Jam On Toast 528

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Jam On Toast Review: Love (Season 3)

Format: Live Action Applicable Settings: Modern Applicable Genre: Slice of life, Romantic, Drama

Hit or Skip:  Hit! We finally get to see a little bit more positivity from Mickey and see how Gus deals with a more promising future. General: Fill Aesthetics:  85 We get a lot of the same characters in different fun situations, and travel around quite a bit.  There a lot less extragavent drama situations the way we've seen the past seasons, but Gus's movie provides some particular interesting scenes as well as the family reunion. Storyline:  90 For the most part, this season seems to be very much about positivity bleeding into the ladies' lives and the male counterparts seem to be on the rollercoaster this time: despite Gus pursuing his movie.  While their subtle about it, these storylines are really good, but I'm just hoping they set up for more than just seeing what married life is like. Character Development:  90 This is both great and sad: we see Randy hit rock bottom and bounce up to rock middle.  Gus gets as ambitious with work as he has with his love life, but buckles under the pressue.  Bertie breaks out of character and betters her love life.  The biggest thing is Mickey and Gus realizing what the reality of their relationship and getting married. Compulsion:  88 I honestly didn't enjoy Gus struggling with the movie as his problem set as its something he create for himself and just didn't think it through.  Part of what makes the show good is dealing with their natural afflictions: being too nice, being an alcholic, being needy. Final Score:  88.25 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4061080/?ref_=nv_sr_7 Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80026506

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: There's Johnny! (Season 1)

Format: Live Action Applicable Settings: Pre-Modern, 1970s Applicable Genre: Slice of Life, Drama

Hit or Skip:  Hit! Take this trip back to the 1970s peek behind the curtain of one of the greatest late night talk shows. General: I honestly never would expected to tell you to watch a show about a show from the 1970s, back when it was commonplace to smoke, not only indoors, but on set, on camera: it had to have been ruining that equipment.  This is a very clever show and worth the watch. Aesthetics:  90 They really nail the supposed vibe of the 1970s, from fashion to cars, they even dropped Pong into an episode.  We get some views of sex, racial, and sexual orientation discrimination and even a little reversal with Joy being Andy's boss, essentially.  The way the show is cut together between old clips, faceless angles, and recreations is interesting and if you're paying attention could be a point of nostalgia or general interest.  They also know when and how to shoot overly dramatic or situationally comedic scenes. Storyline:  92 This show has a ridiculous premise that explodes into an entertaining adventure.  Andy basically lucks his way into the company because he's handsome and just likable enough in his naivity, but once he's there he is chasing a dream and finding his way.  I'll admit, with a few exceptions, the large part of the show is a backdrop for Andy Clavin's clamamity of an adventure.  The best part is that they kept the season short, with only one filler episode, the story doesn't overstay its welcome. Character Development:  88 For as little that actually happens in the show, we learn alot about the different characters, and as invested I was or how interesting they were, I'm still not sure it goes anywhere other than to say, "I'm ___ and I'm here."  In a world of rich white men, our core cast are outliers: young, female, gay, black.  This implies that this is more of a show about surviving the situation than actually progessing, this makes Andy's new assignment actually meaningful. Compulsion:  90 The show is funny and fun through and through.  We get introduced to one character as gay when he's paying a guy to kick his ass first.  Andy's virtuously enjoyable and Jane Levy did such a good job with her character that I thought she was Jillian Jacobs until I rewatched it.  The timing in the show is amazing: dropping drama at the height of a character's joy, upticking comedy unexpectedly, and throwing curve balls all the time to keep conflicted stirring. Final Score:  90 A fun show, if nothing else, then its short and worth the time to try. -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6483198/ Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/theres-johnny

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: Atypical (Season 1)

Format: Live Action Applicable Settings: Modern Applicable Genre: Slice of Life, Coming of Age, Austim, Romantic, Drama

