The Oscars

 The Oscars

By: Lori Walker Sartain

I tried to think back to a time when I enjoyed watching the Oscars but it has been so long ago, I can't even remember who won and what year it was.  I am sure it was around the age of maturity as what I find so tremendously audacious about the affair is the fact that they all say they want to help those in need, they are for helping the poor and middle class but yet they prance around and walk the red carpet in outfits used for one day and never worn again that cost more than most people make in a year. 

Why?  

I don't know.  Do they feel they deserve to wear such expensive garments because they earned it.  Well, sure.  I do believe if you work hard and make a good living, you can do what you please with your money but it's like a slap in the face with them all wearing designer gowns, suits and carrying bags worth more than my car to a show that they want us 2nd class ticket buyers/video renters to enjoy.  Who in the world is this making feel good?  The viewer, the customer who pays the bills?  I think NOT.

They parade themselves like floats down a street with their sparkles and bling posing for photographs to make sure everyone notices their outfit.  They then they sit with a fake smile on waiting to see if they win.  If not, they politely clap and smile but you can see the envy in their eyes. 

Some now feel the need to give us political advice in their acceptance speech on things like on the gender pay gap and climate change while wearing clothing that could pay for 1000 girls to go to junior college or help clean 100 miles of the ocean.  

Why can't they wear regular nice clothes like we do to a party or awards ceremony?  Why can't they wear a $300 gown or a $300 suit or even a $1000 gown or $1000 suit?  Is that beneath them?  Do they think we could tell the difference?  Do they think we would judge them and say wow, they must not have enough money?  Here is a link to show you what I am talking about.  One gown cost over $140,000 that was worn one night. https://www.firmex.com/resources/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-dress-for-the-oscars/

Just imagine what $140,000 could do for a poor school district, surgery for someone in need, food for children that don't get food when school is out for summer.  Don't get me wrong, when you make money spend it how you please but this is not the place to flaunt your stuff if you are then going to try to address the public with personal beliefs, personal notions and expect anything to be heard.

I stopped watching because I don't believe in them anymore.  I use to think they were so cool.  They had talent and lived this wonderful life.  Now, I feel like it is always an act and contest for who has the best outfit, the most money and who thinks they can shout our to the world their opinions and everyone will stop and listen.  Me...Me...Me.

The Oscars should be about the film.  The work behind it.  The people behind the scenes who made it happen.  The writers and then lastly the actor who pulled it off.  But the Oscars, it is all about the face and not the work.  It is all about winning/money.  If you win, then you get more money for your next film.  It is not about the viewer, the audience or who pays their bills by buying a ticket to see them.  It is all about Me...Me...Me.

It has become a circus and last nights show just confirms that it is not only out of control but becoming a show where it is a free for all who can afford to be there.  It is their show, their stage and they will do what they want.  

I won't get into any debate over who was wrong or who was right.  I have only seen clips but what I will say, is that none of it should have happened live on TV for everyone to see.  

I will continue to NOT watch the Oscars.

Netflix Cobra Kai

 Netflix Cobra Kai

By: Lori Walker Sartain

I have to first say I was 20 years old when Karate Kid came out in 1984 and it was a huge hit.  Everyone fell in love with Ralph Macchio.  He became a big star and we all watched for his next great movie and it never happened.  He did star in a film I enjoyed called Crossroads in 1986 but even though it was good, it didn't get recognition.  They did a part 2 to Karate Kid and it worked, and nothing else ever worked for him.  He even did a Karate Kid III.  I watched it but by then, the story line was old.  So I have been waiting to see him in something worth watching for a while.

When I first saw that Cobra Kai was on Netflix, I snickered.  I thought how are these old guys going to make a Karate movie.  Come on, guys you are old, stop.  But my curiosity and love for the original Karate Kid allowed me to click start on the series one episode.

I was pleasantly surprised after the first episode.  The acting, writing and storyline all made me want to watch more.  The old Karate Kid actors are in their place and the new young "kids" are great.  I don't know if I love it due to nostalgia or the acting but I do love it.

