janvl0412

I was looking forward to this movie. I enjoyed a few of Shyamalan's movies, even though his latest ones didn't have the same impact, the fact this one had Josh Hartnett had me hoping as I missed seeing him on the big screen. It started out quite all right, the concept of all these suspenseful scenes at a concert were intriguing at first. Then I truly got distracted in a bad way by a gratuitously stereotyped character with no reason to be there other than for, what, comic relief? Confirmation of bias? Whatever the reason, from that point on I lost what little suspense had been driving the plot so far, only to increasingly notice the bad acting, farfetched storyline, another cameo by the director,... Disbelief was certainly unsuspended which made for a rather annoying viewing, interrupted by a few moments which made my eyes roll to the back of my head. I even felt bad for the baddie at times for the poor storylines they were subjected to.

After the cancellation of 'Legendary', this reality series is a Godsend for those thirsting for more extravaganza realness.

Legendary brought ballroom culture to a broader audience, deservedly so albeit maybe supposed to be the underground activist movement it has been from its beginnings. People were introduced to superhuman talents, out of this world creative minds and bodies. Even though at last houses started to get recognition for their impact on culture - not just pop or poppin'- it's not nearly enough in comparison to what was taken and appropriated.

No wonder mediocre, untalented or insecure people get scared...

If Legendary focused on big productions, pushing existing and tailored houses to (sometimes over) the top amped-up performances, House on Fire gives us an intimate peak inside the walls of the legendary (see, took it back) House of Miyake-Mugler.

We dip and dive in with Fathers Yusef and Exotic, learn about aspiring member (pun intended) AJ and returning fallen-from-grace Leyna, kiki with Chanel, Roz and other siblings,.. I'm on episode 3, so far production is on-point: confessionals are beautifully lit, the editing is cutting, the soundtrack's tracking and the colourful M-Ms are bringing their A-game to the reality-genre as the drama is through the roof in this House, proving pronouns aren't an issue, humanity, respect and acceptance are.

Available on WoW, the streaming home of anything Drag Race-related, this seems appropriate as yes, for as long as drag Race has been running, much like Madonna, Beyonce, fashion,... this hyperreality phenomenon also owes so much -if not all- to ballroom culture.

No Housewives here, but franchises seem in order! 'The Real Househunties of Ninja', perhaps? Some European spin-offs?

Tens, tens, tens across the board!

To illustrate my feelings about the main character, Cary, I'll paraphrase the illustrious Karen Walker: he's not the elusive gay nerd, he turns out to be the much more common gay opportunist. In other words both the character and much of the series lost their charm imo, for once I could relate or be charmed by a gay character, by now he's turned into a self-centered insufferable vapid shell of a stereotype. All this while the complete reversed scenario is playing out for the other one of the two, his sister, thankfully.

I do love the supporting cast enough to keep watching, but the cringe-factor has crept in so fast and hard, I doubt it's redeemable at this point... I fear as a result, satire has turned into unintentional and un-selfaware irony.