the reason the cops want that disc, but there's also another entity that wants to erase the video less they're exposed. This is a murder mystery that's made unique bet the setting and futuristic society. The answers get complicated, but it boils down to one death kicked off the events of a cover up. Lenny is chosen as the fall guy. He's just the wrong person in the wrong place. Since he's part of this depraved world, the people behind this decided it would be easy to pin everything on him.

The world building helps this stand out despite the middling mystery. Violence rarely feels this depraved as characters are forced to watch and interact with the crimes via these videos. Their strong reactions in turn make what we've witnessed worse despite this not being very graphic. Characters rarely have such strong reactions as they're usually at the center of events. Here they're detached, horrified at what's being witnessed.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2025)

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Written by: Matthew Robinson
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Juno Temple, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chaudhry
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
A "Man From the Future" arrives at a diner in Los Angeles where he must recruit the precise combination of disgruntled patrons to join him on a one-night quest to save the world from the terminal threat of a rogue artificial intelligence.

Verdict
It's a wild romp that only gets crazier with every scene. I was never quite sure what was going on or what to believe. That leads to more than a few surprises. The goal is to stop a destructive AI before it's built facing opponents ranging from zombified teenagers to sentient electronics. This is a metaphor more than anything. Each person helping the future man has their own experience with technology and how it's harmed the human experience. The movie is as much about stopping an AI as it is unplugging from technology and media as we see how detrimental it is to a society wholly dependent on it. The way to save society is to disconnect.
Watch It.

Review
Perhaps this is best read as a metaphor about our present and pending future relationship with a technology that enslaves, consumes, and overtakes.

This begins in a diner. We don't see any faces, just close ups of food and many people on their phones, distracted. Then the "man from the future" (Sam Rockwell) walks in. He claims to be a time traveler from a world destroyed by technology. He seems deranged. His story very well could be imagined, though he does have quite the costume. He rants about social media and current culture's reliance on technology. He claims to have a bomb which stops people from attacking him.

Sam Rockwell plays man from the future

Future man claims he's done this before, having assembled various groups from this very diner over a hundred times. He does know a lot of personal information about the people, and he further claims they can save the world together. Specifically a group of seven people, including Mark, Janet, Susan, and Ingrid can band together to lead a revolution. Then this cuts to a few days earlier. I don't know what's happening, but it's a great hook.

Before the diner, Mark (Michael Peña) and Janet Zazie Beetz) were teachers. The students do whatever they want, and the other teachers seem to be afraid of them. Mark tries to teach students that are zombies, glued to their phones. When Mark glances at a phone and becomes hypnotized, he touches the student's phone which lead the hypnotized mob to pursue Mark and Janet.

We still don't know whether we can trust future man. While he claims to have done this before, each attempt is a different experience with multiple variables with a new team each time. He either doesn't know the answers or is making this up. This time Susan (Juno Temple) leads the group to the cellar, something future man didn't know existed despite doing this over a hundred times.

Asim Chaudhry, Zazie Beetz, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, Juno Temple play
Scott, Janet, Ingrid, Mark, Susan

Susan's child was killed in a school shooting. We learn, this is so common that parents just clone their children. They're so nonchalant about it, but Susan is disturbed. This seems like a Black Mirror (2011) episode. One couple admits they've lost their child and three subsequent clones. They're so glib, admitting the last clone's features were selected to be comical. It's no wonder future man is trying to save the world. This movie is unhinged.

We get these vignettes of how technology has ruined life. Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson) is allergic to technology. She finds a boyfriend that's also anti-electronics, but he soon becomes so addicted to virtual reality that he wants to upload his consciousness and leave reality behind.

Future man's plan is to stop the boy that's developing the world ending AI. As they approach, that's where this really takes a turn. You can read this, as I do, as a metaphor or posit they somehow have entered a virtual reality. Otherwise how else do you explain a giant hoofed animal composed of cats with a giant cat head? That's not possible, not even in this world. Such a thing just can't exist. Future man states they prompted it by talking about it, but how does that even work? If they are in VR, when did the enter the simulation?

It can't be a coincidence that a movie dealing with virtual reality blurs the line between what's real and not. I don't see how the final confrontation can be real. It must be some kind of construct. Future man and his few remaining team seemingly stop the AI development, but future man soon begins to question the victory. While this is the farthest he got, he may have to try at least one more time.

House of the Dragon Season 3 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

House of the Dragon (2022-)

Season 3 - 8 episodes (2026)
Rent House of the Dragon on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Ryan Condal, George R. R. Martin
Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Harry Collett, Ewan Mitchell
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
House Targaryen faces an internal succession war at the height of its power, two hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones and Daenerys Targaryen.

Verdict
Ultimately season two felt like a stage setter, offering less than it promised. The fate of that season is tied to this season and whatever pay off may ensue. This big war that was promised ends before it starts. Watching this season was a chore. We get a lot of sabre rattling, but no reason to care about these characters. If I was rooting for or against anyone, that would provide a reason to return each week. We don't, and it doesn't matters what happens. All of these characters are flat. Season four will be the final season, but I don't know what's left to conclude. I've watched more than enough episodes at this point.
Skip it.

Review
Two years have passed since Season 2. I was disappointed with the second season. It felt like a teaser. We're brought to the brink of war without any resolution or conclusion. With the lack of closure, it's easy to point to a few episodes from that season as filler. I could only hope this season does what the last didn't or couldn't. If this season delivers, it will make the prior season an important table setter, but if it flops that will mark two seasons of disappointment. This is more of Game of Thrones, but with that show I watched to see what would happen. I watch this show hoping something will happen.

The conflict started in season one when team Green led by Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), the wife of the late Viserys, thinks her eldest son Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) should be king and fights over the throne with her former best friend, Viserys's daughter and stated heir Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) who leads Team Black. Rhaenyra wants revenge at the beginning of season two, and that leads to Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), the younger son, ready to fight. Alicent's father Otto (Rhys Ifans) hoped to control the kingdom through his grandsons, but he underestimated the impulsive Aemond. Half way into the season Rhaenyra realizes peace is impossible while Alicent wonders if she was wrong to appoint her son as king. By the end of this season, it's too late to undo the impending war. We do get a dragon fight with surprisingly few casualties.

Rhaenyra married Daemon (Matt Smith) to strengthen her claim in season one. While he professes allegiance, he undermines her frequently. In season two he spends his time at a haunted Harrenhal in a sub-plot that ultimately feels like filler.

Season three picks up after Alicent brokered peace with Rhaenyra at the end of last season, and Rhaenyra plans to take King's Landing and in turn the throne. The problem is that Aegon II has fled and the war happy Aemond has taken the throne. He doesn't plan to leave until Alicent talks him into fighting Daemon at Harrenhal.

We do get a big naval battle from Corlys as he's headed to King's Landing on behalf of Team Black. I hoped for more. Maybe it's that I don't know who's on what team or why any of this matters. Three seasons in and I still have trouble keeping up with these characters. After the first episode I wondered why I was still watching. I don't care who gets the throne.

Rhaenyra mourns the death of yet another son, and in turn she summons Daemon to help her take King's Landing. Alicent tries to right things by asking the City Watch in King's Landing to stand down as she knows Rhaenyra is coming. Aemond easily takes Harrenhal as Daemon had already left.

E2: Emma D'Arcy plays Rhaenyra Targaryen

Rhaenyra has King's Landing, but she's unsatisfied. She wants Aegon the Usurper who is out in the wild, who knows where. She has to settle for Otto Hightower. Rhaenyra has gotten everything she's wanted, but what happens now? Is she going to undo everything else or realize the crown is quite heavy.

Ruling is much different from war Rhaenyra learns in episode three. She's faced with many decisions and a treasury that's been ransacked. She wanted the title, but she's not ready for the responsibility. Everyone wants something from the Queen. At the end of the episode, she discovers the Hightowers have duped her. She wanted them to hand over Daeron who has a claim to the throne. They give her an imposter.

Ormund Hightower wants Daeron to be king, leading a class on how to rule the townspeople. Ormund wants to install a king that he can control. He's also having the Gold Cloaks in King's Landing killed to destabilize the Queen. Rhaenyra does find a scapegoat for the treasury programs. Unfortunately he doesn't realize his true role until it's too late. She also tasks Alicent with killing Aemond. I'm not sure it would work, but it's not like she has any other good options. The show has to give Alicent something to do.

E7: Emma D'Arcy plays Rhaenyra Targaryen

The final episode is the big battle. It would mean more if I was invested in any kind of way. Instead I couldn't wait for this season to end. Three seasons in and these characters are still so boring. I'm watching more out of obligation than anything else. Rhaenyra is desperate to keep the throne but obstacles keep appearing. Aegon II returns, then there's Daeron, and the High Septon refuse to anoint her as queen. She wants all of the fighting and bloodshed to mean something, to be worth it. The only way to make it meaningful is to hold onto to the throne. That means more war and death and unfortunately another season.

Undertone Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 2 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Undertone (2025)

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Written by: Ian Tuason
Directed by: Ian Tuason
Starring: Nina Kiri, Adam DiMarco
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
The host of a popular paranormal podcast is sent hidden messages within anonymous recordings, unleashing a demonic presence that is impossible to escape.

Verdict
It's a great concept that never quite delivers. I always wanted more from the scares and the madness. The conversations and podcast banter never felt authentic, running into each other with no clear distinction. With such a narrow focus, the stilted dialog becomes an impediment. Likewise, the main character needs to interact with more people even if it is only by phone. The lack of development made me wonder if this was setting up some kind of twist that never came. Every aspect of this movie is chasing something that it never quite captures.
Skip it.

Review
Evy (Nina Kiri) cohosts a horror podcast with Justin (Adam DiMarco). She's the skeptic while he's the believer. They begin listening to a series of audio files a listener sent them over several episodes. Initially, it feels a bit like Searching (2018), restricting the movie to one medium.

Their podcast doesn't seem very interesting. The movie isn't very engaging either. We're forced to listen to a recording when this movie is a visual medium. We do get clips of Evy's mother's house where Evy lives, taking care of her mom. The house is full of religious iconography which lends a sense of foreboding. Thankfully this movie isn't all podcasting, though Evey taking care of her mother isn't that much more interesting. This wants to be artistic with close ups on teapots and microphones, but it seems more like filler due to a lack of anything else to frame.

Nina Kiri plays Evy

Evy becomes unsettled when she finds her mom out of bed. Mom has been comatose every time we've seen her. Something weird is happening in the house, but Evy doesn't seem as alarmed as she should be. We're a third into the movie, and the plot should be well in motion and it's not. The movie is not doing nearly enough. With no other characters, I wondered if the twist would be Evy is imagining some or all of the events. That's not the case.

Part of the problem is dialog never feels natural nor does the podcast feel authentic. There's no banter, and there's no difference between their pre-show banter and the podcast. It should sound differently. Their podcast needs to be more than listening to a recording and being mildly amused. I don't know who edits the podcast, but I feel bad for that person.This needs another character to provide Evy someone to talk to and develop the character. There's just not enough here. A boyfriend is mentioned, but we never hear or see him. Why even include that information? Why does she never talk to him?

