Lately I've Been Watching

The latest in my series of mini TV and film reviews, with trailers and 'where to watch'.  If you have trouble finding where any show/film is available in your country, this is a good site: Justwatch.  Just put the name of the show into the search, and choose your country further down, from the drop-down menu.  It shows where you can stream, buy or rent.  

However... I've found it to be not absolutely up to date at all times.  Sometimes I've had better results simply putting 'where can I watch ***' into the search engine, or going to the programme's own site, if it has one.

If you would like to see more posts, please click here: Lately I've Been Watching.  If you get as far as the bottom, 'Older Posts' will take you to more.

Series:  Yellowstone  - Season 4

5* and a little bit more.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Paramount)

The continuing story of the Dutton family - the 21st Century version of Dallas, set in Montana: John Dutton (Kevin Costner) and his family are wealthy ranch owners permanently engaged in wrangles with Native Americans who want their land back and massive money-hungry corporations who want to 'develop' the area, ultimately destroying the way of life that has continued for so long.  All this, mixed in with deep-rooted family problems that nobody can resolve.

Kelly Reilly continues to be fabulous as the fiery, couldn't give a f*** Beth Dutton, while Monica Dutton (wife of the gorgeous Kayce - Luke Grimes) continues to be a whining PITA despite being beautiful, rich, loved, etc etc.   The scenery is spectacular as ever, the plot developments are unpredictable and believeable, and I think this was possibly the best season yet - if you're a horse lover, you'll adore it.  It's really, really good.  If you haven't seen it yet, you have a treat in store. 

Mini Series: The Billion Dollar Code  

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Netflix)

A four-part fictional adaptation of the true story of Joachim Sauter - a visionary young man living in Berlin whose company gained backing (in 1993) to develop TerraVision, which was the forerunner to Google Earth.  The story centres around the 2014-2017 patent infringement lawsuit against Google, who were said to have stolen the idea and algorithm from Sauter's company, via another Silicon Valley mogul who pretended to be a great guy.  German, dubbed into English.  Very good indeed!

Series:  Animal Kingdom - Season 6

5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Amazon)

The final season of this series about a family of criminals (clever and brilliantly executed heists), headed by matriarch Janine Cody - previously played by Ellen Barkin, but apparently the studios felt she was too old (or so I've read), so they killed her off and have, over the last two seasons, told the (most absorbing) backstory about her with Leila George playing her younger self. 

The series is set in California, with a surfing and drugs theme.  Very much enjoyed every season, highly recommended.  Also, eye candy in the form of Ben Robson, as the motorbiking Craig Cody whose life takes on a new meaning when his son is born.

Series:  Moonhaven - Season 1

5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Amazon, AMC+)

New series, and it's a winner.  Set in the long distant future, when human life on Earth has become a dystopian nightmare with warring factions, etc.  On the moon, AI has provided a solution - a utopian community intended to develop the technology and cultural means to save a ravaged earth.  The story centres around Earth soldier and pilot Bella (Emma McDonald), who I thought was great - the character could have so easily become 'feisty young woman saves the universe', but she's most likable and feels real.  Also stars Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings) as an resident of Moonhaven who believes that everyone's intentions are benign.  Shocks on their way, as you can imagine.

Moonhaven's culture means that children are taken away from their parents at birth, and do not see them again until they're about to die; the community is the family.  This works on the basic theory that families encourage tribalism, which increases the likelihood of wars.   Even as Season 1 comes to a close, though, the people are beginning to realise that family (and tribalism) is something innate within the human psyche; meanwhile, Bella is uncovering the corruption amongst the leaders on earth.  Looking forward to Season 2!

Mini Series: The Thief, his wife and the Canoe

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(ITV hub, britbox)

The true story of John Darwin, who faked his own death, and his wife Anne who helped him do so.  Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) stars as Darwin.  Four parts.  Nice appearance of the super-droll Karl Pilkington as a sceptical detective.  Fascinating, tragic story, so well translated into TV drama.

Film: Emily The Criminal

5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Rent: Amazon, Apple and others)

An unexpected gem.  Aubrey Plaza as Emily, who can't get on top of her financial situation because of a minor felony and DUI on her record - until she is offered a way to make some easy money.  Plaza was terrific, perfect for the storyline and completely convincing.  Also stars Theo Rossi ('Juice' Ortiz in Sons of Anarchy).  Good story, great acting, really liked the way it was filmed, too.  Definitely recommend this one!

