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Reviews
Death in Paradise: Murder Most Animal (2019)
A defining moment
I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a decade ago, and now's an appropriate time to reflect on the introduction of Officer Ruby Patterson (Shyko Amos) in this episode. The number of imdb user reviews for this episode is huge and I guess it isn't because Stewart Svaasand is the director.
Sure, Officer Patterson's characteristics could be buffoonish at times during her short tenure (she was in most episodes of season eight, and all of season nine), but that's the fault of the writers if anything. Remember, that when Ralf Little joined as DI Parker at the beginning of season nine, his character was over-the-top with his itchy and scratchy mannerisms, yet Little wasn't shown the door, as the writers had the good sense to ditch the itchy and scratchy mannerisms. Unfortunately Amos was dumped at the end of season nine.
Death in Paradise: Murder on the Honore Express (2019)
Do the bus stop
Murder on the Honore Express is the season eight opener, and in this episode Dwayne's replacement still hasn't arrived. I'm enjoying reflecting on Death in Paradise after becoming a fan after it debuted over a decade ago. Rebecca Front, famous for her role in Lewis, guest stars.
As a long-time fan of Death in Paradise, I'm being quite serious here, and maybe I have way too much time on my hands because I do wonder quite seriously really how the Saint Marie police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init,
Anyway, really more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team. They deserve an imdb profile please.
Death in Paradise: Melodies of Murder (2018)
Danny John-Jules
This is the farewell episode for Dwayne (Danny John-Jules) and at the time, who would have thought that he would return for a Christmas special and then return as a regular at the end of season 13 init.
Anyway, this is the season seven wrap-up, and it's good to see DI Mooney (Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon) settling in. He remains until the end of season nine.
I'm being serious here as a longtime fan of Death Paradise, because I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really at all. Anyway, really more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team. They deserve an imdb profile please.
Year of the Dragon (1985)
The Godfather
So much ink and typing has been expended on imdb user reviews for Year of the Dragon (imagine the proposed sequel being Year of the Pig I guess). I saw Year of the Dragon on TV ages ago and it had its moments. Two things. Firstly was the furore by Chinese-Americans and Asian-Americans around the movie similar to the furore that Italian-Americans and European-Americans sounded when The Godfather was released? Secondly, some critics questioned why then LA Times movie critic Sheila Benson would dare give Year of the Dragon a favorable review even though her husband is Chinese. So what! Does that mean if a movie critic's spouse is Italian then they are disqualified from giving The Godfather a positive review really.
Death in Paradise: Dark Memories (2018)
Larrington Walker
Larrington Walker, who guest starred in Dark Memories, tragically died mid-shoot, and that explains why his character, who was the murder, managed to flee without being arrested. You can only imagine the very tragic situation on a human level, and the impact on a creative level, like when Brandon Lee tragically passed away during the filming of The Crow, with major script rewrites amidst the tragedy.
This is the penultimate episode of season seven, and DI Jack Mooney has become much beloved. Anyway, Dwayne and Darlene's relationship comes back to the fore towards the end of season 13 believe it or not.
Death in Paradise: Meditated in Murder (2018)
With Friends like these
Daniel Friend (Sam Hoare) is bumped off at a spiritual retreat run along with his wife Cressida Friend (Zoe Boyle), but really someone must know who did it. And that's why DI Jack Mooney comes on to the scene with his Scooby Gang, because with Friends like these, who needs enemies init. Katy Wix, who played a prominent role in another cozy TV murder mystery series, Agatha Raisin, guest stars (Wix was in Agatha Raisin for the first two seasons).
I've been a fan of Death in Paradise when it debuted over a decade ago, and sure, every episode isn't perfect, but it's a cozy murder mystery series that I can enjoy amidst all the drama and chaos in the world.
Death in Paradise: Murder on the Day of the Dead (2018)
Daisy on the Day of the Dead
I've been a big fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a decade ago, and I've been reflecting on it lately, especially with the departure of Ralf Little at the end of season 13. Anyway, here DI Jack Mooney and the Scooby gang work hard to investigate whodunit with respect to the murder of Daisy Anderson.
