Film & TV
- Brokenwood Mysteries — a police series set in New Zealand
- The Vanishing Triangle — a true story of a serial killer set in Ireland
- Harry Wild — a PI series also set in Ireland
The Vanishing Triangle ⭐️⭐️ TV show 2024 Watched May 13, 2024
Well, that was one hell of a surprise, and not a good one. We started watching this one mainly because it’s on Acorn TV and advertised next to one of our fav shows, Brokenwood Mysteries, and on the same night. And, for the most part, it was interesting enough. A damaged reporter gets a clue, 15 years after the murder of her mother, that might lead her to the killer who also is abducting, raping and murdering a number of young women.
Sad to say, after watching this through to the end, instead of a resolution, and a finale that tide up all the loose ends. It just stopped. I mean, literally. The final episode seemed to be leading us toward a resolution and then … just kind of hung there at the end, like it had nowhere else to go other than to imply the murderer got away with it, sort of. I don’t know.
Very frustrating.
Enjoying a Life of Crime!
Ah, I love Monday evening TV which, tonight, consists of:
The Ipcress File ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ TV show 2024 Watched May 9, 2024
Well, colour me surprised, not only was this TV version of Len Deighton’s book almost true to the authors work, it improved upon the Michael Caine movie considerably. Though, I have to say, the lead in the TV show—Joe Cole— was no Michael Caine, he didn’t do too badly as the loveable cockney grifter.
This limited series focused more on the actual spy business and, was at times, clever and twisted, at other times, a little slow on progress and maybe, just maybe, could have been just 4 tightly written episodes, not six. As it was, this one was a nice departure from the usual spy drama we’re force fed these days, especially as it was set in 1963. So no smart phones, and reliance of tech.
The cast over all were good, and the script twisted enough to keep me interest right till the end, even though I knew what that ending was, having watched the film way back when. What the show did though was give us a more in-depth look at the characters and the build up to the dramatic ending and, along the way, threw in some fun too.
Alice, you’re now officially my new hero.
Dark Matter S1. ⭐️⭐️ TV show 2024 Watched May 8, 2024
It was just as well I had no expectations going into Apple TV’s latest SciFi show, Dark Matter, otherwise I might have given this one star not two. As it turns out this one felt a tad trite and cliched, picking over the bones of oh so many other shows that have gone before it and, recycling one too many over-used tropes (Schrödinger’s cat anyone?)
And, with a music score that made it difficult for this hard of hearing person to make out some of the mumbled dialogue in the first episode, meant I was struggling early on. Not that I missed anything according to my OH who, wondering out loud, asked why Jennifer Connelly was married to some butt ugly guy? Casting aside, why is everything shot in the dark?
The second episode did nothing to improve our assertion that we really didn’t care about the lead, or any of the supporting cast, who all looked like they wondered why they were actually in this mess to begin with. Or, how using the usual flimsy science—oh look, we have a cube that transports people to alternative realities—we’re going to get the erstwhile antihero out of the mess he finds himself in.
Do we care? No. Will we watch more. No.
So, after a lot of messing around I now have a simpler version of my review website, In Review, back up online. If you’re interested in reading a handful of author interviews, assorted genre book reviews, and my thoughts on this or that recent movie or TV show, check it out.
You can also subscribe and get an email alert for whenever there’s a new post.
The Mandalorian S3. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ TV Show 2023 Watched 13 February 2024
Finished the last couple of episodes of season 3 of The Mandalorian last night and wow, talk about saving the best for last. This has been a 5-star outing from the first episode right on through to the last. From the acting, to the action, to the humour, everything has hit the right note.
Talk about scripted to perfection. Big shout out to Jon Favreau and a great cast!
Finished watching seasons 1 & 2 of The Mandalorian plus The Book of Boba Fett this weekend, and started season 3 as of yesterday.
There better be a season 4 is all I can say!
🍿 Haunted Mansion (Disney +) ⭐️⭐️
It took me and mine a minute into watching this one to realise it was a remark of a remake, another attempt by Disney to make money by flogging a dead horse. We finished watching it while playing a game of Yahtzee at the same time. Guess which won?
🍿 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ⭐️⭐️
This overly long schlockfest was neither entertaining, or well done. Tedious noise!
Doing Disney ...
We did it, we succumb, we took out a sub with Disney + and, excited, decided to jump straight in to the Marvel Universe.
📺 First up, episode one of Secret Invasion, the Marvel series featuring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. And … talk about being underwhelmed. Not only that, nothing happened, two people were killed off, and, people running around with green masks on was, well, something of a let down. Is this it? ⭐️⭐️
📺 Bored by Nick Fury et el we pumped for the Star Wars spin-off, Andor, hoping for a bit more action and grit. And yes, while there seems to be plenty of grit. Here again was another rather dull story lacking any depth. However, on the insistence of the OH, we prevailed through to the bank heist episode… sorry, I mean the break-in to a heavily fortified garrison to steal … well, I better not spoil it for those who haven’t seen this one yet. But, can someone please explain to me how they got that large transport down that access tunnel into the underground cavern/vault? A groaning ⭐️⭐️
Which begs the question, what do we try tonight?
As I was out gallivanting about the city yesterday, I didn’t have to time to post my weekend movie nights round-up. So here it is.
🍿 First up was Eternals, a Marvel Studios/Disney comic book adaptation that, to be honest, at 2:30 hours long might have been better served as a TV series. I would have watched it, especially if it meant the characters got a better intro and background story. As it is, this one was good popcorn fluff and a little less violent than the usual fare. I actually enjoyed it and yes, hope there will be a second outing. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍿 Next we watched Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, with Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, and Sam Riley reprising their roles. With Michelle Pfeffier playing a deliciously nasty Queen Ingris who gets … well, I can’t tell you that, you know, spoilers and all. Needless to say this was as much fun as the first installment and gave us some really good action sequences. Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And you, what have you all been watching recently?
