Reviews
The Crown (2016)
Lithgo Is Extraordinary
He can be so many people. Many actors simply have one personality and are themselves vs the characters. He is magnificent, truly. I hope he gets a dozen awards. Remarkable, truly likable and respectful actor.
Many others were terrific. I simply must just point out Winston. Imagine even attempting to play him? Good Hod, he was a legend, his characteristics were believed or hated but KNOWN. How did Lithco do
It? Make it his own? What I wouldn't give for a real interview to watch.
Marvelous show. Hard to watch. Kept me thinking about the Monarchy, it's expensive role, it's importance and always...Princess Diana. I go there always. Everything leads there for me.
I lived in London with my parents. When Kennedy was shot we watched on the tv. I was 7. Meant nothing to me but my Mum was sad. Great show. Pity it didn't last longer. Get why.
The Clinic (2003)
Became Hard To Believe
The writing got worse, the episode stories more absurd. It was fun but the false medical information and ludicrous situations made the show more like American TV series like Dallas.
What most of the world lives about British TV is how real it is. No need for mass shootings/car chases/endless showing of T&A, drug lords, etc. (England/Scotland/Ireland/Wales/Aussie).
What I discovered is that beginning in Season 4, the two creators stopped writing and each episode was written by someone different. That explains why the show began to feel so different, so really disjointed. The creators were idiots to let go.
But to finish a series as a cliff hanger? I will now check to make sure that I avoid the people who wrote/produced Clinic. Cannot defend themselves. They eventually ruined their show by trying to copy American bs and doing a terrible job...thus the ratings declined.
Black Doves (2024)
Keira Knightly Remains A Bore
She is simply a one trick pony. One group of smiles, one series of movements. She is a lovely /physically gorgeous person but a boring actress. Why? Never anything new. No visible ability to go deep into any characters.
Marvelous sets, costumes, music. Bravo.
The issue is truly actress related.
She is lovely. Competent. Known. That helps.
She simply cannot act. Fact.
Lots of fake tai quon do. So utterly fake snd typical Hollywood pathetic.
No real characters but some fun ppl. It's not serious. Gee. Sign me up. Vote Newsome! Ra! Ra! Demoncrats fail again. So now what?
How to make a movie about the failed state of CA!?
The Sandman (2022)
Episode 6 WOW!
Took me so far beyond what I have seen before. The series is good, sometimes a bit crazy but, I couldn't resist the curiosity it created in me to find out more.
I love science fiction. Other than non-US detective series, it is my go to always. There is something about this particular show that gets under my skin. Not always in a good way, which is fine. Being uncomfortable is often a door into myself, poking at the stuff I am purposely avoiding facing or that I am utterly unaware of.
Episode Six, has me flummoxed. It's hard to watch; it hurts a lot to watch. Yet, I must watch it. It's like all the questions I struggle with, as my parent's are dying and I am facing their deaths, are front and center. It's great and it's awful, I feel hope and also great anger. So very timely for me, obviously.
I hope others get something out of this show too.
Find Me Falling (2024)
Harry Delivers Again
Without fail, each and every single movie you simply nail it. I have missed you so much. Harry, I know you won't see this but...PLEASE do more acting.
Not for the money, but because you are so straight forward, so real. You deliver what so few Hollywood actors still do, true deep honest effort and connection with the part.
I am not a weirdo 'fan', promise. I have two personal memories: I worked w a brilliant red head (no names) at AT&T WHO MANAGED your/our SPONSORSHIP w you for a tour. You made a real difference for us as many executives were thrilled to bits to meet you back stage.
Then there was the day my Mum visited me in CT. I took her to a deli/restaurant in Darien. You came in w your kids. My mother's back was to you. She had a real connection with your renditions of the classics she/we grew up singing. A fan. I am blurry about what happened next but I know I was never going to intrude on yr privacy so I just told her you had taken a table nearby.
She turned. Saw you. Her face, oh how she lit up. You turned and you were kind enough to see an old lady with a crush and smiled. It was a small thing...but even her advanced Dementia hasn't taken that memory away. So thanks.
