Kristi Turnquist

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The Oregonian
For 283 reviews, this critic has graded:
  • 52% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 44% lower than the average critic
On average, this critic grades 0.4 points lower than other critics. (0-100 point scale)

Kristi Turnquist's Scores

Average review score: 69
Highest review score: 100 Mrs. America: Season 1
Lowest review score: 10 Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 188 out of 283
  2. Mixed: 85 out of 283
  3. Negative: 10 out of 283
283 tv reviews
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    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Kristi Turnquist
    Yellowstone (2018): Season 5
    In the Season 5 premiere, Sheridan draws on his well-broken-in “Yellowstone” playbook, giving a variety of characters moments to be funny (the crew at the ranch bunkhouse), sassy (Beth’s withering putdowns of those who displease her) or warm (Rip’s sympathetic understanding of Beth). But Sheridan also indulges in a few too many speeches from John. ... If the Season 5 premiere of “Yellowstone” doesn’t exactly soar, it does serve up “Dallas”-style drama, juicy performances (particularly by Reilly) and gorgeous scenery.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 50 Kristi Turnquist
    Blockbuster: Season 1
    The show isn’t bad, but it’s definitely familiar, with a cast of quirky characters who constitute a likable, if occasionally kooky workplace family. ... But these first 10 half-hour episodes are less interesting than “The Last Blockbuster,” Taylor Morden and Zeke Kamm’s documentary about how the Bend outlet came to be the last Blockbuster in America.
    • 86 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    The Rehearsal: Season 1
    “Sometimes, I’m not sure why I make the choices I do,” Fielder says. Viewers may not know either, but “The Rehearsal” is unique in making us wonder. Whether you laugh, or stare in amazement, “The Rehearsal” will definitely keep you watching.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    Dark Winds: Season 1
    “Dark Winds” immediately establishes its own tone. ... “Dark Winds” avoids stereotypes, and feels fresh and vibrant.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 50 Kristi Turnquist
    Stranger Things: Season 4
    The new season has its strengths – Episode 7 is a high point, for example, even at its lengthy running time. But other moments drag, and Hopper’s incarceration in Russia feels particularly endless.
    • 45 Metascore
    • 30 Kristi Turnquist
    The Time Traveler's Wife: Season 1
    So unsatisfying. ... The two [Theo James and Rose Leslie] have solid chemistry, and are charismatic. ... But based on these six episodes, I’d much rather watch Leslie and James using their talents elsewhere.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    The Staircase (2022): Season 1
    As Michael Peterson, Colin Firth manages to make us think he’s guilty as hell one minute, and possibly innocent the next. Toni Collette is touching as Kathleen. And while many a series has caused eyes to glaze over when the plot shifts to younger characters, the dynamics among grown children in this extended family are consistently absorbing.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    Under the Banner of Heaven: Season 1
    Though not everything works equally well (Howle’s Allen Lafferty is saddled with too many exposition-heavy scenes), “Under the Banner of Heaven” is both frightening and fascinating.
    • 48 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    The Offer: Season 1
    While nobody will mistake “The Offer” for a timeless classic, the series has enough campy energy and gossipy showbiz verve that it keeps you watching, even when it borders on the ridiculous.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    Gaslit: Season 1
    Uneven but watchable ... Roberts makes Martha Mitchell compelling, moving from caustic and charming to terrified. ... Penn is also effective, despite the padding and makeup.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 50 Kristi Turnquist
    Benjamin Franklin: Season 1
    The documentary does a fine job of explaining why Franklin was such a consequential figure. Unfortunately, “Benjamin Franklin” doesn’t really bring this founding father to life. ... The life of Franklin doesn’t need to be turned into “Hamilton,” but some artistic interpretation of the man might help fill out a portrait that seems accurate, but dry.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    Sanditon: Season 2
    Rather soapy in its one-darned-thing-after-another storytelling, “Sanditon” is engaging, if a bit lightweight.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 4
    There’s nothing very radical going on in the new season, at least not yet. ... For now, it’s a treat to wallow in the show’s zippy dialogue, sharp performances, and fabulous production design and costumes.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    Inventing Anna: Season 1
