rivervalo Reviews

The Bricklayer (2023)

Entertaining, in the wrong way

[25 January 2024]

So, the Greek minister gives a speech to the Greek people during an anti American protest, in ENGLISH? Really?

The scene at the night club is beyond laughable. There is a gunfight and people keep on dancing? And the club owner with his gang.. There isn't an ounce of Greek blood in those boys, especially the way they are dressed and those neck tattoos

The scene at the Plateia Emporiou is equally laughable. All those people, wrong accents, wrong faces, wrongly dressed, a woman is being beaten and no one intervenes.

The subway does not work in reality, the voice announcing the arrivals and departures has a foreign accent, bell boys do not wear a uniform, neither do waiters.. I can go on but I won't.

The Lovers (2023–2024)

Brilliant

[11 September 2023]

Funny as hell, serious without being melodramatic. Sensitive, awkward, unexpected at times, honest, witty, blunt, intelligent

The chemistry between the two protagonists is magnetic. You can actually feel the desire and longing they have for one another .I was literally holding my breath at certain moments while they were gazing at each other's eyes.

The filming and location is beautiful, especially Ireland. The pacing is quick, except for the last episode, in my opinion of course

I am guessing that season two (if there will be one) will pursue the things that divide them, religion, politics, even more.

One Night (2023)

What do you remember?

[10 September 2023]

Is it true? Or have you created memories, because you do not want to remember what really happened?

Maybe you remember bits and pieces, how you felt at that particular night? What you thought has happened?

But then again, maybe you have blocked the whole night out in order to protect yourself?

Where is the truth between what these three women remember? Perhaps somewhere in the middle. Perhaps they do not have all the information that they need, in order to find out.

I watched this in one day, I am the same age as these women and I still find it difficult to admit that 20 years ago the concept of consent was unfamiliar territory.

Bay of Fires (2023– )

First two episodes very promising

[24 July 2023]

Well, Australia has some of the best tv shows this season. Totally Completely Fine, Deadloch , Black Snow, even Colin from Accounts.

This is entertaining, there is lots of mystery, especially involving all the sketchy residents of that tiny little village. I cannot wait to watch more episodes.

Tasmania is extremely beautiful in all its wilderness.

The acting is top notch.

I do not want to repeat other users ideas, so I am gonna say that I totally agree with storyteller99 and chxrlesy

I have a feeling that this will improve even more.

Just give it a try and be patient, especially if you liked the 4 tv shows I refer to at the start.

Love's Greek to Me (2023 TV Movie)

I'm Greek and this is totally cringe

[25 June 2023]

I am used to parents manipulating their children using phrases like "we are a family", "only mommy will love you so much", so the mother in law did not leave a bad impression on me as a character. I have met worse.

The actress playing her, Marina Sirtis, did a pretty good job. So did. Torrey DeVitto. As for Yiannis Tsimitselis who played the boyfriend, he is as expressionless as always.

His character though was the real cringe, trying to manipulate his girlfriend using "you don't love me" and "you don't know what you want" in order to get his way with her. No, this is not love ,nor romance. This is pure gaslighting.

The Responder: Episode #1.5 (2022) Season 1, Episode 5

A slap in the face

[13 June 2023]

If a police officer who knows that the law is on her side, who knows exactly what to do in case of domestic abuse, has to struggle with herself in order to report her abuser, I have to wonder how difficult it must be for other women to do so.

I understand that she has been a police officer only for a few months and that the abuse has been going on for years, but still I was surprised with the amount of courage she had to gather in order to face her abuser. That should be a lesson to all people who wonder "why does she keep on staying?" Once again excellent acting, especially from Adelayo Adedayo and Martin Freeman.

Totally Completely Fine (2023)

Are you people mad?

[11 June 2023]

This is one of the greatest and most original series on tv and you decided to cancel it?

Apart from being well written, with exceptional casting, viewers come to connect, like, even love all the characters. Everyone is who and how they are for a reason that is explained clearly to us. Even the deranged bride.

In these six episodes you will experience many feelings. This show will make you both laugh and cry. You will be stunned at times. You will be furious at other times.

Please reconsider a second season. I cannot believe that Colin from Accounts has better reviews and will continue for another season. This is soooo much better.

