alsupremo Reviews

Top Boy (2011–2023)

Difficult to understand if you don't speak Patois

[3/10 · 6 October 2023]

Started on Netflix season One which is actually season 3. Recommend starting with the ITV Season 1 and 2 so you will understand it better. Season 1 and 2 are called Top Boy Summerhill whereas Netflix Season 1 is actually season 3 and then 4 and 5

It started in Jamaica which the actors speaking Jamaican Patois which is difficult to understand even with subtitles on.

The acting is quite brilliant as they are really hard nose and strong. If you didn't know they were acting you'd believe they are actual gang member with the way they look each other in the eyes.

The sad thing is it shows the real side of exported Jamaican crime that actually exists in large Jamaican populations. Reminded me of the wire.

No One's with the Calves (2021)

A slow movie that drags on for 116 minutes

[2/10 · 25 November 2022]

The lead actress's acting was very good but the movie never really gets going. It moves slowly through progressive events with no real connection. Some results are predictable but basically a sad for all involved including the animals and told poorly.

Several people left the cinema mid film. There are English subtitles but the trailer I found online was in German. This movie was chosen by our German consulate as the German submission to our European Film Festival. Despite great expectations this movie did not live up to the hype that preceded it.

There is also an online interview on Youtube with the director and lead actress.

A Day in the Life of a Teddy Bear (2022)

A natural clean story with no political undertones or hidden agendas

[10/10 · 20 November 2022]

A beautiful love story with some very touching emotional scenes, especially when 2 strangers can bring a daughter and father back together. Shot not only in Shanghai but also in Greece and Austria capturing the beauty of all 3 places.

The script was very cleverly crafted to incorporate conversation between 2 strangers of opposite sex and culture in a humorous way.

I liked that it wasn't a typical sexually provocative movie where people drop their morals but one that deals with old time morals and avoids bedroom and sexual encounters. I was hooked from beginning to end.

The Director was present for our showing but I couldn't stay until the questions and answers. I wanted to know why Shanghai was depicted with so few cars and people. Empty roads and no crowds. My experience of Shanghai is that people are everywhere. Maybe the Government edited and restricted the ugly side of the city to promote a positive view.

Anyway a real fairytale and feel good movie.

The Terminal List (2022– )

Suspense but may encourage more rifle totting fans.

[4/10 · 9 July 2022]

This is very American showing America performing raids on another country and then running around the US with lethal weapons like high powered rifles that have been used in many mass murders. Also shows the FBI armed to the hilt as if they were an army rather than a Police Service.

The show was entertaining but any media who's theme is about killing with military armourment in civilian life shows the gun problem in the US. This type of movie really portrays a firearms crazy society.

Helene (2020)

Amazing cinematography

[9/10 · 1 December 2020]

The shots are filmed as if they were stills with people moving within the shots rather than panning. Outside shots are framed with trees or other structures either side with little panning. Some are worthy of still photo awards. Photos of a lake and field are filmed very low which also gives a different perspective. Inside scenes have a symmetry to them. The subject or other focal point is in the centre of the frame. A point on a wall or corner maybe the centre point then the walls on both sides are equally represented in the frame making each shot very unique. The lighting is also carefully used with candles and little window light illuminating the subjects with side light and managing to keep the home interior dull and drab but enjoyable. A narrow depth of field at times accentuates the subject blurring others. The story is touching but the film is a little slow. I would give it a 7 if were not for the unique framing of scenes.

Homecoming (2018–2020)

Great storyline but some really annoying items

[5/10 · 29 January 2020]

The storyline is unusual and a pleasant change from the usual detective type stories. Liked the fact that the ten episodes were each only 30 minutes long. By the time I got to episode 8 I just suffered thru 9 and 10 to see the ending. Annoying items. 1: Julia Roberts wigs. Ridiculous. The brown wig for 2018 was way too big, covered most of her face and the bangs hanged down into her eyes. Very annoying. The brown wig for the second time period was weird and also didn't look right. 2: The screen kept jumping from a full size rectangle screen to a square scene. Supposed to show a change in time or topic I guess!! 3: The music was more like common sounds in life like aeroplane noises etc. Not regular music as is the norm. Would not recommend this series at all.

