If you've seen the trailer for this and thought it'd be a serial killer thriller type movie with a cerebral twist and a possible giant, you'll be very disappointed. This movie is nothing like the trailer--in fact the trailer's better. The film is very artsy and feels psychedelic, relying on its cinematography and decent acting over a coherent story. It's not a thriller at all, it's a drama about the summer after graduation and the main character's grieving process over her suicidal mother. There is a murder, but it's barely touched upon except in conversation here and there. There are a 1 or 2 suspenseful scenes but just when things get interesting there's a cut and the scene ends. Interesting in terms of production value but uneventful story-wise.
Reviews
4 Reviews
The Giant
(II) (2019)
Save your money or go in with low expectations
15 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Slasher
(2016–2023)
Season 2 is this show's saving grace
27 June 2020
I made the mistake of watching season 1 first. Going into S1, I was initially intrigued by the first episode. I got until about the end of episode 2 when I realized that everything absolutely sucked. The acting from several people was so elementary, the cinematography looked amateur, the characters were one dimensional, and the leads fake American accent was too noticeable.
Then I watched season 2. Holy hell did this season take a U-turn for the better. I was initially weary because of S1, but the first episode was solid, and the second was ok. By the end of episode 2 I saw definite potential. Episode 3 on I binged. The characters were so well-written, and the setting had a contained-thriller vibe. Unlike the first season, where I was rooting for the killer, I actually felt very bad for some of the characters in S2. The things some of them endure are horrific, and coupled with amazing acting, made me want them (who deserved it) to survive. There are many areas of this season that are very Law and Order/Criminal Minds.
The clever use of flashbacks gave the characters a rich backstory that was good for this type of genre. At first glance, I narrowed the killer down to 2 people. Once they were killed, the writing makes each member of the cast a potential suspect at one point. Some reviews say the killer is easily identified early on, and I thought that was true. However, each character has a side to them that makes you thing they are capable of murder.
If this season was made into a film, it would have the same cultural impact as The Cabin in the Woods. While it does borrow elements from slasher films of past years, it can serve on its own and be memorable for what it is.
The 8/10 rating is for the second season. The first season gets a 5.5-6/10.
Then I watched season 2. Holy hell did this season take a U-turn for the better. I was initially weary because of S1, but the first episode was solid, and the second was ok. By the end of episode 2 I saw definite potential. Episode 3 on I binged. The characters were so well-written, and the setting had a contained-thriller vibe. Unlike the first season, where I was rooting for the killer, I actually felt very bad for some of the characters in S2. The things some of them endure are horrific, and coupled with amazing acting, made me want them (who deserved it) to survive. There are many areas of this season that are very Law and Order/Criminal Minds.
The clever use of flashbacks gave the characters a rich backstory that was good for this type of genre. At first glance, I narrowed the killer down to 2 people. Once they were killed, the writing makes each member of the cast a potential suspect at one point. Some reviews say the killer is easily identified early on, and I thought that was true. However, each character has a side to them that makes you thing they are capable of murder.
If this season was made into a film, it would have the same cultural impact as The Cabin in the Woods. While it does borrow elements from slasher films of past years, it can serve on its own and be memorable for what it is.
The 8/10 rating is for the second season. The first season gets a 5.5-6/10.
The Woods
(2020)
An OK watch
20 June 2020
My first reactions to this show are OK. Not the best and not the worst. I did read the source material by Harlan Coben, but that was years ago so I don't remember the plot much.
There is definitely promise in the first episode with amazing cinematography. However, you can easily tell that this isn't a straight forward murder/mystery whodunnit. It's a more complex story than it didn't need to be.
The main plot goes back and forth between 1994 and 2019, and while that can provide insight into how characters feel as teens vs. adults, it almost feels like 2 separate shows. Yes, the 2019 part deals with the main male teen who is now a prosecutor dealing with bodies turning up, but he also deals with a rape case that doesn't really add anything to the plot. That and a few other subplots are too integral and offer far too much screentime.
The acting across the board is alright. Nothing too eye-catching as the actors just do what the script needs them to do in order to further the story. There are way too many things going on in the show for 6 episodes. If there were 8 or 9 episodes, maybe the subplots would've been fleshed out more.
Overall this isn't total junk. The main mystery (when it's unfolding) is pretty interesting, but too many subplots and time jumps derail the momentum far too often.
There is definitely promise in the first episode with amazing cinematography. However, you can easily tell that this isn't a straight forward murder/mystery whodunnit. It's a more complex story than it didn't need to be.
The main plot goes back and forth between 1994 and 2019, and while that can provide insight into how characters feel as teens vs. adults, it almost feels like 2 separate shows. Yes, the 2019 part deals with the main male teen who is now a prosecutor dealing with bodies turning up, but he also deals with a rape case that doesn't really add anything to the plot. That and a few other subplots are too integral and offer far too much screentime.
The acting across the board is alright. Nothing too eye-catching as the actors just do what the script needs them to do in order to further the story. There are way too many things going on in the show for 6 episodes. If there were 8 or 9 episodes, maybe the subplots would've been fleshed out more.
Overall this isn't total junk. The main mystery (when it's unfolding) is pretty interesting, but too many subplots and time jumps derail the momentum far too often.
Tabula Rasa
(2017)
Flemish Memento with a Hitchcock tone
20 June 2020
This show is similar in basic plot to the Nolan film Memento. From the get-go we are put in the dark, and things slowly start to unfold to us as an audience as it does to the main lead.
Many reviews have pointed out the shows initial slow burn. I honestly didn't feel it personally, but I can see how someone with a desire of instant gratification can feel it. The show peals back layer by layer of the main characters life, and how her memory loss invades her daily (which at first does not pertain to the main mystery) before delving into the main focus of the show.
Until the final episode, you do not know who to trust. Easily in the top 5 Netflix original series. My only gripe with the show (why I didn't give 10/10) is that, towards the middle/endish, there's a bit of "fluff". There are a few times where there are scenes that don't add anything to the story except for the runtime. This could have easily been 7-8 episodes instead of 9.
Definitely bingeworthy!
Many reviews have pointed out the shows initial slow burn. I honestly didn't feel it personally, but I can see how someone with a desire of instant gratification can feel it. The show peals back layer by layer of the main characters life, and how her memory loss invades her daily (which at first does not pertain to the main mystery) before delving into the main focus of the show.
Until the final episode, you do not know who to trust. Easily in the top 5 Netflix original series. My only gripe with the show (why I didn't give 10/10) is that, towards the middle/endish, there's a bit of "fluff". There are a few times where there are scenes that don't add anything to the story except for the runtime. This could have easily been 7-8 episodes instead of 9.
Definitely bingeworthy!
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