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shoshanim
Reviews
Silent Witness: Grievance Culture - Part 2 (2024)
Refreshing to Hear Truth on episodic TV
I consider the producers brave to have given McNally (in the character of Prof Cherry), a platform to actually speak out on a viewpoint which in today's pinched culture is considered anathema to even consider.
The writing on this series overall is not the best, far from it. But the character Cherry's denunciations of the dangers posed by the culture that pervades so much of the world, academia in particular, were extremely well written and on point. I imagine there must have been battles somewhere in the executive offices over even allowing it to be voiced. That's just where we live nowadays.
It was courageous and refreshing, and hopefully lit a spark in the minds of some viewers to further consider. We are on a slippery slope of intellectual devolution in our culture today, and if people don't wake up (and I mean the precise opposite of "woke") to that fact sooner rather than later, I genuinely fear for what kind of future we are creating for ourselves and civilization itself.
Well done.
The Truth (2024)
Excellent Series!
Incredible true story of the tragic murder of two young girls taken place ten years apart.
Was there a a connection? Was there a serial killer on the loose who's struck again? But what about the man who'd been sentenced to jail for the first murder? Was he innocent all this time?
These are just some of the questions the investigators have to answer, and many more twists in the case they uncover only create more questions, as they dig deeper into the events surrounding these murders.
The murders of both girls touch the lives of nearly everyone involved in the investigation and the answers are equally as hard to bear.
The writing, acting and well defined production make watching this tragic story unfold well worth your time.
American Rust (2021)
Definitely worth the watch!!
American Rust starts off a bit slow, but that helps set up important background for the central characters and their environment out of which this story will evolve.
It most definitely picks up pace as the story progresses, with a number of subplots running concurrently, all of which keep the suspense level at high decibel throughout.
The acting by Daniels and Tierney, the central and pivotal characters, is first rate, as well as Velez and many of the other supporting actors.
The writing may seem pretty basic, but it's simplicity fits with the atmosphere it derives from.
The story is a veritable roller coaster ride, with countless twists and turns you won't see coming, but it will keep you glued to your seat.
Enjoy the ride.
I see a lot of criticism in some of these reviews and I think that's mostly a lot of nonsense.
This is a like a real classic thriller-ride-procedural, that while it most definitely blurs the lines between right and wrong, it's guaranteed to take you with it on its painful journey toward Justice.
The Spectacular (2021)
What a mess
I gave this series a 6 (still too generous), only because it is at the very least about an important historical time, the "Troubles" in Ireland, for people to gain some slight insight into.
This series however, did a pretty piss-poor job of making much of any sense of it, except that it was a bloody mess on both sides of the spectrum throughout its duration.
Deceit, double-dealing, underhanded and cold blooded political machinations, too many senseless murders, and a lot of hot headed emotions fueled most of it on both sides. And the scars and undercurrents of bitterness and resentment about it are still alive and well to this day.
The manner in which this series particular storyline is told was nearly incomprehensible and incoherent at best, leaving the viewer to struggling to make connections between what was being portrayed by these actors actions to the intermittent newsreel flashes of events happening around at same time. It was as if the writers and director expected you to be able to just intuit what they were they were thinking and just left it at that. What a terrible waste of a potentially powerful story to have been left in such inept hands.
It was pretty awful, and like I said, if it weren't for the historical aspect holding your interest, I wouldn't have given it the time of day.
Sutnja (2021)
Top Notch Crime Drama in every way!
This production didn't skip a beat keeping the tension and intrigue in high gear. Well written, with expert production values, you are led by the dogged investigators down a dark and winding path.
The acting was first rate by every actor involved, and you easily cared about and felt a connection to many of the characters involved in this twisting and turning case.
What at first appeared to be a suicide sprawls into an investigation into the darkest recesses of a diabolical network, with its tentacles reaching high up, involving people and places of power and influence. And the international connections made it all the more daunting revealing the immense scope and scale of the entire enterprise.
Well worth your time!
