"Zombieland" Amazon TV pilot 2013 review

When you are not expecting much from a show, it's a nice surprise. I liked the "Zombieland" 2009 movie a lot. The interaction between the two male leads, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, the cool graphics, the rules of Zombieland. With the same writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, a likable cast (Tyler Ross is quite cute) and a new character, Detroit (the 'eye in the sky', the dulcet tones of Kendra Fountain). There is a lot to like here.
The hilarious first scene in the office, two prats discussing finicky food choices while a zombie apocalypse is raging (chainsaws, incinerated man, crashing jet) behind them through the full length window. The geriatric zombies, Ikea chit chat, running "vagina" count, loads of pop culture references (Ms Pacman and Brady's tiki idol) made it a diverting 28 minutes. Pretty strong production values too. Did Talahassee (Kirk Ward) mention "Eisenberg" in one of his lines?
Favourite bit: "Zombie Kill of the Week" (the Indiana Jones/'76' ball). A big laugh following a gore fest (e.g. Talahassee clubbing the elderly zombies) was occasionally disconcerting.
As far as this 57 year old is concerned, I'd give this a go.  Hell, it was free.

"Da Vinci's Demons" TV series Starz Episode 2 "The Serpent" review, minor spoilers

Better than the first episode. Just as silly but with more substance. You need to forget about what Renaissance history you learnt in school and just sit back and enjoy this stuff. It's like Indiana Jones meets "National Treasure" (particularly the last scene). David S. Goyer (creator) has taken a  few key facts of the period and then gone on a roller coaster ride.
Goyer seems to like to shock the viewer with his first scene in each ep. Last week it was the naughty, soon to be stabbed Duke of Milan. This week it's a circumcised member ("I haven't seen one of those before" intones a girl). By the way, 'the hanged man' is quite well hung. We then get a very graphic autopsy performed by Leonardo.
"The Serpent" refers to the Pope's nephew, Count Riario (Blake Ritson). My new favourite character. If there was a railroad track in Florence, he'd have tied half a dozen damsels to it. He just has to put up with old fashioned decapitation and a nifty torture device called The Widow's Tear.
Once again there is the gorgeous black and white animation (the mechanics of the dual keys and lock). Our swashbuckling hero escapes up the scaffolding of the Duomo - a great scene. Tom Riley is definitely doing a bit of Sherlock (Johnny Miller version) when reconstructing the fate of the Jew and the Book of Leaves.
Loved the quarry scene - say hello to Leo's "little friend".
Da Vinci's mates are good value, the loyal servant, Nico the irreverent Zoroaster (whose favourite turn of phrase is not "Mamma Mia!" but a very English: "F*ck me!").
The use of colour to signify the two worlds - evil, forbidding, secretive Rome - shadowy scenes in the Vatican, black clad villains and the decadent, but enlightened Florence of the Medicis - garish colours, fireworks, torches, extravagant bejewelled costumes. Check out the Adam and Eve floorshow in the Medici ball scene.
Knowledge and the control of knowledge is the theme of the series (as well as bonking and butchery, of course, it's cable!)
The final scene with Leo perched above the grid pattern of pages was inpirational.

"Lilyhammer" TV series Episode 4 "The Midwife" review

How does Frank do it? Ever week he turns the tables to get his own way, through manipulation, shrewdness, brashness and a pinch of dumb luck. This week he wants the best hospital for his girlfriend's new baby. Everything works out because of a poker game and a citizens' night patrol (a 'non-violent' vigilante group, the Night Ravens). He dismisses the Ravens with, "Never fu*king more!" (Quoth the mobster).
These scripts are original and ingenious, the characters, beguiling. You shouldn't like Frank's crass attitudes and biases but you can't help it - he's lovable.
His father-son talk with Sigrid's son is hilarious. "Women are food .... nourishment" he tells the spellbound Jonas, waxing lyrical about the female anatomy and possibilities for 'nourishment'.
The cocky and 'thick as two short planks' policeman, 'Elvis' Tvedt, inadvertently discovers Frank's secret. Should make next episode interesting. I'm sure the wily Frank/Giovanni will think his way out.

"Hannibal" TV series NBC Episode 3 "Potage" review

And what a tasty pot of soup it was, tonight.
Are the script writers trying to equate deer hunters with serial killers? This will piss off the N.R.A..
Why did all the female characters (Abigail, Marissa from next door, her mum, Dr Bloom) look the same (long brown hair, wearing teal colours). We know Hobbs had a thing for this look. But why teal - did he shoot ducks too?
Virginal Abigail (Kacey Rohl) looks like Lindsay Lohan (circa "Mean Girls", not now).
Loved the scene in the lecture theatre when Graham and Lecter share looks as Will talks about the copycat's phone call to Hobbs. Does he know? We know Abigail does.
Blogger Freddie Lounds (played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman in "Red Dragon", now played by Lara Jean Chorostecki) seems to breeze into any situation. Can't she be arrested for obstruction of justice? The F.B.I. have been incredibly lenient with the pest. Slagging off unstableWill in earshot of everyone. Hope she is main course soon.
Not much nifty profiler magic by Will this week - I like when he is transported, trance-like, reconstructing the murders.
Shared madness seems to be a recurring theme in this series. Poor Abigail, getting into a pact with Lecter. This won't end well. Hope she has another hunting knife handy.

