Category Archives: Acorn TV

2007, Acorn TV, Animal story, Assisted Suicide, Australian, Blackmail, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Ethical struggles, Father-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Sheep Farmers, Small Town

Rain Shadow (2007)

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From Acorn TV:

After a 10-year drought, tensions reach a breaking point in the small Australian farming town of Paringa when a mysterious disease begins to ravage the local sheep. Tough-minded veterinarian Kate McDonald (Rachel Ward, The Thorn Birds) struggles to save her community with the help of a feisty new assistant (Victoria Thaine, The Caterpillar Wish).

From IMDB:

Rain Shadow was shot in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia and is set in the fictional district of Paringa, a dry land farming area in a rain shadow. It tells the story of two characters who become the means of each other’s future. It stars Rachel Ward as district vet Kate McDonald and Victoria Thaine as new veterinary assistant Jill Blake

From Acorn TV you can stream  6 episodes, each episode lasting about 50 minutes, of this Australian production.

A rain shadow is an area of land that lies behind a mountain which gets almost no rainfall. This side of a mountainous area is away from the wind.  Even this film from 2007 speaks several times of climate change.

Life in this remote part of South Australia in a rain shadow is harsh and difficult. Survival of a farm is precarious at best and an awful lot of hard work. As a consequence the inhabitants of Paringa are a tough group of people who interact at times begrudgingly. In this story the farmers that we meet raise sheep, many of whom are infected with Johne’s disease.

Johne’s disease is a contagious, chronic, and usually fatal infection that affects primarily the small intestine of ruminants. Johne’s disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis , a hardy bacterium related to the agents of leprosy and TB.

Of the several themes in this story, including Kate’s hidden sorrow and farm foreclosures,  the Johne’s disease is prominent. Jill’s ethical struggle is whether to notify the authorities about the problem, which would lower the property and sale values of the sheep farms.

As a welcome relief from crime stories, this very human drama is well worth seeing.  If you liked “A Place To Call Home”, then these 6 episodes are a must see.

2019, Acorn TV, British, British Mystery Series, Detective, Drug Dealers, Ends in Cliff Hanger, Father-daughter relations, Lesbian Theme, Mental Illness, Mildly Violent, Missing Person, Murder, Murder Investigation, Police Culture, Psychopath, Revenge, Serial Killer, Suspense, Uncategorized

London Kills (2019)

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From IMDB:

With the world’s most recognizable city as its backdrop, LONDON KILLS will dramatize the experiences of a team of top murder detectives. Slick, modern and fast moving, the series will be shot like a cutting-edge documentary. Each episode of LONDON KILLS will focus on a different murder following the detectives as they uncover the truth behind the killing but will also have a serial story involving the lead detective’s missing wife.

From Acorn TV:

London’s best detectives take on its worst crimes in this sleek mystery series from the creator of Suspects. DI David Bradford (Hugo Speer, Father Brown) heads an elite murder squad, but the one case he can’t crack is the one closest to him – the disappearance of his wife. Also starring Sharon Small (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries), Bailey Patrick (Bodyguard), and Tori Allen-Martin (Unforgotten).

JULY 2019 ADDENDUM:

From Acorn TV you can now stream both season one and season two.  Season two also consists of 5 episodes. Finally in season two we learn what happened to Bradford’s wife and what he has been hiding from his team. Nonetheless, season two leaves enough unsolved threads so that there could be a season three.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

From Acorn TV you can stream the first season on this detective series. Each of the 5 episodes last about 45 minutes.  Although the 5 episodes of the first season bring an investigation to a close, throughout all the seasons there is the continuing mystery of what happened to DI Bradford’s wife. In addition the investigation in the first season is closely related to that disappearance.

As far as detective series go, this one is on a par with most and offers some genuine suspense and character portrayal. Season one’s villain is effectively creepy.

Not bad!

 

2009, Acorn TV, British Comedy, Comedy, Could Be Sad, Flirting, Marital Infidelity, Nudity, Office Love Affairs, Sight Gags, Somewhat trashy, Strange Ending, Witty dialog

Reggie Perrin (2009)

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From IMDB:

Reggie Perrin has a cushy job as head of innovation in a men’s body care products firm, but philosophically hates meaningless office life. He’s equally unhappy with commuting, his dull marriage, his parents, his colleagues and especially his cry boss Chris. Yet he never does anything about this life, even tends to help his hated significant others out of a pickle.

From Acorn TV:

This “finely balanced black comedy” (Guardian, UK) stars Martin Clunes as the title character, a midlevel corporate drone who finds himself in the throes of a midlife crisis. Based on the classic series The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, this reboot was cowritten by the original series creator, and co-stars Fay Ripley (Cold Feet) as Reggie’s long-suffering wife.

From Acorn TV (all things British) you can stream the first season of this British comedy.  Each of the 6 episodes is approximately one half hour. There was a season two, but it is not available from Acorn TV.