Nina Kiri plays Evy

We get these slow panning shots like maybe we'll see her mother walking around or something else frightening, but nothing happens. There's no evidence that something even could happen. At one point in the latter half Evy admits she's pregnant to her mom. It comes out of left field. We've never even seen her talk to her mom before. Evy seems to be losing it, lashing out at her co-host. Is it the recording?

This movie needed to hit crazy in the first third and go from there. This slow burns for so long, teasing us without providing anything. The one woman show doesn't help. She feels isolated, but we don't see her go anywhere. What about groceries or even an Amazon package? She needs to do something.

I like the concept of the movie and even how it concludes, but there's so much that's not happening. I kept hoping this would take off and finally find a groove. It doesn't. If this was going to be a descent into madness, it needed to step it up much quicker.

Title Card

The Whisper Man Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Whisper Man (2026)

Buy the book on Amazon (paid link)
Written by: Ben Jacoby and Chase Palmer (screenplay by), Alex North (based on the novel by)
Directed by: James Ashcroft
Starring: Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Hamish Linklater, Michael Keaton, Owen Teague
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
A widowed crime writer looks to his estranged father, a retired police detective, for help after his eight-year-old son is abducted.

Verdict
Maybe the lack of depth is a result of editing the book into a feature film length. Focusing on one character could have helped develop emotional stakes. These characters are nothing more than tropes. They're purely functional. It's a generic thriller that throws in a supernatural element for an attempt at excitement. By that point I was already thoroughly disinterested. This never creates a satisfying atmosphere. We know how these characters are supposed to feel, but we never see it. We're given no reason to root for them past the premise. I would guess this is a faithful adaptation, but I'd bet there's a lot more story in the book. I'm guessing this captures the plot but not the feeling. With this cast I expected more.
Skip it.

Review
Based on Alex North's best selling novel released in 2019, it was the first book under his pen name as he transitioned to crime stories with a supernatural bent.

This begins with a search party seeking a missing boy. Detective Amanda Beck (Michelle Monaghan) finds a body, but it's someone else. Then we cut to Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott) and his son Jake moving to a new town. It seems this is a fresh start with references to Tom's wife being sick and having passed.

Initially I wondered if this was going to be some kind of split timeline with a non-linear narrative. Unfortunately what we get is nothing so exciting. This is a by the numbers crime thriller.

Robert De Niro, Adam Scott play Pete Willis, Tom Kennedy

Amanda wonders if the body she found is related to the Whisper Killer. She visits retired detective Pete Willis (Robert De Niro), the lead investigator that captured the Whisper Killer. Pete states there is no way the body is linked which is nearly a dead giveaway it will be. It seemed likely that Tom's son Jake would be abducted. We have a killer that abducts children, and we've only seen one kid up to that point.

This gets strange quickly. Someone is reaching into the letter slot in the door of Tom's house. His son denies seeing it, and it seems like Tom might have imagined it. Then he finds someone apparently living in his basement. Next Tom's son goes missing and he calls his father to help. Guess what. Pete is Tom's father, though their relationship is non-existent. Pete was a great cop but a poor father.

I'm not usually one to notice such details, but half way in I'm not sure I saw a single frame that included more than one actor simultaneously. There are few establishing shots and conversations are always back and forth over the should shots. It makes scenes less dynamic and static.

Since the Whisper Killer only talks to Pete, Pete takes Amanda along for an interview. I expected more from the Killer. He's got the look, but he's underwhelming. The conversation doesn't yield, much but they track anyone that's visited the Whisper Killer. Meanwhile Tom, desperate to find his son, begins his own investigation with a shoddy lead that takes him to a dangerous neighborhood. Pete saves him, but how Pete finds him might be the biggest mystery of the movie.

With all of these characters, this lacks any emotional connection. We root for Tom because his son is missing, for Pete and Amanda to find the killer. We're rooting for their function in the story but not for the people. They're barely developed. Amanda only exists to provide Pete access to this new case. The plot leans on the inherent fear parents have of their kids being abducted. The movie itself never generates a mood to match. The lack of depth is likely a result of trying to fit the book into film format. To keep the plot intact, you excise the character development and internal monologue.

Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan play Pete Willis, Amanda Beck

Tom's new house just happens to have a body in the basement related to the investigation. That's quite the coincidence, defying any reasonable expectation. Norman Collins (Hamish Linklater) is linked to the body. He's an over the top suspect with a fascination of serial killers. He collects artifacts from the crimes. He exists just to add intrigue to the plot and distract us from whomever is the real killer.

The pacing doesn't feel like detective work. The cops make logical deductions more than putting the pieces together. It's a lot of, this person visited the Whisper Killer, let's look into him. This would be stronger if it focused on and developed one of these characters. This has Michael Keaton, primed to deliver a memorable performance, and he gets nothing to do.

The conclusion throws in this supernatural element for no real reason. You could delete it, and it wouldn't change anything in this movie. If the movie was going to rely on it, that should have been introduced it sooner. The rot in the attic of Tom's house ends up being well placed, doing more for this case than anyone else. The conclusion is underwhelming. Then again, that describes the entire movie. The final scene isn't nearly the big shock the movie thinks it is.

Marty Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 1 Sep 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Marty (1955)

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Written by: Paddy Chayefsky
Directed by: Delbert Mann
Starring: Ernest Borgnine, Betsy Blair, Esther Minciotti
Rated: Approved [PG]
Watch the trailer

Plot
A middle-aged butcher and a school teacher who have given up on the idea of love meet at a dance and fall for each other.

Verdict
It's from an era just old enough to feel strange and out of place due to social customs. I like the earnestness of the movie. It doesn't focus on drama in the relationship but two people desperate to find someone. Those feelings remain pertinent no matter the generation. The conflict Marty faces are people trying to discourage his burgeoning romance out of selfishness and jealousy. They don't want to be left behind and lonely. While I like the focus, I wish this portrayed more than one night so we could get more character and relationshiop development. It ends up feeling incomplete.
It depends.

Review
All of Marty's (Ernest Borgnine) siblings are married. He's a butcher and even customers are trying to fix him up. He just doesn't have many prospects, and he's frustrated with the dating scene. Marty is a nice enough guy that just can't find someone that likes him.

Ernest Borgnine plays Marty

He runs into Clara (Betsy Blair), who's in the same boat as he is. No one pays them much mind and their dating prospects are shallow. They like each other well enough, but it's almost comical how Marty refers to both of them as dogs to accentuate that neither of them are attractive.

Marty and Clara hit it off. He's head over heels, unable to stop talking. I don't know if she doesn't feel the same way or if she's just more reserved. Either way, he's talkative. At the end of the night when he tries to kiss her, he gets rebuffed. He thinks it's an outright rejection, but she explains it's not. She just didn't know what to do in that situation due to a lack of experience. He's obviously relieved it wasn't yet another dismissal.

Marty's mom earlier encouraged him to find someone, now discourages his new relationship as she's afraid of what will happen to her when he moves out. It's pure selfishness. His friends are the same way, discouraging him for being interested in a girl they deem too plain. Funny enough, none of them have girlfriends. It's a misery loves company situation, and Marty is falling into the trap of peer pressure. He doesn't call Clara like he promised.

Ernest Borgnine, Betsy Blair play Marty, Clara

While hearing his friends complain about having nothing to do and no one to see that night, Marty realizes the mistake he made. He does have someone he can go see. He rushes to call Clara, stating that he had a good time with her, liked her, and if they have enough good times maybe he'll propose.

It's a simplistic romance that avoids forced drama. I appreciate the earnestness as two people just want to find someone they like and reciprocates. Marty and Clara find that in each other. The concept is simplistic to a fault. This doesn't need drama, but it could use more character development as their relationship progresses.

How to Make a Killing Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

How to Make a Killing (2026)

Rent How to Make a Killing on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: John Patton Ford (written for the screen by), Robert Hamery & John Dighton (inspired by "Kind Hearts and Coronets" screenplay by), Roy Horniman (inspired by "Kind Hearts and Coronets" based on the novel "Israel Rank" by)
Directed by: John Patton Ford
Starring: Glen Powell, Margaret Qualley, Jessica Henwick, Bill Camp, Zach Woods, Topher Grace, Ed Harris
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, Becket stops at nothing to reclaim his inheritance no matter how many relatives stand in his way.

Verdict
This wants to explore two sides of happiness, whether it's being content with your meager circumstances or stumbling into an obscene amount of money. There's just no nuance or back and forth pull between these two states. Becket lands on a plan of deception and crime. Hesitant at first, he jumps so quickly into it with little conflict when he should be torn between a fresh start and this greed. These two paths are at conflict, at least they should be. Just a couple of scenes exploring Becket's personal turmoil could make this so much better. He's faced with a fulfilling and comfortable life or a path of revenge and an obscene amount of money. Where's the tension between these choices?
It depends.

Review
This is inspired by the British film Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) which in turn was loosely based on the novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal (1907).

The movie begins with Becket (Glen Powell) sitting in a jail cell explaining to a priest how he came to be imprisoned. He states there's more to the story as the priest gives him last rites. What landed him on death row starts with his mother. She was disowned from her wealthy Redfellow family when she became pregnant at eighteen and refused to give up her child. On her own, she raised Becket to be cultured despite their meager resources. Unfortunate circumstances land him in foster care.

While Becket could still inherit the estate's fortune, there are seven heirs ahead of him. Sadly for Becket, his dreams of being rich are distant if not altogether impossible.

Glen Powell plays Becket Redfellow

As an adult, Becket runs into his childhood crush Julia (Margaret Qualley). He's embarrassed, working as a suit salesman. She's still in a completely different social circle. She tells him if he ever inherits the fortune to give her a call. That's what gives him the idea of killing the heirs ahead of him. He quickly dismisses the idea, but when he loses his job due to nepotism, it only increases his resolve to strike back at the rich and get his rightful inheritance.

Becket plots to murder an insufferable cousin that's in line for the fortune. It's an action that's easier than he imagined, tying him to an anchor and sending him off the side of a yacht. In turn Becket manages to take his dead cousin's job as a broker due to nepotism. He states he's not qualified and his uncle tells him that never matters. Becket has moved up in the world with few repercussions. He plots the end of another cousin, Noah (Zach Woods), a pot smoking 'artist.' Becket doesn't feel much remorse, staging another accident. That leads to an FBI investigation as two family members set to inherit a large estate have perished suspiciously. Additional complications arise when Becket falls for his cousin's girlfriend, Ruth (Jessica Henwick).

Becket has a great job, a new girlfriend, and a seriously upgraded station in life. That's not enough. It's greed pure and simple. He could be completely happy, but it's not enough. He also discovers he's adept at eliminating his family. With five down, it seems he likes the thrill of the kill more than the inheritance. Since this started with him on death row, we know he got caught. How?

Margaret Qualley plays Julia Steinway

Julia calls on Becket, wanting his skills as a broker. It's clearly more than that. She's bored in her marriage and likes to revel in the power she has over Becket. She figures out Becket's misdeeds, extorting him for money as her husband has squandered vast sums. Never underestimate the greed of the desperate.

