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alanschulman
Reviews
The Night Agent (2023)
Better than I expected
This series is better than I expected. While it's not in the same league as The Diplomat it's entertaining. It reminds me of 24. The creator/ producer is Shawn Ryan who produced The Shield (an excellent FX series and The Unit (also quite good). Lots of intrigue in the White House. Most of the cast is unknown to me. But the two leads, Gabriel Brasso and Luciane (last name?) hold their own. I read that Brasso has the lead in the next Clint Eastwood project. So I expect this series will be renewed by Netflix. It's certainly set up for a second season. Oh and by the way there are 10 episodes not eleven.
The Diplomat (2023)
The Diplomat is excellent
The Diplomat is one of the best political dramas in many years. In a category with Homeland and The Americans. The writing is of the highest quality. It is intelligent, witty and the plot is propulsive. Keri Russell is fantastic and nicely complimented by Rufus Sewell and David Gyasi. And Rory Kinnesr is good a PM Nicol Trowbridge. The season finale cliffhanger is top drawer I read that Netflix has green lighted a second season which is really good news. I don't have more to say but need to add 117 characters. So I will keep typing until I reach the required minimum length. Perhaps I can saw I got Wordle to today in 3/6 and the NYT mini crossword in :58 seconds. Anyway The Diplomat is excellent. Highly recommended.
Jack Ryan (2018)
Season 3 is mediocre
Season 3 is disappointing. The plot is confusing but feels like you have seen all this before. Yup you've seen all this on 24. As another reviewer has observed this series has morphed into a 24 reboot. Jack Ryan is now Jack Bauer. All in all boring but the locations are pleasant to look at. The production values are high and Nina Hoss adds some class to the whole sad affair. I've made it thru S3 e6 so I guess I'll finish it. I need 162 more characters but I've run out of insights to share. Only 100 more characters to go. What else can I say? I guess we will see if this gets posted with this filler? Merry Xmas.
The Offer: It's Who We Are (2022)
SICILY
Best episode yet. Some famous scenes in Sicily are recreated or referenced effectively. I rewatched the original over the weekend which made this episode even more enjoyable. PS won't lie - I really like Juno Temple.
The Offer: Mr. Producer (2022)
Best episode yet
Terrific episode. Recreates the famous scene where Michael shoots Sollozo and McCluskey and the infamous horse head. The cast is top notice here. Matthew Goode, Gorman, Teller, Juno, and the actors playing Coppola, Brando and Pacino all great.
Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
Worth watching
The series is very good. I read the very good book years ago and this adaptation is worth watching. Not sure I understand the reviews that say it's boring. Certainly not. It's actually quite absorbing.
Tokyo Vice: Yoshino (2022)
Season 2?
I loved this series. I thought episode 8 was terrific but cliffhanger? I wasn't expecting that. Let's hope there will be a season 2. That could be problematic as HBOM will now be owned by Discovery. Will season 2 be green lit by the new owners?
Outlander: Sticks and Stones (2022)
Filler?
S6 e7 was garbage. Seemed like just filler. Must agree that season 6 has largely disappointed. Claire's ghosts? Whatever. Roger the preacher? Whatever. There was a teaser awhile back with someone whistling the theme from The Bridge over the River Kwai. Come on let's get back to the future.
Gaslit (2022)
Dreck
Based on one episode it's awful. The cast is good. But the script? Dreck. What are the writers and director after here? Comedy? Farce? I just don't get it. Maybe it will improve. I'm very family with Watergate. This ain't exactly All the President's Men.
Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)
How many holes does it take to fill the Albert Hall?
Reasonably entertaining with a good cast but the plot holes? Talk about suspending disbelief. Really liked Rupert Friend in Homeland. He is less convincing here. But Michelle Dockery is quite good and Sienna Miller too.
Tokyo Vice (2022)
Excellent
Three episodes in I'm very impressed. Well written, well acted and addictive. Compares favorably with The Yakuza (1974) Sydney Pollack film starring Robert Mitchum. Eldorf is quite good and I did not care for him in West Side Story. But the real star here is Tokyo.
Inventing Anna (2022)
Very entertaining
Inventing Anna is quite good. Disagree with the negative reviews. Cast is excellent. Writing is smart. The flashback device works well. Through episode 5 and I'm very entertained.
Reacher (2022)
Better than expected
I'm thru e3 and it's surprisingly good. I've read all the Reacher books and it's a good adaptation. The three main characters Reacher, Roscoe and Finley are quite good. Far better than the Tom Cruise garbage.