I can still pick out Sam Elliot's face from a view from space, however.
And, what a face it is. Sigh.
And, what a face it is. Sigh.
Quite right!
Slow Horses was quite good. Hopefully Amazon will carry future seasons. Meanwhile, if I had clicked on 'watch without commercials', what a dope would I have been. Yup, there were no commercials.
They are trying to draw you in to subscribing to Apple TV to continue the series, not as appealing if they hit you with ads while they are trying to get you in to the series. I guess I didn't have any ads either! I honestly don't remember.
"Waking the Dead"... Although I really like Trevor Eve in it (not everyone does), he is my draw, it just gets too creepy, at least for me. Maybe, as a weekly watch - which was its' intention, it was okay, but as a binge I am finding it less enjoyable as I go.The last episode I watched - which had a great cast including Roger Allan, was kind of bonkers. I am moving on from it and may come back now and again for an episode if I am stuck for something to watch.
Now, I did read that the show is similar to "Silent Witness", so if you like that, you may like this.
After seeing Downton Abbey ' The Grand Finale ' movie I've been scouring the internet looking for any news regarding the future status of the series . Not much out there . Except I saw a brief comment thrown out by Julian Fellows as he was driving off in a car. He said in effect the Downton cast from the start of the series will retire off ( or just move on ) and any new Downton will be under Lady Mary and a new staff. That's all he said . However , I can't believe it's over . It has been an unexpectedly smash hit not only in the U.K. but in U.S.A . and throughout the world. Every year it got bigger thru Seasons 1 to 6 , then the 3 movies that followed with possibly the last movie being the biggest success. Has to be more coming with the laws of economics in place ... it's a CASH COW . lol
Will look again Brit ..... for ' Waking the Dead ' .. curious now .
Haven't seen the finale movie as yet Solar, looking forward to doing so. My friend who is also a big fan said it is very good, she enjoyed every minute of it.
It makes sense to me that anything moving forward with the franchise would focus on Mary, and her Downton tutaledge, with a new staff. At some point they have to move on from the original family and staff - the actors themselves have been tied to this series (and movies) for years now - not that any of them are complaining, it has been a glorious run for each of them, but at some point you have to move on or you become Kevin Whatley and play one character for the majority of your career.
I know it is hard to see a franchise you so enjoy just disappear - Downton has been such an entertaining and fun part of so many people's lives. It totally turned around the finances and viability of PBS alone. Look what it did for Highclere Castle and Countess Carnarvon. Changed both their lives. One of my most treasured visits ever is my trip to Highclere and getting to meet Lady C. in person.
The franchise is a cash cow, and when it becomes necessary - everyone needing another in-flux of $, we will see the next chapter evolve before our eyes.
Talking of the end of a loved series, I kept it for the holiday season, and broke down and watched the last Christmas Special of "Still Open All Hours" last night. Probably one of the best episodes of the entire series as they tied things up nicely even though they thought they still had another season to go. This was my second rewatch, so I don't know if I will be starting again or making this my last. The beginning episodes are a little too silly, I enjoy it more as it progresses, but it would be nice to see Lynda Baron as Nurse Gladys again.
@BritMystery wrote:
Solar, I agree Hugh Bonneville has been a standout. I never gave him great applause for his portrayal of Robert in Downton, he doesn't come to the top of the heap when you think of the characters (and actors) who define that series, but in this, he has excelled both in the part and as an actor.
The scene at the end of E5 with Edwyn Cooper and his mother was exceptional - nobody loves and supports you like your Mother, nobody...if you have been blessed in this life to have a loving one. Made me tear up.
Okay, "Wycliffe" - a favorite of mine. I watched the entire series on The 'Tube a number of years ago, before the series hit streaming. It is a good solid series. Jack Shepherd is strong in the role of Det. Superintendent Wycliffe and his team of Lucy and Doug make the series what it is. It is intelligent, interesting and has all that scenery of Cornwall.
It is now streaming on Britbox, so about a year ago I started rewatching the series, and to me, it still holds up today as an absorbing watch.
I have no interest in "Miss Scarlet" either, but I might also give an episode a go to see if my opinion still holds.
https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2138640/jack-shepherd-dead-wycliffe-actor
Wycliffe star Jack Shepherd has died age 85.
Oh no!! What sad news Sheerwater! Eighty-five... time does slip away. I have seen him in later years in a few things - I think a "Midsomer Murder" episode, but in my mind's eye, he is in his prime as Superintendent Wycliffe to me. So sorry to hear this.
Sad news indeed Sheerwater ...... have only become a recent viewer of Wycliffe .. picked up an Episode in PVR and out of curiosity gave it a view . Found it was surprisingly good. Series not new ( 1993 98 ) but a fun watch . Brit was right , he was in a Midsomer , I believe about 10 years ago. I have 12 Eps. of Wycliffe stacked up in PVR and will view them now in a different light . RIP Jack Shepherd , only sorry I found Wycliffe so late.
