kall6695 Reviews

Father Brown: The Last Supper (2024) Season 11, Episode 4

Who's Going to Cook the Curry?

[8/10 · 29 April 2024]

A Food Fayre in Kembleford!! Would love to have more Fayre episodes as they are so much fun.

Mrs. Devine welcomes her old school friend to town, who is now a celebrated chef in town to promote her book. The locals are introduced to foods from India and China? Not sure that would have happened in the 50's, but maybe.

Anyway, the obnoxious food critic is killed off because he has done something despicable, as do all victims. Brenda gets to learn how to make Indian food and works with the chef. Father Brown works to solve the murder and soothe people who are impatiently awaiting the food.

There always seem to be obnoxious people who are impatient. Was that a regular occurrence in the 50's?

As always, Mrs. Divine's outfits are bright and adorable!! Love the fashions back then!! And the hats!!

Father Brown: The Father, The Son (2024) Season 11, Episode 5

Flambeau Returns!!

[9/10 · 29 April 2024]

Love when we get to see Hercule Flambeau once a season. They are highlights!! Naturally, he only appears when he plans to steal something belonging to the church. And so Father Brown has to be involved. Would love to see another episode with Flambeau and Lady Felicia together. They are such fun!!

Anyway, this episode, Hercule's elderly father appears. He is also a thief and was sadly involved in the death of a museum guard in the past. Which left his young wife and son alone. So the father feels remorse and wants to steal back a crown from the gangster for whom it was stolen in the first place so as to give the proceeds to the widow. He needs Flambeau's assistance with this venture.

A surprising amount of shooting and chasing in this episode, which is rare for a Father Brown episode. However, I guess guns come with gangsters. Great episode, however!!

Father Brown: The Quill of Osric (2024) Season 11, Episode 6

Great Episode

[9/10 · 29 April 2024]

Just wish the really mean man got done away with instead of the person who did die. Why are so many aristocratic politician types such horrible fathers?

We are invited to a lovely crime weekend organized by Lady Violet, wearing absolutely fetching attire. It starts out very fun where participants find bodies on the grounds of the estate. Until one body appears to be not a "plant."

I'm rather surprised, however, that Lady Violet, and the judges and other literary attendees did not notice a novel was surprisingly similar to something written by the late Oscar Wolf, who had died a year earlier. If he was that famous, surely people would be familiar enough with his work to realize someone had stolen his book.

Father Brown: The Word of the Condemned (2024) Season 11, Episode 7

Lady Felicia is BACK!!

[9/10 · 29 April 2024]

So nice to see Lady Felicia again!! I live for the episodes where she and Hercule Flambeau are present!!

This one had an interesting plot in terms of the "forensic" laboratory. Also many twists in the house where the lights go out due to a storm and those present split up to find "evidence." We all know, of course, one should NEVER EVER go out alone in the dark to explore the house!!! Always have a person with you!!!

The romance between the Inspector and Mrs. Devine is a great addition to the series. Nice to see it progressing. Now we need to find Brenda a man. And she needs a better hairdo and clothes.

Father Brown: The Last Tango in Kembleford (2024) Season 11, Episode 8

LOVED IT!!

[10/10 · 29 April 2024]

Loved the dancing, loved the ending and loved it all. Wish more episodes would have such fun activity going on.

At the local dancing school, dancers are training for an upcoming visit from a talent scout. Brother and sister owners of the dancing school have a falling out and, naturally, someone is murdered. Hoping that the murderer gets off with a plea of temporary insanity, if such a thing existed back then. The victim was a truly despicable person!

Anyway, the costumes were fabulous! Nice to see Brenda in something other than mismatched shirt and slacks for a change. Sorry to see the season is ending soon. But there is next year to look forward to!!

Father Brown: The Sands of Time (2023) Season 10, Episode 8

Nice Cozy Murder Mystery

[8/10 · 22 April 2024]

I'm surprised there is anyone in Kembleford left to murder. It seems they have pretty much annihilated the population there.

