Confessions of a Binge Freak

Sometimes what is needed is a good or entertaining film, maybe a few. Then again maybe it is binge watching you need. This is my bingeing...

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Scorpion (2014 - 2018)

⭐️⭐️1/2

Season 1: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Season 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Season 3: ⭐️⭐️1/2ish

Season 4: ⭐️⭐️ish

CBS

Action Drama

Recommend: Season 1, definitely. Season 2-4 , no.

Thoughts: The show was an interesting concept but somewhere along the way they focused far too much on the drama, and far less on what made the show great. Their unique ways of problem solving.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️1/2

Not getting into this as am not one who believes the self proclaimed genius of the real Walter O’Brien. The show on its own had merit until it became a prime time soap opera.

Story: ⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ish

Characterization: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️

Best: Paige, Ralph, Happy, Toby, Sylvester, Cabe, the characters were brilliant except….

Worst: Walter O’Brien: ****SPOILER ALERT**** At first he was innocent jackass that was endearing in a weird way. By mid season 3, I completely disliked the character. Was utterly disappointed when Paige and him got together at the end of season 3. She deserved so much better. By the final episode, it was fantastic when they all left him. To be honest… it was not surprising that the series was canceled after season 4. The only way it would survive was without Walter O’Brien and they made the show wholly dependant on him being the central character. So, the show was better off without Walter, but could only keep going with Walter in it, but lost all its fans because the character was completely unlikeable by the end.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

My Christmas Inn (2018)

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hybrid/Netflix

Christmas

My Collection: No

Recommend: For those like my mom and sister who love the feel good, romantic Christmas films full of hope… yes.

Synopsis: Jen Taylor inherits an inn in Alaska from her great aunt. Settled into her career and life in San Francisco, with a bright future ahead, how will this girl handle all the charm in this country idyllic little town or the local lawyer handling the estate?

Review: This is a sweet Christmas movie. The kind you snuggle up on your couch with something Christmas-y to drink, and can shut your overthinking mind off and just go for a ride. Not my usual choice but it is a decent Christmas find.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Directing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Editing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Production Design: ⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️1/2

Best: the way the main characters played off each other

Worst: the conversation about showing that you would sacrifice anything but really expecting them to do the sacrificing… right sentiment with a selfish twist.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 10

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

CBS

Police Procedural

Synopsis: The BAU helps solve serial crimes all over the United States.

My Collection: No

Recommend: Yes, just not a great show to binge season after season. It weighs you down. The crap we deal with irl and adding all these serial offenders on. 1 season at a time. Take a break in-between.

Review: Was not partial to Jennifer Love Hewitt joining the team. She was surprisingly good in her part, though still… she never quite made you believe her as an FBI agent. The stories were good, and the season was decent. Though never really came together fully for me. This season also introduces Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Best: “Burn”

Worst: With the exception of the second episode “Burn”, the season was slow to start and never fully got there

[confessionsofabingefreak]

WandaVision (2021)

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Disney+

Miniseries

Synopsis: Wanda and Vision are together again! They are living an idyllic life in Westview, NJ. Everything seems perfect, but how can this be? Nothing is what it seems and no one is who you believe…

My Collection: Yes. But more because it ties into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Recommend: Mixed feelings, but if you are a fan of the Marvel Universe, this show is a must. The new Wanda and Monica Rambeau are set to appear in future films… so you need to watch the show. Also, watch the final episode all the way through the credits.

Review: It takes a little time to warm up to this show. But everything does come to make sense. Am left with mixed feelings. It is fun at times, unique, sometimes intriguing, but overall I find that the overall story was poorly told. I struggled over whether to give the show 3 5 or 4 stars, but found that it takes a few episodes before the show really grabs you, that some of the characters were lacklustre, and left you wondering what was the point? The only point I saw was the introduction of the Scarlet Witch, which was not a great way to introduce that side of Wanda’s abilities. And the other is the introduction of Monica Rambeau and how she gets her abilities. She was a favourite character, outside Wanda and Vision, and even her story was poorly told.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ish

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Production Design: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Best: There is a lot to love about the show, but at the top is Wanda finding her Scarlet Witch. Monica Rambeau’s origin story for how she gets her powers. Jimmy Woo, and Darcy Lewis, who I wish had a bigger part.