Now, back to acting. You are so different from most actors, maybe because you don't need it. There are a few actors who are almost as real as you seem. I have walked away from most of what Hollywood produces because it's soooo fake/violent/overtly sexual and repetitive. You are the real deal vocally, and as an actor. Thanks for keeping the old Hollywood alive .
Durham County (2007)
No Real Effort
So the writers, directors, producers and probably the actors created a gripping program...or so I thought. In reality, this chick could see the mistakes easily.
Fact is, the show presents dumb cops. The lead cop is the dumbest. It is actually boring. When a writer/producer create a character w/o any deoth, they deny the show/audience the ability to care.
Truly terrible work. Maybe you will get it right next time. No clue who all's involved but...seriously awful.
Now, if they could, they would show logical/provable evidence. Such failure is repulsive. They simply do not bother do include real police work.
ReGenesis (2004)
Great Show BUT Too Much Anti-GOP
Typical Hollywood show. Lots of nudity, sex, hatred of America, hatred of President Bush, climate change dishonest stories, all to satisfy political agendas and to keep getting $$ from Soros: the worst of the bunch.
The good stuff is the story ideas. The actors are mostly terrific but David is a brilliant but wholly unappealing character.
It seems Hollywood is truly out of control and is losing influence and credibility. More and more of my friends have switched away from US tv/movies and liking EU, Asian shows. I switched to YOUTUBE TV but really, don't watch except for Blue Bloods, The Voice, Chicago Med/Fire.
Let me add this: David's Dad tells us he has Alzheimers. Yet, even if diagnosed, 99% don't know/recall they have it and they mostly never talk about it. So disappointing.
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1995)
Surprisingly Good
I thought it would be a sweet, possibly engrossing typical British program. So it began. My original rating was a 7 yet I found the show to have a heart. In fact, it is able to advocate for issues and people we all would care about, without hideous politically motivated lies.
I find the show important, actually. It's charming and shows us issues we need to address, care for the mentally ill, etc. I think the cast is just right. Lots of famous actors pop in, a sign of a respected and supported show.
I recommend jumping in and giving it a go. You will feel better gor the time spent. Invite your kids.
Waking the Dead: Anger Management: Part 2 (2004)
This Particular Episode 4/8
I am not even near done. Yet, this episode has me undone. No, not the writing but, well yes the writing? Who knows.
It's the music. We lived in Franco's Spain. Dad is a natural guitarist's. Can play anything...annoying to his musical daughter (moi) who needs music.
He studied Flamenco in Spain. On his guitar. His fingers bled sometimes as he worked to develop the calluses he needed. Oh God, he was so good. I would sit outside the closed pocket doors and just listen. I am musical and suffer from perfect pitch. Yet my talents don't come close to Dad's. So watching this episode, was tough. Very. It distracted me so now I need to rewind and try again. The guitar music envelopes me. I cannot resist. It's a Latin thing? (Trying to use humor to get distance).
Just tough. My Dad has LBD dementia and is no more.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018)
Changed My Mind
An American who loves British TV! Most stuff here in the US is garbage. Violence/sex and value signaling is de rigor.
My first rating was a 3. I thought the first episode was weak. Then, after a few more episodes I upped the rating to a 7. Then, after the second season, I gave it a 9!
I love all the not so subtle references to Shakespeare, all done tongue in cheek. At the top of my list of favorite characters is: Patrick/Sebastian. He really is the most fabulous actor. His character has often made me laugh out loud!! I admit, I watch for him...well mostly! His attire is so gorgeous/ posh, his wit, facial expressions and unending disguises are delicious. He is truly a cut above.
I adore the other two characters (dislike the man who is the Sergeant; copying the DS from Father Brown?). I am sad it was only 4 seasons.
Well done, please can we have more?!?!?!
Catch Me A Killer (2024)
Thank God For Micki
So well written, Directed, produced and the actors, really nailed it. A sad way to see South Africa, a country I have longed to visit.
