themadcamel Reviews

The Witcher: Out of the Fire, Into the Frying Pan (2023) Season 3, Episode 7

closest part yet to the books

[7/10 · 6 August 2023]

Funny how everyone complains that the story veers so far from the original material, and at the same time rates poorly the very episode closest to the source material.

I liked this one, it has an almost Stephen King element to it.

This is the main character development for Ciri in the original story's. It stands out as unique, It is unfortunate people no longer appreciate this kind of curveball storytelling. People just see it as wasting their time. They want cookie-cutter stories that get straight to the point.

Lost in the desert, tripping, surviving, hallucinating it's all a little cliche (or perhaps started it?) it's fun it's dark its twisted, and shot very well. The acting is great.

What's not to like?

Evil (2019–2024)

Closet thing to the XFiles

[8/10 · 19 April 2023]

A very clever series. It has the 80s 90s vibe in that each episode is its own story whilst staying true to a primary and sharply hooked through-line. A style of storytelling/series rarely seen today. Full of laughs, scares, and oh-wow moments.

So if you liked the X-Files or even never seen it. I'd say you're probably going to enjoy binging this.

The main characters are all very likeable and well-played-all Except for the lead.

The lead suffers from the current ideology that leans against the hero's journey, in that woman cannot be ultimately bad or villains. They can cheat on their husbands with some random guy in a back ally carpark just to get off and all it means is they are empowered. They can threaten, attack, violently extort a tradesman, even commit murder... as long as it's against men, it's still flagged as female empowerment. While if a Male (usually middle aged and white) so much as snickers, or glances at another women then he's a pathetic little looser.

What I find even more interesting is that I can't tell if the writers are trolling or attempting some political point.

Despite the new age propaganda, I'm really enjoying it. 3rd series in and it has me laughing, thinking, and creeped out.

Solid series. Highly recommended.

Servant: Fallen (2023) Season 4, Episode 10

I knew this would happen, yet I fell for it anyway.

[4/10 · 27 March 2023]

A great catch! A mystery that will keep viewers hooked... A mysterious trail of breadcrumbs leading up to an epic finale!.... I really wish that were the case. Unfortunately, it isn't.

Oh boy did they drop the ball. They really milked it, 4 damn seasons!

Hell, I could have come up with 5 better endings off the top of my head if I was awoken from a drunken stupor.

The show was masterful in so many ways, Direction, Cinematography, Acting (Rupert G is outstanding)! The Food!

But it went the way of shows like "Lost" and "GOT" and just tripped over its own ego at full pace and face-planted the floor.

Writers these days seem to believe it's clever if they are vague leaving no questions answered. So much so that it's become a cliche, more so than simply having all the strings lead to a neatly wrapped conclusion. What are these writers holding back for?

The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022)

The good, the bad & the ugly

[5/10 · 27 December 2022]

The good: it's visually quite stunning with sweeping backdrops and landscapes. The acting is ok. The action is gory and intense. It's better than the 1 Star reviews (nothing deserves 1) would have you believe... people that give 1 star probably need adult supervision to hold a pair of scissors.

The Bad: The pacing is all off, scenes that should be interesting feel rushed, while scenes that add nothing are drawn out.

The Ugly: It's as if the writers and producers had never picked up a single book by Andrzej Sapkowski, even worse if they had.... and still wrote this.

It's just so far off the lore of the original works. There's so much great stuff to work with and they just ignore it all. A lot of fans are gonna be so annoyed by this. And it truely baffles me as to why producers keep doing that?

By itself it's good, but up against what it's supposed to portray it's like comparing a melted piece of Lego to a Lamborghini.

House of the Dragon: The Black Queen (2022) Season 1, Episode 10

Finally get to see what we were sold

[8/10 · 24 October 2022]

I've had mixed feelings about HOD since episode 1.

It has all the drama and politics of GOT but missed much of the action, wickedness, magic and sorcery of the original. Barely a hint of Magic at all.

It took its damn time to get where it is. It's like they knew all along what the fans really want and in typical fashion of todays style of television just threw us a bone at the last minute just to keep us hooked with a cliffhanger.

