Rina Pastor

Not sure why the low rating, but I honestly like this show. It’s really good. I get why people say it’s all over the place because it is. It’s a messy story so the show is conveyed in a messy way. I personally did not like how it was all over the place but the overall plot, symbolism, and the portrayal of each character is what I enjoyed the most. I think the messiness of the show was actually kind of clever as to how it was structured but some scenes were just confusing. Like episode six where Maddie is having dreams about Cleo, which I get, there are some symbolism and foreshadowing that is preparing the viewers for the next episode but I was honestly getting confused and frustrated that I didn’t want to finish it. Aside from how messy the structure of the series is, the plot and overall story is very captivating. It’s a very interesting crime drama with a thrilling mystery. I never read the book but it made the series all the better. I did not have any expectations of this show other than the fact that Natalie Portman was starring. This was Natalie Portman’s tv debut and she was exceptional. She plays her role as Maddie Morgenstern, who is an aspiring reporter that writes about the murders and corruption in Baltimore. The character of Maddie was beautifully portrayed by Natalie Portman, and she was just impeccable. The last role that Portman played that really took my breath away was in Black Swan and I can honestly say that Portman does such an incredible job playing these type of roles in these type of shows/movies. Moses Ingram was absolutely remarkable. She is a queen and her role in this show clearly portrayed her talents. Both Portman and Ingram are what makes this show so good. This series also includes some social and historical significance that really highlight on racism and gender discrimination which was very interesting. This show is set during the 1960s, so it’s beautiful that Maddie (a Jewish female) and Cleo (a Black female) make the unlikeliest duo in this wonderfully clever series. Again, not sure why this show is getting such bad ratings but The Guardian and The New York Times both give this show positive reviews. I say, give this show a chance. If you like a good mystery and drama and want to see some good acting, then you will certainly enjoy this show.

I’m a little disappointed with the ending and just the entire second half of the series. I actually enjoyed the first couple of episodes. It gets interesting wanting to know more about the wealthy Winbury family and of course you get lured in wanting to know who the killer is. But as the show goes on the Winbury family is revealed as a horrible mess and more and more drama comes with each new episode. The characters were all a mess and most of them lacked depth. Like as a wealthy family from Nantucket, you would assume that these privileged idiots would have some charisma and common sense. The only one that actually seemed interestingly charismatic was Greer who was played by Nicole Kidman. And I absolutely love Nicole Kidman and most of the movies/shows she has starred in. But in this show her character really did not fit her very well. Kidman usually plays a more serious dramatic role which she kind of does portray in this series but her character as Greer just seems a little too naive and pretentious for me. I’m used to seeing her in more serious roles like in Big Little Lies and The Undoing which were both absolutely brilliant. The only character that actually seemed fitting and was played very well was Abby who was played by Dakota Fanning. She did an amazing job playing the haughty gold digger who was literally only there for the money. I think every other character just seemed foolish and useless. Like every Winbury character had some kind of problem but it was all dumb and irrelevant. Even the detectives were dumb especially the female one who was acting like a big shot detective. The way she was interrogating everyone was annoying and unrealistic. The writers of the show could have at least made the detectives and the mystery part of the show a little more realistic and compelling. Aside from the characters, the entire plot of the series was a mess. The first two episodes were okay because they are literally just trying to lure you in to have you watch the rest of the series. The second half of the series was terrible. More and more drama piles up as each character is eliminated from being a suspect. The drama is honestly irrelevant and just adds on to the chaos. But the part that really annoys me is the ending. The detectives never actually reveal why the actual killer was arrested and how they came to that realization. The ending with Greer (Nicole Kidman) and the Amelia, the best friend of the victim, seems so awkward and just doesn’t make any sense. It’s all just a mess. I guess if you like a little mystery and some drama played by some decent actors then you will enjoy this show. It wasn’t bad and it was an interesting series. I just think it could have been a lot better.

