Author: stumberry

Genre: TV Series

Grade: A-

Notable People: Saskia Reeves, Owen Teale, Clare Holman, James Wilby, Sam Heughan, Philip Glenester, by: Andy Harries

Title: Island at War

Review: Extremely well done 2004 British mini- series that tells the story of the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands- only a quick 30 miles from the shore of England and a German attempt to finally invade the Brits, at a time when they were last man standing against the evil empire. It primarily focuses on three local families: the upper class Dorrs, the middle class Mahys, and the working class Jonases, and four German officers of various degrees of allegiance to the Nazi regime. The fictional island of St. Gregory serves as a stand-in for the real-life islands of Guernsey and Jersey and the story is compiled from the events on both islands. Well written and complex story of the strange relationships developed during a wartime occupation and the struggles that some Germans had with their Nazi regime. Powerful and emotionally wrought with a wonderfully British cast and a nice part for the future Outlander star, a very young Heughan. Very unfortunately, this was a one and one mini-series and can be seen streaming on the free IMDB app with commercials.   

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Genre: TV Series

Grade: A-

Notable People: Taylor Kitsch, Michael C. Hall, Logan Marshall- Green, Ellen Hoss Created by: Mans Marlind

Title: The Defeated

Review: German series, originally titled Shadowplay, and taking place in the allied-divided Berlin immediately after the close of the second war- this show is a riveting look at the chaos of the times and the growing imminence of the Cold War. Kitsch shines as a war worn New York cop sent to the American sector of Berlin to train a novice volunteer police force, led by the compelling Hoss. The plot thickens with the underbelly of Max (Kitsch) trying to track down his deranged army-deserter bother, Moritz (Green), who is busy tracing down and creating grizzly deaths for surviving Nazis in hiding. Very well written and a potent glance ta the times. Clearly due for a second season.

Genre: Book   

Grade: A-/B+

Notable People:  Harlan Corbin

Title: WIN

Review: WIN is another intriguing character from the mind of the prolific Corbin, who also writes the Myron Bolitar mystery series (WIN is a fictional chum of Myron’s). WIN is short for Windsor Horne Lockwood III, a top of the line blue blood New Yorker, martial arts expert, borderline personality/narcissist, who unabashedly performs acts of violence in the interest of what he sees as necessary justice, while enjoying a life more or less in the style of Bruce Wayne (if I have to tell you how that is, we are in trouble here). The book has WIN delving back into a fatal bombing by a 60s militant group, woven into a story of the heist of major art works of Vermeer and Picasso, late night exclusive arranged hook-ups for the rich, sex abuse horrors and the mob……it’s a lot folks……but hard to put down. Corbin writes well, if a bit egotistically smug. The book should all be films in my view, and if you like suspense/mystery/wild yarns, give this one  a gander.  

Genre: TV Series

Grade: B+

Notable People: Michelle Terry, Ellie Haddington, June Watson Created by: Michelle Terry and Ralf Little

Title: The Cafe

Review: Cute and quirky English comedy about three generations of very stoic woman running a seaside café in remote Britain. Wonderful cast of zany characters and almost slapstick type of situations. Droll in the finest British comedic tradition. Phoebe Waller Bridge seemed to hone what would become her infamous Fleabag character as aide player on this show. A very nice diversion if you usually watch intense serial dramas , and at around 20 minutes per episode, it’s a refreshing quickie. Two seasons and out, unlikely to return given last season was in 2013.  

Genre: TV Series

Grade: A-

Notable People: Daisy Haggard, Adeel Akhtar, Created by: Laura Salon, Daisy Haggard

Title: Back to Life

Review: Really offbeat show- sometimes comical, sometimes very dramatic, starring the wonderful Haggard, who is an undiscovered gem waiting to happen. She plays a 40 y/o woman returning to a staid seaside British community after 19 year in prison for killing her best friend……which it’s very unclear whether she did or not. Her indomitable spirit provides the spark against a series of mountainous adjustments. Akhtar is the gentle neighbor who everyone would want on their side in a crisis. Not sure if this is one series off, but may come back. This one is a sleeper.

Genre: TV Series  

Grade: B+

Notable People: Jeff Daniels, Maura Tierney, Alex Nuestaedtner, Created by: Dan Futtermen

Title: American Rust

Review: Dark and foreboding drama set in the far reaches of Western Pennsylvania coal country. Daniels shines as the lonely and depressed Police Chief, hiding/running away from a past as a Pittsburgh Detective. The critics really did not like this show, for reasons I can’t really understand. It is a bit slow moving, and, at times, a bit predictable. But, Daniels is a tour de force (as always) in a complicated role and the supporting cast is really good. The cinematography brilliantly captures the area’s fade and despair, and the music is dead on. Nuestaedtner shines as confused former town football hero, stuck in his home town and charged with murder. I anticipated Sundays each week to see the next installment. Anything with Jeff Daniels is worth watching. Season finale left the door open for another season.