Howe's World of Film and TV

The Thick Of It: The Specials (2007) – TV Review

I am reviewing ‘The Rise of the Nutters’ and ‘Spinners and Losers’ together as even though they are technically separate specials, they very much work together to tell one ‘The Thick Of It’ narrative.

The first two seasons were enjoyable without ever really gripping me, but I felt really hooked by these specials, with the plot consistently twisting and turning at breakneck speed, and some of the one liners are totally hilarious.

The whole ensemble works very well together but it’s absolutely Peter Capaldi’s show now and he dominates in screen, with his foul mouth and bad temper.

The talents of the likes of Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell, and Jesse Armstrong behind the scenes really allows you to understand why this show is so good.

The whole dynamic of the show has shifted and I look forward to where it goes in the next season.

Rating = 4/5

Family Guy Season 18 (2019/20) – TV Review

Family Guy is a long running machine at this point, with 18 seasons now complete and a 19th on the way, and for many years it’s been one of my favourite shows.

It’s mix of pop culture references, brave social commentaries and out right silly humour really clicked with me and it has always been great easy viewing.

However, as the season’s have gone on, the quality has dropped, and season 18 is one of the weakest entries in the show yet. It still has funny moments, but the majority of the show felt stuck in the past and unwilling to really move on and embrace modern culture.

Family Guy could still thrive if it stepped into the present day and looked at the pressing issues and the current pop culture landscape, instead of trying to recycle the gags that made it such a great show many years ago.

Rating = 2.5/5

#FreeRayShawn (2020) – TV Review

I started watching this show on Quibi a couple of weeks ago, and it now feels incredibly resonant and timely due to the terrible events of police brutality that have lead to uprising across the globe.

As for the show itself, it certainly isn’t perfect and there have been better examinations of this topic and message, but it isn’t a bad show either. It has something very important to say and features some strong acting from the two leads, but it does not suit the ‘Quibi formula’ of movies in short chapters and would’ve been better suited as a standard film.

Stephan James and Laurence Fishburne are very much co-leads here but share little actual screen time due to how events play out, but both do great work and really make you feel the conflicts going on within both characters.

The show is packed full of tension and operates like a ticking time bomb, building to a sadly realistic and heartbreaking finale. It really shows the misguided and deep rooted fear and hatred of members of the black community that is prevalent throughout the police force and justice system, and that the whole system is set up so that positive change can never occur.

The final shot, with the screen rapidly showing up with name after name of black people who have lost their lives to the people who are supposed to protect them, was particularly moving and heartbreaking. This isn’t just a problem now, it’s been a problem for centuries and if something isn’t done, then no change will ever happen.

Rating = 3.5/5

Black Lives Matter.

Space Force (2020) – TV Review

Re-uniting Steve Carell and Greg Daniels after their success on the US Office was always going to be a big deal, making it a Netflix show based on a bizarre President Trump idea, and you have a perfect media storm.

You can see Netflix has really spent money on this, from the production to the cast, and it’s great to see that and definitely makes a difference. It’s impressive to look at and helps set it apart.

It’s certainly not the perfect show and I think it’s attempts at satire are both too on the nose, and also at times not clear enough, and it lacks many true laugh out loud moments. However, if you just take it as an amusing show with an amazing cast and huge budget, then it’s certainly worth a watch, especially during lockdown.

The cast is an absolute who’s who of comedic talent, with the smaller supporting roles going to stars of shows like Veep, Friends, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , and allowing these talented actors to pop by for small bursts (Kaitlin Olson and Lisa Kudrow were particularly effective).

As for the main cast; Steve Carell is maybe slightly miscast in the lead role, whilst still being one of the best things about the show and using his undoubted comic timing to great effect on numerous occasions. Ben Schwartz does a good job in a very limited role and John Malkovich is great as essentially the co-lead of the show, and his chemistry with Carell was a great surprise and they work very well together.

A stand out for me was Diana Silvers, playing a role that could have been cliched and annoying, is actually very relatable and entertaining. Silvers has a great on-screen persona, and with this building on her ‘Booksmart’ breakout, I think she is going to go onto big things.

The season ends on a cliffhanger and I would assume they will be bringing the show back for a second season, even if it hasn’t been official I confirmed, and I will be interested in tuning in.

Rating = 3/5

Eullenia (2020) – TV Review

I was only sent the screener for the first episode of this three episode season, so I cannot judge the entire season and will not give an overall rating.

After the first 10 minutes of this slick looking show, I wasn’t sure what tone they were going for. It seemed more like a fancy advert than a TV show, but then it clicked, and once the major twist occurs, it became a really interesting show.

The story of a rich western businessman who is operating in Thailand and is using his assistant to procure vulnerable young girls for him is one we have seen before. However, this is seemingly not for a sex ring or trafficking, instead he wants to pay people a large amount, enough to save a family member of theirs that is vulnerable, in exchange for being able to kill them.

