vikingtales Reviews

Outer Range (2022– )

Just What The ..... is this !!! Monty Python Does Wyoming

[5/10 · 16 May 2024]

I've only just stumbled on this series, and I checked the reviews before watching, all I can say is, why the rave reviews, this series is so out there, it's ridiculous,

Will Patten singing in his bath robe, was the first sign something wasn't quite right here, I managed to get to Episode 4 Season 1 when I threw in the towel, the scene at the funeral with the brother signing a Kate Bush song was excruciating to watch.

Perhaps this show gets better, later on, but I suspect not, it certainly doesn't know what it wants to be... is it Sci-fi, is it drama, is it a western or is it a lame attempt at comedy, I suspect the later, with the terrible singing, and weird acting from some of the cast, now weather this is supposed to be irony or not I have no idea, but just how did Brolin and Patten get roped (pun intended) into doing this is a mystery.

It struck me more that this series is trying too hard and is trying to be a little of The Righteous Gemstones but without the comedy and writing skills of that series.

I'm Out, 5/10.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)

Was really expecting better than what I watched

[5/10 · 14 May 2024]

I Was really expecting better from Guy Ritchie than what I watched, it's supposed to be 1942 and there are some real mis-casting going on as seems to be the way in this modern era, so not really authentic of 1942, which is really starting to annoy me, in a lot of period television dramas and films.

It seemed to be done all too tongue in cheek and a little too farcical for my liking, so it didn't really hit home the real story of operation Postmaster that the SOE conducted in WW2 against the Nazi forces.

I managed 30 minutes before I binned it, a real missed opportunity to tell an amazing story of real life heroism, written, filmed and directed in what came across in a jokey manner.

I see other reviewers are raving about this movie, but, If you are someone that likes history and WW2 history in particular, I think you will be disappointed.

Guy Ritchie normally a good director misses the target for me sadly with this movie. 5/10.

Dark Matter (2015–2017)

Great TV Series

[8/10 · 10 May 2024]

First off let me just state that I really enjoyed this series when it first dropped, back in 2015-2017 and now some years later binge watching it again, it is really very, very good, but now in 2024 I'm noticing a fair few continuity issues I didn't notice originally.

The memory scenes when 5 is living the lives of other crew members, there a re some misaligned continuity, then again in Season2 when they suddenly regain their memories after escaping the prison once back on the ship no one seems to ask where are 1 and 6, if they had truly regained their prior memories, they would be asking where are those two..

Apart from that I think a really good series ended too soon.

Clarkson's Farm (2021– )

Some Say.... Jeremy Clarkson is...

[10/10 · 7 May 2024]

Some Say.... Jeremy Clarkson is bumptious , arrogant, full of his own importance, and they don't like him.... all we know is.... Jeremy and Lisa on Clarkson's Farm are brilliant.

I've been a follower of Jeremy Clarkson right from his early days as a staff writer on a car magazine back in the 1990's even before he was on Top Gear, and his sense of humour and verbal style was a welcome relief from all the yes men and boring old staff writers that seemed to be writing back in those days for car magazines.

I've followed his career all these years later right through Top Gear to The Grand tour and now Clarkson's Farm and as we now have it Season 3 of yet for trials and tribulations of farming in the UK in this day and age, I'm not a farmer so have no axe to grind but what Jeremy has done is brought to the masses the absolute ridiculousness of local authorises and planning permissions, that local farmers and people trying to scratch a living have to go through to earn a crust.

Now whether the local authorities in Oxfordshire where his farm is are just too stuck in their ways or just being difficult because they don't like Clarkson for some reason, because of his persona is a question only they can answer, but...

Clarkson's Farm is a can't miss watch, it certainly shows Jeremy in a new light even as a long time follower, he has shown a lighter more personal side to his personality although we have seen glimpses of this side of him on TG & TGT, this is brave for him to do that, as for his lady Lisa Hogan, what an amazing lady, the way in which she just gets stuck in and deals with birthing baby pigs S3-ep4 is incredible.

At the end if you were not a fan of Jeremy before, after watching him in utter heartbreak because his pigs are dying or some other heart rending glimpse into his life away from and outside his TV persona.

I rarely give a 10/10 but Clarkson's Farm is sure fire and worthy 10/10, please lets have more from Diddly Squat Farm.

The Golden Hour (2022– )

Some say !!!

