Film and TV review.

Big fan of Upstart Crow, but tonight's lockdown version was dreadful. They should have left well alone.

A couple of recommendations:

Umbrella Academy (Netflix) - a rather different take on super heroes

Crossing Swords (ITV) - amusing animation

boltonbonce wrote:Big fan of Upstart Crow, but tonight's lockdown version was dreadful. They should have left well alone.

The Bobsworths are big fans of Ben Elton's writing.  Pity he couldn't find room for the Marquis of Burberry in the script but it was quite funny without it.

Finished a few recently. The Serpent was OK when it got going - mass murderer drama based on a true story. Spiral is better although it's in French with subtitles which won't please some, but whilst it's another police drama it's amped up quite a bit and definitely not for the squeamish. Very well written and acted.

The Serpent really made me feel chills because (albeit with some dramatic licence) actually happened more or less as shown. What I especially couldn't get over was Jenna Coleman's performance. For me it was outstanding especially given her prior 'wholesome' roles in Dr Who and where she played Queen Victoria. I haven't watched Spiral as yet but I'll check it out lusty. I like a good drama that makes you think and frankly the Europeans are often better at that sort of thing than the British and Americans.

I notice The X-Files are all free to watch on Prime Video, so I might give them a go. Not seen an episode for many years now.

Used to enjoy watching the X files

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Used to enjoy watching the X files

Yes, I had a bit of a thing about agent Scully.

Haven't a clue why...

Then something bad happened.

I've used the current lockdown productively and watched loads of TV.

Those of you on the chatbox will remember I threw my iPad out of my window after another crushing defeat, so I was forced to buy a new one. With it came a 1 year subscription to Apple TV.

There's not the choice of Netflix or Amazon Prime Video but what I've watched so far has been brilliant.

Top of the list is 'Tehran' an Israeli thriller similar to 'Homeland' but so much better. Rather than the usual USA/UK v Russia, this is Israel v Iran and it looks and feels great. I can't recommend this enough.

Next is 'Defending Jacob' with Captain America's Chris Evans. A twisty courtroom drama with Evans proving he can act. Top stuff.

And I've just finished watching the first season of 'For All Mankind' which is a twist on the race to the moon, where Russia beats the US to land a man (and woman) on the moon. Excellent 60s/70s feel and look. I watched all 10 hours in two days. And Joel Kinnaman is ace in it.

You can get a 1 month Apple TV free trial so you can watch all this without paying a penny.

I thought Tehran was great too, Nat.

Recently watched The Night Of on HBO which is the best show I’ve seen in a long while. Also just about to finish up the second season of El Jardin de Bronce which I’ve really enjoyed too although not as good as the first season.

finlaymcdanger wrote:I thought Tehran was great too, Nat.

Recently watched The Night Of on HBO which is the best show I’ve seen in a long while. Also just about to finish up the second season of El Jardin de Bronce which I’ve really enjoyed too although not as good as the first season.

You bloody tease, recommending a programme I can't watch in the UK.

I asked Alexa to play 'El Jardin de Bronce' and she took me to the website for a cleaning firm in Barcelona.

Just started the french thriller starring Eric Cantona. First episode very promising.

Dead wind on Netflix was surprisingly good - proper thriller with a twist.

wanderlust wrote:Just started the french thriller starring Eric Cantona. First episode very promising.

Finished it last night and it turned out to be a really good watch. It’s called Inhuman Resources and it’s an excellent story about an angry unemployed guy (Cantona) who loses the plot and sets out to get revenge on a corrupt aerospace company in spectacular style.
Well worth watching but I won’t spoil it for you by giving away the twists.

Netflix

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Haven't a clue why...

Are you a heterosexual male with working eyesight? Then yes you do fancy Gillian Anderson. In fact my lovely wife says that Ms Anderson was and is so hot it makes her consider 'batting for the other team'. Hannah was much more direct and said "I want to taste every inch of that." I had the good sense not to comment on this because Wendy was nearby and I like my head where it is thank you.

Spiral - French detective series on iplayer, superb.

New Adam Curtis series is due on iplayer 11 Feb i think as well.

Watched Greenland yesterday. A disaster film about meteorites hitting earth.  Was quite good, on Amazon Prime at the moment

T.R.O.Y. wrote:Spiral - French detective series on iplayer, superb.

New Adam Curtis series is due on iplayer 11 Feb i think as well.

See post 104 TROY.
You'll probably like the Cantona thing and Deadwind and I'm watching The Spy starring Ali G - who does a decent job of actual acting to my amazement. It's about Mossad's operations in Syria in the 60's - pretty good so far. Netflix.