hodgedeh Reviews

The Diplomat (II) (2023– )

Really Good

[10/10 · 4 November 2023]

I Struggle so to find anything that moves me in American produced television. But then someone thought why not bring American actors to the UK, mix them with some very good colorful British actors? Set it all in the places I would love to visit but will probably never get to and you have "The Diplomat."

Yeah Yeah is this really how it works in the real world of international affairs? I don't know. What I do know is the writers did a Great job of creating a series about some "things" maybe an Ambassador might get involved with, brought down to a level even I could follow.

Add in some excellent performances, by some very fresh faces (by US standards) and this is a absolute winner.

Blue Lights (2023– )

Outstanding Police Procedural

[9/10 · 3 May 2023]

Blue Lights is a roller coaster of emotions. Everything about this show was excellent. The actors? Perfectly cast. The acting? Award winning. The plots. Multiple.

Forget all these people on here talking about this ain't Belfast. Maybe, don't know. Never been there. This is about mothers trying to protect there children. Protect them from gangsters and racist assholes. Young cops searching for the courage to do a tough and dangerous job. Are just the beginning.

You wind all that up and you fall in love with the good guys because that's what good writers do to yah and then? Well watch it for yourself and disregard all the reviews that state this not Police procedure at it best. These people forget television, movies, are art. Someone had to write this story and then these actor have to bring it to life. The ending will blow you away. God help the criminals of Belfast.

American Gigolo (2022)

Unorganized MisMash

[4/10 · 24 October 2022]

Great cast horrible story. I never rate a series after a couple of episodes. Most of these reviews are posted one two episodes in and people thumb up and down on a review from someone who never even watched in entire series. There should be some kind of rules that require you at least saw the movie or the entire series before you can rate it

This story was so discombobulated. Julian was pumped out by his mom. He was bullied as a adolescent. So he learned how to please women and fight a young age. Then some madam from a swanky Los Angeles brothel just happen to drive out to Lancaster and stumbled on this handsome young sex machine who she pumped out until he got convicted for a murder he never did. An overturned conviction later he finds out he had a son who coincidentally also was accused of a murder and off he goes trying to save said son. This was a dumb plot line wasted on some good actors.

I kept going because I could not believe these people signed on to do this nonsense and wanted to see why. I never got that answer.

Emily the Criminal (2022)

One Day I Just Kicked His Ass

[7/10 · 23 September 2022]

The number one or cardinal rule about crime is do it alone. Involve one other person and the odds of success go down exponentially with every other person involved. If this is true why do we always see crime drama where there is a crew? The thing I loved about Emily was she went it alone. She started and finished by herself. That is how it works and what made this better then average. Tough girl, great actress made a routine crime plot into a compelling well worth the while movie. Victim turned victor turned villain. They could have left Gina Gershon on the shelf. Never liked her before liked seeing her much less old and Emily should have kicked her ass. That is my only criticism.

Ridley (2022– )

I Got To Go There

[8/10 · 21 September 2022]

All the stupid Line of Duty comments aside this was a solid police plot well cast and acted. I guess these critics think it is easy to put on these performances. It is a police drama people what you think you was going to see something all original. Never knew Adrian could sing but I loved the songs at the end of each episode. Made for a very nice touch. Hope I can find the soundtrack on Spotify. Why do these reviews have to be 600 characters? For crying out loud I said all I had to say and how do all these other critics get off with two sentences but I am forced to blather on and on and on and.

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)

Improbable Beyond Imagination

[9/10 · 11 September 2022]

To be frank a book of pure fiction surrounding a young female child let to fend for herself in a swap would provide zero interest for me at all. I only went to see the movie because Daisy Jones was in it. I could watch her in anything. How this book was even read by a publisher is the miracle that became the movie. So many emotions and suspense went into this murder mystery. I am always amazed at how someone has the literary gift to write a story as improbable as this, sell it, and then actually have it made into what I can say is the best cry I have had in a long time at the movies. Go see it. You won't regret it.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Inspirational Beyond Words

[9/10 · 5 September 2022]

Everything every man wants to be. The hero gets the girl does not come close to describe this cinematic masterpiece. If you can't be the hero navel aviator Top Gun Maverick lets you live vicariously through Maverick, Rooster, Ice, Honda, Cyclon, Warlock, Phoenix, Fanboy, and of course every man's crush Penny. Tom's attention to detail, the cinematography, even the mission was authentic and never done before. Bravo Mr. Cruise of should I say Maverick for a sequel well worth the wait. Most men would never get be a Hero naval aviator but we all got to live it with this excellent film. Great soundtrack as well. Best action movie in a decade.

The Ipcress File (2022)

Take Me Back To London

[9/10 · 7 August 2022]

Splendid in every way. Cast, wardrobe, props and the acting was superb. Remake of a coherent story of espionage loosely based on a true or was it true plot to kill a world. Loved every second.

The Gray Man (2022)

Cinematic MMA

[4/10 · 24 July 2022]

Forget a plot or story. A ton of well done stylish fight scenes, great locations, but you do kind of need a good plot to make a good motion picture don't matter how much you spend.

