Category Archives: Dysfunctional Lives

2003, British Mystery Series, Clever Plot, Detective, DNA, Dysfunctional Lives, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Serial Killer

DNA (2003)

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From NetFlix:

After recovering from a mental breakdown, brilliant investigator Joe Donovan joins the Manchester Forensic Investigations Unit. But his past continues to haunt him as he solves crimes with a fervor that causes tension between him and his wife.

Tom Conti and Samantha Bond appear in a cleverly written British detective series available from NetFlix as 2 discs that represent the only year (2003) that the series played. These 5 episodes may also be streamed from NetFlix.

In this particular story the novelty is that the DNA expert Joe Donovan experiences night-time wanderings which he cannot recall the next day. These night-time travels are connected with murders and seem to involve Donovan himself.

Enjoyable British mystery series with its own original gimmick!

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, Airline pilot, Alcoholism, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Lawyers, Nudity

Flight (2012)

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From NetFlix:

After his amazing safe landing of a damaged passenger plane, an airline pilot is praised for the feat, but has private questions about what happened. Further, the government’s inquiry into the causes soon puts the new hero’s reputation at risk.

As far as I am concerned this is a (good) film about alcoholism. True enough that the film begins with a harrowing forced landing of an airplane in trouble. True enough that Denzel Washington does a remarkable job maneuvering the plane down and saving 96 lives (6 died). BUT … he has kept his alcoholism fairly well hidden for many years although he destroyed his marriage with his drinking. In fact I could also say this is a (good) film about denial. An alcoholic must eventually come to the point, often after having damaged much of his life, where he (or she) admits the alcoholism. To step in front of an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting and say “I am an alcoholic” takes a lot of humility and courage. In this film that breakpoint is quite dramatic.

This well-done adult film about an alcoholic pilot is worth the viewing.

1997, British Mystery Series, Child abuse, Crime, Dark, Detective, Dysfunctional Lives, Gritty, Kidnapping, Murder Investigation, Not Feel Good, Violent

Trial & Retribution (1997)

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From NetFlix:

Crime story and police procedural folded in one, this series tracks murder cases as they wend from inquiry to trial, with detectives Michael Walker and Pat North leading the chase and split-screen shots vivifying the complex pursuit of justice.

Available from NetFlix either as DVDs. Only Set 1 can be streamed.

  • Set 1: 1997 4 discs
  • Set 2: 2001 4 discs
  • Set 3: 2005 3 discs
  • Set 4: 2007 3 discs
  • Set 5: 2008 2 discs
  • Set 6: 2008 2 discs

To see a list of the entire series as well as small plot summaries go to Wikipedia.

For Set 1 NetFlix offered this additional description:

David Hayman and Kate Buffery star as police detectives in the first season of this critically acclaimed British crime drama, in which each episode centers on a single case, from the investigation all the way through to the courtroom verdict. This program comprises the first four feature-length episodes of this suspenseful, emotionally charged series, which takes an unflinching look at the flawed processes behind society’s pursuit of justice.

Here the operative word is FLAWED! Even as a full story ends, you might not be so sure that the convicted person really was guilty. From my point of view that is irrelevant (and maddening) because it is the excellent and taut drama that entertains.

WARNING: Some of the crimes scenes are especially ugly. For example, the second full story features a sadistical cult leader who forces women to mutiliate themselves. That alone might prevent you from watching what is a well-written and very suspenseful story. In this second full story the ending is pitch perfect.

If you like British detective TV series, you will enjoy “Trial & Retribution”

Animated, Comedy, Dark, DO NOT MISS, Dysfunctional Lives, FilmReview, Nudity, Short Films, Violent

The 2005 Academy Award Short Films Collection (2005)

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From NetFlix:

This compilation of Oscar nominees delivers the best animated and live-action short films of 2005 in one collection. Selections include the winning films: “The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation” (animated) and “Six Shooter” (live action). In the former, a son explores his turbulent relationship with his late father, and in the latter, an old man’s grief is interrupted by a young stranger.

Quite a variety exists in this wonderful collection of film shorts from different countries (always with subtitles):

  • “Our Time is Up” (American) Comedy involving a psychiatrist who experiences a change of life.
  • “The Runaway” (German) Drama in which an architect connects with a young school boy.
  • “The Last Farm” (Scandinavian) An old farmer deals with the end of his life.
  • “Cashback” (British) Comic adventures of a college student working in a grocery store. Includes many naked women.
  • “Six Shooter” (Irish) Grieving widower (Brendan Gleeson) rides a train seated with a talkative (unbalanced ?) young man.
  • “Badgered” is an animated short about, well, a badger.
  • “The Moon and the Son” Cartoonist son talks to his hospitalized father and presents a cartoon version of their sad family life. (John Tarturro and Elie Wallach are the voices.)
  • “The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello” is a marvelous surreal animated (think “Triplets of Belleville”). If nothing else, the visual aspect is stunningly imaginative.

If you watch nothing else, the last animated is worth the price of admission. If you like shorts, DO NOT MISS!

