trimellone-18840 Reviews

Harry Wild (2022– )

S2 ep 2

[3/10 · 12 October 2023]

I started this season, expecting more of the same--okay, fine. But I need subtitles and they've totally messed up episode 2. I don't know whether they applied the closed captioning from Season 1 or what, but whatever they're playing has nothing to do with the beginning of this episode. I can hear some of what is being said by the group of partying girls, but I need the right subtitles in order to really follow it all. I'm really disappointed by this lack of care for the hearing-impaired. Maybe I'll try again some day, but I won't be watching unless they get it together to play the right subtitles.

Endeavour (2012–2023)

insert "weeping emoji" here

[9/10 · 4 July 2023]

Well, it's over. I had discovered Endeavour back when episode 1 was just the pilot. Having disliked the Morse series when I had tried to watch it years ago, I wasn't excited about seeing this when it began, but I was able to start without any firm preconceived expectations of the Endeavour character. As I watched, the quality of the scripts, the acting, and the production values won me over almost immediately, as did the cast itself. I really enjoyed Shaun Evans and Roger Allam together immediately. As the series went on, I found myself appreciating Anton Lesser, especially when the character development revealed his range. I didn't care for all the plot points necessarily, but I continued to care for the characters, even when they were shown in a negative light. The only problem now is that I don't think I'll be able to enjoy these actors in other roles, because for me they will forever be associated with these.

Joe Pickett (2021–2023)

not a wannabe

[5/10 · 14 June 2023]

All right--speaking to some other reviewers--I see the echoes of Justified and Longmire here too, but C. J. Box had already written this series with this character before those shows were broadcast. But what I don't like is the changes they've made in the author's characters. Let's compare to Bosch for a minute. Michael Connolly has been involved in the changes there and it SHOWS. But here, I get the impression that Box's name is just stuck on there for the effect, without allowing him any access to the writers. I'll leave to others to comment on the hat and the guns, but what I can't stand are the bad writing and particularly bad dialogue. They really are just too hard to overcome in too many scenes. And many actors sound as if they were just thrown into their scenes with no coaching. As soon as they have more than one line of dialogue, they just recite lines rather than acting. I'mm really disappointed.

Blacklight (2022)

watchable -- barely

[4/10 · 1 June 2023]

This movie is so cliche and formulaic that I couldn't be sure I hadn't watched it already last year. There was no cohesive story, and the sententious lines, the conversations obviously designed to instruct us how to think about political figures, the absolutely ridiculous choices made by the main character, the lackluster action scenes . . . All resulted in what another reviewer said: "If Neeson wasn't in this film, it would be just another failed B-film, but instead, it is just another B-film that happens to have Neeson in it."

OMG, I still have to fill in more words. I can't believe we're required to babble on when enough has been said!

Attack on Finland (2021)

incoherent

[4/10 · 1 June 2023]

This was watchable . . . I guess. There was a lot of filler material with long boring shots that went nowhere. Disparate parts of the plot never crystalized and action scenes tended to be either flat or overblown. I could not tell if part of the movie was filmed in English, or if the English was dubbed in later. I watch everything with subtitles turned on anyway. It's too late for the politics of the plot to be relevant, so I wasn't watching to see that play out. Even so, I expected for a conspiracy to revealed up into the highest realms of the government . . . But in the end, it just all fizzled out.

Veronica Mars (2004–2019)

Loved it, but hated the ending

[10/10 · 24 April 2023]

If you watch all of the series, be prepared for a shocking ending. Some may have liked it, but I didn't.

I discovered this series belatedly, since I was not in the targeted age bracket, but I loved it! Maybe around 2015 or 2016 I watched Season 1-3 and then the movie, which still left me unsatisfied.

It wasn't until last month that I discovered there had been a revival in 2019--imagine a fan's excitement! Another series!

Now, imagine my disappointment when I saw nostalgia disintegrate into illogical fan-service. Characters like Weevil, alienated and then redeemed by plot-armor. Former villains given an episode and then ignored. Missing characters explained but nevertheless irreplaceable. New characters introduced, but included unevenly and sometimes out-of-the-blue. Finally, an ending that promised to be satisfying and upbeat, that then turned into some kind of obligatory darkness and defeat. I am going to head-cannon an ending prior to the final blow.

The Thaw (2022– )

No thaw anywhere!

[5/10 · 6 April 2023]

Why is this title "The Thaw"? There was no thaw observable anywhere: neither in the landscape nor in our protagonist's relationship with her young daughter.

It became not only frustrating but then downright disgusting to watch our protagonist ignore her daughter, and pass her off to whoever might be willing to take her . . . Again . . . And again . . .and again. And when no one is available, you take her to a crime scene?

New scenery and an unfamiliar cast held my interest . . . Just. Between the tired plot with outcomes perfectly predictable from the first episode to the outcomes themselves, both negative and positive, I found it overall quite unsatisfactory.

