Doctor_Dexter Reviews

Bloodlands (2021–2022)

Not Nesbitt's best performance

[4/10 · 2 May 2021]

I liked James Nesbitt in rom-com series like "Cold Feet" and I was therefore looking forward to this series with him in the lead. I really wanted to like it too.

However...

Nesbitt's portrayal of "Tom Brannick" is wooden and one dimensional. A range is non existent and this character seems to have one mood only: that of the playbook detective on the prowl. He looks mean and intimidating, he looks angry, he looks slightly worried (about his secrets), but he hardly ever looks *human*, bar a few moments in the last episode. Even if you're supposed to play a baddie or a psychopath: they have emotions too (or they are quite adept in mimicking them).

Several other performances are rather decent, but they too are let down by slow and/or implausible plot development. The script keeps plodding on for a long time, and only in the last episode people seem to be catching on, and then, after all that time, it feels rushed towards a somewhat rushed and semi-open ending.

If you happen to be locked in a room with only this series available to you, I'd watch it. But in a world with an abundance of streaming services full of other, better series, I'd give it a miss.

The Dark Tower (2017)

Genuinely gripping and entertaining

[8/10 · 12 October 2020]

I really don't get the negative reviews. Most of these seem to be written by King-fans complaining that the film isn't exactly like the book. Well... it never is, is it?

The story doesn't need any elaboration. It's entertaining and exciting enough, as most adaptations of Kings novels are. Of course, there are also people who genuinely dislike anything written by King. Why one would still watch and review such a story is beyond me.

The acting is very good all over. Especially the young protagonist is very well portrayed by the extremely talanted Tom Taylor. Idris Elba is effective as always, although one could wonder is he's 'just' playing versions of himself. It works, so no complaints, but it would be interesting to see him in other roles as well.

All in all I genuinely enjoyed this movie, and I'd recommend to ignore the haters and give it an honest chance.

Yardie (2018)

Decent gangster flick and a promising directorial debut

[7/10 · 5 October 2020]

The 'coming of age' intro is well chosen and nicely executed. This approach makes flashbacks to the defining moment more real than they would have been without the introduction of 'D' as a teenager. The story is put together pretty well, although some developments are a bit predictable. Nothing too bad though, it's a decent watch all together.

The performances by the protagonist and his wife (and child) are flawless, both as adults and children. Some of the thugs and compadres stand out as well. Only a few (relatively) minor characters feel slightly over the top. No need to point fingers, as you can judge for yourself.

There's a nice period atmosphere going on, and some rather cool cars as well.

All in all, I enjoyed the film, and I will definitely check out Idris Elba's future endeavours.

The Murders at White House Farm (2020)

Average series sailing on the wind of notoriety

[5/10 · 4 July 2020]

Right off the bat: I'm not a fan of the 'real life drama' nor 'based upon' genre. If you can't come up with a decent story of your own, why bother?

They're obviously banking on the free publicity that's pretty much guaranteed with a case like this. Write a similar story without the Bamber name attached to it and what's left? Not that much, perhaps, but it would definitely be more honest. Now, things get muddled up because they admittedly altered facts and added things 'for the benefit of the story'. But what exactly then is that story they're telling us? Something that can't stand on its own legs either way, apparently.

As said: write a good story and tell THAT - preferably. Or - if you must - tell a usually less exciting 'real' story and stick to the facts. You can't have it both ways....

Well, apparently you can, but it smells like a cheap marketing trick and doesn't ring true in fact or fantasy.

And yes, the acting is as decent as one might expect of a run of the mill policier. But since our time on this planet is limited, I'd rather watch Silent Witness instead.

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes (1965)

Stereotypes galore, slapstick, and loads of sugar.

[6/10 · 17 April 2020]

In this 20th Century Fox crowd pleaser Americans are (obviously) handsome, down to earth romantic heroes. Europeans at the other hand, are but comedic cardboard figures, strictly along the stereotypes of the day. The English are stuffy prudes, Germans are humourless militarists, Italians have lots and lots of children, French are... you've guessed it. Oh, and (English) women - no matter how much they like aeroplanes and motorcycles - remain helpless little creatures in the end, who yearn for a strong, handsome man to fix a wing or two mid-flight - and their life. Fortunately she's worth it, as she's so pretty and her daddy is fabulously rich.

