patrickbarks Reviews

In from the Cold (2022)

Lacking a great deal of depth

[4/10 · 1 February 2022]

I understand that this show wasn't designed to be realistic, but I also couldn't understand why this show lacked so much depth. The setting of Madrid is really nice with the scenery, but it's a shame that the lack of realism with the characters make it so unbelievable. Some of the fight scenes are well done, although exaggerated, but the flashy characters in the suits and gimmicky gadgets make this feel like a series made for the younger audience. I would have loved more realism and grit.

Hidden Assets (2021– )

A series made good with the continental crossovers

[7/10 · 24 January 2022]

I really like European tv shows, especially recently with the likes of Undercover (Belgium) and Dogs of Berlin (Germany), so seeing the trailer for this with the crossover between Ireland and Belgium immediately sparked my interest.

The story is well made, with good locations, realistic sets and very strong acting at times. The use of cameras to portray the ambience in scenes such as the weather and scope of the atmosphere is very well made.

The car chase in episode 5 was very well done, and the camera work at times portrayed the intenseness of scenes throughout the episode very well.

I also love in this how they didn't hold back with the use of cars. If you're a car lover, you're spoiled with a nice little helping of car eye candy throughout the series ;)

You can tell a little that the budget for this show was small, but I think they did fantastic overall. The crossover between the two countries adds atmosphere and more dynamics to the show, making it stand out from your usual detective caper show.

I would have loved to have seen more Dutch being spoken, even through subtitles for authenticity, but I understand them wanting to cater more to casual English speaking audiences, and I think the crossovers between the dialogues in English and Dutch are sensible considering the nature of the two countries and characters involved.

The Last Duel (2021)

Well acted and well produced, but rather repetitive and predictable

[7/10 · 16 December 2021]

We were certainly spoiled with a-class actors in this release, but the storyline felt quite predictable from the outset, with no twists or turns throughout. With the story portrayed within the rashomon effect, you'd expect at least one or two twists, although it kind of felt more like a repetition of the prior 'key' scene which shows no divisive accounts between the characters. The duel scene was certainly the strongest part of the film in terms of suspense, and for me, the least predictable in some ways, although I do feel that the fight scenes were a little too elaborate and persisted for a little too long. Overall it's an ok film, and the acting, scenery and production are top notch, just don't expect the unexpected.

Lupin (2021– )

The idea is good, but needs more grit and realism

[6/10 · 15 December 2021]

I watched the first episode of this and then part of the second, but I just couldn't get into it fully. Omar Sy plays a very charismatic character which is well acted, although the slight hints of humor (the car crashing into the Louvre and the choreographed bike chase through the park) were just a little too much for me. I wish that this show took a little more of a gritty and realistic portrayal of Lupins adventures, rather than something which feels a little mixed with few aspects of realism.

Hit & Run (2021)

A bit slow for me

[5/10 · 5 September 2021]

I'm a fan of Lior Raz in Fauda and when I also saw him in 6 Underground, but for me, this show falls a bit short. Initially the first episode had me very much engaged, but from that point on, the storyline peels away very slowly with little action and punchy scenes which are much needed to liven up the episodes. The storyline isn't a bad one, and has a certain uniqueness to it, but for me, the lack of stimulating action scenes and repeated scenes of continuous dialogue are bit too much to digest without some liveliness to break it up a bit. I really like the scenes which are filmed in Israel, and maybe if it was focused more there, rather than the stereotypical takes in NYC, it would be more watchable for me.

The Bay: Episode #2.6 (2021) Season 2, Episode 6

Poor conclusion to what started as a decent season

[5/10 · 14 February 2021]

This series started off quite well, but the ending left me rather unimpressed. I expected a nice twist to the murder case, and maybe something shocking which could come to the fore front; unfortunately neither of these came true. The story with Andy as well reached a rather dull and predictable end. For me, there was a lot of dialogue in this episode, but not near enough action and suspense.

Hawaii Five-0: O 'Oe, a 'Owau, Nalo Ia Mea (2019) Season 10, Episode 10

A solid episode which reminds me of the grittiness from the earlier seasons!

[8/10 · 10 February 2021]

It was great to see more of the Yakuza and Adam throughout this episode, and this episode reminded me a lot of the grittier episodes in the earlier seasons of the show. This is one of the episodes in season 10 which didn't actually feel too over the top or corny. Even though this show is ending right now, the producers could learn a lot from how good this episode was made.

HaMidrasha (2015–2018)

A solid series, Season 2 is worth the wait and much better!

[8/10 · 7 February 2021]

I started watching this after watching other Israeli shows such as Fauda and Tehran. Upon watching the first season, I did find it a little corny and humorous, but still enjoyed it non the less. The second season, as someone else also mentioned is totally different, and in turn the entire ambience, style of writing, realism is totally different. It's much more realistic, gritty and mature. It's really important that you watch the first season in order to understand the characters of season 2, but when you do get to season 2, you'll be very glad that you persisted through the lesser superior season 1.

Gomorrah (2014–2021)

Maybe I'll never find another series as good as this

[9/10 · 23 October 2020]

What can I say, gritty, gripping and brutal throughout. I can't remember watching even one episode which was boring or had me looking away from the screen for more than a few seconds. Even the slow scenes where there is no obvious violence have a tenseness about them. The locations, the cars, and the characters all seem very real and honest. Nothing in this show is over the top or comes across as unrealistic in any way. If you like shows within the crime/action genre, you have to watch this. If you like shows as realistic and suspenseful as possible, then this is one for you to watch!

