hanaahbraan Reviews

The Rig (2023– )

Beyond bad

[26 July 2023]

What on earth just happened? I'm actually angry that I just watched this garbage. I guess I was optimistically hoping there my be a plot shift or some meaningfulness to this story. Alas no. I am practically embarrassed for the cast of this show, who are a reasonable bunch of actors on paper, but regrettably the writing and direction are so bewilderingly poor it puts each and every one of them to shame. The visual effects are also way below par for an Amazon production. Add it all together and you have a show that deserves the level of destruction the programme's plot forewarns. Please please never make another episode of this drivel.0.

Squid Game (2021– )

Misogynistic, ageist, racist brain rot

[7 October 2021]

Last century misogyny, foul language, ageism, casual racism, greed and despair - basically everything that's wrong with South Korea today, and which would be outright rejected if this was a Hollywood/Western production. It's amazing how a few bits of cheap brightly coloured scenery and silly costumes can get people excited about what is a very old and trite concept. Yawn.

Lucifer (2016–2021)

What am I missing??

[13 July 2021]

I don't get this show. It's just trash. It gets recommended by so many people that I've tried to get into on three occasions. But it's utter nonsense. I just can't.

The Serpent (2021)

Good, apart from Jenna Coleman

[2 May 2021]

So it seems people are upset about Billy Howle's Dutch and Dutch (I agree). But if that's the case, French speaking Canadians must be enraged. Not only is Jenna Coleman's performance limp, her Quebecois accent in English isn't Quebecois, her French dialogue is awful (also not Quebecois), and even her mother on the phone, in Quebec, is not Quebecois. That's just laziness, and really quite insulting given the attention to detail elsewhere in this production. Otherwise, it's very watchable apart from the cringeworthy hair and makeup.

Love and Monsters (2020)

2 stars for the CGI, 1 star for the dog

[24 April 2021]

Everything about this sounded good on paper. From the creators of Stranger Things, simple but predictable plot, good CGI, but then never have I seen such an uninspired lead role performance by Dylan O'Brien, whose acting is as thoroughly unlikeable as his character. Massive casting fail! And generally way too many missed opportunities with this production. What a shame.

The 100 (2014–2020)

Watchable garbage up until season 3

[12 April 2021]

Just threw in the towel on season 4. At best, this is low brow, low budget trash to get you through a rainy day, or indeed a global pandemic. But after a while the monotony and repetition of the same story lines and tacky American tropes over and over becomes utterly painful. The dreadful writing and shady acting are amusing for a while, but not enough to sustain 5 seasons. Please, put us out of our misery!

Tales from the Loop (2020)

Same same, but very different

[28 March 2021]

Sci-fi meets the insecurities of American lives with common themes but presented oh so differently. Some are calling it nostalgic, but whatever the case, it's extremely beautiful and thoughtful. If you like independent cinema, you'll love this work of art.

Operation Buffalo (2020)

Too close to the bone for some, perhaps

[21 March 2021]

This show is everything that the British and Australian, and indeed American and French governments wish we would all forget. The sheer horrors of nuclear testing in Australia and the pacific throughout to 1950s and 60s amid a climate of paranoia and gross incompetence. A great exposé. Well done!

Coming 2 America (2021)

Disgusting parodies of 'African' culture part 2

[16 March 2021]

The first film was insulting enough to the incredible tapestry of African cultures. You'd think these Americans might have learned something in the past 30 years. I don't have a problem with fiction, but when it paints such a ridiculous picture of the world beyond America's borders, it's damaging and insensitive. Their Lion King portrayal of the African continent is an embarrassment to themselves.

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

Idiotic story, dreadful acting!

[1 March 2021]

Outlandishly hammy acting from start to finish by the three lead roles. The casting director should be fired for this. The story is idiotic, from sublimely boring to sublimely ridiculous. Save your time, don't watch this rot!

Tribes of Europa (2021)

Slow to start but 8/10 from episode 3

[24 February 2021]

After a sloppy, boring, seen-it-all-before first two episodes, this show really gets into its groove from the third episode, so stick with it. The story develops, as do the interpersonal relationships between characters which are thoughtful and well acted. There are lots of familiar themes that come out, but all very enjoyable and well produced. Can't wait for season 2!

Can You Hear Me (2018–2021)

Spectacular

[18 February 2021]

Took me a few episodes to get comfortable with the fine line between comedy and tragedy, but suddenly found myself gripped by the hard-hitting twists and turns that lead into an astounding second season.

Bridgerton (2020– )

Absolute dross. Simply appalling!

