Howe's World of Film and TV

After Life Season 2 (2020) – TV Review

Ricky Gervais is firmly established as a multi-talented entertainer, and has created and started in some of British comedy’s finest works since the turn of the century.

However, his Netflix show here is different. It’s funny, of course it is, but not in a laugh out loud and joke filled way, more on a human, every day level. This show is more focused on the drama.

It isn’t ‘soap style’ drama for dramas sake, it is very centred on a man who has lost the love of his life and has no idea of his purpose in the world anymore, and of the eccentric group of strangers in his life who help him find that.

Season 2 is very similar to Season 1, in both tone and quality. The cast is great but it is Gervais who shines, getting to show off some impressive dramatic acting and very strong writing.

This season features a lot of Gervais speaking about how he is feeling, musing in life, and much more. Depending on your view, you will either find this enlightening or grating.

However, this show can all be watched in 3 hours and it goes by very quick, and it is an amusing, heartbreaking, and heartwarming piece of TV.

It is a big hit so I’m sure we will get a season 3, and I can’t wait to see it.

Rating = 4/5

Eighth Grade (2018) – Review

An A24 Picture, Written and Directed by Bo Burnham.

A24 has developed a strong reputation for being the home of great coming of age films, and this is one that definitely contributed to that image.

First time director Bo Burnham crafts a authentic, low-key, and at times painfully real portrait of a key time in everyone’s development.

This isn’t the usual coming age story, as it is told from the perspective of a 13 year old girl, as opposed to someone 17/18. So while it makes reference to sex and things like that, it is much more focused on friendships and actually figuring out who you are as a person.

Elsie Fisher is superb in the lead role, she is incredibly natural, the way she walks, stands, speaks, and acts is all convincing and really adds to the overall tone.

It wasn’t quite the emotional gut punch or non-stop laughs that I was hoping for, but it was certainly an accurate and interesting look at a key part in a young persons life.

Rating = 3.5/5

Survive (2020) – TV Review

Quibi, the new streaming service from Jeffrey Katzenberg, launched a few weeks ago to a lot of chatter online but little general fanfare.

It received criticism for its ‘movie in chapters’ and ‘phone only’ content, as it seems to be another step away from film as an art form, and a step closer to all content being consumed on phones and in small bites.

However, I took up the 90 day free trial to give it a chance, and I went into watching the shows with an open mind.

The first show I sampled was ‘Survive’, mainly because I am a fan of Sophie Turner and wanted to see what the show was like.

If you want to see Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins do some good acting in striking locations, then it is worth your time. However, if you aren’t a fan of disjointed storytelling (the opening two chapters are like a different show) and if you don’t like cliched scripts, well this show is packed full of that too.

Rating = 2.5/5

Belgravia (2020) – TV Review

A period drama from the writer of Downton Abbey was always going to get snapped up by ITV, and while I doubt they regret the decision, the result certainly wasn’t the home run they were hoping for.

The show achieved steady ratings and mixed-positive reviews, but far from caught on in the way Downton did.

I found the show to be decent, thoroughly watchable, without ever being particularly engrossing. It was very surface level, and I never got to dig deep into the characters and their emotions.

The standout element was the cast, with Philip Glenister, Tamsin Greig, Harriet Walter, Adam James, and Alice Eve, among others, all doing strong work.

However, a personal stand out for me was Ella Purnell, who brought a real energy and spark to her scenes, and I wish she’d been in the show more.

Rating = 2.5/5

The Batman Delayed

Warner Bros has announced a fresh new set of release date changes due to the Corona Virus. They new dates announced are:

The Many Saints of Newark – 12th March 2021

Reminiscence – 16th April 2021 (Newly Dated)

The Batman – 1st October 2021

Elvis – 5th November 2021

King Richard – 19th November 2021

The Flash – 3rd June 2022

Shazam 2 – 4th November 2022

Untitled ‘Fred Hampton’ Film – Undated

I fear more delays may come, potentially affecting Tenet…

Climax (2018) – Review

A Wild Bunch Picture, Written and Directed by Gaspar Noe.

This film is probably not the best thing to watch during lockdown. A single location film that spirals from innocent dancing to some sort of drug fuelled murder orgy.

Gaspar Noe is notorious for taking huge risks and exploring sex, violence and everything else in real detail, and he does that again here.

The story of a group of dancers who are all drugged and therefore descent into a nightmare like scenario of graphic violence, wild sex, and abuse.

