tv review

Big crimes, small screen; true crime television series and TV documentaries that recreate and reexamine some of the mystifying and grisliest cases in history.

Netflix's Obsession With Crime Documentaries
I'd be lying if I said Netflix doesn't give enough love and affection to crime documentaries in their library of over a thousand shows. I'd also be blind, considering a good portion of the catalogue evolves around the touchy subject. But, evidently, Netflix do seem to have a special bond with crime dramas and murder mysteries. Now, whether that's a good thing or not – you'll have to tell me. Either way, there's no denying Netflix's thirst for criminal mastermind binge-worthy seasons. That's apparently a running theme they've been sticking with since the launch of the streaming service. But, why? It's not like we all have a soft spot for serial killings. Or, maybe we do, I don't know.
By Jord Tury6 years ago in Criminal
Review of 'You' Season 2
Well, it's rare that a mystery or thriller surprises me with almost all of its twists, but the second season of You, now streaming on Netflix, did just that. And with the same wit and style that lit up the first season, maybe even more. All of which adds up to a highly, often immensely, enjoyable second season of this literate and introspective serial killer.
By Paul Levinson6 years ago in Criminal
Review of 'What Makes a Murderer'
What Makes a Murderer is a Channel 4 documentary series exploring an age-old myth: Are murders born killers? The series is co-produced by Dragonfly and UnderworldTV, a TV production company made of ex-criminals and crime experts. At the moment of this writing, it has aired the entire 3 episodes.
By Rex6 years ago in Criminal
'Escape at Dannemora' Review
Escape at Dannemora is a 7 episode real-life prison escape thriller TV series written by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin and directed by Ben Stiller (Night at the Museum). Starring Patricia Arquette as Joyce ‘Tilly’ Mitchell who worked as the manager at the prison sewing shop. Benicio del Toro as Richard Matt and Paul Dano as David Sweat who were lifers at the prison as well as workers at the sewing shop and that’s where the drama starts.
By Rex6 years ago in Criminal
‘Pennyworth’: S01.E09. “Alma Coogan”
With only one episode remaining of the current season, the created Batman prequel series Pennyworth edges ever closer to the season finale. The ninth episode, the Rob Bailey-directed “Alma Coogan,” picks up the story shortly after events depicted in the previous installment.
By Shain Thomas6 years ago in Criminal
‘Suits’: S09.E09. “Thunder Away”
Did you catch the serie's penultimate episode? It’s the perfect setup for the series finale. Harvey Specter's (Gabriel Macht) families, both his personal and professional families, are falling apart as Suits nears the end. At the close of the previous episode, Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) had the unenviable task of delivering the sad news to Harvey that his mother, Lily (Brynn Thayer), had died of a heart attack.
By Shain Thomas6 years ago in Criminal
'Pennyworth': S01.E08. "Sandie Shaw"
The latest episode of Bruno Heller’s Batman prequel period drama Pennyworth picks up the story the following morning. In the previous episode, the Clare Kilner directed "Julie Christie," we saw Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon) go after the man that killed Esme Winikus (Emma Corrin), but he finds he’s not the only one that has a vendetta against Captain Curzon (Charlie Woodward). Bet Sykes (Paloma Faith), an individual Alfred thought executed, was there to kill Curzon for what he did to the woman she loved.
By Shain Thomas6 years ago in Criminal
Review of 'The Spy'
Gideon Raff is best known for Homeland, soon to begin its final season on Showtime. In its first few seasons—its best few seasons, by far—Homeland told the story of an American who was brainwashed in Iraq, to hate Americans and identify with terrorists, who returns to the US as a war hero and moves to within a heartbeat of the Presidency. It was all fiction, of course, but...
By Paul Levinson6 years ago in Criminal
‘Pennyworth’: S01.E07. “Julie Christie”
After a two week break, the latest episode of the Bruno Heller-created Epix original series Pennyworth landed Sunday, Sept 8th 2019. Picking up the narrative immediately after where the previous episode left off, Martha Kane (Emma Paetz) arrives home to find Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge) waiting for her. It came as a surprise to find him in her residence. Even more surprising, according to Thomas, Martha and his sister Patricia Wayne (Salóme Gunnarsdóttir) have been missing for three days.
By Shain Thomas6 years ago in Criminal
'Mindhunter'
Season 2 of Mindhunter has just been released, and it has been much anticipated. The first season was done in such a great fashion that many fans of true crime shows immediately enjoyed the first season, and were praying for a second one—and after a long wait, we now have it.
By Hannah Elliott6 years ago in Criminal
Review of 'Mindhunter' Season 2
My wife and I very much enjoyed the first season of Mindhunter, but, whew, the second season was much better—more compelling—in just about every way, except one.
By Paul Levinson6 years ago in Criminal
'Instinct:' S02.E09. “Manhunt”
With so much to cover, I’m finally getting around to looking at the "Manhunt" episode of the Michael Rauch created television series Instinct.
By Shain Thomas6 years ago in Criminal