After the intense brilliance of season one, this was a show which I intended to try and savour and instead found myself ravenously devouring each episode with each more delectable than the last. Phenomenal writing and superb performances converge to tell a story which not only provides a searing commentary on the complexity of family, passion, class, and the pursuit of excellence, but is also profoundly rewarding in the treatment of characters who feel astonishingly real, resulting in a richly poignant experience well worth your time. 9.98/10
This is a film which aims high and doesn't quite stick the landing, though not without probing some interesting material along the way set against a gorgeous backdrop and some genuinely charismatic performances. Pugh and Styles are excellent, the set design is sublime, and the opening act balances the burgeoning unease and tension beautifully. The pacing becomes sluggish, however, and while the storyline is thoroughly compelling the final act lacks the tight cohesion needed for the punches to land. The broader concept is genuinely intriguing, however the implications are superficially explored and it feels like there should have been more time given to depth rather than languishing in melodrama, resulting in a somewhat unsatisfying experience. 6.23/10
Once again late to the party here, and with the important caveat that I have not read Asimov's seminal books on which this series is based, nevertheless this slow burn hard science fiction series is a beautifully crafted epic rich in detail and complexity. Admittedly the glacial opening episodes are deliberately careful in order to establish the intricate concepts and world building necessary to lay the foundation for the sprawling plot, but as the episodes gather pace, the threads are woven into a gripping storyline spanning millennia. Superb performances and excellent writing ensure that this is a satisfying experience which rewards your time. 8.87/10
Once again Tom Cruise is on a mission to prove that he can and will keep up the incredulous pace, and in this he succeeds in leading this fast paced action thriller which is highly entertaining, compelling, and true to expectations of what has become a reliably enjoyable action franchise. With enough of a story to provide a fun high stakes premise, and incredible cinematography, this is a fun big screen experience sure to impress. 8.21/10
Satirising Scandi-noir in a small town Tasmanian setting doesn't immediately seem like a concept likely to elicit raucous laughter, and yet this is a show which not only upends all expectations of what the crime and comedy genres can be, but also manages to be perhaps one of the best Australian productions of recent memory. With a cast of familiar local faces at the top of their game, and a darkly hilarious premise which unfolds as a compulsively compelling mystery, 'funny Broadchurch' is set to become an iconic moment in Australian dramedy history; delightfully enjoyable viewing which is an easy recommendation. 9.86/10
Astonishingly late to this party, but thrilled to have finally made it, and while it must come with a trigger warning for those of you who have worked in hospitality, this is an experience which is thoroughly deserving of the plaudits it has received. The cast are incredible, aided by stunningly tight editing, exceptional writing, and the kind of insight into the setting which can only be a result of lived experience, this is gripping viewing which I cannot recommend highly enough. 9.98/10
Based on the exquisite novella Wool by Hugh Howey, this is an engrossing adaptation which is bolstered by excellent writing, and polished performances, not to mention the beautiful set design which grounds the narrative. Post-apocalyptic sci-fi tends toward the relentlessly bleak, and so it is refreshing to see a world which could have become mired in despair instead provide a subtle complexity which allows for many shades of moral ambiguity in the motivations and reasoning for the Silo's machinations which is profoundly compelling, making for compulsive viewing. 8.73/10
Expectations were below floor level for this after I swore off the these sequels when Crystal Skull obliterated my faith in the franchise, but Waller-Bridge was enough to entice me cautiously back. Thankfully, this was a delightful surprise and welcome return to the Nazi-punching glory we know and love, albeit with an older more cantankerous Indy, and more fan service than you can crack a whip at. While not perfect, this is a genuinely fun spectacle which embraces what we enjoyed about Indy whilst cleverly updating it to critique and refresh it for an evolved audience, resulting in an entertaining experience. 7.89/10
Once again, Brooker manages to skewer the human condition with a brutal alacrity that is both hilarious and horrifying in equal measure. Interestingly, this season has greater levity and humour at the forefront, at least in the bookend episodes, with the more gut wrenching horror elements perhaps appropriately sandwiched in the middle. Disturbingly compelling and intellectually challenging, this season was notable for an apparent direct meta commentary in a number of episodes which eviscerate the industry elements which enable shows like this to be made, resulting in an almost incredulous delight at the cheekiness on display. Engaging, entertaining, and only occasionally soul destroying, this is well worth your time. 8.79/10
While I was exceptionally late to the party, by a matter of years, this was highly recommended and once I began watching this was a compulsive experience which I found almost all consuming as it wound its way into my subconscious. I haven't had a show invade my psyche like this for a very long time, but it was a sign of the incredible writing and intricately crafted narrative that I demolished all three seasons within a month. The compelling premise - one day in October 128million people across the globe simply vanish - is captivating, and the storyline proper begins three years after this cataclysmic event. Drawing on an encyclopaedic understanding of Biblical prophecy, especially Revelations, and cleverly manipulating the timeline to maintain tension, we are never sure what exactly is the purpose of the 'departure'. The performances are phenomenal, and this is truly original storytelling which gets under your skin and refuses to let go. Vacillating from sublime to horrific, with everything in between, as well as veering into the truly absurd on occasion, ultimately this was a profound experience which I will be processing for quite some time yet. If you can get hold of it, this is a high recommendation. 9.01/10
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