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Elementary: The Geek Interpreter (2018) Season 6, Episode 19

Firewatch!

[8/10 · 6 September 2018]

Decent episode with just enough intrigue to keep me engaged. I've come to expect 'comfort food' entertainment from Elementary and it always delivers. Fun to watch this show - filmed in winter - during a heat wave in New York. Elementary's outdoor settings are always interesting and quirky research helps to spice up the screenplay. Carbnb?!

Noticed a crossover from 'The Americans' universe with Brandon J. Dirden as Agent Polka!

Trivia: Mac Brandt, who's voicing Ned in the game 'Firewatch' together with Rich Sommer who voiced 'Henry' and guest stars in this episode, will be in a few of Elementary's episodes next year! He's rumored to show up only in the beginning of the episode holding a flashlight and then hide in a cave for the rest of it (kidding, Firewatch reference...but he was hired for at least two episodes in season 7).

Tumbledown (2015)

Inspired and entertaining study on the inevitable selfishness of grief

[9/10 · 3 March 2016]

Understated, honest and soulfully choreographed. The cast is engaging, authentic and surprisingly interesting even in the most ordinary situations, of which there are few. Grief may be the premise of this film, but the result is a calm escape into a world you'll be happy to spend some time in.

After reading about the film, I did expect an Indie movie with the usual predictable story lines and romantic frou frou, and there is no shortage of that, but there is another layer of depth that caught me off guard. The intimate warmth of the soundtrack, like the weightless smoke of a dying candle in a quiet room, lingers long after the end credits are over. Some of the songs really are beautiful enough to warrant this type of language, trust me. So do the memories of other musicians who left behind their timeless creations along with the shock and mystery of a lifetime cut short. Martyn Bennett and Jeff Buckley, however different the circumstances of their departure, come to mind.

Whenever an Indie movie finds the perfect balance between lighthearted, mainstream entertainment and the relatability of a smaller story and budget, it proofs that a solid Indie production can transcend the restrictions of a genre and touch the audience beyond 90 minutes of entertainment.

I couldn't think of a single studio produced movie in recent months that achieved 'Tumbledown's subtlety and depth with the same simplicity and grace. To proof my point, this movie would work even without the romance and succeed as a relevant reflection on grief and the responsibility of moving on.

Mad Dogs (I) (2015–2016)

Dark, manic, violent..and fun.

[9/10 · 27 January 2016]

Yes, cringe you will. A lot. Think 'Weekend at Bernie's' only darker, much darker! But it's a small price to pay for this roller coaster fun ride, a remake of Cris Cole's show from 2011 with the same name.

Only this time around we're in Puerto Rico (not Mallorca) and by that I mean 'Belize' of course. Regardless, the setting is gorgeous. A welcome escape into a perfect world that unravels into madness a short while into the pilot. Thanks to a solid cast, perfectly mismatched to never solve a single situation with good common sense, you'll follow their downhill adventure - which will make you either yell at the screen in frustration, or laugh out loud - depending on how you watch a show like this: as drama with a sense of humor, or pure comedy.

The predecessor of this show is still going strong at the time of this little review, so we can safely assume that there is enough madness in the book to keep this brilliant set of characters busy for a few more seasons.

Better than expected with interesting and unpredictable story lines - another strong show in Amazon's line-up.

Elementary: Enough Nemesis to Go Around (2014) Season 3, Episode 1

Rough Start

[7/10 · 4 November 2014]

Elementary has quite a few things going for itself - a cool brownstone building in New York as setting, two accomplished actors who could carry a feature length film and endless Sherlock references for writers to feed off for inspiration.

And then the 3rd season starts and nothing seems to feel authentic or even mildly interesting. I saw large billboards in Manhattan and had high hopes for a possible writer/producer/director overhaul to make sure the characters main and side story lines work and keep you engaged.

In this first episode of the 3rd season though, none of the mystery, immediacy and eloquence of the storytelling we've seen in previous episodes seems to have made it through the season break. No spoilers here, the actual story has little to do with this review/rant.

The actors look a little tired and there a simply too many elements which lack emotional background - especially for a season premiere. And again, it's the potential of this show that makes me upset at the mediocre execution - I wouldn't bother complaining about a NCIS episode being formulaic!

Recent takes on Sherlock had tons of energy and fresh energy and I do like the show - so show us some enthusiasm in the writing and production!

Finally to quote Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Homes: "Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons, with the greatest for the last." And in less eloquent words - Elementary school is over (puns are not my forte), let's have something better than a regular 90's TV show and go back to the mystery and intensity of the previous seasons.

There's hoping 'Enough Nemesis' is simply a slow start to a great race.

UPDATE: I'm surprised anyone even read this! But yes, things pick up nicely and I've even come to appreciate the idea of the 'Kitty' character - thanks to some solid writing and pretty darn good acting. Could have been another clichéd character and has come to life thanks to flashbacks and the decision to feature this storyline throughout the season.

