sudarshs Reviews

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023– )

I wish the show stayed with 1950s

[6/10 · 3 December 2023]

I was really looking forward to this show from the get-go, and I decided to give it a fair shot by watching four episodes before jotting down my thoughts. The first couple of episodes? Pretty much what I was hoping for, but after that, it's been kind of a letdown.

The choice to cast Kurt and Wyatt Russel, an actual father-son duo, was a brilliant move. These two are knocking it out of the park! But, they're pretty much the only ones keeping things interesting. The other characters? They're just filling in the usual slots - the hacker/sleuth, the love interest, and the usual daddy issues.

With the big names behind this show, the folks who've brought us hits like 'Mad Men' and 'Severance', and penned blockbusters like 'Thor' and 'Iron Man', I was expecting something special. But, this show is just forgettable. It's not about the CGI or how the show looks - that stuff's all good. It's the way things play out on screen that just doesn't add up at times.

That said, what's keeping me interested is the story set in the 1950s. I hope the show brings more of that.

The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023– )

Where all the brains went to die...

[2/10 · 27 July 2023]

As a TWD fan, I am really bummed with this one.

They focused way too much on Negan and Maggie, with monologues and stuff, and basically ignoring everyone else.

No one else got any character development - why should we even care about them, right?

No one seemed to remember how to deal with the walkers! After 11 Seasons and 177 episodes! Like, you know, cover themselves in zombie gunk or wear walker faces to get past hordes? Nope.

Honestly, it's like the writers only watched bits and pieces of the old seasons and then tried to cobble together a spin-off. Disappointing, really.

I don't understand all these good ratings but hey, YMMV.

The Night Agent (2023– )

Netflix finally got it right

[8/10 · 26 March 2023]

The plot is ok and the antagonists were just mediocre, but what made the big difference to me was the likable casts (fresh) and the 24/Bourne-esque style and pace of the show that kept me on the edge of my seat. I ended up binging on this show in three sittings.

You'll truly enjoy this show if you can look past the cliches and the unrealistic parts of the show - which is not uncommon in this genre. The series ended satisfactorily but it made me want more.

Netflix originals lately have been meh, but they got it right in this one.

I highly recommend that you give this show a chance and not read too much into the bad review.

Echo 3 (2022–2023)

Feels plasticky!

[3/10 · 27 November 2022]

I waited until I saw 3 episodes to give it a fair shot before writing this review.

I agree with some of the reviews about how far-fetched/unrealistic the leading character arcs are, so I am not going to repeat.

Luke Evans is a great actor. He held his end of the bargain to add some depth to a script that has none. All other casts fell short miserably to be likable. The two leading characters, Amber and Prince have zero chemistry and they tried so hard to force the audience with cheesy moments but it just looked plastic and weird.

Weak antagonists in some amateurs against the might of the Colombian Commandos and CIA. Ups and downs in missions look almost comical.

I don't know where they are going with this but it won't be anything like Homeland, 24, or Jack Ryan for sure. Far from it!

House of the Dragon: Second of His Name (2022) Season 1, Episode 3

Still waiting patiently

[5/10 · 5 September 2022]

Still, conversations are as shallow as it gets, plots are as predictable as it gets. Still haven't found a character to love or loathe, and I don't know why these episodes get 10s and 9s. First one's an exception, even I rated high being a fanboy and was waiting for a long time for it to air, but didn't expect it to be this dry.

Excitements for VFX and dragons will fade. The shortcomings in arcs, bad casting choices and writing will eventually emerge. Fandom will still continue to rate them high but when people start finding other shows that are more entertaining, viewership will be felt.

I'm afraid the Winter is coming.

House of the Dragon: The Rogue Prince (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

This show made me binge on GoT again - not in a good way

[3/10 · 29 August 2022]

I really want to like this show but the show hasn't been helping me so far.

The pace seem slow and intentional. Storyline is monotonous. Besides the dragons, the VFX and the history left behind by GoT, there's nothing that's holding the show together so far.

I know this is only the 2nd episode but I am having trouble liking any of the characters portrayed thus far but the very first episode of GoT got us hooked on and invested in many character arcs right away, both good and evil.

I know it is not fair to compare this show with GoT coz it's missing texts to help with screenwriting, but if the producers are staging this as a prequal to GoT, they cannot expect it to be evaluated on its own merit.

But above all, the biggest issue I have with this show is the lack of depth in conversations and complete absence of humor. No quips, no tongue-in-cheeks, no poetry - the kind of things you'd expect more in ancient times.

