samanthacato Reviews

Absentia: Tabula Rasa (2020) Season 3, Episode 1

I love a good conspiracy theory but...

[6/10 · 15 June 2022]

The only comment I have is... all that fight training during this episode and Em still succumbs to a hoodlum with a knife?! At least she's a survivor and the story has to go somewhere... I guess. Let's see where else the it goes. Ironically the programme is cancelled after this season. Mmmm I wonder why.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

The difference is like Night and Day

[10/10 · 21 March 2021]

For me, the first 2017 version was quite forgettable and corny. A pathetic carbon copy of the Avengers. This Snyder version however, is such a blessing. A miracle that redeems the whole Justice League saga. The longer duration is so worth it. These days we wouldn't think twice of binge watching 8 x hour-long episodes of a good action series in a day so 4 hours in one sitting is highly doable. If anything, necessary, to allow you to connect to the main characters. Great movie that sets us up for the possibility of more to come.

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

Good Plot but Missing a Spark

[7/10 · 19 February 2021]

A good story with a plot that has a lot of potential however, something that could make this a great drama, is lacking. The acting is really hammy. Timing is a little off. At times, I feel like I'm watching an episode of Tales of the Unexpected... in the 70s. There is a lack of chemistry between a couple of main characters that makes some scenes a bit cringeworthy. That said, once the story starts to slowly unfold, there is a bit of momentum. It seems predictable at first then a great little twist at the end helps makes the long journey worth it.

Radius (2017)

This is a Fantastic Movie - Low ratings are exaggerated - Give it a go

[10/10 · 10 January 2021]

This was such an entertaining and gripping thriller. I think people who give it a low rating either just didn't understand it or just didn't have the attention span to get past the first 15 minutes. The storyline was ace. It was not predictable to me. I was imagining all types of scenarios and I was completely wrong. Then you get to the end, and there is an amazing twist. I feel obliged to do this review to help balance out all the unfair lower ratings. I would really recommend this movie. It's definitely a dark horse. Enjoy.

The Assistant (III) (2019)

Low Scorers must be un-empathetic men - Julia Garner is Amazing!

[10/10 · 17 December 2020]

Julia Garner is a fantastic actress and is wholly amazing in this film which resonated with me on several levels. People who are saying it is slow and rubbish are people who can't relate to the situation. It literally depicts a day in the office and how the protagonist is treated by her peers and superiors, how she feels she should react and when she "steps out of her lane" to do the right thing she is mercilessly put back in "her place". I have been this person in my past. I was totally engaged. Great film. If you can't relate - no problem but that does not mean it has been poorly executed. It is so true to life. One reviewer wrote gaslighting at its finest. I could not agree more.

Poldark (2015–2019)

Avoided for 4 years now I'm hooked

[10/10 · 13 December 2020]

When I think of Lorraine Kelly from the U.K. GMB programme constantly banging on about this program and how great it was, I managed to avoid the hype. Now, trapped in lockdown I decided to give it a go. I have four seasons to attack. Wonderful! After the first episode, I was absolutely hooked. If you are a fan of period drama; if you are a fan of the Cornish landscape that is shown throughout, watch this programme. Cornwall, U.K. is a favourite family holiday destination but this drama sends you on a time travel experience. This is due to the fantastic acting of the cast and the strength of the storyline. It does not feel like BS to me. Give it a go and make your own opinion but me, I am invested.

Yesterday (III) (2019)

Such a beautiful film

[10/10 · 30 November 2019]

Great acting all round. A true feel good movie. Colourless in terms of race. Funny. Great British humour. Really enjoyable if you let it flow over you. Nostalgia with the music. It has all the elements. The only thing I didn't understand was why there was a different timeline. I thought at the end that Jack was gonna wake up from a coma or something. That didn't happen. Still a good movie.

Black Mirror (2011– )

Season 5 is like Marmite and I absolutely loved it!

[10/10 · 8 June 2019]

Some people can't get enough of it and some seem to hate it. Reviewers who are saying S5 is not Black Mirror appear to want each episode to fit into a certain perceived format and anything outside of that is rubbish. Stifling people's creativity. Maybe it is just a little too high brow for some. I thought the basic premise was to build a story around some form of internet technology and how it effects people or society on the whole. Each episode throughout and especially in S5 does exactly that. What is the problem? Good TV can sometimes make you squirm in your seat or make you feel awkward. It challenges your way of thinking. Brilliant! I definitely want more.

Kevin Hart: Irresponsible (2019 TV Special)

I don't understandable the negative reviews!

