bjarias Reviews (862)

Liebe am Fjord: Sog der Gezeiten (2013) Season 4, Episode 2

... scenery's beautiful.. she is too... and that's it

[5/10 · 15 May 2025]

... she's really an exceptionally alluring-woman, and portrays a character having a warm friendly personality... so what do they have her doing... going completely against character, as she unexpectedly runs across an ex-lover, and in no time flat they have her hooking up with him, of all places, on the floor of her B-n-B guestroom (imagine so that the bed banging against the wall as they are too won't be heard)

... it all ends up way it's supposed to, guess they figure what happens along the way of less consequence... but it just comes off way-too-contrived to make this story work, and it doesn't.

A Walk on the Moon (1999)

... wasn't Unfaithful, got me hooked... w-Viggo-in 'A Walk On The Moon' (1999), did-me-in

[9/10 · 13 March 2025]

... she's-just-incredible-alluring.. TTD... one of my favorite movies... Lane-Mortensen-Schreiber-Paquin-Feldshuh... and Woodstock.. was supposed to go, but last minute, had to work... those were 'my-years'... lived in the city, and at times visited The Catskills

... can't believe have watched this movie once released, and several times since, and yet have not written a IMDb review... the sound track alone is worth seeing the film, some of the greatest songs from the best artists of the era

... twenty years older than her, were I single, and would meet a woman like her, wouldn't let her go... she's a huge talent that isn't a big celebrity... yet watching her in any of her films, you feel-understand how wonderful-great she truly is... film's 9/10.

Carry-On (2024)

... another netflix-action-thriller

[6/10 · 10 March 2025]

... it's basically okay... she's okay, he's okay most all of 'em are okay... an x-mas-movie, set around-x-mas... otherwise, an action-thriller

... test how good this compares... would you be watching it again anytime-soon, if ever... and how hard it is to complete a six-hundred-word-review... (semi-hard)

... netflix creates shows (TV-films) of all kinds, and they have one thing in common... exceptionally rarely do they ever get recognized-nominated for awards of most any kind... they're streaming products for mass audience appeal... they're not making Anora's... could-they, probably not, their focus not on high quality.. just-most-appeal.

It Ends with Us (2024)

... are outcomes always as predetermined as told here

[6/10 · 9 March 2025]

... it's a film wanting to say something about serious subject matter, yet in a way that's least objectionable or harsh in appearance... there are many pretty settings with exceptionally pretty people, sidestepping avoiding showing violence in a manner that's too direct or confrontational-objectionable

... with other-added-storylines that at times drag on far too long, adding little to nothing to what should be the main emphasis-story of the film... and in the end, all comes away more confusing than affirming... as you feel more sorry for the abuser than one might think-expect you should, as the way the violence is portrayed onscreen is not as clear as one might believe it should be (was that really what it seemed it was)

... and in the end, all comes away with stereotypes confirmed... abusers always to be abusers, with no-never-hope of living lives normal, along with those having been abused... they are to be left completely, life severed totally from their family... this chain of abuse must be broken, even as unrealistic in circumstances presented in this instance this story may be

... on IMDb the movie gets not much more than a six rating, and that's about right... too long, too ambiguous, more miscast-misdirected than should be... an important subject awkwardly handled that could-should have been better dealt with... 6/10.

Companion (2025)

... this was unexpected real fun

[8/10 · 6 March 2025]

... gleefully dark - deliciously-wicked - unhinged & unpredictable - one-hell-of-a-ride - brilliant & twisted - wild-in-all-the-right-ways - hilarious, intense & fantastic - ingeniously-innovative-twists-&-turns - holy-crap - you're-not-prepared - a-deliciously-smart-thriller ... just some accurate comments from the trailers

... wildest take on a love-story-thriller you'll have seen in awhile... Sophie Thatcher (scream-Queen) truly magnificent, entire cast is extraordinary... you go in not knowing what's going to happen, and that ride continues all the way through to the very end of the movie... normally not a fan of the genre, yet very glad was able to experience this Drew Hancock work.

Anora (2024)

... independent or not, one of the best films seen in awhile

[10/10 · 5 March 2025]

... didn't watch the Oscars, hadn't seen any of the films... but had to see what all the fuss was about, so watched Anora last night

... Anora feels more like a 'world-film'... could be from many countries, and as for production, it appeared flawless... there are performances that make films better and vice-versa... Mickey Madison's was fearless-brilliant... best picture, she had no control over... her work in this production of little fault, she was-is Anora

... watching her on pre-Oscar interview-shows, she's this shy, sweet, sophisticated young woman, who's parents are psychologists, having to learn how to 'get-by' speaking Russian for the part of Anora

... no doubt, it was one of the most masterful portrayals of a complex-character recently-seen in films.

