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5/10
Accent on Accents
30 January 2023
Aside from the glacially slow pace of this yawner, Cadet E. A. Poe's accent is decidedly southern yet Poe was born in the north, in Massachusetts, and to the best of my knowledge did not spend any significant time in the south, so I am puzzled as to why it was decided that Mr. Poe would sport a bad Georgia/ South Carolina accent.

And the esteemed actor Toby Jones, whom I loved in the Detectorists, affected an accent that can best be described as "somewhat American". Maybe he was told by the director to "just try something American but with a slight Brit accent". It's confusing, almost dismissive. Makes me feel better about Dick Van Dyke's accent in Mary Poppins.

Moreover, the stilted manner of speech throughout the movie reminded me of those letters written home by Confederate soldiers; quite a few were uneducated yet capable of composing letters worthy of an A in any high school drama class.

But my compliments to the actor previously known as Dernsley in the Harry Potter movies. Capturing the elusive bad Georgian/ South Carolinian accent is no small feat. The language tutor was only available for an hour?

Finally, I have to remind the costume department that West Point cadets were issued winter capes amd were not expected to endure the harsh West Point winters in summer weight uniforms.
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The Valet (2022)
8/10
The Valet
24 May 2022
Okay, I will admit I fully expected to hate this movie. Honestly, I had just watched "The Gentlemen" and needed something less intense and found this one. I have a little something for Betsy Brandt (sp) from Life in Pieces and figured I like what's his name from New Girl so... This show is so sweet, so well written and acted that there was a prequel or sequel I'd be the first in line to see it. Sure, there are some subtitles and even though I speak Spanish, I was grateful for them because the rapid fire exchanges between the four valets are hilarious. The gentleman whom portrayed Mr. Flores was excellent; so well played, so believably sincere that I genuinely wept.

Watch it for yourself.
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B Positive (2020–2022)
3/10
WTH Happened?
10 December 2021
If I were Tom Middleditch, I'd sue Chuck Lorre and the network for taking a lame premise like kidney failure and handing the show over to a brash, out Broadway actor and making it even worse, if that was even possible. Cancel this loser.
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B Positive (2020–2022)
3/10
What the heck happened?
5 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I really liked Middleditch and company in season one. It was decent enough but season two loud blonde is the lead. She inherits millions from a patient, buys a retirement center and, viola, new cast, new premise and worse canned laughter. Sorry, I'm out.
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McDonald & Dodds (2020– )
8/10
Bath is Beautiful
22 September 2021
I took a chance on this show and have been more than pleasantly surprised. It doesn't hurt that filming takes place around Bath. In fact, a few years ago, I sat on one of those benches in the courtyard, facing the baths and had a wonderful conversation with a woman from Glasgow. I needed subtitles for that conversation but she was so enthusiastic, I just couldn't bring myself to stop her monologue for fear of hurting her feelings.

But I love this series; so well acted and well written in an incredibly picturesque locale.
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My Life Is Murder (2019– )
9/10
Love this show
1 September 2021
Please don't cancel this show. Moving to New Zealand makes this show even more wonderful.
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8/10
Fun
23 July 2021
I just love this quirky series. Barry Crocker reminds me of my late neighbor and Toby reminds me of one of my old housemates from college. Just enjoy it.
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The Loch (2017)
8/10
Brain Twister
19 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
First off, this mini-series is listed as "Loch Ness" on Amazon Prime (Acorn) so it took a bit of detecting to locate the show here.

I completed watching the show this morning, having stayed up very late last night hoping to finish it up. While some may complain that it was contrived, I found it to be riveting. It was well-acted and, even though the ending seemed a little disappointing. More on that later. And I was happy to recognize Alastair Mackenzie from Monarch of the Glen.

I had to use subtitles since the Scottish accent is tricky for my Texas ears, but teenage angst is unmistakable in any language. Seeing the strife between Annie and Evie brought back some unpleasant recollections of dealing with our eldest daughter (we all survived, thank you).

Granted the series took some crazy twists and turns, almost as if they changed writers mid-series, but tied it all up fairly well in the end. However, the disappearance of Kieran into the dark waters of the loch left me thinking "oh good grief, they couldn't write a better ending for him?". And Evie heading to Australia failed to resolve the conflict between her and Annie. Instead they just say "seeya" and that was that. Also, not resolving the issue of Petrie's manipulation of his students without some kind of comeuppance was really unsatisfying. Yes, he lost his family but he seemed smugly satisfied.

Jordan's miraculous abilities to get up and around without any signs of atrophy made this former athlete wonder if any of the writers had ever had a serious injury that required physical therapy. And then he jogs off into the countryside barefoot? Eh...

Finally, and this is why I love British shows, the countryside around Fort Augustus with its locks and walkways, the hillsides and the loch itself make any deficiencies or shortcomings worth it. I gave this show an 8 because it was well done, well acted and gorgeous to behold.
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Detectorists (2014– )
9/10
Sweet Show
16 March 2021
I just completed watching season 3 and now I am depressed because it is over. No spoiler alert necessary; I won't reveal anything but I have to say that Toby, McKenzie and everyone made this show an absolute pleasure to watch. Oh, I intend to rewatch it; worth every second. Rest in peace Dame Diana Rigg.
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I Love Dick (2016–2017)
7/10
Just a cotton-pickin' minute
15 February 2021
I love Kathryn Hahn. I love Kevin Bacon. I have been to Marfa. Nice people tolerating artists. Artists laughing at locals behind their backs. But here's my point: authenticity in the portrayal of Texans and Texas is something Hollywood will never get. In the scene in Man City where Ms. Willis removes her clothes- the Texas flag is upside down. White bar on top. Okay, I'm done here.
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