This one, was, as ever, a nice cozy comfortable mystery. There were a few shockers in being politically correct, which strain credibility: A. There would never have been a black woman who was in a position to investigate crimes in the way that Brenda Palmer does. I also doubt that such a person would talk back to a Catholic priest as she does. B. New church secretary, Isobel Devine, does a lot of investigating as well. Amazing that she doesn't get hurt when she gets caught in the closet. C. Although homosexuality has existed from the dawn of time, I doubt anyone in 1950's would reveal their sexual proclivities and that their priest would approve. But then, Father Brown is a very accepting person.

Put all that aside and just have fun with the Father. He is always able to solve a crime with a few observations.

In this mystery, the victim did really deserve what he got. The son of Lord Hartigan, Quentin was an obnoxious, entitled brat. His father should have cut off his money a long time ago. Too bad they can't hold parents accountable for raising horrible children. But they would overwhelm the jails.

Sadly, there was no happy ending for Brenda and her love interest. But that had to be squelched. They can't haver her leave town with him after she just started this season. Maybe she will find someone else in Kembleford.

Father Brown: The Great Train Robbery (2019) Season 7, Episode 1

What a HOOT!!

[9/10 · 2 April 2024]

What a great episode!! A pair of bumbling robbers kidnap Lady Felicia and Mrs. McCarthy after a shootout on a train. So much fun!

Knocking points off for the casting. A famous opera diva (black) had adopted two children (white). Seriously??? Efforts to make things diverse and politically correct are as ridiculous as ever. Chances of a black woman being a famous opera singer in the fifties are pretty slim. Fat chance she adopts two white children. Also, her fifth husband is white. Ridiculous!!

Anyway, the Chief Inspector is as obnoxious as he always is and, as ever, clueless. He makes no effort to detect before arresting someone for the murder. His sidekick is a much better investigator.

Lady Felicia and Mrs. McCarthy squabble with each other while Father Brown searches for clues. Mrs. McCarthy instructs the bungling robbers on spelling and grammar and makes lunch for them all.

Naturally, Father Brown figures out who the real murderer is. The victim seems to be deserving of death. As always, there is a lot of religious.malarky inserted which really does nothing to advance the plot.

Jolly nice to see Lady Felicia back. Wish she had never left.

Marple: Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2009) Season 4, Episode 4

Ignore All the Negative Reviews

[10/10 · 11 March 2024]

The problem with IMBD is that anyone is free to come on and make horrid reviews of everything. I bet most of the reviewers never even watched this episode.

It is nice to see some young actors solving the crime. Also nice to see Sean Biggerstaff and Mark Williams from the Harry Potter series. Richard Briers and Samantha Bond are great as always. Julie McKenzie makes a great Miss Marple. She is different from the others as she is more serious and doesn't dither.

As far as following the book- I read them all years ago so it doesn't bother me if they are not like the book.

What is fun about these movies is the period dress, the houses, furniture and all. I wish they would allow a bit more light into these dark houses though.

Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers (2024 TV Movie)

OMG so MANY TERRIBLE REVIEWS!! So I'm giving it a 10!!

[10/10 · 5 February 2024]

I haven't read the book as so many reviewers apparently have. I have been to Biltmore and studied about the Vanderbilts. This show reminds me of Murdoch Mysteries and Frankie Drake Mysteries in that they include African Americans in the mix of characters, which wouldn't have really happened in this time period.

Having absolutely no preconceived conceptions about this movie, I found it very appealing. The complaints about acting and dialogue are difficult to comprehend. I didn't have any trouble with them. Do any of the reviewers have any acting experience? Or writing experience?

The setting is in a grand mansion complete with a the ball and the costumes are all reminiscent of Bridgerton. Which, I seem to recall, had multiple African American persons of royal birth, etc. In the two seasons out. So they didn't adhere to the Uber White of High Society back then. Who Cares?

I found the show very entertaining. The relationship between Emma and Detective Whyte reminds me of Miss Scarlett and the Duke. It was rather sad to see who the murderer was, however, it totally made sense.

Hopefully, nobody will read all the negative reviews and miss the movie. I never read reviews before I see a show- too many negative people out there!

Here is hoping that they will have several more Gilded Newport Mysteries!!

Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Absolutely Fabulous

[10/10 · 23 December 2023]

This is one of the saddest, yet happiest Hallmark Christmas movies of all. There is a series of "Time for ____to Come Home for Christmas" based on a song. I'm actually pretty sick of the song. But this is the best of all of them.

