Category Archives: DO NOT MISS

2013, Conspiracy, Crime, Depression, DO NOT MISS, Drugs, Lesbian Theme, Medical Theme, Mental Illness, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suspense

Side Effects (2013)

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From Netflix:

Emily copes with her depression by taking antidepressant medication. But when her dire state apparently spirals out of control due to her husband’s prison release, she turns to a new medication that alters her life forever.

At first you may think this is a film about Big Pharma and its possibly controversial drug trials. Just stay tuned!

The fact that Channing Tatum is in this film is a red herring. He is practically a walk-on cameo. Instead, this show belongs to Jude Law who seems like a victim until he shows a resilience and cleverness not to be matched.

You could call this a “revenge” film and indeed the revenge is incredibly satisfying, especially since Catherine Zeta-Jones plays such a villainess and clever nemesis.

Hats off to Rooney Mara as Emily Taylor. In case you don’t recognize her, Rooney Mara was Lisbeth Salander in the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

In the category of suspense, intrigue, and conspiracy this film is a DO NOT MISS!

2013, Abduction, Bullying, Cancer theme, Child Molestation, Clever Plot, Crime, Crude Talk, Dark, DNA, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, FilmReview, Gritty, Love Story, Made For TV, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Rape, Revenge, Sad small town, Suspense, Trailer Life, TV Series, Violent, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Top of the Lake (2013)

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From Netflix:

When pregnant, 12-year-old Tui tries to kill herself in a freezing New Zealand lake, Detective Robin Griffin has plenty of questions for the girl. But when Tui suddenly disappears, Griffin finds herself knee-deep in small-town secrets.

Just about everything happens in this gritty, tough TV series taking place in a remote location in New Zealand. To name just of the few features:

  • An amoral, cruel hillbilly family that kills, rapes, manufactures illegal drugs, etc.
  • A cult-like compound for women who have had bad experiences and are sometimes completely naked.
  • Child molestation
  • Gang rape
  • A mother dying of cancer
  • Self-flagellation
  • Dishonest police officers
  • A very capable woman detective (played by Elizabeth Moss) trying to get on with her life while dealing with her troubled past
  • Quite a few nude sex scenes
  • A not quite civilized society
  • Several murders

Yes, this is one crazy TV series. Elizabeth Moss, who played Peggy in “Mad Men”, does a terrific job. But all the actors do wonderful jobs.

You might not want to eat a full meal before watching. Nonetheless, for me at least, in the category of gritty this series is a DO NOT MISS!

1994, British Mystery Series, Child Molestation, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Gay theme, Gritty, Made For TV, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Rugby, Small Town, Violent, Wales

A Mind to Kill (1994)

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From Netflix:

Homicide detective Noel Bain (Philip Madoc) specializes in solving crimes the old-fashioned way: with keen intuition and deductive reasoning rather than high-tech gadgets and forensics. A prickly widower obsessed with his work, Bain always nabs the bad guys. His workaholic tendencies infuriate his teenage daughter, Hannah (Ffion Wilkins), but he strives to protect her from the relentless brutality he witnesses every day in his beloved Wales.

Available from Netflix only on disc (no streaming) with subtitles, this gritty detective series occurring in Wales is well-written and well-acted.

Add this to your list of gritty British detective TV series and enjoy. In this gritty category I would rate this series DO NOT MISS!

2007, Canadian Mystery Series, Clever Plot, Crime thriller, Crude Talk, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Dysfunctional Lives, Gritty, Made For TV, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Murder Investigation, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller, TV Series, Violent

Durham County (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Eager for a new beginning, Detective Mike Sweeney (Hugh Dillon) transfers to Durham County with his wife, Audrey (Helene Joy) — in recovery from breast cancer — and two daughters. But there’s trouble in suburban paradise. In particular, a serial killer is on the loose. As Sweeney gets sucked into the ugly case, his suspicions turn to his neighbor Ray (Justin Louis), a man he has known since high school, in this disturbing crime drama series.

As far as I can tell “Durham County” is available from NetFlix only via streaming. There are three seasons beginning with 2007. Each season consists of 6 episodes. After I finished watching Season One I was shaking with excitement. And it gets better.

Each season features a (serial) killer who lives among the investigators as an accepted or even highly admired member of society while cleverly disguising his or her proclivities. You may learn who the killer is immediately or it may take some time to discover. But you will know who that killer is a long time before the police.

