I just finished watching this series, and was left so disappointed by the ridiculous screenplay, dialed -in performances by key characters, complete lack.of continuity in editing, grating soundtrack and unbelievable plot twists that had no credibility whatsoever. I hadn't read the book this series is "loosely" based on but I would hope it is seriously better than this drivel. The acting performances varied from "just doing it for the cheque" to over the top "over acting". Plot scenarios that previous reviewers have mentioned are laughable or tragic. I usually love crime dramas but this one completely left me feeling irritated and disappointed.
Reviews
31 Reviews
The Last of Us
(2023– )
Awesome in every way
23 January 2023
This is how you make an apocalyptic series. Realistic, scary as hell, outstanding performances from all the cast but especially Pascal, Ramsey and Torv. This has to be the best series that has been shown for years possibly decades. You will have nightmares but only because it seems so damn real.
The sets, the script, the acting, the production all first class. I would never have guessed this was adapted from a video game.. Absolutely one of the most important series to have been made especially after the world is feeling from a global pandemic. Everyone who watches this will be reminded how fragile our existence really is.
The sets, the script, the acting, the production all first class. I would never have guessed this was adapted from a video game.. Absolutely one of the most important series to have been made especially after the world is feeling from a global pandemic. Everyone who watches this will be reminded how fragile our existence really is.
Redemption for June but not Serena
19 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This episode shows June finally let go of the hate for Serena that has consumed her since she got to Canada. However it spells trouble for her marriage to Luke when she discovers he alerted authorities to Serena's whereabouts in the hospital after June delivered the baby in a derelict barn after escaping in a car in no man's land. The tables are turned on Serena who now faces deportation to Gilead and losing her baby as well. It looks like June might jeopardize her relationship with Luke to help Serena escape deportation.
This was an emotional episode, allowing June and Serena to make some semblance of peace for the sake of the baby. It is anyone's guess how this will play out but it was excellent acting from these two female characters and makes much more sense than at the beginning of this season of The Handmaid's Tale.
This was an emotional episode, allowing June and Serena to make some semblance of peace for the sake of the baby. It is anyone's guess how this will play out but it was excellent acting from these two female characters and makes much more sense than at the beginning of this season of The Handmaid's Tale.
Oh not again!
7 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
How could June and Luke be so dumb as to risk their own lives and abandoning baby Nicole to go on a hair brained mission to cross into Gilead territory for information they already knew about their daughter Hannah in school there?
It didn't make any logical sense and you knew from the get go it was going to end badly. I think this series has to come to a conclusion this season for fear of becoming another sci-fi dystopian series that has no discernible plot ending, leaving viewers disgruntled and disappointed. June has become consumed with destroying Serena Joy and lost all sense of reason whilst Luke is feeling guilty about not doing more to save both June and Hannah from Gilead.
It doesn't really explain why they would take a very dangerous journey into Gilead for little promised reward.
Quite often in this episode I found myself asking what's going on here, why? It dragged on somewhat and could have held my attention better by cutting out the bowling alley bit which was a superfluous filler to stretch out the episode.
It didn't make any logical sense and you knew from the get go it was going to end badly. I think this series has to come to a conclusion this season for fear of becoming another sci-fi dystopian series that has no discernible plot ending, leaving viewers disgruntled and disappointed. June has become consumed with destroying Serena Joy and lost all sense of reason whilst Luke is feeling guilty about not doing more to save both June and Hannah from Gilead.
It doesn't really explain why they would take a very dangerous journey into Gilead for little promised reward.
Quite often in this episode I found myself asking what's going on here, why? It dragged on somewhat and could have held my attention better by cutting out the bowling alley bit which was a superfluous filler to stretch out the episode.
Suburra: Blood on Rome
(2017–2020)
Gripping Gritty Addictive Drama
25 August 2022
I started watching Suburra after watching two seasons of Devils starting Alessandro Borghi and was impressed with his performance in that.
He is outstanding in this as the main protagonist, able to be both vulnerable at times to being the ultimate bad-ass.
The plot is full of intrigue, twists and turns and the cast do a stellar job.
Even the dubbing in English is done very well so it is seamless from the original Italian dialogue. This series deserves the rating and is eminently watchable from the start to the end. Bravura Suburra.
