Vera Season 7 Episode 3, Broken Promise aired 4/2/17

     Vera is called to Northumberland University when a student plummets to his death from the top of a derelict college building?  Journalism student Jamie Marshall dies and Vera is not sure if he jumped or he was pushed?  This event happened right after he posted an angry online rant about extortionate tuition fees and a suicide is suspected.  But, Vera learns that somebody had assaulted him a few days before his death?  His friend Lucy recalls hearing him argue with an older man?  Furthermore, Jamie was hoping to sell a story that would "ruffle feathers" to a local newspaper.  

     Children's entertainer Ian Holland bears a bitter grudge against Jamie's long-estranged father and he enters the frame.  A reticent fellow student Rory Marston and his glib lawyer father Alan also have something to hide.  Vera must establish whether Jamie's murder was an act of revenge or to prevent him from exposing a high profile fraud?  5* (I really liked this episode)

Note:  Imdb 8* out of 10* with 320 ratings, Amazon 4.9* out of 10* with 514 global ratings. 

Trivia:  Two of the hospital scenes were filmed in the closed wards of Hartlepool General Hospital.  Some of the university scenes were filmed at Ushaw College in Durham.  University scenes were filmed at The University of Northumbria but it is called University of Northumberland in the program?  A bus from the fleet of The Eden is used again in this episode.  Graveyard scenes were filmed at the old Spion Kop cemetery in Artlepool.

Van der Valk episode 3 titled: Florals? For Spring? aired 9/27/2020

      In this episode the brutal killing of an eco-fashion fashion vlogger is broadcast live.  The designer dies on a catwalk and there are also past grudges between cops and criminals?  Piet van der Valk and his team find themselves drawn into investigating the contemporary fashion world.  They learn that there is bitter rivalry between two firms.  Alongside this case is a revenge plot to be investigated.

     Possibly the best character in this series is the retired police dog, Trojan.  As an added twist, one of the investigators snitches a snack from Van der Valk’s desk.  When he ask what kind of food is this, Van der Valk replies that it is dog treats for Trojan.  That definitely stops the stealing of snacks from that desk!!  5* (I liked this series)

Note:  Imdb 7* out of 10* with 264 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 77% with 13 reviews, Metacritic 70 with 5 critic reviews,

Crime, 90 min, aired 9/27/2020, directed by Jean van de Velds, written by Chris Murray, Nicolas Freeling with Marc Warren Maisie McCoy, Luke Allen-Gale, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, darrell D’Silva, Emma Fielding, Christina Cole, Tom Your, Saman Amini, Claire Bender, Marieke Heebink.

Special Note:  In the role of Julia Dahlman is Emma Fielding and this series is based on her books. 

Wallander Season 1 episode 2, The Village Idiot, aired 1/13/2008

       This version of one of the Mankell novels is very different from the PBS version. In the PBS version, Wallander is played brilliantly by Kenneth Branaugh as a 50 something pathologically driven and depressed anti-hero who is drawn into the evils he confronts as a Swedish homicide policemen.  Most of his cases take place in a small urban city.  The same evils are present in this Swedish version but the middle-aged hero is not clinically depressed.     

      Instead, this Wallander is a harried but sympathetic bureaucrat who is often touched by the horrors around him and he is played by Krister Henriksson.  Usually, he is devoted to getting the case solved quickly and efficiently.  Many of the scenes are out in the countryside.  This filming approach is called "police procedural". The Swedish version is about solving the crime and the PBS version is about probing the detective's soul.  Be prepared for the Swedish episodes to be more violent in nature than the PBS episodes.  5* (I really liked this series) 

92 min, crime, directed by John Faurschou and written by Petra Evenue and Henning Mankell with Krister Henriksson, Johanna Sallstrom, Ola Rapace, Angela Kovacs, Fredrik Gunnarsson, Chatarina Larsson, Douglas Johansson, Mats Bergam, Stina Ekblad, Marianne Morck, Anders Exborg, Amanda Ooms 

Note:  Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 22 global ratings, Imdb 5.7* out of 10* with 1.2k reviews. 

