ssvfolder-1 Reviews

No Hard Feelings (2023)

Some unexpected fun

[8/10 · 26 March 2024]

I wasn't expecting anything when I clicked it on Netflix. After watching it I believe I have a newfound appreciation for Jennifer Lawrence. She was obviously a star before with a whole bunch of famous franchises and separate movies, but than she goes and does this simple comedy... and she shines bright! Her NSFW scene when she gets out naked from the sea and beats the brats who stole her close is probably one of the best, funny and memorable scenes I've seen in a while. She's got nothing to hide and it's all her. She looks real and amazing!

Additional scene where she mockes the new generation of "progressive" losers is excellent and spot on. She is a star and it shows in every scene.

Her counterpart was also spot on for the role and didn't disappoint.

A relatively small cameo by Matthew Broderick also adds up to the experience.

I gave it 8/10 and it's absolutely worth it. I'll be sure to check her movies more often.

The Beekeeper (2024)

Good action and stupidity

[6/10 · 12 March 2024]

Action flicks aren't known for their plots. That being said, is it possible to finally have at least somewhat plausible plotlines? I mean it's just so... stupid, I can't really .... My almost 80 year old parents know more about computers than these morons in the movies and many more examples of that.

The action is great, as usual in Statham movies. That's why I even considered to write a review. It's everything one might expect from his action flick. As always he is the one who carries the movie throughout, and despite all the stupidity, it actually works. You probably need to be pretty drunk, but when you are, it's actually fun.

So, as a one time entertainment, it's actually worth it.

The Gentlemen (2024)

Guy Richie does what he does best

[9/10 · 9 March 2024]

I really like Guy Richie movies. He has had his fair share of less successful ones, but for the most part they were good.

This time it's a TV show and a brilliant one at that. It feels like one of those movies, stretched over 8 episodes. It has a typical British dark humor moments, amazing setting (similar to a 2019 movie by the same name), good acting and great plot.

You can't say that everything was perfect and the plot is "fool proof", but the style and the magic of Richie is more than makes up for it.

I feel that it was one of the best decisions from Netflix in recent times, to hire Guy Richie and give him his creative freedom without too much interference from their part. He made it work and it shows.

Absolutely advised for all!

Sixty Minutes (2024)

Decent action with a plot of colossal stupidity

[5/10 · 21 January 2024]

I get it that the action movies aren't known for their story or logic, yet I recently caught this flick on Netflix, and I believe this one takes the recent lead as the stupidest action movie of recent times.

For example the plot revolves around semi poor MMA fighter\gym owner who suppose to do a fight which will bring him a lot of money, yet decides to quit to get to his daughter birthday because his ex decided she'd sue him for sole custody because he's no show. The whole movie happens during 60 minutes period of time.

He decides to run away (literally by foot), though eventually he loses everything and on the way fights his opponent anyway.

Aside from numerous plot problems that are ridiculous at best, the thing that caught my eye was the main lead's earbuds. There is literally zero chance they'd stay inside his ears entire time through his fighting sequences. It's a small detail, but it's been a problem for me for a long time.

The fighting scenes are decent and that's the only reason I gave this movie 5/10.

Considering everything, I guess this movie can work if you're under the influence and are looking for some mindless action flick.

Gen V (2023– )

Generic Teen Drama meets The Boys

[6/10 · 16 December 2023]

The Boys show is amazing. Excellent casting along with compelling storylines and gruesome details. It has it all. This show is a spinoff in the same universe, though it never manages to reach the same heights or interest of The Boys.

If you've seen one modern teenage drama, you've seen them all. Basically it's about actors in their late 20's, playing as 18 years old, tackling the issues of identity, sex, evil senior leadership that is keeping a dark secret and modern diversity and inclusivity.

The show tries to make the story more interesting by using gruesome elements form the Boys universe (and that's the only reason that I gave it 6/10), but at its core it's still the same annoying teen drama.

