Thoughts based on the first episode.
I like zombie movies, especially the old ones. And what the more recent films of the genre don't pay attention to is the fact that zombies are dumb, they are slow. "Night of the living dead" [minor spoiler ahead] ends with humanity prevailing (in a way), and it's not surprising, decaying slow-moving corpses are a threat that can be dealt with. [end of spoiler] But I guess it doesn't make for a good movie or a long-running series. And film makers would rather have a grittier, tougher, depressing ending, that would make it clear that humanity is doomed and they are willing to toss all logic aside. But I've never felt it, because it doesn't make any sense. It's like a cliche now, and I'm sick of it. [minor spoilers for 28 days/weeks later ahead] 28 days later had an amazing ending. But the sequel had to go and ruin it: "Yeah! Zombies are everywhere, humanity is doomed, look at it! Are you depressed yet, are you?! Isn't this cool and exciting?" No! Quit it. [end of spoilers]
My point is, Fear the Walking Dead shows the start of the epidemic from a social standpoint and it does it well. It seems realistic. I watch it and I think "yeah, that is probably how it would have happened". Not fast with lots of screaming and people running around, but with lots of confused people not knowing what's going on. The government doesn't know how to deal with this problem, no one does.
This show finally dares to answer the question: if zombies are slow and dumb - how are they in power? Even when people see a walker, they don't fully comprehend it, they can't believe their eyes. They have never seen a zombie-movie, there's no such thing as a walker yet. No one knows the true gravity of the situation, they don't know what awaits them, they don't know there is going to be an apocalypse.
And that's why it's interesting for me to watch.
I also continue hoping for a zombie movie sequel taking place after the apocalypse, where survivors would have to deal with the guilt of things they've done, trying to rebuild society, scientists trying to figure out what caused the epidemic (with possible flashback). But I don't think it'll happen, because the majority apparently thinks it's boring. And it's a shame. Oh, well.
Disclaimer: I've only read the Six of Crows duology and loved it.
I really liked this series. It melds the Shadow and Bone book series with the Six of Crows, both written by Leigh Bardugo and taking place in the Grishaverse universe.
It manages to make its own identity through good story line, fast pathing, interesting characters and settings and beautiful sceneries.
I thought the first half of the season flowed exceptionally well, but some of the later episodes were a bit disappointing for me.
Pros:
- Visually stunning. Costumes, scenery and special effects are delightful.
- Cast is on point. Really loved Kit Young as Jesper and Jessie Mei Li as Alina.
- The world is well thought and fleshed out.
In between:
- Pathing is very fast, not many moments were you can pause and think about what's happening.
- Story is original, but nothing never seen before.
- Matthias and Nina storyline feels rushed and unnecessary for this first season. Actually, most of the Six of Crows storylines have little to no impact on the overall scheme of things in season 1, and just acting as a stepping stone for season 2.
Cons:
- Some scenes are VERY dark and it's difficult to see what's happening.
- Some plot points could have had more explaining, mainly the Morozova's beasts storyline, which I thought were kind of a deus ex machina.
All in all a very enjoyable watch, extremely bingeable and satisfying.
I recommend to all fantasy fans.
8/10
The Diplomat is an absolute triumph of storytelling. Debora Cahn's brilliant political thriller incorporates the best elements of her most high-profile TV work to date, mixing the relentless pacing of Homeland, the complex relationship portrayals of Grey's Anatomy, and the resolutely smart dialogue & sky-high audience expectations of the Sorkin years of The West Wing. Throw that into a brew along with a flawless cast and you get a show that is nigh impossible to stop watching mid-binge.
Keri Russell's return to TV after her iconic run on The Americans does not disappoint. Here she portrays yet another strong, brilliant woman in a position of power but this time she's out of the shadows and on the most public of stages. She deftly shifts between a rigidly formal diplomatic persona and her foul-mouthed, cutthroat private life, sometimes in the space of a couple of sentences, yet her humanity shines through. She grapples with imposter syndrome as she's thrust into an unexpectedly high profile position, but never loses sight of her strengths. She knows that she can stand toe-to-toe with her legendary-in-diplomatic-circles husband. (In fact, she warns her new colleagues that she's the only one who can help them decode or resist his charms.)
Watching their sometimes partnership / sometimes rivalry unfold across the 8 episodes is mesmerizing as both she & Rufus Sewell mercilessly chew up every scene. They're both preternatural acting talents who are used to stealing the camera from other actors, and their slow circling of each other is like a dance with words. Sewell shines as the other Ambassador in their marriage who's grappling with a crumbling relationship that he wants to save, but doesn't seem to know whether it's because he loves his wife or if she offers him a new pathway to power.