Frankie Drake Season 1 Episode 7 Ties That Bind aired 7/6/2019

     Mary Shaw’s sister is missing and the investigation leads them to Chinatown.  Jenny is the family black sheep and Mary doesn’t always know how to deal with her?  The sisters are close and they invented their own language when they were younger.  Later, they competed for the affection and attention of their father.  5* (I really like this series)

Directed by Leslie Hope and written by Carol Hay, Michelle Ricci and Adriana Maggs with Lauren Lee Smith, Chantel Riley, Rebecca Liddiard, Sharron Matthews, Grace Lynn Kung, Luke Humphrey, Michael A. Miranda, Dante Zee, Kelly Van der Burg, Alex Bird, Jeremy Walmsley, Peter Deiwich, Brendan Murray.

Mistake:  The music played on the piano in the background during one scene is from the famous commercial for Coca-Cola with the song, "Buy the World a Coke," not written until 1972.

Note:  Each gold bar is about 100 troy ounces, which weigh about 6.6 avoirdupois pounds. All 8 bars would weight about 52.8 pounds.

Note:  telltaletv.com4* out of 5*, Imdb 7.5* out of 10* with 102 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes Season 1 100% with 6 critic ratings 41% with 20 user ratings.

Vera Season 7 Episode 4, The Blanket Mire aired March , 2017

      A surveying team working on the Northumberland moors makes a shocking discovery!!  The body of a young woman is found buried beneath the soil!!  The body is 18 year old teenager Mia Hinkin and she has been discovered six weeks after her disappearance.  She lived on a nearby remote farmhouse with her stern parents Mal and Nell.  She was last seen at a music festival where she was seen arguing with an older man.  He is possibly stable owner Gary Tovey and she occasionally worked for him.  Eastern European migrant pickers from an adjacent farm are also in the frame as suspects.  Everybody in the area agrees that she was desperate to leave her unhappy home.  Vera suspects that somebody she met at the festival was helping her escape. 

     Mia was looking for a happier urban existence and this holds the clue to her death.  Vera cannot dismiss the many friends, neighbors and an ex-lover who were keen to help her move away from her miserable rural life.  Mia shared her confidences with her younger brother and he wanted to help her get away too.  It makes Vera and her team do a LOT of digging to get information about this case.  5* (I really liked this series)

Note:  Imdb 8* out of 10* with 317 reviews, Rotten tomatoes 71% with 7 audience scores, Amazon 5* with 390 reviews.

  

89 min, Crime directed by John Hayes, written by Ann Cleaves, Martha Hillier, Paul Matthew Thompson with Brenda Blethyn, Kenny Doughty, Jon Morrison, Christopher Colquhoun and Noof McEwan, Kate Dickie, Steve Evets, David Wilmot, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Martin McCann, Jonjo O’Neill.

Masterpiece Theatre: Van der Valk aired September 20, 2020 episode 2 titled Only In Amsterdam aired 9/20/2020

     Van der Valk doesn’t want to be disturbed by a phone call from Hassell.  He’s involved in a pool game and that is much more important!!  Meanwhile, a young woman is studying religious imagery at the famous Gilbert Library's spiritual center. Soon after she heads out to meet someone at a hotel.  This person turns out to be a murderer!!  The next morning, De Vries and Clooves watch video footage.  Hassell sets out to investigate the victim.  She is Aamina Jabara and she was found by the cleaners who came to the hotel room.  Unusually, she has a twin sister.

     It is confirmed that the person who booked the room was Francis Rakoczy.  Spiritual center leader Klaas Gilbert says at first that he doesn’t know Aamina?  His assistant Janneke Paulis states that she came in regularly to the center.  Rakoczy is not a researcher but an ancient alchemist.  The drug ayahuasca was found in Aamina’s system and this would have caused her to be tripping when she died.  5* (I liked this series)  

90 min directed by Max Porcelijn, written by Chris Murray and Nicolas Freeling with Marc Warren, Maisie McCoy, Luke Allen-Gale, Elliot Barnes-Worrell, Darrell D’Dilva, Emma Fielding, Taj Atwal, Juliet Aubrey.

Note:  Imdb * out of 10* with 290 reviews, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 67 global reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 77% with 13 critic ratings.  

Season 1 Frankie Drake Mysteries Episode 6 Whisper Sisters aired 12/11/2017 43 min

    There are dozens of incredible costumes and an occasional murder thrown into this episode.  Frankie is kidnapped and she is flirting with a gangster.  Trudy and Mary are tasked with finding her and solving this case.  Mary Shaw in the role of the morality officer is beginning to branch out and expand in her character. 

