Cinemascope: Broadchurch (Seasons 1 thru 3)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2013 - 2017.

Plot line: When the corpse of an 11-year-old British boy, Danny Latimer, is found bloodied and dirty on an idyllic beach, a small Dorset community becomes the focus of a police investigation and media madness. Out-of-town Detective Inspector Alec Hardy gets the point position over Detective Sgt. Ellie Miller, who feels the job should have been hers. Now she must engage in an efficient working relationship with taciturn Hardy. Slowly, more members of the community of Broadchurch are drawn into the investigation, with a telephone engineer drawing great attention when he admits to a special connection to the case. While dealing with so much unwelcome attention, Danny's family tries to cope with its grief. When a suspect is named and charged, the ensuing trial sees the defendant promising to expose more of the townspeople's secrets.

I'm late to this party, but when I heard the main female lead had been selected to continue on as QE2 in The Crown, figured it was time to get familiar with her body of work. This is a police procedural, but the story unfolds over the season. I really like the exploration of small town dynamics, and how everyone has something to hide. Everyone. I watched this on Netflix, and as I've said before, I really love being able to watch TV from other parts of the world, as they have such a different styles of telling a story.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Peaky Blinders ( Seasons 1 thru 4)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2014 - 2017.

Plot line: Britain is a mixture of despair and hedonism in 1919 in the aftermath of the Great War. Returning soldiers, newly minted revolutions and criminal gangs are fighting for survival in a nation rocked by economic upheaval. One of the most powerful gangs of the time is the Peaky Blinders, run by returning war hero Thomas Shelby and his family. But Thomas has bigger ambitions than just running the streets. When a crate of guns goes missing, he recognizes an opportunity to advance in the world because crime may pay but legitimate business pays better. Trying to rid Britain of its crime is Inspector Chester Campbell, who arrives from Belfast to try to achieve that goal.

I've watched this series over a couple of months and there are so many things I really like about it. This period piece looks at the lives of a group of men after the Great War, the way the lives of women changed and then had to change back, poverty, corruption, politics, crime, and the fact that no matter how much money you make, the aristocrats will never let you in. It's a slow build with lots of twists and turns. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and family sagas.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: The Crown (Season 2)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by showrunner Peter Morgan, this lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.

This award winning show is fantastic, and while Season One was entertaining and fun, this one has much darker tones. It's still great, but I could not binge the series as each episode evokes strong feelings. Loved it. Am sad to see Claire Foy leave, but also really like the notion of having older actors play these roles, rather than simply aging the current cast in uncomfortable and strange ways. Cannot wait for the next season.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Happy Valley (Seasons 1 & 2)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2016.

Plot line: In a magnificent role written specifically for her, Sarah Lancashire (Last Tango in Halifax, The Paradise) shines as Catherine Cawood, a hard-working, earthy police sergeant who strides her beautiful patch of Yorkshire like a grown-up. Catherine's work and personal life are already complicated in crime-riddled Happy Valley when Tommy Lee Royce wanders into town, freshly released from prison. Was he responsible for Catherine's daughter's death, as she believes? And will her suspicion cloud her judgment when another young girl goes missing? A superb, award-winning BBC hit with a dynamite cast and six finely wrought episodes, from one of Britain's best writers, Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax, Scott & Bailey).

One of the things I love about Netflix is the ability to see TV shows from other countries. This British drama is dark and suspenseful with complex characters and complex themes. It's not your typical American style cop show, and the story arc carries over the entire season. How you feel about people and things will change as you watch the show, and isn't that why we watch?

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.

Cinemascope: Manhunt:Unabomber

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: This miniseries tells the story of the FBI's hunt for the Unabomber in the 1990s. Agent Jim "Fitz" Fitzgerld, a fresh-faced criminal profiler with the agency, faces an uphill battle in tracking the infamous criminal but also has to fight against the bureaucracy of the Unabom Task Force (UTF), of which he is a part. Although Fitz pioneers the use of forensic linguistics, others in the UTF dismiss his maverick ideas and new approaches. Ultimately, though, his new techniques help him identify and capture the Unabomber.

Anther series that got me hooked and didn't let go. True crime is all the rage, and this exploration about the beginnings of criminal profiling, and the case of the Unabomber. The acting is really good all around, and I was delighted with the process of figuring out how this case was solved. I knew only the bare bones of the case, so most of it was new to me, and I was fascinated the entire time.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Alias Grace

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2017.

Plot line: Based on the 1996 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, "Alias Grace" tells the story of young Grace Marks, a poor Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Upper Canada who is accused and convicted of the 1843 murder of her employer and his housekeeper. Stablehand James McDermott is also convicted of the crime. McDermott is hanged, but Grace is sentenced to life in prison, leading her to become one of the most notorious women of the period in Canada. The story is based on actual 19th-century events.

