The Birth of a Nation Review

     In 1915 the world was greeted by a film titled "The Birth of a Nation," directed by D.W. Griffith. Upon its release it was met with both criticism and acclaim, and would go on to become the highest grossing movie of the time. The film was meant to glorify the KKK, and show them as the heroes that the United States needed. While the film's subject matter is certainly disturbing, the movie is generally considered a classic of the silent age based solely upon the film's technical prowess. Griffith included several cinematic techniques, transitions, and storytelling elements that were years ahead of their time. "The Birth of a Nation" is not for the faint of heart; personally, I found it to be one of the most difficult movies to ever sit through. But now, a little over 100 years later, we get something different. 2016's "The Birth of a Nation" is based off the true events of one of 19th century America's most important men, Nat Turner. In a time when race relation in America are not at their best, director Nate Parker tells the story of one man's fight for freedom and equality. But is it as good as I hoped it would be?

     Nat Turner was born on a plantation in the early 1800s, and spent his entire life on that same plantation with his family. From a young age, Turner seemed to have a fascination with books and reading. The wife of Turner's owner couldn't help but notice this, and taught him how to read. Turner grew up very religious, and when he got older he would take time to preach to the other slaves. Turner's master noticed this and capitalized on the opportunity, having Turner preach to other plantation's slaves in an attempt from their masters to calm them down. But after seeing how his fellow slaves were treated by men even more cruel than his own master, Turner decided enough was enough. 

     Going into the final quarter of 2016, "The Birth of a Nation" was my most anticipated movie left this year. To be honest, I think 2016 has been a rather lackluster year for movies. Compared to some previous years, there's hasn't been a movie in 2016 that I will remember vividly years down the line such as with last year's "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Ex Machina." When I first heard the early review for TBOAN, I was sure that it would be 2016’s saving grace. Finally after seeing the film, it might not have been as good as I was hoping but it still has its moments. Almost everything that "The Birth of a Nation" does best comes back to writer, actor, and director Nate Parker. Parker stars as Turner and does a fantastic job; a director staring in their own movie can sometimes get in the way of the movie itself, but Parker did a great job bringing Turner to life in one of the best leading performances of the year. He also did a great job adapting the powerful true life story into a solid script with some strong writing. The movie does a good job exploring some interesting themes regarding religion and the idea that it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees. While Parker has directed a short film or two, TBOAN is his feature length directing debut and he does a great job. You can tell he had a firm grip on the film, and attempted to be as ambitious as possible; he managed to put in several emotional, as well as disturbing moments throughout the film that really make you feel the slaves' bottled up anger. The only problem would be that in some of the transitions between scenes, huge amounts of time would pass with no indication. For future work, that's something Parker needs to address. While Parker was the backbone of the film, you have to give credit where credit is due. Parker may have been the standout, but many of the other actors gave some strong performances. And Elliot Davis behind a camera did a lot with what he was given for the cinematography. The designers behind the sets and the costumes did a good job with the authenticity; they help pull you into the time. I just wish they had a bigger budget; at times you can tell that this is a small budget film in the way things are designed. Sets are small, and the feel of the movie is less grandiose than a movie like "12 Years a Slave." Finally, the movie features a lovely soundtrack; both the original pieces and the previously existing ones ad to every scene in which they are used. Going into this movie, I had heard some criticism regarding the historical accuracy. I give a bit of leeway when it comes to historical accuracy in a biopic, they need a little wiggle room to actually make it into a movie; but with this movie, it's clear that director Nate Parker saw Nat Turner through rose colored glasses. Looking at the events leading up to the rebellion, it's clear that Turner was suffering from severe delusions of grandeur. He viewed himself as a profit, like Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt. He even launched the rebellion the day he thought he received a sign from God. Frankly put, the movie makes him seen a little less crazy. The movie also glosses over a lot of atrocities that he and the rebellion committed. When things kicked off, Turner and his fellow slaves killed literally every white person they came upon, including children. The movie completely glosses over the more unseemly parts of the whole event solely to make Turner look better. It reminded me of "American Sniper," where the film's creators ignored some of the more unpleasant parts of Chris Kyle's personality to make him look better. It's clear that Parker ignored the truly terrible parts of the rebellion because he knew it'd make Turner look like less of a hero. A movie can change the past to a certain extent; things don't have to be exactly like what really happened. But the second you change history to make the focus of your story come off as pitch perfect with few to no faults, you undercut the true story you're trying to tell. "The Birth of a Nation" is not a perfect film, it's not even as good as I hoped it would be; but by no means does that make it bad. This is one of the most impactful movies I've seen this year, and to many it will be one of the best. Whether you view Nat Turner as a hero or a killer is irrelevant, it's just about time that he gets his story told on the silver screen.