It is a bit violent at times.  I wouldn't let me grand daughter who is 7 watch it.  I love that girls are lead characters that are strong and independent.  The original had all girls/women as passive girlfriends, moms and sideline parts.  There are several women in this series and NONE of them are passive.

William Zabka, that I despised in the originals, I now enjoy watching him and watching his character grow.  He was one dimensional in the originals and now you see his back story and understand more about him.  

Tanner Buchanan, watch for this guy.  He is going to be a huge star.  He has it all, looks, acting skills and timing.  Ever since he was introduced, I watch for him in all the scenes.  Xolo Mariduena also does a great job and I know the young girls like them both.

Courtney Henggeler, Mary Mouser and Peyton List are all great actors and three of my favorite female characters.  Cudos to the writers.  

The story line is predictable but the action makes up for it.  The violence is over the top but it is about Karate.  The enemies are great and we miss Mr. Miyagi but if you were a Karate Kid fan, you will enjoy this series.  For everyone else, I am really not sure as I still don't know if I enjoy this because it reminds me of my youth or if it is something everyone would enjoy.  It is worth checking out.

I give Cobra Kai 4 Red Hots

Netflix: Manifest

 Netflix Series: Manifest

By: Lori Walker Sartain

I began watching this series with a spark of hope that it was going to be original and fresh.  I actually binged the first three or four episodes then I just couldn't take it anymore.

What I had hoped for was a new twist, a new plot and they gave us that at the beginning but then it just laid dormant like it was dead.  The characters never grew, they never changed.  I didn't see any future changes or story plots that intrigued me.  

I'm not even going to call out any characters.  The acting was fine, it was the writing, the storyline, the plot.  It just never worked it's way into my "wanna see more" mind.

I felt like the writers didn't know where it was going and just kept writing in circles hoping a spark would hit.  No flames for me.

While I have seen some posting on social media that they love the new series, I do not.  I think some of the actors have a great shot for new pilots but I think this one is dead in the water and never manifested into a hit.

I give it One Red Hot.

Netflix: Maid

 Netflix Series: Maid

By: Lori Walker Sartain

I began watching this series after hearing a radio host brag on how great it was.  I take radio praise lightly as I have found that I don't agree with most of what they say.  

I sat quietly with my headphones on staring at my telephone and the series began on the small screen.  Quickly the show became larger than life on my 5x3 phone.

From the very beginning, I wanted more.  The acting of newcomer Margaret Qualley is remarkable.  She is the daughter of one of my favorite actresses, Andie MacDowell.  I was then thrilled to see Andie plays the mother of Alex (Margaret) and in a role I have never seen her play.  She has a mental disability and pulls it off 100%.  If both of them don't get nominated for some kind of acting award, I will be disappointed.  

The rawness of the series that feels like a movie is exceptional.  The story line, not for the weak at heart, is complex, real and can awaken your appreciation for your haves and have nots.  

The relationships between mother, daughter, husband, wife, daughter and child weave messages of love, hate, abuse, weakness, strength and hope.  You feel all of the emotions in this series and I can't wait for season 2.

I will be one of the first to say, Margaret Qualley has a huge career ahead of her!

This one gets 5 BIG RED HOTS

Watch it now on Netflix!

The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window REVIEW

Netflix: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window

By: Lori Walker Sartain

I have mixed emotions about this series.  I started watching simply out of curiosity because of the title.  It is the longest title of a TV, ever!  I thought, okay this might be special.  There are several productions with Kristen Bell that I have really enjoyed, so I began the journey.

After watching the first episode, I was hooked.  I wanted to know more.  I wanted to know more about her character, what happened to her and where this train wreck was going.  Kristen does an amazing job with her character.  I believed her.  I began to binge watch every chance I had to see what happened next.

It is dark.  It is complicated.  It makes you feel a little gritty after watching it.  You are happy to be you and not Anna, Bell's character.  I could not wait to get to the crescendo of the plot before the end of season one.

