Black Snow on iPlayer is very watchable. Two series with great stories and good characters
Seconded. Watch them in the correct order, if possible 🙂
Just started watching Mobland. Only on E02 but I'm liking the dark humour. A tad less violence than Gangs of London.
Being recently unemployed - I'm spending some time in the gym at the moment - specifically on the treadmill catching up on shows/movies.
Reviews so far:
Fountain of youth: Guy Richie's Indiana Jones/Romancing the Stone adventure. It's rated 12, and thats probably right - it would keep a 12 year old entertained, and thats about it. Looked stunning, and some decent set pieces - it was all just a bit lightweight. It about the same calibre as his "ministry of ungentlemanly warfare" - feels like something to watch on telly on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The "Eiza Gonzales" rule applies though - she's in it, therefore I will watch it.
Warfare: Had high hopes for this - but meh. It was ok. I can see how a load of US veterans were getting PTSD episodes from it - it did give the the feeling that it was an very faithful portrayal of an "engagement", with lots of stress and shouting. Most of my issue with it was that it was shot almost entirely within a small building (with the focus on the team within) - whereas everything was happening outside. There was a scene in black Hawk down where a small contingent of troops were holed-up in a small room, with their injured comrade lying on a table while they furiously tried to perform first aid on him. It was like 90 mins of that. It was a good film for sure, but didn't really do it for me.
Working man: The Stathe. Even by his recent standards.... this was terrible. Borderline unwatchable.
Murderbot: This is ok - not too serious, quite watchable.
Clarkson's Farm (latest series): I know this is going to be quite polarising. But being as objective as possible - this is good telly. This latest season is better than the last one - which is good, as the first 1 (2?) were a bit too "top-gear" - this one is better.
Havoc: Unwatchably shit. Tom Hardy is supposed to be "brooding" but he just comes across as perpetually confused. Not even Timothy Olyphant can save it.
I'm going to watch Micky 17 tomorrow - but it's over 2 hours long - so I might have to do that over 2 days
We started Dept Q on Netflix. Despite the main character being a rather extreme knobber, it seems very watchable so far.
I think it's decent. It's slightly like Slow Horses - the boss is an obnoxious dick and the others are misfits, but they get the job done.
the boss is an obnoxious dick
I don't mind that, but his fixation on bad parking is annoying 😉 🤣 🤣
Another shout out for The Residence. Like a long version of Knives Out... And I mean that in a good way. However if you didn't like Knives Out, you won't like The Residence either 🤣
Just finished Hierro S1, on Channel 4.
Murder on the Canary island of the same name, all very Spanish.
Some fantastic acting, and some amazing scenery, I really enjoyed it.
Quite dark in places, best not to watch with the children.
We’ve just finished Dept Q and thought it was great. I was just thinking how well the main character would fit in around here 😂
Dept Q. Great so far. Excellent first episode. Cleverly put together.
Finished your Friends and Neighbors (apple) - thoroughly enjoyed this cross-genre satire on the failure/success of the eastern wealth set of the USA. Something slightly different to crime procedural etc. John Hamm is great. Some sharp observations.
was recommended on here a few pages back i think, but really enjoying Jules and Gregs Wild Swim on iplayer.
some beautiful locations and beaches in scotland, water looks a bit fresh tho! theyre always laughing together and theres plenty of mental health discussions with the local wild swimming groups they meet.
jules was previously in balamory which id not heard (sounds a bit kids tv-ish), but what actually blew my mind was Greg was Victor in Still Game!!!!!
how does that even happen?? hes in his 50s now so must have been 30ish when it was filmed.
Haha, I was saying to my GF the other day, they better do a reunion show once they're actually in their 60s or 70s - but will they look like they did with all the make up?
She said Greg is a regular at an outdoor swimming spot she goes to in Glasgow.
Watched a few episodes of Dept Q, might finish it might not. The Edinburgh setting doesn't work for me as few of the characters sound like they come from Edinburgh. It might well have been fine if they had set it in the same area as the novels.
It might well have been fine if they had set it in the same area as the novels.
So it would be better to set it in Copenhagen than Edinburgh?
Yeah i thought it was Scandi-noir origin?
The Edinburgh setting doesn't work for me as few of the characters sound like they come from Edinburgh
If you live in any major city, you’ll find a hefty chunk of the population don't originally come from there. Didn’t even register with me and I thought Edinburgh made for a great location.
I couldn’t give a monkeys about where the book was set. I’m sure filming it in Copenhagen would have doubled the budget required. A major consideration in a TV production environment which is presently dying on its arse
We Both thought it was a fantastic first series, having finished it last night and bring on the next (there’s another 8 books, isn’t there?)
It’s certainly a big step up from the Harlen Coben dross that Netflix usually pump out under the guise of ‘drama’
So it would be better to set it in Copenhagen than Edinburgh?
You mean like the Danish movies it's based on?
Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes
You mean like the Danish movies it's based on?
That was sort of my point. To spell it out - what sense does it make to be unhappy that the cast don't have the right accent, and suggest it be transposed to a city where they don't even have the right language?
Blimey! It’s not like they shot it in Milton Keynes, is it? Edinburgh is a stunning backdrop, full of character.
I’m pretty sure Edinburgh council will have been fluttering its eye-lashes at Netflix and dropping heavy inducements to come and film the 9 series of their flagship drama there. As will plenty of other places
A lot of this stuff ends up being filmed in Bolton (all the aforementioned Harlen Coben stuff, for example) as despite most of the town centre being boarded up/vape shops/bookies, there’s also some stunning old architecture. Something Bolton council is very well-versed in pointing out to TV production companies
jules was previously in balamory which id not heard (sounds a bit kids tv-ish)
@sadexpunk wouldn't you like to know?
