Nerdy Squirrel Reviews by Pasckie Pascua

“The Instigators” (2024, AppleTV+) heist comedy about a botched robbery causes two thieves to go on the run, dragging along one of their therapists in the process. Stars Casey Affleck and Matt Damon . Check out the other stars: Michael Stuhlbarg , Paul Walter Hauser , Ving Rhames , Alfred Molina , Toby Jones , Ron Perlman . I mean, Mr S tuhlbarg and Mr Hauser are huge favorites here in the house.        Meanwhile, I bet the project’s budget pretty much went to these guys. A sort of day in the office gig, as the usual case of Nic Cage nowadays, but this ride is still enjoyable. The obligatory Damon/Affleck Boston jaunt. So yes, expect the Irish-styled cuss words.         Storyline: In Boston , two strangers from Quincy — divorced Marine veteran Rory and alcoholic ex-con Cobby Murphy — are recruited for a robbery. Rory struggles to explain his plans to his therapist, Dr. Rivera, while Cobby's bartender Mr. Kelly warns him not to return to his criminal ways. The night of the cit

“The Sympathizer” (HBO) historical black comedy drama , based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize -winning novel of the same name by Viet Thanh Nguyen . Premise: A North Vietnam plant in the South Vietnam army is forced to flee to the United States with his general near the end of the Vietnam War . While living within a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues to secretly spy on the community and report back to the Viet Cong , struggling between his original loyalties and his new life.        Honestly, if these guys simply told the story as is or the way stories were used to be told in Hollywood--no artsy pretensions such as “black comedy” detours--I'd enjoy this series more.        Central character is the Captain, convincingly played by Hoa Xuande though he lacks schtick to deliver some “comedy.” However, I couldn't sense humor or laughter in such a heavy-ass premise. At times lumbering, sometimes moralizing, somewhere I couldn't imagine how'd they end the ri

“The Big Cigar” (Apple TV+) biographical drama thriller , based on the 2012 Playboy article of the same name by Joshuah Bearman . Premise: Set in 1974, the series chronicles the manhunt for Huey P. Newton , the founder of the Black Panther Party , who seeks the help of film producer Bert Schneider as he tries to escape to Cuba . The leads, Andre Holland (2016, “Moonlight”) as Huey and Alessandro Nivola as Bert are usually fine performers. But for some reason, their efforts here seem half-baked, uninspired, even boring. Some critics praised Mr Holland as the only redeeming factor in the series, but not me.          All in all, I feel lost amidst the narrative. Supposedly it’s a thriller caper, well this is cinema, but there’s no thrill and I sense the Black Panther backstory wasn’t given its due significance. No spark, no excitement. And P. J. Byrne as Stephen Blauner , Bert's business partner, looks like a lame Neil Sedaka. Marc Menchaca as Sydney Clark, an FBI agent dressed

“Mayor of Kingstown” (Paramount+) Season 3, crime thriller . Kingstown, Michigan , is a fictional company town where the business is incarceration. The McLusky family kept the peace (sort of) in Kingstown for decades, acting as the mediators between the street gangs, prisoners, guards, and cops.         Intrigue: Does a “mayor” of this vein actually exist? A power broker and gangland negotiator or “shot caller” who could be more powerful than a non-fiction Mayor? Maybe.         But never mind. This is TVland. Just enjoy but don't be too queasy with the “macho maddafucqa” language. These guys are hardened inmates, battle-weary cops, hellbound gangsters and narcos monsters, exasperated DAs, and the likes.         Jeremy Renner is Mike McLusky, caught between no way out evil and vulnerability in the crossroads. His spunk and grit are an unfailing gladiator armor but his soul is rotting in the crossfire (or that's how he feels). Ensemble acting competes with the group performance

