The Old Man is a thriller drama series loosely inspired by Thomas Perry's homonym novel. Very entertaining considering that the show's hero is somehow different than the one in the book. Doesn't matter very much because of the two main stars: Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow. A bright contribution was provided as well by Arrested Development’s Alia Shawkat. She was good even if she wasn’t required to be funny here. The Old Man - Plot I’m afraid most of you haven’t read the book, but let me … [Read more...]
Television
Marvels on the small screen
Tehran, an Emmy for the Best International Drama Series in 2021
Tehran is a modern-time spy drama thriller set in the Iranian capital, which is made to look better than in other movies. The city is presented in its splendor, with its bright lights, clean streets and mountain vistas. The series is created by Moshe Zonder for Israeli public television, not for a private channel, but, the always thriving Apple TV+ bought the international distribution rights and all went for the best. The first season was awarded an Emmy for Best Drama Series, like the … [Read more...]
Foundation, the Ambitious Joke of a Modern TV Show
Foundation, one of the most famous science fiction book series of all time, was finally adapted into a television show. At least, that's what I thought. Apple TV+, a private streaming TV network owned by Apple Inc, with a backsliding revenue caused by the Covid 19 pandemic (they say), tried to invigorate their subscription base with this ambitious project. So, they gave free hand to David S. Goyer (Blade Trilogy, Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, etc - screenwriter) and Josh Friedman (War of the … [Read more...]
Money Heist, or, La Casa de Papel, a Ridiculous but Catchy Drama
It is claimed that La Casa de Papel became at a time, the Netflix most-watched show in a foreign language ever. Hard to believe how they manage to top Squid Game, the Korean show, but there's time enough to reassess the balance. Anyway, for an absurd chain of heists in the Kingdom of Spain, almost as ridiculously put together as Prison Break, Money Heist swept viewers like a magnet in front of the screens. Maybe it was because Úrsula Corberó appeared totally nude for a fraction of a second in … [Read more...]
Mr. Robot Is a Show Ahead of Its Time, but Not Too Much
Mr. Robot is another favorite show, premiered online by video on demand, on May 27, 2015. Shortly after that, the first season officially started on USA Network, on June 24, the same year. So came the second in 2016, the third in 2017, and eventually the fourth in 2019, a little bit forced if you ask me, but the important thing is that both public and critics generally liked it. I also want to say that even if I rarely offer spoilers in my reviews, this time, especially considering what happens … [Read more...]
Breaking Bad, an Awesome Show With Public Drive
I was in Turkey when Breaking Bad started airing on CNBC-e, in original, subtitled. This was the only channel with such features, and I was glad it exists and bought distribution rights for many more. I had a lot on my hands then, so, I wasn't all eyes and ears watching the pilot. Besides, a crime drama with Malcolm in the Middle's Bryan Cranston and the newcomer Aaron Paul? Let's be serious. Anyway, I was wrong. As Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad show's creator, said once, during the last … [Read more...]