Our Time (2018)

... don't know about masterpiece... very good, requires more than one viewing

[7/10 · 4 February 2025]

... a decent enough film... she's very-enticing-alluring... Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo) a saga-length-movie that's not an epic story... just a very long tale about pitfalls of one-open-relationship failing-marriage... very pretty looking, once you adjust to looking at various scenes for long stretches of time (much-lengthy-drone-footage, at times narrated)... films from creators that embody in their personal lives lots of what's in their work, somewhat mirroring their own lives are interesting... here this husband and wife team are portraying another husband and wife couple on a large Mexican ranch, and as so happens, it is 'their' ranch... there are lots of parts to this film.. scenes to be watched again independent of the entire movie, and they lose little of their influence

... so the story goes... the couple have three children, lots of help (appearing wealthy, he's a well known-established poet), and are partaking in an 'open' relationship, both having sex with others... yet in the film, we only see her with other men, not him with anyone... he's more the conspirator-voyeur as it pertains to her sex life... we don't even ever see them having sex together, (getting impression she's past that aspect of their relationship)... he speaks with the men, arranging for them to hook-up with her, and when possible he watches, or gets-insisting-on details from her regarding her sexual-encounters, then at times berates her for what naturally occurs during these-arranged-hookups... a very fancy (did mention lengthy, right) troubled-marriage-drama

... trouble arising, once she 'engages' with one of the ranch-hands (a 'gringo').. after having a hot-mid-afternoon-tryst with him, once returning home, without informing her husband (he found-out) .. seems they have an 'agreement-to-tell' each-other all... from there-on, it's all him confronting-her, being jealous-possessive, and her pushing away from him, because of his controlling-nature... fed up with his obsessions, she mostly desires being increasingly-distant from him... she knows she's better than any of them, and wants her independence to be free from all these conniving-controlling-men... is she in 'love' with this neighbor-rancher, could be.. after all she had fallen-hard in love with her husband, when he was then married, 15 years ago... with this new lover now also married, maybe she's just doing it over again to another man's wife

... very well acted, and produced, Natalia Lopez stands-out, enticing-throughout... it is half-hour/more too-lengthy, where scenes linger, and you find yourself asking when are they going to be over... anyway, it is one of those 'creative' works where reading several critics-reviews can be helpful... and once you have, another watch of the film could-should be in order, to get an expanded-more-informed vision of this work... is it a "masterpiece"... yes'es and no's are aplenty.

... best scene: ... when her lover along with his wife visit their ranch one evening, and her husband after convincing-insisting that she goes off to have sex with him... he then sneaks over to the casita they're in.. peeking through the windows watching them kiss-fondle-hookup, he then goes inside, standing at foot of the bed they're sharing... his wife wrapped arm-leg over the man's-torso, her head nestled on his chest, sharing an after-sex cigarette... neither of the naked-pair showing-having any concern-reaction towards the intruding-husband in the least... thus, entirely-encapsulating-all, regarding the completely-eroded-state of their-ending-marriage

.

Cheaters (2022–2024)

... short but good

[8/10 · 25 November 2024]

... so it goes from a first season of eighteen episodes, to a second having only eight... what happened there... show's lots of fun.. casting really genius... you start off one way thinking about all of them, then by the end you're opposite direction, not believing could be any others playing these marvelous characters

... Cheaters reminds of the 2019 series State of the Union, with Chris O'Dowd and Rosamund Pike, dissecting their failing marriage over drinks before heading off across the street for a counseling session... both shows with episodes only few minutes in length, SOTU with Pike and O'Dowd having higher recognition picked up U. S. Emmys, got completely ignored by BAFTA... definitely being two different shows, yet both showing how good the short format can be.

Sambre (2023)

... across all episodes, top-notch-programming

[9/10 · 9 November 2024]

... streaming on Masterpiece, this a series viewers liking Euro-crime-drama should not miss watching... amount of sincere top notch acting-talent-performances incredible (bravo-casting)... there is not close to a weakness in the entire cast... in as good as live re-enactment(s) as you'll ever come across

... many in America might not be in agreement with final sentencing, as France does appear to have its own agenda on sentencing values unique to their country

... receiving a high rating score of 8.1 to date on IMDb, majority of audiences believe it to be one of the better productions in a crowded field within the genre... it does stand out and deserves all praise... don't-miss-it.

