Category Archives: Divorce

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)

Leave a comment

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.

 

2016, Abduction, British Mystery Series, Complicated, Confusing Plot, Detective, Divorce, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Forensics, Gay theme, Greed, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Politicians, Private Versus Professional Life, Serial Killer

Marcella (2016)

Leave a comment

From IMDB:

Marcella Backland left the Metropolitan Police for the sake of her family, only to have her husband leave her. She returns to her job on the murder squad, investigating a case that seems disturbingly familiar to her.

From Netflix you can stream 8 episodes of Season 1.  It is not clear from IMDB whether there is a Season 2, but in any case Netflix offers only Season 1.

Although the acting is fine, the story is complicated, new characters seem to pop up regularly, and the 8 episodes drag on a bit.  Marcella herself falls into strange fugue states from time to time without any explanation as she works to catch one and possibly two serial killers. Along with all the murders, not all of which are serial murders, there is no lack of suspicious characters.  Of all the characters, Sinéad Cusack, who plays Sylvia Gibson, is wonderful as a woman you can hate on first sight.

We stuck it out to the end of Season 1 out of mere curiosity.

2016, Big Pharma, British Mystery Series, Conspiracy, Contract Killing, Detective, Divorce, Eccentric Detective, Extramarital Affair, Harmful Medicine, International thriler, Made For TV, Medical Theme, Mental Illness, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Police Culture, Psychiatrists, Psychological Drama, Suicide, Suspense, Uncategorized

Paranoid (2016)

Leave a comment

From IMDB:

The murder of a female GP in a rural playground in front of numerous witnesses draws a group of detectives into an ever-darkening mystery that takes them across Europe, aided by mysterious notes sent by the “Ghost Detective”.

Netflix originated this so-far-one-season eight episode British detective series. Wife Kathy and I anxiously streamed each episode. However, if you read some of the 115 viewer reviews you will find tremendously varying opinions.

Basically a woman is murdered in plain daylight in a children’s playground and it takes 8 episodes to learn why and who. Along the way we meet a smarmy psychiatrist, a nervous wreck of a policeman, an uncontrollably outspoken policewoman, a Quaker woman, and lots of other characters with problems. If you liked “Happy Valley”, you may well enjoy this series.

Some reviewers hated the troubled characters, especially the policeman Bobby. But cringing at his  behavior just added to the attraction to the plot.

IMDB gives you the list of actors. Most notable are:

  • Indira Varma is the somewhat wacky policewoman. She played Ellaria Sand in “Game of Thrones”.
  • Michael Maloney is the psychiatrist. Because he so often plays suspicious characters, every time I see him I think “here comes the villain”.
  • Robert Glenister, the nervous cop,  appears just about everywhere in British TV series. He was Owen Preece in “Vera”.

For us this series was a pleasant and compelling discovery, although seemingly not to everyone’s taste.

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Abduction, Acorn TV, Ambiguous Conclusion, Bloody scenes, British Mystery Series, Child custody, Confusing Plot, Could Be Sad, Detective, Divorce, Eccentric Detective, Emotional abuse, Ethical struggles, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Forensics, Gritty, Lawyers, Made For TV, Murder Investigation, Orphans in Foster Care, Revenge, Spousal Abuse, Suicide, Suspense, TV Series, Violent

Vera (2011)

Leave a comment

From AcornTV:

Two-time Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn stars as DCI Vera Stanhope a solitary, obsessed, caustic, brilliant investigator, and a bit disheveled; think female Columbo.

From AcornTV you can stream 6 years of this British TV series which first started in 2011 and went on for 7 years through 2017. AcornTV does not offer 2017. Each year, or “set”, consists of 4 episodes. Surely 24 episodes will keep you busy for awhile (binge – anyone ?). Each episode is approximately 1.5 hours.

DCI Vera is as personally distant as her sidekick DS Joe Ashworth (played by David Leon) is personable. An important thread in the series is their relationship. For example, Vera’s refusal in one episode to even consider being the Godmother to Joe’s latest newborn child is really hurtful. But Joe seems to understand her aloofness and accepts it begrudgingly. In one episode Joe insists on taking Vera for a doctor’s visit because of her sudden stress-related faintness.

Just remember that British police procedurals are not for the faint of heart. Could that be why I enjoy them so much?

2016, Acceptable for children, Alcoholism, Amusing banter, Carpentry, Catholic culture, Child custody, Comedy, Divorce, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Feel Good For All, Mother-son relations, Theft

The Confirmation (2016)

Leave a comment

From IMDB:

Eight year old Anthony is somewhat uneasy about spending the weekend with his alcoholic, down-on-his-luck carpenter dad Walt while his mom Bonnie and her new husband Kyle go to a Catholic retreat together. Walt is just as uneasy about spending time with Anthony, especially since their first day together is a series of characteristically unfortunate events, including his truck breaking down, his landlord locking him out of the house, and the theft of his toolbox, which he needs for an upcoming job. As Walt and Anthony set about finding the guy who stole the tools and improvise around their other misfortunes, they begin to discover a true connection with each other, causing Walt to become a better father and Anthony to reveal the promise and potential of the good man he will become.