    The series isn’t perfect, but at its best, “Inventing Anna” tells a story that, especially when staying close to real episodes involving Anna and those around her, is entertainingly, jaw-droppingly outrageous.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    The Gilded Age: Season 1
    “The Gilded Age” may not offer penetrating insights into the late 19th century, or the vast gulf between tycoons building extravagant empires and the poverty of those at the bottom of the economic ladder. Fellowes and his collaborators instead seem focused on maintaining a light, satiric touch. It may not be illuminating, but “The Gilded Age” is undeniably entertaining.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    Grand Crew: Season 1
    “Grand Crew,” like “American Auto,” boasts actors who work well together. ... After a rocky pilot episode, “Grand Crew” has gotten better. The show makes the characters’ Black identity part of its fabric, without anyone stopping to deliver lectures. ... “Grand Crew” keeps the comedy front and center.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    American Auto: Season 1
    Though Katherine’s people skills are sorely lacking, Gasteyer is likable and has a light touch. ... The rest of the cast – including Harriet Dyer, Tye White, and Michael Benjamin Washington – are talented, even if we’re still getting the hang of who they all are, and what their characters do.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    Abbott Elementary: Season 1
    “Abbott Elementary” reminds us how entertaining mockumentaries can be. It helps that the show is superbly cast.
    • 85 Metascore
    • 90 Kristi Turnquist
    The Beatles: Get Back: Season 1
    Is it a long sit? Definitely. Are there moments when you wish the band would quit noodling around and amusing themselves by playing snippets of rock oldies or the Harry Lime theme from “The Third Man?” Absolutely. Will you feel impatient as you wait for more finished versions of such songs as “Get Back” to emerge? Sure. All that said, Jackson’s film is something special.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    Dexter: New Blood: Season 1
    Even with its plot holes (everyone seems to greet the abrupt arrival of Jim’s not-previously-mentioned son with a remarkable lack of curiosity), “Dexter: New Blood” is made with care. Solid performances from Hall, Alcott, Carpenter, Jones and Clancy Brown as a town businessman who’s clearly keeping some secrets, pump energy into the series.
    • 92 Metascore
    • 100 Kristi Turnquist
    Succession: Season 3
    “Succession” is the best show on TV. Which makes it a particular pleasure to report that Season 3 lives up to that superlative.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Kristi Turnquist
    Dopesick
    “Dopesick” feels urgent and immediate, and it moves forward with a propulsive energy.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    The Problem With Jon Stewart: Season 1
    The [first] episode is at its best when it’s most straightforwardly serious. The second 44-minute episode, “Freedom,” feels more like a “Daily Show” outing, with Stewart in sarcastically irreverent mode on the topic of COVID-19, anti-maskers and anti-vaxxer
    • 75 Metascore
    • 100 Kristi Turnquist
    The Wonder Years (2021): Season 1
    The show skillfully moves from coming-of-age comedy to drama. This “Wonder Years” also does a fine job of telling the story from the point of view of a Black family, and honors their experiences.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 67 Kristi Turnquist
    Our Kind of People: Season 1
    The pilot is uneven, but the cast is talented enough that I’m hoping things come together in future episodes.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 75 Kristi Turnquist
    Ordinary Joe: Season 1
    Wolk is likable, but so far, the show is so heavy on concept – what would life be like if you made different choices at a crucial moment? – that it skimps on characterization. Will I watch it again? Yes, to see if the show can move beyond its premise, and get into some actually absorbing drama.
    • 44 Metascore
    • 50 Kristi Turnquist
    La Brea: Season 1
    One of the characters says it seems like they’re in an episode of “Lost,” and unfortunately, “La Brea” is the latest TV show to borrow from the “Lost” playbook.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 100 Kristi Turnquist
    The Big Leap: Season 1
    A pretty ingenious concept – a scripted series about people involved in making a dance-centered reality show – gives this series an enjoyable spring in its step. Sometimes funny, sometimes dramatic, the show benefits from a well-chosen cast.
    • 34 Metascore
    • 50 Kristi Turnquist
    Alter Ego: Season 1
    This Fox effort at least gets points for its novel, wackadoodle premise.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 70 Kristi Turnquist
    Muhammad Ali
    At close to eight hours over four parts, the film at times feels overly long, with considerable time and attention is paid to Ali’s boxing matches. The final chapter feels both truncated and sad. ... But overall, the documentary makes abundantly clear why Ali became the most famous man in the world, and why, when he died in 2016, he was widely loved.
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