Happy Thanksgiving Brit ... ( a day late ) did ya have lots of turkey ??
Thanks, Solar! We went out to dinner at our favorite "Thanksgiving" restaurant this year - just the two of us, and it was an exceptional meal. We had a great table, it was cozy and quite perfect for us. Best Thanksgiving meal I ever had out.
I wanted to tell you, I remembered an interview I watched with Jack Shepherd on The 'Tube several years back and I went back and watched it again because I remembered him saying that he pitched the idea of bringing "Wycliffe" back for a reboot - a one off series I would imagine - where there is this really tough case and they ask Wycliffe to come out of retirement to help with the investigation.
Unfortunately TPTB, whomever they might be, did not go for it. I was so disappointed to hear that because I thought it was a brilliant idea and I would have loved to see him have an opportunity to bring the character back. This interview came to mind again when I learned of his passing from Sheerwater.
The interesting thing is that the interview took place fourteen years ago - he was seventy-one at the time and it was very apparent that he felt his opportunities for roles were drying up in part due to his age. I guess TPTB thought that the audience wouldn't be interested in seeing an older copper out there in the thick of things, but I think they were very wrong.
Although he was keeping busy in the industry with writing and stage work, I do feel he was missing the TV roles.
A Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving to you Deedee!
I have to tell you I have been making the most of my Prime watching of late. I have been watching the on-air channels and have so enjoyed it - even with the adverts! I've been watching the Britbox on-air channel too (adverts and all). I know, crazy huh! It is like watching old school TV, channel surfing to find something I like, clicking on it and just sitting back and enjoying.
I find it laborious to go through the steaming channels hunting for something - and often I can't make up my mind about what I want to watch. If I don't have anything specific in mind, I now go directly to the on-air channels and start there. One evening I watched a Joan Hickson Miss Marple and a Wallander episode back to back... last night I caught an episode of "As Time Goes By" and finished up the first season of "Delicious" that Prime is sampling this month.
I also have a suggestion for you, I did come across this movie that I thought might be right up your alley - you may have already seen it, "An Ordinary Man" with Ben Kingsley from 2018. They caption it as Dark, Intense and Suspenseful. I might try it myself.
Thanks, Brit, a belated Happy Turkey day to you as well.
Looked at the recap, An Ordinary Man sounds interesting, thank you.
Missed a movie on PBS early early this morning, The Great Escaper, another one that seems interesting - with Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson.
So - on-air channels? On Prime and Britbox? Huh? Wah? Do tell!
Too bad ya missed it dee .... Not a bad movie but I found it a little sad . Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson played Bernie Jordan and his wife .. Bernie ' snuck ' out of his care home in Hove England to attend the 70 th anniversary of D - Day Invasion over in France. It all went well , that was the fun part . What I found sad was Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson at the end of their lives and careers . Glenda Jackson was already dead ( June 2023 age 87 ) by the time this production was released. But all and all , worth a view . PBS will probably air it again ... keep an eye out for off hours scheduling over the next few months.
Deedee, there are about four on-air channels with content from various streaming services on Prime. They air (at their own discretion) shows from their platform. You need to scroll down on the Home page to see them. One has more British content generally - like the other day two different channels were airing Miss Marple's at the same time, one had a Joan Hickson, the other a later one. There are offerings from Acorn, Britbox and PBS etc. I don't have Acorn, so I can watch their shows on that if I am interested in what they are streaming at that time. If you catch it near the end of the show, the next show to be aired will be shown (small letters under the title box).
I generally now click on Prime, check the on-air channels, see what they were currently airing... the other day the second part of JH's "Nemesis" was just starting (good timing on my part) and "Wallender" was coming up next after that, so I settled in 'cause I can jump in on a Miss Marple at any point and be happy and then continued watching through to the end of Wallender. They were actually going on to the next episode of Wallender (it was mid-way into S2), but it was getting late and I was too tired. I did go back the next day and use my Britbox subscription to see that episode (without ads of course). That's the thing, you are viewing for free any content that is shown, but like days gone by, there are advertisements.
It's really a catch-can, sometimes you find something your interested in, other times nothing. There is another on-air channel in a row after this first one that has content from MHz, as well as American TV channels. It generally includes everything TV show wise currently airing that you can see for free with adverts.
Below that there is specialty on-air content (once you find the label On-Air, scroll along horizontally to see all that is being offered) such as cooking shows, decorating, reality TV etc.
Actually there is a lot of stuff available to watch from streaming services you may not subscribe to. You have to have patience with the process initially, follow the various listings down from the top, scroll horizontally to see what is currently offered or coming up. Once you get use to noticing these (and the channels will come up in your "continue watching" list so specific ones get easier to find) it becomes easier to puruse.
