River Reviews: Bear & Bloom šŸ» šŸ»

It came to mind how much I love reading reviews on HIVE to catch series and movies I may have missed. It seems I've been watching a lot lately - mainly to slow my mind down. I live fast and somehow manage to go surfing, do the garden, work a few days a week, go mushroom hunting, cook dinner, write stories, hang out on HIVE, sort the house out and watch series.

The thing is, I've always been in love with stories, and with so many wonderful stories on our screens, I barely have time to read - and I don't read as much as I used to because my eyes get tired. I figure because I watch a lot of series I may as well review them in a dedicated series that I thought I'd dub 'River Reviews' - now there's a nice alliterative title for you!
Let me know if you get value out of them in the comments below, and certainly join the conversation by letting me know what you're watching!

One thing I've decided not to watch is either Barbie or Oppenheimer (or both in a day, as some people are doing, giving themselves whiplash, as I've heard it described). I've read enough about the effects of nuclear war and war itself to not torture myself with more incredulity of what man does to man. But Cillian Murphy - damn, if I'm going to cave, it will be because of him.

Anyway, here's what else I've been watching recently.

The Bear

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As I write this, I have one more episode to go on Disney's 'The Bear', a series about a chef with stars whose brother suicides and leaves him his restaurant, debts and anxieties. It's both a chaotic and gentle show, and I'm told that I should definitely chase the last episode with a really strong cup of chamomile tea, which has me a little worried.

Actually, it starts with little more than a sandwich shop but in Season 2, they're trying to get a restaurant up and running in three months, with hardly any money and a lot of things going wrong. Every character has personal problems to navigate, which sets a scene for each episode, and each of them grow through their trials.

Ayo Edebiri is mesmerising to watch - she's very beautiful, and very charming, and her character is driven, passionate and gutsy. I had no idea she was also a comic writer for 'What we Do In the Shadows' until I researched a little for this blog post. She's the one trying to make order out of Carmie's grief and chaos (as well as all the other characters). The show is fond of close ups, enabling us to see the tiny - and not so tiny - twitches of emotional intensity on the character's faces. Her face is an easy face to watch.

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Carmie and Sydney

With the three month timeline, every second counts - a motif that appears in the guise of alarm clocks and digital clocks in almost every scene, lending an urgency and anxiety to the narrative. We follow the characters as they explore life outside of the sandwich shop as the walls collapse, the electricity fails, mould is discovered and the pressures pile on, and whilst it might appear distracting to move away from that central story, we become closer to the characters as we follow their own personal trajectories.

A good comedy drama has that beautiful tension between light hearted moments and tragi-dark, and The Bear walks this line superbly. The deep connections between the characters are so beautifully done, and it's also intersting to see the process that goes into a good menu or good service at the world's finest restaurants, and how hospitality is a kind of service to others that has far more purpose and importance in our lives than we often can imagine.

**Update - I watched the last episode and it wasn't as full on as my son made me think, but it was bloody brilliant, and I lovedddd it - and can't wait for Season 3, fingers crossed!

5/5 stars from me.

Bloom

We're seeing a lot more Australian TV on streaming services such as Stan, Binge and Netflix because of the Australian government requirements that there should be a certain amount of Australian TV on these services.

Stan's 'Bloom' is an Australian show that explores the regrets that people have in their lives, the pain of ageing, and what we would do if we had a second chance. It does sound ridiculous - in a town where five people have died in a flood, a strange plant blooms with fruit that, when ingested, turns you into your much younger self.

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The beautiful Gwen, once a shining movie star and now in a home, is given the plant by her loving husband whose dying arthritic dog accidentally eats the plant and returns to being a puppy. Restored to her vital, beautiful self, she wishes for a baby - something her husband is a bit concerned about. Miffed, she returns to her ex lover. An old veteran longs for a man he loved as a young soldier, much to the consternation of his wife of fifty years. An ex criminal gallivants about town and annoys the local cop, not least because he sleeps with his missus. An Indian woman enacts justice on one of her carers who treated her so deplorably, vowing to fight for the life she wanted instead of the one she was forced to live.

Ultimately, this is a show about the brevity of life and missed chances, and how to love, despite the mishaps and misadventures, regrets and sadness of life. We can't go back, as inviting as it seems, and nor should we.

But that wouldn't stop me eating from the immortality plant, even if, as the show has it, the effects don't last very long.

It does have a Season 2, but I'm not entirely sure I'm keen to watch it. Let's see what else is on first.

3/5 stars

What are you watching currently? Any recommendations?

With Love,

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23 comments
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Bloom šŸ» šŸ» ))))

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I did a quick look for Bloom - don't think I can get it free on any of my services which is where I draw the line. I figure I pay so much for streaming I refuse to buy series or movies. Since reviews are meant to be challenged, I'll be the Siskel to your Ebert. Did you ever see Siskel and Eberts movie reviews? I was drawn into the Bear by Jeremy Allen White. He was the show and his struggles were the story. Kind of like the Great Man theory of history which is greatly discredited I know... I wanted more of him. Instead I got an "it takes a village" approach to season 2 that left me wanting more Bear and wandering through episodes about secondary characters that were ok but not at the level of season one. If its an ensemble show then the ensemble only shined in season one when they were playing off each other, which was lacking in season 2 as they took their individual journeys.

