marijdevos-70906's Reviews

Black Doves (2024– )

6/10

6 December 2024

I've binged it right after release and found myself losing interest quite a few times.

It has a Guy Ritchie ring to it but doesn't cut it compared to The Gentlemen f.i.

Probably important for future viewers that it has a comedic component. The dry dark humor Brits are good at.

I think the reason interest is lost, is that the storyline is chaotic and hard to follow at times. Not because of it's a prestigious writing but because they're delivering the substance of the story in a chaotic, even messy way. You're trying to hold on to the read thread, but sometimes your wondering what that was exactly. And in my opinion there are way too many characters that overcrowd the storyline and show as a whole.

I'm trying to think about what could have made the show better. And it's the intrigue that's not well written and what could have made it great.

Maybe they created the chaos on purpose to give it an edge and more comedic value. But that's missed it's mark.

It's not bad but it's definitely not good either.

I wouldn't opt for a second season. It's just fundamentally too flawed in too many ways.

Btw, not the 2 main actors' fault.

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Tell Me Lies (2022– )

9/10

Very underrated show, well crafted characters, very good portrayal of what narcissism entails

1 December 2024

It's one thing to show a character that's narcissistic, it's another to really lay out all the layers and dynamics behind it and resulting from it. And do it well. They do it well. Even though the character Stephen might be more than just narcissistic. I see comments here about how people can't understand how any women could fall for that or how it can change behaviour. Those people don't understand how you can be sucked in by what feels like intense love at the beginning. This show lets you see all the stuff Stephen is pulling, but no one near a narcissist has that overview in the beginning, or ever.

On top of that trauma attracts trauma, even though we don't want that. That comes in many different forms and the show potrays that in the different characters and their interactions.

Moving on from just Stephen, I love how the characters in this show are well crafted. It might be more dramatic than real life but that's part of what sucks you into the show. I actually appreciated the sex scenes that are spoken about here because it's college life and young people exploring sex. And they're good scenes. Primal, not yet matured enough into adulthood to see what's sensible. That's why the fast forward to the future is an essential part of the show. Although we only see snippets of that.

The character that makes me wonder the most though is Lucy. We can't see what she's really like, or it's just my lack of real life references to place her behaviour. I can see and understand what's reactive and fall out behaviour from loving a narcissist.

I think the intensity of love that a narcissist can make you feel, mostly in the beginning, will make other healthy love feel less of a high. The illusion it's not as big a love. And we can see how people will still want to love the narcissist and accept them for who they are, because thát is what real love is. Just given to the wrong person who won't reciprocate that.

All in all a really underrated show. Probably because the characters can be so unlikeable. But that makes it extra interesting.

Season 1 is a bit too long, which season 2 fixed.

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Cross (2024– )

6/10

Good for a binge but not the greatest in it's genre

15 November 2024

Warning: Spoilers

I didn't read the books, so I can only review based on the show.

Watching it, it's clearly not a semi realistic detective series. You notice the extra fictional part. Like f.i Reacher is as well. It doesn't resemble normal life, or normal interaction. It's all quite extra and over the top. Other reviewers comment on the bad lighting but that's just again an extra scenic effect.

So taking that into account I watch a show differently. There's an over the top bad guy, which unfortunately you get to know early on.

The character that of course gets 'depth' is Alex Cross. The thing that bugs me is that his character building seems flawed. And that's the one a show has to nail.

A few things about that. The man loses his wife who he loves dearly and has kids with. Then during pretty much the whole show his grandmother takes care of the kids. At all levels. That isn't explained, he just doesn't take care of his own kids. There's nothing paternal in his character. Which I find a very outdated portrayal of family life.

And then there's is the part where he is also a qualified former psychologist but doesn't show basic emotional intelligence in most parts of the show. His character therefore doesn't feel right to me and the story has more of these flaws where I just don't feel it.

The main bad guy on the other hand. With all the over the top things, does make sense and is well executed by the actor we know from a totally different role in New Amsterdam.

The side kick, best friend of Cross, I'm just not feeling the vibe or chemistry between them.

With these points of critique it is still an easy to watch binge series. It's very okay for just turning of your brain and be entertained.

But even for it's genre where you take things less literal, it doesn't quite come together for me. Where f.i Marvel shows do know how to hit that sweet spot.

It's a 6,5 for me. For the ertaining qualities, the well executed bad guy (btw it didn't need more, that was overkill) and you can tell this is not a cheap production. I hope they do make a second season. This can work better, but there clearly is stuff to improve.

