alanl06-662-77020 Reviews

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

YET ANOTHER MASTERPIECE

[9/10 · 16 December 2023]

This is indeed another masterpiece by the Director despite the sniping from the sidelines which I believe have more to do with professional rivalry than genuine concerns from SOME directions regarding historical accuracy. If Robert De Nero doesn't win an Oscar for a spellbounding performance then there is something wrong . His alleged " pupil " Di Caprio has finally completed the transition from a " pretty face " which he began with " The Revenant " , sidestepped with a couple of lightweight movies but has now completed his metamorphosis into a mature truly talented actor . As always , a solid supporting cast of great talent mixed with little know cast members round off another stellar movie .

Culprits (2023– )

HIGHLY ENJOYABLE ROMP

[7/10 · 28 November 2023]

Enjoyable crime caper romp once you suspend disbelief and settle into compulsive viewing and treat yourself to 10 episodes of " what's gonna happen next " ? Excellent performances by all the cast , and particular credit to an actor playing " Muscle " who was previously unknown to me but who I would expect to see and hear alot about in the future . Marvellous cameo appearance by the ever reliable ( if OTT ) Eddie Izzard and Gemma Atherton played the anti-heroine beautifully, menacingly brilliantly. I would not be disappointed if there was a squel and it stands alone well as a one off but more of this would be welcome.

The Wall (2019– )

Disappointing predictable and overlong

[4/10 · 20 February 2023]

Yet another menopausal female detective but this time from French Canada rather than Skandi Noir . Possibly would benefit from blitz watching but frankly too slow paced ( nothing much happens in each episode ) and I'm pretty sure I have most of it worked out after the first 3 or 4 episodes but frankly not that interested in who did what to whom or why . Some reviewers mentioning extreme violence must have watched more than me and I may be tempted to watch the final 2 episodes when Channel 4 UK airs them just to see if I am correct in my theories as to the perpetrator or perpetrators but won't waste anymore time watching what goes on in the mean time .

The Patient (2022)

FASCINATING AND ADDICTIVE

[8/10 · 3 November 2022]

Excellent production and SUPERB acting from the two main characters . If this doesn't win awards I will be astounded . At first I worried about the relatively shortness of each episode but somehow it seemed to fit and I couldn't wait for the next episode . Difficult to describe without spoilers but the word that comes to mind is INTRIGUING. I don't know if it was originally a stage play but if not then someone should consider doing so . Multi-layered and moving script tackling many levels of human existence without becoming boring and spiced with not a little suspense and excitement. WELL WORTH WATCHING .

City on a Hill (2019–2022)

COMPULSIVE VIEWING DESPITE MORE SOAP THAN CRIME

[6/10 · 25 October 2022]

I found it hard to find a single character through most of the first series that I could like or emphasise with and I was slightly put off by the lack of action and a perponderence of " kitchen sink " drama surrounding the personal lives of most of the protagonists . Despite all my misgivings I found it strangely compulsive viewing and have now completed 2 full seasons . The more I watched the more I wanted to watch and I felt it improved with every episode . Still hard to work out who is wearing the WHITE HAT but I HAVE warmed to Kevin Bacon's character and it is great to see some old faces from the LAW AND ORDER family still doing what they have always done so well.

Between Black and Blue (2020–2021)

EXTRAORDINARY TALE OF INCOMPETENCE AND OR CORRUPTION IN THE COLORADO JUSTICE SYSTEM

[9/10 · 12 September 2022]