Why they waited so long, I have no clue, I can only assume budget and bad decision making.

I'd almost lost hope.

And then they throw in an epic midair dragon fight. It was fan freaking tastic! Edge of your seat stuff!

I hope season 2 steps it up.

The Peripheral (2022)

I must admit...

[8/10 · 23 October 2022]

Based off just the first two episodes...

This is substantially more intelligent and of a higher quality budget than I was expecting.

The plot isn't far off an episode of black mirror or twilight zone. I've not read the literature but I was kinda thinking it would just be another low budget sci fi with lazy writing and cliched plot points and drama class acting.

It appears the team behind this series have come out swinging from the hip and knocked it outta the park.

Admittedly it's hard to fathom just two episodes deep, but wow I'm impressed.

I hope it keeps the pace and continues to surprise me.

Chloe Grace Moretz isn't the best actor in the world by any means, but she's getting better with each role and has a charm about her. Much like that awkward girl from school you never really got to know, yet couldn't help but have a bit of a crush on.

The Watcher (2022– )

Very binge worthy, full of plot holes.

[7/10 · 17 October 2022]

Great show! Edge of your seat mystery thriller with all the trimmings and some great acting.

Unfortunately, it has more than a few major plot holes that makes it loose any form of logic.

The main characters become obsessed with solving the mystery and frantically chase many leads including leads that make very little sense... at the same time they completely ignore massive leads that might actually lead somewhere.

For example; your told that there might be secret tunnels leading into your basement. Your then given proof that someone can get into your house without using any main entrance or window. And you don't bother looking for any tunnels in said basement....?

Eventually a builder finds secret tunnels and you chase a stranger into said tunnels to a mysterious locked door. And that's it... no point in chasing that lead up at all... in fact just leave it at that. Seal it up and don't bother investing where that tunnel leads, because thats not worth anyones time at all.

I mean wow! It's beyond sloppy writing it's literally one of the first things you lean "not to do" when studying writing.

All that said it still had such a great hook I watched it till the end. Again, unfortunately, that's all it is... a great hook.

House of the Dragon: The Princess and the Queen (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

No sorcery, just soap and sauce.

[4/10 · 4 October 2022]

Surly I'm not the only one who seemed a little lost at the fact they just ditched a bunch of actors ( due to them getting older) and not others.

Not only does the princes and queen look like a completely different person (because they are) but they don't even act, move, or talk the same. It's so incredibly jarring as a viewer.

Furthermore, Milly Alcock had totally nailed her role to a level of master class talent, I almost feel sorry for the actor that had to fill those shoes. Was there not an Adult in the room when they made this decision? Why not just age her like they did other characters... or others where they didn't even bother. Just kept them looking the same age... it's inept level bewildering.

It totally threw me off the bandwagon.

That and the fact it's mostly just in your face drama, a soap opera at best. No magic, no witches, nothing majestic about it. No legendary knights & sword fighters. No lurking evil. No sorcery. Just soap & sauce.

House of the Dragon (2022– )

It's good, bordering on great... But needs salt.

[6/10 · 27 September 2022]

It was never going to be as a power house that GOT was. But many of the elements are top notch

The acting is superb. Special effects are ok if not wonky at times.

The politics (a key element of the original's success) are brilliant and all living up to standard.

But the magic is missing... literally. There's no mystery and wonder, no Dark Arts. No legendary swordsman, No Witches. No Sorcery. It ultimately lacks any mystique. Solely a soap opera. Yes, it has blood and gore and sex but even that feels thrown in like a bone to a mutt.

Like everything these days it's full of strong female characters but lacks any real Male role models. Literally every male character is nothing more than a fool.

It's rushed, much like the hated final season of GOT

All that said it's still very good! And entertaining.

Just not great. And is a tad disappointing.

From (2022– )

The current best in its genre

[8/10 · 18 September 2022]

Intriguing horror/thriller series with plenty of mystery.

The best thing about this for me is it doesn't make the same mistakes 99.99999% horror/thrillers do these days.

It's not full of annoying whiny characters

There's no attempt to jam some agenda down your throat.

It's subtle yet gory

The main characters are smart and deal with situations like (most) people would.

