Exciting, gripping, binge-worthy - The English is none of these things. Every scene is so painfully slow and drawn-out that it feels like pulling teeth. As someone else mentioned the style feels more like that of a stage play than a television drama. Incredibly pretentious. The three stars are for the cinematography which is truly spectacular, but I can't be bothered to watch scenes of sunsets, far vistas and single buildings when nothing of interest is taking place in any of them. Yet another disappointment and I really cannot understand these rave reviews. It could have been so much better without the tiresomely long, ponderous and static scenes.
Reviews
3 Reviews
A Huge Disappointment
31 October 2022
Like many others, I was really looking forward to this anthology, being a huge fan of Guillermo del Tor's work. I managed to struggle through the unsubtle, horribly cliched episodes until I reached The Viewing which was so incredibly boring I switched it off and couldn't be bothered with the final story. Particularly awful was the episode 'Dreams in the Witch House'. An absolute travesty and an insult to Lovecraft. Why not just adapt the story as it was, complete with really creepy witch's familiar, Walpurgis Night rituals and sacrificed children? I'm absolutely amazed that del Toro lent his name to all this drivel. A lot of money must have changed hands. I suppose people who haven't watched many horror/fantasy films might enjoy this series - for those of us who are fans of the genre the episodes were unspeakably hackneyed and predictable.
The Sister
(2020)
Started well and then...oh dear.
28 October 2020
Enjoying this very much so far. An atmospheric and solid plot with interesting supernatural elements (perhaps) and some excellent acting from Russell Tovey and Bertie Carvel - who appears to be morphing into Rasputin! Looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. Perfect viewing for the run up to Halloween. Well I changed my mind. Unravelled horribly over the last two episodes. The whole thing just seemed like a vague idea or synopsis for a potentially good thriller. Superficial, rushed and with the most predictable ending I have ever seen.
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