kesakb Reviews

Beforeigners: Episode #2.1 (2021) Season 2, Episode 1

Why did HBO ruin this with dubbing?!

[3/10 · 28 February 2022]

I loved season one but whoever decided to dub season 2 into English made a gigantic mistake! Norwegians are so funny and this was a great show that's been lost in translation. Too bad.

The Last Duel (2021)

Missed the Mark

[2/10 · 19 January 2022]

Normally I enjoy Ridley Scott a great deal. This was not one of those times. First off, it starts out going back and forward in time, which is not a bad device but these snips are so severely edited, the story is rendered in short chops rather than important vignettes: one minute Jean meets the girl and the next scene he's discussing the dowery with her father. We just have to assume there was a romance in there somewhere.

The dialogue is so clunky, I wondered if it wouldn't have been better if they just stopped the pretense of trying to use medieval language. It only serves to emphasize the wooden and unconvincing characters.

Affleck seems like he's trying to portray a Roman demigod and Damon is a churlish middle-child with a mullet so bad it's a constant distraction.

I was so annoyed with the incongruity and bad editing, I turned it off after 30 minutes.

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

Creepy AF

[4/10 · 7 August 2021]

This program is way more complex and sophisticated than you think it is. Is it about crazy rich white people? Yes. But don't make the mistake of taking it at face value. As difficult as it is to watch, I have the feeling that something incredible is about to unfold, like watching a train wreck in slomo, you can't take your eyes off of it. I find it fascinating even as I'm filled with apprehension. Not for the squeamish or easily amused, it takes more effort and that's what makes it great.

The Little Things (2021)

Too Bad, So Sad

[2/10 · 3 July 2021]

The plot holes, the mis-casting, the cardboard characters, utter lack of chemistry, boring dialogue...as dry as the desert it was filmed in. If you want to see a really good detective thriller, I suggest Lone Star.

The Sinner (2017–2021)

Season 3: Don't fall into the Plot Holes

[21 February 2021]

The major flaw in season 3 is that there's no compelling reason for Jamie to feel any of his existential angst other than his own solipsism. It's not a convincing argument, emphasized by the fact that most of the characters don't behave the way people normally would when faced with these situations; which is also unexplained. Everyone is both drawn to and repulsed by Jamie, but he's really not worthy of either emotion.

The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)

A 12

[10/10 · 3 August 2020]

Brilliant second season! Bravo! Development of the characters is much more complete, and the story is well rounded and engaging. We had so much fun watching this!

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

Meh

[10/10 · 22 June 2020]

I found this to be overwrought with every Hollywood noir cliche in the book. That's what made it so boring and tedious. The planes were wrong, btw.

The Gentlemen (2019)

Another Firecracker from Ritchie

[10/10 · 31 May 2020]

I love these screwball crime comedies from Guy Ritchie. I almost peed myself laughing! The characters are brilliantly played by a well seasoned cast; Hugh Grant channeling Michael Caine is hysterical, and don't overlook Colin Farrell's deadpan portrayal as the hapless gym coach in his ridiculous plaid lounge suit.

Beforeigners (2019– )

Fascinating!

[10/10 · 3 March 2020]

Great storytelling, excellent characters, wonderful actors! I love the ensemble of oddballs and the audacity of the plot line!

Good Girls Revolt (2015–2016)

Very good story

[8/10 · 18 October 2019]

I haven't finished the season yet, but I can already tell the women's movement won't come to fruition due to cancellation. Ironic, isn't it?

Sneaky Pete (2015–2019)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 17 May 2019]

Sneaky Pete is like a matryoshka of scams and cons, hilariously upstaging one after another. Superb cast of characters played by some of the greats. Teeters on the edges of noir whodunnits and screwball comedy sprinkled with some fine black humor.

Vikings (2013–2020)

Disappointed

[4/10 · 15 May 2019]

It used to be great and fun to watch, but now...The petty dramas are tiresome, there's no passion and excitement. I don't like any of the characters anymore. Ivar sucks, Floki sucks, there's no hero to root for anymore. Time to end it.

Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)

Great sci fi technique

[7/10 · 29 April 2019]

Burnam really needs to get over her mommy issues because all the whining is becoming maudlin and tedious. Also she needs a new hairstyle because the kinky do-rag is a distraction. Otherwise it's great science fiction visually and thematically.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 11 December 2018]

No one has made screwball comedy like this since "Bringing Up Baby." The cast is divine, the storytelling is witty and multifaceted, the production is first rate down to the tiniest detail. Season one was impressive, season two did not rest on its laurels, season three is a promising "full steam ahead!"

The Romanoffs (2018)

Great Casting

[4/10 · 21 October 2018]

But that's not going to make up for silly screenplays and boring, predictable script writing. The moral of the story is: be careful what you wish for.

The Leisure Seeker (2017)

Well Done!

[10/10 · 10 October 2018]

A very sensitive and lightly humorous look into the lives of wonderfully drawn characters. Outstanding performances from two of the world's greatest actors.

Annihilation (I) (2018)

Yikes

[3/10 · 3 September 2018]

Yikes, this movie was weird, and not in the good way. Somebody had a bad acid trip and decided it would make a good movie. Epic fail.

Sharp Objects (2018)

I just don't know

[4/10 · 23 July 2018]

I feel like the first three episodes are just the same thing over and over with very little added to the plot. Maybe if I start drinking as much as Camille it will get more interesting.

Doctor Foster: A Woman Scorned (2015–2017)

Brilliant

[9/10 · 12 July 2018]

This program is engrossing, well written and well acted. It walks a fine line between being utterly disgusting and completely relatable, making me hate it and love it all at once. You definitely have to be patient to watch all the incendiary acrimony!

Goliath (2016–2021)

Holy hell

[5/10 · 26 June 2018]

I enjoyed season one very much. Season two degenerated into a morass of needlessly gruesome weirdness, which subsumed the plot entirely. Very disappointing.

Retribution (2016)

Not terrible

[5/10 · 23 June 2018]

For all of the heinous and traumatic events that happen to this group of extended family, it lacks any high dramatic energy. Perhaps it's because the only characters we can actually care about are dispatched at the very start. All the others are just maudlin.

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)

Charming

[10/10 · 15 May 2018]

I have read most of Dickens' work and a couple of biographies. This film is well done, imaginative and very entertaining. It doesn't need to be factual to be enjoyed.

Bonekickers (2008)

Preposterous

[2/10 · 10 May 2018]

Teeters on the edge of scientific drama and swashbuckling farce. If the writers had gone convincingly all the way, (think Brendan Fraser's Mummy series) they might have pulled it off. Adding contemperaneous social commentary to the mix muddied the waters since it prevents suspending disbelief.

Lost in Space (2018–2021)

Lost the Plot

[4/10 · 17 April 2018]

Nice special effects, not a bad cast. I just wish it had a more compelling plot besides repeatedly getting into and (briefly) out of trouble. They're brainiacs with problem solving skills- I get it- but it's not imaginative enough to keep watching.