steven-duffield Reviews

Fool Me Once (2024)

Coben at his finest. Perfect January binge, not perfect.

[8/10 · 3 January 2024]

Tons of twists and turns to keep you going through it all, most episodes leave you on a decent cliffhanger.

Manchester looks gorgeous as ever, though the cinematography and pallettes could have framed it better and the soundtrack/score and opening sequences were a bit budget/muted.

The actors did a fine job too. The 2 lead detectives had a pretty decent if a bit tired 'buddy chemistry' thats rolled out in this genre time and again. Joanna Lumley is always scene stealing and well... Michelle Keegan... just watch it for her. Don't listen to any reviews saying she's one dimensional. She's absolutely gorgeous, she's a Manc lass and well... she can act a bit.

The plot is clearly leveraging all the hot topics of the last few years, so it gives it a nuanced, layered approach... from 'big pharma' to overseas conflicts to whistleblowing, geneology and through to deep-fakes... it keeps you going and rooted in the world we are in...

There is a bit of clunky exposition and some clearly unplausible plot devises that will make you ask 'really'? Thats all part of what's needed to keep a series like this moving at tye pace it did...

Cracking start to the year from Netflix, great January watch.

The Psychopath Life Coach (2023)

Pretty angry at Netflix

[1/10 · 29 November 2023]

Should have realised from the fact they included modern day inyerviews with the protagonist where this was going....

The rest of these reviews are legitimate insomuch that after 40 mins this becomes a cheesy, cynical, unashamed cashgrab for this chancers business.

It is breathlessley irresponsible, and misleading that Netflix has even allowed this onto the platform. This Lewis guy is basically just an unlikable barrow boy on the make. They draft in so called experts early in the 'mockumentary' looking into psycopathy and the tired old nature/nurture nonsense then Lewis hits you with his David Brent with a quiff and teeth schtick. They even refer back to the cheezy American life coaching industry... claiming this isnt what that is - which is them basically putting 2 fingers up to you - because they no that is exactly what it is.

Disgusting shameful cash grab. It did motivate me... to switch it of.

Monster (2022– )

Never forget the victims....

[8/10 · 22 September 2022]

The show is one of the very few Dahmer presentations that show respect for the victims and their families IMO.

Additionally it sufficiently calls out the failures of law enforcement and the backdrop of urban decay with racial tension... much of which still exists today in blue collar Americana.

Much of the intrigue still lies in the enigma of Dahmer as a quasi sympathetic monster. The fact he was murdered was a missed opportunity to further understand the nature/nurture paradox underpinning most all serial killers.

Some superb performances all round, especially Joyce and Lionel Dahamer. Evan Peters wore pure Evil like a second skin; a creepy yet nuanced masterclass.

My heart goes out to the 17 souls and their families. Let's not forget what this is about.

The Serpent (2021)

Great Interpretation of an Enduring Case

[8/10 · 7 January 2021]

Superb acting from the leads. Phenomenal costume and set design, and a great score.

You're skin crawls from the sheer creepiness of Charles Sohbraj the pure Sociopath.

This is a tense and gripping drama and the time hopping device is used to great effect as it underlines a cat and mouse came that spans across 5 or 6 countries over 20 years plus. Other reviewers said this instilled confusion and detracted from the plot... but it doesn't.... It enhances it as it keeps things flowing and on edge.

If you enjoy simple mindless and linear storytelling... watch Cobra Kai (which is still great).

This was a quality series that grips from beginning to end.

The Queen's Gambit (2020– )

Don't let the subject dissuade. Perfect Television.

[9/10 · 17 November 2020]

I never give anything 9... hardly. I was badgered into watching this show and I would normally write a fairly comprehensive and eloquent review... but I'm mind blown.

Wow.

Just binged it... Trying to process it now.

Ill submit a proper review later... Just believe the hype

Disappearance at Clifton Hill (2019)

Niagara Falls... Short

[6/10 · 24 October 2020]

Don't get wrong... Not a bad stab at neo - noire. Its quite atmospheric, and captures the seedy and melancholic vibe you get from Niagara Falls after dark. There's certainly a transient and almost sinister undercurrent to Niagara Falls that's often sugar coated over... a primordial energy that this film does capture...

As a thriller/mystery it does fall short due to pacing and stilted dialogue though. It's final act falls sadly on the wrong side of predictably as well.

The Duchess (2020)

Probably only for Ryan fans.

[5/10 · 11 September 2020]

If Katherine Ryan is your thing then you'll probably seem this passable.

It's loosely based on her stand up shtick.. and her life as a single parent. She does the whole 'mouthy sass' thing but with the volume on 11

The child actor is annoyingly stage school and she's the best amongst them.

Terrible cast and thin premise.

Still gave it a 5 as I like Ryan... despite this.

How It Ends (2018)

What the actual...

[4/10 · 3 December 2019]

No words. No ending. No answers. No point. No thanks.

I've just saved y'all 2 hours of your life.