251. Web-series Reviews – 95

More web-series reviews…

Tamil Rockerz – Tamil series came out in 2022.  Anonymous cyber pirates are threatening to release a highly anticipated film featuring a massively popular star. It's up to the cop Rudra to find the lawbreakers and bring them to justice.

One of the reviews from Cinemaexpress...

Over the past decade, the infamous piracy group, Tamilrockers, has been a subject of much discussion. Pirated versions of films weren’t just being made available on the date of release; sometimes, they were available even ahead of release. The piracy group continues to be active and has been a big problem for the film fraternity for nearly a decade now. The arrival of OTT platforms helped somewhat, and it’s interesting that it’s on one such streaming platforms that a web series based on the group is out now. Undoubtedly, SonyLIV's Tamilrockerz has an exciting idea that screams potential. We see glimpses of the group leader, the modus operandi... But sadly, director Arivazhagan doesn’t give us enough for an eight-episode series.

First things first—this SonyLIV series is heavily fictionalised, and it all begins when a superstar's highly ambitious film gears up for release a week later. The notorious piracy group launches an open threat that it would have the film released on its site a day ahead of its release. It’s all then about how cops and cyber-forensic experts try to prevent this from happening.

At a time when gripping documentaries and shows on true crimes are the order of the day, Tamilrockerz needed to be tight and gripping. However, what we get is a bland series that subscribes to a predictable template. There’s a grieving hero, his dead wife (read first heroine), his smart new colleague (read second heroine), a villain gang, guns, bombs, human trafficking... Wait, wasn't this supposed to be about pirated films?

Arun Vijay's ACP Rudra is a brooding cop who resorts to extra-judicial killings as he sulks over his wife's death. Thanks to long-format storytelling, there's no heroic entry or intro song here. Also, this format allows for the exploration of multiple tracks that are interconnected. And yet, the makers don't seem to make the best use of the format. The first few episodes portray flashes of Rudra’s memories haunting him. More than establishing his character, it serves to distract and hamper the pace. We then get a caricaturish portrayal of a young superstar and his overbearing dad—which seems like Arivazhagan's criticism of nepotism. The superstar remains faceless, and this doesn’t exactly make things better.

To show the far-reaching effects of piracy, we see a production driver (Marimuthu) being affected. We see a failed producer who has become mentally unstable (MS Bhaskar)—a character who inspires Rudra to do more about the case. These seem interesting plot points, but it’s all bogged down by convenient writing and an overdose of cinematic liberties. Take, for instance, the scene that shows cops getting hold of an old photograph featuring the OG Tamilrockers group. We don’t get the 'how' of this event, and we don’t understand why.

The most disappointing aspect of the series is the portrayal of the Tamilrockers group. In real life, they possess a certain Robinhood-like image among the public. Here, they get shown as yet another criminal gang. They work in dingy spaces and are supposedly part of a bigger nexus that's into terrorism and human trafficking. There is also a rather typical backstory to show the birth of Tamilrockers, one that reduces such an interesting idea to a mere case of personal vengeance.

The investigating officer is new to cyber crimes, and so, along with him, we too get taught the basics of cyber operations, including dull explanations about URLs, domains, and how websites get pulled down. A thriller like this ought to be a cat-and-mouse game, but this series simply lacks intensity despite the central race-against-time idea. There’s no great exploration of technology either—we get the same old GPS tracking, bug usage, USB hacking…

The show ends with a cliffhanger that hints at a second season, but you can predict the end reveal and twist from a long distance. For me, the slow-motion reveal didn’t inspire thrill; I felt relief that it was all finally over. There’s a dialogue that’s often used in this show: "Cinema-la logic paakadheenga... magic paarunga." I’m not sure Tamilrockerz has much of either.

My Take – Avoidable!

 

The Watcher – Came out in 2022.  A married couple moving into their dream home are threatened by terrifying letters from a stalker, signed - "The Watcher."

One of the reviews from IMDB...

A family move into their dream mansion in New Jersey, and everything seems idyllic, until they start receiving letters from an unknown person, known only as The Watcher.

Based very loosely on some real life events, it's an intriguing mystery series set over seven episodes, it delivers lots of suspense, and plenty of entertainment. Some wonderfully zany characters to enjoy, the neighbours are particularly strange, and essentially it plays out like a whodunnit.

