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Showing posts with the label Action

Harriet (2019): From Quiet Faith to Relentless Courage

  Some stories feel inevitable, as if history itself has been waiting for the right moment to bring them to the screen. Harriet (2019), directed by Kasi Lemmons, is one of those films.  It tells the story of Harriet Tubman —born Araminta Ross—an enslaved woman who escaped bondage and returned again and again to free others, later becoming a spy and soldier during the American Civil War.  Knowing that the story is true adds a profound weight to every scene. This is not just a historical drama; it is a testament to how injustice and suffering can transform a gentle soul into a woman of war. Becoming Harriet: From Sweetness to Resistance One of the most compelling questions the film asks—quietly but persistently—is: How does a sweet woman become a warrior? The answer unfolds through cruelty, loss, and moral urgency. Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) does not begin as a mythic hero. She is kind, deeply spiritual, and visibly afraid. Yet the injustices she endures and witnesses le...

The Great Flood (2025)—Ambitious but Divisive Sci-Fi Disaster

  The Great Flood is the latest Korean sci-fi/apocalypse movie streaming on Netflix, directed and co-written by Kim Byung-woo ( The Terror Live , Take Point , Omniscient Reader ).  What the Movie Is About On the surface,  The Great Flood begins like a classic disaster movie: a catastrophic flood engulfs Seoul after an asteroid impact, leaving people in a sinking apartment building struggling to survive.  An-na (Kim Da-mi), an artificial intelligence researcher, and her young son Ja-in (Kwon Eun-seong) cling to hope as the waters rise. They’re separated, reunited, and forced upward through the building, encountering panic, loss, and danger along the way.  Hee-jo (Park-Hae-soo, Squid Game ), a security operative sent to rescue them, adds another layer of urgency and mystery to their journey.  But halfway through the film, the narrative dramatically shifts into high-concept science fiction: what you thought was literal reality turns out to be part o...

Grief in the Shadows: Why 'The Silencing' Stands Out

  A moody thriller about grief, violence, and how far we go for the ones we love. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ( Game of Thrones ) is Rayburn Swanson , a former hunter who now lives in isolation, running a wildlife sanctuary named after his missing daughter. Years after she vanished, Rayburn is just barely functioning—haunted, grieving, and clinging to the hope that she might still return. When a murdered girl turns up in the woods with eerie similarities to his daughter's disappearance, the local sheriff, Alice Gustafson ( Annabelle Wallis ), launches an investigation. Rayburn, meanwhile, accidentally crosses paths with a mysterious masked figure hunting a girl on his land. This encounter pulls him into the heart of the case in ways he never expected. The investigation twists, misleads, and slowly unravels, building toward a reveal that isn’t obvious—and intentionally so. Nothing is as straightforward as it seems. Themes of Grief and Family What makes The Silencing compelling is...

Last Thoughts on Gen V – Season 2

  There was a lot to say about Gen V Season 2. It started strong — the show was finally finding its own voice, its own space, and its own story separate from The Boys . But the last episode let me down. Everything that made Gen V feel fresh and independent was rushed or undone, as if the only goal was to merge it back into The Boys' story for Season 5. It’s frustrating because Gen V no longer felt like a cameo show … until it suddenly became one again. The Godolkin Arc: Wasted Potential The Godolkin University storyline was one of the most interesting parts of the series.  The politics, the power struggles, the moral ambiguity — it all had so much potential. But instead of giving it the depth it deserved, the finale rushed to wrap everything up, as if the writers were desperate to move on from these characters . It could have been so much more. Character Highlights and Misses Marie Moreau – Supposed to be the heart and hero of the show, but she never really captu...

Turn of the Tide-Season 2: Darker... But Annoying Characters

  Netflix’s Turn of the Tide is back for a second season, and honestly — I liked it.  It’s definitely darker and more serious than the first one, and that works. The stakes feel higher, the world more dangerous, and the visuals — especially those Azorean backdrops — are stunning. It’s still worth watching. When Characters Start to Annoy That said, some of the characters are downright annoying this time around.  Take Joe — I love him, I really do — but the constant code-switching between Portuguese and English feels forced. It’s such a cliché at this point, especially with former emigrants trying to sound cool by mixing languages. It no longer adds realism; it just feels like a stylistic tic. Inspector Frias… Enough Already Then there’s Inspector Frias ( Maria João Bastos ). She’s supposed to bring tension and discipline to the chaos, but instead she often comes off as grating and one-dimensional.  Every scene with her feels like an interrogation we’ve alre...