The overarching mystery of the series blends seamlessly with the evolution of their relationship, with neither feeling forced or unrealistic. And the area where so many shows can falter - the supporting roles - is yet another where this one rises above expectations. All of the secondary players shine, with the only ding against the series being the underutilization of Jess Chanliau's Ronnie. But, then again, the hallmark of the series seems to be making sure that you always want to see more. Here's hoping that we get to see more of Ronnie in (a hoped-for) season 2.
This really is Quantum Leap in name only. I really wanted this to be good. For years, I said all reboots are unnecessary but QL actually made a kind of sense. You could cover a whole new era (and the time between the original series ending and now has certainly been... busy enough to fill a series). But this is just... not that. It's aggressively mediocre. They insist on splitting time between the leap and the project, where everyone is obsessed with a Big Conspiracy MacGuffin that really just eats up the run time. And because they keep shifting to that story, Ben's leaps are half-baked and rushed. Every emotional beat happens because "Well, we're almost at our quota of script pages, they should make up now." There's no emotional connection to anything Ben is doing in the past because the writers are more interested in filling in the blanks of the cliche conspiracy plot that has been done in every single scifi show of the past decade or so.
I appreciate that they got Susan Diol back for the second episode but at this point it just feels like they're hanging placards on things as a shortcut to making us care. They drop the name DR SAM BECKETT so they don't have to do any work to make you like drbensong. They think uttering the name CALAVICCI will connect you to janice.
It's generic as hell, the dialogue is bad, the characters are cardboard, and it's not going to last long enough to lodge in your memory even if it hasn't been swiss-cheesed.
I was quite skeptical when I heard about the absurdly high budget, but after two episodes I'm pretty optimistic about this show. The simple concept of seeing the events that took place before the events of LoTR actually works really well. The CGI is tasteful and looks nice, instead of tacky and in-your-face (which was a real risk with this budget...). They also weren't afraid of using practical effects where appropriate and that really elevates the overall visuals.
Old characters are built to show the beginnings of the arc they arrive at when we see them in LoTR much later. New characters have realistic motives. Politics are sensible from all sides. What's too early to judge just after two episodes: will there be apt character development and a sensible story arc? I hope so.
I'm also pretty happy about the casting, especially Morfydd Clark who really shines as Galadriel. To people complaining about the diversity: this didn't even cross my mind when watching. If you have a problem with it, ask yourself why. Hint: It's a "you" problem and the word begins with a big fat R.
I have to admit I was kind of rooting for Amazon to fail at this just because I have so many problems with what Amazon is. But setting that aside, this is a very promising show and worth watching.
"Sugar" is a captivating series that masterfully blends the essence of classic hardboiled detective tales with a contemporary twist. As the lead character embodies the quintessential private eye persona, the show maintains a charming authenticity appealing to both genre enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The dialogue is sharp, the plot intricately crafted yet not overly convoluted, offering enough twists to sustain engagement.
The modern adaptation of the genre shines through in its portrayal of character diversity, adding depth and relevance to the narrative. Visually, "Sugar" pays homage to its noir roots while adopting a current aesthetic that complements its tone seamlessly.
Colin Farrell's portrayal adds gravitas to the character; despite its initial thinness, hinting at a complex inner life and promising character development. The series cleverly juggles between homage and self-aware parody, keeping viewers intrigued about its future trajectory.
The show's production quality, acting, and writing contribute to its allure, with its stylish cinematography reminiscent of classic noir films. Each scene serves a purpose, propelling the narrative forward without unnecessary filler, maintaining a fast-paced and engaging atmosphere.
Overall, "Sugar" is a delightful surprise, exceeding expectations with its blend of mystery, character depth, and nods to the genre's legacy. Whether you're a fan of noir or simply enjoy well-crafted storytelling, this series is undoubtedly worth your time.
As of posting this comment, I have watched three episodes, released thus far, and I reserve my right to revise my notes and opinions, based on how this show evolves.
