dklecan Reviews

Dead Boy Detectives (2024– )

fun weekend of movie viewing

[8/10 · 1 May 2024]

I can't imagine the mind of Gaiman or his household. Must be crazy. If Crystal would touch him, what would she see? ...her mind would probably explode.

First of all, I enjoyed how Death from sandman showed up in the first episodes, and how the boys mentioned her often...Lovely character that I hope returns for season 2. Always liked her in comics. Gaiman is hit or miss for me. I liked Sandman (comic book...so complex, TV show a bit less), but this show is much more enjoyable and palatable. Sandman is a god, these two are relatable kids who just happen to be ghosts. Their backstory evolves slowly through the 8 episodes with much joy and sadness.

This is an example of why, as an old adult, enjoy this show and similar ones, (Alex Rider) and not the Spiderwick chronicles, which I watched the previous week. In Chronicles, you didn't know where the protagonist were coming from...were they Foes, friends, enemies, betrayer, mole? It seemed to change every few minutes. They were not very likable and had little charisma. Here they have it in spades, especially the two boys. Their personalities improved, evolved, and became stronger as they added the three girls. All of these Y. A. "coming of age, fantasy, Sci fi journey, stories are so much more enjoyable when it is a group of tight knit heroes against creepy, horrible, yet, occasionally likable (Cat King) adversaries. So see this and Alex Rider, Dungeons and Dragons. Avoid Spider-wick Chronicles. Add Tuesday to this group of shows, poor thing, she had to deal with everything by herself.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2024)

hard to follow

[4/10 · 27 April 2024]

I am editing my rating (lower) after just watching Dead Boys Detective Agency, a similar "coming of age" fantasy story. I gave DBDA a 9....loved it. Dead Boys is the perfect example and highlights what I don't like about this show. In DBDA, the two protagonist are wonderful kids, with great chemistry, charismatic, and good acting skills. They work together, learn about each other and themselves, evolve and gather other loyal followers throughout the 8 episodes. A great "coming of age" fantasy/sci-fi journey. Found similar positive traits with Alex Rider, Dungeons and Dragons, the live action manga of the sailor kid (can't remember name? One something?)

The reverse is true here. At one point the spiderwick daughter asks her sword wielding adversary, Bree, "what's with you, you're nice to me one moment and then your mean?" That's how I feel about this movie. This family hates each other, then they love each other, they lie to each other, don't trust each other, back and forth, it's dizzying. Mother constantly listens to the villain she's just met, but doesn't listens or trusts her own kids.

I"m an adult and these teen movies scare me. I love Alex Rider...and the reason is that the story is consistent, the kids and Jackie are super loyal against creepy traitorous adults. Scary suspenseful spy thriller. Here u don't know where anyone stands.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Some OK magical moments, but doesn't touch the original

[6/10 · 29 March 2024]

Blunt was great, kids annoying, but likable when they finally succumb to the magic of Poppins. Super classics like The sound of Music, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, etc., despite misogamy/and/or racism of their eras, are so timeless and magical that they are untouchable. Have any reboots, and/or part 2, ever equal or surpassed the original? These classics became classics because there was a perfect combination of actors, chemistry, music, dancing, plot, dialog that made them classics. We can all sing or quote lines from the original Mary Poppins and other classics (example: " a spoonful of sugar,", "we are not in Kansas Toto"). But i just finished watching this movie for the second time, and although music was lovely, I can't remember any of the songs or am I remotely interested in adding any song to my playlist.

Why Manuel Lin? I'd love to read or hear a British person's take on his accent, cause as soon as he opened his mouth about the London Sky my brain seized up. It was like nails on a chalkboard. He forced a British/cockney accent to every syllable that came out of his mouth, while still maintaining his New York/hispanic accents. Dick Van Dyke accent was bad, but his charm, lanky dancing and comedic talents overrode any vocal inadequacies. And Dyke's few minutes of performance at the bank proved it. There are tons of British song/dance actors. Too bad they took that role away from them cause Manuel happen to be the "it actor" at the time.

OK to watch on Disney channel with family, but wouldn't pay extra to watch.

