Vidas Processadas

This is the trend these days; since Hollywood has been around a while so they have apprenticeships and schools for all things production, and with the addition of $$ you can make a "decently-looking" show. But writers just show up, usually being chosen for values other than skill (skin color, age, sexual orientation, etc.), without much background or experience...especially lacking life experience. Add those two and Hollywood hopes you'll come for the description and stay for the production.

This is the case for Government Cheese: lackluster humor, pedantic storytelling, unexplained circumstances, actors not given any depth to work with. Black family good, white family bad. White family...French?? We all know at the least it would have been Latino (French "mafia" family in LA in the 60s or 70s? Nope.). That last choice will indicate how this writing will go, btw: it will pay more attention to hit all the "right" messages along the way than focusing on dialogue, plot, consistency, etc.=too many speed bumps in the storytelling.

The main character is somehow a genius mechanic who can make a drill in his backyard, but was kiting checks? Huh? Ambivalent wife and kids. Inane prison setup w/ a "surprise!" killing? Couldn't stomach it.

Had it in my watchlist for a while. Any show / movie PRE - cellphones i appreciate more and will give it a shot. And I am happy I did. A needed break from serious drama's - It won't get the recognition it deserves because majority of people like instant gratification and don't give things a shot. And anyone younger than millennials (IMO) tend to shy away from series set before the 90's (again, IMO) - I think the acting is solid all around, and takes a used base storyline and adds a great, unique twist. Parts of the storyline that are usually filled with predictable characters, stereotypical placement is not what you find. Even "the bad guys" have a unique and funny take. Highly recommend.

Between Aeysha Carr's wicked sense of humour, and director Paul Hunter's zany music clip background, the two creators and writers have got this absolute hilarious series covered. It is a blend between the Coen brothers and Wes Anderson, with David Lynch in the mix, creating what could have been a basic story and embellishing it with magical creative flare. To top it all off is David Oyelowo, playing the main role of Hampton Chambers to near perfection, entertaining us with the wild antics of an ex-con attempting to make it straight in an unforgiving world. Oyelowo is backed by a brilliant cast who play it right, giving this outrageous story an extra edge with the quirky characters and surreal moments...

I really did not expect to like this show based on the premise/aesthetic: surprised myself by watching all four episodes in one day. David Oyelowo's characters often come across as self-righteous, and it's interesting to see him in an edgier role where that attitude is not yet fully earned.

Comparisons to Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers will abound, but it most reminds me of Lodge 49. It's never really clear how much the religious/magical realist elements reflect reality vs. The characters' own sometimes questionable judgment. The whole cast is great: Simone Missick is always appealing, and Sunita Mani almost steals the whole show in what may be a one-off appearance.

One of the most underrated shows airing right now. I watch pretty much everything and this is the show that has really gripped me. I don't know where it's going but I love it. I suspect some thought this was a Wes Anderson rip off or more irritating indie quirk and rejected it out of hand. But it has a genuinely nuanced originality, both in style and story. Reminded me of Lodge 49 in the tangents, mystery and free flowing narrative. Congrats to Apple for backing this - we need more of it!

Terrible it doesn't appear to be getting the attention and acclaim it deserves. A huge recommendation - can't let this series die!