ShaneMacGowan Reviews

Blue Lights (2023– )

Is this a remake of The Bill?

[5/10 · 20 May 2024]

This is drifting into being more of a soap opera than a police crime series. I reckon my Nan would quite like it, as she would be waiting for a few romances between colleagues (I'm 2 episodes into the second series, and can already see them coming).

I found the characters largely uninteresting and monotonous (one continually brings cooked food for his partner to try, while another is a music buff who plays music in the car while on patrol). There are the usual stereotypes - arrogant individual brought in from some higher-up agency that no one in the station wants to have around, a tough station head who is gruff and 'demands answers', the internal affairs officer who is unlikeable and the officers think isn't on their side, etc etc.

After the Party (2023– )

Simply brilliant

[10/10 · 12 May 2024]

An amazing series. Possibly the best I have watched in years.

Brilliantly acted and is and absolutely gripping throughout. The lead actress is outstanding (she seemed like a New Zealand version of Frances McDormand)

The series deals with the complex issue of sexual abuse in a sensitive manner, and provides insight into the devastating impact upon victims and all those affected. It is illustrates that reporting sexual abuse is never straightforward.

I can't believe some viewers found the series to be slow and boring (and I can't imagine what more they possibly could want out of a series like this).

The Old Way (2023)

Why did they make this film?

[3/10 · 23 March 2024]

The film adds absolutely nothing to the Western genre. The plot has been done to death (no pun intended) - reformed but infamous gunfighter forced to return to his old ways after being wronged by a gang of lawless scoundrels. Really? They couldn't think of a plot with at least a tiny bit of originality??

Characters are all stereotypes of Western characters (and played with some average acting) - the usual mix of goodies and baddies. Predictable and shallow.

I was assuming there must be some more layers to it, but there wasn't! I reckon I could have written the script for this.

Nicholas Cage sleepwalks through most of it.

Kin (2021– )

I can't get passed some terrible acting

[6/10 · 29 February 2024]

While only more of a supporting role in the series, the character of the daughter in the Turkish crime family is abysmal - and for me it constantly detracted from the series.

Whenever she appeared in a scene I wasn't sure whether to cringe or laugh.

Her acting is woeful and she is like some caricature of a villan. I'm surprised they didn't give her a scar on her cheek or an eye patch. Her brief was obviously to play a cold and clinical crime lord, but it is so overdone it honestly felt like it was satirical.

One supporting character alone shouldn't ruin a series, but for me this one went close ....

Das Boot (2018– )

Season 4 is poor.

[3/10 · 26 November 2023]

There was some very average acting in this series.

As others have pointed it out, this show now has virtually nothing to do with submarines, but now borders on a soap opera.

The script is cheesy (although maybe this was in part due to the people responsible for the sub titles?), and there is no suspense or drama whatsoever. I think I disliked all the characters - some of the German 'villains' bordered on caricatures.

The special effects were also surprisingly bad at times.

Possibly the best produced aspect of the series was the introduction at each episode (which is a sad indictment on the rest of the show).

River (2015)

Overdone and drawn out

[5/10 · 19 September 2023]

The main character is hallucinating literally every 90 seconds - yet keeps working as a police detective? A farcical notion. He's so unstable and erratic that he'd be on sick leave. The scenes of him grappling with imaginary people are so unconvincing they're almost comical.

I think I'm 5 episodes deep, and everything that has happened thus far could easily be fitted into 2 episodes. I'm only watching out of curiosity as to how this ends. All characters are bland and difficult to like or dislike.

Stellan Skarsgard is brilliant in some other series, but he's not great at trying to convey chemistry with his colleague. I think he's great at brooding, but average at warmth.

Rogue Heroes (2022–2024)

Complete drivel

[2/10 · 31 May 2023]

Am halfway through this series, and it's dreadful.

The BBC portrays only the British as being capable soldiers. The French can't fuel a convoy correctly, the Australians are loud-mouthed but cowardly, the New Zealanders are seemingly too docile to notice their base is being robbed, and the Germans and Italians apparently can't fire a gun straight.

The combat scenes are like something out of a 1950's war comic - with the Germans again portrayed as gormless and incapable of defending themselves, while the British are brave, cunning and deadly at hand-to-hand combat.

Full of tired cliches such as the beautiful French intelligence agent and the Public school Englishman keen to 'have a go at Jerry'. Some of the script is laughable; "let's go and win this war ...".

I honestly thought this was some kind of parody.

The English (2022)

Fantastic characters

[9/10 · 28 April 2023]

This series is riddled with brilliant and engaging characters (many not goodies), who are portrayed by outstanding acting - Emily Blunt included. The script and screenplay is also outstanding (although in true Western-style, an inordinate amount of events seem to take place at late afternoon or sunset).

It almost feels like a series of short-stories at times, but I was engaged in each of the small sub-plots along the way. I notice some reviewers found the series a little slow, but I didn't find that the case at all.

