Thanks for sharing my review! Agreed that are flashes of something really special in OH, HI! I think I might have been a little hard on the film because a lot of it didn't live up to those moments.
I enjoyed reading your review. I can’t say I was loving the bits and pieces of the film but I can appreciate it was trying to do something novel even if it all came together like messy soup. And your mention of Reynolds and Viswanathan - I appreciated. They were fun to watch and breathed life into this film
I loved season 1. Season 2 was a rough watch - a little uneven and all over the place as Cormack’s mental health continued to deteriorate. Im hopeful that with enough fan love it may come back for another season. I could be delulu
Smoke is absolutely wild! And there were some real clunker lines in there like Rafe saying Jurnee has “moxy,” like what? It also feels like each ep is a different genre of show. Would watch a spin-off with Leguizamo tho!
We just started Smoke. I knew something was bugging me about the place/location/time period and you nailed it. At first I thought it might be set in the early-80s and then the kid has his phone. Okay. But it does feel very displaced. Dennis Lehane has cred--100%. BUT: I'm not sure I can get behind the "I'm a writer, too, baby and writing makes me so horny!" What are you doing, Dennis?! Is this you working out some 25-year old writer dude fantasy? I'm sure we'll stick with it to see how it all shakes down. But yeah, as always: spot on insights. As for Ballard: I am a Bosch universe fan. I don't mind where it feels a little contrived (characters, dialogue..Honey Chandler, less of please). I like that it's a law enforcement show without a lot of soapy, dark elements. Ballard is great as a principled officer; we need ordinary heroes like her these days.
Smoke ain't no Duster. Am I right? But Lehane IS Boston. Why can't he just make this show take place HERE? Ok, I'll take a step back. Blackbird was the midwest and it felt very much rooted there in a way that lent itself to the story's plausibility. Here, between the fantasy novel Gudsen/Egerton is writing and reality I have trouble keeping track. I spent the first 4 episodes wondering why Smollett's character's smarmy boss kept showing up. I thought they lived in different cities until I realized it's all the same place. I was so confused. That could be the dissonance between the past and present day timeline scenes, too. But I had the same thoughts with the scenes with her family and her mother in the parole hearing. I like your optimism about Ballard and what she represents. I like that she also creates a nurturing supportive workplace and also balances keeping it professional and focused.
Smoke looks good! I was wondering about Oh Hi. I wanted to go watch but then was like, are dark romcoms really my thing? I was listening to a podcast just yesterday that said book-wise, they're having their moment. I'm currently working my way through Untamed. And dying to know your take on Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson working together again on a trilogy! Were you a Joey/Pacey fan?
I’m not currently watching any of those shows, but thanks for the info! And our family uses the term audible quite often, but you can probably guess why.
I’m not sure about Smoke. I’ve really enjoyed much of Dennis Lehane’s output (loved The Drop) so I may give it a try. Black Snow sounds really good, I’ll check that out.
My wife and I are about halfway through Ballard after watching season three of Bosch: Legacy over the weekend. For what it is, it isn’t bad. It’s no Bosch but it’s certainly entertaining enough to stick with through the end of the season.
Mark, thanks for sharing. We just finished Ballard season 1. Leaves on a cliffhanger. I was a bit disappointed with the perp on the serial killer case but alas like you said, it ain’t not Bosch and for what it is, it’s not bad. Smoke is a show I generally look forward to watching each week. It’s well done and def a step above Ballard but it’s not a tight six like Black Snow!!⛄️
Dennis Lehane without that Bostonian touch seems so wrong. Like Stephen King writing something not set in Maine. Still, the show sounds super bingeable.
Lots of great reviews/recommendations here, and I always enjoy a good Scooby Doo reference.
Thanks Matthew! I'm with you on King and locale! I can't deal with this aspect of the show. It seems like such a poor choice, especially given Lehane's domain. Why? Why? Why? (To quote a Shawn Mendes' song)
I did like Black Snow. Season 2 is also really good. (Just as an aside I saw you liked it on Notes so I went and tried it)
Ballard- I was a little disappointed. Being in the Bosch orbit I really thought it would be better. They did throw in a few Bosch characters to keep it interesting, but the idea that she is running a department only with volunteers I find silly. Would the police department actually allow civilians access like they do or allow civilians to be put in danger at any time? Ok we are talking LAPD, so maybe. I do like the actress though. In fact, I liked all the actors.
