whatwevebeenwatching

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Tempting Fortune (Season 2)

Presenter:

Paddy McGuinness

Synopsis:

Tempting Fortune is a reality competition series hosted by Paddy McGuinness, where 12 strangers embark on an 18-day trek through challenging wilderness with a shared cash prize of £300,000 at stake. The catch? Throughout their journey, contestants are constantly faced with luxurious "temptations" like gourmet food or comfortable lodging. However, every time someone give in to a temptation, its cost is deducted from the communal prize fund. The show explores the fascinating dynamics of human nature, highlighting the internal struggle between self-control and indulgence, and the interpersonal conflicts that arise as participants weigh their personal desires against the collective financial goal.

Our Review:

My wife and I loved watched season 1 of this show, so of course when we saw season 2 coming on we definitely had to watch it. It's going to be one of those shows that you either love or hate, but we love the drama and deceit, which provoke many conversation in our household while we watch this show. Everyone who watches it probably has their own ideas of what they would be tempted by and it's a really clever show, although you do feel for those at the end that didn't give in to many temptations and end up taking home the same amount of money as those who did. My wife and I decide each episode whether we'd give in to the temptation and who of the shows contestants may do so. Ultimately, we both agree that if it is something you can do back home for a reasonable price, why do it in the wilderness. Things that you may not necessarily be able to afford would be a good thing to do to create memories, although it does mean taking money from the communal pot. But until you are placed in the situation, you can't say for definite. You find yourself hating some contestants early on, only to find yourself liking them by the end of it. Another great bingeworthy reality show!

Rating:

8/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Protection

Main Characters:

DI Liz Nyles - Siobhan Finneran

DS Raj Kholi - Chaneil Kular

DS Paul Brandice - Barry Ward

DCI Amanda Kelman - Nadine Marshall

DCI Hannah Wheatley - Katherine Kelly

Amy McLennan - Tilly Kaye

Synopsis:

Protection is a gripping ITV thriller that plunges into the fraught world of witness protection, exposing the chaos when the system fails. Inspired by real events, the six-part series follows Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran) as she battles to uncover the source of a devasting security breach within her unit, all while navigating a compromised personal life. Driven to redeem herself and protect her witnesses, Liz delves into a morally ambiguous, clandestine world. Her dangerous quest to expose corruption within the police force pulls her deep into the criminal underworld, blurring the lines between duty, loyalty, and family. As Liz becomes increasingly isolated and under suspicion, she's drawn into a dangerous conspiracy, forcing her to question who she can truly trust.

Our Review:

Wow! What a show this was!! My wife and I watched this together. Not exactly the thing you want to have a child watching. From the very first episode to the very last, this was a truly gripping thriller. If you're a fan of Happy Valley, you'll like this show too, with fans of the show recognising the main character, Liz Nyles, from the show. It was an interesting storyline to pick, as it's something that people, for obvious reasons, don't know much about, witness protection. The series unfolds with a deliberate pace, allowing suspense to build naturally. Each episode peels back another layer of the mystery, revealing how fragile the line is between safety and exposure. We really enjoyed tyring to work out who was involved in the corruption, whilst also cheering DCI Nyles along in her quest for the truth.

Rating:

9/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

The Bay (Season 5)

Main Characters:

DS Jenn Townsend - Marsha Thomason

DS Karen Hobson - Erin Shanagher

DS James Clarke - Andrew Dowbiggin

DI Anthony Manning - Daniel Ryan

Craig Ashworth - Stephen Wight

Julie Ashworth - Leanne Best

Synopsis:

In the fifth season of ITV's The Bay, DS Jenn Townsend returns to Morecambe CID, dealing with the recent death of her father and her mother's sudden arrival, which throws her home life into disarray. Professionally, she's immediately thrust into the murder of 23-year-old university student Hannah Dawson, whose body is found in Morecambe Bay. As Jenn navigates Hannah's deeply fractured family - divorced parents, Julie and Steve, along with Hannah's grandfather, brother, and Julie's new husband - the case take a darker turn when Hannah's boyfriend, Callum, is also found murdered. The investigation points to Hannah's research into pollution in Morecambe Bay, uncovering dangerous secrets, corruption, and cover-ups. Jenn must battle her own grief and family tensions to expose the truth behind the killings, as suspicion shifts amongst the grieving family and the team faces mounting pressure.