Maxima (2024– )

... camera loves her.. a true-star

[7/10 · 6 November 2024]

... putting a very pretty face in-on a rom-com-drama about this exceptionally dark time in this South American country dubious for sure... making-nice-nice about their love affair and early history together is lots of the series storyline... what her family was during this period are just well-off individuals ignoring the harsh reality at the core of their privileged lives

... for Delfina Chavez it's a star-turn, and she makes entirely most of it... something really special, there are many very attractive women having many-different-'looks'... she's one of 'em, and she's got a thousand... just do a search and you'll see, and they're all-very-attractive.. only twenty-eight years old, already she's had numerous TV series appearances-movies

... this year alone, she's been in two highly popular productions.. Maxima, and the Happy-6 ... more-most interesting scenes in both productions are those including her, she's a true, star-power-find... productions made better when she's part (even when dopey, like the latter)... wither or not either-both these series go on to additional seasons irrelevant... now being discovered, there's gonna be lots other works to watch-enjoy her talent-charms for many years.

Rivals (2024– )

...really liked it ... now let's have more

[9/10 · 3 November 2024]

... there's a member review by member NJS2016 titled.. 'A romping thwomping breath of fresh air', and it is a very worthwhile-good review of Rivals... with nearly 5,000 reviews so far on IMDb, 80% are rating the production '8' or higher.. that's saying alot how really good this show is... it should not be missed

... can it keep it all up with such high quality for another season or more... all its many fans surely hope so... it would be no small feat to match, or better how good these first eight episodes were-are... yet everyone's waiting with great anticipation for the next season series to come along.. can't be soon enough

...really liked it.

Canary Black (2024)

... not an easy task... uniqueness in a very crowded field

[7/10 · 29 October 2024]

... good action films are tough to make... action sequences must be top-notch well-done... scripts unique... drama above worthwhile... and acting comparable to the best in most all movies

... here in Canary Black reading several of the critics reviews, mostly they were not overly impressed... one getting into how Kate Beckinsale has been defending plastic surgery allegations... she does look exceptionally flawless for a woman in her early fifties (Kate's case very possible)

... personally rate majority of this genre on how much fast-forwarding is required getting through time spent watching... here with CB give it a 6.5/10, mainly because of Kate... she gets the job done, in-style.

Territory (2024)

... very good first series... hopfully of many

[8/10 · 27 October 2024]

... assume like many, waiting for The Newsreader to return, up pops Territory ... will watch most anything Anna Torv does.. like her style-grace-acting-talent ... Territory, Australia's version of America's-Yellowstone, a mega-ranch under siege from all sides, with family members fighting against all-odds, at times each-other ... well done, it's a production on a large scale, with soap-opera-drama, good acting, and top-production-values ... plenty of it, scenery's spectacular, a big part of the show

... all actors fill their roles admirably, having a script that's fairly routine-predictable ... casting is accurate for the most part, just one member a little out of place, yet handles herself fairly well... Torv now in her mid-forties, her calm, suave-self.. always confident-capable in whatever character she's choosing-given to play ... not another Kelly Reilly, both women making their respective series well worth watching

... any-all-viewers liking it, will look forward to more seasons... 'next-episode' indicates it as a 'returning-series'... all fans surely-hoping-so.

Wentworth (2013–2021)

... finally watched entire series, had to rewrite previous review

[9/10 · 26 October 2024]

... first broadcast in May 2013, concluding in October 2021, making Wentworth longest-running hour drama series in Foxtel history... running for ninety episodes (forcing issue getting to 100 episodes through 'repeats' unnecessary to show's value), it takes a long time to watch even with streaming... those watching when originally aired week to week benefited greatly, as watching-streaming episode after episode does definitely cause strain, becoming Wentworth overload.. best just watch a couple shows then rest

... as for the huge cast over the years, all give performances that are best in the business for all drama series... there's not a weak one to be found, these women tops of Australia's acting community... solid reason why 85% of IMDb reviewers give the show 8 or higher, with nearly half awarding it a perfect '10'

... it's rare today when series get to be around this long and be this good... as of today Netflix is scheduled to be dropping it from their lineup... that's a real shame, for there's lots of folks have not yet seen it, and Netflix is a good viewing platform for experiencing what is undoubtedly one of the finest drama productions of all time... hopefully, to be returning soon to be enjoyed once again.