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Territory (2024– )

5/10

Trigger happy people in the outback

25 October 2024

There are shows you start watching and have high hopes for. This show is about a family owning a very large amount of land in the outback of Oz . Which could make for a lovely scenic drama. The land and it's charisma is unfortunately ruined by extremely poor script writing. It's very over dramatic, has characters that are borderline charicatures and there's way too much totally unbeleivable stuff happening. While as a viewer you want to be swept up by a story about a family that has characters with depth and and complexity. They try that but the characters fail to form a family you engage with. There's way too much crime and drama happening, which again is poorly written.

Apparently people just constantly shoot, rob and hurt each other in the big land down under.

So I really wanted to like this, but the writers made this a second rate crime show that despite some great actors doesn't deserve a high rating.

I will however have hope for a second season if they dial the drama and violence back a lot, and let some intelligent people do the writing. There is a foundation with the scenery and a good cast they can build on. But that's it.

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Fellow Travelers (2023)

10/10

Excellent and braking barriers

20 September 2024

This show has already been showered in reviews. Probably because it's such a relief to see such a complicated gay love story performed in excellence, and combined with both political American history of gay people being hunted by the government and left to die from AIDS.

I'm a millennial living in a progressive country, who was raised with my parents having gay friends. Homophobia is so foreign to me, even though I know how unsafe and intolerant most of the world is towards gay people.

But seeing it play out in history, the debth of (institutional) intolerance, the lives and loves unlived, gay people being discarded, really overwhelmed me. Because I know gay people from that time, and because in my world they were safe, I didn't see all of their history and what they've endured. I knew of it, but hadn't felt it like I did watching the show.

I'm thankful for this show, truly. For breaking barriers, for being executed so well. The acting from both Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey was amazing. But telling the story through different stages in time, and jumping back and forth in it, layers the series more and gives it an extra depth.

Just the fact there's realistic sex scenes is a relief. Cause we see many heterosexual sex scenes in lots of shows, even lesbian sex scenes, but for men it's still more taboo.

A well deserved 10. And it should have won an Emmy.

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The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024)

7/10

On the fence

21 August 2024

Actually a bit unsure about this. It's a romantic story that originated in death camp Auschwitz Birkenau.

It's very difficult to capture the actual horrors of Auschwitz Birkenau on film while also telling a love story. But they tried.

They didn't fully succeed but they tried. They did show a lot of the horrors but you don't really feel it. Part of that is the main character was probably the luckiest dude ever in Auschwitz. Somehow he always had a happy twist in hard times. That's probably what doesn't sit well when watching this, pretty much everybody would be dead 5 times over considering his story, how long he was there, what he went through.

Then there's one big flaw by the makers of the show; the main character is a Slovakian man who is somehow fluent in proper English when he's young (it' a British actor who couldn't do an accent?) , but when he tells the story as an old man, he has a strong slavic accent.

The conversations with nurce Heather, the writer, feel off. They're not flowing. Which is both the actress' fault as it is the wording in dialogues.

All in all they tried to tell a beautiful story in the horrors of Auschwitz and it just doesn't have that edge. Because they sweeten it too much, instead letting it be raw where it realistically was.

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Eric (2024)

6/10

How much societal issues does one want to jam into one show?

31 May 2024

It feels like the purpose of this show was to adress as much societal issues as possible, and weave that all into a story.

It adresses; mental illness, addiction, gay discrimination, AIDS neglect, pedosexuality, gentrification, institutional racism, parental neglect and abuse, homelessness, corruption,....and I'm sure I missed a few.

When you strip it down though, to the centre of the storyline, the boy who's missing and what's going on with him, you're left with not a whole lot of substance to that.

Whether you like the show or not, it's strength will have to be working all those societal issues into one show, one story.

For me, I would have liked more substance to central storyline about the boy, and not all the sidesteps to add moral value.

And the show is a bit too long.

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The Climb (2023)

8/10

Authenticity is what stands out.

15 February 2023

In a world filled with superficial people who only use a sweaty gym to pump their muscles to get 'fit', and where most tv competitions have contestans who are there for clout and insta-followers, this is a very welcome deviation from that.

The world of climbing.

Throughout the show you really get a feeling of the climbing community. Which is genuine, friendly and so very supportive of one another.

Climbing is loving and respecting nature, and the rocks are there to conquer. The competition shows different sides of climbing, techniques, and the beauty of earth

Making a show and a competition out of that was an original idea. I'm really happy they kept the show so natural and unpolished. Two of the very best climbers guide the competition and are giving the show direction.

