deltaop Reviews

Shōgun (2024–2026)

Immersive Storytelling!

[9/10 · 20 March 2024]

5 episodes in, and this is one of the most immersive seasons I have seen in a long time. Not since early episodes of GoT have I been so truly and fully immersed in the story of a season due to exceptional world-building.

The creative staff of this season has gone to great lengths to stay true to the Japanese culture of the time - be it customs, costumes, and even language. The majority of the dialogue of this show is in Japanese and it adds to the richness of the whole setting. Additionally, the Japanese cast bring in much needed native flair to the screen with powerful performances.

Experiencing this season as a labor of love that stays true to the source material is a breath of fresh air in the banality that is current TV.

Teri Meri Kahaniyaan (2023)

Pakistani Cinema is confused

[5/10 · 2 July 2023]

Apart from a few truly stellar cinematic films (Maula Jutt, Moor, Manto, Waar, Namaloom Afraad, Laal Kabootar), Pakistani Cinema is confused. Most films are like directors trying to copy-paste a TV drama onto the big screen.

The same is the case with this anthology. They are a good collection of short films, but definitely not for the big screen. The second film was essentially an extended ad for Cadbury Dairy Milk, it was so bad. This should have been a digital release. Save for some excellent cinematic scenes at the end of the third short film, nothing was truly cinema eye-candy.

Pakistani directors should realize that making movies for the cinema is different than making them for the TV/Computer screen. There is a thing called cinematic experience.

Also, Khalilur Rehman should stick to writing cringey, misogynistic dramas.

Definitely not one to be watched in cinemas, see it digitally or on TV.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Udûn (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

That's the end of the line for me...

[4/10 · 3 October 2022]

I am not a Tolkien superfan, but I enjoyed the LoTR trilogy immensely. That was the only thing that made me watch this show and, in doing so, with each episode I was disappointed.

There is poor character development, story-boarding, and pacing. The characters make no sense and lore is thrown at a pace that can not be easily digested by someone who hasn't read the books.

The characters' decisions do not make sense most of the time. There were several points in this episode where I felt that I was watching Dumb and Dumber. I mean, why give up a fortified position to fight in huts? Why stop someone killing someone but then try to kill the same someone yourself? What is the point of Harfoots? Why are some of the key dialogues just rephrasing of what has been said in LoTR?

In closing, I gave this series a fair shot by reserving my verdict till I have actually watched a good amount of it. But alas, I have only wasted time on something that is an insult to LoTR and good TV. I hope nothing comes out of that volcanic ash alive.

Marianne (2019)

Horror TV done right

[8/10 · 15 September 2019]

I went into this series not expecting much. However, three episodes in I am super creeped out by this show. You know the horror is good when you are dreading the next jump-scare scene.

The main characters are well fleshed out, and their portrayals by the respective actors are equally good. However, it is Mireille Herbstmeyer (Mrs Daugeron / Marianne), that really shines through with her depiction of a possessed elderly women. She gives you the chills, just by being on screen with that manic, often misplaced, smile of her's.

I really liked the fast-paced nature of the series as well. I am yet to find a filler scene. Everything seems necessary. And as the story unravels rapidly, you get drawn in, never being let go of.

Highly recommended for horror fans.

Bill Burr: Paper Tiger (2019 TV Special)

Best comedian of our generation!

[10/10 · 11 September 2019]

Easily, one of the best standups I have ever seen. Bill Burr is an unrivaled master of his craft - at least in our times. He may come off as highly negative & opinionated to some - but herein lies his chief crowd-pulling factor: he takes stuff that a layman is thinking, filters it down to a one-liner with his comic genius, and we all laugh with him.

I may not agree with the controversial subject matter of some of his jokes, but I sure was falling out of my chair laughing at the way he was putting it out there. And that, in my opinion, is the hallmark of a great comedian.

More power to you Bill Burr.

P.S.: Really liked the audience as well, really lively - a far cry from some of the dead, triggered audiences that are, unfortunately, quite commonplace nowadays.

Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2019) Season 8, Episode 6

Broken King, Broken Ending

[1/10 · 20 May 2019]

Not since the final season of Dexter has a show fallen so much in quality. Dumb & Dumber, you will be remembered in history as the idiot writers who ruined a perfect show. Your egos got too big for it. You thought you could shock us into liking your dull writing by incorporating thin twists into the tale. But we aren't soap opera fans. We don't KNEEL to shoddy writing. We are the Free Folk. And we freely and utterly dislike how you have treated the wrapping up of GoT.

Chernobyl: Please Remain Calm (2019) Season 1, Episode 2

Best show on TV right now!

[10/10 · 14 May 2019]

There are no two ways about it, Chernobyl is the best show on TV right now. Just two episodes in, and it is perfect in its storyboarding and acting.

A strong premise brimming with sustained tension along with powerful performances by Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson, draw you in and don't let you go until the very end.

Fellow Game of Thrones disappointees, drown your sorrows with this one!

Game of Thrones: The Last of the Starks (2019) Season 8, Episode 4

Telenovella quality writing

[2/10 · 6 May 2019]

Oh, what a mess, what a steaming mess. Who are Dumb & Dumber trying to please with such shallow writing? If the storyboarding in the last couple of seasons was mediocre, in this season it has been absolutely abysmal. You know the writing is bad when you have to do a feature piece after each episode to explain the bull feces you have put on prime-time television.

Honestly, the plot loopholes were so immense this episode that I kept expecting a Telemundo logo to replace the HBO one. But then again, a Telemundo soap opera might have been a better watch.

This show didn't have to end like this, but looks like it will. Here's to hoping that George Lucas realizes the shoddiness of Dumb & Dumber, and saves the Star Wars franchise from their utter mediocrity.

Game of Thrones: The Long Night (2019) Season 8, Episode 3

Deus Ex Machina

[5/10 · 29 April 2019]

Deus ex machina - these are the three words I would use to describe the major plot points of this episode. What an underwhelming and anticlimatic episode in terms of character arcs.

I don't take anything away from the crew who were behind many of the amazing action scenes (thus the slightly higher rating), but the writing is way below-par. For instance, in such a one-sided battle, it is amazing that none of the main characters die - despite being cornered/surrounded multiple times. And the way, the Night King was killed - that deserves a rant of its own.

Oh and I almost forgot - before watching this episode (if you haven't watched it already), please do make sure that the brightness on your TV/monitor can go well beyond the standard 100. Otherwise, you will be squinting at your screen half the time; trying to make out what the hell is going on.

Game of Thrones: Winterfell (2019) Season 8, Episode 1

Meh!

[4/10 · 15 April 2019]

Game of Thrones is going down the drain. Admit it people. Weis and Benioff are taking A Song of Ice & Fire and literally butchering it.

There is nothing in the current GoT that is on par with George R. R. Martin's impeccable and realistic storytelling that drove the series to its current heights between season 1 and 5. You just aren't invested in the happenings anymore. There is no element of deep intrigue that gets woven through seasons and episodes. Instead you have happenings that just happen.

Happenings that don't stand on any concrete footing. There is no build up to them. Theon just drops in and gets a jump on Euron's crew while they are at sea and amongst the famed mercenaries of the Golden Company! And Sansa just becomes a scheming megalomaniac who is hell-bent on undermining Jon Snow! And yes, vicious dragons love to snort disapproval at kissing couples. (I forget, is it "How To Train Your Dragon" I am watching?)

Furthermore, now there is no fear of the series yanking your favorite character away. You know they are going to survive against all odds (Snow wasn't going to fall off that flipping dragon despite that cheap plummet). Probably only dying during those Transformers-style, mid-season and penultimate episodes.

During this premiere, I spent more time browsing Reddit on my phone than actually being captivated by anything happening on-screen. Things have gotten so banal that even the "spice ups" don't look appealing anymore.

I miss the GoT that had me forgetting to take a sip from the drink in my hand. I miss GRRM's storytelling. I feel sad for the shallow, commercialized fodder this series has become.

Teefa In Trouble (2018)

Thoroughly entertaining

[8/10 · 22 July 2018]

I originally didn't intend to watch this film but the word-of-mouth advertising for this film was everywhere after the first couple of days of its release. I was forced to give it a try and I am glad I did.

