This is going to be a very short post but I just had to include a new trailer from Peacock for its new series, The Day of The Jackal, which is a remake of the 1973 film by Fred Zinnemann based on a book by Frederick Forsyth. The original film starred Edward Fox as a professional assassin known as The Jackal. In 1997, there was another remake movie starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere which was titled simply as The Jackal but it was poorly received. I have never seen the 1997 version before but I have watched the original 1973 film with my late father a long time ago. Although the film was rather dated, we both found the film to be interesting and well made. So you could imagine my surprised reaction to the trailer and Peacock's decision to adapt this forgotten story into a series for our small screens. This time around, the British actor Eddie Redmayne will be playing the titular character. I can't help but notice that Eddie Redmayne has a strong physical resemblance to British actor, Edward Fox (now 87 years old), who played The Jackal in the original 1973 film. Ironically, the series will start streaming on Peacock starting 7th November 2024 which is the birthday of my late father. Below is the trailer for the new series.
In my post dated 10th June 2024 regarding an older British crime series Luther, I had alluded to a newer British series that I wanted to include in my blog. Lately, it has been difficult to discover good crime dramas that are well written with high production values but the BBC has always shown an affinity for giving high quality shows a chance to 'grow' unlike American Networks that are quick to cancel shows in its maiden season or infancy if their ratings are not up to their expectations. TV lineups that are too focused on ratings does not necessarily translate to better shows being aired on our small screens. Hence, when the pickings are slim, I usually rely on the BBC for some new or long running quality shows and this British crime drama, Strike, or otherwise known as C.B. Strike to international audiences, is one of these shows. First aired in late 2017, this BBC One British crime drama is now in its fifth season with a new sixth season being filmed starting early this year. The BBC's continued commitment towards this show is a testament to its growing popularity however for some who have not seen the series they might wrongly (in my opinion) attribute the success of the series to another reason other than the quality writing and high production values of the series. Let me explain further, the series is actually based on the Cormoran Strike book series written by Robert Galbraith and if you're wondering what the initials C.B. stands for, it is actually for Cormoran Blue, the name of the titular character of the series. However, Robert Galbraith is also a pseudonym for J. K. Rowling. Yes, that J. K. Rowling. So it is natural for one to assume that the success of the series is due to her involvement. However, as a person who has never read any of her books including The Casual Vacancy nor have I seen the other films based on her writings, I can safely say that the success of this series stems from its own merits and Rowling's emerging strength as a writer for more mature stories with realistic and relatable characters rather than stories from the fantasy genre aimed at younger readers. Thus, if we approach the series without any pre-conceived notions or knowledge of its affiliation to Rowling, then we might appreciate it more for what it truly is, a well written detective series or one of the best British crime dramas to emerge from the BBC in recent years.
As I mentioned earlier, the series is based on the Cormoran Strike books by Rowling. As at late last year, there have been seven novels already published from the planned ten books in the series and BBC has aired five series so far based on the first five titles, The Cuckoo's Calling (2013), The Silkworm (2014), Career of Evil (2015), Lethal White (2018) & Troubled Blood (2020) while the sixth series based on The Ink Black Heart (2022) began filming in February 2024. Each series contains 2 to 4 episodes that are around one hour long with each series focusing on a different crime case. According to fans of the books, the series (which is adapted by Ben Richards and Tom Edge) is quite faithful to the novels which is understandably so since J. K. Rowling also serves as one of the executive producers for the show. But what makes this crime drama so arresting for me are not only the varied and complex cases being investigated but the characters themselves and their relationships which are often flawed, broken and complicated. The series also harkens back to the days of 'old school' detectives who don't usually own high end offices, flashy cars or extended wardrobes but instead focuses on the gritty and realistic day to day workings of a small detective agency which happens to deal with some strangely high profile cases.
In the first episode of The Cuckoo's Calling, we are introduced to Strike, a war veteran turned private investigator and an anti-hero with a heart of gold. At this time, he is at the lowest point in his life. Operating from a small rundown office, broke and having just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and fiancée, he is truly at rock bottom. His situation is made worse by the fact that he lost the lower part of his right leg in Afghanistan and now wears a prosthetic and that he is also the illegitimate son of a famous rock star and a groupie. Unwanted by his father and having lost his mother to a supposed drug overdose at the age of 20, he then lived with his half sister in his uncle and aunty's loving and stable home in Cornwall. The only saving grace in his life besides Robin Ellacott. In the opening scene, we see Robin going to Strike's office to work as a temp however there is a violent fight between Strike and his fiancee, Charlotte, in his office. In the ensuing commotion, Robin nearly gets knocked down the stairs but she is saved by Strike's quick reaction. From this point, they both eventually form a close bond and friendship that leads to a business partnership which is largely attributed to Robin's natural aptitude for detective work. Although there is romantic chemistry between both the leads, often it is only hinted at and left unexplored and does not seem like any forced romantic entanglements found in some other series. I also liked how Rowling had portrayed them as the unlikeliest of pairs which lends more credibility to their relationship.
