pvbklyn Reviews

The Curse (2023– )

The scam is now up in the air

[8/10 · 3 February 2024]

There are plenty boring moments, sluggish moments and of course weird fairly inexplicable moments. And there are quite a few great moments. I did like this series. Now I don't recall if it was the last episode or the penultimate episode. But we see Whitney walking out of the driveway and heading somewhere and we see it through a windshield. Then the car starts up and drives away past her. Who was that? Did I miss something? I can explain the last episode but I'll do it without mentioning anything specific other than that the characters, especially Ash are so full of hot air that what happens shouldn't be a mystery. Maybe it will happen to the others eventually. That 10th episode brilliant beyond words.

The Night Agent (2023– )

Requires continual suspension of disbelief

[6/10 · 21 June 2023]

It's like so many of these spy/cop shows. In this case though I really had to push on instead of dropping the series altogether especially due to the character Rose, played a bit dour by Lucienne Buchanan, though in her case I would consider it's more the script's fault. Yet, the series is watchable, entertaining. The two hired killers made me laugh. Competent as they are supposed to be the petulance of one of them I found quite annoying. And yet they weren't so competent in the end. I did like action sequences. Gabriel Basso was pretty good and demonstrated well enough for me that he was a 'good soldier." The last 4 episodes sort of saved the show for me. So if you want to have a bit of entertainment with minimal thinking go ahead enjoy yourself.

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

Really excellent neo noir

[10/10 · 26 April 2023]

I've been through the two seasons. Is 2 better than 1? I really couldn't say. Since I rarely if ever watched the Raymond Burr version when it was being broadcast, I don't recall much about it. Just that the plotting was fairly predictable. Even though it is still available on Me TV, I just won't watch it. Burr will always be, for me anyway, the hulking, violent heavy in many noir films which I have got my fill of over the years and he was a very capable actor. This version of Perry Mason has incredible fine acting, thoughtful plotting, excellent direction and has an authentic feel of the era environmentally regardless of the main characters. That the main characters are not at all like Earle Stanley Gardner's characterizations nor are the plots of the current version anything at all like the past version on TV, I just love this show. That the main characters are quite different I find refreshing in a period piece, something I don't always care for, and they are not in the least disappointing even though some may complain that such people did not work together or socialize in that era. And certainly films of that era did not demonstrate inclusivity. Season 1 made me feel very uncomfortable and season 2 similarly. That's what I call good entertainment. The discomfort makes one think so it's not just a bit of mindlessness or escapism. I hope this series continues because this is great TV that belongs with that period of golden age TV in the oughts.

Midnight in Paris (2011)

Great fantasy

[10/10 · 1 July 2022]

Along with other Allen stories, I think of one New Yorker story about how he connects with Madame Bovary and makes her come to life and what a silly person she really is, this film brings to life the entire cannon of 20's Paris and each literary and artistic character is basically just a series of clichés they're known for. Whatever. I still love it especially the opening sequences while one of the great pieces of music by Sidney Bechet is played along with those gorgeous shots of Paris as it was in 2010. I spent some time in Paris in my youth and more recently so it was quite nostalgic for me. In any case one thing troubled me and I know it's a fantasy. But when Gil is either in the Paris of the 20's or the Belle Époque period he had to pay for drinks and food (?). Where would he have gotten the old Francs replaced in 1960 by the new Francs and then in 1999 by the Euro?

Desperate (1947)

So ridiculous

[3/10 · 1 July 2022]

Huge fan of noir even bad programmers. But this film has the dumbest characters, the silliest plot and some of the worst obvious situations Camera work though outstanding.

City Homicide (2006–2011)

It's not "Homicide: Life on the Streets" but it is better than most police series I've seen

[8/10 · 9 July 2020]

Some might think it's a bit too polittically correct. And I'll admit it doesn't seem realistically what we would expect here in the U.S. I've watched a season and the writers tackle some thorny issues so I will continue on. I really like the cast and the pace of each episode. I had grown tired of U.S. police shows and so in a way this show is refreshing for me though sometimes the answers are a bit too easy and too close to what a you would expect from a liberal POV. (Yes, I am a liberal but I'm trying to be honest.) I'm pretty sure police would scoff at the show at times. But you who have open minds might it find it satisfying entertainment. Remember it's entertainment.

My Brilliant Friend (2018– )

Is there a word beyond "brilliant" to describe this series?

