This 10-part series examines the aftermath of racially charged shootings in a small North Carolina town. It was produced by the successful/critically-acclaimed husband-wife team of Gina Prince-Bythewood (Beyond the Lights, The Secret Life of Bees, Love & Basketball) and Reggie Rock Bythewood (Beyond the Lights, Notorious).Aside from the timely/controversial topic, the supporting cast could be a big draw (incl. Oscar winners Richard Dreyfuss and Helen Hunt, as well as Law and Order‘s Jill Hennessey). The leads are two black actors- film veteran Sanaa Lathan (who plays investigator Ashe Akino) and up-and-comer Stephan James (federal prosecutor Preston Terry). James hails from Canada and notably played the young John Lewis in Selma.
First Look: A Murder Myster (FOX)
Actors Sanaa Lathan and Mack Wilds on The View (ABC)
Tanner (Ben Foster) and Tobey (Chris Pine) drink beer on their ranch.
This is (most likely) the “dark horse” in the Best Picture category in the Oscars, BUT if you like fine films, you need to check it out! I heard great reviews of it on 2 different podcasts, BUT finally saw it tonight (thanks to Redbox). This film takes you on a journey (not TOO long or short); it has interesting characters (including the bit players); and Jeff Bridges is in it (so what’s NOT to like!?)
Deputy Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) and his partner.
Deputy Marcus Hamilton (Bridges- one of my faves) is 3 weeks from retirement when he gets VERY interested in a curious case. Two men have been robbing branches of a particular West Texas bank for moderate sums of cash. These men are our main protagonists- brothers Tanner (Ben Foster) and Tobey (Chris Pine) Howard. Tanner is a loud-mouthed ex-con ONLY out of jail for a year; he enjoys robbing banks. Tobey is more quiet, and his reluctant partner. Though they are VERY different men, they love and protect each other.
Tobey Howard (Chris Pine) has his eyes on the future.
This is labeled as a crime drama and a Western, BUT I feel it defies genre conventions. There is much humor, thanks in part to Bridges and his Native American/Mexican partner, Alberto (Gil Birmingham). There is easy chemistry between Foster (a bundle of energy and volatility) and Pine (somber, scraggly haired, and unglamorous). I NEVER saw what the fuss was about Pine until this film! The music and cinematography (by Giles Nuttgens, who has worked w/ BOTH Deepa Mehta and Mira Nair- two of my fave directors) are VERY well-done; too bad I didn’t see it earlier on the big screen.
Lester Nygaard (Martin Freeman) is bullied by the Hess family
NOTE: This review contains MILD SPOILERS for the FX series (inspired by the Coen brothers’ film- Fargo).
I heard about this show from a former co-worker (who called it “the best show on TV”) and via little snippets online. However, it took me SOME time to get into the story and finish watching the DVD set (which I purchased on sale from FYE). I watched it twice to get a better understanding of the story.
Lester happens to meet Lee Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) in the ER
If you enjoy watching British actor Martin Freeman (The Hobbit; Sherlock), then this show MAY make you into a fan.He gets to stretch his acting muscles here, NOT only playing the meek, mild, “Nice Guy” you’d expect.
Deputy Molly Solverson (Allison Tolman) interviews Lester at his desk in the insurance office.
The good guys on this show are ALMOST as interesting as the baddies- you’ll want to cheer for them for sure! Deputy Molly Solverson (Alison Tolman) is a humble, earnest, and observant 2nd gen police officer in her hometown of Bimidji, MN (which is close to Fargo, ND). Molly is around 30, looks like an average Midwestern woman (thank you, producers), likeable, BUT sometimes undermined in her role (by the males in her department).
Deputy Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks) in his patrol car
She finds a complementary foil in reluctant cop and loving single dad, Officer Gus Grimly (Colin Hanks). On my second watch, I LOVED seeing their working friendship evolve into a slow-burn romance. Tolman and Hanks have such an easygoing and sweet chemistry- it’s rare to see in modern TV. Murder investigations CAN bring people together!
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele play FBI agents
There are several well-known actors who are guest stars on the show; I esp. liked seeing Key and Peele as two clueless FBI agents. In a few of their scenes, I wondered if they were making fun of the two cops on Season 1 of True Detective or perhaps such sketches from their OWN show.
The “new” Lester flirts with a young woman in Vegas
One of my favorites on the show is Lou (Keith Carradine), a retired cop who now runs a diner; he is also a widower and Molly’s father. Lou and Molly have such a GREAT relationship; we see the love and respect shine through in every scene they share. At times, Lou is concerned re: the safety of his daughter, BUT he never undermines her ability to do her job. (FYI: Season 2 goes back in time to find Lou, played by Patrick Wilson, as a young deputy.)
Malvo tries to get info out of Lou Solverson in his diner
If you like Billy Bob Thornton, then this series will simply be a treat; the veteran movie actor creates a scary good villain and chews up the scenery. He transforms himself w/ different hair, clothing, posture, manners, etc. I think Fargo is definitely worth a watch (esp. b/c of the VERY strong acting, writing, cinematography, and music). It’s a character drama mixed w/ a police procedural, w/ sudden doses of violence (which is to be expected also in MOST of the Coens’ films).
This review contains MILD spoilers for the British (BBC/ITV) show.
I started watching this series in July, BUT didn’t get to the bulk of the eps until Thanksgiving. Series 2 focuses on the trial of Det. Ellie Miller’s (Olivia Colman) husband (Joe), an older case which is still affecting DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant), and how various individuals of the small town of Broadchurch (as well as a few new characters) deal w/ the aftermath of Series 1. The community is shocked (yet again) when Joe decides to plead “not guilty” to the death of Billy Latimer!