The story, if we may call it that, is wafer thin. No prizes for guessing the plot or the outcome here either. It's all pretty predictable.

If you're willing and able to look past all that, and you happen to be in the mood for over two hours (!) of slapstick in the laugh or I'll shoot category, this will probably fit the bill. Benny Hill is in there too, which might be a pretty good indicator of what you're on for. And yes, between the obviousness, there is some good fun to be had too.

Last but not least, it is a genuine joy to watch all those antique flying machines, cars and motorcycles.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)

Flawed, but sweet and (re)watchable

[7/10 · 12 April 2020]

The eponymous star of the film is Timothy, without a doubt. The otherworldly boy who gives everything away 'because that's what you do with gifts' is simply irresistible. The character is adorable, the actor who portrayed him very gifted and natural.

The story may have some flaws, and the adult characters are a bit wooden here and there, but still, it's a sweet little film with a good heart, that's very watchable of your in the mood for something innocent and nice for a change. As a matter of fact, I don't get the cantankerous, borderline malicious 1 star reviews at all. How cynical and sour do you have to be to actually *hate* a film like this? As much as the mill-owners, or even more? Don't be like them. Be like Timothy instead. ;)

A Kid Like Jake (2018)

Where's Jake?

[3/10 · 19 March 2020]

"Show, don't tell" is the golden rule of cinema and literature. Here, they never show and can't stop telling (each other off). What we get is adults, endlessly talking about all the problems they're experiencing regarding their kid, a boy they think may be transgender. There is no shortage of adults talking about the kid, describing the kid's 'unusual' behaviour and all they have to deal with accordingly. The protagonist however, is seldom seen throughout the film. You can hear a frustrated/angry kid screaming on occasion, but that's mainly it.

It's uninteresting cinema, and it does little or nothing to show what life is really like for transgender people, including children. Showing the 'ordeal' of their parents is rather damaging imho. Imagine a film about the 'ordeal' of parents of a gay kid. No one in their right mind would make such a film anymore.

Perhaps it was well intended, perhaps it was an attempt to jump on the transgender-bandwagon. Either way, it's not good cinema, and it doesn't help anyone.

The Grand Tour: The Grand Tour Presents: Seamen (2019) Season 4, Episode 1

Clarkson & May/Ham: Just brilliant!

[10/10 · 6 January 2020]

Not so much 'car show' this episode, but who cares, when you get to ride along on an epic boating adventure through Cambodia and Vietnam. These guys work so well together, it's pure joy to see them go on adventure again, every single time. Top Gear was never the same again after they were forced to leave, and it will probably never be as good as it once was. All the more kudos to the trio for doing it all again in The Grand Tour and making it as good as TG used to be in the old days. Long may they last.

Three Summers (2017)

A delightful little gem

[8/10 · 29 December 2019]

Sometimes you watch a movie because you like the trailer, and then it leaves you underwhelmed and disappointed, because the only good bits were in that trailer. With 'Three Summers', it's quite the opposite. The trailer didn't tempt me at all, and I didn't intend to watch it. I accidentally left the TV on, whilst I was doing some chores, and by coincidence, when I re-entered the room, I happened to see a scene that made me laugh out loud. So I decided to give it a chance anyway, and started to watch from the beginning. I'm glad I did, because it's a delightful little gem of a film.

It's not pretentious or high-brow, but it's sharp and witty. It effectively takes the mickey out of identity culture, activists, boring middle aged couples who do exactly the same thing every year, posh music-snobs, security guards, feminists and yobs. At the same time it lovingly depicts families with teenagers noticeably growing up over three years time, whilst the adults are doing a bit of growing of their own. We learn a bit about Aboriginals, colonialism, the big child migration from the UK to Australia, and the inevitable modern day refugee crisis. Nothing new there, necessarily, but it does so in a very organic way that is lighthearted and yet poignant. It's brought back to the level of individual people, and that's always good if you want to understand one another a little better. It is a bit of a feelgood movie, but in the best possible way. And it's truly funny on so many different levels.

If you're looking for something to cheer you up, this might just hit the spot.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

The good and the bad...