[10/10 · 29 January 2020]

How on earth did I miss this series when it first came out in 2018? Shame on me. I had never read Elena Ferrante. And now I am pleased to be doing so going forward. I'm getting all her books because I know now that I will be deeply saddened when I finish the series tonight. The story. The setting. I happened to be in Naples in 1965 and what I recall was how impoverished it was then. A main street would be paved while all the adjoining streets were dirt. So I imagine it was worse in the fifties. The casting could not have been better. What beautiful faces. The children. The teens. The acting, the direction, the camera work. It is by far the most stirring filmed work I have seen since the Italian neo-realism post WWII. I've read a number of Italian authors over the years and seen a number of Italian films and they just have this way of going right to the heart of the matter. There is not just sadness and disappointment, corruption and violence but also a joy in being alive and being able to survive for better things. This series gives you its all and it should not be missed.

Succession (2018–2023)

Succession is satire about the destructiveness of specific kind of capitalism

[10/10 · 16 September 2019]

We're into the second season of Succession. Somehow people are misunderstanding what the series is. Some think it's a serious family drama that demonstrates struggles in families. I read recently an article that claims that it shows the power of women in corporate politics and in other cases how women can show how strong they are and smart yet be hampered by the glass ceiling. Wow. That's definitely missing the point. No this is satire people. How better to show the destructiveness of this kind of family owned but corporate Capitalism where greed is the only method towards the goal of power and power is the only "virtue." No one escapes judgement. (After all the last name of the family in question is "Roy" . . . uh King. Now I'm thinking King Lear without a Cordelia though Succession is not tragedy in the classic--maybe no-- sense). The characters are all two dimensional in that their only desire and goal is connected to the power they can wield. Otherwise the characterizations are fully formed, the script genius and the acting superb. (All of them are excellent and Brian Cox? Wow!) It can be painful to watch most of the time. The betrayals sometimes occur 5 a second. The funny parts are when obvious actions are not taken or characters act absurdly or in extremes no circumspect business person would take. Clearly these are all narcissistic, parasitic, venal, sinful people who enjoy lording it over anyone they can. When the occasional moral note is expressed from a side character it changes nothing. I can understand why people might dislike this series as no one has any saving grace. Nothing is uplifting. It's the horribly ugly side of people when they have money and can wield complete power over anyone they choose. So why watch? Maybe it's like watching a car wreck? Or are people somehow rooting that Capitalism at the level being demonstrated somehow succeeds? I don't think the show is anti-capitalist. I think it's anti this kind of capitalism and how it damages not just the people but business as well.

Remember Me (2014)

One of the worst mini-series I have ever forced myself to watch

[2/10 · 31 July 2017]

I'm giving it two stars for the camera work and some of the actors, namely Michael Palin, because he's Michael Palin and the actor who plays the detective. The young female lead I've seen in another series- -both roles were pretty ho hum. My wife watched the first episode and didn't want to continue because ghost stories aren't her thing. Not my thing either, but I thought the first episode showed promise. Then came the second episode. I had to keep rewinding my DVR so to speak because I'd drift off after a few minutes. The third episode just seemed like a big repeat of what happened in the first two and I ended up playing solitaire on my iPad while I listened to it. I won't say what the ending was but I'll just say it was not a big surprise. Whoever wrote this needs to rethink a career. I hope everyone associated got a decent salary anyway. I'll close by saying this is the worst series I have ever seen from the BBC and presented on Masterpiece Theater on PBS. Please no more like this.

The Detour (2016–2019)

No spoilers

[9/10 · 1 March 2017]

This is great cartoon fun with live people. Have been a fan of Jason Jones who I know has good comedy chops. And also a fan of Natalie Zea who I had no idea she was this good at comedic acting, having seen her only in serious roles. Sam Bee is wife to Jason Jones and we know how great she is but she's also creator and producer and along with hubby writer of this show. Jason and Natalie have great chemistry (and I wonder how Ms Bee is dealing with that.) In any case the two kids are pretty funny and cute--not in a cutesy way. The situations can be ridiculous, absurd, outrageous and sometimes serious. But I look forward to it each week and even suffer the commercials which is a rarity for me. Give it a shot. It's only a half hour.