The ugliness of human beings is hard to witness. What I have learned in the past, and what this show reinforces, is that HOW a person is treated, during their formative years, directly determines what kind of human they will become. Nurture trumps Nature nearly all the time.
Reduce unwanted pregnancies, encourage people to form a 'family' before having kids, support neighborhoods and remove by any means necessary all gangs, and we will dramatically reduce violent crimes.
On another note, I avoid American movies because most are violent, overly sexualized and lately are nearly always pushing a false/fake political narrative vs just telling a story.
Trial & Retribution (1997)
The first 5 'Seasons' Was All I could Stand
Great choice of actors but...pathetic writing and directing. Got through seasons 1,2 and had to stop. The Police missed or buried leads and were quick to decide who was guilty, always missing the hidden crazy people and kids. They have yet to get the actual culprits and I am on the sixth case.
It's slso hard to care at all for any of the characters, though a few of thekids are sometimes tolerable. Just nasty vold uncaring people. Since a few are actors I know have talent, it must be the writers and Director.
I say give it a try, but I promise, you will not want to watch after a few 'seasons' (each season is ywo shows, the first outlines the crime and case while the second is preparation for court and the trial; also all the witnesses and real criminals are revealed).
Pity this wonderful website requires s ix hun dred characters per post or more people would write reviews (hint) and FYI guessing they won't publish this if they figure out it is critical of the change to longer re vi ews.
The Circle (2017)
Cannot get past first 15 minutes.
I am 63. I have zero tolerance for "like, you know" dumb dumb language. The first few minutes were filled w fast talking, hi-tech BS. Yawn. Trying to speak to kids who have no earthly idea what is real, "ya know, like, huh life is well ahh about??" Gag. Why would I watch. You target the dumb dumbs.
Your video'esq violence created sickos. You have lost sight of what matters just to make a buck. I am a capitalist, but we can manage things better. Try to fund less vulgar, violent low-IQ shows and...producers will shift. You r in the driver's seat, NETFLIX, so STEP FREAKIN' UP!
I calculated that 75% of promoted shows/movies on Netflix inclure: violence, sex, drugs, guns, & more nasty stuff. That's what rocks? F Off!
Vera (2011)
Gets into your DNA, Important Show
I watched because... I love British crime/cop shows. Less violence than and overt sexuality than in the US, not value signaling or fake stuff, and more real human truths, challenges. US is too lost. Too caught up in BS. Too owned by depraved political players. We are the Fall of the American Empire. Rightly so.
The show is weakened by the unexpected and unexplained disappearance of characters like the first DS, the lively gal in a wheel chair, the former military police lady, etc. It hurt's credibility and blatantly shows the one real weakness.
No personal/little personal or caring between Vera and anyone. That's the show's achilles heel. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Doubt the writers cared...
Silent Witness (1996)
Engaging & Sometimes, Quite Good
Amanda Burton is a boring actress. Every show she has the same smirk, same body language. Yuk. Truly needs to get an acting coach (guessing her to have inflated sense of her talent).
Compare her to anyone on that wonderful show and you will see what I mean. For instance, Liz Carr. Wonder Woman! Miss her but thrilled she's in film now!!!!!!!
Fascinating show with great talent. Exhausted by the endless stream of DI's, it would be nice to occasionally have the same detectives show up for an investigation....
Anyway, the show remains engaging. DCI Banks is still nearer the top on my list if British TV favorites.
The Wilde Wedding (2017)
Fabulous Cast, Pity
So, this is one of those movies that is really for Hollywood actors not us. They are all without any depth, concern. Just spewing pointless lines. No point. No one could care about a single character or life. Nothing against the mega rich at all yet, I know many, none are this vacuous. Truly a movie for airheads doing drugs. Thank heavyI gave up wasting $ going to the theatre. Actually, my home town stopped playing anything new. We have wonderful film festivals that shine the light on great flicks and fun/important films. For a decade, Hollywood simply has become an - also ran. Their strike was pitiful. At dinner parties we would laugh at how little anyone cared. Hollywood is no more. They should all run for office, parts they already play.
