'Decline And Fall' DVD Review

Paul Pennyfeather (Jack Whitehall) is a theology student at Oxford University. He is a very low key kind of guy. He is striving to join the priesthood and live out his life serving the Lord. One day one of the school's rather low life social club pulls a prank and Pennyfeather is involved and expelled from the university. Stuck in a bad situation and not one of the rich kids Pennyfeather has to come up with a game plan. He takes a position in a run down boarding school as a teacher but soon is pushed to his limits.

Dr Fagan (David Suchet) runs the school and realizes he is going to have problems with Pennyfeather but doesn't get rid of him. Unexpectedly his luck begins to change when one of his students mother comes for a visit. Now this woman is a wealthy, beautiful and from America but she makes such an impression  on Pennyfeather that he actually begins to think that his luck just might be changing. Eva Longoria plays the mom and does a beautiful job.

Evelyn Waugh wrote this wonderful story and it has become a classic over  the years and it's the first television adaptation of the novel. The wonderful thing about this show is that it actually pulls off a great job. This is a beautiful comedy and is a joy to watch. Co-Stars in this miniseries are Gemma Whelan,  Douglas Hodge, Vincent Franklin, Tim Pigott-Smith and Stephen Graham.

Acorn brings this wonderful comedy to DVD on September 12th, 2017. The quality of the DVD are excellent and the sights and sounds are exquisite. This would make a wonderful addition to that personal library. So as we wind down from the summer and fall takes over this is an excellent series to watch and get a laugh. Enjoy.

'Rake, Series 3' DVD Review

Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh) is a very capable lawyer working out of Sydney, Australia. He's always  skirting the thin line between observing the law and breaking it. This time he's being held in prison on manslaughter charges. He's been inside for some time but fellow lawyer Scarlet (Danielle Cormack) is able to win an appeal and he has been let out. Now, Cleaver is very excited to be on the outside again as he has been surrounded by many of his old enemies while he was in prison. Cleaver learns rather quickly that some things have changed since he has been locked up. For instance, Scarlet is now operating her own practice, a friend of his has an unnerving diagnosis, and what's worse is that Cleaver who already had a rather dubious reputation, but now has a very seriously damaged reputation. Cleaver learns that not even the criminals want him as a lawyer. This is something that could put him out of business.

Finally, Cleaver gets a big case and it involves casino mogul Tikki Wendon (Genevieve Lemon) and former Attorney General Cal McGregor (Damien Garvey).  A big corruption scandal takes place and it gets Cleaver back into the game. What makes this an interesting case is Cleaver and McGregor's rather dubious past relationship. In other words, McGregor wanted to break Cleaver and now has to depend on him to help him out.

'Rake' is an excellent show and always has some good laughs to it. Cleaver is a very capable lawyer but always lives on the edge so to speak. This is definitely one of the best coming out of Australian TV. Acorn brings this wonderful show to DVD on September 12th, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are beautiful. This is definitely one for your personal library. Series 3 has some great guest stars like Cate Blanchett, Magda Szubanski, John Noble and Robyn Nevin. So don't waste any time and pick this one up. Enjoy.

'The Churchills' DVD Review

British historian David Starkey presents a detailed look at two of England's greatest war leaders and both of the men are Churchills. Winston would defeat German Leader Adolf Hitler but his relative John Churchill would take on and defeat the Sun King Louis XIV of France. What really is great about this documentary is that Winston would write a book Marlborough: His Life and Times which was about his ancestor John. Some people feel that it was through this writing that Winston would rise from a mere politician to becoming the great statesman that the world would get to know.

John Churchill would become an inspiration for young Winston who worked on Marlborough for about a decade. Winston was a writer and a historian and for some people one of the greatest leaders of England.

David Starkey shows us through his work on 'The Churchills' that these two men who lived hundreds of years apart were able to enlighten us about the foundations of these two men. John would take down a European leader who wanted to rule Europe in a Dictatorship. Winston would go up against Adolf Hitler who had at one point defeated most of the countries of Europe and would actually want to take over the planet. Winston learned through his ancestor what was needed to take Hitler down and defeat him.

Starkey is able through his background as a member of London's Society of Royal Antiquities and his years of teaching history that we can learn from the past and apply to the present or future. Athena brings this fantastic look of two of England's greatest leaders to DVD on September 5th, 2017. The DVD quality is excellent and the sights and sounds are great. This is worth the look and would be an extremely valuable addition to your personal library.

The family Churchill has inspired many and also it is an honor to be able to see just what members of such a distinguished family can do for each other hundreds of years apart. So don't waste any time and take a good look at history and enjoy. 

'DELICIOUS, Series 1' DVD Review

Leo Vincent (Iain Glen) is a professional chef. By all accounts he has everything he has ever wanted. Unfortunately, getting to this point in his life has had its ups and downs. He acquired most of the recipes he uses from his ex-wife. Funny thing he also cheated on her for years. Gina (Dawn French) has an amiable relationship with her ex-husband even though he was cruel to her. His current wife Sam (Emilia Fox) was the other woman and Leo's current wife.