[7/10 · 4 August 2019]

'Killing Eve' is entertaining enough to keep you occupied. It's often quite funny - mainly thanks to Villanelle, Konstantin, and Fiona Shaw's magnificent Carolyn, as well as some interesting quest characters (like Konstantin's daughter). It's suspenseful at times, though not as much as you may expect from a series about a serial killer. The psychopathic character of Villanelle is portrayed quite well and obviously well researched. There's a logic behind everything she does (it's just her logic). So far so good.

The 'Eve' character however seems devoid of any logic. She's supposed to be a trained professional - an agent of MI6 no less - but all the while she keeps behaving like a housewife with a midlife crisis (or alternatively a pubescent teenager). I really tried to do a suspension of disbelief here (I really wanted the series to be good) but unfortunately it went from bad to worse in this respect around the last episode of season one.

Season two definitely has some pretty good episodes, but that's more in spite of than because of the 'Eve' character. That's not Sandra Oh's fault, it's the way the character is written.

Another problem is Eve's husband. He's so deliberately boring and drab that you keep wondering what she ever saw in him. That's another writing- and casting trick that's way to obvious to swallow.

Other than that, it's still a rather decent bit of entertainment. I will definitely be checking it out again when season three airs.

MotherFatherSon (2019)

Prepare to be educated...

[4/10 · 26 April 2019]

The story has some interesting components and a more than decent cast. Too bad, therefore, that the political message spoils everything. We get it. Trump bad. Brexit bad. Big Corp bad. Populism very bad. Islam good.

Battling against all the evil of the world, we see a brave, rag tag band of characters in every possible colour, gender, ability, faith (the only one that matters nowadays) and orientation. It's hard not to like them.

The story might have been rather decent if the political message hadn't been layered on so thick that a sensitive mind might end up with nightmares from all the heavy handed warnings of impending national and global doom.

My girlfriend and I somehow managed to sit through all eight episodes (if only to prove exactly how predictable it was from the first episodes on), but I'm glad it's over.

I would really like to be properly entertained once more by a decent new film or drama, but alas, it seems that every filmmaker nowadays first and foremost wants to educate the public to their personal beliefs and views. I find that insulting to be honest. Other people aren't 'stupid' because they have different ideas and opinions and there isn't one universal truth. Just do your job and tell a good story.

Family Guy: You Can't Handle the Booth (2019) Season 17, Episode 16

Annoying

[1/10 · 25 March 2019]

Lots of seemingly interesting stuff happening on screen which is reduced to the background (ie ruined) by the utterly trivial and deliberately annoying voice-over by the voice actors. I get the 'joke' but it isn't nearly funny enough to last the entire episode. The makers aren't stupid, obviously, so I guess this is them flipping a finger to the fans. 'Let's see what we can get away with' or something like that. It fits in the same category as the deliberately too long scenes where someone (mostly Peter) hurts himself and keeps on moaning like forever. It gets old fast.

Let's hope the next episode is as brilliant as they can be again.

Trauma (2018)

Class envy

[4/10 · 16 January 2019]

The storyline about a boy dying on the operating table seems to be no more than a coat rack for the actual theme: class envy.

The father of the boy is focused entirely on the surgeon who unsuccessfully tried to save his sons life, and yet, he has no interest whatsoever in the attackers who stabbed him. What else could be the reason, other than the fact that the doctor is rich and the attackers from 'the wrong neighbourhood' so to speak.

If feels like a dig at the working class. Via Dan they're stereotyped as greedy, irrational, aggressive loudmouths you just can't reason with.

Yes, Dan is traumatised, but trauma doesn't turn people into raving psychopaths. It may make them act out, but that will stop after a good cry. Dan is obsessed with people who have more money than he does. And he makes it abundantly clear that he wants it. The death of his son takes a back seat pretty quickly while his real motive takes centre stage. So what exactly made him 'crazy'?

As many here have stated already, it's littered with plot holes too big for suspension of disbelief. Unemployed worker Dan is suddenly a first rate psychologist and expert on the human mind and behaviour. He outsmarts everyone. And yet, he's been unable to use all that potential up to the moment we meet him, as a middle aged man who can't afford a funeral or an insurance. The doctor, supposedly the highly educated professional behaves like a moron. His psychiatrist wife is equally clueless or worse, as is their daughter. Operating theatres in Britain have swinging doors without any security measures. Anyone can walk in with a push.

