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Reviews
The New Look (2024)
At least it didn't try to give us the usual one dimensional version
As only 3 episodes have aired so far, I'm impressed with some of the production, with a few exceptions, namely John Malkovich's inability to speak with a French accent. It would have been better had he not even tried. If the makers of this series wanted it to be truly realistic, all actors would either have been speaking in French or German. That aside, at least the production included one of the more important aspects of WW2 - the Polish Franco intelligence resistance fighters, many of whom were teenagers. Catherine Dior was in fact taken to a camp, and after the allies' liberation, was able to return to Paris. Her story is well known for those who wish to read about it. Thousands of resistance fighters met the guillotine, or were shot over the course of the war. I also remind readers that over 50 million died during WW2, a senseless slaughter that could have been avoided had the monsters been stopped in Munich.
I look forward to actually getting to the story of Dior and Chanel in the years ahead, as that's what I thought this series was about. I've read and researched WW2 enough to last a life time. I don't need Apple TV to try and educate, whether accurately or inaccurately about this horrific time in history, as it'll be the simplistic version that most WW2 movies depict, which are usually devoid of the slaughter of intellectuals (teachers professors and so on) homosexuals, gypsies, physically/mentally handicapped people, etc. By the Nazis. No one was safe.
Craith (2018)
Slow Boring Too Long
Series 1, which was all I could stomach was 8 episodes too long. I guess they had to make 8 episodes to make the time for the sickie pervert lead character to walk through a door and into a room. I've never seen anyone move so bloody slowly. I had to change the speed on my player so I could get through it in half the time. As it was, I ended up only taking 2 hours to watch all of season 1.
What's the point in making such disturbing shows, and also what's with more than half the series being in Welsh? Welsh series seem to do this all the time, and it doesn't help keep the flow of the story. You can speak English, so speak it.
Would it kill a production company to have a male lead detective once in a while, instead of this sexist BS we have to contend with, with every show made in the UK.
Overall, it was a boring grim show, and not doing Welsh TV any favours yet again.
Masters of the Air (2024)
Lenny and Squiggy Go To War
What is with good British or Irish actors being cast as Americans, if they can't realistically portray an American? I got through the first 20 minutes and laughed at how ridiculous they all sounded. For people not familiar with how Americans don't speak, check out the 1970s show Laverne and Shirley's characters, Lenny and Squiggy: completely dumbed down hicks - no one talks like this in real life, and yet, ladies and gentlemen, I bring you "Masters of The Air". I don't know what James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart movies these young Brit actors have been watching, then using as their template. Or did someone create an "Acting as an American for Dummies" book?
Same goes for British actresses trying to play French women, but that's another story, and yet just as heinous.
There are many exceptions, when it comes to Brits portraying Americans, that are very good. This movie not one of them.
American actor, Austin Butler appears to think he's still playing Elvis - his acting brings the movie down. Doing a deeper voice, is not acting. Having better instincts for the role would have helped.
This was so off putting, as I've seen countless amazing British WW2 movies, and American ones. I'm sure there's an interesting story to be told - but it should have been overseen better in the casting and producing department.
The subject matter and visuals so far are good, even though it looks extremely polished due to the special effects.
I don't know if I can stomach to carry on - if I do, I'll just turn the sound off and put on a Knees up Mother Brown record in the background and pretend it's a squadron of RAF pilots flying.
The Beast Must Die (2021)
Had Potential But Dragged On For No Good Reason
I just finished watching this, which I enjoyed for the first 4 episodes. Then I think the writers either went to sleep or actually died. There was zero purpose to the other remaining episodes.
The acting was good, except for the drugged up zombie playing Phil's mother/George's wife. Could she walk any slower across the room? Could she be more mental? We're never told what the hell is wrong with her throughout the series. She just appears, doesn't know how to parent, doesn't know how to be a sister or a wife. So the character was completely unnecessary.
I still don't even understand the ending, because they just had people floating around in the water - was it real or a dream sequence, who knows, then the end credits rolled.
