kseniiashpilevska Reviews

Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Marvelous

[10/10 · 28 January 2023]

Okay, Lockwood and Co fans, we finally got it! Yaaaaay! I could never imagine it to be two first books in 1 season, you did a great job Joe Cornish and Netflix.

This is so far one of the best book to TV adaptations I've ever seen.

I like the way creators of this series worked through the plot of the books and brought that perfectly on screen. Everything works good - three main characters are as what I remember them from books. They made Lockwood more deep, Lucy more sensitive but in a good way and George is just as he's in books, but prettier. Also I really loved that chemistry between Lockwood and Lucy. And that cliffhanger ... ugghhh, that was great.

Can't wait for the next season and Netflix, please don't cancel the show.

The Flatshare (2022)

Quite nice

[6/10 · 14 December 2022]

Since I've read a book just a month ago I was very excited to watch its tv adaptation.

I loved Jessica and Anthony, they were both great and I liked their chemistry. Actually all of the actors were good.

Sometimes this series felt a little slow, sometimes boring, but at the end I liked it. I think it didn't need to be 6 episodes, maybe 4 would have been enough. They have changed a bit of what was written in a book but that really didn't matter.

I give it 6 stars because I would love this series to be more dynamic and I would love another music in the show because it was too background.

Check it out.

Falling for Christmas (2022)

Lindsay is back!

[6/10 · 11 November 2022]

I was looking forward to watch it because I like Lindsay and I'm so glad the old Lindsay is back. I really liked how she and Chord acted together.

This is a very nice Christmas spirit film. It has a typical romcom plot but that doesn't mean it's stupid or trash, it has a lot of cliche but still it's very warm and cozy. I actually enjoyed watching it. The thing I didn't quite get is that why did we have to watch so many scenes wit her British boyfriend? I don't think it brings a lot to the plot.

If that's true that Netflix has signed Lindsay for some more films that's great, well done.

I cannot rate it higher but it's worth the hype.

The School for Good and Evil (2022)

A lot of everything

[6/10 · 26 October 2022]

I thought that would be a story for 7 year olds.

But this is Harry Potter meets fairytales. Imagine Hogwarts but with stylish outfits and not much of a plot. I liked the visual components of this film but didn't like lack of a plot. But I see that this story has potential. I didn't read the books, but as I know there are at least 3 main books so if they make a sequel I'll watch it.

I also like that Netflix now produces more and more fantasy series, I only wish they would do something better - like a Court of Thrones and Roses or From Blood and Ash.

Anyway give this a go if you like fantasy and fairytales.

Persuasion (I) (2022)

What was that?

[6/10 · 16 July 2022]

I don't know how to explain what I feel. I was not so sure if I like to see Dakota as Anne, but at the end she wasn't that bad. But Cosmo, even though his expressions were a bit plastic his eyes said it all. Henry was gorge as always, he definitely stole 20-30% of the film.

But what I didn't like is the way they present the novel. It must be a modern take but still you don't feel those consequences which were made by Anne's refusal to Frederick. You don't feel the way they both suffered from that decision. You just don't feel it. The way they made Louisa a good girl who loves so much Anne that she protects her from Frederick and the way they showed the real motives of Mr. Elliott - those thing I don't understand, they are somehow explained in the film but still you just don't get to the inner plot of that story.

What I understood is that they were supposed to make a mix of Bridgerton (a modern take on historical romance) and a mix of Emma (with its marvellous costumes and a hint of humour). I liked the way the showed the morning hungover and the way Dakota was drinking wine and the music, the music is very up to what was going on in the film.

What I didn't like - the costumes. I am not a professional but did they wore those berets in XIX century? You will say "it's a modern take", okay, but make it fashion, make it stylish, not the faded rugs.

Can You Keep a Secret? (2019)

Absolutely no feelings

[3/10 · 31 March 2022]

I don't know about a book, but this film is meh.

Absolutely no chemistry between actors. I didn't buy that story. The whole plot is nonsense. At the end we still don't know nothing about our hero and I don't care about their relationship.

Sanditon (2019–2023)

WE NEED A SEASON TWO

[8/10 · 16 April 2021]

As I'm very into period dramas and Jane Austen I loved this adaptation.

It's a huge pity this series will not have a second season. It has potential.

The cast are great, music is delightful and the chemistry between two main characters is incredible.

Please make a second season.

Bridgerton (2020– )

Definitely worth watching

[8/10 · 8 January 2021]

After I watched couple of first episodes I found out that this show is based on a books written by American author and its a historical romance. I'm not a fan of romance novels but I was curious what was the original authors idea based on what I've already watched so I stared reading the first book and the binge read 6 of 8 novels while I was binge watching 8 episodes of Bridgerton. So if you stick to historical accuracy you won't like this adaptation. But do you really need to stick to it? You need to watch it if you're just into this whole era of lavish costumes, pretty hairdos, long glances,manner of talking and almost Jane Austinish heroes - you're gonna love it. Can't wait for second season.

Christmas Made to Order (2018 TV Movie)

Smells like another Hallmark film

[5/10 · 4 November 2020]

The whole film I was about to say "Aaron Samuels I like your hair pushed back". Well If seriously the acting here is below the expected level. I like both Alexa and Jonathan, but there was no chemistry between them. Maybe it's because of the poor script maybe they were told to act like that. Its all a history now. It's not a bad film to watch while you're cooking dinner. Could have been better.