I binged all 6 episodes on a long-haul flight, and imagine this series would be even better on a large screen. I reckon I could easily watch this series again.

1883 (2021–2022)

Your enjoyment will depend on how you find Elsa

[7/10 · 25 December 2022]

Overall, I enjoyed the series, but my enjoyment was stunted by the fact that I found Elsa irritating. Her teeth, skin and hair were implausibly perfect - and, despite being a naive teenager, was capable of narration that was both deeply philosophical and often poetic.

The characters of Shea, Thomas and even the cowboys were far more interesting, and I would have been happy if the series had focussed more on them.

The music score was very heavy handed - it was obvious we were about to witness a scene that was either designed to be uplifting, brooding or dangerous.

The scenery and cinematography were excellent (although, like many Westerns, many scenes were intentionally set in early morning and/or late afternoon - when the light is most dramatic).

Mayor of Kingstown (2021– )

Started well, got silly.

[4/10 · 12 December 2022]

I struggled with the underlying premise of the main character - that there is an individual 'peacemaker' who has seemingly unfettered access to all inmates, criminals, gangs, police, SWAT teams and prison staff.

Despite not being a police officer, he appears to be able to waltz into any crime scene unimpeded.

He is also some kind of superhero - seemingly expert in close combat, and an incredibly accurate shot with a handgun.

That said, I enjoyed series one, but it deteriorated as the plot lines became silly. The final episode of series two was ridiculous.

In series three we had the farcical plot of a policeman taking a deranged serial killer out of maximum security on a supposed 'dentist visit', only to take him to some guys house to threaten him.

There is no real chemistry between Mike and Iris - which made that particular plot line a little tedious.

There were also random plot lines that contributed nothing - the armed prison guard who we see briefly with his intellectually disabled son, and then briefly again in the final episode of series two. Or the kid who robs Mike's Mum and goes to prison, only to lie down under a truck and kill himself.

The villain Milo was absurd - all he needed was a scar down one side of his face, and the caricature would have been complete.

Poker Face (2022)

Woeful from start to finish

[1/10 · 28 November 2022]

Possibly the worst movie I've seen in the last 10 years.

The plot has multiple ridiculous angles, and the movie ends without even a hint of tension, drama or generating any real interest.

Crowe is a fine actor, but the acting from some of his co-stars was terrible (the acting from the daughter and ex-wife was dreadful - if I closed my eyes it felt like I was listening to Home & Away).

The script is cringeworthy and the monologue at the end was so bad I actually wondered if it were an attempt at satire. Based on this evidence, Crowe should definitely stick to acting.

If this wasn't Russell Crowe's project, then I imagine no streaming service would have paid for it.

Hidden Assets (2021– )

Watchable

[7/10 · 16 October 2022]

This series is watchable - but don't expect too much. It won't stay long in the memory. The cross-boarder / joint law enforcement plot has kinda been done to death, and this one dishes up an Irish-Belgium partnership.

The acting isn't great - from a number of characters (but a couple in particular) - and the script lapses into cliches at times.

There are a couple of implausible scenes that simply lack credibility, and there are some very predictable twists that can be seen coming from a mile away.

That said, I've seen worse, and the series is engaging enough that I was interested to see it play out. Probably would have given it 6.5, if the rating scale allowed.

Mosul (I) (2019)

Under-rated

[9/10 · 9 October 2022]

I stumbled upon this film by accident, and its a shame it hasn't received more publicity (or perhaps it has, and I missed it?)

It is a gripping insight into the horrors taking place in Iraq. The combat scenes are not glorified, nor are the characters made out to be flawless 'good guys' (as American producers so often like to portray them).

The film touches on the immense complexities of the war, and provides some clues as to why any conflict in Iraq is never a simple case of two clearly defined opposing sides.

The acting is terrific, and often very understated (again, in contrast to how many American war movies are made).

Greyhound (2020)

An interesting insight into naval warfare

[6/10 · 8 October 2022]

I really hope the depictions of naval warfare were accurate - because that was about all I got out of this movie. I enjoyed seeing some of the detail of how battles at sea were fought in WWII, but the plot/storyline was very basic and the characters very shallow.

Other than Tom Hanks (and perhaps his deputy), all other characters on the ship had very limited roles. I could guess Hank's character as soon as the movie started - it was basically the same as his characters in Saving Private Ryan and Captain Phillips ... diligent and upstanding, yet humane and compassionate.

The English captains whom Hanks communicated with over radio seemed like complete parodies - and stereotypes of how Americans think the English speak and act. It was cringeworthy.

Animal Kingdom (2016–2022)

Glad its finished

[6/10 · 22 September 2022]

What started as a credible rip-off of the Australian film, the TV series probably jumped the shark around seasons 4-5.

By season 6, I was just persevering, out of curiosity as to what would happen. The flashbacks were tiresome, and the acting in them awful. The young Pope was ridiculous, and the young Smurf was annoying (and the casting was off - Smurf looked like a 27 year old with 17 year old kids).