Worst: It takes time to warm up to the show. Had to push myself to keep watching. Also, Agatha Harkness is a poor nemesis for Wanda. Acting director Tyler Hayward was a poor character. There was no point or real characterization, he was just there… to make things complicated?

Final Thoughts: There is much to enjoy in this limited series, just have to deal with getting through the story. With this version of Wanda set to appear in the upcoming film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As well as, Monica Rambeau set to appear in the upcoming film The Marvels, you have to watch this show.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Mortal Engines (2018)

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Universal Pictures

Steampunk

My Collection: Yes

Synopsis: The world has been all but destroyed, people are living in giant mechanical cities. Hester Shaw appears in the now mechanical city of London. Her appearance sets new events into motion that can change everyone’s fate.

Review: A hell of a ride! Mechanical cities, visually stunning, revenge, adventure, amazing characters, all woven together in a wonderful story. It was a fun ride, though wish it was longer or made into multiple movies. So much was squashed into 2 hours. Want more time…

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Editing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Production Design: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Best: Just about everything… characters, visually stunning, costumes… great story too but…

Worst: There was so much being told, they put so much into this film that so much was lost. Haven’t read the book, but can tell that so much of the story was grazed over, so much got lost in translation. That it ended feeling like a partially told story. It had everything it needed… just needed to be made into 2-3 films. There was so much that could have been told…

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Loki, Season 1

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Disney+

Science Fantasy

My Collection: Yes

Synopsis: When Loki steals the tesseract and escapes the custody of the Avengers (Avengers: End Game,) he is now judged a variant and brought to the TVA. Loki has to find a way to get free of this mysterious organization but nothing is what it seems.

Review: It is always so much fun watching Tom Hiddleston in this role. He is pure genius as Loki. The story grabs you and takes you for a ride you want to never end.The only issue us the season has to end and it ended with a resounding thud.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Best: Duh…. Tom Hiddleston as Loki, but credit is due for Sophia Di Martino who played Sylvie. Those 2 playing off each other was genius!

Worst: The both predictable and idiotic season finale. The rest of the season was fantabulous!!! The end was … so disappointing.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 9

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBS

Police Procedural

My Collection: No. Not a binge type show for me.

Synopsis: The BAU uses their skills to help solve crimes.

Review: Another great season for Criminal Minds!

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best: 200! The series 200th episode and 14th of the season. Very well told!

Worst: This is where I reach my breaking point. After bingeing 9 seasons, and thinking I should take a break since after the end of season 5, I am taking a break before watching the last 6 seasons of the series. Great show but it ways you down with all the heavy stories coming at you for over 200 episodes. Will come back to it soon… ish.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 8

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ish

CBS

Police Procedural

My Collection: No, as it isn’t a show I like to binge

Synopsis: The BAU helps solve crime throughout the USA

Review: A great season with a newcomer on the team. Matthew Gray Gubler definitely stepped up his game as Dr. Spencer Reid.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best: Zugzwang. Episode 12 of f the season and 174 of the series. This was… 🥺🥺😳😳😭😭😭😭

Worst: It’s not the worst… there is no worst this season… just a thought… I really enjoyed the new character SSA Alex Blake. Cast well, played well. But just… didn’t fully fit to me even though I really like the character.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 7

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBS

Police Procedural

My Collection: No. Good show, just not one to binge watch.

Synopsis: The BAU team helps solve serial crimes throughout the USA

Review: Woohoo! CBS smartened up and rehired AJ Cook and Paget Brewster! This was the second really great season for the show. They really told their stories and hooked us in. Finally stepping up their game.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best: There was 3 this season… hard choice… 3rd place goes to episode 20 (158th episode) The Company. Tied for best episode goes to Hope and Run. Episodes 8 and 24 respectively. The 146th and 162nd episodes of the series. Was a great season of stories.