Pros: Beautiful cinematography, strong performances major actors, particularly great performance from Nate Parker, powerful true story, some very good writing, explores some interesting themes, authentic costume and set design, lovely soundtrack, several emotional and disturbing moments, strong direction from Nate Parker.

Cons: Skips out on some historical accuracy, some transition issues, clearly a low budget movie at times.

4/5 Stars

My 10 Favorite Video Games

Honorable Mentions: Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Borderlands 2, The Matrix: Path to Neo, Portal 2, Bastion, Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto 5, Hotline Miami, Red Faction: Guerrilla, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Pokémon Emerald.
Note: This list consists of my personal favorite games I've ever played. This list is not necessarily based on the quality of the game, but how much I enjoyed them. It's also important to remember there are many games I have never played.

Runner-Up: Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
The "Metal Gear" series might be the most praised franchise in all of video game history. The original "Metal Gear" launched in 1987, and was met with positive reviews; but in 1998 the franchise hit its prime with "Metal Gear Solid." MGS was moved the franchise in a new direction, with the primary element revolving around stealth. Upon its release the title was lauded by critics and audiences, and has since been called one of the greatest games of all time. Since then, every major installment in the series has been met with critical acclaim; but several of the spin-offs have been met with mixed reception. But the one spin-off that has been met with wide acclaim would be "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker." "Peace Walker" was initially released for the PSP to critical acclaim, with many calling it the best game ever released on the system. Many praised the game for just how big the title was on Sony's smallest system. Of any game released on the PSP, I played this one the most. The combat, story, and freedom made this worth the many hours I spent on it. While "Peace Walker" never got a true sequel on a handheld system, its successor is a game that I enjoy even more.

Runner-Up: Saints Row: The Third
If you've never played "Saints Row: The Third," let me summarize the series for you. The first game was nothing more than a GTA clone that was met with lukewarm reviews, the second was much more enjoyable and pretty silly, and with the third I'm pretty sure the developers said "f*ck it" let's make it crazy." SRTT is one of the silliest and most over-the-top games I've ever played. You're cast as the boss of the Third Street Saints, a gang that has become international icons for one reason or another. But after a bank heist gone wrong, you come in contact with a gang syndicate whose goal is to destroy you. This game didn't take itself seriously in any way; it's ridiculous scenario after ridiculous scenario. That being said, it's still incredibly fun and one of the most enjoyable games of the previous console generation. A fourth installment in the series was released a few years later, which was also very enjoyable but lacked that special something that made "The Third" so great. While the future of the franchise is up in the air, fans will at least get to look back and fondly remember this title.

10. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Despite taking place on some of the smallest consoles available, "Grand Theft auto: Chinatown Wars" is one of the franchise's most ambitious games. "Chinatown Wars" launched on the Nintendo DS in 2009 to critical acclaim, and it would come to the PSP a few months later. You're placed in the position of a young man born into a Yakuza family, as he makes a name for himself in Liberty City. Despite the acclaim, the game would receive much criticism and media attention for its drug dealing mini-game, as well for the traditional criticism directed at GTA. But even with the negative press, it doesn't change the fact that this is one of the most impressive games we've ever seen on a handheld system. The engaging story, old school gameplay, and the tons of side content available, "Chinatown Wars" is my favorite handheld game of all time, and my favorite game in one of the best franchises ever made.

9. Bioshock
When "Bioshock" came out in 2007, it shook the way the world looked at first person shooters. "Bioshock" was one of a few FPS at the time that chose style and story over actual gameplay; while the shooting mechanics of the game were solid and got the job done, the game's subject matter was universally praised. You play as a faceless character named Jack, the sole survivor of a plane accident in the middle of the ocean. Desperate, you swim to a nearby lighthouse; but once you enter, you find a pod on a track that takes you to the underwater city Rapture. Built by businessman Andrew Ryan, you arrive to find the place in utter chaos. Fighting for your life, you must traverse the city with the help from the man on the radio to find Ryan and free yourself. The story, characters, lore, and world building were universally praised, with many say the game had one of the best single-player campaigns of all time. The game would go on to spawn two praised sequels, and became the standards for the FPS for years to come.

