Cheeseandchocolatemonster Reviews

Lost in Space (2018–2021)

Unexpectedly entertaining update

[8/10 · 12 April 2019]

I binge-watched the first series while sick in bed. In particular, I loved the daft plots -with the Robinson Family extricating themselves from one impossible situation after another, the fantastic scenery and the character analysis / development.

It was also refreshing to have a series where the children / young adults behaved (and were treated) like grown-ups. So much more satisfying than watching everyone on the screen (even the middle-aged), acting like eleven-year-olds, which is the norm nowadays, and is cringe-making.

I look forward to watching the second series.

Elementary (2012–2019)

I could never have predicted this!

[8/10 · 11 November 2015]

Years ago, I remember reading the publicity for this show before it was released, and pouring scorn on the idea of a modern Sherlock Holmes, set in New York and with a female Watson. "How pathetic!", I sneered, "They must be really desperate for new ideas, to come up with this pile of rubbish!" And when it showed on British television, I only sat down to watch it so I could pull it to pieces.

I could never have guessed that years later I would be watching old episodes, while I impatiently wait for the fourth series to be broadcast. All the people involved have obviously worked very hard to create this intelligent and entertaining show, which has fun with the original stories and characters, while still showing respect (in my view) to the books and the author, Arthur Conan Doyle. Oh, and while I like Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock, I think the actors who play Joan Watson, Captain Thomas Gregson and Detective Marcus Bell deserve a special mention, as they have the more restrained and therefore difficult roles to play, as his sidekicks.

Thank you for making and releasing "Elementary". And please hurry up with the next series!

Mapp & Lucia (2014)

Wonderful satire of female one-upmanship in a small town

[10/10 · 1 January 2015]

Set in the chocolate-box town of Rye in Sussex, this English comedy of manners was easily the best thing on British television this Christmas, as far as I am concerned. I just wish the BBC had produced more than three episodes of "Mapp and Lucia", although I have a sneaky suspicion there will be more in the pipeline.

Based on a series of humorous novels written by EF Benson in the 1920s and 1930s, series one begins with the pretentious Lucia arriving to spend the summer in Tilling (Rye) with her effeminate male friend Georgie in tow. Lucia renews her acquaintance with bumptious Miss Mapp, the queen bee of Tilling (in her estimation anyway), and from there on in, the two ladies lock horns.

"Mapp and Lucia" has a cast of the most eccentric characters, who create the most absurd situations. This could be dismissed as pure froth in pretty scenery, except the author has created (for me anyway), instantly recognisable people and written the most wonderful lines for them. English middle-class aspirations and affectations are ridiculed, as the protagonists compete socially, involving the hapless inhabitants of Tilling in their increasingly frenetic plots.

The critics have compared this TV series unfavourably with an earlier one starring Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan. Having neither read the books or seen the 1980s version, I am not in the position to comment. However, I shall immediately be watching all three episodes again on BBC iPlayer, and ordering the DVD when they are out.

"Au Reservoir"

Cheeseandchocolatemonster

Outcasts (2010–2011)

Gormless British Sci-Fi

[3/10 · 8 March 2011]

If you're desperate for something to watch, this might be for you, but if you expect your television to be reasonably intelligent, don't bother. I've been watching "Outcasts" right from the beginning, and my reaction to this TV series ranges from irritability to downright boredom. I'm persevering with it because I keep hoping against hope that it might develop into something better.

On the positive side, the scenery is stunning and, that's about it really ...

There are so many negatives that I really don't know where to start. The plot is really disjointed, things happen for no apparent reason and then there is no follow through in the episode, let alone the series. This makes the storyline seem bitty and pointless. The actors are affected and either dull or unpleasant and, as others have pointed out here, it is really difficult to care what happens to any of them. None of them seem to be able to act, but the actor who plays Cass is particularly terrible and irritating. The dialogue is a joke: lots of Pointing Out the Bleeding Obvious, and cringe-making sentimentality.

If the BBC carries on showing such dumbed-down rubbish, it will lose the reputation it has built up over the years, for producing high- (or even reasonable-) quality television.

Carolina Moon (2007 TV Movie)

Dire, absolutely dire

[1/10 · 22 August 2010]

Painfully wooden acting, poor direction, and the plot was formulaic to say the least. It wasn't too far into the film (thank goodness!) that we guessed who the murderer was, so we just skipped to the end to confirm it. Even the inevitable scene where the plucky heroine is alone when she discovers who the villain is, was dull as ditch-water, and we couldn't be bothered to sit through it.

I haven't read the book, or anything written by the author, so I can't comment on how close the film is to the novel. Wouldn't have thought having her name associated with this movie would do the writer's reputation much good though ...