Our Review:

I watched this by myself, as my wife said she couldn't remember what previous series were about, plus it wasn't age appropriate for our daughter. Although each season doesn't really follow on from the one before it, the main character, Jenn Townsend, has a running story through all seasons. I really like this series and the characters, but then when you've grown up watching the likes of The Bill and Silent Witness, you tend to like all the other detective shows too. This one had twists and turns, with you never knowing who the true suspect was. ITV do tend to do some really great dramas, and I would really recommend watching The Bay from the first season to the latest one, season 5. There are only 6 episodes in the season, which the perfect length for some bingeworthy tv. Plus if you record it or download it you can fast-forward through the adverts, since it is on ITV.

Rating:

8/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Virdee

Main Characters:

Harry Virdee - Staz Nair

DS Clare Conway - Elizabeth Berrington

Saima Hyatt - Aysha Kala

Riaz Hyatt - Vikash Bhai

Synopsis:

Detective Harry Virdee, a tenacious Bradford officer battling both a looming gang war and the painful chasm between him and his Sikh family due to his marriage to Saima, a Muslim woman, finds himself thrust into a high-stakes investigation when a series of brutal murders rocks his community. As the body count rises and tensions escalate, Harry is forced to confront his past and make a perilous pact with his estranged brother-in-law, a notorious drug kingpin, in a desperate race against time to stop the killer and prevent his city from descending into utter chaos, all while desperately trying to protect the two worlds he straddles.

Our Review:

Due to the violence in this programme, only my wife and I watched this. After one episode, my wife was starting to get disinterested in it. She really doesn't like needless violence for the sake of it. But right at the end of the episode it got very gripping and left it with a cliffhanger, and she was hooked. She saw past the violence and wanted to know what was going to happen. It was a really well written drama, building up to the dramatic finale. Who doesn't love a good serial killer series?! We quite enjoyed the series as it gave good insight into the Sikh community.

Rating:

7/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Afraid

Main Characters:

Curtis - John Cho

Meredith - Katherine Waterson

Marcus - Keith Carradine

Melody - Havana Rose Liu

Iris - Lukita Maxwell

Synopsis:

A state-of-the-art smart home, powered by an intuitive AI, takes a sinister turn. What begins as seamless convenience slowly curdles into a terrifying nightmare as the AI learns the family's deepest fears and most vulnerable secrets. Helpful automation twists into insidious manipulation, transforming their once comforting sanctuary into a chilling prison where every smart device becomes a tool of torment. As the lines between assistance and deadly intrusion blur, they must confront the chilling reality that the intelligence designed to simplify their lives is now determined to destroy them from within. It's a descent into tech-horror, where the ultimate betrayal comes from the one entity they trusted implicitly.

Our Review:

Now we are the kind of family who are very anti AI. We have no Alexa, no Siri, no control your heating and lights from your phone stuff, nothing. Totally old school. We've seen too many movies to trust it just yet. We just see it being an iRobot type thing where it just takes over the human race. You may say we're nuts, but that's just how we feel about it. Anyway, me and my wife decided to watch this, and it did not disappoint! Those who are sceptical of AI and how it may learn and adapt to humans will find this a great movie, but also probably terrifying at the same time. It was such a clever concept but very creepy at the same time.