Over the years, we have all fallen for the characters created by Rowling. Some might say she has a knack for creating unique and interesting ones but how does she actually fare as a writer for detective novels seeing that the Cormoran Strike book series is her first albeit ambitious attempt (there are ten books planned in the whole series after all) in this genre? Usually in detective novels, the cases being investigated takes center stage and are essential in gauging how good the stories are. Honestly, I have never read the books but in the series the varied cases being investigated by the agency does not take a back seat to the characters but are central to the stories themselves. From a 40 year old cold case involving the death of a female doctor, the apparent suicide of a supermodel, a missing literary rebel to a government minister being blackmailed, the cases appear simple at first but are later revealed to be actually complex with many unexpected twists and turns that impresses even the most jaded armchair detective. This itself is an attestment to Rowling's prowess as a writer despite the book series being her first attempt at the detective genre. Besides the excellent writing, the series is also perfectly cast with Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger in the lead roles. Finding the correct actor especially for the role of Strike must have been a monumental task but Burke manages to embody the role so perfectly and seamlessly. According to readers of the novels, Tom Burke is a good match with the character's physical description in the books although he reportedly had to put on weight for the role. The actor also had to learn how to walk from actual amputees and as a theatrical actor, he manages to to bring forth the subtle nuances of the character to the small screen with ease. As a result of the many tragedies in his life, Strike is understandably a sad and reticent figure. But despite the hardships, he still remains kind and emphatic towards others while hiding a fierce intelligence under his unassuming appearance and demeanor. However, his life takes a drastic turn upon the arrival of Robin Ellacott. Grainger's Ellacott is the perfect foil to Burke's Strike. Young, beautiful, intelligent and headstrong with a bright future ahead, she seems an unlikely friend for him or eventual business partner in the agency. But she does share his aptitude for detective work. Personally, I feel that she is able to form a close relationship with Strike because she admires and respects not only his work but his quiet strength in the face of life's adversities. In fact it is later revealed in one of the later series that she herself had suffered from a traumatic event hidden in her past. As the series progresses, her character experiences a lot of transformations and growth but it is the steadfast Strike that remains her constant anchor in life. Besides the characters and cases, the dynamics of their relationship also plays a crucial part in the stories with each season starting at a new chapter in their relationship. The importance of their relationship in the series is made even more evident by the show's opening song "I Walk Beside You" by Beth Rowley. So due emphasis should be given to the story of their relationship when discussing the series as a whole. Besides, I feel that this a smart move on Rowling's part to incorporate in the stories the intricate details of the lead characters' relationship with one another and their connections with the other characters from the books as this will help break the monotony associated with many detective stories than can be too focused on only the mundane details of the investigations. After all, the show is not peppered with any elaborate car chases, explosions or raunchy scenes but it still needs to be entertaining enough.
Last thoughts, this series is actually a throwback to old detective shows and films but with an updated story telling style that is more palatable for modern audiences. For me personally, the series is more than a detective drama because it is also a study of the human condition that teaches us the resilience of the human spirit. With the seventh book in the series already published and the BBC already filming the sixth series, I hope to see all ten books adapted to the small screen. Although the books and the series cannot be compared to the hugely successful Harry Potter franchise, the long term commitment shown by Rowling and the BBC for Strike assures us that this is a quality series that is not to be missed.
(Above is the official trailer for the first three series from Cinemax)
As an afterthought, I have also decided to include below three recent but interesting videos from The Rowling Library (YouTube) where Rowling speaks on her general writing processes but pay special attention to Part 3 (the last video) where she discusses more on the Cormoran Strike novels.
J.K. Rowling : On Writing (Part One) - 6th May 2024
J.K. Rowling : On Writing (Part Two) - 7th May 2024
J.K. Rowling : On Writing (Part Three) - 8th May 2024
(All of the above videos are courtesy of The Rowling Library-YouTube)
For those interested in the book series, all seven books are available on Amazon (US) on Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & Audible. Links are provided below.
The TV series is also available on Amazon Prime (US) but the first three series which include The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm and Career of Evil are collectively known as Season 1 in the US. While Lethal White and Troubled Blood are listed as Season 2 and 3 respectively. The link is provided below.
Unfortunately, if you're looking for the DVDs (the series is not released on Blu-Ray format), they are only widely available on Amazon UK (PAL Format/ Region 2).
This post is actually an expansion of my (deleted) post on 19th May 2014 which was inspired by a trip with my then teenage niece and nephew to a nearby Uniqlo outlet. When we were inside the store, we spotted some T-shirts from their American Movies line being sold which featured some characters from famous 1980s movies namely Star Wars, Gremlins and Ghostbusters. Currently, I don't think Uniqlo are selling them anymore which is a shame because these t-shirts are really nostalgic to a lot of (ahem) older people and they might even introduce these movies to a younger generation who may be unaware of them before this. When I was growing up during the 1980s, there were no internet, smart phones, streaming or (gasp) blogging. Film entertainment then consisted mainly of frequent trips to the local cinema, VHS rental stores or weekly programmed TV shows from a very limited number of channels. Some of my favorite movies during the 1980s, to name a few, were the Back to the Future films, the Indiana Jones films, Ghostbusters, the Superman films (with the late Christopher Reeves), Highlander, Fright Night and of course the James Bond movies which were perennial favorites of my late father. I'm not a fan of the classic Star Wars films but I did like the 1980 sequel The Empire Strikes Back. Life was pretty simple back then and you weren't really spoilt for choice. Basically everyone was watching the same films or TV shows.
Back to my visit to Uniqlo in May 2014. Apparently my niece and nephew were familiar with the Star Wars (who doesn't) and Ghostbusters films but they did not recognize the cute and cuddly little creature featured on one of the T-shirts. I then explained to them that the creature was a 'mogwai' named Gizmo and that he could actually spawn some very ugly, nasty and mischievous creatures called 'gremlins' if you did not know how to care for him. Since they were intrigued and frankly because I got tired of answering their questions, I decided to show them the original 1984 Gremlins film (not the sequel) instead. To my surprise, they really enjoyed the movie and wanted to see Ghostbusters next. This reaction was unexpected as the special effects used in these films looked dated with heavy reliance on puppetry and rudimentary CGI. Today, most kids are used to sophisticated films with advanced CGI and cartoons or animated features that aren't hand drawn anymore. So that got me thinking what made these old movies appealing to them? Despite not having dazzling effects, movies then had a lot of 'heart' meaning they were able to engage with the audience emotionally and transport them to another realm with only great stories and unique but relatable characters. After their exams and on one fine weekend in May 2014, I decided to show them the 1984 film Ghostbusters which they really liked too. This movie is really a perfect example of films from the 1980s. The late Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray were the funniest comedians on earth during the 1980s and when they got together for this film, it was pure fun and laughter. The film also featured a catchy theme song by Ray Parker Jr which is still instantly recognizable by many today. The movie itself did not have a complicated story line (it was co-written by Ramis and Akroyd) but it had a feel good element to it which you can't really define. In fact, most of the films from that era had this X factor to them which made them and the characters in them memorable even after all these years. If you don't believe me how iconic and enduring these films are, the fascination for Ghostbusters continues even to this day with reboots like Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) still receiving encouraging responses from younger audiences worldwide.