Leo has a good hotel business, a wonderful family, and for the first time in awhile a comfortable life. Now here comes the problem, Sam thinks Leo is cheating again and will do anything to find out and prove it. Sam goes to Gina for advice on what to look for since she has seen it first hand. What were the signs that gave it away that Leo was cheating this is what Sam wanted to know. What's enjoyable is what happens next but I can't tell you because it would give the story all away. What we can say is whether Sam and Gina will mend fences and become friends. Another thing we could say or talk about is the secrets that would be revealed if the two women talk and open up. We could talk about whether the two women become friends but we won't. You see that would give everything all away. What we can say is Leo is in deep trouble in one way or another. This new drama mixes humor with a little human complexity to make one great show.

Acorn brings this new drama to DVD on August 29th, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are right on. This is an excellent addition to that personal library and you are going to want to pick it up as soon as it comes out. So check out whether Leo can keep everything together or will it all come crashing down around him. Karma is an interesting thing and Leo really did a number on Gina. It might be interesting to see just how she handles everything. Enjoy.

'Dominion Creek, Series 2' DVD Review

It's the 1890's and minerals like silver and gold are the topic on any man's mind who wants to become rich. The problem is you have to really want it because your going to have to work for it. The Connolly brothers are some pretty ambitious men. Tom (Owen McDonnell), Padraig (Sean T. O'Meallaigh) and Seamus (Dara Devaney) have been working the silver mines of Montana. They have dreams and want to explore the possibility of becoming rich and powerful. Rumors from the north about the Yukon areas large deposits of gold have intrigued the young brothers. The brothers are lured by the riches but do they have the drive to get it and get it at all costs? Our story is one of greed, betrayal, love, and gold, lots of gold.

The brothers are now living in Dominion Creek and becoming a strong force among its inhabitants. They must stick together if they are going to survive. Tom is the leader of the clan and will do anything to become rich and powerful at all costs. Padraig is the kind hearted of the brothers and does for those around him. He is the humanitarian of the group and proposed marriage to his sweetheart. Seamus is the hot head of the group but realizes he must follow Tom's lead if all they work for is going to come true.

'Dominion Creek' is not the most hospitable places to live. Typhoid is rampant all over the area. Lawlessness is a growing concern of the community and the government is corrupt. This is the adventure of a lifetime and is great to watch as the Connolly's try their best to succeed. Acorn brings this wonderful show to DVD on August 22nd, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are fantastic. So add this one to the personal library and enjoy adventure at its best.

'800 Words Season 2 Part 2' DVD Review

George Turner is a widower from Australia. He has moved to Weld, New Zealand to begin a new life with his children Arlo (Benson Jack Anthony) and Shay (Melina Vidler). George and his children were devastated with the loss of their wife and mother but have been trying to fit in with their new home. For the longest while George wasn't able to find work. Eventually he begins writing for the local paper. Arlo is now getting ready for a new school year and Shay is wanting to become an artist. George has begun to see a woman by the name of Fiona (Michelle Langstone). What's really funny is that George and Fiona are now the talk of the town. You see Weld is a small seaside village so gossip is something that occurs every day.

This show hits the heartstrings at their very best. You really do feel the loss of George's wife and what he must be going through. The children are genuine and don't hold anything back. This show is quickly becoming one of the best coming out of Australia. George and the kids are beginning to finally come to terms with their new life when news from Jan (Bridie Carter) threatens all that they have accomplished.

What also helps this show is that the villagers of Weld are a bunch of characters to say the least. It makes for some interesting moments. Acorn brings this wonderful show to us on DVD on August 22nd, 2017. The quality of the DVD is excellent and the sights and sounds are exquisite.

Please give this '800 Words'  a view, just sit back and enjoy this quality show and all that it brings to the screen. You will be sitting at the edge of your seat and at times wiping a tear from your eye. It also has you laughing all over yourself and leaves you wanting more. So get out there and pick this DVD up and add it to your personal library and watch George, the kids, and their new adventures.

'Murdoch Mysteries, Season 10' DVD Review

If you've never seen the show then let me fill you in about what's it all about. 'Murdoch Mysteries' has a big following in the States. The main character is Detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) a cop who likes to use new forensic techniques in the pursuit of the criminal. Murdoch works the streets of Toronto and the story line is set in the late 1890's and early 1900's. The story lines are very entertaining mysteries that keep you on the edge of your seats.

Season 10 deals with Dr. Julia Ogdon (Helene Joy) and her near death experience. The Doc begins to show post traumatic stress symptoms and we get to see how she overcomes her feelings. We get to see Constable Crabtree (Jonny Harris) and relationship problems. Inspector Brackenreid (Thomas Craig) gets caught up in the sport of soccer, and morgue attendant Rebecca James (Mouna Traore) works on her medical education. You see, not only do you get to see the team work on cases you also get involved in parts of their personal lives.

In Season 10, some of the cases deal with the Great Toronto Fire of 1904, cutthroat athletes, and murdered debutantes. Some of the teams old enemies also come back for more interesting appearances.

Detective Murdoch is a very dashing character and is very methodical in his approach to a case. Acorn brings this wonderful show to DVD on August 15th, 2017. The DVD quality is excellent and and the sights and sounds are perfect. Season 10 is an enjoyable way to spend some time watching quality television. So don't waste any time and pick it up now.