X-Men '97 (2024– )

too nostalgic

[5/10 · 23 March 2024]

I know I am being the devil's advocate, but don't like this. It is too retro. They almost duplicated word for word the halting dialogue, retain the old animation style, and 3rd rate grating voice-over actors. I was looking forward to this, but I'd have liked a bit of 21st century digital work and ideas infused into this production. And given the current world situation, I am not keen to see more prejudice, racism, political hacks, dictators, injustice, war, etc. Maybe take a page out of 1965-1999 Scooby Doo cartoons. Great for growing up, but I'd much prefer the 21st century versions, with the new voice actors, getting rid of the scrappy-doo, even the bug-eye style of "be Cool, Scooby-Doo."

so if u like hard-core nostalgia, watch this, but an updated version, this is not it.

Father Brown (2013– )

skip season 11

[8/10 · 13 February 2024]

Love father Brown, but season 11 is beyond boring. I used to look forward to new episodes, but this year I barely bother. It feels like Father Brown's actors just said "let's get through this year, pay us, and then we can retire." I love mysteries, police procedurals, etc. And just enjoy the ride without trying to figure out "who dun-it. But these episodes are so simplistic, I know who's done it without even making an effort.

The biggest problem, of course, was getting rid of Bundy and lady Felicia. There is now no access to the upper class with their peculiarities, their wealth, waywardness, mansions, free morals and the humor. No love/hate relationship between Mrs. McCarthy"s british steadfastness vs Lady Felicia aristocratic snootiness and Bundy's new found post-war bohemian wildness.. And all these quirky characters working with and against a setting featuring mid-century Catholic priest was the basis of Father Brown.

The two new protagonist, Mrs. Devine, a WW 2 war widow and new secretary and her assistant waif, although cute, really don't bring anything to the show...just middle class 1950 boredom. No drama, no tension, no surprises. So murders are no surprise either. The only brightness in this show is the wardrobe with the giant billowy skirts and tons of petticoats. Even the romance between Chief Inspector and Mrs. Devine is lackluster.

Flambeau finally shows up, and I was looking forward to his input, but this episode too was predictable and boring. Actually there is no mystery. The bad guy killed the guard.

Watch and rewatch seasons 1 to 10, jewel, or Mrs. McCarthy's strawberry but skip season 11. I never thought it could be this bad, Don't waste your time on season 11. . I would not be surprised if this show gets cancel, nobody is making an effort here.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024– )

weekend escapism...not here.

[6/10 · 3 February 2024]

Pros: great actors, good chemistry, liked that they wearing the "hangin out" clothes that we all wear even when in Italy. Most of the episode could stand alone, with a mission each hour.

Con. But, hey this is my weekend. The trailer promised a fun spy partners (opposite or same sex) working together. I was looking forward to a light hearted, Psych, the Schwarzenegger/Curtis, or the Kevin Hart/Rock movies. What I got was 30% spy movie and 70% "Scenes from a Marriage." The two protagonist are not comedians, but smart ass, sarcastic, New York type intellectuals analyzing every bit of their relationship....bore fest!! There is actually one episode where they meet an older snootier spy version couple of themselves over a snooty New York dinner, with only 5 minutes of spy stuff at the end.

If you like art house indie movies about the ups and downs of a relationship with a bit of spy stuff, this is your glass of wine, but if you to relax this weekend watch Reacher, or Mission Impossible with your can of beer.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023– )

Snoozefest

[4/10 · 15 January 2024]

I hate comparing, as each cinematic iteration of Percy Jackson is unique, but, for me, this version is a study in boredom. Halfway through and I am not caring or looking forward to the next episodes. All three protagonists are good-looking talented kids, but I am not caring for any of them. The little girl is extremely unlikeable, Percy's "guardian/sidekick" has not guarded him from anything that I've seen and Percy just seems to be going through the motions of his quest. Not curious, enjoying it or surprised.

Take the episode with Medusa, an encounter, that by definition, is horrifying. Here it is as exciting as a dialog out of a soap opera. Medusa goes on and on about Percy's mom, "I knew your mom, I liked her, I didn't like, we are similar, we are not similar, we were friends, not friends," etc. Etc. Then Percy and Medusa drift into another room, and the another conversation starts again. Next episode the exact same thing happens, but this time in a train with another disguised crazy lady and her Chimera, "my chimera is a monster, it's going to eat you, scare you, blah, blah, blah, blah. Basically each episode is equal to a scene from the first movie a decade ago with just tons of boring dialog, spoken by three bored kids.