The acting is fine, as you'd expect with actors like this, but the story is muddled and rather nasty, as the class thing surely isn't coincidental. I don't know when they wrote this, but one could hardly be blamed for thinking that someone wanted to settle a score with the people they blame for the current state of affairs in Britain.

Oh wait. Just kidding...

I won't spoil the ending for you, but it's pretty counterintuitive. If this really was the story they wanted to tell they went about it the wrong way. They shouldn't have made Dan out to be so utterly unsympathetic for the best part of three episodes and then flip a switch.

A waste of good actors and what could have been a decent production.

Killing Eve (2018–2022)

From the sublime to the ridiculous

[7/10 · 14 January 2019]

'Killing Eve' definitely has plenty of entertaining and exciting moments, but the 'witty psychopath' bit doesn't work. At all. The delivery is (way) over the top and the crimes are way to horrible to get away with it. Being funny may be enough for a clever art thief to win you over, but not someone who kills children and castrates men out of p-envy. Furthermore, the plot development is too ridiculous for any suspended disbelief. I felt robbed of my time after eight episodes (which I sat through because of the often decent suspension and the entertaining bits). All in all I'd advise to give it a miss.

Omamamia (2012)

Feelgood fluff, but charming and funny

[7/10 · 15 June 2017]

There's a Catholic Family, with a widowed grandmother (Oma), her rather uptight daughter Marie who has her own family; a husband, two young boys and an older daughter Martina who's living in Rome. Oma travels solo to Rome to get the pope's blessing for something and finds her granddaughter living with a rocker and working behind a bar in a rather rough café rather than with a nice Catholic family as an au pair (as her mother thinks). (I won't bore you with the synopsis, as you can read that elsewhere).

The main ingredients are a few chance encounters and the obvious culture shocks (which may now and then seem a bit contrived) but it's mainly about human kindness and people trying to get along with each other in varying degrees of success. The over protective Marie is (obviously, again) proved wrong. Oma and her granddaughter are way more laid back and get along just fine. There's also a nice performance by Giancarlo Giannini who plays a lovable rogue named Lorenzo.

Yes, it's feelgood fluff, but it often made me smile and even laugh out loud a few times. If you are looking for high brow cinema this isn't it. If you are looking for some good-natured escapism this might just do the trick.

Force (2014–2020)

Downhill Detective

[6/10 · 5 March 2017]

The first two seasons of "Smeris" were lighthearted fun with some decent action and suspense.

The third season however is riddled with clichés and stereotypical characters. A fat and incredibly annoying new colleague for instance, is so one-dimensional it's impossible to take him seriously. The same goes for a woolly therapist, a perky female journalist, and even Willem, one of the two main characters, with his barrage of lame jokes, cock-ups and go-to expletives like "fuksels!" whenever something goes wrong. He's the dorky type, we get it. Enough already with the constant over acting. His partner, Theo, is the cool and serious type, which is probably easier to get right.

It's all become way too much 'panto' now to be taken (relatively) serious any longer. Especially since the series is also dealing with serious issues like crime, terrorism and a cop dealing with deeply traumatic experiences. That does not sit well with (over the top) comedy. You can't do both at the same time and expect people to believe you.

Perhaps it's due to the apparently ever changing directors, as some Dutch directors tend to direct for the theatre, where everything has to be bigger. For TV and film however, smaller is better. Unfortunately, for some of them 'naturel' appears to be unattainable. Or perhaps it's due to the attempts to be contemporary with a topic like terrorism, but it does not sit well with the lighthearted tone of the show.

Also, it's rather unrealistic. Show me a copper who will comfort a criminal who just gunned down two people with an AK47 because he accidentally killed his brother too, instead of 'just' the seventeen year old girl he intended to murder. "Poor guy, you didn't know your brother was also in the car, did you? I really feel for you". Yeah, right... (!)

ISIS terrorists (on their way to a mass murder of innocent people) are frequently described as "annoyed kids who are being used" and especially Willem goes out of his way to keep the 'poor kids' out of harms way. Apparently that has priority over the safety of the general public.

Too bad it went all down hill to a comedy/panto wannabe detective series. I used to like it as a lighthearted yet entertaining and sometimes thrilling cop show. Now it's all become too ridiculous. If this is the tone from now on I won't mind if this is the last season. If they plan to go on, they'd better shape up.

