mugsyagain Reviews

Karen Pirie (2022– )

Another flawed but enthralling thriller

[9/10 · 2 October 2022]

Despite it's flaws which are coverd in other reviews on here this is a very good thriller with enough twists and turns to maintain more than an interest.

I kind of worked it out early on (not bragging as this is a rarity for me) but I still thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Pirie reminded me of a young Jane Tennison from Prime Suspect who, despite appearing to be, a token appointment proves herself to be more than capable in her role and fans of Prime Suspect and the likes will really enjoy this.

Lauren Lyle is excellent as is Chris Jenks as "Mint" and I genuinely look forward to a second series which I am sure will surface in time!

Better Things: England (2022) Season 5, Episode 9

Wonderful Episode of a magnificent Series

[10/10 · 17 August 2022]

Brilliant brilliant episode with wonderful acting and a beautiful song in Head Of Roses by Flock Of Dimes Pamela Adlon throughout this whole series is utterly brilliant but the scene in this episode featuring Duke (Olivia Edward) and Phyllis (Celia Imrie) and the aforementioned song moved me to tears!!!

Ted Lasso (2020–2023)

Pretty damn faultless

[10/10 · 26 July 2022]

I decided when this was first out that it wasn't something I would like despite being a massive football fan. How wrong was I?

Utterly brilliant mixing humour with real heartwarming storylines involving many brilliant characters!

Hanna Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Juno Temple in particular are brilliant but the whole cast make this one of the best things I have ever seen!

More please!

The Madame Blanc Mysteries (2021– )

Thoroughly Enjyable

[10/10 · 5 June 2022]

Watched this mainly because Sally Lindsay stars and I am so glad I did as it was perfect binge watch viewing! Sally is, as always, great but Steve Edge also delivers a perfect performance as her "partner in solving crime"

Definitely recpmmend this as a follow up if you have watched Whitstable Pearl or Harry Wild.

The Split (2018–2022)

Outstanding!!!!

[10/10 · 22 April 2022]

Just finished series 3 and have to say this was, as the heading says. Outstanding. Acting from so many of the cast was superb and Nicola Walker in particular proved what a brilliant talent she is!!

Enjoyed everything about it and would like to acknowldege also the wonderful soundtrack and the beautiful contribution of Olivia Broadfield in particular. Beautiful songs that fitted perfectly with the storyline(s)

Without any hesitation a 10 out of 10 series!!!

Mandy (2019– )

Ridiculously brilliant!

[10/10 · 13 February 2022]

Just finished series 2 and I really hope Diane Morgan makes more. Hilarious and ridiculous in equal measures and deserves to be a lot more widely known than it is.

Definitely recommend.

Reacher (2022– )

More Of This Please!

[10/10 · 6 February 2022]

I actually loved the Jack Reacher/Tom Cruise movies but in this series we have a Reacher that looks like Reacher should look!!! This grips you from the start and never allows you to get bored with it. Supporting cast is really good and Alan Ritchson is superb in the lead role. Lots of humour in the script and when Reacher has to "deal with the baddies" it is done with the style and panache you come to expect from Lee Child's hero. Thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward eagerly to Series 2 after all there has to be a follow up surely??

Boiling Point (I) (2021)

Acting far better than the final product

[5/10 · 11 January 2022]

Interesting the way it was filmed but ultimately, despite some fine acting performances, this was a bit of a let down. Stephen Graham is his usual brilliant self and there was some fine acting in the supporting cast but in a week I will have forgotten all about it I am afraid!

Intrusion (II) (2021)

Film was better than the acting

[7/10 · 3 January 2022]

I watched this after watching Don't Look Up and I know they are totally different films but this was far better!!!!!

Predictable in parts but then most thrillers nowadays are!

Wortha watch though!

Stay Close (2021)

Flawed brilliance if there is such a thing

[10/10 · 1 January 2022]

Could point out a few flaws but this was engrossing from the off and a thoroughly brilliant evening's viewing so I won't. Loved the sequences with the young theatrical assassins and James Nesbitt and Jo Joyner were good as the ex married detective partnership!

More twists than a twisty turny thing I would urge you to ignore the negative reviews and give it every chance.

Finally can I add it is a pleasant change for a really good thriller to have a really good ending (although I kind of guessed it) and I can happily take more of any crime dramas meeting the standards of this production!!!!

Enjoy, I think and hope you will!

Secrets & Lies (2014)

Compelling throughout

[9/10 · 27 December 2021]

Caught this almost by accident but was hooked from the very first scene. Had ny own theory from the beginning and near the end I thought I was right until the last twist! Very enjoyable though and I would recommend it without hesitation!

Saddened by the ending as I really had grown fond of the guilty one but hey you can't have everything can you!!

Help (2021 TV Movie)

Off the scale acting in brilliant drama!

[10/10 · 26 December 2021]

I had read some reviews on here prior to watching this but have to disagree with the negative comments about the final 20 minutes because this was brilliant from start to finish!!