[9/10 · 7 May 2024]

Some say this series Het Gouden Uur (The Golden Hour) is racist is unbelievable, is unrealistic, but to be true from history this series is art reporting real life.

We all can remember the lorry attack in the United Kingdom London Bridge terror attack of 2019, perpetrated by extremists, and I suspect watching this series would be extremely harrowing for relatives of anyone killed in a terrorist attack, but sadly the truth is these attacks happen weather they are portrayed on TV or film or not, and perhaps should be highlighted, to warn of such horrors.

Het Gouden Uur is a great piece of Dutch TV and well worth a binge on a wet weekend, if a little graphic in places, and the way the guy from the AIVD treated the cops wife was possibly a bit unrealistic, or perhaps it wasn't having had some interaction with European Police they are not like we see or believe the UK Police to be all rights and gentle with the suspects, so perhaps this depiction is truthful... who knows.

Overall I liked The Golden Hour, it was very well made, the acting was superb and a lot better than some big budget productions coming out of the big houses, I do hope there is a Season 2 as the end of Season 1 left questions about who is involved from the Police in the terror attacks, 9/10.

In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023)

A Liam Neeson film that is actually watchable

[7/10 · 30 April 2024]

I have to firstly admit I'm not a huge Liam Neeson fan, most of his films have been pretty bad, if I'm being honest, but In the Land of Saints and Sinners, sounded different and it was for me it was the first of Liam Neeson' s movies I actually enjoyed.

And as other reviews have stated he seems right at home in this movie and the role he plays.

The setting is Ireland and what beautiful scenery there is as a backdrop to what is a very watchable movie.

Neeson plays Finbar Murphy a retired man with a dark past in 70's Ireland now leading a very quiet existence, when some people arrive and disrupt his peace he must stop them.

The Frontier (I) (2015)

I don't get the it looks like.....

[8/10 · 30 April 2024]

I don't get the it looks.....like it was made in the 70's, well people.. it's obviously set in that period, judging by all the 70's clothing style and cars, and like a lot of great 70's movies, for example Vanishing Point, The French Connection, Bullitt, to name but three, it is all the better for it.

I just do not understand the negative 70's comments, they are clearly made by sub age 40's film watchers, more in tune with todays bang... bang and Fast 'n' Boring style movies, with fake cgi, that you don't have to think to hard when you watch them.

Ok so this movie is a little B movie in it's style, but for all that I actually enjoyed it way more than I was expecting, the acting and plot is very good, and if you like some substance in your movie plots then give it a watch, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Shōgun (2024–2026)

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent.

[10/10 · 23 April 2024]

Well it has come to an end after 10 episodes, and what is there to say about Shôgun, but Excellent, Excellent, Excellent, a total masterpiece in cinematic quality, in every detail.

This is a must see television series, and one of the best series I've watched in a long, long time, I was a little unsure of Cosmo at the beginning, in the first couple of episodes, but Cosmo grew on me as the episodes progressed, and he filled out his character a little more as the series went on.

Recently I read they might well produce a second season, even though this is based on a single book, and pretty much the story is played out, but I do hope there is a second series and then some, as the ending certainly seemed to say there is more for the characters in this series and more to say in their saga.

Overall a massive 10/10 from me, well worth a binge over a wet and miserable weekend.

Vikings (2013–2020)

Seasons 1 - 4 are simply the best

[9/10 · 19 April 2024]

As some others have stated having re-binged on Vikings over the years and I have to agree Seasons one to four are the best, by quite a margin.

Season five starts to go a little awry but by Season six, when Ivar ends up in Russia I found to going a bit off the original theme, and found myself skipping through some of the Episodes, as it was a bit slow moving.

To be honest as odd as some have said about Travis Fimmel acting can be sometimes, especially in other productions I've seen him in, for me his portrayal of Ragnar, I think is actually very good, also Floki is an interesting character, well played by Gustaf Skarsgård, as for the remaining actors they do a decent job in their respective parts.

Overall a good series 9/10 well worth a binge for Seasons 1-4, as I feel it lost its way a little after Ragnar was killed off.

Spitfire Over Berlin (2022)

Spitfire Over Berlin

[6/10 · 9 April 2024]

Ok lets start by saying, I have a bit of a liking for WW2 films and particularly ones to do with the extremely brave young men and I mean guys in their late teens and early 20's that signed up to protect this the UK from invasion by the German forces, sadly not the best CGI I've ever seen in a film, but then I'm guessing the guys that made and produced this are not working with a massive budget, but of all the 3 WW2 movies these guys have produced I feel it isn't the best of the 3.