Viking Wolf (2022)

The first few minutes

[3/10 · 14 February 2023]

With the backstory told through apparently ancient artwork, was an effective introduction. But after that everything went downhill. Yes, the acting was subpar; yes, the lines were said with gaping pauses; yes, the plot was a helter-skelter jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing; yes, the theme seemed to be "let's pretend this monster is a metaphor for teen anger issues." I wished they had done something more significant with the deaf sister. That young actress might have saved the whole movie. I wish they had provided at least a hint of redemption for the monster--for a moment it looked as if they were headed there. The only thing that came close to redemption was the mother's regret, but since she had not been a sympathetic figure, it was not enough to rescue this movie.

Crossfire (2022)

I confess . . . I gave up

[2/10 · 27 January 2023]

It's always been a point of pride for me that no matter how bad a production is, I will see it in its entirety before I offer a review. But I just could not go on . . . And on . . . And on . . .

As some other reviewers have stated, I came mostly to see Keely Hawes. And the other named British actors helped to attract my attention as well. The first episode starts strong, in my opinion. Strongly enough that I at least dipped into the second. But good grief, the number of times people make loud noises when they're supposed to be hiding? At first I gave the foley artists some leeway, but then it became obvious it wasn't their fault. Finally, the ongoing suspense with no resolution, was merely enervating. I took a break several times and watched other shows, but every time I came back, I remembered why I had quit in the first place! So do I care I will never see the third episode? Not a bit.

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

Costumes?

[4/10 · 14 January 2023]

Many reviewers here have commented on authentic costumes, and that is the only reason I am writing this "review."

First let me concede that the costume designer obviously researched the period. Fine. But then . . .

In a good period drama, costumes should not even be noticed. That is, costumes should merely be the clothing of everyday wear for the characters -- unless you're doing a story set in the upper-classes where ladies were expected to have a new fancy dress to show every time they appeared in public. But this show is *not* supposed to be that!

In this show, we should have seen at least some wear and tear. Cadets would not go about day-to-day only in their full-dress uniforms . . . Do our military members do that now? Yes, but only for public display, not for day-to-day operations.

And guess what? Real clothing gets dirty-- dirty during use, dirty when you fall down, dirty if you brush up against cobwebs or dust. There were no handy laundromats or permapress fabrics. Clothing exhibits evidence of daily wear. Fabric starts to soften, and wrinkle, and mould to the shape to its owner. Holes have been mended, either carefully or carelessly.

None of the above is evident in this movie.

The Rig (2023– )

Ruined by a stupid ending (no spoilers)

[6/10 · 14 January 2023]

I'm going to summarize for you some of the perceptive comments that have been made by other reviewers here:

"Even in the first episode there was the all too familiar characters that we have all seen a million times before, including the angry at the company, aggressive, always looking to stir up trouble one."

"For all the histrionics there's just no real drama, only many contrived scenes where the characters are at each other's throats or behave like pantomime villains for no good reason. Perhaps the writers of this tosh assume shouting equals drama, regardless of whether such confrontation is whipped up out of nowhere with no believable point of origin."

"Seemed to me that they were more schooled in stage acting than film/TV productions, with wildly over the top facial expressions at times!"

"On one hand it kept me watching while on the other I couldn't wait for it to end. All in all it was quite absurd and the characters were given little to work with in range other than anger and resentment. A little of that goes a long way and and this went all that way. The acting for the main characters . . . Was what I'd expect from them - good, considering the direction and dialogue."

All of that and then a stupid open-ended ending as if this thing deserves a second season. Ugh. I'm out.

Hidden (2018–2022)

Wales - yes! Repeated abouse - no!

[6/10 · 6 December 2022]

I love British mystery/drama, and I'm especially impressed by these Welsh efforts that are filmed in both Welsh and in English. The first season was agonizing but satisfying. But . . .

Really? One season of abuse was sufficient. Then I suffered through the second season and it was so miserable and repetitive that I figured that would spell the end for this series. But, no.

I tried Season 3, but just had to give up. I've had enough of the lesbian romance struggles, and everything about the show throughout just feels so dark and dreary. I do not find this characteristic of every Welsh series, but certainly some one has decided that this series will be constantly unpleasant. I'm done.

Karen Pirie (2022– )

Solid, but not great

[6/10 · 26 November 2022]

Honestly? I am tired of being hit over the head with the message that women have been marginalized or underestimated. Better writers could include this point without the final "reveal."

Based on the tired, but essential, mystery formula of the least likely character being the most guilty, but at least the acting was excellent.

I watch British mysteries in part because I love listening to the different accents, and this Scottish production was no different. New faces, new "sounds," and new scenery added to the enjoyment here.

Warning: I agree with those who said it was hard to follow the dialogue, but fortunately I already have several years of experience with using subtitles, so I was able to read what I could not discern by ear.

Magpie Murders (2022– )

Pure delight!

