agentmiky

I consider the horror genre to be one of the most challenging to perfect. Balancing a well-constructed story with a heavy horror atmosphere spiced with scares that don’t come off as cheap or obvious is nearly an unrealistic task for most horror creators. But director Flanagan succeeded brilliantly. In fact, I haven’t seen a better horror drama yet (and that includes feature films). The Haunting of Hill House shone in every aspect; I honestly couldn’t find a single flaw to critique, which I find astonishing. The narrative, set in the present with flashbacks to 26 years ago, initially seemed quite chaotic, but as the series progressed toward its finale, all the raised questions were answered in a way that must have satisfied every viewer. I haven’t seen such a powerful family story on screen before. Many actors have gained incredible visibility from this project, and I believe it will boost their careers, and we’ll see them in many more projects. The child actors were astounding, shedding any fears of public acting and delivering performances that left me in awe. Everything is complemented by incredibly stylish music, captivating and high-quality visuals, excellent cinematography that keeps the viewer engaged, and a chilling atmosphere that burrows deep into your bones (a few scenes almost gave me a heart attack). Besides episodes five and six, which are rightly praised to the skies, the final two episodes blew me away. Whether through the precise conclusion of this gripping story, outstanding dialogues that will resonate with you for a long time, or the emotionally intense moments that will have you reaching for tissues, this series left a deep impression. Mike Flanagan is a name that has etched itself in my memory under the heading PERFECTIONISM IN EVERY ASPECT. And that’s not going to change. For me, it's 100%.

Could this be the most meticulously crafted series I’ve ever seen? Quite possibly. The first season of Narcos grips you like few things have before. I’ve never paid much attention to television productions, as they often don’t have the highest budgets, but Narcos defies those preconceived notions with every minute. It approaches the level of a blockbuster, and that’s an undeniable fact. The casting was spot-on. For the role of Escobar, a Latin American actor was a must, and with Wagner Moura on hand, who has the talent and a striking resemblance to the criminal, hesitation was not an option. Moura gave his all, and it showed. Even his gaze was deadly, reflecting the intense preparation he undertook for the role. The supporting roles were also excellently cast; you won’t find anyone who feels out of place. As a probe into the operations of drug lords and the underworld, it functions superbly. The atmosphere is palpable, everything is depicted with no restraints and boundaries, and it is simply authentic. At times, it felt like I was watching a documentary (though there was real, albeit quite dramatic, footage, it helped understand daily life in Colombia). The action scenes were also perfectly handled. I have nothing to criticize. I’m looking forward to the next season; a series about such a notorious criminal hasn’t been seen in a long time, and likely won’t be again soon. It’s definitely worth savoring. I’m giving it 96%.

A series that thrilled me in every aspect. For two years, I had read nothing but praise for True Detective and how excellent it was. Now I’ve finally seen it. Nic Pizzolatto delivered a perfect script, the dialogues were polished to perfection, and I admit that I wasn’t bored for a single moment over the entire eight episodes. The atmosphere and the old-school approach to the film were almost breathtaking at times. The two main actors were in a constant battle to see who could deliver the better performance. McConaughey might have edged out slightly with his role, and his philosophical musings and the dialogues in a similar vein with Harrelson were very amusing. I loved how the series was crafted in a mystical and, above all, mysterious manner. Such works are rare, and I welcomed it with pleasure. Even though there weren’t many action sequences, I really enjoyed the series. If you appreciate a gradually intensifying atmosphere that culminates in an incredible way, this is definitely for you. We’ll see what the second season brings. The first season earns a 95% from me.

The fourth season truly blew me away. After the less impressive third season, the latest installment has become easily the best series I've seen in a while. The cast was not only excellent but truly otherworldly. Cillian Murphy once again ruled the show, this time alongside Tom Hardy and Adrien Brody. Brody, in the role of an Italian mobster from New York, was an incredible surprise. At first, his accent seemed forced rather than naturally adopted, but I gradually realized that such a gravelly voice really suits that type of character. Whenever he appeared on screen, entertainment was guaranteed. This time, the show also featured finely crafted action scenes that were a pleasure to watch, as well as the usual atmosphere (which is somewhat of a habit now) and, of course, well-crafted dialogues that occasionally gave me goosebumps. Hardy once again had a small amount of screen time, but he made excellent use of it. The final episode was flawless, with the scene of Hardy and Murphy on the beach meticulously detailed to the last aspect. It will be a long time before I find a series that sets and mostly maintains such a high standard. The fourth season gets 95%.

Because I had seen the Coen brothers' 1996 film Fargo, I was eager to watch the TV series with a similar storyline. I must point out that if the series hadn't been graced with such fantastic actors in the lead roles, it might have faded into mediocrity. Both of the main actors, Billy Bob Thornton and Martin Freeman, improved their performances with each episode, to the point where I was almost in awe of how brilliantly they portrayed their roles. I also can’t forget the lead policewoman. The stylish music fit the story perfectly (the soundtrack can be described as divine). I enjoyed everything about the series, including the Minnesota landscape, the dense atmosphere, and the excellent ending. I'm already looking forward to the second season. Rating: 90%.

From the very first encounter with the character of the Punisher in Daredevil, I thought how awesome a standalone series about him could be. It took almost two years, but the wait is finally over. Jon Bernthal delivers the best performance of his career, and I don’t think he can top it. His cold demeanor, raspy voice, and incredibly controlled expressions confirm this. He managed to immerse himself in his role and give it his all (it's interesting that in reality, Bernthal is likable, funny, and approachable, which is the exact opposite of his character in the series, showcasing his true acting prowess). Now, about the series itself. The opening theme stuck with me, and I enjoyed all the performances. The action is executed brilliantly, just like in a high-quality film. I wondered how the creators would handle the action and brutality, and believe me, there's plenty of it. I might have toned down Frank's invincibility a bit, but then you remember it's Frank Castle, so who am I to argue? The Punisher character fulfilled its potential, and his struggle with inner demons is detailed to the smallest aspect. The fights are among the best seen recently. We'll see how the second season turns out, which is already a given (I’m excited for Ben Barnes, not Billy Russo now, but Jigsaw, like a kid). I give it 92%.

Amazon wasn’t afraid to take a risk with an interesting story based on a comic book, it brought it to the screen, and the result is truly impressive. Every step of the way, you can feel the substantial budget that was pumped into the series—visually and audibly, it’s nearly on a film level. What I have to highlight is the handling of the characters. There are no flat figures reciting their lines—far from it. Each character’s development received significant screen time, and by the end, you’ll find yourself dividing them into two categories: those you hate and those you’ve grown fond of. Sometimes, there’s even a third option, which is to feel absolutely indifferent toward a character. If you end up with this third option during the viewing, then something is wrong with the film. The basic premise of the superhero "Seven" and the company that owns them and exploits them for its own gain is presented in a compelling way. The characters in this seven-member superhero team are diverse, yet, except for one, each character will repulse you with their behavior (Evil Superman, aka Homelander, clearly stands out here; Antony Starr’s mesmerizing and demonic portrayal was truly surprising). As for the "good" characters on the other side of the barricade, Karl Urban as Billy Butcher clearly leads the pack with his strong accent. The story is also powerful at many moments (the airplane passengers scene, the cliffhanger of the final episode). The visual style and camera composition of the shots are a treat. It's very different from Marvel—full of vulgarities, nudity, and frequent gore scenes—but it has a far more crushing emotional impact on the viewer and often leads to reflection rather than just escapism. It reminded me a lot of Watchmen. I’m already looking forward to the second season, and I’m giving it 90%.