crw1 Reviews

Happy Valley (2014–2023)

Not a wasted word. Or no words

[10/10 · 20 March 2024]

I'm so over US (mainly cop) shows with bawled commands (stating the obvious), orders that can't be accepted without 'You got it' (alternative, 'On it') and a reassuring pat on the arm (alternative, shoulder) and of course a blazing, predictable gun fight.

Happy Valley is quiet class. Not a word is wasted, nothing is uttered that doesn't need to be. The characters are utterly convincing, even silences are perfect (witness Clare's wordless internal battle with 'What have I done', 'What should or can I say', Should I even say anything?' A masterclass in 'face acting')

The main story, with absorbing sidelines, is gripping with only a rare need for shocking detail and some nasty bits handled with sensitivity.

I have only slight disappointment that some of the foreign villains aren't quite convincingly evil enough but it's so minor. It's safe to say nothing can spoil this flawless writing (some wonderful rejoinders and parting shots) and acting (words, gestures, expressions). It's just wonderful, complete.

Convict (2014)

His cap

[1/10 · 5 February 2024]

When a (supposed) SAS soldier wears his beret like that, you know at the very least, and early on, that the director is sloppy. Like when drivers talk to their passengers, facing them for long seconds (film ends abruptly in fatal crash) or when trained radio communicators say 'Over and out', you know you are in for a sloppy ride. Authenticity? Bah, who needs that? 'Neighbours' quality wooden acting, bad predictable script, unconvincing hard men, exaggerated facial expressions lacking the subtlety that makes them so real. Nothing good about this film, not a single quality to redeem it All been done before and heaps better. And why do people defend these awful B, C, D movies? Does the low budget excuse them, make them watchable? They are bad films, why watch them, what can you get from people (not 'actors') saying bad lines badly? I want to be absorbed in the plot, I want to love or hate the characters as the story means me to, not be indifferent to them. I want to care what happens next and groan when the plot doesn't go my way, rejoice when it does. I so didn't care how it would end, I gave up. It hurt to watch. Maybe it had a great ending and the pain would have been worth it. I'll never know. I feel no loss.

Utopia (I) (2014– )

Funny ALL the time.

[10/10 · 28 July 2023]

I only started watching this at new Season 5 ... and became addicted. Fortunately the first four seasons are out there. Now, if you're not a fan of the Simpsons my initial comments won't work here. If you are ... this show reminds me of The Simpsons. How? In that it is funny ALL the time-non-stop clever funny. Every exchange is slick, perfectly timed and seriously amusing. Of course the satire is the core of it and that's both funny and tragic-because we can all so easily imagine the authenticity of it and be made to feel despair. But for the pure comedy of the situations and interactions, the honours must be shared evenly between the writers and the actors-both are superb with impeccable scripts and timing in the repartee of corrections, interruptions, dismissals, overrides, manipulations. It's the cream of Australian comedy writers and actors so it's hardly surprising that it is so good. Like the political cartoonist's exaggerated reresentations of those in the public eye, the characters are almost all caricatures and thus exaggerated in their non-stop amusing awfulness. But two characters stand out as entirely and unexaggeratedly authentic: the flawless Rob Sitch's long suffering Tony and Celia Pacquola's Nat. I've been a fan of Celia since Rosehaven but that irrepressible madcap is not on show here. Instead, a brilliant display of 'expression acting' (my lay term). The subtlety of her facial expression-or intended absence of one-is just beautiful to watch. Her eyes, intonation, body language, along with those expressions (or deliberate lack of them) perfectly but so subtly register her dismay, disappointment, disbelief, defeat and resignation at and by what comes her way. Her role playing as Naomi in S3/E5 'Start Up' is about the funniest TV I've ever seen. I love the whole show for its disquieting comedy but especially love the exquisite subtlety of Celia's minimalist acting masterclass. Bless her. Bless them all!

FBI (2018– )

Woke, PC, bad Republicans etc.