It is a stomach turning twist and not easy to watch, but it does make the show stand out. I would have to watch the full thing as it feels like it has the potential to get cliched, but it also has the potential to be very interesting and I would like to see more.

The Thick Of It Season 2 (2005) – TV Review

Returning for another three episode mini-series, the Armando Iannucci show really starts to find its footing and work out the show it wants to be, with much more focus now on Peter Capaldi’s Malcolm, who is the clear comedic stand out.

The behind the scenes look at British politics mixes that very British office environment with a high action and stressful world of politics.

Chris Addison also really starts to shine here as his Ollie begins to get dragged into the depraved world of Malcom and his Downing Street enforcers.

The show still doesn’t quite have the urgency and laugh out loud hilarity that ‘Veep’, the American version of this show had, but it’s certainly very good and seems like it is continuing to get better.

Rating = 3.5/5

Killing Eve Season 3 (2020) – TV Review

2020 has been an incredibly tough, painful, and depressing year for many people so far, with so much tragedy and upheaval taking place. During a time like this, it is important on a personal level to find little escapes from all of that, and I know for many people, including myself, ‘Killing Eve’ season 3 provided that.

*Spoilers below for the entire 3 seasons of ‘Killing Eve’.

‘Killing Eve’ quickly became one of the most popular shows on TV after premiering in 2018 and has now concluded its third season. Despite a slightly up and down series, this is still one of the most ‘must watch’ shows on TV right now, as very few shows mix the thrills, laughs, sex appeal, and character development as much as this one.

This year, new showrunner Suzanne Heathcote took the decision to put character development over plot and to turn the show into more of an ensemble (which some cares for more than others). I think Heathcote understood the characters more than season 2 showrunner Emerald Fennell, and while she didn’t deliver the quantity of Villaneve scenes as Fennell, they seemed more impactful and organic.

The particular focus for Heathcote was on deconstructing Villanelle, and I think it is mostly effective. She needed strong character development and it really pushes her arc forward, but at times the season did miss the mischievous and hilarious behaviour we had seen from the character in the first two seasons, but now she has a better understanding of herself again, maybe that will re-emerge in season 4.

Villanelle’s costumes were again amazing and memorable, particularly impressive as they often mirror her mental state at that time. Some of the looks that stood out most for me were the clown, the white dress in Barcelona, the ridiculous green golf outfit, and the bomber jacket look when she is back in Mother Russia.

Sandra Oh remains a really strong presence as Eve but this season she is given slightly less to do and doesn’t feel quite as central as she should do. She especially comes alive in episodes 3,7, and 8, which were all written or co-written by next season’s showrunner Laura Neal, so that gives me great confidence (especially as these were the best episodes of the season as well) for what Neal can do in season 4.

This season was much more of an ensemble, which in my opinion didn’t quite work, but it did allow the very talented Fiona Shaw and Kim Bodnia the chance to shine, and they do great work and flesh out those characters (and I now think they should now take a back seat to our main two and act as supporting characters again).

Jodie Comer is now an Emmy winner for Season 2 and a BAFTA winner for Season 1 of this show, she is incredible, but the things she did with the character this season are beyond what we have seen before. She takes Villanelle on a remarkably emotional journey and we buy into it completely because of Comer. She is an incredible talent and deserves to sweep the awards again for this season.

As for the rest; Kenny’s death catapulted the plot of the season successfully without ever having a satisfying conclusion, Dasha was an effective foil for Villanelle and a new dynamic added to the show, Niko should’ve really died when it seemed like he had (although he may have been kept alive so Eve could actively choose to leave him), and Geraldine was one of the most bizarrely unnecessary characters I have seen on TV for a long time.

Eve and Villanelle’s relationship development will also have been a huge source of joy for those fans in the LGBT community and what a great way to kick off pride month, and I hope it is a positive one for those who are celebrating. The LGBT representation in this show is so integral to everything that happens and I think it is a very positive example of (admittedly still way too slow) progress.

The finale was refreshing and powerful, as Villanelle and Eve nearly walked away from each other for good, but in the final moment, seemed to accept they are destined for each other. I hope they stay together and we develop their relationship next season.

Overall, despite the often meandering plot and de-tours, Killing Eve remains one of the best and most unique shows on TV, and features one of the best performances of modern times from Jodie Comer. Season 4 cannot come soon enough.

Rating = 4/5

Killing Eve Season 3 Finale – Are You Leading or Am I? (Reaction)

A pair of star crossed lovers in old London Town.

The finale of Killing Eve has now happened and we begin the hiatus to Season 4 (which will likely be the final season) and we have no idea when that could happen due to Covid-19.

This was a very eventful episode that attempted to wrap up many loose ends, and in my opinion, did so mainly successfully.

