lucidskyline

It appears that quite a few raters and reviewers take serious issue with Claire Danes character in this mini series. I understand it. During the first half of the first episode I couldn't help but notice that she was playing almost the same personality as her tortured agent in Homeland. But I pressed on and started to really enjoy the tense and blunt interactions between her character and the slick sociopath/psychopath played so well by Matthew Rhys. I really loved the locations as well.

I have only watched the first episode but by the end I wanted to keep watching into the early hours. I just wanted to leave a quick review because there are so many very poor reviews and some very praising reviews. The praising ones aren't fake. I personally look forward to the rest of this show. Try it. You will know by the end of the first episode if it's for you.

This movie is okay for a midweek night in. But don't expect a 'Boston Strangler' or 'Official Secrets'. It really is TV Movie status for sure.

Unlike others, I didn't think Keira Knightley's character, Laura getting overly stressed as things unfolded a bad point. However, I really think it's time for Keira to work on a new smile. It always looks to me more like the churlish pout of a 16 year old than an actual smile. Don't get me wrong, I think she is an intelligent and talented woman. But she seems to labour under the illusion that this is how she still needs to smile on camera. I've never seen her do it in recent interviews. So what's up with that? You can get away with it at 20, but not 40! Also, if you are going to continue heading more in the direction of thrillers, which is why I watch her more these days ... anyway, you get the point.

The other movie characters often reminded me of the surreal and unnatural characters that used to appear in that old 1960s UK TV series 'The Prisoner'. Like they are always hiding the bigger picture from you. Which is actually a good point because it creates a somewhat disturbing atmosphere throughout the movie.

Overall, the unnatural characters, Keira's protagonist as a journalist and the nice boat are the positives for the movie. The downsides are that it is a somewhat predictable and unimaginative whodunit story line, and the slightly tense but ultimately weak climax. As I said, I didn't mind giving up a Tuesday night for it. 6/10.

I stumbled upon this movie and had no expectations. I love what Tom Hardy does. I didn't realize while watching that it was the same director as The Raid. So no anticipation what it would be like. I barely paid attention to the early scenes but it slowly crept up on me that it was better thought through than the standard streaming action flick. Then when it kicked off it really did. The Nightclub scene was frenetic and unexpected.

Reviewers could sometimes do themselves a favour by going into a movie blind. Not comparing it to this or that expectation. Stop trying to be a reviewer and just be the guy on the couch on a Friday night.

Over-the-top action: yes. Great storyline: no, but good enough. Good acting: from the main characters yes. Entertaining for Friday or Saturday night: absolutely. 8/10 because it surpassed what I expected.