Most of the stuff was top notch about it. Cinematography was beautiful with some stellar tracking and panoramic shots. Choreography was also a breath of fresh air (particularly the lake song - it had me in awe). Dialogue was excellent with some great comic relief thrown in between (despite an inclination to be Punjabi-heavy at times). Fight choreography was also quite well done with clear Bruce Lee influences.

Most of all, I was impressed by the acting. Ali Zafar shone in his character of an avant-garde Punjabi badmash with a unique moral compass. Maya Ali never skipped a heartbeat in playing an empowered woman character that was a far cry from her meek and subservient roles in TV dramas. Faisal Qureshi was exceptional as a sidekick to Ali Zafar and provided some memorable laugh-out-loud moments. The supporting cast of Javed Sheikh, Mehmood Aslam, Nayyar Ijaz (who is becoming somewhat of an icon for his eccentric roles in Pakistani cinema), and Seemi Raheel were all quite memorable.

Despite the overwhelming positives, I still had some issues with the film. Songs in the first half left a bit to be desired but were compensated for by the exceptional melancholy numbers in the 2nd half of the film. Length could also have been reduced to around the 2 hr mark. Barring these two gripes, a highly recommended film with great rewatchability and entertainment value.

Better Call Saul: Witness (2017) Season 3, Episode 2

The wheels are turning!

[10/10 · 18 April 2017]

After last week's glacial episode, it finally looks like BCS writer are turning the heat on. This episode was perfect. It reminded me of those awesome Breaking Bad episodes of the final seasons where you could cut the tension with a knife.

What I like the most about this episode is that it progresses quite markedly on two very important plot points of the major story arc - Ehrmantraut's involvement with the cartel, and Jimmy's deteriorating relationship with his brother. The story-boarding was perfect and the episode was perfectly paced. This is quite unlike the previous episode where there was little to no plot progression and a bunch of needlessly elongated filler scenes.

I can't wait for next week.

Legion: Chapter 7 (2017) Season 1, Episode 7

A perfect episode

[10/10 · 29 March 2017]

This was, hands down, the best episode of the season so far. It has all the elements of a signature Legion episode - well-chosen music, stellar cinematography, brilliant acting and an excellent overall ambiance. But it had one thing in addition that made it stand out from the rest of the season: linearity.

I believe, for the first time we were able to follow the story in a linear fashion without the confusing time-line jumps. Furthermore, a lot of the convoluted concepts from earlier episodes were elucidated pretty well in that 'blackboard session.'

Finally, with that cliffhanger of an ending, I will be very interested to see how the season progresses next week.

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)

A Journey Towards Enlightenment

[10/10 · 5 September 2016]

Like Carl Sagan before him, Tyson, takes us on an epic journey of the cosmos. From the beginning of time to its predicted end, the story is beautifully told through impeccable animations.

I remained glued to my screen throughout, taking in all the wealth of information presented before me. Never once did my scientific naiveté come in the way as complex concepts were elucidated excellently.

I really loved the writing of this series which doesn't let the impression of the grandiose nature of our universe fade. Exceptional scientific discoveries that unfolded over the ages have been narrated stupendously. I particularly liked the episode concerning Michael Faraday - I think it was one of the best in the series.

Conclusively, this docu-series is one of the best to come out in recent times. I will forever cherish it for the scientific enlightenment it brought in my life.

The Night Of: The Beach (2016) Season 1, Episode 1

Brimming with tension

[10/10 · 13 July 2016]

The Beach is an excellent episode of what promises to be a stellar TV series. It is brimming with sustained tension ever since Naz gets in the cab to go to a party. This is the reason why the unconventional runtime feels like a fleeting occurrence. Not for one second do you get the notion that you are forcibly sitting through the episode.

The characters are also very well-drawn out and any Pakistani\Indian can directly relate to those on Naz's side of affairs. Furthermore, other characters aren't shallow as well with Detective Box and the eccentric lawyer, John Stone, leading the pack in terms of character depth.

Barring the long wait before the release of the second episode, this series is shaping up to be great a whodunit. Needless to say, HBO delivers again.

