Streaming recommendations (including Netflix)

Has anyone been watching The Listeners on BBC? Absolutely stupid. Stupid premise. Stupid characters. Stupid plot. In the end I was hoping that the police would burst in and shoot them all. Including the stupid husband and the stupid daughter. Stupid. Did I mention that ?

Nobody’s Listening, I guess.

We’ve hit a bit of a purple-patch with TV at the moment IMO – there are a few new things about that I’m really enjoying, which seems to buck the trend of the last few years where things seem to have been utter shite by default.

Black Doves:  Just finished watching it – fantastic.  Production values were very high indeed – London looked absolutely great.  But it was the cast and script that really made it.  Old-mate Paddington was absolutely superb, as were ALL of the supporting cast (some of which were quite ritchie-esque).  Sarah Lancashire was wonderful and Kiera Knightly was really, really good too.  It was also genuinely funny – great comedy timing and jokes about Waitrose shoppers and nutribullets really made me laugh.  Ben Whitshaws character drives an old BMW – “thats a really cool car” I said to Mrs Batfink, later on it’s criticized in passing buy one of the characters as being “ostentatiously cool for a spy” or something like that – in like a wierd (almost 4th-wall breaking) acknowledgement – lots of subtle humorous moments like that between all the characters.  My only criticism was that the gunfight sequences were a bit “john wick” – but didn’t interfere with my enjoyment.

Day of the Jackal:  Haven’t finished this yet, but also very good.  Similar to black doves – the production values and performances are fantastic.  It’s lacking the humour of black doves, and you aren’t really rooting for any of the characters (even the good guys are bad guys).  Redmaine put in a good performance and was doing his best Edward fox impression (complete with cravat!) – and I delight in imagining Laurence fox watching it and seething that he didn’t  get the part.

The Agency:  Only watched the first couple of these so far – and it seems good.  Fassbender is a good choice for the lead.  Writing seems good – plot seems sufficiently knotty for my taste – promising.

Has anyone been watching The Listeners on BBC? Absolutely stupid. Stupid premise. Stupid characters. Stupid plot. In the end I was hoping that the police would burst in and shoot them all. Including the stupid husband and the stupid daughter. Stupid. Did I mention that ?

I’ve given up watching that kind of thing on the BBC – Silent Shitness (as it’s called in our house), Line of duty, vigil etc…… they are all terrible – you might as well be watching death in paradise.

Other lings I’ve watched somewhat recently that were decent:

Fargo season 5 (you don’t need to have seen the others).

The Gentlemen (I really liked it, although people have mixed opinions).

Veep (hadn’t seen it before – fantastic.  Basically a whole show of malcom-tucker dialogue)

3 body problem (very interesting plot, but we are supposed to suspend-belief and act like Eiza Gonzalez isn’t traffic-stopping beautiful – possibly the worst casting of all time)

Mare of Easttown:  Brilliant detective drama – Kate Winslet is fantastic.  Kept me guessing right up to the big reveal.  Reminded me a bit of the original broadchurch – but set in small town America.

Australian recommendations:

Deadloch:  Comedy whodunnit based in small town Tasmania.  Reminded me of Hot Fuzz.  Very enjoyable, and the humor should travel to the UK well.

Utopia: (Australian version – there is a US show of the same name):  Seems to be a copy/spin-off of 2012 and/or W1A – which is no bad thing, equally as funny imo.

Utopia: (Australian version – there is a US show of the same name):  Seems to be a copy/spin-off of 2012 and/or W1A – which is no bad thing, equally as funny imo.

Utopia was basically a new version of The Hollowmen from ~2008, which was set in Canberra. Same writers and a lot of the same cast, definite similarities to W1A. I like it, but it can get a bit cringeworthy. I’d say I prefer Rosehaven, written by and starring two of the Utopia actors.

Something I love from NZ is Educators – very funny show about bad teachers.

I’ve given up watching that kind of thing on the BBC…

Yep, it failed the twenty-minute test; another two-parter squeezed into four episodes

Has anyone been watching The Listeners on BBC? Absolutely stupid

They are collecting on my Sky box. We did watch the first one. All I can remember is the woman’s prominent clavicles and how inappropriately dressed she was for a teacher.

I watched the start of the film ‘Luce’ on Prime recently, starring Tim Roth and Naomi Watts.

Utter drivel. I think I made it to 20 minutes.

The plot can be summarised as follows: ‘nothing much happens’ which then spirals into ‘something very minor has happened’ because nobody actually talks to each other (which could have sorted it all out in 2 minutes).