They don't use characters making stupid decisions as a means to further the plot, they actually write a plot that continues at a good pace and thickens.

All of the characters add something different and are likeable.

There's little in the way of drawn out monologues and dramatic slow soapy scenes.

I hope the continue this and end it in a neat and complete fashion without going the way of "Lost" or been canned before any answers are given.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

To be fair it is missing something.

[7/10 · 9 September 2022]

However, I was entertained!

It's a side ally of what most expect from an Marvel Action flick.

But the comedy is fresh and hits 80% of the time if not a little too consistent.

After reading many reviews I expected garbage which this is not. It's funny charming with a oddly deeply moving performance by Christian Bale.

What's got everyone's knickers in a twist is so very much deeper than this film deserves ( a 2022 thing ) and I feel it's suffering because of that alone.

It's not gonna win any awards but it's worth the price of admission and it got me through a large bucket of popcorn with extra butter, choc top, Tangi Fruits ( I wish) and a extra large soda water.

Keep Breathing (2022)

Don't get the angle?

[5/10 · 12 August 2022]

Less about survival and more about how much modern day woman like to confuse men.

The survival aspects borderline on a 3 day cub scout training program.

At first I was reminded of a book I read as a teenager called "The Hatchet" which is brilliant in it's basic survival style story telling.

This unfortunately pales in comparison.

Prey (I) (2022)

Damn Cool!

[9/10 · 8 August 2022]

This is how you create a strong Heroine.

No need to rehash them old male lead films into female. Just create a new story with a bad ass woman at the helm. And bingo!

I Enjoyed this so damn much!

Epic action Horror!

The Gray Man (2022)

The best white knuckle action flick since John Wick

[8/10 · 25 July 2022]

This was great!

Action scenes were top notch.

Story is solid.

Acting solid.

Script sharp as a whip.

Don't understand why it's not getting more praise.

I guess people these days want caviar while getting their feet rubbed.

See (2019–2022)

For people who can't see they sure do have style.

[6/10 · 22 July 2022]

If the world was blind would people still style their hair and wear cool clothes over comfort?

That plot hole alone killed it for me.

Other than that the story is cool. The Acting is great! The fight scenes are epic. The Cinematography is top notch.

Also the ability to see would be such an overwhelming advantage in a fight with a blind person... yet the two protagonists who have this are still useless?

Throw in some truely irrational characters, a tiny tiny bit of woke (aka evil or irrational white people vs cool, got it together any Color other than ).

The coolest man in the world (and damn he owns cool)...

And you got a show!... I have mixed feelings about. It's like I love it but I just don't feel like watching it?

Resident Evil (2022)

Never seen so much fanboy hate.

[6/10 · 17 July 2022]

Wow the fans really hated this.

Nothing should really deserve 1 star.

And the people that score that need their Nappys changed.

I for one liked the action. It's pretty solid.

The story is a bit teenage level.

It's a new story in the resident evil world. And I'm okay with that. Wouldn't want the same story told again and again.

The monsters are great. The gore is great. Didn't mind the soundtrack.

It was better than the last 3 films. In my opinion.

Solid entertainment if you don't want your hand held.

The Umbrella Academy: Seven Bells (2022) Season 3, Episode 9

What in Sam Hill?

[2/10 · 10 July 2022]

The world is ending in 12hrs They are faced with death or risking their lives to fight some guardian and save the world...

After taking 1hr recess to decide which is the best option, They decide fighting the guardian is too dangerous... deciding the best option is doing nothing...

So in doing nothing choose death (allegedly better than option a) And are then upset when one of them dies.

It's a gapping plot hole that's only there to drag the story out a further hour.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022)

What? Why? Who the hell...

[4/10 · 8 July 2022]

What kinda person grows up watching Star Wars, understanding the legend this guy was supposed to be, and with all of today's advances in filmmaking, writes this?

I mean it was like watching Michael Jordon trip over his shoelaces in front of the hoop.

Watching Picasso draw a stick man.

Jonah Lomu drop the ball.

Beethoven play chopsticks.....

I can't help but feel the goal here was to make it bad... gathered a team of experts, and nailed that goal in the best way possible.

