The House of Eliott, Series 2

The House of Eliot - Series 2
I greatly enjoyed both Series 1 and 2. The costumes are spectular. The plot can be a little tedious at times, but there is an impressive cast of different characters coming and going throughout the series. It's also pleasantly predictable, so a lot of fun. My only complaint is that the last episode is a mild cliff hanger, and later episodes aren't available. My compliments to amazon.com for carrying these reviews. It was the only place I found that indicated that there are more episodes to come on DVD. Not even the BBC.UK website provided that information! Thanks, Amazon and volunteer reviewers!
a gem!
I rediscovered this after a long time. This is a great series.I had never seen this in its entirety and look forward to seeing the third and fourth which I understand is not out yet.Its a gem, love the storyline and costumes.,so authentic looking and of the period,even the dialogue.I wish there were more of this genre.
The House of Eliott
I thoroughly enjoyed Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of the House of Eliott. The acting was fantastic, the dresses magnificent and the locations, as with most English mini-series, marvelous. My only complaint is that it doesn't end!! THere is no closure to this. As you approach the last chapter of Season 3 you start to wonder how they are going to wrap it all up in the little time that is left, and - oh surprise! - things are left unsettled and you feel that you need one more season to see how things worked out for everyone! Is there any chance that there is a Season 4 out there somewhere????
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Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 9

Finally coming to blu ray
I was beginning to wonder if the Definitive Collection of Poirot would ever come to Blu Ray Disc. The Early Cases did and are absolutely magnificent. If you havent seen the Early Cases on blu ray, you should. We were blown away at how great yhey looked and sounded. However, there is still series 10 which I'm wondering why it isn't released for preorder as well ( episodes "Mystery on the Blue Train, Taken At the Flood, After the Funeral, Cards on the Table"). In the Movie Collection, movie collection 6 is on blu ray, but not movie collections 4 and 5. Go figure. I hope A & E, and Acorn Media complete the entire series and movies in blu ray.
Finally...
I was beginning to despair of this & series 7 & 8 coming to bluRay. series 9 saw the departure from the old formula but a compelling trend toward darker, even more character driven mysteries. all 4 are excellent: The Hollow & Five Little Pigs are superlative. I just watched Death on the Nile on my Aussie DVD [the only anamorphic widescreen versions at the time] for the umpteenth time; excellent stuff. October is too far away.

And there's this fine Belgian man who ties it all expertly together.
Five stars for content, one star for product!!!!
I eagerly ordered this DVD set of Season 9 Poirot with the expectation that it would play on my Blue Ray player as the other sets I bought of Miss Marple manufactured in Spain had done. You can well imagine my complete disappointment when it refused to play!! The Miss Marple and the Poirot DVD products are distributed by LLamentol, however the Poirot DVD set is labeled Euromedia Visión, whereas the Miss Marple DVDs are labeled Track Media.CAVEAT EMPTOR!! I shall be returning this set of Season 9 Poirot Blue Ray version to Amazon. In this case Amazon has left me VERY disappointed and receives one star for failing to state that this set is for European players. So where is the Track Media version for us Region 1 customers for this particular Blue Ray set of Poirot, Amazon????
Since I know the content of this set, I have rated the CONTENT with 5 stars. Poirot NEVER disappoints!
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New Tricks Collection, Seasons 1-5

Why Not Series 1-9?
New Tricks is a great show and has now run to nine series. Which begs the question as to why just Series 1-5 are now being released on DVD. In the UK Series 10 is currently showing on TV. Jack Halford played by James Bolam left in Series 8, although he appears in Episode 1 of Series 9. In Series 10 we lose both DS Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman) and Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong). This leaves just Gerry Standing (Dennis Waterman) from the original cast. It seems that there are intentions to carry on New Tricks, but clearly this excellent program will never be quite the same.

Hence I think it is inevitable that a box set of the complete Series 1-10 is going to be released probably sooner rather than later and potential purchasers may wish to hold off for that. This is an excellent Five Star program, but I cannot rate releasing this abbreviated DVD set very highly.


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Agatha Christie's Poirot: Series 7 & 8 [Blu-ray]

Five stars, always, for...
...the witty and stylish Poirot mysteries. I am curious, though...does anyone know why this release is titled "Series 7&8"? There are only four mysteries. The next release, Series 9, has four also and the running time is almost as long. Maybe someone will enlighten us.
A&E re-releases?
Yes! Looks like that answers that. I had hoped that the A&E series(Which introduced a much more darker "Poirot")would be included in this new remastered set. I already own the marvelous set that A&E put out collecting their whole series of "Poirot" movies but the remasters look SO good, I may have to sell my own set and get the new ones.... Maybe today!

