After the recent decline in writing quality over the recent seasons, I was hoping they were saving all of their mojo for the final season. Boy was I wrong. Trying to copy Game of Thrones here with a final turd of a season as a sendoff? This final season of Supernatural was absolutely abysmal. Though as bad as the final season of Game of Thrones was, the final episodes of Supernatural (the ones that were actually focused on the main plot) are still far superior because they at least know how to stay true to their two main characters.
The entire final season is carried by meta-humor, callbacks, and bringing back as many previous guest stars as possible. Regardless of if the guest stars make any sense or impact the story in any meaningful way, they'll have the entire plot revolve around them to serve as a mcguffin to carry on the plot to the next mcguffin. "Developed" characters making the same decisions, mistakes, and apologies they have in every prior season. I guess it counts as character development if they repeatedly "learn" the same lesson and don't change themselves /s. Plot convenience after plot convenience (even if you break the fourth wall and acknowledge it in the script!) isn't good writing. It's lazy writing. Think you won't have time to do stupid side filler episodes during a final season consisting of only 20 episodes? Wrong. As always, they have to work their run-of-the-mill cases, regardless of the fact that the world is ending... again... (this time even something as big of a deal as GOD himself). 85% of the season was entirely filler with only 15% of it left for the main plotline to be scattered into those filler episodes for just a few minutes each. The entire season felt like obnoxious fan service....for characters and plot points that have already been resolved and concluded??? I guess "No One's Ever Really Gone"(https://youtu.be/gNTLC_uiGFA) really speaks monuments. They went ahead and destroyed any closure the side characters' original plotlines had in favor for these new endings which feel so cheap and undeserving AKA shitty retconning. It completely undermines/disrespects the sacrifices and any development these characters had in their original arcs. If they wanted to bring back characters for good fan service and nostalgia, they could have at least brought back the heavy hitters like Lucifer (more of him), Crowley, Bobby (the actual character instead of a superficial cameo), John Winchester, Loki, Cain, or Azazel but I doubt the writers would've had enough talent to handle them. Instead, we got a bunch of second rate hunters and side characters (ones I'd argue very few people actually care about) stealing the spotlight which felt extremely forced and unearned, all the while it was clear the writers wanted me to root for them or applaud them anytime they'd make their reappearance. If you want me to root or cheer for a character you have to earn it through writing good characters and developing them, not solely because they existed in a prior season.
Somehow each season seems to increasingly surprise me with poorer acting, especially from the extras. The acting has gotten so bad from the main cast, its hard to ignore and not cringe at their mannerisms they've developed from playing the same characters and saying the same repetitive lines all these years. As much as I love Jensen and Jared, when you see them step out of their character and into another one, their poor acting really shines; not because you're not used to them playing other roles but because its really bad. Though that could entirely be the fault of the directors, which would not surprise me.
All of the degrading plot behavior and the strict formula-following that the recent seasons have been experiencing more and more of as time goes on has been amplified by 200% for the final stretch in the series. In the shows case, the more it "carried on", the more unbearable it became. It's truly sad to see them go after such a long journey but thankfully its come to an end before it's gotten any worse because the writing staff have absolutely tarnished whatever resemblance of a unique and engaging story was left.
I must say that the final episode seriously felt like Jack wrote it instead of Chuck. It's truly a great metaphor; The same feeling of when people with no idea and no passion for a project take over another persons creation. An ingenuine presentation and almost like a fan fiction. Told by someone who wants to end the characters in whatever way they feel rather than a well written and thought out conclusive ending to our two characters journey. I couldn't think of a more cookie cutter and easy ending. I know they made it a little cheesy towards the end of the episode but it feels like the writers are mocking the audience with exactly how bad this ending was... They knew exactly what they were doing and it truly irritates me. F### that Carry On cover, it was like the cherry on top of the steaming pile of s###, a spit in the face. I'm beginning to think that they were serious when Chuck mentioned how he adored the Game of Thrones ending, because clearly the writers took notes.
As much as I enjoyed the earlier seasons of Supernatural, I would describe this final season and many of the other recent seasons in two words: Lazy and Formulaic.
PENGUIN (2020) TAMIL REVIEW
.
.
:scroll: Plot : Rhythm, leading a happy life and about to have her second child, is traumatized by the nightmares in which she sees an umbrella man harming her lost son. She sets off on a dangerous journey, along with her trained dog, to unravel the secrets behind the nightmares and to protect her loved ones.
.
.
:man:⚖ Review : Penguin is convulated mystery which elevates the vulnerability and strengths of a mother who has lost her child. It's a valiant effort by debutant Director Eashvar Karthic to present a mystery packed with numerous emotional junctions. Keerthy Suresh has given a bona fide performance as the mother and outshines the entire cast. Others actors do a fair job with respect to their roles. The movie includes many twists and turns added with some moments of chills. Visuals and background score enhances the mood of the film. The writing is not clichéd but has elements of ingeniousness making it a good watch.