Redemption (I) (2022)

Checked All The Boxes

[10/10 · 21 July 2022]

How do you write a crime drama that was an excellent police procedural that was excellent and make it also a tear jerk story of redemption. All the way from the casting acting and the soundtrack it was perfect.

The Batman (2022)

Cinematic Genius

[10/10 · 23 May 2022]

Matt Reeves really hit it out the park with this new fresh original version of Batman. Anyone writing a bad review of this masterpiece is someone who cannot appreciate movie as an art form. The entire way through this movie all I could think about was how many cuts did it take to make that scene work that well. Perfectly cast and well acted. I have to watch it again just to see IF i can find a flaw. The last time I watched a movie twice was the original Star Wars.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– )

Checked Every Box

[10/10 · 20 May 2022]

Everything I love. Original plot, fresh faces, a few nice surprises and the this is not the end ending. Netflix hit this one out the park. Michael Connelly does it again.

The Devil You Know (III) (2022)

You Can't Make This Blank Up

[7/10 · 3 May 2022]

Seen it before. A low budget redux of New Jack City. Well acted by some really good male actors. This happened to someone's family. Guess they decided to get some money out of this tragic tale of four brothers. Confirms my theory that brothers are never alike.

Deep Water (I) (2022)

Why?

[3/10 · 21 March 2022]

Love Ben but really? Had to finish it to see what the? No sane individual would deal with that and an insane person would have dealt with that. Neither happened in this waste of times.

Young Wallander (2020–2022)

Coherent Detective Winner

[8/10 · 5 March 2022]

Everyone is back from season on and the addition of the new boss makes things interesting for all. This case is compelling and the procedural is coherent enough to really hold you. Much improved from Season 1. More Kurt please.

1883 (2021–2022)

Lightning With The Yellow Hair

[10/10 · 23 February 2022]

When I think of Isabel Mays performance in this series and every time I heard them call her Lightening With The Yellow Hair the tears came rolling down my face. A warrior woman who stole mine and anyones else's heart who saw this performance.

Gomorrah (2014–2021)

Who Can Kill Who First

[6/10 · 27 January 2022]

Everybody killing everybody. No police, no arrests, no subplots at all. Just crazy killing all the time. Where these ratings came from? Street dealers and some guy vaping and the only thing happening is plans to kill the next guy. I like gangster mash but add some suspense at least.

Stay Close (2021)

Harlan does it again

[8/10 · 22 January 2022]

I think this is Harlan's best mystery to date. Funny thing like some of the reviewers I too almost quit on it after 4 episodes. Really glad I stuck with it. Amazing how a writer can create this many plot twists and then make it all work and astonish. If you like a great UK whodunnit this one checks all the boxes.

Ray Donovan: The Movie (2022 TV Movie)

Questions Answered

[6/10 · 16 January 2022]

I suppose Showtime felt it necessary to close the book on Ray and the Donovan's. So they produced a 90 minute finale. It did answer some questions and we got a look at the cast with a few exceptions. Don't think it was meant to entertain and if you were not a fan of the entire series some of it may have gotten lost in the translation.

Hidden Assets (2021– )

Close To Perfect

[9/10 · 5 January 2022]

Liers, and thieves, and terrorist, OH My. Add some superb acting, casting, and locations you have everything you could ever want in an espionage thriller. Would love to see these two work together again on another case. The chemistry and subtitle sexual tension between the two lead actors keep you guessing all the way. Really good if you like this kind is stuff and I really do.

Crime (2021– )

Another Stellar Dougray Performance

[8/10 · 29 December 2021]

Nothing exceptional or original here but the performance of Mr. Smith was amazing. Not to mention all the beautiful scenes of Glascow and Edinburg. If you have never been to the U. K. this will definitely make you want to go.

The Girl Before (2021)

Total Snooze

[2/10 · 26 December 2021]

Absolutely nothing unexpected happened. Knew the ending at the start. Classic example of well known good actors signing on to a project that should have never been made. BBC could, Should, and does do better.

The Unforgivable (2021)

Don't Let Go - This is an10

[10/10 · 25 December 2021]

All these reviews about Sandra's face are silly. My advice to all pretty women? Do not have surgery on your face. It never ends well. I really wanted to hang up on this movie 2/3 of the way through and then it happens. I can't imagine anyone who watches this movie to the end being disappointed.

You Don't Know Me (2021)

Sucker for a Pretty Face

[5/10 · 21 December 2021]

Decent performances in a highly unrealistic UK gangster drama. What I liked and what kept me continuing with it was the unique approach the writer took in telling this story. Can't say it worked all that well but it was original and worth the watch.

BMF (2021– )

Short Form - Long Story

[6/10 · 28 November 2021]

This took place over a 10-15 year period. Trying to tell this story, make it entertaining and biographical is tough. If you lived through this then you could appreciate it a little more. If not, then you we're missing all the cues and left a bad review. Not for everyone.