If this documentary detailing either total incompetence at best or widespread corruption in the Colorado justice system had been made into a movie , critics would have panned it for being so far fetched and the continued injustice not possible . One of the most compelling and ultimately unresolved miscarriages of justice which probably because it features 2 police officers wrongly convicted on fabricated evidence of an admitted pathological liar who was coached by other officers to implicate one officer who eventually won a slam dunk appeal ( after 4 or 5 years incarceration ) and another who to this day carrys a conviction for conspiracy to murder due to HIS appeal against the same miscarriage of justice being denied by a " Judge " with selective memory loss and more than a hint of metal disability who appears to delight in what he did . The fact that one of the police officers is black lends creedence to theories of racial inequality . The Colorado Major Crimes Strike Force was abandoned due to " improprioties " but no legal.action taken . What makes this worse is that the main offenders continued and perhaps CONTINUE in the job and some in elevated positions . Sure the INNOCENCE PROJECT could look into this . Our POLICE OFFICERS DESERVE JUSTICE JUST AS MUCH AS ANYBODY ELSE NOT JUST BEING HELD TO ACCOUNT IN HIGH PROFILE CASES WHICH ARE SPLASHED ALL OVER THE MEDIA.

The Feared: Irish Gangsters (2019)

AMAZON SHOULD AT LEAST BE ASHAMED IF NOT PROSECUTED

[1/10 · 9 September 2022]

Have any of the Moderators or whatever in Amazon ACTUALLY WATCHED THIS ?????? Various gangsters being validated by a so called " reformed " gangster and reducing the Northern Ireland Unionist Majority to the likes of Adair and presenting suspected mass murderers as victims of corrupt police with complete acceptance ( other than 2 or 3 references to past convictions ) . Always good for the AMERICAN AUDIENCE to add in a bit of British Oppression but hpw this is being aired without ANY REFERENCE TO THE TWO MAIN MURDERING GANGS ....IS NOT JUST UNBLIEVEABLE BUT SMACKS OF SOME KIND OF AMAZON EITHER NEGLECT OR COLLUSION WITH THE REAL BILLIONAIRE CRIME SYNDICATES ... TENTACLES REACH FAR ...FOR DETAILS OF THE REAL BIG PLAYERS ...... BUY A NEWSPAPER AND AVOID 2 HOURS OF FAIRYTALES.

Kleo (2022– )

KILLING KLEO

[7/10 · 30 August 2022]

Great series from Germany that owes more than a nod to UK series Killing Eve ( or possibly vice-versa ) . Either way neither suffer from the comparisons and both stand on their own merits . Don't want to give anymore info other than you can look forward to lots of twists and turns as with its British counterpart. Great storyline, plot and performances from the entire cast especially KLEO and her bumbling detective would be nemesis Well worth watching . Plenty of action with thumping soundtrack and a few surreal leaps of fantasy. Not over long and no padding Even if you are someone who is not keen on subtitles you should give it a try . ENJOY.

Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

THANK YOU BOB . GOOD HEALTH AND LONG LIFE ......

[9/10 · 18 August 2022]

YOU HAVE EARNED IT . WHAT A FINAL SEASON !!!!! NEVER MIND YOU HAD A MAJOR MEDICAL PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ( PREDICTIVE TEXTING CHANGED THAT TO MEXICAN PROBLEM LOL ) . AT TIMES I DIDNT SEE THE WOOD FOR THE TREES BUT ONCE THE BRILLIANTLY CREATIVE FINAL SEASON WAS COMPLETE I ALMOST CRIED AS A MIXTURE OF SADDNESS FOR SAUL LEAVING US AND JOY FOR AN AMAZING FINALE .

The Gray Man (2022)

COULD WE HAVE FOUND OUR NEXT 0077

[7/10 · 26 July 2022]

Exhilarating CIA Black Ops romp with spectacular actions scenes and enough shooting and explosions to satisfy the most critical viewer . OK...a somewhat unoriginal storyline but all the leads carry it off with aplomb especially the larconic SIX . Could Ryan be the next JAMES ??????

