ijasonhyland Reviews

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

Michelle Dockery shines ..!

[7/10 · 3 February 2024]

Mixed thoughts in this one.. as a story it makes good sense . The "did he,didn't he do" is one thing but the "would he do it" is much more relevant. Some episodes sag a a little bit here and there and the reveals you can foresee from episode three on. Sienna Miller plays the conflicted wife very well whos priority is not the preservation of the lifestyle but the future of her children take centre stage with the flash back scenes putting everything in perspective for her as the case rolls on. Apart from the accusation the marriage and the law this really shines a light on the privileged, the absolute horrendously spoiled appalling people who go on to run the country who are thought at a young age they can get what they want when they want..something a good hiding from time to time would have knocked out of them... couldn't help picturing the likes of a young Boris Johnson or David Cameron in their youth

The series however weakens here and there but is saved by Michelle Dockery who is compelling as the prosecution barrister with a secret. She shows real acting chops and I'd like to see more of her and this character in a tv series of her own... like a Kavanagh QC

It's an easy watch the with the lead "Tory charming husband" putting in a very David Tennant like performance the guy being easily likeable at the start which quickly changes as it trundles along to completely despising his self importance and absolute arrogance.

Not bad a bad .. but editing to 4 parts would have sufficed..

Black Snow (2022– )

Gripped ..!

[9/10 · 21 October 2023]

This was a real sleeper.. tuned in to episode one to give it whirl and was absolutely gripped. The interwoven back and forth for context was brilliant taking you in different directions with each episode teasing you and reeling you in for the next episode.. The main lead actor character from the outset was cool calm with a very Brad Pitt type swagger but underneath all of it was utter turmoil .. The towns folk left you guessing with each new face having something they didn't want to come out and just when you thought you were there with it and had it all worked out your hit with another swerve ... Really brilliant stuff from start to finish & I really hope there is more from the lead character.

Father Brown: The Hidden Man (2023) Season 10, Episode 5

The return of Flambeau

[10/10 · 6 February 2023]

Always look forward to the appearance of John Light as the great thief Hercule Flambeau.

Although It's taking a bit of time warming to the new new characters the new housekeepers attempts to woo inspector Sullivan are funny.

This episode is a little more serious with several murders attributed to flambeau and more conscious policing from Goodfellow but it is John Light that shines in this episode A terrific actor with an impressive CV but one of my favourite turns by him was the ruthless special branch officer in the pilot episode of Endeavour. This episode has it all murder, theft and is very character driven not relying on the usual obvious who done it mystery.

The one to one with Flambeau and Inspector Sullivan was a bit heavier than the normal and the bad guys a little more ruthless..

Mammals (2022)

Enjoyable, light and funny in parts...

[6/10 · 13 November 2022]

Assuming many won't watch it because of the lead actor but this is actually quite an enjoyable and entertaining series for a Sunday afternoon in front of the TV.

It's begins with a nice story about to unfold and then bang how it can flip, then slap you in the face before giving you that one final massive and fully deserved kick in the arse .!

What ever about his kak chat show .. James Corden gives a good go in this as the lead and the Tom Jones cameo very well placed in episode one.

Difficult to see how a second series would be warranted but if there is one I am sure I'll give it a watch....

Sherlock (2010–2017)

Tv Heaven and not just for all Sherlock Holmes fans

[10/10 · 9 November 2022]

I have watched rewatched and rewatched again ... Steven Moffatt excels with clever writing and deeply buried references to original Holmes stories. The reinvention of Holmes for the modern day is brilliant hoovering up new fans much like how Rathbone did in his time while Jeremy Bret again a magnificent Holmes who encapsulated all the flaws of the original character as does Cumberbach. It's everything TV should be .. entertaining, funny witty dramatic clever twisted dark Moff and Gatiss have got it so right ... and all made better with Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, Andrew Scott & Lara Pulver !!!

The Terminal List (2022– )

Terrific TV ..!

[8/10 · 2 July 2022]

Chris Pratt really does this well ..!