Martin Clunes plays Doc Martin in that famous British TV series. Who knew he was also an effective comedian?  Every episode had us in stitches, especially his daydream sight gags.  He is, however, having a midlife crisis and I must warn you that the last and sixth episode of season 1 starts as comedy and ends as head-scratching sadness which left me with a sour feeling.

 

 

2018, Acorn TV, Basically Sad, Brother-Sister relations, Drama, Extramarital Affair, Family Conflict, Fatal Neurological Disease, Father-daughter relations, Father-son relations, Forensics, Gay theme, Irish, Masturbation, Mother-son relations, Murder Investigation, Mystery Film, Suspense, Terminal Disease

Blood (2018)

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From Acorn TV:

Likened to Broadchurch and The Killing by critics, this psychological mystery is “must-see TV…taut, stylish, and suspenseful” (The Irish Times). BAFTA nominee Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty) stars as a respected doctor in a small Irish town. When his wife dies, everyone believes it was an accident—except his daughter (Carolina Main, Unforgotten), who mistrusts her father because of a childhood trauma.

From Acorn TV you can stream the 6 episodes of the one season Irish drama Each episode lasts about 45 minutes.

Talk about family problems!  Better than your average soap opera, this superbly acted drama maintains the suspenseful atmosphere for all six episodes.  From the very beginning I sided with the daughter Cat and increasingly viewed the father Jim as some kind of narcissistic monster. But wait until you have seen  all six episodes before making a final judgment. Because I did not want to introduce a spoiler, there were categories that I did not add to the review header.

And don’t the Irish as portrayed seem to drink a lot of alcohol?

All the actors are perfectly cast. Probably you might recognize Adrian Dunbar who played Ted Hastings in “Line of Duty.”

If you hanker after family tension then do not miss!

2007, Abandoned child, Acorn TV, British, Brother-Sister relations, Child custody, Could Be Sad, Drama, Family Conflict, Orphans in Foster Care, Police Story

Five Days: The Train (2007)

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From Acorn TV:

Five days can change a life forever in this acclaimed BBC serial. Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey) and BAFTA nominee David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) are police officers investigating an apparent suicide that may be connected to a baby found in a hospital lavatory. Also starring Matthew McNulty (The Terror) and Bernard Hill (The Lord of the Rings films), this is “drama at its best” (TV Times, UK).

From Acorn TV you can stream the five episodes of Series 1. Each episode lasts about an hour.

Out of 120 days, this series selects 5 notable days in the continuing story of a train bridge suicide, finding an abandoned baby’s father, the emotional strain on the baby’s immediate caretaker who wishes to adopt the baby, and a young Muslim possibly connected to terrorism.  In such circumstances not everyone can have their wishes fulfilled.

Worthwhile break from violent TV series.

2017, Acorn TV, Big Pharma, Conspiracy, Contract Killing, Corruption, Detective, Drama, Ethical struggles, Harmful Medicine, International thriler, Irish Detective Series, Mother-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Personal Betrayal, Police Corruption, Police Politics, Sister-sister relations, Sociopath, Suspense

Acceptable Risk (2017)

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From IMDB:

When her husband, Lee, is murdered, Sarah Manning comes to realize that she knows nothing about his past. Sarah begins to question who Lee actually was and what he did in his work for a powerful global organization. And why did Lee, a salesman, need to carry a gun?

From Acorn TV you can stream 6 episodes of this international conspiracy mystery based in Dublin. Each episode is about 50 minutes.

Sarah Manning (played by Elaine Cassidy) is the mourning but puzzled widow. Detective Sergeant Emer Byrne (played by Angeline Ball) is the  member of the Irish Guard (i.e. police) who despite the obstacles placed before her by her formerly honest Chief Superintendent James Nulty (played by Lorcan Cranitch)  is determined to pursue the murder case. Sarah is surrounded by relatives, police officers, and pharmaceutical employees all of whom have something to hide.  Hans Werner Hoffman (played by Morten Suurballe) presents one of the coldest sociopaths I have seen in a drama.

Such a binge-worthy plot is well worth your time.

 

2005, Acorn TV, British, British school girls, Bullying, DO NOT MISS, Family Conflict, Father-son relations, Forensics, Mother-son relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Serial Killer, Suspense, Teenagers, Wrongful Arrest

Like Father Like Son (2005)

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From IMDB:

Life for Dee Stanton is improving at every turn. Her legal career is blossoming and her boyfriend Dominic unexpectedly proposes to her. Things were very different 11 years ago when her husband Paul was jailed for the brutal murders of four girls and Dee was hounded from her home. Dee has kept all this a secret from her 15-year-old son Jamie. Now he has discovered the truth about his father and demands to see him.

From Acorn TV:

Dee Stanton (Jemma Redgrave, Holby City) seems to have a perfect life, with a blossoming career and a handsome fiance (Robson Green, Grantchester). But Dee’s tragic past comes back to haunt her when her son learns his father is a convicted serial killer. After a girl’s murder, Dee fears history is repeating itself. This gripping psychological thriller also stars Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones).