Distinguished actress Pippa Haywood guest stars in this episode. Anyway, I always enjoy seeing which guest stars pop up. Perhaps future episodes will feature Danny Dyer, Dani Dyer, Michael Caine, Jennifer Aniston and any of the Spice Girls.
Anyway, really more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team. They should be given lines, or at least have an imdb credit.
Death in Paradise: The Healer (2018)
Keeping the faith
Steve Toussaint plays Pastor Steadman King, and this episode deals with religion, faith healing, and of course a murder for DI Jack Mooney (Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon) and his Scooby gang to solve. Anyway, I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a decade ago, and I'm enjoying reflecting on the episodes from the different DI-eras.
I'm being serious here, because I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really at all. Anyway, more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team.
Inside No. 9: Boo To A Goose (2024)
Who are the geese
Boo to a Goose is a season nine opener, and in fact it's the final season before Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton take Inside No. 9 to the stage with Stage/Fright. Anyway, the supporting cast is quite impressive in conveying the claustrophobia and tension of a London tube carriage, possibly set in the near future. Siobhan Finneran, who launched her career in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, is one of the guest stars, as we kind of draw upon Twelve Angry Men and also Nineteen Eighty-Four in a way. The ending is controversial for some, and kind of speaks to the perils of dissent and standing up for what's right.
Death in Paradise: Written in Murder (2018)
Guest starring Simon Callow and Imogen Stubbs
We get two big name stars guest starring in Written in Murder. We have Simon "Four Weddings and a Funeral" Callow, and Imogen "Sense and Sensibility" Stubbs, and there's scandal about a writer and all init. Anyway, I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a year ago, and DI Jack Mooney settles.
I'm being serious here, because I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really. Anyway, more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene to help out DI and his team.
M*A*S*H Matters: "Hot Guy" Pierce - MASH Matters #123 (2024)
The time capsule continues
I was really hoping that Jeff Maxwell and Ryan Patrick would address the apparent inconsistency from podcast episode #121 - Burying the Time Capsule with special guest Jay King, where King states the time capsule was found by a construction worker eight years after it was secretly buried by the cast, but this doesn't align with the long-reported lore that it was dug up just weeks after it was buried. In fact, this podcast #123 opened up with a reader's comment about the time capsule location generally, and I was hoping Jeff and Ryan would respond to the inconsistency, but not to be.
Anyway, I also liked a reader's comment about the four stages of the M*A*S*H series, and Ryan's observation that could M*A*S*H have lasted 11 years if the original cast remained intact.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1982)
Entertaining
I was a big fan of Ripley's Believe It or Not! From the 1980s, and I even bought some of the Ripley books that were equally entertaining. Anyway, Jack Palance, who later earned an Oscar for his career defining role in City Slickers, was the host of this fine series. Holly Palance, who should have won an Academy Award for her role as the nanny in The Omen, was one of the co-hosts. Also co-hosting was Cathie Shirriff and the legendary Marie Osmond. Anyway, it's amazing to reflect that the series debuted in 1982, so over four decades ago, and nowadays there's so much to believe or not init right.
Pac-Man: The Abominable Pac-Man/The Bionic Pac-Woman (1982)
Who is Ms. Pac-Man
For some reason I was just thinking about the Pac-Man cartoon, possibly because I was recently reminiscing about the Mr. T cartoon and also the Beatles cartoon. Anyway, thankfully the Pac-Man cartoons are on the internet, so I was able to thoroughly enjoy wading in 80s nostalgia big time. This review is for The Bionic Pac-Woman, and it reminded me of the Bionic Woman, although here the Bionic Pac-Woman is malevolent and wants to bring Pac-Man down. Anyway, Pac-Man manages to see through Bionic Pac-Woman, and manages to rescue Ms. Pac-Man thankfully, with a funny ending that was hilarious on several levels.
Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Tension and manipulation
Seriously, I can't believe it's taken me ages and ages to finally post an imdb user review for Dangerous Liaisons. I saw Dangerous Liaisons on the small screen back in the 1990s I think, and wow, it was more than a French period piece. Firstly, despite the American accents, you could still think everyone was French init. What more can I add, except to say that Glenn Close should have won an Academy Award for her role, and it's unjustified that to this day Close still has not walked away with an Oscar.
Keanu Reeves also has a key supporting role, along with Uma "Kill Bill" Thurman.
Peter Capaldi, well before he became Doctor Who, also appears.
The Critic: A Little Deb Will Do You (1994)
The twist
The line about the longest serving director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation "coming out the same day" as Eleanor's debutante ball was absolutely, crazily hilarious, and sadly wasn't addressed in the biopic that starred Leonardo DiCaprio who played the director. Anyway, the twist at the end was a big time twist, that I thought was going to be like The Crying Game, the 1992 movie famous for its famous twist that was later immortalized in The Simpsons, but no, it was that the female playing Humphrey the Hippo had fallen in love with Jay, and they do the best with two backs at the end. In fact, the meta-ending had Jay pleading with viewers not to reveal the twist. That's why I've indicated this review contains spoilers.
Death in Paradise: The Stakes Are High (2018)
Poker face
Nigel Planer, whose career went to the stratosphere with his role as Neil in the British comedy, The Young Ones, guest stars in this episode. I think (but I could be wrong) that Planer is the only lead star from The Young Ones to appear in Death in Paradise. Anyway, here the stakes are high with a poker match, and DI Jack Mooney (Ardal O'Hanlon) is settling in. However his daughter Siobhan (Grace Stone) left in the previous episode, so that means the DI has an extra room in his government-provided accommodation by the beach.
I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a decade ago, and I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard propped up in the police station. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really. Anyway, more credit should also be given to the two loyal paramedics who turn up at the crime scene.
The Critic: Dial 'M' for Mother (1994)
Guest starring Bart and Homer
I loved the Simpsons crossover in Dial 'M' for Mother, which builds upon the fact that many of the the creative team (along with Nancy Cartwright who of course voices Bart Simpson and other characters) worked on The Critic. Anyway, we have a brief scene of the aye caramba scene with Bart and Homer, and it was hilarious, and really good to see Dan Castellaneta on board for this scene. Anyway, Jay tries to become more likeable and only at the end does the dial from the test audience help out a bit. I became a fan of The Critic back in the late 1990s, and I'm enjoying catching up on the episodes of a series that should have gone on for much longer.
I'll Be Watching (2018)
I'll be watching you
I must admit, I don't watch many Lifetime movies, but I thought I'd have I'll Be Watching on during a lunchbreak working from home init. Anyway, there was considerable violence in this one (not Die Hard or Saw or Hostel type violence though), more than I would expect for a Lifetime movie. Janel Parrish is the lead star in I'll be Watching, and all credit to her for her performance under harrowing conditions. Rob Estes is a reliable hand in lifetime-type movies, and in fact he had a memorable role in Signed, Sealed and Delivered. Anyway, the ending was upbeat with the good people gathering for Christmas.
Bob Seger: Old Time Rock 'n' Roll (1983)
Soothes the soul
What a classic Old Time Rock 'n' Roll is, with the song experiencing a massive revival and royalties when it was featured prominently in the 1983 movie Risky Business starring Tom Cruise. Anyway, Old Time Rock 'n' Roll was released in 1979, and the song endures from one generation to the next after 45 years and counting init. Anyway, I love the song and you can imagine it being played at numerous sporting events to motivate the crowd. I would even play it at lacrosse events to get the mallets swinging for sure. Anyway, get yourself some old time rock and role by listening to Old Time Rock 'n' Roll.