Becket ends up imprisoned for murdering Julia's husband. She concealed her husband's suicide note, agreeing to release the note only if Becket signs his entire inheritance over to her. Being on death row, he agrees. I don't understand how she isn't liable for obstruction of justice or a related crime. I always thought she was bad news, but she's just evil.

Glen Powell plays Becket Redfellow

Becket lost a life with Ruth that would have made him happy, opting for his revenge quest. Now he's tied to Julia, and as he stated at the beginning, money can buy happiness. That's the path he took. We don't know if he'll still feel the same after that journey.

This wants to explore crossing that line and how things spiral out of control, but Becket goes from 1 to 100 in no time. This never finds a balance between greedy revenge against this comfortable life with Ruth. Becket never hesitates in throwing away his new life with Ruth for more money. I wish this explored that nuance better. While it's clear greed fuels him, if that's all there is to it why would he even waste time on Ruth. This should have been more of a struggle as Becket weighs happiness and a fulfilling relationship against status and the wealthy social circle for which he yearned.

The Bear Season 5 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Bear (2022-2026)

Season 5 - 8 episodes (2026 June 25)
Watch The Bear Season 5 on Hulu
Created by: Christopher Storer
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Oliver Platt, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Oliver Platt, Abby Elliot
Rating: TV-MA
Watch the trailer

Plot
A young chef from the fine dining world returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop.

In the final season with Carmy having quit, the team must survive a stressful and chaotic day where everything goes wrong with the restaurant on the verge of being sold.

Verdict
I appreciate altering the format so that most of this season is only one day at the restaurant. With the plot being the lead up and execution of one night, that provides the drive for the season. While I enjoyed it, this doesn't match the highs of the series. It didn't develop and build characters like previous seasons with such a brief amount of time. It still expertly captures the tension and frustration of working in a demanding industry. This show has been so good, it's difficult to maintain elite story telling. The fourth season feels like a better conclusion, with this being a coda that adds one more day.
Watch It.

Review
The Bear has been a show that's so much fun to watch. It crafts a drama about a restaurant where a lot happens between the lines.

With season four the crew of The Bear are chasing a Michelin star. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) finally decides on a set menu after a critic citing the menu's dissonance. He was challenging himself to the detriment of the restaurant. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) has to decide whether to open her own restaurant or partner with Carmy. Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) funded the new restaurant, and he sets an ultimatum. The make or break date for profitability is the countdown for the entire season. At the end of the season, Carmy walks away from the restaurant, giving Sydney and Natalie (Abby Elliot) half while Uncle Jimmy holds the other half of ownership. Sydney agrees only if Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is made a partner which eases the tensions between them.

E3: Ayo Edebiri, Jeremy Allen White play Sydney, Carmy

This season narrows the focus to one day. Not only is there a huge rain storm that will prompt cancellations when they desperately need to turn a profit, everything is going wrong and Carmy quit at the end of last season. He's still helping out while trying not to step on Sydney's toes. Uncle Jimmy is short on cash, and the restaurant is the best candidate for a sale.

The storm is causing issues with the plumbing which explodes. Natalie needs to cut costs yet again, and Sydney copes with being the new leader while the restaurant is literally falling apart around her. Richie is excited about his new position, already developing ideas to improve the restaurant. There's the question of who's in charge. Not many know Carmy quit, and Uncle Jimmy cancels an expensive order of meat but doesn't tell anyone. A bad bet has him in dire straits. Employees see the writing on the wall with several of them quitting and others searching for a way out through a new job.

E4: Jeremy Allen White, Abby Elliot, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Matty Matheson, Corey Hendrix play Carmy, Natalie, Sydney, Richie, Neil Fak, Sweeps

Carmy has trouble letting go while trying to defer to Sydney, and she inadvertently reveals he quit during a tense team meeting that only exacerbates the already numerous problems. Then they get a hole in the roof above the kitchen. With several servers having already quit, they still will only barely cover payroll. Despite the tension, they're making it work. Since the uniforms were ruined when the pipe burst, they're wearing "The Beef" tees. Sydney is meeting the pressure head on while Richie makes sure front of house is up to the challenge.

It's one thing after another. The storm is causing all reservations to be late and they're overbooked. By the end of episode five, guests start arriving and it's go time. While Sydney asked Richie to cancel some reservations, he just can't do that. He's committed to creating an experience for everyone. This season, he really is the all star. He manages to deal with overbooking without letting any guest feel like they're waiting. He's working magic by getting tables moving, even sending one couple into the kitchen and another to a different restaurant for desert. The kitchen is a machine, delivering orders on a tight timeline despite the frustrations. They are doing the impossible to serve too many people with barely enough supplies. It's a triumph.

E7: Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliot, Sarah Ramos, Ayo Edibiri, Jeremy Allen White, Lionel Boyce, Will Poulter play Tina, Natalie, Jessica, Sydney, Carmy, Marcus, Luca

Then there's the Michelin inspector in attendance. They've been chasing a star since last season.

Ibrahim has been working on a pitch for The Beef expansion since last season. He finally works up the nerve to pitch to Carmy who already knows about the pitch from Uncle Jimmy and immediately agrees, shocking Ibrahim. It is a nice moment for Ibrahim, and he also finds his spoon thief in the final episode.

I don't know how Carmy would get an interview with an architecture firm with no skills in the field whatsoever. The true intent of the scene is to let him have his break through moment where he realizes what the restaurant means to him. This would fit better in a therapy session. The final episode is more of a victory lap or some kind of fan service. I would have liked this ending after episode seven, then again season four also provided a great conclusion. I'm glad to get one more season of this show, and it was a difficult task to try and match the heights of previous seasons. Narrowing the focus to just one day is a great cap to the show.

My ranking of the seasons would be: 2, 4, 1, 3, 5. It's not that 5 is bad, it's a great season. The issue that The Bear is just such a great show. It ends without a long, slow decline. It's been one of my favorite shows since it first released.

Line of Duty Seasons 1-6 Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Line of Duty (2012-)

Season 1 - 5 episodes (2012)
Season 2 - 6 episodes (2014)
Season 3 - 6 episodes (2016)
Season 4 - 6 episodes (2017)
Season 5 - 6 episodes (2019)
Season 6 - 7 episodes (2021)
Rent Line of Duty on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Jed Mercurio
Starring: Lennie James, Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Keeley Hawes, Adrian Dunbar, Jessica Raine, Craig Parkinson, Daniel Mays, Thandie Newton, Jason Watkins, Stephen Graham, Anna Maxwell Martin, Kelly Macdonald
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer

Plot
In this British crime drama, a team of elite detectives must investigate police corruption.

Verdict
It's such an engrossing show. Each season is short as there's no filler. Each season focuses on a different suspect as an anti-corruption unit investigates others cops. That leads to lot of ups, downs, and twists. The characters are well developed and layered. Everyone operates in the gray. No one is ever all good or bad and that's realistic. The story is the strongest aspect. We know exactly why characters react as they do. Even when it's not in their best interest, they think it is. When you're caught in a trap, your first instinct is to escape. Some of the best scenes are the interrogations. Sometimes it's explosive, other times suspects walk right into confessing. It's a great show.
Watch It.

Review
This quickly became one of the highest rated dramas in the UK. A seventh season is in production. With a shorter episode count, that leaves no room for the story to st ray. It's a great premise that remains focused. Set in Britain, it's a slight twist to the rules of law seen in American shows. Interrogations especially are intense. Suspects are pressured to reveal their alibis, cautioned that a defense based on 'new information' may harm their case.

Season 1
It's a story concentrated on police corruption. A promising young cop, Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), leads a raid with an unfortunate conclusion. The captain wants to cover it up, but Arnott refuses and is transferred. He's demoted to AC-12, an anti-corruption unit where he's tasked with investigating top cop Tony Gates (Lennie James). Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), also part of AC-12, goes undercover and joins Gates's unit to expose him. Our introduction to Gates has him stopping a robbery in broad daylight, meeting his mistress Laverty, and then getting cop of the year that night. Things begin to unravel when he covers up his mistress's drunk hit and run.

S1E2: Martin Compston plays Steve Arnott

Gates cuts ties with Laverty, but she spins a story to bring him back. He realizes she has been laundering money, lied to him, and is now using him to cover up her deeds. He ends up framed for her murder, trying to escape that charge and Arnott's investigation. Paranoid, Gates devises a ruse to test his team's loyalty. Fleming passes.

Gates is blackmailed into taking out Arnott. He schedules a meeting with Arnott at a remote location, knowing Arnott won't pass that up. It's a ruse, but Gates pivots just as he's about to walk away to save Arnott.

S1E3:Vicky McClure, Lennie James play Kate Fleming, Tony Gates

The same captain that ordered Arnott to cover up the raid is brought in on the terrorism case. We and Arnott both know that's something Gates made up to get himself out of trouble. While it has no basis, the police leadership want to look good and stopping terrorism does that. Gates arrests the crime boss that's blackmailing him, getting him to admit to several crimes that helps Arnott. Gates is devastated that his misdeeds will become public, while it's also revealed that the crime boss has more than one spy embedded in the police.

It's a solid first season. While it's not a new story, this excels in focusing that story while exploring the shades of gray throughout the department. Gates manipulated charges to make himself and unit look good, but that's nothing different from what we see other police captains doing. Tony's downfall is his mistress. He begins covering up a series of escalating crimes of which he can't extricate himself once he realizes what's actually happening. Arnott's the good guy, but he also makes a few questionable decisions.

Season 2
This season is even better than the first. It's more shades of gray as the season begins with multiple deaths. This spins conspiracies and coverups that reach the top, and the scary thing is that it makes you wonder how many cover ups never see the light of day. When you hold power and grant favors, it's easy to divert justice. It also adds a sense of realism. In this season several cops are willing to be complicit in crimes at the promise of a promotion or favor. If you're only one cop pushing for the truth to be revealed, you'll either get pushed out or worse.

In the first episode police officer Denton (Keeley Hawes) is the only survivor of a witness transport operation that ends in multiple deaths. She's detained as she seems to be hiding something. Everyone thinks she's guilty. Why else would she request no backup nor firearms? We're also led to believe she directed the death of the only witness, but I guessed that was misdirection.

Fleming has a connection to the case and refuses the assignment. Arnott hits it off with his new partner, only for that to end unexpectedly.

In the second episode Fleming and Arnott, with their boss Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), interview Denton. They think they have her trapped, and then she flips it on them. She provides evidence that all of them have broken the rules and could just as easily be portrayed as corrupt like they're doing to her. While that's not definitive proof, it is effective at turning the tables. Denton still ends up in prison, and being a cop in prison is not easy. Denton gets abuse from inmates and guards. It doesn't speak well for the correctional system.

S2E5: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure play Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming

Everybody lies to keep their reputations. Even Arnott states you have to know when to reveal the truth. Dryden leaks that Denton was arrested because he made a traffic ticket for his wife disappear and that's now in the news. Fleming discovers Dryden purposely put Denton on the task force when she told him she was going to expose their illicit relationship. That's when Arnott begins believing Denton.