You can find a season of all the summaries in the Wikipedia article.

“Gritty” is a category of film that implies the following:

  • Violent and often creepy or gruesome murders
  • involving most often a serial killer
  • who may or may not get away with the crime or crimes
  • and possibly causing the wrong person to be convicted.
  • Only very intelligent killers may apply for the role.

Most British TV detective series are “gritty”. “Durham County” is almost British in that it was produced in Canada. Hence there are no British accents.

Season One is so suspenseful and the serial killer so clever and dissimulates so well that he fools almost everyone that I could hardly wait to see each of the 6 episodes. From the very beginning we know who the killer is: he is a plumber and the former best friend of the detective. Both men’s lives are troubled: violent mental illnes plagues the killer; the detective’s wife almost died of cancer. For both men their marriage is in trouble. Both men have one or more children whose lives are difficult. No one believes that the plumber could be guilty because he is the town’s athletic hero.

If you like “gritty” then this is a DO NOT MISS!!!

2012, Corny, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dancing, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Feel Good Not For Children, Frenetic, Manic depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Sports

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

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From NetFlix:

After a four-year stay in a psychiatric institution, former teacher Pat Peoples has no choice but to move back in with his mother. While he’s trying in vain to reunite with his wife, Pat meets another woman fated to change his life.

Let me make several observations:

  • I LOVED THIS FILM!
  • You will either love or hate this film.
  • Probably the best adjective that describes this film is “manic-depressive” or more accurately “manic”. At the very least it is never boring.
  • From time to time certain scenes might make you cringe.
  • Actors in the film have mastered “speed-speaking”.
  • Bradley Cooper is brilliant.
  • Jennifer Lawrence is beautiful. More importantly she is a perfect counterpart to Bradley Cooper. They must have rehearsed for hours to get their fast (everything in this film is fast) dialog so well tuned.
  • Don’t miss the dance scenes. Is that really Bradley and Jennifer dancing or is it faked?
  • Robert Di Niro is convincing with his own Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. His trying to connect with his son is touching.
  • Betting on sports is insane.
  • Betting on a dance contest is even more insane.
  • Cheers to Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher and John Ortiz for providing such great supporting roles.
  • Is the last part of the film a bit corny?

Are these observations enough to get you interested in a film that I highly recommend. DO NOT MISS!

Child Molestation, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Love Story, Plot Twist, Redemption, Small gem of a film

Down the Shore (2011)

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From NetFlix:

After Susan (Maria Dizzia) dies from a terminal illness in Paris, her tour guide journeys to New Jersey to deliver Susan’s ashes and a letter to her brother, Bailey (James Gandolfini). The letter triggers revelations of dark secrets, murder and betrayal. The shocking news shakes up the lives of Bailey, his old friend, Wiley (Joe Pope), and Wiley’s wife — and Bailey’s ex-lover — Mary (Famke Janssen) in this gritty drama.

James Gandofini CAN act and this film gives him a chance to prove it. Four characters doing wonderful ensemble acting make for a very watchable film.
Moreover there are some good plot surprises.

Jacques is played by Edoardo Costa who is Italian. In this film he plays a Frenchman. You may have seen him as Emerson in “Live Free or Die Hard”. If there is a flaw in this small gem of a film, it is that Jacques is a bit too clever, almost omnipotent.

Here is a film with a small amount of human roughness (including wife abuse) but at least without serial killers, gritty scenes, or needless sex.

In the small gem category I would say DO NOT MISS!

2012, Based on true facts, CIA, DO NOT MISS, Docudrama, Iran, Suspense, Thriller, True Story

Argo (2012)

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From NetFlix:

In 1979, when Iranian militants seize the American embassy, six Americans slip into the Canadian embassy for protection, prompting the CIA to concoct an elaborate plot to rescue them by pretending that they are filmmakers rather than diplomats.

From the Wikipedia article we learn:

Upon release, Argo received widespread acclaim and also received seven nominations for the 85th Academy Awards and won three, for Best Film Editing,[7] Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. The film also earned five Golden Globe nominations, winning Best Picture – Drama and Best Director, while being nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Arkin.

From that same article you can read about reactions of the Iranians, reactions of New Zealand, and historical inaccuracies. Initial subtitles put that historical period into perspective, telling us just how we got into such a mess. From one point of view it is no wonder the Iranians hate us.

