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10/10 - So perfect that I never get tired of seeing
09/10 - Brilliant with some minor flaws but I happily rewatch
08/10 - Very strong and I would happily rewatch
07/10 - Good and I would eventually rewatch
06/10 - Hit and miss, that I found mostly enjoyable but would not seek to rewatch
05/10 - Distinctly average and I would not seek to rewatch
04/10 - Mostly did not enjoy and would avoid rewatching
03/10 - Strongly disliked for a variety of reasons
02/10 - I either switched off, walked out of the cinema or was close to doing either
01/10 - So bad that I would describe it as not professionally made in any way
I appreciate all scoring is highly subjective to the tastes of an individual.
I take into consideration the writing, cinematography, editing, acting, sound, visual effects and general production values along with the era the film or television show was made.
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Breaking Bad: Dead Freight (2012)
Major entertainment before a final gut punch
Who doesn't love an impressive heist portrayed on screen? This one is depicted with typical Breaking Bad style and ends with a sickening low moment that makes you feel guilty for investing in their escapade to begin with.
Some of it requires suspension of disbelief and a slight feeling of contrivance, but for the majority it is impressive writing and filmmaking. The heist has a pretty clever robbery concept that is filmed and edited beautifully. The cinematographers capture the landscape and subjects in focus perfectly and the editor cuts it together in a suspenseful way. The bookending of the pre-credit sequence and final scene are what makes it different and memorable.
All characters are used well. Lydia in particular has some of the best screen time and Laura Fraser holds the screen well with the main stars.
The Young Ones: Oil (1982)
You just called me a b______, didn't you?
Oil is a good second episode with typically outrageous performances from the main cast. As ever Rik Mayall is on top OTT form, as is Ade Edmondson. Christopher Ryan is sharp as ever and Nigel Planer is "Neil".
From a character perspective I think Rick and Mike just about have the best of the material, although there are plenty of memorable moments for all. I like the Buddy Holly scene and the running jokes relating to various bedrooms.
For me it gets really good after the striking oil moment. I particularly enjoy Mike and Viv in their fascist persona's with Edmondson making hilarious use of that cricket bat.
As always I enjoy the guest stars, with Robbie Coltrane, Alexi Sayle, and Ronnie Golden making memorable contributions in this one.
Breaking Bad: Fifty-One (2012)
Downbeat but powerful Walt and Skyler episode
For me this is one of the best episodes that focuses on the state of Walt and Skyler's relationship, particularly the toll his behaviour takes on it and her. His portrayal as criminal genius has in my opinion crossed the line (as many shows/films do) of glamourising his particular brand of criminality and this aspect of the story importantly shows the damage it does.
Skyler is portrayed as showing the appropriate revulsion to it all. I think her scenes are the strongest parts of the episode and Anna Gunn is fantastic. Likewise Bryan Cranston.
Visually it is one of the best. I love the way Walt is framed in so many shots. It reminds me of how Michael Corleone's placement changes throughout The Godfather as his character becomes more prominent. Some of the symbolism like Skyler in the pool, the hat in the mirror and later it's unravelling thread is brilliant.
Speaking of The Godfather the confrontation between Walt and Skyler is very reminiscent of Michael and Kay in Godfather 2. Everything builds towards that bleak and brutal line she delivers and it makes that final image of the ticking watch incredibly effective.
Breaking Bad: Hazard Pay (2012)
Very strong mix of plot and character development
It's apt that Scarface is sampled in this episode as Walt seems most of the way down the path from where he started as Mr Chips. The writers have brought the central character here plausibly, considering the outrageousness of the concept.
I particularly like how they portrayed him as incompetent in certain situations previously, but also learning whilst overcoming certain obstacles. This makes the scenes where he now appears to be a ruthless, effective manipulator quite believable. It also helps how the cinematography and art direction captures Bryan Cranston in darker and more sinister aesthetics.
This episode lays strong foundations for what is to come later on in the season by developing good tension between Walt other characters like Jesse, Mike, Skyler and Marie. Mike described Walt as time-bomb ticking away, and this is exactly what the storyline feels like currently.
I also appreciate the creativeness the writers show again with meth cooking. They did an RV and a super-lab, so how could they keep it fresh? Well they did and you have to admire it. You do though have to wonder how many ideas they are giving the illicit drug industry and how much they glamourise certain moments. Especially as cook scenes are filmed, edited and presented so slickly they make it look like a cool thing to be doing.
All actors are on top form, especially Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Jonathan Banks and Betsy Brandt.