8. Half-Life 2
When it comes to which game on this list was most lauded by critics, "Half-Life 2" might be the most acclaimed of the bunch. Towards the end of the 2000s, I believe the game received more "Game of the Decade" awards than any other title. HL2 is the sequel to the original "Half-Life," where an accident at research site Black Mesa ripped a whole into another universe throwing our world into chaos and establishing a new world order. In HL2 you play as Gordon Freeman, a scientist that was at Black Mesa, as he joins a resistance group trying to overthrow the tyrannical government. Much like its predecessor, HL2 was praised for its gameplay, story, setting, and characters; but with new technologies and a new engine at the developer's disposal, HL2 was given a major graphical update and a more responsive and clever physics engine. While the future of the series is up in the air, many hold out hope that "Half-Life 3" is on its way.

7. Fallout: New Vegas

Which game in the "Fallout" series is the best is up for debate. Some claim that the original is the best, saying that it set the standard for many western RPGs yet to come. Some would say it was "Fallout 3," in that it redefined and changed a series that seemed to be set in its ways. Yet many will argue that "Fallout: New Vegas," a game made in about 18 months by a subsidiary of Bethesda Softworks, is the best in the series. Chronologically, "New Vegas" takes place after the events of "Fallout 3." You play a nameless courier, tasked with delivering an important package to the boss of the post apocalyptic Las Vegas. You are captured, and then shot in the head for the package. Miraculously, you survive you injuries, and then set out upon the Mojave Desert to track down the man that tried to kill you. Despite being met with criticism upon its release for technical issues and the fact that "New Vegas" didn't feel like that much different from its predecessor, the game has grown a strong and devoted following. Many fans have praised the game for its improved combat, as well as its story telling and choices which lacked in its predecessor. Claiming which "Fallout" game is the best is difficult, but my favorite is without a doubt "Fallout: New Vegas.

6. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

"Peace Walker" was a runner-up on this list, which says a lot considering how much I enjoyed it; but I whole-heatedly consider this a more enjoyable game than “Peace Walker." Chronologically in the series, "Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain" takes place after "Peace Walker." The story follows Big Boss after he wakes up from a coma and takes the helm of the mercenary group Diamond Dogs. Big boss then goes after the people responsible for the coma, as well as the pain and suffering his friends endured. MGS5 is a game I've sunk more than 100 hours into, and every time I've played through it I feel like I'm having a new experience. Upon its release the game was met with wide acclaim, with many calling it a stand out in a year full of incredible titles. Most praised the game for its mechanics and technical achievement, but it did receive criticism for its story and lack of closer (with the game’s biggest problem being that it was unfinished by the developer). Despite a variety of issues, on a technical and gameplay level, MGS5 is one of the most impressive games I've ever played; I even named it the second best game of 2015 behind "The Witcher 3: Wild hunt." While the future of the "Metal Gear" series is unsure after the departure of the series creator from the publisher Konami, with the next installment in the series, "Metal Gear Solid: Survive" being met with wide criticism, MGS5 still ranks among my all time favorite games.

5. Bloodborne

Of every game on this list, I think this is the one I've played the most. I know for a fact I've played this game for over 200 hours (which is a lot for me since I'm the type of a person that likes to jump around from game to game). "Bloodborne" is the spiritual successor to the "Dark Souls" series, a series of games lauded for their combat and story. And like its predecessors, "Bloodborne" received wide acclaim for its combat, story, aesthetics, world design, and difficulty. You play a nameless character that arrives at a city known for their medical science, only to learn that the city has been overrun by beasts due to an unknown plague. You then venture forth purging the city of these monsters as you try and discover the cause of the illness. Every "gamer" has that game that they know like the back of their hand, and for me that game is "Bloodborne." After playing this game over a dozen times through, I know what lies around almost every corner. The "Souls" franchise has become one of the most acclaimed in all of gaming, and it's not hard to make a claim that "Bloodborne" is the best in the franchise.