Death in Paradise: Murder from Above (2018)
The bride and the balcony
It's fascinating init how suddenly an episode of a TV series gets a spike of imdb user reviews, way above the average. Here there are already 15 imdb user reviews for Murder from Above, compared to say the three to seven odd that are posted. Not sure why, but anyway, I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a decade ago, and DI Mooney (played by Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon) is settling in well. His daughter Siobhan (played by Grace Stone) joined him in the previous season, but alas, she returns to the United Kingdom in this episode, but she returns for two more episodes eventually.
Elizabeth Berrington guest stars in this episode.
Death in Paradise: Murder in the Polls (2017)
Meet your new mayor!
The political intrigue of Saint Marie comes to the fore, and the upshot is that Catherine Bordey (Elizabeth Bourgine) is elected mayor in a hard-fought contest that appeared to defy the opinion polls, and was the most important election since world war two, and had the highest voter turnout since (insert historical event). Anyway, this is the season finale, and DI Mooney (Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon) is settling in well, along with his daughter Siobhan (played by Grace Stone). Anyway, on reflection we don't see much of Bordey in her mayoral capacity from this episode onwards, but no doubt she works hard behind the scenes rather dutifully.
Risky Business (1983)
Ferris Bueller for grown-ups
It's taken me ages and ages to finally post an imdb user review for Risky Business, which I saw on the small screen maybe back in the 1990s perhaps. Anyway, reflecting on Risky Business, well it's kind of like that Ferris Bueller's Day Off, released in 1986 was inspired by Tom Cruise and his singalong to Bob Seeger's Old Time Rock and Roll, although Ferris doesn't do that. It's hard to believe Risky Business was released over 40 years ago, and I always wonder if a sequel called Riskier Business should have been released, but maybe Risky Business can be rebooted with say an English actor as the lead, and perhaps Matthew Broderick playing the father.
Death in Paradise: In the Footsteps of a Killer (2017)
The Mooneys
Ardal O'Hanlon starts to settle in as DI Jack Mooney, with Mooney's daughter Siobhan (played by Grace Stone) in tow. I've been a fan of Death in Paradise since it debuted over a decade ago, and I had a sense that Siobhan wouldn't play a major role in the series, and all up she was in only six episodes.
Susannah Doyle, famous for her role in the newsroom sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey, guest stars.
I do wonder quite seriously really how the police photograph the suspects for their whiteboard. Really, at the crime scene do they gently ask the suspects to calmly pose for the whiteboard init, I don't quite get it really. Anyway, more credit should also be given to the two paramedics who turn up at the crime scene. They play a pivotal role in the mission of the police.
Death in Paradise: Man Overboard: Part 2 (2017)
Humphrey and Martha
This is the final episode with DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall, who I first saw in Love Actually) and we are also introduced to his replacement DI Jack Mooney (Irish actor Ardal O'Hanlon) in a kind of a cross-over. But thankfully Marshall managed to continue in Beyond Paradise a few years later. One difference is that a Death in Paradise season typically has eight episodes, whereas Beyond Paradise has six. Anyway, here there's a man overboard, and Goodman has to resolve it quick fast before he and Martha (Sally Bretton) settle in London together. The ending was quite sad with them leaving, but we have DI Mooney and his daughter Siobhan (Grace Stone) settling on the island. I had a feeling at the time that Siobhan wouldn't appear in many episodes (like really, how many mysteries can involve the DI's daughter) and it turns out in total she was only in six episodes.
The Good Ship Murder: Malta (2023)
Season two wraps up
I've really enjoyed watching The Good Ship Murder, and it's a lot of fun. Really, the detractors (and I'll never forgive the Gogglebox UK people trashing Shayne's performance of Daydream Believer from the first episode) miss the point by highlighting the unrealistic aspects. But really, how is the "unrealism" different to the exploits of a fictional crime writer solving a murder every week in Murder, She Wrote, like really. Or Mrs Sidhu Investigates, where a caterer solves crimes, or the Marlowe Murder Club, and I could go on init. Anyway, this episode had a tinge of poignancy, with Kate Woods calling off her engagement with Piers, and Jack deciding to remain in his ship job instead of going to America. So will they allow sparks to fly? Thankfully the series has been renewed for seasons two and three.