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ohdoig
Reviews
Shardlake (2024)
Great, atmospheric show!
I haven't read the books and had not heard of them until I saw an advert for this show so I am basing my review purely on these four episodes.
Let's start by addressing some of the more negative reviews. I completely understand that if you have read the novels you may find fault in any changes or omissions tocharacters, or to the story, as that is something that can certainly ruin an adaptation for you. To those of you giving this a negative review because there are black characters in the show, you need to take a few seconds to do some research as black people were introduced to the UK by the Romans all the way back in the 3rd Century AD, and by 1500 (the time this is set) there were black communities living in England. Ignorance is not an excuse!
With that out the way, back to the show. I really enjoyed this, I thought it was well acted and the characters were fleshed out enough for such a short series. The setting during the Reformation is a very interesting period in UK history and the inclusion of actual historical figures works well (unlike in Peaky Blinders). The story is dark and slow burning, and the intertwining of the politics and beliefs of the time add another level to the story.
I am not going to go into the plot as I would encourage you to watch it for yourself.
If I have any complaints it would be that I would have preferred 6 episodes as I enjoyed this so much and wanted more of it.! Oh, and the theme tune is pants! It sounds like The Avengers meet Game of Thrones and is not at all in keeping with the music of the period. These are only minor quibbles of course and in no way detracted from my enjoyment.
You'll Never Find Me (2023)
Excellent Psychological Horror
Massive Spoilers!!!
This is an excellent character driven psychological horror. The two main performances are terrific and the story makes you second guess what is happening, what might happen, and who is tormenting who with the card game being a particularly brilliant piece of film making.
Here is my take.
The less than positive reviews I have read criticise is of the final third and how some people think this is weak, but to me it isn't. Very little of this film is actually happening. The only thing in this film that is happening is the first minute (before the knock) and the last couple of minutes (from the knock with the taunting kids). The rest of the film is purely in Patrick's head as he is committing suicide because as the film title tells us, "You'll never find me".
Patrick is a serial killer who has tried his best to keep away from people in order to stop killing but as he says the dead woman in his trailer came to him. No matter what he does someone always ends up falling in his lap, so to speak.
The visitor doesn't exist as she is a combination of all of his victims which is why her story and jewellery constantly changes throughout the film. Why items move around, why blood appears and disappears.
The chaos of the final third is Patrick's suicide note to us.
My wife and I loved this film. Very smart and a well made use of a single location and a minute cast. It was like watching a brilliant play and I commend the cast and crew.
True Detective (2014)
Season 4 - Absolutely engrossing
This is my review for Season 4: Night Country.
This was an excellent series. I thought the story was brilliant, dark (literally), and intriguing. I thought the pacing was right for the story and you always ended each episode desperate for the next. I thought the performances were brilliant with no character feeling superfluous or unnecessary to the story.
I understand people feeling disappointed or feeling this isn't a True Detective-like season but you have to look at True Detective in the same way as American Horror Story. Each series may have the True Detective monikor but each story is it's own thing. If you go into each season expecting the same again then you will be disappointed. This will, naturally, bring some negative reviews (which is fine, each opinion matters) but for me, this was the best season so far.
If you are a big Scandi-Noir fan then you will really enjoy this season (if you loved Der Pass then this is up there with it)!
Can't wait for the next chapter!
The Rookie: Feds (2022)
Starts strong, soon overstays it's welcome.
This started as a fun show with potential. I liked the characters at first and thought Simone was something different and quirky but as with so many American shows there are far too many episodes in a single series, and as such the quality of those episodes really starts to suffer, and fast.
Add to this the same issues 'The Rookie' has since it went all "right on"; preachy stories, over sensitive and flakey (supposedly) adult characters, and zero drama, and you have a dull as dishwater show.
Oh look someone has been murdered/kidnapped/exploded (who cares?). No worries, Simone will solve this within 45mins (she's a maverick) and then the show will get all message-y on us.
Every. Single. Week.
Yawn!
The Rookie: Real Crime (2022)
Do watch - It's bad in a good way!
I was hyper to watch my next episode of The Rookie.
I love this show and waiting a week to see each episode feels like forever, however when I started watching this one my heart sank!
The docu-style episode last season was awful and so I stopped watching after a minute. Thankfully a review here on IMDb mentioned something that peaked my interest so I continued watching, and I am glad I did.
This show is great because it's a little silly and this episode is just that. Stick with it as the story is worth watching and pushes the series forward.