I usually enjoy a good mini series. Cheat was broadcast over four nights, I like it when they don't make you wait a full week for the next episode. I had high hopes for this but although I did watch all four episodes, it was quite disappointing. The story is centred around university professor, Leah, and one of her students, Rose. When Leah accuses Rose of cheating on a paper, things take a turn for the worse. Unfortunately, I found the plot quite far fetched and bordering on the ridiculous in parts, and I'd foreseen what was supposed to be a big twist a long time before it came. I'm sad to say that I'm giving this a thumbs down, however, it was better than MotherFatherSon and Baptiste, other dramas which are being shown at the moment. I managed to watch one or two episodes of these before I totally lost interest.
I've been enjoying Netflix so I've extended my trial. I'm happy to pay whilst there's things I want to watch, but with no lock in contract and no cancellation fees, I can cancel at any time. One thing I knew I wanted to watch on Netflix, even before I got it, was The Crown. I've heard so much about this series and it hasn't disappointed. One surprise was how much I enjoyed watching Matt Smith as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. I didn't like him at all in the role of Dr Who and stopped watching it but I think he makes a brilliant Prince Philip and Claire Foy has done a wonderful job portraying the Queen. I've finished both seasons but season 3 is due out sometime this year with Olivia Colman taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth and Tobias Menzies playing Prince Philip. I'm looking forward to seeing if they can make the roles their own.
Another Netflix series which I watched this month is The Staircase. Filming for this series began soon after American author Michael Peterson was arrested on suspicion of bludgeoning his wife to death back in 2001. Peterson maintained that she died due to falling down a staircase. The film takes us through the twists and turns of the trial which concluded in 2003. Since then, there have been appeals and Peterson was released from jail pending a retrial. Additional episodes have been added to the original series. If you enjoy true crime or watching legal proceedings then this is the series for you. I found it fascinating.
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy The Greatest Showman, I'm not sure why as I love a good musical. As it happens I did enjoy it, it's entertaining and there's some catchy tunes in there but it's not a gripping story line, the film skirts over and sugar coats P.T.Barnum's life. I don't dislike it for this, it's a family musical after all and includes a great message to accept those who are different and celebrate diversity.
Have you been watching any of these? What else have you been watching this month?
So glad you mentioned 'The Staircase'. My daughter told me to watch this but when I read up about it I didn't fancy it, now you have blogged that it is good I think I'll give it a go.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get on with 'Motherfaterson' and didn't even get all throught the first episode.
Great review, thanks.
Briony
x
There's a lot of courtroom footage in The Staircase and it shows the procedure and practice of the law in the US. I love these type of programmes but I realise that it's not for everyone. If you're interested in true crime then definitely give The Staircase a go. Mick and I sat down to watch MotherFatherSon together but neither of us could get into it, I had high hopes for it with Richard Gere playing the main part.
DeleteI gave up on Baptiste as well, and have not started Mother Father Son. BUT In line of duty is back next Sunday.
ReplyDeleteBaptiste is a spin off from The Missing which I enjoyed so I was hoping this would be just as good, unfortunately not, though Mick's continuing to watch it. I'm really looking forward to the new series of Line of Duty.
DeleteThe only thing We shared watching was “The Greatest Showman%” and I was unimpressed although the songs are ceratinly popular and give you earworm. I am going to see Hugh Jackman in May and hoping he sings other tunes too. I Bought Bohrmian Rhapsody with a voucher I had, and just need to sit down and watch it! Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe Greatest Showman is one of those films where you can just look at the screen without having to think about anything, there isn't much of a plot to follow, but I enjoyed the singing. I haven't seen Bohemian Rhapsody but it's something I definitely want to watch.
DeleteWhat interesting choices, glad you are enjoying your NetFlix.
ReplyDeleteI am watching "Glow" on BBC Three. It's a make-up competition in the style of "Hair" which was on a few years back. Hosted by Stacey Dooley who impresses me every time I see her. I am nearly three times older than most of the contestants, and I don't wear makeup these days but it is absolutely fascinating, and the level of artistry from some of these young people is quite breath-taking. Available on iPlayer (I think) if you're interested).
I shall tell Eleanor about Glow, I don't know whether she knows about it or not but it sounds right up her street. She'll have to watch it when she's home though as she doesn't have a TV licence at uni. I've only seen a couple of Stacey Dooley documentaries but I enjoyed what I've seen of her and I loved her in Strictly.
DeleteI was going to watch Cheat as seeing the trailers I thought it looked good, but I can't commit to four consecutive evenings of tv watching and I don't have Catchup so I gave it a miss. I did however watch the first episode of The Bay on Wendesday only because it's filmed in Morecambe, a place I'm very familiar with, and I quite enjoyed that one so as it's only on once each week I'll stick with it.
ReplyDeleteI watched The Bay too. Only one episode so far but it looks very promising. I love watching programmes which are filmed in places I know, it adds a little extra to it somehow. I've only ever been to Morecambe once and it was when I was a child.
