Category Archives: Addiction

2016, Addiction, African American centered, Amazon Prime, Basically Sad, Bullying, Could Be Hard To Watch, Drug Dealers, Drugs, Emotional child abuse, Gay Bashing, Gay theme, Grim, Human spirit, Love Story, Middle school students, Mother-son relations, Personal Betrayal, Sex Scenes, Teenagers, Thought provoking, Uncategorized, Violent, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Moonlight (2016)

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From IMDB:

A chronicle of the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young, African-American, gay man growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami.

From Amazon Prime:

A moving, transcendent, award-winning look at 3 defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young man growing up in Miami. His epic journey to adulthood, as a shy outsider dealing with difficult circumstances, is guided by support, empathy and love from the most unexpected places.

From Amazon Prime you can stream “Moonlight”.

Gooseflesh must mean that I have just seen a perfectly made, beautifully acted, true to life, and really moving film. Here is a film all of whose actors are African American speaking their own patois. But much more important are the things left unsaid. Dialog is terse to non-existent, but each word carries a lot of weight, sometimes a world of pain. Hats off to the writer and director Barry Jenkins for getting his actors to exercise such verbal restraint.

Because each of the three parts of Chiron’s life (childhood, adolescence, adulthood) had its own set of players, there are just too many actors to mention. Nor is it fair to omit a name because each part was chiseled to perfection.  Therefore, to mention just a few:

  • Mahershala Ali (who played Juan) is instantly recognized as the character Remy Danton from “House of Cards”.
  •  Naomie Harris  played Chiron’s crack addicted mother. She presented both ugly, hurtful scenes and also a touching reunion with Chiron.
  • André Holland (who played the adult Kevin) played Dr. Algernon Edwards in the TV series “The Knick”.
  • Trevante Rhodes (who played the adult Chiron)  played Ramsey Walters in the TV series “If Loving You Is Wrong”.

Let us be grateful for our own situation in life as we watch this sad, sad portrait of Americans who have such limited opportunities.

DO NOT MISS!

 

 

2016, Abduction, Abortion, Addiction, Amnesia, Arson, Belgian Detectives, Bloody scenes, Boxing, Complicated, Computer geeks, Contract Killing, Corruption, Crime, Dark, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sex, Extramarital Affair, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, French, Grisly, Lesbian Theme, Love Story, Mental Illness, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Psychiatrists, Psychological Drama, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Small Town Atmosphere, Soap Opera, Soccer, Sociopath, Suspense, Teenagers, Violent, Vulgar

The Break (2016)

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From Netflix:

Soon after arriving in Heiderfeld, Inspector Yoann Peeters is called to the scene of a suspected suicide and begins uncovering troubling details.

From Netflix you can stream the 10 episodes of this compelling detective story in French with subtitles. According to Wikepedia The Break (French: La Trêve, “The Truce”) is a French-language Belgian crime drama television series

Actually this series is a soap opera with many characters,  quite a bit of sex and violence, and many surprises. In fact I would estimate that each episode has at least 3 or so unexpected  plot revelations. Not until the very, very end will you discover “who done it”. If you truly guess the answer before episode 10, then let me know.

Inspector Peeters has left Brussels with his daughter after the death of his wife and has returned to his hometown Heiderfeld in the hopes of a fresh start. He goes to work for the local police force populated by 6 or so characters whose own stories and involvements with one another are an integral part of the plot. Peeters’  daughter makes a friend and in order to fit in socially makes mistakes. There are teen friends, a soccer team and its managers, a woman mayor scheming to buy the area’s farms to make way for a dam, and subplots galore. Most of all, running through the entire story is the fact that Peeters is eventually confined to a mental hospital and is in every episode being interviewed by a woman psychiatrist of the institution, who must evaluate Peeters’ mental health. Flashbacks are a principal tool in the story telling.

Oddly enough Yoann Peeters is played by a Belgian actor Yoann Blanc whose performance (as well as his somewhat strange face with his deep set brooding, unemotional eyes that seem to stare all the time) is remarkable.

Getting to the story’s conclusion was so compelling for me that once again I binged, which is definitely not a good habit. But once you start this thriller my guess is that you too will fall under its spell.