[8/10 · 10 November 2022]

Anthony Horowitz . . . Where have you been? I've missed you since Foyle's War! Sure, Alex Rider is fun. I enjoy those too. But the clever writing, the plot twists, the dogged detective, and let's not forget--the perfect and detailed production values that your wife Jill Green seems to always ensure for your pieces--all these add up here to be a delight. Casting seems perfect; acting is solid throughout. Wish I could binge watch but apparently I'll have to make do with weekly releases on my PBS Masterpiece app. I hope I'll see more from you in the future; these have been too far between. I want more!

The Green Glove Gang (2022– )

Zany and fun!

[8/10 · 21 October 2022]

This series was a pleasant surprise. I was watching in the original Polish so I could hear the actual actors, but using English subtitles, which I am accustomed to doing even for shows in English--and I had a blast. I'm so tired of the grim and gritty approach, and all the "modern sensibilities" stuffed in. This series was refreshing and never took itself seriously once, that I can remember. So what if it hit some tropes? Even the opening credits are cute and short. The fact that it finishes in a predictable "cliffhanger" that will hopefully lead to a second series, is a positive ending, in my book.

The Capture (2019– )

In the end just an agenda

[6/10 · 23 July 2022]

Excellent cast and script. Clever plot. But in the end, I just felt battered by the agenda. One final scene with protagonist offers a thread of hope for him, but over all we're just left with the usual discouraging message of big brother wins.

Traces (2019–2022)

No subtitles for the English

[6/10 · 9 July 2022]

I watch *everything* with subtitles now, but this show does not allow for subtitles of the English-with-heavy-Scottish-accent, so I miss a lot of the actual words. Disappointing. And then they choose to include an ongoing nemesis, which is just not my "thing." I want a tidy package.

Unforgotten (2015– )

Only watch first season, then *maybe* the third

[3/10 · 4 July 2022]

I came for Nicola Walker, but the entire cast is top-notch. The stories are depressing rather than uplifting, but the final bow is an unnecessary punch to the gut. I wish I had been forewarned. I will not be putting any of this on my growing re-watch list.

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

Fan service? You bet!

[6/10 · 26 June 2022]

This movie ticked all the boxes, not in a good way. Sure it was nice to see the characters all together again, but there was too much self-referential irony, too little French villa, and not enough substance. Downstairs characters in upstairs finery? Check. Carson restored to his role? Check. Illness threatens? Blink and you'll miss it. Marry off pairs of characters? Check. Check. Some others have noted the inappropriate spray tan--what was the make-up crew thinking? But meanwhile, Fellowes has done his best to end it all, because how can we go on without Maggie?

The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe (2022)

canoe? or kayak?

[6/10 · 22 June 2022]

The acting is the best part. The story has been done before, and much of the "plot" seems like filler.

As an American, I have a question: do the British call a kayak a canoe?

The Paradise (2020– )

CC obliterates subtitles

[6/10 · 22 March 2022]

I am a mono-lingual English speaker who enjoys watching mysteries filmed in other languages by using the English subtitles. But in this confusing mishmash, every time the language changes, the CC text that pops up to inform the viewer that the characters were now "speaking in a foreign language" obscured the very subtitles I needed to see in order to understand! Since these changes were fairly often--1) because the show included scenes in Finland as well as in Spain, and 2) because many scenes involved the Finnish community in Spain--this distraction occurred often enough to obliterate my possible comprehension!

Pieces of Her (2022)

dangling threads, blowing in the wind . . .

[4/10 · 9 March 2022]

I might have tried to forgive all the flaws others have mentioned if AT LEAST they had tied up all the plot threads that had been introduced, but no such luck. Assassins and moles are mentioned but never resolved. I don't know if they're hoping they will be awarded a second season that will depart from the book even further . . . Or what. But I won't be watching.

Murder in Provence (2022– )

Beware subtitles!

[7/10 · 8 March 2022]

Despite the main characters being played by well-known British actors with quite distinctive enunciation, the stupid (literally) voice recognition program used to create the subtitles can't recognize the bits that are French...even the parts that have been part of the English language decades or longer (like "art nouveaux") much less the names of French cities! I haven't been this frustrated (and amused) since the first season of Hinterland.

Ultraviolet (2017– )

Watch the first season . . . then STOP!

[6/10 · 18 March 2021]

The first season is fun, even though plots are derivative if you've been watching English-speaking crime and detective shows. But still, fun, and an entertaining cast. But stop at the end of the first season. There's no cliff-hanger, so just enjoy it completed and move on, because the second season switches out an actor and it all goes downhill from there. And what's with switching out Ola's car?

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

thumbs up for production values...that's all

[3/10 · 1 September 2020]

Much as I love Matthew Rhys and Tatiana Maslany, I just can't give this show a high rating. Yes, it was well done, the acting was all superlative and the setting meticulous. But the script? It's like someone asked "how dark can we make it?" and proceeded to try to outdo even the most hardboiled detective fiction. Corrupt rich men, corrupt poor men, corrupt faith-healers, corrupt cops, corrupt lawyers. There was no goodness or mercy anywhere to be found, only deception and financial gain. Even the glimmering bright spot of Mason's decision to defend the innocent woman ended in darkness. I cannot recommend this show to anyone.