4. Red Dead Redemption

Of every game on this list, you can make a strong case that this one is the best. "Red Dead Redemption" follows John Marston, a former gang member. Marston was a former gang member who was forced to work for the federal government after they basically hold his family hostage. Marston's job is to hunt down the key members of his former gang and either kill them or turn them in. Developed by Rockstar Games, the people behind the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise, many have called this the developer’s best game. Primarily developed by Rockstar San Diego, the game was praised for its story, characters, and gameplay. The game has seen gone on to be called one of the greatest of all time. Despite playing through the campaign several times, it has never got old. Every play through is a new experience. You can make a strong argument that this is a perfect game, on a technical and storytelling level. For years now a sequel has been rumored; but if one is really in the works, I have trouble imagining that it will be better than this one.

3. Kingdom Hearts 2

"Kingdom Hearts" easily rank among the most beloved series of all time, with some of the most dedicated fans out there. The first installment in the series, "Kingdom Hearts," was released in 2002 to positive reviews from critics, most praising the combat and the unique world the game built. The game received wide attention for combining the worlds of "Final Fantasy" as well as a number of Disney properties such as "Tarzan," Pinocchio," "Aladdin," and many more. The game was met with enthusiasm from audiences, and would spawn an entire series. And in 2006, "Kingdom Hearts 2" was released. Most consider this installment a step up, with improvements in storytelling, world design, and combat. The game would even go on to win a few "Game of the Year Awards." I love this series, I've played most of the installments and sunk countless hours into them; and of the games I've played "Kingdom Hearts 2" is easily my favorite. I love everything about this game, the combat, the characters, the existing properties, the original story, everything. From start to finish, this is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. And I owe a debt to this series, "Kingdom Hearts" was the reason I chose to buy a PS2 over the other consoles at the time. And I've stuck with PlayStation ever since. The developers have confirmed that a sequel, "Kingdom Hearts 3," is one its way. Now I've literally waited over a decade for this game and you can bet money I'll be first in line to pick it up opening night. But in the mean time, I can reminisce about KH2, one of my all time favorites.

2. Okami

This is one of those criminally underrated games that unfortunately sold very poorly. In fact, upon its initial release in 2006 for the PS2, it was the worst selling game to win a "Game of the Year Award" from a major publication. "Okami" is based off of Japanese folklore; the game follows a sun goddess that takes the form of a wolf after she is summoned to defeat an ancient demon after it is reborn. "Okami" was praised for its art style, storytelling, characters, and writing. Despite this the game sold poorly on the PS2. A few years later the game was re-released for the Wii, but once again sold poorly. Eventually the game would received an HD re-release on the PS3, and for the first time the game managed to move a fair number of copies dues to a dedicated following and the legacy of such an acclaimed game. Despite improved sales, a true sequel is unlikely. A spiritual successor was released on the Nintendo DS a few years back, but after the developers Clover Studios went under we will probably not see a true sequel to the game. The remnants of Clover Studios have since gone on to form a new studio called Platinum Games, but without publisher support fans will likely never get another installment in the franchise. "Okami" is a game that any true "gamer" should play. It is a one of a kind and brilliant title that captivated me from the very begging. And even though it's unlikely, I still hope that we one day see a sequel.

1. Mass Effect 2
I have been alive for 22 years, and over those 22 years I've played a lot of video games. And of all of those games, "Mass Effect 2" is unquestionably my favorite. To be honest I'm not sure why I like "Mass Effect 2" so much, it has more than a few faults; but despite its issues, it is a game that I have always found incredibly entertaining and engaging. "Mass Effect 2" is the second installment in a trilogy, and is almost universally declared the best. Upon its release the RPG was lauded for its story, characters, universe, gameplay, soundtrack, and freedom of choice. It would later go on to win many "Game of the Year Awards," and would even be called one of the best games of the seventh console generation. "Mass Effect 2" is one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. For a long time it has been my "go to" game for when there aren't any games out at the moment I want to play. Even writing this article makes me want to go back and play it again. Without a doubt in my mind I can say that "Mass Effect 2" is both the greatest Western RPG of all time, as well as one of the best games ever made.

5 Best Netflix Original Shows

Honorable Mentions: W/ Bob & David, F is for Family, Master of None, Jessica Jones, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Note: This list consists of original programs from the online streaming service Netflix; it's important to remember that I have not seen every original show from the service, so this list is made up of the ones I have seen.

