ljboden Reviews

Shōgun (2024–2026)

Bang Average

[6/10 · 8 March 2024]

Has the world been brainwashed? Where are all these 10/10 reviews coming from. It's got to be the U. S. Anyone who is from the UK knows that no one talks like the main character and never has. He is cringeworthy every time he opens his mouth. It's an embarrassment how Americans feel they have to portray English. I promise you- no one sounds like that.

The characters are OK'ish- it's not like Game of Thrones were some of the characters are absolutely vile- it's all a bit tepid.

The fighting scenes are predictably fake. You know the type- can you 30 bad guys form an orderly queue to kill the one lady with a stick please?

It reminds me of a family friendly Disney programme- wait. What? Ah, may be it's aimed at kids then. That would make more sense.

Fool Me Once (2024)

Car Crash

[3/10 · 5 January 2024]

I'm really not sure how this got to 7/10. It has so much potential but is so poorly delivered.

To be fair, Michelle Keegan's acting is pretty decent and most of the scenes she is in are adequate. However, the acting that surrounds is inferior and a little embarrassing.

The casting of the two cops is bizarre. Why have they made them act like Dumb and Dumber? Is this a gritty thriller or a pathetic comedy? The quirky additions to absolutely nothing for the show. I think once the jokesters stop giving this eight and nine out of ten, you'll see it's overall score drastically decrease. Thoroughly let down and I will not be progressing to episode three.

Kin (2021– )

F KIN BRILLIANT!!

[10/10 · 21 December 2023]

I find it bizarre that Kin currently has a score of 7.7. The best compliment I can give is that I felt the same gap in my life when it finished, as I felt when Gammorah ended.

Like anything, it takes a bit to get into the characters and their back stories, but whennyou do- wow! What characters!

You won't be able to identify a more vile, heartless creature than Bren in s2. He is horrible. This isn't pantomine horrible, but real believable nastiness.

Viking is a cocaine fuelled lunatic and Frank looks like he could pop at any minute. Only Amanda and Michael offer any sanity and they have a thirst for murder more than most.

Say one bad word and you're getting clipped.

Utter brilliance from the storyline to the acting. Not a single bad word to say about it.

Suburræterna (2023– )

A Poor Return

[4/10 · 22 November 2023]

I desperately wanted this to be good, but frankly, it really isn't. I picked the first season up after completing Gommorah (the best show in TV history bar none). Gammorah left a massive gap as all other TV now became rubbish. The first season of Suburra gave new hope. It wasn't as good as Gammorah but it was really enjoyable.

However, the second season is nowhere near close. I eventually gave up after 4 seasons. The loss of Alessandro Borghi is just too big a gap to fill. The large banner of him in the gym is a poor substitute. It appears that he was the show. The character change to Spadino is truly laughable. It doesn't work. The characters are not connectable and the speed of dialogue and zillions of names, makes following subtitles impossible. I won't be watched e5 and I now know that this show should have died with Aureliano.

A Small Light (2023)

Outstanding

[9/10 · 1 September 2023]

A harrowing and sobering depiction of a horrendous time in history. This is so well delivered that you will be holding back tears in one scene and laughing out loud in another.

Everyone knows the story of Anne Frank but I'd never heard of Miep and Jan and the rest of the heroes.

Normal people who put their lives on the line to save others.

Outstanding acting performances with a great dialogue. It did dip slightly in the middle but picks up brilliantly in the last two episodes.

I'd highly recommend this series if you have, or haven't an interest in the war. This isn't about battle, it is about people and humanity.

Dragged Across Concrete (2018)

Poor

[2/10 · 28 July 2023]

Lasted 1.12.

Is there an award? Awful, just awful.

Boring as hell. Two comedy actors trying to be serious but written like a comedy. It is dire.

First 5 minutes was great. It looked like it could be a gritty drama. I was thinking Boyz in the Hood. Then we were introduced to The Two Ronnies.

So over written it was cringe. No one talks like that it real life. The dialogue is like something from Pride and Prejudice.

These are dumb cops on the bones of their a***. Absolutely skint but talking like Shakespeare.

First hour was like watching paint dry and 3 of ys couldn't take anymore. I can only assume the good scores have come from the actors families.

The Tourist (2022–2024)

Kangerpoo

[2/10 · 25 July 2023]

I'm really not sure how this has scored so highly.

The people giving this decent marks must like Miranda and Mrs Brown's Boys.

Why does everything have to be quirky? Just make a gritty drama and leave out the Benny Hill stuff.

I hated it after the first episode but had to continue watching it because my wife wanted to. I'm guessing she liked it due to the lead actor rather than any Oscar winning performances and quality writing.

The acting is cringe- eye watering cringe. Every outback cop is a bumbling idiot. Mandy Dingle would make a good Chief of Police here.

Unbelievable characters, excruciatingly slow story and not funny in the slightest. Was it supposed to be funny? It isn't.

Save yourself the pain, this is dire.

