graham-81830 Reviews

Keep Breathing (2022)

Booring, clichéd nonsense

[3/10 · 29 January 2023]

If this was to have had any value at all it should have been a 90 minute (maximum) film. To stretch out the boredom for 6 episodes (that felt like 20) was just rediculous. Unfortunately my wife wanted to keep watching it. But it took four full evenings viewing because she fell asleep in just about every episode and had to go back several minutes each time she tried again.

A relatively small number of people on here have scored it high on the basis that it wasn't meant to be a film just about survival in the wild, but what a sh** life she had had. The inference being that it had some depth.

It didn't. It was just a load of cliche-ridden lumps of back story wrapped up as sugary parcels of flashbacks and imaginary conversations. And most of these had very little relevance to what was actually going on. I mean she had 'meaningful' conversations with a dead guy who she'd known for about 5 minutes. It was utter nonsense.

This was bad. Just really, really bad. Film some paint drying on your phone and watch that. It would be time better spent.

Russian Doll (2019–2022)

9 plus 1 averages a disappointing 5

[5/10 · 23 January 2023]

Quirky, engaging, innovative, clever, entertaining. This had it all. Absolutely loved it, and couldn't wait for the next episode. The central character was fabulous, and played so well. My wife and I recommended it to our friends enthusiastically and without reservation. At last something different and well worth a watch.

And then came series two. OMG, so appallingly bad. So really, really bad. Were these the same writers? Surely not. Either the first ones disappeared, to be replaced by novices, or perhaps they just lost steam and couldn't think where to take it next.

A second series was required, with the first not having answered so many questions, but just a couple of episodes into the second series we didn't care any more. Quirky turned into rediculous, inovative became straw-grasping, and clever became stupid,

My recommendation? Watch and enjoy series one, accept the non ending for what it is, and walk away. Do yourself a favour. Don't spoil it by going anywhere near series two.

Glass Onion (2022)

Agatha Christie on Speed

[7/10 · 25 December 2022]

This was really good fun. Somewhat daft, unrealistic premise and story line, but who cares? You just need to go with it and you might actually enjoy it.

By about fifteen minutes in I was thinking, "Agatha Christie", and that stayed with me right through to the end. But a much more up to date job.

There was a topical nod to covid restrictions early on, which was then nicely 'handled'so that it didn't go on to constrain the rest if the movie.

A great cast ensured that this was easy and enjoyable to watch all the way through, despite a few gaps in the plot. Although it did take me a while to forgive Danirl Craig's dodgy Southern accent.

Overall - a fun watch.

Armageddon Time (2022)

An ending would have been nice

[5/10 · 13 December 2022]

This was okay, but that's as much as I can say really.

My mate suggested going when I was visiting him. I had no idea what we were going to see, I just heard him ask for two tickets for 'Armageddon', which probably misled me about what sort of film we were going to see. So for the first half hour or so I was waiting for something to happen: an inciting moment. It never came.

That said, it was a pleasant enough watch, although it was more suited for a rainy afternoon at home, rather than a prequel to a couple of pints and a meal out.

The irony was that before we went out we had been chatting about how many films, usually random picks from Netflix that had proved bearable if not delightful, had resulted in angry shouting at the screen when the final credits seemed to appear mid story.

Armageddon Time proved to be one of those films. But on this occasion it was sort of signalled. I think we both knew it was going to happen a minute or so ahead of the event. Talk about anticlimax. Every one of the smattering of people in the cinema, like us, just stood up and walked out without a word.

Dash & Lily (2020)

One star for the idea

[3/10 · 27 November 2022]

Yes, this is all about young people. But surely that shouldn't mean it needs to be so dumbed down.

So many of the characters are rediculously juvenile, with dialogue that's either been badly written, or badly delivered. Apart from anything else, sticking a bunch of third rate actors in 'supporting' roles badly lets down the good actors. And to be fair, the principal roles are not too shabby - but so many of the others are just appallingly bad.

I see that this was a book, and although not something I would want to read, I imagine it might be quite a good one. But this production has all the qualities of an extremely poor Sunday afternoon movie.

You can forgive clichéd nonsense when it's well done, but....

Uncoupled (2022–2023)

Not really very nice

[3/10 · 7 August 2022]

Mildly amusing and with hints of storylines that might, just might, become interesting. But weirdly (considering the core subject matter) I find it somewhat homophobic and definitely full of tired clichés.