Public Enemy (2016–2023)

Dark and gripping drama

[7/10 · 5 March 2017]

"It's about the journey, not the destination" it's often said. Same goes for this series one could say. The ride is very interesting, once you get into it after a little while.

Virulently sadist child killer Guy Beranger, who has murdered and tortured five young boys in the most sadistic way, is released after twenty years. Effectively that is four years for every young life he deliberately chose to cut short. Little wonder the general public isn't happy with his release at all. It's obviously also a criticism of the lax justice system in many European countries. Don't get me wrong, rehabilitation is very valuable for criminals who are redeemable. Serial killers however should never be released again, since they are incurable psychopaths.

There's a monastery waiting with open arms to house the 'poor' child killer, although not everyone is equally enthusiastic. There's a link here with the infamous Dutroux case in Belgium, where his accomplice was also housed in a monastery after release. Some will say the church believes in forgiveness, others will involuntary be reminded of the way thousands of young boys were abused whilst they were entrusted to the church. Child molesters united. (Call me a cynic if you like).

Understandably, the locals are very much opposed to the idea of a monster living their midst. Beranger himself proves to be as manipulative as he is sadistic and depraved. Everyone reacts differently to his existence in their midst, and that's partly where the power of this series lays. Besides the very gripping crime story, it's also interesting to see how one fateful decision affects a whole community (or two).

The solution to the new murder cases (i.e. the final two episodes) may appear a bit contrived (not that strong, logic wise) but I guess that may partly be due to the fact that a second season has now been announced. It's still a valid ending to a good story, but one can't help but wonder why someone would do these utterly horrible things unless he or she is a bona fide psychopath.

All in all definitely recommended if you like a dark crime story / social drama.

Springfloden (2016–2018)

Gripping and entertaining, for most of the ride

[8/10 · 3 March 2017]

'Springfloden' kept me glued to the screen till the very end. It has a great script, offering interesting topics alongside the main murder case that's being investigated. We witness a particularly horrible take on child abuse against young boys, as well as an equally grim crime wave against the homeless. It really makes one think about the glorification of violence in our societies. Especially since it's targeted at the weakest in society.

Besides the great script 'Springfloden' offers very good acting all over, a range of interesting characters and great photography. For the longest time I intended to give nine or even ten out of ten stars. So why 'only' eight? Because of the somewhat disappointing ending. No, I won't spoil it, but it felt a bit contrived, like a little trick a la Nelson from 'The Simpsons' shouting 'Ha-Ha' because you got it wrong. The reason why everyone will get it wrong is because there are no leads to the killer until the very end. At least in the main story, that is. The side stories, one about a dubious multinational, the other about the aforementioned violence against children and homeless, all work very well indeed. The 'private' bits between the investigators were also well written. You can feel it all leading up to something slow by slow, whilst several options are kept open. That's how it should be in a great crime story. Whereas, as said, the wrap- up of the main story is a bit of a let down, especially since the rest is so very good.

It's well worth watching though, there's certainly plenty to enjoy.

The Coroner (2015–2016)

Detective light in gorgeous scenery (S01)

[5/10 · 3 March 2017]

There are quite a lot of female detectives bouncing about nowadays. They're usually single, middle aged, with a complicated family situation and ditto love life. This series takes a leaf from the same book, with the only difference that the 'detective' is a coroner.

It's not very original or serious drama, but then it doesn't pretend to be be either. It's light entertainment and it knows it. On BBC One it's perched between 'Doctors' and 'Escape to the Country' for a reason. It's made for daytime TV.

Within its limits, the better episodes can be entertaining. The investigating duo, Jane and detective Davey (who also have a romantic history together) are rather enjoyable to watch. The gay coroner's assistant Clint is also funny and well chosen.

Some of the steady cast is less entertaining. Especially 'horny hippos' Judith (Jane's mother) and her equally weighty lover Mick (a pub owner sporting a 24/7 'Fat John Silver' persona) are getting rather tiresome after the tenth 'nine and a half weeks' impression in the family kitchen (whereby the 'hilarious' fat-guy-in-a- peignoir gag is repeated every single time). Why flaunt raunchy obese elderly people in every episode? Yes, these people have sex too. Most of us figured that already, so that's no reason to rub our faces in it every single time. Also, Judith doesn't want Jane to move out (she's enraged when Jane looks at a lovely cottage for sale) but never fails to mention it's her house they live in. Sensible grown ups don't live like that. It's hard to imagine a supposedly intelligent and responsible coroner would continue to live like that instead of doing the sensible thing and move out. It's quite obvious drama for drama's sake, and therefore rather boring and annoying.