Yellowjackets (2021– )

Dire

[2/10 · 23 June 2023]

I felt quite proud of myself that I managed four episodes.

This really is set up for little girls well, teenage girls at nest

Annoying characters, ridiculously slow pace and average standard of acting.

If you like shows made for children like Stranger Things or Marvel comic movies, this will be right up your street.

If you're an adult with a mature, intellectual brain, then this won't be for you.

The premise of drawing you in that something has happened in the past goes on and on with no real end in site.

If you're a 15 year old American cheerleader, you'll love this.

If you're a British adult- steer well clear. Total garbage!

The Rig (2023– )

Awful

[2/10 · 5 February 2023]

Quite proud of myself for lasting 2 and a half episodes- well done if you got further. Started off OK but quickly declined into a standard that you'd probably place Hollyoaks. A couple of decent actors have done themselves no favours with this pile of garbage.

I only watched it because I thought it may have been a gritty disaster movie but it quickly turned into a children's ghost story.

The whole feel of it felt like Dr Who- cheap, childish and unbelievable. Yes, there are people out there that like Dr Who and they are probably giving it a six or more, but if you have the intelligence of anything higher than an 11 year old, I'd recommend swerving this.

Compton clearly looks mediocre outside of Line of Duty. Some of the characters in this are outrageously ridiculous. The annoying Canadian lady who quickly becomes a first class scientist, Hutton- the angry union militant who would have been knocked out in real life and then there's the extremely poor acting of the lad who had the fall from height- clearly never acted before and dragged in off the street, The whole thing felt like a BBC early evening ghost story with amateurish effects. I promise it won't be what you are expecting and expect to be disappointed.

Rogue Heroes (2022–2024)

Awful

[2/10 · 6 November 2022]

I'm actually disappointed with myself that I put the 3rd episode on. The first episode was OKish but was far too Dad's Army.

There is absolutely no grit to this show and for some reason, they have leaned to a Benny Hill approach.

The ACDC/Clash songs mixed with authentic 40s music is just bizarre- really doesn't work.

The stereotypical characters are embarrassing. Apparently everyone in the 40s spoke like Prince Charles.

For a movie about war and warzones, there really isn't much action. Episode 3 in (there won't be anymore episodes) and it's honestly boring.

The only reason I gave it 2 stars and not 1 is because Jack O'Connell is OK.

How anyone in the world could give this 10/10 is beyond me. They must get excited by Hollyoaks. Awful, just awful.

Crossfire (2022)

Wow! So bad

[1/10 · 29 September 2022]

Not sure what the minimum amount words is I need to write but I'm struggling to find words. Ridiculous is a good one. It had so much potential but was delivered so badly. Unbelievable from the start and it just got worse. Poor acting and unbelievable characters that you couldn't connect with. Three hours could have been 90 minutes. It wouldn't have made it better, just less time to endure.

The BBC set the standard with Line of Dutt and this is a good example of how bad it can be.

I hope they make a sequel where they all get shot for sins against acting. Extremely poor. Give it a swerve. Can't understand why anyone would give it more than a one.

BMF (2021– )

Joke

[1/10 · 21 July 2022]

Why do these shows have to be quirky comedy? It's not funny. It's not Benny Hill. Really, really poor approach. Make it gritty- make it real.

Lasted 40 minutes of Episode 1 and had to turnnit off- absolute dire.

PS- if you're from the UK you will need subtitles. Could only catch 15% of the dialogue.

Avoid! Poor.

Ambulance (2022)

Pretty Awful

[4/10 · 5 June 2022]

You may like this if you are a 12 year old boy. It's basically a 2 hour car chase. Poor acting, unnecessary comedy quips in almost every sentence and basically, no story.

The characters are manufactured and fake- it's like The Expendables. Utter dross.

Apparently, no one in the LA police force can drive. They drive their cars into brick walls, stalls, vans and off cliffs- they are either all blind or got their licence off ebay.

This movie is not for grownups. Very poor.

No Exit (I) (2022)

Solid Thriller

[8/10 · 29 May 2022]

Ridiculous that people are giving this less than 3- what are you expecting? It is what it is- a steady thriller. Acting is good and plenty of twists and turns. The characters could be a bit grittier but it really was ok. A great Sunday night movie where I didn't have to listen or think too much. Enjoyed this right until the end.

Villain (I) (2020)

Suprisingly Good

[8/10 · 9 December 2021]

Some great acting from Fairbrass and the supporting cast. Good pace and sountrack. Got a lot more than I was expecting. Believable characters and some great touches of emotion. Really enjoyed it.

Out of Death (2021)

Bad! Yuk! Nasty!

[1/10 · 9 November 2021]

Bruce just keeps churning these out. He was never a great actor but he is 100% getting worse- like Hollyoaks worse.

Luckily, they found a load of other horrendously bad actors to take the limelight off him.

This as bad as it gets. There's nothing good to say. Even the 80s style B Movie music will make you cringe. Avoid!

