I watched Hotel Reverie yesterday. I don't know if it was intentional because I haven't seen this analysis elsewhere, but I think it works as a brilliant criticism of the industry's remaking of classic movies to fit the sensibilities of modern audiences (to borrow from critical drinker). I thought it was particularly telling when Awkwafina dismissed the incongruity of the casting by saying that they will just accept it. The production company is bankrupt (a proper analogy for the current bankruptcy of ideas) and unable to make new movies.

The movie, as a remake, is a mess. Once it becomes a completely different movie, one that is not Hotel Reverie, it becomes a hit.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

i think some of those things are ancillary to the main idea which is connecting with something/someone. "hotel reverie" actually turns out to be my favorite of the season. it's extremely well done thematically and emotionally. and yes, it does pack the same kind of impact "san junipero" did. though i wouldn't say it's a retread. it has a different palette.

certainly it has some cliche's (insert cartman joke appropriately) but this makes it work. it didn't come off as forced as some other stuff has. i think the idea that it's not a true "remake", it's just a literal recasting, makes it a little more intriguing. you have this dying industry and this tech that's supposed to save it, but things go awry. what actually happens is what people crave in a remake/reboot: it becomes its own thing. i remember a quote from rob zombie when he was "reimagining" john carpenter's classic "halloween". carpenter tells him, "just make it your own." now, years later, from john carpenter's words, he said that zombie lied to him and didn't do anything he said he would. so, i guess they're not the best of friends.

for "hotel reverie", everything going sideways actually helps it. and, of course, builds this relationship between the new star with the old. also, there are hints that they lead parallel lives: the classical actress in the original has a lonely existence (groan) and takes her own life. the new actress is known as a sidekick and also seems replaceable. so for her to take this odd project makes sense.

they become kindred spirits, except the classic actress is not sentient. but the end scene, i will admit, got to me. of course, it's hard to believe a screen test from 1949 exists on YouTube, and the original film is a bit clunky as far as a true representation of classic noir (though they do their best).

the story comes together really nicely to me. it's a total winner as far as emotional impact.

then there's "bette noir". this is a lot more in line with your usual "Black Mirror" setup. i totally bought it, even with it being completely ridiculous and B-movie level logic. It's so well acted and well executed...the last scene made me LOL.

so here's how i'd rank the season:

6. "plaything"
5. "eulogy"
4. "u.s.s. callister: into infinity"
3. "bette noir"
2. "common people"
1. "hotel reverie"

overall, with those top 3 being really well done and enjoyable, i give the whole season

out of

but i wouldn't go as far as some of these clickbait sites have with the praise. it's not *that* great, comparably to previous seasons.