Penny Dreadful: The Blessed Dark (2016) Season 3, Episode 9

A Fitting End

[10/10 · 20 June 2016]

Penny Dreadful is masterful television and I expected no less from it than to end without getting all hackneyed. This is exactly what has happened. The showrunners have beautifully, albeit a little abruptly, wrapped up the series while it was still going strong. That being said, we all would have loved for PD to continue, and it could easily have been drawn out to at least a couple more seasons but it would have lost much of its creative punch by then. Something a show of PD's caliber doesn't deserve.

Coming to the episode, it was perfectly paced. The penultimate episode was brilliant in itself and set up a great stage for the finale to shine through. There is action, heartbreak and singular pathos. And like the rest of the series the acting is top notch, the writing is pristine and the music impeccably adds to each scene.

Conclusively, I admire John Logan for running a series that was always better than it had to be, while not quite garnering the attention it deserved. It was rich and alluring, poignant and artistic, dark and mysterious - all at the same time, a truly nonpareil show. I would be very surprised if it doesn't win at least a couple of Emmys this year.

Game of Thrones: No One (2016) Season 6, Episode 8

Get me some of that Lady Crane soup!

[1/10 · 13 June 2016]

Game of Thrones is going down the drain. Admit it people. Weis and Benioff are taking A Song of Ice & Fire and literally butchering it. The testament to this fact? I was laughing out loud throughout every Arya Stark scene in this episode. I mean what the hell??

She is thoroughly gutted (your gut has the most concentrated blood flow in all of your body) - yet she still manages to swim through a canal and walk don't know how many steps to find Lady Crane's theater troupe.

There the writers have us believe that somehow all is alright with a few bandages from a woman who knows "how to cut", some bad soup, and a little of the good old milk of poppy.

The next thing we see is that this frail girl who has lost a lot of blood is doing Parkour through the streets of Braavos while evading the chasing Waif. Haha.

If that was not enough, Arya manages to lure the Waif into an actual trap where she grabs her trusty old Needle. Blowing out the lone candle in the room and subsequently using her amazing power of hearing, she slaughters the Waif, cuts her face off with surgical precision, infiltrates the Temple and puts up a display for Jaqen H'ghar.

There she utters some lines that were supposed to make us forget all this bull feces that unfolded earlier. But no, we will not forget.

I mean, all I can say is that I want some of that magical Lady Crane soup!

Game of Thrones: Blood of My Blood (2016) Season 6, Episode 6

Stop stalling the main storyline

[5/10 · 30 May 2016]

I find it surprising that a show centering on intrigue and action, cannot continue from where it left off. We had a great episode last week, and this week's episode kind of falls flat. Primarily, because it was acting as a filler episode with no viable progression of storyline. And that is not a bad thing in its own right but on GoT it feels like the showrunners are deliberately stalling matters.

That being said, this episode wasn't completely dull. It had its moments - we visit the Tarlys and Benjen Stark is reintroduced as Coldhands. The rest of the episode is forgettable, to say the least. We don't visit most of the places critical to the major story arc - Winterfell, Castle Black, and the Vale.

Furthermore, I have had my issues with Dany but she is getting quite unbearable of late. The showrunners are throwing her in every episode, even if she doesn't have any logical storyline to build upon.

Conclusively, it feels like Game of Thrones is trying too hard to build suspense where it is not needed, and unduly emphasizing content that has no significant impact on the main storyline. The showrunners should stop treating us as brain-dead fans who can be appeased by one great action scene every other episode. Instead, they should make episodes with substance.

Penny Dreadful: A Blade of Grass (2016) Season 3, Episode 4

Remarkable Episode

[10/10 · 23 May 2016]

In a TV world centering around action, pyrotechnics, and intrigue, for entertainment value, this episode of Penny Dreadful was a breath of fresh air. Essentially involving two people in a monotonous white room with their acting skills and some poignant dialogue. It had me hooked right from the start.

While Eva Green excels at portraying a tormented individual, it is Rory Kinnear who shines throughout the episode through his acting prowess. He was great as the soft-hearted orderly and then played the manifestations of Lucifer and Dracula to perfection. I really hope he gets more mainstream roles because his acting range deserves it.

