Tag: Richard E. Grant

The Best of Sky TV – My 2024 Recommendations

Hello Readers,

I have recently started watching television programmes on the Sky channels and I want to talk through my favourites. I only started about mid way through this year so I have focused on programmes I have heard about or been recommended by friends. There is a vast range of channels but most of these programmes are from Sky Max, Comedy or Showcase.

Breeders (2020 – 2023) Age Rating 18

Series available: 4
Show status: Ended
Cast: Martin Freeman, Daisy Haggard, Alun Armstrong, Joanna Bacon

This show tells the story of two parents Paul and Ally and the ups and downs of their parenting life with look-ins from Paul’s parents, Ally’s boss and persnickety mother. Paul has anger issues and Ally is trying to balance her career with being a present mother. The kids are recast for the 3rd series but all the actors are great in the role. Lots of strong language but would class as a comedy drama.

Rating: 4/5

Avenue 5 (2020 – 2022) Age Rating 18

Series available: 2
Show Status: Cancelled
Cast: Hugh Laurie, Josh Gad, Lenora Crichlow, Rebecca Front, Andy Buckley, Zach Woods, Suzy Nakamura, Nikki Amuka-Bird

Set in the near future, luxury space cruise liner Avenue 5 is making its inaugural voyage around the galaxy. Its journey gets thrown off course and eight weeks becomes three years causing a lot of upset for the crew and passengers. We see mission control trying to handle the mission PR on Earth. I really enjoyed this series and it did end with a cliffhanger but was funny and I like all the references to the future. The ensemble cast worked well together.

Rating: 4/5

Mary and George (2024) Age Rating 18

Series available: 1
Show Status: Limited Mini-Series
Cast: Julianne Moore, Nicholas Galitzine, Tony Curran, Mark O’Halloran

A journey back to Jacobean England where we see Mary and George advance through noble ranks to become close advisors to King James I. George Villiers transforms from lovesick puppy into political player through his relationship with the King. In the background, Mary wields her children to put her into the best possible position in society. The costumes, set and acting were all excellent and the story told is one that has been lost through history. I was aware of George Villiers but had no idea of the role his mother played in their ascent in the King’s Court. There is also an interesting documentary discussing different elements of the show with various cast, crew and historical experts available.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Regime (2024) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 1
Show Status: Limited Mini Series
Cast: Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Danny Webb

Satirical comedy drama about a female dictator in Eastern Europe. Elena Vernham has inherited Chancellor from her father and rules with an iron fist but believes herself to be fair and just for her people. Those around her try to keep her on the right path while she starts taking the advice of an ex-army Corporal with a checkered past. I initially did not get into this series after the first episode but I wanted to try and finish it. I thought Kate Winslet gave a good performance but overall the plot was confusing with each episode having time jumps and Elena’s relationship with Corporal Zubak changing every two episodes. I enjoyed some of the general humour and I could see where they were going with it but in my opinion, it was not as effective as in other programmes.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 1
Show Status: Limited Mini-Series
Cast: Jonah Hauer-King, Anna Próchniak, Melanie Lynskey, Harvey Keitel, Jonas Hay, Tallulah Haddon, Mili Eshet

This show based on a bestselling novel depicts the story of Lale and Gita, two Slovak Jews as they met at Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. In the future, Lale recounts the story of his romance with Gita and who he had to become to stay alive during his time imprisoned. This show was very intense but told a beautiful story of love in a time of pain and the recreation of the camp was very well done. Acting was outstanding.

Rating: 4/5

Rob Beckett’s Smart TV (2024-) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 1
Show Status: Renewed for Series 2
Presenters: Alison Hammond, Rob Beckett, Josh Widdicombe

Television based panel game show starring some of Britain’s most loved comedians. Rob Beckett hosts with Alison Hammond and Josh Widdicombe as team captains and they are joined by a host of known British celebrities. Rounds include general trivia, guessing the background artist and finish that line. A fun show with questions that anyone who watches British TV will be able to play along with at home. The three presenters all interact well together.