Last thoughts, these movies have been forgotten largely by me but thanks to Uniqlo I was once again reminded of them and their magic. They also serve as a reminder to us that the success of a movie is not necessarily tied to its budget, effects or stars but the story at heart and perhaps the genuine talents of the directors, writers and actors that bring their own diverse experiences to the film. Incidentally, if anyone is interested in Sony's 30th Anniversary 4K Blu-Ray + Digibook of Ghostbusters 1 & 2, you can click on the link below to my other post dated 16th June, 2014. Unlike the earlier sets in 2014, I don't think the ones being sold now include the figurine of Slimer anymore which is a shame for collectors.
Addendum (23rd July, 2024) : Recently discovered an interesting video on Ghostbusters and Gremlins on YouTube by Minty Comedic Arts, an Australian vlogger who is a fan of cinema, including vintage films, and pop culture. If you enjoy discovering rare facts on older films and TV series like me, you should definitely check out his other videos on YouTube.
The Day Ghostbusters and Gremlins Ruled The World!
Lately, I have been avoiding many of the Marvel and DC Films. The last 2 movies that I watched in its entirety was James Mangold's The Wolverine (2013) which explored Logan's connection to Japan and Guardians of The Galaxy (2014) by James Gunn. Between both movies, I have to admit that I still liked The Wolverine better although Guardians brought something fresh and different to the stable of 'superhero' movies. Actually, I grew up in 1980s & 1990s with Marvel and DC and my siblings and I were avid readers of their comics in our teens. So why have I been avoiding their recent releases? Honestly, my interest in 'superhero' movies have fizzled out over the years. Now that I am older, it is only natural that I prefer films with more 'realism' instead of the 'fantastic' or the 'improbable'. I am also not a fan of the films from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), DCU (DC Universe) or DCEU (DC Extended Universe) as I personally feel that they complicate things by trying too hard to introduce too many characters in a pre-determined and short timeline. In addition to this, the many forced crossovers between the characters and films are confusing and tiresome which can lead to a lack of gradual or focused development for the characters and films individually. Of course, this is my personal opinion and I don't expect others to share my views on this.
But in 2022, the world was grappling with Covid-19 and there were not that many films being released in that year while the few that were released were not really to my liking. However, in March 2022, a major film, The Batman, was released by Warner Brothers which was written and directed by Matt Reeves, a perfectionist responsible for films like Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes. A little known fact here, Reeves is actually the son of late actor, Christopher Reeves, who starred in three Superman movies in the early 1980s. So, his involvement with this DC film is strangely ironic. The film was in development since 2013 however it only took off after Ben Affleck, who was signed on to produce, direct, co-write and star in it, decided to drop out from the project and the film was officially taken over by Reeves in 2017 who then decided to re-work the story to focus more on Batman's early vigilante period or rookie years. With the absence of Affleck, the planned DCEU connections to this film was also scrapped allowing more creative freedom for Reeves to explore the titular character and the Gotham 'universe' in another timeline. The origin stories of famous Gotham residents like Catwoman, Riddler, Penguin, Police Commissioner James Gordon (he is only a police officer in this film) and Alfred Pennyworth not only feel fresh in this film but are given added dimensions by Reeves. As I mentioned earlier, this film premiered during Covid-19 so it is hardly surprising that its filming and release was greatly delayed by the pandemic. However, I truly believe that the pandemic and the changes surrounding this movie ultimately contributed to its huge success.
So what drew me to this movie after I avoided so many recent Marvel and DC films? Firstly the involvement of Matt Reeves, a perfectionist famous for cult films like Cloverfield and The Planet of the Apes franchise. I was really curious to see his version of the Dark Knight and Gotham and after seeing the film, I was not disappointed at all. Secondly, the scarcity of films during the pandemic was another factor that made me forget my aversion to 'superhero' movies. The were not many big budget or high profile movies being released in early 2022. So when this movie was released, it naturally attracted a huge response. The film was also available for digital download and streamed on HBO Max a month later. This was a smart move on Warner's part since there were many that missed the film's theatrical release because of the pandemic. Warner had also spent a huge amount of money promoting the film before its release which paid off in dividends. When the film's teasers and trailers debuted on the internet, I was actually very drawn to them. Not only were snippets of the film intriguing but the moody song featured in the trailers which is actually a remix of Nirvana's 'Something in The Way' seems to resonate with the listener long after hearing it. Of course the final factor that motivated me to see the film was the man himself, Robert Pattinson. Prior to this film, it was widely known that Robert Pattinson was trying to distance himself from the Twilight movies and was 'cutting his teeth' on a lot of small and independent films. He even worked with famous directors like David Cronenberg and Christopher Nolan (yes, the same director responsible for Batman Begins, The Dark Knight & The Dark Knight Rises). An unlikely but nonetheless intriguing choice for the role, his portrayal of Batman was highly anticipated by many. Before him, Keaton, Bale and Affleck portrayed a more matured and confident Wayne/ Batman. So I was curious how he would portray the younger version of the caped crusader. How did he fare? In my opinion, his understated performance in the film was exceptionally good. Although initially you feel apprehensive on whether he can really carry the role, his sullen, monosyllabic and almost shy depiction of Wayne/ Batman actually works in the film to great effect. While giving the younger, lonely and reclusive Wayne an almost 'rock star' quality, Pattinson manages at the same time to convince the audience that the young Batman in this film is not only unsure of himself during his confrontations with his adversaries but he is also very self conscious of his bat-suit. In this film, the young Bruce Wayne is naive, shy, awkward and sheltered which is very obvious during his initial run-ins with Selina Kyle/ Catwoman. Because he is younger, he also has a more dependent relationship with the older and experienced (war veteran) Alfred who is more a mentor and surrogate father to him here than a butler. Pattinson's nuanced, subtle, minimalistic and almost non-verbal performance manages to convey all these traits and emotions (even behind the mask) with mostly only looks, gestures and his tone of voice which is pretty remarkable. Even the way he talks in this film seems deliberate. Evidently, he has taken this mantle as the new Batman very seriously and has put a lot of effort into his performance and it really shows in the film. If anything this movie has showed me that Pattinson has not only matured as an actor but he is an actor that is to be reckoned with in the future.
