The Imperfects (serial)

Rogue scientists have created artificial stem cells as a mechanism to treating certain incurable diseases. This series picks up a decade in, when the participants in the medical trial are finding that the stem cells are causing some side effects... like becoming a banshee, a succubus, or a chupacabra. So the three protagonists band together with one of the rogue scientists to find the other scientist to insist on a cure. A rogue government agency gets involved. As the story develops, each "victim" goes through a process of coming to terms with their side effect and moves toward a decision of whether they even want to be fixed or not. Final rating... kinda fun. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Emily the Criminal

Aubrey Plaza is Emily, a young woman in debt, unemployable as an ex-con, basically a downtrodden young woman with no options. She gets pulled into a credit card scam group and finds that it is both exciting, lucrative, scary and dangerous all at the same time. 

4 stars (out of 5)

How I became a superhero

This French action-thriller follows Moreau, a formerly great but now down on his conviction rate detective. He lives in a Paris where some people have been born with super powers, and a local crime boss has found a way to turn those powers into a drug to market on the street. What could be more high inducing that the temporary ability to shoot flames out of your hands. But there are complications and Moreau and his new partner seek out the bad guys, saving the good guys and discovering themselves along the way. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Salt

Well, contrary to my original thought, there has not been a sequel... yet. Jolie is a badass double agent Russian sleeper spy who turns out to be particularly loyal to "what is right".  Holds up remarkably well in terms of political thriller. 

3 stars (out of 5)

While You Were Sleeping

Still good 

5 stars (out of 5)

Missing: The Other Side (serial)

Highly recommend. A second tier, Robinhood like con-artist witnesses an actual abduction and while running from the bad guys, hits his head in the forest, after which he finds that he can see a mystery village. This village is the home of the dead whose bodies are missing. He soon discovers that the abductee he witnessed is there, along with a few others connected with the same storyline. And he finds another living man who lives near the village who can also see the dead. The two of them spend their days trying to help the police find the bodies of these dead/missing and once the bodies are found, the souls can move on. I know, kind of a weird setup, but not that strange for a K-drama. So what do I like? The characters are cheeky, but not cheesy. they relational struggles of each characters life is real. There are no easy answers and some pain is just allowed to be pain. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Secret Society of Second Born Royals

Straight up Disney action adventure. The 2nd born (so not the heir to the throne) of a bunch of European royal families are sent to summer school, only to find it is training for them and their new secret power. They are the protectors of the family. Only to find there is a bad 2nd born trying to use his power for self promotion. So the kids save the day. Spy Kids meets Breakfast Club.

3 stars (out of 5)

Jack Ryan (serial)

Season 3

I will say, Clancy's novels and this series share the same page turner quality. Not every series I watch hooks me to binge. In fact, some are better with a slow boil. But once again, this story begs to be started and finished. Ryan is in Europe and there is some long term rogue state stuff coming out of Russia, trying to recapture her former glory as global villain. Ryan sees through it and has to try to prevent world conflict while avoiding his own government who has designated him a rogue agent. 
4 stars (out of 5)

Avatar

Perhaps in preparation for the sequel, perhaps because I was just tired of all the series I am watching, Avatar was the late night diversion. I didn't remember the story at all from the first viewing, but only had a recollection of the vivid use of 3D depth. Clearly watching it on the small screen of my computer was not going to compare, so the story had better be good. But it really isn't that good, or that novel. In fact, characters are pretty predictable and lacking depth. 

2nd time around 2 stars (out of 5)

I Used to be Famous

The 2022 version, a remake of the 2015 by the same title. A 40-something London musician is working to get back in the scene, some 20 years after his boy-band 15 minutes of fame. When he can't even get gigs at the local bars, he happens upon a talented young drummer with autism and the two of them forge a relationship. This film follows the navigation of that relationship (is if personal, professional, etc.) Moderately good. 

3 stars (out of 5)

Metal Lords

A couple of unpopular high school kids are preparing for the Battle of the Bands with their metal band, but they only have a guitar and drummer. They really need a bass. And they really want to get out of high school having survived the bullies. A pretty lighthearted comedy/drama that deals with all the typical high school angst that comes from parents, friends, mental health, girls and just general acceptance by others and yourself. Pleasantly enjoyable.

4 stars (out of 5)

The Big 4

An Indonesian action movie following a team of four assassins. They are brutal and effective, with the jobs they take largely community service types of jobs (killing drug dealers, human traffickers, etc.). When the boss is killed, the group goes into retirement, and then a few years later is forced out of retirement. We follow the team as they try to find out who killed the boss while also trying to find out who is hunting them. The plot is very holey, with the motivation and reveals largely unsatisfying. In the end, it is a grindhouse movie with Indonesian flavor. 

2 stars (out of 5)

Warrior Nun (serial)

Season 2

Ava, as the Warrior Nun, is now fully part of the Order of the Cruciform Sword. The OCS is a secret black ops order of nuns who are charged with protecting the church against supernatural attacks. Having freed the angel Adriel at the end of last season, only to find that the Halo was his and he has designs on taking over religion on earth. The OCS (mostly Ava) spend the entire season trying to take down Adriel -- plan A leads to Plan B leads to Plan C leads to ... you get the picture. There is some new technology, some new characters, and some revelations about the bigger picture of power in the universe. But in spite of all that, this is basically a Warrior Nun v Angel season. And it doesn't lose focus. 

4 stars (out of 5)

Sniper: Rogue Mission

A CIA London and a Homeland security officer team up to take down a sex trafficking operation. Only watch when desperate or after 2am.

2 stars (out of 5) 

Troll

An ancient mountain troll is awakened during an mining explosion in northern Norway. This turns out to be a king of trolls and is on his way to Oslo to his home, the palace. A paleobiologist is brought in, has to battle the military for the ear of the prime minister, to save all of Norway from this monster. As cheesy as that sounds, this is a pretty good 1-dimensional fairy tale. 

3 stars (out of 5)