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Au contrare, I thought that was an interesting take. I really loved the suspense of wanting to get back to the central story, but enjoying the ride of the individual characters, particularly Richard who found his purpose in hospitality as 'service' in a higher calling kind of way. I think it would have driven me crazy to follow just his story - the whole love thing was a bit boring imo (those doleful puppy eyes on both parts) though I loved how it ended in the freezer. I think this was kinda necessary to see what will happen in season 3, although it could fall flat.

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Ted Lasso. A good natured guy who elevates everyone around him via bonds of affection. It's feel good, funny, no evil, and just what I need before heading to bed. It's on Apple TV.

These both sound interesting to me, especially Bloom. I've spent too many months/years of getting food businesses up and running - not sure I want to watch someone else do it! I'd probably find most of what they do impossible, such as getting anything open in a mere three months. It couldn't be done in the US anyway.

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So Ted Lasso is worth it? I keep hearing great things, but I'm always reluctant about modern comedies :D

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Everyone at work likes it, but it's it about sport?

Oh yes it'd be sooo interesting to see what you think of Bear but it might be a little stressful!

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My guilty pleasure, though Iā€™ve not watched it in several months, is Homestead Rescue. Definitely a favorite show of mine! I donā€™t know if itā€™s on any of the streaming services though.

The sandwich shop show sounds interesting, I donā€™t know when the next time Iā€™ll get to watch anything will be, we disconnected our TV, but Iā€™ll keep it in mind!

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Homestead Rescue.

I think it's on one of the TV services here! There's sooo many shows to watch. I thin it's important to disconnect every now and then.

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It's an awesome show! Just a really smart dude who fixes peoples homestead issues. Iā€™ve learned a lot from Marty Rainey!

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Thanks for the reviews - that's dope. Often wonder what to look for haha.

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Love the title of the review series! River reviews has a nice ring to it.

I have been meaning to watch The Bear for a while now. Busy with Black Mirror, but after that, I am definitely going to binge The Bear! Thanks for the reminder with the review!

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I thought River Reviews was alliterative genius too :P

What did you think of the third series of Black Mirror? I wasn't as keen as with the first two. Perhaps I felt it'd been done before, or it wasn't as edgey in terms of social critique, especially as perhaps there's nothing else to criticise and we're here, in this (often/sometimes) goddawful future.

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Shut Up and Dance (S3E3) was great and had some strange twists in it, but yes, as the season progressed it really rehashed some of its earlier premisses and in fact some of the episodes was just not that good (in my opinion). Sometimes they try too hard, but some of them has seedlings of great potential if they hammer on the social critique a bit more! Iā€™ll try to see the seasonā€™s end.

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I loved The Bear. Though I struggle understanding how it's classified a comedy or dramedy or what not. It's just so profound. I thought Fishes was one of the most clever TV episodes I've watched in a long time. It's so raw and real.

I had no idea she was also a comic writer for 'What we Do In the Shadows'

She is? That is so cool. Have yet to see the latest season of What We do... but it's one of my favorites, too. One of the few comedies I can stomach. :)

I'm watching Billions now, belatedly, as I understand they're on their last season. It's catchy, but not sure what to make of it so far. :)

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It's a gorgeous show and you can see why it achieved a bit of a cult following. Fishes was fantastic.. I heard some people say it was comparable to some of those Succession episodes where the family drama is ramped up.

she was also a comic writer for 'What we Do In the Shadows'

Oh man, I had to double check this as famously she put that she was a writer on a very (white) obscure (for me) show on her Twitter profile for a laugh, so I had my doubts suddenly - but yeah she is/was!

Hm, I saw Billions, didn't seem worth it but I'm getting starved for a new show so might have to try.

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I heard some people say it was comparable to some of those Succession episodes where the family drama is ramped up.

I can see that. They're both addressing some touchier sides of mental health and family dynamics that don't make it as often onto the screen, I find.

Hm, I saw Billions, didn't seem worth it but I'm getting starved for a new show so might have to try.

I'm still kinda on the fence myself. Kinda rooting for the rich guy atm (though can't say he makes it that you must see the show or something.) As for the prosecutor, can't stand him at all xD

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Hey there River, it's good to know there is some interesting and decent film art left. I struggle to find anything decent on Netflix. It mostly seems so dark and grim and violent for me. Or boring romance with too much monotonous dialogue. I must be getting old.

It's hard to engage in "suspension of disbelief" with their movies, even though I used to enjoy scifi and fantasy mostly. Even the new Matrix4 was not worth much. It looks to me as if Netflix is deliberately steering the social agenda into a darker and negative mindset.

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It looks to me as if Netflix is deliberately steering the social agenda into a darker and negative mindset.

I wonder if that's your algorithms? Seems to be a variety. And I do think they put shows up according to what people are watching - remember when nordic noir was all the rage? I ended up thinking - 'omg I can't watch another one!!!'.

I must be getting old.

Aren't we all, honey, aren't we all xx

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Haha yes old age seems to change one's perspective of the world. And the algorithms might be getting in my way there too.

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I've thought about watching this plot because of the kitchen scheme and the bankruptcy of the restaurant. Looks interesting, I like that you explore what Film or series to watch on Hive. šŸ˜‹

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good movies are a rare thing now, so such alive reviews are necessary not to soend time on sh*t;)
thanks!