Dryden is questioned, but he isn't helpful. That's not a surprise. He's covering. Then we have Hasting trying to help Dryden because he promised Hasting a promotion. Everyone is compromised. Akers, an officer killed on the task force received a substantial cash payment before the incident. We find out who attacked the task force from the first episode, and it seems they're now out to get Denton. Things only get worse for Dryden, who may be involved in another crime concerning a missing girl. Dryden is all but done, but Hastings is desperate to protect his promotion that Dryden promises to deliver. The interview with Dryden is a lot of fun. We know they have him, and he's unaware. We can see them leading him. AC-12 even gave Dryden's lawyer the information; he just hasn't read it. Dryden is holding the evidence that will bring him down. That's how you make a detective show exciting. This shows you how critical collecting evidence can be. The cap to that is using it to put away a suspect. When Dryden is faced with his crimes and the consequences, his second thought is to bring down as many people with him, specifically Hastings.

Dryden is forced to resign while Denton is sentenced to prison because she accepted a bribe to transport a witness knowing what would happen. She was specifically left alive to take the fall. Dryden was involved, but since he has rank he gets to avoid a harsher punishment.

This is such a good season. It improves upon everything in the first season while further exploring the invisible lines of ethics. It's all a matter of degrees. Nothing and no one in this show is completely black and white.

Season 3
A SWAT team chasing a car leads to a foot chase. Waldron (Daniel Mays) gets to the suspect first who subsequently surrenders. Waldron shoots him anyway, lies about it, manipulates the scene to look like self defense, then coerces everyone else on the team to lie and state they saw the event unfold as he describes it.

Waldron isn't done. We see him steal a weapon on a raid and detain a person. By the end of the episode Waldron is dead, and no one, not even the people in the room, can clearly state what happened. It certainly seems like one of Waldron's team killed him, but none of them will reveal what happened. Fleming was the first one on the scene, and none of Waldron's team were even providing first aid. Eventually the team states Waldron shot himself.

Waldron seemed to have some kind of list which he addresses to Arnott. Cottan (Craig Parkinson) searches Waldron's apartment first and takes the list, hiding it. We know he's dirty from last season, but what is he hiding now? He's playing all sides to protect his position.

S3E6: Martin Compston, David Ryan, Craig Parkinson, Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure play
Steve Arnott, Solicitor, Matthew Cottan, Ted Hastings, Kate Fleming

It seems Waldron was out for vengeance, but if he wanted justice served why did he not state why he did this? Brickford, one of Waldron's team, finally states Bains killed Waldron. This team has had so many stories about this event that it's difficult for AC-12 to parse.

Denton appeals her conviction from last season, indicating she had a relationship with Arnott. He denies this, but also refuses to let her play a recording she claims is proof. He's suspended because of the allegations, though he claims he was trying to gain her trust. Later in the season she seems to admit they didn't sleep together, but if that's true what is he protecting? The secondary allegation is that Arnott planted the money that was concluded to be the bribe Denton accepted last season.

Cottan is trying to get Arnott suspended to cover up that he's thwarting the Waldron investigation. Cottan and Fleming start a relationship. I assume he wants to pit her against Arnott, but I was willing to bet she was undercover to find out what Cottan knows. Waldron's revenge extends to former police chief Fairbanks. He denies everything, but it's easy to conclude he's involved. Cottan is protecting someone, but it didn't seem like Fairbanks. While suspended, Arnott teams up with Denton to find Waldron's revenge list.

Cottan continues to tie up loose ends, framing Arnott to take the fall for all of his crimes. While I thought Cottan might get caught, with this show you just never know. Cottan has Arnott all but locked up, but a few gaps in Cottan's story are noticed by Fleming. Hastings also questions Cottan's 'evidence.' They both realize it's too convenient. The district attorney is also tied to the coverup. She was appointed by Fairbanks and his ilk which gives her motive to end the investigation.

Hastings and Fleming doubt Cottan, and they bring him in for an interview. They have a hunch, but they can't prove he's guilty. Last season's interrogations were exciting. I wondered if the final episode would try to match them, but instead it leads to Cottan fleeing the station with armed help during the interview.

This is such a good show. I rank the seasons as 2, 3, 1. I liked the second the best just with how it paints everyone as covering something up. This show remains exciting with a short episode count and no filler. This doesn't get bogged down in extend backstory or sub plots.

Season 4
Roz Huntley (Thandie Newton) saves a kidnapped woman and even arrests the suspect. Fellow officer Ifield (Jason Watkins) disagrees with her forensic conclusions, asserting she's going after the wrong person. We're given reason to doubt Ifield when he approaches a victim that got away. The disagreement culminates in an argument when Roz visits him at home. I get trying to protect your career, but Ifield's reaction to events is wild. At the end of the first episode, we're left wondering what happened between the two.

AC-12 questions Roz. While she has answers for everything, her conclusions invite questions. She gets removed from her case. Roz shows up at Ifield's house again, but this time it's a crime scene. She calls Arnott off the scene, and I just knew she was going to point the situation in a direction that would help. If she wasn't bent before, she's embracing corruption now. Then again, Ifield was doing the same thing. His planned coverup makes him look like the very person Roz is chasing for her other case. Arnott isn't so sure, visiting Roz's husband. AC-12 doesn't know what happened between them, but we know Arnott is heading in the right direction.

S4E1: Thandie Newton plays Roz Huntley

Roz would rather let her husband think she cheated on him than know what she really did. A masked person attacks Arnott in epiosde three, and that seems like a plot contrivance. There's no reason for a suspect to pop up and create more evidence.

When AC-12 questions Roz again, she turns it around asserting that Hastings is sexist and that's why he's investigating her. Hastings is justified, but being a Mason and not promoting women makes him look wrong. She has a point, even if it is a miscarriage of justice to save herself. She even gets her superior Hilton to sign off on a statement against AC-12. She did that by promising him a relationship that she rescinds once she has what she needs.

The show draws links from Roz's case back to Tony Gates and his girlfriend Laverty. That seems like a stretch. What would the criminal group's stake in Roz's case be? It has nothing to do with them.

Last season Cottan implicated someone with the initial H was orchestrating corruption within the police. Hilton tries to get Hastings fired based on the clue, but that just makes me think Hilton must be guilty.

Roz scratched her arm between episodes one and two. The wound gets worse the entire season, reaching a critical moment in episode five. It creates a rift between her and her husband, and in retaliation as well as protecting herself, Roz arrests her husband for a murder. Surprisingly, it's Roz's wound that is part of her downfall.

This is another great season. Each one is a twisting mystery, but the strength of the story elevates the show. We understand why Roz committed to every action she undertook. In the moment you try to escape, hoping you can get out, but it's never that easy. She did try to bring down everyone around her though. It's like what they say about a drowning person, they'll sink everyone else around them.

Season 5
A daylight assault on a police detail leaves only one cop alive. Looking into the gang attack, Arnott and Fleming stumble upon a case that's restricted access, deducing an undercover agent is embedded in the gang. It may very well be the criminal that spared the cop.

S5E2: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure play Steve Arnott, Kate Fleming

The undercover isn't quite what we thought. Arnott and Fleming visit Corbett's (Stephen Graham) wife and find nothing. He's staging another raid on police confiscated weapons, and that gets the notice of an unknown bigger boss. Corbett finds Arnott, trying to convince him he's not dirty. He's just trying to find the big players despite his handlers pushing him to chase low level targets. Corbett thinks all of leadership is dirty to some degree, refusing to report in and give them a chance to thwart his case.

The cop that survived in the first episode ends up being part of the crime ring. She identifies who recruited her, and it wasn't Corbett. The AC-12 suspects the corrupt officer's name begins with an H, the infamous culprit that's been in the periphery of this show since the beginning.

S5E4: Stephen Graham plays John Corbett

Corbett hopes to lure the corrupt police officer pulling the strings to his warehouse raid. AC-12 is on stakeout watching the building, but they're called off to provide backup. It's a setup and Corbett shoots the officer that shows up, Hargreaves. Corbett thinks Hastings is dirty. Hastings looks guilty due to massive debt and a failing marriage. He's compromised but allowed to stay on the case anyway. I doubted Hasting was really H, that and the real H wouldn't lose his life savings on a stupid investment. Hastings fervor to catch Corbett looks like revenge, and he takes a big swing in an effort to bring down the crime ring. I suppose Hastings wants a legacy that's not a ruined marriage and terrible investment, but it shouldn't be allowed to continue.

Hasting looks especially guilty, and I wasn't sure how he would get out of it. If he did get arrested, it would give the show real stakes, implying that no one is safe. Hastings's DNA is found on a dead body, only increasing his guilty appearance. The case is all but a slam dunk. We get a twist I don't like. It's too easy of a cop out to save Hastings. I'd have liked this season a lot better without the Scooby Doo ending.

Season 6
This season is more action oriented, and nearly every episode seems to end on some kind of cliff hanger. It's not bad, but it also seems like the show is pandering. It's still a really good season, but I didn't like this season as much. Part of it, this show has set the bar so high.

Arnott begins investigating Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) after a tip from a jilted lover, Jatri. Davidson is investigating the murder of journalist, and she has a suspect, Boyle. We've seen him before with criminals using him and coercing him into crimes. Our doubt with Davidson derives from her diverting a convoy to investigate a lesser crime. It potentially provided the real criminal time to escape.

S6E5: Kelly Macdonald plays Joanne Davidson

Arnott is on pain killers, struggling with his injury sustained in season four. Fleming recognizes but can't place a new police officer, Pilkington. He was a kid helping out gangsters in the first season. He's still on the organized crime payroll despite his new occupation.

Fleming interferes with Arnott and Hasting's investigation, but it seems that Davidson may have framed Jatri. She also cuts an interview short just as it seemed Boyle was going to provide new information.

Hastings is pushed to retire less he face disciplinary action. The AC-12 is being consolidated, and the bosses never liked how doggedly Hastings pursued the truth.

This show is usually more grounded. We never get police shootouts in broad daylight, but Arnott has a witness we first met in season 4 and the crime group doesn't want him to talk. The problem is that the group is now after Arnott.

Fleming sets a trap for Pilkington so he can't tip off his bosses. Pilkington manages to corner Fleming just as the screen fades to black and a gun shot rings out. Previous seasons didn't inflate the tension like this.

Davidson gets interrogated, but Carmichael seems quick to avoid any questions related to the fourth H. It results in Davidson headed to jail, but she's luckily spared from crooked guards killing her.

The big mystery this season is who is the top man, the fourth H. Finally it's revealed, but it seems a bit too easy, and I'm not sure how that person is actually related to some of these crimes or the other people. It seems like a stunt, but it's worse than I thought. That reveal casts a pall on the season. The fourth person has been built up since nearly the beginning, and the reveal is a flop more than anything. The season ends with the police commissioner stating their is no corruption as he works to cover up the evidence and criminals that would contradict his blatantly false statements.

