9 January
18 January
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The Crown
The life and times of the British royal family ~ I've just watched Season 2, which was even better than Season 1. It takes place during the late 1950s and early 1960s and deals with revelations about Edward VIII's Nazi sympathies, Princess Margaret's love life, a meeting with the Kennedys, the downfall of MacMillan's government after the Profumo affair, and so much more. Can't wait for the next season! Claire Foy and Matt Smith star.
5 stars
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Vikings
Season 5, still terrific despite the lack of Ragnar Lothbrok. I've written a full review of it HERE.
5 stars
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Britannia
Druids and Romans in Dark Ages England. Watched the first episode and unimpressed; the awesome-ness that is David Morrissey didn't quite make up for the rest of it. Struck me as the Happy Shopper version of Vikings. I think US TV seems to do this sort of thing so much better; the actors and dialogue were unconvincing for the time, with people like Julian Rhind-Tutt playing more or less the same character as he did in Green Room. Somehow, Lagertha talking to Torvi in Vikings seems authentic, even though they're speaking in English, but the two sisters on the beach at the beginning of this just weren't.
2 stars
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Last Flag Flying
Film: light tragi-comedic drama about three Vietnam vets, starring Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell and Lawrence Fishburne. I'll watch anything with Mr Cranston in it, and he's great in this. Loved it, definitely recommend!
4.5 stars
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Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Not my usual thing at all; comedy/musical series starring and created by Rachel Bloom. New York lawyer abandons her career to chase a dream in California, stalking an ex-boyfriend. I enjoyed the first 3 episodes of Season 1 which were really well done, but the 4th episode was a bit weak, with lots of determinedly 'zany' chick lit type scenarios, and I don't think I even smiled, so I don't know if I shall bother to watch any more.
3 stars
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Mosaic
Drama series starring Sharon Stone about an ill-fated, neurotic children's author. Weird to see her finally starting to look old, though still beautiful. Lovely mountain setting, pretty bog-standard murder plot type thing, but good.
3.5 stars
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Top of the Lake
Just watched Season 2; #1 was set in mountainous New Zealand and I really loved the scenery as well as the plot. #2 is in Sydney. Flavour of the month Elisabeth Moss stars as a detective with all sorts of personal baggage, around which the plots centre. Very gripping, good stories, loved it (#1 was my favourite).
5 stars
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Inside No. 9
Just watched Season 4 of the darkly comic tales starring and written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. They vary; they're all good but some are just 'yeah, that was good', and some are great. I liked the last two of this series the best; brilliant twisty plots.
4 stars
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Safe House
Film - rogue CIA agent thriller starring Denzel Washington. Good, but not remarkable; I've actually forgotten what the plot was about already. But I enjoyed it at the time.
3.5 stars
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Wow, Terry, how do you find the time to watch all these and write as much as you do? You must getup a lot earlier than I do. I would very much like to see The Crown. It sounds fascinating. Such near history but so little known (by me anyway) when I was young. It’s all coming out these days! Maybe one day I’ll get a TV so I can have Netflix.
ReplyDeleteI don't go out to work and we have no social life, Val! We watch telly every night between about 9pm and 1am. It is my relaxation and escapism! I have Pisces midheaven, so escapism is an essential part of my day (said with tongue in cheek) ;) But yes... everyone should have Netflix, and you would LOVE The Crown, it's excellent. Even my dad liked it.
DeleteAbsolutely with you on The Crown (love the theme tune) and Inside No. 9, which I love for the brilliantly observational acting if nothing else. Haven't seen the others.
ReplyDeleteMe too - their characters are always spot on.
DeleteI liked the look of the trailer for Britannia but after reading your review I might give it a miss.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was going to be great, Shelley! But maybe you'll like it, I don't know. Just don't watch Vikings first!!
DeleteReally must catch up with The Crown. We always watch something after 9pm - well, I do,hubby goes to sleep unless it's sport - in which case I find a TV in one of the other rooms... or, usually go to bed to read.But The Crown is one I will binge on this next weekend - while the rugby's on. Thanks for the reminder, Terry
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