Finally, this episode introduced us to an important concept that has been doing rounds for quite some time now. That Lucifer and Dracula are in fact brothers. While the former lingers around the spiritual plane, the latter walks the Earth in flesh. Both have their eyes set on Vanessa, and from what can be seen in this episode, the show-runners have set up a probable conflict between the two down the line.

All in all, this episode was a refreshing change from all the blood and gore we have been subjected to this season. I would love to see how Vanessa carries on in the next episode with all the information that she has gleaned from the hypnosis session.

Game of Thrones: The Door (2016) Season 6, Episode 5

An Explosive Ride

[10/10 · 22 May 2016]

I was sitting at the very edge of my seat during the last few minutes of this episode. It was explosive, mind-blowing, and having ramifications that would completely alter the Game of Thrones universe. Bran's new ability that is revealed during the closing moments of this episode is the biggest thing in the show since the White Walker's existence was proved.

The storyboarding is once again epic. The episode was perfectly paced and so is this season so far. It started off very slow and it looked like the showrunners are stalling the storyline. But now we know, it was all a perfect setup for this mid-season climax.

Suffices to say, tonight's episode ranks among the very best of GoT. The storyline has finally picked up some pace this season and old mysteries are being unraveled.

I definitely, look forward to next week's episode in the hope that it will continue what's been set off in 'The Door' and build on it in a massive way!

Making a Murderer (2015–2018)

Gripping and at times almost unbelievable

[9/10 · 19 December 2015]

This documentary series potentially depicts the greatest miscarriage of justice on American soil as the producers go out to prove that Stephen Avery, a Wisconsin resident, is purposely being made a scapegoat for crimes he did not commit.

The series possesses the hallmark quality of Netflix's original programming:'bingeability'. Once you get a grasp of what it is all about, you just continue on with the flow until the documentary reaches its conclusion.

An important point if you are coming fresh from the similar true crime series, The Jinx, then you might feel that this documentary series doesn't put as much emphasis on flair and reenactments. Instead the approach is based on journalistic substance with a lot of focus being placed on police reports, recordings, court documents etc. However, I found the series intro theme to be hauntingly beautiful. It really gets stuck inside your head.

Like The Thin Blue Line, Murder on a Sunday Morning, and Paradise Lost documentaries before it, the approach is overwhelmingly in favor of the defendant. You feel like you are witnessing a great injustice unfold before your eyes. There is little room for you to argue that Avery is guilty. But with the amount of evidence both substantial and circumstantial presented in Avery's favor, there is certainly little to argue anyway.

In conclusion, I would recommend this documentary to anyone into true crime. It really is well-prepared and worth a watch despite being a tad exhausting due to its length.

Homeland (2011–2020)

Ridiculous Stereotypes Galore

[1/10 · 14 August 2015]

I am going to be honest here. I wasn't very interested in the show from the start. It was over-acted, ridden with ridiculous plot holes and seemingly unrealistic scenarios. I watched it for cheap thrills; in between shows I liked or when I had nothing better to do.

All this changed when the show brought in the ridiculous agenda of stereotyping Muslims. From Tehran to Beirut, capitals of beautiful, progressive Muslim nations were depicted as absolute hellholes, laden with preconceived Western notions about Muslims.

Despite all that, I still watched the show on and off though. Never with any sort of interest, but to see how low its portrayal of the world's second largest religion could get. Personally, for me, the lowest point came with the start of Season 4 when Carrie comes to Pakistan.

Continuing with the same tradition, Homeland depicted Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, as a grimy dump where sewers run amok, gunfights and blasts occur on every corner and women shuffle around clad in extremely restrictive coverings. Even Urdu, the local language was used in an absolutely trivial manner with no attention paid to grammar and connotation.

Well, I invite the creators and writers of Homeland to come visit Islamabad for once. They will realize how far it is from the shantytown in South Africa where they shot the whole season. There would be wide paved roads sans potholes, greenery everywhere, tall mountains overlooking skyscrapers and planned residential areas along with women in dresses they chose to wear. In short, Homeland's depiction of Islamabad, and the Pakistani society in general, is as far away from reality as can be.