Special effects and gruesome details are at par with "the boys", while acting and storyline is lacking in quality, boring and feel forced.

It still better than most of the superhero movies being released today, as it's not as predictable and stupid as the rest of them, but it's mostly due to "the Boys" universe and not as self sufficient as it might have been.

I hope they'll manage to improve and take it further to the insanely high level of the original show\comics.

Vikings (2013–2020)

Great series with a sharp drop at the end

[8/10 · 10 December 2023]

I actually watched this series twice. First time when it was coming out and the second time binge watched just now which gave me a new perspective.

First seasons are amazing! I'm not going into whole historical accuracy, which is obviously not. The casting is great for all major characters up to season 5. The story is compelling and at the beginning you can't get enough. Loved how the setting improved from season to season from a small village to a large town. The final season seriously drops the ball so it was difficult for me to finish it, but it's a matter of persistence.

The whole Rus storyline is stupid to say the least. Rus never attack Scandinavia in a global scale back than. The main villain is ridiculous as well as his death. Rus soldiers look like a Mongolian horde and they obviously never had female regiments dressed like assassins from Assassins Creed video games.

The year was 2020 and "girl power in movies" was on the rise, so they greatly exaggerated in that matter, so what was organic and worked in the earlier seasons, became annoying and unbearable towards the end with ridiculous characters and plotlines as the true "progressive" message of modern times.

The end of many beloved characters felt forced aside from Bjorn and Lagertha. The whole idea of "we have it too good here, so let's raid for the sake of it" didn't really work back than. It was about plundering and conquest. Ivar and Harald final raid was not presented as such.

During the series they really forgot to age characters properly. For example Ragnar was in his 50's when he died, yet according to wiki, Lagertha died in the age of 50+ many years later. Torvi looks almost the same throughout the series, though she's suppose to around 60, after 4 husbands and 4 kids. They really forgot about her. Many more examples like that.

In any case the series is great up to the end of season 4 (and to some degree season 5), so it's highly advised to check it out.

South Park: Joining the Panderverse (2023 TV Movie)

Put a chick in it and make her gay

[9/10 · 2 November 2023]

The absolutely correct phrase that emphasize the current problem with movies and shows.

Matt and Trey had given us this gem of an episode that finally tackles these annoying issues that plague the Hollywood today.

The plot is amazing and relevant to the current situation. People had forget how to work with their hands. All characters are being replaced. Stupid multiverse on every corner. Such an amazing dig at many of Hollywood giants.

Thank you Matt and Trey for this masterpiece of great piece of humor. Never surrender and keep it up. These aren't the best of times and this show keep up the spirit. Amazing and highly advised for all.

Fauda (2015–2022)

So good!

[9/10 · 2 November 2023]

I have never seen an original Israeli TV shows before. Since the war on Hamas started, after initial shock, I've decided to look it up a bit further. So this show popped up on my radar.

This show is amazing! It's everything the Hollywood gritty shows are trying to be, only so much better and more realistic. Both me and my wife started watching and we've watched 4 seasons in a span of 6 days, missing sleep time, and it was absolutely worth it! My wife who doesn't like or care too much about the action scenes, even got emotional toward the end of 4'th season. That's how good it is.

The actors aren't "Hollywood pretty", but they are perfect and amazing in their respected roles. They aren't superheroes. But a hard boiled professionals with deep psychological wounds, deeply engaged in the conflict, all while embracing both cultures. For the most part they speak Hebrew and Arabic, and it's perfect for the show (yes, subtitles are a good thing). I especially loved phone conversations when it was Hebrew on one side and Arabic on another.

I don't believe this show can have a good remake in Hollywood. It just doesn't build like this. Western values don't work in Arab world. Only hoping to see more seasons of the same. Maybe with different actors as they get older, but the same spirit.

Amazing!

Bodies (2023)

Brilliant fun with numerous plot holes

[8/10 · 24 October 2023]

Second Netflix show in a row that I actually loved. It was brilliant. The casting, the setting, pacing.. Everything was executed excellently. I binge-watched entire series in two days and have absolutely no regrets.