Trom: Give and Take (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

WASTE OF 5 HOURS

[5/10 · 10 July 2022]

Yet ANOTHER Nordic so called " thriller " based on contemporary issues as in today's news regarding demonstrations in the Faro Isles by conservationists . To be fair, it does add the subplot of the esteemed journalist returning to his homeland ( although it never quite explains why ) and , en route , receiving a video message from a young activist saying that she is his daughter and asking for help to expose wrongdoing. Personally I think she was lucky for never having met him and , possibly for being killed before she had a chance to do so. So many holes in the plot you could make a string vest to fend off the bleak weather . The acting was mainly of a good standard ( particularly the 2 lead police women officers and the understated performance as the villian. Most characters were suitably flawed but some to the extent that when the little girl disappears at the end of the season finale , instead of becoming a WHO DUNNIT .... IT BECOMES A WHO CARES . 5 STARS FOR EFFORT AND SOME GOOD PERFORMANCES AND I ADMIT TO A SLIGHT CURIOSITY AS TO THE FATE OF THE LITTLE GIRL IF THERE ARE MORE THAN 6 EPISODES OR ANOTHER SERIES I COULD BE TEMPTED.

Król (2020– )

EXCELLENT EPIC POLSKI SOPRANOS

[9/10 · 18 May 2022]

Not for the faint hearted , this is a fantastic Polish Gangster/Political Intrigue series with an eclectic range of psycho killers and an excellent performance as the lead anti-hero and actually ALL of the actors . Couldn't stop watching it ....on episode 8 and torn between wanting to see what happens next and needing to go to sleep .

We Own This City (2022)

GOOD BUT NOT GREAT

[6/10 · 12 May 2022]

Before I discovered that this series if brought to us by the makers of The Wire , I had myself been reminded of the similarities , not least because of the Baltimore location . It is a cross between The Shield AND The Wire unfortunately not as good as either . It is still an interesting and entertaining cop show but I am becoming increasingly irritated by the constant flashing back and forward in time which seems to be DE RIGEUR for modern TV. It was a n option which once lent itself to expanding the plot but is now over used and disruptive.

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)

8 FOR THE FILMING 2 FOR THE POLICE INVESTIGATION

[5/10 · 22 April 2022]

I was a police officer from 1972 in Northern Ireland which admittedly was less than the size of Staten Island but EVEN WE had teleprinters in 1972 but saddly I recognise the disputes between various arms of the " Justice " system which in our case involved not just inter police departments but also inter police/army jealousy . However .. I never witnessed such stupidity , inter department jealousy with such arrogant politically elected heads of police f##King the Bundy case up SO OFTEN . GOD HELP ALL THE POOR GIRLS WHO DIED AND THEIR FAMILIES ... BUT SADDLY ... MOST OF ALL ....THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHOSE DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED SO MANY TIMES BUT ESPECIALLY AFTER BUNDY WAS ALLOWED TO ESCAPE SO OFTEN . I WOULD BET MY SHIRT THAT IF HE WAS BLACK HE WOULDNT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MURDER SO MANY YOUNG IRKS FOR SO LONG AND GET AWAY WITH IT

OFTEN.

Law & Order (1990– )

Sometimes Better to let Sleeping Dogs Lie

[5/10 · 3 April 2022]

It pains me to give such a low score to the new season of Law and Order ( season 21 ). I was delighted for myself and the creators that it was making a comeback but either I'm just a grumpy old man , a distinct possibility , or this series just isn't up to scratch . Either way , I will stick to watching the repeats . As one of the detectives says in episode 2 .... JUST BECAUSE IT IS NEW AND SHINEY DOESNT MEAN ITS GOOD.

Nightride (2021)

ORIGINAL AND BOLD CONCEPT FILMED IN ONE NIGHT

[7/10 · 9 March 2022]

When I heard of this movie filmed in one take in Belfast in and around the Harbour Estate and George Best Airport during Covid Lockdown , I was highly sceptical but I'm glad I took the chance to watch it . Tense throughout, it is a well acted ( in some cases OVERacted ) gem and we worth the watch . . I recommend giving it a chance and suggest you won't be disappointed.

Pieces of Her (2022)

SOLID 6 FOR PLOT & ACTING IF A LITTLE OVERLONG

[6/10 · 8 March 2022]

Enjoyable twisting storyline and mostly very good performances but I have to agree with others that it is a bit overlong with unnecessary padding . I was able to fast forward during some scenes without missing anything of consequence and some people seem have grown considerably between time liness.

I STILL think it is above average and worth watching .