The Harder They Fall (2021)

Oh wow so bad

[2/10 · 5 November 2021]

Bad, just bad. If you like stupidity, watch a cartoon. Music, characters and set don't work. Plot is weak as pee. Acting is Hollyoaks class 2.

Not good. No no no.

Midnight Mass (2021)

Awful

[1/10 · 30 October 2021]

I actually watched five full episodes of this before giving up on it. Boring, boring, boring! Hours and hours of nonsensical dialogue and no plot. Utterly interesting with drab characters.

I hope the people who gave this high scores made a few quid out of it.

Cry Macho (2021)

The End

[3/10 · 18 September 2021]

Big Clint fan like most on here. I knew all the issues with this film but got to 35 minutes before I took to IMBD to confirm them.

The acting is honestly cringe and the story is as weak as Bear Gryll's favourite tipple. It's almost laughable that a 90 odd year old would be asked to do this. Turned it off after 40 minutes. Good luck if you last longer.

Reminiscence (2021)

Failed

[2/10 · 3 September 2021]

Decent actors. Decent concept. Bit of a flakey story. The real reason for 2 stars is it is utterly utterly BORING. It just isn't gripping. Some odd scores of 8 or 9... it's not even close. It's a little cringe.

It just.

Viewpoint (2021)

Yawn ZZZzzzzz

[1/10 · 27 April 2021]

How are some people actually giving this 10/10? They must be entertained by the Teletubbies. It is rank bad- I lost interest after about 30 minutes. The acting is poor and I can't quite work out if it's a comedy or not. I absolutely will NOT be watching episode 2. This is appalling TV making. ITV are light years away from getting their own LINE OF DUTY- Viewpoint definitely isn't it! Rubbish!

Kingdom (2014–2017)

Pure Brilliance!

[10/10 · 6 November 2020]

What a surprise package this series was. I'd dodged it for a few months before I gave it ago because I am not a MMA fan. I couldn't have been more wrong. Yes, there's a little bit of fighting in it, but it is a side dish, there are so many more depths to this show. After completing all three seasons, I can honestly say that I haven't missed a show this much sine Gomorrah. If you've seen Gomorrah, you will know what I mean. The storylines and acting in Kingdom are first class. Each story is drenched in grit and darkness, supported by twisted, multi-layered characters. There isn't a weak actor in the show, but Jonathon Tucker steals the first prize. Wow! What an actor. You actually ache for him as he battles through life and obstacles. I cannot understand why anyone would give this less than 10/10. The only negativity is that it was cut short and everything was squeezed into the last show. There is so many loose ends need tidying up that I am praying for Season 4.

Gangs of London (2020– )

OK If You're a Child

[1/10 · 26 May 2020]

If you are a 12 year old boy and think that someone can walk into a pub and fight (and beat) 12 hardened Albanian criminals on his own, then this is the show for you. If you like Chuck Norris, Ninja Turtles and Jackie Chan, this is right up your street. The ridiculous violence and over the top, unbelievable fighting has been added to mask the unbelievable characters, the wooden acting and the lack of anyone with a cockney accent. I'm amazed at how many people are giving this 10/10. I put this on after watching 4 seasons of Gomorrah, which is by far the best thing to ever grace our screens. It felt like climbing out of a Bentley and getting into a 20 year old Peugeot. If you are a grown adult with some form of intelligence, you won't like this. I've given 3/10 because I couldn't watch past episode one and it may have got better, albeit most people are saying E1 was the best.

Gomorrah (2014–2021)

It's Ruined TV

[10/10 · 26 May 2020]

A good friend of mine said to me, 'it was the best thing he'd ever seen, and it would change my life'. I'd never even heard of it, so that was a big statement. Turns out, he wasn't lying. Me and the wife watched all 4 seasons and then the movie in less than 4 weeks and now that it is finished, I am gutted. It's left a big hole in our TV life. It has completely ruined TV for me because nothing else comes close to how good it is. We put 'Gangs of London' on straight after it, hoping it would fill a hole. We barely got to the end of Episode One, it was pathetic. Good if you're a 12-year-old boy who thinks one man can kill 15 hardened Albanian criminals in a pub like a cockney Chuck Norris! Gamorrah has none of that rubbish and is really realistic. No fighting or over the top car chases- just a bullet in the chest. The acting is beyond brilliant, the grim backdrop is dramatic, and the characters are encapsulating. I've been told by an Italian mate of mine that the area it is set in falls into the top ten of most dangerous places in the world. The programme does it justice. It is brilliantly and cleverly written; teasing you to like a character and then snatching them away from you. No one can be trusted, not even family. I've been pining for it so much since it ended that I've even been watching youtube interviews in Italian! The subtitles can sometimes be difficult to follow because the dialogue moves so fast, but it is never overly important. It is way beyond anything I have ever seen. Pure brilliance. Anyone who would give this less than 10/10 would probably enjoy Gangs of London or Ninja Turtles.