This Is Going to Hurt (2022)
Mixed feelings
I liked this series, but disliked it too. It was extremely well done with regard to the acting, direction, and production values. The script writing especially was excellent, and very clever.
All that said, the focus of the storyline they went with and the character's development left me wanting.
I get it if the book was meant to be a critique of Britain's National Health System and that doctor's/author's excruciating experiences working within that system.
But don't then "blunt" that critique behind a facade of humor, mostly biting sarcasm and cynicism, and end up creating a totally mixed up message which I would venture to say damaged the series itself.
They should have made their mind up whether to offer a series showing a humorous, sometimes heartwarming glimpse into the frustrating and exhausting, yet still heroic and rewarding work these doctors perform under extremely challenging conditions, or to make it a strictly serious drama focused on the near bankrupt state of affairs the system is behind the scenes, both institutionally, as well as for the medical professionals striving to keep it all operating at some sane level.
The Adam character's total unwillingness or inability to rise above his cynicism and his total frustration with the system and his profession, or even treat others both in his personal and professional life with even the slightest decency, became hard to bear, and the series offered zero relief.
That was a huge missed opportunity on the producers and writers parts, I feel, because it actually took the viewers focus off the real culprit, the NHS, and distracted them with Adam's miserable personality instead.
Shruti's suicide would have even been more impactful had she been allowed even a tiny modicum of a more rounded out character, who maybe smiled at least once on the screen. But she too was just perpetually miserable.
In short, it was an overdose on misery all around, sugarcoated by a touch of humor, but it could have been so much more impactful in so many ways and on so many levels.
That's what disappointed me, when they had material this great to work with but sadly missed the mark.
Watch it though -see what you think.
Musta valo (2022)
Very suspenseful
Excellent acting, and good writing. The storyline may seem somewhat familiar, but with this particular family's entanglements it takes on a slightly different dynamic...what lengths would you go to in order to save your loved one's life?
...It has many twists and turns and keeps you on edge throughout, though sometimes events do seem to occur a bit conveniently, all, of course, for our protagonists' benefit. But hey, it's TV!
The final episode is extremely intense and will most definitely have you on the edge of your seat. But... there is a brief moment toward the very end which could make one think, perhaps things are not quite as over as everyone would like. Hmmm....
Helsinki-syndrooma (2022)
Well Worth the Watch
Well done production and excellent character development, integrating the experiences of one man's family's crushing fate at the mercy of greedy banks and corrupt government officials, and his mission to set things right, not just for himself but for so many other people suffering from the same fate.
It's a complex story, viewed from several angles, fleshed out little by little as the story progresses, adding to the suspense.
You get to know the lead characters, and can empathize with each of their situations, which can even fluctuate at various times as the story progresses.
The storyline also centers around real-life events which enables viewers to connect to some they may have even experienced in their own lives.
I would definitely recommend watching.
Non mi lasciare (2022)
Excellent story
I found this series to be riveting from the get go. The story was more than compelling and the writing was perfect. The directing was incredibly disciplined and beautifully artistic at the same time.
The subject matter is horrific and heart-rending but it was handled so adeptly, without being exploitive.
The actors were all at their very best, and thoroughly believable in their roles.
It is clear from the onset that Elena is driven by the case by some troubling force, which at times threatens to derail her investigation. But her belief in the case, and winning over her fellow detectives by her determination assures they will all pursue it to its end.
Her past relationship with fellow detective Danielle, and his marriage to her best friend, Guilia, adds a personal tension to the story, but only serves to more deeply develop those characters rather than interfere with the overall storyline.
Guilia, Danielle's wife and Elena's friend, for instance, delivers one of the most exquisite performances in the entire series, offering Elena exactly the genuine love and support she needs in order to see the case to its fruition.
The series is so very much worth the watch.
19-2 (2011)
One of the Best
If you appreciate great writing, excellent acting and impeccable direction this is the series for you.
19-2 lures you in, grabs ahold of you and doesn't let you go until the end. You become engrossed in the day to day lives of these officers and their families and their stories.
And the acting is some of the best I've seen anywhere, truly superb!