“Brooklyn” (2015, Amazon Prime) romantic period drama, based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Colm Tóibin, and stars Saoirse Ronan in the lead role. This movie, alluring in its simplicity, directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Hornby , received many nominations for industry and critics awards, including three nominations at the 88th Academy Awards : Best Picture , Best Adapted Screenplay , and Best Actress for Ms Ronan .         The storyline isn’t so big a deal, in fact–predictable and can be languid or weary. But the overall production values of “Brooklyn” mesmerize and enthrall. The cinematography of Yves Bélanger rewarded François Séguin’s production design and Odile Dicks-Mireaux’s costume design with dramatic flair and aesthetic restraint. Not bombastic or spectacular, just enough to accentuate Eilis Lacey’s aura.          In a nutshell, that’s the movie. Pretty much. And oh Julie Walters ’ short spot as Mrs Kehoe is fun! 🎥👍📽 “A Little White Lie” (2022, Hulu),

“Line of Duty” (BritBox on Amazon) Season 6 or Series Finale, British police procedural , created by Jed Mercurio. Best-performing U.K. drama series in years, from 2014, say critics. I concur. A kickass series! No thrilling car chases, no swashbuckling SWAT takedowns, no hysterical characters. But still kickass.        Mr Mercurio's projects are a hit and miss (I don't like “Bodies” but I like “Bodyguard” etcetera). But “Line of Duty” is definitely on my Top 5 of all-time greats in the TV police/detective category. The writing is detailed and informative yet never boring or plodding. The kind of action watch where the action is on its intellectual flair and cerebral bombast.        The series regulars are Martin Compston , Vicky McClure , and Adrian Dunbar . They are not the sort of glittery stars, maybe British cinema A-2 or A-3 listers but they pretty much held the fort in all six seasons and kept me glued. 🎥📺📽

“Shōgun” (Hulu) historical drama , based on the 1975 novel of the same name by James Clavell , follows "the collision of two ambitious men from different worlds and a mysterious female samurai.” An equally fine TV adaptation was the 1980 5-episode series that starred Richard Chamberlain, Toshiro Mifune and Yoko Shimada.         The new series had Cosmo Jarvis as Blackthorne, Hiroyuki Sanada as Toranaga, and Anna Sawai as Mariko. Both series are highly recommended, as long as the current version doesn't resort to a Season 2, which is not needed.         “Shogun” is part of Mr Clavell's 6-volume “Asian Saga,” which I finished reading when I was in my 20s. I think I spent seven to 8 years reading all the books, from the 1980s to the 1990s. To refresh, I needed to place a “Shogun” paperback beside me as I watched the series. To fully appreciate both the book and TV series, rereading Japan's history helps, especially how “new” religions figured among warring noble clans. 

“Longmire” (Netflix), neo-Western crime drama , based on the “Walt Longmire Mysteries” series of novels by Craig Johnson. The 6-Season series centers on Walt Longmire , an old school sheriff in Wyoming .         Yes, I get to enjoy a TV crime series or police procedural that isn't spiced up with elongated sex scenes, bombastic car crashes, swashbuckling action sequences, or hyped-up (political/cultural) correctness. The “white man/Indian people” background is amply explored but not moralized or politicized or narrated as a bloated lecture in history. Still objective and balanced.        “Longmire” is addictive due to several reasons that would have made it less addictive. Robert Taylor is an old dude cowboy macho but not the Hollywood gloss type. Sure, he accentuates what the Bee Gees immortalizes as “I'm a woman's man / No time to talk” yet Walt got more because he doesn't prefer much. He is not a fan of cellphones or new electronic gadgets, does his own forensics, kn

“True Detective: Night Country” or Season 4 of “True Detective” (Paramount+ HBO) crime drama . Set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska , and follows the investigation behind the disappearance of eight men from a research station . Stars Jodie Foster and Kali Reis as Detectives Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro.         The chemistry between Ms Foster and Ms Reis is fire and ice, enough to keep the denseness of the plot above freezing point, I must say. But the plot in itself moves from supernatural puzzlement to sci-fi confusion to noir crime whodunnit. Where were we going?!? I was actually expecting that a monster would pop up from the deathly tundra.         But Jodie and Kali or Danvers and Navarro (plus young Finn Bennett as Officer Peter Prior) give us serious acting so we are okay. The entire photography work is all gray-bleak and snowy white hell but it kept me glued somehow. I wanted to finally know why those guys got frozen nekkid! The last quarter of the series seems p