Nerdy Squirrel Reviews by Pasckie Pascua

“Cocaine Bear.” (2023, Amazon Prime). C omedy horror film . This whacked silliness is directed by Elizabeth Banks and I didn’t know she can produce a laughfest that is too tongue in cheek, it’d freeze you, then you laugh again. Hey, the film opened to generally positive reviews from critics and grossed over $89 million against a production budget of $30–35 million. And this hilarious fare has respected (usually) dramatic performers Keri Russell, Margo Martindale, and (the late) Ray Liotta.         The nutjob ride is loosely inspired by the 1985 true story of the " Cocaine Bear ,” a 175-lb black bear that ingested nearly 75 lb of lost cocaine , then went berserk, chowing down human arms and legs and limbs like crazy. The coke had been dropped by drug smugglers in the wilderness in Tennessee . The bear was found dead in northern Georgia and was stuffed and displayed at a mall in Kentucky .         The film, however, takes significant liberties—while the events which occurred betw

<>"Babylon” (2022, Amazon Prime.) Epic period black comedy-drama, directed by Damien Chazelle. Chronicles the rise and fall of multiple characters during Hollywood's transition from silent to sound films in the late 1920s . All that I can say is this movie is weird and I didn’t really see the “transition” here from there to wherever. Yet this mishmash of grandiose sequences, outlandish production, and slapstick level romance schtick was nominated for multiple awards at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Critics' Choice . I don’t really get awards giving ersatz these days.         Nellie LaRoy is supposedly based on Clara Bow, who rose to stardom during the silent film era of the 1920s and successfully made the transition to " talkies " in 1929. I read up a bit on Ms Bow yet I didn't see her in Ms LaRoy, regardless of Margot Robbie's inspired performance. Brat Pitt, newcomer lead Diego Calva, not so impressive. The ensemble cast didn't click in me

“Deadwood.” Amazon Prime. Historical Western. Three seasons and a movie. The backdrop: 1870s. Deadwood in South Dakota, before and after the area's annexation by the Dakota Territory. The series chronicles Deadwood's growth from goldrush camp to full-pledged town. Many other historical figures appear as characters, including Seth Bullock, George Crook, Wyatt Earp, Al Swearengen, E. B. Farnum, George Hearst, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Sol Star, Jack McCall, and Charlie Utter. But as the usual case, writers excise liberty in “fictionalizing” or overextending characterization of those real people in the past, notably Mr Hearst who is often pictured as villain non-pareil. At least there is no vampire slayer Abe Lincoln here.        The plot lines involving these characters include historical truths as well as substantial fictional elements. Actual diaries and newspapers from 1870s Deadwood were used as reference points for characters and events—but as I said, this is an “arti

"The Bear." (Hulu.) C omedy-drama . 2 Seasons. The first season received 13 Emmy nominations including Outstanding Comedy Series . A young chef, Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto (played by a wickedly dedicated Jeremy Allen White) inherits his family's Italian beef sandwich shop after the suicide of his older brother. He comes home to Chicago to run it, leaving behind his world of working in a Michelin star restaurant. He is left to deal with his brother's unresolved debts, a rundown kitchen, and an unruly staff, while dealing with his own pain and family trauma.        Sidebar: The sandwich shop interior is copied from the real-life Chicago shop Mr. Beef on Orleans, in River North .         Indeed, that'd be a skillet-hot intense storyline to navigate, which could lose grip, if not handled with care. Didn't happen. Despite the elongated (7 minutes?) Carmy monologue somewhere, this well-modulated, intricately-spiced ensemble performance is remarkable.    

“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Hulu. Comedy. Now hold up, listen! With its 15th season , the series became the longest-running live-action American sitcom, replacing “ The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet ,” which ran for 14 seasons between 1952 and 1966. In December 2020, the series was renewed for a total of four additional seasons, bringing it to 18 seasons. The 16th season premiered on June 7, 2023. What makes this wackadoodle series click? Frathouse-level shenanigans and poolhall nonsense. And four dudes and a dudette + Danny DeVito.         The silliness of "The Gang," a group of narcissistic friends who run the Irish bar Paddy's Pub in South Philadelphia. That’s the show. Some of the less than 30-minute episodes are inane, like the poop episode which pushed my viewing partner Cindyrella to exclaim, “That’s it for me!” Yet I quietly followed the show in the dark isolation of my bedroom, as Arrow, Ching and Fizz eye me with disgust, “Are you still watching

“Shetland” (BritBox via Amazon Prime). Scottish crime drama series, based upon the novels of Ann Cleeves . 7 Seasons; 8th Season is upcoming but lead Douglas Henshall will not return as DI Jimmy Pérez. Mr Henshall won the 2016 BAFTA Scotland award for best actor and the series received the award for Best TV Drama. The stories take place largely on the eponymous archipelago , although some of the filming takes place on the Scottish mainland.        Small town police drama is always very interesting, intriguing, and entertaining to me. “Vera,” “The Bay,” “Five Days,” all good. And British TV doesn’t spit out too much cussing, darkened interior photography, and overwrought sex scenes. My old grandpa grumpiness is served!          “Shetland” isn’t so extraordinary. In fact, it is so ordinary that it exudes poignant realism that is so accessible a binge-watch doesn’t render wearied brain cells. But I didn’t binge-watch on “Shetland.” I simply watched similar to reading tiny, community ne