Living In "Whitechapel" Can Be Deadly

Whitechapel: Season 1 (2009)

Not Rated

Starring Rupert Penry-Jones, Phil Davis, Steve Pemberton

Created by Ben Court, Caroline Ip

The Story:

Jack the Ripper, or at least someone copying his infamous murders, is back terrorizing Whitechapel, London. Young Detective Inspector Chandler (Penry-Jones) is assigned the case by the top brass so that he can check off the "murder" block, and move up towards the higher ranks at headquarters. Of course, he doesn't realize it's a Ripper murder, nor does Detective Sergeant Miles (Davis) the gruff, streetwise detective that is forced to follow this rookie Inspector. It's only when Ripperologist Edward Buchan (Pemberton) shows them the connections that the department begins trying to stop the new Ripper before he strikes again. Yet, how do you stop a murderer who was never caught?

It's easy to become enamored with the BBC shows, as they are usually well acted, well written and well crafted.

They are also 3-6 episodes long, so they don't overstay their welcome, or get bloated with subplots that seemingly stall the narrative to barely keep the wheels of the plot in motion.

Season 1 of Whitechapel is 3 intense episodes that are focused on the Jack the Ripper killings, and the oil/water relationship between that of Chandler and Miles (and the rest of the Department for that matter).

It's always been a compelling narrative when you have two dynamic leads who both believe in their ideals and it conflicts with the other.

Each will bend, yet never break, and the partnership usually comes out stronger in the end.

I'm hesitant to try the subsequent 3 seasons, as they have nothing to do with Jack the Ripper, which was my initial interest.

However, the characters were compelling enough to pull me back, so maybe in the near future?

Currently streaming for those with Amazon Prime.

Final Grade: Solid B / B+

Gangsters Aren't Just American Made.."Legend"

Legend (2015)

Rated R

Starring Tom Hardy

Written and Directed by Brian Helgeland

The Story:

The rise and fall of Reggie (Hardy) and Ronnie (Hardy) Kray, possibly the most notorious gangsters ever to rule the streets of London in the 1960s.

Based on the true story of twin brothers Reggie and Ronnie Kray who ruled the London underworld with an iron fist through the 60s.

While there are indeed other actors in the film, the film basically is an acting tour de force for Tom Hardy to play both roles.

Each has mannerisms and behaviors that are unique to the character, and Hardy effortlessly portrays both with ease.

You can easily forget the stunt casting of it all, even during the fight scene when he beats himself up. :)

The story might be more riveting for those that grew up hearing about the Krays, I would think they might be similar to our Old West robbers or the Mafia.

Otherwise, a bit slow as the story tries to balance their life together as well as their life apart from one another.

However, at the end of the day, it's hard to walk away from family and the good life.

There are several stellar moments in the movie where you realize that Hardy could indeed be a contender to be the next James Bond as well.

Time will tell...

Final Grade: C

Halloween Weekend Concludes... "Cockneys Vs. Zombies"

Those pesky zombies are at it again!

The Story:

Over in London's East End, a pair of slacker brothers, Terry (Rasmus Hardiker) and Andy (Harry Treadway) decide on a plan to rob a bank to save their granddad's (Alan Ford) retirement home.  They bring in some assistance including their cousin (Michelle Ryan) but wouldn't you know that during their robbery, a zombie outbreak sweeps through the streets.  Now the gang has to get to the retirement home and save their grandfather and other residents before it's too late!

Bwahaahahaha....

Good stuff.
Again!

The horror-comedy genre is alive and kicking, and maybe I should specify that it's a zombie-com... Zom-Com?  Could this be the latest subgenre of film?

If so, count this guy as a fan.  I've been having a blast watching these films this year, and Cockneys vs. Zombies is a proud addition to the roster.

The film relishes its R rating, and the Brits are swearing up one side and down the other as they try and fight off the Zombie hordes.

As to how the outbreak started, stroke of historical genius that I won't spoil here, but made for a very amusing start to the film.

All of the cast does a stellar job, and I was only familiar with one cast member: Honor Blackman.  Yep, apparently Pussy Galore is alive and well, and living in a retirement home!  She gets to kick a little butt when the zombies attack the retirement home.

Plus, I would be remiss if I didn't say that this movie has....

THE
GREATEST
ZOMBIE
CHASE
SCENE.

EVER!!!

I kid you not.  I was laughing so hard, and it must be seen to be enjoyed properly.

Highly Recommended!

Final Grade: B+/A- take your pick, I wouldn't argue either way.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Again, it's hard to pull these off at my house, but I wouldn't complain about seeing it again during the Halloween holiday season.  I think we're closing in on double digits of great horror comedy films, just this year alone!

: )

Jason Statham is Looking for "Redemption" at the Box Office. This Won't Help...

The original title for this film was "Hummingbird". 

That makes even less sense to the movie.

Glad they changed it...