The Latimers, Beth (Jodie Whittaker) and Mark (Andrew Buchan), have a new baby girl; they still grieve for Billy. This couple has emotionally complicated chemistry with each other, perhaps even better than in the S1. (Their teen daughter, Chloe, doesn’t have much to do in this series.) Rev. Paul Coates (Arthur Darvill) and Australian hotel owner, Becca Fisher (Simone McAullay), are in a long-term relationship- BIT of a surprise. We can see that Paul is conflicted about his role in this town.
BROADCHURCH SERIES 2 PICTURED : OLIVIA COLMAN. Copyright ITV/Kudos.
Miller has been downgraded to the level of traffic cop and now lives in a small apt. w/ her toddler son, Fred. Her older son, Tommy (who was Billy’s best pal), has chosen to live temporarily w/ Aunt Lucy. Miller is STILL a dogged cop, even motivating Hardy to keep going when he gets disillusioned.
We meet Hardy’s ex-wife and teen daughter, who live several hours away and are doing well in life. We sense that Hardy wants to be a more involved parent. He is now taking meds, BUT eventually undergoes a heart procedure. The BEST thing about this series is the growing friendship and continued partnership between Miller and Hardy! Colman and Tennant, at times, have a competitive (perhaps brother-sister) type of chemistry.
BROADCHURCH SERIES 2 Pictured: EVE MYLES as Claire and JAMES DARCY as Lee Ashworth. This image is the copyright of ITV.
We slowly learn more re: the Pippa Gillespie/Lisa Newberry case. The witness Hardy had been protecting, hairdresser Claire Ripley (Eve Myles) and her overbearing boyfriend, Lee Ashworth (James D’Arcy from Agent Carter) feature prominently in this series. They seem like the definition of a co-dependent/dysfunctional couple; I would’ve liked to see less of their story.
BROADCHURCH SERIES 2. PICTURED : CHARLOTTE RAMPLING. Copyright ITV/Kudos.
BROADCHURCH
SERIES 2
Pictured: MARIANNE JEAN BAPTISTE as Sharon Bishop.
This image is the copyright of ITV.
The newcomers to the series were the main draw for me (aside from Tennant and Colman). Two former colleagues, prosecutor Sharon Bishop (Marianne Jean- Baptiste) and veteran defense attorney, Jocelyn Knight (Charlotte Rampling) are on opposite sides of the trial. These women are BOTH very smart, tough, and experienced in court. They each have other issues to deal w/ outside of work, which we slowly discover. I wanted to see a BIT more of them! There is a LOT more to this show, so check it out if you liked Series 1.
NOTE: This review contains MILD SPOILERS for the series.
Pops (Frankie Faison) talks with Luke Cage (Mike Colter)
Intro
Do YOU need a hero? You may have seen Luke Cage (Mike Colter, in a breakout role) as the V strong FWB of the title character in Marvel’s Jessica Jones last year. The events of this series occur about a year afterwards. Luke has been working in Pop’s Barbershop in West Harlem and generally keeping a low profile. When a pretty single mom/law student takes an interest in him, Luke thinks he’s NOT good enough. Pop (Frankie Faison) says that Luke is “hiding” from relationships and has so much potential. He could be “out there helping people.”
Show creator Cheo Hodari Coker with Colter
Characters
It turns out that Luke is NO ordinary man, striving to make rent. He has bulletproof skin (thanks to an experiment which we learn about later in the series). Luke is a man of FEW words, BUT we get to know some verbose (and well-developed) villains is this show. There is owner of The Paradise club, Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes (Mahershala Ali from House of Cards), a man who speaks well, dresses impeccably, yet is prone to violent outbursts. He is a noted gangster who has stayed clear of the law. His older cousin, Mariah Dillard (veteran actress Alfre Woodard), is a calculating councilwoman who is trying to stay clear of her grandmother’s criminal legacy. However, she is NOT against using the manpower/money which Cottonmouth can provide.
Detective Misty Knight (Simone Missick)
Aside from Mariah, there are several other capable, single, professional black women in the story. (HOW rare/refreshing is that!?) Det. Misty Knight (Simone Missick) flirts w/ Luke at The Paradise when we first meet her, BUT she’s not looking only for fun. She has been staking out the club to get some concrete evidence against Cottonmouth. Later in the series, I was esp. glad to see nurse Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson- also guest star in Daredevil). Inspector Priscilla Ridley (Karen Pittman) plays a smaller (yet pivotal role).
Luke walking with Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson)
There are several characters w/ different jobs and backgrounds (white, latino, black) who operate in shades of gray. They are trying to make money easily, protect themselves, etc. Go see the show (don’t want to reveal TOO much here)!
Diversity in MANY forms is built-in on this show. Luke’s landlady (Connie) and her hubby are Chinese immigrants operating a restaurant. Claire’s (Latina) mother is played by Sonia Braga, an internationally-renown veteran actress originally from Brazil. (HOW cool is that!?) Braga co-starred in Kiss of the Spider Woman (w/ William Hurt and Raul Julia) in the ’80s; younger viewers may know her as Samantha’s gf in SATC.
Cottonmouth (Mahershala Ali) is one of the fascinating villains on the show
Setting
Yes, this show is set in West Harlem, which serves as a character in itself. We also get to learn about some of its history (MOST of which I didn’t know about). This info is passed on via the characters in the story, so (in MOST cases) it seems organic.
Knightleyemma 