40/23

Quoted in Premios Soberano (2024)

CIA Agent Joe tries to balance his personal and professional life as the spearhead of the agency’s war on terror. Real military advisors helped produce a more authentic execution of weapons handling, house clearing, positioning, teamwork, etc. Mr. Sheridan knows how to take us into testosterone-fueled, male-dominated worlds without cliché and seemingly without ulterior motives. It is what it is.

No excuses needed

His characters are always down to earth and he is extremely skilled at casting. But to be great you have to write good parts for women. The writing has to be as good as, if not better than, the writing for men. Men are simple. Women are smarter, more complex.

They are strong and compelling

Beth in Yellowstone (great character and performance), the barrel riders, the only female ranch hand (the fantastic Jen Landon as Teeter), all great female characters who fit into the world of the story naturally and unforced. Not just “the partner of…” or T & A. She stepped up her game with the excellent character that Faith Hill destroyed in “1883”, followed by Dame Mirren in the failure that was “1923”. Now we have Zoe Saldana, doing some of the best work of her career. I totally buy her as the head of the CIA in an open marriage (nice touch).

What a turnaround!

I buy De Oliveira as a broken woman with a burning anger who won’t give up and thank, thank, thank you writers/directors/producers for NOT letting her get the best of a buddy with a hundred pounds of extra muscle. Authenticity first! I think her character is much more interesting if she’s someone who needs to be knocked out or just beaten to the ground before she gives in. Now let’s talk about Jill Wagner or should I say her hair? From sappy Hallmark fare to super badass Special Forces badass?

I’m buying it

Honorable mention: Ms. Lanier as the evil teenage daughter. I look forward to the story arc of this loose canon, as long as they keep away from the teen angst cliché. Good actor, could be interesting…