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IslaBlue66
Reviews
The Undeclared War (2022)
Excellent very topical watch
Really enjoyed, watched it all in one day. Fascinating, topical and a bit eerie story. I would not take the opinions of TV critics seriously on the accuracy of the technology over cyber security experts several whom have said it is a very plausible story line, and you can make up your own minds on whether you can see hints of some of the shows aspects mirrored in real life.
I really hope there are another two seasons, and I like the exploration of some of the characters involved which will get deeper if the show continues; e.g. The main character and race and religion v state, sexuality culture, loyalties; and the Russian characters exploration of nation, patriotism v. The realty of current leadership, life on the ground and effect on personnel relationships. I found it interesting and less superficial than usual and did not find it "woke" like most of the crap put out of late but a more multifaceted non-preachy exploration of some pertinent issues.
Joe Pickett (2021)
Enjoyed, hope for more seasons
I did not read the books., so no real preconceptions. Started a wee bit sluggish in first episode but really took of in the 2nd episode and thereafter and had a good pace and rhythm. I enjoyed watching the lead' s character develop episode by episode and learning his backstory. I real rate Michael Dorman and loved his show Patriot, though some who read the books seem to think he does not fit the book description.
Enjoyed the cinemaphotography and the beautiful outdoors depicted.
Look forward to hopefully another season.
Dark Winds (2022)
Beautiful show
Loved this show. Excellent writing cinematography and acting with good pace and rhythm. Good character development and action. Near all native staff and crew, helped capture the culture. Produced by Redford and George RR Martin. Redford since The Milagro Beanfield War has always showed a true ear for New Mexico. (Vince Gilligan also).
Also which seems too rare, really captures and stays true to the essence and nature of the Books. (as did The Milagro Beanfield War) even with some changes like moving up a character earlier in the timeline, which really worked.
I can't wait fore more seasons.
The Terminal List (2022)
Mutilation of Great Book
I was so looking forward, counting off the days, to this series. After watching, (the same as with "The Old Man") I am convinced 99% of show-runners/directors do not ever open let alone read the books, at best get a 2 page summery from an unpaid intern.
One of my favorite books of the last few years, as is the whole series, but this show has nothing to do with the book, beyond the basic general premise, not enough to even act as spoilers for the book if you watched this first. Typical hollywood trite, dull, cliched, crap, so sad.
Best way to sum up Hollywood, is the author Jack Carr's cameo in Ep. 3, which shows exactly what showrunners and tv people think of book authors, despite the author being the creative genius that made the book a huge hit and brings the initial audience.
I highly recommend time is far better spent reading or listening to the book and the whole series (narrator Ray Porter was great) and to Jack Carr's podcasts which are brilliant often and far more interesting.
The Old Man (2022)
Am I the only one who thinks the emperor has no clothes
Edit add: for those who don't like this like myself, or those who did, I highly recommend the book, especially the Audible Book. (which is probably shorter than the series in the end and moves fast). Other than an older man being chased by government officials, the storylines, present and past are completely different and far more interesting and deeper. Also a main nemesis focus is an interesting young black man who examines his conscious rather than the same old government official seen all the time they made so Lithgow could have a big role in the tv show. Love Jeff Bridges and glad to see him get past the long covid, but in the Book Dan Chase is a very fit 60, who relentlessly work out and marital arts trains, which makes it all far more plausible.
Original: Why do you bother to buy a book to make a show and then not really use anything from the book other than the title. I know books are different and am open to lots of changes but nothing of the essence of the book survives. Love Jeff Bridges and many fine actors do their best, some of the fight scenes are well done but I find overall the new story unnecessarily ponderous. And dull, full of long pauses and slow pace "to show" it is deep and important, though it just skirts the surface of things, removing all the context, depth, and hidden and rigorously developed talents of The Old Man.
I seem to be the only one but am so disappointed after looking so forward to its release.
Shelter (2017)
Waste of time and production crew
Can't blame the actors for bad dialogue, storytelling, and directing. Could have been an intriguing story if done better and with out pandering to every itemized political agenda and stereotyping of "world-woke" filmmakers