With what I have said so far, I am not running away from the notion of terrorism. Yes it exists, in pockets throughout the Muslim world. But you can't blame and stereotype a religion followed by billions to be inherently responsible for it. Extremists exist in every religion and every country. Stereotyping and pigeon-holing will only force Homeland's audience into seeing the whole Muslim community in that light - lacking progress and being anachronistic. An overwhelming majority of Muslims are not like that.

Conclusively, I believe even Fox News couldn't have painted a better mural of Islamophobia than what the team of Homeland have done.

Na Maloom Afraad (2014)

Pakistan's very own cult comedy!!

[8/10 · 18 October 2014]

First off, I want to say that I didn't have many expectations from NMA considering that it was a film by newbies but 10 minutes into the movie I was awe-struck with the fluidity of it all. Barring the final few minutes, NMA is exceptional.

Many people say that it is 'copied off' of other flicks like Hera Pheri and Delhi Belly. Yes, it borrows some elements from these films but that doesn't make it a copy but rather an inspired venture.

The best thing about this movie is the cinematography. It is brilliant. The camera angles used throughout flick add another dimension to the film. May it be fixed on a box of gulab jamuns or the corner of a rickshaw; the DoPs of NMA have done an exceptional job in making it a visual treat.

Acting-wise I would say that everyone played their roles to perfection apart from Urwa and Kubra. Their characters, specifically Kubra's bank manager avatar, were a tad too weakly acted for the script.

And Billi, how can I miss her? Her sultry item song was a cherry-topping for the movie. I have seen many item songs from across the border and I can safely say that Mehwish Hayat's Billi trumps them all. It is simplistic and yet very, very catchy.

My only complaint with this movie is the ending. In my opinion it should have ended 4-5 minutes before rather than being dragged out like that. It was sort of an anti-climax and looks obtrusively forced.

Conclusively, an awesome film that is well worth the time for the laughs it produces. However, on a note of caution (considering our non-existent rating system), it is strictly not a family-friendly film as some jokes/scenes are quite lurid!

Coherence (2013)

An excellent film marred by poor camera-work

[6/10 · 20 September 2014]

Coherence is a superb, mind-bending sci-fi flick that utilizes a refreshing take on the whole alternate realities concept. The atmosphere generated in the film is excellent and the story is carried forward almost immaculately. Despite this the film screams low-budget on two points that make it fall short of its aspirations.

My complaints with the film start from the camera-work. It is horrendous. If you had handed me a camera I would have done a better job. Throughout the runtime of this movie the camera loses focus of the subject and jitters about every now and then. This effectively ruins the impact of a scene. I'd go on to say that the camera-work is way below amateurish even. Its like the whole film is shot with a DSLR on autofocus.

Another problem with this movie is the editing, specifically at the start, where the scenes are cut without any sort of continuity. One moment the group is discussing something else then there is a black-screen for a couple of seconds and the topic of discussion is completely different.

All in all, it is a genuinely creative story let down by amateur photography and editing.

Dukhtar (2014)

Of mountains and escapades

[7/10 · 18 September 2014]

Last year's Waar made headlines everywhere because of the jingoistic message it brought. Dukhtar (Daughter) has so far been quite a mellow affair, partly because of its dealing with the poignant issue of child marriage in Pakistan's rural areas.

Shot absolutely beautifully in the North of the country, it is a story about the fierce love of a mother who is not about to give off her young daughter's hand in marriage to settle a tribal dispute.

One of the best things about this movie is that it doesn't get monotonous. The director, Afia, does an excellent job in keeping the story fast-paced with a load of twists and turns despite the relatively banal topic of the flick.

Acting-wise, I was impressed with all the performances except probably that of Mohib Mirza, the truck driver from Punjab. I think he wasn't the right-fit for the role because he visibly struggles to generate that Punjabi pang expected from him. However, this shouldn't be a hindrance in watching the film because the dialog is carried more than aptly by the rest of the cast.

The songs are refreshing, which brings me to another good point about the film; they don't last for an eternity and just are fleeting occurrences during scenes to accentuate the emotions.

All in all, Dukhtar is easily the best film to come out of Pakistan in 2014. It might not see the commercial success of Waar but it's story is infinitely better. A must see.