Another gripe is the purple haired persona of Beth, Jane's daughter. The kid is all right, but she looks like the impression of a teenager by middle aged people without kids of their own. (They all got purple hair now, don't they? So let's do that every episode). It looks contrived and outdated.

The little stories are (just) entertaining enough. Some reviewers compared it to 'Midsomer Murders', the well known detective series. Whilst both are in the 'detective light' category, the latter is much better made than 'The Coroner'. Both demand some suspense of disbelief, but with 'Midsomer Murders' it's much easier to let go and enjoy the ride, because you know you're in a different realm altogether, whereas 'The Coroner' tries to be 'relevant' and 'realistic' and fails to deliver. You can't be all rustic and piraty on one side, and tackle immigration and women's issues simultaneously. It's tacky and gratuitous, and doesn't do justice to serious issues or light entertainment. Just pick one.

It's a halfway decent time-passer, and can sometimes be entertaining. This review is based on season one. Perhaps season two will bring some needed improvement, otherwise it probably won't last nearly as long as 'Midsomer Murders'.

The Flying Liftboy (1998)

Amusing kids' story

[7/10 · 21 January 2017]

The movie is based on the well-known children's book 'Abeltje' by the (locally) famous Annie M.G. Schmidt. The book is, as in most cases, better than the movie, which has been altered to appeal to another generation. Enter the skateboard and an earring for Abeltje, a mother who runs a garage instead of a florist's, and the 'girl next door' who suddenly became a 'love interest' of sorts. These modernizations show again their age today, probably more so than the original story would have done. I would have preferred it if they had stuck a bit more to the original story, although it must be said that they added a fair bit of adventure, which isn't all bad.

It's a decent (though rather wacky) children's adventure story the young ones will surely enjoy, and some parents may like it too.

NB: Comments about so-called 'racism' are not only ridiculous, they are simply moronic. And false. Clearly, ALL adults in the story are portrayed as goofballs, as is the case in most children's books. That's probably how it should be. Let the kids laugh about those silly grown-ups. Most likely some left-wing extremists can't handle the fact that the movie (also) pokes fun at some Fidel-wannabe revolutionaries in the fictional (hello!) country 'Perugona'. So yeah, don't confuse 'Pravda' (what's in a name) with the truth. It's blatant propaganda, just like in the old days.

Enjoy your movie. :-)

The Boy (I) (2015)

Excellent movie, but don't expect cheap thrills.

[8/10 · 14 January 2017]

The reason why some people give this film a bad rating is probably because they come to expect the usual blood, gore and cheap thrills the horror genre so often depends on.

This film is much cleverer and way more realistic than that. It shows how a neglected, deeply lonely young boy can become involved in horrible thoughts and acts, and it's so good at that that you can't help but empathise with the kid, at least part of the way. Near the end it (obviously) gets a lot darker, but who's to blame, really? A nine year old? Or his absent and/or incompetent, neglectful parents? The film doesn't firmly put the blame anywhere, but gives you plenty food for thought. It also has the hallmarks of a psychological drama, but you'd wish more horror films were as intelligent as this one is.

Recommended if the above appeals to you. If you're simply hoping to scare your girlfriend into holding hands, look elsewhere.

Candice Renoir (2013– )

The female sitcom-detective cliché

[1/10 · 5 June 2016]

Over the last decades, in Europe, we've been swamped with the older female detective character with a family in tow. Some have a weak excuse for a husband to emphasise their strength, many others are independent single mothers who struggle with a demanding job and raising their kids. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the genre. Nothing against strong and independent women, au contraire. I just prefer decent detective work above being sucked into the personal life of a fictional character. If I wanted to see family drama I'd go watch a sitcom. It's beyond me why the detective genre has to be muddled with sitcom-esque fluff like this. (I wouldn't buy it, but it's programmed on TV *instead* of a proper detective). I can accept a modest degree of family life. After all, Beck and Wallander have families too. However, they are primarily detectives, and every episode is about solving the case.

