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sergey-zotchev
Reviews
Shôgun (2024)
do not believe
This is so Holywood...Watched 2 episodes, and will not be watching more. I am wondering why people thought of this show being authentically Japanese. On my mind, Tokyo Vice is so much more better in this respect. I did not read the book, I did not watch the 70th series, but this one is definitely not a piece of art. Despite all the costumes and excellent Japanese actors, whom I very much admire, this show feels superficial, with much cliche from Holywood-like acting and story-telling. I am a fan of Japan culture, but this "creation" has nothing to do with it, despite what authors/makers/some watchers may claim. Real sorry for the wasted effort, time and money.
The Killer (2023)
Empty
Style over substance, as one of the reviewers pointed out, nails it. Besides being rather boring and predictable, this movie does not entice any emotions. For me, feeling for a movie character is very important, but in this flick I did not have an empathy for anyone. The story itself and the characters in this movie are so cold, you should wear a jumper watching it. Some of the main reasons for making a movie: (i) creating a piece of art (comes from the heart of the director, e.g. Blade runner by Scott); (ii) making money by pushing right buttons in viewers' cognitive response panel (e.g. A. I. By Spielberg). Why was this movie made by Fincher is a mystery to me. You will miss nothing by not watching it.
The English (2022)
OK, but flawed
The cinematography is beautiful, no doubt. The story is not very original, but fine, especially due to a very good acting by Blunt and the rest of the crew. Having said that, I wonder why the show creators made Indians speak perfect modern American. Even the wits would be more suitable for Newyorkers in the 1990s than those for Indians back in 1890. More effort on authenticity would certainly be appreciated. Almost everyone look so clean and neatly dressed, even after weeks of traveling in the prairies.... Bottom line: if you are a fan for Westerns and can ignore some inconsistencies, you shall watch it. Much better than your average Western. However, this is a no-brainer, so not a must to watch.
The Last of Us (2023)
Mediocre and dull
I do not understand the "wow" reviews for this rather dull and pretentious series. Despite what the makers claim, this is just another zombie apocalipsis trash, with a small twist - it's not virus, but Cordiseps fungus that turns infected people into flesh-eating zombies. The production is awesome though, with very believable landscapes of a nearly dead civilization as we know it (hence 4 stars). But the plot itself is fairly predictable, and so is the preformance of the lead actors. Bring the saviour of the humankind to those who can turn him/her ("the chosen one") into a remedy. Yes, some likable characters would suddenly die, but this is not enough to make this series original. I managed to watch 4 episodes, but then had enough. No matter what's going to happen, I care neither for the story nor for the characters. Pushing the buttons of people's feelings (learned from Mr Spielberg, the great master of this kind of manipulation?), like in episode 3, should be a "no-no" in movie business. Same as exploiting the theme of a death of a child to squeeze some tears from the awed audience. Such a waste of time and money spent to produce this mediocre piece of pretentious trash.
The Sandman (2022)
mediocre show
I was hoping for something good this time, since I like Neil Gaiman's works. But Netflix did it again - boring, predictable, nothing to catch your spirit... I guess they try to save money on hiring mediocre screen writers and directors. I am sorry for the actors. This is a show for 14-16 years old perhaps. Avoid.
1883 (2021)
Pathetic
Well, I liked Yellowstone first season (seasons 2-4 just went down the slope pretty fast), so I gave it a try. This is something for gun-loving Americans, with lots of pointless shooting of human beings. Such a waste of really good actors, including rising star Isabel May. Stay away unless you love guns.
Ojing-eo geim (2021)
Overacted and overrated
I tried, I really did. After reading so many positive reviews on the series, I gave it a try. Not just once...Overacting, seen mostly in Chinese kung-fu flicks, hit me after 15 minutes. So I quit. But not quite, since my kids loved the show, and I gave it another try, watching complete 1st episode and half of the 2nd one. That's when I could not stand it any longer. The plot is quite predictable, the actors make stupid faces and a lot of unnecessary noise and movements. It just got plain silly and boring. Seen this story somewhere, or read some books with similar plots, I do not really remember. The point is: this crap of a series pretends to deliver some kind of message on greed, and people in need doing things they normally would never do... But it simply does not deliver, at least not to me. Been there, seen this somewhere.
A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
Boring, predictable, makes no sense
I kind of had some hopes after watching the 1st movie, but that hope dissipated after about 20 min. The plot is ridiculous, and very predictable. The creatures make no sense - do they just kill people for the fun of it, or do they eat humans? Never made clear.
Rurôni Kenshin: Sai shûshô - The Final (2021)
This must be a joke
I tried to watch this flick, but after ca 15 min into it, a bug crawling up the wall seemed more entertaining. Cliches, improbable action, completely unrealistic emotions of the characters made this movie what it is, an unwatchable crap. Pokemon movie is more entertaining.
Nobody (2021)
Started good, but...
I admire Bob Odenkirk, as well as Russian actors like Serebrjakov and Pal, and understand that in times of pandemic actors cannot be too choosy. Having said that, I cannot recommend this flick to anyone but fans of shooting video games. The movies starts rather good, and you kind of wait for a thoughtful development. However, it quickly succumbs to senseless shooting and blowing things up. Have seen this, been there...Typical Hollywood flick with invincible hero and bad guys who cannot shoot. This move will perhaps please hormone-pumped teenagers, but not worth spending time for those over 20.
