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WhodunnitJB
Reviews
Plagi Breslau (2018)
Ugh. Helena Rus's hair
This is certainly interesting and definitely unique, but Helena Rus's hair is hugely distracting to me. It's always in her face and covering half her face, it's hard to even see the emotions. She tilts her head constantly, but it's not because she's inquisitive. It's because her freaking hair is in her face, and the cut side looks like a 6 year old took scissors to her hair. I'll be so into a scene, and then her hair is back in her face. So between the hair, her nasty attitude, and the fact she's crying all of the time, the main character LITERALLY takes away from the story. I don't understand why they would make her character so unlikable with horrible hair. It makes me laugh, and a movie like this is not intended to make the viewer laugh. That's what I did though. She's no Rebecka Martinsson, Sarah Linden, or Sofia Karrpi that's for sure.
Karen Pirie (2022)
So good.
I'm watching Karen Pirie for the second time. It is so rich in content, character, and depth that it feels like I've never seen it. The nuances of the body language, the tension between all of levels, genders, etc in the police force, the scapegoating-using Karen-a female in order to cover up whatever cover up there might've been, and the overt misogyny, racism, homophobia, and sexism smacks of the harsh reality that is the ugliness in the world...it's all so superbly written by Emer Kenny. I love the podcast angle and how the citizen detective helps the actual detective-it's a creative approach to what seems to be happening in our era.
There are aspects that are really really hard to watch like how the drudging up of the past has affected the lives of those who've lived it. The realization that yes, Karen was selected to run the review because she's a woman. That's such a crummy feeling to know that the selection wasn't based on merit. It shows how systemic sexism, racism, and bias are an ever present force in society-STILL.
Great series. Can't wait for what they will do in series 2. This season had so many plates spinning, it made for captivating viewing. Hoping series 2 delivers the same.
La forêt (2017)
Suzanne Clément Really?!?!
This series is pretty amazing. Strong storyline. Suspenseful, thrilling, edge of your seat, series that is equally as good as some Nordic noirs. The one problem with this series-and it is a HUGE PROBLEM-is Suzanne Clément.
I can't believe she's won so many awards for her acting, because she ruins every scene she's in in the series. She's so ridiculously overacting it is close to impossible to take what is happening in the show-pedophilia, murder, sex trafficking, etc.-seriously. That says how bad it is, doesn't? One character's ridiculous interpretation of her role such a major part of the story is baffling.
If you can get past her (and she's in the majority of scenes) then you might enjoy this. If not, it will be a painful 6 hours.
Whitstable Pearl: Night Terrors (2022)
Rear Window, REALLY?!??
I love Whitstable Pearl, but as another reviewer said, this is plagiarism at its finest. I'm really disappointed. While I think Mike, Pearl, and the rest of the cast were AWESOME, using Rear Window was just lazy writing.
I think, perhaps this was the writers' way of throwing Mike and Pearl back together-nothing brings couples together like a crisis or murder, right??? I wonder if Howard Charles broke his leg in real life and they had to scramble a re-write to work it in.
Honestly, that's the only thing that makes sense to me. Isn't there actual source material for Whitstable Pearl? It's based on actual books, so why steal from Hitchcock???
Still love the series, but this was lame. Pun fully intended.
Whitstable Pearl: A Cup O' Kindness (2021)
What a delight
I'm really enjoying this series, and I always know a series will be a hit when Annette Badland guest stars. She was positively brilliant in this role, and everything about this episode kept me guessing. I think that's what I really enjoy about Whitstable Pearl, I don't actually know who the culprit is within 15 minutes. I always figure out Midsomer Murders and even Vera at times, but my first reaction has been wrong on every episode of this series.
I really enjoyed how on top of the mystery the holidays, Mike's loss, the wonderful Nolan family dynamic, and humor have been woven together so seamlessly. This episode was one of the best yet.
True Detective (2014)
Season 3 is Painful
For the most part I love this show. I hate the amount of racist and misogynistic words Nic Pizzolatto puts in his scripts. Don't get me wrong, systemic racism and sexism is still pervasive. Yes, it needs to be addressed, emphasized, and eradicated so we have a better world. However, as a former English teacher, the way Nic Pizzolatto uses these words and phrases is egregious. It's been bad every season, but season 3 was awful. I've been able to binge watch season 1 and 2.
I will never understand the hate that season 2 received. It was so crazy complex, but man, it worked. It worked so well, and there was so much I never saw coming in BOTH season 1 and 2.
I felt Season 3 was super formulaic. I didn't like the character Wayne Hays at all. Amelia, Henry, Roland and Tom were fascinating, but I felt Wayne was a bit cliche. He, literally, blames everyone around him for all of his problems, while forcing everyone to bend to HIS will. He's a classic narcissist, and though there are glimpses of slight empathy, he's so myopic and caustic, it's lost in his hate for the world.
It doesn't seem like he cares about anything or anyone except solving the case, and I feel like Pizzolatto used dementia as a trope to excuse poor behavior. He wrote all supporting characters, so they excuse his selfishness because of the war, the trauma of Woodard, systemic racism, and the injustice that corruption has on high profile cases.
