Reviews

I have been FF-ing through the flashbacks. These constant interruption to our main timeline, which already plays out over several different backdrops, are a distraction. Would have a made a decent enough episode, all of it's own. Like 'Nucky's Story". Besides I can not take a single scene seriously because I am so fascinated by these giant dentures they wedged in that poor actor's mouth. The story telling is starting to feel rushed, and yet dull at the same time. It is very hard for these mega series to ever get that final season right.

A decent film. JG does a pretty intense acting job. And I guess most of us saw the twist coming way back. Still good film. Up until when it should have ended. But, like so many films and shows now, we get the outcome over explained for us. "Broken people help broken people" - Really? Then his calls to family, partner, journalist, and even press voice over . Much better left open.

I kept waiting for Tom Petty to start the song. This series used to have dialogue, and real human connections, and drama. Had there not been previous seasons that established a certain momentum, this Episode would have been laughable. 4 guys moodily staring, getting into jeeps, and getting out of jeeps. The shoot-out went on and on, and honestly - I could not tell a flipping thing of what was happening. Assumed it was the cousins, and knew that no matter what, Nik Stahl was going to stay alive.

It actually took me a while to realize that plot 2 was flashbacks. Fashion-wise, and over all ambiance was contemporary. A good idea to dig into Pope as a kid, but wasted.

And one item: if you're going to write cigarettes into story, then at least have the actors smoke them.

Other reviewers have already stated that the film has zero heart, zero character development, absolutely ludicrous dialogue, and a plot that barely teeters on a story line. I think a 60's Bond film has action sequences more believable than this film. So much of this comes from millennium film making; too cautious to offend any demography, age etc. The violence scenes have become outright laughable. I am not trying to condone violence., But in that case do not make a movie that requires a lot of it. These 'tough' Russian mob enforcers are politely tapped on the nose, or it is implied that something vague just happened around the throat area, and voila you have 2 unconscious bodies. Which are then safely deposited in comfortable air mattress. The scene of them "sailing' was so plainly edited w/ green screen, and stock sailing footage. The big airplane fire; the Indian pilot was stepping idly off a ladder; while this supposed machine of infernal doom was careening into the vault. I understand the longevity now of standards like 'Die Hard' or Tom Cruise flics. the reason these movies are exciting because you are sitting on the edge of your seat. I easily was able to hold my breath as long as they did in the vault. It made me think of a scene in 'Lost' when a character drowns, and it is excruciating "Tenet' is a yawner on all fronts. I want to say again, that I am not saying "we need better violence'. But if you choose to make a movie that revolves around action sequences, multiple fight scenes, blood - you can't be afraid to show it.

The show started off really promising. But man - 8 episodes of this? I am not an adrenaline action junkie. I don't require it. But this could have easily been a decent 90 min film. The score is atmospheric and gorgeous. IMO essential to the feel of the show. There was just too much of staring into something, and then 2 minutes on: we're still staring. Some characters, or plotlines were not developed to the point of being distracting. Jamie was so weak, that it felt nonsensical. Why did we need Katie be in bed w/ Forest? Why did Lyndon character have to be a girl playing a boy? And look about 11 years old? Questions about the basic premise, philosophical, existential, fatalistic, hopeful are at the root of the show (and at the core of most of this director's work). They are not for this review. But I thought they were the best part, the reason for the series. It is narrow minded to try and paint disagreements with a premise, as a loophole in plot. Mainly I'd like to show support for the main actress. I thought she played the role, as it seemed to be written. It is a cold show, in a cold environment. This is a weakness in the show: that the big decisions are all based on passionate love; yet no one is able to show it, voice it.

Season 1 was okay. I like the female lead cop a lot. The script is...alright. But season 2. You mean to tell me that the police have zeroed in on a serial killer. They are on him. And they can not get cars over there. They have one bungling idiot following who stands and watches as the killer over powers a victim. They are actively wrestling 5 ft from him. Yet he hides behind a tree to wait...for what exactly. Our hero arrives and the killer point blank slices the woman's throat, then jumps down a 6 foot drop, and jumps on top of the cop with a knife. All along the cop has had his gun trained om him. This has got to be the most inept police force ever. And they are the elite LOL>

It has nothing to d with "the Office" syndrome. To be honest - I didn't really think about the connection. It was the weak plotting and story lines. and this is not the type show that relies on sketch after sketch. this wants to be a story. But what kind? Why is his wife in prison? We are watching some hoaky episodes about him trying to connect with his daughter; then we get the clever political jabs; then we are seeing physical humor, people falling down; is it a buddy show? I thought there is a huge gaping divide between two classes of actors and acting. You have Carrel, Malkovich, and F Tony (cant recall his real name), and everyone else that was Hollywood 101 at best. every mannerism, lame '20 jokes. I will say: episode 2 was hilarious. I am not exagerating when I say I was on the floor laughing.