Could not get into Smoke. Never made it through episode 1 and not interested in Companion- so not a horror lady on any level.
Also not a fan of Lena Dunham so would not even try Too Much. Truth be told, I think I am too old for her stuff anyway. We do get cranky as we age.
Thank you for sharing. I hear ya on Ballard. Any other time of year with another competing show and it might be easily be passed on but given how few shows I watch with my husband I get giddy about watching this together and poking fun and also being entertained.
I was curious about Black Snow season 2 and if I’d like it - in part because I’m concerned about how Jewish people may be depicted and it’ll make me reconsider this show entirely. If you watched it and still enjoyed it’s a good litmus test.
The family may have a Jewish sounding last name but the storyline does not make them out to be Jewish. They are just your average family, with average problems, and a missing daughter.
No, EPs of Prime/Hulu/Netflix, your mediocre shows are not being watched by millions because they are so good, they are actually quite meh, or mid at best, and very predictable.
They are being watched by millions of people because We just don't have anything better to watch..... We roll our eyes, keep calm, and watch on...
The other night I was thinking about a scene from Netflix' Untamed, and one of the characters wasn't making sense to me until I realized it was Driscoll from Ballard... "Hey Siri, write me a detective show"
Oh my god the whole way Gudsen writes about women in his book in Smoke is terrible but also, is it just spot on for this type of guys? I still can't deal with the whole sex scene though 🤮.
And I really really want to watch Black Snow!!!!! It sounds amazing.
Thanks for sharing my review! Agreed that are flashes of something really special in OH, HI! I think I might have been a little hard on the film because a lot of it didn't live up to those moments.
I enjoyed reading your review. I can’t say I was loving the bits and pieces of the film but I can appreciate it was trying to do something novel even if it all came together like messy soup. And your mention of Reynolds and Viswanathan - I appreciated. They were fun to watch and breathed life into this film
Really loved Ballard and I'm enjoying Smoke, the 2 men are so creepy!
Yes!! Re: Smoke -Each tragic in their own way though Taron has less of my empathy!
Ballard and Black Snow - just finished both…
Yes, but the other guy is so scary...
I actually watched Black Snow s01 a couple of years ago!
I loved season 1. Season 2 was a rough watch - a little uneven and all over the place as Cormack’s mental health continued to deteriorate. Im hopeful that with enough fan love it may come back for another season. I could be delulu
Smoke is absolutely wild! And there were some real clunker lines in there like Rafe saying Jurnee has “moxy,” like what? It also feels like each ep is a different genre of show. Would watch a spin-off with Leguizamo tho!
We just started Smoke. I knew something was bugging me about the place/location/time period and you nailed it. At first I thought it might be set in the early-80s and then the kid has his phone. Okay. But it does feel very displaced. Dennis Lehane has cred--100%. BUT: I'm not sure I can get behind the "I'm a writer, too, baby and writing makes me so horny!" What are you doing, Dennis?! Is this you working out some 25-year old writer dude fantasy? I'm sure we'll stick with it to see how it all shakes down. But yeah, as always: spot on insights. As for Ballard: I am a Bosch universe fan. I don't mind where it feels a little contrived (characters, dialogue..Honey Chandler, less of please). I like that it's a law enforcement show without a lot of soapy, dark elements. Ballard is great as a principled officer; we need ordinary heroes like her these days.
Smoke ain't no Duster. Am I right? But Lehane IS Boston. Why can't he just make this show take place HERE? Ok, I'll take a step back. Blackbird was the midwest and it felt very much rooted there in a way that lent itself to the story's plausibility. Here, between the fantasy novel Gudsen/Egerton is writing and reality I have trouble keeping track. I spent the first 4 episodes wondering why Smollett's character's smarmy boss kept showing up. I thought they lived in different cities until I realized it's all the same place. I was so confused. That could be the dissonance between the past and present day timeline scenes, too. But I had the same thoughts with the scenes with her family and her mother in the parole hearing. I like your optimism about Ballard and what she represents. I like that she also creates a nurturing supportive workplace and also balances keeping it professional and focused.