The on-air listings are the first thing I check out now. Like the other day Acorn was showing "Brokenwood", MHz was airing "A French Village", "New Tricks" was playing on Britbox's channel and PBS had on an "Endeavor". You are not going to always find stuff your interested in watching at that moment, but I really enjoy it when I don't know what I want to see and something I never even considered is being shown and I just hunker in with it.
I feel like I am getting my monies worth out of my Prime subscription now, because I can watch shows from many streaming services I don't have access to because I am not subscribed.
You are not a fan of the adverts, which I understand, so how much of this type of viewing you can do is probably not much. I like the access the on-air content gives me, the retro feel of it and the fact that I dislike scrolling for half an hour trying to find something to watch. It works for me, but it may not work for you.
Thanks, solar. I admire the talent of both these actors, so I will keep an eye out. Perhaps it's on Passport.
Funny, Brit, impatient me saw that there were cable shows highlighted on Prime and I didn't investigate. Thank you for your detailed explanation, most of those streaming shows interest me.
Perhaps Bezos is looking to improve the offerings of Prime, since I see many complaints about rates going up with no return on investment.
My remote (and batteries) will thank me, and I can always mute the adverts, as I do on cable. Even with the muting, some commercials make my eyes bleed - did I just SEE that? Imagine that Lucille Ball couldn't say 'pregnant' on her show.
Deedee, it is "On Now" not "On Air"! 🙄 I know you figured that out.. well, I was close, but no cigar. 😉
And wait, guess who Bezos has doing adverts for Prime... I couldn't believe my eyes, but I didn't see it once, but twice. Benedict Cumberbatch. Yep, there he is reading a review of a heater (I think it was a heater) written by an Amazon purchaser.
Does the man need money that bad that this is what he has come to - reading a heater review written in millennial speak (I say this without judgement 'cause we all have our day) for someone who thought it was the best thing since white bread as it keeps (them) warm when they are playing cards with the guys. !?!? I have nothing else to say about this, I understand that it is done with a wink and a dry smile, but still. 🤯
Solar, I have The Great Escaper" recorded. I know it will be bittersweet, so I am waiting a bit before I watch.
LOL, not necessarily, Brit, but I hope I would have gotten there.
Oh yes, I was thinking the same thing - Ryan what's his face, doing adverts ad nauseum for his mint green phone, or whatever it is. Used to be, commercials were done in the last days of an actor's life, presumably for the money.
Winner and still champion, imho, is the commercial done by an OB/GYN who has branched out from female into MANDO products. I can't unsee it.
Deedee... do not, I repeat, do not watch "An Ordinary Man" - you will hate it, especially the end.
I watched it last night, I had seen the trailer, and from that it looked interesting. It is little of what it was made out to be in the trailer. I didn't read a synopsis of the story first and I should have. Now, I didn't hate it, but I would never recommend it to anyone. I have learned my lesson - do not make a suggestion to watch anything based on a trailer snippet. Ever.
Ben Kingsley was psychotic and over the edge - not to the point of insane as he was in "Sexy Beast" - he scared the bejesus out of me in that one (even though it is one of my top fav movies).
I'll be honest, I would never want to be alone in a room with that man. Yes, he is acting, but you can't reach that level of insanity without having some of it living in your recesses. Yea, he played Ghandi, who's life story had an enormous impact on my young life. I read his biography at ten/twelve - his teachings stayed with me the rest of my life. Even so, the swing from Ghandi to Don Logan in "Sexy Beast" goes beyond being a good actor in my view - this is a man who lives with a lot going on in that head.
Wow, Brit, thanks! I turned it on, was turned off by the commercial, and tuned out. Good thing I did! Sounds like gratuitous unpleasantness? No, not for me.
On the other hand, I did watch The Great Escaper and as you said, solar, it was sad. Not the story, but seeing Glena Jackson sans plastic surgery (looking at you, Jane Fonda) and near the end of her life was too realistic for me. It was a nice little story, though.
Brit, I'm guessing there is animal murder at the end of Ordinary Man.
No Dee, it was a human death - shocking and unfathomable. You are left staring at the screen thinking "what the he** just happened"!? Even through we clearly see and know.
There are a few short scenes after this, but the shock takes over everything else. It is as if the writer/director didn't know how to end the story so he/they chose the most shocking thing they could think of. And, I am not the only person who thought this.
There is more that could have been told about the story and the circumstances the lead characters find themselves in. But no, they chose the ugliest way to end the movie.
They left the audience with the feeling that there was no value to everything we saw that came before - not that you could ever white wash or come to terms with the character that BK plays, but something was achieved while we were watching these two people come together in the time we see them on screen (and no, this is not a romance) and then bam... gone, done over. Opportunity lost to dig one iota deeper, just one. But no we got a bullet instead.