elli jilek

Having only started watching the first season and having seen the first 3 episodes, we're hooked! Not sure if the quality and interesting stories can be sustained over so many years, but so far this series has both surprised and amazed. It's rare to watch any series that presents scenarios that are so unexpected and unpredictable. The writing is uniquely thoughtful yet very witty and outright hilarious at times, even when it's a dark theme. To be able write and act with such convincing material is something that is refreshing and easy to watch. A half-hour show is great for short attention spans but binge-watching is just as satisfying and thoroughly entertaining. Great combination of humour, social commentary and adult dialogue that is truly a one-off these days. Can hardly wait to watch the next seasons and hope it stays as solid!

This deserves 4 1/2 stars actually. 5 is a perfect score and this movie is almost there but not quite. The acting is generally excellent and Keira Knightley does justice to the character of Ms. Gun. What's really compelling is the fact that this particular issue is not a one-off and the parallel with current political and world events is really frightening. The lying politicians, the fake premises which have been used to conduct invasions, occupations and wars is ongoing and seems to be repeated time and again by many countries and 'leaders'. The courage and moral strength displayed by individuals in this case exposed many wrong-doings, lies and crimes, and again, it is the whistle-blowers who seem to be the only ones willing to put themselves on the line for the public good. A very watchable production and an important piece of real history that needs to be seen by more.

Having just started watching this series (without 'benefit' of having read the book), it is clear that many viewers will have trouble watching this without some personal bias. The reviewers here who are offended by the inclusion of 'black' actors (there are also East Indians by the way) need to be reminded that this is FICTION! Yes, it's a bit of a stretch to imagine the Russian scenarios inhabited by non-white people, and yet, for me, given today's reality there, a kind of ironic slap in the face. Actors, be they women playing 'male' roles, people of 'colour' taking on non-traditional roles, sexually ambiguous ones, etc., all should be given the chance to act whatever part they can if they have the talent and desire. One has to suspend reality with this series anyways, as many issues are not 'real' according to historical facts. But this is entertainment and not a documentary. Period. The acting is ok for the most part and the opulence of the old hotel is breathtaking, but again, this is just a show. I will continue to watch it and just try to see if the actors can portray their characters in a realistic way. If this series offends certain people, there is always the off button.

I realize it's just me and my viewing preferences, but after the first two episodes of season one, I had enough. The first episode was riveting, had promise and it was clear the acting is above-average here. But, with episode two, things got off the rails for me. Yes, it's great that they showcase the many negative issues that Americans live with, but I am tired of watching shows that have the drug scene as a central focus. It's tedious, depressing and is so 'normal' in so many shows, I am not interested in seeing more of the same. Lots of foreign shows and series are also following this same theme and although it's a sad reality of today, everywhere really, I don't want my leisure time to be full of this stuff. Sorry, but despite the great reviews and solid acting, I just can't sit through more of this negativity.

Unlike some who need (understandably) a nice clean wrap-up after a show or movie, real life (this is based on true events) does not always end up this way. Nor do crimes and murders always get solved in the time slot allowed. The pace of this movie will not appeal to everyone, but for those of us willing to 'go with the flow' and mood of this film, it is above average and well worth watching. A nice change in scenery from the usual French shows (I am a keen Francophile and love all of France), this one is for the thinking viewer. Great subtle acting and truly believable characters on all levels. Authentic dialogue and scenarios and really top notch. Yes, it is disappointing that the conclusion wasn't what we usually get, but then again, this horrific crime DID happen and is still part of many people's lives. If you want action and cartoonish characters, look elsewhere but if you want to get totally engrossed in a story, this is it. Thumbs up!!!