Mini Series:  The Walk-In

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(ITV hub, britbox)

Five part series based on the true story of former neo-Nazi Matthew Collins (Stephen Graham), now working for humanitarian charity HOPE Not Hate, when he learns about a new far-right group called National Action.  Meanwhile, a friendless, unhappy young man called Robbie Mullen is lured into NA.  At first Mullen is thrilled to be included, but after a while he begins to find their dangerous extremism unacceptable - which is when he contacts Matthew Collins.

Stephen Graham's performance is as compelling as ever; this is a real shocker and contains depictions of real life events, such as the murder of MP Jo Cox.  Scenes showing Collins' life as a young man were most effective; he is haunted by his shady past for which he tries to compensate, every day, while being hounded by his former neo-Nazi allies.  Also stars David Hayman (big thumbs up there) and Jason Flemyng (who I always think is Rhys Ifans).

The only thing I didn't like about it was the sneaky bit of 'nudging' - that lunatic, dangerous far-right and anti-semitic groups also spread conspiracy theories about pharmaceutical companies was dropped in more than once.  I'm sure they do, but being distrustful of pharmaceutical companies does not necessarily mean you are a far-right, violent, anti-semitic nutter.  Sadly, though, many will make the intended connection, even if only subconsciously.

Limited Series: Smith 

4.5*⭐⭐⭐⭐

(iTunes, Amazon)

Series-that-never-was from 2006, starring Ray Liotta, Virginia Madsen, Jonny Lee Miller (Trainspotting) and Chris Bauer (The Wire).  Liotta heads a group of criminals (heists) who also lead 'normal' lives, and face the expected conflict between the two.  Apparently the first season was made, but it was cancelled after only three episodes were shown.  Since then, many viewers clamoured for the whole thing to be shown; it is now available as shown above.  Just a shame that it ends on a brilliant cliffhanger, and we will never know what might have happened!

Series:  The Boys - Season 3

5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Amazon)

The third season of this superhero series is the best so far, I think - and Anthony Starr (Banshee) ought to win all awards available for his portrayal of the psychotic, insecure and totally FUBAR leader of The Seven: the outwardly charismatic Homeland.  

Battling to take them down are The Boys, led by Billy Butcher - played by Karl Urban with a not always realistic London accent.  Incidentally, I only just realised (because someone told me, would never have made the connection) that Urban played Éomer in Lord of the Rings.  Gif below!! 

Limited Series: Dahmer

4*⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Netflix)

Much talked about ten-part series about the life and victims of Jeffrey Dahmer, notorious serial killer.  The acting was great, and it was produced in such a way that it stuck to the true life story.  I liked how they gave some background on some of the victims, which made them more than just names and faces on a list, and also the way in which the timeline meandered back and forth throughout, so that the story built up gradually; something mentioned early on might be shown in more detail later, when it would have more impact.  The effect on the family was illustrated in detail, too, leaving the viewer wondering if he really was 'born like that', as Dahmer himself said, or if other factors were contributory.

Every nook and cranny of the story was explored; this will probably not be a view shared by many, but I felt that some aspects were 'milked' a little.  I think it would have been even better if it had been less soap-drama-ish and more condensed, sharper - maybe six episodes instead of ten.

Documentary: Nothing Compares

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Showtime)

Film about the life and career of Sinéad O'Connor.  I came away from this feeling incredibly sorry for her.  Not least of all that she was unjustly vilified for impulsive actions in her youth, but for how she had so much chaos going on in her head, too, much of it because of childhood ill treatment and the Catholic church.  Never having known much about her before, my impression was that she was a general pain in the arse, angry young woman.  Having watched this, I think she was just ahead of her time.  During her interviews she came across as just a fairly amicable girl who was not at all 'starry', and a little surprised by her success.  I wonder if some of the animosity towards her was because she made people feel uncomfortable; she dared to voice controversial views, whilst being talented, edgy and beautiful.  Often goes down badly, that.