Starts at a slow pace but really picks its feet up .. don't want to spoil it by back slapping it too much just recommend that you watch it.

The Counselor (2013)

Don't bother ...

[2/10 · 21 June 2022]

I didn't know what to expect from such a big name cast ...but this was awful guff !

It's hard to decide what was the worst element from javier bardems hair to Cameron Diaz acting or the Brad Pitt character being included for no reason Other than adding another big name.

Very disappointing movie ..

Treadstone (2019)

Slow starter ...but gathers pace

[6/10 · 10 June 2022]

To be honest ... a bit too much going on at times. Flipping from past to present and back again got a bit annoying and repetitive without adding anything new from what you knew from episode 3 ish ... It takes the firstborn few episodes to finally get all its ducks in a line and by episode 8 it all come together.

Some good action and then some naff ballet dancing style over the top fight scenes. Without any spoilers the husband and wife story didn't really fit in and could have been dropped altogether.

It's a pity it didn't get the second series but another 10 episodes would really be stretching it - Perhaps a one of 90 minutes episode could wrap it all up successfully.

Ten Percent (2022)

Shaky start but steady itself by by Ep three

[7/10 · 6 June 2022]

Having not seen the original French series i just jumped in and watched all eight episodes in one helping There is good cast with Jim Broadbent in episode one but Jack Davenport is really good as the central character as it goes on.

The first episode is a bit too much like W1A only with a plot and full sentences.. like yeah for sure ..and it has some really good celebrity cameos bringing the comedy throughout - Kelly McDonald is particularly good ..!

Although the final episode splinters a bit with surreal high jinx involving a client a deadline and a meeting it also tries tying up the loose ends for the different characters which pulled it in too many directions but even so it would be nice to see a second series of even to see who they could drag in to send themselves up.

Worth a watch ..!

Doctor Who: Flux: Chapter One - The Halloween Apocalypse (2021) Season 13, Episode 1

I always look forward to the series opener ..

[2/10 · 31 October 2021]

I always look forward to the opening episode of Doctor who new series .... sometimes it's the introduction of new companions continuing characters and even new doctors. However this time I was looking forward to it knowing it's the beginning of the end for the 13th doctor and hopefully her sidekick Yaz. The chemistry between them for me is just blah and ping pong dialogue between them just doesn't help and looks to forced - Jodie Whittaker chucking out explanations before things happen and her sidekick always seeming annoyed or wanting to know more... it makes you yearn for the companions in awe of the doctor .. Sarah Jane, Jo Grant, Rose Tyler and even Harry Sullivan & Mickey Smith had a certain respect for the doctors brilliance in a crisis where as Yaz always has the look of a girlfriend (or boyfriend) who wants to know where your going without her and why can't she go too...

The episode itself was way too reliant on CGI to give it a story and apart from john bishops four bears joke the script was was very poor. Too frantic trying to set up what's to come for the series as obviously Chibnell is out to prove he can do it unfortunately though for him it's all a bit late. Where as Jodie Whittaker was seen to be a good choice based on previous work and connection with chibnell in Broadchurch Doctor Who should be about as Jon Pertwee said the monsters coming to take over the earth like a yeti in tootenbeck and the Doctor saving the day where as this show runner has so far tried to make story's about box ticking social commentary and diversity with the ongoing rainbow branding always reminding me I must go to Aldi tomorrow.

Anyway, the story again not clear on what it is yet ..is messy and hopefully will settle down and become clearer with episode two which seems to include a historical element so it looks as if it may borrow from the second doctors swan song The War Games which was one of the best ever produced series switching seamlessly between time zones and wars past present and future resulting in the time lords intervention and forced regeneration and exile of the doctor to earth as the third doctor.

A long time Doctor who fan since Jon Pertwee era I think if it wasn't for RTD returning it should be mothballed for a few years ending with her regeneration alone in the Tardis not revealing the 14th doctor as I think another "box ticking" doctor choice will clearly be the end of the show

Or, perhaps it's time Doctor Who fans finally get their wish and see the return of the 8th doctor in an epic time war story told over a full 12 episode series under RTD.