I read some critique that Jason Mamao is not involved in the show. That's true, but I actually really don't mind. It would have shifted the attention towards him and probably given this a different dynamic.

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Diary of a Gigolo (2022)

4/10

Netflix on a budget?

22 September 2022

Pretty essential (and a bare minimum) when your show is about a gigolo, that the intimate scenes are electric, sensual and erotic.

That they are not.

Even the chemistry between the lead characters is def not there. That's partly a directors fault cause lacking chemistry can still be bettered by quality directing and editing.

Well, and so there's everything else about this show that's just poor quality: script, dialogues, storyline, editing.

It's just another cheap miss by Netflix. The priority nowadays seems to be making shows on a budget, and not striving for quality anymore.

Cause this is not quality. Sorry, to the actors.

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Flesh and Bone (2015)

6/10

'Too much' sums it up

21 August 2022

This series has precious ingredients in the form of actual acting ballet dancers, which could have led to a beautiful, delicate series, but they botched it with being too much. It's such a shame.

The script is drama overkill, the acting of some actors is like that as well. And I don't think that's because of the actors in most cases, I think that's more a choice of the director.

Portraying the narcissism of the ballet company founder for instance is so over the top, it becomes kind of ridiculous. If you want something that portrays art, you at least want it to feel real, right?

Then there is the lead actress who, for me, was out her depth with this role. Her storyline is heavy, but her emotional acting pallet seems too limited to pull it of. I couldn't feel what she was trying to tell me. You see an introverted woman that has trauma, but that's about it.

I will give this show a six, and that's just mainly for the dance-acting production. Which I would love to see more of. But done better.

Where you can feel a real ballet atmosphere.

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Bump (2021– )

9/10

Fun sorpresa

20 August 2022

Apart from the suprise baby being way to big, and certain situations in the beginning of the series being slightly unrealistic (regarding babies), this is a lovely show!

An unexpected gem I found on Prime.

What I like most is how natural and down to earth it feels between main characters. Australian productions have that quality way more than Hollywood's.

Highly bingeable, feel good but not in a corny way, and fun!

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You Don't Know Me (2021)

9/10

Superb story telling

25 July 2022

This has a 6.8 rating right now, and I feel confident in saying it deserves a much higher rating.

The story is so well written, and the lead actor is phenomenal. A really good show.

You can't end like that though, that's harsh ;)

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Intimacy (2022)

6/10

A story about shaming female sexuality, that doesn't live up to it's potential

18 June 2022

The idea of the show really appealed to me. A succesful, public female of whom a sex tape is leaked, and simultaneously the story of a female factory worker who gets bullied when graffic pictures of here get spread at work. That can be a great story (about female sexualty) (!).. but it's not, really. And I think it's because the storyline lacks realness and finesse.

A story that touches on intimate subject needs subltlety in emotions of characters. Depth.

This show mainly wants to tell a story. And it very much tries to make statements about how women are shamed for their sexuality but it's too much, it's forced. It wants to be feminists but you don't actually feel it. The show just isn't good enough unfortunately.

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FBoy Island (2021–2023)

9/10

Fun, light, and a creative concept.

16 June 2022

As reality shows go, this is a pretty fun one.

I love that they chose an actual comedian to present it. Nikki is great, and if anything can keep so much testosterone in check, it's a funny level headed woman.

For every woman that has dated a lot, this show is a funny challenge because as a viewer you don't know who the fboys are either. Proud to say I clocked all of them.

It's entertaining. Very LA minded but I guess that's where you find the most narcissists.

I'm gonna rate it as a reality show. Of course this can't compare to Game of Thrones.

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Hell on Wheels (2011–2016)

6/10

Ambivalent about the Wild West

20 May 2022

Warning: Spoilers

If there's one thing I really dislike about the vast majority of series and movies it's that male characters usually date women way prettier and younger. The double standard is ridiculous.

But in this show they go as far as letting the main character who's past his 40'ies f*ck a girl that looks like a minor (character is 18, looks 15-16) I'm all for authenticity in reenacting a certain time period, but this is just unnecessary (and also not in line with the character's nature and earlier behavior).

It just feels gross to me. I think they realised that and that's why the actress is replaced in the following season.

Apart from that, the show is watchable and entertaining but I'm not very impressed. It comes across as being a show on a budget. It tries to be artistic but in doing so feels forced and fake (some of the camera work is definitely not helping).

One positive note; I loved the Eva-character.

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The Gilded Age (2022– )

8/10

Good show, def worth a watch.

7 April 2022

It's funny how this show, which is constantly compaired to Downton Abbey, reflects the difference between upper class in the US and the UK. The tiltle is a perfect metaphore; it's gilded, not golden.