Episodes (2011–2017)

An excellent sophisticated sitcom -- well done

[10/10 · 2 February 2014]

I've been watching sitcoms since, well, the fifties. And it really was a pleasure to watch something that didn't include farting as the main joke. There have been some great sitcoms: From the Honeymooners to All in the Family to Seinfeld. (sure I skipped a few) I'll rank this one among great sitcoms. It gets better and better with each episode. I was leery at first because I didn't really think much of Matt LeBlanc and I never really watched Friends and Joey stunk to high heaven. But he's actually very very good and a great part of that cast. Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Grieg I had seen before in "Green Wing" and I loved her role in Friday Night Dinner (You can see FND on You Tube. Netflix recently pulled Green Wing) I'd never seen the one who plays Carol but she's very good too. And the Merc Lapidus actor? Great. Timing is everything in comedy as well the writing and both are extremely well done. I don't really laugh much when watching a sitcom but this show genuinely has made me laugh out loud. No, I'm not an idiot.

The Baader Meinhof Complex (2008)

An arresting and engaging political thriller

[10/10 · 18 February 2012]

I remember the Baader-Meinhof "gang" only from the scant news reports at the time as they were presented in the U.S. press. Recently I was reading a John LeCarre novel, "Absolute Friends" and at the beginning one of the characters is involved with the democratic protests in Germany in the 60's and the names of Rudi Dutschke and Ulrike Meinhof were referred to. So having looked them up, I read a bit about them and then while reading about the RAF (Red Army Faction), I came across a reference to this film. So the film was quite arresting and engaging and provides a narrative to the events as reported over 10 years. All the events are supposedly factual.

According to the film we have a group of youthful activists whose parents lived through the Nazi era and opposed Nazism, quietly opposed Nazism, and these activists were concerned that the rise of fascism in Germany and especially the U.S. was taking place and they wanted to fight for a freer more democratic world. However, the group evolves or rather devolves into violent extremists whose plans for this better world goes completely haywire.

Still I found it impossible to completely dismiss their aims as "freedom fighters" though the film sort of does that, but at the same time it's impossible to embrace them as democratic political operatives who just went astray. They became murderers, unreasonable and no doubt totally crazed. Their message was clear but their means to achieve that message fit in with the insanity of the times which only allowed for either/or positions, no compromise nor clear-headed thinking and action. Their blows against the state inspired very few and certainly didn't cause the masses to rise up.

As I reflect upon this film, it becomes clear that the state was far more formidable then the RAF thought it might be, and if we pay attention to current events, today it should be clear that it is even more formidable. So what we have in this film is more a cautionary tale being told than just a thrilling entertainment or a historical narrative. Cinematically speaking excellent story, great action, terrific acting and direction. Some reviewers think less of this film because there are too many characters. Perhaps. But the best thing would be to read a bit about them before viewing.

The Twilight Zone: A Thing About Machines (1960) Season 2, Episode 4

Very entertaining.

[8/10 · 2 January 2012]

I'll give this an 8 plus. (The following might be a spoiler) Mr. Bartlett Finchley is a snob and a sort of a Luddite who has through isolation & a miserable attitude about people, driven himself insane. Of course you have to ask yourself, "Why if he so despises mechanical things does he have so many of them?" Even if it's fairly clear what's going to happen by the end, definitely watch it. This episode is amusing, bordering on the hilarious and spiced with wonderful language and believable acting. Richard Haydn as Mr. Finchley is extremely entertaining. There are so many amusing touches in this episode. For example when Rod Serling is setting up the story he is telling it from Mr. Finchley's TV set. They must have had ball with this one.

Prime Suspect (2011–2012)

Not fair to compare to the original series

[22 October 2011]

I think the new Prime Suspect is watchable and has some believable aspects. Maria Bello is very good in the role -- except for the hat. (I hate the hat. Way too trendy and cliché.) But comparing this series or disliking it because it wasn't like the Helen Mirren gem does a bit of disservice to the new show and to Maria Bello. Let the new one develop it's own way. As police dramas go this one is not bad.. . I've watched many detective & police dramas: Brit, Canadian, American. Outside of Homicide: Life on the Street (and I won't even mention "The Wire") very few American police dramas have any credibility other than just pure entertainment and distraction or just for looking at pretty people with guns. I've seen four episodes of Prime Suspect so far and though I think Jane's detective counterparts are a bit over the top sexist wise since it is 2011 and I think more respect is given to women these days, that's an area that needs to be developed better. It makes the male cops look really stupid. And homicide cops are anything but. There must be more subtle ways of demonstrating sexism. Use irony instead of sarcasm & meatball comments.