[4/10 · 18 May 2023]

I believe a lot of the reviewers perceive what they want to, seeing woke/PC cos they don't like it; politics cos they feel bad about Trump's gutless Republicans; Reds under the bed all over again. Sigh. So I take no notice of those reviews. Jubal shouts, maybe a team leader does-at least in typical movie character exaggeration. Yes the team are just too good at getting information and it is tiresome when they add 'He must have turned it off' to 'No, no phone signal'. And the amount of ammunition they get through! Stop complaining about aunthetiticy liberties, it's a show-women have been waking up in bed with full make on since Hollywood began, firemen never wear their chinstraps, and the bad guys have almost always been lousy shots. Every show has a conclusion so it has to be fast paced. But Missy Peregrym is the star, fabulous 'face acting' with the subtlest of expression changes 'speaking' volumes. She's just so good to watch. And there are good comments and ripostes. I only dislike inexcusable howlers like Isobel asking to be kept appraised (apprised) and pre-planning (planning). Otherwise, good light entertainment.

The Sweeney (2012)

Secular Sacrilege

[1/10 · 22 April 2023]

I never was a great fan of any of John Thaw's characters but now I retrospectively love his Jack Reagan. This preposterous namesake-guns blazing (all lousy shots so the story can live on), ridiculous Bond-style car chase-rebrand of the (TV) Flying Squad is of tragic proportions. Don't watch it with any expectation of an albeit updateld nostalgia-type trip: it's just another Ray Winstone film (needless to say more, right). Uncomplicated plot, predictable outcome (with largely predictable stages, can't call them 'plot development') my only remaining hope is that thisvdoesn't spawn a series. Give it a miss if you liked the original-it was surely possible to bring it into the 2010s without abandoning all the original qualities.

Unforgettable (2011–2016)

I just like it, love Carrie.

[10/10 · 3 April 2023]

Poppy's Carrie is an alluring minx, sparkling with good humour and mischief: I love her. The repartee with friend and foe is slick and entertaining and she has a super-sexy slightly husky voice. Apart from that ... the plots are light, the procedures -(finding stuff out) probably not authentic (but maybe tech whizzes CAN type that fast, and that noisily) but spotting the links, clues, irregularities, inconsistencies that Carrie spots/remembers is fun. The perps tend to confess a bit too often but I can watch smug bad guys (and girls) who think they are above the law getting brought down every day-without it taking ten episodes to get just one after countless twists and frustrating betrayals. Just don't take it too seriously, enjoy it-it's not The Wire.

Holby Blue (2007–2008)

Awful

[1/10 · 30 March 2023]

If this is authentic police officer behaviour (and it sadly might be) and police work, god help the honest British public. 'Neighbours' standard acting, bad script, weak story lines, unconvincing stereotypical characters. And the usual predictable matrimonial side issues. Makes The (later) Bill look good (and is that saying something). Managed 3 episodes then started writing this. I know some characters have to be annoying but most of them? Line of Duty, anything with Nicola Walker in it-just great. But this is jno more than soap, devoid of substance, clumsily trying to be exciting and compelling and failing miserably. There must be a reason most of the actors are almost unknown, just people saying their lines. Do yourselves a favour, leave it alone.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995)

Don't Compare

[8/10 · 26 January 2022]

Not sure why reviewers feel the need to compare it (to Tarantino's work for example). I just watched and enjoyed it. Ok, it's a simple plot, fine. So there are a couple of sidebars (things to do!) The characters are diverse and plausible, the acting is as you'd expect from such a great cast. So ... don't compare it, it's a standalone movie and I've enjoyed it repeatedly.

The Newsreader (2021– )

A One Act(or) Show.

[5/10 · 4 December 2021]

Some of the poor reviews are based on much greater knowledge, perception, and dissection than mine. I just didn't like it because of the poor quality acting. Only Robert Taylor can act. Well, Anna Torv as Helen just scrapes in. Sam Reid is very weak, 'Neighbours' quality. The rest are worse. Not very good at all.

