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bradpemberton
Reviews
Heer & meester (2014)
Fun modern rendition of a 60's spy series.
What an enjoyable program literally right from the start of each episode with the James Bond style intro.
A throwback to the detective/spy series of the 60's, each show starts with Valentijn in some far off local when he receives a call to help in some case because of his extensive knowledge or connections. Of course the bad guys are really bad and Dann Schuurmans character is the knight in armor. There is always a "love" scene but thankfully nothing graphic and it is preceded by "love scene" music, classic!
This is a show to enjoy with the kids or just to binge watch on your own. No worries about profanity or graphic violence or nudity simply a great show with wonderful actors that you can laugh with and occasionally cry over.
Agatha Raisin (2014)
Quirky and Funny
I really enjoyed this series. The village it is shot in is beautiful and the characters who live there in the show are a real hoot. It's great that Acron produces shows like this, no nudity, profanity, drugs or gun play, just snappy dialogue and funny situations. Each episode has much the same form but how the crime is solved is far from formulaic and no matter how desperate the situation Agatha manages with the help of long suffering friends, to come out on top. This series has the potential to enjoy many future seasons much like the Midsomer Murder franchise.
Foyle's War (2002)
Wonderful!
This program is absolutely one of the best. Each episode is a complex multilayered plot where you can never be sure who has done what or why. The actors are superb, the sets range from quaint pubs to magnificent mansions and the writing is excellent. I have repeatedly noted events and places that I've read about later simply because of the historical accuracy of each episode. Foyle's War is the type of show that is much needed to demonstrate what great writing really is.
Fortitude (2015)
Definitely not a psychological thriller.
If you watch this series do not confuse violence and gore for any type of psychological drama. This is the failing of many a writer and director, they take a plausible and interesting story in a dark and haunting place and think adding hideous and inhuman scenes makes the plot intriguing. Of course this is not true and though shock is memorable, it is not so in a good way. This is true also of using profanity as dialogue and sex as scintillating plot movers. I get that underlying the peaceful facade of Fortitude there are debase and carnal layers that effect most everyone but there is an art to showing how one event causes all that to boil to the surface and effect, even ruin lives and reputations. Unfortunately, this series lost its focus and art gave way to sick "slasher" madness. The only characters to really root for are the glacier (it was talked about often enough and could have been a great threat device) followed by Morton and Ronnie's daughter Carrie. Fortitude could have been truly mysterious and spooky sadly, it became just another Hollywood type horror flick.
Code of a Killer (2015)
Saw on Acorn TV
I found this a wonderful rendition of the trials and pains involved in creating the DNA fingerprinting process. It did have a good amount of science included but this was a theme that undergirded the entire series. The dogged work by the police the anxiety of the scientists and the grief and hope of the victims families were woven into a great story. This is the type of show we need more of.
Striking Out (2017)
Great series!
This is so much better than the drivel from American studios. No overt sex or profanity and no exploding cars or blazing gun battles, wow actual dialogue that drew me in and made me feel that I was a fly on the wall watching, experiencing the drama. Loved the ending, just enough to make me want to watch next season and left me thinking that the character Eric may also be a victim - of his bad parents and their drive to make him 'win' at everything. I recommend this show highly.