River225 Reviews

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024– )

Fun series! Totally binge worthy!

[10/10 · 3 February 2024]

As someone who's watched the movie version at least 10 times, I was very skeptical abt the new tv series. To my surprise, it's totally binge worthy. I've already watched this Mr & Mrs Smith tv series three times and I'll probably watch it again.

Yes, it's very different from the movie but includes many of the fun scenes from the movie. The tv series is funny and action packed. The operations are unique and unpredictable. The "get to know you process" for John and Jane is relatable especially for those of us with trust issues. Glover and Erskine are great together!

I hope the series is renewed for a second season. I'd love to see where the producers take the series.

For those who disliked the series because it's different from the movie, I say, grow up and just watch the movie again. Or, look at it for what it is: "inspired by." It's simply a different interpretation of the movie. Much like the recent Sherlock Holmes-inspired series Elementary and Sherlock. Those series are completely different interpretations of Sherlock Holmes but are each great series on their own.

As for the criticism that the lead characters do not have the same Angie/Brad chemistry, I say, who would? Angie and Brad are superstar sex symbols and were in the early stages of their love/lust affair. In the movie, John and Jane chose to marry each other and later found out that they're both spies. In the tv series, they're newly hired spies agreeing to marry another unknown spy chosen by the agency. It's like Married at First Sight for spies.

And, for those who still can't handle a mixed race couple on tv, all I can say is join the real world - evolve or be left behind.

McDonald & Dodds: Clouds Across the Moon (2022) Season 3, Episode 3

Excellent finale!

[10/10 · 23 August 2022]

Wow! This was an awesome finale to a really great show. It had all the usual twists and turns that we've come to expect but this episode went a step further. Kudos to the writers and excellent cast. You've raised the bar for next year. Don't do anything stupid link tinker with the formula &/or the chemistry between the stars.

Above Suspicion (2009–2012)

The lead actors elevate my rating from 2 to 6

[6/10 · 9 August 2022]

The plots have so much promise but writing is awful. So many clichés and bad dialogue. The acting by Kelly Reilly and Ciaran Hinds is great. Their acting carried the show and is the only reason I continued to watch. I should also add that the villains were perfectly cast.

My Life Is Murder (2019– )

Fun show but I have a big issue ...

[9/10 · 31 March 2022]

Cute, light weight detective series. I'd watch it more if they'd keep the cat off the counter where she cooks bread for a restaurant. Yuck! It's disgusting!

Valley of the Dolls (1967)

After 30 yrs, I see it differently

[8/10 · 9 March 2022]

I recently rewatched Valley of the Dolls after 35 years. Two things struck out to me.

First, the officially released Valley of the Dolls theme song is different from the version sung in the movie. After researching it, I learned that Dionne Warrick wrote and sang a different version in the movie both in the opening scene and in the last scene. She was quoted as saying her version puts the song in better context with the movie. I completely agree and I love the movie versions. They're like bookends to the movie. I found the opening theme song version written by Dionne on the Original motion picture soundtrack on ITunes. However, her ending track (in movie version) was not included on the soundtrack. Instead, the official VOD theme song (by Johnny Miller) is included as the last song. I was actually annoyed by this. If you get a chance, watch the movie and listen to both of Dionne's versions at the beginning and end of the movie. You'll truly enjoy them and, maybe like me, be haunted by them.

Secondly, as expected, I viewed the movie differently through the eyes of a 58 y.o. Rather than my first watch as a 22 y.o. My life experiences and things I've seen over the years made me understand the journeys of each of the female characters much better. This is especially true when you consider that the movie was mad in the 60s. Yes, many VOD scenes w/ "the dolls" were still a bit over the top. However, the message of drug use is still tragically conveyed.

Overall, I was also reminded how, in general, women's choices and their lives are very complex. And, in my opinion, still far more complex than the lives of men. That's not to say that men have easy lives. I simply mean that women have to always weigh more factors when making decisions.

My new rating of VOD has been bumped up from a 5 to an 8.

Elementary (2012–2019)

Lucy Liu is driving me nuts!

[10/10 · 28 January 2022]

The show is a great spin on the usual Sherlock tv shows and movies. While I enjoy the cast and the great storylines, Lucy Liu (Watson) is so annoying. She has the swagger of a mob boss and pokes her nose into everything in everyone's life. It's ridiculous that the writers would think it's plausible that she could just barge into a room and intimidate drug dealers, hit men, and powerful executives. And now, she's suddenly an authority on everything. At this point, I've chosen to just mute her scenes.

You (2018– )

Overhyped and ridiculous

[5/10 · 15 November 2021]

Friends begged me to rewatched this. It's worse the second time. Yes, the stalking part is seriously creepy. However, the plot is fanciful and it's boring in long stretches.

Elementary: Miss Taken (2016) Season 4, Episode 7

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 28 October 2021]

This was one of the best episodes of the entire series. It was well written and had great plot twists. I hope she's brought back as a recurring nemesis.

Chasing Shadows (I) (2014)

Great series!

[10/10 · 10 January 2021]

This was a great series! I can't believe it wasn't picked up for more seasons. Please bring it back. I loved seeing my Dr. Who alums too!😉

Counterpart (2017–2019)

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 6 January 2021]

Counterpart was brilliant! The acting and plot were exceptional. J.K. Simmons was magnificent! With all of the junk, idiotic tv shows and movies out there, this series was very satisfying. It's a shame that it was not renewed for a third season but at least it ended on top. It'll definitely stay on my must watch list.

Deadwater Fell (2020)

Had potential

[6/10 · 11 September 2020]

The plot and the cast had so much potential but both fell short. It seems like they ran out of funding &/or too many compromises were made that diluted the plot. Too bad.

The Mallorca Files (2019– )

Cute, fun

[8/10 · 21 July 2020]

Moonlighting meets Death in Paradise. Entertaining, great views of Mallorca, and wonderful actor chemistry.

River (2015)

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 19 July 2020]

Amazing acting and story. I'm adding this to my "must see again" rotation. Bravo!

Criminal: Spain (2019)

Overly dramatic

[7/10 · 24 November 2019]

The suspect's stories are interesting. However, the lead prosecutor is too dramatic. It's overkill. She distracts from the show. Also, the defense lawyers are just props. They're useless to their clients. I really enjoyed the UK series. I'm glad they're only 3 Spain episodes.

Hinterland (2013–2016)

Smart, suspenseful, great acting

[10/10 · 2 June 2019]

This is my second time watching the series and it's still brilliant. The writing is lean and smart. The characters are appropriately flawed. The acting is fantastic. The scenery is stunning. It's a great watch.