Rating: 4/5

Girls (2012-2017) Age Rating: 18

Series Available: 1, 2, and 6 out of 6 (Others are available to buy)
Show Status: Ended
Cast: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Adam Driver, Zosia Mamet, Alex Karpovsky

Female focused comedy starring wannabe journalist Hannah, uptight Marnie, free-spirit Jessa and anxious Shoshanna as four friends living in New York City in their 20s. I only saw the first two series but I liked the programme. It was weirder and yet more relatable than other friend comedies such as Friends or How I Met Your Mother. I like Lena Dunham’s writing and I thought all the characters were interesting and complex. Would like to watch more if it becomes available.

Rating: 4/5

Manifest (2018-2023) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 1 (3 out of 4, others are available on Netflix)
Show Status: Ended
Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas, J.R. Ramirez, Luna Blaise, Parveen Kaur

I watched Series 3 of the show on Sky but the other three are available on Netflix. This show is about flight 828’s crew and passengers as they travel five and a half years into the future during a short journey from Jamaica to NYC. In the following years, the universe gives the passengers callings and visions to try and help each other and stop the world from casting them out from society. I really enjoyed the show and while it took me a few episodes to get into it, I was then hooked. There is a lot of religious story arcs but once you bond with the characters, the story is more interesting. It did well for a show with no big names. I also walked past them filming a scene in Times Square so they do actually film in New York.

Rating: 3.5/5

Bloods (2021-2022) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 2
Show Status: Cancelled
Cast: Jane Horrocks, Samson Kayo, Lucy Punch, Julian Barratt, Adrian Scarborough, Aasiya Shah, Sam Campbell, Kevin Garry

Classic British comedy set in the world of paramedics contrasting gore with giggles. Centered around Maleek and his new ambulance partner, Wendy, we see their day to day lives as they learn to work together along with the other teams on their squad and no-nonsense boss, Jo. I enjoyed this show and thought it had the right balance of laughs and seriousness especially considering the setting. Starred some great comedy legends and newcomers. Ended on a cliffhanger but unfortunately was cancelled.

Rating: 4/5

The Franchise (2024-) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 1
Show Status: Awaiting Renewal
Cast: Himesh Patel, Aya Cash, Jessica Hynes, Billy Magnussen, Lolly Adefope, Darren Goldstein, Isaac Powell, Richard E. Grant, Daniel Brühl, Justin Edwards, Ruaridh Mollica

Ensemble comedy around a film crew making a big Hollywood superhero movie in the UK. Our main character is 1st AD Dan with his new mentee, Dag then we have the director Eric who is slowly losing his mind and the plot of the film; action star, Adam and reluctant co-star, Peter along with Steph, Eric’s PA, Bryson, representative of big boss, Shane on set; Pat and Anita, the producers and Rufus, the overused extra. I really enjoyed this show and was clearly written by people who have had these experiences on film sets so I am sure anyone in the industry can relate. Funny but not too over the top; classic Armando Iannucci comedy.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Day of the Jackal (2024-) Age Rating: 15

Series Available: 1
Show Status: Renewed for Series 2
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, Eleanor Matsuura, Chukwudi Iwuji, Úrsula Corberó

A cat and mouse game between assassin and MI6, this series leads the characters all across Europe as the Jackal tries to complete the kills he is hired to do without getting caught. His wife and child wait for him in Spain as their family get more and more suspicious. MI6 agent, Bianca leads the chase but putting her job before her own family is weighing on her. This show is pacy and dynamic with good drama and believable plot lines. Just when you think the Jackal will be caught, he manages to escape but he starts making mistakes and letting his guard down. So many different locations were used, highlighting many cities that you would not normally see on a British drama. I am looking forward to Series 2.

Rating: 4.5/5

On My Watchlist:

Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2021-) Age Rating: 15
Panel Show
Series Available: 4
Show Status: Show Awaiting Return
Presenters: Greg Davies, Noel Fielding and Daisy May Cooper

I’ve seen clips of this show online and looks like a panel show I would enjoy. It’s a reboot of a show from the early 2000s with new segments and presenters. I haven’t got around to watching it so on my list for a potential watch.