Runner-UP: Stranger Things

"Stranger Things" is the youngest show on this list, coming out July, 15 of this year. The story revolves around a young boy from a small town, who suddenly disappears. His friends and family do all they can to try and locate him, but have little luck; and while all this is happening, several unexplainable things begin to happen in the town. And they all seem to lead back to a young girl. I consider myself fairly in the loop when it comes to upcoming shows, but this was one that flew completely under my radar; the first time I noticed this show existed was when I saw it advertised the day it was released on Netflix. The best way I can describe this series is that it's a mix of "Super 8," "The Goonies," and "Goosebumps;" with a little "Twin Peaks" and "The X-Files" thrown in there. "Stranger Things" might have been the break out show of 2016, and it has already gained a strong following. Netflix recently confirmed that a second season is coming in 2017, and I promise I'll be there day one to watch it all.

5. Narcos

When "Narcos" first premiered, I completely missed it; despite the good things I had heard, I just didn't have time. It wasn't until fairly recently that I've been able to sit down and watch it, and I have been blown away by this show. "Narcos" takes place in Columbia in the 80s and 90s, at the height of cocaine exportation for the country. The show primarily revolves around the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, as well as his associates and the cops trying to take him down. Based off of true events, this is one of the most entertaining shows I've seen in years. Every episode is a thrill ride; I know that a lot of the material is dramatized, but it's amazing to think that even of a fraction of the stuff from the show actually happened. Praised by critics and audiences since its release, "Narcos" has quickly become a favorite by many of Netflix's users. With a third and fourth season recently confirmed, "Narcos" doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

4. Daredevil

"Daredevil" has become one of the most important series in Netflix's catalog. This show was proof that Netflix could handle Marvel properties. The show follows Matthew Murdock, a lawyer who was blinded in a freak accident when he was a child. And because of the accident, all of his other senses have been heightened. So by day he's just an average layer, but by night he takes to the street and fights crime as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. The first season of this series aired last year, and it blew people away with its compelling story lines, over the top action, and a darker take on the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. The second season aired earlier this year, and despite receive more lukewarm reviews, it's still a fan favorite. It also set the way for future Marvel Netflix shows, such as the exceptional "Jessica Jones" and the "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist" series. By this point I have the up most confidence in Netflix's ability to create these Marvel shows, and I can't wait to see what comes from all of them in the future.

3. Bojack Horseman

When this show first premiered, I never thought it would become as good as it has. "Bojack Horseman" follows the character of the same name, an actor most well known for his role in a 90s sitcom, as he tries to reassemble his career while fighting his personal demon. The first season was good, but at the end of the day was nothing more than another shallow animated sitcom. But starting with the second season, it became one of the most thematically deep shows on TV. Tackling themes of depression, self-loathing, self-destruction, substance abuse, and the compulsive need to be loved, "Bojack Horseman" ascended to a new level. Filled with a colorful array of characters, and highlighted by smart and entertaining writing, this show has separated from the pack and become one of the best animated shows we've seen in years. 

2. House of Cards

I'm sure there are a few people out there who now want to fight me, due to the fact that I put "House of Cards" at the number two spot; but until they write their own blog they can hold their tongue. That being said, I still think "House of Cards" is a truly amazing show. The show primarily revolves around Frank Underwood, a congressman who would work his way up the latter to the highest position in the land; and he's willing to do anything to get himself to the top. HOC was Netflix's first major hit; it was the show that proved that Netflix could be a major player when it came to original series. The first two seasons were met with critical acclaim, with both garnering numerous award nominations. The third season received much harsher criticism, but the fourth season brought the series back to old form. HOC is one of the most compelling political dramas of all time; almost every episode manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. With a fifth season on its way, I have no doubt that this show will go down as one of the greatest ever made. 

1. Orange is the New Black

When I first heard about "Orange is the New Black," I was not interested in it. When I saw the first trailer right before its premier, I was not interested. But after the first season was released I heard nothing but great things about it, so I gave it a try; I proceeded to binge watch it that same day. OITNB revolves around Piper Chapman, an upper class young woman who is sentenced to 14 months in prison for a crime she committed several years prior; and as the series goes on, we're introduced to a wide variety of unique and layered characters. As this series has gone on, it's evolved from being primarily based around Chapman, to being a complete orchestra of a dozen or two important characters. From the very first episode, I fell in love with this show; the characters, the writing, the subject matter, and much more. OITNB is one of my all time favorite shows, and I truly believe it's Netflix's best show so far.