What Matt Reeves and this movie actually achieved was to bring realism and darkness back to The Batman film franchise which many fans have missed lately. Ever since my classmate lent me a copy of Alan Moore's Graphic Novel A Killing Joke in the 1980s, I had always viewed the character of Batman and the residents of Gotham as very dark characters. However, I have not seen this level of realism or darkness in any Marvel or DC films of late with the exception of Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight or the 2017 movie Logan which chronicles the last days of Professor Xavier and the Wolverine. Reeves also manages to depict the other Gotham residents in a more realistic light minus the campy costumes and exaggerated mannerisms. In this film, we have a young Selina Kyle (in her pre-Catwoman phase) working as a waitress in a nightclub owned by a mid-level mobster named Oswald Cobblepot (The Peguin). Zoe Kravitz is truly the perfect choice for Selina. Not only does her beautiful and exotic looks make her the obvious candidate for the role but she also tackles the fight scenes with a believable physicality coupled with an almost feline like grace. By the way, actor Collin Farrell is almost unrecognizable as Cobblepot in the film. His standout performance has even earned The Penguin his own TV series on HBO Max which will debut later this year. Even the main villain here, The Riddler/ Edward Nashton (played excellently by Paul Dano), is portrayed more like a terrorist with a political agenda (he claims he is inspired by Batman and plans to wipe out Gotham's rich and powerful) with a penchant for ciphers and riddles rather than the theatrical criminal mastermind often depicted in a green unitard decorated with question marks. Instead here, he is garbed in a gas mask and an oversized military like green jacket. Lastly, we have Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon and John Turtorro as Carmine Falcone each perfectly cast in their respective roles. Andy Serkis's involvement in this movie is hardly surprising since he and Reeves were both principally involved in the Planet of the Apes reboot. Serkis plays Caesar in the Planet of the Apes films but you don't get to see him cause it's all motion capture and CGI. But his very visible performance here as a tougher Alfred gives the audience a more believable mentor and teacher for Wayne. After all, he is supposedly a war veteran who taught the young Wayne all his fighting skills. I really like Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon too. There were many established actors who has played this character before Wright, including the likes of Gary Oldman, but they don't seem to stand out to me like him. In this film, James Gordon is only a police lieutenant so he is frequently seen out in the field or 'sleuthing' with Batman. He also happens to be Batman's only ally in the Gotham City Police Department. During their investigations into The Riddler, Batman is often ridiculed by the other police officers. Understandably, it is difficult for others to take you seriously when you are walking around in what seems to be a Halloween costume but only Lieutenant Gordon seems to notice Batman's sharp detective skills underneath the bat-suit and is willing to work with him to solve the case. It is here that Wright manages to capture the awkwardness in Gordon's early relationship with Batman and show the audience that Gordon is not only an astute detective but someone who can be empathetic towards others including our main protagonist and it is this trait that essentially makes this version of James Gordon endearing. Besides, since Gordon is not yet the Police Commissioner in this timeline, I feel that he is able to play a bigger role in the story since he gets to be Batman's sidekick in the film instead of Robin. Another character worth mentioning here is Gotham's crime boss, Carmine Falcone, played by actor John Turturro who is really perfect for the role. I last saw the talented actor in a guest starring role in Amazon Prime's new series Mr & Mrs Smith earlier this year in which he really stood out despite his brief appearance in it. Lastly, the final but nonetheless important character in the film, the Batmobile. In earlier Batman films, the Batmobile has always been outlandish and fully custom made cars but here Pattinson gets a modified muscle car that resembles an actual car. Beautiful but menacing, the car looks like something Wayne would have come up with after tinkering in his garage which brings us back to the fact that this film is all about realism or the nearest version to it because here you are actually dealing with a film where the main protagonist is a vigilante in a bat-suit. There is an extended and impressive car chase scene between Batman and The Penguin in the film which also introduces and showcases the Batmobile to the audience for the first time.
The other theme that is prevalent in this movie is the darkness that has been missing in most of the recent Batman films. Here, Gotham City at night is always dark and rainy. Even the day time scenes are gloomy and grim. The appearance and architecture of Wayne Manor is purposely re-imagined as neglected, starkly gothic and foreboding. The Bat Cave is huge, dimly lighted with resident bats that looks more like an abandoned underground service tunnel. But what stood out the most to me was the song 'Something In The Way' by Nirvana and Michael Giacchino's score which are both beautiful but haunting. I believe the soundtrack for this movie is what sets the tone of the entire film and story line. In an interview with Reeves, he actually reveals that he was listening to the Nirvana song while writing the first act of the film and this song actually helped him to develop the character of Wayne.
The Batman - Main Trailer
(courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures)
Last thoughts, if you are looking for a film from Marvel/DC which is a cut above the rest, you should definitely check out this movie which I think is a labor of love from Reeves. Not only are the origin stories of the Dark Knight and other residents of Gotham handled with such finesse in this film but Reeves manages to re-imagine the characters and the world they inhabit in ways I never thought possible while still remaining true to the theme of darkness that is at the core of Batman and Gotham. Meanwhile, I will be waiting anxiously for the premiere of the sequel, The Batman Part II, which will probably be somewhere in October 2026. Hopefully, the sequel will be as inspired and thoughtfully made as the original film. If you want to know more about the sequel to this film, you can check out a recent article from DigitalTrends below.
If you have never seen the film, you should definitely check it out since it sets a new standard for future Marvel/DC films. I have included Amazon US links below for those interested in viewing the film either on Amazon Prime, Blu-Ray or 4K UHD.
Addendum (29th July 2024) : The official trailer for Colin Farrell's new series The Penguin which will premiere on 19th September 2024 on HBO Max has already appeared on YouTube and I have also included below a recent video from Warner Brothers on the genesis of the original 2022 film The Batman by Matt Reeves.
