hawthornd Reviews

Justice League (2001–2004)

Not Bad

[6/10 · 9 November 2023]

I only started watching this when it appeared on Netflix but despite being over twenty years old it doesn't seem particularly dated.

I'm no DC geek but from watching the movies and reading comics when I was a kid I don't recall Wonder Woman being able to fly?

Superman also isn't so super, practically everything hurts him and he can't breathe underwater or in space. The Flash isn't particularly fast, in one episode he can barely keep up with a truck in traffic and it's hard to see the point of Hawkgirl at all.

Batman is really the only main character who seems to fit with the character in other media.

Overall though it's definitely watchable.

Abbott Elementary (2021– )

Very average but the potential is there

[5/10 · 1 September 2022]

I finished watching season 1 and honestly can't understand all the 10/10 ratings. There were no laugh out loud moments though the performances are good and there are a few chuckles.

The mockumentary style will inevitably draw comparisons with The Office but this simply isn't in the same league, it just isn't funny enough and the characters aren't as engaging, the school principal in particular is just annoying.

If the writing gets slicker and funnier then this show has potential but for me the jury is still out. I'll give season 2 a look for a few episodes where it's released, I hope that it makes the grade. As my school reports often said "Could do better....."

Not Another Happy Ending (2013)

Dull as Dishwater

[1/10 · 7 August 2022]

Boring, boring movie.

I wonder was this scripted by a room full of monkeys with typewriters. I'd fart a better script. The acting was fine but you can't polish a turd and this is Monday morning after a weekend of Guinness level turd.

The Quiet Girl (2022)

Wonderful

[10/10 · 20 May 2022]

An Cailín Ciúin has a slow almost boring start but you soon discover that this is very deliberate by the film maker. The film, and Cait, come out of themselves when they spend the summer at her mother's cousin's house.

There really isn't a big story here but a strong one, beautiful film making and performances from all involved drag the audience in.

At 90 minutes it's perfectly timed but you're left needing to know more.

Derry Girls: The Agreement (2022) Season 3, Episode 7

Disappointing

[4/10 · 20 May 2022]

Derry Girls was an excellent series but the final episode was a disappointment. No laughs, maudlin and boring.

Why was Ardal O'Hanlon introduced? His character added nothing to the show. Liam Neeson got another look in after his appearance in episode 1 but again added nothing.

The only high point was Kevin McAleers appearance in his always scene stealing and completely under utilised role as the boring uncle.

I'll miss Derry Girls and I'll certainly rewatch it in the coming years but this was a poor finish.

Helstrom (2020)

Slow, dull script

[3/10 · 6 April 2021]

The special effects are good, most of the acting is pretty good too but the script is dull and the episodes just drag along.

I really liked the idea behind this show, though I wasn't familiar with the comic books but it just didn't work. I really doubt that they'll make a second season.

The Irregulars (2021)

Awful Muck

[1/10 · 30 March 2021]

Awful script.

Awful cast There is nothing redeeming about this mess of a show.

The Crew (II) (2021)

Dire

[1/10 · 23 March 2021]

There are famines that are funnier than this. Kevin James must be stuck for work, he is much better than this. As for the laughter track in 2021????

The Lost Pirate Kingdom (2021– )

Dull

[3/10 · 17 March 2021]

This gives a very slanted history of piracy, you'd be left thinking that there were no non British (apart from a couple of Irish) pirates at play. Added to that is how repetitive the narration is but worse is yet to come, the acting is diabolical. Not a single actor in this series deserves to work again! But worse yet are the (so called) special effects. The budget can't have been more than 50 quid. Anyone with a laptop could've made a better stab at it. This sort of docudrama can be done very well, check out Age of Samurai for example, but this is how to do it extremely badly.

Great News (2017–2018)

Brought above average by Chuck

[6/10 · 17 March 2021]

Pretty standard sitcom, a lot of over acting by most of the leads and even includes the lazy English stereotype that doesn't exist outside of American TV shows. The series improves quite a bit in season 2, mostly because Chuck features a lot more, played by the only natural comic actor in the cast. The Tina Fey cameos are largely forgettable.

Solar Opposites (2020– )

Awful Rubbish

[1/10 · 8 March 2021]

I've watched 4 episodes of this show and I'm giving up. Not a single giggle in four episodes. I'm a big fan of Rick and Morty but this show is nowhere near the same class.

Vexed (2010–2012)

Good show

[7/10 · 1 March 2021]

This show isn't going to change your life, you probably won't even remember it in 6 months time but it's an easy watch with some giggles along the way. Not sure why there's so much hate for season 2 in the reviews here, it's pretty much the same pace as the first season just with a different female lead. Miranda Raison is very easy on the eye too.

Waiting... (I) (2005)

Not bad

[7/10 · 18 February 2021]

The numerous 10/10 reviews are way over the top in my opinion. There are a few chuckles in this but no belly laughs. The film actually starts out pretty poorly and I considered turning it off but it does improve a lot. Ryan Reynolds plays his normal Ryan Reynolds character. The guy is likeable but clearly can't act.

Rake (2014)

Watch the Aussie original

[2/10 · 17 February 2021]

When a show is really good just show it, do not make a p1ss poor attempt to remake it. This goes for any show but when it's also in the same language it really is incomprehensible why they'd bother!

Rake (2010–2018)

Really Good But....

[8/10 · 17 February 2021]

Really great premise, well acted and well executed for the first 3 seasons but you get the feeling that the writers didn't expect it to last longer than that and ran out of ideas. Seasons 4 and 5 are just about watchable but don't have the humour or slickness that they had in the start. Well worth watching the first three seasons and then going onto something else. You won't be missing much.