The Acolyte (2024)
A review of the complete first season
The first series of The Acolyte has an interesting premise but suffers a familiar pitfall of streaming shows and never realises it's potential.
When I first heard the pitch of "Frozen meets Kill Bill" I had my doubts, but acknowledged the potential to make a very interesting prequel to the Star Wars movies. An older era backstory set within the Galactic Republic is worth exploring. The concepts are good, particularly the emergence of the Sith, plus the force from multiple perspectives and cultural practices, such as recruiting younglings to the Jedi order.
Unfortunately I think the pacing of the story and characters let it down. Personally I do not find the plight of Mae and Osha compelling enough to justify the amount of screen time. There are several mysteries that take too long to resolve with not enough interesting subject matter to sustain the episodes as they unfold. Also, when certain reveals happen they are quite predictable. For me the strongest episodes are 'Lost/Found', 'Night' and the season finale 'The Acolyte', which for me are all enjoyable. Most others were okay, but less interesting. Some episodes could have been combined as one if they had cut certain scenes. All the flashback related material did not need to be strung out over two perspectives.
Another struggle is the quality of the dialogue, which at times is notably flat. The writers mostly opt for functional, humourless dialogue that over explains every aspect of what has happened, is happening, or how characters feel to the point of distraction.
Performances are a mixed bag. Lee Jung-Jae stands out, but Carrie-Ann Moss is also good. Certain actors cannot lift the material.
Visually it is as strong as you would expect from a Star Wars production. Most of the environments and lightsaber spectacle are done very well. Plus the cinematography, editing and sound is very good.
As you can imagine the review bombing and extreme negativity of the toxics is particularly prevalent in The Acolyte. To a lesser extent there are also those who try to counterbalance it be being overly positive. IMDB entries rarely contain actual reviews anymore. Most are social media type comments stretched out to fit the 600 word limit, usually stating it's either the worst atrocity ever committed to celluloid or a contemporary work of genius. In reality the truth is somewhere in the middle.
I consider myself to be a balanced fan of Star Wars content. I love the original trilogy, Rogue One and Andor. For me the prequels are a mixed bag, along with Solo, The Mandalorian, The Book of Bob Fett and Kenobi. The sequel trilogy for me is a disappointment. The Acolyte is an okay show so far but has some problems with storytelling. I felt the same about Ahsoka.
It's a 6.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
Breaking Bad: Madrigal (2012)
Exceptionally tense and uncomfortable episode
Madrigal starts with a powerful pre-credit introduction of sublime visual storytelling that leads to a series of sickeningly awkward character interactions.
Several characters via manipulation, coercion or desperation are drawn into situations they would not freely choose to be and it is excruciating to behold at times.
I mentioned in my review of Live Free Or Die that famous pitch about Walt evolving from Mr Chips to Scarface is approaching the latter. It feels a bit of a stretch that within the timeframe from where the character was portrayed as starting out that he would get to this point, but the I guess the passage of real time between seasons compensates for that. Plus the writers, filmmakers and Bryan Cranston have done an epic job of making the transition plausible, particularly making him feel like the same person who has grown in confidence and malevolence.
There are so many well made and acted scenes in this episode. Walt, Jesse and the cigarette is painful yet brilliant thanks to Aaron Paul's performance. The scene in the APD is excellent, with great foreshadowing. Everything involving Mike is fantastic.
That final scene with Skyler is as haunting as it gets. She reacts as if a composite of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Mengele, Armin, and Mao had just crawled between the sheets next to her. I think the story needs this as it comes dangerously close at times to glamourising Walt's foray into the meth industry, particularly when some episodes use stylishly shot and edited sequences of him either cooking or in Heisenberg mode. We need to know his success comes at the price of everything important to him.
For me it's a 9.5/10, but I round upwards.
The Acolyte: The Acolyte (2024)
Reasonably good finish but with some familiar problems
The arc of Osha and Mae has been a long drawn out affair and although the resolution is decent, it feels overdue. There are not many plot specifics I can reveal without spoiling but it's safe to say that it concludes the first series with a good mix of Jedi action and character moments.
For me the flaws of the Jedi are used to create some fairly good drama like in prequel trilogy, but the central characters have been less interesting than those on the periphery like Vernestra and Qimir. The highlight of this episode by far is what it implies could be coming in a potential second season. There are two moments that tease certain characters that are very effective, but who knows where it will lead.
Like previous episodes the dialogue is the biggest flaw. So much is over-explained by the show's characters in various scenes it goes beyond frustrating to the point where I am numb to it. I am guessing this is for a target younger audience in whose ability to interpret a plot the writers show little confidence.