Raised by Wolves (2020)
This show is for 10-12 years-old
Well, knowing the director I was expecting much. After watching 2 first episodes, I had to quit. Maybe 10-12 years-old kid will enjoy it, but adults who are not fans of "Star Wars" should avoid it. To name just a few things that put me off: (i) "mother" android blows up people by screaming at them (some kind of ultrasound device?), but why she needs a special pair of eyes for that is beyond me; (ii) why such an advanced android did not check if the food they grow on the planet is safe to eat. Result? Most of the children dead from radiation poisoning; (iii) an enormous canister of fresh milk in the starship that just crash-landed, the survivors eagerly pouring themselves; (iv) "Mother" android is called by others a Necromancer. The script writer should check with Wikipedia what this word means. Makes no sense... I can go on, but what's the point? If you are into details, and they are important to you for believing in the world created by the film crew, avoid this show. I give it 2 starts, just for production value.
Watchmen (2019)
Worth watching, mostly for the story line and characters
I really enjoyed watching this show, as it is quite original, with many interesting twists. Superb acting. One thing that bothered me at the end was this. All the main "good guys" characters were black, all the "bad guys" were white. I could not recall a show or a film in the last 30 years, where this was vice versa. Must be Alzheimer...or is this show really lopsided?
Awoken (2019)
What is it about?
Is it paid for by the Church? By Satanist? Whatever, this is a real bad piece of action, full of cliches and religeous BS. Seen so many of this type of movies before, capitalizing on the original "Exorcist". Nothing new, bad acting, average special effects, boring....
The Irishman (2019)
Just boring
It is amazing how people are still fascinated with the mob "culture" and history. To me, this film reminded a chewing gum that has been chewed on for so long that it lost all the flavor. The story and acting are plain boring, and I was able to only watch the first 1.5 hour before literally falling asleep. I wonder if all these mob-praising movies by Scorsese were heavily sponsored by mafia - this is the only explanation for all the crap about romantics of the mob that was put on the screen. Reminds me of how the prison culture was semi-officially praised in the former USSR, later becoming integrated into the pop culture of modern Russia.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Really?
I am a fan of Breaking Bad. This "piece of art" is pure nonsense, with the story "sucked out of a thumb". It adds nothing to the original story, and is completely artificial. Wild West thing at the showdown between Jesse and some crooks? Come on, no imagination here, completely unbelievable. The makers must be ashamed of themselves - there is no compassion for anyone in this flick, it is as boring as a B-movie can be. Are we supposed to care for any characters here? Well, I did not. Hardly finished watching. Shame....
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
must be a marvel universe fan to like it
I managed to watch 40 minutes of this crap, and then could not stand it any longer. You must be a true fan of Marvel Universe to see it until the end. If you are not, avoid - nothing makes sense in this utterly boring movie. Acting is really bad too. High-end special effects cannot save it.
The White Crow (2018)
Wooden crow
Nuriev was definitely a very passionate person, but the way he is shown in this movie makes him look like a wooden doll (despite all the good dancing). Completely asexual...Actually, all the characters were so dull, unemotional and plain boring, that I could hardly watch this movie until the end. Avoid...
Good Omens (2019)
Boring and predictable
I used to like Neil Gaiman, his early books were really inventive and well-written. Never liked Terry Pratchett, though.... I had high hopes for this series, after all the fuss in the media, and was disappointed. Once the whole idea of what is going on is revealed, the rest becomes fairly predictable, and the ways angel and demon are behaving are so cliche, seen many times in British comedies.... To cut it short, I made it through the first 30 minutes of the show, and then had to stop. 3 stars for good cinematography, but that is it. Verdict: avoid.
Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2019)
Nothing left to say...
10 out of 10 by most viewers? Really? I used to like this show, great job by everyone involved up until season 7. Then, it went downward. Watched 2 episodes of season 8, almost falling asleep along the way. Why did they make it? Pressure from investors to get more out of what is fast becoming a next franchise, like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings?
Anyway, it feels like the screenwriters have nothing more to say, and it seems like actors are feeling this too, the way they act. The dialogues are dull, the good acting and intrigue are gone, the characters are plain and boring. It will be war with White Walkers (who eventually be defeated), battle scenes with lots of good CGI, some characters will perish, love will go sour, deceit will happen where you expect it to happen etc. But I do no longer care...The air has definitely gone out of this balloon. What a pity! It was a really good one....
Jack Ryan (2018)
Not for those used to watch regular american BS like Homeland
Watched 6 episodes so far, and will continue. This is something different from your regular US shows dealing with terrorists (e.g. "Homeland" - albeit 1st season was really top - and recent "Condor"), and definitely worth a watch. Overly dramatic sometimes? Yes, but which show is not? I would say this one is politically and emotionally pretty well balanced. Very good acting, perhaps except for Ryan's boss' and his girlfriend's, and believable depiction of refugee smuggling. Really liked Krasinski's performance. Very good cinematography and beautiful filming locations. Give it a try!
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
I must have missed something
The only way I could comprehend this movie - it is a parody. No way a person right in mind can believe in what is happening there. Although beautifully filmed, this piece of crap is hollow and shallow. What was the reason this movie was made? Not worth spending time on this one. One more thumb down for Branagh.
Altered Carbon (2018)
Visually stunnng, but lacking on everything else
I had high hopes for this series, but it turned out to be quite a disappointment. Looks like a pretty expensive production, visually rather entertaining, but undermined by confusing script and bad acting. Not worth spending time on this. Such a waste of resources! Shame!
The Strain (2014)
avoid
Unbelievable. Acting and directing are so bad, I can't believe someone put their money into this project. I pity the actors, who put their mane on the line with this parody of a horror flick. It's all cliché and there is really nothing that catches the eye. Nowadays, with really good shows like "Walking dead" and "Leftovers", one would expect some quality being pursued by producers, but apparently this is not happening. I have also tried to read the book (first one) about 1 year ago, but could not get through the first 50 pages - clearly a crap compiled from a number of stories, trying perhaps to compete with Justin Cronin's "Passage" (which is really great). Gets nowhere near it. Do not waste your time.