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Orphan Black  - Season 1
Orphan Black - Season 1
2013 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Unique plot line (1 more)
Fantastic actors
Hooked!
I was originally drawn to the series after reading the synopsis, and was hooked in the first 10 minutes. The story centres around Sarah, who assumes the identity of a woman who looks identical to her, trying to escape her own troublesome past, but instead finding she has just stepped into more trouble. As the story develops, we find out that they are actually clones of each other, and are not alone in the world.
The plot thickens quickly as the series develops, becoming more sinister as Sarah tries to protect her foster family and young daughter. In all, I could the plot line unique and refreshing in comparison to what is currently out their.

The clones are played by Tatiana Maslany, who acts each one individually, the fact that she is able to demonstrate a clear identity of several characters at the same time, is a credit to her acting career.

The show itself does have a lot of drama, suspense and a little violence throughout the series, however it never takes itself too seriously, with regular breaks to add a little light heartedness into the show. The clone Alison/ soccer mom, in particular adds an air of humour to the show, particularly with her turbulent relationship with her husband and the stark contrast between herself and Sarah.

The series itself is worthy of a complete box set binge, and is definitely not one that you want to stop until the very end. This has made it to my list of favourite TV shows of all time.
  
In Session by Glen Campbell / Jimmy Webb
In Session by Glen Campbell / Jimmy Webb
2012 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"‘Wichita Lineman’ was my Mum’s favourite song, she played it all the time. Anytime I hear it now it takes me back to being a kid and reminds me of growing up in Viroqua, Wisconsin. I grew up in a small town and with the sound and production of this song I can visualise the bleak Midwestern cornfields and driving through them. Jimmy Webb wrote it and it’s an iconic, beautiful and incredible song, the lyrics have this bittersweet longing and desire that I think a lot of people can relate to. There’s regret in there, because the protagonist isn’t doing what he wants to do and it’s a perfect pop song in some ways. I was ten years old when my parents first took me to a concert and it was a Glen Campbell show. He was a big TV star with a network television show, it was a big tour and he was incredible. I didn’t know anything about concerts but I remember there were ten thousand people at The Dane County Coliseum, it was a massive show and it was eye-opening. I was probably seven or eight years old when I first heard ‘Wichita Lineman’. My Mum played music in the house all the time and music was part of the background of growing up in our household. She bought Beatles records, The Tijuana Brass, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, musicals like Oklahoma and West Side Story, Polka and Country records. She played everything and I was exposed to all of it, it was good for me growing up to be exposed to a diverse catalogue of music, I’ve never felt elitist about music."

Source
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Diagnosis in TV

Sep 2, 2019  
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
2019 | Documentary
Fascinating and emotional TV
I never scroll through Netflix since I hate it so very much (I digress), but I did today so they got me.

I found this new very interesting and emotional docuseries about Dr. Lisa Sanders who writes a column called "Diagnosis" in the New York Times that she decided to take online to try and find a global "diagnosis" or answer for people with very rare and unusual medical conditions who are desperate and at the end of their rope to try and find answers.

Once published hundreds of responses pour in from both average people who maybe have been effected by a similar condition or their family has as well as various medical professionals spanning the globe with various replies. The results are then tabulated and discussed with the patient as far as possible treatment options.

The description sounds exploitative, but I don't believe it is. There is a disclaimer on the front of each episode saying everyone should consult their own medical professional before starting any treatment. The show is certainly made for entertainment, but also to inform and enlighten.

The result is gripping and emotional seeing those who have long suffered rare conditions and have been through the medical system only to be frustrated with a lack of treatments or even knowing what their condition is.

I cry during emotional commercials on television, so it doesn't take much for me to start balling. I was swept up in this show almost immediately even though I am only a few episodes in.

OK fine Netflix has one good show! 😜

  
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Erika (17789 KP) Sep 3, 2019

I've been debating watching this, now I'll probably try it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't really stand Netflix. But hey, at least they have the Great British Bake Off avail every Friday now.

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Andy K (10823 KP) Sep 3, 2019

For sure I watched the first episode yesterday!

