tv review
Big crimes, small screen; true crime television series and TV documentaries that recreate and reexamine some of the mystifying and grisliest cases in history.
Review of 'Striking Out'
My wife and I binged the two seasons of Striking Out, originally (in 2017-2018) on Irish TV, now on Acorn via Amazon Prime. The show only ran two seasons, and there's apparently no prospect for a third season, which is a shame, because the two seasons were quite good, and the second season ended on an unexpected turn of events.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in Criminal5 Most Important Moments From Wentworth 8x03, 'Enemy Of The State'
After a shocking twist at the end of episode 2, episode 3 of Wentworth season 8 changed course, introducing an important new character that brings with her host of new storylines.
Kristy AndersonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalReview of 'Balthazar'
My wife and I just finishing bingeing two seasons, sixteen episodes, of Balthazar, the French series on Prime Video Acorn, made in 2018 and 2019, streaming here since April. Despite it being about a Parisian coroner (Balthazar) who cuts open dead bodies and hasn't gotten over the terrible murder of his fiance (or maybe wife) 15 years ago, the series is actually a great pick-me-up in these, our very troubled, times.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalReview of 'Absentia 3'
The third season of Absentia was up on Amazon Prime Video last month. I liked it the best of the three seasons so far because, well, I like James Bond type stories more than a vanished member of the family comes home after six years of missing, even if she is a high-powered FBI agent.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalMost Important Moments In Wentworth 8x02, 'Ends And Means'
SPOILERS for Wentworth ep 8x02, 'Ends And Means'. Prison drama Wentworth continued its penultimate season this week with the episode 'Ends And Means', airing on the fourth of August. For the most part, the episode was quieter than the season premiere, 'Resurrection', mostly focusing on story and character building moments.
Kristy AndersonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalReview of 'Hanna 2'
Hanna 2 starts a little slow, with a few too many episodes devoted to Hanna getting back to The Meadows and re-uniting with/saving Clara. But once it gets over that, this second season delivers a story with far more punch and complexity than the first season, especially the complexity part.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalReview of 'Reckoning'
My wife and I binged Reckoning, an outstanding psychological thriller about a serial killer and the detective bent on nabbing him that's been on Netflix since May. The ten episodes are each little masterpieces in themselves, and there's more than enough room for a second season, which I'd put at the top of any list to watch.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalReview of 'The Nest"
The Nest concluded its 5-part mini-series Acorn run on Prime Video last night. Top-notch Scottish noir, if there is such a thing, and there should be.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalThe 5 Most Shocking Moments From The 'Wentworth' Season 8 Premiere
WARNING: SPOILERS for Wentworth 8x01, 'Resurrection'. After what has felt like a very long wait for fans, Australian Prison Drama Wentworth has returned for it's eighth season.
Kristy AndersonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalReview of 'Dirty John Season 2: Betty'
My wife and I just finished binging Dirty John Season 2: Betty on the USA Network. It was a powerful season, brilliantly acted by Amanda Peet in the title role, but not as good as the first season.
Paul LevinsonPublished 4 years ago in CriminalSecrets of Court TV Shows
Secrets of Court TV Shows...from a professional audience member. It's 4pm Central Time, do you know where your author of this article is? Watching our lord and savior Judge Judy on CBS, of course along with millions of other Americans every day. Although in my post-grad years and desperate for cash, you'd most likely find me sitting at the aisle seat of a similar court tv show instead, staring vacantly behind the defendant. Apart from learning how to fall asleep with my eyes open, here's a few other tidbits I learned in my time as a Court TV audience member.
Best Crime Series on Netflix
Bodyguard The opening scene of the first episode of Bodyguard sinks its hooks in you, and the show never really lets up throughout its six-episode first season. The series premiered in the UK to staggering numbers before making its US debut on Netflix, and it follows a metropolitan police officer named David Budd (Richard Madden) who is tasked with guarding the life of Conservative Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes) in the midst of a political crisis—namely the debate over how to deal with terrorism. Budd’s personal life and background are slowly revealed throughout the show, forcing the audience to consistently question whether he’s a true hero or a potential villain. If you loved the first season of Homeland, this show is absolutely for you.
Netflix BuzzPublished 4 years ago in Criminal