The Mercury News

Phongam plays off Jittri’s steam-rolling ambition to electrifying results in a rather addictive Thai thriller series that throws a lot of story at ya.

A breathless experience, a shattering new impression that repurposes what came before and strives to do something similar yet different. Is it better than either film? In some ways.

For the third season, lead showrunner Rolin Jones pulls off a hell of a hat trick and puts a lot onto the chiseled shoulders of Sam Reid, reprising his role as the sexy, witty bloodsucker Lestat de Lioncourt. Good news: Reid is electrifying and looks, acts and struts around like a legit rock star from the Bowie and Jagger age.

It’s a big improvement from Season 1 and is on its way to establishing itself as a contemporary “Friends,” only with better scenery.

Each of its 25-minute-or-so episodes mine comedy gold and will make you shoot water out of your nose at least once. But underneath its potty-mouthed humor, it’s sweet, accentuating how true-blue friendships can help each other survive the calamities of the dating and mating scene.

The supernatural element here is snicker-worthy scary. But where “The Boroughs” sizzles is in its May-December romance between Renee — played with such appeal and zest by Davis — and helpful new security guard Paz (San Francisco native and dreamboat Carlos Miranda). Their interplay sparks the kind of chemistry most romantic comedies beg for and gives Miranda a part that will melt hearts and turn him into a breakout star.

Amateur sleuthing takes Paula to unexpected places, leading to a denouement that doesn’t entirely tie everything up but makes us crave a second season so we could spend more quality time with a flawed, likeable character you can’t help but fall in love with.

Is it as good as “Money Heist”? No. But that doesn’t mean this melodramatic charmer that dips in and out of the love troubles of its characters isn’t worth watching.

As is, “Punisher” is pure grindhouse fare with more grunts and groans than dialogue; it’ll make you long for something with more meat on its bones.

A promising start of what could well find John Creasy (Abdul-Mateen) reprising his role as the PTSDing loner.