Netflix Nation: Marvel's The Defenders Review

The Defenders was okay. I know I'm supposed to detail my thoughts then give my overall judgment at the end. But this review doesn't need that. I'll just let you know right now. If you want a fun romp with Marvel characters you love and already a fan of the series for all four characters that leads to this eight episode team up, then you'll love The Defenders.

However, if you had issues with any of the character's individual show's or any character themselves. Then this show might wear on you a bit. Especially if it's Iron Fist because I just feel so much fell short with this character. Mostly in execution, writing, and diaglouge. Also, some of his fighting scenes were pretty clunky and ill shot. So if you go in with a more critical eye, there might be things that disappoint you. Especially if you are used to quality television series writing. This falters at that.

I will not spoil the series for you. But this review will have limited mentions of what happens without revealing the entire plot. However, if you are opposed to any mention of the show beyond character names. Leave now. In short, the series is fine to watch but I do believe it falls short in several areas including the writing and pacing in some episodes. Thanks for coming and keep being you.

Still here? Let's go!

At the start, the first two episodes fell flat to me. They really reminded me why there's a certain level of complaint about The Hand being boring. Some of the things being pushed forward weren't really needed. But banter between characters like Iron Fist and Luke are among the few highlights. Madame Gao is just great throughout the series, this actress deserves high praise. Episode three is where things start to heat up, a quick intro to how the Black Sky came to be and the series starts moving at a much better pace. From there the other episodes go from great to watchable. Daredevil gets better front time which I believe should have just been so from the get because he has a more logical connection to The Hand than Iron Fist. The 'magical fist' is literally the only thing connecting Danny to anything going on. If Luke got the Iron Fist, Danny would be more useless than Night Nurse lady (love her character, I'm not hating). Plus the climax of what was causing the whole danger to New York in the first place fell flat to me. So at the end of the day, this series is watchable and enjoyable. I just think they're better Netflix and Marvel Netflix shows you can watch or rewatch. Recommended (as okay).

Thanks for stopping by and sorry for the sudden hiatus.

Netflix Nation: Trollhunters, Underworld Awakening, Van Helsing and Shadowhunters

Before I start I want to drop a quick thank you to all who were supportive on my friend's only Facebook post over the weekend. I had a hard time dealing with some financial set backs thanks to both health and freelance sales drop issues. It was great to see all the support that poured in. It is great to know when my cheer leading pep starts to dim...I have such lovely live pick me ups. Thanks.

Anyway unto another segment of Netflix Nation. Today I'm chatting about the latest shows I have watched on Netflix.

Watch period: December 17, 2016 - January 8, 2017

Honorable Mention: Re-watching Once Upon a Time Season 5, Teen Wolf Season 3 and last 3 episodes of The Shannara Chronicles.

Trollhunters (Netflix Series)

I had genuine fun with this one. Voiced by the late Anton Yelchin, Jim is a teenager who suddenly got tasked with the role of Troll Hunter. The first human who has to protect both humans and trolls a like from the evil of their kind. The evil trolls come in various forms and some are quite deadly. Add in the drama of the previous troll hunter's son being furious at not getting the mantle, you have one fun show to fill in your animated Netflix space. This is part fantasy, part action adventure, a mix of teen angst and a healthy dash of soap opera. Trust me when one of your enemies is making moves on your mother, that is a page right out of soap opera play book. But I won't spoil the show for you. There's enough butt kicking action and ridiculous new names and phrases to stick your tongue at. Guillermo Del Toro helped create an interesting world.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (4 on Netflix)

UnderWorld: Awakening (Movie)

Watched this last night only to prepare myself to watch Underworld: Bloodwars later this month. Tried on cable and it was unwatchable (barely looked for 10 min). With Netflix I'm able to pause and gauge myself. I enjoyed the first two Underworld movies and thought the third was decent. None of them are made to be the gold standard of cinema but they each have their charm. Sadly this movie in comparison lost a lot of it. Part of the reason I got into it was because it was so long since I've watched this series. I plan to marathon it at some point soon but on a whole this movie is only for those with nostalgia for the series or willing to try something new with no set expectations.