Absolutely remarkable thriller. There have been very few thrillers about crime and murder that have come out recently and has kept me watching and intrigued. This series tops them all. And I’m only speaking about recent tv series within 2-3 years. Certainly, there have been many good series in the past, but in recent years Presumed Innocent may just be the best crime and thriller series that you are looking for. Presumed Innocent reminds me of the mini tv series “The Undoing” with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. It’s very similar to the point that a charming and wealthy man is being accused of murdering his mistress. The plot of Presumed Innocent will have you on a rollercoaster of emotions. You will be excited, disappointed, disgusted, thrilled, eager, appalled, and amazed at how the series portays the innocence of a man who so passionately loved the victim. Jake Gyllenhaal played the role of the defendant so perfectly. He was absolutely remarkable (as he usually is in many of the movies and shows that he has starred in). Gyllenhaal was obsessive yet charming as he played the role of Rusty in the show. He, among many of the other actors in the series, played their characters with so much grace and talent. You will not be disappointed with the acting in this series. Even the children of Rusty played their parts so wonderfully. The emotions and mental struggles that they endured and portrayed was very well represented. Not everyone is happy about the ending and who the real killer was. But this series is based off of the novel by Scott Turow. It may not be the ending we all hoped for but the entire series was presented in an incredibly artistic and entertaining way. Most plots about crime and mystery are not going to lead to the actual suspect. That would just make a boring and transparent show that no one would want to watch. Everyone loves a murder mystery where the murderer is the person that we all least suspected. Which this series does well. All the suspects were too obvious or based on circumstantial evidence. Of course, if the actual killer was shown more throughout the series then it would have made a little more sense but my guess is the director/producers wanted to keep the viewers distracted and entertained by focusing on the other suspects because they had more of a motive. Though there are subtle scenes of the actual killer giving us hints throughout the series. Aside from the ending and the reveal of the actual killer, the entire plot of the series was well thought out and will definitely keep you entertained. If you are looking for a series that will keep you watching and keep you wanting for more, this show is it. Presumed Innocent is definitely a thriller. It is also about crime, mystery, and drama. For those who love Law & Order and love a good courtroom drama, this show is the one. I highly recommend the series Presumed Innocent. It may just be one of the best thrillers about crime and mystery that has recently aired for streaming. There are not very many good shows like this that come out anymore and you would not want to miss an opportunity to see this one. Also, it has been confirmed that there will be a season 2 which I’m extremely excited about!

Not sure why the reviews for this show are so critical. I actually liked this series and this is coming from someone who loves drama, mystery, coming of age, romance, and thriller movies/shows. Certainly, not all in one show but I think City on Fire was a good drama series, and, considerably, a good thriller. I did not read the book by Garth Risk Hallberg so I cannot compare it to the actual book. But I can compare it to other drama/ murder mystery series. City on Fire is similar to Gossip Girl or other New York drama series that include love affairs, drug addiction, and corporate scandals. I love a good drama and the City on Fire tv series is an excellent drama that keeps the audience entertained with a good thriller. This show includes all of the elements that a good drama would have such as a love affair, drug addiction, family drama, troubled children, corruption, socioeconomic issues, poverty, corporate scandals, etc. So if you love a good drama I definitely recommend this show. I think the actors in this show did pretty well. Some of the actors for the minor characters certainly could have done a better job but the main characters were exceptional in my opinion. The actors for the main characters, Charlie (Wyatt Oleff) and Sam (Chase Sui Wonders) played their roles perfectly. Wonders did an amazing job playing her character with so much beauty and charisma. And we can’t forget Jemima Kirke (Regan) and Nico Tortorella (William) who did an excellent job in their roles. You really can’t complain too much about the acting or the characters because, overall, it was great. The only reason why I didn’t give it 5 stars is because the show could have done a better job in portraying a more realistic aspect of the dramas surrounding each character and plot twists. I agree with some of the reviews that it’s a bit of a cliche especially with all the terrorism and extreme radicals who are secretly formulating a plan to bomb the city with the help of New York elitists. It’s certainly a cliche that a college freshman is having an affair with a married man who happens to be wealthy and a rapist. Honestly, all of it is a cliche and some of the best shows and movies are built on cliches. So I don’t think this show is any different. I believe the reason why so many people are critical about this show and calling it “an absolute mess” is probably because they are comparing it too much to the book. Also, there might be a strong dislike for teen dramas because this show was like any other teen drama with some mystery and thriller. Honestly, if you liked the original Gossip Girl (2007) series, then you will like this show. City on Fire may not have lived up to its potential when compared to the book but coming from someone who just enjoys a good drama series, I could honestly say I really like this show and I wish there would be a second season but, unfortunately, this series did not make the cut for a second season. I’m honestly disappointed with some of the reviews because they’re a little harsh. This show really isn’t that bad. And if people would just allow themselves to watch a tv series without comparing it to the book and having such high expectations then you may actually enjoy a good series, like City on Fire.