Gen V: A Chilling Dean, a Brutal Fight, and Broken Powers

  Episode 4 of Gen V, season 2 ,  just dropped, and honestly—it left us with so many questions that waiting another week feels cruel. What’s really happening behind the scenes? Who (or what ) is Odessa? And that mysterious old man—friend or foe? Then there’s Dean Cipher. What’s his endgame? Are we actually watching Vought try to shape Marie into someone even more powerful than Homelander ? If so… haven’t they learned their lesson?  Is Cate Really Back in the Group? Cate ’s villain arc was running on fumes, so having her back with the gang feels refreshing.  She brings a needed spark—whether it’s humor, chaos, or just raw unpredictability. Her broken powers are awkwardly hilarious, and I can already see them being used for some comic relief throughout the season.  But let’s be real: is this reunion genuine, or are we being set up for another gut-punch twist? Where’s All the Hate Coming From? One thing T he Boys  universe does brilliantly is show how...

Gen V Season 2: From Cameos to Confidence

I wasn’t a huge fan of Gen V ’s first season . For me, it lived more on cameos and ties to The Boys than on its own merits. It often felt like an extended piece of world-building rather than a show that could stand on its own. Season 2, though, feels different. For the first time, Gen V is carving out its own identity. The storylines are more engaging, the stakes feel higher, and it’s not just hanging on the shadow of Homelander or Vought headlines.  The Highs and Lows of Performance That said, not everything works. The acting is uneven—some scenes land with the intended emotional weight, but others feel awkward enough that I wondered how they made it past editing.  On top of that, the show piles on so much interpersonal drama and mystery that it occasionally slips into Scooby-Doo territory: a gang of young heroes pulling at conspiratorial threads, but without enough grounding to keep every subplot compelling. A Thoughtful Tribute One aspect the show handles beautifull...

What’s Really Wrong with Punto Nemo? –A Deep Dive Gone Wrong

  Punto Nemo , available on Amazon Prime, tries to be a suspenseful, thought-provoking series about environmental urgency. It wants to be deep. But instead of pulling viewers in, it leaves them stranded in shallow waters. The First Question: Is It Really That Bad? At first, I wasn’t sure. The opening episode was messy, yes — confusing timelines, a poorly explained plot, and a tone that couldn’t quite decide if it was thriller, sci-fi, or something else entirely. Still, something about it made me keep watching. It wasn’t good , but it wasn’t unwatchable . So what exactly was wrong? From Confused to Completely Absurd As the episodes progressed, the cracks widened. Once they arrive at a supposedly deserted island, you might recall Lost , but get ready to be disappointed. Storylines started to collapse under their own weight. Characters made strange decisions with no explanation. The plot, already unstable, spiraled into the realm of the ridiculous. By the final episodes, it becam...

G20 - Viola Davis Commands a Nostalgic Action Thriller

  G20 , now streaming on Prime Video , is a high-octane action thriller that takes viewers back to the adrenaline-fueled films of the 1990s.  Directed by Patricia Riggen, the movie follows U.S. President Danielle Sutton, portrayed by Viola Davis , as she confronts a terrorist siege during the G20 summit in Cape Town. The antagonist, Edward Rutledge (Antony Starr), a former Australian Special Forces operative turned crypto-anarchist, orchestrates the attack, aiming to destabilize global economies through cyber warfare and deepfake technology. Viola Davis: A Commanding Presence Viola Davis delivers a powerhouse performance as President Sutton, seamlessly blending authority, vulnerability, and physical prowess. Her portrayal of a leader and mother navigating a crisis is both compelling and inspiring. Critics have lauded her for bringing gravitas to the role, with Time noting her "commanding presence" and ability to deliver "powerful speeches and impressive physical perform...