Like other reviewers here, this movie is just a major let-down given David Chase's involvement, as it was my expectation that it was an 'explanation' as to the character of Tony Soprano and the backgrounds of others from the series. Although the actors who portrayed Livia, Tony jr, and Janice were pretty spot-on physically, the others were mostly caricatures or fell flat due to pretty weak and almost amateurish dialogue, very unlike David Chase's usual tight writing. The series The Sopranos had the occasional episodes that I dismissed as 'lazy', fillers or silly, especially the dream sequence ones, but here you have similar content in a 2-hour timeframe where it is compressed. The whole black rioting/Vietnam protesting issue really didn't 'need' to be part of this story and the majority of the characters' development. It felt really 'empty' and there was little that felt substantial or significant f any consequence. Maybe the format was wrong given the complexity of the series' characters, but the acting and writing here just didn't take hold of my attention or interest in what was being said and done. A waste of $, talent and time really. Stick to the series.

Most of the episodes actually warrant a rating closer to 4, but as of season 5, I found things sort of went a bit 'wonky'. The introduction of the new character 'Kat', who seems to have replaced the more affable and believable 'Lisa', really changed the feel of the show and the dynamics between the team. The actress and the character of Kat just are too over-the-top and intense to be even remotely 'real'. She was cocky from the start and acts like she has about 20 years of police experience under her belt. Aside from this, most of the episodes in the series work at least to some degree for tension, interest and 'realism'. But it also too often veers into soap opera territory, and not only about the personal lives of this group of detectives, but also many of the storylines. But it's still a better show overall than some made today and so worth watching, even years later or again, as I am doing. Solid acting by Caroline Quentin and most of the other actors and nice to see lots of well-known and reliable faces showing up for guest appearances. It's not the worst of this genre but does have flaws.

My rating is based on the overall 'average' for the many years and episodes this series was on. For some episodes, it's more a solid '4' star and for some, maybe a '2', especially the last few years. Nick Berry was eye candy for sure but also had the character down Pat and the music sure helped things along for us who were 'there' at the time. Lovely scenery, interesting characters at times, and fairly non-demanding storylines that cover the place and time quite well. Some solid acting and the period details are spit-on, so it's held up over the years and changes in actors, and it entertaining without being offensive in any way. Some good social commentary and reflection of the mentality of both the police and the citizens who inhabit this rural area. Not much sweating and limited graphic violence, so easy to watch and generally a pretty ok series. It did fizzle out towards the last few years and the storylines were often predictable, but better than many shows of this genre, and certainly unique for the time.

I'd like to rate this 3 1/2 actually. Although the series (I have watched it more than once, as there is so much going on in each episode) is generally original, has some very funny scenes and dialogue (the one with Chris and Paulie in the woods for example), some very poignant scenarios and shows the irony, hypocrisy and immorality of both the Mafia and it's supposed code of 'honor' and how it functions within that society, it is at least interesting. For my taste, there is far too much graphic violence, swearing and the constant inclusion of the Bada Bing 'dancers' and their real and fake boobs. Truly excessive for the most part. What really makes this series even less enjoyable (as if killings and violence of all kinds) are the many dream sequences and their supposed deep meanings and Freudian connotations. I think it went on for too long and might have been less tedious if kept to a few seasons. The acting was generally very good though and the characters at least unique and interesting, if not empathetic or easy to watch. It's understandable why this was and is so popular, but it also has the unfortunate effect of glamorizing and enhancing the Mafia/gang lifestyle. But overall a pretty fair representation of that world and the American way of life with all its ups and downs.

I'd like to give this a 3.5 rating, as it is a little better than many of this genre but not quite up to the standard of some other Danish series, like Borgen. This crime/thriller series has some fairly solid acting and up until the last 2 episodes, it held up with the tension and keeping the viewer guessing with various potential suspects. However, when the real killer is revealed, it is just not believable and then the last episode really bombs for me. How do the two injured and clearly incapable 'victims' of the killer escape so quickly with fire already engulfing them? And the many injuries and beatings given to our intrepid female top inspector just seemed to be very minor, considering how fast she always recovered. If not for the last few episodes, this story would have been more interesting and believable. It's an ok series and had a few interesting angles but it does tend to drag on a bit too much with far too much regurgitation of previous events. I just didn't buy into who the killer ended up being.