Clementine44 Reviews

The Patient (2022)

Not a horror series

[10/10 · 11 May 2024]

Both reviews of this series and the advertisements made me NOT want to watch it. First of all, I'm a big horror movie fan, and the most annoying thing to me is a movie that is advertised as a horror movie is actually some psychological drama happening in someone's head. That's what I thought this was and I put off watching it until I ran out of everything else.

That said, this is not a horror series. That's ok, it actually doesn't pretend to be. It was also an enormous change to see a middle-aged white guy kidnapped instead of a young girl or boy. Kidnapping a doctor for their skills is a fresh take, and appreciated.

Although there are several struggles happening simultaneously in the series (which all work together - none are shoved in awkwardly), the most poignant and heartbreaking struggle is the doctor's internal struggle with himself - where he little by little copes with the fact that he is going to die. Or at least, he's not ever going back to his other life.

The other reviews suggest the ending is not good. I strongly disagree - it was the only ending that could have worked. And the doctor left the world in the most graceful way possible in his circumstances.

Thumbs up to the acting, the story, the direction, I will be thinking of this series for several days.

Before We Die (2021– )

Good start, terrible finish

[5/10 · 23 April 2024]

I didn't see the original so I can't make a comparison, but this is usually the kind of show I love, so I was happy to find it. It starts off ok. The acting is good, direction, production quality - everything looks good. You can guess what's going to happen very early on.. don't expect any mystery.

However, the first season was still pretty good, even with the lack of mystery. The second season completely jumps the shark. Is it still about drugs? Or is it some war between two mothers? Is it about a kidnapping? Family drama? Crooked cops? You need to pare down what kind of show you are doing. I wouldn't have been surprised if they had married off some bachelors at the end of the show, just to make sure they had covered every genre available.

And frankly, after the 2 sons are killed off, it just didn't work. The two actors with the most charisma were gone, and I wasn't sure who the main players were anymore.

Watch the first season, but skip the second. Enjoy.

Mrs. Wilson (2018)

That was surprising

[9/10 · 29 March 2024]

I did not read the reviews before I watched it, which was a good thing because otherwise it would not have been surprising. So if you haven't read any reviews, stop now and go watch it.

Ruth Wilson is amazing, but we already knew that, which is why I watched it in the first place. Story is good and I didn't realize it was a true story until the final episode and then I was just in shock about what I was watching.

A married woman goes through the worst possible nightmare and she handles it... not great. But I think that makes it more believable, the fact that she didn't handle it in the best way. But then shocks keep coming... and right when she's able to deal with all of it, here it comes again.

As far as the likelihood of someone falling for that guy, people fall for the wrong people every day. People keep secrets from those they love. People do stupid things and justify it. It's just life. Not everything is logical. This movie is what happens when someone's lies crash in on every person around them.

Catch Me a Killer (2024)

Very good, emotional series

[9/10 · 5 March 2024]

I had no idea what this was when I started the show. Despite part of this being hard to watch - it's very well done. This is the true story of horrific crimes, but I give the series credit for showing the crimes in a respectful way. There is not much gratuitous violence - most of what we see of the crimes comes from the profiler and her reactions to them. We also see what happens to a person when they are exposed to so much violence. Nobody can see terrible things every day without consequences.

The landscape of South Africa looks incredible, and it's a stark contrast to the crimes committed. The acting is great - Charlotte Hope is amazing. The direction is good. It's a bit slow, but appropriate for its subject matter. You can tell it's based in the 90s - they caught that vibe perfectly.

Give it a watch - it's a bit sad, but a very good series.

Silent Witness: The Penitent - Part 1 (2023) Season 26, Episode 1

Horrible episode

[1/10 · 21 February 2024]

This is terrible. There is terrible writing, but I think the story wasn't much to work with. The acting is good, but I feel bad for the actors because this is some terrible crap to work with. Terrible. Can't say terrible enough. Please bring back the normal stories and don't try to be fancy unless you can pull it off properly. Never seen so many words thrown about with no actual point. Need more words to make the target goal. Will repeat below.

Please bring back the normal stories and don't try to be fancy unless you can pull it off properly. Never seen so many words thrown about with no actual point.