Frasier (2023)
Frasier and David Crane Are the Best and Only Funny Characters
Having just watched a couple of episodes, it's clear that the character of Frasier is as funny and witty as ever, and his nephew, David (Niles' son) played by Anders Keith is a great addition in place of Niles not being there. David has a lot of Nile's sense and sensibilities and his character is well developed. Kudos to Anders Keith. The rest of the supporting cast is gratuitously placed, and lack any real development. They instead weigh the show down, having no humour or wit. For example, Frasier's new boss and his neighbour are so boring and wooden, I had to fast forward every time they were on screen. Dump these robotic characters, have less, but stronger supporting cast, and this show could work.
The Christmas episode had some lovely touching moments, and an homage to Martin with Dancing Santa and the Rudolph door wreath- very sweet.
The Frasier reboot is similar to some rock 'n roll bands from the 1960s and '70s who now have long stringy hair, baseball caps hiding their baldness, and sound like gravelly shadows of their former selves. They, along with this reboot, are an abomination in comparison to their once former glory. Can no one just leave well enough alone? Frasier is still funny, but he can't run this show on his own.
The actor and character of Freddie is wooden, no emotion, no humour; his lines aren't well written nor do they offer any entertainment. All in all I'm left asking: Where's the heart, the intelligence the humour, the interaction between characters? It's as though the supporting cast are strategically placed "around" Frasier, rather than "in" Frasier's life.
Surely there were better choices for all the supporting characters. But even if there were better actors cast, the characters don't seem to serve any purpose other than to "try" desperately to make us laugh. One of the weakest, is the character of Moose who has a personality and voice reminiscent of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon. The character of Alan is trying so hard to be a cross between Gil and Niles, he's lost in his own translation of character development; one dimensional and only there so Frasier has someone to read his lines to.
The show falls flat and isn't believable because there's no emotional strings between characters. I don't believe for a moment that the dull actor playing the annoying spoiled entitled Freddie is even related to Frasier. He's supposed to be in late 30s, and yet acts like he's 15. There's zero bond and chemistry between Freddie and Frasier. In the birthday party episode, Freddie comes across as ungrateful, and also devoid of how real people actually interact, e.g. His mom and dad. He seems to have some fairy tale version of what parents should be, that they're perfect, never argue, and should always agree. Where did the writers get THAT from?
Frasier's character is the only life line, but this boat quickly sinks with the bricks the producers cast in this show. Replace all the supporting cast, and have fewer supporting cast, and have them actually serve a purpose other than to annoy and "try desperately" to get laughs.
I wish this show success, but truly, replace the supporting cast with better actors and characters.
Mrs Sidhu Investigates (2023)
Good Show But Screen Quality Very Unclear and Murky
First off, I don't understand why this show looks like I'm watching it on a dirty screen. I had to check if my eye glasses needed cleaning. No. It's the low quality of the film stock or digital tape or a filter they've put on, which looks very unclear and bad. So I hope they see that, and clear this up.
Secondly, the show itself is very enjoyable, the chemistry between all the players is entertaining, not overboard, and pretty realistic. The son is very funny, though lazy and useless for the most part, and I'd like to see less of that, and more of him being utilized in the story properly, as a man, not a spoiled little boy stuck in a virtual reality of gaming and expecting his mother to wipe his backside for him.
Mrs. Sidhu and DCI Burton are a perfect match, and their roles are nicely created, written and acted. I'll keep watching, but hope that the viewing quality is improved, where I don't have to feel like I need to put eye drops in for a clearer picture.
The Vanishing Triangle (2023)
No Ending Missing an Episode to Resolve
WTF is all I have to say. This was an incomplete crime series, leaving the ending stupidly unresolved, with character's whereabouts left unknown, and the perp not caught. What's wrong with writers in the UK, they do this all the time!
The viewer invests time in watching good episodes only to realize the writers and producers went to sleep or on vacation in the end.
Do they not have story editors anymore to work on scripts to say "hey, you need a proper ending and to resolve your crime properly".
I feel completely ripped off with this series, as there's no satisfaction at all.
The acting was very good, but these writers should not be allowed to roam free without a supervisor in charge telling them the most basic thing any story writer should know: solve your crimes properly and don't cheat your audience.
