Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Patience (2025)
Could have been a lot better
First off I've experience of autism, so the review is based on experience.
My three main problems with this show are: 1 the lead character who play's Patience is wrong. She doesn't play the part well in the way her mannerisms are and her interactions with other people. It's a poor "homage", if you will, to those who do have Autism. Secondly the Mark Benton is just wrong full-stop. Thirdly the dialogue is at times so very bad it spoils the underlying plot. It is stilted and doesn't flow at all leading to one line statements which should be part of a conversation, but really is just a declaration.
Furthermore Nathan Welsh can' act for toffee.
On a positive note - Laura Fraser is great.
I can only hope the second series, if there is one, improves and the show, which does show a lot of promise, improves a hell of a lot.
Hysteria! (2024)
Bible Woman scares me the most
I came across this and thought YES! I am a fan of metal and have been for 40+ years, and clearly remember the hysteria in the USA (although I'm from England and reside there) pertaining to Metal and it's links to Satanic worship, and the ensuing Witch Hunt by the Washington Wives and. PMRC, so I was eager to watch this and have a laugh (hopefully).
The first 10 - 20 minutes I found funny and it played on so many misconceptions and stereotypes, but after than it settled into a typical murder/whodunnit plot/
The 2 most frightening things were the Bible collective in a small town in America and there double standards, and secondly - why would you have cane furniture on casters (wheels).......my god what were they thinking!!!!
I agree with posts about the 3 main characters not being up to the parts - they just aren't 80's material at all. Bruce Campbell is...well Bruce Campbell.
I will continue to watch it because I hope the Bible bashers hopefully with get the come uppence. I do so hope so.
Mayor of Kingstown (2021)
If it walks........
Huge fan of Jeremy Renner so thought I would give Mayor of Kingstown a go, and by and large I haven't been disappointed.
The plot although stretching the imagination is pretty solid, and gripping. The sound, editing and direction is superb; brooding and malevolent.
Couple of niggles. First let's address the obvious one: Iris, played by Emma Laird, who I suspect is a very fine actress, but totally wrong for the part. It beggars belief that a man such as Mike McLusky would waste time and energy on someone who has as much appeal as a loaf of bread. I don't find her or her character the least bit interesting, alluring or engenders any empathy from me. In fact a lot of the coverage where she appeared I leaped forward in my viewing.
Second one: Why does Mike McLusky walk like a Dick Van Dyke wannabe who's about to break out into a song and dance in a bloody awful cockney accent? All that's missing, regardless of where he is or who he is meeting is a chimney brush and a cloth cap and he'd fit right in.
In summary - gritty, hard to watch at times, absorbing, uncomfortable, but a very, very good show and a show I've not enjoyed as much since watching Southland.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Finger on Fast forward
It's unusual I skip through what is supposed to be an engaging drama, but on this occasion I found it necessary. What could have been condensed into 5 or 6 episodes is strung out over 8 and each more than 45 minutes, which is a lot for such flimsy subject matter.
I read the reviews, well a couple, and was expecting more to be honest by way of an indeapth character analysis set with the backdrop of a murder or two.
The mother annoyed me beyond being annoyed to the point where on a couple of occasions I wanted to turn it off. I cannot for the life of me understand anyone wishing to exert power over someone using emotions.
My biggest problem was this - a supposedly intelligent woman moves back into the family home knowing full well how evil and manipulative her mother is. It doesn't chime at all.
The "sheriff" was like any other portrayed in an series or film - nothing new there. The usual mix of useless people, drunks, addicts, people lacking in morals and the teenage girls wanting to hold power of any male by using their "charms".
The direction was nothing new and pretty ordinary.
All in all a think a 6.0 - 6.5 but nothing more.
Major Crimes (2012)
Fun old crew but whiny big blouse spoilt it.
The Closer was great despite Brenda, who was very conniving and downright deceitful when it came to using the opposite sex. I watched the whole series twice because I loved the auxiliary members of the team.
Major Crimes I was delighted to see still had the old crew and therefore thought I'd love this show twice, and on the whole I do aside from the big girl who complains in his annoying voice throughout every episode - Rusty.
What a waste of a show, it's actors and the situations they could have placed themselves in, possibly making it a 10/10, but Rusty!!!!!
I very rarely get angry and characters, and even less (1 or 2 occasions) have I actually wanted to slap repeatedly a character, but Rusty I would gladly pummel into the group ...... several times over.
Invitation to a Murder (2023)
Wrong on so many levels
Predictable sub-par acting as was the plot. Each of the characters veiled history was evident from the offset. The acting was poor aside from the "gum shoe".