True Detective: Night Country: Part 5 (2024) Season 4, Episode 5

Good episode

[8/10 · 14 February 2024]

I like this season better than the last 2. The first season was the best, and nothing will ever top it, but this is still pretty good. I like the character development and the mystery of the story. I like the environment. This episode was the best of the season so far, but the earlier episodes were leading up to it. I was surprised at the ending and irritated at the stupid cop. Don't want to give spoilers, but I hope nobody makes such a stupid decision. What he was asked to do was not worth the reward promised. But people make stupid decisions every day, so I guess it's realistic in that sense.

I'm surprised there's only one more episode... I feel like there's too much to wrap up in one final hour.

The Great British Baking Show (2010– )

Comfy Baking Show

[10/10 · 18 December 2023]

It's very relaxing and comfortable. Easy to watch - no toxic contestants or judges. The hosts and judges change (except Paul Hollywood - he's always there), but that's ok. The show is about the baking.

The one thing I miss is the educational bits they used to include about the different bakes. It's nice to include information about how a cake was invented when you're watching 12 people make it. Especially because in America we usually make a chocolate cake with a clever topping. It's super cool to see a tennis cake - that's completely different!

It's honestly amazing what they can make out of flour and sugar. The bakers make these beautiful treats which is really nice to see, considering they are home bakers.

Ragnarok (2020–2023)

What the shark jumping over the land of Norway was that??

[5/10 · 26 August 2023]

The first 2 seasons were good! Not excellent, but definitely good enough to watch on a Sunday afternoon. The acting was good, the story was awesome, and there was potential to take the story in a million directions.

Third season. The first few episodes were dull, but looking like they were leading up to something. They focused more on teenage junk than in the first 2 seasons, but I was invested by this point, so I hung in there.

Final episode. What? Why did I watch it in the first place if it was a delusion? And the insinuation that the delusion was over simply because he grew up is just crazy sauce.

It almost feels like the writers were going along, typing away, drinking coffee, and then someone came in the room and said, "ok, wrap this thing up next episode, whether or not it makes sense, however you can."

Love & Death (2023)

Consequences

[9/10 · 20 August 2023]

First of all, Elizabeth Olsen has skills. I am blown away! She needs to be in more television! The other actors are great, but I think we all knew about their skills before this.

Second, I agree with what another reviewer said about it not looking like true crime until a few episodes in, and that does make it more powerful.

And third. What struck me most was any lack of considering the consequences for both Candy and Allan. You're bored with your life, looking for something exciting, but what they did was playing with fire. You never know how other people might react to things. They seemed pretty unaware of it until Betty picked up the axe.

And finally, I find it shocking this was made. These people are mostly alive and some were children when this happened. It must be tough to go through life with this kind of thing on your back... your entire life. Possibly this was the reason that the children were barely seen or heard.

Overall, very good. Slow burner for sure. Humanity isn't always pretty.

Operation Mayfair (2023)

Not good

[1/10 · 27 May 2023]

The low reviews here are correct. This was painful to watch. The acting is not good, but the storyline was ridiculous.

I always go into a movie with the understanding that you have to give some wiggle room to the writers. In order to move a story, sometimes things have to happen that aren't realistic. That's only excusable if the rest of the movie makes sense! This movie did not make any sense.

I don't know what it takes to make a serial killer, but I'm sure that the reasons given here are not adequate. And it made for some scenes that were just dumb.

I regret watching this movie. It was terrible.

Muted (2023)

Not great. It's ok.

[6/10 · 21 May 2023]

It's not what it looks like. The beginning is not indicative of the rest of the show. I agree with another reviewer who said they stretched it out too far. And the character of the shrink was so unbelievable, it's hard to look past it. Seriously, it cannot be overstated - that character is just unreal. No adult would make those decisions.

The acting is ok. Not terrible, not great. The story line is just convoluted. This is a good show to have on while you do other things. After watching the first episode, get the laundry done, clean your kitchen, and check back every once in a while. Be back for the final episode, and you won't have missed anything.

Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024)

Good show

[8/10 · 20 May 2023]

My husband and I both loved Power. This show is not as good as Power, but it's still a good show. Tariq was not fun to watch in Power. He's better in this one, but this is more about a group of people than one guy, and that's the major difference in the two shows.

Ghost had internal dilemmas. Tariq just has problems to solve. But the supporting cast makes it work. There is a lot more buildup in this show as well, and a lot less violence.

