Ginnette Jamerson

Based on the novels of Spanish writer Dolores Redondo, the Baztan trilogy (which consist of "The Invisible Guardian", "The Legacy Of The Bones", and "Offering To The Storm") is currently available on NetFlix. The films are produced by Peter Nadermann (who also did the Stieg Larrson Millennium trilogy-- "Girl With A Dragon Tattoo' etc). He definitely knows how to translate a noir novel for the screen The compelling series is part police procedural and part family drama. As the story opens, Detective Amaia Salazar returns to her hometown in Elizondo (which is in the Navarre region of Spain). She is there to investigate a serial killer. Little does Amaia realize how much she'll learn about her own past in the process. An added bonus of the series is learning about the history of the area (which I knew nothing about). The town of Elizondo is almost it's own character with expansive shots of the local village (homes, bridges, churches, etc) as well as expansive overhead views of teh valley surrounding the area. There are lots of long drives through the dark woods. it seems to rain there a lot. Marta Etura does a excellent job as Amaia Salazar. She's someone we can root for (despite her many flaws). All of the supporting characters-- Amaia's husband James, her family (especially Auntie) as well as her coworkers are interesting to watch. My only criticism is that the movies are a bit long and the pace slow at times. We sometimes follow story threads which dont lead anywhere. Hang in there though. The ending is worth the ride. If you liked "Silence Of The Lambs" give the Baztan Trilogy a try

If you like British historical who dun its, "Bletchley Circle" might be for you I find the characters interesting and I'm a sucker for British murder mysteries. The attention to detail in the sets, costuming and cinematography is top notch. And with just three episodes, season 1 is a super fast watch. My only criticism is that the finale was a fit abrupt. I was hoping for more drama at the end. But I'll let it slide since I enjoyed the rest of the series so much. I'm off to watch season 2.

"The Haunting Of Hill House" was my #1 favorite show of 2018.While it's pretty hard to top that, I still very much enjoyed "The Haunting Of Bly Manor". Sure the show is marketed as horror but it's really about love, grief and sacrifice. Season 2 has fewer scares than season 1 (the Bent Neck Lady still freaks me out) but the character building here is excellent. With just nine episodes total, "The Haunting Of Bly Manor" is a relatively fast watch. Standout performances include T'Nia Miller. I found her screen presence to be very compelling. Her's is one of the most powerful stories. I wont give the rest of the story away. Just watch it and see what you think. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy. As with season 1, "Bly Manor" is a real tear jerker.

"Marianne" might be one of NetFlix's best horror series (right after "The Haunting Of Hill House" to which it is often compared). Both are about unresolved childhood drama that comes back to haunt you. With just eight 40-ish minute episodes, "Marianne" a super fast watch. Yes, the show is in French. Just turn on the subtitles. It's WELL worth a watch. Everything about "Marianne" clicks. The aerial scenes of the coastal town, the lighthouse and the waves crashing against the shore really add to the atmosphere. The cinematography is great. There are lots of shots of holes-- holes in books, holes in the ground, holes in the wall etc. The mythology is novel and interesting. All of the actors are excellent. Madame Daugeron will scare the pants off of you. Mireille Herbstmeyer's performance is riveting. She is now near the top of my list of favorite horror villains. My only criticism of the series is that we didnt see more of her. Poor Emma. Have you learned nothing from Anne Wilkes in "Misery"? If your number 1 fan wants you to keep writing, you keep writing!

It is best to go into "Outsider" (based on a Stephen King book) with as little fore-knowledge as possible. Unraveling the mystery is most of the fun. Be warned though. The show is painfully slow at times. It could have benefits from a reduction in it's 10 episodes. I think five episode could have adequately told the story. Having said that, I enjoyed the premise. The actors are all great. Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Holly is a standout. What an interesting character. She is apparently a recurring character in King's novels? I must check out the others. Without her, I dont think I would have made it through "Outsider". What are the chances of a Holly Gibley Detective Agency spin off? I'm soooo in. PS Make sure you stay for the post credit scene.

The imagery on "Legion" is like nothing else on TV. It makes the viewer feel like they're on a strange trip. Dan Stevens is great as the emotionally stunted and possibly mentally ill David. Aubrey Plaza also gives a knock out performance as his BFF Lenny. The rest of the cast is stellar. It's great to see Melanie (Jean Smart) and Oliver (Jemaine Clement) together on the Astral Plane again. And Navid Negahan has a great presence as Farouk. I would have given the show a higher score but the eight episodes of season 3 really dragged at times for me. Perhaps if I had watched the show weekly (instead of all at once) I would have felt differently. All in all, I still enjoyed this trippy show and it's crazy characters. The finale ended precisely as it should have. I found it surprisingly touching. Or maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age.

Although "How To Get Away With Murder" lasted several seasons longer than it should have, they definitely stuck the landing. The finale was a appropriate sendoff to all the characters we've been with the past six years. I especially enjoyed seeing Annalise's mother Ophelia (95 year old Cicely Tyson) again. I also enjoyed seeing what became of the Keating 5 (who became the Keating 3) as well as Annalise's long time team of Frank and Bonnie. And what can I say about Viola Davis' portrayal of the complicated, messy, brilliant, inspirational, alcoholic Annalise Keating that I haven't said already? She sooo deserved the Emmy and two Golden Globes for her performance. Voila Davis is the reason I kept watching this show. I find her completely memorizing on screen and cant wait to see what she does next.

Sadly, I found season 3 to be a bit lacking. Even though the stakes are high, the plot doesnt seem as compelling. There are lots of unneededly complicated story lines. "Westwold" raises lots of philosophical questions such as "What does it mean to be human?" and "Does anyone have free will?"-- but they largely go unanswered. All the main characters (Delores, Charlotte, Maeve, Bernard, William) have largely separate story lines. I like them best when they interact (either working together or trying to kill each another). Don't get me wrong. There are some MAJOR positives about season 3. The biggest is Evan Rachel Wood. Her portrayal of damsel-in-distress-turned-world-destroyer Delores is the highlight of the series. I would follow her army anywhere. The show is also visually stunning. The sci fi elements this season are top notch. The fight scenes and car chases are excellent. I just wish there was a more cohesive story to match. "Westworld" has been renewed for a season 4. Where can they go from here given the final state of the characters? And can they attract an audience that's interested enough to tune back in? Time will tell.

"Locke & Key" is a fun magical ride. Fans of the comics may be disappointed in the tonal shift. Instead of horror, NetFlix went with fantasy and YA drama. Think "Sabrina" or "Stranger Things" but a bit lighter. The series also suffers from too many episodes. The 10 total could have been shaved down by a few. Overall though I still very much enjoyed "Locke & Key". The set design and special effects are beautiful. The story is novel. I liked the interactions between the siblings and their various friends. I also liked the flashbacks to teenage Rendell and his cohort. Sherri Saum (from "The Fosters") hit it out of the park as Ellie. Laysla De Oliveira is also delightfully evil as the Woman In The Well/Dodge. Will there be a season 2? If so, count me in.

"October Faction" is surprisingly enjoyable. The cast, story line and cinematography are all great. Sure the show is about monster hunters but the real meat of the series is the Allen family. The kids playing Viv and Geoffrey are great. I'm invested in what happens to them. I just hope there's a second season so we can see what happens next.