        After a shooting injures the young son of a friend, Frankie and Trudy's investigation leads them into the dangerous world of bootlegging.  Mary’s troublemaking sister makes an appearance.  There is a search for a missing school teacher.  Also involved are human trafficking and family squabbles with a dash of feminism added.  5* (I really liked this series)

Note:  Imdb 7.3* out of 10* with 107 reviews, telltaletv.com 4* out of 5* tv.com 3*, Amazon Season 1 4.5* out of 5*, Imdb 7.3* out of 10* with 107 reviews Season 1, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 6 critic ratings 41% with 20 user ratings, fandom.com, aired 12/11/2017 

Masterpiece Theatre: Van der Valk aired October 13, 2020

      Piet Van der Valk is an engaging, unapologetic and street-smart detective.  He leads his dynamic team to solve mysterious crimes using astute human observation and inspired detection in and around contemporary Amsterdam.

     I thought it was interesting see the Dutch city, businesses and apartments.  The actors have a pronounced British accent and they use a breezy clipped British slang.  In Amsterdam, people speak English with a characteristic international accent.  The Dutch pronunciation for the names of some of the main characters was not accurate either.  I also thought the actors were too glib at times and more interested in being hip than solving the crimes???  3 1/2* (I liked this series)

MPAA ratings PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) directed by Max Porcelijn, Jean Van De Velde, Colin Teague with Marc Warren, Maisie McCoy, Luke Aleen-Gale, Elliot Barnes Worrell, Darrell D’Silva.  Disc run time 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Note:  Imdb 4 1/2* out of 61 ratings, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 61 global ratings, Amazon 77% with 13 critic ratings, shop.pbs.org 5* with 5 reviews.

Special Note:  There is another series titled Van der Valk Mysteries: Set 1.  This is from 1972 and it is a Thames Television police show based on Nicolas Freeling’s fictional Dutch police detective starring Barry Foster.

Vera Season 7 Episode 2, Dark Angel aired 3/26/2017

      The body of a young man and drug addict Nathan Weaver is found face down in a rural river area by Thurston Woods.  The victim was murdered and Vera wonders why he had not sold a valuable ring.  Was the ring used to finance his habit?  Tracing the victim’s identity proves to be difficult for Vera and her team.  DCI Vera Stanhope is forced to delve back into an old case to unmask the killer.

      Nathan had briefly worked at Brian Bennick’s food factory and he fathered a child by Kelly.  She is another addict he met at Father O’Brien’s needle exchange program.  The night Nathan died, he had been at a deserted farmhouse.  Several years earlier Eddie Thurston was arrested for murdering his wife at this farmhouse and he is a suspect in this case.

Crime, 89 min, producer Elaine Collins, Executive producers Kate Bartlett, Kate Lewis, Myar Craig-Brown and Michael Dawson with Brenda Blethyn, Neil Armstrong, Sam Fender, Samantha Neale, Wunmi Mosaku, Paul Ritter, Juliet Aubrey, Murray Head, Patrick Toomy, Paul Higgins, Colin Conway, Kenny Doughty, Jon Morrison, Christopher Colquhoun and Noof McEwan.

Note:  Imdb 7.9* out of 10* with 318 reviews, play.google.com5*, Amazon 5* with 514 global ratings 92%. 

Special Note:  The prison scenes were filmed within the former Northallerton Prison in North Yorkshire.  Much of the prison is now demolished and is being redeveloped.

Wallander Swedish version episode 8 12/29/2006 - The Photographer, aired 12/30/2006

      An American tourist is found dead and her husband demands that the body and all her possessions be returned.  Just before her death, she visited a renowned photographer and this fuels the suspicion of adultery.  Wallander takes an interest in the angry husband and suspects there is more to the photographer than meets the eye.

     War photographer Robert Thuresson's work is being put on display in Ystad.  American Sarah Lyell argues with Thuresson before the exhibition and later is found dead.  She was at the gallery and she also took one of his photos.  The case extends beyond Sweden as Wallander finds a motive for the death.  Wallander also learns that Sarah and Robert Thuresson had been in Kabul together previously on a humanitarian mission. 5* (I really like this series)

89 min, Crime directed by Jonas Grimas, written by Ola Saltin, Henning Mankell and Jonas Grimas with Krister Henriksson, Ola Rapace Fredrik Gunnarsson, Marianne Moreck, Cecilia Nilsson, Inga Edwards, Emilie Strandberg, Robin Ellis, Hassan Hadi, Johanna Saillstrom.