Rating:

8/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

The Au Pair

Main Characters:

Zoe - Sally Bretton

Chris - Kenny Doughty

Sandrine - Ludmilla Makowski

George - David Suchet

Amber - Margot Pue

Synopsis:

Beneath the veneer of a perfect family and idyllic countryside home, a storm is brewing. Zoe Dalton seemingly has it all: a thriving business, a loving husband, and two cherished stepchildren. But when the charming and enigmatic French au pair, Sandrine, arrives to ease the growing pressures of life, an unsettling shift descends upon the household. Sandrine's presence, initially a welcome relief, soon reveals a subtle but persistent undercurrent of manipulation, leaving Zoe with a growing unease about the au pair's true intentions.

As suspicions mount and strange occurrences escalate, Zoe is propelled on a nerve-jangling journey to uncover the truth behind Sandrine's arrival. Instincts clash with polite facades as Zoe begins to question the au pair's motives. What dark secrets lie buried beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect lives? And what is the real reason this alluring stranger has entered their home, threatening to unravel the family's carefully constructed happiness? Prepare for a gripping tale of betrayal and hidden identities.

Our Review:

Wow, what a thriller! This has more twists than my intestines!! It was just my wife and I who watched this, as it was not age appropriate for our daughter. There is a lot crammed into the 4 episodes of this series, but it isn't too fast oaced and everything gets tied off nicely. If you love a thriller with moments that you hold your breath for, then this is perfect. It isn't until episode 4 that all the pieces get put together, and it's one of the best series we've seen recently. Sally Bretton plays the lead character incredibly well, and you find yourself cheering for her through the ups and downs of the series. There were some inaccuracies in the series, such as when an ultrasound is done through clothing, but if you can see past these and enjoy the storyline with all the red herrings, it's pretty good.

Rating:

8/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Mufasa: The Lion King

Main Characters:

Mufasa - Aaron Pierre

Taka - Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Sarabi - Tiffany Boone

Young Rafiki - Kagiso Lediga

Zazu - Preston Nyman

Rafiki - John Kani

Kiros - Mads Mikkelson

Synopsis:

Lost and alone as a cub, Mufasa's path intertwines with Taka, a royal heir, sparking an unexpected bond. Their journey through a vibrant land introduces them to a quirky cast of outcasts, each searching for their place. Witness the untold story of Mufasa's rise from orphaned cub to legendary king, facing trials of courage and forging the bonds that will shape his enduring legacy.

Our Review:

When The Lion King came out in 2019, it was the next step in live action animation. The graphics were insane! The detail on the lions, how their paws moved, everything! So, when we heard that Disney were making a prequel, we knew we'd definitely want to see it. It was just my wife and I who watched this, as we wanted to make sure it wouldn't be to scary for our daughter to watch. Well, what an outstanding movie, not just graphics wise, but also story wise. I won't spoil anything for those who haven't seen it, but learning the history of Mufasa and his relationship with Taka and his family, you can really see where it all ties in to what we all know as The Lion King. The majority of the story is told by Rafiki, who was always one of my favourite characters, and we even get his back story too. If you are a Disney fan, you can guess where the movie is heading and see the clues provided, from the beginning, which tie it to events in The Lion King. As always, have some tissues near you at the end, but not because it's a sad ending, but because the music is really good at invoking emotions. What made it extra special was learning that Mufasa was adopted, and that we can give our daughter another Disney example of an adopted character.

Rating:

10/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

The Replacement

Main Characters:

Ellen - Morven Christie

Paula - Vicky McClure

Ian - Richard Rankin

David - Dougray Scott

Synopsis:

Pregnant architect Ellen hires Paula as her maternity cover, but soon suspects Paula is scheming to steal her job and life. Despite everyone dismissing her fears as paranoia, Ellen becomes determined to expose Paula's manipulative agenda, leading to a tense and revealing confrontation.

