preppycuber Reviews

Shetland: Episode #8.6 (2023) Season 8, Episode 6

Good story to start with

[7/10 · 7 March 2024]

It was an interesting story, but somewhere along the way they lost some of the energy.

I liked the mystery involved, some of the turn of events etc., but couldn't help think that there were many unnecessary plot points.

What's the point of bringing back up the story of the drowned child. At the end of it all it was still an accident. It served nothing.

Then there was the "blackmail" angle. What was that all about. At the end of it Heather just argued, it wasn't much of an extortion and she got away with it. That was just pointless.

Then what was that incident where Heather's son pretends to be distressed still from Ellen's death and then leaching money from Heather. What was the point of that.

I have never liked plot involving police officers who are not supposed to investigate something, forcing themselves into an investigation. That's such lazy writing.

I still liked it despite all the flaws. Alisson was good as always and she could carry this all by herself if and when they plan a new season.

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Not as good as the other two parts

[7/10 · 2 December 2023]

More of the tried and tested stuff. Nothing new here.

Denzel is great as usual and this movie stands on his shoulders. His screen presence by itself is enough to make a movie work and that's exactly what you see here.

Seeing Dakota Fanning after such a long time. I had never seen her in a movie since her child actress days. However, it was a disappointment. Her character just dilutes the intensity in the scenes. They are trying to show her as some smart tough agent, but just doesn't work. She is trying her best, but the writing doesn't give her a chance.

Altogether an average movie that fails to match up to the previous parts.

The Tunnel: Episode #1.10 (2013) Season 1, Episode 10

The ending was a bit contrived

[7/10 · 1 September 2023]

This appeared like a nice series with some good actors, when it started of with the mysterious body puzzle. However, I felt the ending was a bit contrived, hurried and unsatisfying.

The actors did a good job, but I found the female detective annoying at times. Irrespective of how brilliant you are, nobody is going to accommodate her levels of weirdness. She is projected as someone who is logical, rational etc, but no amount of logic or rationality explains putting a child's life in danger to catch a criminal. Then the scene where she throws all that paper on the floor. That's ridiculous and no superior will tolerate you. That's blatant disregard for the rest of the team, working their rear ends off. Even they way she found a clue in that mess is a bit of deus ex machina.

Story could have been done much better. They introduced so many plot points, but did not tie everything up properly. They did not even explain why TT did what he did in the beginning. It's like trying to explain everything as the acts of a demented individual, which is like a cop out.

I can only hope that the subsequent seasons may be throw a bit more light on the Peloton and what Kieran actually found during his under cover operation.

Giving a 7 still.

Steeltown Murders (2023)

Well written and well executed

[9/10 · 4 July 2023]

While this is based on true events, we still have to give credit to a well written script. No drag, no point where you feel like the flow is lost.

A good cast definitely helps. The actors doing the negative roles, nailed it without going overboard. All the supporting cast did their jobs extremely well. Seeing Sion Alun Davies again after Hidden. I liked him in that. Doesn't have much to do here, but still did well.

However, the star of the show has to be Robert Glenister. I noticed him in Paranoid, for the very first time, then in a recurring role in A Touch of Frost and finally in Sherwood. He has been great in each of those and this was no different.

Alleyn Mysteries: Hand in Glove (1994) Season 2, Episode 1

Good story, but...

[7/10 · 26 October 2022]

I have enjoyed all the Alleyn mysteries so far. This one has been no different with the good story, the little bit of comical element, the mystery and of course the good acting.

However, I can't help but notice the forced involvement of Troy in this. Just ruins the entire plot by her meddling. Independent it seems. She is nothing but a nosy meddler. Could have done without her in this. Adds really no value.

Apart from that I have no complaints. Sad that they did not continue beyond this season. I wonder if they will revive this at some point.

Few dots to fill in the remaining characters.....

Sherwood (II) (2022– )

That was just brilliant

[8/10 · 11 October 2022]

A well made series. The story telling is top notch, back ground music is fitting and the casting is just perfect

Every actor did justice to their roles. I don't think I have seen David Morrissey before, but he was very good as the cop who is split between his duty and a sense of responsibility towards his community. He was ably supported by Leslie Manville, Lorraine Ashburne, Kevin Doyle and especially Adeel Akhtar.