"Candice Renoir" is more sitcom than detectives. And it's just as tacky and kitschy as the name already suggests. A fifty-something big mama, who seems to think she's Brigitte Bardot in the seventies, miraculously becomes the team leader of a small town detective team. She blunders through everything, but 'magically' finds clues in fashion magazines and the likes. She's supposed to portray the strong and independent older woman who can do it all, kids and playing the boss- detective, but it's way to contrived to be the least bit believable. Her character, the rainbow team, the younger cutesy neighbour - who has stamped "love interest" in all caps across his handsome forehead - it's all a stylised light version of a concept we've seen many, many times before. And now it's here again, only worse. Yay.

To be fair, the acting of the team and other characters varies from passable to decent, but the lead actress is really milking the diva character, and as such, overacting horribly in just about every scene.

It might just about do as daytime TV, on a rainy afternoon, but that's probably me being generous.

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: 73 Seconds (2011) Season 12, Episode 1

Trade in Laurence Fishburne for Ted Danson? Seems a rip-off to me...

[3/10 · 5 December 2011]

Being a gear-head, this kinda feels like they took my Harley and gave me a Honda Cub instead. The latter may be have been a dependable best seller, but it hardly feels like an even trade.... Ask any biker.

I mean, Ted Danson? Really? A top crime series like CSI couldn't get anyone better suited or more interesting than that?! The crisis must have hit hard here, because I call this inflation, and a steep one at that...

Gil Grissom was interesting and intriguing, so was Fishburne's Ray Langston. He had big footsteps to to fill, but he did it with style. At the time I wondered if CSI could survive without Grissom, but Ray Langston really convinced from the first episode on. He gave the series the necessary depth, darkness and mystery. Ingredients that make me want to watch a series like CSI. In essence it's not about cool gadgets and clever techniques, those are mere tools. It's the mystery, darkness and suspense that really makes a good crime story interesting. Every good story needs charismatic and interesting characters to carry it, and the right actors to bring it all to life in a compelling and believable manner.

Ted Danson is a comedy guy, he may or may not be good at that, that's another discussion altogether, but he is definitely not suited to fill the void left by his two great predecessors.

If this is the road CSI is going I fear it has seen it's longest time. Sure, I'll give it a chance for a few more episodes, for old times sake, but I certainly will not be following for very long if it stays on this shallow and superficial path.

Alas, as I used to look out for new episodes, but this episode is well below par. And I fear it won't get any better soon, as I just can't take the Danson "DB" character seriously. He's all over the place; goofy mushroom collector, bourgeois married man / farmers-market shopper, quasi eccentric investigator, laid back 'dude', then unnecessarily bossy authoritarian, to end on a buddy buddy note... It all feels very shallow and artificial, and not like a real, crystallized personality. It's as if the creators decided the new guy had to appeal to a very broad audience (in a bid for good ratings), but by doing so they failed to give him any real character. Yeah sure, he's really nice to kids, therefore "DB" must have a good heart. That seemed to be the main message that was put across. What's next? Will he be doing any babysitting any time soon? Easy shot perhaps, but really, where's the mystery, the charisma and the darkness that made enigmatic characters like Grissom and Langston so compelling? I'm really disappointed... Is this really the best they could do?

I'm not getting the feeling the viewer has been taken seriously by the creators this time.

It probably won't happen, but I'd really, really wish for a comeback by Ray Langston. Or, if that's impossible for some reason or another, at least for an actor of Fishburne's caliber to fill in his footsteps as his successor. Because I'd really like for CSI to be about crime an mystery again, with ample suspense and good story lines, and not to devolve into a glorified sitcom with bickering characters and no real content or substance...

Civil Courage (2010 TV Movie)

A refreshingly honest portrayal of modern life in a multicultural European city

[10/10 · 18 February 2011]

"Zivilcourage" is a rare gem, in the sense that it's a brave and successful effort to truthfully depict the utter seriousness of 'every day troubles' of life in basically every major city in Europe nowadays.

It also happens to be a very good film. Certainly for a TV-production. It's sometimes warm and touching, often chilling and shocking, and always realistic. This is by no means a 'revenge flick'. No stereotypes here. There's a real story to be told, and every step leading to the next is comprehensible.