The lead characters knew each other from college and experienced a very tragic event which has haunted them for 10 years. Out of the blue, Elizabeth receives a phone message from someone who is looking for "Madeline." She sees Josh and together they look for the woman. The circumstances surrounding the phone call and Madeline are so poignant, be prepared to have Kleenex's ready. Fortunately, there is a happy ending, in true Hallmark fashion.

Tyler Hynes is a fantastic actor who truly is gifted in the roles he plays. So moving and sincere. Holland Roden is also very good and the chemistry between them is magnetic.

Christmas in Notting Hill (2023 TV Movie)

A British Christmas plus soccer!!

[7/10 · 23 December 2023]

Mostly a good Hallmark Christmas movie. Nice touch having the British location and references to the movie Notting Hill. (Dad reading a copy of "Horse and Hound."

A few issues, however:

1. The male lead, William Moseley, is absolutely gorgeous!!! The female lead, Sarah Ramos, is not and her hairstyle is not attractive on her. I can't really understand why he is the least bit attracted to her as she is sullen and grumpy most of the time. Apparently the reason he likes her is because she has no idea who he is (famous soccer star). Which she then gets mad at him when she finds out he's a soccer star.

2. In the scene on the soccer field after the kiss and snow starts falling- it is OBVIOUSLY not real snow as the reel shows a huge chunk of paper or fake snow repeatedly.

3.. Georgia loses her necklace in a pub after telling Graham's mom that the clasp has a "mind of it's own" and then after Graham finds it in plain sight, she puts it on again like there was nothing wrong with the clasp.

4. There is no University of Indiana. It's called Indiana University.

The proposal scene between his brother and her sister was very sweet, however. The British Christmas traditions with the crackers and hats is great.

Midsomer Murders: Scarecrow Murders (2021) Season 22, Episode 4

Festive Autumn Fare

[9/10 · 17 March 2023]

The best thing about this episode is the Scarecrow Festival. I really enjoy all of the fetes, fairs, festivals and events in these quaint British villages.

The village is hosting a Scarecrow Festival so there are scarecrows everywhere. It's fun to see all of them. One of the scarecrows in a shop window is actually a dead body. Brilliant idea!! Barnaby makes a lot of jokes about straw and corn in the beginning which is funny. The pathologist, Fleur Perkins, has a phobia of scarecrows. The second victim is dressed up as a minister scarecrow with a scarecrows in his audience. Great idea!!

A nice side plot is that Jamie Winter comes face to face with his college sweetheart who broke his heart. Fleur gives him a stack of books on dating. The actress who played his sweetheart is actually Nick Hendrix' wife.

I think the victims all deserved to get killed and it's too bad Barnaby and Winter prevented the fourth death. Gambling is a horrible addiction and people who take advantage of gamblers for personal gain should be tarred and feathered. Hopefully, the killer(s) will get short jail terms.

Midsomer Murders: The Blacktrees Prophecy (2022) Season 23, Episode 1

Great Episode

[9/10 · 17 March 2023]

Honestly people, if you don't like the show and are going to pan so many episodes, go watch something else.

I like to rate these episodes on A. Creativeness of the murderer; B. Funny goings on; C. Whether I can guess the murderer.

A. Very creative. Especially loved the method of murder for one of the victims. Murder by boat!!

B. Poor Winter gets wet/dirty/muddy, etc. This time, he even brought Wellies into the office. Barnaby stole them. I really hope he gets lots of money back from the Midsomer Constabulary for the damage to his clothes/shoes. Barnaby didn't pay him back when Winter bought beer and crisps to munch on when Sarah's mom came to visit. That should be in Winter's expenses.

C. Had no idea who the murderer was until close to the end. They kept it secret a long time.

Definitely think the victims deserved what they got!!

Midsomer Murders: The Debt of Lies (2022) Season 23, Episode 2

Worthy Episode

[9/10 · 17 March 2023]

The highlight of this episode was watching poor Winter get slammed with wet sponges in the stocks. Poor dude!!

This episode involved people at a police retirement village. The place where they retired is the same home used in Ghosts of Christmas Past , only spiffed up.