Reality show:  Alone Season 10 - Frozen

4*⭐⭐⭐⭐

(History Channel, Directv)

I'm a great fan of Alone (contestants sent into bleak places to survive alone for as long as they can for a cash prize), but this season ... hmm, not quite so much.  It was set in Arctic Canada in late autumn and winter, with just 6 contestants rather than the usual 10; this time three men and three women who'd competed in previous series.   The fact that they'd already been there/done that resulted in three of them realising they couldn't really be bothered with it, and weren't prepared to go through that hardship all over again, not even for a share in the prize money of half a million dollars.  Two tapped out in the first week, one without having even built a shelter.  Another kept saying 'I must get my shelter finished' but never did, and then decided to go home after all. 

Which just left three, who said the words 'grateful' and 'gratitude' approximately every five minutes, or whenever they looked at the sunrise/found a dead snow hare in one of their snares.  They all said they 'wanted to feel connected to their food', which, apparently, means killing an animal and telling it you're grateful to it for giving its life to you (not that Mr Bunny had much choice), in the hope that you may win said half a million big ones.  

In the first few seasons, the contestants were just regular survival types.  They hunted and got on with it, without the faux-spiritual/new age baloney.   Still love watching it, though.  

Film: Vengeance

3.5* ⭐⭐⭐

(Apple)

Fairly entertaining film written by and starring B J Novak, about a New York journalist who has a few one-nighters with a Texan girl who thinks he's her boyfriend.  When she dies, her family (who also think he was her boyriend) insist he's present for the funeral - and also takes part in searching for her murderer.

Series: The Capture - Season 2

4*⭐⭐⭐⭐

(BBCiplayer, Starz)

UK series revolving around how technology can be used to show, via CCTV, etc that stuff happens that didn't really.  This season, we see the taking down of an MP - an interview on TV that never happened causes uproar.  And yes, this technology really does exist.

Comedy Series: Kevin can f*** himself

4*⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Amazon)

This is a very novel idea!   First we see the situation from dorky, irritating husband Kevin's POV - bright lights, canned laughter - your average sitcom.  Then comes wife Allison's view, and you understand what their life is really like.  It totally works, highly entertaining.

Series: Cobra - Season 2

3.5*  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

(Apple, Sky, Now)

Second season about Cobra - Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, the location in Whitehall where British Prime Ministers hold emergency meetings.  Robert Carlyle plays the PM.  This one is all about cyber attacks and civil unrest.  Like the first season, it's good but, I don't think, goes far enough.  Needs more disaster and less events-being-resolved-quite-quickly for it to be as exciting and compelling as it could be. 

Film: Predestination

3.5* ⭐⭐⭐

(Apple, Virgin, Amazon)

Fairly enjoyable (though completely ridiculous) 2015 film starring Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook (Succession), about time travel.  Worth watching for a bit of entertainment and escapism.

Limited Series: The Ipcress File

3.5* ⭐⭐⭐

(

The remake of the film of the Len Deighton book, as a series.  It's okay, but I thought it lacked spark, and you can't replace Michael Caine's Harry Palmer with ... anyone at all, really, however many pairs of heavy-rimmed glasses you find in Wardrobe.  Fairly good to watch, but forgettable.

Lately I've Been Watching

The latest in my series of mini TV and film reviews, with trailers and 'where to watch'.  If you have trouble finding where any show/film is available in your country, this is a good site: Justwatch.  Just put the name of the show into the search, and choose your country further down, from the drop-down menu.  It shows where you can stream, buy or rent.  

However... I've found it to be not absolutely up to date at all times.  Sometimes I've had better results simply putting 'where can I watch ***' into the search engine, or going to the programme's own site, if it has one.

If you would like to see more posts, please click here: Lately I've Been Watching.  If you get as far as the bottom, 'Older Posts' will take you to more.

Limited Series:  Black Bird

5* plus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Apple + - worth subscribing just to see this!)

The last work of the lovely Ray Liotta before he died.  Black Bird is based on a true story, about convicted narcotics dealer Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) who is offered freedom by the FBI if he will agree to be transferred to a maximum security prison for the criminally insane, his mission to obtain a confession (and locations of bodies) from serial killer Lawrence Hall, whose case is up for appeal.

Six episodes - we watched it all in one sitting, couldn't not have!  Liotta plays Keene's father, an ex-cop whose health is deteriorating.  Edge of your seat stuff all the way, brilliantly acted, written, directed, etc.  Don't miss!