Note:  Amazon 5 1/2* with 13 reviews, Imdb 7.6* out of 10* with 5.5k reviews,

Vera Season 7 Episode 1, Natural Selection aired 3/19/2017

     DCI Vera Stanhope and her sergeant Aiden Healy investigate the mysterious death of a park ranger.  Her body was found on a remote island off the coast of Northumberland.  CC TV has been accessed but it doesn’t show anything about the murder?  Previously, a young boy Danny Anderson was killed while climbing?  Does that unsolved cold case have anything to do with this new case?

    This death is suspicious and in is on Ternstone.  This remote and inaccessible island off the coast is home only to numerous species of birds.  The rangers are involved in observing the habitat and behavior of the different bird types.  There are many complications related to this case but Vera and Aiden have to find out the truth.  5* (I really liked this episode)

Note:  Imdb 7.7* out of 10* with 354 reviews, The Telegraphy 2* out of 5*, Amazon 5* with 390 reviews, play.google.com 5*.

Special Note:  Filming locations Farne Islands, Craster Harbor Alnwick, Beadnell, The Forge Red Row Morpeth, Souter Lighthouse Marsen, South Shields, Tyne & Wear. 

Crime, 89 min, producer Elaine Collins, Executive producers Kate Bartlett, Kate Lewis, Myar Craig-Brown and Michael Dawson with Brenda Blethyn, Neil Armstrong, Sam Fender, Gabrielle Ross, Samantha Neale, Wunmi Mosaku, Paul Ritter, Juliet Aubrey, Murray Head, Patrick Toomy, Paul Higgins, Colin Conway, Kenny Doughty, Jon Morrison, Christopher Colquhoun, and Noof McEwan.

Swedish Wallander Episodes 07-09 2010

     This series is filmed in Sweden and it is every bit as good as the Wallander episodes starring Kenneth Branagh filmed in Britain.  The subjects are somewhat dark but the genre is very good.  Some scenes are not for the fainthearted. These Swedish episodes are amazing!  I liked the British version but these episodes have something little extra. 

     Filming was discontinued because the actress Johanna Sällström died.  She was battling depression most of her life and after surviving a tsunami in Thailand she was unable to cope.  This was a sad occurrence because she was young at the age of 32.  She was also in Beneath the Surface 1997.  Some say the Swedish version is the better one but I'm still going to continue with Kenneth Branagh's versions as they come out.  5* (I really liked this episode)

Note:  Imdb Swedish 9* out of 10* with 71 reviews, British 7.6* out of 10* with 5.4K reviews, Amazon 4 1/2* out of 5* with 14 customer reviews.   

Note:  Imdb British Season 1-2009 7.8* out of 10*, Season 2-2010, 7.7* out of 10*.  Imdb Swedish 2005-2013, 22 episodes 7.6* out of 10*.  In the British version Jeany Spark was in the episodes from 2008-2015.  She has also been in Red Lights 2012, Fifth Estate 2013 and Line of Duty 2012.  

Note:  Henning Mankell directed 30 tv series episodes between 2005 and 2013, 11 tv series episodes 2008-2015, Tarot tv series from 2010-2016, Mote om efermiddagen short radio play, Young Wallander tv series 7 episodes from 2020-2021.

Snow Angels 2007

      On a cold afternoon with snow on the ground, the high school band is practicing for the last football game.  Suddenly, they hear gun shots?  Then there is a flashback to a few weeks before.  Arthur is a high school student, his after school job is bussing at a restaurant.  Annie and Barb are waitresses at the same place.  Annie was Arthur's babysitter when he was much younger.  

     Annie is now separated from her husband Glenn.  He is on the wagon because of too much drinking, starting a new job, praying and trying to prove he has his life back together.  He is doing all of this so he can see more of their small daughter, Tara.  Annie has been seeing someone else, Arthur's parents have just separated and Arthur is attracted to Lila.  She is a new student at the high school.  It's a small town, people's lives cross and gossip never stops going around.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

107 min, Crime directed and written by David Gordon Green and based on a novel by Stewart O’Nan with Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell, Michael Angarano, Jeannetta Arnette, Griffin Dunne, Nicky Katt, Tom Noonan, Connor Paolo, Amy Sedaris, Olivia Thirlby, Grace Hudson.