He is outstanding in this as the main protagonist, able to be both vulnerable at times to being the ultimate bad-ass.
The plot is full of intrigue, twists and turns and the cast do a stellar job.
Even the dubbing in English is done very well so it is seamless from the original Italian dialogue. This series deserves the rating and is eminently watchable from the start to the end. Bravura Suburra.
My Generation
(I) (2017)
Brilliant historical look at the decade of the Sixties
19 May 2022
For anyone who lived through this era or anyone interested in knowing who the movers and shakers were that steered England through the cultural revolution of the Sixties, this is a must see. Presenter Sir Michael Caine is brilliant at the helm, and it shows how the world changed from the post war Fifties to the Swinging Sixties with interviews with the influencers of the decade.
The Contractor
(2022)
Good but not great
14 May 2022
Great to see Chris Pine and Ben Foster acting alongside again in this story. Solid performances from them, not much seen of Keifer Sutherland more of a cameo role from him. Plot was quite believable but as other commentators have pointed out it's all been done before in various movie franchises like Bourne etc.
Not as good as the first movie
5 May 2022
I thought Dr Strange Multiverse was pretty good but I preferred the first one. The first one had a better storyline and some humour which is lacking in this one. Basically if you haven't seen the last Spider-Man movie (which I haven't)some things won't mean much to you and it got a bit repetitive (in my view). It makes references to Wandavision (which I also haven't seen). I'd give it 6.5/10. Lots of CGI which gets a bit monotonous and seems added to compensate for not such a good plot. Miss Tilda Swinton who made the first movie special.
What a pity
29 April 2022
I have defended the plot of this season 2 in the hope that the great start would continue to the finale. Unfortunately this show has gone down nonsensical rabbit hole that even the actors cannot salvage from an abysmal script. It could have been a triumph but instead is a tragic example of a plot line that loses it's way and confuses the audience, seeming to go nowhere.
What a shame and a waste of good acting talent.
What a shame and a waste of good acting talent.
Not the best of episodes
14 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know who thought of the idea to write this script for what is generally a fine series but it missed the mark by a mile. Silly plot about hallucinating staff. Come on writers you're better than this. Let's hope it isn't another fall into decline of what has usually been an outstanding show.?
All the Old Knives
(2022)
Slow burn but worth the ending
9 April 2022
Thandiwe Newton and Chris Pine lead this film narrative, which relies heavily on flashbacks to their previous love story. I find many of the works that Chris Pine is starring in to be slow burns (I Am The Night for one example) but he's very charismatic on screen and is a much better actor than he's given credit for. I stayed with this to the end and found it very poignant. Worth a higher rating in my view than others have given.
A Bit Slow
9 April 2022
Whilst I am enjoying the series generally I found this episode a bit pedestrian. I do feel that the storyline could be moved along somewhat quicker. I hope the next episode moves the plot along at pace otherwise it might just send me to sleep! This whole episode could have been condensed into 20 minutes easily.
Why are some reviews here so negative?
1 April 2022
I am surprised of the negativity of some reviews of this episode/season 2. It is, after all, purely entertainment and the nitpicking about certain elements of the plot line seem to me to be unnecessary and pretty mean spirited. This season is much better than the first and folk need to get over the "instant gratification" aspect of the poor reviews and be patient to see how the story unfolds. I have found the acting superb from all the cast and I hope people will put aside their prejudices and stick with the series to its conclusion.
Professor T
(2021– )
Quirky and addictive
21 February 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this first season of Professor T. Ben Miller is superb in the titular role but also well supported by a cast who make his obviously strange persona quite believable.
Each episode's plot is crafted in such a way as to make you want to see more of this quirky troubled and brilliant professor as he liaises with the police detectives he's assisting to solve crimes. I am really pleased a second season has been approved by the producers and look forward to much more information on the back story and character development of Professor T.
Each episode's plot is crafted in such a way as to make you want to see more of this quirky troubled and brilliant professor as he liaises with the police detectives he's assisting to solve crimes. I am really pleased a second season has been approved by the producers and look forward to much more information on the back story and character development of Professor T.