Series:  For All Mankind - Season 3

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Apple +)

If you're enjoying this show, you won't be disappointed by Season 3.  Sad to see Ed Baldwin and Molly Cobb become the older generation, though.  The only downside for me is the ridiculous character of Karen Baldwin who changes from a naïve stay-at-home wife and mother to a bar owner to an international entrepreneur and CEO of high-tech companies - it stretches feasibility (particularly her last promotion, if you've watched it).

If you haven't seen any of this, it's an alternative reality set at the end of the last century, in which Russians were the first to land on the moon, and the NASA space programme continued into the 90s - and, I assume, beyond.  Season 4 is looking excellent, if the ending was anything to go by - one of the best season endings I've seen in ages.

Documentary: Girl 27

5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Rent/buy Amazon, Apple and lots of others.  Stream: Pluto, Vudu and others)

2007 Documentary by David Stenn, who became obsessed by the story of Patricia Douglas, a Hollywood starlet in the 1930s who was raped, and dared to report it.  After losing the case and being belittled as a lush and a whore in the press, she disappeared.  David Stenn tracked her down.

Fascinating, and very sad.

Reality TV:  Alone - Season 9

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(US: History Channel, Netflix.  UK: Sky, Now, Virgin)

This year the group of 10 survival experts are dropped on the wilds of Labrador in Canada, to face the oncoming winter.  Pleased about the winner - the last 3 were all great this year.  As usual, those who showed off about all their achievements and general awesomeness couldn't hack it for more than a few weeks.

Limited Series: Under the Banner of Heaven

4.5* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(UK: Disney +.  US: Hulu)

Based on the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer - I read it a few years back, my review can be found HERE.  True story of the Lafferty family living a wholesome Mormon life in Utah - until a few of the sons took on the extremist views of the fundamentalists, ending in tragedy.  Andrew Garfield stars as the Mormon cop who starts investigating the case.  Good stuff, though I preferred the book.

Limited Series: Boundless

4* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Amazon)

The story of Ferdinand Magellan and his crew, the first adventurers to circumnavigate the world, in the 16th century.  It's Spanish, dubbed into English, very well so that you scarcely even notice it.   Stars Rodrigo Santoro, and also Alvaro Morte, the chap who played the Professor in Money Heist :)  Six episodes.  

Film: Prey

4*⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Hulu)

I enjoyed this - 18th century Native American setting, part of the Predator series, in which a supernatural entity invades a community and starts killing people.  Lots of kills, violence, gore, etc.  As is customary these days, the day is saved by a feisty teenage girl who wants to do warrior things rather than traditional female pursuits.  Fun escapism.

Film: Geostorm

4* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon)

2017 disaster/apocalyptic romp starring Gerard Butler, and a timely reminder not to play God with the weather.   After many earthquakes, fires, tsunamis, etc, Max Lawson (Butler) is commissioned to build a system of climate controlling satellites commonly known as 'Dutch Boy'.  After a few  years stuff starts to go wrong and Lawson is called back from outer space.  Being the (predictably) outspoken maverick that he is, he doesn't like being told what to do by the suits at the United Nations, so is told he is no longer in control of the project.  His brother Jake, a suit rather than a scientist, is put in charge.

Three years later everything's going to hell in a handcart, with Hong Kong bursting into flames, people on beaches suddenly turning into frozen statues as the weather plummets, etc.  Jake is told to go seek out Maverick Max to solve the problem.  

This film contains every genre cliché in existence.  When Jake goes off to find Max, I said, 'I bet he's living off-grid, has a beard, is drinking too much and vows that he's done with it all and won't help them'.   Suffice to say I could have written it!  Once Mav Max has been through ten minutes of point blank refusal whilst swigging from a tinnie at elevenses time, he submits.   Following his promise to his 13 year old daughter (gorgeous, big-eyed, articulate) that he will return, he sets off to save Dutch Boy, and thus the world.

The clichés keep on coming - there's even a little boy in a hail storm in India who loses his dog (gorgeous, big-eyed) but finds him at the end.  It's got the lot, including Ed Harris as a baddie (he's always either a baddie or an FBI agent) and the discovery of a conspiracy that goes right to the top, though of course they suspect the wrong person at first.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed it!  If you like lots of explosions, apocalyptic events and people dying by various inventive means, you'll like it too.

Film: The Gray Man

3*⭐⭐⭐

(Netflix)

Ryan Gosling plays a man who's been incarcerated for a while, but is told by the CIA or the FBI or some other set of initials that he will be released if he acts as a hitman for them.  He lives in the world anonymously, in the shadows (hence the title), and soon finds out that he's not as dispensible to the initials people as he thought.