Quote:  Louise Parkinson:  You never know what fate has in store for you, sweetheart.  It's funny how you can tell the fake smiles in pictures.  Arthur Parkinson:  You notice people don’t bring out cameras on sad days?

Reviews:  Note:  Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 13K ratings, Rotten Tomatoes 67% with 113 critic reviews, 67% with 5,000 + ratings, reel views.net/reelviews/snow-angels 2 1/2*, Letterboxd 3.4* out of 5* with 3 reviews, slash.film.com 8* out of 10* Peter Sciretta, Amazon 4* with 147 ratings. 

Note:  Sam Rockwell really did hit his head on the truck and he punched the tree.  Previously, he got tips from a stunt man on how to head-bang the truck without hurting himself too much. But, when he hit the tree with his knuckles, he did it for real and hard!!  He visited a hospital for medical in the evening.

Special Note:  If Glenn is really seeking to see more of his daughter, why is he thinking about putting the moves on Lila, a teen student at the high school??  This really raises a red flag because of the age gap!!

Mistake:  In the scene where Arthur takes a swig from a bottle of beer hidden on the floor, he raises it with the label facing him.  In the next scene, as he lowers the bottle, the label can be clearly seen facing the camera.

Special Note:  Deauville Film Festival, Nominee 2008 for Grand Special Prize, David Gordon Green, Golden Trailer Awards 2008 Nominee Golden Trailer, Best Dram Poster, National Board of Review, USA 2008 Winner NBR Award, Top Independent Films, Satellite Awards 2008 Nominee Tim Orr Best Cinematography, Sundance Film Festival 2007 Nominee Grand Jury Prize Dramatic David Gordon Green. 

Wallander Swedish version episode 7 12/29/2006 - The Tricksters

      Kurt Wallander is working on a murder case involving a charming yet evil horse dealer.  The man appears to have been hit on the head by one of his horses?  There is a hoof indention on the back of his scalp.  The investigation delves deeper and shows that the victim is a man who plays on the vulnerability of lonely women?  There is a possibility that money may have been taken from the house after the man was dead?  Kurt finds himself romantically involved with a married woman.

     A mysterious woman the farmer had met through the personal ads appears to be involved.  Also, the farmer was a gambler and he made bets every day but he usually didn’t win?  Is it possible that someone found out he had won some money and they went to the farm to get it for themselves?  Kurt doesn’t know how it will play out with the woman he met??  5* (I really liked this episode)

Note:  Imdb 5.8* out of 10* with 817 reviews, Amazon 4 1/2* with 14 reviews. 

87 min, Crime, Episode 7 aired 12/29/2006, directed by Jonas Grimas and written by Petra Revenue, Henning Mankell and Jonas Grimas with Krister Henriksson, Ola Rapace, Fredrik Gunnarsson, Marianne Morck, Katrin Sundberg, Cecilia Nilsson, Andrea Edwards, Jacob Nordenson, Johanna Sallstrom, Angel Kovacs, Mats Bergman, Stina Ekblad, Ylva Loof.

The Blacklist: Season 5 (2017-2018) Episode 2 aired 10/4/2017 Title: Greyson Blaise

      Liz claims her alliance is with the task force but she’s becoming much too comfortable with Red and too quickly.  She wouldn't have any reservations about going back to the dark side.  That would be a thrill ride for her??  Red realizes he may have gone too far and he doesn’t want to see Liz take a fall.  But, Red has the Task Force eating out of his hands.  They have no choice but to do what he wants.  Especially if they want to stay in business and under the radar of the new director who hasn’t arrived yet!! 

     The latest case is that the team chases a billionaire that moonlights as a high end art thief.  Dembe is following a lead and Tom is trying to help identify the remains in the mysterious suitcase?  2* I did not like this season and watched episode 1 and two only.

Note:  tvfanatic.com4* out of 5* editor rating 3.7* out of 5* user rating with 46 votes, Imdb 8.38 out of 10* with 1,223 votes. 

