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Reviews
The Serial Killer's Wife (2023)
Utterly Predictable
It's not terrible but just very very predictable. I knew who the real killer was in the first episode. It almost feels like a remake of a story from 205 years when the "twists" might be regarded as surprising.
It's also difficult as there's only one or two vaguely likeable characters. And they're all so entitled its hard to connect with any of them. The attempt at creating an ordinary character in the cafe manager and her boyfriend is hopelessly hackneyed.
The whole show is quite bleak in its messaging - everyone has a dark side and everyone is capable of doing horrible things. Fair enough - but we're not talking a secret smoking habit or a penchant for plushie porn everyone here is a murderer, serial adulterer, S&M fanatic and completely devoid of a moral centre! Even the hero detective is unrelatable. Thank goodness for Julie Graham, who even in a small role can spin straw into acting gold.
Drag Race Germany (2023)
Some Good/Some Bad
Love the host Barbie who seems really genuine and committed to the Queens. Also lots of talented competitors taking part. Marred by some off kilter judging and a sense they'd decided who was going to win from the outset. Also some weird guest judge choices. They often seemed awkward and completely surplus to requirements.
Now That final - that was shocking. However creative the winner is (and they are as they served some great looks) that was not a winning performance. Hope Season 2 will build on and improve on Season 1 and maybe not try to stage manage all the outcomes - or at least do it more smoothly so "the strings" aren't quite so obvious!!!!!
Serial Mom (1994)
Are Those Pussy Willows?
One of my favourite films of all time. John Waters is on top form with his keen cultural observations and satirical swipes at suburban life. In true Waters style the entire narrative is deftly injected with hefty doses of sheer ridiculousness. Kathleen Turner is just glorious in the title role. Waters has created a near perfect film that like all bona fide classics has scenes and dialogue that are etched in your memory. That phone call to Dotty at the beginning of the movie is a comedy tour de force. It's saying something that nearly 30 years after its release, it still makes me laugh out loud.
Wednesday (2022)
Enjoyable
I found myself really liking this. The plot is a bit trite and the mystery not so mysterious but overall it was fun. I really liked the new Wednesday (Jenna Ortega), Gwendoline Christy was great as Weems and Thing was well realised. Some of the friend characters such as Enid and Eugene were also good, even if a bit stereotypical. Tyler the boyfriend/monster was also convincing although the new Gomez and Fester were missing the joy and mayhem provided in previous incarnations. Morticia was a new take and it's interesting to see where Catherine Zeta- Jones may take it in the future. Overall, yes the plot could've been better, yes it's Sabrina meets Harry Potter and Scooby Doo but hey I liked those shows/films and I liked this. Expect frothy, gothy silliness and not Game of Thrones. Having said that I do hope for season two they work on a more compelling, better paced story.
Men (2022)
Builds Momentum then Drops the Ball
Starts off weird, gripping and disturbing. Rory Kinnear is great with his lookey-likeys and mini me's giving a "League of Gentlemen" (tv show), unsettling comic vibe.
Then as tension builds and you wait for a pay off, it kind of goes off the rails. I wasn't grossed out with the "Society" body horror or psychologically damaged as some have claimed! I agree with the "message" hammered home about needy and controlling masculinity perpetuating itself. I get that even the main character was ultimately bored with enduring the repeated toxic maleness by the end.
Ultimately I was just disappointed that the delivery missed the mark. Rather than shocking or satisfying, we just ended up laughing which neutered what went before. With a little more restraint and control a truly unsettling conclusion could have been crafted that stayed with the viewer long after the film.
Brave attempt at doing a clever, message laden horror let down by a unsatisfying last act.
Hidden Assets (2021)
Meh
Was okay but a bit implausible for a show that takes itself so seriously. I found the acting a little bit "off". The main Irish detective's one dimensional tough, no nonsense approach got really repetitive and annoying by the mid point. But it's easy to watch if you don't have too high expectations.
Locke & Key (2020)
Much Improved
The first season was good but the second really steps it up a notch. More tension, you feel more invested in the characters and it doesn't wimp out on the negative side of the magic.
At episode 8 and already looking forward to third season.
Lisey's Story (2021)
Not for Everyone
It's not for anyone wanting a Pennywise horror trip. It's strange, beguiling, uncomfortable and deals with complex emotional issues, childhood abuse, mental health, grief and who we really are in relationships.
The acting's perfectly pitched, which is hard in this type of story, with Moore's restraint and Allen's turmoil the standouts.
It's great to see TV shows like this being made. It's never going to get lots of stars trying to combine fantasy with such heady issues and it doesn't always find its groove but if you like your TV challenging and different give it go.