This is less of a movie and more of an experience. Based on the box office results, you won't have long to see this and even less time to see it on a really big screen. I recommend going out and seeing it now. It's not the kind of movie that will play as well at home.
American Horror Story: Hotel "Checking In"
I've never watched any of the American Horror Stories before. Curiosity, Lady Gaga, and the fact that if I'm watching Scream Queens already, I'm in for a penny, in for a pound led me to committing to this season. The thing that is immediately clear is that this is all style over substance. I don't mean that as a bad thing necessarily. I watched the introduction segment for Gaga and Matt Bomer twice entirely because of the style. If the direction, cinematography, and production design are always this interesting, it won't matter what the writing does (similar to how I soaked in every second of Hannibal, even when the writing was at its most opaque).
Sicario
I feel bad that I wanted to like this movie more than I ended up liking it. It's similar to how I was with 12 Years a Slave: It's a very well made movie, but all very familiar. There's certainly worse things that could be said about a movie than "It was executed well".
The Middle “The Shirt”
This mid-life crisis story for Mike has a lot of potential. The Middle is a very patient show. Mike is so firmly established at this point that really even the smallest changes in his personality are filled with possibilities.
A smaller detail in the episode that did a lot for me was Brick, Sue, and Axl's phone ritual for communicating. I like that the show isn't trying to distance them (Brick has a lot of potential to be on his own show most of the time a la Winston on New Girl). So, the fact that he can get both siblings on the phone so easily (which is something that's been established in the past) is a nice sign of their bond. I'm predicting there will be a Brick solo-visit to Axl and Sue's school by the season's end.
Finally, I'll ask for this now: Odds that Axl and Devin's open relation ship will crumble? Odds that Sue's roommate will be involved? Odds that this is all a way for the show to move from Gia Mantegna to Lyndon Smith?
Saturday Night Live "Amy Schumer/The Weeknd"
Schumer was a solid host. I would've put money on this being a return of the Pornstars sketch, but I was wrong, in that they just did a different kind of pornstar sketch instead.
What is going on with Weekend Update? Jost and Che are great together at this point. I fully approve of moving Strong from the desk now. The guests are awful though. Both of them this week fell flat and it's worrisome that the best characters in the current roster are Leslie and Pete playing themselves.
The Last Man on Earth “Dead Man Walking”
I'm continually nervous about this show. I like that Phil/Tandy is an idiot and is destined to repeatedly make things worse for himself. He got to such an unlikable level last season though, that I'm in constant fear of a relapse. As long as the show doesn't turn back into him ruining everything for everyone always while trying to sleep with all the women, I'm excited for what comes next.
The Walking Dead “First Time Again”
Am I the only one who would've preferred this episode told in order? I know, it lacked the big moment at the beginning that pulls you in, but otherwise, it's so much better in order. As it was, I was disoriented at the beginning, attempting to recall where we left off and what was happening. Maybe the plan wouldn't've seemed as convoluted if the writers weren't so busy writing around details in order to service the dual timeline structure. Make no mistake, I was very impressed by the production and a lot of what was happening with the characters was interesting. That structure got in the way though. In general, I'll admit that I don't respond to the experimental episodes of the show very well.
The Leftovers "A Matter of Geography"
People never talk about how funny this show is. It's dark comedy, sure. The dramatic beats certainly demand more of the attention. But it's still very funny. The confession scene in the living room at the beginning. Nora disappearing to buy a house. Patty's "What the fuck was that?" after Kevin is freed from police custody. I laugh a lot watching this.
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
I'm pretty sure I've never seen this before yet it was a completely familiar movie. I tend be turned off by this level of farce, but I found this completely entertaining.
Fargo "Waiting for Dutch"
Another strong start for this wonderful show. It's already looking like it learned lessons from its first season that the second season of True Detective didn't.
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