When did plots become like this? (plot-driven-by-silly-communication, PDBSC)

I’ve watched two episodes of Senna on Netflix – what a pile of crap! The stand-out crapness is the racetrack they’ve used to film scenes which took place at Snetterton (Norfolk) with a mountain range in the background. Hilariously bad dialogue / acting / casting all round.

Black Doves:  Just finished watching it – fantastic.  Production values were very high indeed – London looked absolutely great.  But it was the cast and script that really made it.  Old-mate Paddington was absolutely superb, as were ALL of the supporting cast (some of which were quite ritchie-esque).  Sarah Lancashire was wonderful and Kiera Knightly was really, really good too.  It was also genuinely funny – great comedy timing and jokes about Waitrose shoppers and nutribullets really made me laugh.

Yes,very good and enjoyed the final twists and turns in the last two episodes.

It should be left there,but Netflix being Netflix,I expect them to kill the quality with a second series.

All I can remember is the woman’s prominent clavicles and how inappropriately dressed she was for a teacher.

She played the young girl in The Camomile Lawn, so maybe her style guidance was mis-oriented at a susceptible age.

Hilariously bad dialogue / acting / casting all round.

It was a Brazilian-led production so probably worked better in its home market. I was quite impressed with the efforts that went into the cars (there is also a “making of” episode which talked about the cars and racing scenes).

Snetterton (Norfolk) with a mountain range in the background.

Yeah, it was filmed in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay – hardly the Fens!

The “James Hunt, the commentator” character was accurate though – complete with glass of wine and chain smoking whereas “Murray Walker” was completely over-shadowed! 😉

Part way through Black Doves- really enjoying the twists.
Only niggle- the civil servant  that was shot by a sniper thought he was being followed, but the sniper was  the other side of the river. How did he know the guy would walk down there or get in place after following him!
And then despite being ex SAS, he was offed by the undercover spy- how did she keep up her training as the wife of a defence minister and mum?

Watched the first episode of the new Star Wars series Skeleton Crew on Disney+ last night.

Really good, very Spielberg-esque family friendly in vibe and looks like it could be one of their best.

Day of the Jackal…..weak and unsatisfying ending

Day of the Jackal…..weak and unsatisfying ending

The episode started with a lot of promise!

No spoilers but yes, could have been better. Still I guess it’s set up for a S2.

This is the problem with films and series these days. They’re all on the search for the next big franchise, spin-offs, prequels etc so they have to end like that.

We’re all loving SW Skeleton Crew…already watched the first 3 episodes. Episode 3 last night was kind of everything I want from a Star Wars episode but just a shame it wasnt longer; hope it sustains it. Neel & SM-33 are already popular characters in this house.

Enjoying The Listeners, some good folk horror vibes

Veep (hadn’t seen it before – fantastic.  Basically a whole show of malcom-tucker dialogue)

That’s Armando Iannucci for you.

Black Doves was great, slightly faded at the end when wrapping up the loose ends, but very bingeable. It had some Killing EveNess about it, and potentially fleabag. Didn’t watch any credits as Netflix only  gives you 3 seconds, but I wonder if there’s any overlap in personnel. It felt like there were a few nods to other franchises in there too (guy Ritchie eastend gangsterism; mission impossible Southbank rendezvous (pl?) and entry to impossible buildings; Bourne, you’re looking tired Pam, get some rest )

Madness was good too.

For those doing down the Beeb, watch McMafia and Night Manager, they’ll change your mind

Had high hopes for The Listeners.. Turned so absurd that I turned off the last episode. Pretentious drivel. Why do all these type of programmes insist on people living in contemporary, arty, £m+ homes, yet they have average job. It’s a bit like the cliche of old Volvo estates being the car of choice in similarly produced series’.

Black Doves on the other hand, really enjoyed it. Fast moving and engaging. If a little confusing at times if you aren’t concentrating. Not sure on the comparison to Killing Eve though (that became so drawn out and utterly ridiculous that I gave up on the latter episodes too back when it was on)

Having said all that I don’t always watch this much TV, honest!, but recovering from an op which is my excuse.

Had high hopes for The Listeners.. Turned so absurd that I turned off the last episode. Pretentious drivel.

I agree – gave up after 2 episodes.

Killing Eve though – that became so drawn out and utterly ridiculous that I gave up on the latter episodes too

Yes – started out well but just became increasingly silly.

Black Doves on the other hand, really enjoyed it

Never heard of it, but as you seem a viewer of good taste I am tempted to try it.

Why do all these type of programmes insist on people living in contemporary, arty, £m+ homes, yet they have average job.

That bugs me too. Like the cops living in flats with a Thames view.
On the subject of The Listeners, having got her mum the sack, and denounced as a pedophile and rapist, how come the daughter didn’t shut the f up? I may be a very bad parent but I wouldn’t be taking advice from a know-it-all teenager who’d just wrecked my life.