The Night Of Review

Note: This review is being put out before the final episode of the series airs.
     For the past few years the question has been asked, "what will HBO do without "Game of Thrones" to fall back on?" Gone are the days of "The Sopranos" and "The Wire," and the channels new boy "True Detective" had its second season panned by many critics and audiences. "Game of Thrones" has been their ace in the hole for six years, a beloved series based on strong source material. While the company has found recent success with shows like "Silicon Valley" and "Togetherness," they need something new to get the blood pumping. But out of nowhere, we get something extraordinary. "The Night Of." Based off the British series "Criminal Justice," HBO has crafted a gritty and detailed look at the American justice system that has enthralled fans like no show we've seen since the first season of "True Detective."

     Nasir "Naz" Khan is a college student living with his parents in New York. Naz is a smart, but somewhat nerdy kid who has never been part of the popular crowd. One day he's invited to a party out of the blue by a member of the basketball team whose teammate Naz had been tutoring. Not having a ride, he decides to take his dad's taxi. While out a young woman gets in the cab thinking that it's in service, and Naz decides to drive her to her destination (the river). Once there he takes a pill she gives him, they then to head back to her place where the drink, do some more drugs, and play a game that involves thrusting a knife between their fingers. The two proceed to have sex, shortly after Naz falls asleep. He wakes up, gets his clothes, and then discovers the young woman butchered in her bed. He freaks out and runs, taking the knife they used in the game since it had her blood and his prints on it. He gets back in his dad's cab and drives off, and is then picked up by the police for driving erratically. Scared to death and carrying a weapon, Naz realizes that his life could be destroyed due to one night that he barely remembers.

     The first time I heard of "The Night Of" was about a week before its first episode aired, with one critic calling it a tour de force; the last time I heard an HBO series called that was the first season of "True Detective." So even before I watched the first episode I was excited, but after watching the first episode I was floored. "The Night Of" ranks as one alongside one of the best miniseries I've ever seen. Straight from the get-go, you can tell this show is something special. From the beginning, "The Night Of" is TV storytelling at its finest, and it uses its miniseries status to its finest. The show never outstays its welcome, and uses every minute of its eight episodes to their fullest. The plot is a fascinating and intriguing mystery filled with twists and turns, and you're never sure what is going to happen next. The writing and dialog is also top notch, miles ahead of most shows on TV. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the series receive some writing awards later this year. The show also touches on a variety of complex themes, and takes an in-depth and critical look at how the US justice system operates; while being particularly critical of how the US correctional system could turn petty criminals, or even innocent people, into much more severe criminals. I also need to give a shout-out to the actors, all of which, from the stars to the supporting characters, do great jobs. It also helps that the characters they play are so fascinating. Each is unique, well written, and layered. And as with all HBO series, the production and design is top notch; the sets, the editing, and just the attention to detail in every aspect of production. But looking at the show as a whole, the real star and shining beacon was Steven Zaillian. Zaillian co-created, co-wrote, and directed the whole series (except for episode four which was directed by James Marsh). I'm not sure what time of black magic Zaillian put to use to make this show so good, but I'm glad he did. Zaillian writing and directing for every episode was great, and likely has an Emmy in his future. But to give credit where credit is due, Richard Price also deserves a ton credit. Price was the other co-creator and co-writer, and his work with Zaillian was incredible. Those two make an exceptional pair, and brought this beautifully well done TV world to life. "The Night Of" is TV at its finest, and a perfect example at why I believe TV is the best now that it has ever been. If I had one criticism of the season, it would be that it does slow down to crawl every once in a while. But other than that minor gripe, "The Night Of" is truly, and simply, exceptional. And of anything, it is proof that HBO will never run of of great new shows,

Pros: Exceptional storytelling, fascinating and intriguing mystery filled with twists and turns, several great performances, unique and layered characters, critical look at the US justice system, touches on complex themes, great writing and dialog, top notch production and design, fantastic writing and dialog, award worthy direction from Steven Zaillian.

Cons: Slows to a crawl at times.

Suicide Squad Review

     In 2013, Warner Bros. Entertainment released "Man of Steel," a reboot and somewhat re-imagining of "Superman." It was darker and more serious than anything we've seen from the man in the red cape on the big screen, and obviously took some inspiration from Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy. While the film was met with mixed reactions from both critics and audiences, the movie has gained a strong following, and was a big enough box office success to start the DC Extended Universe. Trying to follow in the footsteps of Marvel and Disney, Warner Bros. decided to make a whole franchise based off DC comics. Earlier this year the second installment of the DCEU was released, "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." Reception of BvS was even more critical than "Man of Steel," with many calling it a step down. But like its predecessor BvS has a dedicated legion of fans, and has become one of the biggest box office draws of the year thus far. But with two films that many call outright bad, a lot of people are wondering if the franchise can be salvaged. Then in comes "Suicide Squad," the movie that has even the most adamant DCEU naysayers excited. Based off the comic of the same name, fans finally get the story that they never thought they'd actually see on the big screen. But is it enough to save a franchise that so many have already given up on?

