carojoshua

Amazing set up. First two episodes thought we were in for an exciting ride, production value, acting, directing all top notch..and then it quickly skid into and settled comfortably in a string of episodes that are complete filler.

From what I've read about the books there is plenty of material to draw from, so seems to be a deliberate attempt at getting more seasons out of the concept? Not sure just speculating...

Only thing keeping me involved are slight hints that it's actually building toward something and the promise those first two episodes dangled. Everything has been so dull and aimless since then, acting, dialogue, close to no development in the plot - not sure how many more episodes I can take given this complete drop in quality.. first two episodes are a solid 8 ..last three 4's (or worse)

Here's to hoping this review ages poorly and I get to comeback and update it..

UPDATE- finally back on track with 2 great episodes (ep 7 & 8) .. Story is focused and narrowed back in with purpose and drive, upping the stakes, and with some great flashbacks sequences that inform on characters state of mind in the present.

Back to rooting for this show and also hoping episodes 9 & 10 keep it up

Glad I made it through the slump in ep 3-6 as I was closing to calling it quits.

I have a feeling that if this movie was made at a time when it could have been taken in for what it was, not only would it have been more on everyone's radar but would have basked in awards ..certainly from festivals that still reward challenge and bold artistry.

I'm afraid given the themes and realism that everyone chattered the cartilage out of their knees quaking in the fact that it is un-apologetically itself and cares little for catering to what has now been deemed acceptable when it comes to portraying the difficulties of existence and it's often unforeseen trials & tests.

Really brought me back to browsing and trying to watch every Criterion film I could check out from the local library when I was a teenager, where I was brought on journeys from around the world without ever leaving my humdrum suburban town, one's that stick with me until this day. So unique in its quietness, and in its quietness - where patience has been dashed over a stone - how many will never give this the proper chance it deserves?

The camera work seems to start far and perfectly work it's way into every moment, closing in at the exact right moment to what turns the soul of the story. And if you have ever spent any time in a small mountain town or small local beachside haunt in Mexico nothing about this is extreme or political (not everything is or has to be!) - get your head out of the sand and stop thinking that some slogan you've memorized to not be ostracized by your peers covers the entirety of existence, the entirety of the globe and the complexity of different cultures!

If you at all have managed to stay out of the instantaneous nature of virtually everything and like a good challenge in filmmaking, one that rewards in the most subtle way possible, please do yourself a favor and take this on..

And when that special person who has survived through the gregarious nature of pumped out throw away forgettable content, who has also kept their finger on pulse of the soul comes to mind while watching, please don't forget to tell them to sit down and take this in as well.

Maybe creations of this fortitude will forever be in some minority but Godspeed anyone who is so bold as to walk out on a limb and make them for those of us who take the time to appreciate them.

Absolutamente bellísimo!! Que profundo! Mil Gracias!

To the rest that want to munch three pounds of popcorn to Marvel or equivalent offering..don't worry don't worry challenges to those monoliths such as these won't stop you from being satiated into oblivion..

There is an interesting quiet brooding feel that builds amazingly throughout this. It keeps you thinking and guessing...the only trouble is they are building something that is completely abandoned because of the twist. A twist that has not only been done before (and much better) but makes the sum of this story so plain and simple when there were so many unique directions it could have gone...

.. Also turns and goes for shock and gore when the rest of the movie was so unnerving without the over the top violence. Maybe for this reason the second time around the American version may have gone a different direction? (I don't feel motivated to watch and see..will just look up spoilers)

..too bad though because so many elements of this were amazing, ruined by a cheap ending.