However, to me the stand out performer was Robert Glenister. I liked him ever since I noticed him in Paranoid and the small role he had in Frost. He is a brilliant actor and has a good screen presence. It's also interesting that his son plays his younger self in this series.

All round a good series.

Shetland: Episode #7.6 (2022) Season 7, Episode 6

Looks like this is it

[8/10 · 7 October 2022]

Looks like this is the last of the Shetland series. I loved every season of it and all the main characters in it, especially Perez. Douglas Henshall plays it to perfection and can't find any fault in his portrayal of a seasoned police officer who has his personal struggles, but does not let those affect his performance.

I hope to see all of these actors in something new.

I agree with some of the reviewers that this one had lots of plot holes, but nothing that you can't ignore for the overall quality of the production, story and scenery, yes that too.

Hope they come up with something similar based in one of these beautiful places in Scotland.

Ridley: The Numbered Days (2022) Season 1, Episode 4

Worst episode of the series

[6/10 · 7 October 2022]

This series started off well, but just tailed of mid-way. As I mentioned in my review for the overall series, it appeared like the writers just took time off.

Things seemed incoherent and events were illogical. You had the typical know-it-all, better than the rest hero who does everything against the rule book to finally be proven right. I just despise any series that takes that route. You saw this at times in Frost and even Lynley (with the DS in one episode).

Otherwise this appeared to be a good series and hope it comes again next year with better stories. I like Adrian Dunbar, having seen him in Line of Duty and would love to see him play the role of a sensible cop.

Ridley (2022– )

It's OK

[6/10 · 7 October 2022]

This is an all right series. Nothing special. The first two episodes were good. The third one as ok, but I thought the fourth one was just terrible.

Felt the writers mid way through suddenly lacked ideas and lost any interest after the second episode. The last one especially has everything I hate about some investigative series, like Ridley being the only guy who knows everything, is always right and gets away with doing whatever he feels like doing.

Adrian Dunbar was great as always. Can't complain about his performance within the limitations of the script. Bronagh though did not have a lot to do. They had to bring in her personal life more often, to give her some relevance. I think she was wasted. Among the rest, I liked Julie Graham in the small screen time she had.

Annika: Episode #1.2 (2021) Season 1, Episode 2

Story was decent

[5/10 · 20 March 2022]

Decent story, but still not liking the talking to camera and the comparisons to literary works.

The ending also seemed quite dumb. How can they let someone get away like that.

Annika: Episode #1.1 (2021) Season 1, Episode 1

Good story

[6/10 · 20 March 2022]

A good introduction for all main characters. I have always admired Nicola Walker. This is the second series I am seeing Jamie Sives in (no including GoT).

I disliked the talking to the camera and the quoting/comparisons from Moby Dick.

Annika: Episode #1.6 (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

Interesting story, but presentation is distracting

[6/10 · 20 March 2022]

Just as with every other episode, I disliked the talking to the camera and quoting/comparisons from 12th night.

Acting is fine and story is good. That's the only good thing about this.

Annika (2021– )

Just about ok

[6/10 · 20 March 2022]

The stories are decent and the actors play their role fairly well.

The soliloquy into the camera is irritating. It's probably been introduced for a unique touch, but it is unnecessary. Nicola's quoting from different literary works and the comparison between those and the crime she is solving is way too artificial.

Some of the non police work moments are also distracting.

Crime (2021– )

Good story, great acting

[8/10 · 13 February 2022]

A good story and a well paced script. All actors did a very good job, but my favourite has to be Jamie Sives. His character did not have much depth, but he elevated it to relevance.

A Mind to Murder (1995 TV Movie)

Well made

[8/10 · 15 November 2021]

Good story, great acting, nicely made. After the disappointment of A Taste for Death, Devices and Desires, and Unnatural Causes, this was a huge upturn.