Hit or Skip:  Hit! While I definitely think this is a good show, not everyone is going to relate to or see the value in a story based in autism. General: From an academic, cinematic challenge, or psychological basis, this show is fantastic.  Its good to have a show that tries to bridge the gap of understanding between the neurotypical (mainstream) and a niche group (such as those affected by autism).  In doing so they present a new and fresh character story and subject matter to injest.  While we have coming of age shows based on being gay (The Real O'Neils), and handicap (Speechless), its good to see one on autism.  Other psychological disorder stories focus on more violent or dangerous aspects, its good to see one set in a more grounded story: he's just a guy trying to do what he can. Aesthetics:  92 The show does a great job of putting your focus where it needs to be.  Either we get a view from Sam's perspective with distorions applied or a view where we get nothing but Sam's face and a blur of things happening behind him.  Not all the great visuals are so serious though, as we get unique scenes such as a girl being put in a closet and happy to deal with it.  Sam's condition allows for many odd scenes that add a lot of humor, or possible drama to the situation that we may not expect as the audience is not expected to think as Sam does. Storyline:  94 Unltimately this is a romance show, be it comedic or dramatic, its about Sam as he dives into the dating world, a social world, as someone with a social disorder.  He really takes the hero's journey on this, and the added factor of Julia being a romantic link, given she's the most consistent non-family female in his life, really creates a rollercoaster of emotion and social adventure for any character.  While he only has focuses on what is going on in his pursuits, everyone focusing on him creates a fun storyline dependency in the show.  There is a LOT that happens in a very short amount of time. Character Development:  94 Sam develops a monumental amount in just one season of this show.  It seems almost every character is in the middle of a life changing event, if not more than one.  Even dad, who is just trying to connect with his kids while he does what he can for the family, has to deal with the events happening in each of the other family members' lives.  He's learning to deal almost as much as the audience.  For each character that isn't just some random from the high school, I feel heavily invested early on.  Its easy to see value in characters by the end of a story, but feeling the importance of a character after just a scene or two is impressive to do for the audience. Compulsion:  94 I have a good time watching this.  The characters are funny and lovable when they're supposed to be, even mom is enjoyable in her support of her family even if her affair feels distracting at best.  I love Paige as a character, I would be happy to watch this from her perspective.  Not only does she stir up conflict while providing progress in the story, her pep, passion and eagerness counter Sam's stubborness and social awkwardness.  Not only do they seem to make a good pair bonding, but the writing has them playing off one another beautifully. Final Score:  94 I get that Austism may not be intriguing to you, but if you can be open to an new experience, this is a great watch. -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5770786/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/70296765

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Watch Spot Podcast: Week 4 (2018)

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Jam On Toast Review: GLOW (Season 1)

Format: Live Action Applicable Settings: Pre-Modern, 1980s Applicable Genre: Slice of Life, Wrestling, Drama

Hit or Skip:  Hit! Definitely worth the watch, and you don't even have to be a wrestling fan. General:

Aesthetics:  92 They absolutely nailed the 1980s look, and they did wonders on personal details of the characters.  The transformation on Alison Brie is amazing, and, mostly because its a show about wrestling, the shots are fantastic.  The make sure to capture all the action possible, from the best angle possible. Storyline:  94 Every story in this is good.  This is a prime examlpe of how to write 19 different stories as one story without being distracting and without losing investment.  Even for the characters we don't like, I felt invested and each story supported the others. Character Development:  94 Because its a show about wrestling and actors finding their characters, it is natural the the stories are consitently building the characters.  Especially Ruth, each character comes out the other end of this adventure as new, accomplished characters. Compulsion:  94 I don't care if you like drama, comedy, action, history: this show has a little to a lot of all of it for you.  You can laugh, you can cry, love, hate all in this show and its a good time.  I'll admit a little bias as a once active wrestling fan, but I don't think its necessary. Final Score:  94 I think anyone can get something out of this, you just have to give it a chance. -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5770786/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/70296765

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: Love (Season 2)

Format: Live Action Applicable Settings: Modern Applicable Genre: Slice of life, Romantic, Drama