[6 January 2021]

What on earth? Why? Who? How much? I'm almost speechless at this utter dross. It's actually frightening that Netflix can embarrass so many capable actors with such low brow nonsense. And worse still that Netflix viewers find this brain-dead rubbish even mildly entertaining. Everything about this production is just horrific!!

World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji (2020)

Overbearingly American, sorry not sorry

[22 December 2020]

The race is truly awe inspiring. Hats off to all who attempt this, but found myself fast forwarding through the endless focus on the American teams' whining and crowing about their sob stories. It just ruined the entire experience for me. Couple that with the extremely tacky editing and horrific sound problems, I won't be watching any subsequent series by this production team.

Ófærð (2015– )

10 for the snow, 3 for the storyline

[15 December 2020]

There's very little 'Nordic Noir' about this. Aside the drabness of a small Icelandic town, which apparently ticks yuppy boxes, the storyline is lowbrow and predictable. The acting is also very amateur, making it difficult to warm to the characters. As a British viewer, it was like watching a very long episode of The Bill, but with lots of snow. The plot bounces all over the place with one or two whimsical twists that fail to surprise or impress. Half the cast feels redundant. The only truly unanswered question for me is: is this actually how much coffee Icelanders drink, and do they ever sleep as a result??

The Boys (2019– )

Worst casting ever

[1 December 2020]

Good story, watchable, but way overrated I felt. The acting is dreadful. The casting director should be fired. Yes yes, the kiwi guy who can't do a British accent, but then the Israeli guy who makes a complete mess of the French dialogue. The guy playing homelander is reminiscent of low grade 1970s adult movies. It's a pity Amazon couldn't have invested more in this. Could have been so much better!

Veins of the World (2020)

Captivating

[15 November 2020]

Beautiful cinematography, amazing attention to detail. Every shot is simply stunning and full of thought. A subtle yet powerful story about the predicament that is Mongolia vs modernization - albeit without falling to the common trap of over simplification and polarization.

Emily in Paris (2020– )

Absolute trash

[19 October 2020]

Seen it all before a million times. France made to look awful through a fake and ignorant lens of petty cliché. Utter nonsense. This production insults the intelligence of Netflix subscribers.

Indian Matchmaking (2020– )

Indian culture in all its glory!

[21 September 2020]

This show is everything I love about a good Indian melodrama: children who disappoint, comedy villains, neurotic mothers, ruthless aunty rivalries and savage passive aggression. What's not to like?

My Octopus Teacher (2020)

Creepy weirdo stalks octopus

[19 September 2020]

Beautiful visuals make this worth watching, but the creepy guy's narration and back story are just painful. 85 minutes of self-indulgent rambling and nonsense made me want to hang myself! I could have learned as much by watching on silent and playing the radio in the background.

Family Business (2019–2021)

Dear Netflix, keep this one going!

[17 September 2020]

Quality, lighthearted French comedy. Doesn't take itself too seriously and keeps on giving. Loving the evolution of the storyline and hoping for a season 3. Agree about the extremely poor dubbing (in English). Watch it in French with subtitles.

Insatiable (2018–2019)

Spectacular!

[13 September 2020]

I love it when America challenges itself with humour, which sadly doesn't happen often enough of late. Insatiable is a spectacular tongue-in-cheek take on the horror show of small Bible Belt towns and the quintessentially American beauty pageant. It's witty, attentive to detail, and doesn't hold back any punches, which of course is going to result in a lot of hate. The subject matter isn't about being fat or thin, it's about the utter absurdity of American life beneath the fragile veneer of wanting to win and be perfect.

Vikingane (2016–2020)

Monty Python meets Vikings

[22 August 2020]

Just brilliant! Modern day Norwegian righteousness (and tediousness) in all her glory juxtaposed against a backdrop of a fearless Viking past. Extremely well written with deadly one-liners and beautifully acted to boot. It gets even better as it goes on - season 3 is top drawer!

Snowpiercer (2020–2024)

Brain rot

[16 August 2020]

Utter garbage. A poor story and poor movie made into and even poorer series! This is nonsensical trash TV at its worst. Every storyline you've ever seen badly rolled into one... but on an inconceivably bizarre train setting . I can't believe I watched this trash.

The Rain (2018–2020)

Watchable but painful

[13 August 2020]

Still figuring out why I watched all 3 seasons of this. The plot has more holes in it than Swiss cheese. I found myself eagerly wanting it to end. Bad dialogue, irritating characters in terrible wardrobe, patchy acting, too much crying over one dimensional love interests, and a weird fixation with burial scenes throughout. Puzzling stuff.