Divorce Bait (2022)

Disgusting

[9 April 2023]

There is no other word to describe this movie. Unless you are a 15 year old, or you are watching this with your drinking buddies, there is no way you would like this.

Everything revolves around sex. The cursing, the description of sex scenes, everything made me want to vomit.

The cinematography is so bad that I believe someone shot this with his phone. The framing is off, the colours are off. Seriously two critics decided that this was worth watching?

I honestly have no idea what else to write. I certainly do not recommend this to anyone and I cannot believe that someone paid money to make such a vile movie.

The Power: The Day of the Girls (2023) Season 1, Episode 4

See us! Hear us

[9 April 2023]

Best episode so far. I couldn't stop crying. This is the reality in most Middle East countries. Women are oppressed, beaten, even denied education. Just yesterday I read an article that school girls in Iran are being poisoned for wanting to go to school.

I hope this review will be published, unlike the first one that I wrote about this show. I do not understand why the first one was not published. My only guess is that it was Sunday and there were many other reviews to handle.

I hope that we will see again what is the situation in Middle east. I do not think that things will be so easily resolved. I really wish they could.

Up Here (2023)

Not that interesting

[26 March 2023]

It's one of those series that while I am watching, I get up, make myself something to eat, do the dishes,, while I am listening to what is going on, and I know I am not missing something important.

The story is sweet, the acting is good, there are certainly some very funny scenes, but the feeling is wrong. I guess that the songs are kind of mediocre, and the voices in their heads don't add much to the plot

Where is New York? The outdoor scenes are so few and it could be anywhere in the world. It is 1999 but it feels like its 1995. Where are the mobile phones? Where is the frenzy of entering a new millennium? The worry that it could be the end of the world? That the computers could crash?

Also I have some doubt about the clothing choices.

I noticed that the rating is higher amongst US users, than the rest of us.

Once Upon a Main Street (2020 TV Movie)

Having trouble sleeping?

[8 January 2023]

Then you should certainly watch this movie. You will fall asleep during. Most Christmas movies lately are supposed to be about romance. Girl meets boy, they instantly dislike one another but in the end something happens and they fall in love. In this movie nothing happens. All action is feebly. I believe this is the first time I rate a movie so low, but I honestly cannot find one positive thing to say. Everything screams that this is a low budget film. I am starting to miss the 90;s where all Christmas movies were about Santa. That's all folks.. Really? Still haven't reached the required characters?

Ludik (2022)

Once again netflix ruined a perfectly good show

[27 September 2022]

I wish I knew there was a choice in watching this in Afrikaan and not the horrid choice that netflix made for me . The English compilation/dubbing, I do not know if its the right word, was awful. The sound was AWFUL.

This is the second time that happens .The first one I tried to watch a German show and the actors spoke English, so I knew that something was off. But this time I honestly didn't suspect anything.

Every language is unique and beautiful and I prefer to listen to the original and read subtitles.

I give an extra point for that mistake ,for which I blame netflix I liked the story, the pace, the characters. It kept me interested and it was enjoyable.

Karen Pirie (2022– )

Exactly what I expected

[27 September 2022]

Sometimes I wonder what's wrong with people giving bad reviews...I guess you have excellent tv shows in your country and you don't have to watch all the garbage that netflix has to serve.

No this is not another Shetland. Nor inspector Morse, Vera or any other show that has been on tv for years. It will probably be a mini series. And I am still trying to figure out how someone claims to have seen three episodes, when only one has been aired.

Moreover, this is not a thriller. It is a crime show

I didn't notice any problems with the sound, since I 've been watching this with subtitles, but I guess there are, since enough people complained about it.

I liked the story, the characters, the actors And yes many people had home computers in 1996, but police interrogations were recorded with cameras using film. I do not remember digital cameras. Correct me if I'm wrong.

After the Verdict (2022)

It was refreshing

[20 September 2022]

I really, really liked this. It was fun to watch, I cannot wait for next season.

I don't understand people who say that the characters aren't real. You either live in your private little bubble or you re too young.

Anyway it' s not a life changing show, but if you re looking for something to watch and have a good time, I really recommend this.

It is not scary, there are no violent scenes, no cursing, sometimes the lines are a bit awkward, but so is life and so are real people.

I think it's the first Australian show that I actually enjoyed Why do the reviews have to be so long? I am not a tv critic.