Ms. Marvel (2022)

I kinda liked it.

[7/10 · 4 July 2022]

I can't stand the current woke "religion" of today. And half expected it from this. (Mainly due to the reviews)

But I found myself enjoying this. It's light fun entertainment. Childish and carefree. Also comedic.

Just because it franchises on another culture other than the cheap plastic Americana we get feed like an 50% off all you can eat bullh$hit buffet. Doesn't mean it's woke.

I liked the characters. Slightly clichéd but also charming.

The lead is funny, charming, and cute.

The story is imaginative. Colourful and fun.

I enjoyed this wayyyy more than Obi Wan.

Deserves more credit.

The Nightingale (I) (2018)

An intelligent horror for simple people

[6/10 · 19 May 2022]

It's speaks of atrocities of our past.

Through a narrow lens.

White man bad. Black man smart.

The Villan is truly villainous, so much so it's hard to watch, or even stomach. Pure evil for the sake of plot and nothing else. There's no real motivation.

This makes it gruesome yet shallow.

I'm sure history has been even worse than this portrayals. But there is a broader picture been painted here. It's deep without depth, relentless in its conviction. Perhaps it disturbed me to much. But I can't help but feel it's trying to make a point rather than tell a story.

That point being... White man bad, Black man good.

Reminiscence (2021)

The glove dosen't fit

[5/10 · 17 May 2022]

It's an interesting concept, set in an interesting world of sci fi and film noir.

Unfortunately it dosn't work as well as it should, or is it as smart as it wants to be.

It's not without some great scenes, or without a great cast and characters. Some of the characters are great but feel badly drawn. Full respect to Cliff Curtis. He stands out. ( an oddly unappreciated actor )

It's a tragedy, but only if you manage to watch it to the end.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

Perfect in the art of a popcorn flick, failure in storytelling.

[5/10 · 11 May 2022]

It's has everything you'd want in a movie theatre experience.

Sadly it fails somewhat epicly in storytelling.

It's as if they knew what we all wanted to see happen and purposely took a big vindictive steaming pile of bull #%*# on your fantasy.

A weird juxtaposition of epic scenes and shattered dreams.

As if Pollick drew a perfect square and called it his masterpiece.

In lamens terms... They royally screwd it.

The Pentaverate (2022)

Style of comedy that's outdated... or not?

[8/10 · 11 May 2022]

I spent the first few episodes thinking... this style of comedy was done and finished.

Yet I kept watching.....

By the midpoint, I was chuckling away at silly "old school" toilet humour.

I remembered how not to take everything so seriously.

By the end, I was laughing out loud at the randomness of cliches and stupid jokes while noticing that Mike Myers sparked the way for the Coen Brothers and Wes Anderson.

To be fair, it's not brilliant, but hey, neither are you.

Welcome to Eden (2022–2023)

Hard slog to finish

[3/10 · 10 May 2022]

It actually felt as though the script was written by one of those AI bots that don't fully understand human logic.

Very attractive people are invited to an mysterious island party.

Some are randomly chosen and forced to stay.

Some are murderd. Some just casually go home. (why is unexlained)

There are no guards, or any muscle of any kind. Just a girl with a cattle prod.

Meanwhile the main characters plot to escape like it's Château d'If, despite the fact it would be easier to escape a high school during recess.

Not a single motive, reaction or decisions by any character is explained or even logical in any way shape or form.

Add in Gay, lesbian, transgender relationships and mild male nudity and you've got yourself a Netflix show.

Outer Range (2022– )

Is it intelligent to be vague?

[5/10 · 8 May 2022]

Yet another show that has a great hook: Rancher finds hole in time on his land.

The plot unfolds slowly very slowly

8 solid hours of vague unessersry scenes happen that mean nothing or make little sense

Not a single character acts in any way that any regular human being would. People try to kill each other without any motive given.

Mixed with a few great scenes it eventually ends with a plot twist that I find hard to believe nobody would Have a scene Coming. So Blatantly Obvious From episode 3.

I think the writers believe that their vagueness makes them clever. It doesn't.

If you like slow-paced nonsensical mystery that leaves everything unanswered and unresolved, you'll love this show.