Let this one go just download the movies from a few years back. Loads of fun, laughter and suspense. Check out Hermes with one of my favorite fantasy actor (spacing on name) as the UPS guy...fun times.

The Boss Baby: Back in the Crib (2022–2023)

back in the crib is crazy TV animation

[8/10 · 14 January 2024]

I just reviewed this show on the wrong place. There's so many of these Boss babies it's hard to keep track, but if you are a fan of Warner Brothers type of crazy Bugs Bunny type of animation....watch this particular version of boss baby.

Once Crispin biscuit, a hard-core villain, gets into the mix crazy things happen. I have a feeling that the writers, animators and producers started having a blast and don't care who their audiences is. I'm middle-age ...advanced education and sometimes I have a hard time following What's going on. These episodes are way above Kids level of understanding and little related to the original family movie with Baldwin.

There's often episodes that backfire with crazy deeper themes. Especially after Ted's niece goes to baby resort. A nutty heist follows by crispin biscuit of an underwater baby bank guarded by kittens and the craziness is fully unleashed. Then criminals start hiding themselves by turning into babies. Ted goes to Canada to escape , the grizzly bear plus US government chases him down. This is all goofy crazy animation geared toward those of us who love out of control animation.

The Boss Baby: Family Business (2021)

crazy!! who is the demographics? especially latter episodes?

[8/10 · 14 January 2024]

Love it, especially the latter episodes, starting with the Crispin biscuit episodes. When Ted's niece goes to baby resort world, things really start going crazy...I even have trouble keeping up and I am an older person with post graduate education. I don't understand who the demographic...it is way past the cuteness of the original movie targeted toward families.. I think that the people writing and producing these episodes are having a blast and don't care. Each episode the plot backfires for the protagonists and often make no sense, and is way over the heads of kids.

Once you have criminals getting themselves shrunk into babies to hide their criminal activities from the government and Ted escaping to Canada it gets even more bizarre. But if you like the Warner Bros bugs bunny lunacy ....keep watching.

My Life Is Murder (2019– )

rewatch in anticipation of Season 4

[8/10 · 4 January 2024]

During recent holidays I rewatched My Life is Murder and I enjoyed it much more the second time around and can't wait for season 4, currently in post production. I understand Alexa's cranky and angry disposition better, dealing with the death of her husband, retirement from a job she obviously enjoyed, and dealing with a brother in prison. But the move to New Zealand and surrounding herself with mellow caring people who love her despite her crankiness she is slowly mellowing out.

Bombarded with grizzly, blood and gore TV shows that stretched themselves out in 6, 8, to 10 episodes for no reason, with an alcoholic, or divorced, or any number of back story problems detective, it is wonderful to relax in a quirky and funny crime show set in one of the most beautiful cities/countries in the world. Sit back with Eye candy Harry presenting the crime to Alexis in one of the many gorgeous sites in Auckland and off we go.

Instead of leaving all the detecting to just one protagonist like another favorite show of mine, Vera, the staff of My Life is Murder allows Alexa to share TV moments wit her wonderful co-stars, Madison, Will, Reuben (more eye candy) andnew comers Beth and her "cute as a button" niece. All of these are great actors that bring a positive quirky attitude to the show and can't wait to see them again.

I am amazed at the many reviewers that complain about "too much color" in the show?@#$? WTF? How can there be too much color? Do these folks live in a Georgia O'Keefe, only stucco, environment? Or Minnesota in the middle of the winter? How can there be too much color? If it bugs you so much, you can change the settings on your TV. I spent a month in Auckland, and yes, the colors are gorgeous. During My first drive from the airport to my friend's house I screamed in delight over a flock of huge birds in the freeway median, gorgeous bright blue with bright colors around their eyes and beaks, just eating una fard of the traffic. . Bougainvilleas and other flowering trees dripped outside my bedroom window and beyond that the azure of the ocean. The show does not exaggerate...., everywhere in Auckland you see beautiful vistas.

