375. Web-series Reviews – 190

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Merseyside Detectives – Came out in 2022. Liverpool, 2022 - Ashley Dale and nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel are shot dead at home, victims of feuding gangs. Can the police bring the killers to justice?

A review from inews.co.uk...

Channel 4’s latest true crime documentary, Merseyside Detectives: The Murders of Ashley and Olivia, revisits the shocking murders of 28-year-old Ashley Dale and nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, killed just two miles and 46 hours apart in Liverpool in 2022.

I say “revisits” because the cases feel so recent – it was less than a year ago that Dale’s killers were jailed, and only 16 months since Pratt-Korbel’s were brought to justice. With the horrific murders so fresh in our minds, the film waged an uphill battle to impart information we didn’t already know. Nonetheless, by following the investigations as they unfolded, the first episode did an admirable job of making relative sense of two senseless crimes.

The first few minutes consisted of material from the immediate aftermath of Dale’s murder – namely, the 999 call alerting police to the crime, and body cam footage from their attending the scene. Both lent a compelling sense of being in situ, putting us in the position of the officers as they uncovered details in real-time; discovering that Dale had been shot, her door kicked in and the tyres of her car knifed. The police’s first priority was to locate her conspicuously absent boyfriend Lee Harrison.

Offering commentary as well as access, the officers were sensitive and insightful even as they emphasised how unusual and savage the murder was. Investigating officer Cath Cummings said, clearly shaken, “I’ve never gone into a scene like that – to see just how determined, whoever it was that’s gone in, that there’s just no one coming out of that house alive.”

The documentary’s unique police-eye-view continued with Detective Superintendent Mark Baker briefing the local force, while Cummings walked us through a 3D recreation of the crime scene, complete with digital arrows highlighting pieces of evidence. By presenting the case through the eyes of its titular investigators, Merseyside Detectives’ focus was shifted from the awful killings to the people trying to solve them – a compelling angle, even if looking away from the victims initially felt like a wrench.

We saw officers responding to the tragic death of Pratt-Korbel, less than two days after Dale’s murder. “God, harrowing, isn’t it?” said one officer to another while watching the CCTV footage of the gunfight that killed her. It was hard to disagree, and easy to sympathise. By situating us inside the investigation the human impact of watching and investigating such heinous crimes was obvious. The emotional effort required to process them calmly and meticulously instead of reacting emotionally must be almost unbearable.

Merseyside Detectives offered a new angle on two cases that have preoccupied the public since they hit the news two years ago. But while the film largely stayed on the right side of salacious, footage of Pratt-Korbel’s mother Cheryl watching home videos of her dead little girl while police searched for her killer felt exploitative. What is the point of an interview with a grieving mother at her most devastated?

All true crime concerns awful things happening to people who don’t deserve it – the genre is arguably inherently distasteful, and I say that as someone who watches it regularly. At least Merseyside Detectives generally turned its viewers into problem-solvers, rather than the usual gawping onlookers.

When the end of a story is easily found on Google – let alone common knowledge, as in the cases of Pratt-Korbel and Dale – a documentary has to offer more than just whodunit intrigue. Merseyside Detectives delivered enough new insight, at least, that I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s night’s next episode; a testament to its effective storytelling when I already know that justice will be served.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough – Came out in 2024.  Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough is a three-part natural history series exploring the many intricate ways animals use sound to survive and thrive. Incredible footage captured throughout the documentary series gives an intimate look at how baby caiman communicate with each other from within the egg, how lions and hyaenas battle in the dark using sound, how a strange fish baffled residents with its eerie hum, and how some birds have mastered the art of mimicry to remarkable effect. Packed with insight and new scientific discoveries, Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough transports viewers into the natural world for an unforgettable experience full of wonder. Unveiling the very latest in audio technology, the series uses specially adapted cameras and laser vibrometers, which allows humans to truly eavesdrop on the animal world for the first time and discover new stories that have been hidden until now. The series incorporates microphones so tiny they fit on your fingertip, and so precise they can detect the noise of a baby caiman calling from inside the egg. With 360-Dolby Atmos Sound, viewers can experience the breath-taking sounds of the natural world as never heard before.

A review from TOI...

‘Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough’ is a stunning addition to nature documentaries, offering a fresh and immersive perspective on animal behaviour through its innovative focus on sound. Directed by Rebecca Hart, this series departs from the usual visual-centric approach, instead emphasising the diverse and fascinating soundscapes of the natural world. Using cutting-edge audio technology allows viewers to experience the animal kingdom in ways that have never been possible, revealing hidden stories and behaviours often overshadowed by the visual spectacle.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the series is how it utilises advanced equipment, such as cameras with 40 directional microphones, to capture sounds that are typically beyond human hearing. This technology gives us an unprecedented insight into how animals use sound for hunting, foraging, and communication. For instance, the show explores how dolphins in the Bahamas use sonar clicks to detect prey buried in the sandy seabed. This behaviour is as fascinating as it is unexpected.

The series does not merely rely on its technological prowess; it also presents these sounds in a context that deepens our understanding of animal behaviour. Scenes that might have become clichés in other documentaries—like lions feasting on a warthog or a pride fending off hyenas—are reinvigorated by focusing on the sounds these events produce. We hear the chaotic symphony of a hyena pack's communication or the rhythmic drumming of a kangaroo rat warning off rivals, adding a new layer of depth to these familiar visuals.

David Attenborough’s narration, as always, is a highlight. At 98, he remains a captivating and enthusiastic guide, drawing viewers into the narrative with his unique blend of authority and wonder. His appearances on camera, though brief, are a testament to his enduring passion for the natural world. The series benefits immensely from his ability to convey the significance of the sounds we hear, making them feel as critical to the story as any visual element.

The series also does not shy away from delivering critical environmental messages, a hallmark of Attenborough’s recent work. His warning about the collapse of bee populations, delivered from an English country garden, is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of sound, nature, and human survival.

While the postscript detailing the technical aspects of filming might seem unnecessary to some, it underscores the painstaking efforts behind capturing these incredible soundscapes. It reminds us that the wonders of nature filmmaking are not just in the final product but also in the innovative processes that bring these stories to life.

‘Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough’ is a triumph of technology and storytelling. It offers a new and enriching way to experience the natural world, reminding us that nature’s story is as much heard as it is seen. David Attenborough once again proves why he is the voice of the natural world, guiding us through a series that is as educational as it is mesmerising.

My Take – A definitive watch!

 

Shekhar Home – Came out in 2024.  Set against the backdrop of a sleepy town called Lonpur in Bengal in the early 1990s. Shekhar meets Jayvrat Sahni, who becomes his housemate due to a twist of fate. The duo end up solving mysteries across East India.

A review from IMDB...

I have yet to watch the original BBC Sherlock Holmes story on which this Indian adaptation is based; therefore, I would humbly refrain from drawing any sort of comparison here.

Although I'll gladly admit I have taken a liking to the cast selection here. Kay Kay Menon as Sherlock, aka Shekhar, offbeat yet a genius persona was spot on. We all know he's a capable actor, and he did perform to his merits here.

The same remark applies for Ranbir Shorey too for he had gelled well as Shekhar's witty and inquisitive partner in investigation.

As for the format, whilst the first four episodes are treated as mini stories, with different type of crimes and their varying resolutions, last two acted as critical junctures to Shekhar's mysterious handlings in the past which led him right into a bigger conspiracy.

Suffice to say, I liked the concluding episodes better, primarily because they had more depth and material to show for.

My take – An ok watch!

Cheers till next time😊!