The dance sequences are superb and the unique camera work, including a long take of over 40 minutes, really adds to the sense of dread and chaos.

Sofia Boutella proves again what a talented actress she is, leading the cast with a performance where she puts everything, both physically and emotionally, on screen for the audience to explore.

Rating = 3.5/5

Killing Eve Season 3 – Management Sucks (Reaction)

The premiere was an interesting but uneven episode, but it seems that was necessary to clear the decks and start again. Episode 2 is a very different sort of episode, and the kind the show rarely does.

It is mournful of the person that the characters have lost, and allows for us to explore the characters more, and let the actors do some superb work.

All three lead actresses; Oh, Comer, and Shaw, do particularly impressive work here, and they all look set for a collision course as the season continues.

A particular stand out is of course the clown sequence, which was not only visually startling but provided character development for Villanelle and also gave us the gift of Jodie Comer, dressed as a clown, with a high voice due to helium, speaking french, telling a kid that life is shit.

The mystery is starting to build and the players are in place, and hopefully we get a season closer in quality to season 1 than 2.

In a recent interview, showrunner Suzanne Heathcote referred to Villanelle and Eve as a ‘Will they/won’t they’ and personally (and I know this is the case for many others) I think their relationship is the key part of the show. They really need to get together at some point, even if it can’t last (but maybe it can).

Episode 3 looks set to feature Villanelle confronting Carolyn, and also likely to have our first ‘Villaneve’ reunion of the season. This is going to be fun…

What to Watch at Home this week (20-27th April)

For obvious reasons, most of the country is in their houses and therefore looking for things to watch on TV. Here are a 5 things I have selected that I’m looking forward to this week and that I think people should check out…

Killing Eve – Monday 6am/Sunday 9.15pm

Season 3 of one of the best and most talked about shows on TV started last week, and episode 2 of the Jodie Comer/Sandra Oh show launches on IPlayer at 6am on Monday (and on BBC One in Sunday night). This is a real must watch.

Run – Wednesday 9pm

From the creators of Fleabag, this comedy/thriller airs on Sky Comedy and is packed full of strong performances, sharp writing, sexual tension, and some really funny moments. I think there’s a chance this could be one of the best shows of the year.

The Big Night In – Thursday 7pm

The BBC is combining Comic Relief and Children in need for one almighty fundraising and entertaining night, which will also include the weekly ‘Clap for Carers’. Presenters like Lenny Henry and Matt Baker will be joined by new sketches from the likes of Little Britain, Vicar of Dibley, and many more.

Breeders – Thursday 10pm

This show is now onto its eighth episode so may require some catching up, but this comedy from some of the tens behind Veep/The Thick of It and created by and starring Martin Freeman, is a laugh out loud funny and brutally honest look at family life. It is particularly relevant in a newly quarantined world.

After Life – Friday 8am

Ricky Gervais is back on Netflix with a second season of his much loved comedy After Life. We have been waiting a year for this and that mix of comedy and drama (and plenty of tears) could make this perfect viewing in these lockdown times.

Veep Season 3 (2014) – TV Review

As my binge watch of the show continues on, it is becoming more obvious to me that this is one of the best comedy casts ever put together.

All of the characters are so identifiably singular and absolutely hilarious in their own way, and the whole cast just nail their roles.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus continues to show herself as the best comedic actress on TV (Kaitlin Olson and Phoebe Waller-Bridge) seem her main competition/successors, and she is great again here.

Timothy Simons’ Jonah is arguably the break out character of the show, and this season struggles with how to use him best, but by the end of the season he is back where he belongs and ready to shine again in Season 4.

Reid Scott and Tony Hale in particular have big roles this season and they deliver exactly what they needed to do.

By the end of the season, there is a huge new status quo and I can’t wait to see what happens in season 4.

Rating = 4/5

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – Review

A EMI Picture, Written by Monty Python, Directed by Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones.

Certain people have certain comedic tastes, but I struggle to see who could watch this film and not laugh. It is simply one of the funniest and most ridiculous films ever made.

The Monty Python crew are now well renowned as some of the greatest comedic performers ever, especially in Britain, and this film is often used as the prime example of their talents.

The Holy Grail is a farcical take on the legend of King Arthur (with some other elements thrown in for good measure) and it allows the whole crew to shine.

John Cleese in particular, just a couple of years before he would conquer TV again with Fawlty Towers, is a real stand out in the multiple roles he plays.

It doesn’t get more British, and it doesn’t get much better, than Monty Python.

Rating = 4.5/5