Netflix continues to produce fantastic content, and this is one is no exception. I have yet to read the book, but this interesting series explores themes of family, poverty, the agency, or not, of women, crime, and the norms of the period. Wonderful acting, and as with any Atwood story it as has a fascinating story at its center.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Confirmation

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2016.

Plot line: Judge Clarence Thomas' nomination to the United States Supreme Court is called into question when Anita Hill, a former colleague, testifies that he sexually harassed her.

I remember the Anita Hill hearings, and the classic BS of a woman not being believed. This TV movie dramatizes that event, and it made me oh so angry. Again. It's interesting to watch it 25 years later during the #MeToo movement and fallout. It's a straight up account of this historical event, but I did learn a couple of things I didn't know.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a movie worth watching.

Cinemascope: This Is Us (Season 2)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: The Pearson family's generational story unfolds in this emotional drama. In moments of love, joy, triumph and heartbreak, revelations emerge from parents Jack and Rebecca's past, while triplets Kate, Randall and Kevin discover deeper meaning in their present day lives.

I finished watching the season finale yesterday, and seriously love this show. One of the best on TV at the moment in my opinion. I love the exploration of real issues, complex people, and no easy answers to what life throws your way. I cannot talk about why I love this one more without spoilers, so do yourself a favor and give it a try. So dang good.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: This Is Us (Season 1)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2016.

Plot line: The Pearson family's generational story unfolds in this emotional drama. In moments of love, joy, triumph and heartbreak, revelations emerge from parents Jack and Rebecca's past, while triplets Kate, Randall and Kevin discover deeper meaning in their present day lives. Successful businessman and father Randall searches for information about his biological parents. Kate finds love and self-acceptance while battling obesity. Kevin pursues a more meaningful career, which brings some difficult choices.

I honestly think that the less you know about this show going in the better. I'd been hearing buzz about this one, and it got some Emmy nods and wins, but all I really knew going in is that it's a family drama. I didn't have very high expectations, and was blown away by the themes this show tackles, and tackles well. Once I started watching I couldn't stop. I was in tears most shows and right out bawling in others. No car chases, no gun fights, just a powerful look at humanity and our pain and our joy. Loved it.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.

Cinemascope: Narcos (Season 3)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Now that the bloody hunt for Pablo Escobar has ended, the DEA turns its attention to the richest drug trafficking organization in the world: the Cali Cartel. Led by four powerful godfathers, this cartel operates much differently than Escobar's, preferring to bribe government officials and keep its violent actions out of the headlines.

I love this Netflix series. You learn much about the drug industry, the cartels, the US culpubity in all of it, and the reason why the moeny spent on "the war on drugs" was essentially money flushed down the toilet. The acting and production quality is really good. I am often to be found talking to the characters while I watch, and my blood pressure increases with every show. So good.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Chasing Coral

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Coral reefs around the world are vanishing at an unprecedented rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why and to reveal the underwater mystery to the world.

I have zero patience for gobal warming skeptics. This is a clear and present danger, so stop with all the BS and educate yourself on the issues. This documentary had me in tears, and I'd highly recommend it to every human, but especially divers and snorkelers who've spent time among one of the wonders of the natural world.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Game of Thrones (Season 7)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: George R.R. Martin's best-selling book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" is brought to the screen as HBO sinks its considerable storytelling teeth into the medieval fantasy epic. It's the depiction of two powerful families -- kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and honest men -- playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and to sit atop the Iron Throne.

Winter is here!  I've been slowly re-watching all the previous seasons in preparation for Season 7, and it's interesting the things I forgot, or confused with sections of the books. I continue to love this show. This season starts off with a bang, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. At this point you are either already on the bandwagon or not. Yes, the show is violent and bloody, but I squint my eyes for a few seconds and move on. Go House Stark!

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Great Human Odyssey

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2016.

Plot line: Numbering no more than a few thousand, tiny groups of intrepid humans began to move out of Africa-eventually dominating the planet. How did these early humans acquire the skills, technology, and talent to thrive in every environment on earth? Takes a global journey through the past, following our ancestors' footsteps out of Africa along a trail of scientific clues to help unravel the mystery of how we got where we are.

I've read several fantastic books on this very topic, and really enjoyed this PBS/NOVA production. There is much to ponder about our origins and this show will get you started.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Big Little Lies

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Based on the same-titled best-seller by Liane Moriarty, "Big Little Lies" weaves a darkly comedic tale of murder and mischief in the tranquil beachfront town of Monterey, Calif. Amidst doting moms, successful husbands, beautiful children, and stunning homes exists a community fueled by rumors and divided into haves and have-nots, exposing fractured relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbors. Told through the eyes of three mothers -- Madeline, Celeste and Jane -- the series' narrative explores society's myths regarding perfection and its romanticization of marriage, sex, parenting and friendship. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley star as the three prominent "mothers of Monterey."