While you travel with these officers on patrol, encountering some of the saddest, silliest, darkest, and scariest situations imaginable, you can't help but see and feel exactly what they are experiencing as they try to keep some semblance of order in such a messed up world. Their camaraderie as a team and as a family feels exquisitely real, and you can't help but feel it as well.
The storyline threading through all episodes of all 3 seasons is gripping and heartrending as it pulls and tears at the characters in life altering ways.
Just watch it - you'll see what I mean.
Bloodlands (2021)
Keep watching - it's gets better
Season 1 was OK - a decent series which had a lot of interesting twists and turns. I am a fan of James Nesbitt so it kind of took me awhile to adjust to his being a baddie. He also seemed to have to go through that adjustment period in Season 1, as he came off rather "hammy" in many scenes.
But Season 2 was quite a different story. He was well into his character now and the storyline was much more intriguing and gripping. Some of the events- without giving away anything- literally threw me for an emotional loop! I couldn't imagine how this whole mess was going to work out in the end, but knew it ain't gonna be good for someone.
I really do hope they're working on a Season 3, although I can't imagine where that would go. But then, that would be the fun of it.
At the same time, though, I can understand if they just left it where this 2nd season ended but I hope not.
Der Irland-Krimi (2019)
Brooding with Benefits
This series takes you into the troubled world of Cathryn, a Police psychologist, whose husband disappeared 10 years earlier.
That story threads it's way through each episode as Cathryn deals with the struggles of various victims and perpetrators of crimes.
Each episode delves deeply into the painful causes and effects each crime has on all those involved, including the police, and draws you intimately into all their lives.
It is a very well produced and directed series, with top notch acting, and unique stories that captivate your interest.
I would definitely recommend this series, and hope to see the final two episodes when they are released on MHz. I also hope the series will go on to produce more episodes of such excellent quality.
Legal Affairs (2021)
Has you on the Edge of your seat
You're not quite sure about this cracker-jack lawyer when you first meet her. She does not suffer fools and when she's on a mission - or a case - you'd best stay in line or just get out of the way.
The series moves at fast pace with multiple storylines in parallel. The acting is top rate, and each scene draws you into the moment.
Our lawyer protagonist, Leo Roth, takes on cases with ties to the world around social media and those who fall into its traps.
She also carries a torturous memory from her childhood, a memory which is also shared by her sister and closest, perhaps only true friend, Ulli.
Leo also represents her brother-in-law, Ulli's husband, a prominent Senator, Kai, in a tangled mess of a case he's gotten himself mixed up in, and which almost ends up upending Leo's very prestigious career. That case threads it's way through each episode, crescendoing in a most devastating climax in the finale, where Leo finds herself well and truly alone in exposing the truth.
It is a captivating series, that will most definitely draw you in and have you buckled in for an exciting ride. I hope this is not the last we see of Leo Roth.
Sisi (2021)
Revisionist, but entertaining
Make sure you read up on Emperor Fran's Josef and Elizabeth to learn their true story, because this series is not it.
That being said, it was a very good TV series, well done and entertaining. If you're a stickler for history it will grate for sure, but hopefully will spur viewers to do some research on these characters and the times, and that would not be a bad thing.
The true story of Sisi is actually far more tragic than this portrayal. She did influence her husband in certain matters, particularly in relation to Hungary but her experience as Empress was nowhere near that depicted in this show. She was beloved by the people but spent little time even living in Vienna, and she herself was assassinated when she was in her 60's.
Also interesting is that the Emperor Franz Josef would later be responsible for setting the wheels in motion that resulted in WWI, after his presumptive heir, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian.
To me, the true story -or history - is almost always better than what these writers and producers feel they need to conjure up for whatever reasons. That's disappointing.
But it's a good TV series, "based on a true story", with good acting, and beautiful direction in a beautiful country. You'll just have to bear with the alterations of fact, something I'm not fond of watching happen but as I said hopeful folks will be intrigued enough to do some research and find out the true story.
I'd recommend watching it but with those caveats.