Safe (2018)
An Infomercial For Not Having Kids
I'm on episode 2 and can barely watch anymore. The kids in the series are beyond unlikable, and I could care less what happens to any of them. All the spoiled brats run their households, their parents indulge and enable them every step of the way. They, and anyone like them in real life need to look up "parenting" in a dictionary. This is what you get, and it won't get any better, they'll never be a version of their former selves again, when you liked each other. Based on these kid characters, I respect Ricky Gervais for once saying he'd never have kids because he knows his kid would turn out to be a Hamstead "C", as are the kids in the show.
DC Emma C acting is italicized in every scene. Amanda Abbington isn't as painful to watch, although completely unbelievable as a police officer, e.g. Her son has blood all over his shirt, 2 kids are missing, and she's not the least suspicious when she finds his bloody shirt??
Soap opera doesn't even begin to describe this series, which is too bad, had the acting been better, the characters at least 1% likeable. I was looking forward to a good mystery, but seeing as Jenny is so unlikable from the get go, who cares where she is and if she ever comes back.
Ashes to Ashes (2008)
Refreshing Change
I'm watching in 2023, and I won't let the thought police decide whether I'm allowed to find this a funny show. Gene Hunt is the funniest character I've seen in ages - no holds bar, just says what he wants, albeit, most of the time it's bad boy stuff and horrible! But what the heck, it makes me laugh nonetheless because it's been so damn long since I've seen something like this. The directing and producing is spot on as well as the acting for the era it takes place, which is 1981 - perfectly cheesy. I appreciate the character of Alex to generate some common sense into the dinosaurs' way of thinking, but she doesn't preach or go overboard.
The Bay (2019)
Bad Writing, Bad Parenting
All I can say is that if you're going to have a single mother be the lead detective, who is never home, and cares more about stranger's children than her own, then don't have her be a mother in the show then. The grandmother just smiles through this tripe, as though anything her rotten grandchildren do is a learning moment. Give me strength. Who are the adults in the show? No wonder so many kids are so screwed up - parents are afraid to be parents.
Also, memo to the producers and wardrobe department, a woman doesn't have to be dressed up like a sex trade worker in order to go out for a few drinks and karaoke. It was completely unrealistic to have Lisa dress like a normal professional by day, and street walker on her free time. But it is British, and perhaps the producers have been reading the Daily Mail for too many years and equate every woman to dressing/acting like a cheap tart.
Annika (2021)
Season 2 is unrecognizable
Keep Annika and Michael, and cast some better actors who know their place in the ranks of the police station. Every character acts as though they are equal to the boss. This isn't real, nowhere in any job, especially police work will you find the underlings acting as though they are equals to their superior. So BBC, get a grip and hire better writers, who have actually spent time in a police station for a few months. The shows are so boring. The only reason I've watched is for the scenery, Annika and Michael, who actually seem like real people. The other robots are wooden, dare I say it, almost as bad as most American shite actors. Like Chelsea Detective, one can barely tell one supporting cast member from another as they're just reading their lines, but have zero personality. Who's running the BBC these days - an AI bot?
The Chelsea Detective (2022)
Writing is Dull
I enjoyed season one as the acting/writing was a little more lively and fun than season 2. It feels like everyone is just reading from a script without much expression or individual inflection into their character. I blame the writers for this, as Adrian Scarborough is a multi talented actor, and very versatile. The writers need to spruce up this dull writing and differentiate one character from another. As it stands, any of them could read each other's lines. There isn't one character that stands out from another.
In most shows, each character is quite different one from the other, one more witty, more humourous, more authoritative, etc.
The show is beautifully directed and the locations are lovely, especially the houseboat. But come one writers, liven this up a bit. A good example is Endeavour: Morse is quite different than Thursday, who is very different from Jim Strange and Bright. That's what makes a show interesting - variety. Let Adrian Scarbourough shine more - he's the lead and full of great range.
Doc Martin (2004)
Well Written and Superbly Acted
I'm currently on season 9, coming into this series a bit late. I've thoroughly enjoyed this show, starting with the beautiful setting of the Cornwall coast, and the quaintness of Port Isaac.