60 min, Crime directed by Donald E. Thorin Jr., First Assistant Director John Gallagher, Script Coordinator Sam Christopher, Script Supervisor Christine Gee, Second Assistant Director Jacquire Dore with James Spader Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff, Ryan Eggold, Harry Lennix, Hisham Tawfiq, Amir Arison, Mozhan Marno, Owain Yeoman, Riann Steele, Caprice Benedettim, Delphi Harrington, Peter Albrink.

The Blacklist: Season 5 (2017-2018) Episode 1

 TITLE:  Smokey Putnam, aired 9/27/2017

          There are 22 episodes in this season.  Reddington gets resourceful, Ressler’s mistake surfaces.  With his criminal empire in ruins, Red enlists Liz in a plan to earn cash and deliver a new Blacklister to the Task Force.

     Following the war between Raymond Reddington and Mr. Kaplan in the previous season, Raymond's greatest secret, the suitcase containing an unidentified human skeleton has been missing.  Raymond and Dembe Zuma desperately search for it. 

     During the search, they are faced by a new adversary Ian Garvey, he is a corrupt U.S. Marshall and drug kingpin.  He wants the suitcase so he can undermine Raymond's criminal empire.  Also he wants to put in danger Raymond's allies, especially Elizabeth Keen.  Elizabeth questions her relationship with Raymond concerning whether he is her biological father or not as was hinted at the end of Season 4.  She later discovers the existence of one person (Fiona Dourif) who has an unexpected connection to Reddington.  This leads to an unsettling discovery at the end of the season.  I did not like this episode and I have not watched the previous seasons.  I thought that James Spader was over the top and this series is not very good.  I did liked the Corvette very much!!!  Consequently, I watched this episode and one more. 2* (I did not like this season)

Crime each episode 43 min directed by Bill Roe, written by Jon Bokenkamp, John Eisendrath, Marisa Tam (story editor) with James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff, Ryan Eggold, Amir Arison, Mozhan Marno, Hisham Tawgfiq, Henry Lennix, Michael Aronov, James Carpinello.

Note:  Imdb 8.2* out of 10* with 1.3K reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 5 critic ratings, 86% with 326 user ratings, tvfanatic.com editor rating 4.5* out of 5*, user rating 4.9* out of 5* with 44 votes, tvovermind.com 4.5* out of 5* user reviews 5* one vote.

Special Note:  The red car Raymond Reddington (James Spader) steals at the beginning of the episode is a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette C1.  Filming location is New York City, New York USA. 

Special Note:  The red car Raymond Reddington (James Spader) steals at the beginning of the episode is a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette C1.  Filming location is New York City, New York USA.  

One Mississippi, tv series, Season 1, Episode 3,The Cat’s Out, aired 9/9/2016

      Tig is blamed for Bill’s cat escaping out the front door.  Tig’s biological father Mick insists on leading a search for the cat.  While searching together, Tig and her brother Remy discover their mother had a son out of wedlock and he lives next door?  After the search for the cat, Tig begins recording her show at a local radio station.  She meets Kate, she is the off-beat local sound engineer and a fan of Tig’s work.

     The cat is not located but Tig and Remy believe that cat will come home on its own??  Their discovery of another relative so nearby has erased the cat departure and search from their minds  When they think back about it they are disappointed for Bill that the cat is still missing!!   4* (I liked this episode)

27 min, directed by Nicle Holofcener, written by Tig Notaro, Diablo Cody, Cara DiPaolo with Tig Notaro, Noah Harpster, John Rothman, Rya Kihistedt, Martha Madison, Ritchie Montgomery, Stephanie Allynne.

Note:  Imdb 7.9* out of 10* with 153 reviews, Vulture 3* out of 5*, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 3,640 reviews.

The Cheap Detective 1978

      Lou Peckinpaugh (Peter Falk) as the Cheap Detective has entered a world that is half Casablanca (1942) and half The Maltese Falcon (1941).  It is a satirical look at Humphrey Bogart's movies with Lou going through a series of scenes from both movies.  He is also trying to keep ahead of the Police who think he killed his partner? He is also trying to find the black bird.