Apple TV
We started watching Silo on Apple TV last night. What a nice piece of classic-style dystopian SF. Really looking forward to seeing where this one goes, especially as they’ve just been green-lit for a second season.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
📺 We started season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds last night and, damn, I have to say, that was one of the best episodes to date. Full of action, pathos and drama, our crew our getting into this big time, and I’m here for it all!
I’m really enjoying the way the writers are threading canon and myth from classic trek into this new iteration, and giving us glimpses that tease and delight. Like Spock and his harp in this first episode. Can’t wait to see what else they gift us. And it’s fun to see the regulars getting more scenery to chew on.
And while me and mine were still mourning the loss of one character from season one (no spoilers) the transition to a new character? Brilliant. I hope she’s going to be a regular for the entire season.
And you, are you watching too?
Netflix Night
🍿 We watched Hanna on Netflix Saturday night, and … talk about child exploitation and endangerment, never mind the utter mindless violence. A tedious ⭐️⭐️
TV Shows: Manifest
📺 We watched the last few episodes of the weird scifi show Manifest on Netflix, so you don’t have to. ⭐️⭐️
You’re welcome!
TV Shows: Rough Diamonds
📺 We watched Rough Diamonds a Belgian TV drama focused on the diamond trade in Antwerp. This one might be of interest to someone out there but, after struggling to get through just 8 episodes, I have to say, I’ve learnt more about Hasidic Jews than I ever want to know about never mind diamond trading in Europe. Let’s just say, you might want to give this one a miss. A dull ⭐️⭐️
Movie Night
🍿 Time for another movie update since I haven’t done one in a while. And you can bet a fiver that me and mine have watched at least a dozen movies since the last one.
First up was The Mother starring Jennifer Lopez who, on the whole, was believable enough in this standard action thriller. Grab a bag of popcorn, suspended your disbelief at the door, and just enjoy the action sequences. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The second action thriller we sat down to watch was The Gray Man starring Ryan Gossling and a whole host of big names in cameo rolls. Sad to say, even though I enjoyed watching Ryan besting a very camp Chris Evans, playing the psycho villain, this one was overly long, and ridiculously violent. I never understand the need to blow up half the world in these kinds of movies that lack any sense of real tension. A noisy ⭐️⭐️
Moving away from the violence, we laughed our socks off at the supernatural ghost story, We Have A Ghost, which was a fun-filled romp on the other side. I mean, who doesn’t love a movie that features both Jennifer Coolidge and Tig Notaro in cameo rolls hyping up the silliness? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We also had a blast watching yet another romcom this time with a fun Asian twist. The Wedding Season starring Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma, who were an absolute delight to watch as were the whole supporting cast, as they danced their way to an Indian HEA! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie Night Update
🍿 Time for a Movie Update given we’ve watched 3 these last few days. Sadly, not all movies are created equal, some were better than others, at least, as far as I was concerned. Let’s start with last night’s viewing:
Stowaway This has to be the dreariest moral dilemma movie I have ever watched. Akin to watching paint peel or grass grow, as the saying(s) go. It. Was. So. Slow. I nearly fell asleep. Despite the named cast featuring Toni Collette, Daniel Dae Kim, and Anna Kendrick on the first manned mission to Mars. While this might have a scifi setting, it may have well been set in your grandmother’s back garden. A dismal ⭐️⭐️
Prior to the above, we caught a delightful romcom, A Tourist’s Guide to Love, featuring (for me) a couple of unknowns, Rachael Leigh Cook (a travel exec) and Scott Ly, a tour guide. Who are brought together with some snappy dialogue while giving us a lush mini tour of Vietnam. This was a solid, fun ⭐️⭐️⭐️
And finally, a heartfelt family film, The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivot, starring James Bradford as the genius 10 year old inventor who travels alone to the Smithsonian Museum to accept an award. This was a sweet, quirky story that tugged at the heartstrings. An enjoyable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TV Shows: The Diplomat
📺 We discovered a new show on Netflix last night, The Diplomat. A political drama starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell (whose chemistry is part of what makes this one zing) is gripping on just about every level. It reminded me of the West Wing in its heyday. Droll, witty, dripping in vitriol, and as sharp as a razor with cutting, up to the minute commentary on world events. The Diplomat is up there in the same league. Well written, well acted and with a cast that made hang on every word.
The creator, Deborah Cahn, has penned a winner here that is bing
Rom-Com Night
🍿 Despite a very busy holiday weekend we still managed to squeeze in a number of movies. Three of which were rom-coms.
First up was The Love Villa a delightfully silly formulaic romantic comedy with, for me at least, a couple of unknown actors who, again, for me, genuinely made this a funny, fun-filled couple of hours in Verona, Italy, when the pair are double-booked in a romantic villa. With all the classic elements in place, this one still managed to pull at the heart strings, hit all the right notes, and made me laugh out loud too. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Next up was, Your Place Or Mine featuring a star-studded cast which included Reece Witherspoon (also the producer) and Anton Kutcher that should, on paper, have been another fun romp but that, in the end, turn out to be, well, rather dull and plodding. This one lacked any spark and never really hit the mark, though I loved seeing Tig Notaro steal the few scenes she featured in. ⭐️⭐️
Finally, we watched The Noel Diary an off-season Christmas rom-com featuring Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss (of Station 19 fame) as the pair thrown together through circumstances, slowly connect and start to fall in love by the end of a road trip together. This one was heartfelt and touching and definitely worth watching for that feel-good factor. A happy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️