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Science, Asperger's Syndrome, British, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Dog Story, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Feel Good For All, Love Story, Made For TV, School Teacher, Small British village, Small Town

Doc Martin (2004)

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From NetFlix:

Crippled by a sudden and inconvenient fear of blood, flashy surgeon Dr. Martin Ellingham abandons his bustling London practice and sets up shop as a country doctor in this medically minded British sitcom.

Are you looking for a warm, friendly, non-violent, comic, personal British sitcom? Look no further. Beginning in 2004 and extending over 5 years of wonderful episodes, you can relax and enjoy “Doc Martin”.

Doc Martin (played by Martin Clunes) is a very unusual character. For starters he is a family doctor who is sickened by the sight of blood (he looks away when he draws a blood sample). Most importantly he is completely hopeless in any social situation. My guess is that he is supposed to suffer from Asperger’s syndrome. Nowadays we would say that he “doesn’t have a clue”.

He has set up practice in a charming, small, British village on the sea. He is a brilliant diagnostician and much of each episode has him helping people in his impossibly brusque manner. In fact, part of the comedy in the series is his reaction (or non-reaction) to everyone, including his patients.

Do not misunderstand: the stories are not pablum. Some of the situations are harrowing. For example, we see his icy mother just once when she visits and explains that she never loved him because he “got in the way”. Along the way we see villagers afflicted with OCD, vertigo, psychosis, etc. Nonetheless the “cringe” factor is very low compared to today’s British TV plots.

All 5 seasons are available on DVD. NetFlix offers DVD or streaming for all the episodes.

In the area of family sitcoms I would rate this series a DO NOT MISS!

2010, Cowboy, Crime, Crude Talk, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Frenetic, Grim, Motorcycles, Nudity, Plot Twist, Revenge, Suspense, Trailer Life, Violent, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Killer Joe (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Dimwitted drug dealer Chris hires Killer Joe to ice his mother for her insurance. But Chris is broke, so Joe demands his sister Dottie as collateral. Dottie’s not about to be treated as chattel, and Killer Joe soon wishes he’d never taken the job.

Is it my imagination or are films getting more violent and more sexually explicit as the years go by? If sex and violence offend or disturb you, do NOT see this film.

Having warned you about the pitfalls, nonetheless this is a very well-made film that held my attention. Beginning with an introduction to a trailer trash environment, morality continues to take a downward spin. Even the premise that Chris sees nothing wrong in hiring Matthew McConaughey to kill Chris’ hated real mother (and his step-mother is no prize either) shocked me.

Every character looks a bit worse for wear except Matthew McConaughey as Killer Joe and Juno Temple as Chris’ 12-year-old sister Dottie. Chris’ father is played by Thomas Haden Church who has been appearing in films since his parts in the TV series “Wings” and “Cheers”.

Acting is excellent with special mention for Killer Joe and Dottie.

McConaughey is a well-dressed (when he isn’t stark naked), smooth talking hired assassin cleverly disguised as a sheriff. WARNING: There are several scenes in which McConaughey vividly acts out sexual arousal (lusting for Dottie or humiliating Gina Gershon who is Chris’ wicked stepmother) and at one point reaches orgasm. His acting in these scenes is perfection itself but could be very disturbing.

Juno Temple as the 12-year-old Dottie also plays her part to perfection. She is a naive girl who hates the trailer life and desperately wants to escape. Her opportunity arrives in the person of Killer Joe who takes her as his sex partner as payment for killing Chris’ mother. Yes, this is a grim plot.

Be prepared for plot twists and a surprising end. You might send me a comment about that ending.

There must be something wrong with me because I could not stop watching.

2012, Acceptable for children, DO NOT MISS, Docudrama, Dysfunctional Lives, Fantasy, Magic Realism, Medical Theme, Not Feel Good, Unusual, Violent

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

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From NetFlix:

This fantastical drama follows a little girl named Hushpuppy who lives in a dilapidated pocket of homes in the Mississippi Delta. When her father falls ill and natural disasters strike, Hushpuppy sets off to find her long-lost mother.

Netflix’s description above is misleading. Hushpuppy wants to find her mother but that is just a small part of this film, one of the most inventive and original films I have ever seen.

Quvenzhané Wallis portrays Hushpuppy as a defiant, curious, lonely little girl whose father Wink is an unpredictable, at times violent, alcoholic whose wish for his daughter is that she learn to live independently. We understand Wink more as the film progresses.

Even if the film were merely a travelog it would be acceptable. For me the area and characters were an eye-opener. As a city dweller I expect a home to be orderly, clean, and strongly constructed. But the homes we visit are disorderly pig-pens just about ready to fall down of their own accord. As a city dweller I expect people to be sober, hard-working, clean, affectionate persons. But the personalities in this film are hard-drinking, seemingly non-working, dirty humans who are, however, affectionate. Most of all they are determined to stay in their beloved bayou (which they call the “bathtub”) even after a relentless storm has almost completely destroyed their world.

Magic realism enters in the appearance of aurochs who were released by global warming from their prisons of icebergs. These giant beasts (like warthogs) in their roaming represent the violence wrought upon the earth by global warming.

Compare the acting here of Quvenzhané Wallis as Hushpuppy with that of the child Pierce Gagnon as Cid in Looper.

If you have a taste for the unusual, DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!