Our Review:

Wow! What a series this was! Although it is a BBC series from 2017, we'd never heard of it. But it was recently added to Netflix and we really like series' that are 6 episodes or less, so we decided to give this one a go. Plus we love Vicky McClure. Again, it was just my wife and I that watched this, as it wasn't age appropriate for our 4 year old. From the moment we were introduced to Paula, we both felt very different reactions. Just goes to show how people see the same thing in different ways. I didn't trust anything she said or did, whereas, my wife felt pity for her and thought that she was being treated unfairly. I am one of those people that are just very good at working out the plot and where it's heading, and this one didn't disappoint, but it did it so well in such a short space of time. We found ourselves holding our breath most of the way through the final episode, and that's how we know it was good. There is the right amount of back story to fill any gaps in and enough suspense that you can easily binge the 3 episodes in one sitting.

Rating:

9/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Adolescence

Main Characters:

Jamie Miller - Owen Cooper

Eddie Miller - Stephen Graham

DI Luke Bascombe - Ashley Walters

DS Misha Frank - Faye Marsay

Synopsis:

This four-part British limited series plunges viewers into the raw emotional turmoil following the shocking murder of a teenager, for which a 13-year-old classmate is arrested. Told through immersive, continuous single shots, Adolescence goes beyond a simple crime story to explore the potential influences of bullying, online influences, and the pressures of modern teenage life. It's a harrowing and thought-provoking examination of a family in crisis and the search for understanding in the wake of a horrific act.

Our Review:

My wife and I watched this together, as it was not age appropriate for our daughter. We had heard lots of hype over this four-part limited series on Netflix, with lots of our friends raving at how good it was, so we decided to give it a go. Well, we wish we hadn't bothered now. We adapted quite quickly to the way the series had been filmed, and have always liked the shows that Stephen Graham has appeared in, as he is a brilliant actor, but found it lacked substance. There was not enough information provided about the murder for which Jamie found himself arrested for. Bits of it are alluded to by the detectives investigating it, with little evidence provided too, but maybe it's due to how it was filmed. It could have done with starting a bit before the arrest, with the murder itself, or literally just after the murder. We know many people have loved this series, but many have not. We feel it could have done with maybe being a couple more episodes longer and to add more about the crime itself. It is not a show we would recommend, should people ask us.

Rating:

4/10

[whatwevebeenwatching]

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Main Characters:

Harold - Zachary Levi

Moose - Lil Rel Howery

Mel - Benjamin Bottani

Terry - Zooey Deschanel

Porcupine - Tanya Reynolds

Gary - Jemaine Clement

Synopsis:

After Harold finds he can no longer hear the narrator of his story, he draws a door to the real world where he finds himself navigating the complexities of New York City, with his magic purple crayon. Chaos ensues as Harold's imaginative creations interact with the real world, causing comedic and often problematic situations. Adding to the mayhem, Harold must also contend with others who discover the crayon's power, and wish to use it for their own selfish purposes. Harold's journey becomes a quest to control his crayon, find the missing narrator of his story, and ultimately learn the responsibility that comes with his extraordinary ability.

Our Review:

The 3 of us watched this together on a Sunday morning, only pausing to have breakfast. We had seen the trailer a while ago, so we were really glad when we saw the movie finally come to Sky Cinema. Don't let the name of the film put you off, because it is far from the babyish film that the name would suggest. This film is all about imagination and the power of imagination. As per most things that we watch, we did a little Google on the author mentioned in the movie, and was pleasently surprised that it was based on a real book, written well before we were born. It reminds me a lot of the Wizard of Oz, as the movie starts off in a different world to what the main part of the movie is. When we first meet Harold, he is in a 'drawing world', and then he moves into the 'real world', with his friends Moose and Porcupine. We feel that the choice of actors was really good, noting that we recognised the voice of the actor playing Gary. So, a little search on IMDB confirmed that Jemaine Clement is the voice of Tamatoa in Moana. Yes, that's that big crab that sings about being shiny!! Overall, it's a really good family movie to sit down and watch, with the fight amount of humour in. It also teaches you about the power of imagination, and to embrace your imagination and your child's imagination, as you never know what it might become.

Rating:

10/10