344. Web-series Reviews – 162

More web-series reviews…

Catch Me A Killer – Came in 2024.  Based on the book of the same name, CATCH ME A KILLER tells the harrowing story of former journalist-turned-psychologist MICKI PISTORIUS - South Africa's first serial killer profiler.

A review from IMDB...

Solid, well-paced and stripped-down crime for compulsive viewing

As a long-time fan of UK crime dramas, Scandi noir, Korean revenge films and series, this one piqued my attention. I'm nearly done with it and it's only been a couple days, so that's a good sign.

The series opens with a bit of a reference to Cracker (UK), and throughout there are touches of UK forensic psychology dramas like Wire in the Blood and Touch of Evil, as well as Prime Suspect for the resistance local police departments put up to psychological profiling and detective work.

The stories are all true. Most are just one episode, which is unfortunate insofar as there's less of the juicy build we are accustomed to with classic crime series. There's also a bit of rotation amongst the actors, as the crimes occur in different places.

These are not crimes that we get to try to solve - it's not a puzzle crime mystery series.

But if you've ever wondered if ScandiNoir can be done in a bright and sunny location, the answer would be yes.

Charlotte Hope does a fantastic job. Not unlike Holly Grainger's step up from her partner role in CB Strike to lead in The Capture (also good!).

My Take – An ok watch!

 

Poacher – Came in 2024.  A guilt-stricken man stumbles into a Forest Department outpost, confessing to the murder... of elephants. His admission sets off a gripping crime story, uncovering the devastating effects of illegal poaching activities and the elaborate web of cover-ups by the very people tasked to protect wildlife. Under constant threat, a scattered group of officers, NGO workers, and volunteers chase leads and untangle threads in their search for justice. Facing down corruption and organized crime, they take on the biggest ivory poachers in the history of India, dedicated to dismantling an iniquitous conspiracy that at times seems as impenetrable as the forest around it.

A review from IMDB...

Thanks Richie Mehta for another amazing show with loads of great message and indeed thrilling experience.

Superb direction, cinematography, screen play and versatile performances, the show deserves a big applaud.

The message covering importance of forests and wildlife through good story telling is really appealing. End of it I felt, what can be more brutal than killing such magnificent and vital creatures for just decorating substances. It is true I feel the market which is main source of creating poachers should be destroyed to end this cruel act.

The real forest and creature shoots gave a very realistic touch. Screenplays showing decaying body of the elephants while starting each episode gives us goose bumps. And at the same time adding the beautiful nature scenes ike mist filled green mountains, birds flying, also portraying birds eye view os our concrete jungles through a bird flying on top and lot more.

One of the scenes in the storytelling I loved the most is when of the poaching supporter convict askss forest officer what is their problem if a few elephants are killed, and she/they responds how important elephants are to protect the nature, like their waste giving manure, their walk controlling weeds growth, their gifted memory power was indeed a nice way of conveying the message.

Of course the gripping story does not let you stop till end even if it meant burning sleep hour 😊

Cannot stop from mentioning the performance of the ensemble casts - Dibyendu, Nimisha, Roshan and all the actors including small roles played by negative and positive artists portrayed their characters at its best. Cheers to cast and crew. I thank whole heartedly to the entire team for this wonderful show.

One star is less than full, only point I felt was if there was a little more lighting on the actors screenplay. It was a bit too dark to see their expressions fully.

My Take – A definitive watch😊

 

The Tourist – 2 seasons in total (2022-2024).  When a man wakes up in the Australian outback with no memory, he must use the few clues he has to discover his identity before his past catches up with him.

Trivia - The reason season 2 is set in Ireland was because Jamie Dorman didn't want to spend several month away in Australia again. The decision was made to relocate so Jamie could be close to his family

A review from IMDB...

Season one-stranger in a strange land Season two-stranger in his homeland.

I enjoyed this series tremendously. It wasn't a traditional mystery, but what I enjoyed the most about it was its mysterious nature. Jamie Dornan plays the lead role and he is phenomenal. The big surprise here for me was the Australian actress Danielle Macdonald who plays the plucky small town policewoman Helen Chambers. She is fantastic and with Jamie Dornan really made this series for me.

Another aspect of this series that I enjoyed was the locations. Season one is set in Australia and the landscape is shown off beautifully. Season two is set in Ireland and it too is shown off in all its Emerald Isle glory.

The story begins with Jamie Dornan's character getting into a serious car accident near a small town in Australia. He wakes up in a hospital with total amnesia...and other than he has an Irish accent, knows nothing about himself...including his name. He is questioned by a local police woman, Helen, who hasn't sat for her detective exam. Helen becomes "The Man's" only friend in the world.

I really enjoyed the mystery of discovering who this man is and what a bumpy ride...with A LOT of characters on the way. There was violence...but so much comedy, and often at the same time.

Some stand out characters for me were the American Billy, played by the Icelandic actor Ólafur Darri Olafsson, he was a fantastic villain and I was so happy to see him in both seasons; Greg Larsen...who played the thoroughly annoying Ethan Krum, I found him obnoxiously annoying in season one...but he provides so much comedy in season two and the pairing of him with Conor MacNeill as Detective Ruairi Slater, was just comedy genius. (I loved the two of them together.)

This is a series that I can't stop talking about, I enjoyed it that much. A huge recommendation from me. I think fans of mysteries in particular will enjoy this, but it will also appeal to fans of action stories and those who are fans of just a genuine good story that is told unusually.

Fresh, fun and incredibly enjoyable...this is tv that you should tune in to.

My Take – A thrilling ride😊

Cheers till next time😊!