Hit or Skip:  Hit! Just as good as the first season, and even a little self aware. General: Jumping off from Mickey's decision to start fixing herself, we're seeing Gus try to maintain / survive romantically and professionally while Mickey struggles internally and deal with her separation anxiety. Aesthetics:  90 This season is also well shot, with a wide variety of different settings, showing a bigger picture than just our two characters even when its just them.  Even when they're not together, the show does a great job of visually showing how close the characters are, or how emotionally sound the relationship is. Storyline:  90 With the two characters decidedly together, however amicable, we're sort of taken on this adventure of a united front through / against the world.  Where the first season was "If they can get together" then this season would be "If they can stay together" and with every challenge in the book happening, I'm sure there are few surprises left in the next season. Character Development:  88 Despite introducing some new characters, the character development happening in this season feels like it is a lot less about individual characters and more about couples: Berti and Randy, Mickey and her dad, Arya's parents, Gus and various work relationships.  While good, it feels that the characters individually take lateral steps. Compulsion:  89 The characters are fun, and its good to see them sort of stop chasing and combating one another and get on the same page.  Them adventuring as a couple, with or against other couples revitalizes the show in a way I honestly didn't expect. Final Score:  89.25 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4061080/?ref_=nv_sr_7 Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80026506

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: Love (Season 1)

Format: Live Action Applicable Settings: Modern Applicable Genre: Slice of life, Romantic, Drama

Hit or Skip:  Hit! The show oscillates from sweet to intense.  One of the most bi-polar shows I've ever seen. General: This is a show about the ups and down of relationships and personality afflictions. Aesthetics:  90 While there isn't much big action sequences / spectacles persay, but the show is very well shot.  Jillian Jacobs is super expressive and the drama amongst the characters tends to manifest itself physically though not violently. Storyline:  91 This is a romantic storyline, and to keep it interesting, the characters have to inflict conflict on themselves which they do wonderfully.  The characters work extremely well together and keep things in a vague enough state that there is always more so the story feels like its moving forward without being close to a resolution. Character Development:  88 It feels like every scene adds something to the overall character so each episode they start as almost a new character with independent experiences.  This all feels very natural.  What feels less natural, while I understand it, is that the personality issues of the characters sometimes feel like they suddenly and arbitrarily reset to a different character. Compulsion:  88 The character keep you guessing, the family style interactions are fun and possibly tragic.  Mickey has wonderfully destructive habits that spur the story along and Gus is sweet enough of a character that we get to see him deal with the challenges of this relationship and balancing work. Final Score:  89.25 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4061080/?ref_=nv_sr_7 Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80026506

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: The Magicians (Season 2)

Format: Live Action Applicable Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Magic

Hit or Skip:  Hit! Fantastic to see the first season's story arc wrap up in the first 3 episodes and see where it goes.

General: Aesthetics:  92 With everything that we got in the first season, we get Fillory, its gods, invisible monsters and faeries.  The spellwork improves and as the drama of the story escalates the visuals do as well without nearly as much viscera as the first season. Storyline:  88 Okay, being honest, the story structure gets a little weird here: the first 3 episodes feel more like a prologue to a first season they didn't think they'd get to finish.  With the involvement of Fillory and the main cast splitting (again, this happened throughout the first season) its a little distracting as the cast is bouncing between worlds and dealing with multiple lead villains in additon to personal drama. Character Development:  80 I would imagine that a new season would reset the characters for development, but instead the characters are suddenly and dramatically changed in personality sporatically as they lose their "shade" or magic, or some other traumatic event occurs.  It would feel more satisfying if it felt like we were building on the same characters we knew, but it feels like those get thrown away to revitalize the story. Compulsion:  90 With all the weird and goofy things happening in this show, it shows the range available to the story, cast and production.  Even rewatching it, I was surprised at the progressiveness and innovation fo the show. Final Score:  87.5 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4254242/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80092801

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: The Magicians (Season 1)

Format: Live Action Applicable Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Magic

Hit or Skip:  Hit! If you can brave some trigger potential intense subject matters in this season, then this is a magically intricate show.

