Categories: Movie and Series Reviews, History

The Knick: Season 1 and 1/2 of Season 2 (2014-2015) 3/5

The Knick is treated to an excellent cast and some incredible direction leads to scenery that is captured in fantastic ways. However, I couldn’t bring myself to finish the series even after so much time invested. It was just sitting there, and I did not want to look at it.

There is an interest in the first season that is inherent. Seeing medicine in a period of time and without reservations is compelling. The drug fueled medicine feels unique, even in a world where House exists. Clive Owen, the shows center-focused lead, is both awful and endearing as he threatens to sew a nurses mouth shut. None of the other cast members are slouching either.

Still though, season 2 just was not the same for me. The concerns of the show seemed to have changed and my interest went with it. I think I deserve credit for sticking it out, I believe, a good five or six episodes before sort of wandering off. I had the time, but I just did not want anymore. Perhaps if it were sewn as tightly as the first season.

Free State of Jones (2016) 3/5

Undeniably entertaining, but Free State of Jones does not do so in any inspired way.

A swing at an epic that falls short when you start to feel the runtime.

Massive appreciation to director Gary Ross for trying to explain what is and is not real in the movie (http://freestateofjones.info/). I am amazed the site is still up and running all these years later.

Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) 4.5/5

It must have been incredibly hard to balance this movie. I can’t fault the age of the actors too much vs the real life people when no doubt they probably got people in seats and the movie made. Everyone is on their game and the story carefully balances how much of each character we get. I did feel a little longing for more knowledge of the politics in it but I appreciate the movie nonetheless.