“Boat Story.” / "Tree on a Hill.”

“Boat Story” (Amazon Prime) British comedy thriller. Synopsis: Cocaine is found on a boat by two hard-up strangers, Janet and Samuel, who agree to sell it and split the proceeds. They quickly find themselves entangled with the police, masked hit men, and a sharp-suited gangster known as "The Tailor.” 

       The story could be a bit usual but the characters are insanely unusual, such as the sinister casanova The Tailor, played in wicked relish and playful contempt by Tcheky Karyo. Then there's the local drug dealer Vinnie, moronic and vile but hilarious. Daisy Haggard as Janet, Paterson Joseph as Samuel, and Joanna Scanlan as Pat are all fun to watch, as is The Tailor's massive simpleton muscle Guy, portrayed in oblivious, mechanical stone-coldness by Craig Fairbrass.

       A binge-watch magnet, indeed. A sort of Quentin Tarantino meets the Coen brothers carefree paradox and twisted humor. 🎥👍📽

"Tree on a Hill" (Amazon Prime) also known as "Pren ar y Bryn" in Welsh. Dark, comedic, and psychological Welsh series that follows the lives of a middle-aged couple, Clive and Margaret Lewis, as they become entangled in a series of unfortunate events in their tiny village. 

       Then series description: The story explores themes of isolation, desperation, fear of change, and moral ambiguity, while also delving into the superstitions and faith of the conservative Christian community. 

       I admit the series is intriguing as it is kind of baffling to me. I get the drama, misery, and fear that are mostly projected by Clive and Margaret. Yet Rhodri Meilir and Nia Roberts’ delivery is “new” to me somewhat. Both seem overacting at times in emoting their panic that makes me think, are they being comical or are they being serious? But they seem serious. Reminds me of the Japanese Noh or Kabuki. Rhodri and Nia's performance is bloated in an exaggerated manner to accentuate the emotional bombast of the story trajectory.

       Anyhow, this series is a fine small town drama albeit tackled in a Welsh kind of “black comedy.” 🎥💻📽