Review The Gentlemen - Season 2

genre: crime, drama, thriller

 

Apparently, it was always the intention to make a show. For whatever reason, it became a movie first. Both are set in the same fictional universe but are completely separate stories. And in my opinion, the show is superior.

From Royalty to the Criminal Underworld

It's an interesting idea to have a member of the royal family venture into the world of organised crime, and that is exactly what we get to see unfold in the first season.

Season 2 continues the story that was established previously. Our main character, Edward Horniman, played by Theo James, begins to realise that simply maintaining his position in the criminal underworld isn't enough. He wants more.

For the most part, this season feels like a return to form. However, it also exposes some major flaws in the storytelling.

When Guy Ritchie Becomes Predictable

I've always felt that Guy Ritchie has a knack for turning expectations upside down. His criminal stories often come with unexpected twists, eccentric characters, and a humorous take on the darker side of the criminal world.

Unfortunately, there are limits to how far that formula can be pushed. Almost every event you can see coming a mile away.

Mirroring James Bond

One major event in particular feels heavily inspired by On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. While the outcome is easy to anticipate, I have to admit that it remains very effective.

Sometimes knowing where a story is heading doesn't necessarily make the journey less entertaining. Although more often than not it did impact the pacing.

Vinnie Jones, Ray Winstone & Theo James

This season also gives Vinnie Jones and Ray Winstone more prominence, and both actors bring an extra layer of credibility to the show.

But the real revelation remains Theo James.

James has already stated that he doesn't want to play James Bond. But honestly, if there were ever someone who should take on the role, it's him.

He has the charisma, presence, and ability to effortlessly portray someone who can appear sophisticated one moment and genuinely dangerous the next.

Final Verdict

There are definitely moments where I found myself wishing the story would simply move on already. Some developments are stretched out longer than necessary, and the predictability takes away some of the excitement.

That said, I still think The Gentlemen Season 2 is a solid continuation of the series.

It may not have the same element of surprise as the first season, but the characters, performances, and overall style remain entertaining enough to keep things moving.

Overall, the slowdown is inexcusable; But I do think it's solid and am looking forward to the third season.

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Review The Whisper Man (2026): Very fitting film for Netflix!

genre: crime, drama, thriller

The title sounds real ominous and sinister. And while there are moments that come close to that, there aren't enough of them.

The film takes its time to set up the story and the characters. Like the father played by Adam Scott you want to get to the bottom of his son's kidnapping. There are only a few days before the serial killer will murder his son. You would think that this would give the film some sense of urgency. But no, most of the film is slow and brooding. And that is good. I only wished that there was more tension. They couldn't even be bothered to put in real surprises. 

The red herrings were sloppy. The reveal of the killer was underwhelming. But the dynamics between Robert De Niro and Adam Scott did provide a welcome dramatic touch. It tied to the dynamics between him and his son. So that is something I could appreciate and made me like the film. Actually, it's the heart of the film and the one redeeming factor that makes it worth it.

However, the film very easily could have been darker and more sinister. I don't really understand why it was so tame. There was enough there to give you chills. For example, the events in the house. There should have been more of them. Michael Keaton did what he could playing a creep, but they didn't do enough with him. 

Overall, I liked the film and can recommend it. It's very fitting for it to be on Netflix. Just don't expect too much. The terror is on the weak side.

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Review Captain America: Super Soldier (PS3): Surprisingly good game!

genre: action, adventure, comic book adaptation

Captain America: Super Soldier is based on Captain America: The First Avenger. You get to play as Steven Rogers, Captain America, voiced by Chris Evans. While some events in the game could be considered epic, it is understandable that the story of the game has some things restricted. The game, for the most part, takes place in the mountains of Bavaria. This should have been a showcase of beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, the game is guilty of reusing models and imagery, making it seem that everything looks the same. 

The result is that (as you can see in the videos) I had to stop and look at the map often. In some levels, it was downright tedious. But because the game is filled with collectibles, it was somewhat rewarding.

The biggest draw for me was the combat. For me, it remained fun. Having a shield as a weapon definitely was a plus, except when the game demands that the shield be used in a certain way. There are enough different types of enemies to keep things interesting. But not going to lie. One type I could have lived without. And those were the screamers. Because of their powers, you can't get close to them without getting hurt. They also constantly push you back. Even the shield is useless. I mean, if you throw it. Apparently, you need to block their force blast or whatever it is called. Then they briefly go down so that you can approach them. But the timing on this is even more difficult than deflecting bullets. Basically, the one edge you have over enemies (throwing the shield) is taken away.

