11.22.63 (2016)

Watchseries; I've rarely left reviews for TV shows, but this has me hooked with it's premise. The ability to change history, for the better. But each time you go back, history resets itself to the original timeline. And regardless of how long you stay in the past, when you come back...only 2 minutes will have passed in the present! Saving John F. Kennedy is the primary motive for "Mr Amberson" (Played impeccably by Franco). Yet will it result in a better world should he succeed? Massive questions and plenty of unpredictability. Franco is beset by a number of moral dilemma's, trying to make sense of doing a bad acts which will benefit the greater good. But the moment he comes close to changing the future, time itself pushes back in emphatic fashion.

Stephen King's fingerprints are all over this, a good thing. The usual King cliché's of it being set in Maine, centred around a divorcée/loner/Average Joe and some rather humorous dialogue apply, but only for a while as there is an underlying sense of unknown that draws the viewer in.

My fear with this series is that it will only be a 1 season run, because the amount of narrative, plot and sheer depth of potential needs to be exploited fully over a number of seasons. But from the early going, 9.5/10.

I've rarely left reviews for TV shows, but this has me hooked with it's premise. The ability to change history, for the better. But each time you go back, history resets itself to the original timeline. And regardless of how long you stay in the past, when you come back...only 2 minutes will have passed in the present! Saving John F. Kennedy is the primary motive for "Mr Amberson" (Played impeccably by Franco). Yet will it result in a better world should he succeed? Massive questions and plenty of unpredictability. Franco is beset by a number of moral dilemma's, trying to make sense of doing a bad acts which will benefit the greater good. But the moment he comes close to changing the future, time itself pushes back in emphatic fashion.

Stephen King's fingerprints are all over this, a good thing. The usual King cliché's of it being set in Maine, centred around a divorcée/loner/Average Joe and some rather humorous dialogue apply, but only for a while as there is an underlying sense of unknown that draws the viewer in.

My fear with this series is that it will only be a 1 season run, because the amount of narrative, plot and sheer depth of potential needs to be exploited fully over a number of seasons. But from the early going, 9.5/10.

11.22.63 watchseries. Technical Rating

Plot and Story: 33/35 Cinematography: 21/25 All Editing: 10/15 Acting: 13/15 Script: 6/7 Musical Score and Soundtrack: 3/3

Total: 86/100

I'm not usually the type to keep up with a television series week to week, but after watching the first episode of 11.22.63, I was absolutely hooked. The one season, Hulu mini-series drops a big "what if" in the premiere, and then proceeds to answer it in the remaining seven episodes. "If you could alter the outcome of one major event in history, which would it be?"

Now, 11.22.63 travels in a much more narrow direction, sending Jake Epping (James Franco) to the year 1960 with one goal in mind, to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. History books tell us that Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible for his death, but nobody is certain whether Oswald was acting alone, or if he is even the one who pulled the trigger. Stephen King, whose novel the show is adapted from, puts this historical hypothesis into question, while bringing to light other theories about what really happened on that day.

Perfectly cast and cleverly directed, 11.22.63 is the show of the year, and it would be getting the true attention that it deserves if it weren't for Hulu's monopoly on its release. Mooch off your friend, use your dad's credit card, or do whatever else you can to get access to a Hulu Plus account, because this series is worth all the effort.

Technically speaking, the show is brilliant. If Stephen King's byline isn't enough to sell you, J.J. Abrams, producer and writer of the highest grossing film of 2015, (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) made the whole thing happen. In addition, nearly every episode is directed by a different critically acclaimed director, making each week even more unique and exciting. Franco even directed one episode himself, continuing to show how he very well may be "the most interesting man in the world" (read his feature in Rolling Stone if you're not convinced).

