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MrBullo
Reviews
Hiding (2015)
A good idea let down by some silly plot lines
The idea of examining the effects of witness protection from the witnesses point of view is fairly original. Usually those on protection are peripheral to the main plot of the cop v criminals. Generally the story works but the idea of an ex criminal pretending to be a tutor/lecturer in a university was just plain silly and very unconvincing. Expunge that aspect from the series and things would have been much more satisfying.
The Tunnel (2013)
Very good .....but......
I was intrigued from the onset of this series when I saw that "In Bruges" Clemence Posey was playing a different and much meatier role here as a cop. Together with the male lead they carry off their respective roles effectively. The plot had me interested the whole way through and the story is well told. However watch this before you watch the original Scandanavian The Bridge which The Tunnel copies literally verbatim. Although Posey plays her role well the Swedish actress is in a class of her own in this much darker drama. Watch both but watch The Tunnel first.
Crossing Lines: Obscura (2015)
Well this is the end - not with a bang but a whimper.
I enjoyed the first two series. Most characters were flawed, personalities were developed, and the plots were interesting. Unfortunately with the exit of four of the main characters at the end of series two it went downhill, a little like New Tricks did but worse. Elizabeth Mitchell probably is the worst addition, mainly because she is just a clone of the many women in USA CSI-type cop shows ie. blonde, attractive, middle-aged, and clever. Sorry but I have seen it all before, give us something different. A sad end to what started off as a promising series.
Crossing Lines: The Terminator (2013)
Let down after the pilot
I rated the pilot high. It developed sympathetic characters, built suspense, and had a non- Hollywood ending. The 3rd episode was a let down after the excellent pilot. I was expecting a new character (well known to viewers of Silent Witness) to be in the story longer than he was. Characters were further developed but this episode lacked the suspense of the pilot. The ending was a fizzer and dragged on. The excellent Donald Sutherland has no more than cameo roles. I really hope that episode 4 picks up otherwise I will turn off.
The Sweeney: Tomorrow Man (1976)
One of my favourites
Having just lost John Hurt I thought of this excellent instalment of The Sweeney. Many of the "villians" are nasty people who get their comeuppance delivered, sometimes violently, by Regan and Carter. John Hurt is an exception, a computer-whiz who is overworked by his greedy employer (George Cole of course!) and is involved in a late-night traffic accident resulting in a death and a jail sentence. His employer jettisons him. When Hurt is released he has no support and has lost everything. With the help of a local criminal he masterminds a way to redress that imbalance. Hurt's effective portrayal of a non-violent white-collar criminal elicits sympathy and the viewer is rooting for him even though one knows that Regan and Carter usually get their man. A good story.