The only thing that was bothering me a bit, were the plot holes. It's very difficult to write a good time travel book\scenario without any of those, but here in this case, they were glaring. That's the only reason I gave the show 9/10.

From this point on - spoilers and assumptions.

• The show never explains the beginning of the time loop. It's a chicken and an egg type of thing. It had to be created somehow in the first place.

• To get to the absolutely same outcome, the people from the future could have gone to the exact same time through the throat and simply kill the young Mannix. As he had never existed in the first place, it would bring to the exact same place. After the blast, During car ride or anywhere else. Just kill him and it's all over and everything is exactly where it ended. If I'm not mistaken, even the physicist could have sent them anytime without too much limitations. Mannix arrived a year before the the body in the 1889. Defoe moved 4 days into the future. The possibilities are endless.

• The technology could not travel through time (though through theory, all matter could have done it. Perhaps so, but how could Mannix know all commercial secrets from 1890 (the knowledge that is largely lost even now)? How to build Atom bomb? How to enrich Uranium (which was before the initial development in the labs of Nazi Germany in Europe and US)? He couldn't have have any physical memory card with him and he definitely couldn't remember all that. Where on earth did he get a cell phone to be added as the second trigger, decades before it was invented. The vault under the bank was sealed, and the phone somehow survived all this time?

Many more additional loopholes remain. Never the less I loved it!

The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

Unexpected delight

[8/10 · 15 October 2023]

In general I don't like Netflix shows with very rare exceptions. Some because absolutely untalented script and others because of "the progressive message". This time I loved it.

Maybe it's the famous story by Edgar Po, maybe because some of the casting was excellent, but this modern adaptation actually works.

Reworked family roles and sexuality bothered me. Literally everyone except Roderick, Frederick and Tamerlane are either Bi or Gay. All while Tamerlane has a particular (other) sexual preference which is also emphasized in the series.

The casting of Victorine and her partner is awful. She overacts in many scenes and absolutely unbelievable as a part of an Usher family. Her partner might be decent in another setting, but it was hard for me to buy into the whole "exceptionally talented surgeon".

The casting of Verna was a bit over-aged. She is a good actress, that's a given, but she was a bit over-aged for the role than required. Especially in the sex scenes.

The funny thing is that the whole diversity and inclusivity hires that were made for this series actually emphasize the depravity of sin the family endured after the deal with the devil. Can't be sure if this was intentional or not, but it works for the story.

Roderick and Madeline were amazing! As well as the role of Pym, though I think they've made him a bit too powerful. They stole every scene they were in.

In general reworked story actually delivers the essence of the story by Po and that is how it should be done. Great work!

Reptile (2023)

Boring

[5/10 · 4 October 2023]

Star studded cast can't save this movie from its biggest flaw, it's boring. Hollywood loves Del Toro and Timberlake, but even them doesn't look comfortable in their roles.

Right until the end I couldn't figure out the role Alicia Silverstone suppose to play. I get that she is the wife of Del Toro, but why on earth is she interferes with the police business. Is it fir the sake of women power or parts of it were taken from other police stories?

This movie feels like it is trying to emulate other police dramas of good/bad cops, but failes incoming so.

What we've got was a grim, boring movie with no thrills, tired lead and uninteresting development.

Nothing really good there, so I'd advise to skip thus one.

Nightmare Alley (2021)

Great setup, yet a missed opportunity

[7/10 · 28 September 2023]

I missed this movie when it first came out and just now caught it at D+.

The setup is great! The whole Carnival Noir style along with excellent cast, captures you instantly. Yet somehow the second part of the story feels empty. The story itself is written by the book. The main hero is actually a villain. There is a moral lesson to all. A dark secret in everybody's life and a final punchline. Yet it still feels empty.

Perhaps what was needed are supernatural elements. Maybe some additional parties should have been involved. It just wasn't enough.

