"Plebs" TV series ITV2 review Episode 1

I think I like "Plebs". I've only watched the first episode but it definitely has something. Mix a bit of "Up Pompeii" with Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part 1" and "The Inbetweeners" as 20 somethings ..... you get the idea. The casting of the three leads is spot on. Including Tom Rosenthal (from the above show plus the brilliant "Friday Night Dinner") was a no-brainer.The slave, Grumio (Ryan Sampson), reminds me of Baldrick in "Black Adder" apart from Grumio's Northern accent. Joel Fry (Stylax) has good comic timing. He is obviously going to be the 'naughty boy' in the group, whereas Marcus is the uptight one.
Lots of funny ancient Rome meets 21st century Britain ("Bri-TON" as one pleb says) gags. All of them work. It is slight stuff but perfect 'put your feet up, grab a beer and enjoy' viewing.
Will watch more tonight.

"The Mimic" TV series Episode 5 (final) review

A bittersweet final episode. This series never outstayed its welcome - 5 eps was about right. I doubt there will be a second series as all was resolved. It was always pretty clear this was never going to be "A Star is Born"/Martin makes it big time. The scene of self-doubt in the woods/nursing home with Martin spewing out his voice characters was inspired ("I'm not a patient, I'm a mimic").
Larry the mutt, fridge opening Internet sensation, was obviously the winner of the tacky television show. Another jab from Matt Morgan about how vaccuous the Internet and social media can be. Did Martin use the Fire Exit at the last minute? Probably. But it doesn't matter either way.
This series has been full of quiet humour and warm characters. No 'laugh out loud' moments - we didn't even get a manic Wogan routine in this concluding episode. The bit about Martin being mistaken for a Greek waiter was priceless. And Neil's senile, girlie-mag-reading dad (Ralph Brown) was delightful.

Mr Morgan skilfully juggled tragedy and comedy in the scene with Martin's parents and Dionne's cancer. "The plant (a gift) will outlive her" and buying a "Get well soon" card. The final shots of Martin's family and friends in Bournemouth on the dad's digital photo frame was poignant and the key to the series - the important thing is friends and family.

Children's books, parents like reading also

As an ex-teacher and a parent, one of the most important things you can do for a child is the daily story at bedtime. In an age of Facebook, tablets, Smartphones, PSP and Wii, this is even more crucial. What books did you like to read your kids, that they enjoyed as well? Here's my list so far, but our daughter (now an adult) concurs:

• "Where the Wild Things Are"
• anything by Alison Lester ("Monsters are Knocking", "I'm Green and I'm Grumpy" especially)
• Tin Tin adventures (my Captain Haddock voice was always crap, though)
• "Thomas the Tank Engine" series (quaint and camp)
• "The Monster at the End of this Book" 
• Fairy tales, the grislier, the better - Rapunzel, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel
• "The Muddle Headed Wombat" series
• Barbar series
• Madeline series
• "The Wind in the Willows"
• "Little Lit" (hipster retelling of fairy tales, Art Spiegelman, etc.)
• "I'm Coming to Get You" (Tony Ross)
• "Not Now Bernard" (David McKee)
• anything by Janet and Allan Ahlberg (especially "Each Peach, Pear, Plum", "The Jolly Postman")
• "Oddkins" (Dean Koontz ... go figure)
• Meg and Mog series
• "The Great Escape" by Phillip Dupasquier (text less so I had to improvise all the voices, huge favourite, book became very worn over the years)
• Beatrix Potter books
• anything by Babette Cole
• anything by Mr Dahl (especially "The Witches")

"Top of the Lake" TV series Episode 5 review no spoilers

Am I really enjoying this TV series?

But there's only a few eps to go and loads of secrets to unravel.
The acting ranges from restrained and accomplished (David Wenham and Robyn Nevin - 2 old pros) to unconvincing and hokey (witness the probably improvised scene at Robin's place with Johnno - like some Community Theatre effort).
More boffing al fresco (and boy, it must have been fresh, check out the snow covered peaks), old naked birds splashing around in an icy stream and Johnno wading through creeks semi naked after being kicking in the goolies. It is enough to make you want to watch this wintry stuff in a Snuggy.
There's some really clunky dialogue in this ep (mainly from Johnno and Robin). Is it deliberately so? And Al's marriage proposal to Robin, out of nowhere?
Many scenes just don't ring true. Why was real estate agent Platt living in a crap caravan if he had just sold Paradise for two million dollars? No commission? Robin and Johnno's forest trek just happens to lead to Paradise?  There is a pattern in the show - about 10 minutes of scenic wonder, moss strewn bonking, plot red herrings and understated dialogue then an explosion of violence.