Kudos to Madison's stylist and Kudos to Madison herself who struts around with joy in every scene she is in wearing every color in the world with fun and pizzaz. Kudos, too to Harry's looks....amazingly he can wear a zipped up athletic top under a tailored suit and looks great. Ironically, my one complaint of the show is Alexas' thin floppy coats. She must have several dozen, in every color. She doesn't seem cold, doesn't use the pockets, they just seem to flap in the wind for no reason. LOL

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Maggie Moore(s) (2023)

a "wanna be" Breaking Bad murder mystery

[7/10 · 31 December 2023]

Pros: 1. Romance between Hamm and Fey. Great Chemistry here. Their relationship seemed pitch perfect for their age and personality. I would love to see them again in a rom-com. They seemed natural vs that latest yell match of a rom-com of Julia Roberts in her daughter's wedding. 2. I loved the views of my Sandia Mountains. The Sandia mountains loom over everything in ABQ, and they did a great job including them in the background of many of the scenes.

Cons: 1. Seemed like they tried to make a murder mystery in the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul playbook. There are Scenes of funky architecture, dialogs inside crazy diners, murder in a 1950's era concrete apartment and another crime scene located out in the desert. Most of us from Albuquerque don't go to half these places. 2. Murder mystery? ...there was no mystery here. We know who killed who from the very beginning and so did most of the protagonists. Most reviewers mentioned that they tried to make a Cohen brothers/Fargo type story focusing on character development than mystery. 3. And lastly, an indian (from India) actor? I know there are Indians in NM, but I've lived here, worked here, and taught here most of my life and never met a single one. NM has the largest population of hispanic and native Americans and they couldn't find one to play the deputy or any other character? Some TV shows/movies go crazy with diversity, but not having a single Hispanic actor in a US Southwestern locale is like not having an Italian or African American actor in a NY scene.

Genie (III) (2023)

McCarthy deserves better.

[5/10 · 10 December 2023]

At one point the doorman tells the daughter, "glad you are back, your dad is boring when you are gone.". And that's the problem, for me,.....this movie is boring. . The protagonist is beyond boring and there is no chemistry between him and McCarthy. I know McCarty might need a straight person to make her shine (although she has no problem shining on her own), but I feel this guy doesn't hold his own.... Why did they pick him? A British guy, why? Other than McCarthy and the doorman no one else in this movie shines either. Everyone is forgettable. 2023 xmas offerings: Family Swap, Candy Cane Lane, Santa Clauses, have all been boring, predictable, but Check out The xmas animation from DC, Merry Little Batman was a great surpise.

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Brannagh is no Suchet

[6/10 · 1 November 2023]

To me the very first scene that Brannagh is in demonstrates perfectly the vast difference between him and Suchet playing Poirot. When Brannagh is in the camera pans to his covered his feet, then to a brush that lightly cleans the leaves. At first, I thought it was Poirot's gardener until I saw the weird mustache. If Suchet was in that scene you would know he was Poirot from the second you see the shoes. They would be pointed at extreme military precision, the legs and body quivering in hopes of finding a single speck of dust on any single leaf.....and that is the difference between the two performances. Suchet is Poirot, and Branagh merely with a strange piece of hair attached to his face. I've seen all of Suchet's episodes as Porot several times. I have no desire to see this or the others again

I think the movie would have been more enjoyable (and the previous two as well) if it was just a Christie story using a generic British detective solving crimes in Europe post-WW2.

The Chelsea Detective (2022– )

put the kettle on and enjoy

[9/10 · 18 September 2023]

Surprised at the negative reviews on season 2. I Love this show and find it to be one of the best crime shows currently showing and Enjoyed season two. So they replaced Sarita....so what. This new detective seems very charming...give her a chance. Sarita and her baby problems were super boring, especially if your watching this show as an escapism. Instead add more about the Chelsea neighborhood and its people....as it seems like an interesting and funky place.

Speaking of interesting people, give the detective's aunt Olivia much more screen time. I love Frances Barber in anything, even in Whistable Pearl (A murder mystery with the worse chemistry between its protagonists). Give her more of a Miss Marple type of role, providing her nephew with clues. The episode with her toy boy is one of my favorites.

But please get rid of Astrid, the ex-wife. For me It's the only negative aspect about this show. You can fast forward any time she is on screen without it changing the story at all. It seems like writers always have to give the main detective a personal problem. At least here, it's an ex-wife not drug/alcohol/corruption issues. Other than that I love everything about the show. Might seem boring, but love the gentle violin background, the curmudgeon detective, the interaction among the protagonists. Seems like a normal work environment...some seriousness, some humor...just solving a murder. No inter-office politics, screaming and yelling.