The Sympathizer (2024) Age Rating: 15
Drama
Series Available: 1
Show Status: Limited Mini Series
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Vy Le, Phan Gia Nhat Linh, Tom Dang, Toan Le, Tien Pham

I saw the trailer when it was new out and the show looks interesting but it hasn’t peeked my interest enough to watch yet. I am a fan of Robert Downey Jr. but I am not as interested in this topic but would be willing to give it a go as it is on the Sky Showcase channel.

The Righteous Gemstones (2019-) Age Rating: 18
Comedy
Series Available: 3
Show Status: Series 4 to be Released in 2025
Cast: John Goodman, Danny McBride, Adam Devine, Edi Patterson, Cassidy Freeman, Gregory Alan Williams, Tim Baltz, Tony Cavalero

I didn’t want to do a full review on this show as I have only seen a few episodes of the first series but it’s a funny parody comedy about the rich evangelical church owners you can find in the US. Will carry on watching as and when.

Happy Watching,

Robyn

Film Review: Saltburn – Emerald Fennell’s second outing certainly leaves an impression on you

Hello readers,

Last night I saw Saltburn, the sophomore film directed by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) who has also been seen lately in the Barbie film as Midge, the pregnant doll.

Saltburn has had a lot of buzz from its debut at TFF in Colorado, US before making its European premiere at the BFI London Film Festival and a final appearance at SXSW Sydney. It has now been released worldwide in cinemas. This is unusual for a film that starts its life in the festival circuit but with such a star-studded cast and the company LuckyChap Entertainment behind it (Margot Robbie and husband Tom’s venture), there was no doubt that this film would not put bums on seats.

I had heard of most of the main cast for various other films: veterans of the industry Richard E. Grant and Rosamund Pike have graced British screens many a time; Aussie favourite Jacob Elordi has been making a splash in Euphoria and recent release, Priscilla; I saw Archie Madekwe’s big break in Gran Turismo earlier this year and Irish actors Alison Oliver and Barry Keoghan have been featured on both the small and big screens, respectively.

I will be discussing the ending so spoiler warning if you have not yet had the chance to see the film.

Saltburn (2023)

The films opens on a famous Oxford landmark, the Radcliffe Camera. Having studied at Oxford Brookes University, the streets of the city are always a welcome site on the big screen. In the frenzy of the first day at school, we are introduced to Oliver Quick (Keoghan), a shy bespectacled student from Merseyside who has a habit of watching from afar rather than joining in. Through the first term, we see Felix Catton and Farley Start (Elordi and Madekwe), cousins and in the popular group at the college. Farley has a tutorial with Oliver and becomes the teacher’s favourite after revealing the name of his mother.

While Oliver only has a fellow outsider, Michael, for company, he appears longing to be in Felix’s orbit. A chance meeting and lending of a bicycle cement the start of a friendship. The two become gradually closer as Oliver reveals his troubled home life and addict parents. Farley does not warm to Oliver as he reminds him of himself – an outsider. Farley is living with his family due to his mother not having enough to support them both.

When the year ends and Oliver has told Felix about his father passing away, Oliver is invited to the Catton family home for the summer: Saltburn. The house or mansion is a fictional estate based in Northamptonshire. With its sprawling gardens, labyrinthian maze, wild swimming pond and endless rooms, Saltburn is the perfect escape for Oliver.

Elspeth and James Catton (Pike and Grant) are the welcoming parents if a little cattish, gossiping about Oliver’s family situation and “Poor Dear” Pamela, a family friend staying with them played by Carey Mulligan. Pamela is almost the Oliver of Saltburn, the person that has fallen on hard times that they feel sorry for and are only friends with out of pity.

Oliver also meets Venetia Catton, Felix’ sister (Alison Oliver). Initially disinterested, he finds her hanging around outside his bedroom window at night and tries to control her with sex. This is when the audience begins to realise that Oliver is not the poor, innocent, vulnerable person he appears to portray.