Secondly not the worst acting I've ever had the misfortune to watch, I've seen much bigger budget films with way worse acting than this film in bigger budget movies from the USA.

Knox Goes Away (2023)

Knox Goes Away - Exceptional Movie

[9/10 · 7 April 2024]

When I first read the synopsis about a man with dementia, I was a little put off it has to be said, but thought just how bad could it be it's has Keaton, Pacino and Marsden in the lead roles.

It starts off pretty slowly, and I almost packed it in, but I persevered and it starts to pick up nicely once his son played by Marsden who he hasn't seen for a while, turns up on his door step covered in blood.

And even though Knox is loosing his memory pretty quickly he sets out to help his son cover up the murder of the sons daughters rapist, which not giving away the twist he does masterfully.

The ending is kind of hard to watch I feel for anyone who has had a friend or family member suffer with a fast acting illness, and it did give me a bit of a lump in my throat, as I have had a good friend with something similar that was only given 3 months to live some years ago, and sadly died still quite young.

Overall an exceptionally well shot, acted, directed film, that is very thought provoking, a must watch I feel.

The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019)

Oh dear, oh dear... Disappointing ending from a great start.

[7/10 · 2 April 2024]

I wanted to write how amazing The Man in the High Castle was having never read the book, and the premise drew me in.

Season 1 was the best in my view, Season two was pretty good still, Season 3 was starting to show a few cracks in the walls of the castle.

Season Four what a waste of 10 hours of my and I suspect other viewers time and energy expecting it to return to great writing, which it never did, there was way too much of what makes modern television and film script writing all the same, with this modern day politically correct stuff.

As for the ending Episode 10 of Season 4 just what the heck was that, what a stupid ending, S4started poorly and with every episode it got more ridiculous don't waste your time with Season 4 it's a series filler of 10 hours of nonsensical scenes jammed together for the times we now live in.

I had previously scored this series 9/10 until I watched Season 4 and that ending, I now give it a 7/10, but mainly because the first 2 Seasons where grab you by the seat of your pants.

The Hunt for a Killer (2020)

The Hunt for a Killer.

[8/10 · 23 March 2024]

I stumbled upon this series like I do so many and being a fan of Nordic Noir, thought I'd give it a watch, and was quite intrigued to find out it was based on a real life murder investigation in the late 1990's, early 2000's.

Having watched this series, yes there are elements that are manufactured for dramatic purposes, but in essence it's a true story, that I find utterly appalling is that the Police seemed to have been so lax and ineffectual in their investigations initially, and they pretty much side-lined the best detective they had, who was later relentless in his investigations, with little or no help from his superiors, I find this just unbelievable.

A really thought provoking insight into Police practices in the late 1990's early 2000's, I just hope they have learned from these mistakes in the later years.

Keep Breathing (2022)

Way better than I expected.

[9/10 · 20 March 2024]

Way better than I expected, firstly I read the reviews which to be honest were less than complimentary, and at first I didn't really think I was going to like this series, as the main Character Liv didn't come across as particularly likeable and a determined career woman, that didn't really seem to get on with co-workers.

But then as the series progressed you actually start to see why she is the hard nosed person she seems to be, and you start to warm to her, especially when she is so determined to jump back in freezing water to recue what turns out to be drugs and drug money, then starts to remember her childhood girl guide activities and starts to try to survive the wilderness.

I laughed out loud when the dental floss broke and she swears at the fish, and also when shes shouting at the bear who just turns his back and does what bears do in the woods, and again when she's looking for fresh water and there is a scene of a Moose - Cariboo, doing it's thing in the stream further up It made me laugh again...

I really do not understand the negative and dismissive reviews but then I guess it's horses for courses, and perhaps if you're only interest is shoot 'em ups then this movie is not for you, but then perhaps those people will be missing a really decent movie, ok so a little too many flashbacks but then they are there to establish why she is such a survivor and determined to make it home.

All I can say is if you like character driven drama give it a go, make your own mind up, personally it grew on me and by the end I really enjoyed it.

Archive (2020)

Ok, what can I say, exceptional Movie.

[9/10 · 10 March 2024]

What can I say, an exceptional Sci-fi Movie, I found this movie like I do so many others by just seeing what lead actors/actresses, have done from other movies/TV series I've watched and stumbled upon Archive.