During that last part of the movie, I was hoping for something far fetched like integration into a Stephan King's universe. To see the clown from "It" or Crimson King. That would have been something.

But it ended expectedly and a bit boring.

I gave it 7 but it's more like 6.5 for me.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

A great movie

[8/10 · 9 September 2023]

And they say nowadays that women lead movies can't be good. They should try to do something good like this one, as it works!

The movie popped up on my D+ service and I decided to watch it, having no expectations. I guess back than I missed it for the reasons that I'm not in fashion and generally have no interest in that area.

The movie is great! Both female leads are excellent in it. They act to their strength and it shows. This is the most I ever got invested into movie about relationship and fashion.

That being said, the relationship between Nate and Andy feels forced and unreal. They work separately but not together. There are additional few moments that raised a few question, but I don't want to focus on that.

The movie is good, and while I'm writing this review 17 years later, it still works perfectly. That's how you do a female lead movie. Not the latest examples that came out in the recent years.

One Piece (2023– )

Haven't seen the anime yet this was fun

[8/10 · 7 September 2023]

I'm not a true fan of manga. I find many of them uninteresting, and over the top, yet it has a distinct style. That being said I did enjoy Attack on titan and Alita battle angel the movie. I've had no expectations when this series popped up at Netflix, I started watching and got immediately hooked.

It was fun! Obviously it was made for kids, yet my kid, who had seen the original manga didn't even start to watch it while I, a grown man, was binge watching the entire season wanting more.

Even for my untrained eye, it was obvious that they've rushed many of the plotlines and characters, as well as your basic explanations of strengths and abilities. But they did it well enough to no bother too much.

Loved the cast. No great acting there, but it works as an ensemble.

I can give this show a hard 8/10 and actually want more. That is something that I can't really say about most of the shows produced on the streaming platforms.

Depp V Heard (2023)

Media strike from an Amber team

[1/10 · 20 August 2023]

This is just wrong. I followed the trial from the beginning and didn't have a single preference towards either side. I don't have an account in any social networks, yet the documentary is trying to portray that it had any sway on the matter.

Basically everybody who had followed the trial live can tell you the obvious lies that came out from Amber and her team. The cash grab\metoo movement exploitation that followed.

It's rare to see justice delivered in such a bias trial, but in this case it was spot on. Camilla was a goddess to expose her for what she is.

I was so happy to see innocent man acquainted from false allegations by a clear psychopath back than.

Netflix tries to white wash her, and it's not going to work.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Great movie yet... another Skynet?

[7/10 · 13 July 2023]

This is a near perfect action flick. Loved it from the start to the end. Tom Cruise can certainly still deliver excellent action performances right until today. The Hollywood true star that keeps on giving. Everything is near perfect except .... the story itself.

We have all seen the Terminator, Matrix and every other movie with super advanced AI as the main antagonist. It feels as this theme has been done to death, and there are much better themes to explore for a super spy.

While watching this movie I really enjoed the excellent action sequences and obviously Tom Cruise acting , yet ...I felt I've seen it all before. Holywood writing department is obviously at stagnation, and they really should look elsewhere for new additions to this whole ordeal to trully become epic.

The action does not becomes stale or irrelevant. It's just great.

For anyone who loves actions, this is the movie for you. For anyone looking for an original story, honestly doubt it. Good enough to watch once or twice, but that's it. 7/10.

Sound of Freedom (2023)

That's how you do a GOOD movie

[8/10 · 10 July 2023]

I can honestly say that I haven't heard of this movie right until it overtook a box office fiasco of Indy 5. This is when I decided to spend some time actually watching it.

This movie shook me to the very core. The subject of child trafficing is in my opinion one of the more difficult subject to explore, and it was done to perfection (or close to it).

Real emotions embedded into modern reality. Gruesome acts that aren't shown for their shock value, yet heavily implied . Not a feel-good story by any means, nor the over the top, dark reality. The movie manages to navigate this incredibly difficult subject with grace rarely seen these days.