A shout out to HBO for this one. I just know that the book would not work for me, I mean look at that premise. Poor rich white women? Not my cup of tea in prose, but this show you guys is fantastic. Yes there are obscene amounts of wealth on display, but I loved that this is really a story about women: women judging each other, being there for one another, using their children as weapons, and the reality of violence against women. It's an honest look at the good, the bad and the ugly, and I love that roles like these are being created for older women in the industry.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Dear White People (Season 1)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Based on the acclaimed film of the same name, this Netflix-original series follows a group of students of color at Winchester University, a predominantly white Ivy League college. The students are faced with a landscape of cultural bias, social injustice, misguided activism and slippery politics. Through an absurdist lens, the series uses irony, self-deprecation, brutal honesty and humor to highlight issues that still plague today's"post-racial" society.

Am really loving some of the Netflix shows this year. I was skeptical about this one. Racism is not an easy subject to talk about without offending someone, and while I'm sure there are people offended by this show I was not in that number. Thought provoking, salient, timely, and I was so reminded of certain moments in my own college years. I liked this series better than the movie.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: Hasan Minhaj - Homecoming King

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: In his first stand-up special, Hasan Minhaj weaves humorous and heartbreaking anecdotes to tell his life story as an Indian-American Muslim. Topics include racism, bullying and meeting the demanding expectations of his immigrant parents.

Netflix is doing some really fun programming these days. I was in the mood for something light to watch, and while I smiled, there are serious topics covered here. Exactly what I was looking for. "Once you go brown, you gotta lock it down," indeed.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Cinemascope: 13 Reasons Why

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Newcomer Katherine Langford plays the role of Hannah, a young woman who takes her own life. Two weeks after her tragic death, a classmate named Clay finds a mysterious box on his porch. Inside the box are recordings made by Hannah -- on whom Clay had a crush -- in which she explains the 13 reasons why she chose to commit suicide. If Clay decides to listen to the recordings, he will find out if and how he made the list. This intricate and heart-wrenching tale is told through Clay and Hannah's dual narratives.

There's been much hoopla and warnings about this new Netflix show, but I for one am encouraged by the production of shows that address real issues that spark discussions. This show is based on a book of the same name, which I have yet to read, and both the book and show are targeted at a young adult audience. No matter where you fall on all the controversy surrounding this one, watch it before you make up your mind about it. So many adults I've met are talking negatively about it without having seen it. Also for anyone who thinks that they can prevent their kids from watching it, don't be so naive. Watch it with or without your kids, and then talk to them about the themes explored here. Don't preach, talk.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.

Cinemascope: The Bridge | Bron | Broen (Season 1)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2011.

Plot line: When a body is found on the bridge between Denmark and Sweden, right on the border, Danish inspector Martin Rohde and Swedish Saga Norén have to share jurisdiction and work together to find the killer.

Don't mistake this series for the one set on the US/Mexico border. This is the Scandinavian original, so yes there are subtitles, but this is a really great police procedural with the added bonus of not being set in the US. Solving the crime is interesting, but what I really liked about this series is the character study of the main cops. Fascinating.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.

Cinemascope: American Crime (Season 2)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2016.

Plot line: When shocking photos of high-school student Taylor Blaine show up on social media after a party, the boy accuses two basketball players from the elite private school of posting the pictures after drugging and assaulting him. Taylor and his mother stand as the school's wealthy families attack them while the school's headmistress fights to maintain the school's reputation. At the same time, Taylor's girlfriend faces issues of racial tension at her own school, and while the two institutions are widely different in status, the lives of students and teachers at both become entangled.

Right after I finished the first season I started this one. This series continues to blow me away with the themes explored. I love the idea that this series uses a stable of actors and each season everyone plays a different role. It's interesting that I felt a certain way about a characters' behavior in the first season, and then felt very differently when similar behavior was shown by a different character. This made me examine my prejudices and snap judgments, but I can't talk about the things that moved me, made me angry, or made me think without spoilers, so all I'll say is that I need a discussion group to talk about this show.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.

Cinemascope: American Crime (Season 1)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2015.

Plot line: The first season of this anthology crime drama focuses on the aftermath and investigation of the murder of a veteran, Matt Skokie, and brutal assault of his wife, Gwen. The story centers around the impact of the event on the victims' families, as well as the suspects and their loved ones. Matt's parents, Barb (Felicity Huffman) and her estranged ex-husband Russ (Timothy Hutton), struggle to cope with their son's death while relentlessly seeking to bring his killer to justice. They also clash with Gwen's parents, Tom and Eve, as they endure the legal investigation and discover dark secrets about their children along the way. The narrative also follows the lives of the various suspects and examines the racial tensions that are prevalent within the legal system.

Somehow I didn't hear about this series until the second season was already done, and I'm so glad I stumbled across it. In my opinion, this is one the best shows I've ever seen that looks at race, class, gender, relationships, and the judicial system without holding any punches. This show has a wonderful ensemble cast and really good writing that tackle these themes head on. I loved how I felt one thing going into the show, and then changed how I felt about things as the show proceeded. I need a discussion group to talk about all my feelings about this show.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.