     After the events of "Batman v. Superman," the world is left in an interesting space; and the US government doesn't really know what to do. What were to happen if there was a threat that couldn't be handled by law enforcement or the military, but A.R.G.U.S. director Amanda Wallace has an idea. She wants to take the most dangerous criminals being held by the American government, and form them into a task force. Offering time off their sentences, this expendable task force would take part in the most dangerous missions out there; but if they refuse or run they would be executed. So after an unstoppable threat appears, Wallace rounds up Deadshot, Harley Quinn, El Diablo, Killer Crock, Captain Boomerang, and Slipnot to form Task Force X; A.K.A., the Suicide Squad.

     The DCEU is in a bad place right now; so far they've had two movies, both were shredded by critics and were met with lukewarm reviews from audiences. So this movie really was there last chance before people just start giving up on the franchise. So is it the saving grace that they needed to turn this in to the next generation defining franchise? Probably not since it's just alright, let me explain. This is one of those movies that does a lot of things right, but features a lot of problems that really hold it back. First off, what it nailed was the casting. Every character was excellently cast, and every actor gave a solid performance. There were some stand outs like Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, and Viola Davis as Amanda Wallace, but overall no one did a bad job. And the chemistry between the actors was very good, with everyone playing off of each other. What helps was that so many of these characters were surprisingly likable and interesting, by the end you are rooting for these villains to save the day. The biggest problems facing the characters were that not all of them were treated equally. With a series like "The Avengers," every member of the team is important, essential, and is treated with a lot of respect. With this movie, the team felt more divided. It was Deadshot, Harley, and then the rest of the team. Some of the characters on the team were given barely anything during a two hour run-time. I was also not impressed with the villains, like Marvel it seems that DC has had trouble translating these iconic villains to the big screen. And with this movie they felt flat and often boring. And unfortunately my biggest disappointment might be with the Joker. Jared Leto did a fine job, he gave a good performance. The problem was that I didn't like his interpretation of the Joker, he felt crazy for the sake of being crazy. And it didn't help that many of his lines weren't particularly memorable. I'm hoping Leto can look at the criticism he's received and improve his Joker before his next appearance, but with this movie he did not impress me. Now going into this movie what worried me the most were going to be the re-shoots that were done a few months back. Many stated that these re-shoots were done to try and make the movie funnier in the wake of the box office smash "Deadpool." And as I suspected, that was the movie's biggest problem. The tone and pacing of this movie are off, it feels like a serious movie with comedy shoehorned in. And because of this a lot of the jokes fall flat and some of the dialog comes off as cringe worthy. I'm not saying there weren't some good jokes spread throughout, but there was a lot of "comedy" that did not make the audience laugh. And I bet that a lot of this forced comedy was what hurt the pacing with this movie, because some of the scenes just dragged on because they were made to be "funny." It's hard to describe it, but if you watch this movie you can tell that the pacing is just off. I know it sounds like I've been mostly hating on this movie, and I have been doing that a lot, but believe it or not I actually had some fun with this film. It did something that its predecessors didn't do, it was fairly entertaining. The previous DCEU movies were overly long, and after a while got kind of boring. But at no point in "Suicide Squad" was I bored. This was a dumb, but fun movie. So while this movie is far from perfect, I think it's the best DCEU movie so far (granted, that's not saying a lot). Warner Bros. has been having a lot of troubles with this franchise, while these movies are box office hits, they are critical bombs. "Suicide Squad" is not the saving grace that we were all hoping for, but has given fans a little hope. "Suicide Squad" was good enough that it was the first movie in this franchise that I didn't think was terrible.

Pros: Excellent chemistry between the actors, great casting, solid performances from the cast, several likable and interesting characters, fairly entertaining, the best DCEU thus far.

Cons: Pacing and tone issues, some cringe worthy dialog, weak antagonists, not all characters are treated equal, many jokes fall flat, didn't love the Joker.

2.5/5 Stars