Sci-Fi is either done really well or is not and Archive is one of this movies that is done exceptionally well, the whole feel of this movie is very dark and foreboding, and to be honest I'm not entirely sure what the message of this movie is, other than perhaps don't venture too much into AI or try to make AI as human like as possible as it will some day over take our understandings and perhaps one day destroy us.

That was until the end scene, where AI does seem to have taken the human consciousness, and controlled it, which to be honest was a surprise ending, and not at all expected, in a similar vein to the way the first Matrix, took out beliefs and messed with them, to make us feel like "what if" only way more advanced in this movie.

For me one of the most thought provoking movies I've seen in a while.

Beacon 23 (2023– )

Ohh dear !!!

[3/10 · 6 March 2024]

I only really decided to watch this because Lena Heady is the main character, but Ohh dear even she couldn't pull this series out of the dull drums.

There are way to many holes and too many unexplainable cuts and move to the next scene to keep it running smoothly, and it just comes across as so disjointed it makes the viewer lose interest pretty quickly, especially when people just turn up by surprise that's just too sloppy, then on top of that Lena's character then goes and kills her long time friend, acquaintance, manager, work colleague to save a man shes only just met, that I found was just too unbelievable.

I was hoping this would be better and sadly I found Beacon 23 to not be a Beacon of shining light, but a light that got dimmer and dimmer and I bailed after 3 and a bit episodes.

I've given it a 3/10 but only because Lena was the only beacon of shining light.

The Lost City of Z (2016)

A pretty amazing film.

[9/10 · 5 March 2024]

A pretty amazing film, telling the true life story of one on England's great adventurers, and one to be honest I'd never heard of prior to finding this movie and doing some research on Percy Fawcett.

What an amazing character Percy Fawcett was, and to think this was a hundred years ago, these guys were just amazing in their quest for adventure and seeking out new places.

What ever happened to Percy and his son back then will quite probably never be known, as it's now been a long, long time, but as a nation, as a a country we should all be thankful for people like this from our past that actually ventured out and discovered the unknown world we all now take for granted.

I only have immense resect for these adventurers.

The Tunnel (2013–2018)

The Tunnel is this The Bridge by another name.

[9/10 · 1 March 2024]

The Tunnel is this The Bridge by another name, well thats a good question, I watched Season 1 some time ago, and then only recently managed to find Series 2 and Series 3, and I have to say I did notice some similarities with The Bridge, a slightly damaged woman detective, and a man detective from another country, but I did some research and found out The Tunnel was indeed a remake of The Bridge.

The interesting thing is the more I watched The Tunnel, the more I forgot about The Bridge (as good as it was) and I think The Tunnel stands on it's own two feet as an excellent series, with some excellent acting and performances from the cast.

Land of Bad (2024)

Land of Bad, actually Not that Bad.

[7/10 · 17 February 2024]

I wasn't really expecting too much from this movie, from all the negativity and bad reviews, but I thought how bad could it actually be with Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe and Milo Ventimiglia in the line up.

And to be honest I was pleasantly surprised that Land of Bad, actually wasn't that Bad, some good solid performances from the actors playing the Delta Force team and from Russell Crowe my oh my, hasn't he put some weight on, need to get down the gym Russ.

Overall I think a pretty decent action movie with to be honest a bit of a duff title, and really does it really matter 3 Aussie actors are playing Americans, probably not.

Ok, so not a great film in the great scheme of films, but certainly an entertaining and a decently shot directed and acted one for a couple of hours,

Not a 10/10 imho, but certainly not a 1-5, I'd give it a solid 7/10.

Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed (2012)

A Decent Movie

[8/10 · 4 February 2024]

I have to say I wasn't really expecting much from this Movie, but was pleasantly surprised...

The acting was very, very good, the direction was excellent and the whole feel of this movie was one of quality, I'm surprised it got so badly reviewed, ok so there were one or two errors, like when the 3 Americans came into contact with the Germans on route by a sign post saying Frejus one way and Le Muy the opposite was correct on route to Les Arcs, but then they set off towards Frejus which is the wrong direction, when Le Muy is the right direction for Les Arcs, but to be honest not a huge error and tbh, one most people probably would not have spotted.

Overall I like this movie a lot, it's heartfelt performances are standout and a lot of bigger budget productions could learn a lot from this.

8/10 for me.