Quiz (2020)

Awful Tarrant (Not the actor)

[8/10 · 25 October 2021]

The best ... or worst ... about this was Sheen's masterful portrayal of the awful Tarrant with all his smugness, witless, often embarrassing comments to and about competitors and partners and his dreadful contorted facials. He eventually made the show unwatchable for me. Well done Sheen for an accurate portrayal of this staggeringly overrated unpleasant presenter.

Des (2020)

Tedious lighting up

[7/10 · 15 October 2021]

It's OK but is made difficult by the incessant lighting up and concentrated attention to tbe crackling red end. 'They' say it's for 'authenticity' (yes, lots of people smoked back then) but it's surely just legal smoking advertising. You can be certain the tobacco industry were in on the funding. Just try to ignore it, tedious and as obvious as it is. And it wasn't a great feat of acting by DT, all a bit matter of fact. Compare Tony Curtis as Albert DeSalva.

Man on Fire (2004)

Dakota Fanning's Face Acting

[10/10 · 9 August 2021]

Great movie, gripping etc. Washington at his best. But for me the best part is Dakota Fanning's 'Face Acting'. Just the slightest tightening of her lips, for example, or tiny 'eye smile', says 'it' all. How can someone so young have acted so beautifully with such exquisitely subtle expressions? And she's never disappointed since.

The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014– )

Shared Detecting and Subtle Expressions

[10/10 · 3 August 2021]

I like it. The three detectives work (detect) well independently and together, all contributing, unlike, say, Aiden in Vera who never seems to do any detecting. The rapport is good, lots of smile humour. Breen especially knows how subtle, minimal 'face acting' is very much more engaging than the sort of contorted faces Grint used to pull in HP (for the best 'face acting' watch Dakota Fanning in Man on Fire). Fern is good too, great eye acting, there, expressive but not overdone. And Shepherd isn't rude to his colleagues like crabby Vera ("I got you some fish 'n' chips Ma'am". "Never mind about that now, let's concentrate on ... ").

Just good entertainment, plots engaging, not so obvious, bit of 'hmmmm' and 'maybe', and 'Nah'.

Rosehaven (2016–2021)

Perfect Television

[10/10 · 31 July 2021]

It's brilliant in every respect. Funny, perfectly scripted and acted, and the the actors' interplay timing is flawless. Lovely settings too. Just a delight from beginning to end. IF the plots are a bit thin it matters not one jot it's so utterly enjoyable. Please don't use the 'F' word (Final).

Hinterland (2013–2016)

To much expressionless silence

[26 July 2021]

Not awful back-slapping, shoulder-punching, gun-toting American crime but just another not very exciting crime solving series. The Matthias character's permanently puckered brow and expressionless silences to the point of rudeness are hard to put up with. If, in Holmes style, his constant silent surveying of crime scenes are supposed to mean he sees what no one else does, it is poorly played. Not very exciting. Whodunit? Any one of the suspects-don't care.

My Mother and Other Strangers (2016)

Enjoyed it, even if the main story is much-told.

[10/10 · 19 May 2021]

The captain couldn't be from Connecticut (oh dear, ruined). One harsh critic tells us Ireland was neutral in WWII--what a blunder. Der ... Northern Ireland. And Rose's awful bulging eyes. She WAS feeling terror and horror at what was being irresistibly awakened within her. I thought the battle between her conflicting duty, loyalty and sacrifice--of obviously many years--and her latent awakened yearning, was well conveyed and balanced. I just liked it, the period atmosphere was caught perfectly, the kids are fun, the natives' (attitude) deplorable.

Fisk (2021– )

Complete

[10/10 · 7 April 2021]

It's on a par with Rosehaven. Perfect timing, immaculate delivery and very clever funny. The subtlety of Kitty's 'face acting' is sublime. The plots are almost superfluous so entertaining is the characters' interplay. A smile (or chuckle, splutter, hoot) from beginning to end,

The Chase Australia (2015– )

Unwatchable egomaniac O'Keefe

[1/10 · 18 February 2021]

As another reviewer said - unwatchable. The theartical hands, the facials, the awful false laugh ... and awful more. Like supersmug Tony Barber, O'Keefe oozes vanity, thinks it's the Andrew O'Keefe Show. Thank fate he's gone (though for bad reasons). Hope 7 get someone quietly competent like Glenn Ridge or Ed Phillips - not another bighead like Rove Mc (or Mac).

