mccann3010 Reviews

Dublin Murders (2019)

Read Tana French's novels first, than take a look at this

[8/10 · 22 February 2021]

If I hadn't recently read both books I think this would have been even more confusing. This series takes liberal adaptations in order to shoehorn both stories concurrently into one series. There is a nice symmetry between the storylines, of abandoned children and the aftermath. And loss.

I'm a big fan of Tana French, especially "The Likeness" so I'll focus on that story line; I enjoyed seeing how others envision the characters, and above all, that manor house of Whitethorn. The novel lets you worm your way into Lexie's head and it's seductive. However, film gives us those atmospheric images of Ireland: lush green, dark and sinister woods, and that manor house. The dialog, the Irish slang and accents are terrifiic; fast, sharp, and wickedly smart.

Read the books, especially "The Likeness."

Ripper Street (2012–2016)

Deliciously dark and gritty yet recognizably human

[10/10 · 26 August 2020]

The series lovingly (and seemingly realistically) portrays the Whitechapel area of London after Jack the Ripper and through to the turn of the century. You can almost smell the stench and filth emanating from the rank streets and the characters who inhabit them. The degradation of daily life and perilous conditions of this world is appalling--yet the characters find a way to survive for the most part. Mix up CSI, Sherlock Holmes, a touch of Dickens and stir. The photography, especially some of the scenes of the port and ships, remind me a Turner painting. Violent and stomach churning at times, so be aware.

Narcos: Mexico (2018–2021)

Addictive and Great for Learning Spanish Swear Words

[9/10 · 29 February 2020]

Engaging and at times thought provoking amid all the gunfire. I loved the look and feel of the series, the trashy culture and over the top lifestyles. I appreciated the artful use of swearing and the intro montage - a clever trail of cocaine powder on a map outlining the path of cocaine through Mexico. The music is inspired--including the insipid pop songs that accompanies some of the mayhem. You gotta love the track suits that some of the drug lords sport. The acting is top-notch and the grainy footage reminds us the story is vaguely based on real events.

63 Up (2019)

Flawed but Fascinating

[8/10 · 23 December 2019]

First, let's address the flaws of the program. The series explores the class system in England and how it determines the opportunities afforded each child. Each series begins with the quote "Give me a child until he is 7 and I will show you the man." Finally, the attitude of the filmmakers toward women is evident, especially in the earliest episodes. The subjects also complain of the superficiality of the series, constrained to half-hour segments on each person every 7 years.

True enough. Yet the series is mesmerizing for revealing changing attitudes and circumstances and how individuals cope with all the struggles we encounter as we age. Career advancement, relationship struggles, financial issues, health and death are glimpsed through the camera lens. Just to see the bright-eyed children at 7 and to see, even superficially, how each individual creates and lives a life reveals something of an era and themselves. The participants are subjected to the most intimate and sometimes mundane questions. Yet, for the most part, they continue to participate and kudos to them. I hope it gives them a chance to reflect and some perspective. I wonder if you would recognize the 7 year old I once was with the mature adult I am now.

Outlander (2014– )

Romance-novel plot, fantastic period detail of costumes and scenery

[7/10 · 18 December 2019]

I have to spend some serious time in Scotland now, to see the lush but forlorn landscape and hear the bracing Scottish accent. For me, the plot and story line only serve to deliver the costumes, history and landscape. As others have noted, the camera seems to linger on the torture and sex scenes, but one can fast forward through those scenes.

Remarkably, all the main characters have stunning teeth, remarkably straight and bleached white. This is lovingly created fantasy, glorious in costume and scenic detail. Given the level of hygiene all the characters must have been perpetually ill and would have reeked. The show has motivated me to google Scottish history and customs -- and I love when that happens.

The Crown (2016–2023)

Wow! Tremendous series and the period details are painstaking and luscious

[10/10 · 20 November 2019]

I watched with bated breath as Olivia Coleman took over from Claire Foy. Coleman embodies a mature Elizabeth, one who is calcified into a Royal with a stoic countenance, dowdy wardrobe, and a hint of what the crown has given and cost her.

What really blew me away was the lavish attention to detail and period. The public and private spaces are painted in luscious colors, the furniture upholstered with richly hued brocade (so are the women come to think of it). The salons and libraries decorated with massive wood furniture. It's not comfortable - you can almost feel the drafty cold circulating throughout the palace, but it is a showstopper. No wonder they wore wool sweaters and tartan wool suits while lounging about.

Money Heist (2017–2021)

Interesting premise, but descends into flawed plot and acting

[3/10 · 9 May 2018]

As other reviewers here, I was drawn in by the high rating. The initial idea had promise but from the start the English dubbing gave it a weird artificial tone. I gave it a few episodes to improve but it descended into absurd story lines and increasing poor acting. I, too, wonder if people have artificially inflated the ratings.

Justified (2010–2015)

The characters, story and culture deepened and soared past its early promise

[10/10 · 16 April 2018]

The first season was engaging, a tarnished cowboy knight in a complex world but the series deepened and developed into a satisfying arc over the seasons. By the final season I became intrigued with the Kentucky backwoods culture, the social issues and the music. (YouTube has different versions of the theme song and some great photography as well.) The acting--particularly Goggins, Olyphant, Margo Martindale--among many others, became nuanced and felt true. Goggins was a hoot, especially in his bible-thumping mode. He also became very dark and very scary by the final season. Not everything rang true but the series grew more complex, observant and heartfelt. I sobbed at the succinct and spot-on ending.

Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017)

The Early Days of Computing

[10/10 · 3 August 2017]

This series captures the excitement and fever of the early days of computing. I remember attending user groups monthly and the excitement of COMDEX. It was the hippy days of computing, open-source and connectivity were the goals and security was an afterthought. We lived to get the latest version of software and build our own computers. I think this series captures some of that excitement and the inevitable pains of growing up.