Dialogue was very poor - trying too hard to be English I feel. The main protagonist being Misha who in her dialogue expressed a wish or insight using two "long words" which in effect meant the same, and really there was not need.
The worldly men who apparently are doctors and solicitors appeared trite, ineffective, play boy'ish and rather dense - considering they were supposed to be men of learning.
We DO NOT have crickets in England, so an inaccuracy on the part of the script writer and the director.
Pretty poor all in all.
See How They Run (2022)
Thoroughly good humoured romp
I wasn't expecting much from this film, but sick and tired of the gun fights, super powers, explosions, prolonged fist fights and the evil menace who likes the sound of his droning monologue, I thought I would give it a go.
What immediately drew me to this was Sam Rockwell who always gives a part his all and invariably plays it extremely well. I was not disappointed!!
Saoirse Ronan deserves a special mention as the absolutely brilliant character of Stalker, and given her tendency to write everything down is a credit to her surname.
I'd expected Sam's English tone to waver at some point during the film, but only slightly and he carried it out brilliantly; plus his rather slack demeanour.
I haven't laughed so much in a long time and the plot and characters ensured I was glued to the screen for the entire length.
I do so hope there will be a sequel - maybe a little romance between Inspector and Sargeant?!
Give it a go - you'll not be disappointed.
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
HATE musicals, but enjoyed this
My idea of a musical extends no further than The Jungle Book. The fact that instantly people knew the words and danced in sync just irritated me such that I've avoided all musicals out of shear hatred and an underlying irritation.
Prior to watching I wasn't aware it was a musical. If the first song hadn't been so good it would have been turned off immediately. Anyway I stuck with it and as the minutes and songs progressed I actually enjoyed it.
Ella Hunt and Marli Siu deserve credit for their parts in the film. Ella was perfect for the role and Marli shone - a bit like the one on a Christmas tree.
Funny, entertaining, well directed and produced. Let's face it it's head and shoulders above the usual "Christmas Film" fayre out there.
Bosch (2014)
Oh so bad
So many places to start, and I'm sure I'm just reiterating what other people who have half a brain also have complained about.
Titus! Well I was hesitant about watching this anyway because of the lead "actor" in this, and having watched the 1st episode my fears confirmed - he can't act for toffee. Anyway I persevered through Season 1 and into Season 2, and guess what?! He still can't act. His dialogue between anyone, including his daughter which he supposedly loves, is monosyllabic. There is not a single hint of feeling at all and he routinely trudges through the part as if he can't be arsed to be there.
The rest of the cast can act BTW.
Men walk like they are in a Western shootout.
The dialogue is juvenile.
The plot is nothing special at all.
Can't say I am surprised by all this shoddy work that went into this show.
On a plus side - the camera work is good.
Give it a very wide berth. It's shockingly bad, and not just the "acting"
Troppo (2022)
Not your run of the mill crime story
Where to start?
Let's start with objectivity. A policeman is meant to be objective and not fixated on one or more individuals. He's meant to follow facts, not a grudge.
I have to say the cop in this show really, really, really got my back up - so much so I was cursing him under my breath every time he entered a scene. His whole manner was just demeaning to law authorities everywhere and frankly disgusting.
Now to the good parts: both leads were excellent both in terms of acting and building up the character and story line. The plot was out of the ordinary with an unusual mix of characters, which was good.
All in all a very solid, enjoyable show with some interesting scenery.
I really look forward to season 2 in 2023 or 2024.
Jekyll and Hyde (2015)
Odd and just doesn't quite fit
Camera angles, dialogue, characters - it all doesn't quite fit.
The main character is some wet fop who really can't act at all. Richard E Grant, again can't act and generally it comes across as a bit of an "am dram" or third rate show.
Some of the scenes in Ceylon are very nice and captured well. Some of the characters have been chosen well and act within accordance of their character, but if you don't get the main characters right from the offset then any production, no matter how small or big looses any authenticity, drama and appeal.
I'm sure the underlying plot is good, but it's these little distractions that caused me not to fully engage.
Mad Dogs (2015)
Cliche'd
I wanted to like this programme, and really I chose it because I'd run out of things to watch.
I'd read some of the mixed reviews on IMDB and felt if I stuck with it for the first 2 or 3 episodes it would grow on me, but sadly not.
I found the first 10-20 minutes juvenile, flashy and straight out of some lads magazine. Surely men don't behave like that in real life?
The cast also, aside from Billy Zane, were irritating especially Steve Zahn (who I've never really rated or liked anyway).
The whole single episode I watched seemed fake, for example: how many times have you been to a town where women throw themselves at, let's face it - ugly men?