Misfits (2009–2013)

First two seasons are great

[5/10 · 16 February 2021]

The 5/10 is for the overall series but it'd be at least 9/10 If I was rating the first two seasons alone. Season 3 is a big drop in quality and unfortunately that descends further in seasons 4 and 5. Robert Sheehan is the star of the series and when he left after season 2 there really was no one on the subs bench capable of replacing him. Definitely watch the first two seasons and then quit while you're ahead.

Wallander: The Dogs of Riga (2012) Season 3, Episode 2

Best episode so far

[9/10 · 16 February 2021]

Wallander being out of his comfort zone and away from the safety and protection of his own police force in Sweden really adds to the tension in this episode. I don't think I'd be too happy if I was a Latvian police officer at the inference of collusion with criminal gangs and rampant corruption to the highest levels of the force though. Also it wasn't really explained why Wallander had to break into police HQ to retrieve the investigation file when he had a scan of it on the digital camera? What was in the file that wasn't on the camera? Who was the sniper that killed Putnis? Overall an excellent episode though.

News of the World (2020)

Very Average

[4/10 · 15 February 2021]

If you're stuck for something to watch then the good performances in this might get you through 2 hours, the story just isn't there though. For long periods little happens and it's frankly boring. Good acting, scenery etc will only get a film so far, if the story isn't compelling it really doesn't matter.

Patriot (2015–2018)

Why was this cancelled?

[9/10 · 11 February 2021]

Absolutely great show, hilarious dark humour, excellent storyline and wonderful performances. I can't understand why this was cancelled, there was so much left to go.

Come and See (1985)

I don't see the fuss

[4/10 · 9 February 2021]

I don't get the high ranking for this film. It's often ranked as among the best war movies of all time. In fact a lot of the film is rubbish. The scenes around the village massacre are spell binding but you have to sit through 100 minutes of boredom first. My 4/10 is for the final 45 mins. If the rest of the film had been to that standard it'd be 8 or 9/10.

Here's what happens in case you want to fast forward to where the film gets good:

1. Kid digs hoping to find a weapon to join the partisans. An old man warns kid not to dig as it'll bring trouble. 2. Kid finds weapon and is delighted to join up, his mother is distraught. 3. Kids is with partisan unit but when they move out he falls behind. 4. Kid hooks up with young girl who was also left behind. Germans bomb area and drop paratroopers. 5. Kid and girl shake trees to get the water for a shower. He decides to bring girl back to his village before looking for the partisans again. 6. At village the girl discovers that the kids family along with many other villagers have been massacred. 7. Kid jumps into a swamp, girl follows. When they get out of the swamp they discover survivors from the village including the old guy who warned against the kid digging for a weapon. 8.Kid gets a haircut and buries his hair. The villagers build and spit on an effigy of Hitler. 9. Kid and three of the male villagers head off with the effigy to find food. Germans fire at them but they make it into the woods. 10. They use the effigy to set a booby trap for the Germans at a crossroads. 11. Two of the group are killed in a minefield. 12. The companions arrive at a village and steal a cow from the local police commander. It's great fun before being pinned down by machine gun fire. The kids companion is killed and he's also once again. The cow is also killed. 13. The next morning the kid heads out in the morning fog. He finds and takes a horse and cart much to the annoyance of the local farmer. Germans arrive, he hides his rifle and tunic. The farmer brings him to the local village and gives him the identity of a villager. 14. The Germans arrive at the village. They take what they want and round up the villagers. The kid tries to warn the villagers that they'll be slaughtered. The villagers and the kid are herded into a large barn. 15. The kid climbs out of the barn window and is held by the Germans. The people in the barn are slaughtered while the Germans enjoy themselves. The kid and a few other villagers are forced to watch in horror. 16. The Germans raze the village to the ground. After being forced to pose for photos with a gun to his head the kid is left behind. 17. The kid returns to where he hid his rifle and tunic and retrieves them. It's in the aftermath of a battle where the partisans have routed the Germans. His girlfriend is there, she's injured and traumatised. 18. Several Germans have been captured. They were responsible for the massacre in the village. The Germans try to blame each other to save themselves. The partisans kill them all. 19. Footage is shown of real Nazi atrocities. 20. The kid puts a bullet into a portrait of Hitler. 21. WW2 footage is shown. 22. The kid is visibly aged and traumatised but he continues with the partisans.

Finding 'Ohana (2021)

Just for kids

[4/10 · 8 February 2021]

The story is basic and uninspiring. The directing and effects are dated, perhaps this was on purpose to give it the feel of an 80s movie? Kids might enjoy it but there wasn't much to keep this grown up entertained - with the exception of the short shorts the beautiful Lindsay Watson wears through much of the film!

Late Night (2019)

A comedy about comedy that's not funny

[2/10 · 6 February 2021]

About as funny as a famine. Dire. Avoid this, it really isn't worth your time. I watched this so you don't have to.

Unit 42 (2017–2019)

Old Fashioned Cop Show

[7/10 · 2 February 2021]

This reminded me of shows from the 70s, 80s or 90s. Each episode is an individual case which is solved in the end and then you start again in the next episode. Despite good performances and decent dialogue it's all a little to neat and formulaic. Saying that, it is watchable and requires no commitment from the viewer so you can watch a single episode and walk away without feeling that you're missing something.

Caliphate (2020)

Top Notch

[9/10 · 29 January 2021]

Wonderful show. Really great performances from everyone involved. Lots of tension and excitement, slick directing and great script and dialogue. The ending seemed a bit too neat and convenient but not enough to dampen the enjoyment of the show. There is scope for a second season, I hope it returns.

Normal People (2020)

A pair of eejits

[5/10 · 29 January 2021]

The two main characters became so irritating that it was really hard to care if they ended up together or not.

Good performances all round but the characters and dialogue were a bit "meh"