General: Imagine Hogwarts for college students, I know many wizard rock songs that suggest there are plenty of people that have this as a personal fantasy.  Of course we have to lose the the childlike wonder of the boy that lived and instead embrace that our first character's magical ability nearly drives him insane. Aesthetics:  90 While we've got all the pretty people, time period accurate set and attire for time travel scenes, plenty of fantasical settings, the most intricate thing is that all the actors had to essentially learn a very specific very of sign language for spell casting.  Aside for a couple special effects and some horrific scenes, there special effects aren't the magic of this show. Storyline:  92 At least for this first season, we get the fantasy of getting into magic school, being rejected from magic school, being reject from the people rejected from magic school, battling with gods and god-like entities.  "The Beast" is a great villain all the way to the end of the season. Character Development:  88 Part of the fun of the show is that some of the characters are a little bit contentious, okay they're jerks, but they have to get along.  So that process, which involves loving and tolerating and fighting one another, gets a little tedious from time to time, but ultimately shows opportunity for discussions of various moralities. Compulsion:  90 Whether you want to laugh at the almost a family infighting, nerdiness, cry at the drama or be in awe of the action, this show has all of it in spades along with a latent horror vibe kiting you along to see what's next. Final Score:  90 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4254242/?ref_=ttep_ep_tt Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80092801

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: Star vs the Forces of Evil (Season 2)

Format: Animated Applicable Genre: Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Hit or Skip:  Hit! With all the progression in the first season, the second takes a wonderful turn.  

General: Putting Ludo in a position of ambiguity , opening up romantic storylines, magical investigations, and universal apocalyptic level events leaves the worst thing about this is its own power creep. Aesthetics:  93 Same great animation style, same lovable looking and sounding cast of characters with just a little extra thrown in for good measure. Storyline:  97 Utilizing Star's broken wand to create a proper secondary storyline with Ludo is amazing and leads a lot of good non Star related content.  As strange or poor a character one might consider Ludo, I don't think they could do what they've done and will do with another character.  Not only did the overall story of this season out do the last, but leaves it where the story that follows will have no choice but to be magnificient. Character Development:  94 I'm just being honest, but because of the developed storylined, the characters seem to go much farther than deeper this time around, and that's absolutely fine.  Plenty of side character development happens and there is still quite a bit of development, if mostly (appropriately) romantic, with Marco and Star. Compulsion:  97 This is just a good, fun show with plenty of interesting things to show you.  Even if you were tired of Star and Marco from the first season there is so much going on with the other characters that it should be fresh and interesting this time around. Final Score:  95.25 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2758770/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/star-vs-the-forces-of-evil

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Jam On Toast Review: Star vs the Forces of Evil (Season 1)

Format: Animated Applicable Genre: Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Hit or Skip:  Hit! Every episode, I'm looking forward to the character quirks and adventures, and afterwards I'm left wanting more.

General: Not since Gravity Falls have I been so surprised at how good a show is, let alone how good and animated family friendly show is.  I'll give them this, Disney knows how to throw enough money at something to get quality out of it. Aesthetics:  92 I can't boast the animation is the most detailed, or is CG, 3D, or is a holoprotected masterpiece, but one doesn't need that to be great.  The beauty of animation is highlighting the bits you want to emphasize whenever you would like to so, whether it by changing its color suddening, animating it or animating it in such a way that you can't help but look: the latter being key to the way that this series chooses to animate. Storyline:  96 Interestingly enough, this seems to have started as an experimental series of shorts as the entire first season is written as half episodes (about 10 mins) until the last two episodes.  This allows the writers to do light hearted single stories without tracking back and forth between Alpha and Bravo story lines.  However this doesn't seem to matter as not only does the show continue a sequential storyline through the season, but it keeps contiunity amongst most of the supporting characters.  A royalty story, a fish out of water, a coming of age story, a magical girl story filled with social commentary, a subtle romance plot, and a series of episodic sub-plots from adult sitcoms, barely paired down for a family show.  Not only do we have a royal rival between Star and Ludo over her wand for a villain, it gets amped up to a villain with a mysterious plan. Character Development:  95 The coming of age and magical girl aspects of this show are very consistent with Star growing as a person (however unapparent) every episode.  Marco, her parents, Ponyhead, and even Todd all grow as the show progresses.  It seems that some of the side characters stay fairly consistent, but just their acceptance of the situation says a lot about them.  Jana and Jackie both seem to lean into it, particularly. Compulsion:  97 I won't lie, I've scofted at happy go lucky shows before and I honestly turned this on thinking, "Let's see how silly this is."  I wasn't wrong, but its silliness is catching and part of what makes almost every moment good.  You never know what is about to happen and they found the perfect rhythm of formulaic for practicality and spontanaity for entertainment. Final Score:  95 -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2758770/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/star-vs-the-forces-of-evil