This show is so much fun. Seasons remain tight and focused on the plot. Each season unfolds a twisting mystery, and a big part of this show is that even the 'good guys' are only a few steps away from being corrupt. Sometimes they even cross a line, but that grounds this show in reality. Rarely is life so easily divided between black and white. My rank for favorite seasons would be: 2, 4, 5, 3, 1, 6.

Frequency Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Frequency (2000)

Rent Frequency on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Toby Emmerich
Directed by: Gregory Hoblit
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Jim Caviezel, Andre Braugher, Noah Emmerich, Elizabeth Mitchell
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
An accidental cross-time radio link connects father and son across thirty years. The son tries to save his father's life, but then must fix the consequences.

Verdict
It's not scientifically strict on what in essence is time travel, but it makes for a fun and unique adventure with this magic ham radio. John and Frank start with a proverbial piece of string and continue to tangle it in trying to alter the past and future. Knotting it more isn't going to magically straighten it, which is exactly what happens here. The conclusion is a bit too cute, this happy ending where everything works out perfectly despite how much they've interfered with events. This should have culminated in a deeply personal choice without an easy way out.
It depends.

Review
The first scene is a daring rescue where firefighter Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid) saves the people and manages to defy death by mere seconds. Thirty years later, Frank's son John has grown up to be a cop. Through some strange astronomical phenomena John, despite living in 1999, manages to contact his father in 1969 when he pulls out his father's old ham radio to see if it still works.

Jim Caviezel plays John Sullivan

John soon discovers that he can influence events in the past to affect the future. This is his chance to save his father who perished in a fire when John was young. It's an event that has shaped his life and made him bitter. John quickly convinces Frank of what's happening when he manages to predict the conclusion of a 1969 Mets World Series game. Frank avoids the fire and death. John suddenly gets all of these new memories of his father, but Frank dies of cancer at a later date.

I get why John embraces this second chance with his father, willing to hold onto any idea that provides hope. I'm not sure why Frank buys into it so quickly. He doesn't have a vested interest, and I'd think it would take more convincing.

Dennis Quaid, Jim Caviezel play Frank, John Sullivan

Through this radio, the two of them swap stories; John of the future and Frank of the past. John gets to ask Frank all the questions he never could. It's at this point I wondered where this would go. Will it be John continually trying to prevent his father's death only for something else to kill him? Will his meddling only cause more issues to fix? This spins in a different direction when John meddles in the past and his mother ends up dead. Initially, we're not sure how, but it turns out it was a serial killer.

John's working that serial case in 1999, and he begins using his father to prevent death and find clues to solve the case. Frank even manages to hide evidence in 1969 so that John can find it in 1999. Things continue to become muddled. Frank is confronted by the killer and in turn sets Frank up for the crimes. Without the radio and jailed, Frank is on his own. He has to stop the killer on his own with no help from John. This culminates in a face off with the killer, both Frank in 1969 and John in 1999.

Dennis Quaid, Jim Caviezel play Frank, John Sullivan

This has such an overly happy and perfect ending, which I don't like. Every time John changes the past it creates a new problem. I don't believe that he somehow created so many problems that it magically fixed everything. I wish this had forced him to choose. Is he selfish and chooses to save his parents, or must he sacrifice them to save the city from a serial killer? Not only does John save everyone, he improves the lives of everyone around him too. It's a fairy tale ending that undermines the rest of the movie.

Sybil Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Sybil (1976)

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Written by: Stewart Stern (screenplay by), Flora Rheta Schreiber (based on the book by)
Directed by: Daniel Petrie
Starring: Sally Field, Joanne Woodward
Rated: TV-14

Plot
A young woman's childhood was so harrowing that she developed sixteen different personalities to cope finds a doctor that wants to help her.

Verdict
It's disturbing due to the insinuation and depiction of child abuse. Sybil created a defense for the abuse by disassociating. So many people in her life failed her, but she's now found a doctor committed to helping her manage this condition. Field delivers a terrific performance, but this type of movie has been done, and being a television movie this is too long for the story told. Sybil's mom is more unnerving than some of the worst villains. Her actions are sickening.
It depends.

Review
This two-part made for television movie also stars Joanne Woodward as Dr. Cornelia Wilbur. Woodward was in one of the earliest movies to depict Dissociative Identity Disorder as the patient in The Three Faces of Eve (1957).

The opening theme music is unsettling, and that feeling only gets worse. Grade school teacher Sybil (Sally Field) takes her class to the park where a squeaky swing causes a brief flashback to a troubling memory. What that memory depicts is unclear, but it leads to a breakdown. She goes home to lie down, waking up to a trashed apartment having just punched through her window. She goes to the doctor for the injuries where neurologist Dr. Wilbur is called. Sybil keeps 'waking up,' unaware of where she is and having lost time.

Sally Field plays Sybil Dorsett

We begin to see Sybil's other personalities. When she looks in the mirror she sees a completely different person. These personalities were generated in her childhood, all of them being kids. As Dr. Wilbur continues to work with Sybil, we discover her mother was mentally and physically abusive. Sybil was tortured for minor infractions. Her mother would blindfold and bind her before locking her in a chest.

Dr. Wilbur is fascinated by the condition while grieving that a child was treated so poorly and had to develop such a defense. Field provides quite the performance with so many different roles in one person. One of Sybil's personalities has a relationship with Richard. He has to know she's strange but maybe he attributes that to her being a teacher. Ultimately, he leaves her.

Forced to confront her diagnosis, Sybil tries to convince Dr. Wilbur she doesn't have Dissociative Identity Disorder. It's a valiant effort as somehow she knows what the other personalities know, when before she had been isolated. Sybil doesn't want to admit it because doing so acknowledges what her mother did and her father allowed to happen. Sybil refuses to acknowledge such a thing.

Joanne Woodwardm Sally Field play Dr. Cornelia Wilbur, Sybil Dorsett

Dr. Wilbur goes to Sybil's hometown to prove what happened. She finds evidence of the abuse, and the amount and type is appalling. Her father denies Sybil's mother ever abused her. Wilbur even visits Sybil's pediatrician who admits there were several signs, but he did nothing. He's contrite, but that changes nothing at this point. It's a lot of people hoping it couldn't possibly be true, ignoring what's apparent. Wilbur talks to Sybil who admits she was afraid of hope and thinking she could be cured. It's a breakthrough as Dr. Wilbur admits how much she cares for Sybil. It's been a long time since Sybil has felt loved. Sybil finally confronts what happened and the personas she's created to cope. The final sequence is strong, depicting her physically meeting the child personas and embracing them.

This movie is difficult to take. Abuse, especially child abuse is not easy to watch. That's what turns me off this movie. Field delivers a great performance, but we have to delve into a dark story to see it. So many people let it happen, and that's the most troubling part.

Cop Land Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Cop Land (1997)

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Written by: James Mangold
Directed by: James Mangold
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Peter Berg, janenae Garofalo, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport, Noah Emmerich, John Spencer, Frank Vincent, Malik Yoba, Edie Falco
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
The Sheriff of a suburban New Jersey community, populated by New York City police officers, slowly discovers the town is a front for mob connections and corruption.

Verdict
It's a lot of story for the run time, and Stallone does a great job in a subdued role. The problem is that Stallone's character's motivations are vague. Is he a fan boy of the NYPD cops or bitter over his life's failures? Without a clear crime, we know he's chasing corrupt cops but why is he bothered by them now? This needs a better inciting incident and to do more showing character motivations. I want to like this, but the story is a bit muddy and the movie suffers for it.
It depends.

Review
The cast is stacked, and Stallone's departure from big action movies to drama was publicized as was the weight he gained for the role.

A voice over sets the premise, detailing how a group of New York cops have found a loophole to live in New Jersey. Through that they can't be investigated as Internal Affairs can't legally conduct investigations outside of the state.

Freddy Heflin (Sylvester Stallone) is the sheriff in this New Jersey town. He can't be an NYPD cop due to a hearing impairment. He's settled for this role, giving the New York cops living there a wide berth. He seems like their errand boy, that or just a starstruck fan.

Sylvester Stallone plays Freddy Heflin

The first introduction to these cops is officer Babitch (Michael Rapaport) leaving a party and getting sideswiped, then believing the car shoots at him before returning fire. The cops that arrive on the scene can't find a gun with officer Rucker (Robert Patrick) planting one to get his buddy out of trouble. They're led by Donlan (Harvey Keitel).

These cops are indicated as corrupt from the beginning. Their uneasy alliance is starting to crack, and then we have Freddy. He readily agrees to let Figgis (Ray Liotta) live with him when his house burns down, and it seems like it's his buddies that did it. Internal Affairs officer Tilden (Robert De Niro) asks Freddy for help, but he refuses thinking they're his friends.

Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone play Moe Tilden, Freddy Heflin

I don't know what triggers it exactly, and I wish the movie gave Freddy a moment. I don't think he suddenly realized these guys don't respect him, but he sees that this group of cops he saw as heroes are willing to kill people they claim as friends. He investigates on his own to confirm his suspicions.

With this cast, I want to like the movie but it meanders. This focuses on Freddy's connection to side characters without pushing the plot forward quickly enough. The heart of the mystery is the initial cover up, but that's a bit vague. This would work better with a clear definable crime upon which the movie can hang the plot. It just doesn't have the drive. Freddy seems like he was happy to turn a blind eye or didn't imagine NYPD cops could be corrupt. Either way this needs a breakthrough moment when they use and abuse him and he sees reality. Freddy has never seemed all that capable, and he gets this redemption arc when he puts the real cops to task. It's a bit too much of an action movie with Freddy on a rampage at the end.

John Spencer, Robert Patrick, Harvey Keitel play Leo Crasky, Jack Rucker, Ray Donlan

The problem is that this invokes corruption with nothing specific. These guys are hiding various unspoken crimes. Since we don't know the what, all we know is that they planted a gun. Freddy's relationship with the cops is never quite established. Is he a subservient fan? In awe? Or is he bitter than he couldn't make it as an NYPD cop? While Stallone does a great job with what he's given, the character easily could have been the local big shot that never panned out, trying to play at being NYPD. That would have been nice depth. The loss of hearing angle needs more. Clearing up these plot points would give the movie direction. I want to like it, but it feels much longer than it is, in part due to how much story this crams into the run time.

The Hunger Games Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Hunger Games (2012)

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Written by: Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray (screenplay by), Suzanne Collins (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Toby Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Jack Quaid, Donald Sutherland
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.

Verdict
It's a quick paced struggle for survival in a post apocalyptic world where the wealthy watch the poor fight to the death for entertainment. We follow the heroic Katniss, who tries to avoid killing while inadvertently spurring the impoverished residents following the games to revolt. This works on multiple levels, though it doesn't explore the implications of this society deeply. In spite of or because of that, this remains entertaining as we hope Katniss can survive despite the game's organizers manipulating events.
Watch It.

Review
Based on the 2008 book, this was the first of four movies with two prequel movies added recently. The 1999 book and subsequent movie Battle Royale (2000) launched the genre, becoming a cult phenomenon in part because the movie was banned in several countries.