Archive 81 (2022)

DONT WATCH ALONE IF OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION

[7/10 · 3 March 2022]

I wasn't sure at first . Its a bit of a mixture of genres but scared the life outta me in places . Excellent cast of " unknowns to me " lol . It took me a while to warm to the male lead as he has a very laid back style of acting but sometimes less is more . I binge watched it last night . Only 8 episodes so got to sleep about 8am .I think the " ending " might evoke differing reactions and was the only thing that prevented me awarding 8.

Ray Donovan: The Movie (2022 TV Movie)

DISAPPOINTING LAST ?? HURRAH

[6/10 · 20 January 2022]

Had the feeling of being somewhat cobbled together and , as others have commented , padded a bit too much . Nevertheless, I mostly enjoyed it , if only for a chance to see John Voights OTT but riveting portrayal of Mickey Donovan once again . If this was indeed the last hurrah there was a glaring absence in all the flashbacks , surely a MAJOR CHARACTER ( ABBIE ) from the series played brilliantly by the fantastic PAULA MALCOMSON , could have featured more than the the token " Young " ABBIE scene . Ms Malcomsons contribution to the series deserved more and one was left with the feeling , given the various writing and directing credits , that this was something of a Mr Schrieber " Benefit " movie.

Body Cam (2020)

WELL WORTH A WATCH DESPITE PSUEDO-CRITICS REVIEWS

[7/10 · 28 December 2021]

Suspend your disbelief and enjoy this surprisingly good mix of genres , including cop , revenge , thriller and supernatural . Don't want to say TOO much so as not to spoil it but simply WELL WORTH THE WATCH and , although , I maybe a tad generous with a 7 it is a solid 6.5. ENJOY

it is a sold 6.5.

American Rust (2021–2024)

SO DISAPPOINTING. BLEAK WITH ZERO REDEMPTION

[5/10 · 11 December 2021]

As a big fan of Jeff Daniels I had searched this some time ago and read alot of negative reviews . Recently I looked at it again and the ratings were higher so I thought I would give it a go. Unfortunately the original ratings were accurate . In ANY story , other than Shakespearian tragedies one should feel some empathy with at least ONE of the characters . In this series it is difficult to find any.

True Story (III) (2021)

Enjoyable but not very original

[6/10 · 3 December 2021]

I watched all 7 episodes to find out what I knew from the first episode . What went on in between was an enjoyable , if predictable romp with good performances from the principles and well worth the watch.

No Time to Die (2021)

WORST BOND VILLIAN EVER SPOILS A GREAT MOVIE

[6/10 · 16 November 2021]

RAMI MALEK must be the least sinister of ALL the Bond villains which continues the modern trend of poor casting and verges on the COMICAL . Mind you , I thought he was pathetic in the Freddie Mercury biopic but somehow managed an Oscar ( more as a tribute to Freddie I think ) . The " Phantom of the Opera " copy was laughable as was most of his performance. I will be sorry to see Daniel Craig leave as he was , without doubt , the best BOND since Sean Connery . Times change and Daniel Craig has has brought BOND into the modern era . Its a shame that the producers can't look back to the days of GOLDFINGER , " DO YOU EXPECT ME TO TALK " ? " NO MR BOND ...I EXPECT YOU TO DIE " and other menacing BLOEFELDS , like Charles Grey and Donald Pleasance.

Mayans M.C. (2018–2023)

SUPERIOR TO SOA

[8/10 · 23 October 2021]

A CLASSIC CASE OF PUPIL OUTDOING THE MASTER , MAYANS MC OUTDOES SONS OF ANARCHY ON STORYLINES , CHARACTERS , ACTING , SCRIPTS . CANT WAIT FOR SEASON 4.

The Many Saints of Newark (2021)

MORE PLEASE MORE

[8/10 · 4 October 2021]

Loved this . I admit to having my doubts and their were moments in the 2 hours where those doubts crept back in but as the plot " thickened " I found myself transported back to those halcyon days of THE SOPRANOS on our tvs . I only hope that those in the position to perhaps launch a series of THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK have the vision to do so THE BOY DID GOOD JAMES.