Sherlock (2009-present) TV series

9/10 [highly recommended]

AMAZING series that has got me hooked!

Each season only has 3 episodes..and so far there are only 2 seasons. SOOOO Catch up quick!

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are quite possibly the best combo of sherlock and watson (that's right, I like this duo even more than Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law). The performance by the cast, the writing/adaption as well as the filming/editing technique gives this film a very unique feeling. The use of a victorian era character and puzzle solving ability along with very modern equipment gives the old Sherlock Holmes new life.

 Bravo Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss

Doctor Who (1996) TV movie

6.5/10

Totally absorbing even if somewhat flawed in the story/character

Doctor Who follows the newly-regenerated Doctor (Paul McGann) takes on the Master on the turn of the millennium, 31 December 1999.

Out of the entire Doctor Who franchise, this 89min TV movie is the only one that was filmed in Canada and the one I decided to start my descend into the Doctor Who series. There's already 11 Doctors awaiting me, and I started at the 8th Doctor.

Starring Paul McGann and Eric Roberts, the film begins by planting us straight in the middle of San Fransico. The story takes flight right there with the Doctor being taken down and the Master escaping and all hell, pretty much breaking, loose at this point. With a plot like this how could anyone not get sucked right into it. I was right into the storyline from moment one. However, the strong plot is weakened by a flawed storyline  and some irrational characters. There are moments where I am dumbfounded at why a certain character would act in such a way resulting in the climax of the film.

Overall, this wasn't a fantastic perfect movie BUT this TV film does do the trick of generating interest for me towards the Doctor Who franchise..which will occupy my next weeks to month :)

Rookie Blue (2009-Present) TV series

8/10 [recommended]


Good drama supported by an amazing cast.

Rookie Blue follows the lives of five rookie cops from 15 Division in Toronto who have just graduated from the academy. They must learn not only to deal with their duties as police officers, but also deal with the problems and expectation of their families and friends. ( plot description from wiki)

Rookie Blue really captures the everyday lives both in uniform and out of uniform of the rookie officers. This series puts focus on the reality that these officers are people with their own concerns and life problems but they all share the same devotion to wanting to serve/protect.

The beauty of this show lies in the nice balance between character development and action. It doesn't have all the suspense and CGI of CSI but it has enough content to keep you glued to the screen. Rookie Blue is refreshing as it feels realistic and not overdone with special effects.

The cast is amazing, with many familiar faces. Missy Peregrym, whom I've been a fan of since Life As We Know (TV Series), is amazing as Andy McNally the tough rookie who rarely lets anyone in. Gregory Smith, from the old TV show Everwood that I watched when I was a kid, plays Dov Epstein is great. Eric Johnson, from season one of Smallville, portrays Detective Luke Callaghan.

Oh, did I mention, it's Canadian!

I really like this show for it's realistic appeal and simple editing technique. It is refreshing. I recommend people to give the show a chance, you may find yourself drawn into it.

Pretty Little Liars (2010-present) TV series

6.5/10 [ Recommended]
TV series, 4 seasons
Thrilling, suspenseful and addicting show.

Four friends band together against an anonymous foe, "A", who threatens to reveal their darkest secrets, whilst unraveling the mystery of the murder of their best friend. (imdb)

I didn't think I would fall in love with this show but it took only one episode to hook me. The story is based on the book with the same name, but the TV series has taken an entire different route than the book. The plot follows Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily as an unknown sourced "A" threatens them. With technology so easily accessible it has become the method used to threaten the four friends.

Each episode is filled with another mystery as the girls battles to find out who "A" is. Everything is set into motion with every move made by the four friends and by "A". Besides the mystery of "A", there's also many romance and dramas that is sprinkled throughout.

I love the cinematography of the show, as it uses a varieties of pans and zooms. Also the very soft filter that is edited over the shots gives Rosewood a very calm and lovely appeal whilst Rosewood is filled with more sinister events. This false feeling of peace with the devious events makes this show so much more enticing as you never really know what to expect.

The cast is filled with many new/old faces, all of whom delivers a very convincing performance.

What can I say --mystery, romance, drama and an eye catching cast--this show has caught my attention and will not be letting go anytime soon.

worth watching!

Breaking Bad (2008-present) TV

8/10
TV series, 2008-present

Do the right thing for all the wrong reasons.
Do the wrong thing for all the right reason.

Great show, well knit drama and characters that you hate to love

Murdoch Mysteries (2008-Present) TV

9/10 [highly recommended]
TV series, 2008-present, 4 seasons Never thought a crime solving show based in the 1890's can be so exciting!

Based in Toronto, Canada, with reference to many other cities in Canada, police Inspector William Murdoch takes a new, more scientific approach to solving crimes. Assisted by coroner Dr. Julia Ogden and Constable George Crabtree, Murdoch introduces such concepts as finger marks and lie detecting machines.

Amazing and realistic acting from the 4 main leads, customer design, intriguing story lines, many plot twists and references to technology advances (like Kodac camera and microwaves) make Murdoch Mysteries one of the most exciting series I've seen in a long time.

I loved the original CSI and Law Order SVU but with crime series piling up endlessly (CSI: NY, CSI Miami, Criminal Mind, NCIS, NCIS:LA) I became very turned off of crime shows. That is till now....

I found a new enjoyment for this show as it engages in history, technology development and plot twists.

I never thought a Sherlock type crime solving show would so exciting and thrilling. At times I find CSI gets very repetitive, but never once did I feel Murdoch Mysteries to be repetitive.