Rebellion (2016–2019)

A little slow and brutal

[5/10 · 20 April 2019]

It's an enjoyable series but I couldn't help feeling sorry for the British. A brutal uprising with more than 3 times the number of deaths on the British side and many more civilians. You can see how brutal the IRA were which continued right into the twentieth century. A really sad part of history which shouldn't glorify murderers. Period dress and sets very well done.

The Parting Glass (2018)

A very slow movie

[2/10 · 26 March 2019]

This film started very slowly with numerous stops for coffee or tea and jostling for positions in a car convoy. Many shots inside of vehicle and concentrating on conversations. This script would be more suited to a play than a movie. The family group appeared disorganized which was frustrating to watch. Story didn't seem to be going anywhere fast.

Tomorrow (I) (2018)

An excellent movie

[10/10 · 26 March 2019]

Was misled by the writeup of this movie and thought it was another Afghanistan or Iraq US war movie. The Director, Martha Pinson and Executive Producer Martin Scorsese surprised me when I started watching it as it was entirely British. The English terms used really enhanced the comedy. The interaction between the cast melds very well and naturally making the entire film moving and believable. This film is about a light hearted look at relationships in adversity with very little war footage.

Cold Brook (2018)

This should be called a Night at the Museum 2

[1/10 · 26 March 2019]

William Fichtner did a great job of acting but the remainder of the cast were mediocre. The story and comedy is weak and a little silly, similar theme to other movies like Night at the Museum. The Two museum Police officers were depicted as absolutely stupid to try to get cheap laughs but the comedy was more embarrassing than funny. Saw this at a Florida film festival and was one of the worst shown.

Ófærð (2015– )

Great story but many errors

[7/10 · 31 December 2016]

First episode starts with a motor cycle in daylight. 2 occupants enter a building in daylight and by the time they reach the top of the stairs it's night outside. A torso is found and it is immediately assumed it came from the Danish ferry that hadn't even passed the fishing boat that caught it, a physical impossibility. Then the Police Chief holds the ferry for searching and goes off to pick up his kids to take them home leaving the ferry with all the people and vehicles on board. For a series of this magnitude coming from a Country with only 300,000 people it is really good but who ever advised on Policing and forensic work issues didn't do a good job. Despite these errors I'm pushing thru to see all episodes as it is such a relief from most of the terrible US series. Iceland is always on my list after seeing a previous crime series and the Iceland football team that outperformed in the recent European Cup.

Masterminds (2015)

Dreadful, a great movie to play to idiots

[1/10 · 15 October 2016]

The story line has great potential but it is not executed very well. Filming was well done but the acting is overdone. Location is varied but even in Mexico they depict all the actors as bubbling idiots The film depicts everyone as of low intelligence, the bad guys the FBI etc. Humour is stupid, more slapstick and in poor sexual taste than funny. Watching this film I felt that it was an insult to my intelligence. Zach Galifianakis's makeup was not realistic and with his southern accent it came across as very false. I'm not sure why southerners have to be depicted all the time as dumb. Owen Wilson was his usual boring self, same role he plays in all movies. If this had been produced with the some class it could have been very interest

Marco Polo (2014–2016)

Marco Polo is brilliantly done. Stop knocking it.

[9/10 · 18 December 2014]

I've read several reviews and I can't believe how the American media is calling this a flop for Netflix. This series really become additive. Watched the 10 episodes in 3 evenings. The scenery locations are very believably depicted and it was difficult to know where it was filmed even knowing the filming locations. The digital imagery was excellent in depicting distant shots of armies, camps or cities. The cast selection was different and varied but mixed well. The decision to use English by all was pulled off well. An especially good effect was the non American accents. The English modelled some old English terminology and was pronounced mostly in an English accent giving it a more authentic feel. This was probably due to the fact most actors were cast from Australia and Britain with some Canadian, American, Singaporean and Chinese actors. Great acting, makeup and writing. Really enjoyed it.