.
:thumbsup: Goods : Mind-blowing Keerthy Suresh is at top of her game and is Outstanding throughout, Chilling Visuals by Khartik Phalani and apt Background score by Santosh Narayana keeps the eerie mood intact.
.
.
:thumbsdown: Bads : none other than Keerthy deliver performance wise, certain scenes feel like amateurish in large picture.
.
.
:fire: Final Rating : 7.5/10
.
.
:white_check_mark: Recommendation : Worthy of a Watch for its courageous debut director and amazing Keerthy Suresh performance.
.
- Follow for More follow in Instagram : @RiteshReviews
Season 2 of Cobra Kai does suffer a bit from a case of ever-repeating story lines, but it is never anything but a fun viewing experience. It ends on an especially high note after a stunningly staged school fight sequence which put me in mind of the kind of one-take shots done in Daredevil.
Both Daniel and Johnny are back in the mix, along with their kids and students. This time we also have John Kreese returning, reprising his classic role from the original movies with ease and creating a pretty intimidating presence. This show is able to balance old and new characters well.
It's hard not to notice just how damn cheesy it all is, though. Daniel and Johnny seem to somehow run into each other at every possible opportunity, Kreese is often a cartoon bad guy and the Cobra Kai students fit the very caricature of arrogant asshole bullies. But, it's somehow not that much of a big deal - through all of the cheese, the characters and stories manage to deliver some very real moments. The character of Eli/Hawk in particular and his ruined friendship with Demitri is often heartbreaking and a brilliant small flashback scene reminds us of where he's come from and what he's turned into.
Still, I am struck by how small-scale it all is. The conflict between these two dojos is portrayed as if its the most important thing in the world; fortunately, we are shown why the characters do consider is so important. Kreese is more of an issue, it's hard to figure out just why he's so obsessed with inciting a war with Miyagi-do and his cheesy one-liners ("now... your REAL training begins.") don't help. Similarly, the circular nature of it all becomes frustrating. Daniel and Johnny will begin to make some amends before some overly dramatic event tears them apart again, and the teenage romance is played for all its worth. I'm also not particularly convinced by the Daniel/Amanda marriage, it all seems too fake.
These aren't really major issues, though. We're all here for the nostalgia factor which is absolutely nailed. This show is clearly made with love. The quite shocking way things all end up really works and I can't wait to see what comes next.
Cesaro beat Gulak in a decent match in the pre-show. Could have been better if it was given more time. Alexa and Nikki Cross won the women’s tag belts, Elias beat Corbin with a roll up.
Becky beat Shayna in a bit of shit match. To make Shayna look weak. Since Vince apparently isn’t impressed. What else is new ? She isn’t 2 move Roman, so he’s not impressed.
Morrison vs Kofi vs Jimmy Uso in a Ladder match had Morrison win. And everyone acting like they were shocked, like he wasn’t supposed to fall with the belt.
Owens vs Rollins was a nice violent match. Their best match since ROH. Owens won with a Stunner. After he asked for a restart after he won by DQ.
The weakest and shortest match was Braun vs Goldberg. Was nothing but Spears and Powerslams. With Braun winning with his third power slam. Winning the belt after controversial Coronavirus comments about Indy wrestlers. He also started with Lance Hoyt and got owned by Lance Hoyt, on Twitter. So “golf clap” for Braun as World champ.
The Boneyard match was decent but yet another copy of the Hardy Compound from Impact wrestling. Undertaker won like Vince lives in 1990. Undertaker acted like he thinks he is Negan in the Walking Dead. A lot of trash talking on AJ before he buried him making him look weak.
Horror was never this fun!
I had high expectations from this movie and it delivered it quite beautifully.
The major complain I have from Horror movies is how they stick to the heroic action of their leads.
At least this doesn't do that. Rajkumar Rao shines in his character Vicky just like his other movies and delivers jokes and innocence with fantastic timing. And he shits his pants just like any normal guy when he encounters "The Stree".
You'll fall in love with his innocence, his Desi swag.
Shraddha Kapoor was a wild card. Still is.
She'll prove you wrong, she'll prove you right. Basically take you on a ride. She played her shady character with utmost detail and fun.
The rest of the character were like the icing on the cake.
And each had their moments.
My major relief is that none of the jokes seemed forced. Every joke was realistic and spontaneous, which is not something you find in a horror movie.
Now coming to main lead. The Stree. Making a traditional spirit and imbibing her with modern idea was just sheer brilliance. They kept her smart. They kept her Real. And she played her part. And left a message which resonates perfectly in these times.
To those wondering who the Stree is.
You might want to hope for a part 2 then.