Blue Beetle (2023)

finally blue beetle

[9/10 · 1 September 2023]

Recovering from car accident, i was happy to discover the Blue Beetle. Not only was he the first hispanic (I'm half and half), but what i thought was even cooler was that he was the first super hero from the southwest (El Paso). Being from northern NM and have visited Las cruces, NM, El Paso, TX, and Juarez, MX, I was happy to find a hero from my neighborhood, not some super hero swinging from, New York, Gotham or Metropolis. I loved looking at the artwork. Many NY artist have never been to the SW, and can't draw the Southwestern desert to save their lives, and to compensate, they draw tons of Saguaros, a cactus only located in the Sonoran desert of Arizona ansd Mexico not the Chihuahuan desert of Texas and New Mexico.

I know that it is difficult to bring the written/drawn comic world to screen, but given that there is a huge film presence in NM, a lot of scifi (roswell) and scientific (Los Alamos) communities to draw from, it wouldn't be difficult to film Blue Beetle in his native environs vs a made up city in Florida....and the reason for the 9 stars.

Regardless of location. I laughed my head off, as I said half my family is latino and the Jaime's Nana is combination of my grandma and tia. About 30% of the expression were unknown to me as my background is Panamanian not Mexican, but what i did understand both verbally and body language made me laugh. There was a handful of us in The Wednesday afternoon matinee and I was laugh most of the time.

If you want to find out more of Blue Beetle, check out the animation series, Batman, the Brave and the Bold. There are several episodes that team the Blue Beetle with his mentor, Batman. They are hilarious.

Cannes Confidential (2023)

couldn't get by the first half of the show

[3/10 · 6 August 2023]

I am a murder mysteries addict. I have BritBox, I have MHZ, and Acorn. I watch German language detective shows in France, English detective stories anywhere in the world, but the accents were so bad that Cc was required. I could barely get through the first 10 minutes much less all the way through the show as the lighting and cinematography were terrible. At the first crime scene, The camera was literally on the floor looking up at the two detectives talking, why? The two detectives are clones of each other. Exotic ratty haired, puffy lipped 20 somethings women. And their outfits??? This is France for heaven sakes.... why are the detectives walking around with cheap blouses, super tight jeans and silver booties? At least it wasn't like 10 years ago when all the female detectives wore black pants, black jackets and a tank top with half their boobs sticking out. Now the focus seems to be the booty. In The first half hour there were several shots showing the detective walking away with the lens focused on her butt incased in the tightest jeans ever. I don't want to sound like a prude but it would be tolerable if there was anything going on. According to other reviewers nothing seems to improve in the next episodes....so I will stop here. BTW, many comparisons with Mallorca Murders...and except for similar european coastal towns, Mallorca is great. Especially after the first two episodes and the protagonist are comfortable with each other. I like that there is chemistry between the German and English detectives without it falling into a cliched romance.

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (2023)

nothing new

[5/10 · 10 July 2023]

I'm blaming the interviewers. Considering that many of his partners and friends are still alive, none of them added any insight to the story I know of Rock Hudson. The interviews were pathetic. Quick clips of his movies and millions of fotos, but nothing in-depth or interesting. His hobbies, passions, nothing. One ex-lover elucidates that he had a 'a big dick.'"....and this helps how? His many movies with Doris Day (which My siblings and i loved watching growing up on Saturday matinee afternoons.). Was a given a measly couple of minutes.

You are better served watching the documentary of Tab Hunter. As a gay man stuck in the impenetrable gay closets of 50s, 60s etc., his documentary is insightful , with depth. Despite the pressures, he seemed to be a happy man and his love for horses is admirable.

Deadloch (2023– )

so weird it is unwatchable or mesmerizing

[7/10 · 16 June 2023]

I get the premise for the show. They took every stereotype and flipped it around.. But just because they did that doesn't mean they know how to write comedy or a police procedural. It's supposed to be funny and quirky, but the very first scene shows this horrible cadaver with crazy townspeople falling all over. It just didn't click. Seems like they are Trying to do an Australian version of quirky small town British shows and failed. They could follow the lead of a great down under show, Brokenwood mysteries, where the story evolves slowly developing the crazy quirky townspeople. This show tries to do it in the first 15 minutes.

The typical fish out of water from another district detective, is the female version of the grumpy, bitter alcoholic detective who messed up in his previous assignment. This role is so over the top, with filthy words coming out of her mouth every 10 second, spewing every crazy theory, putting down everyone she meets, never showering, getting drunk, and taping cardboard to her feet as shoes (isn't this the country with the most poisonous snakes in the universe). Not only is she hard to watch, It's so hard to believe she even got through filling out the police application.