Martin Clunes and his supporting cast are all excellent. The character development of Bert and Louisa could have been polished better in the later seasons. Bert just became annoying and stupid with his get rich schemes, and I think the writers could have found better story lines for him once he sold his restaurant. The worst development of any character is that of Louisa. She's supposed to be a mother yet forgets she has a son, and seems more preoccupied with other people's children at school, then wanting to become a counsellor of stranger's children. Her son James comes last, as we either see her running out the door giving the baby an air kiss or on her lap top. I don't know if any of the writers are parents (or good parents), but it was frustrating and irritating to have Louisa so disengaged with her child, other than him being a prop. I'm at the point where she wants yet another child to ignore.
Also the story lines for Joe are weak, portraying him as the village idiot, which he isn't. He's reached out emotionally a couple of times wondering how to make friends. None of the characters have friends actually - we rarely if ever see anyone doing anything with a "friend" on the show. I think the writers had the townsfolk being too mean to Joe, and that was very uncomfortable and unnecessary. He didn't deserve to be treated like dirt.
Love Doc Martin's interaction with James and his 4 legged friends. A charming show for sure.
Amanda & Alan's Italian Job (2023)
It Has its Moments
I watched all 8 episodes, and enjoyed Alan Carr's interaction with the renovation crew. He livened things up with his perspective and humour. I found Amanda Holden's perfect orange nails, perfect make up and tight fitting clothing distracting and unrealistic for being in Sicily to renovate. I would lose Holden and let Carr do these shows with someone more lively and interesting. In the end, the apartment's decor looked uncomfortable and unlivable. Too much marble, e.g. With glass tumblers on the sink - an accident of smashed glass waiting to happen. There was nothing practical in the decor. It just made a cold and austere photo. Better luck next time with something more cozy and comfortable looking.
McDonald & Dodds (2020)
Dodd is the Brains Give Him the Credit
I'm enjoying the character of Dodd played well by Jason Watkins. The lead female detective is fine, except her character is unskilled, mean and unfeeling. She's mean to Dodd, and owes him many apologies for the way she treats him. I see nothing wrong with Dodd, as he's the only one that is making a full effort to solve the crimes. It's time the script writers gave him the credit he deserves. As well, enough with the silliness of sticking him under the air conditioner - it's plain rude and would never happen in real life.
P. S. ITV. We're all tired of every police show having to have a female lead every single time. As a female myself, it's become a huge predictable bore. How about some well rounded equality for a change in 50/50 splits where a man can actually be in charge, like in real life. Your sending a really bad message to half the population and it's time to even out the playing field. We get it, women are smart, too. Stop brow beating your audience already. It's not the 1950s. We get it already! Seriously, give it a rest.
The Fall (2013)
Deport Gillian Anderson
This dog's breakfast of a show could have been wrapped up in less than 5 episodes. What genius at the BBC thought one story should be 17 episodes? If it were good, then that'd be different. Watching this was like being in a bad relationship hoping it'll get better. Other viewers clearly sat through this lead balloon, with the same hope.
Anderson's voice is just silly and unauthentic. Her dialogue is delivered with an icy, monotone, robotic cadence. Was she asked to speak this way? Did the writer or director tell her to appear dead-eyed and uninteresting?
Due to it being made in 2013, it was the law that she was dressed in skin tight blouses, hip hugging skirts, stiletto high heels as she slinks around like a python looking for an apple to devour. This was the BBC and Hollywood's template to portray what a powerful woman should look and dress like. She has to be pleasing, and ready to jump into bed with any guy, as she stares blankly into space with her come hither expressions, and coquettish turn of the head while speaking to both male and female characters in the show. She comes across as Nora Desmond: "Do you not find me irresistible...look at my satin blouse unbuttoned to show just enough cleavage,it'll make you mine mine mine!" According to the writer, this is all it takes to trap a dumb man. There wasn't one strong or believable male role in this; as though somehow this is going to make Anderson look strong. No team work in this show either.
Nicola Walker in the series, Annika and The Unforgotten is much more realistic - she dresses like a human would at work, not an x-rated fantasy of the BBC. Not to mention Walker acts like a real person.
