Boxer_007 Reviews

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024– )

Second half much better

[6/10 · 14 February 2024]

The first few episodes were honestly quite underwhelming. It felt pretentious, the pacing was slow, poor chemistry between the two leads. We get to experience the early stages of Mr & Mrs. Smiths relationship that is borderline awkward, but not in the endearing or romantic way. Around episode 5 things start to pick up in terms of pacing, more action-filled missions, higher stakes, and improved humor. The main characters also get some depth even though the chemistry still remains lacking.

Overall a decent action/dark comedy series that won't blow you away but neither will it put you to sleep, especially the second half. Hopefully a second season can keep the momentum.

Griselda (2024)

Mediocre & highly sanitized

[5/10 · 31 January 2024]

Very loosely based on the real and very evil life of Griselda Blanco who was a notorious drug lord in 80s Miami. She was murderous, psychopathic, and paranoid among other verifiable facts. The series however portrays her as an affectionate and somewhat naive character navigating the misogynistic world of male-dominated cartels.

Sofia Vergara's acting skills are not up to par for a role like this given the grittiness, depth, and ugliness of Griselda. The makeup and facial prosthetics were also extremely visible and distracting. We've seen countless male actors completely transform their bodies and physical appearance for roles yet here the female lead did not even look like a distant relative of Griselda. In my opinion a miscast, but understandable for show marketing purposes.

The cinematography, pacing, and other actors were alright but you just can't shake off the feeling that the series was half-baked and rushed. We've seen many excellent true crime shows produced over the years that makes this one ultimately forgettable.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

2.5 hrs of nothing

[3/10 · 10 December 2023]

Even though the trailer for Leave the World Behind didn't reveal much, I was hoping the film would be a lot more thought-provoking and/or bombastic considering the end-of-world genre.

Unfortunately, we got neither. We got a small A-list cast moping around a luxury house doing practically nothing (easy paycheck I suppose). So many pointless, filler scenes and random events (deer, bug bite, Teslas, forest shed, etc) that added nothing to the plot. If the USA populace is apparently self-dustructing shouldn't we see more people running around burning, looting, seeking shelter? Long Island is not even close to being a remote and isolated area as they tried to portray it.

3 stars is only for the good effects & building of expectation even though nothing ultimately happens.

The Killer (2023)

Solid but forgettable & full of product placements

[5/10 · 13 November 2023]

Don't go expecting a full-blown action movie with bombs, jumps, and car chases as The Killer is more psychological, slower paced with a few good action scenes sprinkled around. It's however not as deep as it pretends to be either. Around 90% of the movie is narrated by Fassbender and there's surprisingly very little dialogue between the few characters and throughout his mission for revenge. Nonetheless, solid performances from everyone.

Biggest "ick" is the enormous amount of product placements (McDonalds, WeWork, Amazon, Starbucks, several OTC medications, several car rental companies, Fedex, etc). When they are so obvious it somehow cheapens the experience of the film.

Based on a True Story (2023– )

Fun, original, needs second season!

[9/10 · 21 June 2023]

I started watching Based on a True Story expecting a quirky dark comedy and finished pleasantly entertained and surprised. The plot follows a pregnant, unhappy couple experiencing financial woes that somehow end up partnering with a gruesome serial killer to create a crime podcast. Obviously, the maniac killer has his own twisted intentions and soon the couple finds themselves in what seems to be a never-ending sequence of murders, mystery, and drama. Kaley Cuoco (Flight Attendant) and Chris Messina (The Mindy Project) are great leads, followed by the hunky and savvy serial killer (Tom Bateman).

There's plenty of plot twists and cliffhangers, plus the show is not shy of occasionally showing some gore (blood, violence, etc). I found the pacing to be excellent as not many shows these day can hold my attention for a full 45min per episode.

The atmosphere is very similar to Netflix's Dead to Me so if you like crime dramas mixed with comedic elements this is a great recommendation. Too bad it's on Peacock where the the audience reach is not the best but I still hope there's a second season!

Bling Empire: New York (2023)

Not terrible

[5/10 · 20 May 2023]

I haven't watched the original Bling Empire in LA so cannot compare these two. The NYC version was tolerable with some likeable characters and an overall casual, easy-to-watch vibe. There's obviously some wealth-flaunting but honestly a lot of it feels a bit exaggerated (especially Nam) so I wouldn't take it too seriously. Besides the billionaire heiresses most of these people are far from being as wealthy as they claim to be. Dorothy fits well as the frontrunner as she's both funny & outspoken. Tina, Blake, and the couple (Vika/Richard) are all decently entertaining. The only unlikeable characters in my opinion were Lynn and her long-distance husband. The separate storyline of Deborah and her husband also felt completely disjointed from the main series as they only appeared together with the main crew during episode one and they had the least amount of airtime.

Overall, easy short binge that's obviously heavily scripted but still entertains enough when there's nothing else to watch.

