dereklambe Reviews

Reacher (2022– )

Season 2 not quite as good, but still great!

[10/10 · 13 January 2024]

Season 1 was really brilliant; unfortunately Season 2 does not reach the same heights. Reacher seems a little too shy and retiring, and the supporting cast aren't as charismatic or interesting as Roscoe and Finlay (with the exception of the ever-watchable Domenick Lombardozzi). The story (and backstory) are really good and interesting; the season was just not that well executed. Also, the New York setting doesn't seem to suit Reacher somehow.

Don't get me wrong, Season 2 is still great TV and better than the vast majority of shows out there, it is just not as great as Season 1. Let's hope they do a better job of Season 3.

The Ritual Killer (2023)

Not great, but watchable

[6/10 · 23 July 2023]

This was no classic, but it doesn't deserve the very poor ratings it has been given. The downsides are amateurishly-executed fight scenes, some plot inconsistencies, and poor acting in places. The upsides are an interesting story and reasonably good pacing, nice shots of Rome, and of course Morgan Freeman is always charismatic on screen (although both he and Cole Hauser phoned in their performances). You can't go too far wrong with a serial killer film, and this is like an average but moderately entertaining made-for-TV movie. Probably one of Morgan Freeman's least good serial killer movies.....

To Catch a Killer (2023)

Enjoyable, solid thriller

[8/10 · 21 July 2023]

Entertaining, well-paced thriller. Direction was excellent, and acting by Woodley and Mendelssohn was top-notch. This deserves more than a 6.6 rating. If you want a serious, realistic thriller that will hold your attention for the length of the film this will do the trick. It might not be a classic, and it is not particularly original, but it is well worth a watch.

Entertaining, well-paced thriller. Direction was excellent, and acting by Woodley and Mendelssohn was top-notch. This deserves more than a 6.6 rating. If you want a serious, realistic thriller that will hold your attention for the length of the film this will do the trick. It might not be a classic, and it is not particularly original, but it is well worth a watch.

The Calling (2022)

Great police procedural

[9/10 · 9 June 2023]

I don't know what is is that makes some police procedurals really watchable and some just meh. The Calling is definitely the former, and in this case I think it is due to great writing and the chemistry between the unit - the three detectives and their captain work really well off each other and clearly like and respect each other. Jeff Wilbusch is fantastic and has great screen presence, and Michael Mosely is solid as always. My one quibble is the hook the show uses to give the lead character his USP (his religiosity). It is a bit half-baked and unnecessary, Wilbusch is easily strong enough to carry the show without it.

FUBAR (2023– )

Hugely entertaining

[10/10 · 2 June 2023]

This my not be the most cerebral show on TV, but if you just want some really entertaining light entertainment this action comedy fits the bill perfectly. Arnie and Monica Barbara have great chemistry and play off each other very well, and the supporting cast are fun as well. Some of the humour falls a bit flat, but most of it hits the mark. Sure, it is not believable and there are plot holes, and some of the sound editing is erratic, but this is not meant to be high-brow stuff. Some lovely scenery and architecture, and good action scenes. Not for younger kids, but nothing too violent or nasty in it. Just hugely entertaining.

The Mother (2023)

Solid if uninspiring action thriller

[6/10 · 30 May 2023]

This was entertaining, if unoriginal and too long, and this type of Nikita-type movie has been done better many times before. Direction and CGI effects were underwhelming, but the action scenes weren't bad. JLo was surprisingly good in the role. It was quite sad though to see Gael Garcia Bernal and Edie Falco reduced to taking on such poor-quality roles.

This was entertaining, if unoriginal and too long, and this type of Nikita-type movie has been done better many times before. Direction and CGI effects were underwhelming, but the action scenes weren't bad. JLo was surprisingly good in the role. It was quite sad though to see Gael Garcia Bernal and Edie Falco reduced to taking on such poor-quality roles.

The Virtuoso (2021)

Entertaining, atmospheric thriller

[8/10 · 13 November 2022]

I don't understand the low IMDB reviews; this is a well-made, entertaining thriller with a really good cast. Perhaps other reviewers were expecting more guns and explosions - a shoot 'em up action movie, instead of an atmospheric film noir. Anthony Hopkins had a small role - and he wasn't very good, he clearly wasn't very invested in the role. David Morse was also underused, but Anson Mount was really good, as was Abbie Cornish. There was some action, and it was well done, but this is really a psychological thriller. Pacing was very good, and at 90 minutes the length of the film was just right. Not a classic, but worth watching.

Dark Winds (2022– )

Gripping and entertaining

[10/10 · 21 July 2022]

This is a really good crime show, told from the point of view of Native American protagonists. Zahn McClarnon, who also produced the show, is fantastic in the lead role, as are all the other actors. The pacing was also really good, allowing time for character development but also snappy and fast plot progress. There was no woke lecturing, just a well-made, entertaining and novel crime show.

Bill Burr: Live at Red Rocks (2022 TV Special)

Bill Burr is back on top form

[10/10 · 17 July 2022]

This was really good, Bill is back to pushing at the edges and pointing out the absurdities of much of current culture. Lots for people to be offended about if that is what they so choose, but a lot to laugh about if one doesn't take it all too seriously.