The most cringe-worthy line in The Fall was when Anderson decided to exchange her low cut satin blouse, skin tight skirt for an actual police uniform, telling her co-worker (John Lynch) that she's opting NOT to look feminine. And he replies "it's not working". Groan. That lasted for one or two scenes. And of course her police costume had to be skin tight, as though she bought it at an x -rated adult Halloween store.
After awhile I asked myself, who's the actual predator in this show, Spector or Anderson? She's just creepy and unlikable.
The other aspects that are just plain stupid: why didn't the daughter, Olivia tell her even dumber mother that she'd seen her father put things up in the attic in her room? Why doesn't the stupid mother actually look in the attic when the kid tells mommy she's seen a naked woman up there. At least look you tool, as one would in real life. Did I mention how many people in the murderer's life don't bother to recognize his photo in the newspaper.
Also, when the team in season 2 figure out who the killer is, what do they do? Arrest him, bring him in for questioning? No. They're too busy looking at Anderson's legs and cleavage apparently. So they do nothing. Meanwhile, Rose has been abducted by him, and still no one thinks to bring the killer in and find out where Rose is. As someone else said, either Belfast has the worst police force, or the writers think we're all as dumb as they are.
Dalgliesh: A Certain Justice - Part 1 (2023)
Trying to Be Like Endeavour but Lacking in Character Development & Dynamics
The character of Dalgliesh is flat line, no emotion, except when he's pampering his sergeant in a pandering gratuitous manner. Oh look, she's black, female and young. This is very unrealistic. I can't think of a time when any boss could give two hoots about how their employees feel. But Dalgliesh is frequently asking her how she's feeling, or apologizing for nothing. This is not real world, certainly not in the 1970s (when I first started work), and certainly not these days. I'd love to hear how many people work for someone who is so concerned with their well being and always checking in with them. British TV producers and writers have this alter-reality that they wish the world was like. It's nothing like this, never has been, never will be.
Also, it seems to be against the law in the UK for a male lead to work alone now.
I can't get passed this, as it throws any realism off. Also would it kill the writers for Dalgliesh to use more than one tone throughout the entire series? The stories aren't that interesting to hide these flaws.
Unforgotten (2015)
I'm so so so sorry
How many times did I have to hear this in series 5, 2023? I'm so so sorry I had to sit through this soap opera with a corrupt ending, that had no justice, and blames the crime on someone who didn't do it. This is ridiculous. The ending got overly convoluted and seemed to be advocating for framing someone for committing murder because they committed another misdeed 40 years earlier. For me the whole point of the series has been about seeking truth for the unforgotten body they find.
This series was like one man treated a women badly years ago and therefore it's okay to frame him for murder in current day and leave it at that. What the hell is going on with British TV?
On another note, what happened to Sunny's wife and 2 daughters? Last we heard the couple may get back together. But there wasn't one glimpse or mention of his daughters.
Tom Papa: What a Day! (2022)
Just Keeps Getting Better and Better
I gave this 10 stars based on how much I laughed with tears in my eyes. Tom Papa's material and delivery is the most entertaining stand up out there. He does it without resorting to scatological or vulgar humour. He doesn't get political, racial or divisive. He delves deep into our funny bone where every day occurrences like a couple's bed time routine is highlighted to the tune of the funniest thing in your day. The way he describes it, had both my husband and I gasping for air through our laughter. Love it when he said that when he tries to read a book, that this must be a signal to his wife that he's bored and therefore a good time to tell him about his sister's mortgage extension (something like that).
His material is for grown ups, couples, families with real every day stuff that translates to fodder for comedy, making it hilarious as he reflects it back to the audience. The only other time I've laughed this hard was at his other stand up specials. Well done, Tom, keep it coming.
Stonehouse (2023)
Empty Story Comical at Times
If you didn't know anything about Stonehouse before, you wouldn't know much by the end of this series. Matthew M. Was entertaining and very good in a comedic role, but that's all that I can say that was good about it. Was it improvised? Was there even a script? Everything was so lean, with no meat on the bones of this skeleton.
We learn nothing of what happened to his wife, how she survived financially while he was away or in jail. He couldn't afford the house or private schools for his children, she didn't work, so how was it that they continued to live a life they couldn't afford then? A proper writer might have actually thought to explain some of this. A lost opportunity with lazy production.