 

2016, Acorn TV, Addiction, Arson, British Mystery Series, Complicated, Contract Killing, Corruption, Crime, Detective, Divorce, Drugs, Extramarital Affair, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Illegitimate Child, Mother-daughter relations, Murder Investigation, Police Corruption, Police Culture, Suspense

The Level (2016)

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From IMDB:

A police detective finds herself at the centre of the most dangerous case of her life when she is seconded on to the investigation into the murder of a drugs trafficker. What nobody around her knows is that she is the missing witness that the police and the killer are searching for.

From Acorn TV you can stream the six episodes of this one-season British detective series.

Acting is good. Plot gets a bit more complicated with each episode, enough so that you might have to work somewhat to remember each of the many characters. As the plot progressed Kathy and I had to keep changing our choice for the guilty party.  And just who is the bent cop?

We recognize some of the faces:

  • Rob James-Collier, who plays Kevin, was James the butler in “Downton Abbey”.
  • Joe Absolom, who plays Shay Nash,  was Al Large (the son) in “Doc Martin”.

COMPLAINT: Probably because the writers were hoping for another season of “The Level”, the sixth episode has an ending that for me was disappointing. Still there was some satisfaction in that at least something good happened.

Consider watching this not-too-violent, intelligent, well-written one-season detective series.

 

2012, Abduction, Addiction, Based on true facts, Creepy, Detective, Docudrama, Forensics, Military, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Nothing special, Profiler, Royal Canadian Air Force, Serial Killer, Sociopath, Stalker, Suspense, True Story

An Officer and a Murderer (2012)

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From NetFlix Streaming:

The true story of Royal Canadian Air Force officer Russell Williams’ progress from respected military commander to deranged murderer.

This film can be streamed from NetFlix, but there is no DVD available.

Were it not for the fact that this chilling story is true, nothing makes this film special. Consider the film an enacted documentary. All the acting is good, but Gary Cole as the serial killer is particularly creepy because of his lack of affect, especially on occasions when extreme affect would be appropriate. Moreover, I don’t consider this bad acting because, in fact, some sociopaths don’t share our normal empathetic feelings.

Possibly a dry police procedural, nonetheless I was drawn to watching the hard detailed detective work finally pay off. Imagine accusing a commander of a base of 3000 Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of being a serial killer who starts off just stealing (and wearing) ladies underwear and little by little escalates into murder.

Give this story a B+.

2012, 2013, 2014, Abduction, Addiction, Alcoholism, American Indian culture, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Car Chase, Cowboy, Crime, Divorce, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Horse story, Love Story, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Race Relations, Revenge, Stalker, TV Series, Western

Longmire (2012)

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From Netflix:

Based on the Walt Longmire mystery novels by Craig Johnson, this contemporary crime thriller focuses on a Wyoming sheriff who’s rebuilding his life and career following the death of his wife.

First review was for Seasons 1-4. See below for later seasons.

IMDB offers a better summary:

Walt Longmire is the charismatic, dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County. Widowed only a year, Longmire is a man in psychic repair that buries his pain behind a brave face and dry wit. Struggling since his wife’s death and at the urging of his daughter, Cady, Longmire knows that the time has come to turn his life around. With the help of Vic, a female deputy new to the department, he becomes reinvigorated about his job and committed to running for re-election. When Branch, an ambitious, young deputy decides to run against him for sheriff, Longmire feels betrayed but remains steadfast in his dedication to the community. Longmire often turns to close friend and confidant Henry Standing Bear for support as he sets out to rebuild both his personal and professional life, one step at a time.

“Longmire” is available on disc or streamed from Netflix. There are three seasons: Season 1 offers 10 episodes. Season 2 offers 13 episodes, and Season 3 offers 10 episodes. Seasons 3 and 4 can now be streamed from NetFlix.

Seasons 3 and 4 both end with serious cliff-hangers. Stay tuned for season 5.

Once you start down the “Longmire” path you will almost certainly be hooked. Running throughout the series are themes such as the murder of the wife of sheriff Walt (Robert Taylor), his relation with his daughter Cady (Cassidy Freeman), his friendly rivalry with his deputy Branch (Bailey Chase), and the antagonism between the white men and the nearby Cheyenne reservation.

Plot lines, scripts, acting, and local color are all excellent. Of course there is violence and a small bit of gore (headless horse, anyone?), but after all this is a “modern” Western. Only Walt is the Luddite who refuses to own a cellphone.

You won’t be sorry, DO NOT MISS!