[9/10 · 14 May 2019]

I'm a Brit! Our humour tends to be dry, a little sarcastic and below the belt. Sometimes we don't get American humour because we don't always get the cultural references. I don't even have kids or pets but I laughed my head off. Then I made the mistake of looking on IMDb whilst watching it and I saw all these negative reviews and I couldn't understand why. Then it clicked that he's in London and maybe we get the jokes more so than his own countrymen. I've seen pregnant women do stand-up. Disabled stand-up, racially biased stand-up - i.e taking the mickey out of Black, Jewish, Indian cultures. Sometimes I don't get it but to me, that doesn't mean their set is rubbish. Kevin uses his own life situations with his height (or lack thereof) porn, raising kids, pets, etc as material and now he's making people cringe? Maybe I'm easy to please. I thought he was funny.

Polar (I) (2019)

Much Better Than I Thought

[8/10 · 2 February 2019]

In the beginning I thought it was a 2nd rate John Wick clone of a movie but after the scene with the cute little pup, I laughed and changed my view. Mads was great. Believable. So was Vanessa H. Everyone else was just cliché. Predictable. My husband thought Matt Lucas was good but unfortunately I cringed every time I saw him. He's a very funny and talented guy but his villainous character kept taking me back to the old James Bond films. Er...we've moved on from the days of Blomfeld. Polar is well made and the plot eventually thickened. There has to be a sequel. Another anti-hero to root for.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Feel Good Movie. A New Christmas Classic

[10/10 · 23 December 2018]

Loved this film. Great acting from the leading roles. Everything you need in a feel good family movie to remind you of what Christmas is all about. Kurt Russell is fabulous as Santa. Darcy Camp is one of those sickly sweet American child actors that I envision getting an Oscar in less than 15 years. Maybe next year, who knows. She's actually brilliant in this film. Very talented, cute in her belief that Santa really exists and quite endearing. Judah Lewis plays well his role as the bad boy affected by the loss of a loved one who comes good in the end. A magical film that will be a cult classic for years to come.

A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)

Really Funny Alternative Humour... (If you get it!)

[8/10 · 11 December 2018]

I'm not a big fan of Seth McFarlane and Family Guy is not my bag either. My pre-judgement made me take 4 years before I would even entertain the thought of watching it. I was expecting some cheesy American humour that I would not really get. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised. So much funnier than I thought it would be. I think because the jokes were dry and in some cases dark. Not far removed from risque British comedy. The chemistry between Charlize and Seth was hilarious and natural. She looked like she had a whale of a time making this movie. Loved the cameos. The film doesn't take itself seriously so you don't have to either.

Inhumans (2017)

I'm Confused...Cheesy but Quite Good Actually. Ouch!

[6/10 · 28 August 2018]

I concur - yes, it started off really naff. First episode I said to myself, what is this rubbish? I started to do housework and it was on in the background. By episode 3, it had my full attention. Still corny, not the best but really not as bad as some people are making out. I lost interest quicker watching Iron Fist. It's hard to find something to watch these days and some people are swayed by these reviews so try and be objective; give it a chance till the end before slating it, should you really need to.

Preacher (2016–2019)

Loving the all-round on-screen chemistry in Season 3!

[10/10 · 20 August 2018]

I absolutely love this programme. As season 3 unravels towards the finale, I really appreciate more and more what effort it has taken to make each episode so engaging. Granted, this kind of supernatural stuff is not everyone's cup of tea but if you get it - you'll see that it's not just down to the storyline. I feel - in my humble opinion - that we really need to acknowledge and congratulate the casting team. Main characters are played brilliantly. Jesse, Tulip, Cassidy - what a fantastic combination of on screen chemistry and I get that, but when I think of the supporting actors playing characters such as Herr Starr, Jesus, Eugene, TC, Granma, the Saint of Killers, All Father even Hitler and so on. What a clever and wonderful selection of actors who have brought this weird and wondrous story to life. I'm not a comic book reader. I had never heard of the Preacher before but every week I am literally waiting for the next episode. Please don't dilute this high standard for the sake of viewer figures. Preacher will become a cult classic in its own right and earn the production company lots of dosh for years to come... if you let it!

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1987 TV Movie)

Simple and Dated Adaptation but Effective

[8/10 · 30 July 2018]

Can you imagine that I am a British woman of colour, in my 40s and this is the first time I've actually taken the time to find out what the actual story was about. My first reference to Uncle Tom's Cabin was from the dance scene in the King and I with Yul Brynner. That was over 30 years ago. This film is a simple adaptation. Dated. Would be considered in this day and age to be very politically incorrect however, in comparison to the reality and the truth of the days depicted, it is tame enough to watch. At the same time I was still emotionally invested enough to understand even more the brutality of slavery. Some very good acting all round. Famous faces that we know to this day. It was truly better than I expected and so sad.