Endeavour: Terminus (2021) Season 8, Episode 3

Scooby Doo meets Poirot ...

[2/10 · 9 October 2021]

With a bit of On the Buses thrown in this by far is the worst episode of the entire 8 series. It was a parody of good Morse story .. has all the elements but just got lost in a ludicrous plot where the (spoiler here) .

. The "murderers" turn and reveal there fiendish and convoluted plan of revenge in full scooby doo style only short of saying "if it wasn't for you pesky coppers" winning the pools, special cuff links initialled envelopes all very unnecessary. As Fred himself would say very little "good coppering" in this episode more mixed bag of left overs from other scripts ... fingers crossed series 9 if one will be back to form - this just seemed like a filler while they work out how to wind it all up and set Morse on his way until we meet him again in the Dead of Jericho in1987 ...

Two Way Stretch (1960)

A brilliant movie ..

[10/10 · 10 April 2021]

From a time when British comedy's were at the very top of the game .. you can see from where the series Porridge was grown.

Great characters from Dodger Lenny and Jelly to Soapy and of course Sauerkraut ..!!

Excellent and always worth a watch.

I'm All Right Jack (1959)

A master class in comedy acting

[10/10 · 10 April 2021]

A master class in comedy acting by Peter Sellers as Fred Kite. A terrific ensemble cast with an easy story but it's Sellers that sets this movie alight with humour. Always worth a watch as are many of the British comedy's from this period of of cinema.

The Ladykillers (1955)

Alec Guinness need you say more ..

[10/10 · 10 April 2021]

One of my favourite movies and possibly the best comedy caper ever made.

Just look at the talent ...Alec Guinness Peter Sellers Herbert Lom Cecil Parker and a brilliant cameo from Frankie Howerd.

No more to be said - you just can't leave the house when this is on TV ..!!

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

Fabulous movie

[10/10 · 10 April 2021]

It's up there on my list of movies when on tv you can't leave the house ...!! Gregory Peck & the always brilliant David Niven surrounded by a terrific cast of James Robertson Justice Richard Harris (with his "bloody" good English accent) Anthony Quayle Stanly Baker Anthony Quinn ...Great backdrop for a good war movie. David Niven puts in a great performance as the easily irritated Miller with his bag of tricks.

I Care a Lot (2020)

A tale of two scripts ...

[6/10 · 10 April 2021]

Enjoyable especially for Dianne Wiest .. but it's like there was a movie budget available and two different scripts and some decided to merge the two into one just to get something made... Starts out an uncomfortable watch with script A regarding Pikes business and how she does it and by Jazus she is good at it ... that smile gives you the shivers - then script B kicks in when A runs out of juice. .. Good performance all round.

The Gentlemen (2019)

Very Enjoyable..!

[8/10 · 1 January 2021]

Worth watching for Colin Farrell's turn alone hilariously sincere ....a slightly dodgy accent from Hugh Grant but he does it with tongue firmly in his cheek and comedy grace. Charlie Hunnam (never heard of him before) gives a very cool performance throughout but the jury is still out on Mathew Mc C. In this as he seems to play down what could have been a much more vibrant role... definitely deserves a second viewing Definitely a Recommended watch !!!

The Sweeney (1975–1978)

Best British Cop show

[10/10 · 18 July 2020]

Some say very much of it's time ..but it is a classic. Never equalled for hard hitting gritty dialogue, hard drinking, car chases and good old fashioned punch ups. Two spinoff movies were also excellent with the original bad boys Regan & Carter played by the John Thaw and Denis Waterman - not to be confused with the more recent shambles of a movie with Ray Winston .

The Two Faces of January (2014)

Thrilling movie

[8/10 · 18 July 2020]

Really thrilling movie worth a watch ..don't think a direct remake but very reminiscent of the running man with Laurence Harvey and Lee Remmick .