Homicide: Life on the Street: The Subway (1997) Season 6, Episode 7

Superb writing, acting, directing and everything else

[22 October 2011]

I remember seeing this episode when it first aired. I thought this was a very fine series, but this episode stuck in my head for years. And when I watched it again a couple of weeks ago, this time uninterrupted by commercials, I was still stunned and had to look at a blank wall for a bit. This episode has to be the finest work ever done on Network television. It rises way above entertainment and leaves one speechless and pondering how fragile life can be. And it just doesn't go away. Whether you like that kind of thing or not, I know I do. It's a credit to everyone who was involved with this show. "Homicide: Life on the Streets" raised the bar for police dramas to an unattainable height for others in its wake. You can say that "The Wire" surpassed this series, but it could be debatable only because the focus in The Wire was not just the police but was far more diverse and gave us a clearer picture of society.

Executive Action (1973)

As speculation this movie is interesting

[8/10 · 8 January 2010]

As a film this may not be very gripping to an audience who only knows about the assassination of JFK through history. I have read many theories about the assassination and have dismissed most but I don't believe in the lone gunman theory. I also was 19 when it happened, was in fact on board a U.S. naval ship tied up to a dock in VA and was on deck watch at the time. I discovered shockingly that many of the crew on board was actually pleased when it happened while the other half were of course stunned and dismayed. In any case, I found the most compelling parts of the film to be the original footage that is spliced into it. To this day it is the first time that I have seen some of it. I found of course that with two terrific actors like Lancaster and Ryan (at the end of his career) could make the conspiracy more believable than not. Yes the pacing is slower than even I would like. But I would say don't watch this film for entertainment. Watch it because it provides a slant on history that you won't read about in high school and perhaps may wet your appetite to look into this further. Spending our time being merely entertained is just wasting time. And history is always written by the victors.

The Facts of Life (1960)

Worthwhile viewing to see two old pros at work

[7/10 · 22 April 2008]

I was surprised by this film and the quality of work by its two stars. We always think of Lucy as goofy or screwy and Hope either swinging a golf club or playing wingman for Bing Crosby. Billed as a romantic comedy, Hope and Ball aim for the funny bone. But there are some serious adult issues raised. This tasty confection, made in 1960, I think is a lot of fun (though it could have been better paced and the contrivances are a bit much) and it has two terrific old pros at work in roles that you just wouldn't expect them to be in. Lucy looked pretty good when she got all dolled up. And Hope is ageless as ever. I thought they had some chemistry between them. Also includes Ruth Hussey, Louie Nye and Dom DeFore (Ozzie and Harriet's neighbor).

Under Fire (1983)

Adventurous Norte Americano narcissist

[15 August 2004]

The three stars of this flick I actually like a lot. The script was written by an excellent script-writer. It got a little gimmicky with the rich French guy and the photos, but so be it. The fact that the death of one gringo affected that war, well there was some truth to it. Certainly the real life death of Bill Stewart (?) caught on camera turned the Carter administration totally away from Somoza.

Still the Hollywood story still plays out against the back drop of the FSLN Insurrection. The image of Los Muchachos came through with the exception of having a "leader" like Rafael. This of course was not the Sandinistas. It was a lot more democratic than that. (There was one turncoat leader whose name I've already blocked out of my consciousness.) But the Sandinistas as a group initially were rather small though potent. Eventually it was the people in the barrios--in Esteli, Leon, Matagalpa, Masaya, the gorgeous city of Granada and then Managua that eventually turned the tide.

But to the flick itself. The film moves along well. It develops its characters believably and there enough are street shots of violence and war to keep a person interested. The locations look an awful lot like Nicaragua even though it wasn't shot there.

As a gringo who went to Nicaragua in 1984 for a month, not as an emissary or a camp follower but as a supportive private citizen against the Contra war, the reality of many of the North Americans I met there, particularly journalists were that they wanted to be part of the glory. In many ways they (not all) were either star-struck or narcissistic. I found that the Nick Nolte and even Joanna Cassidy characters were very much similar to North American photo-journalists and journalists. Actually though the typical journalist sat around the pool at the Hilton and waited for the reports to come in. I saw that myself in 1984. Meanwhile everything in this film seemed as if it were all wrapped up in blood, glory and sexual hi-jinks (not that there's anything wrong with the sex part.) It could have shown the how the victims of this war got consciousness and eventually took to the streets. . .

Still watch the picture not for complete historical accuracy, but it at least pays attention to events that happened at that time that brought the masses in Nicaragua the courage to determine their own future. The film identifies with those people and their rebellion. Unfortunately all that is changed today. . .