Here’s a nice little selection to end your week with, particularly if you’re stuck indoors self-isolating.
Although, if you’re really worried about how bad the Corona Virus is going to get then my film choice may not be for you.
Continue reading “What to Watch: 14/03/20”
The State is exactly what drama should be. A show that raises questions about the world we live in, questions that we may or may not want to answer. Questions that we may not get the answers to; but will make us think, nonetheless.
The journey of those who leave British shores to travel to Syria in the ‘name’ of Islam is something that is debated on an hourly basis.
Despite what certain parts of the mainstream media would have you believe; the story isn’t as simple as a bunch of Muslims wanting to bomb us all because they despise western ways. Nor is it only brown people who make the decision to join ISIS or its variations. Like most things in life, it is far more complicated than that.
Many of the reasons are touched on in the first hour-long episode.
The young London Muslim who feels he is honouring his brother’s memory. The single mother who wants to offer her medical services as the new Islamic State builds itself. The young girl who has never used a communal bathroom and wants to be “a Lioness amongst the Lions”.
I’ve seen lots of comments suggesting that it is glamourising the idea of terrorism, but you rarely see that when the subject matter is rape or any other kind of abuse. Regardless, it doesn’t.
It’s trying to show you why people are making those decisions, and why some believe they are doing the right and noble thing when they make this choice. A choice that often results in them giving up their life.
It’s trying to show us that we cannot truly try to stop radicalisation until we consider the causes of how people are brainwashed in this way.
I don’t have all the answers, sadly none of us do. But maybe The State will help us all start to ask the right questions.
The State is on Channel 4 at 9pm until Wednesday, or it can be found on All4.
Over the years Sherlock Holmes has become one of the most iconic characters in film and television, and the inspiration for many of the detectives we’ve come to love in popular culture.
It was inevitable that at some point in entertainment evolution, we’d end up with two.
Continue reading “Sherlock v Elementary: Sadly, it is not that simple…”
The crime family drama Peaky Blinders is undoubtedly the jewel of Aunty Beeb’s eye. It is generally something British TV tends not to be, big budget, sprawling; and with a Hollywood cast list it is ambitious, stylish and ultimately entertaining.
Like any hit show it has its detractors, for instance some think the accents are poor, and unauthentic. But, it’s based nearly one hundred years ago, and regional accents undoubtedly change over time, plus, the Shelby family has gypsy roots, so inevitably their brummie accent may be slightly different to the traditional Birmingham accent we are familiar with.
Having said that there are definitely moments during lead character Thomas Shelby’s shoutier moments, when Cillian Murphy’s Irish Brogue betrays him. But, believe it or not, not all actors have the exact same backgrounds as the characters they are portraying! I know, incredible hey? (Ed – Who knew?)
Another criticism often levelled at the show is that it is not historically accurate. But neither was Braveheart or the Bible, but that didn’t stop them from winning Oscars or, y’know, shaping the entire world respectively.
But anyway, I digress. The first two seasons of the show were spectacular. Simultaneously gritty and sophisticated, with rich characters. The normally beautifully androgynous Cillian Murphy pulling out all the stops in a turn that sees him being both menacing and sensitive.
Murphy is helped by a spring cast which includes both Hollywood stars and relative unknowns. Alongside him poet Benjamin Zephaniah takes his first acting appearance in a recurring guest role which adds some regional authenticity. Sam Neill plays the terrifying CI/Major Campbell, a Belfast bully who is on a mission to bring down Tommy Shelby and co. His departure however has so far left something of a hole in the third series.
Neill’s portrayal had an unhinged quality that is truly difficult to replace. The first few episodes of the third season have missed him badly. So far there has been an elderly Italian gangster and Paddy Considine’s Irish priest who’ve attempted to take over the mantel. Both have not quite lived up to it.
The Golden Boy of British acting Tom Hardy made a return in the latest episode, doing his best Fagin impression. In fairness, he did pick a pocket or two and stole the show. The third season has been a bit of a slow burner, gradually building itself up. The Blinders have been fraternising with Russians in international intrigue, as well as doing undercover government work.
It IS very ambitious, and can be difficult to follow at times. Ultimately however, sometimes the stuff that makes you work a bit to appreciate it, is the stuff that is the most rewarding.
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DT
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Series 3 of Peaky Blinders is on BBC2 at 9pm on Thursday evenings. Previous episodes are available on iPlayer or Netflix.
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