Clive Owen as Walt the father and  Jaeden Lieberher as Anthony the son are matched perfectly and cleverly. Catholic viewers will get a kick out of Anthony’s two visits to the confessional and its perplexed priest confessor. Especially note the amusing and unending trail of lies that are an important part of the plot.

Sorry, but I do not buy Walt’s quick retreat from alcoholism, even though it contributes to a heart-warming film.

Finally we have here that rarity – a feel-good but not maudlin film for the entire family.

 

 

1987, Abduction, Acorn TV, Adultery, British Mystery Series, Brother-Brother relations, Conspiracy, Detective, Divorce, Extramarital Affair, Father-son relations, Missing Person, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Pedophilia, Photography, Plot Twist, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Uncategorized, Violent

Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987)

Leave a comment

From IMDB:

From cold, rock-strewn moors to comfortable suburban estates, award-winning writer Ruth Rendell explores the dark fissures between friends and family members that motivate murder.

Acorn TV offers this series which includes:

Master of the Moor, Parts 1,2,3
Colin Firth as outdoors loving loner.

Vanity Dies Hard, Parts 1,2,3
Newly wed woman searches for her vanished friend.

Simisola, Parts 1,2,3
Daughter of Nigerian surgeon is missing.

The Secret House of Death, Parts 1,2
How exactly did the next door neighbor die?

A Case of Coincidence, Parts 1,2
Surgeon’s wife murdered in the fens.

Road Rage, Parts 1,2,3,4
Young German tourist goes missing.

The Lake of Darkness
Generous lottery winner.

Harm Done
Pedophile,abduction,missing daughter

2014, Adultery, Bloody scenes, Complicated, Conspiracy, Crude Talk, Detective, Divorce, Drama, Drugs, Erotic Thriller, Explicit sex, Grisly, Marital Infidelity, Mostly About Sex, Murder, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Prostitutes, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suicide, Suspense, Violent

The Loft (2014)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Five married co-owners of an upscale loft enjoy their investment as a discreet hideaway for their adulterous pursuits. But when a murdered woman is discovered in the apartment, each suspects the others of committing the grisly killing.

At least titillating, with the addition of a clever plot, a set of new actors present an involving who-done-it with at least one good plot twist.

As far as actors are concerned, I personally recognized only Rhona Mitra whom I first saw in the TV series “Boston Legal” in 2004 playing Tara Wilson.

None of the five friends are especially honorable (they have, after all, pledged themselves to an adulterous pact in their lofty hideout). Nor, possibly, is there honor among thieves. But when the film ended, I found myself wondering how many of the five men got their just desserts.

But I had a lot of fun watching.

2014, Brother-Brother relations, Cancer theme, Could Be Sad, Divorce, Drama, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Lawyers, Melodrama, Murder Trial, Small Town, Violent, Well developed plot, Wonderful acting

The Judge (2014)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

Big city lawyer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family.

Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thorton, and Vincent D’Onofrio put together a well-written, well-acted, well-plotted 2 hours and 21 minutes. Potentially a tear-jerker, the dialog was competently restrained to project all the conflicting emotions without adding syrup.

At least Robert Downey Jr. is not a super-hero or super-sleuth. He is, however a super-lawyer who earns hefty fees defending guilty clients. As he puts it, “Innocent clients cannot afford me.” He goes home after many absent years only because his mother dies. Part of the film’s charm are all the clever sarcastic quips delivered by Robert Downey.

As with most films of this nature, as the story develops we learn more about the family history: Why did the father Judge Palmer seem to reject his middle son the super-lawyer? What happened to the elder son who was on track to be a great baseball player? Who will care for the youngest somewhat retarded youngest son? Who is Carla’s father?

Judge Palmer is dying of Stage 4 cancer but still an active judge. One night he hits and kills a man with his auto. Most of the film is about the trial and how that trial is complicated by the family relations, especially the ongoing resentment between Downey and Duvall.

DO NOT MISS this well-done melodrama.

2014, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Based on true facts, Biographical, British, Divorce, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Human spirit, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, True Story, Wonderful acting

The Theory of Everything (2014)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

With his body progressively ravaged by ALS, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking must rely on his wife, Jane, to continue his life’s work as he faces various challenges. This affecting biographical drama centers on the couple’s fertile partnership.

Just the acting alone, and especially Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Stephen Hawking, is enough to make this film a DO NOT MISS!

Reading some discussion such as that found in Wikipedia will help you understand how historically accurate the film was. In fact, it captures the essence Hawking’s life quite well. Just be aware that the film tries to make Hawking seem less like a narcissistic jerk.

When Hawking dismisses his faithful and long-suffering wife Jane Wilde (played beautifully by Felicity Jones) after many years of marriage and three children in order to marry his new, young nurse Elaine, I have to admit I was disillusioned. Again, be sure to read up on the true story.

Once again – DO NOT MISS!

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)

Leave a comment

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.