Stella (2012–2017)

Unendurable Characters

[3/10 · 14 February 2021]

I lasted, somehow, to S6E2. And I only lasted that long by muting the sound for the dreadful, bulldozing Aunty Brenda, Bobs and the ridiculous oaf Karl.

I could stand the presumably authentic Welsh mix of third person singular and plural ('E have') but the 'C'm year' prelude to another panacea hug scraped the nerves every time.

It's a great ad for contraception too with the phone constantly interrupting for yet another event-disrupting pathetic drama with one of the clueless kids. And for other reasons.

And when it comes to excruciating over-acted facial contortions, Bobs, Nadine and sneering Little Al come equal worst.

Some of the repartee was chuckleworthy (keeping me going) but the realisation that, for example, ghastly people like Beyonce really exist finally drove me away.

Bargain Hunt (2000– )

Bring Back Tim - PLEASE

[9/10 · 12 February 2021]

February 2021. I've been watching repeats. They confirm what I firmly believe - only Tim can host this show. Charlie's insufferable exuberance and Anita's ponderous baby-speed talk are the worst. But they are all irritatingly bad compared the consummate, cultured Tim with his convincing common touch. Get him back whatever it takes. Oh, and enjoy the silly fun, it doesn't matter that the market-stall buying and the auction-room selling mostly makes no financial sense. Just make some guesses and see what happens.

Maudie (2016)

Not acting, being.

[10/10 · 8 October 2020]

Don't read any of the professional critics' reviews: complaints about the music, the sentimentality, pah! Just take this mesmerising look at the life and spirt of Maudi given to us by Sally Hawkins. That's not acting, Sally, that's being. Hawke perfect too. Re another comment: Slow?! (Bad slow?) Yes, perfectly 'slow', enabling us to feel the years go by and savour the simple richness of the story.

Death in Paradise (2011– )

Acting could be better

[1/10 · 30 June 2020]

I like the show, it's fun and the dénouments interesting. But I so wish the regular supporting cast were better actors. Like the young three in Harry Potter movies, they just haven't mastered the art of 'face acting' and their expressions are unnatural and lack real-life subtlety (watch Dakota Fanning in anything). Neither do they deliver their lines smoothly, convincingly, they are just repeating the script. Apart from the resident DI, it's about Neighbours/Home and Away level action. And Ruby ... dreadful, annoying, idiotic character. But there's still enough to make it lightly entertaining.

The Newsroom (2012–2014)

Didn't analyse it, just thoroughly enjoyed it

[10/10 · 6 January 2020]

I can't write clever stuff about it being too this or too that; nor can I, with any authority, say which actors were out of their depth or 'clearly' uncomfortable with some of their lines. I just loved the characters and their interactions, the dilemmas, the solutions and the insights into how such TV events are put together. And the humour: much of the banter and repartee is razor sharp. Just enjoy it, top entertainment.

Prime Suspect: Tennison (2017)

Ok, but Neighbours-standard acting.

[5/10 · 3 November 2019]

Only Ruth Sheen and Alun Armstrong rescue this at an acting level. The other contributors simply don't have the skill to create convincing characters - definitely B grade. But it's entertaining enough - despite the endless 'authentic' lighting up.

Scott & Bailey (2011–2016)

Great - just spoiled by the tobacco industries contribution

[8/10 · 1 July 2019]

The quality of the acting, the plots and (presumably authentic) procedures, the interaction between the main characters, the repartee, the characters (so convincing) make this a top show-real quality, absorbing TV. If only they didn't have to light up so often. Smoke breaks add nothing to the story, they just 'advertise' smoking especially as the smoking itself is so exaggerated. The cry is that 'People smoke, it's authentic'. Bosh. Had there had never been a smoking scene, I cannot believe anyone would have complained, said it needed them. It's just a legal way past the ban on smoking adverts and spoils an otherwise near faultless show. Shame on the producers for including regular smoking.