Gecko Go

2.5 stars. Formulaic and unrealistic. Every plot point introduced will lead to a messy and dramatic sitch. Any attempt by the children to "fix" their mistakes, only makes things worse. The Girls Home was the most interesting and rewarding part, as it portrayed real hardship, maturity and demonstrable growth by the girls and Rosie O'Donnell's character. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion and I can't understand why I'm still watching.

I've only watched the first episode, so far. And, I think it's a brilliant, stunning, achingly and haunting piece of filmography. I know nothing about the US opioid epidemic, except what I read in "Demon Copperhead", but the story of corporate greed, immorality and corruption is not new. The immense scale and severity of the consequences does make the enormity of the evil comparable to African slavery by Europeans and the Holocaust. So, starting the series I knew the subject matter and story was going to be sickening, disgusting and deeply upsetting. Because I've watched Deep Water, I have no illusions that this will end well. What I have loved are the small moments: the acting is superlative, Michael Keaton in particular - his doctor is warm, empathetic and real. The two assistant DAs are also very sympathetic characters. (I'm in love with their accent, particularly the blonde guy.)The winter landscapes and blue light in the coal mining towns are highly atmospheric and provide a Shakespearian foreshadowing of what promises to be a cold and bleak story. I really appreciate the time shifts and interweaving stories. This first episode felt very, very tight to me, with no filler. It was the tautness and multiplicity of the storyline, and the attention it thus required of me as an audience, that allowed me to sit restfully and relieved in the small warm human moments of connection, exemplified by Keaton's Dr Finnix. Of course, we all know that these 'nicer', more human moments are the prelude to the coming emotional anguish of addiction, debasement and death. The repetition of the user's testimonials will also prove to be heartbreakingly ironic, I'm sure. I'm not sure how long I'll last before spitting at the screen when Richard Sackler and Purdue is shown, but for now I'm riveted, looking for clues as to psychopathy or guilt. I'm afraid that what I'll actually see is heinous evil committed by ordinary people.

Vincent DOnofrio is bloody wonderful.

I'm in love with this series. I just binge watched seasons 1 and 2 over 2 days and today I feel happier, calmer and full of love for the world. I wish I could watch it all again for the first time tomorrow and every day thereafter. I haven't fallen so hard for a TV series since The West Wing.

This was just beautiful to watch. The plot is Cyrano de Bergerac in a high school. It's sweet, but not sentimental or schmaltzy. I like all three MCs of the triangle's points. They were real people that I ended up falling in love with. It's intelligent, but not pretentious. This movie hits all the right notes, without a false note.

I've only seen ep 1 series 1 and I thought it was hilarious. Liz, particularly.

Charming and delightful. A romance that uplifts.

I hated almost every second of this film. I think it was brilliant.

A vitally important story. The last episode was phenomenal. I found the use of repetitive cut scenes of past trauma overdone. I think the technique has value, it does give the audience an impression of what it's like to have PTSD flashbacks, but it failed from the dramatic standpoint. Similarly, repeated jumpshots of Phoebe-in-the future running and breathing heavily seemed like they were unnecessary - all the stories already had so much inherent dramatic tension and fear that these extra ratchets felt almost exploitative. At the end of the 4 episodes, I'm so sad and angry and hate-filled and really glad I watched this.