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TJR21
Reviews
Midsomer Murders: Claws Out (2023)
Cats and Dogs of Midsomer
This episode brings out all the very essence of the old Midsomer we all got addicted to back in 1997/98.
There is plenty of scenes with green lush fields/meadows, country lanes, pubs, cottages, Manor House's and their gardens. Filmed in early summer this one is definitely a feast for the eyes.
The storyline felt very accustomed to the earlier episodes and whilst the craziness and eccentricities of the whole plot seemed so plausible at the same time, there was so many things going on.
The characters/acting are very strong and the quirkiness is very evident here and the script is very thought provoking. The red herrings are very subtle and in a good way.
Music is once again in the background and really helps the episode flow along.
The comedy and humour aspects are what we've come to expect from earlier episodes too and I loved the finale on the riverbank. Reminded me so much of how let's say Dead Man's Eleven ends around a table.
Another really enjoyable episode which I'm sure will become a favourite of mine and many. 9/10.
Midsomer Murders: Book of the Dead (2023)
In search of treasure!
What a wonderful addition to the series. Back to the village scenes we've all missed since COVID 19.
This new outing gave us another welcome return of Selina Cadell, playing an eccentric character with real panache.
The story and characters were really fun and it looked really good on screen. Direction and cinematography were excellent and production values were top rate.
I think it feels very fresh and was easy to follow with no convoluted areas in the script.
Music was very subtle once again.
Really enjoyed this one and will want to add this series to my collection when it's released. 10/10.
Midsomer Murders: The Devil's Work (2023)
Always a riveting watch.
What a welcome return to Midsomer.
Set in a foreboding country Manor House, with many Agatha Christie's vibes. It felt fresh and at the same time knowing of the series we've all become accustomed too.
The characters are very dysfunctional here and unlike some have said you couldn't tell who the culprit was even though it all seemed to point towards one certain person.
The direction and cinematography are always done extremely well and you really felt as though you were there with the characters. It's the direction that really tells it apart from other series.
The murders were rather gory and you have to have a sense of disbelief in what is real and fantasy. Murders two and three were quite intense!
Music in this one is quite subtle and could have been used for more suspense in murders one and three.
One the whole I enjoyed this one and like so many I love this ongoing journey through Midsomer. Long may the series be with us.
9 out of 10 from me.
Midsomer Murders: For Death Prepare (2021)
Top notch episode
Here's my review.
It took us a while to see this one in the UK and I must say it was worth the wait.
The episode drops you straight in to the rehearsals of an amateur company who are staging their performance of the 'Pirates of Penzance'. It's very atmospheric and the location used for the theatre is very idyllic.
There's many stories interwoven and we delve into all the villagers lives and the characters are well written.
The acting is very strong and it was great to see many well known faces along the way. Standouts in this one are Kevin Whately, Samantha Spiro, Clive Rowe and Alexander Hanson.
The music is very effective and the singing is super for those who are accustomed to the work of Gilbert and Sullivan.
As always the locations, direction and cinematography are beautifully captured and certainly wants you to move there.
I never got who was responsible for the murders and I very rarely do. This was a really good episode and rate it 9/10.
Midsomer Murders: The Debt of Lies (2022)
Excellent entry in the series
Well, this was a real treat.
What a fabulous story, so easy to follow and wonderful characters. Each with a great backstory and very well written.
The beautiful locations are a joy to behold and the direction and cinematography are magical, so good to see the house previously used as Draycott Manor in Ghosts of Christmas Past having been given its makeover that's mentioned in Ghosts!
The acting is so well done and in parts very subtle and the humour is very evident here.
Music fits the story and it's cleverly used here.
I really liked how all the stories were interwoven together and I could not have guessed as to who the culprit was,even though there's individual stories to keep focused as always.
Overall a great mystery and addition that I'm happy to add to my collection. 10/10. If you haven't yet seen it. Enjoy when you do!
Midsomer Murders: A Grain of Truth (2022)
Very Old-School
This one had it all and felt very much like the earlier episodes in the series.
It has everything from beautiful scenery, excellent characters and a story/plot that is easy to follow. Wonderful direction and cinematography.
The many twists and turns in the story felt very MM and lots of red herrings to stop you from guessing who the culprit is. The characters are very quirky and full of depth.
The murders are suitably MM, imaginative and memorable. One inparticular is reminiscent of a murder in Taggart, back in the 1990s.
One of my newest favourites amongst many and worthy of a 10/10. I thought it was superb!
West Side Story (2021)
Another Spielberg winner.
What can I say, I really enjoyed this version of West Side Story.
There are many differences between this and the 1961 original, even though this film by Spielberg is not a direct remake. It is more grittier and edgier than the one from 60 years ago.
It's from probably the only genre of film that can and should be entitled to new versions and not be entirely compared to earlier films.
I found it completely compelling to watch and the cinematography direction and amazing choreography gave this a 1950s feel but very 21st century in terms of camerawork and dynamics for the big screen.
A real energy throughout this film, along with the classic music and songs makes this truly unmissable.
The dance numbers and acting was exceptional and very clever use of props made this seem to flow very easily. It brought "new life" into a film that in time can be considered a classic in its own right.