Barnaby and Sarah go to a retirement party for a Superintendent. The next day she is found with her car in a tree. WHODUNNIT?

The Killer is a huge surprise and the reason for killing was a great one. I fully support him and hope he gets a light sentence. The victim was a really despicable person. Sometimes I really root for the killer to get off lightly. Is that bad? Some murders are so justified!!

Midsomer Murders: A Grain of Truth (2022) Season 23, Episode 3

Great Episode

[9/10 · 17 March 2023]

Overall, a great episode with an excellent plot. I had no idea who the killer was. Didn't see it coming at all. The usual cheating and sex naughtiness was going on. Some very funny bits with Sarah Barnaby and her friend who was hitting on Winter.

As usual, poor Winter has to get his clothes wet/dirty/muddy/damaged. This kind of thing happens in almost every episode he is in. He used to be a lot cockier in his responses to Barnaby, but that has toned down quite a bit. Would like to see more snappy retorts to Barnaby.

The villagers were extremely evil this time around to undermine the bakery at the mill. Which is sad. Too bad they can't all get along.

Midsomer Murders: Dressed to Kill (2023) Season 23, Episode 4

Can We NOT be so PC?

[5/10 · 17 March 2023]

Featuring the world of Drag Queens and Politically Correct phrases such as cisgender (Had to look that up) I didn't find this one as entertaining as some classic Midsomer Murder episodes. For me, having seen every episode, if I view the episode more than 10 times, it is a great episode. I've seen this one once.

I'm kinda tired of the increase in racially diverse characters as I don't think they are representative of the population of a typical Midsomer village. And we are more likely to see drag queens and transgender, cisgender, etc. In London or other large cities. While I appreciate that the producers of Midsomer Murders have to add more diverse people to the mix, it makes the show less fun to watch.

For those of us who have watched MM from the start, we want to see the little villages and the quaint shops and idyllic landscapes. We want to see castles and mansions. Viewing drag queens with underarm hair is not appealing.

The Mandalorian (2019– )

Can it get any more boring?

[1/10 · 17 February 2023]

I've watched every other Star Wars movie. Repeatedly. The 4th, 5th and 6th were the best. Followed by the last bunch. So I'm a Star Wars expert.

This movie- I've watched two episodes, is dull, plodding, dull, boring, dull and no cute guys to look at cause the Mandalorian can't remove his helmet. The only thing worth watching is the mini-Yoda. I almost fell asleep during the 2nd episode.

Do we really need more movies with dark forboding scenery, dusty torn up clothing, huge ugly creatures? Seriously, Jon Favreau???? Why can't there be some nice planets with greenery and people wearing cute clothes? I thought Andor was bleak enough, but this show takes the prize.

If I really wanted bleak, depressing, war I could just watch CNN!

Treason: Episode #1.1 (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

Interesting, Somewhat Predictable Plot. Plotholes.

[7/10 · 29 December 2022]

The show starts off with Adam, deputy to the head of MI-6, talking to a classroom of school kids. Meanwhile, his boss is in a restaurant and is then seen showing a man a file containing compromising information. He promises not to reveal any of the information and wants nothing in return, for now. Next, his drink is brought to him- it has been poisoned.

The poisoner, a Russian spy, Kara, runs to her getaway van, but as the driver is taking off he hits a bicyclist. He stops to check on the cyclist, and naturally the injured man sees his face.

Adam is promoted to acting head of MI-6. His boss is in the hospital. Information about the poisoner is gleaned from various sources and the getaway driver's face is all over the news. Naturally he is killed. By Kara.

Later Adam meets Kara on a bridge. They had a relationship at some point earlier in their careers. She wants intel from him now he is head of MI-6. He rose so quickly to head due to intel she passed along to him without his knowledge.

Police protection is assigned to Adam's family- wife Maddy, daughter Elle, son Callum. Elle is unhappy with this police protection and slips out a different door at school and is kidnapped. Of course. If only kids could be a little more intelligent!

Treason: Episode #1.2 (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

Plotholes Galore

[28 December 2022]

For the head of MI-6, Adam seems a pretty clueless spy. He needs to go back to spy school.

