Its current 42% on Rotten Tomatoes is really low for the actual quality of this movie. I think many critics and viewers just dismiss it looks like a typical a holiday rom-com. It's actually a lovely movie! Have trust in Emma Thompson!

I live in a country full of wonder, but not as wondrous as what is in this show. The show goes big, very huge. I love Netflix shows, and this one is very riveting in many regards, though it is not for everyone. I love the family, usually. Maureen annoys me sometimes. I am glad for this show and I am sure others are too. Please check it out.

Two episodes in, this is engaging enough to make me stick with the series, but coming from Merchant, I expected more laughs. Don't go in expecting the laughs-a-minute ratio to be as high as much of his past work. It's a crime/thriller first and foremost before a comedy. One of the biggest issues with this, that some other reviewers have pointed out, is the left wing vs right wing BS between a couple of the characters, or how it's framed in the 1st episode, the right winged 'blowhard' and left winged militant... I mean, this is the same 'militant' who actually pulls someone up for saying coloured person instead of person of colour. Insufferable! Coming from Merchant, who on his amazing XFM radio shows and podcasts with Gervais and Karl, was as un-PC as it got at times, it is surprising. Some of the characters are cliched on the surface, like the Indian young female with helicopter parents and the 'person of colour' being entangled in gang life, but they are varied and each have their own story. And then, there is Christopher Walken who is great in anything.

It's understandable that some may be put off by the cruel and sadistic violence orchestrated by the Basterds... And one thing this film does not do well is make this violence seem more justifiable in the fictional context... Instead our band of American vengeful sadists conduct seemingly indiscriminate violence against German forces. Even for those who are well-aware of the atrocities committed by the German authorities at this time (not all of whom were "Nazis")... Much of the violence does not feel momentarily justified... And thus lacks any emotional impact... With notable exceptions. Instead, far more attention is spent to dialogue, which in some cases carries tension, but in others is merely mundane filler. It would be far more palpable if there could be character build-up to the enemies they mutilate... I just can't help to think that many of the people are just victims of circumstance. That being said, the tactics of the Basterds works to instil fear in the heart of the war machine of Nazi Germany... As atrocious as their actions are on an individual level... One must not lose sight of the greater picture... It's just a shame that such a thing could not be demonstrated on screen. Instead Inglourious Basterds is a series of ultraviolent scenes and drama sequences, pieced together like a comic book, and with barely any emotional impact, but maybe that's just because I'm mentally ill, and without that careful build-up, violence doesn't have much affect on me apart from showcasing shock horror special effects or absurdity-both of which do have entertainment value... To a degree. Regardless of my criticisms, the film is brilliantly acted by the entire cast, and has a rich multilingual screenplay... Interesting or not, credit is due for the stern attentions to detail.

Very good show about chess - actual Grandmasters worked together with the production team so the games themselves are of pretty good quality. But this show is about much more than the game of chess, it just provides a great background for the story of Beth Harmon. Beth was dealt a pretty rough hand in life, being orphaned in her childhood because her psychotic mother could not take care of her. She eventually gets adopted but even then it's not all smiles and sunshine as life still manages to throw a wrench in the gears every time it's looking up for her. One thing to critique about the show is Moses Ingram's character, Beth's childhood friend Jolene whom she met at the orphanage. She turns up later in the series again to become the Black Woman Ex Machina and despite the show lampshading it, it still comes off as very tropey. Other than that though, it was a thoroughly enjoyable ride and for sure has sparked my passion for chess recently.