Nonetheless, I have this show to thank for making me re-watch GoT for the third time, for its sheer mastery, ingenuity and poetic justice.

Hawkeye: So This Is Christmas? (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Shortsighted Hawkeye

[6/10 · 23 December 2021]

I really wanted to love this series and it did the job for the most part but I feel like they made Clint Barton way too vulnerable than how he was portrayed in the MCU til date.

I like Kate's character more than Clint coz of the humor she brings but there are things I cannot digest.

1. Yelena's misplaced revenge. I don't get the rage she has over Clint for Natasha's death. That part wasn't truly thought through in my opinion.

2. There isn't a strong antagonist in this entire show until kingpin showed up. I was so excited to see him but then again they seemingly ended him so easily and in humiliating way that Daredevil took 3 seasons to get even close to him. I really hope this isn't the end for Kingpin.

3. Absence of post credit with cliffhanger. This is the first piece of MCU production that didn't end in a post-credit that made audience wanting more. Seem very shortsighted. The theatrical performance - which they pushed twice in the series - was not a peasant experience to say the least.

4. Swordsman. This was the biggest disappointment I had. Swordsman is supposed to be one of the biggest arch nemesis of Clint and this show made a joke out of him. I hope at least they'd give a glimpse of Crossfire or Trickshot to end the show at least.

Overall, this series left me unimpressed.

The Blackout (2019)

Zombies with guns

[6/10 · 7 August 2021]

Great story arc, CGI, VFX but little to no character development or follow through. I'm pleasantly surprised with high production quality. It's just small things that would've made it at least an 8/10. There are smart and thoughtful moments (better than most Hollywood action movies nowadays) but then there are others that baffled me coz they made no sense whatsoever.

Running out of ammo when there are mountains of dead people with guns?

The two couples that had any connection decided to kill or let killed their partners. Just didn't make any sense.

But overall, an entertaining movie.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Speechless...

[10/10 · 6 August 2021]

I cannot properly describe the butterflies in my stomach after watching this EPIC movie. Perhaps a few words that comes to my mind.

ROFL, WOAH, WHAT THE?, YUCK, AAW, OUCH, OMG, CUTE, YEAH, MILTON.

Jolt (2021)

Utter nonsense

[1/10 · 23 July 2021]

I love Kate and Stanley. That's the only reason I spent 15 minutes watching this movie, but it made me so mad that I wanted to spend another 5 minutes writing this review.

The idea is new and creative but the story went on a direction I never thought it would. Cliche galore and nothings believable. I mean it felt like they didn't even care to make it believable. I'm not talking about unrealistic stunts or protagonist's impulsive psychology but the circumstances and basic social reactions by everyone surrounding her.

Here are some:

• Literally anyone she comes in contact are bad and annoying except for the super-nice-rich guy whom she dates a couple of times - whose murder and her vengeance is the story arc of this movie!

• Police officers making jokes in a murder investigation
• Shooting at an unarmed suspect before even attempting to have a conversation
• Police station wide open for anyone to just waltz in and take evidence from the locker

All of the above is in the first 15 mins of the movie. It's not funny or serious. It's not romantic or action or thriller. It's not science fiction or drama.

All I know is, I'm never getting back that 15 minutes.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

An absolute stunner!

[10/10 · 1 June 2021]

In many shows, you'll find fillers and arcs that makes no sense to the plot. This show is no different BUT you'll absolutely welcome them because they are so well put together. The chemistry between Kate Winslet and Jean Smart is phenomenal and they led a powerhouse of actors corps that made this show so amazing.

I'd be so outraged if this show did not win any awards!

Righteous Kill (2008)

Six reasons why I hated this movie

[2/10 · 16 September 2008]

I was so excited when I saw the trailer couple of months back that two of my favorite actors in action. I walked into the theater expecting the duo's performance to be somewhere close to "Heat". Little did I know that the trailer was all they've got!

Reason 1 : More than 90% of the movie contains the two wrinkled faces. That made me sick. You will notice that they are always together in each and every scene.

Reason 2 : No build up of story

Reason 3 : Easily predictable. My friend and I predicted the story within the first 15 minutes of the movie. I am sure you could too.

Reason 4 : The entire movie revolves around the two. Showing that De Niro is still capable satisfying younger women while Al Pacino has still got sense of humor.

Reason 5 : Some of the characters seemed absolutely useless. (Det. Ted and Simon)

Reason 6 : The supposedly evil character Spider (50c) was a joke.

Overall, it is so apparent that the movie has no meat except for the two overly paid casts. I should've spent my buck on watching a chick-flick like House Bunny instead.