The Story:

Joey (Jason Statham) is former British Special Forces on the run for what he did in Afghanistan.  Now homeless and living on the streets, he just wants to get by without getting caught.  However, fate always seems to find these people, and soon he finds himself on the run again, and winds up able to clean up his act, and begins working for the local London mob.  Stashing away money, Joey, or Crazy Joe begins helping the poor on the streets and a local nun.  When one of Joey's only friends winds up dead, Joey decides it is time to seek vengeance, and he'll stop at nothing until it's finished.

Not your typical Statham action film.

So either that makes you jump for joy, or murmur "uh oh".

Count me originally in the "uh oh" camp.

This movie is very much a drama, with splices of action.  The story is deliberately paced and I hate to use the word "slow" but it is, but not in a bad way, just in the way that it's a drama, not an action flick.

That said, they do let Statham do the two things he is known best for:

Drive
Kick butt

Just not as much.

But that's okay, what he does works perfectly in the movie, and shows how much he wants redemption for what he's done in life.

He has the perfect opportunity to leave it all behind at the end, but decides that he hasn't earned that right yet, so once again he disappears.

Much like this movie will from your memory after watching it.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: One of my least likely to ever see from Statham.  Again, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't great enough to warrant another spin.

Big Changes On the Horizon...Better "Call the Midwife: Season 2"

Those babies just keep coming!

The Story:

Nurse Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine)  and her cohorts return to ring in 1958 in Season 2.  Still narrated by Vanessa Redgrave, this season seems to veer into much more dramatic moments (how is that possible??!!) than the first series.  Starting with a Christmas episode that isn't very cheery, life on London's East End for our favorite midwives is about to change dramatically.

So at this point, it's hard to say if the memoirs of Jennifer Worth are expounded upon, changed completely or altered significantly, but Season 2 seems to be much more... preachy? Pushy? I'm not sure what the change is, but it's much more noticeable this go-round.

Jenny seems much more judgmental of her patients this season, as they push the new maternity room because the pregnant women are living in less than ideal conditions. 

In fact, many of the episodes seem to go for the controversy this go round.  Stealing babies. Abortion. Contraception. Mysterious death blamed on the nurses.  Again, based on actual events, but to what extent?  This almost seems to swing too far into the dramatic territory this season.

It doesn't help that much of the fun from the first season is missing.

Chummy (Miranda Hart) heads to Africa with her hubby and they are gone for almost the entire season.  Their fun and exuberance is sorely missed.

She is replaced by nursing assistant Jane (Dorothy Atkinson) who is void of all personality, possibly (hopefully)  by design?

Cynthia (Bryony Hannah) is blamed for the death of a child, and spends the rest of the episode doubting herself and ready to pack it in.

The other overarching storyline is the story of Sister Bernadette (Laura Main) who has been harboring feelings for the Doctor Turner (Stephen McGann).  When she is diagnosed with tuberculosis, it all culminates with the biggest change for her of all the characters.

By the season's end, the whole gang is back together, just in time to learn that the convent is scheduled for demolition.

That should mark a cheery beginning to Season 3.

Still good, but not quite up to par with the first season.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

We'll see what happens in the third...and final(?)... season this winter.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I think once will turn out to be enough for this series.  Looking forward to seeing what they come back with in Season 3, but the bloom is off the rose. ;)

You Don't Have to Wait 9 Months to "Call The Midwife: Season One"

There's something about a baby...

The Story:

Nurse Jenny Lee (Jessica Raine) comes to London's East End slums at the end of 1957 to be a midwife.  Imagine her surprise when instead of a hospital, she finds that she will be working at a convent with some nuns with medical training and a handful of other nurses.  These people, while midwives, don't just deal with the babies, but all the tenants of the area.  These stories are recounted by an older Jenny (Vanessa Redgrave) at the beginning, end and sometimes during the quiet moments of reflection as the tales unfold.

And yes, they are based on the true tales from nurse Jennifer Worth who collected her memoirs in a group of books upon which this remarkable BBC series is based.

Naturally, when we're dealing with childbirth in impoverished conditions of the late 50s, I suppose it would go without saying that be prepared for heartbreak for some of the families and the nurses/nuns in the series.

But be prepared for some amazing tales of love and strength to buffer the heartbreak.

The series deftly weaves the ups and downs in life through each episode, of which there are 6 in the first season.

I won't count down what happens in each episode, but if you think that "how boring, they're going to give birth in every episode, same story, over and over..."

Well no, you're wrong.

While babies are going to be born in just about every episode, the stories will be different for every mother the nurses run across.

The cast of nurses is excellent, and it's fun when a new nurse, Chummy Browne (Miranda Hart) arrives to learn the ropes.

And while Jenny is indeed the focal point of the series, each of the nuns and nurses will continue to be fleshed out and grow as characters.

Heck, why else would I be worried that Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) would wander off and die by the end of Episode 6?

Great series so far, and I'm happily watching with my favorite movie date!

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

On to Season 2!!!

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: The first thought is: Yes to both... but it would be hard.  Dramas often lose their punch with repeated viewings.  This would probably have to go unviewed for a good time, and then watch it again so it wasn't fresh and everything would seem new again.