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Reviews
Van der Valk: Payback in Amsterdam (2022)
Series 2, Episode 3 - Ripped from the Headlines
Think of this as a dramady with incredible scenery - and that includes Marc Warren as both he and Amsterdam are equally hot on screen. When this show comes on, I am just transported with suspended belief and just enjoy the ride. You know all the main characters will survive and so even the suspenseful parts can be watched with peace. I can't wait for Series / Season 3. This episode reminded me of one of several Law and Order episodes ripped from the headlines and thus, it IS predictable. A police procedural where the main characters will survive each week and the bad guys get caught is by it's very nature predictable. I think a show like this gains popularity because either the actors are compelling or the characters are compelling.
Van der Valk: Blood in Amsterdam (2022)
Series 2, Episode 2 is a fun ride
Think of this as a dramady with incredible scenery - and that includes Marc Warren as both he and Amsterdam are equally hot on screen. When this show comes on, I am just transported with suspended belief and just enjoy the ride. You know all the main characters will survive and so even the suspenseful parts can be watched with peace. I can't wait for Series / Season 3. In this episode I was as captivated as ever and enjoyed the plot and the story. Each episode is a police procedural but more importantly it's a development (hopefully) of the relationship of the four characters (5 if you count VDV's boss). In that way think of it like NCIS; don't watch it for the crime, but instead watch it for the serial story about the main characters.
Van der Valk: Plague on Amsterdam (2022)
Love Love Love This Show
Think of this as a dramady with incredible scenery - and that includes Marc Warren as both he and Amsterdam are equally hot on screen. When this show comes on, I am just transported with suspended belief and just enjoy the ride. You know all the main characters will survive and so even the suspenseful parts can be watched with peace. I can't wait for Series / Season 3. In this episode the crew picks up right where they left off after Series 1. I kept wondering if VDV's boss was the same woman or different because her hair was so different. That was actually a distraction and I wonder now if it is a wig due to health problems. I don't think fictional murder stories need to be all that believable and the character who eats all the time - well that IS a portrayal of a real life person. I want my characters to have human qualities.
Hello, It's Me (2015)
Sometime's it just the mood I'm in...
... but I thought that was in the top 10 Hallmark movies I've seen. I've always liked Kellie Martin since the bookstore mystery days with Clarence Thomas III, so when I noticed she was in it, I sat right down. Just super entertaining, family friendly, poignant, entertaining.
Breezy (1973)
Very Moving
I found the movie mesmerizing both visually and emotionally. I felt uncomfortable - they say Holden felt uncomfortable with her because she was so young (19), but that uncomfortableness is part of the authenticity of the emotion of the film. Visually, it's a flashback to the 70's so appeals to me as a boomer. It was very moving and poignant; it doesn't matter if intellectually it can be picked at; if you connect with it on a visceral level, you will find it life altering.
Van der Valk (2020)
Riveting and a Great Juxtaposition of Personal Story with Crime Story
First job for Marc that presents him in his absolute best light. Line delivery phenomenal. Male haters are jealous. Suspend belief to appreciate it in "Cockney". The same thing was done with Zen re accents; blame lazy directors, not the actors. All three episode hold up for repeat watching; love seeing Amsterdam. Can't wait for Series 2.