Disclaimer (2024)

... big names not always producing top results

[6/10 · 19 October 2024]

... through four parts watching, was first going to abandon this show after the first two, glad did not for would have meant missing Leila, and no one wants to miss Leila in this production

... Leila George is a wonder... in her late twenties, one of the most alluring-gorgeous-creatures, in an industry filled-among beautiful-people skilled-actors, she performs in a manner utterly-captivating... a marvelous-highly-sensuous not-to-be-missed performance.. (take that Sean, what you no-longer-possess)

... only thing really doesn't jive being who she portrays during these early episodes, contrasted with Blanchett's depiction of the same character in later years... maybe all will be resolved in the final three segments, lets hope-expect-so.

MILF of Norway (2024– )

... she's forty-two.. easily can pass for years younger

[8/10 · 16 October 2024]

... those looking for MILF-nudity, only to find a boob or so here (maybe next season) ... this is first Nordic original series from 'newcomer' MAX in Europe... a drama series with comedy undertones

... a huge part of the fun coming from Mariann Hole in a leading role, making what could have been ordinary into something much more special-enjoyable... Hole shoulders the series, w-comic-finesse, charm, giving realness to her part, making MILF of Norway as one critic labeled it.. "a little charm bomb"

... definitely a Nordic production, how well it's accepted by American viewers up for discussion... yet for those liking Northern European programming, MILF of Norway more-than-likely sure to please.

Deceitful Love (2024)

... Denise.. the scenery.. bellissima

[6/10 · 16 October 2024]

... is it possible, sure... is it likely, no ... these kinds of fantasy romance storylines having a limited audience.. reality making him a lot less pretty, and her a less haggard sixty (she's actually mid-sixties)... not they didn't do good work, they did... these choices were not of their doing

... speaking of choices, Denise Capezza was a right one.. a stunner, girl-just-cannot look-not-good (searching her still images, find one she's not the enchanter)... here in her mid-thirties, in her prime... (see 'more' of her in Baby 2018)

... outside of the delusion storyline the production's well put together, all the drone footage of the Italian coastline making up a sizable portion of all the episodes (what did they do filling screentime before drones)... the IMDb audience has the rating correct... a one-time-watch.

Tangles and Knots (2017)

.... close to, if not perfect

[9/10 · 10 October 2024]

... Leeanne Walsman's performance is totally-remarkable... realization warped-relationship-boundaries with her daughter are destructive-abnormal, her final scene performance is spellbinding... if for any reason she would not be able to do the feature, it should not be made... agree or not this short should have been produced, it is a thought-provoking remarkable-work

... there's a review in Short-of-the-Week about this work, indicating talk about developing Tangles & Knots into a feature, which will aim to deeper into the complexities of the relationship between the two protagonists and navigate the aftermath of the events that happen in the short

... now that's a production would really look-forward-seeing... for here in a fraction of time there's just way too much missing as to how-why this-'mother' would all get sooo much out-of-hand, for her daughter and herself.

Seven Types of Ambiguity (2017)

... really like her work here, yet should she have been the one choosen

[7/10 · 7 October 2024]

... Leeanne Walsman's a very good actor, as-and her recent excellent series 'Human Error' attests once again... here, she's not so much a part of each Seven Types of Ambiguity episode, yet when she does appear she makes the most of it, especially that final segment

... Xavier Samuel is actually only several years younger than Walsman, yet he appears onscreen to look much younger than her... and seeing that these two characters in this story are to have been 'lovers' in school, the 'look' of the two of them, and story-timelines of their ages just doesn't work-calculate... maybe as a younger lover of hers, fine... but together in college for several years, just isn't making sense, and it's distracting... in 2017, Walsman's a woman in her late thirties, Samuel his mid-thirties... with a script having them knowing one another for ten years

... all other actors work well in their respective roles... yet with Simon such an important character to the story, it's really difficult disregarding... added to a storyline having long stretches dragging out, and it makes at times for difficult viewing... it's a worthwhile production, yet flawed more than it should have been... Walsman and Samuel did great work.. most all others as well too... another good ABC drama.

The Boy That Never Was (2024)

... does get somewhat better, yet still not completely enough

[6/10 · 5 October 2024]

... this being a relatively short four-part mini-series, don't make the mistake of just watching one or two episodes believing you've seen all you need seeing... for it starts off totally in one direction, twists and turns in several (for some might be too many) and ends in another completely different... although possibly-probably not firmly enough for majority of viewers

... casting, acting, production all good to very good... the winding path of the plot-storyline's where many can and will get bogged down baffled... then there's matter of all those flashbacks, mixed throughout so that you have little idea where you are at any point in the timing of it all... basic to establishing reference can-be is one thing, here overuse nearly does in the entire production... and the ending should have been used for closure considering what had come before, instead it just cements doubt, and is surely fully unsatisfying for many... this film taking-getting-caught-cheating to an-entirely-different-level of-utter-improbability.