The episode confirmed a few things, that Geraldine was a completely useless character, that Kenny wasn’t killed at all, and that Villanelle and Eve cannot live without each other.

The explanation for Kenny’s death makes sense, but I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed by the explanation, but it helped progress the character dynamics of our dynamic four.

I may be mistaken but I think that is the first time Eve, Villanelle, Konstantin, and Carolyn have been in the same room together for an extended scene, and it felt great. It was like all the worlds of the show coming together, and was incredibly tense.

Most of the episode, just like most of the season, wasn’t particularly about plot but about character, and very specifically the relationship between Eve and Oksana (is Villnelle retired now?).

The whole show has been a cat and mouse game between them, but it’s become increasingly clear they are destined to be lovers (although I struggle to see them getting the happy ending we all want) and this episode confirmed that.

We got the slow dance, and we got the bridge scene where Oksana for the first time in her life, truly knew what love was (mirroring her lack of understanding in the finale of season 2) and she was willing to let Eve go so that Eve could live the rest of her life in peace.

However, as they both walk away, they eventually stop and turn back to look at each other. Neither of them could go, and neither wanted to.

This is the correct decision as separating them again would’ve been a big mistake, and they should now stay together for the majority of season 4 so their relationship can develop and the show can thrive, as the thing that truly sets ‘Killing Eve’ apart is that it truly allows for the yearning and sexual tension between two women to be seen as entirely natural and part of the narrative, as opposed to a side plot or something that is needed to be repressed.

That is refreshing and important, and the chemistry between Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh is absolutely unmatched, and keeping them together for Laura Neal’s Season 4 could be the key to something very special.

I will go into more detail about each character and the season in whole in my full season review that will be posted later today.

Predicting the ‘Killing Eve’ Finale

Tonight is the night (6am tomorrow for us in the UK) where the much talked about third season of Killing Eve comes to a close. While there are much more important things happening in the world right now, for the last 8 weeks this show has provided people with a much needed respite and distraction, and it’s a shame to see it end.

With the Corona Virus pandemic still raging around the world and delaying productions indefinitely, it is anyone’s guess when filming for season 4 may happen, meaning the hiatus between seasons may potentially be extended to 2022 (but let’s hope not).

Anyway, on to the fun stuff, predicting what may happen in episode 8. This is based entirely on the previous 7 episodes and some pictures and clips released for the finale, I haven’t seen the episode and I am using my anticipation for it to make this post to see how close I got (I made some predictions a month ago and some of those may still play out).

Prediction 1 – Jamie killed Kenny. Jamie has seemed shady to me all the way through, and in the teaser, the Bitter Pill team are showing Carolyn a shocking video and Jamie isn’t present. Could this be Kenny’s death? (Note there was two chairs on the roof when Eve went to throw the cake, maybe Jamie was meeting with Kenny up there).

Prediction 2 – Carolyn will succeed in recruiting Villanelle to work with her and Eve to bring down the twelve (which could form the main plot for season 4).

Prediction 3 – Eve and Villanelle will slow dance, finally admit their mutual feelings, and kiss, and stay together (hopefully).

Prediction 4 – Konstantin will get Irina and take her to Cuba.

Prediction 5 – Eve will kill the Twelve’s new assassin to save Villanelle.

Prediction 6 – Geraldine will remain a useless character and a waste of Gemma Whelan.

Prediction 7 – Eve and Villanelle will not be apart at the end of the season (it would be a huge mistake and way too predictable to do it again).

Let me know what you guys think might happen and I hope everyone enjoys the finale.

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020) – TV Review

If you pay attention to the news, you will have some idea of who Jeffrey Epstein is and what he did. If you have watched and read previous things about him, you will know most of what is shown in this documentary. However, if you haven’t, this documentary will be shocking and thrilling, and even if you know the story, it will still proves infuriating and enlightening.

Jeffrey Epstein was a famous business man who had many ties to Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and many more, and more importantly, he was a pedophile and runner of underage sex rings. He was depraved individual who when he was finally brought to justice, ‘killed himself’ in a high security prison before his day in court. It is widely disputed he was killed before he could reveal incriminating information, but this isn’t dived into in this documentary, and his links to famous people is more mentioned than explored.

Importantly, the story is told from the perspective of the survivors, the brave women who spoke up about the horrors they endured at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell (the Woman very much at the heart of this scandal and bizarrely absent from arrests and media focus), and it ensures that they are seen as real people, not just ‘victims of Epstein.

The series runs at 4 episodes long, and is therefore long enough to dive into the subject but also short enough that the viewer doesn’t grow bored or it has to be stretched out too long, which is often the case with these Netflix documentaries.

This isn’t a game changing expose, but it still effectively explains what Epstein did and how he was able to get away with it, as well as pointing the finger towards more people who have so far evaded justice.

Rating = 3.5/5