Silo (2023– )

Feels dated & slow

[3/10 · 8 May 2023]

I'm all for sci-fi post apocalypse dramas but this had no redeeming qualities beyond an intriguing trailer. First I couldn't get over how dated and cheap the overall set looked, not something you'd expect from an underground silo housing thousands of people. Secondly, the pace is just nonexistent. At least 10-15 minutes of each episode is dedicated to watching characters walk from one point to another to ultimately just sit down and talk. Lastly, the script felt a bit too juvenile and soapy for such a dreary and serious setting. I was really hoping for a dystopian atmosphere but that unfortunately wasn't achieved.

Beef (2023– )

Questionable 9-10 star reviews

[6/10 · 15 April 2023]

After seeing the positive reviews I was really looking forward to a quality dark comedy and/or drama that incapsulates this generation's anger management issues (aka road rage). The cast seemed good (albeit racially homogenous which would be controversial if it were all-white). Nevertheless, it seemed to mimic a lot of the current trends from shows such as White Lotus or films such as Parasite where the viewer gets a close look at unravelling existential crises among a diverse group of characters.

My problem was that it was far too stretched out. Exciting at times, but also shallow & slow pretty frequently. It felt a bit more wacky and exaggerated as the show progressed, especially the last 2 episodes. Was it watchable? Sure. Was it a masterpiece like some others here claim? Absolutely not.

Sky Rojo (2021–2023)

Fun watch

[7/10 · 20 January 2023]

Are you a fan of Money Heist, Squid Game, Tarantino films, etc? If yes, you will probably enjoy Sky Rojo. Plenty of violence, nudity, action, drama, and dark comedy. All episodes flow nicely and are easy to watch even with subtitles (recommended over dubbed version). Sure there are plotholes and the chasing can after a while seem repetitive, but the gore and explicitness ensure the viewer is never really bored.

Lastly, the show seems quite expensive and well thought out in terms of production value and cinematographic detail so if that's important for you there shouldn't be any disappointment.

Made for Love (2021–2022)

Interesting premise

[6/10 · 5 June 2022]

Unique dark comedy/drama giving the viewer a glimpse of the creepy technology surrounding transhumanism. Comes off as a parody sometimes even though the theme is somewhat serious. The acting is solid (especially Billy Magnussen) and the visuals are well done for what was most likely a tight budget. Similar vibes to "The Flight Attendant" even though I enjoyed Made for Love a bit more.

Stranger Things (2016–2025)

Living on old glory

[6/10 · 5 June 2022]

Season 1-2 were refreshing and unique with the 80's atmosphere, horror elements, and charismatic characters.

Season 3-4 are almost entirely the same recipe except now it's getting boring having been there done that. The latest season's episodes are very long (1h 15min) and couldn't keep my attention for more than 20-30min each. The Russian storyline was completely detached from the overall plot. The CGI was not the best & the humor this time around felt very forced (especially from Robin). The charm has simply worn off.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021– )

Mediocre

[5/10 · 5 June 2022]

Want to watch a teen flick that's lighthearted and a bit raunchy? This show should do the trick but don't expect great humor or much character development. Contrary to what others have wrote here, this is nowhere near the quality of Sex Education. There's a lot of typical Mindy Kaling influence, including exaggerated characters, ethnic stereotypes, pop culture references, and the overrepresentation of queerness compared to the general population.

Nevertheless, it's a solid 5/10 and okay to watch if you want some comedy and there's nothing else to stream.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Plain awful

[1/10 · 24 December 2021]

People are giving this 7-9 stars, seriously? There was absolutely nothing even remotely entertaining about this film. Political satire? Maybe for millennials who get their news from twitter or those who think SNL is funny. Enormous waste of acting talent and terrible everything. I'm actually speechless.

Red Notice (2021)

Trailer way better than the movie

[4/10 · 13 November 2021]

I was really in the mood for an action-comedy flick. Unfortunately, Red Notice was a let down. The Rock, Reynolds, and Gadot were not the best cast in my opinion and it seems they were only selected thanks to Hollywood recognizability. Anyone remember similar action flick duos like Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour? Now that was a good pairing.

The humor often fell flat in Red Notice and overall got the impression that the 3 main actors were simply trying too hard. Simply not enough entertaining and 20 minutes too long.

The Guilty (2021)

Irritating main character

[2/10 · 3 October 2021]

Turned it off after 35 minutes into the film. Jake Gyllenhaal's character was extremely irritating, over-the-top and irrational. Something you would not expect from a 911 dispatch officer whatever the circumstance. Nothing about the film felt thrilling or suspenseful.

On the Verge (2021)

Disappointing

[2/10 · 18 September 2021]

This was a bit all over the place. Neurotic, over-exaggerated, and really unlikable characters. As a European myself who enjoys unconventional cinema I can say there's nothing "European" or entertaining about drunken upper class Californians pretending to be deep and meaningful.