The problem I have with that? Whatever happens in our lives-no matter how awful it is-ultimately, we're still responsible for our actions and how we treat people. In every other season, the characters are held accountable to some degree. In season 3, that doesn't exist. I found that hard to digest.
It's my least favorite season. It was painful to get through, and I hope season 4 is better.
True Detective: Down Will Come (2015)
Why so much hate for Vince Vaughn
I loved season one of True Detective, but I love the layers of complexity that are in season two. I find myself having to rewind and rewatch entire portions, because I realize I've missed something important.
I like Vince Vaughn's Frank. He's an unexpected and underrated character. I like that-even if he's a gangster-his family is the reason he's doing all of this. He's trying to survive in both the legit and organized crime worlds-simultaneously. Sure, he could've gone all Tony Soprano like most gangsters are portrayed, I think this interpretation is more complex, compelling, and convincing. You can see he's torn In everything he's having to renegotiate, because some shady bureaucrat stole his life's work.
Give Vince a chance. Not everyone has to be Goodfellas or The Sopranos kinda gangsters.
Unforgotten: Episode #5.1 (2023)
Find someone else to replace Cassie
DCI Jess James is probably the most unlikeable character-who is supposed to be a good guy-on any police procedural I've seen. Her attitude is absolutely vile. She runs roughshod over her entire team. She's selfish, self absorbed, dismissive, and she doesn't care what trauma her team has experienced. It's taken me more than 2 days to get through the first episode, and I'm not sure I will keep watching.
I saw another reviewer say this was lazy writing and stereotypical. I disagree. This is HORRIBLE writing. It's like they decided, "Let's put a bull in a China shop, and have this narcissistic DCI destroy everything this team loves about their jobs".
I thought replacing Jimmy Perez on Shetland was a bad idea, but Ashley Jensen's character doesn't disrespect the team like Sinead Keenan's character does here.
It's painful to watch, and I'm not sure I can stomach continuing to watch this series. Why on earth would the writers decide to make Sunny's life a living hell?!?! Why didn't they just promote HIM to DCI?!?! This is a hugely negative change for such a phenomenal tv show.
I'm hoping it improves, but I don't actually think it will. You might want to just stop watching after season 4.
Midsomer Murders: The Devil's Work (2023)
Betty finally speaks!!!
How many years has Betty Barnaby been on the show, and this episode is the first time she's ever said a word?
I was shocked and shouting for joy. That might sound silly, but why would the show runners have such an important member of the Barnaby family be mute for so many year? I mean, honestly. I've never understood that.
I hope they weave Betty into the storylines the way they did with Cully. It makes the Barnaby family seem more interesting, relatable, and dynamic.
I thought this was a great start to the season. I love Midsomer Murders. I particularly love the dynamic between John, Sarah, Winter, Fluer and now Betty.
Father Brown: The Serpent Within (2023)
Why all the season 10 hate?
It took me a while to start watching season 10. I was very sad Sid, Bunty, and Mrs. M weren't going to be part of the season at all.
Thankfully, adding these new characters also shook up the Father Brown formula. I thought that was really wonderful. If it had stayed the way it was, the loss of those beloved characters would've overshadowed the season.
I laughed more this season than any other. I really enjoyed this infatuation between Mrs. Devine and Inspector Sullivan.
Brenda is wonderful. This character adds so much depth to the show, and Mrs. Devine adds a lighthearted sense of adventure in ways we haven't seen in previous seasons.
I liked how different things were this season. I rewatched all of Father Brown before I got to season 10. I thought it was fresh, interesting, and just delightful.
The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014)
Multiple appearances
I really enjoy Brookenwood mysteries. Though the show is mostly serious, there is A LOT of quirky humor. I found myself laughing out loud often. The coroner in particular is hilarious.
I enjoy the 80's references, as well as, the nostalgia of the car and cassette tapes bring to the show.
One thing I find particularly unique is the repeated appearances by characters previously investigated as suspects. I'm not sure if Brookenwood is a small town or not, but the integration of characters into multiple episodes...it makes it feel very small town.
I know murder is nasty, but along with the humorous characters, there's some really nasty individuals the team encounters. In every episode there's someone with a hateful character who appears as a threat. Sometimes the individual is just caustic and hostile. Other times, that hostile individual is the perpetrator.
All of these dynamics make it interesting and enjoyable to watch.
Harry Wild (2022)
Hetty Wainthropp???
I really enjoy this new series; however, it really reminds me of Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. In that regard, it doesn't seem very original.
Regardless, there's still so much to love, such as: the family dynamic-especially the granddaughter texting her information she overhears; how Harry corrects everyone's grammar regardless of the circumstances; Harry, Fergus, and Glenn-I love that Fergus and Glenn dish as good as they get from Harry. The wild villains like the Sweeney Todd character and the Point Break masks with the snuff game contestants...I find myself, audibly, laughing out loud.
It's fun to see Jane Seymour in a comedic role. I have been a fan of hers since I saw Somewhere In Time. I've only ever seen her in dramatic roles.
As a voracious reader, I completely understand how she makes connections the way they do.
The only thing I don't really enjoy? Her son. He calls her "Harry", and he treats her like she's dumb. I get that she's difficult, but she seems to love him a lot.
Fun series. Worth watching.