s3276169

This time I'm taking the mainstream critics advice. The Terminal List is painfully slow and cliched.

In spite of excellent acting from the cast, this series takes forever to go nowhere interesting. It drags the viewer along, at a painfully lethargic pace,weighed down by often cringe worthy, pro US military cliches.

I really wanted to like this series, in the same way I did like Jack Reacher. That said, where Reacher was loaded down with thrills and action, this series is defined by an over abundance of the former and a conspicuous lack, of the latter.

South Korean series go from strength to strength, for the most part and Adamas is shaping up to be yet another success.

Intelligently written, with well rendered characters and a complex crime thriller plot, Adamas is instantly engaging. Its different enough too, to represent a departure from other series, in a similar vein.

Like a lot of Korean series, you really need to pay attention, as the plot and sub plots are complex and multi layered. Depending on how you approach this, that fact can be a blessing or a curse.

That said, given the poorly written, often simplistic, ideologue ridden nonsense, coming out of the West, I personally find this kind of intellectually engaging, thoughtful entertainment, a welcome respite.

An Eastern gem in the making.

8/10.

The Passenger came as a rather pleasant surprise.

This little Spanish horror comedy makes a lot with very little.

The story is predictable but it works primarily because of the great chemistry between the two lead actors. The proxy, father daughter relationship works well in the context of an end of the world style apocalypse. Both characters spark off one another in a positive, hopeful way, as this comedic horror romp, plays out.

In summary, the Passenger just goes to show that a decent story and quality acting, more than make up for a big bucks production. Well worth a look.