The Hunters (2013)
Wannabe Japanese'esq Also Ran...
OMG Hollywood is creating endless flicks & TV shows that are nearly identical in format.
Always has multiple massive shoot outs (bows and arrows too) and noone or few are killed despite hundreds of bullets.
Women do gymnastics during fights and they always grunt like Kung Foo fools.
Over made up gals and in this movie, Asian styled hair like in the Japanese video games.
The premise is interesting and would have been fantastic but for poor writers and producers and the actors are so so. If you are bored, it's a time waster. At least there's no rap!!!
Someone else needs to try the story idea but better executed...please??
Almost Paradise (2020)
Reminds me of Hawaii Five O, later seasons
So good pick of lead characters. Great location. First 3 episodes tackle important topics.
The issue is the lead actor (from Leverage). As in the Hawaii series (new not original) the important subjects/personal stories are secondary to action shots and ENDLESS FAKE SHOOTOUTS! Would never occur like that! WTHeck?
Oh and SIDEBAR... who invented or pushed the large floating words that this show, Life Below Zero and soooooo many others use? AWFUL!
Back to the show. I fast forward through the fights/endless violence. I mute the Ads.
As to acting? I get why the lead actor had a secondary role in Leverage. He is a one trick pony. In this series, Season 1 episode 3? W sex trafficking, he had no believable compassion. Passing out is simply not it. He needs words/facial expressions, not just silence or explosive anger. The other two local cops are fantastic! Believable and easy to care about.
If this keeps up as is, I won't bother.
Hawaii Five-0 (2010)
Started out great, then all massive shoot outs/car chases
Then by Season 3 the show changed. The focus was fast driving, car chases and...absurd and utterly ridiculous storylines. Now I remember why I stopped watching! Pity. Great potential. Awful, weak, probably young, writers w no life experience. The producers are to blame for giving in to NCIS/FBI types of structured violent soulless writing. 60% speed & guns. Yawn. Oh and, 80% of the time, the 'famous guest actors' r the bad person. A show like Blue Bloods keeps at the top of the charts because it is written by ppl who get that having an actual storyline and characters we grow to love, sustains a program, more than violence. Not knowing what will happen next vs knowing to the minute what lies in store, that's the trick.
Hawaii Five-0: Ke Ku 'Ana (2016)
Important Debate about Guns
The show presents a typical Hollywood flaw, lack of desire to use their platform to teach with truthful data. They want drama and cow-tow to the CNN/AOL lowIQ types that equally lowIQ voters watch/elect.
The Dad's pain we all feel...but the even greater tragedy is the writers missed opportunity to rail on the bullies who triggered the son. Bullies must be stopped. My niece has been bullied terribly and the bullies remain in school. A gun won't solve that but Hollywood could really show bullies up and give parents kids schools support. THAT WOULD TEACH THAT COULD HELP.
Sadly, most news misrepresents facts as do most movies and TV shows.
FACTS: Every state has different gun laws. The states with the strictest laws have the highest population and subsequently the highest crime rates. They also have the highest number of illegal gun ownership and highest gun related crimes.
If we banned legal gun sales nothing much would change for criminals but it may for the rest of us. Maybe if it was really hard to get guns and fewer were manufactured, it might reduce the number in circulation...but that's not going to happen as we have the second amendment.
So, what to do? I haven't a clue. One idea, focus on the causes of gun violence: bullies, gangs, drugs, and the challenges that create the opportunity for those evils to exist.
I would round up the gangs and put them on a remote island to fend. Bullies would be outed on school news-boards. Drug dealers ended. We are too squeamish.
What I can say is that a gun, and I plan to get one, is for safety. We need to train to use it, and I will. As to the liberals going all ballistic (pun intended), they always do. Few liberals have the will to research any topic before forming an opinion. They are, on the whole, weak, unimpressive, power & money addicted fools.