So I'd give this a 2, but after a handful of episodes, the characters got to me. It is like watching a car wreck, so I gave it a 7. The other detective, Collins is the Clint Eastwood stereotype, tall, thin, striking, carefully staring at the crime scene and clues, she is fun to watch, and the two detectives ate finally coming together.

Flamin' Hot (2023)

amazingly wonderful.

[10/10 · 11 June 2023]

I have to say I'm biased, as my hubby was an extra in this movie. He is in the scene were the staff is clapping Montaneaz when he became an executive. He is standing behind his two best friends.

But regardless of who invented flamn' hot....does it really matter? I Just watched Camelot. How true is that musical to history? Or anything....not...who cares. I am half hispanic/half white and felt that the racial/ethnic situations were truly portrayed. I believe at least 30% of us reviewers have worked under a creepy white mid manager, at least one point in our lives.

But what is true about this movie from any standpoint and in the late 20th century is the rag to riches story, the portrayal of poverty so bleak you don't know where the next meal is from, bullying in school and workplace, the deep love of a family, the lack of marketing and representation of any market except white. It's scary that in the 21st century we seem to be back-peddling. A hurrah to Longoria who bring us a fun and inspiring story. Also kudos to the main protagonists. Especially the main protagonist. He will never be considered for an award because his struggles are portrayed as half-glass full attitude and a lot of humor., but he definitely has some acting chops.

Respect (2021)

lackluster

[6/10 · 7 June 2023]

I adore Aretha franklin and i looked forward to this movie, but for some reason i didn't watch until now. There was something in the trailers that stopped me from watching it until now. I've read other reviews and none of them have written the reason i found this movie so boring. Coincidentally Tina Turner died and I remember her movie quite well and the fantastic performance of Basset. I guess the biggest difference is that Tina's movie had "drama.". Her break with her husband and her flight to the hotel across the street was so dramatic and memorable. Here, I never felt the drama of the Queen of Soul. It almost felt like a documentary with Hudson singing all the hit songs with a sad bit of story in-between. Hudson is a wonderful singer, but i never felt her portray the power that is Aretha. She hit the "drama" in Dreamgirls but not here. In fact, the entire trailer (check it out) of Dreamgirls is her singing the main song, through an abstract video. There is more drama and excitement in that trailer than in this movie.

A lot of great characters actors,, but they too seem to bring in a perfunctory performance. The Only characters that stood out for me are Wexler, and a few of Muscle Shoal's musicians. It seems sad that in just a few scenes, they seem to be more alive, supportive and truly appreciative of aretha and her talent, than all her myriad family.

The Tower (2021–2023)

season 2...a drag

[4/10 · 5 June 2023]

What is with these UK police procedurals. So drab, boring, not a single tiny bit of humor. If there were a drinking game for every time a characters smiled you would never open a bottle. Not a single character is likable. I assumed season 2 would have 3 episodes like season 1 but it has 4 episodes and I have no desire to watch it. I don't care if they catch the killer with his daughter and dog. Even having a dog in the show does not interest me. And i love anything with a dog. BTW, Check out Will Trent, even though it is a serious police procedural, any time little Ruby the chihuahua is onscreen, you have a nice laugh.

Is this show filmed in the 21st century? I've seen less prejudice and misogyny in older police shows (ex. Daglilish) in the 20th century. Come on, "the fat detective?" Then there is the police commander having an affair with a subordinate. They actually show them in bed several times while every other character is so busy with the case, that the female protagonist can't even find time for a glass of wine with a friend. And everyone yelling at everyone, so repetitive that it becomes boring. Commanders sending out a recalcitrant subordinate out to do something (which the subordinate knows is wrong), then the situation goes south and the subordinate gets yelled at. Then the ubiquitous swat situation in which the perpetrator has flown the coop....so predictable...and then everyone gets yelled at....yikes is this supposed to be drama? You have a Better time with a goofy show like Shakespeare and Hathaway...at least y get a few laughs.