I'm not an acting critic by any means, but I loved the main protagonist. Contrary to awful acting of a main lead in Indy 5 movie with 20 times the budget and incompetent everything (and no, I'm not talking about Harrison Ford).

I really didn't understand why this movie was labeled as action movie. It's more of a thriller/drama type, with very little action.

Obviously it is intended for mature audience and I won't let my kids to watch it just yet, but it's really good for everyone adult enough to explore that topic.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

Hated it, legacy ruined

[2/10 · 2 July 2023]

After watching this movie, one question comes to mind: Does studios hate (or even knows) its viewers?

Oh Shia, you could have had it all as Indy's successor in the crytal skull, but you went all crazy and now we've got something way worse.

Honestly even before the movie came out I was sceptical about Harrison Ford's ability to stilll convinsingly portray the character at such an advanced age and a new character who looked very similar to character of Rey in Star wars franchise.

As for the first, a de-aged Harrison Ford in the opening minutes of the movie was pretty decent, and then it all came down to the bitter, geriatric,deeply flawed Indy and the "flawleless" woman Indy's successor, who kind of reminded me of Rey's character (as suspected), who is better than Indy (and every male in that film) in every possible way.

Kingdom of the Crystal skull wasn't really good, but this one plummets to obscurity and it really feels as another legacy destroyed.

Extraction II (2023)

Great action flick

[8/10 · 23 June 2023]

I never expected such a great, simple action flick from Netflix.

Both movies are good but this one is definite improvement from the first one. I can see another John Wick franchise on the horizon.

Action scenes are amazing, and while the story is obviously weak with numerous plot holes, the action itself is top notch. Reminded me the only good scene in the witcher series. Them "creators" really should take notes from this movie.

Chris Hemsworth is excellent and commands the screen with his looks and charisma. Loved the Idris Alba cameo as well.

So much better than latest Thor movie.

In conclusion, every action fan should watch it, and I even hope for some kind of cross with the Expendables. Seems as they might be in the same universe.

Kudos Netflix. Keep it up!

The Americans (2013–2018)

A perfect cold war spy story

[9/10 · 12 June 2023]

This series should be a guide to modern Hollywood on how to make an amazing show. I have found it accidently and binge watch all the six seasons without stopping in less than a week. It cost me few hours of sleep, but it was worth it.

The cast is perfect! I've had some doubts about Stan's character in season 1, but happy to say that I was wrong and he had risen to occasion.

Every show has its weaker seasons, and in this case it's season 5, while season 6 is absolutely the best with a perfect finale.

This is the part where I'll dive into some theories, so spoilers.

• Philip and Elizabeth can't cope with the new reality of pre-fall soviet union. She is tough but she has devotion to her family which she lost. Philip simply wants to live as an American. I believe that their fate no longer lies within Russia, but in some capacity back in US.

• Oleg Burov, the morally best character in the show, suffers the worst fate. Eventually Gorbachev successful and hopefully hus father can oull him out into new reality. Actually what we see in the last season is a taste if things to come to Russia.

• Poor Paige. I have no idea how her life might unfold from that point on. She is no spy but a simple and likable college girl with a good snd open heart.

• One of the best parts of the show, is Stan's character development. That scene where he understands that Renee could be (and probably is) a KGB officer, he accepts it and tucks her in bed. He just lost his best friend and instead of blind loyalty to the country and possibly out of fear if losing another loved one (after Nina and Philip), he'd rather have them close instead of blindly following the rules. Hiw far he had come since shooting that kid in season 1.

I really hope they will wrap it up in a movie or do a followup.

Excellent!

The Americans: START (2018) Season 6, Episode 10

Near perfect finale

[10/10 · 11 June 2023]

It's rare for me to give 10/10 ratings to anything, but it's been an almost perfect finale to the best season of the show. The final chapter in the american chapter of this spy drama.

The only thing that is missing, what happened next. The fate of the characters who we grew to care about in the late 80'th Russia and US.