Stephen Graham is his usual magnificence but Jodie Comer gives the performance of her life as Sarah in an enthralling drama which brings home the horror of the pandemic that still haunts people's lives on a day-to-day basis.

Honorable mention as well to Ian Hart as Steve who also was brilliant!

Don't know whether enjoy is the right word but it has to be seen!!!

Don't Look Up (2021)

What the hell have I just witnessed!!

[25 December 2021]

Watched it through to the end and I am still scratching my head as to how such a crap film could have an even worse ending!! Every scene introduced characters I despised and I just wanted the comet to arrive earlier to wipe them all out!!!!!!

A real comet hitting earth would be more fun than this!

Landscapers (2021)

Sorry, didn't get it!

[4/10 · 19 December 2021]

Watched this primarily because of the cast but I fear I've wasted four hours of my life in doing so!

Not a bit like I expected and the constant switching from current day to confusing past was madly distracting and I definitely would not recommend this in spite of Olivia Coleman and David Thewlis putting in sterling performances, as you would expect!

Sorry.

The Good Doctor (2017–2024)

Absolutely love this and really I shouldn't

[10/10 · 25 March 2021]

I have only watched Season 1 and an episode of Season 2 and I love this with all my heart (which strictly speaking should be broken by now after binge watching 19 episodes)

Why shouldn't I love it? The main character Dr Shaun Murphu so annoys me, the medical procedures always seem to work despite the odds being stacked against them and I cannot comprehend how Dr Glassman hasn't strangled Shaun even in the short time I have been watching it!! Why do I love it despite the above? Brilliant acting by all the cast with special mention to the brilliant Freddie Highmore and Richard Schiff the heart wrenching scenes of which there are many and some really nice music to accompany the storylines. Freddie Highmore is such a talent!!!!

Trying (2020–2024)

Utterly magnificent

[10/10 · 10 January 2021]

What a beautifully entertaining series with brilliant performances throughout, especially from the two main characters played by the wonderful Rafe Spall and the delightful Esther Smith. A script laden with superb lines and a great soundtrack heavily influenced by Guy Garvey made it even more enjoyable and I look forward eagerly to series 2 being released. The final episode had me in bits and I am a 60 year old man so thanks for that!! Rafe, Esther and all the other guys you did a great job!

Fargo: Aporia (2017) Season 3, Episode 9

Thewlis is magnificent

[9/10 · 10 January 2021]

Thoroughly enjoying series 3 whilst on Covid-19 lockdown but have to say David Thewlis as Varga is absolutely superb and lots of awards should have been laid at his feet for his work in this!!!

Tin Star (2017–2020)

Brilliantly acted, Tim Roth is magnificent!

[10/10 · 13 December 2020]

Loved series 1 and my mate put me off series 2 saying it was nowhere near as good but man am I glad I ignored him!! Acting is superb from the whole cast but Tim Roth is utterly magnificent throughout and I, for one, cannot wait for the much publicised series 3. Please watch this and glory in it's scenery and performance!!

Cemetery Junction (2010)

Great film for all

[10/10 · 31 May 2020]

Massively underrated movie from Gervais and Merchant. Full of humour and great characters and the 70s is wonderfully captured with a terrific soundtrack. A really enjoyable 90 minutes and the ever reliable Ricky Gervais does not disappoint at all.

The Sinner (2017–2021)

Bill Pullman is magnificent!

[10/10 · 27 April 2020]

Absolutely loved all three stories but it was the Season 3 that underlined what a magnificent actor Bill Pullman is. The tortured character he plays will remain in my memory as long as I live and his portrayal really should have received award winning recognition. Season 3 was a gripping story which took Harry to his darkest nightmares and it made for a thoroughly enjoyable days viewing.

Bates Motel (2013–2017)

Binge watched first 4 seasons. Magnificent.

[10/10 · 10 April 2020]

This is superb with many, many fantastic acting performances not only from the main two characters but the whole cast. Vera Farmiga is a beautiful woman too, I am so glad I stumbled upon this series during "lockdown" and I look forward to enjoying season 5 over the easter weekend.

After Life (2019–2022)

TV at it's very very finest!

[10/10 · 20 March 2019]

It frustrates me that within my circle of friends the Gervais dislikers refuse to follow my recommendation and watch both this and Derek because they both demonstrate what an absolute genius Ricky Gervais is!

After Life has performances, lines and moments that will forever live in my memory and on top of this it also shows that Gervais is a magnificent actor.

The casting is perfect and the end left me wanting to see about 5000 more episodes!!

Please please dont miss this!

Seven Seconds (2018)

Brilliant Series, Confusing Ending

[9/10 · 27 January 2019]

Loved it loved it loved it but so many unanswered questions about the ending left me ever so slightly short changed. My special praise goes to Michael Mosley who played Fish and played the part superbly but he wasn't the only great performance. Well worth watching though!