Adam was made head of MI-6 after his boss was poisoned and winds up in the hospital... His wife, Maddy, records his convo with a Russian spy, Kara, and passes the information to her pal from the CIA, Dede. Maddy goes through Adams files and finds information about him and Kara. Adam is then working with Kara to find his kidnapped daughter. He then goes alone with no police backup to find his daughter?????? So he's fighting one kidnapper whilst Kara fights the other. Kara then drives away with the daughter. HOW STUPID CAN HE BE?

Maddy conspires with Dede behind Adam's back. Dede tells Maddy not to trust her husband anymore cause he has "crossed over."

Adam calls Kara and wants to know why she took his daughter. Kara plans to keep her until she gets intel from Adam.

Adam goes over to see his boss' wife. He thinks the "intel" may be in his boss' house. He finds intel on the Foreign Secretary to pass along to Kara. He also sees his boss' file on himself. Adam then takes Maddy with him to hand over the file to Kara. Does Maddy stay in the car and out of danger? OF COURSE NOT!! She follows him, spies on his meeting with Kara and sees Kara give Adam a kiss on the cheek and is horrified.

Adam and Maddy are later reunited with their daughter as promised by Kara.

Next Adam meets with a lawyer at 3 am. He tells him what happened. He also passes the lawyer his letter of resignation. The lawyer asks if his wife knows. Cause she could be guilty of conspiracy. Adam is hoping to do a deal since he knows about the secret cache of files on people in the government which his boss has been using for blackmail.

Falling for Christmas (2022)

A Real Treat

[9/10 · 17 November 2022]

Very cute movie about a rich heiress who falls off a cliff and loses her memory. So a local hotel owner takes her in until she can figure out who she is.

It is so nice to see Lindsay Lohan back. We've watched Parent Trap and Freaky Friday so many times when my kids were little. It was hard to see her fall off the grid. But now she appears to be back and is pretty funny.

Chord Overstreet, from Glee, plays the hotel owner. He has lost his baby face or else it is just covered in whiskers. He's pretty cute. Jack Wagner plays Lindsay's father, who owns the rich resort nearby.

So we get to see Lindsay and Chord interact and watch her try to make a bed and clean a toilet with much amusement. There is also Chord's daughter who is real cute and Lindsay's "fiancee" Tad, who is a self-absorbed narcissist who also falls off the cliff and winds up finding solace in an ice-fishing hut with a lure in his forehead. He is rather annoying.

This movie shows a pretty damning perspective on "selfies," online influencers and "trending." Put your phones away already!!

Anyway, the usual happy ending ensues. I've watched several times on Netflix after I got tired of all the crime (Ozark) shows. It's a nice change.

Catering Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

GACK Channel Cliche

[2/10 · 17 November 2022]

"GACK" for having commercials from Duck Dynasty and Mike Liddell the Pillow Guy. Come on people!!! You are trying to be family based and wholesome so why would you have such controversial, hard core conservative commercials? HUGE TURN-OFF!!

Also GACK for promoting the traditional family Queen, Candace Bure. SERIOUSLY?? She promotes values where her husband rules her life???? Take us all back 500 years!!! VOMITING.

So I could only stand to watch one movie on GACK channel. This one was OK. I can't believe Merritt Patterson and Daniel Lissing bailed on Hallmark and moved to GACK channel. Very Sad!!! Hope that doesn't hurt your careers in future.

Anyway, another cute Christmassy movie where caterer tries to survive in the busy world of catering and the rich heir, who likes her, tries to be helpful. They naturally fall for each other. Can't figure out why? He isn't very good looking. She is wound pretty tight. I don't think they have anything in common. So the future of this relationship is not good.

If you want to shun diversity by shunning gays and all, at least you could come up with a better plot that doesn't involve rich guy and working girl, couldn't you???

Ghosts of Christmas Always (2022 TV Movie)

Wonderful Movie

[10/10 · 16 November 2022]

This is a beautiful movie with a twist that was not anticipated, highly unusual for a Hallmark movie. It reminds me of earlier Hallmark movies such as A Season for Giving.

