RHODY LIFE

See it at the Movies

By DON AND JOYCE FOWLER
Posted 1/14/21

On Netflix RECTIFY **** Michael O'Neil plays Daniel Holden, a death row inmate who was accused of rape and murder at the age of 18, and is released on a technicality after 19 years. The four-season 2013 show, originally seen on the Sundance Channel, is a

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RHODY LIFE

See it at the Movies

Posted

On Netflix

RECTIFY

****

Michael O’Neil plays Daniel Holden, a death row inmate who was accused of rape and murder at the age of 18, and is released on a technicality after 19 years.

The four-season 2013 show, originally seen on the Sundance Channel, is a compelling tale of a man trying to re-acclimate with the world, his family and himself.

Daniel is a stoic character, certainly suffering from PSTD and having a difficult time adjusting to reality.

While his lawyer works diligently to free him, based on new DNA evidence, the task becomes difficult due to Daniel’s confession to the crime.

We follow Daniel through his release, return to his small town and family and eventual arrival at a house for recently released offenders.

Thanks to some good writing and directing, you really become involved with the characters’ strengths and weaknesses. All of them are dealing with their own demons, but Daniel leads the pack.

O’Neil plays him as a private person who is struggling with the real world after living inside his head in a concrete cage where he never sees beyond the four walls. You feel for his sanity and recovery.

The final show sums up the effect that Daniel has had on his family and others while leaving his future uncertain as to its reality.

I got hooked on this one.

BODYGUARD

***½

Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones”) stars as David Budd, a former soldier with PTSD who lands a job as a security officer for Britain’s Home Secretary.

The tense political drama finds different government agencies competing with each other to track down terrorists.

The six-episode series begins with David talking down a female terrorist strapped with a bomb on a train and ends with an even more tense body bomb.

In between, Budd has an affair with the Home Secretary, a key figure is killed by a bomb, Budd is suspected of being part of the terrorists and he suspects others.

Lots of action and intrigue.

LILYHAMMER

***½

Steven Ban Zandt stars as Frank Tagliano stars, a “relocated” New York City mob informant who chooses Lillehammer, Norway, to hide from mobsters who want to kill him.

This three-year series was the first Netflix-produced show and remains a favorite with subscribers.

The “stranger in a strange land” culture conflict story is filled with humor and drama. The anti-hero is a bad guy who you will guiltily like, as he cons his way through the small town, buying a bar, investing in real estate, getting involved in one shady deal after another, and championing the little guy.

I’ve watched the first season and look forward to the next two.

At the Avon

POSSESSER UNCUT

(Yuck!) Canadian writer/director Brandon Cronenberg gives us one of the most violent, disturbing films of the decade under the guise of science fiction, but filled with bloody, ultra-violent scenes, graphic sex and psychedelic scenes.

While the title says “Uncut,” the opening credits proclaim that the film has been altered.

The movie has been a critical and film festival hit with glowing reviews from people who see things quite differently from me. Joyce wisely stayed home, leaving me to suffer through the hour and 45 minutes of tasteless perversity in between boring dialogue and long, hand-held psychedelic shots.

A female assassin uses brain-implant technology to take control of people, forcing them to brutally kill others and then commit suicide. That’s about it for a story line.

Rated a big R for Rotten.

movies, entertainment

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