In this post apocalypse world where most people seem to be destitute, each district must offer two teenage tributes as punishment for an uprising long ago. The group fights to the death in the hunger games which the wealthy regard as entertainment. The wealthy reside in the capital, the select few that are much better off. These games seem to be a method of control, a stark reminder of the capital's power. I'd also be willing to bet the capital is outnumbered, ruling solely by breaking the spirit of everyone else.

Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen

Attending the selection ceremony, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) tries to comfort her sister Primrose who is attending for the first time. No surprise she's scared. Being selected is certain death. Katniss assures her she won't be selected, and of course Primrose is selected. Katniss volunteers in her sister's place. She'll be pitted against twenty-three other children. Along with the other selection from her district Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). They get a mentor in Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) who was a victor from their district years ago. He assures them they will die, and he can't help them.

As the pair enter the capital for training, we see the broad class divide. The affluent watch the games for entertainment. Not only do they receive training to make them more formidable, they must audition for the elite in hopes of getting sponsored. Incensed by their disinterest, Katniss shoots an apple sitting on the elite's buffet table. It's a bit close for their comfort. She just as easily could have pierced one of them. It's outside of the bounds, but they take notice of her which is important.

It's a culture shock as Katniss is exposed to this completely foreign and lavish world while training to survive and appear impressive to the elite who can sponsor her during the games. Calling it a game is a misnomer as you murder your peers or die yourself. One of the most valuable pieces of information Haymitch provides her is to avoid rushing to the center to get weapons when the games start. That proves wise as six kids die in the first few minutes.

Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen

Peeta quickly aligns himself with four kids from a rich district that trained for years just for these games. They want to eliminate the more popular Katniss. We know Peeta is just trying to survive, but does Katniss realize it?

I can tell this is based on a book due to the density of the plot and the quick pacing. This fits a lot into the runtime. Katniss fights this impossible battle, and due to her style of trying to avoid killing, Katniss has a few short lived alliances and mercies from other tributes. We see the ones running the game intentionally manipulating it to add danger and excitement or direct tributes to certain outcomes. They also grow fearful of Katniss as she sparks revolt in the provinces.

Katniss makes it to the end, but refuses to kill the other tribute. She instead convinces him to eat poison berries, doubting the game runners will let the games end like that.

The premise lends itself to a quick pace, and this remains entertaining. While I'd like to know more about this world, the movie provides just enough without getting mired in explanations. Katniss rebels through non-violent means, refusing to kill just to entertain the elite that don't care about the people they torture. It's clear there is more to this story, granted there are several books, but the conclusion is satisfying.

Title Card

In the Mouth of Madness Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

In the Mouth of Madness (1994)

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Written by: Michael De Luca
Directed by: John Carpenter
Starring: Sam Neill, Jürgen Prochnow, Julie Carmen, Charlton Heston, Frances Bay
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
An insurance investigator begins discovering the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational.

Verdict
A disturbing exploration of what's real and fiction as John tries to find horror writer Sutter Cane. The line of reality quickly blurs as he nor we know where Cane is. Does Cane have a preternatural power to conjure the creatures he describes? Finding Cane soon turns into trying to escape him, and that nightmare isn't easy to leave behind. It's unsettling as John can't trust his senses. At the end we're not sure if he ever escaped. The more readers Cane gains, the more power he wields. It's a series of disturbing scenes without a through line. Even the end lacks a punch.
It depends.

Review
After opening with a printing press montage, we see John Trent (Sam Neill) admitted to a mental institution. Before he sees a doctor, John has drawn all over himself and his cell. While he seems delusional, John begins telling his story to the doctor.

As an insurance fraud investigator, John is hired to track down elusive horror writer Sutter Cane. Cane's book release is imminent, and his publishers can't locate him. John thinks the 'disappearance' is a publicity stunt for the book, but he agrees to search for the writer. That's after Cane's agent becomes deranged and tries to attack John with an axe. That would have been enough for me to back away. John begins reading Cane's books for any clues, discovering the book covers create a map that highlights a location in New Hampshire. He also begins having disturbing dreams. Maybe that's related to the guy that tried to kill him with an axe.

Sam Neill plays John Trent

John, along with Cane's editor Linda Styles (Julie Carmen), break out the map and start driving. A modern movie would completely flop here. They would have looked for this town online and either not found it or discovered something odd. In this movie, all they have is a map and general location of Hobb's End, the location often featured in Cane's books. That's enough to start a road trip.

Just getting to this town is strange. Reaching the town is bizarre and surreal. I would have turned around right then and there, but that would ruin the sequence later which is why Linda ignores that the car seemingly floats through some kind of void space before reaching the town. Hobb's End is exactly as Cane described in his books.

What Cane writes exists in this town or somehow manifests. The more people read his books, the more power he gains. This seems like a Stephen King set up with a New England town, monsters, and evil children. Despite the oddities they witness, John and Linda are reticent to leave until they find Cane. John finally has enough after Cane orders him to deliver the new manuscript and leaves, but Linda states she's read the end and can't depart. Reality and fiction blur, with Cane's novels overpowering or overwriting people. John can't escape Hobb's End. Every time he tries, he ends up right back in the middle of town.

Julie Carmen, Sam Neill play Linda Styles, John Trent

While he finally gets out due to no accord of his own, he wakes up where the town used to be holding Cane's manuscript that he left behind. He ditches it again and goes to a motel where the manuscript finds him again. He can't ditch the book or the author.

It's an ambiguous ending with John seemingly watching the movie adaptation that is the very movie we've been watching. Will we soon be infected, overpowered by Cane's writing? Somehow he creates reality, and in John's case it's a loop. He's doomed to fulfill whatever Cane writes. It's his loss of free will that drives him mad.

The Long, Hot Summer Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Long, Hot Summer (1958)

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Written by: William Faulkner (novella "Spotted Horses", short story "Barn Burning", novel "The Hamlet"), Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr. (screenplay)
Directed by: Martin Ritt
Starring: Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Anthony Franciosa, Orson Welles, Lee Remick, Angela Lansbury
Rated: Approved [PG-13]
Watch the trailer

Plot
Accused barn burner and conman Ben Quick arrives in a small Mississippi town and quickly ingratiates himself with its richest family, the Varners.

Verdict
Despite Newman's charisma, the story comes up lacking. Ben is s a charming conman that aligns himself with a local businessman, but that man's daughter Clara doesn't like him despite his affections towards her. Eventually he finds a place in the family as Clara realizes she's developed feelings. It's all so typical and boring.
Skip it.

Review
Ben Quick (Paul Newman) is suspected of burning down a barn, but with no evidence they just order him to leave town. He heads to a new town, given a ride by Clara (Joanne Woodward) and Eula (Lee Remick). It's a double benefit as their father Will (Orson Welles) is also a big deal in town. Soon enough he's hired on as a share cropper. I'm willing to bet Ben would have sought Will out anyway. Getting on their father's good side will be beneficial and Ben is an opportunist.

Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward play Ben Quick, Clara Varner

Clara's father initially doesn't like Ben, knowing why he came to town. Soon enough his feelings change. Will likes Ben, he's ambitious and smart. Ben is a contrast to Will's son in law Jody (Anthony Franciosa), and Jody can't stand that he's being ousted from the top spot he had occupied by default by a newcomer no less.

Tensions fester between Ben and Jody. Ben proves capable while Jody doesn't desire to reclaim his spot, he wants it handed to him. In Ben, Will sees someone that gets the job done. Jody finally violently confronts Ben who quickly promises to pay Jody off. It's a scam, but by the time Jody realizes it Ben is gone. Adding to the humiliation, it's Will that points out Jody's been had.

Orson Wells, Paul Newman play Will Varner, Ben Quick

Ben likes Clara, though it seems the main reason is because they are both main characters. She's spurned Ben's advances, and it's been clear from the beginning that was so there would be a turn around at the end. They have this opposites attract thing going on. Ben likes her and Will wants him to marry Clara. She's not interested, right up until she is. When Ben gets in trouble due to his reputation, Clara knows he didn't do it. That's when she realizes she's come to like having Ben around.

Maybe it was received better upon release, but the leads don't have that much chemistry. It's reduced to a pair that don't get along until they do at the moment it serves the story best. This has potential. I wish it developed the characters more. Will goes from not liking Ben to all of a sudden being a fan, again because it serves the plot.

Hard Target Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Hard Target (1993)

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Written by:Chuck Pfarrer
Directed by: John Woo
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lance Henriksen, Yancy Butler, Wilford Brimley
Rated: NC-17
Watch the trailer

Plot
A woman hires a drifter as her guide through New Orleans in search of her missing father. In the process, they discover a deadly game of cat and mouse behind his disappearance.

Verdict
It's a simple beat 'em up action movie. While it has a more than a couple of neat tricks, there just isn't much to this. The story is almost nonexistent. The villain hunts humans as sport and Van Damme, playing a Cajun, must stop him. Van Damme kicks his way through the movie and his adversaries, but there are only so many slow motion kicks to the face I can watch. For a Van Damme movie, it's not bad nor is that a ringing endorsement. While it has a few moments, that doesn't make up for the rest of this.
Skip it.

Review
The international cut was rated NC-17 in the U.S. Woo recut the movie twenty times to get an R rating. The R rated version is two minutes shorter to remove graphic injuries.

This opens with a guy being pursued in the middle of the night by several people that surprisingly haven't killed him yet despite how many bullets they've expended. In just the opening scene I thought arrows might be a main character with how many close ups they received. There's the question of why Emil Fouchon (Lance Henriksen) and his posse are chasing this guy, Binder. It's clear Fouchon is a villain. Did Binder steal from him? Look at his girlfriend funny?

Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Chance Boudreaux

The introduction to Jean Claude Van Damme's character Chance Boudreaux generates so many questions. Why did the make him Cajun? Will his mullet have a perennially wet look throughout the movie? That answer is yes. Why does he wear a duster with rolled up sleeves? The movie's only answer is that Chance is a merchant marine hard up for money. He's not so callous that he doesn't help a woman being attacked in broad daylight. He kicks the would be thieves in the face and Natasha (Yancy Butler) tries to hire him to help find her father. If you're wondering whether her dad was killed in the opening scene, he was.

While the cops think Natasha's father died in a fire, Chance breaks the case wide open by proving it was murder. The cops didn't realize dog tags come in pairs. Nor did they notice the hole in Binder's chest.

Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Chance Boudreaux

Fouchon's criminal enterprise is hunting people for sport. That's wild, and it makes it very easy to draw lines, though he specifically picked homeless people without families. It's just that Binder lied. Otherwise Fouchon would have gotten away with it, but he messed with the wrong Cajun. Making Van Damme Canjun is quite the choice. Fouchon must eliminate Chance and Natasha to conceal his deeds. They hide in the bayou.

This is where Chance punches out a snake. Why not? Chance calls upon his Uncle Clarence (Wilford Brimley) to help him out. Clarence rigs his house to blow, completely destroying the place and doesn't manage to kill anyone with the blast. Why did he do that? Was it already wired just in case?