I literally have no idea what the characters clothing is. I see some reviews about that, but as I couldn't care less, I don't notice that stuff. The music is good, and most of the actors are good. It's a solid show. Just don't expect it to be the original Power, and you won't be disappointed.

Faithfully Yours (2022)

Reasonable way to spend an evening

[7/10 · 19 May 2023]

The premise is interesting - two women using each other as an alibi and then things go wrong. There are a few unreasonable parts of the movie which don't make sense, as other reviewers have said. And yes, I agree, the ending was ridiculous. The acting is not good.

However, I was genuinely entertained. I kept trying to figure out what was happening and who was the bad guy. The movie gets points for that - it's not obvious who the bad guy is, and really, depending on how you define "bad guy," it really gets iffy.

Speaking of which, the characters aren't likable. None of them. So really, the big positives here are story and mystery. And that part was done very well.

The OA (2016–2019)

First season is better

[8/10 · 17 May 2023]

The first season was really incredible - it was beautifully written, and the visuals were dream-like. It was an original fantasy show, plopped in the real world. Brilliant idea. There were a few flaws with the first season - but it could be overlooked because of the brilliance of the rest of it. Prairie comes home after being kidnapped and needs to get back. If you haven't watched it yet, don't read any more than that - go in as blind as possible.

However, the second season was verging on ridiculous. I can overlook a certain amount of plot holes in the name of entertainment and imagination, but this was too much. If nothing else, when you jump dimensions into another body, what happens to the person that was using that body? But the moment I knew the series was doomed was the ending. The laziest plot device ever - forgetting who you are. Sorry. I would not have watched the third season of they had made one.

First season - fantastic.

Second season - watchable. But only just.

Sweet Tooth (2021– )

Great series

[9/10 · 17 May 2023]

An original idea - finally. We get so many remakes of other shows and it's nice to see someone out there with some imagination. In a post-pandemic world, we follow Gus, a hybrid boy who is half deer, on his journey to find a home, whatever form that may take. He meets Big Man and Bear, and they have their own issues to bring to the mix.

The acting is decent, the writing is good, and the story is certainly original. The only real flaw is that the other hybrids seem more animal than human, so it's difficult to see how they will grow up in that world. But aside from that random concern, the show is very sweet. The boy who plays Gus is adorable, and Big Man is great as the reluctant father figure. The two have awesome father-son chemistry.

The last episode of the second season was the best. The writer needs an award for that one. I'm looking forward to the next season in Alaska!

Piku (2015)

Awesome movie

[10/10 · 16 May 2023]

This is my favorite Bollywood movie. This was the first movie I saw with Deepika Padukone, and now I always refer to her as Piku whenever I see her in another movie.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan is absolutely hilarious in this movie and of course steals every scene. Irrfan Khan is also great, but he was always good in everything. With this cast, it was going to be a great movie. The script is good, the scenery is good.

Sometimes when Bollywood makes a movie with a message, they beat you over the head with it. There's usually a huge moment where everyone is silent and finally the lead actor makes a speech and now everyone understands the point. This is not like that - this is subtle. Respect your ancestors. It's a pretty basic message, but they've wrapped it in such a beautiful, funny, sweet story. Highly recommend!!

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Beauty with a pinch of tragedy

[9/10 · 15 May 2023]

Ok more than a pinch of tragedy. Colin Farrell is good and surprisingly convincing at playing a dim character. And you feel bad for this guy who just doesn't seem to understand what's happening around him, even when it's spelled out for him. Of course, when it's spelled out for him, it's just hard to hear. Even for the viewer, it's hard to hear.

The scenery is beautiful. You could just turn down the volume and just enjoy the scenery. But again, with these kinds of movies, it's not for everyone. There is no car chase, no sex scenes, no real drug use, there is just the internal dilemma in two of the characters and the utter confusion in the third.

It's definitely worth watching. Don't be multitasking though. Sit still and see the beauty of the island and the tragedy that unfolds when one person outgrows another.

Power (2014–2020)

Best show ever

[10/10 · 15 May 2023]

My husband and I loved this show! We watched it start to finish. If you haven't watched it yet, know it is violent. My sister couldn't even get through the first episode. But seriously the story is incredible.