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Kelly (279 KP) rated Spartacus - Season 1 in TV

Dec 21, 2018  
Spartacus  - Season 1
Spartacus - Season 1
2010 | Drama
Gladiators (1 more)
Great fighting scenes
Much better than the 1960 film
Who would have thought that the story of Spartacus could have been made raunchy for a modern audience, but Starz did this really well. The general facts around the slave rebellion against the Romans, led by the former gladiator Spartacus are limited, however Starz used what information there was and filled in the rest to create a believable version of the tale.

I know that around the release of the series, there was a lot of talk about the use of CGI in the show, mainly during the battle scenes, with the appearance of animated blood splatters/slashes, similar to that shown in the film 300. This use seemed to have divided the audience into either ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’. Personally, I feel that this was the unique selling point of the show- something different that we are not used to on the TV screen, I felt it helped made the show more watchable.


For me Andy Whitfield made Spartacus (and his loss was noticed in the later series of the show). His love towards wife Sura is clear throughout series one, and gave us a believable reason as to why he allowed himself to be manipulated by Batiatus. He was also supported by a number of well cast actors including Manu Bennett (Crixus) and Peter Mensah (Oenomaus), by the end of the series, we find that we really care about these characters.

The reason that I have not rated the show higher, is the casting of John Hannah as Batiatus. John Hannah is a good actor, but I felt the role was not suited to him. To me, Batiatus needed to be a little crueler and more angry, at the end of the day, he was profit and power hungry, and willing to give the lives of men in order to pay the cost of his personal success. There were times, when I did not believe that this was what John Hannah was portrayed, and there was an awkwardness around some of his scenes (particularly those where there were a lot of swearing).

Overall, despite the odd flaw, I really enjoyed watching Spartacus (and have happily purchased the complete box set for re-watching in future) .
  
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    The CW

    Entertainment and Utilities

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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Stargate Atlantis in TV

Dec 5, 2017 (Updated Dec 5, 2017)  
Stargate Atlantis
Stargate Atlantis
2004 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
8
7.4 (55 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
A very worthy spinoff
For most film and tv shows, spinoffs tend to be a very poill Stargate Atlantis, which is a very entertaining and fantastic show in its own right.

Like SG-1, it’s packed full of sci-fi and action, as well as humour. They’ve tried to follow the same formula as SG-1, and it really works. The majority of the main characters are just as likeable as their SG-1 counterparts, McKay being my personal favourite. However some of the other characters I feel are a little weak, like Teyla who is a poor match to Carter or even Teal’c.Weir as well doesnt live up to O’Neill or Hammond.


The wraith are a terrifying new enemy, although I think some of the physical makeup and effects perhaps let them down. Especially watching it recently, it does look a little bit naff.
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Hoarders in TV

Feb 20, 2019  
 Hoarders
Hoarders
2009 | Documentary, Drama
A unique representation of the human condition
It's hard to believe that human beings can hoard. The act of keeping things just to keep them. What goes through their minds?

They sometimes live in filth, human and animal waste, their homes toppling from within. Do they not see it? I know it's a disease like alcoholism or OCD, but it just pains me yet fascinates at the same time.

I find it so interesting to watch through the TV lens at those who are different than me. It makes me think my life isn't as bad as I think it is and I feel like I want to help them.

This show has been on 10 years now and it never fails to amaze me. I sometimes weep as I see how others live and that their families cannot even help them sometimes.

  
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Sarah (7800 KP) Feb 20, 2019

This is very addictive. I usually feel sorry for the animals though when they hoard them, it's not pleasant ?

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Awix (3310 KP) rated Alternative 3 in TV

May 4, 2019 (Updated May 4, 2019)  
Alternative 3
Alternative 3
1977 | Documentary, Sci-Fi
One of the great TV hoaxes, from back when such things were still considered an acceptable jape. Made, for the most part, with great care and attention to detail, the result is very convincing and unsettling viewing - although the presence of fairly well-known actors in a couple of roles does kind of blow the gaffe a bit, long before the end.

Some people will argue that claims that this is a hoax are just a smokescreen and the makers either stumbled onto the truth or were trying to blow the whistle on a real conspiracy, which is why this show vanished into obscurity for a long while after its transmission. I really don't know, but parts of the story here do seem eerily close to reality, 40 years on, and the questions Alternative 3 raises about how much to trust the media are still pertinent today.