Totems (2021– )

Superb and highly entertaining series.

[10/10 · 31 May 2022]

This is the best series I have seen in a long time. A great plot, perfect pacing, great acting and direction, and impressive production values. Many scenes are shot in evocative and atmospheric locations in Prague, Paris, Moscow, etc. I hope Amazon keep making series' of this high quality.

The Contractor (2022)

Exciting and entertaining action thriller

[9/10 · 14 May 2022]

I don't understand why this is getting such low reviews. It is a well-made, well-paced action thriller with a great cast and really good gunfight scenes. It might not be the most original plot in the world, but if you want an entertaining and intelligent thriller you will enjoy this. Chris Pine was fantastic in the lead role.

American Assassin (2017)

Entertaining, but not great

[5/10 · 8 January 2022]

On the plus side: an Alfa Romeo Brera, and some nice shots of Rome On the minus side: Taylor Kitsch, Michael Keaton and David Suchet were wasted on this forgettable pap.

The Protégé (2021)

Entertaining, if forgettable.

[7/10 · 22 November 2021]

An enjoyable, undemanding action thriller. Well-paced, with some lovely scenery and some good action scenes. Some of the violence was unnecessarily gruesome. Maggie Q was good and is easy on the eyes, and Michael Keaton stole every scene he was in.

A Call to Spy (2019)

Missed opportunity

[5/10 · 7 September 2021]

How did they make a film about special agents in Nazi-occupied France so boring? The source material could have made for a superb film or miniseries, but unfortunately this is dull, with a poor script, bad accents and a lack of engagement. 'Female Agents' is a very similar film, but is much, much better and has the charismatic Sophie Marceau in it.

Six (2017–2018)

Excellent series, too bad they only made two seasons

[10/10 · 15 August 2021]

This is a hugely entertaining and exciting series. Very well acted, very well directed, with excellent pacing. It is not some braindead hyper-patriotic rubbish, but is really well written. I was really disappointed to find they only made two seasons, I would have liked to see a few more.

The Grand Tour: The Grand Tour Presents: Lochdown (2021) Season 4, Episode 3

Hugely entertaining

[10/10 · 30 July 2021]

This is the lads doing what they do best - messing around, poking fun at each other, and entertaining the rest of us.

Greyhound (2020)

Entertaining if forgettable

[6/10 · 4 June 2021]

Not bad, and at least it is short. Some of the CGI was not great, and the 'patriotic, uplifting' music was pretty cheesy. Hanks was Hanks, emanating goshdarn decency.

Acts of Violence (2018)

Solid, entertaining action thriller

[8/10 · 13 May 2021]

This won't win any awards, and at the start some of the acting and dialogue is really bad, but it soon picks up and is an entertaining and well-made action thriller.

The Decline (2020)

Exciting and entertaining thriller

[10/10 · 12 May 2021]

I don't understand why this has such low reviews. It is a taut, exciting, very well-made thriller. Very entertaining and never sags.

My Name Is Sara (2019)

A hidden gem

[10/10 · 3 May 2021]

This is a great movie, with a wonderful lead. Rather than a war story, it is more of a character study. A really interesting and enjoyable film and it certainly deserves a lot higher than the 6.3 rating it has. Possibly many of those of who watched it thought it would be a war movie with lots of action and were disappointed, so they gave it a poor rating.

Madame Claude (2021)

Fascinating tale of a bygone world

[9/10 · 7 April 2021]

This film is very French, and it is for adults. Those who prefer shoot 'em up action movies or lightweight romcoms will not enjoy it. Those with short attention spans will not enjoy it. But those who have the patience to savour great acting, a fascinating story, and a lovingly-recreated reproduction of another time and place will.

Unhinged (I) (2020)

Solid, entertaining thriller

[8/10 · 27 March 2021]

This won't win any Oscars, but is is an entertaining, short thriller. Nothing memorable or original, but the lead is good and Russell Crowe is believable as the madman. An entertaining way to spend 90 minutes.

I Care a Lot (2020)

Solid, entertaining thriller.

[8/10 · 22 February 2021]

I am not sure why so many other reviewers are giving this only 1 or 2 stars; perhaps they can't handle seeing gay women in leading roles. This is a very entertaining movie. Rosamund Pike is fabulous and gorgeous as always, and it was lovely to see Diane Wiest in a screen role again. Worth a watch.

Honest Thief (2020)

Solid, entertaining thriller

[8/10 · 6 February 2021]

It is not high art, and there are logical gaps that a Mack truck could comfortably drive through, but this is an unchallenging, entertaining Liam Neeson thriller. Not one of his best, but enjoyable enough.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023)

One of the best comedy-drama series ever made

[10/10 · 5 February 2021]

Everything about this is brilliant: the acting; the direction; the production values; and most of all the superb writing. In an outstanding cast, Alex Borstein steals the show. Her character is hilarious, and Borstein plays it perfectly. This is consistently entertaining, engrossing, and often very funny. This is TV at its absolute best.