Unnatural Causes (1993 TV Movie)

Interesting story, but then that's about it

[5/10 · 15 November 2021]

The story was interesting, but I think it deserved the usual 5/6 episode treatment that the previous Dalgliesh stories. This seemed too abrupt.

I also did not like the presence of Deborah in this. I believe the makers were trying to give Dalgliesh the usual tortured genius treatment that we get to see in other British police investigative series. I never felt Dalgliesh fit that bill and this all seemed so out of place.

Roy Marsden was great as usual and so were the supporting cast. However, I felt Inspector Reckless deserved a bigger screen time.

Devices and Desires (1991)

All over the place

[6/10 · 11 November 2021]

Too many subplots, way melodramatic at times.

As someone else said, Dalgliesh had barely anything to do. What was that stranger with the shoe doing in the story? Some of the characters were made way more important than they needed to be.

Series is increasingly getting worse with each story. Wonder how Unnatural Causes is going to be like.

A Taste for Death (1988)

Least favourite ending

[6/10 · 11 November 2021]

Hostage situation appeared forced just to give some more screen time for the inspector. The bad guy who seemed logical suddenly went belly up, possibly to force the audience to dislike him.

Not well thought out.

The Chestnut Man (2021– )

Pretty decent

[7/10 · 21 October 2021]

Good story with some decent twists. I just did not like that the Rosa lady was not really punished for her actions. Her actions started the whole sequence of events.

Bloodlands (2021–2022)

Terrible execution

[4/10 · 8 August 2021]

Story had lot of potential, but the execution was not up to par. Plenty of plot holes and unimaginative editing. Nothing that a good cast and the romantic Irish landscape can save.

Mare of Easttown (2021)

Good story, but an overcomplicated plot and slow at times

[7/10 · 7 June 2021]

It's a good story overall, but I felt they just overcomplicated it by the many sub plots. This probably led to the overall pace being slow and boring at times.

The 5th episode was the best, but the first and last were just a drag. I love the British crime thrillers, mini series or the multi season ones because of the police process and also due to the locales especially the rural ones. I got a feeling the creators were trying to copy that here. The process was pretty good in this, however I felt they overdid the gray and gloomy tones. As for the locale, well there is not a whole lot they could have done about it.

Kate Winslet was awesome and so were the supporting cast. No complaints there.

Place of Execution (2008)

Wonderful story even though a bit predictable

[8/10 · 30 May 2021]

A good story, fine actors and well made. You could predict the reality of the situation midway through the series, but it was nice to have all loose ends tied.

I know Juliet Stevens is supposed to be the star, but I felt like Lee Ingleby was the stand out performer. I have always liked Lee Ingleby from the time I saw him in George Gently. He is a good actor. The rest did a fine job.

Foyle's War: Invasion (2006) Season 4, Episode 1

Most boring as of yet

[6/10 · 14 May 2021]

I did not feel like this was up to the standards of the episodes I'd seen so far. The ending was logical, but it just was not satisfactory. The story in itself was good, however, most of the other stories had a bit of a surprise element to the ending, which this one lacked.

Innocent (2018–2021)

Well made and worth watching

[8/10 · 6 March 2021]

It's not just your routine investigative series. It's more about the life and emotions of everyone affected by a murder. No one really comes out of this looking clean, including the murdered woman.

A good story and a great cast. This is I believe the fourth series that I have seen Lee Ingleby in and I think he is a good actor. Wonder why he doesn't get any good movie roles. Few other familiar faces including the brother. Everyone did justice to their roles.

Between the Lines (1992–1994)

Best police investigative series

[9/10 · 4 February 2021]

This has got to be best police investigative series out there. I am a huge fan of Prime Suspect, not least because of Helen Mirren, but this is far superior.

Of the three seasons, I liked the first two for the realistic story lines and exceptional cast. Not all episodes end with catching the criminal, not because our heroes cannot solve the case, but because the criminals are above the law. There are also stories were they know who did it, but are unable to prove it. In fact even Tony uses the line "Prove it" at one point.

Some comments talk about stories not ending, but that's the beauty of this series. It's not a flaw, but a depiction of how our world is. You can't always win. You are only a small fish in a big pond.