Diogo-S-F Reviews

Sangue Oculto (2022–2023)

Has surprised me positively

[8/10 · 22 October 2022]

Despite being a somewhat shameful copy of the Brazilian telenovela 'Um Lugar ao Sol' and this television station being in some way a partner of Globo, the telenovela has been a positive surprise, namely the characters of the actors Carla Andrino, Ana Marta Ferreira, Cristóvão Campos and Maria João Pinho. Luana Piovani herself, who must have been casted through Globo's influence and in a way of settling any potential or eventual copyrights issues, has a curious performance in using the written form of European Portuguese in her character but with Brazilian Portuguese diction. The basic story is nevertheless quite basic and with the typical adventures of a telenovela for a very broad target audience.

Us (II) (2019)

Only 'Sshh' will calm 'it'

[10/10 · 15 September 2022]

It draws several parallels between ones' unconscious identity, the primitive and present day awareness that holds a grip on everyone. Only after the main character is able to dominate her wild self is she free. At some aspects it brings to light issues about race and subsequent inferiority complexes. It is still a mistery the meaning for the presence of so many rabbits but I believe it has to do with the terrible act of people eating rabbit meat killing such a docile, vulnerable looking creature. "Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them." Jeremiah 11:11.

Isto É Gozar com Quem Trabalha (2020– )

A Shrewd, Educated Humour

[10/10 · 10 September 2022]

Ricardo Araújo Pereira is a prominent Portuguese humorist, a blantly shrewd, articulate and progressive individual who weekly goes through a selection of Portugal's political bloopers, headlines and unfortunate moments. Coincidence or not he was born only 3 days after the peaceful revolution that bought democracy to an obtuse Portugal and its overwhelming 'humble', blindly religious society. I would take out the interviews that he has previously made a regular part of the show, it is not for him and takes away the starking funny element. You can always count on his show to exercise political pressure on the most dire internal issues.

Júlia (2018– )

Abhorrent

[1/10 · 5 September 2022]

This afternoon Portuguese TV show basically preys on the people's lives misfortunes, from degrading life conditions, health or mental issues, stories of abuse and neglect, very few are actually uplifting or joyful. The audience it entertains are housewives, low to middle income households. It repulses me that the host tries every trick she can to lead people to a state of lament, to cry or genuinely feel sorry for themselves. They know no better. Unfortunately people still watch this kind of abhorrent format worldwide. Júlia Pinheiro is a 'professional' of this type of shows, with a decades long carrier. Outside this format she seems a docile, nurturing and shrewd individual. I guess people need to make a living somehow.

Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Nuclear rage turned casual

[10/10 · 21 August 2022]

A positive reflexion on how modern society has become full of functional psychopaths even when compared with the most despicable or notorious one. Estonia is the perfect place for the origin of such dark history of immense injustice and exploit of a grieving father's broken heart.

The Innocents (2021)

Cruelty at its most primitive form - children.

[10/10 · 15 August 2022]

It deals with autism and psychopathy form early ages, with the darkness and abyss of minds, with gratuitous cruelity in children but also has lights of hope when you realize the fear the psychopath boy feels when faced with the autist girl mere latent anger, it also speaks of the power of community efforts towards the good against evil.

Midsommar (2019)

Abject

[1/10 · 15 August 2022]

Anthropologically, either fictionally or real, goes to show how human beings can be absolute lunatics, how the race is a collective of functionally mad creatures who managed to conquer and plague the planet. It absolutely taints Sweden culture. Repulsive at best.

Bem Bom (2021)

Spectacular

[10/10 · 13 August 2022]

The songs bring you to that golden Portuguese music era of the 80s, with atypically cheerful songs - for the country -, of which Doce were the epitaph, the cinematography is epic and holds true to optimistic collective spirit of post dictatorship Portugal and adherence to the nowadays EU. Brave.

Cantor ou Impostor? (2022– )

Unseeable

[1/10 · 10 August 2022]

Difficult to watch. João Manzarra is a very annoying judge, TV host actress Claúdia Vieira has no charisma, also it's not funny at all to laugh in face of people who aren't talented at singing. I believe it is another bet of SIC channel to reduce audiences. Can't think of any other thing.

Casados à Primeira Vista (2018– )

Began watching hesitantly, got hooked

[10/10 · 9 August 2022]

I found it relevant in adressing the scope of challenges couples face pertaining age related issues, sexism, the various expectations, how people deal with frustration differently. Unfortunately it also shows some very concerning attitudes from older male partners and it lacks sexual diversity.

Um Lugar ao Sol (2021–2022)

The abismal value of lives in Brazil

[7/10 · 9 August 2022]

It many ways depicts the social injustices in Brazil, the abismal differences of human beings lives' value depending on their intern State origin, racial background, and family. It is a very fantasized story though and as usual from Brazilian soap operas puts an emphasis on superficiality narrative, namely on the lives of the wealthy and Caucasian, probably because of the audience it is aimed at.

Moloch (2022)

Paranormal and psychological horror, no blood - 'Sugar packs'

[8/10 · 8 August 2022]

The Dutch country ambience somehow adds to the eerie atmoshphere, particularly the local idiosyncrasies, fears and people. The discovery of ancient mummified women in the area gives rise to the suspicion of a very old - now defunct - cult affecting all in a family line. The main character ends up accepting her destiny as 'it is'. She has a little a daughter. Deals with demenoloy, legends and curses - to be accepted with reserve.

Por Ti (2022–2023)

Engaging story

[10/10 · 7 August 2022]

Very engaging story about vengeance of a mother and daughter who were expelled from a little village after being blamed for the disappearence of a crucifix from the local Church. Rita Blanco, plays the main character - the daughter - who comes up with a project to build a dam that will sink the village and cause misery and discord. Great acting from Diogo Martins, her assistance, Sandra Faleiro, Alexandra Lencastre, Beatriz Frazão and Dânia Neto.

Lua de Mel (2022)

Terrible in almost every aspect

[3/10 · 7 August 2022]

It is one of the worst soap operas produced by SIC channel. Stories are basic, poorly written, charactheres pop from nowhere and lack direction and there is terrible singing. Some characters are repulsive, like the brother of actress Claúdia Vieira, the character of Carolina Loureiro actress in particular, but also the one of Ana Bustorff. 'Gisela Torres' is just annoying. Noémia Costa and Joana Aguiar save the day. In my opinion they somehow want to reduce the audience shares broadcasting this soap.

A Generala (2020)

Madeiran society then and now - not much different

[10/10 · 6 August 2022]

It crystal clear shows how Madeirans are a backward, extremely conservative society with conspicuous complacency with the Clergy when it comes to discrimination of minorities, today as much - or even more - than in the dictatorship times of 'Generala' Paiva Monteiro very anguishing upbringing.