Human Error (2024– )

... another solid offering from our friends afar

[8/10 · 5 October 2024]

... there are quite many believing crime dramas and relationship dramas are genres should never get mixed together, both should-must always be-remain kept separate... here in this production there's slightly more crime, yet quite a bit of personal relationship storylines are woven-in-included... for those not minding it's quite well done and no bother at all... and with many familiar faces from the down under acting community, the show's well supported by highly proficient character actors

... script-writing could be a weakness for some, for one of the important storylines raises issues that do not get resolved, least not fully in this premier season, leading us all to believe there will at minimum be another season series, or another was least planned-for-anticipated... just as in life, this issue involved could go several differing ways, none of which would be satisfactory to all the show's characters or audiences watching ... looking hopefully forward to next season's happenings

... continually throughout this first season, the glaring script omission is 'why'... obviously answer most would indicate being age, getting an unplanned-opportunity probably-not to-be-presenting itself again... for having to expose oneself (and others close) through all the scrutiny-criticism from work colleagues and social relationships... stares-whispers surrounding this new-unexpected extramarital long-term-commitment are to be daunting for sure... not now remembering seeing this scenario being approached-tackled in a TV script previously, should make for quite-intriguing-viewing, detailed-handled-well throughout the next season series.

The Perfect Couple (2024– )

... certain individuals you can't get away from their 'persona'

[6/10 · 20 September 2024]

... one of the most recognizable people on the entire planet, should you not know of her, you do not watch much-any entertainment programming... and therein lies one of the main problems with this Perfect-Couple series... watching there's a flamboyant character played by YKW... you're always watching thinking of her, and less of the character she's portraying

... otherwise it's fairly ordinary, with most of the important screen time being taken-over-commanded by Hewson-Fahy... together they make it worth the time, otherwise, it would be a 'pass'... couple days after viewing, you might-probably not-remember what most of it's all about.

Good Trouble (2019–2024)

... will there ever be a part-three... should there be

[6/10 · 14 September 2024]

... splitting it up into two segments, the show(s) still a decade long... quite a long time for any story, maybe too long.. and with nearly two hundred episodes, much time needs get filled with some pretty dumb sketches-dialogue... was it overall bad, no.. but it could have been better, if there were not so many storylines that were chopped up into multiple segments, all inter-disbursed throughout all the episodes

... then there's the issue of some bad casting-directing choices, coupled-along with some overzealous-misdirected acting.. and this from leading characters making it all seem even worse, and it brings on much fast-forwarding from many viewers... with these kinds of productions, watching the same actors so many years, all flaws are exposed-heightened... Mitchell's obviously very attractive, but for nearly ten years watching her, can be a bit too much to take... especially when in some episodes, her screen time's excessive-unessential

... of all the numerous actors Ramirez is the best throughout, captivating-stealing majority of storylines in which she's a part... best of all, she makes other characters/actors better... she should have wound up with the central character's ending, not Mitchell... which concluded too-predictable-boring, and after sooo-many-episodes, essentially-tedious

... have not yet read any critic reviews, will be interesting to see how they compare-with mostly-favorable-opinions of average-viewers... TBC (possibly).

The Accident (2024– )

... over the top for sure, taken too seriously looses

[6/10 · 24 August 2024]

... having its own Spanish-soap dumb-charm, with quite a few stupid happenings... like putting a brick in a ziplock-bag weighing-down a couple items thrown into a river, when items on their own would be impossible floating

... everyone-characters overacting more than not can wear viewers down... just watch without overthinking and it becomes less-annoying more-watchable... every actor filling their parts pretty well... one stands out that without him this production would not have succeeded much at all... Alberto Guerra as the hated villain Charro... he alone is worth viewing-time, making most of each-every evil-minute onscreen

... ending as-if there's another season coming... bet many of those giving poor ratings will be watching again, it's that guilty-pleasure-allure.

Separate Lies (2005)

... solid performances can't rescue a murky plot

[6/10 · 24 August 2024]

... all great actors performing their roles exceptionally well, they cannot be faulted... it's the plot-storyline that never quite sits right... being in her mid-thirties, had she craved-lusted a younger-'bad-boy'-playboy, why did she choose to marry her father... May-December one thing, this going completely out of type, with absolutely no backstory given, just complete befuddlement

... and seeming like one day there's a cricket match, and then just like that only couple-few days later all has quickly gone down the crapper, again with little-much ballyhoo-dispute at all from the protagonists ... pacificity-personified... the ending continues on the unfulfilling story, why give closure to a story never with much explanation.