TV DVD: Hostages

Dr. Yael Danon is about to perform routine surgery on the Prime Minister of Israel when her family are taken prisoner by a gang of masked men. The hostage takers have one demand; Yael must ensure that the Prime Minister does not survive the operation.

This Israeli series was recently shown on BBC tv here in the UK following a previously screened American version. Not having seen the US version I won’t make any comment or comparison.

In this version, as expected, the plan doesn't go smoothly.  Dr. Danon has a whole host of family issues to deal with during the most testing of circumstances and internal rivalry amongst the hostage takers threatens the whole mission.

This leads to various different scenarios which play out over the course of the 10 episodes. The bad guys are all slowly revealed as human, with their own problems, which adds depth to an otherwise simple storyline. 

The Israeli cast will be pretty much unknown to most viewers but there are some fine performances, none better than that of Ayelet Zurer in the leading role.

Hostages is another example of great foreign tv and easily rivals the recent successful Scandinavian dramas when it comes to cranking up the tension. However, the storyline may have been more suited to a 2 hour movie than a 10 part show as it does feel slightly drawn out.     

Available as a 3 disc DVD box set in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: Good. 

Reviews News: Hostages

Following its recent screening on BBC 4 here in the UK this Israeli drama arrives on DVD on Monday 16th March 2015.

Described as far superior to the US version this has also been compared to the thrills provided by Homeland.

Noble PR have kindly provided a copy and as I haven't seen the Hollywood take on this I have no idea what to expect.

Check back soon for a full review.    

TV DVD: The Escape Artist

David Tennant proves that Broadchurch was no fluke with this three part drama which was recently shown on BBC tv here in the UK.

Tennant is Will Burton, a lawyer who has won every case. Burton sees to it that the eccentric Liam Foyle (Toby Kebbell) is not convicted when charged with murder, but Foyle is not best pleased when the lawyer refuses to shake his hand at the end of proceedings.

Turns out that Foyle is one seriously unhinged individual and he soon turns his attention to Burton and his family.

The first episode of this crime drama is absolutely riveting. Toby Kebbell (Dead Man’s Shoes) is outstanding as the intelligent but deranged Foyle and further excellent support comes from Ashley Jensen, as Burton’s wife, and Sophie Okonedo as a rival lawyer.  Things cool down a bit in episode two when the characters concentrate on preceding events but it all comes to a glorious climax in the gripping finale.

With The Escape Artist David Tennant has cemented his status as the UK’s top tv drama star.

Available as a two disc set on dvd from 18^th November 2013.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.  

  

TV DVD: Run

A Mother attempts to keep her wayward Sons out of trouble, an illegal immigrant wants out of the life she has, a former drug addict tries to stay clean and a Polish immigrant discovers that her boyfriend has been murdered. These are the four connected stories that make up this UK tv drama which was recently shown on Channel 4.

Olivia Colman (Broadchurch) delivers another fine performance as the long-suffering Mother but it’s Lennie James’ portrayal of former addict Richie that really steals the show. The episode where he just can’t seem to catch a break while attempting to mend his relationship with his daughter is by far the best of the series.

Run is a well written drama with good performances all round but it does suffer from a severe lack of humour. The makers of these types of shows would do well to remember that real life, even in the most trying circumstances, often makes us laugh. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking for a comedy but a series like this is crying out for one or two lighter moments.

Run is available on DVD now in the UK.

Ric’s Rating: Good

TV DVD: The Fall

Gillian Anderson (The X Files) plays DSI Gibson, a top cop from London sent to help the Belfast police with an ongoing murder investigation in this 5 part British tv drama.

Gibson soon realises that several unsolved murders are connected and informs the team that they are looking for one man and unlike recent tv hit Broadchurch we are left in no doubt who that man is.

Right from the beginning we see that the murderer is Paul Spector, a family man and grief councillor played brilliantly by Jamie Dornan (Once Upon A Time).

Both points of view are presented as equally important. Gibson struggles with personal issues while working the case and Spector attempts to maintain the facade of all-round nice guy while he slowly unravels.

This is absorbing and often uncomfortable viewing. The scenes involving Spector’s young daughter are 

particularly upsetting as the young girl slowly discovers that something about Dad just isn’t right.

The Fall is an excellent complex and multi-layered drama which continues the recent run of high quality tv being produced in the UK.

Available on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended 

TV DVD: Broadchurch

Taking its cue from Scandinavian dramas The Killing and The Bridge (see review elsewhere here) this superior British drama had the whole nation talking during its TV run. Such was the furore that bookmakers were taking bets and national newspapers ran extensive features.

It follows the investigation into the murder of a young boy found dead on the beach of the picturesque town of the title.

Local policewoman Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) expects to be put in charge of the investigation but her superiors decide to bring in an outsider. Enter David Tennant (Dr Who, Fright Night) as the baggage-laden Detective Inspector Alec Hardy.

Hardy and Miller follow the evidence through a town filled with eclectic and multi-layered characters. Everyone seems to have at least one skeleton lurking in their cupboard and the murder enquiry uncovers them all.

There are secret affairs, previous offences and unlikely friendships which soon emerge and help or hinder the hunt for the culprit.

The entire cast are fantastic with Colman and Tennant quite simply stunning in their portrayal of two completely different police officers working towards the same goal. I did manage to guess the killer quite early on but that didn’t detract from the totally compelling story as it unfolds.

This 3 disc set contains all 8 episodes of this captivating police procedural drama which hopefully heralds a new era in British television.

Broadchurch is available on DVD in the UK from 20^th May 2013.

Ric’s Rating: Essential.         

TV DVD: Journeyman

Kevin McKidd (Trainspotting) stars in this 13 part time travelling tv drama from 2007.