Initially it feels like a horror series, similar style to Bly Manor, but it quickly changes into a more conventional thriller. It may not be for everyone, but I thorough enjoyed it, I liked the vibe, and for the most part, the originality of it.

The final episode will be quite divisive, people will really like it, or really loathe it, it's a little on the vague side.

I thought Booby Cannavale and Naomi Watts were excellent in their respective roles, I did absolutely love Noma Dumezweni, who played Theodora, I thought she was a fascinating character, very well performed.

My Take – An ok watch.

 

Taggart – Came out first in 1983 and went on till 2010.  The first guy (Taggart) died in 1994 and they continued with other actors, keeping the series name as same.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

Over the years, I've grown weary for the depressing drudge that British television companies churn out and have turned to American imports for entertainment. However, never once have I tired of watching a 'Taggart' episode as it's a show that's never been less that great.

Set in Glasgow, the shows sees Maryhill CID investigating the various homicide cases that cross their desks. The team was initially headed by DCI Jim Taggart (played by Mark McManus) with Mike Jardine and Jackie Reid as his underlings but, after McManus' death in 1994, Jardine took command which, in turn, passed onto DCI Matt Burke whose character is much like an incarnate of Taggart.

'Taggart' excels because the story lines are intriguing, continually leaving viewers guessing over the murderer's identity right to the end of the episode, and the characters are solid and engaging without unnecessarily delving deep into their personal lives (many detective and medical shows have been ruined by focusing too much on the characters' love lives and their sad, pathetic childhoods). There is also the dry Glasgow wit that provides an injection of humour to the show as, after all, there can't be many programmes out there where people are referred to as 'tinkies', 'baldie' or 'deid'! It's no surprise this is Britain's longest-running detective show and it's the strength of 'Taggart' that saw it survive after Mark McManus' death and, subsequently, the death of the title character. Long may it continue!

My take – Saw initial couple of episodes.  I did not like the lead actor and could not connect😊! 

Now for the best😊!

A Touch of Frost – Ran from 1992-2010.  Comprising of 15 seasons and 42 episodes.   DI Frost is an old-school, no-nonsense copper who believes in traditional policing methods. Frost uses what he knows about the street to find answers to crimes as a member of Denton's CID. His home life is complex, but his daily nemesis is the station's commander Supt. Mullett, who is constantly worrying. He doesn't appreciate DI Frost's rough-and-ready manner, which doesn't stop him from trotting him out--with his George Cross bestowed upon him.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

I recently saw this series on Britbox, long after it finished its run on PBS to great acclaim. I regret not taking time to view it back then. However, now that I've viewed all episodes of the two-decade show, I can say that it's been a very satisfying journey.

David Jason brings the character of Frost to life in an entertaining and realistic way. Apparently Jason was a comedian before appearing in this role to the surprise of many of his fans. Jason's talent for delivering some very funny zingers shows in his acting so viewers can get some comic relief during Frost's pursuit of some nasty criminals. In these pursuits he has no hesitation in using tricks at odds with legal technicalities.

He relates very well to people who are honest and easygoing. You can tell he likes their company, although he seldom comes across that way himself. Make no mistake, he is a first rate detective who finds major crimes abhorrent and he sets out with a vengeance to get the guilty parties. During his investigations, he is often up against pretentious people and he is quick to put them in their place. It is not uncommon for some of these characters to be guilty or privy to a crime. If they think their position or wealth will get them off, he pursues them with even more vigour.

The script writers are very good in sprinkling his sarcasm and off the cuff rebuttals in some very telling scenes. Of course, Frost's delivery is very effective and I'm sure has his fans chuckling and cheering as they take it in. Along with Frost, his Superintendent Mr. Mullet is a heavy duty brown-noser who always wants to avoid annoying the powers that be; not to mention making all the public appearances and handling the press. He also berates Frost for not handing in timely reports and losing notes among the piles of stuff on his desk. This infuriates Frost and many of his colleagues. While often sloppy his administrative work and uninterested in the crime statistics, he has a nose like a bloodhound and gets the job done. Frost's love life is frustrated by his addiction to his job. It becomes interesting later in the series when acting stalwart Phyllis Logan enters the story. The ending is bittersweet but a real barn burner that won't disappoint. Thanks to David Jason for a great performance over many enjoyable seasons.

My Take – DON'T MISS IT😊!

Cheers till next time😊!