slabihoud

Compared with other crime series protagonists, Morse has a lot of unsympathetic sides. He likes bullying his sergeant, correcting his manner of speech and his limited knowledge in music specifically and in art generally whenever he is in the mood. Regular policemen and constables have to take a lot of this too. He is very sure of himself and tends to go more with his intuition as with facts. Cannot hold back his criticism about other colleagues and superiors. His behaviour often turns alienates people who try to back him up. Has a weak spot for female suspects that can lead to wrong decisions. Morse is very clever and he knows it, but he overestimates his judgement. He drinks too much and during office hours. He loves classical music, especially opera and does the Times crossword puzzle every day. He drives an old Jaguar and hates modern cars and computers.

Now compare this with e.g. Midsomer Murders. There, DCI Barnaby always is right and if not he will find out on his own. His sergeants only help him but never solve a case on their own. When there are illegal things to do, like searching a house without a warrant, they just look, and then do it, never seriously question the decision.

Inspector Morse' sergeant Lewis is very different. Though Morse gives him a lot to dislike him, he remains loyal most of the time, but does not hold back when he sees some wrongs and is bold enough to speak up to his boss and resists doing what he things is outside the law. And Lewis is often right in challenging Morse, and he also is quick in paying him back when Morse corrects his grammar.

There is a development in the relationship through the episodes and you can see that Morse trusts Lewis more and more. Still the problems between them do not vanish and getting even bigger since Morse' health begins to decline towards the end of the series. All in all, it was a very fitting decision to give Lewis his own show as he was fit to do his own investigations, together with his very clever sergeant Hathaway.

I watched "Lewis" first, on German TV dubbed, and loved it. I became curious about "Morse" and bought the DVDs in English and loved them too. Then I saw "Endeavour" and everything seems to come together, another great show. Now I am watching all "Morse" episodes for the 2nd time. Still great!

I saw the Rockford Files (dubbed into German) as a teenager in the seventies and as far as I remember I liked them. Though, as some of you will probably agree, this could change when you see them a considerable time later in life. In my case, over forty years later. What strikes me a lot are the long sequences when nobody talks and no music is heard. This is something you don't get anymore in today's shows. And there are those long car chases, one at least in every show. They are done quite well but still look rather outdated, together with the cars. I found the music sometimes annoying, it often sounds as if pulled from some generic archive that does not fit to the current show. What I still like is the way the stories unfold, something I could not remember. Not only is the a small pre-title sequence of exciting scenes to come, and the titles Rockford is usually already into an investigation and it takes some time this we find out what is going on. Which I think is quite clever and makes sure the there is no dull start. And of course James Garner has always some smart lines to help him through difficult moments. So, all in all, still worth watching!

The film is a followup to "Wunderschön" with most of the same characters and the actors reprising their roles of the earlier film. Karoline Herfurth not only plays one of the leading ladies, she also co-wrote the screenplay and directed the film.

The story again revolves around the lives of a group of women, who are somehow connected or related with each other, and their current crisises in their lives. The main subject of the film is the role of women opposite men and in society looked upon from various angles. The mood of the film is definitely darker as the title might suggest, but is also have a lot of positive messages that bring a lot of light into it.

All of the presented situations are painfully realistic and dramatic to a point, where I was wondering how this film can and on an optimistic note. Well, if and how he manages is what i invite you to find out for yourself, it if very much worth to watch.

It is alittle bit misleading, that the film is sometimes advertised as comedy and drama. Overall, the film is more dramatic than comedy, but despite some hopeless-feeling situations, never boring or depressing. I, my wife plus a female friend, we all have been glued to the screen eager to find out how these messes could be resolved.

And I don't want to forget to mention, that it also contains quite a number of funny moments as well. All the actresses and actors are perfectly cast and excel in their performances. An absolut highlight!