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Review: Gravity Falls (Season 2)

Format: Animated Applicable Genre: Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Hit or Skip:  Hit! As good a villain as Lil' Gideon made, the return of Bill Cypher sets an apocalyptic level of threat.  

General: This show has one of the most interesting villains that I've ever found, animated or live action.  The show does an excellent job of building world continuity episodically, crafting a wonderful and deep narrative with fresh episodic content. Aesthetics:  93 As good as the animation was in the first season, the studio upped its game.  From sock puppets to shape shifters to doppelgangers to little golf ball people to inter-dimensional demons, this season gives a whole new set of weird and wonderful things to animate, plus brings back almost everyone from the first season to be involved in the story. Storyline:  98 With the reveal of a continual sub-plot in addition to the ongoing plot in the first season, I am overly amazed at the writers for this show.  With the addition of the new characters, the story is brought to a near perfect crescendo at the climax of the season.  With the foggy epilogue and the end of summer at hand, I can only imagine how (/when) they will follow this up. Character Development:  95 With the exception of Bill's entourage and Mabel's imagination, nearly everyone is as well developed as they were in the first season.  While Mabel's character insists on a failure of this, I want more from Bill and company.  The lack on backstory on what happened in Bill's dimension and what the actual motivations of this crew are is glarinly non-complex compared to the stories we have been given.  The next Season just better be called "Bill Meets World", if you get what I'm saying. Compulsion:  97 With the introduction of Stanford and the slew of mystical crap happening, especially with Bill, combined with the general cuteness of the show, I don't understand why everyone hasn't watched and enjoyed this at this point. Final Score:  95.75 Watch, watch and accept Bill Cypher as your lord and master. -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1865718/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/gravity-falls

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Review: Gravity Falls (Season 1)

Format: Animated Applicable Genre: Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Hit or Skip:  Hit! I don't know if there is another mystery show that I would recommend, much less another animated one.  

General: With a great balance of episodic and continuity blend, the shows strong point is a how it presents and deals with its conflicts.  With Dipper constantly seeking out adventure he becomes an antagonist of sorts, driving the story forward and creating interesting situations. Aesthetics:  92 A cute and friendly animation style that is supported by good voice acting and ridiculous characters and situations that allow for fun creatures and spectacular scenes to be on the screen.  The opening theme song is done well enough that every time I hear it, I can feel myself get excited about the episode.  The studio actually goes as far as adopting a seperate animation style for a character that is brought to life from a video game. Storyline:  95 Most of the conflicts arise from fun disfunctional family/friend drama, but the show even includes a love triangle, investigating unique magical and mysterious creatures, but most importantly the introduction of Lil' Gideon.  With the (real) main characters being children, its is appropriate to have a child villain with the powers of an adult (to give the arbitrary villainous upperhand) as the antagonist to Stan as well as the kids.  To go one further, it even include Lil' Gideon in the mythos of the Journals eventually revealing that he is competing with Dipper and Stan by the end of the season. Character Development:  95 It seems almost impossible to so fluidly development so many characters for this town.  There must be a chronological flowchart somewhere that tracks the whereabouts for each person in the town and magical creatures in the forest.  Every episode not only delivers a short story, furthers the long plot, but gives each character something new to carry into the next episode. Compulsion:  96 Fun.  Not only is this show fun, but it is deep with secret meanings and complex concepts.  Great for adults, good for kids and quite possible educational, if indirectly. Final Score:  94.5 Watch this show, and if you have kids, bring them along for the ride.  Talking about this experience you have together will do wonders. -Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1865718/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/gravity-falls