(EU) Crime-films and -series on TV are usually covered with the smothering blanket of political-correctness. The culprits are never immigrants, and if they are in some rare case, it's always the 'criminal with golden heart' type 'forced' to crime by society and/or a difficult childhood, I.E. 'circumstances beyond their control'. The baddies in these films and series are nearly without fail 'The Rich'. Be it the greedy CEO of a polluting factory, some evil scientist with a 'get rich with dubious pills' scheme or what have you. We often see the obligatory motives like greed and jealousy, but somehow we never see the type of crime reported in the everyday news bulletins. I wonder why. Afraid to 'offend' people? Unwilling to admit that multiculturalism has its flaws?

Do filmmakers and TV-stations really think average Joe & Jane haven't figured out by themselves that all is not well in their cities? Newsflash: they live it! Every day again they experience these problems first hand. So who do they think they're fooling, really?

Covering up problems has never been a solution, nor will it ever become one. First you have to face the truth and be honest about it, otherwise you'll never be able to solve any problems.

And that's exactly what "Zivilcourage" does. It shows these problems honestly and objectively. No stereotypical heroes and bad guys here, but real people and real problems. Everything and (almost) everyone is put into context, from the 'problematic' youths who are at the epicenter of these problems, the tired parents who lost control over their offspring, the worn out citizens who are fleeing the city, to desperate store owners and weary and lax police officers.

So no-one can claim it's one-dimensional without bending the truth. Calling it "right-wing propaganda" or even "racist" is totally ludicrous, not to say in VERY bad taste (Reductio ad Hitlerum). Whoever claims these things is clearly in denial about reality, and unwilling to accept the fact that the 'multicultural dream' hasn't exactly turned out as they had expected. And they haven't understood the film at all.

It doesn't accuse, it depicts certain facts and circumstances. Virtually no-one comes out smelling like roses, and it's by no means a simplistic 'blame it on the immigrants' story. That's nit-picking on one aspect, whilst completely taking it out of context. What then about calling it anti-government? It's not like police and government come off like heroes, or even very competent. On the same level you could say it's "anti-German", or "anti-parents" for that matter...

Curious how the immigrant-issue is being lifted out of context to blame the filmmakers of some 'unsavory double agenda'. Apparently, in many circles it's still 'not done' to say or show anything about immigrants that might somehow be construed as 'stigmatizing'.

It is exactly for this reason that "Zivilcourage" itself is courageous in several aspects. The filmmakers are as brave as the protagonists in their film. Going against mainstream is never easy, certainly not whilst many of your peers still 'go with the flow', avoiding difficult issues.

For their courage alone they deserve full credits, but let's not forget it's also a well made film. The very realistic story is gripping and captivating, the characters life-like.

Götz George is excellent and very believable as the elderly antique-book store-owner Peter Jordan. He clearly shows he is capable of much more than the (be it entertaining) role of "Schimanski" in a very different and more serious role. His Peter Jordan is as fragile as may be expected for his age, but he is resilient, and determined not to look the other way, or be forced out of his life-long neighborhood. His grown-up kids have already left, urging him to do the same, for his own safety. And isn't that the safest and easiest choice, to just look away if something bad happens, and to move away if bad things keep happening? But how long can you look the other way? And where to would you move if the same things happen again? A few of many good questions that arise in "Zivilcourage".

Carolyn Genzkow is also very good as the 'lost', barely literate girl Jessica, who is about to get thrown out of school. At home (if you can call it that) she takes care of her younger siblings and a sickly mother. She hardly has a chance to escape her dim situation, but she somehow realizes she has to do something right now, or flunk out and lose every chance at a better life. This "something" metabolizes as an internship in Peter Jordan's antique-book store. Reluctantly at first, she sees her internship as an obligation rather than a chance, but gradually her mindset changes...

"Zivilcourage" is as much about growing (up), choices, courage, and coping with life, as it is about the problems in a major city.

It's a multi-faceted gem, and as real as you can get.

Warmly recommended for anyone with enough realism to deal with today's issues and a shimmer of interest in what's going on in our cities.

For a decent review, context & background info in German, Google: "Wenn Zivilcourage zum Existenzkampf wird"