What I'm Watching... April 2019

April is whizzing by so time to catch up with what I'm watching on TV (and at the cinema!) at the moment. Last month I introduced movies I have enjoyed over the past few weeks so check out my thoughts on the new Dumbo movie which hit the big screen last week.

TV SHOWS

Line of Duty (Series 5) - BBC1

"There's only one thing I'm interested in, and that's catching bent coppers."
Yes! Ted and his team are back to weasel out those corrupt officers and throw the book (and the bookshelves) at them. The series has begun with the velocity we've come to expect from one of the best shows on TV. I can't wait to find out why Steve has been passed over for promotion and will we finally have closure on the identity of 'H'?

Turn Up Charlie - Netflix

This Netflix original series stars and is co-written by Idris Elba. That was enough to get me to tune in hoping desperately for a series to rival Luther. Sorely disappointed. A ridiculous storyline with some pretty ridiculous acting. Idris you have let me down.

The OA (Series 2) - Netflix

I'm torn over this show. I really enjoyed the first season but then crazy yoga dancing in the cafeteria made me laugh at a poignant moment - which really ruined the premise of the whole series. Series 2 opened where the first season left off and moved in a different direction, it was enjoyable, some things were explained but a lot of it was confusing and the ending was a bit of genius, if it did leave me with hundreds of questions. Watch it but be warned it's bizarre.

The Break - Netflix

A bit of Flemish noir for you now. The Break is a murder mystery set in a quiet Belgium village. Yoann Peeters is a cop from Brussels who is back in his hometown after the death of his wife. On his first day he is pulled into the apparent suicide. Peeters suspects murder and he is right. We shift backwards and forwards between the events of the investigation and a series of sessions with Peeter's psychologist suggesting that the case didn't quite go the way Peeters expected. Definitely worth a watch if you can cope with the dubbed English.

MOVIES

Dumbo (2019)

The kids (and me!) were super excited about seeing the remake of the Disney classic Dumbo. We have a Kids Pass membership which means we get a great discount on cinema tickets taking the sting out of a family trip to the flicks. As we settled down in our seats and Casey Jones trundled down the track with Danny DeVito at the helm I thought I was in for a treat. But alas it was not to be! The film felt quite flat with pretty vacant character, an overly complicated storyline and no songs! Colin Farrell’s performance was so weak he may as well have not been there. Both Husband and I felt the cinema feeling completely disappointed. The kids however loved it but you are better off saving your cash for The Lion King remake which is coming up later this year and looks awesome.

X-Men: Apocalypse

Somehow Husband and I managed to miss this enstallment of the X-Men prequels so we’re pleased when we spotted in on Channel 4. Young versions of Professor Xavier and Magneto (James McAvoy and Fassbender) are back giving us further backstory on how the friends ended up on opposite sides. Worshipped since the dawn of time the first and most powerful mutant awakes and joined by his ‘4 horsemen of the apocalypse’ enacts his plan to rid the world of humans. We see him teach Magneto how to harness the power of metal within the earth and we see how Professor X loses his hair. The best bit though is the scene with Wolverine (the best X:Men character) explaining how he escaped from Striker’s experiment. Just don’t think about how this prequel it’s with the X-Men timeline or you’ll give yourself a headache.

IO Last on Earth - Netflix Original

The earth has become toxic. The survivors have left planet and are colonised on one of Jupiter’s moons. A young scientist has stayed behind and is trying to find a way to make the Earth safe for humans. But time is running out. The last shuttles are leaving the planet and when a stranger appears they only have 48hrs to make it to the launch site or be marooned on the dying planet. A decent watch if a little slow paced.

I receive a complemtary Kids Pass membership but all thoughts are my own