Down Cemetary Road - Based on a novel by Mick Herron, the man responsible for Slow Horses, I am only two episodes in but it has a great cast, and it's fast moving and lots of fun. It’s a slightly odd mix of thriller and comedy in a way which actually isn't very different from Slow Horses, but some of the characterisation is a bit too broad, so it sometimes feels a bit clashy with some actors thinking they are in a comedy, others in a dark thriller. Of course, it can be both, but it isn't quite as subtle as Slow Horses. Despite some tiny reservations the dialogue is pretty snappy and I am enjoying Emma Thompson as the stylish equivalent of Jackson Lamb. It’s being released one episode at a time so let’s see how it develops. (
Series, streaming on AppleTV+)
Film Club - Romcom vibes, but with the rom being more of a tease rather than any action, this is a well put together family comedy drama written by and starring Aimee Lou Wood as a young woman who holds a film club every Friday night in her mum's garage. With mental health themes, but full of throw away film references, and with a nice cast of family members (Suranne Jones as the flapping mother, Liv Hill as her smart sister, and Adam Long as a seemingly lovely boyfriend. Nabhaan Rizwan plays Noa, Ellie’s best friend since uni 8 years ago, partner in crime for the film club and the other half of this romcom couple. Owen Cooper from Adolescence has a small but very effective part as a disaffected local lad. The episodes are nicely themed around each week’s film so if I tell you the final films include Bridesmaids and Brief Encounter you might get a sense of the way this might go (or not..!). Anyway, I enjoyed this as a warm and intelligent comedy which reminded me a bit of
Starstruck, just perfect for the autumn evenings. (
Series, streaming on iplayer)
Riot Women - written by Sally Wainwright and with a fantastic cast, the headline in the publicity is that this is about peri and post menopausal women getting out their rage as a punkish rock ban. Yes, it is that, but it’s also a lot more interesting and less patronising than that as it takes aim at misogyny and the patriarchy in all its forms, not just the little stuff but including the really toxic stuff too. This means, as you would expect from a Sally Wainwright work, that it's a lot more hard hitting than you might expect. There's a really clunky plot thing that I had to give myself a good shake to get over, but the performances are all pitch perfect, and I like the way that everything unravels in a way that's a bit like a soap opera, but also a bit like a dark drama too. I do hope we get another series as I think there's lots more mileage to be got out of this cast and story. (
Series, streaming on iplayer)
The Diplomat - back for a third series and I still love this. This time with Aidan Turner as a love interest, but I was much more excited to see Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney in the White House again- they may not be Josh and CJ this time but I still love it. This continues to be sharp and funny as the repercussions of the events of series 1 continue to rumble on, and with great performances from all the leads. I particularly love Rory Kinnear’s pig headed and emotional populist prime minister. We are set up for a 4th series and I hope we get it. (
Series, streaming on Neflix)
Slow Horses - series 5 is finally complete on AppleTV. It’s fair to say we know what we are getting now and even though it doesn't change very much, by and large it still delivers, although this one is perhaps a bit less exciting than the earlier seasons. I gather that they are deviating from the books a bit now and so that makes me worry a bit. However, Gary Oldman still looks like he is having fun with his role as Jackson Lamb, River (Jack Lowden) is still pissed off to be in Slough House and Kristen-Scott-Thomas as Diana Travers is still ice cool. I enjoyed Nick Mohammed’s little turn as the London Mayor too… They are already trailing the next series and I will still be watching. (
Series, streaming on AppleTV+)
House of Guinness - flashy and OTT history with a fab modern soundtrack including FontainesDC in the first 10 minutes to accompany a punch up and a funeral, followed by Kneecap bringing some energy and a bit of political spice too. Well it caught my attention anyway and saw me through the first episode. It's got a great cast too, including James Norton and Louis Partridge. It's pumped up melodrama but lots of fun with lots of secrets, sexual and otherwise, and I am working my way through it very slowly. (
Series, streaming on Netflix)
While most of my film energy was at the London Film Festival this month, I did find time to see a few films on streaming...
All of You - a sort of romcom with Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots. Understated and very British, this is set in a world where there is a test to find your soulmate. Like
Fingernails from a few years ago, the test is regarded as conclusive, but the film asks what if that’s not the whole answer? Nice to see Brett Goldstein doing sensitive! (
Film, streaming on AppleTV+)
Slade in Flame - I found this on BFI Player and remember seeing it in the cinema when it first came out in 1975. In the genre of 1970’s films starring rock stars and about rock star life, showing the brutal business realities of the music industry, this is a real time capsule. It’s a very strange mix of broad comedy, high arty aspiration and gritty social commentary. Slade were at the height of their success and this was their attempt to be taken seriously but unfortunately it didn’t really do enough to break their image as a bunch of cheeky chappies. I enjoyed the step back in time to when wallpaper was spectacular, pirate radio was still a thing, flares were wide and hair was long and wild (and conditioner hadn't been invented). (
Film, streaming on BFI Player/Prime)
Steve - This has Cillian Murphy on top form as head teacher of what used to be called a reform school. Murphy is excellent as the dedicated and overwhelmed headteacher trying to keep things on track, largely at his own expense as we follow him around the school on one terrible day, dealing with fights, a film crew, an MP's visit (a fantastically full of himself Roger Allum) and a visit from authorities telling him they are closing down the school. Tracy Ullman is excellent as the deputy head who can see Steve clearly despite his attempts to hide how he is really feeling and what is really going on. And meanwhile Shy (Jay Lycurgo), one of the boys is spiralling. Action packed, tense and gritty but also moving. Ends with a note about how to get help with mental health issues so that probably gives a good indication of the sort of material. I thought it was excellent but it is a pretty hard watch. (
Film, streaming on Neflix)
Sebastian - I found this on BFI Player after seeing the lead, Ruaridh Mollica, on stage earlier in the month in
Clarkston. This is a story about a young writer moonlighting as a sex worker for research purposes. With themes of authenticity and shame, and full of cynicism about the publishing industry, it’s a bit sensationalist and sexually explicit, not unlike the book he is trying to write. The main draw is Mollica’s performance which is subtly drawn to show us cynicism and vulnerability and switching between them in the blink of an eye. (
Film, streaming on BFI Player)
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