Throughout all seasons, the robberies committed by the brothers were implausible, but it got to the point that it felt like I was watching MacGyver - so ridiculous were some of their schemes.

The producers must have worried that viewers have short attention spans, because there were random action scenes scattered throughout all seasons - of the brothers suddenly surfing, mountain biking, sky diving, dune buggy racing, dirt bike racing, jet-skiing, etc. Not only were they mastermind criminals, they were apparently action heroes as well.

Klangor (2021– )

Brilliant

[10/10 · 19 September 2022]

For me, the quality of this series was in the acting. - brilliant across the board. As another reviewer has said, the plot is not necessarily original, but this doesn't matter, as the acting, backed by superb cinematography and a haunting soundtrack, makes this series captivating.

The pace of the episodes was spot on, with a slow build, but I found I was always on edge.

I found this series to be in direct contrast to some of the 'plastic' crime showing on Netflix nowadays - many of which are full of good looking criminals and handsome law enforcement officers.

I suspect the it will fly under the radar somewhat, but I couldn't recommend this series highly enough.

Unprecedented (II) (2022)

Nothing new

[6/10 · 9 September 2022]

I didn't really learn anything new, but still found some of the footage quite engaging.

Found myself trying to make up my mind as to which of Trump's children I dislike the least. It's a tough choice.

The interviews with Trump supporters left me unsure whether to laugh or cry - gullible people, but bizarrely fanatical.

I noticed Melania never featured - but this is probably consistent with her lack of effort and absence of achievement as First Lady over the 4 years (unless you include buying new curtains for the White House).

The best 'behind the scenes' footage the documentary maker could have obtained would have been the Trump team having an apoplexy watching Fox News declare Arizona for Biden.

Time (2021– )

Outstanding

[9/10 · 15 August 2022]

Incredible acting and engrossing series. The best drama I have watched all year.

I had just watched Black Bird on Apple TV, and while the two series were obviously different, i found the depictions of prison life and the characters portrayed in "Time" to be more realistic (and far less simplistic).

3 episodes was perfect.

Fils de, la série (2022– )

Drawn out

[6/10 · 6 August 2022]

This series Has a decent plot, but drags on for too long. 8 episodes is too many - it could have been covered easily in 6, or even 4 episodes. I stuck with it, purely out of curiosity to see how it ends.

The acting was good, but at times the series felt like a soap opera, rather than a crime drama.

(Won't do a lot for Brussels tourism).

The Fear (I) (2012)

Saved by Peter Mullan

[7/10 · 7 July 2022]

As others have said, Peter Mullan was brilliant.

I enjoyed this series, although 4 episodes was plenty. I was rapidly tiring of Richie's hallucinations (which became repetitive).

I'm no medical expert, by my understanding of Alzheimer's is that it is a fairly gradual decline. Richie seemingly went from having a mild cognitive impairment, to being almost fully incapacitated in a matter of days?

Tehran (2020– )

Got sillier as it went along

[6/10 · 5 July 2022]

I find most spy / espionage TV series are full of implausibilities, but this one got a bit ridiculous.

Mossad has cameras in seemingly every Iranian government building and residences of its government officials?

Mossad are happy for one of their agents to hook up with some bloke, and then make him some kind of 'unofficial agent'?

The number of close calls and near-misses became a bit comical.

The relationship between the agent and her boyfriend became irritating.

The car racing scene was just plain dumb, and the slightly random inclusion of Lamborghinis and seemingly endless beautiful people felt like it was trying to tap into the under 25's market.

Elvis (2022)

Couldn't engage with this movie at all

[6/10 · 29 June 2022]

Unless Baz Luhrmann's style really clicks, it comes across as just try-hard.

I couldn't really connect with any of the characters - and didn't really like or dislike any of them.

Found myself enjoying the archival footage more than the actual move.

Ozark (2017–2022)

Ludicrous towards the end

[6/10 · 18 June 2022]

Like many shows, dragged on for too many seasons. Probably should have ended after Season 2.

Plot lines went from simply lacking credibility, to being just plain ludicrous.

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

Full of implausibilities

[4/10 · 9 May 2022]

So many implausibilities that it became somewhat farcical.

A women finds out her husband of 20 years has had an affair, and proceeds to lie down on the bed fully clothed and fall asleep.

A lawyer prosecuting a defendant she was friends with 20 years ago is somehow completely unrecognisable.

The wife takes takes the children and leaves her husband, yet the kids are shown as deliriously happy as they frolic in the countryside (despite them being very close to their father).

The wife takes a story of the Prime Minister dealing heroin to a journalist, who seemingly publishes the story with no evidence of substantiation, and brings down the government.

I could go on ....

Underbelly: Vanishing Act (2022)

Amateurish production

[3/10 · 16 April 2022]

Feels like these 2 episodes were rushed out while the Melissa Caddick story is still topical.

Terrible acting. Script not much better.

No suspense or feeling of drama that must have surrounded such a terrible fraud.

Some odd attempts at humour just added to the amateurish feeling of the whole production.