Nerdy Squirrel Reviews by Pasckie Pascua

“Crime” (Britbox) Scottish crime drama , 2 Seasons. An adaptation of the Irvine Welsh novel of the same name , the series focuses more on emotionally hysterical and mentally “off” DI Ray Lennox than with the crime that he, and partner DS Amanda Drummond, pursue and try to solve. To complicate policing, Ray tends to get overly personally involved with the case/s. Definitely, the police procedure that “Crime” delivers is beyond ordinary which makes the series compelling.         As DI Ray Lennox, Dougray Scott won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor in November 2022. Season 1 was fine, unique, and riveting. The searing intensity of Mr Scott is all over the screen. But by Season 2, I started to feel a bit turned off by Ray’s overwrought dramatics. Enough already, solve the crime now. I realize I wanted my copper cold as ice, pragmatic as cheap Kentucky whiskey. Just get it done, dude.         DS Amanda Drummond, ably navigated by Joanna Vanderham , could have been explored more.

“The Wonder” (2022, Netflix) period psychological drama , based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Emma Donoghue. A powerful premise: In 1862, an English nurse who served in the Crimean War , is sent to a rural village in Ireland where she is tasked with closely watching a fasting girl who, according to her family, has not eaten for four months. She is to be assisted by a nun, Sister Michael, and the two are to report their findings independently to a council of local dignitaries.        Religious faith vis a vis creed zealotry as a cultural backdrop is a historical fact that still exists and continually tackled in books. Five classics that immediately come to mind: Daniel Defoe's “A Journal of the Plague Year,” James Hogg’s “Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner,” Stella Gibbons's “Cold Comfort Farm,” Charles Dickens's “Bleak House,” and of course, Nathaniel Hawthorne's “The Scarlet Letter.”        I haven’t read Ms Donoghue’s “The Wonder,” but it

“The Gilded Age” (HBO Max) 2 Seasons going 3, historical drama , set in the United States during the titular era , the boom years of the 1880s in New York City . Created and written by the “Downton Abbey” master Julian Fellowes, who also wrote the screenplay to 2001’s “Gosford Park,” this expectedly costume regalia series is a marvel to watch. Stunning gowns and interior production sets are enough to get the viewer hooked.         “The Gilded Age” follows a young woman entering 1882 New York City's rigid social scene who is drawn into the daily conflicts surrounding the super wealthy “new money” Russell family and the “ old money ” van Rhijn-Brook family. The two are neighbors across 61st Street near Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side of New York. The series also shows conflicts faced by the upper and upper middle classes , the African-American upper class , and the domestic workers who tend to all of their needs.         The Russel family, or George and wife Bertha, is based

“To Leslie” (2022, Netflix) drama film , a single mother and alcoholic who squanders all the prize money she received after winning the lottery. She soon finds the chance to redeem herself when a motel owner offers her a job. As Leslie, Andrea Riseborough delivered a powerful performance that deserved an Oscar nomination, which she did, albeit caught in a “oh she is white!” controversy yawn.         Ms Riseborough was in a number of movies but I appreciated her more in the TV series 2016’s “Bloodline” family drama as a supporting character and lead in 2020 “ZeroZeroZero,” a cross-continental drug/crime saga.         “To Leslie” is a typical deadbeat tale; it is Andrea Riseborough that is worth watching. 🎥👍📽 “Golda” (2023, Paramount+) biographical drama, depicts the life of Golda Meir , the 4th Prime Minister of Israel , particularly during the Yom Kippur War . It stars Helen Mirren , Camille Cottin and Liev Schreiber . The film depicts the actions of Golda Meir , the 4th Prime

HARLAN Coben’s plots of his novels often involve the resurfacing of unresolved or misinterpreted events in the past, murders, or fatal accidents and have multiple twists. Nine of his novels have been adapted into Netflix series. Here are three that I recently saw.        <>“The Stranger.” Plot: A mysterious stranger, a woman in her 20s wearing a baseball cap, approaches Adam Price and tells him a secret. His wife goes missing as a result of the disclosure. As the story progresses, the stranger is revealed to be connected with more secrets.        <>“Stay Close.” Plot: Megan Pierce is a suburban mum living in the fictional suburb of Livingstone, and is hiding a murky past. She has found her soulmate in Dave, and they have three great kids. Etcetera.        <>“Fool Me Once.” Plot: Former special ops pilot Maya, home from the war, sees an unthinkable image captured by her nanny cam while she is at work: her two-year-old daughter playing with Maya's husband, Joe—wh

“Luther: The Fallen Sun” (2023, Netflix) crime thriller film, serves as a film continuation of the series “ Luther ,” starring Idris Elba . The film is about the detective's efforts to stop a wealthy serial killer's complex schemes. Mr Elba reprises his role as police detective John Luther , with Cynthia Erivo and Andy Serkis .         Plot: David Robey, a wealthy trader and serial killer , blackmails and kidnaps cleaner Callum Aldrich. DCI John Luther is assigned to the case and promises Callum's mother, Corinne, he will find her son. Concerned about his involvement, Robey digs up dirt on the various illegal acts Luther has committed as a police officer, resulting in him being fired, prosecuted and imprisoned.         In case you already saw all of the “Luther” series, there’s nothing much to pine about in this movie. But Idris Elba’s quiet, burly charm stays as the insistent magnet although the presence of the always-remarkable Cynthia Erivo didn’t do much to this movie

“The Retirement Plan (2023, Hulu) crime comedy thriller . Ashley and her young daughter Sarah must seek out Ashley's estranged widowed father, Matt, for help when they wind up in the middle of a criminal enterprise that threatens their lives. Aging dad or grandpa is Nicolas Cage. Of course. And of course he is an ex-soldier, CIA, or some kickass secret service or military dude, retired on a sunny beachfront beyond America. Retired.         Hence, “retirement plan,” you dig? Don’t bother with the story. There’s nothing much. Only Nic Cage diehard such as yours truly will bother to waste 103 minutes on nothing. Forget that this “another day at work” timecard has usually bankable character actors Ron Perlman and Jackie Earle Haley on it doing the villain drill.         Nic’s day at work is still worth $4 million up front, says The Hollywood Reporter. He is even willing to take a pay cut if he really loves the project though I don’t think he dug this “retirement” gig. For “Massive Tal

“The Killer” (2023, Netflix) action thriller, based on the French graphic novel series of the same name by Alexis "Matz" Nolent and Luc Jacamon, about a mysterious killer and a skillful professional assassin who stakes out a Parisian hotel room. As the killer, all we see in this tedious snorer is Michael Fassbender . Forget about all the flimsy supporting cast, including the always-likable Tilda Swinton . And I am not a huge fan of Mr Fassbender either.        But “The Killer” is directed by the supposedly killer (figurative) auteur David Fincher. Whenever his name appears, I am reminded of the 1999 cult marvel “Fight Club,” the cerebral 2008’s “ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button ,” and the entertaining 2010’s “ The Social Network .” However, uh huh, none of those mind-piercing brilliance in “The Killer.” Sorry.        The oft-whispered soliloquy of some sort “Stick to your plan. Don't anticipate. Don't improvise” is irritatingly corny (sic). A little consolatio