Shetland
(2013– )
Beautifully crafted and acted crime drama
9 February 2022
This series is different from most of this genre. Realistic and well researched storylines, actors on top of their game particularly Henshall who conveys a multitude of emotions without having to say any dialogue in the vein of Harrison Ford., he had the ability to command the screen every time he's centre stage. Supported by an excellent cast who make their characters very real and the scenery is an amazing advertisement for a beautiful part of Scotland. Highly recommended watch if you like really interesting crime dramas that are "out of the box".
Dune: Part One
(2021)
How Dune is meant to be seen
5 December 2021
Having just had my mind blown by the Part One movie, I can say it's epic, brilliant, and I can't wait to see what Part Two brings. Outstanding performances from all cast members and the special effects are literally out of this world. As a dyed in the wool sci-fi fan and having read the Frank Herbert book as a youngster, I can truly say this film does not disappoint.
Season 4 Finale
17 June 2021
I thought this was a good way to tie up the series and in such a way that if the show is not picked up for another season, at least this episode will be a fitting ending to what has been an amazing series with brilliant acting and great stories.
It would be hard to keep the narrative going as strongly as it has been and I see that Freddie Highmore has worked on different projects like "Leonardo" alongside Aidan Turner. Maybe it's time to go now and not squeeze the life out of a really wonderful show.
It would be hard to keep the narrative going as strongly as it has been and I see that Freddie Highmore has worked on different projects like "Leonardo" alongside Aidan Turner. Maybe it's time to go now and not squeeze the life out of a really wonderful show.
Absolutely the best crime thriller I've seen in a long time
18 May 2021
I started this mini series after critics gave it good reviews of the first episode. I have been riveted ever since. First class acting from the cast, Winslet is outstanding but all supporting cast brilliant too. It feels very real, raw, emotional and tense. I think Kate should get an Emmy for this performance. Highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys the genre.
The Sounds
(2020)
Not nearly as bad as some reviews are saying
23 October 2020
I enjoyed this series of 8 episodes a great deal.
Maybe it's because I am a New Zealander and appreciate the storyline better than others.
I thought the acting, particularly the lead characters, was very realistic and it held my attention until the end of Season 1.
I hope the ending, which left unanswered questions means another season at least to wrap up the storyline. I don't like shows that leave you hanging, with lots of loose ends.
Well worth watching in my opinion and the series was beautifully shot in one of the most majestic locations in the country of New Zealand's South Island.
Devils
(2020– )
Gripping drama about the world of finance
28 July 2020
I really enjoyed this series and found myself wanting to binge watch to find out how the plot ended. The actors were very convincing in their roles as traders in the share markets and the various plot twists kept the narrative interesting.
I didn't feel you needed to be an expert in high finance to understand what was going on. It was entertaining and intriguing.
Did Not Disappoint
27 April 2020
The finale to this series was exceptional. I didn't guess where this would end up and I was so
pleased the writers/actors/directors led the audience to this final episode.
This has been such an awesome series from Day One with superb storylines and execution by all
involved. Thank you for entertaining us for all these years. You ended the journey perfectly.
After Life
(2019–2022)
Faultless in every way
26 April 2020
This entire series has been expertly written, directed and acted. Will tug at the heartstrings one minute and have you laughing out loud in the next.
Extraordinarily human depiction of grief in all its stages. Stand out performances abound in this series, especially Ricky Gervais, who gives everything to make his character believable. I dare everyone to watch this series (2 seasons) and not be thoroughly moved by it.
Many missing the message within the episode
27 March 2020
Having read some of the scathing reviews of this last episode it's obvious that for many the message for humanity within this whole series has gone completely over their heads. At a time when the world is facing its biggest threat since WWII I would have thought the positive ending to this season would have been welcomed.
I really hope there is another season of Picard. I have thoroughly enjoyed this first one and would be happy to see where the writers go next with the story. Ignore the haters and make up your own mind if you haven't seen this series.
The Tide Turns
20 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This looks like a one-off series the way the plot is developing . What a shame as I believe it would benefit from another season. In this episode Brent Spiner returns though not as his previous role. It will be interesting to see how the last episode of the finale plays out. I hope the ending won't be saccharine as it would let down a brilliant series.
Pieces are all coming together now
13 March 2020
This was a pivotal episode in as far as many of the unanswered questions in this series are being answered and like a jigsaw puzzle the pieces are taking shape and finally the who premise of this story is explained. Hopefully the two part finale will be the culmination of an excellent first season
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