Gave up after 4 or 5 episodes.

How It Ends (2018)

We will never know.

[1/10 · 14 April 2022]

6 or 7 stars all the way through, and then a non ending that leaves you screaming at the TV in frustration. What a complete waste of time. The laziest of lazy writing. Shame on you.

The Spy (2019)

Excellent in every way

[10/10 · 13 November 2021]

I can't, for a change, fault this at all. A great story, told with realism and flair. And with characters who have the imperfections we associate with real life. A very enjoyable and satisfying watch.

In Time (2011)

Five minus three

[2/10 · 11 September 2021]

A generous five for the original idea, minus one for the plot (plot?), minus one for the acting (barrel scraping with one or two exceptions) minus one for the appalling dialogue.

So, so many holes.

Don't waste your time on In Time. It's time you will never get back.

Ozark: BFF (2020) Season 3, Episode 8

Roll on series 4

[9/10 · 9 September 2021]

Excellent. We just watched all 3 series over a couple of weeks. Intrigued from the outset, and captivated throughout. I didn't find quite all of the story lines and outcomes totally convincing, hence only 9 stars. But it highly compelling stuff, and crammed full of complex and intriguing characters.

A great end to.series 3, but it's clear a fourth is needed - and keenly awaited.

Money Heist (2017–2021)

41 episodes? Kill me now.

[1/10 · 9 September 2021]

Okay, we're just 4 episodes in, but I can contain myself no longer.

By the end of episode 1 I was beining to fear the worst. By the end of episode 2 I knew it was poor at best, but I'll admit to still being mildly intrigued.

We've just finished the fourth. It feels like I've dragged myself through at least double that number, with barely sufficient meat to warrant one episode. Its reminiscent of an 80s disaster movie, but with a two hour story being dragged out over 40.

Unfortunately my wife is still keen to see it through; I'd prefer to cut my losses right now. If I have to listen to one more clichéd, tragic character back story (or should I say sob story), I think I'll have to take a quick nap.

In the unlikely event it improves, and if I survive until the end, I'll return here to modify my rating. Don't hold your breath.

Con Air (1997)

Was it even OK in 1997?

[2/10 · 14 June 2021]

Perhaps it's unfair to critique a 1997 film in 2021, but this just happened to be the year in which I was unfortunate enough to come across it.

Recipe for rubish: take 1000 clichés, gather a bunch of big names, give them the most stupid lines you can think of, and then throw a load of money at creating naff and rediculous action. Mix together and you have Conair.

Nicolas Cage must surely look back at this and think, "Did I actually have to say those lines?"

Before We Die (2021– )

Nowhere good enough

[3/10 · 6 June 2021]

A decent premise and story, but far too many flaws.

The story was full of holes.

The dialogue poor and clichéd.

With just a few exceptions, the acting was really poor.

The culprits? Scriptwriting, direction and casting.

Three out of ten - generous.

Line of Duty (2012–2021)

Finale? Really?

[9/10 · 3 May 2021]

Up to penultimate episode. Fantastic, gripping, brilliant 10/10.

Finale epodode !!@#****!!! 1/10.

It's a Sin (2021)

Just excellent

[10/10 · 11 March 2021]

Loved just about everything about this. Well apart from some of the explicit stuff which I would rather have had much less of. Nevertheless, it was compelling, well written, well cast and well paced. Not to everyone's taste I'm sure, but I can highly recommend giving it a try.

The Bay (2019– )

Dodgy denouement

[7/10 · 11 March 2021]

Seem to remember liking the previous series, and enjoyed this one too. Overall it was pretty good with sufficient sub plots going on to hold the viewer's interest throughout. Most of the characters were pretty well rounded, with stories you could buy in to, and it was fast moving. I'd watch another series if there is one. However, I think it really failed at the end. As denouements go, it was pretty weak; almost like the writers had run out of steam and just wanted to finish it off quickly. Quite unbelievable too. Shame.

Finding Alice (2021)

I really wanted to stick with this, but it just got worse.

[3/10 · 3 March 2021]

How, when there is so much good writing and direction around, does something as bad as this get produced?

I think it was supposed to be a serious drama, or was it just an unfunny comedy? Who knows? I'm pretty sure ths cast were as confused on that subject next as everyone else.