Sex Education (2019–2023)

S3 downturn

[7/10 · 18 September 2021]

I previously rated Sex Education as a rare 10 due to its quirky and uplifting take on sex among eclectic British high schoolers. Seasons 1-2 were extremely entertaining, witty, filled with beautiful scenery and interesting storylines between the main characters. Yes, there's a lot of "wokeness" and virtue signaling, but it was somehow all wrapped discretely and didn't affect the overall humor.

Seasons 3 took a detour and feels much heavier, dramatic, and not even close to as funny as the previous seasons. The feel good atmosphere and British sassiness was overshadowed by dreary dialogues and filler moments that made the episodes feel long and quite boring at times.

Black Summer (2019–2021)

Gave up at episode 4

[3/10 · 12 June 2021]

Started off a bit different than typical zombie genres. Minimal dialogue, multiple characters, relatively suspense. Everything went rapidly downhill at episode 3 where a group of survivors finds themselves trapped in a school led by some warrior gang of kids. Seriously? Thankfully that ended pretty quickly. Episode 4 instead of getting back on track is your typical irrational mess. Guy endlessly running away from one zombie. Doesn't close doors behind him. Walks into a fully stocked grocery store weeks after the apocalypse. His hand wound magically disappears. Cant' swing an axe properly. Turned it off at that point.

The Handmaid's Tale (2017–2025)

Season 1-3 is great

[8/10 · 11 June 2021]

The Handmaid's Tale is a chilling & gripping series set in a dystopian world where the USA is transformed into a class-based society, with emphasis on fertile women who are treated as property for reproduction. The shows does a great job at depicting brutality, repression, authoritarianism, but also how these acts are justified in various forms. The acting really captures the cultish behaviors that can be found on both left & right extremes of today's ideological spectrum. Season 1-3 are definitely top-tier for those who enjoy dystopian/post-apocalyptic genres with high production.

Season 4 however is a snoozefest. The show has lost steam, there's not much storyline development left and it just drags with no objective or goal. Even the good acting & cinematography can't salvage what was once a solid 8-9.

Awake (III) (2021)

Trailer better than the film

[2/10 · 11 June 2021]

Awake (2021) feels very sleep deprived. Cringe dialogues, inconsistent pacing, terrible acting. I'm normally a huge fan of dystopian movies but this was just unbearable to the point where after 45min I had to turn off.

Cruella (2021)

Devilish fun

[8/10 · 31 May 2021]

As someone who hasn't watched Disney films since being a child, I had very low expectations and was merely drawn by the lack of movie selections so far in 2021. I found Cruella to be quite entertaining, visually appealing, and most of all very well acted by Emma Thompson and Emma Stone. The period backdrop and soundtrack were also very good. My only negative remarks would be the tad bit boring (but necessary) first 20min and the subpar CGI affects in certain scenes.

Ginny & Georgia (2021– )

Overacted teen drama

[6/10 · 22 April 2021]

This show does a great service at highlighting the peak privilege of your upper middle class teenager in 2021. How to get drunk at 15 while not getting caught, exploring your sexuality with other attractive students, and how not to look fat in $300 jeans. Ginny & Georgia is intriguing at first glance with the quirky mother running away from a suspicious and almost villainous past - however this plot is too often overshadowed by cringe teen melodrama. Lots of overacting and unnecessary angst paired with a weird campy vibe. Netflix's Sex Education is much better at portraying similar coming-to-age drama while HBOs Euphoria does a better job at setting a dark, depressing tone. Overall, watchable but not more than a 6/10.

The Flight Attendant (2020–2022)

Extremely forgettable

[2/10 · 14 December 2020]

I really wanted to like this show and was drawn in by the flight attendant theme, however it failed to deliver on every front. Cliché dialogues, bizarre flashbacks, no proper direction or captivating storyline. An alcoholic flight attendant trying to solve a murder mystery for unknown reason and falling in love with the murdered man's ghost while fleeing the FBI and ruining her relationships with friends and family?!

Too many premises and plots that ended up all over the place. The whole cast seemed dull and uninspired. Extremely obnoxious and ill-fitting music and sounds throughout the whole series. I'm honestly very surprised for the over 7 star rating.

The Old Guard (2020)

Teen dialogue & horrid soundtrack

[4/10 · 19 July 2020]

I've come to the conclusion that Netflix original movies just aren't my cup of tea. The Old Guard is no exception. Great premise ruined by teenage dialogue, weak plots, and easily the worst soundtrack for an action/sci-fi movie. Also, the token gay couple felt very forced and cringey - just overall unnecessary.

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

Baffled by the high score

[4/10 · 4 May 2020]

My expectations for "Never Have I Ever" were quite high given the unusually high IMDB score for the genre and the fact that it was created by Mindy Kaling. However, this was a huge flop for me. Extremely unoriginal plots (coming of age and sexuality stories seemed more early 2000's rather than 2020). Characters were incredibly dull and stereotyped despite the constant over-the-top acting attempts. Main character was irritating and spoiled, similar to Mindy's "Champions" show. It just felt like another quick-fix teen show touching upon the already familiar and overdone teen topics.