This was just okay.  Lots of action (possibly too much), and felt like it was made 'by numbers', as if the producers had asked a computer what aspects to include in an action film.  Forgettable and without any spark to keep you giving a monkey's what happens to any of the characters, but watchable.  

Documentary:  

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story

4* ⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Netflix)

This is a two part documentary - prepare to feel as though you've been in the presence of pure evil, after you've seen it.

The first part concentrates on Savile's rise to stardom, and how he became a national treasure, socialising with royalty and senior politicians.  All through, though, it seemed like there was something weird about him.  I never took much notice of him during the 70s and 80s because I had no interest in the sort of shows he was on, but watching him being interviewed one can see (with hindsight, I know) how odd he was.  Cold, dead snake eyes.  

The second part slowly unravels how he got found out, basically.  Some of his victims are interviewed, but there is less graphic detail than I imagined there would be; it concentrates on just a few women who were young teenagers at the time of the abuse.

It's clear that his courting of the cream of society was a mission to ensure that he would be protected from rumour or accusation.  If only people had listened to John Lydon.

Lately I've Been Watching

The latest in my series of mini TV reviews, with trailers and 'where to watch'.  

If you would like to see more posts, please click here: Lately I've Been Watching.  If you get as far as the bottom, 'Older Posts' will take you to more.

 

Series: Better Call Saul - Season 5 (Netflix)

5 stars plus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This series just gets better and better, as it gets closer to where Breaking Bad started.  If you loved Breaking Bad but haven't started watching this yet, don't miss it!  (nb, having watched Breaking Bad is not a pre-requisite for enjoying it).

Series: Snowfall - Seasons 1-3 (Amazon Prime)

5 stars plus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The fictional story of the first crack epidemic in LA, introduced by young Franklin Saint (Damson Idris) who wasn't involved in anything more criminal than slinging a bit of weed for his uncle, until he gets involved with a coke dealer, and, later, happens upon someone who shows him how to make 'rocks'.  The three seasons trace crack's impact on the culture of the city, and on the lives of those involved - Franklin and his immediate family, CIA agent Teddy MacDonald who has far-reaching reasons for dealing with Franklin, Mexican crime boss's niece Lucia Villanueva, former wrestler Gustavo Zapata, straight cop Andre who lives next door to Franklin's mum, and his daughter, Melodie.  

I was engrossed all the way through each episode, and am happy to hear there is to be a Season 4.  It's actually most interesting to see a crime series such as this in times before the internet - it really hits you how different the landscape and culture is.  Franklin's character arc is masterfully written and acted, as some of his former principles fall by the wayside and he begins to see the effect his business is having on people he loves.  Fabulous - stick it at the top of your watch list!

For TWD addicts - Juan Javier Cardenas (Dante) plays a Nicaraguran rebel, Kevin Carroll (Virgil) plays Frankin's father, and Markice Moore (Prisoner Andrew from S3) plays a minor hoodlum.

 

Series: Condor - Season 1 & 2 (Amazon Prime)

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary from Wikipedia - 

Joe Turner (Max Irons) is a young CIA analyst whose idealism is tested when he stumbles onto a terrible but brilliant plan that threatens the lives of millions. Turner is an idealistic millennial who secretly joins the CIA hoping to reform it from within. But when everyone in his office is massacred by professional killers, this brilliant analyst is forced out of his ivory tower think tank and into battle with the most dangerous elements in the military-industrial complex. If he is to have any chance of surviving, Joe will have to do things he never imagined himself capable of – and discover that no one knows their true character until they’ve been tested under fire.

Gripping, loved it.  Highly recommended.

 

Series: Billions - Season 5 Part 1 (Amazon Prime, SHO.com)

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Doesn't let up, this series, never a dull moment - I like the introduction of another foe this season, rather than just Axe, Chuck and Taylor fighting between themselves; enter Mike Prince, a fellow financial whizz and Axe's rival of old, who shows his upper hand over and over - has Axe met his match?  Loved it, as ever.

 
Reality Show: Alone - Season 7 (Amazon Prime)

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This season, the 10 contestants are sent to survive alone in the Canadian Arctic, but there's a difference: in order to win the prize money of one million dollars, the winner has to stick it out for 100 days.  