I liked how some of the cast of The First Avenger came back to reprise their roles to voice their characters. That certainly helped the immersion. But very little is done with the Red Skull. And you mostly get to deal with the underlings. I understand why you don't get to confront him since you get to do that in The First Avenger. Fun fact. The moveset from Captain America in this game has inspired the fight choreography for Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Overall, I had a blast playing this game.  I was very happy to finally be able to play it. On the RPCS3 emulator. This title is delisted and therefore not available in the digital storefronts. On eBay, you can try to purchase a physical copy for around 150 euros, excluding shipping costs. I don't know about you, but that is too expensive for a game from 2011. So I can recommend this one!

Do check out the videos below for a full playthrough of the game. 

 

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The Kuntilanak Universe

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Listed here are all the titles in this universe. I will do my best to track down and review these titles. 

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Kuntilanak a.k.a. The Chanting (2006)

Kuntilanak 2 (2007)

Kuntilanak 3 (2008)

Kuntilanak / The Chanting Revisited (2018)

Kuntilanak 2 (2019)

Kuntilanak 3 (2022)

Mangkujiwo (2020)

Mangkujiwo 2 (2023)

Also check:

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Review Mangkujiwo (2020): I can't possibly recommend this!

genre: horror, mystery

Before I watched Mangkujiwo, I had started with Mangkujiwo 2. Thinking that is was going to be easy to pick up. Well, I was wrong. They clearly expect you to have watched the original, since it was very hard to follow. So I stopped and made an effort to track down the original and watch it.

Now, after having watched the original, I am kind of confused why this sequel even exists. I mean, all you need to know is in this part, and from the twenty or thirty minutes I had seen of the sequel, it seemed to me that this part was repeating itself. But for the sake of fairness, I will watch the sequel in its entirety to make sure that I am not missing anything. Although I do need to point out that Mangkujiwo takes a lot of time to get to the point. The pace is so slow that I almost lost my mind. Perhaps the makers of this film intended this since it does help make you feel uneasy. In any case, in the first hour you get to witness certain events that don't make much sense until Uma (Yasamin Jasem) comes into the picture. Because of her, you get to find out what is going on. The why is also obvious. Almost every scene has exposition. The problem is that almost everything is told in such a convoluted way that it complicates the story too much. It's very off-putting and, frankly, quite insulting, since what is being conveyed is easy to understand.

In the final part, you finally get what the viewer has been waiting for, thank god. At least, some payoff.  But like I said earlier, the film takes too long to get to the point, and I really think that detracts from the viewing experience. I don't mind if horror films are of a serious nature, but then you really have to bring your A game to maintain the tension, dread, and drama. In that regard, this film fails. This is demonstrated in the finale, when the makers have decided to have some fun. It's here that the film is at its best. As if they finally realized that they needed something extra to make it entertaining.

Overall, if you can overlook the flaws and the immense slow pace, you might have a decent viewing experience. But I can't possibly recommend this when films like Janur Ireng: Sewu Dino the Prequel (2025) exist. It kind of deals with a similar premise but clearly is the superior film in every way.

Also check:

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Review Hokum (2026): It's a good film, just not a good horror film!

genre: mystery, horror, thriller

Hokum is being advertised as a super chilling horror tale full of dread and suspense. But you will be disappointed if you don't temper your expectations. The film is certainly atmospheric. But very creepy and scary? 

Please watch/listen to our thoughts on Hokum.

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Review The Whisper a.k.a. El Susurro (2025): Has some real pacing issues but does offer something, if you aren't being too critical.

genre: thriller, horror,mystery

Lucía and Adrián flee their violent father to a mansion. They uncover a snuff film ring, and we get to find out why Lucía fled.

You won't get a full explanation, and I could spoil it for you. But I won't. Let me say that this is somewhat of a new take on old tropes. The film does its best to confuse you, and that was fine by me, but it revealed a little too much so that at one point you do figure out what is going on. Although I have to say, the film does misdirect you with the snuff film story element. It seemed like the film was going into slasher territory. And to be honest, I would have liked that better; still, I could see the potential of combining the two subgenres. Only director Gustavo Hernández failed in this regard. It fails to fully commit to those, and it leaves you wanting more. One subgenre takes precedence. But fails to scare. 

This is a real shame since at certain times, the film is close to doing so. But it takes the film too long to get to the point. This film has some real pacing issues. Thank god for Lucia (Ana Clara Guanco Aguilera) and Adrian (Marcelo Michinaux), who have some great dynamics as the big sister and little brother. Those two and Jackson the cat. They make it worth your while. But all of the horror elements are either too pretentious or too raw. And I must admit, I liked that they weren't afraid to be raw. But then, like I stated earlier, don't commit to it.