For me the standout performer is Lee Jung-jae who convincingly presents a tortured soul and contends with simplistic exposition dialogue in recently learned language. This has to be admired.
All the visuals and sounds are very good as you would expect from Star Wars.
It finishes the first season of The Acolyte with a new hope that better material is to come in the future, so for now I'll remain positive that this could be the case.
For me it's a 6.5/10, but I round upwards.
Star Trek: Assignment: Earth (1968)
Different and memorable
I think Assignment Earth is an episode you need to manage your expectations going into as it's not really a Star Trek episode. It is a crossover-pilot for a show that never happened. However, it is an enjoyable entry for the Original Series.
The star of the show is Robert Lansing as Gary Seven and Teri Garr supports with the Trek regulars. Lansing leads it well and you feel he would have made an exceptionally good Vulcan had the chance ever presented itself. Garr is also on good form as a great foil for him in their scenes together. It feels like we're in an American version of Dr Who set in the Trek universe, such is their character dynamic.
Art Wallace and Gene Roddenberry provide a script with great topicality for the Cold Ward/Space Race era. It evens goes as far as to predict certain events that happen shortly after it's broadcast. There are some quite obvious plot-holes. At one point the Vulcan mind-meld would come in very handy if the writers didn't conveniently ignore it.
As always I love the sixties visuals of Star Trek, with colours and art design that warmly represent the era, plus it mixes stock footage wonderfully to help tell an ambitious story.
For me it is a 7.5/10, but I round upwards.
Severance: Good News About Hell (2022)
Solid start to an intriguing concept
All you need for an opening episode is a good enough hook that makes you want to know more about what is going on or what will happen next. Good News About Hell artistically presents some eery weirdness that possibly even has familiarity for people who work for faceless corporate entities. It makes me want to watch the next episode so I would say job done to the writers and filmmakers.
Visually it showcases strong cinematography and excellent art direction. I love the use of colour and symmetry. Lumon feels like a dystopian nightmare that George Orwell or Phillip K. Dick would appreciate thanks to the set design.
The plot of the first episode introduces the characters and premise will as little clunky exposition as possible. Certain little twists work very well and draws you into the more mysterious aspects. All actors do a solid job with the material.
Free Willy (1993)
Free room, free food, free swimming pool, free HBO. Ooh. Free Willy.
Free Willy is one that passed me by as a young teenager on its initial release, but I recently saw it with my two young daughters who both took a lot from it.
The visual storytelling is strong throughout as the filmmakers almost seamlessly blend the captive Keiko, animatronics and open water cinematography in a plausible way to tell the story of the titular orca. His scenes of interaction with human characters are very well done and all lead to a famous and cinematic conclusion that was largely spoiled by the movie posters and trailers of the time. Great use is made of the different locations to make it all seem like it's all happening in Oregon.
There is no denying the movie has a simple yet powerful message about captive animals and their exploitation for financial gain. If it went some way to deter children from visiting zoos, circuses and aquariums, that has to be a positive. That being said I find the use of a captive animal in a sentimental story about a captive animal longing for freedom (for commercial gain) quite ironic. Saying that it was a movie that raised awareness about the plight of captive orcas and resulted in people taking action, regardless of its financial motives.
Where it falters slightly is in the clichéd characters, contrived aspects of the plot and exploitative emotional moments. It is however aimed at families with children so there is only so harsh I can be, particularly when my own children enjoyed it.
Breaking Bad: Live Free or Die (2012)
Very strong start to series 5
That famous story pitch about turning Mr Chips into Scarface is starting to feel quite apt. Walt's depiction throughout this episode shows impressive character development by the writers following everything portrayed in the show so far.
What makes it more interesting is the opening scene where he appears to be in a very different circumstance. I remember (years ago) when seeing it for the first time, the prospect of finding out what leads him to this point felt very intriguing.
Others like Skyler, Jesse, Mike, and Saul have memorable moments. You feel the writers are ready to unleash the potential of Walt's true nature on all these supporting characters. Anna Gunn is particularly good in her scenes.
The plot involving the evidence is very inventive from the writers and well realised visually. Certain aspects of it do stretch the limits of plausibility so you need a liberal amount of suspension of disbelief. Not that I'm a physicist or expert on magnetism, but it is such a left field concept it that it made me feel doubtful to a point where I was slightly distracted.
Generally the visuals are outstanding as always. The cinematography is fantastic, especially how Walt is captured in far more menacing way than previously. I also love the two cars in the desert.
Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove (2010)
Fairly decent children's movie
If you put aside the misleading marketing of it being a sequel within the Free Willy franchise, I think it is a worthwhile and good natured piece of escapism for younger viewers.
You cannot fault themes associated with animals being better off in the wild than in captivity, plus the nice bond portrayed between a grandfather and granddaughter is a positive message.
I also like how the filmmakers use the location to good effect. You can tell it is made on low budget, but has a solid production, capturing environment and editing various shots nicely to help tell the story. You cannot get away from the distraction of animated killer whales, but it is what it is.
Beau Bridges and Bindi Irvin lead the cast reasonably well. They have a script that is cliched and full of contrivances, but it also has a simple, harmless quality that both my daughters (8 and 4 years old) found engaging.
Some movies and TV shows feel torturous to sit through as a parent, but personally this was not the case for me.
It's a 5.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
Breaking Bad: Face Off (2011)
Hell of a finish to series 4
It is impossible to mention details without spoiling, but safe to say that it is classic Breaking Bad, with brilliant suspense, character moments and general storytelling.
Characters such as Walt, Jesse, Gus and Hector have several defining moments that are memorable. Walt and Jesse in particular are captivating when on screen due to the writing and also the performances of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.
The filmmakers give us tense drama, action and black comedy at various points. A certain character carrying a specific item into the children's ward of a hospital is outrageously funny and the physical humour associated with it is priceless.
How the episode unfolds is a lesson in how to build towards a spectacular conclusion that leaves you speechless.
Visually it is excellent and everything is enhanced by the music and sound effects.
The Acolyte: Choice (2024)
Okay episode, but held back by the dialogue and pace of the overarching narrative.
There is little plot detail I can reveal without spoiling. It is safe to say that for me it gives another perspective on a previous episode that makes sense, but I think it also highlights the weakness in certain creative choices made to possibly stretch the season out longer than it needs to be.
Without mentioning specifics it reminds me of Star Trek and in particular the prime directive focussed episodes and the potential impact of interference or cultural contamination. I do like the idea of conflict between diverse groups of force users who interpret the same power in a different way. However, witches and possession tropes feel slightly out of place and I have a hard time getting round it. That being said, the Jedi being flawed individuals getting into this type of conflict is a fresh and interesting idea within Star Wars.
Maybe if the dialogue was better ("Get Mad" etc,) and the characters were more engaging I would invest more into the story. The pace has not helped it. Some plots can unfold slowly, like Andor, and be compelling, but this is a struggle at times. I do not think the backstory aspect of the plot needed to be strung out over two episodes. The initial "half-a-story" flashback in the episode Destiny was unnecessary and it all should have been revealed here.
Some of the acting is pretty good, though it is a mixed bag. Plus the visuals are great as always in Star Wars content.
This is an okay episode in a reasonably good show.
Alien (1979)
As good today as it was is it was in 1979
I saw Alien numerous times in my youth, but this is my first viewing for several years. I think it has lost none of its sci-fi spectacle and capacity to horrify.
For me it showcases some of the best movie visuals and atmosphere of all time. I love the set design of the Nostromo that is so wonderfully captured by the cinematography and enhanced to its potential creepiness by the lighting, editing and sound.
The creature effects are iconic and still make me uneasy to this day. The sequence with the eggs is still something I still partially look away from. Every scene involving the facehugger is still spine-tingling. Of course the famous dinner table scene is deservedly considered a classic movie moment.
I love the gritty, naturalistic tone of the character scenes. They seem like normal people in a futuristic setting as opposed to the artificial sci-fi staples I was brought up on like Star Trek and and Star Wars. As a wee lad it was the closest I connected to a possible future reality outside 2001: A Space Odyssey.
When I see the final few sci-fi action, horror, thriller sequences from about 1 hour and 34 mins onwards to the very end it is still absolutely riveting.
All actors are on great form especially Sigourney Weaver, who leads it brilliantly and Ian Holm.
Bluey: Dance Mode (2020)
Another entertaining lesson in parenting
Dance Mode is a tribute to what you must be prepared to do to make up of parental transgressions and how careful you need to be when dealing with children's feelings.
As ever it features brilliantly observed family interactions that many people might identify with. Bingo is used very well by the writers to make their point about being attentive to how children respond to you. Just to be pedantic I would say that a portrayed supermum like Chilli would never have let it get to the point it did without intervening earlier, but of course that would kill the story and most of the fun.