Smoke looks good! I was wondering about Oh Hi. I wanted to go watch but then was like, are dark romcoms really my thing? I was listening to a podcast just yesterday that said book-wise, they're having their moment. I'm currently working my way through Untamed. And dying to know your take on Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson working together again on a trilogy! Were you a Joey/Pacey fan?
I’m not currently watching any of those shows, but thanks for the info! And our family uses the term audible quite often, but you can probably guess why.
Yes! Re: Audible / I wondered if you used this term. Then maybe Ballard is for you?
I dunno. The Bosch connection would have me leaning no. I wasn’t a fan of that.
I’m a very picky show consumer.
I’m not sure about Smoke. I’ve really enjoyed much of Dennis Lehane’s output (loved The Drop) so I may give it a try. Black Snow sounds really good, I’ll check that out.
My wife and I are about halfway through Ballard after watching season three of Bosch: Legacy over the weekend. For what it is, it isn’t bad. It’s no Bosch but it’s certainly entertaining enough to stick with through the end of the season.
Mark, thanks for sharing. We just finished Ballard season 1. Leaves on a cliffhanger. I was a bit disappointed with the perp on the serial killer case but alas like you said, it ain’t not Bosch and for what it is, it’s not bad. Smoke is a show I generally look forward to watching each week. It’s well done and def a step above Ballard but it’s not a tight six like Black Snow!!⛄️
Dennis Lehane without that Bostonian touch seems so wrong. Like Stephen King writing something not set in Maine. Still, the show sounds super bingeable.
Lots of great reviews/recommendations here, and I always enjoy a good Scooby Doo reference.
Thanks Matthew! I'm with you on King and locale! I can't deal with this aspect of the show. It seems like such a poor choice, especially given Lehane's domain. Why? Why? Why? (To quote a Shawn Mendes' song)
So curious about Black Snow! Thanks for the lead!
You will not be disappointed. Season 2 isn't exciting me as much as first season but still I'm cruising along. Cormack is riveting. Messy is fun.
started Black Snow 😅
You’re in good company. Currently watching second season and on episode 2 of 6.
I did like Black Snow. Season 2 is also really good. (Just as an aside I saw you liked it on Notes so I went and tried it)
Ballard- I was a little disappointed. Being in the Bosch orbit I really thought it would be better. They did throw in a few Bosch characters to keep it interesting, but the idea that she is running a department only with volunteers I find silly. Would the police department actually allow civilians access like they do or allow civilians to be put in danger at any time? Ok we are talking LAPD, so maybe. I do like the actress though. In fact, I liked all the actors.
Could not get into Smoke. Never made it through episode 1 and not interested in Companion- so not a horror lady on any level.
Also not a fan of Lena Dunham so would not even try Too Much. Truth be told, I think I am too old for her stuff anyway. We do get cranky as we age.
Thank you for sharing. I hear ya on Ballard. Any other time of year with another competing show and it might be easily be passed on but given how few shows I watch with my husband I get giddy about watching this together and poking fun and also being entertained.
I was curious about Black Snow season 2 and if I’d like it - in part because I’m concerned about how Jewish people may be depicted and it’ll make me reconsider this show entirely. If you watched it and still enjoyed it’s a good litmus test.
The family may have a Jewish sounding last name but the storyline does not make them out to be Jewish. They are just your average family, with average problems, and a missing daughter.
Thanks for the download. This makes me more compelled to watch.
(*This is meant to sound funny, not angry;)
No, EPs of Prime/Hulu/Netflix, your mediocre shows are not being watched by millions because they are so good, they are actually quite meh, or mid at best, and very predictable.
They are being watched by millions of people because We just don't have anything better to watch..... We roll our eyes, keep calm, and watch on...
The other night I was thinking about a scene from Netflix' Untamed, and one of the characters wasn't making sense to me until I realized it was Driscoll from Ballard... "Hey Siri, write me a detective show"
Oh my god the whole way Gudsen writes about women in his book in Smoke is terrible but also, is it just spot on for this type of guys? I still can't deal with the whole sex scene though 🤮.
And I really really want to watch Black Snow!!!!! It sounds amazing.