SEASON 6:

Season 6 has 10 episodes, each running between 60 and 70 minutes.

There are two parts to this season:

Part 2 involves several topics:  tracking down heroin dealers targeting the the Indian reservation which involves Jacob Nighthorse and  Malachi Strand;  Sheriff’s assistant Victoria ‘Vic’ Moretti must face up to her father; Walt’s daughter Cady runs into trouble with the tribe and finds a love interest;  Sheriff’s assistant The Ferg has challenges with a bank robber and romance;  Henry Standing Bear plays a major part.

2005, Abduction, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Clever Plot, Corruption, Crime, Dark, Depression, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drug Dealers, Father-daughter relations, Forensics, Gay theme, Interest in dogs, Kidnapping, Lesbian Theme, Made For TV, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Police Corruption, Revenge, School Teacher, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, Swedish, Swedish crime series, Teenagers, Tragedy, Violent, Well developed plot

Swedish Wallander (2005-2012)

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From Netflix:

Detective Kurt Wallander is an intense, headstrong maverick who’s prone to eating poorly, sleeping irregularly and drinking too much. Wallander relies on instinct and experience and doesn’t shy away from using illegal means to solve crimes.

Kathy and I have just finished stream-bingeing on all the Swedish Wallander episodes of which there are many. Cable TV gets worse each day and we were grateful to have something well-written, well-acted, and gripping to watch in the evening. Thank you, Netflix. “Gripping” is an important keyword (picture Kathy leaving the room during violent encounters).

To be precise about numbers of episodes:

Season 1 comprises 13 episodes.
Season 2 comprises 13 episodes.
Season 3 comprises 6 episodes.

Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander is a dedicated (even better – obsessed) detective whose personal life is one of drinking, loneliness, and coldness to his family. In other words, he is a mess. To his credit, the Swedish actor Krister Henriksson portrays such a man to perfection. However, as in often the case in such types of TV series, as much time is spent exploring his relations with others as in solving murder cases. For example, “Dicta“, which I have strongly recommended is cast in the same mold.

Quite a bit of camera footage is devoted to leisurely scanning the Swedish landscape and waterways. Wallander and his beloved dog Jussi take many walks on the beach outside his house.

During the course of the three seasons, characters come and go, never to be seen again.

Season 3 ends tragically. But I will not say more because that would be a spoiler. If you want to know what I mean, then send me email.

Once again, if you enjoy intense detective procedurals DO NOT MISS either “Dicta” or “Wallander”.

Be aware that there is also the Kenneth Branagh “Wallander” English series from Masterpiece Mystery.

2014, Abduction, Addiction, Bloody scenes, British, British Mystery Series, Could Be Hard To Watch, Crime thriller, Depression, DO NOT MISS, Drug Dealers, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Gritty, Kidnapping, Melodrama, Mental Illness, Murder, Murder Investigation, Mystery Film, Netflix Streaming, Not Feel Good, Police Corruption, Police Story, Psychological Drama, Rape, Sociopath, Suicide, Suspense, Thriller, Violent, Wonderful acting

Happy Valley (2014)

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From Netflix:

From the creator of “Last Tango in Halifax” comes this police drama starring Sarah Lancashire (“Coronation Street”) as Yorkshire police sergeant Catherine Cawood, a strong-willed officer coping with the suicide of her daughter and struggling to raise the young son she left behind. When the man she blames for her daughter’s death is paroled, Cawood embarks on a mission to bring him down, unaware that her target is plotting another heinous crime.

Update to initial Season 1 review: Netflix now offers Season 2 of “Unhappy Valley” which continues the story line of Season 1. Season 2 is at least as riveting as Season 1.

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Original Review:

“Happy Valley” is NOT happy. After I tell you what is brutal in this riveting British TV series, I will then try and convince you to watch one of the most spellbinding detective series I have ever watched.

First the ugly news: Years ago the handsome sociopath Tommy Lee Royce raped and drove to suicide the daughter of sergeant Catherine Cawood. He is just out of jail and has joined in with a kidnapping of young Ann Gallagher whom he rapes in captivity. While transporting the kidnapped girl in a van, the kidnappers are approached by a young woman policewoman whom the sociopath runs over and over and over with his automobile. Get the nasty picture? You never see any rape, but you do see some brutal fights.