Liar: Episode #2.1 (2020)
Who Cares Who Killed Andrew
This show was a gripping mystery, but could have been wrapped up in the first 6 episodes. Spending an entire season on who killed this piece of crap begs the question "who cares?" The police spent more time in finding Andrew's killer than finding evidence against him in assaulting close to 20 women. So why should we care? They failed all these women with their mamby pamby investigation because it was rape, but murder of the rapist is seen more important. I don't get it, never will.
The acting throughout was top notch, the directing very good. Kent seems to be a favourite location for filming these days, as though everybody lives in a waterfront luxury home, especially Liam, who has no income, but aside from that flaw, I did enjoy this series.
Strike: Troubled Blood: Part 1 (2022)
Drop Robin as a character
I like the show overall, but after season 1 and 2, there's been way too much Robin and her unrealistic antics. In real life, she wouldn't have survived most of the irresponsible capers she gets into, especially with the mob in season 4. It's not her show, her story anyway, so if this series continues, I'd like to see Robin gone, and more of Strike, and Pat, his new secretary, whose dry yet efficient attitude is a breath of fresh air and more like season 1. I've grown tired of Strike's kowtowing to Robin and constantly having to apologize to princess. It's her that should be apologizing for putting the team's lives in danger too often. It's like Robin is a brand new character in series 4, and she's no longer fun, pleasant or watchable.
Strike (2017)
Cool But Too Much Robin
I've just finished series 1 and look forward to the remaining episodes. Tom Burke as C. B. Strike is charming, low key and a treat to watch. His character is well developed, with a back story that is revealed just enough to bring the viewer into the present. The stories are well written, easy to follow and keep the viewer guessing. Unlike too many mysteries that complicate with a lot of sub plots, C. B. Strike hits all the right notes for the audience to go on a journey with him in each story.
The art direction and cinematography are particularly good with an original feel and a nod to yesteryear, with a mix of just the right amount of authentic cool, grit and beauty.
I've now finished series 2 and 3 and am getting ticked that the show is using the character of Robin more than the Strike. It's his name on the title of the show, he shouldn't be just coming in at the last minute rescuing Robin from her perils. To believe she's so competent in giving her more air time, then having to be rescued by Strike's brawn is an insult to his character.
If the series continues with her sucking up most of the screen time I won't continue watching. Enough already - we get it, women can do things, too. Memo to the makers: so can men, so let's get back to what the series was in season 1.
Whitstable Pearl (2021)
Was a good start, still watching
Episode 1 of season 1 started off with a great dynamic between Pearl and Mike. It's not easy to have a (semi) private detective and police officer work together in a small town, and see the potential for a romance at the same time. It all happened too soon. The relationship would have been better left as a professional one, much like Grantchester, Father Brown, etc. You wouldn't see these amateur sleuths falling in love with a police officer and so you don't even think about the potential.
If this series is to continue, I wish the writers would just make up their mind what direction they want Mike and Pearl to have. Mike's character needs to go back to series 1, episode 1, with his dry sense of humour and sarcasm. That's when it worked the best. The stories are a refreshing change from your usual bloody violent sexual assault British dramas. It has more of a small town crime feel, which I like. I'll hold out hope for this series, as I very much like the lead actors and location. I searched for other shows that Porthos (Mike) had been in, as he's a great actor, funny and charming. Let's see more of that shine through.
The Musketeers (2014)
Easy on The Eyes and Ears
I'm a bit late in watching this series, and happy to report that the BBC actually made a good series here, albeit with trying to insert "girl power" and modern day sensibilities into it with the female characters. Had the writer and producers just made a more accurate depiction of gender roles of the time, with the female cosmetics, hair and costumes, and roles, this would have received a 10 star rating. The actress who played Constance was the weakest link in this series, and with all the fine British actresses to choose from, it's a mystery why this woman was cast (I can't bother to even look up her real name).
The 4 main Musketeers are flawless in their delivery, poise and appearance. Neither beefed up, nor ponced up with wigs and rouge, the leads carry this series into the kind of swashbuckling good humoured camaraderie I was hoping for. One for all, and all for one; kudos to these chaps for their excellent performances, and a special thanks for being so damn charming!