Movie and TV Reviews - January 2024

Short reviews of what Nancy and I watched in January 2024.

Movies

• Underwater: This was a pretty standard and predictable thriller with monsters. The last third looked like they had used up the SFX budget. The IMDB rating of 5.6 was too generous. (Disney+)
• The Creator: This was a rewatch as we had seen it at the cinema last fall. It was worth rewatching. It also looked much better on our LG OLED than it did at Cineplex. I do wish there were more original big-budget SF movies like this; I could happily live without seeing another MCU, Star Wars, or Star Trek movie. (Disney+)
• Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny. Another rewatch (my daughter wanted to see it). It wasn't any better the second time around. (Disney+)
• Hamilton: We watched about twenty minutes and decided it wasn't for us. The music is good but we had no interest in the story. I'd just as soon listen to the soundtrack album. (Disney+)
• Killers of the Flower Moon. I think this was the best movie I've seen in the last year, with the possible exception of Barbie. Despite the length, the movie held our attention. The acting, writing, cinematography, production values, and directing are all first rate. From what I've read online, it's reasonably historically accurate, much more so than many big-name US films. And a special shout out to the late Robbie Robertson for a superb score. (Apple TV+)
• Totally Killer. Back to the Future meets Halloween. OK if you don't mind the slasher scenes. (Amazon Prime)
• Elton John Live at Dogers' Stadium: I was an Elton John fan from his first album, but kind of lost interest when he started having mega hits. But I now really wish I had gone to see him perform at some point. Just an amazing concert, all the more so when you realize he's in his mid-70s. (Disney+)

TV Shows

• Shetland, season 8: Dark and bleak, like the islands with first-rate acting. The plot in this one was unusually complex (maybe too complex) and left us guessing until the end. (BritBox)
• Antiques Road Trip, season 25: More comfort watching. We find the embedded bits of local history quite fascinating. (PBS)
• Vera, season 12 episode 5. I don't know why this episode didn't show up with the others in season 12, but it was worth the wait. (BritBox)
• Slow Horses (season 3): The plot of this one was even more implausible than last season but we still enjoyed it. Gary Oldman's performance is the best thing about the show. (Apple TV+)
• For All Mankind (season 4): My only reservation about this show is that the time frame is unrealistically compressed. I can't believe that there could have been that much technological progress in 40 years. Still it's eminently watchable and I loved the optimistic spirit. It's the best SF show going right now by far. (Apple TV+)
• Reacher (season 2): This is the action equivalent of the "cozy mysteries" we like to watch. Not to be taken seriously. It was interesting seeing the local settings subbing for some US locations. (Amazon Prime)
• The Sixth Commandment: Slow, grim, and quite unsettling, all the more so for being based on a true crime. (BritBox)
• Hope Street (seasons 1 and 2): More of a soap opera than a police procedural with a lovely setting in Northern Ireland. (BritBox)
• Emergency Vet (season 1): A documentary series based on the behind-scenes-care at Toronto's Veterinary Emergency Clinic (VEC). We've had to take our dog to the VEC for an eye problem, so we are quite familiar with them, but I had no idea how extensive the clinic's facilities are.