Badehotellet (2013)
Do Not Miss Out on this Absolute Gem!
I'm not even sure how to explain why This series is one of my absolute favorites, but it truly is. It captured my heart, introducing me to people I came to genuinely care about as they came together once each year to this small and quaint summer beach hotel, and shared their lives, love, troubles, joys and heartaches with one another in the most pure and simple manner.
It is not like any other show I've ever watched, more a play in many acts than a show. But the writing and storylines are top notch and captivate your interest, all happening over the course of a most troubling time in world history, but how those events affected regular, ordinary people.
Do not hesitate to watch it. You will not be disappointed you did.
Deokhyeongju (2016)
Heartbreaking story
I was actually surprised by this movie. It was a fascinating story, and the acting was superb, even the small child actors.
I had no idea that Korea was even ever annexed by Japan, and for soo long! It made me follow-up and look into the history behind those times. The plight of the princess and the Korean people at the hands of the Japanese was horrific, and with the exception of a small handful of people, she was so alone in her determination to return to her country and her people.
The brutal separation from her most beloved handmaiden was utterly devastating, but the scene of their reunion at the airport was so incredibly moving and emotional.
I'm glad they told this story of this woman, her courage and her fight, and of the terrible suffering of the Korean people. It was a most heart-rending piece of history.
Les hautes herbes (2022)
Intrigue at a glacial pace
There's an art to pacing in a film: this one tries a bit too hard. The whole story could've been accomplished in half the time, but this director/producer wanted to be a bit more "artsy" in telling this story and dragged it out unnecessarily, IMHO.
It was an interesting story, but that suffered as a result of the torturous pace of this film. That, and the fact that the relationships between the various actors was "choppy" at best, and often confusing, making it difficult for the viewer to establish a genuine connection with anyone, with the possible exception of Jules and Lucille.
It wasn't a horrible film. Like I said, it was definitely a good and different kind of story. But it could have used a bit more fleshing out of the characters, and less of the long drawn out gazes into empty space.
Supai no tsuma (2020)
Simple yet profound
It's no nail biter by any means, but more a gradual awakening by the "Wife of a Spy" to the harsh realities of the world she now lives in. She wraps this new found awareness in a romantic veil in an attempt to become closer to her husband, who she at first suspects of cheating on her, only to discover something far more serious and dangerous as well.
Her comfortable daily life becomes upended, but she manages to turn it into an opportunity to become something - someone - new, and hopefully more appreciated by her husband.
He though, the husband, remains somewhat more of a mystery to me, leaving me with more questions than answers.
Was he the one who tipped off the police to her hiding place in the freighter?
Up until the nurse from Manchuria was murdered, had he actually intended to leave with her for the US all along, without his wife? In short, was he ever truly honest with his wife about who he really was in their marriage, besides his being a spy?
Those questions about him bug me, but make the wife all the more heroic in the choices she had to make, and what she had to endure.
I also wonder if it was based on a true story as the film ends with blurbs about what happened to them after the war.
There are many reviews that go into a lot of technical aspects of the film about this and that, but that sounds like so much nonsense to me. It's not a fancy film- doesn't try to be. It's a simple love story set in a perilous time that reveals what people are made of, and the choices they will have to make as a result.
That's it in a nutshell to me. It is a good film and worthwhile to watch.
The Crown (2016)
Season 5 Interesting
Wow! A lot of complaints about this season. Not sure what you were expecting, but hey folks, it's a TV show, with a lot of embellishment thrown into the facts of the time. That's pretty much the definition of drama.
I Thought it was good, and had a lot of interesting insights into the characters, whether 100% accurate or not, it made you think. This time the Queen did appear more stoic than earlier seasons, but I found that to be completely understandable as the times depicted in this season the very monarchy itself was literally under siege - not a good time to get all emotional and wobbly. I imagine it was not the real Queen's favorite period either.
Absolutely loved the episode involving the one time valet to the Duke of Windsor. Thought it was unique and touching. And I never knew that background of the Fayed family, and the fathers obsession with the royals.