Overall, I was really disappointed in the way the story played out. In the end, it failed to deliver what was promised. So no, I can't recommend this one.

Also check:

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Review Death Whisperer 3 a.k.a. Tee yod 3 (2025): Still entertaining but not in the same way as the predecessors.

genre: action, adventure, horror

Writer/director Taweewat Wantha wasn't involved with this third part. Seems to me he was the driving force behind the franchise, and he knew what the franchise was about. 

Death Whisperer 3 almost forsakes the previous film except for copying the forest bits that arguably were the worst in the film. So why repeat these sequences? These would not have been a problem had they been creepy and scary. Except, apart from a few scenes, most of the events are loud and bombastic. I found some of them amusing because of the main characters and how they deal with these events. 

But it is as if the characters haven't learned anything from their previous encounters. Apparently, it is very easy for these evil spirits to put people out of commission by using their whisper to numb and paralyze people. Why don't these people have earplugs or other tools to remedy this? When Yak and his brothers are crossing the river, it doesn't take long for one of the brothers to feel a presence. After what they had been through, I myself wouldn't doubt or question the brother, but now they were acting as if he was being paranoid. Set aside the fact that he had every right to be so; why didn't they take him seriously? And how realistic is it that people would act as if their previous predicaments never happened? I am sure this can be credited to a studio wanting to milk this franchise. And I have no problems with that as long as you bring back the elements that made this franchise fun to begin with. It's more than having Yak shirtless and flexing his muscles. Yes, he has an impressive physique and undoubtedly will make most people gasp for air. But he has always been a smart character. Now he was less so.

Even the conclusion felt lackluster. Instead of tying events up nicely, they are sequel-baiting hard. This is only acceptable if they bring back the scares and the energy of the second part. Overall, it is still entertaining but not in the same way as the predecessors. 

Also check:

- Death Whisperer a.k.a. Tee yod (2023)

- Death Whisperer a.k.a. Tee yod 2 (2024)

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Review Lee Cronin's the Mummy (2026): I can't really recommend this one!

genre: horror

This is going to be a tough one to review, since it's been a few months since I last saw this. But I do remember having mixed feelings about it.

Apparently, The Mummy is a reboot where the approach to the mummy is vastly different. This is straight horror, no place for comedy or adventure. It really had me going for some time until it was failing to deliver. It's where I lost interest and was barely paying attention. I liked the premise and what could have been done with. The things the poor grandma has to go through are truly horrid. The grandma is played by Veronica Falcón, whom I know from Queen of the South. In that show, she plays a tough-as-nails mob boss. So it's such a big contrast to the role she is playing here.

I don't know why, but at one point, the dark, gritty atmosphere and tension are dropped in favor of grossness and gore. This usually only works if the result is scary and/or comedic. Here it's neither. Just gross. That might impress someone who has never seen horror films before, but I am a veteran in that regard. You really have to bring something special to the table. And that isn't the case.

As I stated before, I lost interest. Despite the gory imagery. I don't know about you, but that can't be good. I really had hoped that after the abysmal Evil Dead Rise, Lee Cronin would have learned from his mistakes and improved upon them. But I guess he hasn't. Overall, I can't really recommend this one.

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Review Maryam: The Untold Story a.k.a. Maryam: Janji dan Jiwa yang Terikat (2025): Not scary but very effective drama!

genre: horror, drama

Maryam has lived in the shadow of perpetual terror since childhood. Mysterious letters frequently appear to her, unknown to the sender. Even after being burned or thrown away, the letters always return, as if with a will of their own.

It is stated that the terror comes from the King of Djinns, Irfit, because he is the only one allowed to be by her side. Actually, worse. She is possessed by him and will act out against anyone whom he deems a threat. Maryam is at her wits' end and can't bear the guilt of people getting hurt and killed by the Djinn. But a few people reach out to her to have faith in God, as God is by her side. Not going to lie, this story is more heartbreaking than scary. Maryam is innocent. The one entity she used to regard as a friend turns on her, and she seems to be doomed. What can she do? Several times, we see Maryam give up and be ready to kill herself. Only to be stopped by her mother, priest, and the ones who believe. It's up to God (Allah) who dies or not. And she should remain to have faith in him. 

Now, if you are skeptical, this could be seen as nothing but religious propaganda. And sure, that is definitely true. However, the way it was presented was very effective. You could replace the religion with another, and the message will remain the same. In that regard, I viewed this as a sincere and positive story about the last line of defense. Who will be there for you in your hour of need?

Overall, the ending is a bit questionable but speaks in favour of faith. And its purpose. It serves as deep consolation. Far from perfect but sometimes all you need. This is one I can recommend!

Also check:

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