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Slow Horses (2022)
started off so strong
It's a drag that this collection of talent is messed by weak writing with Swiss cheese holes in the end of the 2nd season.
Oldman and Thomas, as expected, are both strong in the parts. Though Oldman does have a meatier part.
His subtlety is just so great to watch.
The standout surprises are Saskia Reeves, who has been around for some time, though I'd not heard of her on these shores.
And Rosalind Eleazer. She steals scene with just her eye reactions. Her focus is that what you'd expect from a spy.
S02E4 has a weak ending that is carried into and thru E06. Still very watchable, but I hope things tighten up for next season.
Music is in the background where it should be and no pop songs, unlike the irritation of Alias.
The Spy (2019)
very well written, directed and played
All the players are great. It seemed to me there was some writers embellishment for no reason in some places. As it turns out, that was some utter made up stuff about Cohens wife Nadia.
It also points out how the state utterly sacrificed Cohen when he wanted out. I'm surprised Nadia stayed in Israel her whole life.
I'd have liked to see how some of the technology of the time was effected. How the Syrians didn't catch on to the transmissions sooner. How microfilm got back to Mossad, etc.
True Detective (2014)
pretentious drival.
I tuned in for S02 after so many said how good it is. I like Rachel and Kelly in other things and they're both very strong players.
But this is utter poo. Spends way too much time trying to be LA cool.
I don't think I've seen Vince Vaughn in anything, but I hope he isn't normally prone to over acting.
Dumb, dark, drawn out story.
I'd rather tie my shoes together on the wrong feets and go for a backwards run up Lombard.
Perhaps I should look at S01.
Another dumb cop show.
S04 - woof!
Even more disappointing.
Great players, mediocre writing, stoopit story line mostly stolen from Katla, the Icelandic episodic from '21.
Katla cinematography was better too. This was also shot in Iceland.
Topped off with a "theme" song by sleeping Billie Iwish you'd go away. Too much whats the point music.
Unless there is a vast change, I'm counting on steering my eyes elsewhere after E3.
Shameless (2011)
writing gets very lame in S9
Becomes very much an attack on Fiona, like a person never learns. And women in general. Then, as a cliffhanger, she is fixed up.... Maybe.
It's chaotic jump around mess, with story lines lasting as long as a fart.
One can see why characters jumped ship when the writing and direction fall off the wagon.
Lip, Frank, Vi & Kevin hold their own even with some very bad writing.
S1-8 are very good and have a lot to say.
Most episodics are only good for 4 or 5 seasons.
Then greed enters, on everyones part. Even the audience.
Nightmare Alley (2021)
disappointing at best
The film looks great and production values are high in general. But it's way too long.
Collette, Dafoe, Strathairm, Rooney and Cate are all very good. Dunno if it was the writing or Cooper himself, but he was well over.
I guess del Toro is not my cuppa. I liked Pans, but found Shape of Water the same as this. Just left me feeling like I wasted 2.5 hours.
I'd much rather watch Melvilles worst than this.
Billions (2016)
1st 5 seasons were pretty good
And consistent.
When Ax left (not that he was particularly any kind of anchor), I think the writers did too.
Stoopit pop references.
I'll go back to the Flying Nun.
Manhattan (2014)
strong players, scripts and look
Very well done thus far (4 eps in).
Mostly strong players, good story line(s) and solid direction.
Looks like HQ Brit production, even though it's US (I think).
Olivia Williams is so strong in this, like she is in the later Counterpart.
I hope the UK prod of Call My Agent, which she is one of the leads is good. Tough to follow the original French.
The Honourable Woman (2014)
good story, over directed
While the story and the players are all very good, there are way too many "art" moments and excesses to draw this out to 9 eps.
Easily should have been 6.
Many twists and turns attempt to hide an important element of the long story. But it becomes rather obvious by the 4th.
You won't be on the edge of your seat, but you won't want to abandon it neither.
Favorite bit. John Mackay as investigator Caleb Schwako.
Nicely underplayed:
Igal Naor ... Shlomo Zahary
Stephen Rea ... Sir Hugh Hayden-Hoyle.
Ray Donovan (2013)
1st 3 seasons are pretty good
4th starts to fall apart. I'm midway in S05 and I think I'm nearing the end of my patience.
Bad dialog, direction. Dragging your eyes thru the millennia.
Best of the regulars are Jon Voight, Paula Malcomson, Eddie Marsan, Katherine Moennig, Steven Bauer. Liev is disappointing.
Watch 3 and quite while you're ahead.
We Are Lady Parts (2021)
don't miss it
Well written, directed, & played.
Funny, endearing and a great band.
Haven't reached end of S01 and hope there will be an S02.
Flack (2019)
clever, funny/not funny, well written, well played
It may be a bit dark for some, but Flack is well done in every way.
Hope Prime gives a 3rd season.
Casino Royale (2006)
woof
Though I like DC in some things, this was not a vehicle for him.
The script is dumb and has at least 3 endings and goes on way tooooooo long.
Always fun to see Eva Green, but this was not for her either.
The best part is the opening scene in Africa.
After that, consider watching Titanick if for no other reason than to hear the theme song and watch your pets run for the hills.
Or mowing your nose hairs.
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2009)
maybe back in its' day
Slow lame fish out of water story.
Drown the fish.
Bandits (2001)
way too long
Great players. BBT stands out as well as cousin.
BW plays one face. Even Cate is not so interesting.
The romantic story line is lame.
But the ending is brilliant.
Winter's Bone (2010)
good writting and direction
Jennifer and all supporting cast are very good.
Not too long.
Good story with highs and lows.
Hard times in America.
The Florida Project (2017)
a bit long in the tooth
Could have lost a half hour of time.
Good performances by all.
The Magnificent Seven (1960)
7 men in search of an author
No where near as well written as the Pirandello play.
Horrid writing and direction by 2 experienced players.
The great cast is almost entirely wasted on this sad remake of Kurosawa.
Comical dialog in places. While I'm sure the intention was good, the outcome is a waste of a couple hours.
Sturges well known western direction is haphazard and choppy.
Hard to believe the same man directed The Great Escape a couple years later.
Mystery Road (2018)
very enjoyable, good pacing
Well written, played and directed. Beautiful and interesting shots of Australia.
Not over blown with American style musical excess where it doesn't belong.
A slow burning story with some good twists.
There is a continuity issue from ep 6-7 in S01, but it's not a killer.
Ep7 does have an area of disappointing writing for the sake tension that just isn't needed. But way better than most cop show/murder mysteries.
There are places where subs are useful and an Australian dictionary.
John Wick (2014)
wow, was that ever stoopit!
Great cast wasted on utter stoopit.
The doggie steals the scene.
Green Book (2018)
one of best in recent times
Both leads are very good. Well written and played.
Best serious film I've seen in some time.
Watch the faces in the final scene.
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
not one of Spikes best
But and interesting and engrossing story. There are some holes.
Good players and writing.
L'amica geniale (2018)
1st season is quite good
But as the 2nd drags on, we lost interest.
it becomes too dark for too long.
Great players and story.
Looks great.
Mademoiselle (1966)
very well done
And ages well. Good story and players.
Moreau as usual is great.
Jean Genet gets in the head of others.
The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
pretty damn good, especially considering the age
Well written and played. Twists and turns.
Mitchum is in this.
The Expanse (2015)
slow to develop
A bunch of people I simply don't care about. Boring story line.
Mediocre Sci-Fi for shut-ins and people who never saw 2001:A Space Odyssey .