     Peter Falk must have used cue cards in order to remember all his lines?  He talks and lot and he is in almost every scene.  There are so many funny scenes in this movie!!  It is difficult to keep track and remember them!!  Some characters are wearing disguises.  You have to look at them closely or check the list of the actors to figure out who the actors are!!!  5* (I really liked this movie)

92 min, comedy directed by Roger Moore and written by Neil Simon with Peter Falk, Ann-Margret, Eileen Brennan, Sid Caesar, Stockard Channing, James Coco, Dom DeLuise, Louise Fletcher, John Houseman, Madeline Kahn, Fernando Lamas, Marsha Mason, Phil Silvers, Abe Vigoda.

Note:  Rotten Tomatoes 65% with 20 critic reviews 835 with 10,000+ user ratings, Imdb 7.4* out of 10* with 36K reviews, Letterboxed 3.1* out of 5*, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 264 global ratings.

Special Note:  This title is used because the detectives in these old films never got paid!!  This profession always involves danger and it’s a job not for the bucks but it is a lifestyle.  Released 6/23/78 in the US.  Languages are English and German.  Also known as Neil Simon’s The Cheap Detective.  Budget was $6,000,000 and box office was $28,221,552.

Mistake:  Approximately 45 minutes in, Lou meets with the character played by Madeline Kahn in his office.  A male member of the movie crew is visible and he is seated on a couch.  He wearing a pink shirt and glasses.  He appears to be reading a script.  He is only visible for about a second as the camera pans across the room?

Frankie Drake Season 1 Episode 5 Out of Focus

      The basic story is that Frankie and Trudy need to go undercover on a silent movie set.  They intend to solve a seemingly impossible murder??  The ultimate solution is one that’s both clever and that makes sense.  The larger basic story is about women, work and the things that are expected of them.

     There is a lot of time spent with Sofia DeVoe.  She is a silent film star and her life is in danger.  During the investigation about this mystery, we learn a lot about the industry and the place where she works.  It is terrible for women in many aspects.  Not just that someone might want to kill you??  Also, Sofia is willing to commit murder to protect herself and her job.  Will Frankie be able to solve the mystery and also manage some physical stunt work that everyone assumed she could not do???  5* (I really like this series)

43 min, aired 12/4/17 directed by Sudz Suatherland and written by John Callaghan with Lauren Lee Smith Chantel Riley, Rebecca Liddiard, Sharron Mathews, Emmanuel Kabongo.  Also written by Carol Hay and Michelle Ricci, executive producers Christina Jennings, Scott Garvie, Cal Coons, producers Jonathan Hacket, Julie Lacey.

Note:  Amazon 4 /12* out of 5* with 463 ratings, Imdb 7.5* out of 10*with 125 reviews, telltaletv.com3* out of 5*, play.google.com 4* out of 5* with 9 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 6 ratings Audience score 41% with 20 ratings. 

One Mississippi, tv series, Season 1, Episode 2, Title: Effects, aired 9/9/2016

      Tig struggles to part with her mother Caroline's possessions.  She also tries to maintain control of her radio show from Mississippi.  It is difficult to decide what to keep and what to let go.  Her stepfather Bill wants her to let go of everything!!  

     The attitude of don’t keep anything doesn’t help Tig choose what she would like to keep and what she can give away!!  Tig is also struggling for an explanation of how her mother fell and this caused her death?  What role does Bill have in what happened?  It is hard for Tig to figure this out but it is causing Bill great pain that there are doubts about the accident?  4* (I liked this series)

43 min, comedy with Tig Notaro, Noah Harpster, John Rothman, Casey Wilson, Rya Kihistedt executive Producers Louis C.K., Diablo Cody, Tig Notaro.

Note:  Rotten Tomatoes 93% with 45 critic ratings 87% with 174 user scores, Amazon 4.3* with 3,640 reviews, Imdb 7.4* out of 10*, Imdb 7.7* out of 10* with 145 reviews.

All At Sea (original title Wide Blue Yonder) 2010

      This is a comedy about an old rogue named Wally.  It was adapted by UK playwright Hugh Janes from his mid-1990’s play Wide Blue Yonder.  It was originally written as a starring vehicle for the late Eric Sykes.  Wally breaks all the rules to fulfill and old friends dying wish to be buried at sea.  He learns that you can’t just toss his friend and best mate Skipper into the ocean??  There are many rules, regulations and forms to be filled out.  Wally is also a pirate and he heists liquor being shipped into the local port.  He causes a scene at the funeral for his friend but many of the locals are not surprised about this turn of events!!