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Line of Duty: Series 1

A Taut And Twisty British Crime Drama: Five Parts With More Suspense And Surprises Than Most Longer Season Shows
Every once in a while, you discover a series that really surprises you. For me, the five part British police drama "Line of Duty" was one of those experiences. Having seen so many films and TV shows based on a similar premise (cops coloring outside of the lines and those that would pursue them), I didn't have particularly high expectations that this could provide much new to the topic. I just hoped it would be slick and entertaining. From the get-go, though, this high octane procedural came out of the gate swinging and its intensity never relented. Providing as many, if not more, plot twists and big confrontations than a regular season on traditional network TV, these five parts took me on a complete and satisfying journey. Sure, some of the plot points stretched credibility at times. The lead investigators on both sides are each allowed to behave incredibly unprofessionally without repercussions and the criminal plot threads get particularly convoluted. But I didn't care due...
very entertaining
I'm a big fan of crime shows and I really enjoyed this series. I will not be buying it, however, as it is available for free on Hulu.
UNSETTLING CRIME SUSPENSE of gripping gritty dark cops
I couldn't stop watching, but must admit; I turned by head from several nasty scenes. The action is gritty, and writing layered and well done, and the actors believable. That's why it was a BBC hit with a dark side to final justice.

The story plays out more like a 5 hour suspense feature rather than an episodal series. Well developed plot, sub-plots, and characters that remain edge-of-the-seat scary for hours. It's hard to tread water in quicksand when it's sucking the life out of you. It's not the typical bad cop-good cop drama.
Fingers bolt-cuttered, neck slashing, drugs, language and other bad boy stuff makes this intense crime suspense and not for the kiddies.

Martin Compston (Monarch of the Glen) leads as DS Arnott, new AC-12 (anti-corruption unit) after a bungled raid. His boss is Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) and Arnott gets lost of double agent style help for his first case, DCI Gates (Lennie James) from DC Fleming (Vicky McClure). Gina McKee plays a...
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Jack Irish, Set 1 [Blu-ray]

New Aussie Suspense-Mystery-Thriller mix Series
Expect action with this Jack Irish bloke. A criminal lawyer gone rogue as debt collector, drunk, gambler, and more after his wife's murder. Guy Pearce becomes the character that was created from the crime novels of Peter Temple. Those books are being released in America now in parallel with the winning TV series. Even 100 minutes can't do justice to the novel, but the character focus is preserved, as well as the Melbourne setting, also the film location.
Some great orchestration and pop music mixed into the episodes.
Jack is a fallen, grieving lawyer who investigates dark lives--a series that is Aussie character driven.
I loved the touching scenes in the wood shop which included the old cabinet maker Charlie (Vadin Glowna) but alas he died prior to airing of the 2 episodes he acted so honestly through. There are also some great give-n-go moments in the local pub.

Bad Debts
An ex-client turns up dead, so jack falls back into a bit of his old life...
jack irish, the best
i've watched both episodes and they are the best. i am wondering if there will be more that are viewable on usa format? hope so. the three old boys in jack's second office are a wonderful touch.

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War and Peace

No film adaptation replaces Tolstoy but this is close
This effort keeps the spirit and message of Tolstoy intact. He would have approved.
Every film/theater adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" has naysayers. A novel (originally published in 1869 with 1200+ pages) of this length requires adjustment.
Step aside Anna Karenina and make room for "War & Peace." It's just as film-worthy.

This is an elegant look at the high social life of Russia with exquisite period costuming as good as any previously created for epic TV drama. Sensational symphony orchestration. A combo dazzling to the eye & ear. This 2007 version has a great international cast. Amazingly it is nearly impossible to recognize at least 9 of the actors were dubbed in English. It's so well done; it is obvious the actors HAD to be speaking English during the filming. After watching over 7 hours of this adapted drama, you'll wish for more. Alas, Tolstoy wrote no sequel.

The story remains true to the Tolstoy plot and reveals the character of...
War and Peace
While in my mind, it would be impossible for any film to compete with the mastery of the novel version of War and Peace, this movie comes close. War and Peace is set during the invasion of Russia by Napoleon's army. Both the elaborate costumes and the beautiful settings are a realistic depiction of this time period that really make you feel you stepped back in time and into the aristocratic life old world Russian. The cast couldn't have been more perfect. Alessio Bono and Alexander Beyer really brought Prince Andrej and Pierre to life with their stunning performances. I especially enjoyed Clemence Poesy's touching depiction of Natasha. Even the background music is beautiful and fitting. The whole movie draws you into a world filled with a mixture of passion and politics as four families struggle though Napoleon's invasion. While they face many horrors on the battlefield, there is also a great balance of romance.