Timeless – A Sci-Fi Adventure Cut Short but Ending on a High Note

  NBC's Timeless blends history, action, and character-driven storytelling into a thrilling time-travel adventure. Despite its premature cancellation, the show delivers an emotionally satisfying conclusion. It proves that even an unfinished journey can leave a lasting impact. Mystery Through Time The story follows historian Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer), soldier Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter), and engineer Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett). They chase a mysterious organization, Rittenhouse , through time.  Their mission? To prevent history from being rewritten. They add the moral dilemmas of altering the past to an already difficult task. The show brilliantly balances historical events with sci-fi elements. Its fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling keeps viewers engaged. Great Characters make Great Stories One of Timeless ' greatest strengths lies in its characters. Rufus, in particular, stands out as the relatable everyman. His humor, intelligence, and real fear of the dangers ahead...

American Primeval - harsh times

  Netflix 's American Primeval is profoundly moving. It immerses viewers in the brutality and beauty of the American frontierving.  The show vividly portrays how harrowing and unforgiving life was during the period when survival was a daily battle against nature, violence, and injustice. Bravery To survive, you couldn't be ordinary. You must be brave, strong, and resourceful. And that's Abish. Her courage and determination were incredibly inspiring, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. She's a testament to the strength it took to endure such a harsh world, and her journey is one of the most memorable aspects of the series. Justice is a strange word The series doesn't shy away from showing the injustice of the era, and while that made it hard to watch at times, it also added a layer of emotional depth that kept me hooked.  Isaac's death hit me especially hard. After all he endured, to see him go like that was heartbreaking. Sara remains a my...

Banshee Review: A Hidden Gem That You Can't Stop Watching

  After being thoroughly impressed by Antony Starr's performance as the villain Homelander in The Boys , I decided to dive into his earlier work in Banshee . To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. This show is nothing short of a hidden gem that grips you from the very first episode and refuses to let go. The “Good” Villain At the heart of Banshee is Antony Starr, whose portrayal of the mysterious ex-con posing as the town's sheriff is nothing short of mesmerizing. Starr brings an incredible depth to his character, Lucas Hood, who is as complex as he is captivating.  On the surface, Hood is a rough, violent man with a past steeped in crime, but as the series unfolds, we see the many layers that make up his character. He's haunted by his past and driven by a sense of justice that often puts him at odds with the law. Yet, despite his flaws, he has a surprising capacity for loyalty and love. Mesmerizing Performances Starr's performance is the linchp...

House of the Dragon: Season 2 - a Matter of Good Characters

  As a fan of the original Game of Thrones , I approached the second season of House of the Dragon with high hopes. Unfortunately, I found it a bit boring compared to its predecessor.  The intricate political drama and the rich character development that made Game of Thrones a global phenomenon seem to be lacking here. Still, the show features some compelling characters who hold my interest. Daemon Targaryen Daemon Targaryen remains one of the most intriguing characters in the series. Although his arc in this season isn't as strong as before, he still commands the screen with his charisma and unpredictability.  Daemon's complex personality, oscillating between villainy and heroism, keeps viewers guessing his true intentions. His relationship with Rhaenyra and his struggle for power add depth to his character. He is, no doubt, a central figure in the unfolding drama. Aemond Targaryen Aemond steps into the spotlight in the second season, bringing a new level of intensity ...

The Boys (Season 4) - Here we go again

  The Boys ' fans eagerly anticipated this new season and all the craziness it would bring. As happens often, when you have too high expectations, some are seriously disappointed. It's not that the show didn't deliver what it promised. The audience had too much time to create their own theories and guess situations, and some of them… were extremely defrauded. Kimiko and Frenchy One of the most criticized situations in the first three episodes was Frenchy's relationship with a man. Most fans imagined that he would end up in a romantic relationship with Kimiko. Sure, they ignored previous mentions of his bisexuality or that Kimiko rejected him. Honestly, I wanted them to be together, but the whole point of this show is to drive us insane with all sorts of unexpected situations. Starlight People can't stop commenting on Erin Moriarty's appearance. Yes, she looks very different, but so does Laz Alonso (MM), and it's okay. Why so much fuss (and critics) about her...

Gotham Knights TV Show: A Fresh Take or a Missed Opportunity?