Day of the Jackal…..weak and unsatisfying ending

The episode started with a lot of promise!

No spoilers but yes, could have been better. Still I guess it’s set up for a S2.

I thought it was pretty good. But yeah, should have realised they’d want to leave it open for a another series (or more….)

We’re all loving SW Skeleton Crew…already watched the first 3 episodes.

I watched eps 2 & 3 last night, it really is one of the best SW things they’ve made and great fun.

You’re right the eps feel a bit short, but I suppose that works for the younger audience.

But yeah, should have realised they’d want to leave it open for a another series (or more….)

I feel this ruins a lot of (most?) series in the end, especially those based on books (limited source material). Wish more producers were brave enough to just do a limited series of say 8-10 episodes then just finish it!

I feel this ruins a lot of (most?) series in the end, especially those based on books (limited source material)

John le Carre’s kids doing series 2 and 3 of the Night Manager when there was only one book, and another son writing an additional George Smiley book. Not sure how those derivative stories will fare. Tho the Smiley book got reasonable reviews – one for the Xmas list.

Subservience, a Netflix film. Failed the 20-minute test, inevitable plot line even from the beginning, stereotypes galore

I’m enjoying The Queen’s Gambit (also Netflix) and I know nothing about chess

Bloodline (Netflix) Good season 1, fading in season 2, I’m giving up on season 3

@zilog6128 – strong agree; the recent “Lessons in Chemistry” was a rare example of a single season based on a single novel.

Just finished Crá on BBC iplayer, not too bad but a bit of a disappointing ending. Presume it did well for the Donegal tourist board.

Mr Calzaghe on Prime, I’d forgotten just how good he was, 46-0 despite having loads of hand injuries and retired at the top. So today’s ear worm was “super, super Joe, super, super Joe, super Joe Calzaghe”, non stop……..all day

Anyone checked out The Gorge on Apple TV? Anya Taylor Joy, usually a.sign of quality… But my god, I only watched the trailer and was in fits of laughter. Looks like some kind of parody.

Season 2 of SAS rogue heroes coming to bbc in Jan. Which means it’s the perfect time to watch/rewatch season 1.

Dear god, I’ve just endured too many episodes of Masters of the Air on Apple TV. What utter drivel. How can you spend the fortune they’ve obviously spent and produce such total rubbish? Completely incoherent, disjointed  and rambling and just felt like Team America…. AMERICA, **** YEAH!!! Apparently nobody else was involved in the second world war

What was most irritating though was the soundtrack. Absolutely everything has to be accompanied by a full brass section, a full string action, or both. The shmaltz is laid in about a foot thick

That and the unbelievably patronising ‘let’s shoehorn some black people in’ bit at the end

Seriously… just **** off. I actually carried in watching it just to see how bad it could get

If you’ve not watched this, don’t bother

Apparently nobody else was involved in the second world war

Hi, you must be new here. Welcome to the entertainment industry’s version of history. On the rare occasions that they do feature another allied nation they are displayed as caricatures; the Brits are all chinless toffs, the French are cowards, etc.

Exactly! It’s actually insulting to everyone other than the Trump supporters in shitsville Idaho who I’m sure absolutely loved this utter rubbish

Strange to see Masters of the Air denounced as ahistorical chauvinistic bollocks (which it certainly is) juxtaposed with a recommendation for SAS Rogue Heroes 🙂

I’ve just seen that all 7 ? seasons of Ideal is on iPlayer

if you are a fan of Jonny Vegas and dark surreal comedy set in the Manchester drug scene….

SASRH is tongue in cheek, MotA takes itself far too seriously.

Apparently nobody else was involved in the second world war

TBF it wasn’t about the second world war, the story arc followed a unit of the US Eighth Army Air Force which was, oddly enough, predominantly American. Whatever you do, don’t watch “Saving Private Ryan”, where you’ll see a depiction of the landing on Omaha Beach carried out almost exclusively by Americans. It’s almost as if the Brits and Canadians are attacking completely different beaches.

I wasn’t a fan of Masters Of The Air btw, largely because, as you say, it was “incoherent, disjointed and rambling”.

Saving Private Ryan didn’t find it necessary to have a soaring orchestral score whenever anyone so much as farted. I actually found that the most irritating thing about it.There we’re many contenders for that title

When Nihal used to do the TV reviews on Five Live he had an expression for the tipping point when you’re a few episodes into something and you’re faced with the dilemma of abandoning it completely or sticking with it in the hope it’ll get better. I can’t remember what it was, but I left it far too long before bailing out (no pun intended) from this rubbish