McKidd is Dan Vassar, a journalist who suddenly finds himself transported to different periods of time. His purpose for being there soon reveals itself and he faces a series of problems to solve ranging from preventing a murder to re-uniting estranged family members.

Along with these situations Dan also runs into his dead ex-girlfriend. She too has the ability to time travel and things get complicated when he encounters earlier events from his own life.

This show fell victim to the cut-throat world of US tv ratings but it’s great fun and Scottish actor McKidd even manages a pretty convincing American accent.

Fans of Quantum Leap and Back To The Future will love it.

Journeyman: The Complete Series is available as a 4 disc DVD box set in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: Good.    

TV Show: Last Resort

An American nuclear submarine receives an order to bomb Pakistan but when the Captain (Andre Braugher, Homicide: Life On The Street) and crew question the order they are met with a hostile response from their own government.

Finding themselves faced with inevitable destruction they decide to fight back and threaten to unleash the warheads contained on the sub…directly at Washington DC.

I didn’t expect too much from this drama, partly due to the 8pm UK tv timeslot, but the opening episode was filled with tension from beginning to end.

Braugher and the rest of the cast which includes Scott Speedman, Robert Patrick and Bruce Davison, turn in terrific performances and the plot will appeal to fans of conspiracy thrillers like Homeland and 24.

Hard to see how this will span an entire series but the brilliant start means I’m keen to find out.

Last Resort is currently being shown on Sky1 in the UK.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.    

TV Show: Dallas

The Ewings are back!

Following an amazing gap of 21 years, Patrick Duffy, Linda Grey and Larry Hagman return to their roles as Bobby, Sue –Ellen and J.R respectively.

The world is a different place since Dallas’ previous 13 year stint ended and this is reflected in the show. Bobby is happy breeding cattle on Southfolk and J.R languishes in a nursing home suffering with clinical depression. Meanwhile J.R’s long-suffering ex-wife Sue- Ellen is running for political office.

The oil business wheeling and dealing is now done between the younger generation of Ewings. Bobby’s son Christopher is investing in alternative energy while J.R Jr.  follows in his Father’s footsteps by attempting to locate a new source of oil.

In a TV & movie market saturated with re-makes and re-boots it’s very refreshing to see original characters, played by the same actors, brought into a current setting.

Dallas has enduring appeal, thanks largely to the lack of choice available when it first aired, and the team behind this version have shown guts and guile by employing a strategy aimed at attracting both old and new fans. The series also promises cameo appearances by other original cast members.

This is a must-see for anyone who saw the original show and an interesting alternative US drama for those bored with formulaic detective type series.

Look out for show-stealing 80 year-old Larry Hagman’s name when it’s TV awards time.

Dallas is currently showing on Channel 5 in the UK.

Ric’s Rating: Highly Recommended.           

TV DVD: Inspector Montalbano Collection 2

Following the recent success of Scandinavian TV dramas such as The Killing and The Bridge, we now have the Italian entry to the genre.

Based on the books by Andrea Camilleri, Inspector Montalbano is an abrupt, no-nonsense type of Policeman who routinely shouts at his colleagues and often manipulates them to his own end.

This collection contains six feature-length episodes of the first series, two of which were available for review.

The Mediterranean setting is a world away from the gritty feeling created in the other dramas mentioned. Five minutes in and it felt like an episode of Bergerac in a slightly sunnier clime, but don’t be fooled, underneath the Miss Marple type tone there is a serious drama to be found.

Montalbano’s charm also eventually emerges making the character somewhat endearing and often very funny indeed.

The investigations contain the usual mix of murder, deceit, politics and intrigue and despite my initial reaction (and the often ear-bashing Italian dialect) this is actually a compelling and fun series, think Hercule Poirot meets The Shield and your on the right track.

Inspector Montalbano Collection Two is available on DVD in the UK now.

Ric’s Rating: Good.  

TV DVD: Earth 2

This cult sci-fi tv series was made by Stephen Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment in 1994 and arrives on DVD in the UK on 28^th May 2012.

In the year 2192 Earth has been rendered inhospitable by pollution and war. Surviving humans now live in various space stations but an infection known as “The Syndrome” leaves many stricken.

A rogue group of survivors head to a seemingly habitable planet and attempt to begin a new life…….but not all is as it seems.

The cast includes Clancy Brown and Debrah Farentino with appearances by Terry O’Quinn and Virginia Madsen but with little background the viewer is thrust into what feels like an already ongoing story. The special effects are very poor, looking more like something from a sixties sci-fi show instead of a nineties one.

This 22 episode box-set will only appeal to those who are already fans of the show and fondly remember it although this could be a case of childhood memories being sullied.

Ric’s Rating: Dodgy. 

TV Show: Alcatraz

The famous prison is now a well known tourist attraction and while visiting it a young girl sees a man asleep in one of the cells. We follow the bemused looking chap as he emerges into what is, for him, a completely new environment. He is Jack Sylvane, prisoner of The Rock back in 1963 but the interesting fact is that Sylvane has not aged.

So begins the latest tv drama from the producer of Lost, J.J Abrams. The premise is that all the inmates and guards from Alcatraz vanished upon the closure of the prison and they are now re-appearing with personal vendettas and other more sinister instructions.

This has limitless potential. Sylvane was on a mission of revenge but I can imagine many varied stories in the weeks to come.

Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) heads the cast as a former Alcatraz guard who is now in charge of a team that must find out what happened to the men and stop them from causing havoc in the present day.

This was unexpectedly enjoyable but I’m reluctant to get too carried away as I also enjoyed the first few episodes of Lost before (correctly) deciding it was a waste of time.

The pilot episode has given the Watch channel great viewing figures here in the UK so try to catch it if you can.

Ric’s rating: Highly Recommended