  The Gotham Knights TV show offers a fresh perspective on the iconic Batman universe. It shifted the focus away from the Caped Crusader himself and onto his extended family and allies. This series explores the aftermath of Bruce Wayne's supposed death and the impact it has on those closest to him. Unfortunately, it did not convince me. Exploring New Dynamics Gotham Knights promises to breathe new life into the Batman universe. The show explores uncharted territory and gives lesser-known characters a chance to shine. However, this fresh take doesn't seem to resonate with the audience. It boasts an ensemble cast of intriguing characters with unique backstories and connections. This could be refreshing, but the acting could be better. It's Not For Everyone   While Gotham Knights has garnered praise for its darker tone and exploration of character dynamics, it has also faced criticism. Its writing, acting, and departure from established DC lore were poorly received. ...

Revolution - When casting goes wrong

  As a fan of Erik Kripke's work, I had to take a look at this 2012 show, even though it has been canceled. I'm five episodes into Revolution , and I'm starting to suspect that the biggest problem was with the cast.  The Story  Revolution brings us an interesting post-apocalyptic story (without zombies - refreshing) that easily keeps us watching.   To be honest, in the beginning, it sends a Walking Dead vibe, but it not only has nothing to do with the zombie topic but can also take its own spot and interest.  It's well articulated and has mystery without exaggeration. We have some answers along the way, which avoids the strange feeling of having a lot of questions that seem to lead nowhere.  Billy Burke saves the day Billy's character is the best by far. He and Captain Neville hold the show on their shoulders and deserve recognition. Billy did a great job here, and he is the reason I'll keep watching.  I must confess, though, that the train scen...

The Brothers Sun – A Riveting Blend of Action and Family Dynamics

  The Brothers Sun , now streaming on Netflix , is a refreshing departure from your typical family comedy. This action-comedy series stars the incomparable Michelle Yeoh as Eileen “Mama” Sun. She is a conflicted mother caught between her family’s dangerous profession and her desire to protect her naive youngest son.  Buckle up for a thrilling ride as secrets unravel, bullets fly, and unexpected alliances form. A Multilayered Family Dynamic At the heart of The Brothers Sun lies a family struggling to balance their criminal legacy with their individual aspirations. Charles Sun (played by Justin Chien) returns to Los Angeles to shield his mother and younger brother from a deadly threat. Eileen, the matriarch, has kept her other son, Bruce (Sam Song Li), blissfully unaware of their notorious Taiwan gangster lineage.  While Charles engages in globe-trotting fights, Bruce’s biggest concern is secretly spending his college tuition on improv classes. The clash between their worl...

The Creator - Ambitious Yet Disappointing

  The Creator seemed to be an epic story about how humanity is more than being human, and the power of machines and how dangerous they can be… Does it sound good? Well, it did, at first. I was kind of excited to watch it, to tell you the truth, but it was so… boring.  Does this never end? It dragged on, and there were moments when I thought it would never end. Don't get me wrong, I like long movies as long as they are interesting, but The Creator put me to sleep. At some point, I was checking if it would take too much longer every five minutes. Always waiting for something really attention-grabbing to happen, but it never did.  Boring film with great performances The movie doesn't match the epic aura they tried to sell through the trailer. It felt just another sci-fi, with little to offer except perhaps the actors' performance. The brightest part of this movie was Madeleine Yuna Voyles ' acting skills, which were impressive. She brought some real talent to the table a...

Gen V - a review

  Gen V is a new Prime Video show, and there was a lot of hype around it. Why? Because it is a spin-off of the successful show The Boys from the same platform.  I think spin-offs are always a shot in the dark, but Gen V delivered a product that matches The Boys ' quality. Its biggest problem is the lack of a charismatic character to love or hate, such as Homelander , Butcher , or Soldier Boy in the original show. Despite that, Gen V entertained and grabbed our attention to keep watching and see the story unfolding. It gets better with each episode.   Team Work While Gen V may lack a charismatic character, the outstanding group chemistry among the leading actors compensates for this shortcoming. That's a massive plus for all the "less good" scenes on the show. Sam and Marie have the potential to grow and, eventually, become the charismatic characters we need. For now, there is still room for improvement. I saw Marie as a weak protagonist in the first two episod...