Franco is joined on-screen by Canadian actress and rising star Sarah Gadon (Sadie Dunhill) as Jake Epping's love interest, whom I've been a huge fan of since seeing her in Enemy (2013), one of my all-time favorite movies that I probably talk about way too much. Gadon plays her role perfectly, showcasing a peachy Southern accent that could make any guy fall in love with her. Matched with a script that leaves a lasting impression on you, Franco and Gadon make the 60s look sublime, except for the racism, medical practices, phone booth struggles, and many other time-travel challenges that the show comments on as well.

Regarding my specific movie preferences, I'm a sucker for thoughtful films with beautiful women and well-dressed gentlemen, so 11.22.63 takes the cake and lands a spot among The Newsroom, House of Cards, True Detective, and Entourage as what I consider one of my favorite television shows of all time. My pick for the best of the series is episode 3, but nothing takes your breath away quite like the finale. Go check it out before I spoil it for you. I'd love to have someone else to discuss it with.

James Franco exercises his full acting range in this adaptation of Stephen King's taut, time-travel thriller. Early on, it's very true to the plot, style, and tone of King's book, so fans of the novel should be pleased if it continues in the same way. At the same time, those unfamiliar with the book are thrown into an engaging world with its own quirks and rules. Franco navigates moments of surprising pathos and surprising humor with ease, pulling the viewer into Epping's experiences and showing us his thoughts and feelings, even when dialogue is sparse.

11.22.63 is intelligent, thoughtful television that belongs in the current streamed-TV and specialized-content landscape that contains shows like The Man in the High Castle, Fargo, and the (dearly-departed) Hannibal. It's not an easy show to watch when you're half asleep or cleaning the house. If you're willing to give it your full attention, however, it's more than worth the time.

Not a King fan to be honest, I have given his books multiple chances but I guess his style wasn't my cup of tea. IT, the movie, was bad, and The Dead Zone was a great show but unfortunately was stopped long years ago. Finally, I can say that a book was done right on the screen and became successful.

Not gonna spoil anything, but whether you're a fan of his work or not, you have to watch this.

Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, however his movies and TV stints have left a lot to be desired with a few exceptions (Shawshank, Green Mile). I have to say, this is his best work yet, and it's not even a movie. I get to enjoy this for a while to come and am very excited to do so.

11.22.63 is about a man who has time traveled to the 60's. And what would you do if you could time travel to the 60's? Well save JFK of course! I won't go into any detail as you have to watch it yourself.

The acting, production, direction, scenery, everything is absolutely perfect. It is one of the few shows I could not find one single flaw in, and I'm 3 episodes in!

If you have a chance, see this gem, you will be pleased.

10/10

I am a fan of the book 11.22.63, and I was pretty excited to hear about an adaptation being made into a mini-series. My excitement only continued to grow when I learned that JJ Abrams and James Franco were attached. That being said, when I sat down to watch it, I had some high hopes going in. At first, my hopes were kind of dwindled. Upon starting the show, I thought that maybe Franco was not the best choice to play Jake Epping. As I continued watching, I noticed that it wasn't Franco, but rather that the show itself felt rushed during the beginning. However, to my viewing pleasure, once Franco totally commits to going back to the 60s (and he shaves that ridiculous goatee) the show really starts to come together. I guess the writers were just not as focused on the beginning of the show because it is such a good turnaround when he gets into the 60s (the beginning is not awful, just not great like the latter half). Also, the show does not follow the book 100% which is fine by me. I like when shows/movies try to create there own ideas, but still stay true to the basics of the book. Without spoiling the show for anyone, I believe 11.22.63 is going to be a great show when it is all said and done. Besides the beginning, Franco does a fantastic job as Epping as he showcases his dramatic (with comedy thrown in) work by dealing with the emotions of a present day guy traveling back to the 60s. Franco was the right choice for Epping! Overall, the show kept me thoroughly entertained for an hour and twenty minutes. So, if you can sit through about 10 minutes of a rushed plot, then I would definitely recommend giving this show a shot. King, Abrams, and Franco... How could it go wrong?!