309. Web-series Reviews – 141

 More web-series reviews…

Annika – Came out in 2021. 12 episodes in 2 seasons so far.  Witty, enigmatic DI Annika Strandhed heads up the Marine Homicide Unit, tasked with solving murders in and around the Scottish waters.

A review from iMDB...

Single mom with a demanding job and a troubled/difficult teen daughter.

The lead character talking to the camera threw we for a bit, but once I got used to it, it was fine - and even a bit fun. It's funniest when she doesn't talk, but just gives the camera a wry look and a shrug like, "What can you do?"

Several who reviewed this show complained about it being too woke. Obviously they haven't watched American CBS television. The wokeness there can virtually reach out and slap you upside the head - no matter which show you're watching. Personally, I find diversity refreshing as long as I'm not being bashed over the head with it.

One aspect I really enjoy about this show is that Nicola Walker's character is smart, but she stumbles and is frequently awkward. It's like watching myself at times and I find it endearing.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's definitely worth giving it a shot.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Vadhuvu – Came out in 2023. Telugu series.  The life of a young bride becomes threatened upon marrying into a secretive household. Despite her haunting history, she resolves to unearth the mysteries hidden within her new family.

A review from IMDB...

Are you ready for a rollercoaster ride that leaves you hanging like a cliffhanger? Well, this Telugu web series has got you covered - in suspense and sarcasm!

In the first season, the story seems to have taken a vacation, leaving us with an incomplete narrative. Maybe they're saving the rest for the sequel coming next year - a brilliant marketing strategy, or just poor planning?

The characters are well-written, but it seems like the actors were chosen by throwing darts at headshots. The first two episodes tease you with interest, but after that, the excitement graph plummets faster than a bungee jumper with a snapped cord. Hold on tight, because the seventh episode hits you with a twist so silly it's practically a U-turn sign for your expectations.

Now, let's talk about the dialogues - are they even trying? It's like they handed the script to a bunch of amateurs and said, "Just wing it." The result? Silly and amateurish lines that make you question if the writers were on a coffee break.

On a positive note, the locations, sets, and cinematography are top-notch. It's almost like they spent the entire budget on making everything look good, forgetting that a compelling story might be essential too.

Costumes and makeup are as average as a mid-week grocery run - nothing to write home about. The music, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. It hits the right notes in some scenes but feels like an overplayed radio station with cliches blaring in others. Moderation, folks, moderation!

Performances are just as middle-of-the-road as your daily commute. Editing deserves a standing ovation - the only thing that seems to have been properly cut and pieced together. However, the direction is like a GPS gone rogue - taking us on a confusing detour through the world of inconsistent storytelling.

In the end, it's a web series that promises a lot but delivers a bag full of unpredictability and questionable choices. Will the next season bring redemption or more head-scratching moments? We'll have to wait until next year to find out.

My Take – You can give it a miss😊!

 

John Lennon – Murder without a trial – Came out in 2023.  3 episodes in total. Features exclusive eyewitness interviews and previously unseen crime scene photos of cultural icon John Lennon and the investigation and conviction of Mark David Chapman, his confessed killer.

A review from IMDB...

As Episode 1 of "John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial" (2023 release; 3 episodes ranging from 36 to 41 min) opens, it is December 8, 1980, and the news is spreading that John Lennon has been shot. We then go back in time to the late 1970s, when Lennon had retreated from the public eye, focusing all of his attention to Yoko and their son Sean. But Lennon finds a new spark in 1980 and is ready for the next chapter in his life. On December 8, 1980, he sits down in his Dakota condo for an interview with a reporter from RKO... At this point we are 10 minutes into the 1st episode.

Couple of comments: this documentary is a curious affair on many levels. To be clear: it does not intend or pretend to shed any insight on John Lennon the musician. This simply reassesses what led to the murder of Lennon, and the fallout from it. Episode 1 "The Last Day" offers no new insights. Episode 2 "The Investigation" focuses on how the NYPD handled the murder case, and we get to hear from some of the people that were on the scene , including the concierge, the porter, a taxi driver, the first responders, etc. Episode 3 "The Trial" focuses on how Mark Chapman and his legal team prepared for the trial, and the aftermath. It is incomprehensible to me how the title of this mini-series refers to "murder without a trial" when in fact there was a trial (even if it was just a short one) and the 3rd episode is called "The Trial". That aside, the overall sense of this documentary is ones of questionable quality. The discussion of various conspiracy theories (none proven, of course) that somehow the US government may have been involved reeks of shameless sensationalism.

"John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial" recently started streaming on Apple TV. As a lifelong Beatles fan, curiosity got the better of me. I shouldn't have bothered. This documentary is currently rated a mere 50% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and for good reason. Of course, don't take my word for it, so if you are a fan of the Beatles or of John Lennon, please check it out (I might suggest with lowered expectations), and draw your own conclusion.

My Take – An ok watch!

Cheers till next time😊!!