Deletei am with you on all the things that you did not like, I will look for The Staircase. I like to have a couple of seasons to binge watch and then try something else for a change of pace. So many have a good first season and then the second is a let down. I felt that with Victoria and am hesitating over whether to watch the 3rd or not.
ReplyDeleteI hate giving up on programmes once I've started them but life's too short to stick with six or more hours of something you're not enjoying. I've really enjoyed both seasons of Victoria and I'm looking forward to it coming back.
DeleteNo watching. Not even Prime, which we still have.
ReplyDeleteSeem to be into looking at books, dealing with living in smaller quarters. :-) Since we moved bedroom downstairs and are living on one floor now.
Plus, still dealing with the move....Lots of things to do, to place clothes, towels, sheets, bathroom stuff. Not much time left, for much of anything.
But... Good busy....And another virus.... Not good.
Glad you are enjoying this!!!! A new "toy" is fun!!!!
I think there are times when life gets busy and then TV is put on a back burner, there's only so many hours in the day. Another virus is definitely not good, I'm sorry to hear that.
DeleteThe Crown was superb wasn't it. Looking forward to Helena Bonham Carter as Margaret.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed The Crown. I can't wait to see the new cast take on their roles, there's some big names in there.
DeleteI'm a big fan of The Crown, I can't wait to see the next series. I wonder how the new actors will do and whether it will be as good. I'm also looking forward to Line of Duty and the Downton film. So much waiting!
ReplyDeleteThere's some very good actors taking on roles in The Crown so I'm sure it will be as good as the first two series when it returns. Oh yes, the Downton film, I wonder when that's due out.
DeleteI'll be adding The Staircase to our watch list - I love reality based series (as opposed to "reality shows" which I generally don't like at all). Currently we are binge watching "The Blacklist" and really enjoy it. We are only on season 3, I believe, and since we only watch one episode a night it will be a while until we finish and are on to the next show.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same, I love programmes about true life. It's good to find a series you enjoy which has a few series already under its belt which you can watch all in one go rather than waiting for a second series.
DeleteI agree with Cheat, boring and so stupid in parts!
ReplyDeleteGreatest Showman - it was ok, not sure what all the hype about it was.
Baptiste - DH is still watching that, so i'm knitting whilst he's got it on, its not improved with each episode.
Looking forward to Lin of Duty next week.
It sounds like our tastes in programmes are similar. I'm looking forward to Line of Duty too.
DeleteAlthough I have the TV on, I'm quite often too busy sewing/crocheting/designing/reading to look up much, unless it's something very interesting. We only have local TV & pay for a few channels on Foxtel which gives us some of the English stuff. No Netflix or Stan. Thanks for the recommendations, enjoy what you can get & take care.
ReplyDeleteI rarely sit down and watch TV without doing something else at the same time, most often knitting. I find it quite hard to just sit down and relax without something in my hands.
DeleteI'm not a huge one for the Tv as I much prefer to curl up with my book. I did however watch the greatest showman and had the same thoughts as you on the movie...though after some of the reviews he wasn't sugar coated as much as I expected him to be!!
ReplyDeleteI thought The Greatest Showman was very sugar coated. He was a man intent on making money and he didn't care how he achieved that and at what cost. The film has a man portraying Tom Thumb but in reality he was a five year old child who was made to drink alcohol and smoke cigars as part of the act, I don't suppose that would be very palatable in a feel good film, nor does the film mention the animal cruelty, it was horrific. I could go on. Yes, is was very sugar coated but I watched it for what it was with no correlation to Barnum's actual life.
DeleteI have not seen any of these shows. I have DISH and have not jumped out there for Netflixs. What have I been watching, through the week while doing things around the house I usually have my TV on Charmed and Supernatural. Then once they go off I have it on the Travel channel. I don't think I have sat and watched a whole movie in months.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of DISH, there's so many TV providers these days. I've only had Netflix for a couple of months but I'm enjoying the shows that I've found on there so far. I'm not a big movie watcher, I very rarely go to the cinema, but I do enjoy TV.
DeleteI enjoyed The Crown so much, what a beautiful production. Can't wait for Season 3. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to watch The Crown even before I had Netflix and it didn't disappoint.
DeleteI must watch The Crown. I haven't seem any of the other programmes .xxx
ReplyDeleteThe Crown is really good and I can thoroughly recommend it.
DeleteWe haven't got Netflix so haven't watched any of the series you mentioned. I did watch Cheat on catch up and really enjoyed it. I've been been watching DCI Banks on catch up too, I think they have all been shown before but they are new to me and they are shown quite late at night so getting them on catch up is perfect for me.
ReplyDeleteI've never watched DCI Banks. There's a few things coming up which I want to watch, old series returning, which I'm looking forward to.
DeleteWe do not watch much TV.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that I did watch Baptiste, Eddie didn't.
But we both usually enjoy the Saturday BBC4 9pm series...they have had an Icelandic series on recently …
Of course once Strictly comes back in the Autumn my seat on the sofa is already booked! LOL!
All the best Jan