Lately, many of my posts have been about older or recent TV series but occasionally I like to blog about films or movies that leave a lasting impression on me long after I have finished watching it. One such movie is the film titled Master Gardener by Paul Schrader which premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in 2022 and which was subsequently released in the US by Magnolia Pictures the following year. Actually, I was drawn to this movie after watching Jane Campion's 2021 film The Power of the Dog which was based on Thomas Savage's 1967 novel of the same name. Because The Power of the Dog was such a good movie and Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in it truly brilliant, I was searching for another indie or arthouse film with a storyline that was just as intriguing as The Power of the Dog when I stumbled upon this movie. By the way, those who have not seen The Power of the Dog yet should really invest in the film since Benedict Cumberbatch's performance in it is alone worth your while. Another thing that attracted me to this film was the involvement of upcoming actor Joel Edgerton and veteran actress Sigourney Weaver. Edgerton, an Australian actor, has played many diverse roles, from Pharaoh Ramesses II in Exodus : Gods & Kings to more recent ones like Richard Loving in Loving, a movie about an interracial couple in 1960s Virginia which at that time had state laws prohibiting interracial marriages. You can also catch him in the current science fiction TV drama Dark Matter from Apple TV. It is also worth mentioning here that long time actor, Esai Morales, has a small cameo role in the movie and that newcomer Quintessa Swindell's performance in the movie is also exceptionally good. For those not acquainted with Paul Schrader, he is the legendary film maker, director and screenwriter responsible for movies like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, American Gigolo, Cat People, The Mosquito Coast and the more recent 2021 movie The Card Counter starring Oscar Isaac. In my humble opinion, most of Schrader's films are truly an examination of the human condition. A fact which is further validated by this film.
So back to the intriguing storyline of this movie (which I will try not to give too much away), Edgerton plays the role of Narvel Roth, a meticulous horticulturist who tends to a vast but beautiful estate owned by the wealthy Mrs Haverhill (Sigourney Weaver). When first introduced to the character, Roth seems very contented with the tranquil life and daily routines in Gracewood Gardens but in actuality, he hides a very dark secret. However, his ordered existence within the estate will soon be disrupted upon the arrival of Mrs Haverhill's grand niece, Maya. Roth is truly an ironic role for Edgerton as the character actually contradicts a previous role played by him, Richard Loving. Through a series of clues and flashbacks, the viewer is slowly given glimpses of Roth's past life. A complex character, Roth is a very different man from his past self and by the end of the film, we see him evolving even further. The movie also uses a lot of imagery and symbolism like the fact that Roth views gardening as a way to project the future. Something that he can control like the scheduled way he runs everything on the estate grounds. Even the beautiful and tranquil images of flowers that adorn the movie's opening credits are deceptive and seems to hide the actual violent nature of the film's story. But what actually attracted me to the movie was Schrader's (the film was written and directed by him) ability to see into the darkest recesses of the human soul but yet find something redemptive and faith restoring there. The characters, despite their huge flaws, are always portrayed sympathetically and handled with reserved judgement in his films. At the age of 77 and after some personal struggles, perhaps this film is Schrader's ode to life hence the optimistic ending of the film. Apparently, Master Gardener is the final part in Paul Schrader's "Man In A Room" trilogy of films. The first and second films being the 2017 film First Reformed starring Ethan Hawke and the 2021 movie The Card Counter with Oscar Isaac. However, when I first discovered this movie I was completely unaware that it was part of a trilogy of films. Until now, I have never seen the other two films but from articles like the one linked below from The New York Times (which contain some spoilers), I found out that these three films are actually connected and that they share some similar themes like self destruction, dormant violence and redemption.
So, if you are curious about this movie and you want to know who Roth actually is and what happens to him in the end, check out the film and let me know what you think in the comments. I would really like to hear them. Lastly, please note that the film received mixed but mostly favorable reviews but it contains some very adult situations, so its not for the kids or family viewing. There is a comprehensive review of this film on RogerEbert.com by Glenn Kenny which best describes this film, if you don't mind some minor spoilers, or that you can read after viewing the movie. The film garnered a 4 star rating on the website while Mr Kenny is obviously a fan of Paul Schrader. As for me, I might be tempted to explore the other two earlier films in the trilogy at a later date.
Trailer Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures & Magnet Releasing
(the above video contains some minor spoilers)
If you are interested, this movie is available on DVD/Blu-Ray from Magnolia Home Entertainment and via streaming on Amazon Prime. The links are provided below.
Actually, this post is an expansion of my previous (deleted) post on 10th June 2014 which was a short commentary on the falling standards of movies and films in our local cinemas in contrast to the content on our TVs that have improved by leaps and bounds largely due to cable networks and giant streaming channels like Netflix and Amazon Prime who have invested heavily in many expensive and high quality TV movies, series and mini series (now more popularly known as limited series) that include a diverse range of stories from different parts of the world. Since 2014, I had noticed a sharp decline in the quality of movies being shown in my local theatres and have been avoiding them during outings with my family as I felt that the price of the ticket was a sheer waste of my money. Back then, movies that were being shown were mostly unoriginal and unimaginative with repetitive themes and storylines that relied instead on the big names of their stars to draw in the crowds. Remakes of old films, sequels, films based on children's fairy tales, poor adaptions of books aimed at teenagers, 'kaiju' films and superhero movies from Marvel/ DC seem to flood our cinemas until today. Although movies from the 1980s and 1990s lacked the spectacular special effects found in our current line-up of movies, they always had epic, fresh and exciting stories to tell the audience thanks to trailblazers like Spielberg and Lucas and studios who were not adverse to taking risks. Are they getting better? Honestly, not really for me as I had not gone to the cinema for nearly 2 decades. However, the only movie that got me strangely a little excited was the 2022 movie, The Batman, from director Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson. I thought it was a really good reboot of the Batman film franchise and Robert Pattinson's performance as the brooding Bruce Wayne/ Batman was surprising in a good way (he is also very good at playing brooding vampires). But the film is still another remake from the DC universe nonetheless which proves my earlier point right? The idea is if there are too many LEGO movies out there, why don't we do a movie about Barbie instead? No condemnation or judgement is reserved here for those who enjoyed these movies, but you have to admit that there is a serious lack of variety and original films in our cinemas today.
