What they all say is true: the story is a succession of clichés poorly woven together, the characters never leave their trope-comfort zone, and the story is quite an epic mess.
I've watched the whole season 1: the beginning is watchable but the plot rather quickly devolves into full-scale nonsense - even by TV series standards, the science is SPECTACULARLY bad. The characters' relationships subplot keep it going for maybe a few more episodes but, really, all interest evaporates quickly as they are 100% dull and predictable.
Furthermore, the last episodes are infused by an uncomfortable brand of TV "patriotism": if you're allergic to characters reciting vapid lines while faint bugles are heard in the background, avoid at all costs (if you want a show addressing patriotism and moral conflicts, 'Homeland' is there for you).
To sum it up, nothing in this series makes sense, no character has any depth, and ASOLUTELY no part of the scenario is original: you've all it seen before, elsewhere and in a better version.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Solstorm
(2007)
A bad movie and a dreadful adaptation
4 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I have recently read Solstorm, the Asa Larsson book from which this film was derived, and was curious to see it adaptation : let's just say that, if you have read the book, you will probably be disappointed.
I didn't expect very high production values - and thus wasn't disappointed : most of the sets look cheap, the images and sounds weren't that great either and the cast doesn't redeem the whole.
The main character, Rebecka Martinsson, is played by an actress who just is too old for the role and whose range of acting is about 3 expressions-wide. Also, a special mention goes to the lifeless blonde slug playing the born- again-evangelic-freak victim : how on earth are we supposed to believe that this (supposedly) extraordinarily charismatic religious leader single-handedly brought a religious revival in Kiruna, drawing hordes of believers ?
In the end, what really irked me was that the story was so botched that the plot was full of holes, and so watered down that what remained was nowhere as intense as the book, especially the laughable finale (I mean, Curt shows up unexpected at the hunting retreat and Rebecka, who is basically on the run, just offers him some coffee ?)
In short, not a good film, no good acting and a pitiful scenario. I really hope that someday someone will realize that the Asa Larsson books are just begging to be adapted, "the killing" style, but please ! If it has to be the same team, I'd rather have them stay just books !!
I didn't expect very high production values - and thus wasn't disappointed : most of the sets look cheap, the images and sounds weren't that great either and the cast doesn't redeem the whole.
The main character, Rebecka Martinsson, is played by an actress who just is too old for the role and whose range of acting is about 3 expressions-wide. Also, a special mention goes to the lifeless blonde slug playing the born- again-evangelic-freak victim : how on earth are we supposed to believe that this (supposedly) extraordinarily charismatic religious leader single-handedly brought a religious revival in Kiruna, drawing hordes of believers ?
In the end, what really irked me was that the story was so botched that the plot was full of holes, and so watered down that what remained was nowhere as intense as the book, especially the laughable finale (I mean, Curt shows up unexpected at the hunting retreat and Rebecka, who is basically on the run, just offers him some coffee ?)
In short, not a good film, no good acting and a pitiful scenario. I really hope that someday someone will realize that the Asa Larsson books are just begging to be adapted, "the killing" style, but please ! If it has to be the same team, I'd rather have them stay just books !!
Unknown
(I) (2011)
Do yourself a favor : skip this one.
24 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Unknown is probably one of of the worst plot-twist driven movies : you know, this whole spawn of movies where, supposedly, a sudden plot-twist brings a new perspective to the events and the characters...
The scenario has been frankensteined from dozens other such movies, the acting is bland at best (Liam Neeson. Enough said. ) and the plot-twist is, well, just a plot twist : neither clever nor convincing, it only adds to the general feeling of implausibility.
A perfect example of what happens when lazy studios mix up "suspension of disbelief" for "scenario based on holes", this whole movie is an insult.
The scenario has been frankensteined from dozens other such movies, the acting is bland at best (Liam Neeson. Enough said. ) and the plot-twist is, well, just a plot twist : neither clever nor convincing, it only adds to the general feeling of implausibility.
A perfect example of what happens when lazy studios mix up "suspension of disbelief" for "scenario based on holes", this whole movie is an insult.
The Secret World of Arrietty
(2010)
Very much alike and yet different...
31 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
That's how you could define Miyazaki heroines and Arrietty is undoubtedly one of them : I haven't read the original books but find her a very clear continuation to characters like Nausicäa, Kiki or Fio. Another reviewer commented that the ending is perhaps a bit more bittersweet than most Miyazaki's works and I completely agree, the familiar coming-of-age theme is definitely tinged in equal parts with both sadness and hope. The musical score was a wonderful surprise and a nice change : Cécile Corbel has done an absolutely splendid job (I have even bought the soundtrack, which I can't recommend enough) that always suited and complemented the scenes perfectly. Overall, even though it is true that a more complex story and a bit more characterization (especially for Sho) would have been nice, I immensely enjoyed this movie and hope it gets all the success it deserves !
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