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Review: End of the Fucking World (Season 1)

Format: Live Action Applicable Genre: Pyschological Thriller, Dark Humor, Coming of Age

Hit or Skip:  Hit! If you are looking for a fun, but dark, coming of age story, then this is it.

General: Aesthetics:  85 With the majority of the story being very everyday settings, in England, there really isn't an lot going for it in general sets.  For those of you that count it, it doesn't even have that much risque to it.  But the ridiculous scenarios and the particular styling of the dialogue (yes, dialogue) really help give the show an interesting aesthetic.  Even past his fantasies of murdering his girlfriend, their respective psychosis creating interesting looking scenes in their own right. Storyline:  85 While the story really boils down to resourceful road trip, the characters and the directions of the exploration from episode to episode deep and strong.  Every episode is very well structured and leaves you thinking that almost anything could happen. Character Development:  90 The amount of psychological research that should have gone into this show is staggering.  This series manages to explore depression, disassociation, detachment, compensory behavior for trauma, suicide, rape, brutality, psychopathy, compensory behavior for empathic psychopathy, rebellion, conformity, morality and I think I could go on.  This may not be a coming of age story about loving puppies and unicorns, but it is good. Compulsion:  90 Really, I had a very hard time nailing down what was going to happen with the characters throughout the series.  This is the sort of thing that keeps a show fresh and intriguing.  The writers really do keep you guessing and entertained. Final Score:  87.5 This series really surprised me.  It is full of misdirection, but is ultimately a coming of age story about the extremes of self discovery and independence.  With such a dark start the show is full of promise.  It doesn't disappoint and adds further complexities as the two lead characters adventure through the world.

-Kamurai

References: IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6257970/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80175722

General references: Rabbit: http://rabb.it/Kamurai Youtube: http://youtube.com/JamOnToast528

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Review: Lemon

Hit or Skip:  Skip!

General: A very lackluster movie.  While Judy Greer and Jillian Jacobs got me in the door, the movie quickly turns then into enemies of the main character.  The misplaced aggression towards them is fairly off putting as we're told the story of this sad man.

Aesthetics:  70 The movie is well shot and mood is well convened to the audience by the audio cues in the movie.  But for each wonderful moment where one character is parallelled to another or a scene is being powerfully executed, there seems to be 10 times as much of just sad, creepy, awkwardness piled into the movie.

Storyline:  60 The story is about a sad man, in a sad relationship, with no friends who finds all these new things that are not what he wants them to be and ultimately as dissatisfying as the previous stuff.  This movie is NOT unlifting at all, and while there is a brief hope of something beautiful in the middle of the movie as he is dating a woman, it seems to be arbitrarily broken.  There doesn't seem to be any causation to his downfall other than its when the story says he must sabotage himself.

Character Development:  70 While I was expecting real development from the supporting characters, we really get very little from them other than what they contribute to the main character.  His neighbor friend's progression is based off his bird's dying, and his wife's affair is just to example the disfunction in their relationship so that he's able to take his new romantic pursuit.  We get an incredible amount of development (by him and the other characters) on the main character.  While the movie drives this development, it doesn't feel like it goes very far.

Compulsion:  45 There are definitely moments where the movie gets interesting, a funny scene here or there, but its the scenes where it focuses on just how weird and messed up his life is that are not only boring but depressing.  The continuous woman hate going on in the movie, plus the unnecessary focus on racial divide didn't draw me in, and I wasn't personally invested enough in pyschologically breaking down his character. Final Score:  61.25 I can’t recommend this movie.  It might be just good enough for a Bad Movie Night, but I can't gurantee most people won't just be bored.

-Kamurai