While some scenes and a lot of great dialogue had to be cut...

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Foyle's War: Set Seven

THESE ARE NEW EPISODES FOR 2013
These are all new episodes to air in 2013. The confusion arises from the fact that two of the SEASONS were merged into 1 SET in the states. Hence we have 6 "SETS" for 7 "SERIES" or "SEASONS". This NEW DVD covers the new episodes from the upcoming new SEASON 8.

Here is a statement from Acorn's own website --

"Series 8 ((which will likely be released as set 7 on DVD in the U.S.) will be set during the early period after World War II with Foyle focusing his attention on the world of espionage as he gathers secret intelligence in support of Britain's security, defense and the Government's foreign and economic policies. The stories will range from Foyle identifying highly placed atomic spies to a true story of government corruption. A world of transition where the values and certainties of the war have given way to austerity, exhaustion and doubts about the direction the new government is taking".
Pre-Order
The series stands for itself in British Television quality in acting and production of this World War II Mystery series. It would be nice for Amazon or Acorn to let prospective buyers know how many episodes are included and perhaps total running time ? It might be helpful in selling it.
Changes
Outcry and popular demand brought about additional installments of the wildly popular crime drama Foyle's War chronicling the cases of a keen British detective protecting the home front while a world is at war. Penned by Anthony Horowitz, the most recent installments may honor the end of one war but begins the start of a new, equally threatening one.

England is not the same place it once was. The horrors of a second world war are still raw in the minds of the people and upon his return to his homeland Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) is reminded of the stark remnants. Just back from America, two things consecutively happen soon as he sets foot on British soil. He meets again with a former policeman he once worked with in Hastings just released from spending years as a POW and his services are requisitioned by MI5 leading him again into the acquaintance of the formidable Miss Pierce (Ellie Haddington). Disinterested in working for the government spooks, Foyle is compelled...
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The Fall, Series 1

A Tense Five-Part British Series Putting A Fresh Spin On A Familiar Serial Killer Storyline
When Gillian Anderson recently popped up in a recurring role in NBC's "Hannibal," it occurred to me that I hadn't seen her in a non-British production in quite some while! Although born in Chicago, she lived in London for many years as a child (ages 2-11) before coming back to the states. Her heart seems to still be in England where she has, once again, resided since shortly after the "X-Files" completed its run. That's okay by me, though, because she's done some incredible work that has continued to stretch her as an actress. Some of my favorites include her fascinating interpretation of Miss Havisham in 2011's "Great Expectations" and her Lady Dedlock in the brilliant 2005 "Bleak House." She does so much period work, it's nice to catch something a bit more contemporary in setting. So I had high expectations for Allan Cubitt's five part serial killer drama "The Fall." Anderson plays a no-nonsense detective from London's Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) brought to Belfast to...
A Dark, Fascinating, and Extraordinarily Tense Crime Thriller
Crime is quite popular when it comes to television. The crime procedural has been a television staple for many years; I mean, just look at any drama on CBS' primetime lineup. The serial killer subgenre of crime television has become particularly popular in recent years. Spurred by the success of shows like Dexter, many networks have attempted to create their own serial killer series with mixed results like FOX's The Following, A&E's Bates Motel, and NBC's Hannibal. Enter BBC Two with The Fall, a five-part serial killer drama with a slow, methodical, and deliberate pace that is absolutely terrifying.

British television has seen a surge of popularity in recent years with hits like Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, and Sherlock crossing the Atlantic to find popularity here in the States. Personally, I've now seen three British crime shows (Sherlock, Luther, and The Fall), and all three are quite good in their own way. Starring Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully of The X-Files...
Mesmeric & Disturbing
This is a tense and disturbing series about a Detective Superintendent, Stella Gibson, who works for the Met and is called to Belfast, Ireland to investigate a murder of a young, professional woman. Early on Stella believes it may be the work of a serial murderer and is soon proven right.

Simultaneously, we meet the villain, who lives a double life and seems an unlikely candidate to perpetrate these murders. So, it's a bit cat and mouse as Stella begins to identify just what kind of individual is doing these crimes and why, drawing nearer to the killer.

The acting is subdued and deep. There's a menacing atmosphere pervading. For my own taste, I prefer less violent and graphic crimes. However, the series was so well-done and the acting riveting by Gillian Anderson as Stella that I couldn't not watch. The plot and denouement is original and I will sample the next installment in the series. 5 stars if you are okay with the violence and some nudity. I like...
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