Magellan (2009– )

French version of Midsomer Murders

[6/10 · 15 May 2023]

The Gaellic version Midsomer Murders. Very formulaic, which actually makes it an easygoing enjoyable show to sit back and watch a couple of episodes a week. His sidekick Salma, a lovely smart detective, who has the answer to everything after checking her computer or ipad for 2 seconds. Magellan home life after the first few seasons is quiet, with daughters, girlfriend and buddies at French restaurant until the intro of his nephew, Ludo. This character should be awarded the French Emmy for most annoying character on French TV.

From my American perspective, seems like every episode and every character has an affair, and/or don't know their origins or that of their parents, siblings, even their kids. French detective shows seem to feature certain type of murders: the death of a opera/ballet star, soccer player, cyclist, so when the victim was a swimmer, I was happy, as I am a swimmer. I loved this episode and laughed my head off. Also shared with my Master's coach, lines such as, "swimmers are very competitive, any of them could easily be murderer." . Or, that the french female swimmer is "tres fagile." Tell that to Ledecky. Actually almost every young woman is "tres fragile." to Magellan.

Another thing that makes me laugh is that you often hear the metaphor, "a stick up his ass." The protagonist literally walks like has a stick up his ass with his arms not moving. Is this a mannerisms the director wants to highlight? Because we often see Magellan walking around, and next to Salma (who has the grace of a dancerj looks awful. Also isn't France noted for their sartorial style? His jacket looks like a sack of potatos.

Check out Mongeville , another French detective story. The chemistry between two protagonist is much better, plus his home life is one of a rich eccentric who loves to cook luscious French dinners. Seems more like a retired French Bruce Wayne, who loves to solve murders with French panache.

Mongeville (2013–2021)

light and Breezy and fun

[8/10 · 16 April 2023]

Falling in love with this series. I originally watch the first two episodes and stopped watching. Few months later start watching again. It is 2 different shows with different actors, style and purpose. Forget first three episodes. Mongeville has a wife, a lost daughter with a partner who has issues too. Serious with serious background music. I think they started out as French version of swedish noir where the protagonists have secondary problems that takes away from the focus of the murder mystery, with bosses that are always yelling at their cops.

Starting with episode four, Mongeville teams up with a new actress and the show is funny and lighthearted. If you like the New Zealand detective show of Brokenwood Murders, this is the French versions with goofy secondary characters: I can't get enough of Stephane, the grisly looking lockpick, who comes to the rescue on his scooter with his antique leather bullet shaped bag. He should be in every episode.

Super chemistry between the two main protagonist. Love the fact that Montville knows every important person in Bordeaux, and that the female cop is sharp enough to recognize this and use it in her investigation, rather than fight against his "meddling." In season two they've added 2 episodes with a another male detective, a friend/college buddy of Monteville with funny situations and good chemistry.

I love watching Montville with his quirks and hobbies: birdwatching, cooking lovely French dinners, his love of classical music and his Jaguar. He is a very lovable eccentric, rich, older man. I'd like the fact that there is strong chemistry, but no romance. The two protagonists work together without any stupid clichés or romance.... just coworkers of equal standing.

Bros (I) (2022)

wow two great rom-com in one week.

[7/10 · 6 April 2023]

Seems like ages since I've seen a truly funny, lovely rom-com and now in one week I've seen two. I watched Rye Street last weekend and now Bros and surprised how much I loved both of them.

For me a great rom-com has, of course the typical ups and downs, funny silly and/or embarrassing situations. The viewer should always have a smile on their face (and maybe some tears) as they traveled the two hours with the two protagonists as they come together. But the The main quality of a great rom-com is the chemistry between the two actors and Both these films have all these qualities plus chemistry.

I gave Rye Street a 10, but Bros only a 7 because, although the main character argues that kids 12 and under should view the scenes he observed as a 12 year old, this film might not be appropriate for a younger audience.

Rye Lane (2023)

wow, one of the best rom-com i've seen this decade!

[9/10 · 2 April 2023]

I want the album from this movie! All the music was appropriate for every scene. Never felt like it was spinning time, it added to the day these guys spent.

Rye Street is the When Harry met Sally for the 21st century. From the moment they met I had a smile on my face. So refreshing, lovely and fun. As they strolled through the day, I've never felt more in tune with a London neighborhood. Most stories in London seem to be always filmed in pubs. Karaoke, observing kids, a tai chi class, a market, a dog eating a banana? A kid's park, a garden, even a crazy art gallery, all seem to take on a wonderful sheen seen through the eyes of these romantics. A great springtime, refreshing movie to watch.