A friend told me about a trilogy of books, ALL SOULS by Deborah Harkness, that she has been enjoying which led me to discover that all three books are being made into a TV series, with an impressive cast. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES is the first in that trilogy and was broadcast in 2018. I am so glad to have found this show. The performances are wonderful, the reshaping of familiar supernatural creatures is refreshing and the story is a clever metaphor for the political realities of the world in which we live (there has been criticism that the racial casting reinforces stereotypes within our culture but I would suggest that this is a deliberate choice to underscore our own social biases and the injustice that they unconsciously support, so that they can be eradicated). To leave the metaphor aside, this is great storytelling, an excellent love story and a compelling struggle for survival. There is whimsy and magic; foes and unlikely friends. As with the first book, the first series leaves us mid-step, and, although the second series in now in production (due for broadcast in 2020), I may have to order up the audible book for the 2nd in the series because the adventure is just that compelling. UPDATE: I, subsequently, read the whole trilogy and loved all three seasons of the show. I still rate this series as a 9 (superb) out of 10. [Fantasy Romantic Drama]
One of my favourite shows so far! Simon Baker is an amazing actor. I loved seeing him play Patrick Jane. He always plays his characters so naturally and convincing, that you sometimes wonder whether he's actually acting. The dynamic between Cho/Rigsby, Van Pelt/Rigsby and Lisbon/Jane were one of the best things about the show. Even the characters in later seasons such as Dennis and Wylie were a great asset to the show. I am ashamed I only found out about this show 5 years after its end. What I also love about this show is that everything is so well thought of. The script, the development of the characters, the acting, everything is so compelling and interesting and you just never get bored. Especially the relationships between the characters are so well written. Not once did I think it was too cheesy or slow or too fast or not believable. You follow these characters on their journey and how they become friends or how they fall in love with subtle hints throughout the show, and you just root for their happiness. It's so beautiful and so real. Nothing feels forced or strange. The only part that I might be a little sad about or think that should have been handled better is the development of Cho. He was an interesting and funny character, but they didn't really focus much on him compared to the others. There were some moments where I really felt they could have given him an interesting storyline or zoom in a bit more on that particular situation, but they just let it slide so easily, that I was thinking afterwards: why did they hint on this situation and then just forget about it? Why introducing a storyline to just throw it away later on? That was the only thing I was a bit frustrated about. They should have given the actor more credit, more things to work with. Other than that, this will always be one of my favourite shows! Sad that it ended, but in a good way. I will forever be in love with Simon Baker's smile and Patrick Jane's wit.
I don't know whey this show does not have so many great reviews. I found it to be entertaining & a good format for a story line. I originally got interested because the show portrayed itself around Bitcoin. Once I watched it, I was hooked. The show gets a lot right about the strange world of crypto-currency.
I work for a company that was hired to build a new crypto-currency using Ethereum around the time season 1 came out. coincidentally the name was very close to "Gen-Coin". It was for a guy out of China but listed his company as a U.S. entity based out of LA. We put several great coders to work to build the new crypto-currency. We had the currency & the exchange up and running. Eventually we found out the guy was using the new currency as a ponzi scheme. He eventually got arrested trying to flee china & was thrown in jail for the scam. At the end we got burnt, lost a lot money, and got a crash course in the ways of the dark web and the new age of crypto-currency.
This is what got me interested in the show. Based on my experience, I would say this is a great show. Granted sometimes it feels little far fetched but it's very entertaining. It gives a great window into the world of startups as well as the new world of dark web & blockchain.
There are several serials with a protagonist applying out of the box techniques to solve crimes. Somehow they take inspiration from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic Sherlock Holmes. He has a particular sentence which he keeps shouting about, 'You all see, but you don't observe'
The mentalist is on the same lines. There have been many and I'm sure there will be many too, but this sets a different place in viewers mind because of the back story and execution.
Each one of us has a frustrating part which believes if the criminals don't follow rules, then why should the police, they should be given free rein with all the unorthodox methods for finding the culprits. The mentalist gives this particular emotion a vent. The lead of this series, Mr Patrick Jane is very well versed in hot reading, cold reading, manipulation, keen observation, deduction etc. Though he uses these skills to help the Police solve crimes, he has an open agenda of revenge. That's something that connects him with the audience. He works with Detective Lisbon, the formal head of the team. She being a girl adds the balance on screen.
Do not go expecting mind benders and complex plots. There scarcely are any thrilling moments (Go see Sherlock for that) The show wins in terms of execution. The relations between fellow team members. Relations between Jane and Lisbon are convincing. Patrick Jane acted by Simon Baker is the most pleasing of them all. His charming, playful demeanour seals it for me at least.
to summarize, the following things make the show a success.
A lead character with a tragic back story that connects
Execution and inter-team relations
Mr Simon Baker