From Acorn TV you can stream the 2 episodes of this British TV drama. Each episode is about 68 minutes long.

When you have such British actors as Jemma Redgrave (who plays Dee Stanton), Robson Green (who plays Dominic) and Phil Davis (who plays the imprisoned father serial killer), you know you are in for a treat.  Although the plot is somewhat like a soap opera, the tension and threat of a wrongful arrest are so strong that it is a blessing that there are only two episodes. Moreover, I would be surprised if you get to the near end and have correctly identified the killer.

For plot surprises and good acting let’s call this a DO NOT MISS!

2003, Acorn TV, British, British school girls, Dysfunctional Lives, Extramarital Affair, Failing Marriage, Family Conflict, Jealousy, Mother-daughter relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Narcissistic Personality, Nothing special, School Teacher, Sex with underage girls, Sister-sister relations, Stepchild, Suspense, Teenagers

Lloyd and Hill (2003)

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From  Acorn TV:

Inspired the beloved characters created by Jill McGown, former lovers and detectives, Chief Inspector Danny Lloyd (Philip Glenister, The Level, Outcast) and Inspector Judy Hill (Michelle Collins, Coronation Street) investigate the death of a 15-year-old schoolgirl found strangled and deserted in a public park.

DCI Lloyd and newly arrived DI Hill (who were lovers years before) investigate the murder of a schoolgirl. The girl was possibly having a sexual relationship with one of her teachers, one of whom is receiving anonymous love letters which puts his marriage at risk. This adds the man’s wife to the list of possible suspects.

From Acorn TV you can stream the 98 minutes of this full-length, one episode film.

Both quotes above from Acorn TV tell you enough about the plot which was clever enough that I twice guessed wrong about the identity of the killer.  Because of the way the two former detectives and lovers parted at the end, I suspect more episodes were planned.

Nothing special, but acceptable.

 

2004, Acorn TV, Amnesia, British, British Mystery Series, Detective, Failing Marriage, Forensics, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Personal Betrayal, Police Culture, Psychological Drama, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense

Amnesia (2004)

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From Acorn TV:

Hailed by Variety as “fascinating” with “a top-notch cast,” this psychological thriller stars John Hannah (The Mummy) as DS Mack Stone, who, while searching for his missing wife, uncovers a possible murder masked by a claim of amnesia. But as Stone investigates, he begins to doubt his own memories. Co-starring Jemma Redgrave (Bramwell), Anthony Calf (New Tricks), and Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey).

From Acorn TV you can stream this 2 episode series. Each episode lasts about 75 minutes.

Chances are you will spend most of the 150 minutes as a captive audience  trying to decide who is lying, who murdered a wife, and who really has amnesia.

What a difference 14 years can make in a person’s appearance.  You will probably recognize the Scottish actor John Hannah (who played Batiatus in two Spartacus TV series),  Jemma Redgrave (a member of the famous family of actors) and Brendon Coyle (who played John Bates in Downton Abbey).

From the very beginning of the series you learn that DS Mack Stone continues to be traumatized by the disappearance of his wife and obsesses over not only his missing wife but also whether John Dean (played by Anthony Calf), who claims to suffer from complete amnesia about his past life, is really a wife-murdering serial killer. Also intimately involved in these problems is Brendon Coyle’s character D.C. Ian Reid.

Your own obsessing over what is really going on is time well spent watching this well-done story.

2013, Acorn TV, Australian, Australian Aborigine, Corruption, Detective, DNA, Drug Dealers, Failing Marriage, Father-daughter relations, Illegitimate Child, Lawyers, Missing Person, Mother-daughter relations, Murder, Murder Investigation, Racial Prejudice, Rape, Small Town Atmosphere, Suspense, Unmarried mother

Mystery Road (2013)

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From Acorn TV:

Two-time Oscar nominee Judy Davis (Feud, Life with Judy Garland) and award-winning actor Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish) star in this Acorn TV Original drama set in the Australian outback. When two boys go missing from a cattle station, Detective Jay Swan (Pedersen) teams up with local cop Emma James (Davis) to investigate. But solving the mystery could expose other crimes that haunt the remote town.

From Acorn TV (all British empire) you can download this Australian series of 6 episodes (each roughly 50 minutes).

In 2013 Judy Davis was 58 and her character Emma James looks really weather beaten, which is probably appropriate for the Australian outback. After 6 episodes I finally accepted that Ms. Davis was right for the part: terse, tough, and determinedly honest.

In 2013 Aaron Pedersen (born in Alice Springs, Australia) was 43. He played Cam Delray in the 2018 Jack Irish series. His role shares many characteristics with the role of Emma James, especially his manner of talking as little as possible.

Injustice and its hopeful righting are often enough to keep me interested. Besides a wrongful conviction and jail sentence, the theme of racial prejudice against the indigenous aborigines is part of the injustice. Stay tuned to see if the bad guys get their comeuppance.

While enjoying this series very much, I also came to appreciate that I would NEVER live in such a remote area.