Tony Mendez, the real-life CIA agent, must have been an amazing person. For 120 minutes you will be sitting on the edge of your chair hoping he can help the six Americans escape. Scenes were contrived to heighten that suspense. For example at the very end of their ordeal, as the 6 Americans and Tony Mendez have just gotten into the plane and that plane is slowly maneuvering to take off into the air, there are truckloads of angry Iranians racing down the runway trying to stop the takeoff.

If you can stand the excitment, DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2011, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, French, Wonderful acting

The Intouchables (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Based on a true story, a quadriplegic aristocrat’s world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored ex-con as his caretaker. This unlikely duo overcomes adversity of every flavor as they shatter preconceptions of love, life and each other.

Between François Cluzet (as Phillipe) and Omar Sy (as Driss) the pairing is as entertaining and warm as it is seemingly unlikely. But the story is based on a real such friendship. Be sure to watch enough of the final credits to see photos of the actual persons as well as to learn what happened to them.

Do not be put off by the initial car chase. This is NOT a car chase film. Instead the story tells of the growing connection between a wealthy almost completely paralyzed French aristocrat, Phillipe, and his black ex-con caretaker, Driss, who comes from the other side of the tracks. Driss’s enthusiasm for life is infectious and it eventually enriches Phillipe’s life. Expect frank discussions of sex. Expect some misdirected flirting. Expect some wild, surprising physical adventures (for example, hang gliding). Expect to smoke a lot of weed.

Expect to have a lot of fun watching this wonderful film. No matter your taste in films, DO NOT MISS this French film with English subtitles.

2012, Clever Plot, Conspiracy, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Gay theme, Lawyers, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Plot Twist, Political Suspense, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suspense, TV Series, Wonderful acting

Scandal (2012)

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From NetFlix:

Olivia Pope leads a team of Washington, D.C., lawyers who specialize in making scandals disappear. As they secretly handle crises at the highest levels of government, the dysfunctional team must also cope with problems closer to home.

Another TV series that can be streamed with NetFlix, “Scandal” is a fast-paced, well-written, well-acted page-turner that reminds me of the excellent House of Cards but in my opinion is better. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright carried “House of Cards” just as Tony Goldwyn (President Fitz Grant) and Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope) carry “Scandal”. Both series involve the politics in Washington D.C.

Season one is a series of episodes all related to one another. In addition to individual clients there is an ongoing story line involving Olivia Pope and President Fitz Grant. Along the way there are many plot twists that keep the story fresh and insistent. As you finish one episode you will be sorely tempted to immediately watch the next episode.

Emphasis throughout is on the interaction of personalities rather than details such as police procedurals. In fact, the acting is good and there are some very tender moments between people who love each other.

Season one ends satisfactorily with justice meted out to almost all the bad guys, but the ending also is a cliff hanger just crying for season two.

If you enjoyed “House of Cards” you will like “Scandal” even more. DO NOT MISS!

2013, Clever Plot, Complicated, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Political Suspense, Politicians, Suspense, TV Series, Unscrupulous drive to power, Wonderful acting

House of Cards (2013)

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From NetFlix:

A ruthless Congressman, Francis Underwood, and his ambitious wife Claire, will stop at nothing to conquer everything. This wicked political drama slithers through the back halls of greed, sex, love and corruption in modern D.C.

March 13, 2015: Having earlier streamed season Two, I have just finished streaming season Three from NetFlix. You MUST watch the series in order. Anything I would say might be a spoiler. At the very least, the plot and acting are worth the price of admission. Question: Do you think this political series is too cynical? Are our politics really that dirty? In fact, season Three rings true in light of events in 2015. Look out for the Russian president who is a dead ringer for Putin.

Kevin Spacey is perfect for this political page-turner. No one plays a smarmy corrupt personality better than Kevin Spacey.

To be more beautiful than Robin Wright (who plays Kevin’s wife) would be a tall order. That she is 47 years old during the filming seems hard to believe. Come to think of it, Kevin Spacey is doing OK at age 54 – just the right age to be Vice President.

Pay attention, the plot is a bit complicated but worth the trouble. Each of the three seasons ends leaving you scratching your head and possibly feeling somewhat disappointed (or should I say, apprehensive?).

For a political melodrama, I would call this series a DO NOT MISS!