Thought I’d preview some of the shows in my TBW pile and sneak preview those whose release I’m looking forward to soon. Hopefully, you see something you like here as well. I’d also love to hear your recommendations.

Scott and Bailey s#4

Waiting On: Scott and Bailey season #4. The girls are both after the same promotion!

Justified s#6

Waiting On: Ralen-Cool and Silver-Tongue Crowder: I just watched Justified series #5, which was brilliant, and now I’m hanging out for series #6, which I believe will be the last. I’ll be reviewing #5 soon, but suffice to say it was riveting, and kind of sad as Ralen inevitably becomes as hardened and dysfunctional as his father.

Braquo s#3

Watching: I’m watching this right now and it’s good to see Eddie Caplan, Roxanne, and Walter again. Theo lies critically ill in hospital and his friends are out for revenge. Braquo puts the grit in gritty.

Engrenages s#5

Waiting On: I haven’t been able to find out anything about the new series other than it was filmed in 2013. It should be due to hit the shelves soon. I’m a huge Gregory Fitoussi fan, but I think I really watch this show for Caroline Proust’s character Laure Berthaud.

Line of Duty s#2

TBW: Keeley Hawes is in s2, and I’m keen to see how she plays out against Vicky McClure, the passionate and intense Internal Affairs cop.

Prisoners of War s#1

TBW: The Israeli series that Homeland is based on. I’ve really been looking forward to watching this one.

I’ve decided to see more movies this year and so far so good! However, I’m not getting the time to review them all, so I thought I’d write some mini reviews for you. And while I’m at, it I might as well mention some of the TV series I’ve watched recently as well.

Chef

I went to Chef on a whim one Sunday. There was nothing showing that I really wanted to see, but this turned out to be an unexpected delight. Chef Carl Casper quits the restaurant life to return to Miami and open a food truck selling cubanos. In doing so, he reconnects with his wife and son. The music is good, the food provides a visual feast, and Robert Downey Junior’s supporting role is one of the best parts I’ve seen him in. It’s a movie celebrating food, life, and love, and I came out of the cinema feeling good.

The Two Faces of January

Based on a Patricia Highsmith novel about a couple who are scammed by a young tour guide on a visit to the Acropolis, this movie is sinister, romantic, and sad. Though set in 1962, it felt like it could have been even older. The reversal of fortunes is always an interesting hook in a movie, and I was never too sure whose side I was on. None of the characters were particularly likeable, but the intertwining of their fates was. Though beautifully produced, the movie ultimately left me a little unmoved.

Transformers–Age of Extinction

In the first few moments of the movie I had high hopes. They crashed and burned. This was bloated even by Transformer’s standards. Not even the special effects could save it from it from a clichéd script that saw the lovely Nicola Pelz as a bone between two dogs (Wahlberg and Raynor). I apologise to those who loved it, but the treatment of the character Tessa Yeager nearly did my head in.

House of Cards (s2)

Frank and Claire Underwood are at it again–conniving and manipulating their way to the highest office in the Capitol. No one is safe from them; no one is spared. House of Cards is a fascinating political drama given life by some magnificent acting (Robin Wright, Kevin Spacey and Michael Kelly to name just a few) and a storyline judiciously sprinkled with sex and violence. A series you just can’t look away from.

Line of Duty

The anti-corruption unit, AC-12, investigate two-time Officer of the Year, DCI Tony Gates in a taut chase that turns into a downward spiral for everyone involved. Vicky McClure (DC Kate Fleming) is particularly convincing as an undercover anti-corruption cop, and Adrian Dunbar, who plays her boss, is always terrific in any role. Lennie James (Gates) portrays an arrogant but essentially honest policeman who becomes a victim of his own weaknesses. He performs the role with an exhausting inevitability that drew me in and held me in thrall.