Streaming TV Shows

1923– I watched the Yellowstone prequel 1923 starring Dame Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford. It was very compelling as a world-spanning saga and these two both did very well with their characters. Former James Bond actor Timothy Dalton plays (well) a supremely evil person (similar to situation below in Mobland). Keep an eye out for Brandon Sklanor—he plays an almost impeccable “hero” type of that era as well as Julia Schlaepfer who plays his equally bold and brave love interest.

Tracker has come through with another entertaining season of “finding missing people” where little has changed: I enjoy the theme and the episodes stand alone in different settings across the US.

Even though I am forced to suspend my disbelief as with so many other productions, this one has more heart and head and less graphic violence than many other action series.

Mobland– Dame Helen Mirren is here, too, in a role that echoes her 1923 prequel role. She is a partner in crime with her husband played by (former Bond) Pierce Brosnan, who makes a convincing London Mob Boss. Tom Hardy plays the mob family’s “fixer” here and in a way, he’s the star—watching him is like observing an apex predator at rest while it examines its prey.  This is a Guy Richie film and he’s been at the top of this genre for years. I recommend closed captions for some of the delicious dialogue because you wouldn’t want to miss a word. Yes, it’s violent, though I wouldn’t say gratuitously so.

Ludwig- This is a Britbox show, but as an Anglophile I couldn’t resist. Imagine identical male twins where one is compelled to pretend to be his brother when that twin disappears mysteriously. Imagine further that the twin who disappeared was a lead detective in a smallish suburb of London. It’s fun and there are murders thrust upon the impostor twin—who just happens to make logic puzzles for a living.