Highlights:

• Realising Caroline Platt was played by NZ icon Lucy Lawless (Zena). Zena (Madeline Sami) is a character in "Top of the Lake". Jane Campion/Gerald Lee's little joke?
• The decor represents the personalities of the characters. The disorganised, complicated shanties of Jude and Robin.The stark, colourless, cold home and office of Al Parker.
• An instructive 'How to make a cup of tea' scene from kindly Detective Parker.

"The Following" TV series, Episode 12 "The Curse" review, few spoilers

Ryan Hardy is a murderer! Joe and Ryan both have a death obsession, hence the episode's title. The strength of this show is the use of illuminating flashbacks.
Joe narrowly escaping each week is becoming a bore. Loved feisty Claire (Natalie Zea) punching grinning nutbag Emma and later slagging off Joe's novel writing style. Nice to see Joe (as well as Jacob) unravelling, albeit slowly.
Poor old Agent Weston (Shawn Ashmore), first day back on duty, looking like he has been in "Fight Club" (as his colleague comments) and Joe gets to torture him in front of Ryan.
That smarmy, loopy Sheriff has to be next to go. I want more Claire/Emma scrag fights next ep, please. Must be Natalie Zea's soap opera experience - "Passions", "Dirty Sexy Money"). Fingers crossed, viewers.

"Lilyhammer" TV series Episode 2 "The Flamingo" review

Watching this show and reading Jo Nesbo novels gives you a feeling for life in Norway – endless bureaucracy and the need to be “PC”. Our American hero, Frank Tagliano (now Giovanni) bypasses the politically correct for the law of the street and what is common sense. He plays white knight rather well. He fixes up the school bully in his typical style, while teaching the victim (his new girl friend's son) survival techniques. He is a novel negotiator with his new business operation. It's not The Flamingo in Las Vegas (the one established by mobster Bugsy Siegel in the 1940's, as Frank fondly retells), it's Frank's new nightclub in beautiful downtown Lillehammer. He ‘negotiates’ with a local bikie by giving him a gentle push down Lillehammer’s towering ski jump.

Frank’s favourite social worker (the bumbling Jan Johansen) reminds me of Jim Bell (the daffy neighbour in “Friday Night Dinner”). 

I like the way the dialogue fluctuates smoothly between Norwegian and English.

Interesting to note that star Van Zandt is also co-producer/co-writer. He obviously knew what he was doing as this is a classy production with great characters and delicious situations.

"Hannibal" NBC TV series Episode 1 review

"Hannibal" has Bryan Fuller ("Pushing Daisies") as the creator/writer. The first flashy scene establishing William Graham's (Hugh Dancy) credentials as a profiler grabs the viewer. William is a flawed, tortured  character, but that's the way we like 'em.
Ever see U.K.'s "Wire in the Blood" about a flawed, tortured profiler played by Robson Green. Well, perhaps other people in NBC have.
I never thought I'd hear "Willie Wonka's Golden Ticket" in the same breath as "serial killer"....well done NBC!
The connection with Dino De Laurentiniis brings back memories for this old fart (Martha, Dino's later wife), is executive producer - connection with "Hannibal" (2001) movie I guess. And wasn't that a  real shitty sequel?
Casting Mads Mikkelsen (Le Chiffre in "Casino Royale") was inspired. Bond villain=Serial killer/psycho?
Stylish art direction - the white and blood red Men's room scene. Some surreal dream sequences  involving antlers and bodies. There's not a lot of laughs in this first episode, but it's delicious to see profiler Graham and boss Laurence Fishburne in the same room as Hannibal Lector - on the same team!
An intriguing first ep. It blitzes "The Following" in many ways. Well done, Mr Fuller, sorry people didn't like "Mockingbird Lane". I did.
Bring on Ellen Greene and Gillian Armstrong in coming episodes.

"Bates Motel" TV series, "Trust Me" Episode 4 review, spoilers

A very eventful episode.  Norma feels a cop - or does she cop a feel? Hot sex in Motel Unit 5. Norman gets lucky as well with Bradley. Half bro Dylan is turning out to be Norman's ally and a very appealing character.
Everytime Norman inhales strongly through his nose, you know he is thinking nasty thoughts, watch the interplay between shifty Sheriff Shelby and Norman in the street after dark. That poor Asian girl is still waiting for Norman to rescue her, but the Boy Wonder is getting his leg over with Bradley (Nicola Peltz). Peltz seemed to be channelling Mia Sara ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off') in the chocolate sundae scene with Norman.