Nah. Cut it short and ditched it from my play list. Not for me.
Southland (2009)
Brilliant. The best show in a long, long time
I picked this up because I'd run out of things to watch. Right from the first episode I was hooked and binge watched the entire 5 seasons in a matter of days. It's so good I'm watching all 5 seasons again in the hope I've missed some of the nuances.
Each episode if beautifully shot and the characters, both police and members of the public are absolutely spot on and engaging.
Word of warning: Dewy is annoying as hell and offensive. Also, could have done with a little less of Sammy (who looks like he's just got out of short trousers). Also Ben and all of his "conquests", but all in all a first rate show which could have continued beyond the 5 seasons will little let-up in the characters and the antics in LA.
Brilliant - watch it and be astounded at "The Greatest Show On Earth".
The Closer (2005)
Very funny with original plots
The show on the whole is very funny, with each episode raising a laugh. The plots are original and method of detection in not unlike Columbo.
The characters:
Deputy Chief Johnson is played very well and is hammed up, sometimes to the point of being ridiculous. Do people such as Johnson exist in real life? Can people really be the devious and blunt as the same time? I don't get how she is the magnet for men at all, because she certainly does nothing for me.
The Chief's character (J. K. Simmons) is superfluous as far as the show goes and largely irritating and ineffectual.
The rest of the crew have their own merits and irritations, which are largely born out of the characters the actors/actresses are asked to play.
The star of the show is Gabriel as far as I am concerned.
It's entertaining and I am very glad I strayed across this (on Season 2 at the moment).
Without a Trace (2002)
Very good, but......
The show on the whole is excellent. Anthony LaPaglia and Eric Close the stand-out stars of the show.
It's well made and engaging, although some of the scenarios are a little too far fetched in terms of how the victim or people close to the victim respond or act. I can't help feeling that the "victims" if they applied a little more common sense wouldn't be placed in the situations they find themselves in.
My main criticisms are as follows:
1) Enrique Murciano always looks like he's taking the p#ss with a constant smirk on his face.
2) Marianne Jean-Baptiste has no personality at all and has this constant monosyllabic tone.
3) Roselyn Sanchez speaks to quickly and what she has to say is gone in a flash.
It's another very good show born out of USA involving crime and in the large entertains.
Alfa (2020)
Very enjoyable
Having watched Belgian, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Swedish and Icelandic series before and thoroughly enjoyed all I thought I'd give this a "go".
Due diligence as always - I checked IMDB and read a few reviews; some were spot on and some a little unfair I think.
The tale as a whole is told in the correct number of episodes and at the right pace. It's engrossing, but easy enough to follow whilst concentrating on the action, plot and the subtitles.
The main characters are believable, and there are women in throughout - it's not all just men.
It's essentially a power struggle between men and women, friends, groups of men and ultimately the police.
It's worth watching, but I would say "binge" it so you don't loose momentum.
I'd have given it a 7.5 if IMDB allowed half stars.
Jury Duty (2023)
Giggle and cringe a minute
I was dubious about this show, but as I had nothing else to watch I thought I would give it a go. It's been a while since I've watched something where every episode brought such laughter and elation, but also that awkward feeling - that cringe-worthy moment.
How the actors managed to keep in character with a straight face is beyond me. How the unsuspecting chap managed to keep his cool is also beyond me. The chap who plays the judge is very cool and a plays a nice natured character.
It's essentially Candid Camera but in a jury setting.
It's worth watching, especially on a evening with some popcorn and someone sitting next to you.
The Thing About Pam (2022)
Narrator and Renee The Stars
If you can bypass Renee's annoying accent and put up with her wonderfully portrayed creepy character then this show is very, very entertaining.
Aside from Renee the cast is mostly unknown and works well - each actor/actress playing their parts with aplomb.
If, IF, this is an accurate account of the incident and subsequent investigation then the detectives on the case were juvenile, incompetent - bordering on complete idiots.
I'm sure there are people like Renee's character in this world, I just hope not as disturbing as the manipulative, controlling and downright subversive nasty character Renee plays extremely well.
The narrator to me is the star of the show. Lovely voice with comments so acidic and sarcastic they made me chuckle.
Worth watching as a "binge"
Medium (2005)
Very enjoyable. Some characters more than others
Thoroughly enjoying this show. Some of the episodes, though are just plain silly so I'd skipped maybe 4; I'm mid way through the 3rd season.
The characters:
Patricia is perfect for the role, although a little wet at times. She is pretty convincing that she "see's dead people" and the family dynamic works very well and is very well acted.
The character Joe Dubois is a mixture of sex maniac and girl - he definitely needed to be a little less of a wimp.