Please do check out this series! I highly recommend it! Canadians can and do make good shows.

Uprising (2001)

8/10 (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
TV movie

Riveting and inspirational

Uprising is based on the true story of the revolt by the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto against the Nazis in 1943.(imdb)

Though this movie has its flaws, it is delivers an atmosphere of sorrow, determination and pain. A fantastic TV movie!

The characters and actors made Uprising very impacting. The relationship between the characters are so real and raw making it very realistic. The each character responds at a time of desperation with such determination is very inspiring and riveting.

Leelee Sobieski or David Schwimmer are amazing in this film. At no point during the film, did I see Schwimmer as Ross Geller. Uprising has three cast members from Friends (Hank Azaria, David Schwimmer and Alexandra Holden) and they all gave a absolutely stunning performance.

The cinematography and music usage in this film is so well done that I am surprised this is only a TV movie. There are moments in the film where music takes over and without a single word a somber tone can be felt.


I highly recommend Uprising! A heartfelt sorrowful movie that is wonderfully done and portrayed. Of course this film has flaws, but the energy that is create far out-weighs the flaws.

Holocaust (1978) mini-series

6/10
Mini-series, 4 episodes, 1978

A Haunting short series

The saga of a Jewish family's struggle to survive the horror of Nazi Germany's systematic marginalization and extermination of their community. (imdb)

The details in using actual black and white pictures and footage from the war, gave this TV series a very haunting effect.

Meryl Streep is absolutely fantastic. I was not impressed with Michael Moriarty performance. He lacks in facial expressions and the entire series it feels as if his face has been pumped full of botox making it hard to read his emotions, but I guess playing a SS captain he needs to be expressionless. Moriarty.

The cinematography is well done giving us a range of different angled shots, close-ups and wide shots.

The story is hauntingly disturbing. The series focuses on the Weiss family and horror of what's happening around them. The jarring impact of the horrors are brought to life. We see the story told from both perspectives, from a Jew family and from a SS officer.

There are a few flaws to this series. Firstly, the poor makeup, which is not done very convincing, but for an late 70s mini-series I can bare with it. I feel that to every character's story is wrapped up at the end of the series, we are left expecting another episode to follow. Also, the audio and dialogue felt very dubbed and not natural. There's also some poor performances from certain actors/actress but none of which sways Meryl Streep's incredible portrayal.

Holocaust, definitely needs some fine-tuning but is worth watching for the content and script. The story will stick with you...

Falling Skies (2011) TV series

Anticipated New 2011 TV Show

Falling Skies is an upcoming alien invasion science fiction television series created by Robert Rodat and Steven Spielberg for TNT, coming this June! Starring Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood and Will Patton

Going Postal (2010) (TV)

7/10

This witty fantasy/comedy two-part TV short film is surprisingly decent and entertaining.

TV miniseries and TV movies can be surprisingly good sometimes, and Going Postal, a two-part TV adaption of the book by Terry Pratchett with the same name, is a good example of such. It is the 3 adaption following Hogfather and The Colour of Magic.

Richard Coyle, in the main roll as the Post-Master, puts on quite a performance. His comical portrayal of the main character reminds me a bit of Michael Sheen. The entire cast is very believable for a fantasy world.

The story is very cute, and witty. Having not read the book, I do not know how true the adaption is to the book, but very entertaining nevertheless. Going Postal takes you into one part of Pratchett's fantasy Discworld that makes you want to visit again.

Going Postal is a Brith slang for going mad/crazy, which is much like what is happening to the postal office in the show.

If you enjoy a easy going fantasy world with a comical side to it, then I recommend you visit Pratchett's Discworld with Going Postal

Community (2009-present)

9/10

Want a good laugh with well written dialogue and no laugh track forced upon you? If so, then I highly recommend Community, the show that defines LOL.

Community revolves around the members of a study group at a community college (Greendale), coming together to deal with everyday issues and creating a good laugh along the way.

Community is brilliant, sarcastic and tickles your funny bone in the right way. The show is able to balance its own story line with film references, and inserting hilarious situations all at the same time. You can literally watch a single episode multiple times in one night.The cliches and parodies used in the show is phenomenal and cleverly executed.

The cast is phenomenal and believable in their performance as they absorb their characters so well.

What I love about the show is that it is so real and relate-able. Unlike so many sitcoms now days Community does not use a laugh track to force a laugh. Community works at using dialogue, plot line and parodies to create humor and SUCCEEDS.

References in Community season 1.

Constantly referring to another piece of work, Community is an intertextual gold mine. Let's look at some parallels.

Die Hard referenced when Jeff Winger limps into the deans office in episode 23

Joel McHale in Community. In this scene Jeff actually limps into the office, in Die Hard, Jack's foot was cut...thus he was limping. Direct Reference

Bruce Willis in Die Hard

Ghost being referenced (they actually talk about the film) in episode 19.

Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in Ghost

Joel McHale in Community

Possible Wanted reference in episode 23

Ken Jeong in Community

James McAvoy in Wanted

Matrix

Gillian Jacobs in Community

Keanu Reeves in Matrix

Possible Charlie's Angels reference in Episode 13

Gillian and Alison in Community

Cameron Diaz in Charlie's Angels

Beast Master reference

Daniel Goddard in Beastmaster

Chevy Chase in Community

An amazing show, that wraps it references cleverly into each plot. Definitely worth the watch! Especially, for movie/comedy fans! Love this show :)