On the other hand, because of streaming platforms, movies that have just been released in cinemas are almost instantaneously available on our small screens which eliminates the need for most of us to visit the local cinema frequently. Streaming platforms also allows us to participate in "binging" apart from the more traditional 'appointment' viewing. In other words, we get to see multiple episodes or even whole seasons in one sitting at the time most convenient to us. No more waiting for episodes to be shown on weekly basis or checking the time slots for them. Personally, I feel that streaming has changed the way we watch TV and this new attachment to our TVs, home entertainment systems and mobile phones (especially after Covid-19) is a major factor that pushed for better content on our small screens. Cable networks like AMC, HBO, Showtime and FX are constantly breaking new ground with high quality classic shows like Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, True Blood, Breaking Bad, Dexter and more recent ones like Shogun. Most of these series have achieved cult status with huge and rabid followers. Another instance of TV taking the higher ground is the cult TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer which premiered in the late 1990s. The series creator, Joss Whedon (The Avengers, Firefly). initially wrote Buffy as a movie which was screened in 1992. However, due to interference from the studio 20th Century Fox, the story was changed so much that Whedon decided to re-write a darker version of the story for TV instead. Needless to say, the series became a hit and an icon while the film received mixed and average reviews.
TV is a medium where writers are able to develop long and complicated story arcs over the course of a few seasons. This translates to a better channel for writers to be more creative and to tell their stories at a more leisurely pace. Characters who have more time to develop are also better fleshed out. So it is hardly surprising that a lot of famous actors, talented screenwriters, prominent directors and established producers are turning to the small screen. In fact, I was further reminded of this while watching an interview of prolific American actor, Kevin Bacon, who was at that time starring in the 2013 Fox TV series The Following, with Peter Travers on ABC News. Here, he mentions about why so many actors like himself and writers are migrating to TV. By the way, the series is written by Kevin Williamson who is responsible for the Scream movies. So instead of paying for a pricey movie ticket and popcorn, I might just settle in my cozy sofa in front of the telly because there is where the good stories are😊.
(Interview Video Courtesy of Popcorn with Peter Travers-ABC News)
Lately, I have discovered some interesting articles from Forbes that is related to this topic and have included the links to these articles for those who are interested in reading them.
If you have been reading my blog then you would be aware that I am an avid fan of detective or crime dramas and lately I have been exploring some crime series from Europe and other non English speaking countries namely series like Memento Mori (2023) from Spain and other French crime dramas which I had talked about extensively in my last few posts. Other crime series worth mentioning is Cardinal, a Canadian series with actor Billy Campbell as the main protagonist that lasted 4 seasons (2017-2020) and the 2020 remake of Van der Valk starring Marc Warren which despite being a British TV series is actually about a police detective in modern day Amsterdam. However, before migrating to these shows, what started the ball rolling for me were mostly my affinity for British crime series and there have been many over the decades. More recently shows like Temple (2019-2021), a medical crime drama (based on the Norwegian series Valkyrien) about a respected surgeon who runs an illegal clinic that treats criminals in the abandoned service tunnels below London's Temple Underground Station to fund his research on a cure for his terminally ill wife, and the ongoing crime drama Grace, set in Brighton and starring John Simm, has resuscitated my interest in them. However, there are a few shows that are standouts. Among them is a relatively newer series which I will reveal later but here I'm going to talk about an older series that until today many outside the UK or in the US might still be unaware of although many Americans are familiar with the lead actor for his role in the HBO series The Wire. Of course, I'm talking about the Neil Cross TV Series Luther and Idris Elba who plays the titular character DCI John Luther. Firstly, a little background on showrunner Neil Cross. He is a prolific British novelist and screenwriter for many TV projects including the pre-apocalyptic crime series Hard Sun (2018) produced by BBC One and Hulu which unfortunately lasted only one season. His other involvements also include the British series Spooks and Doctor Who. However, the force that catapulted both him and actor Idris Elba to fame was largely attributed to this series. So why is this series different from other crime British dramas? Besides the fact that both the show's lead characters are played by the very charismatic Idris Elba and accomplished actress Ruth Wilson (Jane Eyre, The Affair, His Dark Materials), the series is not exactly a "procedural police crime drama" and can be more aptly defined as a "psychological crime thriller". Personally, I feel that many British crime dramas that fall in the earlier category can sometimes be too mired in the details of the investigations or cases which makes them a little dry, humorless and meandering which ultimately makes viewing them a drudgery. Fortunately, this series does not suffer from this. In fact, from the opening scene and the first episode, the viewer is already aware that he/she is watching something very different. The series, which lasted 5 seasons, was aired on BBC One from 2010 to 2019. Because each season consisted of only 2 to 6 episodes, the story is fast paced with our main protagonist often embroiled in tense and challenging situations back to back. So who actually is DCI John Luther? Luther is a Detective Chief Inspector working for the Serious Crimes Unit. Intelligent but often obsessive and compulsive to the point of being detrimental to himself, he is often faced with demented criminals who are often then not also killers. He is also prone to using violence and questionable means to apprehend/ stop them if necessary which often lands him in trouble.
It would seem (up to this point) that this series is not very different from other British crime dramas. However, later in the first episode of the first season, we are introduced to Alice Morgan, a female psychopath and killer who has managed to commit the perfect murder. Here is where this series diverges from the others. Despite the series being named after the titular character, Luther is not only about DCI John Luther and the many criminals and killers he is up against but it is also very much about Alice Morgan and her complicated relationship with Luther throughout the series. Many might know that Elba won numerous awards for his portrayal of Luther but if you have seen this series, you would know that Ruth Wilson is truly mesmerizing when she appears onscreen as the brilliant, dangerous and complicated Alice. Needless to say, most scenes when they both appear together are often sexually charged and tense while the conversations between them can be liken to those between Dr Lecter and Agent Starling, albeit in a more understated manner. For those not acquainted with the series, Alice eventually becomes Luther's constant nemesis, romantic interest, companion and confidant throughout the seasons. As I mentioned earlier, the line between right and wrong is often blurred for Luther which makes him a fallible character and an interesting watch. Besides the interesting relationship between both leads, the series also offers enough action scenes and surprises in the course of Luther's investigations to hold the viewer's attention. Most of Luther's high profile cases involve insane serial killers and violent criminals. All episodes are written by Neil Cross who manages to put his own (and often unexpected) spin on each story. Each season is either centered on a single case or multiple cases depending on the number of episodes in each season which can vary greatly from only 2 to 6 episode and because the gaps between each season can be lengthy, the first episode of each season usually picks up with Luther in different stages of his life/ work.