Secret City (2016–2019)

Fantastic Hidden Gem

[9/10 · 29 June 2018]

I know other reviewers have slated the pace and some of the quirky sub-plots but I really enjoyed this. If not for Netflix, I would never have heard of it. I'm a Brit but there were so many recognisable Australian faces. Great actors. You don't have to overthink it. Yes, it is another Government conspiracy plot but just go with the flow. If it's not your bag, it doesn't mean that it was badly made. Just take it off and watch something else. Some of us actually liked it. I hope Season 2 will be just as good, if not, better.

The Crossing (2018)

Another Great Show Taken Too Soon

[10/10 · 12 June 2018]

I'm sincerely upset that a decision has been made to terminate this programme. It is control beyond belief and shows definitively that we have no choice over what we want to watch. Comparisons to Lost are futile. I don't get them. However, not allowing the Crossing storyline to develop to season 2 by the networks is condescending. I absolutely love this programme. I'm not the only one but to cancel at this point is too premature. There was so much room for growth both for the storyline and the characters. Someone needs to work this out. Season 2 needs to happen. It is imperative. Please listen to us - the fans, the viewers, i.e. the ones that make these silly, power-hungry, studio bosses their wedges of money.

The Crossing (2018)

Give it a chance!

[10/10 · 11 June 2018]

I'm sincerely upset that a decision has been made to terminate this programme. It is control beyond belief, and shows definitively that we have no choice over what we want to watch. Comparisons to Lost are futile. I don't get them. However, not allowing the Crossing storyline to develop to season 2 by the networks is condescending. I absolutely love this programme. I'm not the only one but termination at this point is too premature. Someone needs to work this out. Season 2 needs to happen. It is imperative. Please listen to us - the fans. There is too much room for development.

The Crossing (2018)

Networks are condescending- save the crossing

[10/10 · 11 June 2018]

I'm sincerely upset that a decision has been made to terminate this programme. It is control beyond belief, and shows definitively that we have no choice over what we want to watch. Comparisons to Lost are futile. I don't get them. However, not allowing the Crossing storyline to develop to season 2 by the networks is condescending. I absolutely love this programme. I'm not the only one but termination at this point ie season 1 is too premature. Someone at the network needs to work this out. Season 2 NEEDS to happen. It is imperative. Please listen to us - the fans. There is too much room for character/story development. I'm invested and I want more. Let them know if you feel the same.

Flashforward (2009– )

Even in 2018, I Still Feel Robbed...

[8/10 · 23 April 2018]

I have just revisited watching Flashforward and I still feel robbed. Characters were still in the middle of developing. Storyline still had the potential to evolve. And we are left with an amazing cliffhanger at the end of the first and only season. Too much time has passed and I feel using the original cast would be asking too much but surely devoted viewers who love this genre of program deserve some form of closure. I think it's time for someone to pick up the mantle. I wonder is was man enough to do the job. Bring back Flashforward.

My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman: You Know, She Has a Nobel Peace Prize (2018) Season 1, Episode 3

Fascinating

[9/10 · 10 April 2018]

Please take review titled "Embarrassing" with a pinch of salt. Though entitled to their opinion I believe they have completely missed the point. David Letterman clearly has such an extreme admiration for Malala that he chose to interview her. He was interviewing Obama the other day. At the same time he is providing a platform to raise awareness of her cause to a different type of audience that would have ordinarily remained oblivious. There were times when the interview may have seemed stilted but I don't believe it was due to him being condescending. So he asked the Mets/Yankee questions - so what! I'm a Brit and sorry I didn't have a clue either - but I didn't it was highly offensive and I learnt something. At no time did I sense that Malala was not true to herself. She knows how to stand her ground. A beautiful, proud, young lady. A survivor. A courageous woman who is focused and passionate about her cause. What I did sense was that David was in absolute awe of her and was trying to find ways to connect with her during the interview. He kept referring to his 14 year old son as if he was making comparisons. This woman was shot in the face at 15 and survived. What did not kill her evidently made her so much stronger. It was a great interview.

The Crossing: Pilot (2018) Season 1, Episode 1

Predictable but Promising

[7/10 · 4 April 2018]

Pilot was a good, intriguing start. Yes - as several reviewers have written - you can guess some of the upcoming subplots but that doesn't make it a rubbish programme... yet. Even the Good Book says there is nothing new under the sun. Most of what we wat h is a re-hash if something else. I hope the makers keep the momentum as the plot thickens and the characters develop. I for one will give it a chance.