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Cycledoc
Reviews
Catch and Release (2021)
S..l...o...w
This is a poorly conceived series that would have been better, perhaps as a 1 or 2 hour drama. It started off slowly and the moved even slower to the nonsensical climax after 8 episodes. Some bloodshed at the end not overly violent however. This reviewing site won't accept an shorish review so I'm extending it in this sentence for two or threee. The aciting is hardly worth mentioning as there is little dialogue. The director seems to specialize in long silences followed by inaction. About the only thing worth watching is the scenery which is spectacular. I'd avoid. I'm told I need another 29 characters so now I can finish.
Granite Harbour (2022)
Awkward
Awkwardly filmed with some truly amateurish screen shots such as in the last episode's final confrontation with the hero and later his policewoman partner scooting from one tree to another to rescue the threatened woman. It was so awkwardly done as to be almost funny. Had the feeling of an amateur production or as noted elsewhere of a daytime soap.
The casting and story were also lacking. The cast seemingly not fully into their lines at times. And the story getting lost in verbage of the endless interrogations. I found that the newby trainee taking over the investigation in poorly directed scenes detracted from the series.
I note there will be second series. I hope they upgrade the writing, casting and direction. Don't know if I'll bother with it next year.
The Diplomat (2023)
Utter nonsense
Despite their sometime massive egos, Ambassadors are not rushed in to embassies without Senate confirmation and are most often bit players doing routine representation, reporting and having staff meetings. In the era of instant voice and video communication they are almost never the ones involved in resolving international crises at the policy level. They can offer advice. Often the CIA heads of station are more involved but almost always wisely remain in the background.
In real life, Ambassador's spouses no matter the rank, if they are worth anything, are off on their own jobs and assignments. When they accompany their spouse their profile at the post is so unassuming as to be nearly invisible.
Was very disappointed in the mood of continued crisis about almost everything. This program is a waste of time if you are interested in reality.
The Silence (2010)
Poorly written, overacting abounds
Thought this might be a good view. But as the series progressed the plot slowly unraveled and the overacting became unpleasant to watch. Wouldn't waste my time with this one.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
Unwatchable
5 foot 8 Cruise is miscast as the 6 foot 5 Jack Reacher and despite the low camera angles he can't pull off the character. This unbelievable casting distracts constantly and along with a silly story make this film a waste of time. As an experienced filmmaker I would have thought Cruise would have realized his unsuitability for the role. As such this series is likely doomed.
Vera (2011)
Overdone
Not particularly believable lead detective suffers from eating the scenery and over emoting. Blethyn's character detracts from the stories which range in quality from just believable to unwatchable.
Compared with Helen Mirren's Jane in the Prime Suspect series Vera borders on incompetence. She abuses her staff for no apparent reason though there are hints of personal frailty--her chest discomfort which behaves like no angina pectorals I've encountered in either film or real life. It's a pure dramatic prop without reality--like the entire series.
I must add though that my wife likes Vera more than I do. Vive la difference.