Five great things about the mini-series "Lambs of God"

• It's only four short episodes. Many mini-series wear out their welcome with 8 or 10 episodes.

• Esse Davis (so glamorous as 1920's detective Phryne Fisher) is almost unrecognisable playing Sister Iphigenia. Love the contact lenses.

• Sister Carla's "Moses in the bullrushes" word play.

• 85 year old Donald McAlpine's glorious cinematography.

• The east coast of Tasmania locations (Tasman Island, Cape Pillar) used to stand in for the isolated English island.

"The Name of the Rose" 2019 RAI TV mini series review

This is a totally satisfying adaption of Umberto Eco's 1980 masterwork. The 1986 film with Sean Connery was a mixed bag and a bit of a disappointment.
Even though this new version is a Italian/German production, the (mainly Italian) cast speak English.

John Turturro makes a perfect William of Baskerville, delivering the elegantly written lines with eloquence and grace. Damian Hardung (a 20 year old German actor, although he looks much younger) plays the friar's novice. This is definitely his 'break-out' role.
Rupert Everett (has he ever played such a sinister character?) portrays the Inquisitor, Bernardo Gui, the tortured, torturer.
The series is beautifully photographed, some of the interiors look like Renaissance masterpieces.
There are eight episodes, each episode being approximately 50 minutes.

Tiring of Scandi noir? Try some Gallic noir...

French television is full of juicy crime thrillers. Many have surfaced on streaming services like Netflix in the last couple of years.
The French seem to enjoy serial killer-related dramas served with a large serve of revenge. Currently on Netflix you have :"Le Chalet" (murder most foul in a scenic village in the French alps), "La Foret"/"The Forest" (disappearing teenagers in the Ardennes forest), "La Mante" (a female Hannibal Lecter helping the police catch her a copycat killer), "The Frozen Dead"/"Glace" (murky deeds set around a psychiatric facility perched high in the Pyrenees).

Thankfully, these limited mini-series contain only 6 episodes, rather than some inflated English language productions that are dragged out to 10 - 13 instalments.

"The Chalet" Netflix's hidden gem

What a relief to watch a 6 part miniseries (each episode is around 50 minutes) where all is resolved so there's no chance of a second season. This French murder mystery is wildly improbable but after the first half hour you are hooked. The glorious scenery around Chamonix in the French alps contrasts with the dastardly doings of the villagers.
The chilling nursery rhyme and the model village (with rivers of blood in later credits) telegraphs to the viewer that things are going to get nasty. Alternating between two timelines (the summers of 1997 and 2017), we see what has happened to the villagers and their children. No spoilers here. Just enjoy the ride.

The best bits of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" miniseries (2018)

1. Werribee Park ('Appleyard College') is the undoubted star of the show. The buildings are part of a museum and hotel (Werribee Mansion and Spa), 35 km from Melbourne.  Honourable mention: Ripponlea ('Lakeview House') in Elsternwick (an inner Melbourne suburb).
2. Cinematography (although I think they ODed on the fog machine).
3. Natalie Dormer is incredibly watchable, a much younger (but with more demons) Mrs Appleyard (played by Rachel Roberts in the 1975 film). Loved the mini-sunglasses.
4. Yael Stone (Lorna Morello in "Orange is the New Black") - unrecognisable as the sycophantic Dora Lumley).
5. Inez Curro (the orphan Sara) - a breakout performance -  that deadly stare!

This miniseries has received mixed reviews. The action is drawn-out and repetitive. Probably 4 episodes would have been sufficient.

"The Spoils of Babylon" the best bits, US TV miniseries spoof, IFC

• All of Will Ferrell's introductions (honourable mention to Doris, the waitress in the background)
• Episode 1's Devon reading Jonas's compass inscription ("....Your Fat")
• Episode 2 "Welcome Home Darin" banner. 
• The breakfast scene with nutbag Cynthia (Kristen Wiig) and Lady Ann York (Carey Mulligan).
• Post coital bedroom scene (Devon lying covered with mannequin body parts).
• Episode 3 Tobey Maguire's beat poet scenes/drug montage, loved the Dylan wig.
• Episode 3 Tim Robbin's death scene.
• Episode 6's beach love scene, booming waves and strange body part silhouettes.

As each episode is under 30 minutes, the jokes and tom foolery don't wear out their welcome.

Makes you want to re-explore those overblown but addictive mini series of the mid 70's. "Rich Man, Poor Man" was my guilty pleasure.

For a sendup of 80's horror schlock, seek out UK Channel 4's "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" (2004). There are several similarities: a wanker author to introduce the series, use of crap models, histrionics from the entire cast and dodgy editing.

"The Icecream Girls" TV mini series Episode 1 quick review

What is it with ITV and seaside town thrillers? First "Broadchurch" now, this miniseries. I am hooked already. I'm a sucker for a juicy flashback.
The novel (by Dorothy Koomson) must be a good read. The recreation of 1995 was well done. Jodhi May expertly plays the tortured Poppy. Not sure about Lorraine Burrough's Serena character. The drama is only a three parter ...easy-peasy, viewers.