(My) Netflix Rating: 2 Stars

My Frank Rating: 1 Star (seriously, it was just such a nasty set up. Sci-fi time jump was stupid)

Van Helsing (Series)

In my anger about Dominion being cancelled on SYFY, I had no intention on supporting them much if at all. I decided to give this a shot out of curiosity. On a whole it is a crappy show with engaging characters. The actors save this dumpster fire by making you interested in what happens next. Aside from that it is just a cheap SYFY show to grab people's attention. Thank God they still have 12 Monkeys to try and pretend they make much more than schlock on that channel. Everything looks cheap and super low budget. Some scenes could be better done in fan made movies. Oh you want the plot? Van Helsing rip off staring a female version who just happened to be born when volcanic ash blocks the skies and lets vampires go out into the open. Yes I'm serious about that being the plot. Oh and she awakens from a coma and needs to find her daughter. Talk about sticking to the shallow end.

Rating: *Laughs* An old peanut - 1/2 Star for catching my interest to watch a whole season

Shadowhunters (Netflix and Freeform Series)

Oh heavens. How did I get addicted to this show? So much I find ridiculous but I had to watch Season 2 episode one soon after it hit Netflix. Why? Because I got dragged in that's why! Too many of us Mortal Instruments fans just wanted them to do a damn show already. The movie that stuck partly to the book tanked so instead we have this insane mash up. Still I am watching and enjoying it as I rebuke myself for watching such a ridiculous thing. But damn I'm having fun and want to re-watch some episodes from Season 1. Gone far since episode one where I left half way because I felt like I was getting an ulcer. Quite a spin you guys did with a Netflix drop that got me back in small doses. There is definitely some dark magic going on. Help me!

Netflix Rating: 2 Stars but I'm not to be trusted

So what do you think? Have you watched any of these shows? Do you have any recommendations on what I should watch next? Let me know! Thanks for coming by guys and I'll be announcing the winners of the Thank You giveaway Friday. God Bless. See you Wednesday. For real.

Netflix Nation: Population Me (and a few others)

When I decided to sign up for Netflix I was sure it would be nice. At first I used it once in a while and shortly after joining my brother asked to be added and I obliged. He pays for his half and watches way more shows than I do. But I must say it was this past Summer (August) that I went in full throttle.

My first full on binge watching was Dragons: Race to the Edge. Sure it took a week or so for me to watch all thirteen episodes but that was a big deal for me. Plus I gave it five stars and can't wait for more. DreamWorks did a fine job with creating this movie franchise and Netflix is definitely doing well by jumping on the boat with the series aspect.

P.S.: While writing this (I kid you not) the mail man arrived with four books for me. One of them was...wait for it. How to Train your Dragon (Book 1) by Cressida Cowell. I kid you not.

Also I watched the movie Sinister. That creeptastic movie left me with not only chills but a new book idea.

Then I rewatched Rise of the Guardians and started on Netflix's Daredevil (which I am yet to finish watching the season). Then I peeked at a few other shows and fell back into habit of looking at shows but never really finishing them.

THEN

SEPTEMBER 

CAME

I watched the four episodes of Season 4 of Once Upon a Time which I had missed on television in one day. 

Then I saw that Season 2 of Marvel's Agents of Shield had arrived. 

The world turned upside down. Okay, just mine...maybe.

I started on Sunday September 6 with one episode. Monday and Tuesday was two each. Wednesday I went off the deep end.

I Sheena-kay Graham on September 9, 2015 watched eleven episodes in one day. This is a problem.

Thursday I watched the rest with the exception of Episode 12 which I skipped over on Wednesday because it was among the few that I had watched on television for this Season (like 3 or 4) and rewatched that one on Friday.

Saturday I watched a part of the movie The Age of Adeline, Episode One of Charmed, five episodes of Netflix's Mako Mermaids series and Episode One of Misfits (a series were five people doing community service get struck during a storm and gain powers). The last I really enjoyed a whole lot and plan to watch all three seasons. 

Sunday I peeked at Netflix's Narcos but stopped because I was busy helping around the house.

Monday and Tuesday was Netflix free! Yay I broke the addiction.

Today I am writing, doing a few other things and thinking about what I will watch later on Netflix. Just no more unplanned crazed binges. Plus I wrote this post today and will post as soon as I am done. I guess that sounds hurried but I have been thinking about posting about my Netflix experience for a while.

So far I am loving Netflix. It gives you a wide array of shows to watch and rewatch at your leisure without worrying about a crazy cable bill and with a tablet I can just charge and move around with, it is also easy on the electric bill as well. 

There you have it folks. So do you have Netflix or some other service that is similar? Enjoy your day everyone and much love.