Lately I've Been Watching....

My irregular rundown and reviews of films and series I've seen on the box lately. 😎  I mostly watch on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

If you would like to see more, please click on the 'Lately I've Been Watching' tag at the bottom of this post.


5 part series: Chernobyl

5 stars plus plus  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

For full review, please click HERE

Film: The Road

5 stars plus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yes, yes, of course I've seen it before, more than once, but we watched it again the other night and I was once more struck by its brilliance, so I had to include it.  Actually like it more than the book.  If you haven't seen it, do!  Watched on Amazon Prime.

Series: Yellowstone (Season 1)

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best described as a 21st century Dallas, set in Montana rather than Texas!  Kevin Costner plays the ranch owner, with the four kids, all so different... 

• Kelly Reilly as Beth, the caustic, business-savvy daughter with a drink problem (JR and Sue Ellen rolled into one)
• Wes Bentley as Jamie the family lawyer; the 'nice' one, always at odds with Beth-JR-Swellen (he's Bobby!)
• Luke Grimes as Kayce, the wild one who got away, and married a Native American; they live on a reservation (Gary)
• Dave Annable as Lee, who only wants to stay close to the ranch (Ray Krebbs).  

There are two main sources of conflict: the snake-like property developer (Danny Huston), determined to change the face of Montana with his luxury developments, and the Native American main man (Gil Birmingham) who wants his people's land back.  Loved it, and trying to save Season 2 to watch all at once, instead of watching week by week!
 

Series: Salvation

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Watched the two available seasons of this - highly entertaining, never a dull moment series about an asteroid heading for earth, with scientists trying to stop it and underground groups trying to stop them doing so.... some of it is totally ludicrous and it features some irritating millennials (Jillian should have been gagged at birth), and people kept being in love with the people I didn't want them to be in love with, but it still had me looking forward to telly time each night.  It's fun, I enjoyed it.  I recommend; alas, there will not be a S3.  A pity TV networks still base viewing stats on the people who watch it on the night; an outdated idea, as a huge proportion of people have stuff on the watch lists to see at any time.   

For TWD addicts: features Tovah Feldshuh as the Deanna-like POTUS.

Comedy series: Loudermilk 

3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

Watched most of S1; it's about a former alcoholic and the support group he runs, and the stuff that happens to him.  An easy-watch for late at night, quite entertaining and amusing in parts, but not as good as it could have been.  The acting is good, but the content is only average.  Having said that, it got slightly better in the last few episodes, I think because the mood changed from sitcom to light drama; it was more about the story than people saying 'c***' for cheap laughs.  At least there were no self-conscious 'vaginas'.

6 part series: The Hot Zone

3 stars ⭐⭐⭐

For full review, please click HERE

 

Film: The Dark Tower (2017)

3 stars ⭐⭐⭐

As my husband said, 'there had to be a first time' - i.e., Matthew McConnaughey and Idris Elba starring in something that just wasn't that good.  Watchable, only; Harry Potter meets daft monsters and the fight between good and evil.  Also stars Katheryn Winnick (Lagertha in Vikings)