"Da Vinci's Demons" Starz/FX TV series Episode 1 "The Hanged Man" review

The viewer is assaulted by the sight of "Downtown Abbey's Earl of Grantham" (Hugh Bonneville) naked, urinating after bedding a young man. Later on we hear the honeyed words, "F*ck me again, Leonardo!" You know this is not The History Channel.
This is going to be a rollicking romp, full of sex and slashing, political intrigue, colourful vistas, more bonking, a mysterious fraternity, myriad conspiracies and naughty popes.
David S. Goyer is the creator (writer of "The Dark Knight" and soon to be released "Man of Steel"). He directs this episode also. English seems to be the default accent in this series. Tom Riley plays the title character like Errol Flynn in his swashbuckling heyday. Add a touch of arrogant Sherlock from "Elementary". Both gents like a bit of illicit drugs also.
When the mascaraed Turk spouts "Time is a river .... a circle" I thought I was listening to the hokey "Lost Horizon" from 1972. I like Da Vinci's friends, young Nico (test pilot in Leo's man-kite was a  funny scene) and the worldly Zoroaster (Greg Chillin - he certainly was chillin') as the procurer of corpses. It's "Plebs" goes Renaissance.
I thought Leonardo played with the other team. He wasn't showing those tendencies in this episode (apart from a vague comment about an attractive male model. Homosexuality seems to be de rigueur for the elite (the pissing Duke of Milan, the venal Pope).
For all its silliness, there is an inspired scene when starlings are released from a market cage so Leonardo can observe and sketch their flight. This was a beautifully realised scene. I watched open mouthed.
The series may never top this one minute wondrous gem.
Next week: more bums, boobs, bonking, buggery, bashings and betrayal?
Well, it beats The History Channel.

"Bluestone 42" BBC3 Episode 7 review

Not sure about "Bluestone 42". It's got a lot going for it. A bold idea, looks great (South Africa doubling for Afghanistan), two of the writers of "Miranda" and nice performances from a diverse cast.
It just didn't grab me. I wanted to like it. Think "M*A*S*H" meets "It Ain't Half Hot, Mum" meets "The Hurt Locker" (especially the handheld camera bit during the bombing scene). The pointless conversations about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Scrabble, Greggs and a block of cheese were diverting. The mix of comedy with the serious doesn't quite come off. I liked the Afghan's comment, "sure I'm on your side, you pay me".
And that's about it.

"Bates Motel" Episode 5 "Ocean View" TV series, A and E, recap, review

Emma Decody (Olivia Cooke), super sleuth (Nancy Drew avec wheelie oxygen tank) is back. I've missed her. She shares Norman's taste in dorky sweater choices (crap stripes, Fair Isle?).  She finally tracks down Asian sex slave, Jiao. Emma asks Norman to clean up Jiao's vom back at the Bates Motel .... Norman, steer clear of the shower, that comes LATER.

Norma is becoming a real worry for Norman.  Looking unusually normal, he comes swaggering home (sans crap sweater) from an amorous night with Bradley, only to meet unforgiving, guilt-trip-inducing Norma, fresh out of the slammer. Poor Norman, a psycho in the making. The scene in the Mercedes with Norma and Normette is a beauty. Two exceptional actors (Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore) show their stuff.
Dylan (is it me, or does his top row of choppers look different since the last ep) is the voice of reason in this affair. The two bros looked cute on the motor bike. Dylan has no time for Norma. For good reason. Who will she top in the next episode?  Loverboy, Deputy Shelby, the only one who knows about the incriminating evidence?

"Top of the Lake" Episode 7 series finale review some spoilers

Beware of pregnant teenage mothers hissing and brandishing a hunting rifle (c.f. Episode 6 review).
No dead spots in this episode. Heaps of revelations and complications. I knew that Parker was an evil bastard. The framed photos of the teenage 'baristas' was a giveaway. No wonder Jamie (Luke Buchanan) was so damaged, collecting bones and talking about the serpent in paradise and "the darkness" in ep 6.
Robin's biological father - didn't see that one coming. I knew Mitchum had the local police in his back pocket but didn't expect one to be his daughter.
As to newborn Noah's father, Parker had DNA proof it was Matt Mitchum. But can Parker trust him? Tui's "NO ONE" comment was true. Could have been any of the porn making paedophiles from Parker's luxury pad. Mitchum probably provided the rohypnol. The bit about Johnno's real father was a bit convenient, but I suppose there was enough depravity in Laketop without the incest angle.
Two nice bits: the shot of the Paradise containers, dwarfed by the towering mountains and GJ's (Holly Hunter) final scenes. Consulting her ipad for her latest investments, telling her tribe they were "crazy bitches" before washing her plate and fork, giving Tui some motherly advice and skipping off to Iceland.
Why didn't the Australian Broadcasting Commission want to show this series? Bad call, Auntie.
Was this series worth sticking with?

P.S. 

RE  Robin's lakeside booze scene. Why do people bother drinking liquor out of shopping bags, you know it's not 7up they're sipping.