Stephan McClure's Reviews
Season 1-2 review with the new Season 3.
So understand that the world changes, the tastes change and there's a lot that people across the board disagree with in terms of "woke". The meaning behind it has, to me, been transformed from what it was to what it is; And to me, pushing an agenda, ideology or belief is very much 'woke'.
Witcher season one and season two were quite good. Short, a little stretching from the books and the story I know and even at times, accelerated but all in all they were good.
Season three of the Witcher, with all of the previous recasting of 'colors' and the other nonsense people claim is woke, has just ended my desire to watch the show.
Season three, episode two of The Witcher went OUT of it's way for SEVERAL minutes of the already extremely short television show to engage in a gay relationship. More so than did they go out of their way, they based the entire episode's premise on this single fact for an entire character's arc. This is absurdly beyond what the book's imagination entailed.
At this time, I cannot recommend anyone watch The Witcher. It's a show that attempted to tell a story based on an existing story and skewed it to fit a narrative of today's political agenda, holistically.
I don't watch TV to have my mind changed. I watch TV to enjoy an escape from reality; Entertainment. Not to have someone else's reality thrusted upon me and scolded for not accepting it.
Created: 07-09-2023
Not Woke - Amazing Story-Telling
The new Super Mario Bros. Movie is spot on in plethora of ways.
Firstly, the story-telling in the movie is absolutely great. They take the "Mario" universe and put a great spin on the Bowser versus Mario conflict while introducing real-world elements and 'Mario-verse' elements seamlessly. No spoilers, but if you're a fan of the Mario games, you will love this.
Secondly, zero woke elements. There's a mixture of inclusion, togetherness and morality but none of it is forced into the story for the sake of making a point. To me, that is the primary indicator of "woke" elements. The sheer fact it doesn't berate you for not accepting forced ideology is outstanding given it's release in 2023.
Lastly, the visual effects as well as the audio are next level good. Everything is crisp, well animated and well above par for a professional development studio. The direction of the movie is fluid, it is broken down into traditional "acts" so following the story is seamless but not boring.
6/5 Stars. The extra star is for the Star-Power you'll receive after enjoying this film. Definitely a Must-See.
Created: 06-25-2023
Absolutely Woke (Season 1 Episode 1 - 5)
For those interested and utilizing this site, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is indeed very, if not unnervingly woke. It had some elements I quite agreed with politically and personally but more so with those I did not. The DEI drive within the show is painfully blatant and though I did LOVE the characters; It was too much, dare I say, far too much.
The television show itself does accel in story-telling but it does suffer a bit to forcefully interjected 'woke' ideologies. Combatted by the fact they are a whopping 50+ minutes long, it takes away from the story-telling and immersion fairly significantly in some situations.
The visual effects are outstanding. Completely and utterly outstanding. The same goes for the audioFX.
Overall, I had to stop watching the show by episode six of the first season due to it's blatantly woke-leaning politically motivated nature. Though elements were introduced in episodes 1-5 pretty heavily, I try to keep an open mind enough to understand that everyone has an opinion. By episode five though, there were basically eluding to the fact that if you aren't 'like' them, you're either stupid, a bad person or a mixture of both.
I watch television to be entertained, not to be dismissed, looked down upon or flat told that "I'm" wrong. This is a very hard pass for me.
Created: 06-25-2023
Woke - Understood | And a review!
To elaborate - The definition of "woke" is marred by many and it's generally used if something is not absolutely consistent to a specific standard previously set. It's also up for interpretation. That's not the space for this so to the movie!
Wokeness 1/5 - For sure. There's mention of being gay, how it's obviously (and has been for years) socially acceptable and how it's still not easy to conform for those with that genetic disposition. There's other tiny elements of wokeness but nothing that's pressing in it's ideology and it does not in ANY way compromise the movie.
Movie Rating 4/5 - The special effects weren't as fantastical or high-end as other movies but they were spot on with delivery.
The direction of the movie was unlike I've seen before. I have to speak on this in a bit more detail because I think this is where we've seen misses in many modern movies. This movie is a sequel, completely wrapped up in a prequel follow up with an entire movie in terms of plot. The 'every' direction is completely spot on. From story-telling to cultural integration to actual story dissemination. I can't praise this movie enough for it's clear-cut immersion effect.
I could speak for a bit longer on how much I liked this movie but as for one who's ULTRA PISSED OFF at cutting Cavil out of the Superman spot and not in anyway understand the current direction, this Shazam sequel gives me some hope.
Totally worth an Amazon in-house purchase / rent for the family with kids over eight (if you're okay with VERY limited swearing and no graphic violence)
This is a must watch for those who are sick of wokeness, understand that people of all types Do exist but it's not being Force-Fed down your throat IN sake of telling the story. God bless, I hope you find this review helpful.
Created: 05-01-2023
Not Woke
For all of us looking to find older television / cinema for entertainment due to prejudice and or ideological beliefs being pressed, this film hits the mark.
Firstly, this Made for TV movie is based off of a video game, so just a heads up. It cycles around the story from the Red Faction: Guerilla story and follows the son of Alec Mason. It dives into many current political trends and reminds us that in the face of all diversity, we're all people. Be it Earth born or of a Skin Pigmentation, the strive to be better is a choice, not a requirement.
The movie contains no woke idelogical messaging and encompasses a dying ideology that we're all created equal and no one man (or woman) is above another in the grandest schema that is life. Very great movie and if you're looking for something to entertain without agenda pushing or nonsensical ideology, this may be for you. 5/5 stars.
Created: 02-13-2023
Not woke
Decent action/adventure movie with comical relief. Standard "save the world" script in combination with a unique twist in that the moon is a mega-structure. Excellent acting, SUPERB CGI / VFX and sublime directing.
There is no forced ideological pandering or indoctrination in this film.
Created: 09-17-2022
Not Woke!
This "Superman becomes a dad" series is absolutely great. I don't believe that CW is running the show and there's absolutely no forced ideology being pressed. It is however geared toward a younger audience and is a "coming of age" "in 2022.." type of show, so keep that in mind.
With that said: The story-telling is absolutely and significantly superb, the acting and actor chemistry is the best I've seen since Firefly and the art-direction/CGI VFX are absolutely phenomenal. 5/5
This series does Not have any forced ideological pandering or indoctrination.
Created: 09-14-2022
Not Woke
A Great spin-off series featuring Loki after the events of "Endgame". Wonderfully comical, extremely well-written and joyous ride from start to end.
Does not contain any elements of forced ideological pandering or indoctrination.
Created: 09-14-2022
Woke Free
Stargate - I would run out of character limit before I could say enough great things about the Science Fiction masterpiece.
If you haven't seen it, absolutely give it a shot. Obviously woke free as it predates 'wokeism'. I had to rate it though, definitely my favorite "space" series of all of them. Combined.
Created: 09-14-2022
Woke Done Right!
I wish Disney would use Moon Knight as a template for cultural advancement instead of cultural institution.
Moon Knight is all of the wonderful things you expect from Disney, before their odd desire to force agenda. The show hits a level of entertainment that's unique and wondrous in it's own right, the story telling is absolutely outstanding and the elements that people perceive as "woke" are not Force Fed down your throat as if being intubated with an idea of oxygen.
Excellent show, excellent acting and superb story-telling. No Forced ideological pandering or indoctrination. It does contain light elements of woke but it is absolutely in no way impacting of the story being told.
Created: 09-14-2022