The DA - Devalos is perfect as is the actor who plays him
The actor who plays Scanlon is great and again perfect for the show and the character.
The absolute star of the show is character and actress who plays Bridgette Dubious. Her voice, facial expressions and lines have me in stitches.
Super show and one I don't think I will get bored of watching up until the 7th season/series.
Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)
I was disappointed.
I have to say I'm not a fan of Idris. He pretty much plays the same character with the same vocal traits and facial expressions as he does in all his films and series.
The plot was just plain ridiculous, and with a little more imagination and grounding could have been better and more credible.
The lead lady - nope. Didn't like her at all, or her painful daughter.
My biggest gripe was the baddie, who was as pathetic a baddie as I've ever seen. He was more a creepy old man who dabbles in things he should and are against the law, than someone with intelligence, planning and malice. What was that quiff all about - dear me how very, very sad.
All in all a waste of my life.
Gotham (2014)
Too many incidental things that don't add up
Visually stunning. Dialogue a little wrong and conversations aren't as you would expect in a world. The characters: Barbara - her voice is annoying. Fish is just ridiculous, even if power hungry or a psychopath. Gordon's side kick is just plain irritating and nobody would have his attitude, nobody!!! Young Bruce is the wrong lad.
Anyway - inaccuracies. Things like homeless people having perfect hair, clean clothes and a little soot on their face. A girl in boots creeping around in a warehouse and nobody hears her. The list goes on and on and it's just careless writing and thought.
It's okay, but could have been much, much, much better.
Y Golau (2022)
Poorly constructed mountain from a mole hill
An interesting premise, but failed to engage for a number of reasons. Let me start by saying I think highly of Joanna Scanlan and Alexandra Roach and loved them in No Offence.
The first thing that was highly predictable was the falling for the boss, played by Ben Bailey Smith (who incidentally couldn't act and would be best placed to play parlour charades). Secondly the camera angles were obscure and a little too honed such that the widen potential was lost.
Acting was poor in general, save the two ladies mentioned earlier. The plot was ridiculous - "If I'd know you go after him I wouldn't have given you his address" (or something similar) - what would you expect to happen when you give the address of the man who murdered the daughter of a grieving mother - maybe she may buy him a welcome back box of chocolates.
This could have been a great series. The countryside and wider views wonderful. The experienced actors and actresses, but someone, somewhere went wrong and in the end, in my book, a realistic 4 stars for some less than mediocre.
Red Light (2020)
Uncomfortable viewing
I love watching foreign dramas, especially Flemish ones, and had very high hopes for this drama. The plot, characters, portrayal, and direction were superb. I binged watched the first 7 episodes and although some of the scenes and the story were very difficult to watch I enjoyed it.
The character of the Opera singer I found neurotic, insecure and really quite vacant. The "Madame" a selfish but desperate woman who insisted on staying with her controlling and really quite nasty boyfriend.
The star of the show was the police lady. I found her and her character very engaging and I sympathised with her plight.
I've not watched the remaining episodes for two days now as I found the whole bargaining for the baby thing quite disturbing, but more importantly the trafficking and exploitation of girls by men even more so. Morally I can't separate what the world should be, and unfortunately is, and thus I'm not sure I can watch the last two shows. I think for a happier life shows like this, that touch on prostitution, drugs, adultery and violence need to be absent from my life.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Dross
Slow. Boring. Dialogue was appalling. Acting was pretty desperate. I kind of think that the writer and director has his hooks into Netflix because he's churning out some absolute rubbish with the same actresses.
Honestly after two episodes I was bored to tear and just fed up with the disjointed and totally unrealistic dialogue and no two sane people would have during a normal conversation.
Furthermore the actor who plays the father was just weird. Weird.
I'm not entirely sure what this tale sets out to achieve, but it falls in and dies pretty quickly. Too many subplots and flashbacks which I find pretty annoying.
Do Revenge (2022)
If this is America
Strangers on a train replay, rehashed and reworked. The plot if predictable but there are a few twists I didn't see coming, but then again it's the kind of film you don't dedicate any brain cells to.
It was well acted and the script was pretty plausible. I've some major issues with it though, namely:
The "C" word spoken at least twice - there was no need.
The so called "hot boy" of the school was geeky and rather lame all in all.
The "hot girl" - well her principle was hotter and in no way, based on looks, was she the prettiest or coolest girl in the school.
There were elements of woke, but this is the norm these days.
I enjoyed it all in all, but I find the recurring theme of High Schools in America very, very disturbing and make we wonder whether the countries social issues are largely a result of High School egos, clicks, and stereotyping. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be at a school in America.