Succession: Nobody Is Ever Missing (2018) Season 1, Episode 10

The prodigal son returns?

[10/10 · 27 September 2020]

I don't often review single episodes, or even rate them to be fair, but when I do, they're really this good! Aside from the story of this particular episode which is gripping throughout, the way Kendal is portrayed after the accident is put across really well to the viewers. The moment from the crash to the terrified walk back to the castle almost felt like you were there with him, feeling the intense fear and panic that must have been going through his mind. The morning after was very well visually portrayed too in my opinion. The filming and plot of him walking into the dining room to have breakfast is nothing out of the ordinary, but when Logans guard approaches Kendal, the posture of Kendal and the way the camera pans is very good. We see this tired looking man holding his plate of food, looking almost child like in his stance and posture, seemingly that he feels emotionally and mentally tarnished from the night before. I thought it was really good how they filmed him in this scene, portraying him as almost weak and childlike as opposed to his usual self. The following scene with his father was also very warming, and the emotions portrayed in this scene too felt very real and honest. A truly fantastic ending to the season!

Grey's Anatomy (2005– )

Started off well, but soon became too much of a soap opera

[6/10 · 17 September 2020]

Grey's Anatomy was the first medical drama which I started watching, and at first I really enjoyed it, however, as time went on, too much pointless dialogue between characters and filler scenes made this a chore to watch.

Condor (2018–2020)

A good story but really lacks the action

[6/10 · 4 July 2020]

I like the story, and as strong as the acting and the directing is, I feel it definitely lacks action. It's very common to watch an entire episode without any action until the very end. If you like this but would like something with more action, try watching Treadstone. That show does have its faults, but has a similar story and has more intense action scenes.

Treadstone (2019)

A really good show, but the flashbacks to the 1970's make me rate this lower

[6/10 · 2 March 2020]

I really enjoyed this, it has a decent story and the fight scenes are well done. The one thing which I really disliked though were the flashbacks back to the 1970's. I could maybe understand if it was just for the first few episodes to give people an idea about the history of Treadstone, but it was rather grating to see these flashbacks every single episode. I do like this show though and would give it a solid 7 if it weren't for the flashbacks.

Chernobyl (2019)

Starts off good but later lacks suspense and becomes quite boring

[5/10 · 11 October 2019]

I started watching this and was hooked on the first episode. 10/10 very easily for both the first and second episode, the third still very good. The fourth episode for me was very dull and uneventful, lots of dialogue and scenes curated to try and pull at your heart strings. I stopped watching 10 minutes into the fifth episode, it was just so dull and uneventful, just too much dialogue and no suspenseful scenes such as the ones which originated in the first episode which were incredible.

This show starts off at a high pace with lots of well written scenes and suspense, but then simmers down very fast after the third episode.

Jack Ryan: The Wolf (2018) Season 1, Episode 4

I really like the ambience on the drive through Chamonix

[9/10 · 22 September 2019]

I think the produces made this episode really well. I really enjoyed following as they were driving through Chamonix, it almost felt like you were there. Great cars, great roads, nice spooky weather.

Keeping Faith (2017–2021)

Many plot holes surrounding this, and the recast was the last straw for me

[6/10 · 9 September 2019]

I think the story surrounding this is very good and although the show is slow paced, it is engaging for the most part. Of course, it would be nice if there was more grit and action, but I assume the writers didn't want to head down this direction. Eve Myles (Faith) plays her role very well and is a good fit, alongside the selection of the other actors/actresses.

Unfortunately though, aside from the beautiful scenery and convincing acting at times, there are plot holes which leave you asking why. For instance, in the first series, when Arthur pulled the phone from the bin and the cash, what happened after this? There didn't really seem to be an explanation for this happening. Also, on the first episode of the second series, DI Susan Williams (Eiry Thomas) appeared to be a routine beat cop, having had a demotion in rank after the events of last season, however, if she did actually get a demotion because of what she was envolved in, wouldn't she actually be in prison or without a job in total? Having a demotion doesn't really make much sense. Of course if the police didn't know about her involvement in events, why the demotion?

And the final nail in the coffin for me which stopped me watching this show right in the middle of the first episode of season 2 was the recasting of Gael. I do not have a clue why they recast her. Ok, if you couldn't get the actress back, then why not just have the new lady be as her sister? Why the need for the recast? This for me, was the final nail in the coffin.

This could be much better if it had more grit and action, filled the plot holes, and kept original actors.

Wheelman (2017)

I dislike how you don't get to see the outside of the car. No ambience.

[2/10 · 7 June 2019]

I really don't like how you don't get to see what the outside of the car is like. I stopped watching up to 42 minutes as it was just showing the inside of the car. I know this film didn't maybe have a massive budget, but it would of been nice to have seen aspects of the film showing the outside of the car, especially when being chased by the motorcycle. Really dissapointed with this as the story in general seemed quite good, but it just seems really boring now being able to see any out of car shots (in terms of from behind etc: )

Gone Girl (2014)

Incredible acting with all sorts of twists when you think you have it figured out!

[9/10 · 2 June 2019]

This is a very dark twisted thriller with some very strong acting. I found the entire film captivating from beginning to end, but particularly found the second half of the film the best.