443. Web-series Reviews – 243

More web-series reviews…

The Sopranos – Ran from 1999 to 2007. New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.

A review from IMDB...

The Sopranos is arguably the greatest show in Dramatic Television history.

Its hard to think of another series that boasts so much intelligence, sublime writing or first rate performances.

Across its epic scope it produces fresh and iconic characters and a constant level of high quality. Centering around the life of one Tony Soprano, a man who lives in two families. One is the conventional wife and two kids nuclear family the other a huge New Jersey Mafia group, of which he is the boss of both. Played by James Gandolfini, of True Romance and The Mexican fame, Tony is a fascinating, scary but also likable guy. Full praise must be given to Gandolfini for making a womanising and horrifically aggressive brute a genuinely identifiable and perfect leading man. Contemporay American drama has never had such an arresting and iconic figure as Tony.

The cast of hundreds never boasts a flat performance and such stand out characters like Paulie Walnuts and Ralph Cifaretto will stick in your memory for ever.

The true genius of this tale however, is the creator and writers bravery and revolutionary take on a conventional drama series. Twenty minute long dream sequences, powerful and original use of symbolism and metaphorical imagery and truly shocking scenes of violence. Yet all this style is met by truly touching themes of love, honour and respect for family. The series never becomes cold hearted or gratuitous.

With TV now competitive and often poor The Sopranos stands tall above the rest as America's most original and compelling drama. Forget Family Redefined. This is Television Redefined.

My Take – I somehow did not like it and stopped after seeing 1-2 episodes.

 

Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers – Came in 2025. Eyewitness accounts and previously unreleased footage reveal the 2005 London transport bombings and subsequent events.

A review from IMDB...

On the morning of July 7th 2005, a series of co-ordinated explosive attacks took place on the London Underground, before another took place on a bus in Tavistock. The attacks drew a wedge between the Muslim community and larger society. Several days later, a series of other attacks were narrowly averted, but resulted in the tragic shooting of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles De Menezes at Stockwell Tube Station. Here survivors, first responders and law enforcement figures offer their accounts of what happened, and how it affected their lives.

It's a sad realisation of the passage of time when you can recall firsthand a national tragedy that took place and what you were doing on that day. But alas, twenty years have passed, and Netflix has offered this grim commemorative piece, in the shape of this four part detailing of what went on. It's a varied gathering of perspectives, that makes for a balanced, worthwhile experience.

The impact on the survivors is visibly evidenced, such as the gentleman who came face to face with the first bomber, whose status as a wheelchair user can be evidenced just out of shot of the camera, that gives extra power to his account. Some other reviewers have ignorantly chosen to lament how the series is 'pandering to the grievances of a minority', in the form of Muslims, while forgetting?!! The victims, but as we see Muslims were among the victims, and we hear the account of a survivor who went on a TV programme and found himself interrogated over his faith rather than his experiences, and so has a justifiable grievance. We also hear the Muslim community activist who warned of the dangers of the Finsbury Park mosque, from the hate preachings from the likes of Abu Hamza, and offers his own condolences to the victims. I wonder if these same people lament the family of Jean Charles De Menezes and wider society channeling their grievances through protest after he was killed partially because of a blurry photocopy that made his skin look much darker than it was, causing the firearms officers to mistake him for a suspect even though he looked nothing like him?!!

This is a thorough, in-depth and ultimately thought provoking documentary that marks a sad milestone in our history, but one which should not (and could not) ever be forgotten.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Dimension 404 – Came in 2017. Exploring the wonders and terrors of our digital age, from outrageous horror comedy to mind-bending action adventure.

A review from IMDB...

OK first I want to try keep this short as possible because you've already seen other reviews and the description, I'm sure. So, in a nutshell is it any good? Yes, if you take it on its own. I've seen the comparisons to Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and Black Mirror and like those this is also another sci-fi/ horror anthology show. But can we just hold there for a second.

I read one review saying something along the lines of this is a terrible copy of Black Mirror, I don't agree. I really enjoy the former and I do agree, it's a better show. However, it is also much darker. An episode of Black Mirror can leave you feeling as if you just watched someone eat a puppy. Whereas Dimension 404 is a bit lighter in mood and subject and surely does not take itself as seriously. Same goes for the "Zone" and "Limits" we should probably compare 404 to one of the more comedic episodes of the Zone or better yet, the 80s anthology by Steven Spielberg "Amazing Stories". In broad strokes if you enjoyed Stories, I think you'll enjoy this. If you're looking for something a bit shocking and more thought provoking you can't go wrong with Mirror or some of those fantastic old Zones. Bottom line 404 uses differing methods to tell similar tales and after four episodes it's not my preferred method but, it sure is a very fun change of pace. If you're not 100% twisted 100% of the time you might enjoy it too.

My take – Worth a watch!

Adios till next time😊!!