This is an over the top action movie with a low of slow motion shots that could use more Van Damme fighting. The premise of hunting people is wild. It's a great example of the action genre from the early '90s. I wish it had more grounding in reality, but then we wouldn't get Chance balancing on a motorcycle like a human missile, kicking a guy in the head to finish him off after shooting him several times, or firing a gun upside down old west style. I also like the moment when a character tries to diffuse a grenade by removing the fuse. I don't recall ever seeing that. It's a neat trick. This movie is something else, but the problem is getting to these moments requires sitting through so much other.

The Last Dragon Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

The Last Dragon (1985)

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Written by: Louis Venosta
Directed by: Michael Schultz
Starring: Taimak, Vanity, Christopher Murney, Julius Carry
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer

Plot
In New York City, Bruce Leeroy searches for a Master to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as "the Glow" while the Shogun of Harlem Sho'nuff challenges him to a fight.

Verdict
It's not a good movie, lacking in so many aspects, but it does manage to have some fun. So much of this movie is outright silly and even nonsensical. It makes so many wild decisions, and it can't be a surprise this movie is regarded as some kind of joke. Every aspect borders on the comedic. It's such a great example of a bad movie that seems to have had no oversight. I wouldn't call it so bad it's good, but it is so ridiculous that at least it's not a complete waste.
Skip it.

Review
Leroy Green (Taimak) is a New York kid that's so into Kung Fu that he's known as Bruce Leeroy. He's completely embraced the culture from how he eats to how he dresses. He looks completely out of place walking down the streets of the city. I have to wonder, what is this movie? It's some strange mashup of New York gangster meets Kung Fu. That or it's some kind of fever dream. If it wasn't apparent in the first five minutes, you'll realize in the next ten that this is a b-movie. I applaud the chance it takes mixing different genres.

Leeroy searches for answers to take his Kung Fu to the next, ultimate level which is described as "the glow." He also apparently likes wearing a onesy while he trains. Meanwhile Sho'nuff (Julius Carry) seeks to be declared the unofficial master of New York. I suppose when you wear a costume like Sho'nuff you need to be able to fight. Bruce Leeroy seems to be the only person standing in the way of Sho'nuff's dominance.

Taimak plays Bruce Leeroy

Leeroy saves television DJ Laura Charles (Vanity), then disappears. They're both smitten with the other. Leeroy manages to save her yet again. I think she should be a little more skeptical of someone in full ninja attire. Instead she's infatuated, and it's no surprise this movie was going to embrace some tropes. The movie's villain Arkadian (Christopher Murney) wants to kidnap Laura and force her to play his girlfriends music videos. In no way is that a good plan. It's not even a serviceable short term option.

Even if we ignore the plot, and in this movie it's not a big deal, Sho'nuff's overacting is tempered by Leeroy's underacting. This movie is amateur. Leeroy thinks the person that writes fortune cookies could be the master. How would that even connect to Kung Fu? One has nothing to do with the other, but Leeroy manages to find the fortune cookie writer.

I have to mention the art of making love conversation. Bruce Leeroy alludes to drawing and paint brushes to explain his lack of experience to Laura. She understands exactly what he means, it would be difficult not to. The question is why bring it up, and why use such an awkward metaphor.

Julius Carry, Taimak play Sho'nuff, Bruce Leeroy

Arkadian hasn't been deterred in his quest to commit multiple felonies, kidnapping Laura yet again. He also hires Sho'nuff for protection. In the final battle Sho'nuff reveals he has "the glow." You might think that Leeroy has no chance, but the drubbing Sho'nuff provides is exactly what he need to unlock his own glow. I thought this would lead to a more even fight, but Leeroy dispatches Sho'nuff like it's nothing. If you think that's the end, buckle up. Leeroy gets to display one more feat of awesomeness before he reunites with Laura.

This movie is wild. I won't watch it again, but I appreciate that it's entertaining from start to stop. So many bad movies lack a story, remain boring, or don't provide a conclusion. This movie has all of that, it's just a ridiculous mash up of ideas.

They Will Kill You Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

They Will Kill You (2026)

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Written by: Kirill Sokolov & Alex Litvak
Directed by:Kirill Sokolov
Starring: Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Myha'la, Tom Felton, Heather Graham
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
A woman takes a job as a housekeeper in a NYC high-rise, unaware of the building's history of disappearances. She soon realizes the community is shrouded in mystery.

Verdict
It's an on the rails beat 'em up movie that could have been so much more creative. This wastes no time at all, jumping right into it. A high rise apartment full of cultists and a woman willing to fight them all to save her sister is all the story this offers. It's over the top and then some, but the movie could have done so much more with the world building. Just as Asia continues to defeat the same people over and over, that echoes the lack of creativity in the movie. This hints at what each floor holds, but we never get to see it. The final fight nearly makes this worth it due to the sheer ridiculousness, but this doesn't do enough to distinguish it from other, similar movies.
It depends.

Review
This starts with what seems like an abused woman and her daughter on the run from an abusive ex. It turns out to be sisters running from their father. He catches up to them, and that precipitates a ten year time jump.

Asia (Zazie Beetz) just got a job as a maid at an exclusive high rise apartment building where she will also live. This wastes no time getting weird, from sounds in the walls to a man wearing a pig mask in her room. At first I wondered if it was a dream, but it's not. Fifteen minutes in and she's already been attacked.

Zazie Beetz plays Asia Reaves

This cranks it up to eleven quickly. The style is over the top, from the violence to the gore. It soon seems she sought this job out on purpose. Initially there isn't much context, but some kind of secret society lives in the high rise. They're also immortal somehow. Despite killing them, they just keep coming back.

How lucky are Asia and the audience that we get a character that just happens to fill us in on this hotel's backstory. It's a little too convenient. He stated each floor is devoted to a particular vice. I hoped the movie would take advantage of that, but it doesn't. Asia's goal from the beginning was to find and save her sister Maria (Myha'la) from the demonic cult. Maria already knew about the cult. She tells Asia she needed saving when she was younger, not now.

Myha'la, Zazie Beetz play Maria, Asia Reaves

This is an on the rails action movie set in a strange world. The movie could be more fun if it developed this high rise. We're told about the other floors, but why not use it and incorporate it into the fights and escapes? The fights are gory but not all that impressive. It could have capitalized more on the fact that Asia keeps fighting the same cultists.

It's rare when the protagonist kills the same villains over and over. This at least creates a foundation for that. The inhabitants have made a pact with the devil. The final fight is sleight of hand and bargaining as Asia tries to save her sister that eventually leads to Asia fighting a tentacled pig head.

Patricia Arquette plays Lily Woodhouse

Seven Psychopaths Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

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Written by: Martin McDonagh
Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Starring: Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Michael Pitt, Michael Stuhlbarg, Harry Dean Stanton
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
A struggling screenwriter inadvertently becomes entangled in the Los Angeles criminal underworld after his oddball friends kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu.

Verdict
I wanted to like this, and it definitely has its moments but this lacks a goal. The dog is just a plot device to bring these characters together - the psychopaths. They're interesting but cartoonish. No one has a drive; they're here to entertain though they lack motivation. This needs something pushing us to the conclusion. There isn't much to anticipate due to that. The movie and the screenplay at the center of this both seek a satisfying conclusion. Neither manage to find it.
It depends.

Review
As McDonagh's follow up to In Bruges (2008), I was excited to watch this. It didn't match the quality of its predecessor.

Struggling screenwriter Marty (Colin Farrell) has a movie title, "Seven Psychopaths," but no script. Throughout we're introduced to various unhinged persons, beginning with Marty's friend Billy (Sam Rockwell) who kidnaps dogs along with Hans (Christopher Walken), returning them for the reward.

Sam Rockwell, Colin Farrell play Billy, Marty

It's the Jack of Diamonds killer, psychopath #1, that intervenes when Marty and Hans are assaulted by Charlie's men. Billy inadvertently stole his dog, and local crime boss Charlie wants her back. It's more tangled than that as Billy was involved with Charlie's girlfriend. When Charlie expresses how serious he is, Billy retaliates. Billy is crazier than we thought, taking two spots on the psychopath list.

Billy, Hans, and Marty hide from Charlie in the desert. They discuss the script with nothing better to do. It's easy to look for parallels in Marty's story and the movie. Not all of the psychopaths are characters introduced in the movie, some are fictional that Marty created for his screenplay or told to him as a story. Marty wants his script to be the perfect revenge movie setup with the second half taking place in the desert, decrying the violence of the first half. The three brainstorm for conclusions to the script, of course Billy's ideas are quite violent. I wondered if this is where things would begin to overlap. It gets stranger when Marty confronts Billy about what he's done. Billy states it was to help Marty generate ideas for the script. That seems like a flimsy excuse.

Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell play Charlie, Marty

Seeking the grand finale, Billy calls Charlie and tells him exactly where they're hiding. Billy wants a big shootout, and he wants to make sure it happens.

This feels similar to Adaptation. (2002), with a writer struggling to create a script and the last act devolving into ridiculous violence. While this has several scenes with clever dialog, there's never a goal that drives the characters. The dog is a forced plot device. While it starts the movie, this just doesn't have anywhere to go. Of course after seeing In Bruges (2008), I was excited to see the follow up. I can't help but wonder what's the point. These characters are cartoon characters, especially Billy. It creates a disconnect.

Title Card

Mildred Pierce (1945) Movie Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Mildred Pierce (1945)

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Written by: Ranald MacDougall (screen play), James M. Cain (novel), William Faulkner, Margaret Gruen, Albert Maltz, Louise Randall Pierson, Catherine Turney, Margaret Buell Wilder, Thames Williamson (contract writer, uncredited)
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden, Ann Blyth, Bruce Bennett
Rated: Approved [PG-13]
Watch the trailer

Plot
A hard-working mother inches towards disaster as she divorces her husband and starts a successful restaurant business to support her spoiled daughter.

Verdict
It's melodramatic, built on a child that believes she should be treated like royalty. Mildred suffers to provide that to her daughter for no real reason other than to give this a plot. No one ever tells the kid no. Mildred would do anything for her daughter and that proves to be a downfall for both of them.
It depends.

Review
This starts with a bang. Monte (Zachary Scott) is shot by an unseen assailant, uttering the name Mildred. Later that night Mildred (Joan Crawford) takes another man, Wally (Jack Carson), back to the house where the body is. It's clear she's trying to frame him as the cops soon appear just after she leaves.

Mildred is called to the station. Wally doesn't tell the cops what happened or that he was there with Mildred, and the cops think Mildred's ex-husband Bert (Bruce Bennett) is the culprit as he has motive. Mildred is adamant he didn't. What's her angle? It seems she killed her husband Monte with his indication that it was her while she tries to frame Wally. It can't be that easy.

Joan Crawford plays Mildred Pierce

Mildred begins telling the cops her past in an effort to exonerate Bert. Years ago they divorced. Mildred began working at a diner to support her self and her children. Her oldest daughter Veda (Ann Blyth) is ashamed of her mother and spoiled. Veda wants to live an affluent life while Mildred is barely scraping by. By hustling at the diner and baking pies in her free time, Mildred manages to save enough to start her own restaurant.

