Short Reviews 25Q2

Being a list of brief notes on other culture consumed over the this quarter of the year that I either abandoned or don’t feel needs a longer discussion.

Life List- Netflix.(Abandoned) Almost good story of a doting mother's instructions to a daughter to complete the life list she made at 13 years of age. Interesting premise but ultimately and unengaging story of beautiful, privileged people and their very first-world problems of affluence. Everyone is just too perfect!

Greedy People- Sky Atlantic.Crime comedy with two cops and their attempts to cover up an accidental shooting. Very dark, a bit gory but also surprisingly funny. Better than I expected with some good twists.

The Critic- Amazon Prime.Ian McKellan as a particularly unlikeable theatre critic and his professional (and unprofessional relationship with a young actresss. Lovely period scenes and well acted all round, but not a particularly edifying or uplifting spectacle!

The Problem With People- Amazon Prime.A harmless piece of blarney about a long estranged family and the impact of a ill-thought out will. Include Chief O'Brien and Jimmy Perez's girlfriend amongst other familiar faces in a light-hearted comedy that did make me smile.

Say Nothing- Disney+.Based on the troubles in Northern Ireland. Quite compelling (and eye-opening) with some very gruesome scenes. Not afraid to pull punches but just became too nasty for me to see through to the end.

The Essex Millionaire Murders- ITV?.I have to say that no-one came out of this well, yes the murderer was a deeply manipulative and unpleasant person but then all those around him didn't seem that nice either! Not exactly uplifting viewing...

Another Simple Favour- Sky Cinema?.Deeply silly if rather pretty sequel to a movie I have apparantly seen but recall nothing about (this is why I've started journalling everything!)> There's a mafia wedding, lots of double dealing and unlikely twists but it is quite fun and entertaining in a mindless way.

Echo Valley- Apple TV+.Cleverly plotted if rather bleak story of how far a mother (Julianne Moore) will go to protect her daughter (Sydney Sweeney) and dig her out of a massive hole of her own making. Well acted but not not exactly exactly a fun watch

Farscape- Netflix.I just watched the first episode out of historical curiosity and it was actually much much better than I expected. It doesn't even appear very dated and maybe one day I'll watch the rest of the series.

Stick- Apple TV+.Owen Wilson plays himself as a washed up golfer finding a protégé and training him up for even greatest success. Well acted, especially by the prodigy's mum (loved in Man called Otto!) but abandoned for now as I'm just not that interested in golf. Maybe some other time.