The episode involving Bashir's deceitful trickery to get Diana to do that disastrous BBC interview was really a shocker, and only recently been totally proven to be true, some 25 years later.
As for Diana, if she was anything like the character portraying her in this season she was probably the most stupid and emotionally immature person imaginable. Good grief.
I am not excusing Charles at all for duping her into marrying him when he new damn well he not only didn't love her but was in love with someone else. And blaming his parents for pressuring him is equally duplicitous as he had a hundred ways he could have ended that charade before ever walking down the aisle.
Anyway, that's my two cents - and then some- but in all I enjoyed it. So relax and you will too.
Dignity (2019)
Excruciatingly Slow
This series was torturously slow, and filled with so much ancillary drama it was hard to watch. But I did endure the entire series mostly to see whether justice for the evil perpetrators at Colonia Dignidad were ver brought to justice.
I don't want to be a spoiler (though by reading the historical account you can find out what their fate was), so I will only say that the ending left me quite disappointed.
The acting was OK, but the pace was utterly glacial to the extreme and fictional drama created around the historical aspect was drawn out almost unbearably.
The only reason I gave it a five is for points for someone at least making some kind of film about this hell on earth that existed literally for decades and was guilty of the most heinous acts and crimes imaginable. I'd never heard about it and it is just another clue as to the depths of depravity man is capable of.
In my estimation true justice was never really served in this case, most likely to protect the vast network of the powerful guilty parties involved. Just another sad commentary on the world in which we live.
The Empress (2022)
Just watch but know...
...while based on a true story it is far from historically accurate. But don't let that get in the way of enjoying a superb drama and beautifully created production. The acting is first class, and the palace intrigue among all the characters ever vying for power and influence maintains all the suspense.
My hope is that productions like these inspire people to do a little research of their own on these characters, and the history of the times. While this drama takes much license with historical fact, the essence of the Emperor and Empress's plight is not far from reality. Far removed from their subjects by tradition and duty, it took great courage to push the boundaries that even to think of doing so people of those times feared would bring their world crashing down were anyone to even contemplate such. The life of a royal was grand and luxurious but steeped in a mystical and suffocating reality. It took ages, centuries, and wars and revolutions to bring change.
It is a powerful and wonderfully executed drama, one well worth your time...and contemplation.
Wendezeit (2019)
Terrific!
Of you like Cold War history and storylines then you'll definitely enjoy this movie.
It is by no means a nail biting thriller but it does an excellent job in capturing the essence of the time and place in East and West Berlin right at the point when the Wall collapsed.
It's also an intriguing look at the CIA's intense inner workings and efforts at infiltrating the East and extracting information - and people - from there.
The acting is first rate as well as the directing and production value. And though it may not be nominated for any major awards, there were hardly any moments or events that seemed far fetched or unbelievable. People in the Easy were not only scared of those from the West, ut moreso of people on their own side, and that existence of fear was just a part of life.
I would recommend this film. It's a good little history lesson we should not forget.
Narco-saints (2022)
Not bad
Don't expect the original Narco's series level of production, but Saints was entertaining, and largely as it was based on a true story, held my interest. It gets more interesting as the episodes evolve, but good that it was kept to 6 episodes.
I could hear in the first couple of episodes particularly some strains of background music very reminiscent of the Narcos themes. Thought that was funny, but this ain't that series. If you go in expecting that you'll just be disappointed.
You'll also have to stretch sense of belief to a rather large degree as some action events are rather not quite realistic or believable, forget feasible.
But it's an intriguing story you might enjoy watching.
Le bureau des légendes (2015)
Watch It.
Not for the faint of heart or dull of mind.
Some people are comparing it, for good or I'll, to Homeland.
In my opinion, Homeland doesn't even come close to portraying this level of realistic spycraft. Fasten your baguette belt, and put on your thinking cap, and get ready for a wild ride.
Gåsmamman (2015)
Grrrreat series - watch it!
Excellent escapism- worth your time.
Great acting, writing, and direction.
Suspenseful, with lots of engaging characters and situations. Looking forward to season 5!