She buys a building from the affluent Monte Beragon and they start a relationship, though it seems like convenience more than love. It provides Mildred and her daughters with a mansion, but surely Mildred didn't marry just so Veda could live in a mansion. While Mildred spends most of her time at the restaurant and building more, Monte spends a lot of time with Veda. Mildred notices that.

Veda marries a rich man, but that's annulled though not before Veda manages to get a check out of it. She rails against her mom, stating she's desperate and willing to do anything to leave middle class behind.

Joan Crawford, Ann Blyth play Mildred Pierce, Veda Pierce

Mildred tried to give her daughter everything and it's never enough. Veda still wants more and spurns everyone in that pursuit. No one is hurt more than her mother. Mildred marries Monte seemingly in the hope that it will catapult her into wealthy circles and maybe Veda will come back. While Veda's happy to live in a mansion, she still harbors a lot of disdain for her mother. I get trying to provide for your kid, but this is wild. Why does Veda think she should live as a queen? I never understood the why. Mildred doesn't seem to overly spoil her. The plot needs this setup fully explained for the rest of the story.

While Monte used to be wealthy, that money is going fast. He negotiated a share of Mildred's restaurant for the marriage and he's selling his shares. Mildred is looking at selling her stake to support Monte and her daughter. I figured there had to be a twist to the first scene. It can't be so cut and dry, and by the end of the movie what actually happened is revealed.

The premise is that Mildred will do anything for her kids, but what's not explained is why Veda demands so much. Mildred never balks, sacrificing everything to make Veda happy. I could see the divorce being the start to their fraught relationship, but there would have to be a fight between them along the way about how ridiculous Veda is. A tragedy could push them farther apart with Mildred then willing to sacrifice anything to bring Veda back. Without these answers, the story is a bit thin.

Roger & Me Documentary Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Roger & Me (1989)

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Written by: Michael Moore
Directed by: Michael Moore
Starring: Michael Moore, Rober B. Smith
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
After General Motors closes its factory in Flint, Michigan, eliminating 35,000 jobs, filmmaker Michael Moore undertakes a quixotic quest to interview General Motors' chairman, Roger B. Smith.

Verdict
This could easily be filmed in the modern day. While the premise is almost comical with Moore chasing down the chairman of General Motors to no avail, he documents the people that lose their jobs and in turn their homes. This is only the start that marked the decline of the city that would continue for decades. It's not necessarily impartial, nor is it intended to be, but it reveals the sad truth of who suffers when it's a company versus employees.
Watch It.

Review
This is Moore's first documentary. Having recently lost his job as a journalist, he moved to his hometown of Flint Michigan, deciding to stage an attempt at interviewing Roger B. Smith to provide a look at the city, the people, and the problems faced. It starts out very personal with Moore talking about his youth and growing up in Flint. His dad worked for Chevrolet. That puts the firings into context while exploring culture and adding an entertainment factor to the documentary.

The closure of the Chevrolet plants and the loss of thirty-thousand jobs wasn't because Chevrolet was hurting financially. The company wanted to move production to Mexico to save a few dollars. Despite the company claiming it's business, we know it's more than that. It's simple greed.

Michael Moore

It's a comedic concept as Moore has no credentials or pedigree. He's not much more than a random person off the street. It's less documentary and more entertainment. This could have been the concept for a Youtube video. Moore sneaks into the plant on the final day under the guise of a television crew. From there he wonders if he could interview Roger B. Smith. Documentarians don't often insert themselves into the story, but that's not quite what this is. It's entertainment and a record of the city as it's clear a decline is imminent. There's the stated quest of an interview, but this explores Flint from various perspectives.

Many people are upset as they've lost their livelihoods. This also follows a sheriff's deputy that's evicting people. It's a stark reality many are facing and more will soon confront. Many GM workers being working at Taco Bell, but they don't fare well. The wealthier in Flint, still see it as a great town but the inescapable fact is that many are leaving. This humanizes the event, and it's not all that different from what's happened to Red Lobster or Joann Fabrics. Capitalism squeezed just a few dollars out of the middle class. The wealthy get another vacation home while the middle and lower classes become destitute.

As jobs went down, crime went up. The city was ruled as the worst place to live. That got worse into the 2000s while Flint layoffs continued for years even after this documentary. The city had to build a second jail. In 2014, the city faced a crisis of contaminated drinking water.

Moore endeavored for a year to speak to Roger B. Smith, following him from GM headquarters to the yacht club, and more. He finally gets into a stockholder's meeting where the board realizes who he is and immediately adjourns the meeting. It's a silly premise as we know Smith won't talk to him, but through that we see layoffs forcing people out of their homes. The chairman of GM refuses to discuss the issue. Instead Smith attends lavish events and even gets a raise. It's a level of callousness that's disappointing. GM rose to prominence through employee labor, and the company drops them when they get a better deal, in the process ruining lives. As Moore's journey ends, he concludes the rich get richer and the poor poorer.

Salesman Documentary Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

Salesman (1969)

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Directed by: Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin
Starring: Paul Brennan, Charles McDevitt, James Baker, Raymond Martos
Rated: G
Watch the trailer

Plot
Four dogged door-to-door Bible salesmen travel from Boston to Florida on a seemingly futile quest to sell luxury editions of the Good Book to working-class Catholics.

Verdict
This portrays the hardships of sales, but it's not like these guys are selling a product that's easy to demonstrate. Nor is it an encyclopaedia set that so many households bought. What is the inherent value of the book when most families that would want one already have one? I was curious how these salesman ended up here, but we don't get that. I expected high pressure sales techniques, but that's not really the focus either. Instead of an inside look at sales it's more just a day in the life, and it's not all that exciting of a day.
Skip it.

Review
Door to door sales is tough regardless of the product. Selling bibles is an extra layer of difficulty. It seems like the basis for a comedy skit more than anything else. Part of selling is demonstrating the product, and there just isn't a lot to show off with this book. What most of the salesman come back to are the full color depictions at the back. Salesmen attend meetings where they're encouraged and given pep talks. We see them trying to sell bibles, and that's contrasted with them gambling at night in their free time.

I don't even know how you would sell a bible. The very fact they're selling it seems strange, as I always imagined it was easy to get one. I expected some kind of sales meeting or demonstration to aid them getting in the door and then getting a sale, but we don't get that. The only recourse a salesman has is some kind of guilt trip for not buying. So many items sold door to door have a specific benefit, but with this book you can only get out what you put in. It helps that when this took place demographics skewed more religious.

Paul Brennan, Charles McDevitt, James Baker

The black and white as well as the fashion is what dates this. Door to door sales still persists. People are desperate to make a buck. Now sales has been replaced with the gig economy and apps facilitating such jobs. I doubt it's a coincidence that all of these men are on the older side. I'd like for the movie to explore how they ended up in this job.

Nearly every scene depicts a salesman playing a part, trying to convince people to buy something they likely don't need and possibly don't want. It's the lament of the salesman. You can't get in the door. If you do, they don't want to buy. If they do want to buy, they don't have any money. One woman even tells a salesman she wishes he was selling encyclopedias instead.

I expected this to delve into techniques and approaches, coaching them on how to overcome objections. I assumed the drama would be the salesman struggling to meet quotas. We don't even learn about their backgrounds. How did these guys end up in this job? Why do they stay in it? There's so much more to what we see. I want this to answer the fundamental question of how to sell a bible. All this provides are the salesman touting the glossy, full color, inserts. That's just not enough in any sense.

Title Card

BrainDead Series Review

ward@fridaysonthefly.com (Ward) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 02:00:00 -0400

BrainDead (2016)

Season 1 - 13 episodes (2016)
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Created by: Michelle King, Robert King
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Danny Pino, Aaron Tveit, Tony Shalhoub, Nikki M. James, Johnny Ray Gill
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer

Plot
A government employee discovers that the cause of the tensions between the two political parties is a race of extraterrestrial insects eating the brains of the politicians.

Verdict
I love the premise that the reason political tensions are so high is due to alien bugs. That leads to contention and aggression, amplifying the worst human qualities and political gridlock. Despite that, this season stretches the premise with no subplots to effectively pad the runtime. There's a romance between political adversaries that exists for the comedy because the relationship isn't sufficiently developed. Instead of exploring politics, it trivializes the sides as being for or against war. This is a setup without an effective punch line.
It depends.

Review
The show planned for a four season arc with the bugs subsequently invading Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood. The series was canceled after the first season.

It's a great premise. The problem with Washington is that bugs are literally eating politician's brains. Laurel (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) is the outsider. She's a documentary film maker that needs a job and begins working for her U.S. Senator brother Luke Healy (Danny Pino). A government shut down and an extra terrestrial meteor containing bugs sent to Washington leads to a widespread infection.

E2: Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Laurel Healy

With each politician infected, they become contentious and aggressive. That only amplifies the party line. It's a great satire of politics. The only way there could be so much discord is if people are deranged and bugs are eating their brains. Somehow Laurel and Luke are still not infected by episode three, though that's a bit of plot armor.

Laurel befriends Rochelle (Nikki M. James) and Dr. Bob (Johnny Ray Gill). They learn that the infected lack balance and suffer deafness. Despite some amount of proof, they have difficulty getting anyone to believe their story. They eventually theorize that drinking and dancing can fight off the bugs. I don't quite buy it, but this show is more interested in the premise than the science.

E8: Nikki M. James, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Johnny Ray Gill play Rochelle, Laurel, Dr. Bob

Episode five captures the current state of politics. Everyone argues over what to name a kiosk, arguing just to hear themselves speak.

Rochelle and Dr. Bob figure out how to communicate with the infected, through that they upend a Senate intelligence committee vote and in turn free Laurel who was detained by the FBI. By episode eight they capture an infected who attacked Rochelle. They get answers, but who would believe it? The episode also features a Michael Moore cameo. It's wild, and used to great comedic effect to create more turmoil in Laurel and Gareth's (Aaron Tveit) burgeoning relationship. The hurdle is already great as they have to bridge the political divide as they have different values. The series doesn't develop it well, using it more to bolster the plot and for comedy. It's contrived.

E6: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Tveit play Laurel Healy, Gareth Ritter

The larger conflict that emerges pits Luke against the staunchly conservative Red Wheatus (Tony Shalhoub) who, under the control of a bug, wants a war in Syria to destabilize the U.S. and pave the way for the alien bugs. Red manufactures evidence to bolster his claim.

The second half of this season gets lost in the premise. We see political infighting that goes nowhere. Maybe that's the point, but the plot doesn't progress. The characters know the bugs exist, but they can't find any allies yet they most also try to save the world from the republicans.

By the end of the season the bugs are seemingly defeated. I assume the next season would have resurrected them in some way or revealed that one of them survived. Laurel, Rochelle, and Dr. Bob determine that shame weakens the bugs and that provides them a window to attack. The final episode also provides the reveal of Dr. Bob's employer, but that's a reveal that seems too late. By that point it doesn't matter.

I like the premise, but I wish this was deeper than coming back to how divided political parties are. That joke only travels so far. I expected this season to roast politics more, pointing out several problems and even having both sides reject solutions due to the divide. Dr. Bob seems like a conspiracy nut that's actually right for once. That character could have had more development. This season is a great idea that never fully develops.