As usual, the first 20 days sorts out the wheat from the chaff, and the stronger-than-steel few get stuck in for the long haul.  Two people made it past Day 80, until they had to leave for the sake of their health, and the person I thought would win it from Day One did indeed stick it out.

I've always loved this show because the survival tactics, such as the building of the shelters and the making of tools, fascinate me, and I love to see the scenery, but I had mixed feelings about this one.  It's probably hypocritical of me, but here's why: in early seasons, the contestants existed mostly on fish, plants and the odd small rodent. I felt sorry for the mice, but it seemed kind of okay. In S7, though, we were watching serious survivalists, some of whom live the life for real, at least part of the time.  This time, they were killing rabbits and hares, porcupines and even a musk ox, in order to stay out there until Day 100.  And, as someone who doesn't eat meat and very little in the way of animal products at all, I found myself uncomfortable with watching these beautiful animals being killed for the purpose of entertainment.  Especially when their killers kissed them and told them how 'grateful' they were.  

What really pissed me off was when two contestants stole squirrels' mushroom stashes.  I'm not against killing animals when you have to do so in order not to starve, because it's nature's way, but these people were out there for self-indulgent 'personal journeys' and for the chance of winning a million dollars.  Which is their choice, but watching a contestant holding up her two dead rabbits made me feel as bad as if I'd 'liked' one of those gross trophy photos that hobby-hunters post on Twitter and Instagram.

I just kept thinking, those animals would be running around, living their lives, if not for this show.  So I don't think I'll be watching it any more.

 

Documentary Series: The Clinton Affair (Amazon Prime, Sky History)

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Six part series, mostly about the Monica Lewinsky affair.  An older, slimmer and far more sophisticated Lewinsky talks at length about what happened; she's honest and likeable, and not scared to admit what a fool she was, though obviously she's milked it for all it's worth in the years since.  Other players in the farce appear in person, too - just another documentary that exposes the corruption at the top.  Good stuff, worth watching.

 

Series: Perry Mason - Season 1 (AmazonPrime, HBO.com)

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The series focuses on the origin story of famed defense lawyer Perry Mason. In 1932, LA is prospering while the rest of the U.S. is recovering from the grip of the Depression. Down-and-out private investigator Perry Mason is struggling with his trauma from WW1 and being divorced. He is hired for a sensational child kidnapping trial and his investigation portends major consequences for Mason, his client, and the city itself.

I very much like Matthew Rhys (The Americans) who stars as Mason, and the ubiquitous Shea Whigham as his partner, but I wasn't mad about this.  It's just a personal preference, though; I can see that it's extremely well-made and in theory ticked most of my required boxes, but just didn't hit the spot for me.  I think it's just that I'm not keen on the 'noir' genre - if you are, I am sure you will love it.  So 3* for my own taste, but 4* for how good it is of its type, in the interest of objective reviewing!

Recently I've been watching..... Game of Thrones, #AloneShow, Eye Candy and others....

My occasional Netflix etc series recommendations/comments.... click the title of the show for more details about it.

Kicking off with Season 6 of Game of Thrones.  I watched this all in one day (there are worse ways of spending your birthday when you have a bad back!!!).  Interesting for me to watch, as I've read the first five books so I knew what was coming in previous seasons, whereas I didn't with this one.  I thought it dragged a bit for the first few episodes, nowhere near as good as S5 which was the best yet, but it built up gradually to some terrific later episodes, the high point being the battle for Winterfell in the penultimate one!  Fabulous, loved it.   Some tragic deaths and highly satisfying comeuppances.  Great end, a thrilling taste of what is to come.... but it's also kind of sad that, finally, just when almost everyone is where they should be (Theon back on his island, some Starks in Winterfell, etc), with some great tying off of ends, someone and some things are going to stir it all back up again.....

*****Five Stars*****
 (Would have been 4.5 or even just 4 if not for last few eps)


 

Unusual for me, a bit of paranormal, but Stranger Things is very good indeed.  It's set in the early 1980s and is made in the atmosphere of that time, too; it's very clever.  "When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl."  Stars Winona Ryder and some excellent child actors.

****Four and a half stars**** 

Enjoyed the second series of Tyrant very much.  About a fictional middle eastern country and two warring brothers, one of whom is the tyrant named, and the other who has lived in America for much of his adult life, and arrives back home along with his wife and two children.  Lots of suspense and edge-of-seat action, good plot.   Not a total wow, but it's very good and I look forward to the next series.  Written by Gideon Raff, who wrote Prisoner of War, on which Homeland was based.

