Category Archive for "Film & TV"

Square eyes

Thursday, March 7, 2019 Permalink

I’ve not been doing as much reading of late. I felt like a break at Christmas. (Well, a break from reviewing, not reading!) But that has pretty much extended and I took only a couple of books to Brisbane with me on my recentish foray (aka 3wks of cat-sitting).

I have however, rediscovered my television addiction over the last six months; although I’ve not watched much live TV cos here in Australia we’ve had mostly sport and reality TV shows foisted upon us, so I’ve delved into Netflix and online viewing (SBS-on-demand) instead.

TV show: The Cry

Saturday, February 9, 2019 Permalink

I don’t usually review TV shows, though I used to write about TV and movies quite a bit. Television more so probably as I used to be quite a TV addict. It comes and goes now. Box sets and Netflix is my catnip as I’ve always been prone to watch stuff in a binge and then not turn the television on for a few weeks.

So after some positive (well, glowing) local reviews I decided to tune into The Cry – a 4-part BBC production, showing here in Australia on ABC TV. Naturally I didn’t watch it live, rather watched it online via iView over a couple of days after the first episode aired.

Of course I write this as someone who’s not read the novel on which it’s based, by Helen FitzGerald. Having done some post-viewing research (googling) however, I understand the plot is pretty consistent but the structure deviates a little from the book.

November 2018 check-in

Thursday, November 22, 2018 Permalink

I’ll be honest and admit my mood has been yo-yoing around quite a bit lately. I’m trying to be upbeat… as I said last week, I know I’ve got nothing to moan about… I mean, sure I’m unemployed, single, childless, 50 and need to improve my diet and exercise regimes, but other than that… life is going swimmingly. 😉

Anyhoo, while I continue to ponder on the joys of my existence I thought I’d skip the navel-gazing post this week and instead share with you the, ummm… joys of my existence.

Life lessons from The Alienist

Friday, May 25, 2018 Permalink

I actually read Caleb Carr’s book The Alienist and its sequel, The Angel of Darkness about 20 years ago, but remembered little about both. Indeed, neither remain on my bookshelves now, so I obviously decided at some point to retire and replace them… shelf space always being at a premium.

But when I saw the original book had been made into a Netflix TV series I jumped right in.

Stranger Things (S2) life lessons: being halfway happy and half-truths

Tuesday, October 31, 2017 Permalink

Although it was accidental I binge-watched season two of the Netflix TV show Stranger Things when it launched last Friday.

I enjoyed the first season but read a review just days before implying S2 offered nothing new so was a bit worried.

Netflixing

Tuesday, January 3, 2017 Permalink

If I weren’t so lazy I’d check to see if the powers that be have added Netflix to our dictionaries as a verb. Cos it’s a popular thing to do nowadays. Or at least as popular as running and dieting. Particularly at this time of year.

Regular readers will be aware that after almost 4yrs of paying exorbitant amounts for a meagre and unwatchable (analogue) pay TV service, once I moved into my new place I got Netflix, well… after procrastinating for a month or two as I am wont to do!

Book giveaway: Out of Orange – A Memoir by Cleary Wolters

Friday, July 8, 2016 Permalink

I LOVE television. I’ve always loved television, and there are many MANY shows I watch religiously. However… I’ve failed to join the masses around the world who have become fans of Orange is the New Black. I watched season 1, but wasn’t interested enough to go back for more.

I’m conscious that season 4 has just finished amid the usual online hubub so it seems it’s as popular as ever. And I’m assuming it’s that popularity which has led to the publication of this memoir… taking us back to where it all started.

Working out whodunnit

Monday, May 23, 2016 Permalink

I was having a conversation with another book blogger about a novel on the weekend and mentioned I’d guessed the plot twist – and the whodunnit – as a result. She hadn’t she said and I pondered on this a little.

I’d like to think I have some kind of superpower or the criminal profiling genius that FBI behavioural specialists would envy, but sadly I think it comes down to the fact… I read (and watch) a lot of crime fiction and television.

Diversity on our screens: more than just black and white

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 Permalink

Oscar nominations for 2016 have been announced and there’s an uproar led by Jada Pinkett Smith about the lack of diversity amongst the nominees. I misunderstood initially and thought she meant that the voters were racist: suggesting African American actors and directors had been purposely overlooked and wondered who she thought was undeserving of the existing nominees.

Today however I read a media report which cited the delectable Idris Elba (who – incidentally I think would be a most excellent James Bond) on the issue as he spoke about the lack of diversity on UK screens. Another report reflected on our own industry here in Australia and it (and those commenting) noted that we really only see diversity on SBS, and occasionally on ABC TV.