The precept had some merit but the execution stank. And who on earth allowed these characterisations to get on to the screen? The Nigel Havers and Joanna Lumley characters were appallingly bad. Did they just come from panto? He was Barron Hardup to her wicked stepmother

I watched two episodes but my wife only managed one and a half. Who can blame her?

Utter rubbish.

The Drowning (2021)

Weak but compelling, but a ridiculous denouement.

[5/10 · 26 February 2021]

I think that the very low ratings of some of the reviews are a bit harsh. Although it is difficult to disagree with many of their observations.

It certainly had a number of very weak moments, some gaping holes in the premise, and sub plots that brought little to the table. But it was nevertheless quite compelling, and we did quite enjoy the ride- until the last twenty minutes or so.

How utterly ridiculous. It was as if the conception and writing of ths denouement had been handed over to a beginner. For me this totally let the whole thing down and I began to resent the 5 hours I'd invested in watching the ruddy thing.

This ending was simply shamefully lazy writing.

Rebecka Martinsson (2017– )

Dialogue? Really?

[2/10 · 20 February 2021]

This may well be an interesting story and an ultimately captivating series. But I'm afraid I couldn't get past the first half hour or so. The dialogue is so amateurish. For example, just how many times do we need to hear the same thing? As a guideline its once maybe twice if its key. I lost count of how many different chatacters had to be told what happened to the deer. Get on with the story for god's sake.

The Investigation (2020)

Appallingly slow

[3/10 · 20 February 2021]

We gave this a good go, taking note of the better reviews, but finally wrote it off half way through the second episode. As slow as a snail on tranquillisers, boring characters and lifeless dialogue (even allowing for the vagaries of translation). A wasted evening.

Spiral (2005–2020)

Lost all credibility at the very end

[4/10 · 8 February 2021]

We only came to this at series 8. We did enjoy it throughout, although felt it was rather slow over the first few episodes However, the conclusion of the final episode was dissatisfying to say the least. For me, credibility started to slip away during this episode, and in the last ten minutes or so it was completely thrown away by the writers. I was left feeling that I had just lost the 10 hours of my life that I had spent watching these 10 episodes.

I would have given this 7 or 8 stars. Thanks to the utterly ridiculous ending, I've revised this to 4. Such a shame.

Traces (2019–2022)

Storyline okay; everything else, unacceptably bad.

[2/10 · 18 January 2021]

The core storyline is okay. Not great but okay. But the rest is poor at best: two-dimensional characters, rubbish dialogue and poor acting and/or directing.

I suspect that the acting/directing issue was more about direction than the standard of actors. I say this because the cast included people who I've seen do better in other productions. But nevetheless, the result was unsatisfactory to say the least.

There is so much well written and well produced drama out there nowadays that something like this should never get past the approval stage. Not good.

The Serpent (2021)

Brilliant - if you can cope with the time line

[9/10 · 15 January 2021]

An excellent series. So tense and so watchable. Each subsequent episode eagerly anticipated.

I do love a good fact-based drama. Although by it's own admission, this one is more drama than fact. Nevertheless, its brilliantly done.

My only (big) reservation is the confusing timeline. Watch it and you'll see what I mean. Surely there must have been a better way of doing this? Blink in the wrong place and you don't know where you are. And just as you think you are starting to get a handle on it, it gets worse. Shame.

The Valhalla Murders (2019–2020)

Close but no cigar

[6/10 · 17 December 2020]

This was nearly an excellent series, but let down in so many areas. On the plus side it was a reasonable, but not entirely original, story, and there are many moments of tension. There is certainly enough to make you want to continue watching.

But there were also many times when you couldn't help but think, "that's just bloody ridiculous." By all means push our imaginations to the limit, but when credibility is completely lost, so is the discerning viewer. It was also heavily cliche laden, which is not a good thing at all. Mediocre writing and directing at best.

It was 'okay', worth a watch and with a reasonable ending, but if there was a second series I probably wouldn't bother. Close, but no cigar.

The Shipman Files (2020– )

Repetition, repetition, repetition

[4/10 · 21 October 2020]

An otherwise interesting programme, blatantly stretched out to triple the length of its constituent parts. Chris Wilson and co should be embarrassed at what they've done here. Talk about padding. A single one-hour programme with proper editing would have been plenty.