BBC America

TV on DVD Round-up: ‘The Adventures of Merlin,’ ‘An Idiot Abroad,’ ‘Primeval’

Primeval

CHICAGO – We’re back with another DVD Round-up of recently released titles that may catch your attention when you’re browsing the DVD store this week. (Do they still have DVD stores?) This time, read this entire piece aloud in a British accent.

TV Review: BBC America Offers More Supernatural Drama With ‘The Fades’

CHICAGO – “My only friend is either a lunatic or Heather Langenkamp.” It’s clever lines like that keep BBC’s “The Fades” from becoming yet-another teen supernatural drama (the Brit’s “The Vampire Diaries,” if you will) along with a relative consistency of tone and with some strong performances.

Blu-ray Review: Excellent Set For ‘Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series’

Doctor Who 2011

CHICAGO – The sixth season of “Doctor Who” made the biggest waves stateside, in no small part due to a marketing blitz tied into the fact that the program was, for the first time, premiering in the U.S. at the same time it was in the U.K. (For years, the series would air in its home country and be imported later.) It also became a very divisive season. Do a Twitter search and you’ll find ecstatic love and pure hatred for this season.

DVD Review: Idris Elba Makes ‘Luther 2’ a Must-Watch BBC Mini-Series

Luther

CHICAGO – Idris Elba is stunning in BBC’s excellent mini-series “Luther,” recently released in a 2-disc set on DVD-only (which is a shame since every program this strong deserves a Blu-ray release). He does work as strong here as anything he’s ever done in his career, including his highly-acclaimed work on HBO’s “The Wire.” After being nominated for an Emmy for the first season, one can assume he’ll get another for his even-superior work in the second series.

TV Review: BBC America Offers Unique Procedural With ‘Whitechapel’

CHICAGO – There is enough of an international obsession with the crimes of the man known as Jack the Ripper that the word “Ripperologist” (someone who is an expert on the most notorious serial killer of all time) has meaning. Over a century after his crimes, we’re still fascinated by this embodiment of pure evil.

Blu-Ray Review: Incredible Cast Elevates BBC’s ‘The Hour’

The Hour

CHICAGO – “The Hour” recently finished its run on BBC America and was very quickly released on Blu-ray from BBC and Warner Bros. The quick turnaround is a brilliant move on the part of the company, striking while the iron is hot if you will. If they released “The Hour” in 6 to 9 months it wouldn’t have the same impact. Now, people talk about having watched the show to their friends and they can go out and see what the buzz is about for themselves. I’m surprised more studios don’t follow the same pattern.

TV Review: BBC America’s ‘Bedlam’ Plays Like Haunted ‘Melrose Place’

CHICAGO – As much fun as that headline might make it sound, “Bedlam,” premiering stateside tonight, October 1, 2011, on BBC America, is pretty goofy. A little bit of supernatural behavior mixed with cheesy soap dynamics might have made for a fun Autumn diversion but nothing in “Bedlam” is “little.” Everything is so far over-the-top that it can’t even see it any more and the ridiculousness of it all sinks the entertainment value.

TV Review: Idris Elba Does Riveting Work on Daring ‘Luther’

CHICAGO – How do those guys on “C.S.I.” and “Criminal Minds” sleep at night? Do they? BBC America’s riveting “Luther” presents a man torn apart by the violence he’s prevented along with how much it has destroyed his personal life.

Blu-Ray Review: Disappointing ‘Outcasts’ Not Worth Your Time

Outcasts

CHICAGO – With so much great science fiction on the tube now from masterpieces like “Being Human” and “Torchwood” to enjoyable diversions like “Warehouse 13,” it’s one of the best times to be a fan of the genre. And so when a piece with a brilliant premise, talented ensemble, and high production values like “Outcasts” comes along, it’s tempting to assume that it will deliver on its potential like so many of its colleagues. “Outcasts” is nothing but a string of rising disappointments.

TV Review: Strong Cast Keeps BBC America’s ‘The Hour’ Fresh

CHICAGOBBC America’s “The Hour,” debuting tomorrow night, August 17th, 2011, is a well-produced, well-acted, well-conceived piece that’s just…well. It’s a great piece of drama to use as an example as to how quality television is more than just the sum of its parts.

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  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

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