Just finished Two Weeks In August - absolutely outstanding. One of the best things in yonks. It didn’t get silly as happens so often. And I don’t have a thing for Jessica Raine 
3 Likes
We enjoyed that too.
G
2 Likes
The Murder of Rachel Nickell on Netflix.
Most of these type of programmes, especially on BBC1, ITV and especially Ch5, are just cheaply made compilations of endless repetitive interviews. This Netflix documentary is excellent, beautifully filmed with dignified consideration.
There’s also a 3 part drama called The Witness which I’ll be watching shortly.
I have been watching in real time & have only just finished series one. No sign of series two on BBC4 so have begun watching on iPlayer.
Was delighted to find that it has stood the test of time really well & have enjoyed it more than I remember from 40 years ago.
It’s surprising to me that many of societies current issues are reflected in the series showing both that it hasn’t really dated & that there is nothing new under the sun!
It has turned into a bigger treat than I expected &, very definitely, not the disappointment I thought it might have been.
2 Likes
Really enjoyed The Fortune. Very well written and acted. And Demelza was good in it. Channel 5
1 Like
It will be interesting to see if Series 2 and the Special get a BBC4 broadcast. At least I’ve now seen the whole lot on iplayer.
Andrew Davies does mention on his intro that his GP treatment of late has tended towards the Bob Buzzard approach !
Both series IMO are better than 99.99% of the stuff currently being churned out. I’ll bet that the budgets were modest too.
3 Likes
Unfortunately, your last paragraph is all too true.
In defence of modern productions, 40 years further on, all possible combinations of types of drama, plots & situations must have been covered by the plethora of TV production & film companies that now exist. It must be near impossible to come up with new ideas.
I had also forgotten the subtle humour throughout VPP & found it very appropriate to the scenes it was used in.
I didn’t go to university but did attend college in the early 1970’s & found it very similar to the campus portrail of the mid/ late 1980’s in the program. I suspect that university life today doesn’t vary much from it either. Except with smartphones………
3 Likes
I was at university a few years before the first series and much of it was spot on I thought. I think Andrew Davies had University of East Anglia in mind but after they had been lampooned in ‘The History Man’ some years before they refused to let the Beeb film there !
2 Likes
Missed this the first time by and having a soft spot for Barbara Flynn and now Amanda Hillwood.
Blooming brilliant thanks.
6 Likes
We finished Tip Toe last night and enjoyed the series and stuck to it all the way through every episode (often we lose interest midway through a box set).
Funny and shocking in equal measure, Alan Cumming and David Morrisey were both on very good form in their lead roles, and the supporting cast get a big thumbs up too.
I did feel that at one point the central theme of highlighting prejudice against minority communities became a bit relentless, but it’s a good watch, and a reminder to us all of important lessons in acceptance and tolerance.
Recommended 
7 Likes
My favourite is the ‘crazy Polish girl’. 
1 Like
I haven’t got there yet.
1 Like
Glad you’re enjoying it.
I am delighted that I have found it even better than I remembered it.
Possibly the TV highlight of the year so far for me. Midway through series two & will be disappointed to reach the end.
2 Likes
Had never heard of this from 2019 but stumbled upon it in Prime Video.
Have really enjoyed the first few episodes, nothing too cerebral but so far good individuals vs bad organisation. Set in an alternate dystopian 60s London I think.
Cancelled after season 3 but I haven’t investigated too much as I don’t want spoilers.
1 Like
On iplayer The Hadron Collider - in search of the peace particle. 59 mins. Fascinating with archive film of Peter Higgs and others. Poetry and music too. Cameo by Tim Berners-Lee. Remarkable access to CERN with interviews with survivors of the early days and scientific leaders.
4 Likes
‘Ponies’ on Now or Sky is a good watch so far. It’s a Cold War 70/80’s drama set in Moscow.
We’re only 2 episodes in. The occasional touches of humour work for us, including variations on ‘My hovercraft is full of eels’, so we’ll stick with it for now.
The fact that I spent a week in Leningrad in 1980 helps me to enjoy the context.
G
5 Likes
Janine Jansen: falling for Stradivari
Wow. Inspiring to see such passion and knowledge, skill and artistry. Not sure my ears were good enough to tell one violin from another though. Fascinating.
My interest is movies (as we now have to call them) and I will often spend half an hour diving into what films are available for free.
Many hidden gems(as we now have to call them) have risen to the surface. Plop.
No, no we don’t.
2 Likes