@sadexpunkwouldn't you like to know?
we-ell not really, but i googled it anyway and turns out i was right.
also googled the other chappie (ford kiernan) cos i thought no way was HE a young pup too, he must have definitely been an old man, and turns out he was 40!!
mind blown twice now 😀
Enjoyed Sirens (Netflix) - had a very White Lotus vibe to it.
We're watching Network Q. I'm enjoying it, but I'm increasingly getting the feeling that it's only just managing to not tip over from 'intricate and quirky' to 'convoluted and daft'. We'll see.
And, oddly, we've started watching Bruce Parry's 'Tribe' on iPlayer. Never saw them the first time. Blimmin'eck, you can't say he's not committed... Excellent viewing.
jules was previously in balamory which id not heard (sounds a bit kids tv-ish)
@sadexpunk wouldn't you like to know?
Great work 👏
Would I get banned for a "blowing a Hooley" joke?
I used to live in the big yellow house, that have been before Josie Jump's time though
Dept Q and Pokerface are the 2 we're watching now, since Our Friends and Neighbours season ended. Good TV, the former is a little like Slow Horses but with nastier but compelling characters.
Slow Horses season 5 to air from 27 Sept:
https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/slow-horses-season-5-release-date-confirmed-newsupdate/
I really warmed to Friends and Neighbours. Likewise The Studio
Am enjoying Murderbot .
And that's about it right now. Just cancelled NowTV now the Last of Us has finished . Giving Dept Q a chance but otherwise seem to have run out of telly
I don't mind the Edinburgh setting on dept-q.
Someone has thought through the production design and carried the gothic theme all the way which that mushy 70s look. Bit of Trainspotting design in their with the lighting too.
Well I have watched all of Department Q , still don't think it's really got much in the script that sounds like Edinburgh but I might even watch another series if they make one.
Maybe TJ will be in it? Though his accent is disappointingly un-Edinburgh, despite his obvious cultural appropriation…
Just started watching 'Stick'
Ted Lasso for golf. Been OK so far.
We watched Mountainhead last night on Sky Atlantic and thought it lived up to the rave reviews it’s been getting…. it was excellent!
It’s got that air of Succession about it (which can only be a good thing), with the same brilliant scriptwriting. The main thing about it though, is that the nightmare scenario which it depicts seems all too terrifyingly plausible, given the recent behavior of the Tech Bro’s .
Well worth a watch
FUBAR season 2 lands today!
Netflix. Season 1 was great 🙂
I don't mind the Edinburgh setting on dept-q.
Someone has thought through the production design and carried the gothic theme all the way which that mushy 70s look. Bit of Trainspotting design in their with the lighting too.
It's quite odd in the locations and set design - I keep half-expecting to be told that there's a portal downstairs and they must go to alternative realities to solve the murders, or somesuch, it's got that kind of slight surreal feel to it.
2 episodes in and we're liking it; the Syrian guy is the heart of it I'd say as the only really likeable character
the Syrian guy is the heart of it I'd say as the only really likeable character
He's a bit clumsy, bumps into people and stuff. I would give him a wide berth.
it's got that kind of slight surreal feel to it.
Agreed!
Rewatching Fubar atm, and in a sea of unbelievable nonsense, the line 'I got into HR to help people' is still somehow the least believable thing in it.
Rewatching Fubar atm,
Series 2 is quite promising aside from some dire special effects. Arnie does a good line in self-deprecation and sending up previous movie characters.
I liked the line: I'll be back! In a couple of hours or so depending on the traffic.
This popped up in my YT feed.
Only 28 mins long but worth a watch.
Zero Day on netflix.
Stellar cast, twisty, turny story. 3 episodes in and enjoying it.
53% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7/10 IMDB, but worth more IMHO (so far anyway)
Can't believe I forgot to add this weeks ago. For pure, unalloyed pleasure, watch the Asterix Combat de Chefs cartoon on Netflix. The road sign bit made me almost wet myself.
I'd never seen 28 Days Later so as its on iPlayer I though I'd watch it tonight to give a bit of context in case I watch 28 Years later and because it gets high scores on review sites etc etc
Total rubbish - Honestly, Shaun of the Dead had more depth and at least that was supposed to be funny.
I know its hard to make a good zombie film as the subject matter has been sent up ever since Bad Taste but to be fair the zombies were probably the least worst bit anyway. When you have bad acting, bad dialogue, ridiculous plot and awful pacing then it comes as a relief to have some flesh chomping carnage just to get the film over with.
Tragic, how did it become so highly rated?
Heads of State (just released on Amazon Prime) is quite entertaining. It's a very similar look and feel to The Hitman's Bodyguard (mismatched buddy duo, hot woman agent who used to be romantically involved, double cross/traitor on the inside, mildly dubious special effects) but it has its amusing moments.
Sandman season 2 is really good at inducing sleep....
Sandman season 2 is really good at inducing sleep....
To be fair, you can't say you weren't warned! 😉
I know its hard to make a good zombie film
Zombieland, and the sequel Zombieland 'double tap' are hillariously brilliant and funny... absolute mandatory watching.
On the subject of Zombies.. Z-nation series is really funny as well... if you like zombie films, they are top banana.
Another very notable series is 'black summer', for a more serious/grity zombie experience.
And of course 'last of us', whilst not technically zombies in the traditional sense, is superb.
Honorable mention to 'Train to Busan', a Korean zombie flick.
Can you tell I like zombie movies? lol
Shifty on iplayer.
Done in archive clips,it gives (I think) a good take on why a lot of the UK is the way it is now.
Apologies if you end up shouting FFS at the telly 😉 🤣