Then the fat lady sang.

I won't reveal what happens, as I hate for someone to tell me the ending to anything I have not watched yet but I will say I was disappointed in the turn of events.  It was not predictable at all.  It did throw a curve ball but the ball they threw made me a bit disgusted.  

I won't be watching it again.  Not because the acting was bad but the storyline took a turn to a place I just didn't like.  I enjoy a mystery, a dark script, a twist and wow, I can't believe that happened but I think there is a line that is drawn in the sand that they crossed and as much as I enjoyed the rest, I will find another good show to binge. 

Acting: 5 Redhots  Plot: 1 Redhots

The Adam Project: Netflix Movie

 The Adam Project: Netflix Movie

First, I will say I am a Ryan Reynolds fan so I began watching with a bias.  I have to say I enjoyed this movie.  If you too are a Ryan Reynolds fan, you will too.

His quick wit and humor are written into the storyline extremely well.  His character, Adam fits him perfectly and the Young Adam played by Walker Scobell does an excellent job of mirroring him.  I am sure we will see this young man again.  

Zoe Saldana who is his love interest.  She doesn't have a huge part but once she enters the storyline, you want to see her again and again.  

Jennifer Garner plays a mom, which is a perfect part for her and an actor who I have enjoyed for years that I don't think gets his due credit for how great an actor he is, Mark Ruffalo plays his dad.  I love me some Mark Ruffalo.  Him and Jennifer Garner are good together.  I remember them from "13 Going on 30" which was a really cute movie.  They make a great couple.

It is a wonderful cast and a movie that is fun to watch.  I don't give it a full 5 Red Hots simply because the story line is very predictable.  We love the happy ending, but you pretty much know what is going to happen next once Ryan Reynolds appears.  

I give this 4 Red Hots.  

Sweet Magnolias

 With the new online TV options, Netflix is one of my favorites.  I like it because they have something for every mood and usually a great watch.  I am from the South, so of course I love a good ole southern theme but I am really critical because sometimes we are portrayed in a bad light.  We get a bad wrap, like we are some hillbilly from deliverance and the actor's twang is twrong.  

I chose to check out Sweet Magnolias because with a title like that, it is most definitely southern.  There is not anything more southern than a magnolia, well maybe a biscuit, with gravy. So I didn't even watch the trailer, I hit play.

The show's premise is about three women who were childhood friends and their lives in adulthood.  I love that the three women are all strong, independent women.  They each hold their own in the show and have a part that fits them.  

The lead is JoAnna Garcia, she plays Maddie.  She is a bit naive but grows as a character with each episode.  Yes, I binged watched every episode of the first season after the first.  She like a lot of women, was married to an ass.  Her Ex doesn't have a huge roll in the series and I am okay with it.  He has an affair with a young girl and gets her pregnant.  The first time I saw the young girl, I kept asking myself, who is this?  It is Jamie Lynn Spears and I have to say, she does a great job as the country bumpkin pregnant by another woman's husband, character.  

Helen is one of my favorite characters played by Heather Headley.  She is very dimensional.  We see so many layers to her.  It is fun watching them fall away and she comes to life a little bit more each episode. She is tough, smart and in charge but there is more to her than that and I enjoy watching that develop.

And I can't say enough about Brooke Elliott, Dana Sue.  Okay with a name like Dana Sue, you are from the South but Dana Sue reminds me of someone who didn't live in the south and is a transplant or portraying the NEW SOUTHERN woman, simply because she doesn't take a back seat to anyone and early south women were supposed to be seen and not heard.  Dana Sue, is anything but that.  I love her powerful personality and how she really commits to her character.

With all that said, season two has already came out and yes, I have seen them all and waiting patiently for season 3.  I didn't talk much about the men in Sweet Magnolias.  They are all good looking, so the ladies will love and love to hate them but the substance that makes it magic is the balance of southern charm and grit by the ladies. 

5 Red Hots 

By: Lori Walker Sartain