Worst: The senate hearing… ugh

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 6

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

CBS

Police Procedural

My Collection: No

Synopsis: The BAU helps solve serial crimes

Review: This season was a roller coaster ride between great and crappy episodes. One really bad choice by CBS. And interesting new guest member to the cast.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (overall)

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 (overall)

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2ish

Best: The Longest Night. First episode of the season

Worst: JJ… don’t get me started… bad choice CBS

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 5

⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBS

Police Procedural

My Collection: No

Synopsis: The BAU helps solve crimes all over the USA

Review: With the exception of 1 omg episode, overall disappointing. They finally had a great season and then drop the ball this season.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ish

Best: 100th episode… couldn’t stop crying

Worst: Wasn’t as big of a fan of SSA Morgan this season.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 4

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBS

Police Procedural

My Collection: No. Good show, just not one I want to binge watch, or even watch repeatedly.

Synopsis: The BAU helps solve crimes all over the USA.

Review: The team finally feels like a unit. This is the best season to date. Exciting beginning, well told stories, and the cast finally finds their way, and comes together fully.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best: That 2 part season finale… just o…m…g…

Worst: Rossi in the episode Cold Comfort.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 3

⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBS

Police Procedural

Synopsis: The BAU helps to solve serial crimes all over the USA.

My Thoughts: With Gideon’s exit this season and Elle’s last season, the casting is much better. The catch is its the first season together and they are not quite a team yet.

Collection: No. Same reason as always. Just not a show I would want to watch repeatedly. Bingeing it can get heavy with its content. Good show though.

Recommend: Yes. Just remember that this show deals with very heavy topics at times. Some can trigger bad memories.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best: Episode 5 (50th in series) Seven Seconds

Worst: Rossi is a bit … takes time for him to find his footing as a character. Strauss, just why…?

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 2

⭐️⭐️⭐️

CBS

Police Procedural

Synopsis: The FBI’s BAU team helps to solve crime all over the USA.

My Thoughts: Found a bit more of its footing this season but the dynamic is still off. The season definitely had its moments though.

Collection: No. Just not the type of show you watch to binge.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️1/2

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ish

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best: Episode 11 (33rd of series) Sex, Birth, Death

Worst: Elle and Gideon

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Criminal Minds, Season 1

⭐️⭐️1/2

CBS

Police Procedural

Synopsis: The FBI’s Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU) gets invited to cases all over the USA to help solve crimes.

My Thoughts: like the show, but they don’t really find their footing straight out of the gate. Good episodes, interesting stories, but not quite a “team.”

My Collection: No. It is a good show, eventually quite brilliant, but the content gets quite heavy so not a show I would want to binge repeatedly.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Stories: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️

Directing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️1/2ish

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️⭐️

Favourite: Episode 14: “Riding the Lightning”

Worst: honestly not a fan of Gideon or Elle

Final Thoughts: the team dynamics are not working. It takes away from the show.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

Old (2021)

⭐️⭐️

M. Night Shyamalan

Universal Pictures

Premise: Group of people get trapped on a secluded beach and begin to age rapidly.

Recommend: absolutely not

Collection: nope

Review: Loved the concept. It is what drew me to watch this film. But the story, having to sit through it… snooze fest. Truly wanted to love the film. Brilliantly cast, original concept, beautiful location… had it all. Just lacked in the writing, the story, the storytelling. In truth in left me completely bored and uninterested by the time the full truth was revealed.

Concept: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Story: ⭐️1/2

Storytelling: ⭐️⭐️ish

Directing: ⭐️⭐️

Casting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️1/2

Cinematography: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Editing: ⭐️⭐️1/2

Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Entertainment: ⭐️1/2

Best: concept.

Worst: having to sit through this for 108 minutes.

Final Thoughts: M. Night Shyamalan has a great imagination. The idea of adapting Sandcastle (by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters) into a film was a great match. Unfortunately, his ability to make it into a good movie, falls far from the mark.

[confessionsofabingefreak]

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Season 1

Ratings: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Disney+

Superhero

Recommend: Yes

Collection: yes

Premise: It’s time for Bucky to heal and for Sam to accept his destiny, all while they try to stop a woman trying to change things… just not in the right way.

Review: Took time (a couple episodes) to really get me invested. Loved the way they wrote and played Bucky and Sam. The rest… it was slow, bit boring at the start. Not sure what I was expecting, just know that it was worth the ride to get to that final episode. This better not be a miniseries. Need more. Lots more to reveal.