By now you might have noticed that I did not mention about the film Luther : The Fallen Sun which is a feature film sequel to the series released in selected cinemas and later streamed by Netflix in 2023. The reason being that I had purposely avoided the movie despite being an avid fan of the series. Why? Because when most of my favorite TV series were adapted into feature films in the past, they always disappointed me and were lacking in some aspects (e.g. Joss Whedon's TV series Firefly which later spawned a feature length film of the same name). TV is a medium that is suitable for long story arcs and when TV series are adapted into film, the story is often rushed and this often changes the dynamics of the storyline. The other deciding factor was the absence of Ruth Wilson/ Alice Morgan whose role played a pivotal part in the series. So despite being written by Neil Cross and produced by Idris Elba, I still gave it a skip. A personal choice on my part but don't let me discourage you from checking it out if you are a fan of the series or even if you have never seen the series before. Lastly, if you're looking for a good British criminal drama that is different from the norm, this series should be your top choice. A story from one of the most promising British screenwriters of our times and career defining performances from Elba and Wilson ensures that this series will remain a favorite among many for a long time.
(Video Courtesy of BBC Studios)
For those who are seeking this series to watch for the first time or simply to re-visit it, all five seasons of the series is available on Amazon Prime US. The Blu-Ray Boxset for Luther Season 1-5 is available on Amazon US. However, the set is the UK version in Region B/2. The feature film Luther : The Fallen Sun is currently unavailable on Amazon US.
The tag for the FX Channel is "Fearless" and while this network has been home to some of my old favorite TV series namely shows like Nip/Tuck, The Strain and The Bridge and even newer shows like A Murder At The End Of The World, the channel has not been taking risks with shows with new concepts or storylines lately, preferring instead to stick to remakes or sequels to old franchises. Although I was wholly impressed by FX's latest series Shogun (it has been confirmed by FX that there will be a second season) and Justified City Primeval, I can't help but feel that the network is taking a safer route with these shows. Don't get me wrong, FX deserves all the success and acclaim for both these shows especially for Shogun since it was a big investment on their part and for finally giving long waiting fans an updated, faithful and well deserved adaption of James Clavell's book. But I'm not here to talk about these high profile shows, instead I'm here to talk about a TV series by FX that was cancelled after only one season. The show is Y: The Last Man, a series that I was following diligently during the Covid-19 lockdowns, which made watching the series a little chilling (as I'm realizing now) since it also dealt with an epidemic that wiped out all mammals with the Y chromosome/ male species. The 10 episode series, which is actually based on the similarly titled comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, was finally shown in late 2021 on FX on Hulu after a long delay from its initial pitch to FX in 2015. The delay was greatly caused by the change in the showrunners for the show from Michael Green and Aida Mashaka Croal to Eliza Clark, several casting changes and filming restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the series received generally favorable reviews, it was cancelled after its first season by FX mainly due to declining viewership and budget constraints (FX had to pay a purported 3 million to extend the contracts of the actors due to the delays).
For those not acquainted with this series, the story is basically about one man, Yorick Brown (an escape artist), who survives an epidemic that seemingly wipes out all (male) mammals with a Y chromosome. However, he also has a pet, a male capuchin monkey named Ampersand, that survives with him. By the way, Ampersand (like in the symbol &) is not a real monkey but completely CGI. For first time viewers, you will be truly amazed by how life like this mischievous monkey appears on the show which is largely credited to the people in Industrial Light & Magic. The first scene that shows New York in the aftermath, with littered corpses, crashed cars and even a helicopter on top of a building (apparently the male pilot died mid air) is also equally impressive. Continuing with the narration of the story, Yorick's mother Jennifer Brown (Diane Lane), a former Congresswoman is now elevated to the position of President after the (female) Vice President is supposedly killed during the cataclysmic event. He also has a sister, Hero Brown, a paramedic with delinquency issues but the series gets more interesting when Yorick is paired with Agent 355/ Sarah Burgin (played excellently by Ashley Romans), a Secret Service Agent and member of the mysterious Culper Ring organization, who is assigned as his bodyguard by his mother on his travels in search of a Harvard geneticist, Dr Allison Mann (feistily portrayed by Diana Bang), who may be able to reveal the answers to his and Ampersand's survival. In addition to this, his mother has also kept his existence a secret from her political rivals in order to protect him. Hence, she is forced to send her son away with Agent 355 just after reuniting with him to keep him safe. Actually, I found the reversal of (gender) roles between Agent 355 and Yorick as protector and protectee refreshing with many amusing situations in the series showcasing this reversal to great effect. The often mysterious backstory of Sarah Burgin (Agent 355) before the apocalyptic event also adds many interesting layers to the story.
So what made this highly anticipated, expensive and critically well received series fail? If you have seen this series, you will be immediately drawn to the fact that this series has many similarities to other successful dystopian series like AMC's The Walking Dead (which is also based on a comic book series by Robert Kirkman) and Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale (based on Margaret Atwood's novel). Firstly, I think that the many factors that delayed the series played a major role in its demise. The abrupt changes in the series' creative team and casting perhaps created inconsistencies in the creative direction of the show. The pandemic which happened during the development of the series meant filming would be further hampered and delayed and this would impact FX's budget for the show. Another factor which also contributed to the show's demise was the sudden shifting of the series from FX to FX on Hulu. But honestly, I personally felt that the show failed because it alienated the male demographic. Although this might be an unpopular opinion to some female viewers, like me, who enjoyed the series, the fact that Michael Green was replaced by Eliza Clark as the showrunner at the last minute, all 10 episode were directed by female directors, a cast that was predominantly female except for Ben Schnetzer who plays Yorick and Elliot Fletcher who plays a transgender man who survives the epidemic (special mention for fans of the Canadian mountie series Due South, the show guest stars Paul Gross as President Ted Campbell who dies during the global epidemic) and a storyline where all the men die and the world is ruled by women (sounds like the worst nightmare for some guys 😁) makes it hardly surprising that this series did not find a favorable audience with most dudes. If they (meaning guys) had wanted to check out a TV series with apocalyptic overtones, they would definitely tune in instead to what Rick and Daryl was up to in the TWD series or turn to newer series like Amazon Prime's The Fallout. Which is a shame really because this series is actually high quality TV with an addictive story thanks to Brian K. Vaughan's (gasp he's a guy) comic book series. So, my recommendation is that if you (guys included) have not seen this series, you should definitely check it out. In fact, I have provided some links below for those interested in seeing this highly entertaining series for the first time or to simply revisit the show.