Hammer of the Gods (2013)

Good from a far, but far from good.

[4/10 · 2 February 2024]

Good from a far, but far from good, I feel fits the bill for this Viking movie.

I do like a good Viking tale it has to be said, and when I saw Clive Standen was in it thought it would be one to watch, now considering both this and Vikings where Clive played a lead role as Rollo are both stated as released in 2013, I suspect he did this first them went for the Vikings role.

This movie started out reasonably well, but some as others have stated the costumes were off, the language was totally off, way to many modern terms and phrases, when it really hit an all time low was the cave scene when there were some very mis-cast individuals that would never have been in Briton in 870 in Saxon/Viking times, and yes I'm aware this is just someone's interpretation, but I wish film makers would at least try to accurate.

As someone whom really likes Viking stuff, this movie isn't even in the same league as either Vikings or The Last Kingdom tv series.

The Beekeeper (2024)

Statham is back, and buzzing loudly.

[9/10 · 2 February 2024]

Very much enjoyed this movie, from beginning to end it was a buzz a minute... errrmm sorry 'bout that 😉

I don't think any one else could have done this movie apart from Jason Statham, the subject matter is right on current world trends, where these scam artists phone you out of the blue claiming to be something they are not, it happens every day to innocent people who have their life savings scammed off them, by the sort of people portrayed in this movie.

Just how many of us would want the ability to find those scammers call centres and the people who run them and go Jason Statham on them, I'm pretty sure quite a few.

9/10 from me, it was all action Statham is back, and I smell a sequel coming...

Vendetta (I) (2022)

Not as bad as it's portrayed in reviews, imho.... but.

[6/10 · 31 January 2024]

For me at least I found this movie, not as bad as it's portrayed in reviews, and in reality not a bad movie, as there are some pretty well known names in this basically what is a B movie, Bruce Willis, Thomas Jane, Theo Rossi, Clive Standen plays lead, as a man whose daughter is killed by a bunch of gangsters in an initiation killing, Clive Standen (Vikings, Taken) perhaps less well known, but is emerging as a decent action hero in the vein of Statham and Adkins.

Some really decent performances from these guys especially Theo Rossi (sons of anarchy) who plays a total Psycho particularly well.

What I couldn't take was the sound basically the engineer on this movie needs sacking, sometimes you couldn't hear the dialogue for the over powering music, then when there was no music, the dialogue was was so inaudible and echoed it was impossible to hear, also some of the direction was pretty poor and the some of the camera angles were pretty bad.

Ok so I'm sounding hearse but what could have been a pretty decent movie is let down by poor camera work, poor direction and in post production really poor sound quality and over powering music, 6/10 for me.

Taken (2017–2018)

Way better than some would have you believe...

[9/10 · 31 January 2024]

Way better than some would have you believe, a fairly familiar concept of a television series, like a lot of others in a lot of areas, and based apparently on the Liam Neeson films, which to be honest is a misnomer, as this is better in a lot of areas, mainly not Liam Neeson in the lead role doing all these fight scenes at 70 odd years old is just a bit too far fetched for my liking, but....

Clive Standen is great in this role, and a lot more believable and it really shows his abilities as a trained martial artist and his skills in Muay Thai, which I didn't know about him until this series.

I think it's a huge shame this series got canned after Season 2 it deserved more.

But what I would take from this is, Clive Standen should be the next James Bond, with his fighting skills and that whimsical smile, he is born for the role.

Race for Glory: Audi vs. Lancia (2024)

This Movie is Meh !!!

[3/10 · 7 January 2024]

Let me start by saying, I was really looking forward to watching this movie knowing a about this from the days when Rallying was the be all of Motorsport, and as a pretty big fan of the the sport back in those heady days.

Sadly this movie falls short in so many areas, it doesn't draw the viewer in and make them feel how special this era of Rallying really was, and what bugs me about movie makers and this one in particular, they have 3 languages in this movie well 4 if you include English, and there is not one subtitle so the viewer cannot understand the intricate details of what the engineers are talking about at the factory, or indeed the characters, in German, French and Italian, and maybe it doesn't matter to the non car buff, and perhaps this movie wasn't really made for us Rallying or car fans, but then what a waste of time, could have been so much more.

Overall I was disappointed with the movie, it could have been so much better and for a Rally fan much more immersive, the acting was pretty poor as well. 3/10 from me I'm afraid, I gave up after 50 minutes of disappointment.