Importantly it is very funny and entertaining in during those dance mode moments where certain individuals have to shame themselves in the name of love.
Breaking Bad: End Times (2011)
Excellent follow on from Crawl Space
With the events depicted previously the writers (as always) painted themselves into a corner and here we see how they follow it up with style.
I cannot mention specifics without spoiling, but it's safe to say the writing for the most part is very good. There is a premise of manipulation cleverly implied by the filmmakers who sensibly do not reveal an important piece of information outside of one visual hint. I think it is a slight stretch to accept a certain event portrayed as happening off screen but it does not significantly detract from the intense drama.
All actors are tremendous as always, particularly Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.
The cinematography and editing is excellent. I especially love one great transition when the camera pans down from a location shot to a studio scene set in the meth lab.
9.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
Breaking Bad: Crawl Space (2011)
Absorbing
There is little detail I can mention without spoiling, but it is safe to predict that when you saw it for the first time you were likely compelled to immediately find out what happens next. That final sequence (as many reviewers have already stated) is classic Breaking Bad and contains everything the actors, writers and filmmakers do best. All scenes in the episode build towards it, along with everything that has been slow burning during the fourth season and makes a perfect set up to the season finale.
When I saw Crawl Space on it's first release many years ago, I felt foolish for initially thinking of the Ted Beneke scenes as a sub-plot to fill space, particularly in this episode when it all comes to a head and hits you like a sledgehammer.
Visually it is fantastic, with so many memorable images. I love the cloud shadow scene in the desert and the final frame within a frame is brilliant. Everything is enhanced by wonderful sound.
All actors are on top form with Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Giancarlo Esposito, Anna Gunn and Bob Odenkirk all having very memorable moments.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
As a child of the 80s I find it impossible to not enjoy
This is a decent tribute to a classic action comedy.
The writers know their audience, play safe with the formula, and essentially repackage it with ageing characters and a touch of young sex appeal amongst the supporting cast. I am Generation X and it works for me, but I suspect it might be less appealing to audiences who are not big fans of the original. No doubt there will also be reactions from those who hate nostalgia driven sequels.
I like the opening dialogue at the hockey, which evolves into decent action sequence with reassuringly familiar feel. When the main plot kicks in it just about grabs me. The filmmakers sensibly use established characters to get you to care about the mystery, along with the family connection of the character Jane. I cannot say the crime element of the story is hugely compelling, but I find this to be the case in the original. It drives the plot so that we get Axel in various action-comedy situations that mostly hit the mark for me.
What I find special about the original movie is the chemistry and banter between Eddie Murphy and the likes of Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Ronny Cox and Gil Hill. That is what makes it a classic for me. Does Murphy and the supporting cast of Axel F have the same edge and entertainment value? No, but it would be harsh to slate a film for not being able to turn back the clock a recreate the same magic. That being said, comedy is in the eye of the beholder, so if it depends on whether you find their performances and material funny or not as to how much you take from it. His chemistry with Taylour Paige is okay if you can get past the estranged father movie clichè.
It is great to see characters like Taggart, Rosewood and Jeffrey back on screen with Axel. Ashton, Reinhold and Paul Reiser make a great contribution, particularly Ashton. All of this brought a smile to my face, particularly the final scene.
It helps to have Kevin Bacon in a solid role that he could play in his sleep. He is charismatic as ever and another example of the filmmakers knowing their audience.
Visually it is very reminiscent of the original and does feel like an 80s, buddy-cop movie set in contemporary LA. The action sequences are solid, with old fashioned shoot-to-kill violence from everyone including cops.
The soundtrack is the icing on the nostalgic cake that is Axel F.
6.5/10 for me but I round upwards.
Breaking Bad: Bug (2011)
Another very strong character episode
This is an important episode in the development of Walt and Jesse's relationship. The writers have done a great job of portraying the complexities and general messiness of how people interact, with the resulting impact on trust between individuals. So many problems could be solved (and in some cases caused) by honesty between each other. I think situations and attitudes that breed cynicism and mistrust are portrayed particularly well.
A lot of what works is thanks to the performances of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul who are both fantastic as ever.
Anna Gunn has another great episode, doing the humour exceptionally well as in previous times when Skyler has needed to be somewhat deceptive to achieve a goal.
Visually it's another cracker with some outstanding cinematography that is edited well.
Breaking Bad: Salud (2011)
Salud has a bit of everything
Breaking Bad is a great show for showcasing characters and everyone contributes in this one. Walt has some powerful character moments in the fallout of the previous episode. This includes some great character backstory that is perfectly consistent with his portrayal so far. Bryan Cranston is always excellent, but here he is exceptional. He is supported very well by. RJ Mitte who has some of his character's best material.