As some of the other reviews may have mentioned, the show was decent but the book was better. I was honestly excited about the show coming out on Apple TV+ because it’s starring Jennifer Garner who I absolutely love. But the show was unfortunately a disappointment. Of course, the book itself was not all that great either but I was hoping someone like Jennifer Garner would help make the show a little more interesting. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Jennifer Garner still did a pretty good job playing the role of Hannah but it wasn’t as good as I expected. It may be that I expected too much coming from Jennifer Garner but it’s also because of the lack of depth and emotion. I understand she was playing Hannah who in the book came off as a reluctant yet determined stepmother who just wanted to connect with her stepdaughter, Bailey. Jennifer Garner certainly played the part well by being the protective stepmother and concerned yet loyal wife. I just think that the role of Hannah could have been played by Garner a lot better. The way the book ended was also a disappointment so I understand why the show was also the same. I never understood why the book just ended with Owen still in hiding and Hannah was left to take care of Bailey all on her own. I get that Owen was still on the run and that he wanted to protect them but the only sense of resolution that we get is that Bailey and Hannah have found family in each other and that [SPOILER ALERT] Owen is alive. Of course we all assumed that Owen is still alive but we never get the answer as to why he is still on the run and whether he will ever come back to be with his family. Will he wait until Kate’s father has passed away or until Bailey is grown up and Hannah has moved on? We will never know. Surely, the main message of the book and series is that family can be found in the most strangest of situations. Which in this case, Bailey and Hannah are family and they only have each other after the disappearance of Owen and the criminal past of Bailey’s grandfather. It is certainly a beautiful story when you come to realize it. But the book and the show does not portray the bond of Bailey and Hannah very well in my opinion. Mainly, in the show, it would have been nice to see their bond develop and grow as one that a mother and daughter would have. But the only growth you see in their relationship is when Bailey runs to hug Hannah when they reunite after the detective finds Bailey and when Bailey calls Hannah “Mom” at the end. If the book and show is really meant to be about family then it would have been nice to see a little more of that said “family” and less of what happened Owen.

Honestly, this series was really good. This adaptation of the original anime series Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) is remarkable. CGI in filmmaking has perfected its way into this series and has brought the original anime into life. The visuals and animation in this show is absolutely incredible. The directors and producers of this series did an impeccable job depicting the plot and portraying each character. I am so glad that they did not misconstrue from the original series. Though it was not in exact alignment from the original series, the creators did an excellent job of presenting the show in a way that flowed with each scene. Season 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) was a compilation of season 1 from the animated series with a little bit of season 2. I believe there were some scenes from season 2 such as the Cave of Two Lovers. There are definitely some minor details that obviously differentiate from the original series but the major parts that are important to the plot of season 1 are all there. As someone who tends to compare live-action series to its original animation series, this adaptation did an amazing job aligning the plot and keeping the story and the characters as OG as possible. Not much was changed, only enough to squeeze in some minor details and to keep the viewers entertained. Unlike the movie adaption The Last Airbender (2010) which was absolutely horrible. Because of that movie my expectations of this tv series was set at its lowest which is why I was surprised by how good this series really was. To be honest, this adaption had me fangirling the entire show. I would spot out every part that was from the original series and it would make me feel so giddy and nostalgic. When a show makes you feel like that and brings you back to how the original made you felt, then you know it’s a good show. It’s as if this show brought me back to my childhood and made me feel almost young and pure again. The only critique I have of this adaption is the choice of actresses for Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee. The choice of actresses for these roles could have been a lot better. In my opinion the actress for Azula was not intimidating or evil-looking enough. I understand that Azula is supposed to be a child, I believe 14 years old, and that she’s suppose to be young and naive. But this actress is perceived to be way too innocent and had too much of a baby face. It was honestly disappointing because Azula’s character in the animated series was extraordinary. She is suppose to be a beautiful, reckless, evil princess but the one in this series just does not fit the role. I just cannot take this actress seriously. Same with the actresses for Mai and Ty Lee. I loved Ty Lee in the animated series she was so sweet and pure but in this series she lacks character. Every other actor and actress matched their character in this series perfectly. The actors for Aang, Sokka, Zuko, and Firelord Ozai really surprised me by how well they portrayed their characters. It was almost uncanny how identical the actors were to the characters from the animation. Overall this adaption did an incredible job depicting the anime series and I would highly recommend fans of the original series to watch this show. You will be amazed by how much the anime comes to life.