****Four Stars****

I watched the first series of survival reality show Alone and liked it alot ~ recently watched Series 2 (click for more details) and thought the contestants were all as interesting as Lucas and Alan in Series 1: the hilarious (Desmond and Larry, for different reasons), the smug and self-satisfied (Randy and Mike), the humble, natural wilderness inhabitants (Nicole and Jose) and the just nice (David and Tracy).  I was really glad about who won, but will say no more!  A couple of them seemed, despite all their boasts about their survival prowess, to be still living in a world of privilege in their heads, where they expected to actively feel good, not just get on with living in their new environment; as soon as they weren't enjoying themselves, they bolted (or 'tapped out').  The behind the scenes episodes, Making the Cut and The Reunion, were worth watching, too. 

*****Five Stars*****

 

Started watching Eye Candy by accident and got a little bit hooked!  Very silly teens/YA type serial killer thriller set in NY with lots of hugely irritating young people and cops who look as if they're in boy bands, but it's pretty good; if you're under 25 and like easy entertainment you'll probably love it!

***Three Stars*** 

Now, I don't know if I'm retreating into childhood, but I'm liking the TV series Scream, based on the cult slasher films.  It's actually very well acted and thought out, and I'm enjoying trying to work out who the slasher is this series :)  It's something for late night viewing when you feel like something a bit daft and easy to watch, I suppose.  Some of the teenagers are really annoying, but that's teenagers for you, after all; it's good, not tooo silly!

***Three stars*** 


My previous TV post is HERE, featuring The Living and the Dead, Versailles and more, with links to all other posts at the end.

Recently I've been watching... THE AMERICANS and more

My occasional telly round-up :)  Click the series name for more info.

I so looked forward to this, and it lived up to my expectations: series 4 of
The Americans.  It's set in the 1980s, and stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as two Russian spies who live in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington DC, posing as a normal American couple with two children.  One of their close neighbours is an FBI agent...

I watched the whole series over a period of 2 evenings, but you need to start at the beginning.  It's quite low key for series these days, a proper old fashioned spy drama/thriller without a ridiculous amount of car chases, etc; it's just brilliant scripted and acted.  Keri Russell as Elizabeth is fab, another fictional woman I want to be (after Lagertha in Vikings and Michonne in The Walking Dead).  Highly recommended!

*****Five Stars***** 

I just watched the first series of Alone, which is a reality show in which ten men are dropped onto Vancouver Island in British Columbia to survive alone, in winter, amongst cougars, bears and wolves, for 90 days.  I loved this, as I'm fascinated by survival in adverse circumstances.  It's good because there's no annoying presenter; it's all filmed by the contestants themselves.  They have an emergency phone to ring if they want to 'tap out' (ie, if they've had enough).  One wimped out in 12 hours, another on the 2nd day (okay, they did have bears and wolves outside their tents...), but four of them kept going for nearly two months.  One guy made a yurt and a canoe - the difference in their capabilities was amazing.  Definitely watching the next series.  Only downside was that you don't find out what happened afterwards; it would have been nice hearing what the four who really made a go of it thought of it all, and how it affected them when they got home.  You get to see this about the winner, but not the others.

****Four and a half stars**** 

I quite liked The Whispers, about an alien race who invade the minds of the children of important people in the government, etc, in order to manipulate their parents, because the aliens want to take over the planet.  Yes, it sounds pretty silly, but it's good.  The main problem is that so many of the cast are kind of irritating, especially the main female character, Clare, and some of the children are a bit ghastly (though others are very good, in particular Henry, a little sweetie), but I watched a whole series without being made to!

***Three and a half stars*** 

I've watched the first three episodes of New Blood, a new BBC detective show.  It's fairly entertaining and the plot of the first story was good, but it's a bit too self consciously 'twenty-somethings in 21st century London' for me.  A tad lighter than I like, too.  Familiar faces are Mark Addy (Robert Baratheon in GoT) playing the sterotypical old school detective who resents the 'new blood' and wants everything done his way, but then looks an idiot when aforementioned New Blood solves the case, and Anna Chancellor (Duckface in Four Weddings and a Funeral).

***Three Stars*** 

More coming soon....