Go to this article on politifact dot com (3/12/2018 factchecks/2018/mar/12/john-faso/do-illegal-gun-owners-commit-most-gun-crime-rep-fa/)
Deo geullori (2022)
Awful
The writing or translation is Awful. The young girl being tortured screams "someone please come and save me". That would never be what a victim screams. I gave up and stopped watching. The opening revenge scene was equally pathetic, weak and badly written or translated. Pity.
I tend to like movies or shows from Asia. My bias is for them. Best example is my ABSOLUTE favorite 'Midnight Diner'. I still haven't watched the last episode. Cannot. Cannot let go. Why did they stop filming? If I won a big enough lottery, I would pay to restart that one extraordinary show.
What is most annoying about Netflix is that they no longer note foreign films. I do like to watch them but hate constantly having to go to audio and subtitles to see what the original language is.
New Amsterdam (2018)
From interesting to Promoting Socialism and hatred
Seriously, in Season 6, the Real political bias unfolds to an alarming degree. NATHAN is one portal for all information that filters out distracting information. Read: Twitter, FB, fake news outlets: controlling content is socialism on steroids. Russia, Iran, even Singapore controls content... The head dr is promoting socialism in all respects vs creative problem solving. The actors are weak and don't stand up to the shameful politics.
How can a producer go to bed at night creating such vitriol? Even the COVID episodes are a farce as we now know. Pathetic pandering mixed in with some good storytelling. First two seasons were balanced. Now, hypocrisy is the main theme. Bet it dn last.
Also Olivia Newman and Ryam Eggold use the same exact facial expressions. The quick smile that disappears into a straight face. The awkward/face facial expressions are odd.
Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
Missed Opportunity
Typical New Prime, Hollyweirdos, more violence, less good storyline. I fast forwarded through the gross violence. The usual fake storyline that humans are awful is blown into volcanic levels. We Are AWFUL! No, we are sometimes vile. But find one person willing to catch/execute the evil ones/support the death penalty? Ya, no. Cameras off. Hollywood won't EVER step up. Wimps. Big mouths no balls to correct the evil. Sigh. Truly sad to see how Prime has bent over and gone all in with fake stories and huge sex/violence. Sad. May need to walk away from the low-IQ folks running things. Oh and stop freaking advertising CONSTANTLY between episodes when watching a tv show. Beginning to detest Prime/Amazon. Your stock is FAILING. Should I sell????
All Saints (1998)
Another Ode to Hatred of Corporations
Does it ever stop? Yawn. Three minutes ir so in and the good reverend announces he didn't have a 'traditional' church upbringing because...wait for it... "he barely had a home home because he was a corporate brat." Badda bing badda boom. More brainwashing Stazi style. The actors don't care as they are idiots who believe the BS despite the obvious hypocrisy of working for a corporation themselves. Like street workers, anything to get paid. Most millionaires are Dems...utterly profound, ya know? I play the big lotteries w the hope of winning and using the money to unwind Hollyweirdos and the US Stazi. Would prefer to give it away but, getting dems to atone will do more good in the long run. Creating real opportunity vs handouts, supporting entrepreneurs, that's what will make for strong happy Americans. Hollyweird is in need of a remake.
NCIS: Hawai'i (2021)
Serious, Interesting
Well done. Reminds me of the old NCIS. The crimes and analysis are top of mind vs how NCIS is now scripted, which is predictable and mostly a soap opera. Like the FBI TV show too, not worth it.
NCIS writing CHANGED. Also the Abby replacement is TERRIBLE. Yo, NOT BEC OF SKIN COLOR! Just awful acting, no depth, gagg. Jimmy was a barely tolerable sidekick, but man, truly no depth/nothing real but for the occasional moment. Why is the script so ritualized, the interactions so trite/obvious? Why is Abby's replacement so truly flat? Going to try the New Orleans one again but, if it too is structured & predictable (down to the minute you know what's going to happen when), heck no, done. Try not to screw up Hawaii too!