Jesse, Gus and Mike are involved in plot thread that contains very strong character moments, particularly for Jesse and Gus. These scenes also make Salud an excellent action thriller, with moment that are incredibly tense. Aaron Paul, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Steven Bauer, Carlo Rota all do great work here.
I even enjoyed the scenes involving Ted Beneke, which are not as compelling, but they are very entertaining on their own merit thanks partly to the presence of Bob Odenkirk and also the portrayal of Skyler. It is interesting that the writers appear to be showing a similar level of pride that we see from Walt driving some of Skyler's actions.
Visually it is excellent as always.
For me it is a 9.5/10, but I round upwards.
The Acolyte: Teach/Corrupt (2024)
Decent concept but frustrating storytelling
The writers detailing more backstory and character history of the Jedi order and emergence of the Sith is an undeniably great idea. It should provoke nerdgasms in Gen X fans like myself. For me the narrative of Teach/Corrupt has some interesting moments for characters like Qimir and Osha, but it also underwhelms. The visual storytelling on the "unknown planet" is good and the dialogue between the two is okay.
I think other scenes are less so, particularly the exchanges with Sol and Mae. Lee Jung-jae deserves credit for doing his best to inject life and emotion into a scene. One moment where he has to express anger and frustration with pure body language and facial expression is brilliant, but additionally he has some weak material to work with. Several exchanges where the dialogue simply either explains what has happened, comments on something, says how something feels or speculates what might happen feels awkward. There is little he can do to improve clunky exposition in a script.
The sub-plot involving the character Vernestra feels like it's leading somewhere interesting, but scenes of her visiting previous fight scenes feel quite repetitive.
The characters have not made me fully invest in The Acolyte, particularly Osha and Mae. It is not the fault of Amandla Stenberg, who does her best with the material. It feels like the mysterious past and fate of the two are being drawn out by the slow pace of the overarching narrative to the point that frustrates.
Generally the visuals and art design are as great as you would expect from Star Wars, so I have no complaints there.
Breaking Bad: Hermanos (2011)
Very strong backstory episode
There is not much I can reveal about this one without spoiling, but it's safe to say it provides much needed history about one character and does so in a compelling way. These flashback scenes work well with what we have seen so far regarding a certain characters. Certain individuals are portrayed a bit one-note in terms of their villainy, but it is not to the detriment of the story.
I like the comparison between something that happens in the flashback and what we saw happen in a first season episode. Generally the parallel between these characters is good.
The scenes involving Hank are quite intriguing and on the first viewing are pretty suspenseful. However, this is a rewatch for me, so although still good have lost somewhat of an edge.
As always all actors are on top form and the visual storytelling is strong. For me Giancarlo Esposito stands out.
Breaking Bad: Problem Dog (2011)
Lays strong foundations for what is to come
Problem Dog is another tense character episode with good focus on Walt and those impacted by him like Jesse, Skyler and Hank.
The writers do a great job of showing Jesse's state of mind, particularly how haunted he is by his actions and torn between loyalties. Aaron Paul is amazing (as always) portraying a character in such a troubled state.
I love the scenes involving Hank as they show his resourcefulness as a detective in a subtle bit of visual storytelling and also a very well written monologue. I have always been one to bemoan exposition dialogue, but this is an example of how to do it well. It perfectly starts to set up what is coming in later episodes in a compelling way. Dean Norris is on great form too.
It's great to see Saul after an absence of a few episodes and Bob Odenkirk entertains to a high standard as always.
The previous few episodes focussed intensely on character development and this one gets you intrigued about where the plot will go next.
Breaking Bad: Cornered (2011)
Developing characters and dynamics well
This is a strong episode that further develops characters. What works particularly well is how the relationships Walt has with both Skyler and Jesse are portrayed to be affected by his pride, arrogance and also the influence of Gus.
Walt is a fair way down that road from "Mr Chips to Scarface" and at this point it feels like the pace has been as plausible as it could be for such an outrageous character arc. The writers deliver insights into his development sensibly by his reactionary dialogue with Skyler in one memorable early scene. His scene dialogue with Jesse is also great.
The filmmakers portray his continued transformation well through the use of colour and Bryan Cranston's consistently great performances. Anna Gunn is also excellent in her scenes and makes her character feel real.
Generally the cinematography is excellent as always. I particularly liked the camera on the shovel.