saamikans32 Reviews

3 Body Problem (2024– )

I feared too much deviation from the books, but was pleasantly surprised

[9/10 · 27 March 2024]

Liu CIxin's books I really liked because I think very differently about the science of meeting other civilizations and beings. As with any other adaptation especially SF which often is so much in your head and imagination, I was worried. I was pleasantly surprised and think whether or not you read the books, this is an excellent series presenting contact with other worlds in a way most will have never imagined.

What I think is great--most of the actors are superb. Da Shi is da bomb--could not be more perfectly cast. Ye Wenjie both young and older were excellent. The Chinese portions of the story are excellent. The imagining of the "game" that some are invited to, and some are not was very well done but not used enough--this is the way we learn about the aliens. However the discussions between the Evans character and "my Lord" are very well done. The visual effects are stunning, and I think the spirit of the story is captured. One these bases alone the series should get a second season. BT GIVE THE STORY TIME and show the wonder of science please--I felt there was a little rushing around at times and this is a story that needs pondering like the physics problems it proposed in the books.

That leads me to what I didnt like. The main writer should have learned the lesson from GoT Season 8 to NOT rush, not assume and not reduce interactions to a quip. I also thing there was enough meat in the first book to do the entire 1st season from first book. I also didnt care much for the Anglicization of the story--Netflix carries series from all over the world, there was no reason to put everyone in England was there?

My criticisms aside I just loved that we finally get to see an adaptation and I am so glad most of the actors are serious attemots to mirror someone in the book. Slow down, enjoy the science and retain the mystery.

Resident Alien (2021– )

the best comedy in a long time--wow

[10/10 · 24 February 2024]

Such a clever show. Not for little kids but older ones would think it is a riot. Two fo the stars are kids, not precocious annoying kids but very funny comedians in their own right. Sahar is the smartest and funniest kid in television and Max is adorable and gives heart to the show. Of course they are smarter than the adults who range from clueless to insane.

Many sci fi shows are too unscientific or strain believability but I almost got to believing there are aliens in our midst. Tudyk is a riot and never breaks alien-method.

I dont think I have seen a show with such laugh our loud inducing dialog. It is not slapstick, it is incredibly smart. Please continue for many more seasons... even more than the DarkHorse comic.

Call My Agent! (2015–2020)

Amazing--humans at their best and hilarious worst

[10/10 · 20 January 2024]

Humor does not translate from one culture to another necessarily, but this is such an intelligent comedy based on the strengths and weaknesses of humans that anyone can understand it. The acting and writing is excellent. Fortunately, unlike many American comedies, there is not too much reveal, you have to figure out some situations for yourself, as if you were a background character in the show. Each character has such a unique personality--not a show of one liners. It also is pretty accurate about the entertainment business, bravo. It could run for 20 seasons, and I would love more shows. This is my favorite comedy TV show from any channel or country, available on Netflix.

Kleo (2022– )

What the heck did I just watch? But wow is it wonderful

[10/10 · 27 November 2023]

Comrades,

This is a unique series and is definitely in my top 5 of Netflix series of all time (and I have watched over 40 or 50 from around the world).

It might seem at the onset like a political thriller, a crime drama, but it is not. It is a very deep look into East German, Western World values and dreams (and the loss of youthful dreams). While there is a suspense and thriller and mystery going on, it is also a black comedy with very deeply drawn characters that I ended up caring about. For eg. At first it is a bit hard to relate to Kleo because she is a Stasi assassin and her work is a bit repugnant to say the least. But she ends up being as cool as Dora the explorer by the end of Series season 1.

Also, Thilo was character than normal would not bring much sympathy but the actor is so good at making this loopy drug using outer space traveling nut very lovable and he is wonderful. All of the characters are complex, except for a few 1 dimensional villans but they are so fun.

The dialog is smart, set and fashion designs amazing, the actors so good and I love this series and Kleo is my hero.

Beckham (2023)

I saw Beckham play while he was at Man U but never knew much about him--quite a good docu

[10/10 · 6 October 2023]

I have been to ~110 english premier league games (mostly Arsenal) and some European games (I loved Zizou) and yet never knew much about Beckham. Yes he was good and even great at times, and the 90s were a great time to be going to games.

95% of the content of this docu was news to me, but as a futbol fan I really enjoyed it. Also, I loved knowing about the childhood and all the old footage. Football really was his life. Sir Alex should not have kicked him to Spain. That decision I never agreed with, but still it was interesting to learn about situations from the players--lots of interviewing with players and staff.

Reptile (2023)

The rating should be higher--excellent, tight and truly creepy at times

[10/10 · 1 October 2023]

There havent been many good cop films int he last 10 years, but this is excellent. Benecio is a tired cop transfer and in his new place of work a brutal murder happens that doesnt make much sense and many potential suspects.

Alicia Silverstone is in a good role of a smart gumshoe sidekick, relegated as a wife but every bit as sharp. The cast is great, and too many people have secrets so you get unexpected jolts just like Benecio's character, "Oklahoma".

Underrated, very good performances by all, and if any criticism, I would say it could have been longer or a series, just to flesh out a few leads and lengthen the resolution.

19-2 (2011–2015)

one of the best cop procedurals there is

[10/10 · 1 April 2023]

This series is up there with THE WIRE and ENGRENAGES (the Spiral), yet it is nothing like them, it is unique.

It feels very fly on the wall, and it shows the good, bad and ugly.

I really like cop shows that really character study the people, including childhood, homelife and shows motivations.

This show is very much about cops and the job itself, loyalty, and trying to be competent under pressure. It is not much about criminals and does not glorify crime, corruption or excessive force in any way.

One of my favorite aspects of this show is that all of the cops are very believable and unique characters with their own way.

There is nothing like this show--it is excellent, warts and all.

The Jericho Mile (1979 TV Movie)

Started my interest in Mann movies

[10/10 · 5 January 2023]

I was a kid when this came out, and it had a big effect on me--enough of an effect that I made it a point to see every Michael Mann film in the theater or on TV or streaming... but yes I have seen them all. Without spoiling anything, the acting is great, and the exploration of in prison life--it was the first time I saw a movie that seemed like it might be more introspective. Many movies involving prison scenes are comical or OTT etc. The writing and people feel genuine. Main leads Richard Lawson and Peter Strauss are excellent. There is one scene that amazed me--Peter Strauss character is in canteen/dining hall of the prison and other inmates who in prior scenes who were dismissive or threatening etc leave him food as they walk by his table--not the crap but the food that is what everyone wants more of... milk, bananas... the good stuff. Not sure why but it was very touching. Made for TV, and a an excellent story.

Island of Lost Souls (1932)

saw it as a kid, greatly revere it as an adult

[10/10 · 18 December 2022]

It is still in my top 10 of all time of classic films.

It is one of the few examples of a Story that is better told in film, and it was better than the book.

For a film of the 1930s, the make-up was incredible. The characters looked like humans, animals, experiments. Charle Laughton was in some senses as shallow and diabolical that a villain can be but at the same time he was very complicated and represented the complications of science and god butting heads. The other leads had great chemistry, and of course Lota, an innocent in an experiment. All of the "lost souls" were the ones with real souls.

There have been two reinterpretations or retelling of the story, but, none can measure up to the 1932 version.