Broadchurch (2013–2017)

Mesmerizing. A show somewhere between your most beautiful imagination and your darkest fears.

[9/10 · 2 May 2013]

An enthusiastic reviewer started writing about this show when it started filming, speaking with great anticipation about the creator of the show's previous work and then the premise of his new show - a crime story, inherently tragic, focusing on grief, dark puzzles and a small community in which everyone knows everyone. I immediately thought of 'The Killing' and whether I would feel the same sense of of despondency when I watch shows like that.

Turns out I was both right and completely wrong. And I'll get to the emphatic 'yes!' for this show in a moment. The storyline, like in most crime shows these days, is hardly original. And you could say that like many British TV shows with veteran actors, intriguing plots with a dark narrative devoid of hope or a happy ending (contrary to most American TV shows with a similar premise), this show too, relies on intriguing characters to keep your interest in the puzzle and the secrets each character holds. But Broadchurch does all that without ever indulging in tragedy or hopelessness. No easy feat.

The acting and casting are flawless. The story feels real and unfolds with a steady, organic pace. David Tennant's nuanced take on the character, which could have easily been another self-important anti-hero with a troubled past, instead offsets Olivia Colman's character wonderfully. Her genuine, sincere approach to life, creating inevitable friction is a surprisingly fresh take on the traditional mismatched police partner or 'buddy cop' dynamics.

And then comes the beauty. Each shot framed like a painting featuring the stunning cliffs and beaches around the Dorset coast in all its rugged glory. Even interviews with suspects are photographed with elegance and an unexpected ethereal quality, using blurred light and colors. The stunning landscape setting is used not just as a backdrop, but a powerful narrative, contrasting its vastness with the small stories of each one of the locals. The calm, reflective moments in each episode feature scenes without dialog, allowing you to absorb it all.

This is where the music comes in. Too often an afterthought, a necessary element to invoke emotion or underline the words, here the music becomes one of the main characters of the show. An understated yet stunning soundtrack by Ólafur Arnalds, featured prominently throughout the series. And what a revelation it is. Allowing you to watch Broadchurch both as a sophisticated detective story and as an evocative, elegant music video. And while concert halls featured the most talented composers in the past, sadly or thankfully, TV shows (possibly more than feature length films even), seem to be the perfect outlet for the most creative contemporary artists. Utopia, Breaking Bad and Battlestar Galactica come to mind.

You could say then, that it is Ólafur Arnalds' score who helps Broadchurch transcend the sadness and grief of the story told, but it wouldn't be fair to understate the the stunning cinematography and art direction, subtle and powerful storytelling and production by Chris Chibnall. And with a cast that is able to portray the characters with depth and authenticity, it helps Broadchurch stand out from similar shows, deserving a review beyond simple comparison.

The Princess and the Warrior (2000)

Artful Storytelling

[9/10 · 6 March 2013]

If you read this review now, chances are you've seen the The Princess and the Warrior when it came out many years ago. Unless you're reading this to find out whether you should take the plunge and watch a foreign film with subtitles. Short answer, if you have a little time and want to escape into a unique, strange and ultimately inspiring world of Tykwer's imagination - definitely do. Not a short answer...my bad.

Very few movies successfully create a powerful atmosphere without messing with your emotions. This film takes its time. Each scene is focused and serves a purpose and what's nice about this particular movie, is that it doesn't indulge in tragedy - this shouldn't be seen as a spoiler, more as an encouragement to watch it - I've seen more than one of the director's early work.

With this movie, Tom Tykwer consciously goes beyond the bleak and hopeless reality he creates in 'Die Tödliche Maria' and 'Winterschläfer', or the manic energy of 'Run Lola Run' and introduces you to a flawed, peculiar microcosm of unlikely heroes and fiends. An impressive and gripping scene towards the beginning of the movie will give you a taste of how much he's holding back to tell this unusual story of emancipation and the common underlying question of coincidence versus fate.

An artistic, subtle and engaging look into a character's journey through life - twisted, maybe, but never cold or heartless.

The soundtrack deserves a mention. Pale 3, three German geniuses had worked together on Tykwer's films before and manage to craft an unusual but intriguing soundtrack which after many years I still enjoy listening to. It helps tell the story with few words and leaves enough space for the viewer's emotion to be part of the movie, without dictating the mood.

Why review a film from 2000? Honestly, few take you on an emotional journey as unexpected and rewarding as the Princess and the Warrior - with all its German-ness - you will make you feel good about yourself for having spent an hour and a half with a thought-provoking - and that's kind of my point here - artful movie, that doesn't indulge in violence and tragedy but instead tells a satisfying story in a way that few directors seem to have the financial support, patience or confidence to create anymore.