Final thoughts, cancellation of shows after one season is nothing new to me even excellent ones like Joss Whedon's Firefly, but Y: The Last Man meant that the 'Fearless' network would be more cautious in its selection of shows in the future. When networks are reluctant to venture into more controversial series or air riskier shows, content on our TVs will get only more diluted until we are inundated daily with only game or reality shows. Just my 2 cents.
You can also check out the review on this series by Variety by clicking this link below.
Actually this post is partly inspired by my earlier (deleted) post dated 4th May 2014 which was titled Blu-Rays/DVDs Vs Downloads and the ongoing online debate whether physical media (which includes 4K Blu-Rays, Blu-Rays, DVDs, CDs and Vinyl) will be popular once again or at least remain relevant in today's age of streaming and digital downloads. During the 1990s until the mid 2010s, I had been an avid collector myself of DVDs, Blu-Rays and even CDs but honestly I don't really see physical media making a huge comeback now or in the future. Instead, sales of physical media will probably be on the decline. Personally, I gave up collecting them simply because they took up too much storage space. Perhaps, if you really like a particular movie, TV series or album, you could buy and keep them on physical format because then they will be yours forever as streaming platforms are notorious for abruptly pulling movies and TV shows from their libraries which sometimes never see the light of day again. However, demand for them will surely grow in the collectors' market especially for steelbooks, special editions and boxsets. So don't get rid of them in yard sales just yet 😉. Below is my personal list of pros and cons for physical media.
PROS OF PHYSICAL MEDIA
1) Ownership - yours to own forever with no fear of disappearing licenses or that your favorite movie or TV show will be removed from your streaming provider's lineup or shifted to another platform/ network.
2) Bonus Material/ Extras - director's cut/ special/ deluxe/ criterion/ anniversary/ collector's editions are loaded with extras besides the actual film/ album e.g. commentaries, behind the scene footages, additional tracks, cut scenes and even (gasp) alternate endings.
3) Old & Rare Films, TV Shows & Records - it is widely known that many old and rare movies, TV series and music are only found on physical media. Sometimes, these forgotten films and music are even given a new lease of life when they are remastered and re-released on physical media.
4) Packaging - many limited editions or steelbooks comes with impressive artwork and sleeves which are not only beautiful to look at but highly collectible. Some are even tailor made for display on your shelves with busts, figurines etc.
5) Potential to be Collectibles - old and rare first editions, limited editions with serial numbers and even old Disney VHS tapes (or so I heard) are very much sought after by collectors who sometimes pay top dollar for them. Just a little tidbit, Disney has a habit of censoring some scenes from their animated feature films which they may deem to be unsuitable or sensitive for modern day audiences but these old tapes usually contain the uncensored versions (when first released).
6) Better Picture & Sound Quality - since I'm not much of a techie myself, I can't really vouch for this but those in the know swear that physical media preserves the original or intended quality of picture and sound due to their local and huge data storage capacity while streaming or digital downloads are often compressed versions with inferior video and audio quality.
7) No WIFI/ Internet Required - I think this is self explanatory 😊.
CONS OF PHYSICAL MEDIA
1) Storage - as I mentioned earlier, the main reason why I no longer buy physical media is the ever growing problem of where to store them but if you have the space then by all means go for it.
2) Not Sustainable/ Environmentally Friendly - production of discs (which are basically made of plastic) and packaging (sometimes consisting of plastic casings or cardboard) can be a resource intensive process not to mention the further impact on the environment caused by the distribution and transportation of them. However, if recycled material can be introduced in the production process then I think that would be good for the industry.
3) Expensive - there are individuals/ parties that after comparing the cost of streaming to buying physical media are adamant that streaming is actually not the cheaper option because of certain underlying factors. Well, as someone who has lived through the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, I can safely say buying physical media is not cheap but it was the only option back then. Building a Blu-Ray or DVD library is actually very expensive since you have to take into account the production, packaging and transportation costs hence a lot of people were renting instead of buying them back in the day. Anyone remember renting VHS tapes? Another thing, you had to invest in a standalone player e.g. a DVD, Blu-Ray or Hi-Fi player. Now, for a relatively low monthly subscription, you have access to a whole library of movies, TV shows and music. For the younger ones who might not know, Netflix (the current streaming giant) started out delivering DVDs in mailers to subscribers who were renting them before evolving to what it is today - the biggest streaming network with its own original content.
4) Redundant Players - most physical media require you to purchase a standalone player e.g. a Blu-Ray player, DVD player or game console which is not only an additional cost but over time and with the advancement of technology might be rendered redundant or obsolete in the future.
5) Durability - contrary to common belief, commercially produced Blu-Rays, DVDs and CDs do not last a lifetime. Life expectancy of most discs are around 20-30 years if they are handled and stored properly. They may last longer but that very much depends also on the manufacturing quality of the discs, the quality of materials used and how the discs were encoded or imprinted. There might even be some deterioration in video or sound quality on certain discs over long periods of time.
6) Incompatibility - I have lost count of the many times that I bought a DVD or Blu-Ray but was disappointed that my player was unable to play them (or skipped) due to the disc being region locked, in a different format or just defective. With streaming, there should be no such issue unless your WIFI/ Internet is down or intermittent.
For those who are interested to read more about this topic, I have provided links to some insightful articles below. Lastly, if anyone would like to add to my above list of pros and cons for physical media or let me know how they feel about physical media, streaming and digital downloads, feel free to leave a comment for me on this post.
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