Now the reasons why you should not miss this drama: Sarah Lancashire is (as the British would say) “positively brilliant” as Catherine Cawood. Here is an incredibly strong woman with a long list of problems. For example, her dead raped daughter had a resulting son whom Catherine raises alone as a grandmother because Catherine’s remarried husband left her when the boy was born. Yes, it does sound like a good old melodrama. But the acting, the complicated personal relations, and the exacting plot details and surprises are well worth the uncomfortable price of admission.

If you can stand the barbarians and their callous behavior, then I feel duty bound to say: DO NOT MISS!

2014, Addiction, Car Chase, Crime, Crude Talk, Detective, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Father-son relations, Good Brother - Bad Brother, Nothing special, Police Story, Revenge, Violent

Blood Ties (2014)

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From Netflix:

When 50-year-old Chris is released from prison, his younger brother Frank, an up-and-coming member of the police force, welcomes him with open arms. But when Chris has trouble staying straight, Frank is trapped between duty and family.

We should probably coin a name for those films featuring two brothers, one of whom is a crook and the other a cop. How about “Good Brother, Bad Brother”? There are an awful lot of such GBBB films. What makes this GBBB film a bit better is the fact that Bad Brother is Clive Owen and Good Brother is Billy Crudup. In this case we might change “Good Brother” to “Conflicted Brother” although that is often the case in GBBB films.

Remember Marion Cotillard who played Edit Piaf in that wonderful 2007 film “La Vie en Rose“? Here she plays a drug-addicted woman sadly misused by Bad Brother.

James Caan is the aged and dying father of the two brothers.

Nothing special, but not a waste of time.

2013, Abduction, Addiction, Based on true facts, Child abuse, Could Be Hard To Watch, Crude Talk, Detective, Drugs, Grim, Nudity, Prostitutes, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller, True Story, Violent

Frozen Ground (2013)

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From Netflix:

In this fact-based thriller starring Nicolas Cage, an Alaska state trooper looking to bring a notorious serial killer to justice teams with a 17-year-old prostitute who escaped the predator’s clutches.

Oh no! Not another serial killer film! Nevertheless the film is well-done, exciting and engaging. Of course it doesn’t hurt that John Cusack portrays to perfection a very disturbed serial killer Robert Hansen. It always helps to have a really clever and devious bad guy. Nicolas Cage is excellent in his relentless drive to convict Robert Hansen.

Dean Norris plays Sgt. Lyle Haugsven. Every time I see Dean Norris I identify him with the DEA brother-in-law in the not-to-be-missed TV series “Breaking Bad”.

When you realize that this is a true story, the film takes on more urgency. At the end of the film the screen text tells us what happens to Robert Hansen after his conviction.

More than likely, I will never move to Alaska. But I was really caught up in this suspenseful film.

2013, Addiction, Alcoholism, Crude Talk, Dysfunctional Lives, Marital Infidelity, Melodrama, Nothing special, Suicide, Vulgar

August: Osage County (2013)

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From Netflix:

When their father disappears, three strong-willed women return to their childhood home and to their equally strong-willed mother. As they search for their patriarch, the dysfunctional family members wind up facing difficult truths about themselves.

What an impressive collection of actors for the family ensemble from Hell! Watching this soap opera may seem familiar because there are so many “family get-together” films just like it. For some reason this new addition to the “Dysfunctional Family Hall of Fame” was for me enjoyable. But then let’s take a look at the roster.

  • Meryl Streep (Violet Weston) – drug-addicted widow of recently self-destructed husband, world-class alcoholic Sam Shepard (Beverly Weston)
  • Julia Roberts (Barbara Weston) Violet’s daughter – married to but separated from Ewan McGregor (Bill Forham). Their daughter is the renowned vegetarian Abigail Breslin (Jean Fordham)
  • Margo Martindale (Mattie Fae Aiken) Violet’s sister – married to Chris Cooper (Charlie Aiken). Their son is the stammering neurotic Benedict Cumberbatch (Little Charles Aiken)
  • Julianne Nicholson (Ivy Weston) is Violet’s unmarried daughter who is the girl friend of Little Charles Aiken.
  • Juliette Lewis (Karen Weston) is the scatter-brain daughter about to marry her latest boyfriend, thrice-married Dermot Mulroney (Steve Huberbrecht).

Once you get all those relations straight the rest is easy. If you are really confused try the Wikipedia summary.

Just be prepared for some ugly surprises. Nothing special.