All Forms of Art

  The Good Place is a comedy show about the afterlife. The story begins when our main character, Eleanor (Kristen Bell), arrives in a place designed for good people. Simple and effective, it's a good recipe for laughs, no matter your beliefs. The story is full of funny metaphors, and I particularly enjoyed the first season. Yet you may find it a bit repetitive from the second half of the second season. However, it’s a comedy, and it will make you laugh, so you’ll probably keep watching it anyway.  Stereotyped characters that work The characters are shallow and stereotyped. Yet it seems intentionally made for comedy, and it works. You have the bad girl, the intelligent guy with zero social skills, the idiot, and the revolted rich girl that nobody loves. The show might send us a message beyond making us laugh. Michael’s (Ted Danson) experiments can be seen as a warning. It shows us that most religious concepts are outdated and need to evolve. The other characters hold diffe...

  Three best friends fight for their dreams in New York City. No ambition is impossible or problem unbearable when they have each other’s support. It is a light, irreverent show that will often bring a smile to your face.  Same issues, different women The issues they face aren’t new - sex, romantic relationships, friendships, career moves. You watch these modern, independent, strong millennial women fighting for every inch of their conquests. Watching the first episode, I thought it would be one more “girly show”. You know - sex life, drama, and friends. It’s a bit more, and I loved it. The first season felt like an introduction to these women and their world. It is a way for us to know them. Who are they? How’s their life? How do they work? Then, the story evolves; they change; they build their own path. That’s when the actual story begins. That’s when they become the bold type . Inspiration and romance As a writer who fights every day to find my own voice, I found Jane’s...

  (SPOILERS) It all starts with a light, funny story on your screen—a good time.  After a while, you realize there are a lot of secrets and half-told stories. The fun, crazy mother hides a story of pain and a lawless past. The perfect little town is anything but perfect. And Ginny (Antonia Gentry)… well, she's a hard-working kid, but she's very annoying sometimes. I’m sorry, Ginny’s fans. Gilmore Girls’ vibe It has a Gilmore Girls feeling since the beginning - with a funnier and more criminal mom. Indeed, in the first episode, Georgia (Brianne Howey) makes that exact reference.  While it seemed accurate at the time, I changed my mind as the story developed. Ginny is way more prone to tantrums than Rory. She is way more problematic than you might think at first sight. Yet, the character has a good impact, but let me warn you: you may want to hug her one second and yell at her the next. Self-mutilation Teen shows are getting darker and darker, which is, in fact, quite ...

  (Contains spoilers) I’m not a huge fan of shows that involve doctors and hospitals. I watched ER growing up, and after that, I feel they are all the same. Still, I gave this one a try, and it has two seasons available on Netflix . Charismatic leader with a troubled life The show's premise was clear from the first minute. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) is a charismatic leader, full of willpower and ideas. He comes to New Amsterdam to change everything. More than the hospital itself, he wants to change the world. Will they let him? What can a man do against so many powerful interests? He truly cares about his patients and their problems beyond the diseases. He wants to do his bit to change all the wrongs in the world. Max Goodwin wants to help. Everyone. And he does that with a smile and a good mood. Are the doctors the worst patients? As soon as you know Max is sick, you realize that he uses jokes and funny talk to hide his fear, pain, and frustration. He has cancer, and the treat...

  This movie is a good representation of the mythical idea of what  European cinema is . Despite the film's quality, it is almost always a bit boring and way too long. In The Dig , the only pinch of drama happens around one and a half hours after the movie's beginning.   For me, what kept me going and watching the movie till the end was the curiosity about the dig itself - What was that? What wasn’t? Yet, I didn’t feel engaged with the story. Where are the emotions? A good story makes you care about the characters and what happens to them. You have a bit of this. I mean, you want Edith Pretty (Carey Mulligan) to survive. You’re worried about the kid - who is the most dynamic character. You’re curious about the young couple falling in love. Yet, somehow, this is not enough. The whole movie lacks stronger emotions. The characters are very restrained. Maybe because it is a British movie, but I thought that it needed more emotion. For example, Mr. Brown (Ralph Fienne...

  Equinox is a Danish horror show full of mystery and surprises. A small town, secrets, rituals, supernatural creatures… everybody looks a bit insane at some point. Speaking of rituals, why do they need to be disgusting? I mean, that egg! Inconsistencies While I truly liked the show, there were a few inconsistencies that I can’t avoid.  The whole drama happens in the 90s. The class of 99 disappears, yet most references are from the 80s. Why? No clue. Music The kids are into punk music. Well, it is okay; you don’t always follow what is trendy, right? However, there is a scene in the music store where you can see a Queen poster on the wall (yes, the British rock band). For fans like me, the photo on the poster has been around since the early 80s.  Technology Again, the tech the kids used seems outdated. They are listening to music on cassettes. Yes, I remember doing it too, but it wasn’t the most common. Besides, I have a different question: Why doesn't anyone have a ...

  Tiny Pretty Things is a very interesting, raw, and hurtful portrait of the competitive world of ballet. It all starts with a girl falling (or not) from the rooftop. This event opens a spot for a new girl with a scholarship at Archer School of Ballet. It is a way to bring good publicity to the school and restore their name—a mere distraction. Always the family Most shows and movies tend to show that (almost) all teens' problems stem from their families' lack of understanding or respect. This one is no different. Most of these kids are suffering, physically and mentally. Their parents demand more and more, even in an irrational way. Unfortunately, some of the kids are willing to go too far to please their parents. Madame Madame Monique Dubois (Lauren Holly) runs the school, and it doesn’t take long for the audience to realize that she is not exactly a good girl. Yet, I must confess she surprised me. Scandals, schemes, sex with a student I assume is underage, the “agreemen...