Still, the story had been told to perfection. A period in life that took its toll for every character in the series. I don't remember better character development thoguhout almost any series for most of the characters the show.

Simply amazing and worth every moment.

Really hope they will make a followup.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

A pleasant surprise

[8/10 · 18 May 2023]

I actually watched this movie twice in one day. Once in the morning, when I've had no expectations and had a couple of hours to kill and another in the evening when we went to see it properly with my wife.

I really enjoyed it. This movie has just enough of humor, charisma, likable characters and respect to the lore without ruining it. It's not a heavy movie or a parody by any means, nor it's trying to be one of those. It's a show where creators are trying to have some fun with the source material and it really comes together.

The cast and characters are a hit! Outside the main team, I really loved the Paladin. He was spot on in my book. Most of the cast plays to their strenght and it works.

One might say the weakest part of characters were Simon and Doric. Him because of his character becomes a bit annoying and her for a bit lack of onscreen charisma, yet it still works out as an ansamble.

Plot is simple and relatable. Jokes are good and in a good taste, yet sometimes I got the feeling the movie tried a bit too hard in that department. Loved the Bradly Cooper cameo as it raised many questions of "intimate" nature. Absolutely loved the Birdman joke at the beginning and the end.

In conclusion, it's not really a huge masterpiece, but it's definitely a hit! I want more!

The Blacklist (2013–2023)

Great start but getting worse by each season

[8/10 · 14 April 2023]

A bit late to the party but never the less my two cents.

I just binge watch 9 seasons and while at the beginning it was captivating, interesting and i simply wanted more, at this point it's just waiting for the end.

Few honest observations:

• James Spader is excellent in it throughout. He is the one that everyone wait to see onscreen and he captures most of the scenes he's in. Obvious standout star, despite it being an ansamble show.

I should also mention characters of Harold Cooper, Aram Mujtabai and to some degree Donald Ressler. Though the latter became kind of boring and cliche towards the end. I personally liked all of the actors, as they tried their best.

• Katerina Rostova story ark is really stupid at this point. No one would care about it. Absolutely no logic to it. It's there just to keep on pushing new seasons.

• Villains getting worse by the season. The pinnacle was Elizabeth transformation into master criminal and using an ex PI (also female badass) as her second in command. All while being a single mother. Girl power till the end, but it's just idiotic.

• Meghan Boone is much prettier in season 8 than in season 1. I guess they've finally found her makeup\light. Only took about 8 seasons to do it and she left. For me she was never a lead, but a support staff for James Spader.

• It should have ended at season 6-7.

Never the less, the beginning is excellent and it might have been something almost epic should it ended in previous seasons. So My verdict is 8/10 because of it.

That '90s Show (2023– )

The young cast is a miss

[2/10 · 20 January 2023]

This show tries to capture on the success of the original and fails miserably. The main reason is casting and as per usual nowadays, writing.

The original had its magical era defining moments, great cast who became a future stars and great writing. I recently rewatched season 1, and it was epic.

This now is bad. They tried an failed. The young cast is atrocious. They aren't attractive and poorly written. They lack onscreen charisma and chemistry. It's not for the lack of effort, it's just they aren't good enough to keep on watching.

In general Hollywood seem to lose its touvch in regards to casting talented actors and writers.

The only good thing is seeing the old cast in the familiar setting.

Don't waste your time on this one.

National Treasure: Edge of History (2022–2023)

Unwatchable

[1/10 · 19 January 2023]

I am not a fan of Nick Cage, but National treasure were some of his best movies.

This is pale and pretentious imitation with gender swap, badly written characters, bad plot and cheap looking visuals.

Ever since Indiana Jones I loved these types of movies and shows. This show is something that shouldn't exist.

I guess the creators simply don't understand or even want to undertand the source material the're given, or even the essence of this genre at all.

In no way, shape or form I can't advise anyone to watch this one. It's an absolute waste of time, and if you feel like it, better go over the original movies.