     Almost every one of the actors in this film is old enough to live in a retirement home and they do!!!  Wally is always breaking the rules and he now has a new roommate since his friend has passed away.  There are a lot of great sea ditties

(short sailing songs and they usually have dirty language?  There is a lot of photography of Norway and the old sailors.  4* (I liked this movie) 

 

88 min, comedy directed by Robert Young and written by Hugh Janes with Brian Cox, Lauren Bacall, James Fox, Here Schoyen, Kare Conradi, Ingrid Bolso Berdal, Sverre Anker Ousdal, Anne Ryg, Elsa Lystad, Astrid Overa, Harald Kolaas, Nicholas Hope, Janna Kari Kvinnesland, Erik Madsen.

Note:  Imdb 7.7* out of 10* with 165 reviews, Amazon 4* out of 5* with 57 reviews, scottishreviews.com 3* out of 5*

Special Note:  Release date May 25, 2012 in Norway and filmed in Kopervik Norway, United Kingdom.  Estimated budget 47,000,000, gross worldwide $87,591.  There is a book with the same title but it is about the accidental drowning of The Guardian journalist Decca Aikenhead’s partner Tony while he tried to save her eldest son.

Modern Love Season 2 Episode 4 aired 8/13/2021

      “A Life Plan for Two, Followed by One” stars talented up-and-comer Dominique Fishback as a young comedienne by the name of Lil.  One night, while performing a stand-up set, she sees her lifelong crush in the audience.  From then on, we’re taken on a series of flashbacks that show how the two met, how they became friends and what happened to their will they/won’t they relationship.  Lil is the new girl in school and she falls for her best friend Vince.  Will Lil move up to girlfriend status or remain in the friend zone?   

     This episode is difficult to follow and it is about the romance between Lil and her love interest Vince (played by Isaac Powell).  Flashbacks can be an effective device for plots and storytelling but it makes this love story seem less interesting than the other stories?  Compared to another episode in this season with flashbacks being used to move along the plot, this episode feels too rushed??  (3 1/2* I liked this episode)

Note:  readysteadycut.com 2.5* out of 5* with 2 1/2*, Amazon 3* out of 5* with 441 reviews, Imdb 8* out of 10*, primetimer.com ranked 11 out of 1-11.  

The Lady Vanishes 2013

     Returning home from the Balkans during the 1930's, Iris Carr boards a train.  Before she boarded she suffered a blow to the head when she fell down.  She is befriended by a Miss Froy.  She is a former governess to a family headed by a baroness traveling with her poorly sister and medical staff.  When Miss Froy disappears, everyone denies ever seeing her??  They are claiming that Iris must have imagined Miss Froy because of the knock to her head.  Only language student Max Hare is sympathetic and even he has his doubts.  

     A German woman is produced and passed off as the missing lady??  Max unwittingly becomes part of the plot to dissuade Iris from her search for the truth. This film was originally intended to air around Christmas 2012 but it was delayed.

Special Note:  If you look carefully, there are red letters in some of the crew's names.  In order, they spell out "The Wheel Spins," the novel by Ethel Lena White on which this movie is based. Three different versions of the Lady Vanishes were written by George Axelrod for ABC but none of them were filmed.  The rights reverted to Rank Films and then it was made into a movie.     

    

90 min, mystery directed by Diarmuid Lawrence and written by Fiona Seres, Ethel Lina White with Charles Aitken, Paolo Antonio Simioni, Beatrix Biro, Marta Bolfan, Selina Cadell, Jesper Christensen, Stephanie Cole, Vilmos Cserenak, Zsuzsa David, Emeral Fennell, Balazs Galko, Daniel Gosling, Istvan Gyurity, Benedikte Hansen, Keeley Hawes, Tom Hughes.

Note:  Imdb 6.1 out of 10* with 2K ratings, Rotten Tomatoes 39% with 50+ ratings, SFgate.com sitting up in the seat David Wiegand. 

Special Note:  Other versions of The Lady Vanishes were released in 1938 (directed by Alfred Hitchcock), 1992 and 2008.  It is interesting to see some of the characters from other British movies and TV shows in this 2013 film!!