Ghost is one of the best characters ever. He's conflicted in almost every way, and he struggles throughout the series. It's not so much about right and wrong, or even legal or illegal, it's about survival for himself and everyone around him. The definition of survival takes different forms, and most importantly, it's been shaped in him early in life in contrasting ways. Internally, Ghost never really had a chance. He was never going to be able to satisfy all the different parts of himself. But it is amazing watching him try.

Angela, Tasha, the kids - all important, but Tommy is one of my favorite characters ever. The two of them together make great television.

The last season started to go downhill, and the last few episodes suck. But even with that, this show is great! Highly recommend!

The Mother (2023)

Good popcorn action movie

[7/10 · 15 May 2023]

This is not the best movie ever made, but it's definitely worth a watch. It's an action movie for sure, but for some reason the writers felt the need to add a child to the mix. I don't see why the bad guys couldn't come after the good guy without there being a child to protect. That is unless you can't envision a woman being a badass on her own account, then of course she must be maternal.

Jennifer Lopez does a better job than I thought she would, and definitely plays a tough guy very well. I hope she plays this kind of role again, but maybe without having to be maternal next time. Just being a regular assassin is enough for Jason Bourne, it should be enough for Lopez. But aside from that, sure, it's a decent watch. Not awesome, but not horrible. Just a regular action movie. For those of us that like action movies, it's worth a bag of popcorn.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Not the original. That's not terrible.

[9/10 · 15 May 2023]

Nothing can beat the original Blade Runner. It's a cult classic and one of the best movies of my generation. Luckily, they didn't try to, so that's a plus.

Good atmosphere, decent acting, decent storyline. The end did surprise me. I guess it shouldn't have... but it did. Don't read too many reviews before watching it. You should go in blind, but you should have watched the original before watching this, or it probably won't have the same impact.

The question of life and what it means is there, but not as impactful as in the first one. We don't have Rutger Hauer trying to save his own life (however you define it) by whatever means necessary, but seriously, that is a moment can never be duplicated. But it's still a decent movie - definitely worth a watch or two.

The Sandman (2022– )

Beautiful, dark, dreamy

[10/10 · 14 May 2023]

I loved this. The atmosphere was perfect, the actors were great, and the world created for the audience was just enough to sink into.

I can also see that it's not for everyone. Some people need for there to be constant action, or a constant forward movement in the story. But if you can just set that aside, and fall into this world created for you, this is a great show. It doesn't always tell the story in a straight line, so if you're ok with that, this is a good show.

Also, the best episode was the one with Death. It was so beautifully made. The story was so lovely and the actress did such a good job. Dream is great too - very old-man grumpy in a slick way, but Death stole the show.

So good - I hope there are many seasons to come!

Laal Singh Chaddha (2022)

Bolly-Gump is worth a watch!

[10/10 · 14 May 2023]

It's Forest Gump, Bollywood style. Yes, some things are different, but it had to be to fit the Indian culture. I think you can watch this movie as an American with no understanding of Indian culture, just as long as you see that it's the same exact movie, just done for a different audience. And why would it be the same? It's a different movie so it's made differently.

Aamir Khan is really the only actor who could have played this role. He's got that Tom Hanks swagger - he can look like an adult man, but with a childlike expression, and be adorable doing it. He's done this for years, so it's obvious he had to be Forest Gump.

Usually when I look at reviews for Bollywood movies, I trust the ratings. Anything 7-9 is going to be top notch, and 1-5 will be trashy. 6 is a maybe. But this movie is only a 5??? No way. This movie is different than the usual shaadi movies... that doesn't make it bad!

Locke & Key (2020–2022)

First seasons were good!

[8/10 · 14 May 2023]

The last season was not good. I love the premise. It's a magical idea - imagine your family moves into a big giant house that belonged to your ancestors, and you get to explore this gorgeous house, and then there are further bits of magic to find in the form of ancient keys... which allow you to do magic. Such a great idea!

Fabulous premise. The actors are great, the direction, the music, everything is top notch. It was one of my favorite shows... and then in the last season they did the lazy storytelling of going back in time... and then it was just dull. I was so bored during the last season I could barely pay attention to what was happening. It was a gift when the show was over. 10/10 for first 2 seasons. Rating takes a hit for the last one.