358. Web-series Reviews – 173

More web-series reviews…

Ordeal by Innocence – Came out in 2018.  Christmas 1954. Wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll is murdered at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence. Based on Agatha Christie's novel.

A review from IMDB...

This adaptation of a story by Agatha Christie opens with the murder of wealthy heiress Rachel Argyll; her adopted son Jack is arrested for the killing but protests his innocence. Later, while on remand in prison, he is killed in a fight with another prisoner. Eighteen months pass and Rachel's widower, Leo, is preparing to marry the woman who was once his secretary. Then a strange man comes to the door stating that he can provide an alibi for Jack. Nobody is pleased to see him though as if Jack didn't kill his mother it is almost certain that somebody else living in the house did; her husband, his new fiancée or one of the other four adopted children.

I know this miniseries got glowing reviews in the press but I'd only say it was decent enough; the main problem being that just about every character is fairly unpleasant so I found it hard to care which of them actually did it. The cast did an impressive enough job; I believed in the characters even if I didn't much like them. The production values can't be faulted; it looked great with the right feel for the 1950s setting. I haven't read the book so can't really criticise the changes however I discussed it with somebody who knows the book well and she was far from impressed with changes that were far from minor... I read that Sarah Phelps, the creator of this series, doesn't care what 'purists' think but if she doesn't want criticism for that then it shouldn't be advertised as 'Agatha Christie's Trial by Innocence'. Overall I'd say this isn't one of the better recent Christie adaptations but it is still entertaining enough if you aren't familiar with the original story or don't mind the deviations.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Cardinal – 4 season from 2017 to 2020.  Cardinal is a Canadian crime drama television series, currently in production for a scheduled debut on CTV in the 2016-2017. An adaptation of Giles Blunt's award-winning mystery novel "Forty Words for Sorrow", the series stars Billy Campbell as John Cardinal and Karine Vanasse as Lise Delorme, detectives investigating the murder of a young girl.

A review from IMDB...

Told over six 45 minute episodes, this was a very good 'tec drama from Canadian TV. Set in the wintry setting of Algonquin, we meet whispering, silver-bearded, middle-aged Detective John Cardinal. A dogged, committed, old-school detective, he's pursuing here a killer or killers who abduct, torture and kill youngsters. There's a strong sub-plot involving a young female detective Lisa Delorme ostensibly brought in to assist Cardinal's investigation but who in reality is investigating him for suspected corruption in relation to a police bust that went wrong and cost an officer his life. Both these main characters, as it happens, have relationship problems at home, Cardinal's wife has bi-polar disorder and Delorme and her husband are struggling to have a family.

It was hard not to see the influence of Nordic Noir predecessors like "The Killing" and "The Bridge" here, with the mix and match male / female cop pairing, the bleak, snowy geographic settings, as ever filmed with numerous, on-high drone shots and the brutal activities of the killers towards their hostages not to mention the by now obligatory lo-fi contemporary music used as the theme tune.

Derivative it may have been but that didn't detract from a gripping story told well. I think I prefer my mini-series played out like this over a shorter running time as it brought more dynamism and pace to proceedings. Sure it was tough at times to watch the excruciating treatment meted out to the victims and spare a thought in particular for the young lad whose whole role was to be trussed up naked and be intermittently tortured, I hope his next part is as the male lead in a rom-com or something.

The acting of the two leads was very good as was the chemistry between them. Their interplay is mutantly reflected and contrasted in the bizarre relationship which subsists between the two young male / female murderers they track, both these parts chillingly well played too. Tension reigned throughout with some surprising twists along the way and a suitably dramatic climax to finish things off. As you'd imagine, there wasn't much humour in all this bleakness but at the end there's one laugh-out-loud moment which will strike a chord to anyone who's ever been sent for a long stand on their first day at work.

I for one would be pleased to see this new detective pairing return for future investigations. Recommended.

My Take – Worth a watch. Saw all the 4 seasons!

 

Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond – Came out in 2024. Post the deadly Pulwama attacks, Kashyap and his team strike back with a fitting reply. In the age of hybrid warfare, they must race against time to bring back their captured pilot while also battling Pakistan's lies in global media.

A review from IMDB...

Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond is an excellent Web Series that delineates new age war, strategy and diplomacy in a convincing manner. The Web Series narrate the decades-old conflict between India and Pakistan with a new approach including the incidents like Pulwama terror attack and the follow up military and strategic missions. The new age military doctrine is mainly about psychological game that gets exposure through media and the social media. No doubt, quite a number of films have been made covering the same theme. But the Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond is unique one.

Plot- The plot of the Web Series deals with the incidents that took place on the backdrop of Pulwama terror attack between India and Pakistan. The theme is straight-forward that highlights both military and diplomatic initiatives taken by both India and Pakistan. The bravery of Abhimanyu; the Indian air-martial in a realistic manner is manifested realistically. The series cover diverse incidents happened in India and Pakistan both on the administrative and military levels as well as base camps of the terror outfit located across Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). The Web Series prove how the modern day war technique has changed. The strategy and counter-strategy of the military and intelligence departments of both the countries have been depicted in detail. Another important dimension of the Web Series is definitely global political and strategic trends. The Web Series includes roles played by the important stakeholders of global politics. Thus the narrative has been tried to create and recreate keeping into perspective all the important aspects which are behind power and power balance in entire South East Asia and beyond.

Action Sequences - The most interesting part of the film is its Action Sequences. The film has ensured Action Sequences looking realistic which is one of the essential aspects to make such film successful.

Cinematography is excellent depicting action sequence particularly the combat between the air forces of India and Pakistan

Co-ordination: a very well coordinative approach has been made to compile all aspects of the film related to the central theme of Web Series.

Cast Jimmy Shergill is excellent throughout the Web Series in the Lead role.

Ashutosh Rana proves his genius yet again Ashish Vidyarthi is also in the rhythm throughout.

Excellent performance by Lara Dutta, Elnaaz Norouzi, Prasanna, Suneel Sinha, Sikandar Kharbanda, Aakanksha Singh and all others.

Final Remarks- Ranneeti: Balakot and Beyond is a chronology of some of the crucial incidents depicting military mission and diplomatic affairs not only of India and Pakistan but the global strategic doctrine in the present era. This is an excellent work of art with perfect execution. The Web Series is A Must Watch One.

My Take – A must watch

Adios till next time😊!