Usually I watch Hallmark just to have a break from all the crises of the world. They have the best Christmas movies of the cable network channels. This one was just a great movie. Interesting, quirky characters- Three "Ghosts" scrooging someone to improve their "Christmas Spirit." So there is some Dickensonian plotting. But not so much of the holiday decorations, the holiday activities seen in so many Christmas movies. More about the spirit of the season.

Highly Recommend!

Midsomer Murders: Judgement Day (2000) Season 3, Episode 3

Favorite Episode

[10/10 · 8 May 2022]

The difference between this show and other police procedural shows I've seen is the emphasis on the villagers and their interactions rather than the forensic details, police supervisors, etc. For someone who is not from Britain, it is most interesting to see the settings, the old homes, village shops, churches, fetes. We never see Tom Barnaby's supervisor except in a few future shows. We see Tom's interactions with Sgt Troy, who is usually hilarious and can't drive straight. We get to see Tom's relationship with his wife, Joyce and daughter Cully. Joyce is not a good cook and always seems to have dinners and other events interrupted by Tom's cases. Cully is an actress and is typically in a play or TV commercial, which is fun. I've seen this episode repeatedly. It is STELLAR!!

The episode starts off with a chilling murder that happened many years ago when a child killed her nanny with a butcher's knife. Flash forward to present...

Joyce Barnaby wins the opportunity to be a judge for the "Perfect Village Competition" sponsored by "Country Matters" magazine. She goes on a week long trek with the other judges with first class travel and dinner at the end. They view the villages, watch their presentations ("Morris Men" - dancing men) and sample their food. Joyce tells Tom one of the villages in the competition is Midsomer Mallow..."Tom, don't tell me you are investigating some grisly murder there," she says.

Tom is investigating robberies in Midsomer Mallow. One of the robbers is a youthful Orlando Bloom, who is having an affair with the local vet's wife and with a young girl.

Cully is writing a book and visits the home of a famous actor to interview him for her book. This is one of the homes that was robbed. Then someone is killed with a pitchfork.

After judging other villages, the judges arrive at Midsomer Mallow. A villager gives a tour and history of the area and at the tent on the green, guests are served Apricot and Elderberry Wine and Chicken wings and Pasties. Meanwhile, the student orchestra plays. Suddenly, one of the judges falls to the ground, poisoned.....

Midsomer Murders: Blood Will Out (1999) Season 2, Episode 4

Lovely English Village

[6/10 · 4 May 2022]

A complicated set of relationships by marriage (where each of a pair of married couples was previously married to their current spouse's ex). Two groups of travelers (gypsies) converge on the village for a festival. The leader, Wilbur, has been traveling since his stint in the Falklands where much of his regiment was killed. Turns out that the landowner in the big house was the man who sent the men to their deaths. He is the local magistrate and is a bully on top of it. He is especially abusive to his step-daughter.

Great scenery of English countryside. The wagons of the travelers are particularly cute to view. There are various relationships between the villagers, farmers and the local shopkeeper.

A subplot is that Barnaby is placed on a diet in order to fit into a suit and Troy watches what he eats and steals his Mars bar from the glove compartment. As usual, Troy's comments about the villagers "bonking" activities are hilarious as are Barnaby's retorts.

Phyllida Law (Emma Thompson's mom) plays a small part and serves Barnaby chocolate gateaux. Turns out is also the gateaux that Cully does a commercial on.

Midsomer Murders: Dead Man's Eleven (1999) Season 2, Episode 3

Great Revenge Plot

[9/10 · 3 May 2022]

Barnaby and his wife search for a new house when murder gets in the way. Joyce ought to simply give up trying to lead a normal life being married to the great Detective Inspector.

Fletcher's Cross is hosting their annual cricket match when the wife of the local wealthy landowner is beaten to death with a cricket bat near a quarry on her husband's estate.

The landowner is not a well liked man having employed unscrupulous business practices which resulted in a young man being killed years ago. His son resents his father and he has angered a group of locals who resent that Cavendish has closed a public footpath that ran across his estate. He is just crusin' for a brusin' so to speak.

One of the highlights of the episode is the great Imelda Staunton, who played Professor Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." She and her husband have some explaining to do.

The climax is great where the revenge is planned for the death of the young man years ago. Will the detectives save the day?