A K

Basic documentary on a trivial subject, but an interesting enough story to waste some time on. The characters were the best part. Michael Patti, Todd Hoffman, and John’s mom were endearing. John Leonard seems nice enough but his mom definitely takes the cake. I bet she could win anyone over. Also, Michael Patti was absolutely right. The commercial would’ve been better if they’d cast the chubby, underdog kid instead of ‘the cool guy’. Patrick Renna would’ve been perfect. Looking back now he was so very 90s and would’ve gave the commercial a higher position on a chart of 90s iconography.

I grew up in the 90s (why are all these children wannabe ‘90s kids’??) and started out reading the Goosebumps books. My daughter is into horror now and the first thing I thought of was this show, which also happens to be on Netflix. I remember quite a few of the episodes and they’re DEFINITELY 90s stuff. It’s very low budget and cheesy. The plots are all pretty generic. But honestly it’s a breath of fresh air considering what kind of stuff is popular now. I loved it then and love it now. So does my daughter. Even with all the cheese and bad acting. The haunted mask episode with Carly Beth is legendary. If you decide to skip the series, atleast watch that one. Also, Ryan Gosling was in one episode. Say Cheese and Die. That one is worth a watch too. So weird seeing him as a kid and knowing where his career will go.

After reading through many of these reviews I’m left astonished at the number of women who view this as a real, heartfelt, deeply moving love story. I’m so disappointed that so many women see this kind of abuse, humiliation, and ambivalence as love. This isn’t love nor is this a love story. This is an extremely dysfunctional relationship between two problematic people who should in no way be envied for their ‘connection’. There was nothing unique about this. It’s the same ol same. Girl ‘loves’ the ‘nice guy’ even though he uses her, ignores her, humiliates her, never considers her feelings, never places her happiness or well-being above his own ego, etc. But deep down he’s a nice guy…/s He’s brooding, dark, and has an intellect few can understand… She’s broken, believes abuse is the same as love, and uses sex to justify the horrible treatment she puts up with. It’s an awful story and one im surprised is still being made It’s past time to stop telling this same ol tired story and convincingly women this is desirable.

Meh. Wasn’t into this one. I find it cute how many people are criticizing the guardianship system in the US as well as how we as a society treat our elderly, as if this movie is any sort of an accurate representation. Then there’s the SJWs calling nursing homes ‘prisons’ for old people with terrible food and ‘mind control’. That one literally had me gagging. Maybe it’s bc I’ve got alot of experience in what happens when we get old and useless to others that causes me to side eye people who make such ill informed if not completely ignorant/stupid comments. Nothing about this movie is realistic and one would think that’d be more than obvious but I digress. Still it made me roll my eyes continuously.

I get what people mean when they say Sarma comes off as an unlikeable person. I get that. It’s also frustrating though how people make no effort to understand how a smart, educated, successful person can be conned in the way she was. I do wish there had been psychologists or experts to explain to the lay person what these manipulation tactics are and how a completely sane, rational person can fall victim to them. I feel for Sarma and the way she was completely taken by this man. I see her as an unlikeable character too though. She comes off aloof, standoffish, disinterested, emotionless, even callous in ways. But considering her prior success and the many people speaking up for her I don’t think the Sarma we get in this series is the genuine Sarma. I think she got very hurt and is guarding herself. I think she understands how stupid or crazy she may look to some and she’s embarrassed. I think this whole experience has really taken a toll on her and she’s sort of disconnected. Like when you just can’t handle anymore that life throws so you just emotionally check out. I think that’s what we’re seeing here while she’s telling this story so matter of factly and absent of all emotion. She sounds monotonous and gives little detail unless pressed. Basically she’s trying to distance herself from it all and I can’t blame her. These docu-series have done really well on Netflix over the years. They seem to be turning them out one after the other in quick succession so we’re viewing these real people, real lives, real stories as just more ‘content’ solely for our entertainment and we’re forgetting our compassion and empathy for others. It’s getting easier and easier for people to sit at home and watch things like this while telling themselves they’re better. This would never happen to them. They’re not this stupid. It’s human nature for us to compare ourselves to others, but it’s also extremely foolish to say this could never happen to me.

This is the fastest I have ever binged a show and it has quickly become one of the very best series I’ve ever watched. Im so invested in the relationship between Jen and Judy. I wish I had 10 more seasons like immediately. I just wanted to add that I too get annoyed at virtual signaling, SJWs, and this current ‘wokeness’ that’s rampant. I don’t get any of that from Dead to Me. I think a previous reviewer who mentioned this just has a chip on their shoulder and would find politics, especially those that oppose their own, any and everywhere. Like one of those people that could find the most benign conversation controversial. I don’t identify as a democrat or republican. Both have views and ideas I support and both have views and ideas I oppose. I’m not a political person at all and I don’t care for the movies, books, or shows I’m viewing or reading solely for entertainment to push an agenda. There’s gay relationships and interracial relationships depicted in Dead to Me. I think it says a lot about a person to immediately call these instances of regular, normal parts of life ‘political’ or ‘woke’. That reviewer apparently has deeply ingrained issues with themself and I do hope one day they’re able to rectify those issues. It’s wild to read their review after having watched the show. Like how did they get all of that from THIS lol It’s a damn good show. Just do yourself a favor and enjoy it. I read the review about the ‘wokeness’ of this show before I started watching so I was looking for these instances of obnoxiousness the whole time. And now… I’m just… flabbergasted that’s what this person got from the series. Tbh, it’s sad. The reviewer, not the show. The show is near perfection and Christina Applegate is absolute perfection. So now I’ve reviewed a review bc it really bothered me lol

I found it obvious from the title alone that this show is not to be taken seriously. I see that went over the heads of some other reviewers and I honestly don’t even know why that surprised me. It’s a parody of a very specific genre and trope. It’s absurd ridiculousness for the sake of plot twist after plot twist after plot twist. If you take it for what it is then it’s definitely an enjoyable, binge worthy, mildly comedic drama/thriller. Kristen Bell absolutely nailed her role. Yes, many parts are completely implausible but that’s the whole point for what this show is trying to achieve. Don’t try to turn it into something it’s intentionally not. All in all I’d recommend.