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Reviews
The Strain: It's Not for Everyone (2014)
Decent but bad characterisation for Nora
A good episode nearly ruined by bad characterisation. We see a bit more of other characters like boxer Gus and ratcatcher Vasily and how the surviving victims are progressing. The main action with Captain Redfern was good, giving more info on the infected and what's happening to them.
But I found Nora's behaviour regarding Emma Arnot as baffling and unbelievable, and it nearly ruined the episode for me. She's an experienced CDC doctor and has just autopsied the Captain and seen he's not human anymore. Yet she talks about Setrakian "murdering" infected victims and becoming hysterical and crying just because Emma's a child and Setrakian killed her?
Zhan lang (2015)
Abysmal film
I had heard this movie was highly rated so was really disappointed by it.
It has a poor story and worse acting. Sure, it's only a $12m budget but the CGI is laughably inept. The wolves scene is as bad as the surfing scene in Escape from LA, completely unconvincing.
It's a propaganda film for the People's Liberation Army, that's why it did well in China, like Rambo First Blood Part II or Rambo III in the US, but those were made 30yrs earlier.
If this is what is considered a great Chinese movie, I'll stick with films from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, etc.
Inside No. 9: Love's Great Adventure (2020)
Family drama with a subtle twist
This is different to the episodes this series is known for. It's a family drama set in the lead up to Christmas as they deal with problems in their lives and hold together as a family. The adults Trevor and Julia are grandparents bringing up a 6 year old grandson and teenage daughter.
The daughter Mia wants a new dress for school prom but they can't afford it. The grandson Connor wants his absent dad Patrick to show up. Trevor breaks his arm so money's tight as he can't work, though the real reason it happened is revealed later on, while Julia worries about money.
The son Patrick turns up and the relationship between father and son over his drug addiction is acted really well. I thought Reece Shearsmith was out acted by Steve Pemberton by a long way but his character had a key part in revealing the plot twist (see below).
SPOILER: I'm adding this as it's a subtler twist than usual and might be missed. Patrick owed money to a loan shark who was knocked over in a hit and run car accident. Julia had a car accident that Uncle Alex paid to fix. Julia was the driver in the hit and run.