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Reacher (2022– )

5/10

Meh

6 February 2022

Warning: Spoilers

Wow, this show must have only been reviewed by people with very high testosterone and a love for basic action stuff.

I don't know the books, so I don't know how believable they are but the show is more like Marvel style; clearly fictional, and no focus on it being believable. The acting by the main character really isn't that great and there are things missing in the storyline. Some obvious things (like at least giving his beloved brother, who he's avenging, a funeral), others that would have given the show some more, much needed, depth and colour (figuratively).

If I compare it to the Punisher (and that's being very generous and solely based on the style of the show) it just misses quality on multiple levels.

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Sweet Magnolias (2020– )

4/10

Used to be cheesy but entertaining, now it's the tv-version of bible camp

4 February 2022

I don't know how Netflix series are being funded but there must be a serious religious lobby behind the 2nd season of this show. It's unreal.

The amount of religious references is annoying to the max, going as far as characters in all seriousness having lines thanking the lord.

And don't get me started on the (only cute in moderation) characteristic 'southern quotes' they're constantly throwing around. The only thing missing is a story line with a girl being refused an abortion because her pregnancy is God's blessing.

I don't know whether Netflix realises but their platform is used on all continents of the world, not just small southern -bake your neighbor a pie- towns in America.

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New Amsterdam (2018–2022)

7/10

Season 1&2 great season 3 really went downhill, 4 was a comeback

31 December 2021

Edit: season 4 was a great comeback. Still adressing societal issues, but in a creative storytelling way. Not so much virtue signalling.

I read they're gonna stop the show after season 5. Which is a real shame.

I really like this show, but in season 3 it's like literally every single progressive subject needs to be adressed in a forced way. I'm a progressive but this makes me absolutely cringe, and it's at the expense of the storytelling of the show. This show was for a large part about the connections between characters, and that gets lost.

It now feels more like an educational show you can use to teach teenagers about the world. But an engaging show it is not, at this point. Hope they find a way back in season 4. Because of previous seasons, and my optimistic nature, I'll still give it a 7. It was an 8.

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14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)

7/10

This story would have deserved a series.

6 December 2021

This documentary should actually have been spread out in multiple episodes. The story most definitely deserves it, AND it would give people an insight into what mountaineering actually is. Because his journeys were without a doubt thrilling, we just don't see that.

What I do like is the emphasis on the work of sherpa's, and how they too often don't get any credit. It's always 'white dudes conquering the mountains' who rise to fame.

So what this guy did (14 peaks in 7 months) could have made for a killer of a series, instead of a (kind of superficial) summary. That's the reason I won't go higher than a 7. But my deep respect for Nims and the Possible Project.

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The Chair (2021)

9/10

Finally a more intelligent comedy, not Hollywood cliché drenched.

22 August 2021

Absolutely loved it! I usually don't rate this high, but this show deserves it.

It's smart, semi sarcarstic/dark humour while adressing societal issues. It's able to walk the fine line of adressing race, racism, sexism and ageism, while also showing that the young academic world sometimes goes to far in cruisading against injustice. Which actually kills academic debate.

It's really an accomplishment how well that's mixed into one series.

I highly recommend this show. The main criticism I have is that there aren't enough episodes to make it more complete.

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Hit & Run (2021)

5/10

Homeland meets Fauda, but bad

7 August 2021

Warning: Spoilers

For people who loved Fauda and have high hopes for this show,...don't.

Unfortunately this series lacks quality on a lot of levels. Put together you get a story that is just absolutely not believable, and even rediculous at times.

It starts with the main character's wife being killed and without any reason why, he knows who did it. A guy from his past. But in his past he worked for hire for a kartel. Which probably left him with more than just one enemy. Next thing you know main character is of to New York (just based on that; dead wife, 1 one man from past) where he then just kills 2 guys with his best buddy. And they drive around two dead bodies in a van, that's registered, as if they're from a Marvel show.

The list of things that make you go "yeah, right" during this series is very long, but one of my favorites is where the main character has to buy a lot of burner phones to stay of track, but when somebody tries to call him, they get his voicemail. When you start watching, know that that's the quality you're gonna get.

The actor who plays the lead character is great in Fauda, but acting in English is not on his list of qualities. Which is a shame.

There are few characters in this show that are okay, and the actors did a good enough job.

The failing of the show is not on them.

The way it ends makes it clear there's more of this show coming. But if so, they need new writers and reinvent this show from scratch, otherwise it's just a major flop.

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