While the summer is whiled away with reading the last Harry Potter book, the film is set in 2006/2007; the family and Farley begin to discover the cracks in Oliver’s persona. Elsbeth cares for him as another son but Felix starts to find him clingy.

A lavish party is planned for Oliver’s birthday towards the end of summer and after a surprise road trip to his hometown of Prescot, Oliver is forced to face the reality that his parents are actually middle-class and normal. This drives a wedge between Oliver and Felix that culminates in an argument at the centre of the maze during the party.

In the morning when Felix is found dead, presumably of a drug overdose, the family grieves. They try and eat breakfast as if nothing has ever happened while drawing the curtains to block out the coroner going past and into the maze. While Venetia and Farley can barely hold in their tears, Oliver makes conversation with James and Elspeth. Farley is also banished for good after an email is discovered from him trying to sell off one of the family’s antiques to cover his mother’s expenses.

Oliver stays for Felix’ funeral and is the only non-family member present when they carry out their tradition of writing the deceased’s name on a stone and throwing it into a river. Venetia struggles with her brother’s death and after a conversation with Oliver she is found dead in the bath, having killed herself.

James finally realises that his wife will now not let Oliver out of her clutches as the only pseudo child left. He pays him to leave them alone in their grief.

Jump forward to Covid times, presumably 2021, Oliver meets Elspeth in a London café. She has just moved to the area after her husband’s death. They share in their grief for the Catton family and when Elspeth falls ill, Oliver becomes her caretaker, wheeling her around Saltburn.

While she lies hooked up to a ventilator and barely conscious, Oliver finally reveals his grand plan. He orchestrated the friendship with Felix and got an invite to Saltburn. He put cocaine in Felix’s champagne, causing his death; gave razor blades to Venetia when she was at her rock bottom and then proceeds to take Elspeth off the machine keeping her alive.

While Elspeth was able to consent, he got written into her will and the last scene shows Oliver dancing through Saltburn, naked having managed to inherit the sprawling estate and family fortune. We see each of the four family member’s stones perched on top of a puppet toy depicting them.

The film had a lot to say about class and wealth. While the Catton’s don’t pretend to be less than they are, they open their home and hearts to practical strangers on whom they take pity. Their trust in Oliver and underestimation of him, is what leads to their downfall. At Oxford, Felix joins in with his friends making fun of Oliver but is quick to fold him into the group when he thinks he would make a good sidekick and doesn’t see him as a threat.

Farley is the first one who suspects Oliver and tries to distance himself and Felix from him but after being threatened by Oliver, he realises that he is not going to be able to beat him.

Personally, I did not see this twist coming and thought that Oliver would end up being the victim of the rich people as is the typical trope in thriller’s set in the world of the wealthy (for example, Ready or Not starring Samara Weaving). While Oliver is a villain for killing three, possibly four people, he represents the average person who is desperate to be part of the in crowd. He had ulterior motives but I think he also wanted to be accepted by Felix and the Cattons’ to prove that he is worthy of being in that world.

I thought that all the performances were brilliant particularly Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan. Without knowing Elordi was Australian, I would have thought that he was a typical British posh boy as he nailed the accent, dialect and mannerisms. Keoghan really showed Oliver’s emotions as clearly as reading a book and I sympathised with him when he longed to be in the cool kids gang. Being friends with the Cattons’ despite their strange habits, traditions and pity of him was better than not being friends with them. Oliver did some pretty odd things that gave clues to him being unhinged and Keoghan made them look very real.

I also thought Alison Oliver as Venetia was great and for someone who only started in the industry last year, I think there are big things to come for her. The scenes of just her and Oliver and after Felix’ death showed her ability to be vulnerable without being a total emotional mess.

Overall, I enjoyed the film despite the last act going in an odd direction. It was weird in a way that you can’t look away and have a desire to know how the story ends. The innocent scenes of 2000s Oxford leading into the heady summer at Saltburn gave the film an ethereal setting that you would certainly want to visit unless Oliver Quick is lurking in the shadows or underneath your window.

I give the film 4/5.

Happy Watching,

Robyn