I really don’t understand the bad reviews on this series. Like it was actually good. It’s probably one of the best live-action adaptation of an anime out there. If you compare it to other live-action movies/shows based on an anime like Dragonball Z or Avatar: the Last Airbender then yes this series definitely does a much better job in depicting the actual characters and remaking the anime. I could honestly say it was very entertaining to watch and the choice of actors and actresses was great. I loved that John Cho played Spike, he really fit the character well. I think people were a little to critical with this show because they may have expected too much. It’s based off an old anime from the 90s and many people, like myself, grew up with this anime so I get that you want the live-action to be good. But the series had what it needed from the anime like the science fiction and western feel. It even did its best with incorporating each character from the anime. So I don’t understand how it was so bad. And I really don’t understand why the show got cancelled. Even John Cho was shocked with the reviews and cancellation of this show.. I would vote for this show to come back for a season 2. And I would love to see what the show would be like with Radical Ed.

Okay so I’m only giving this a 2-star rating and not a 1-star rating because at least they incorporated some of the monsters and characters from the game. Also it was interesting that they showed how big pharmas manipulate the marketing of drugs and how they basically control the minds of people. It also revealed the evil behind pharmaceuticals and science. But overall the series was terrible. It was a huge disappointment to watch since I loved the game and the Resident Evil movies. This show was centered around the stupid actions of two girls who were absolutely annoying and dumb. Honestly, if you’re going to make a show based on female leads then at least make the females smart and strong. Not dumb and weak as hell. It’s an embarrassment to all women.. The main character, Jade, was just annoying. I understand that she was suppose to be rebellious and independent, but her lack of intelligence and leadership really made her character unlikeable. And the actress who played older Jade was terrible, they honestly could have picked a better actress or something. I tried to give the show a try but after the third episode it just got frustrating watching the characters and the plot of the story. I hate that it kept going back and forth from the past to the present. The scenes from the past to the present didn’t even really relate to one another which made it confusing. I just think the show could have done a lot better with the plot and the characters. Honestly, a lot of shows nowadays are making the characters really dumb with no common sense which makes it really hard to watch. Maybe I’ll try to finish this show when I have nothing else to watch, but, to be honest, I really just don’t want to watch it anymore..

Such a great series. Absolutely love the relationship between Eve and Villanelle. I’m so glad season 4 deepens their relationship and reveals how beautiful and fun they are together. Overall an excellent series that’s more then just an unlikely romance. It’s filled with dark humor, uncanny relationships, and a plot that keeps you glued to the screen. Love it! Really hope there’s a season 5.

I'm really trying to like this show but the acting is just so bad, I cringe at every episode. I understand that it's a new plot with different characters representing this generations crowd of people (lgbtq, POC, etc.) but the show is doing a terrible job at depicting them. I applaud the creators for trying to include such a diverse cast but at least make sure they can act! I hate to be another person leaving a bad review but I just feel so strongly about how bad this show is. I don't know if this is just how new shows are nowadays, but I really wish the show was better. I may be a huge fan of the original Gossip Girl (2007) so my opinions may be biased when it comes to certain characteristics of the show. But with all expectations aside, the acting is horrible, the characters have no depth, and the storyline is uninteresting. I'm already on episode 7 and I still can't seem to find anything I like about the show. I'm very disappointed.