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CASTLE (Season 7) If you are looking for thrills, adventure and plenty of laughs, this highly entertaining seventh season will keep you glued to the screen. Created by Andrew W. Marlowe, it follows the lives of Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), a best-selling mystery novelist, and Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), an NYPD homicide detective, as they solve various unusual crimes in New York City. This highlights of this season includes the devilish duo facing their ultimate nemesis, Dr. Kelly Nieman (guest star Annie Wersching) and uncover connections to notorious serial killer Jerry Tyson (guest star Michael Mosley); Castle and Beckett explore the flashy world of internet fame when a web celebrity is murdered and, when the killer posts pictures from the crime scene on a photo-sharing site, they realize they are up against a social media sociopath who may strike again. Of the most imaginative episodes, one has Castle launched into what seems to be an alternate universe where he’s never met Kate Beckett, and in another an astronaut training for a trip to Mars is mysteriously killed inside a Mars simulation, Castle and Beckett don spacesuits to investigate. Also worth a mention is the clever episode where Castle and his daughter travel to London; their routine flight turns deadly when the plane’s Air Marshal is found murdered and with the help of Beckett on the ground, Castle and Alexis race against time to find the killer before he carries out his fateful plan. The bonus features include cast and crew commentary (Driven episode), Cast and crew commentary (Reckoning episode),Raging Heat Webmercial, Definition of Love music video, The Cast Behind The Cast featurette, deleted scenes, and blooper.  Scroll down for more on Castle.

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER  If there’s one series that offers non-stop viewing from its riveting pilot  to its startling last episode, it’s this superb creation from Peter Nowalk.  Nowalk, who was mentored by producer Shonda Rhimes since he worked as writer on her series’ Grey’s Anatomy, makes his series debut with this brilliant murder mystery and human drama. It features a stunning performance by Viola Davis as Annalise Keating, a law professor and criminal defence attorney at Middleton University, who selects five students to intern at her firm. Without revealing too much and spoil your viewing, it’s all about how to get away with murder and, trust me; it will bowl you over with its brilliant scripting, outstanding performances, and first rate direction. Try to know nothing about the story or what happens until the end of the last episode.  There are many spoilers that will ruin your viewing. The bonus features include a great introduction to the creators and cast. Read interview with Peter Nowalk

GREY’S ANATOMY (Season 11) If you think Grey’s Anatomy is simply another medical drama, think again. And if you have ever wondered why a super successful series like this has survived 12 years of non-stop viewing, the answer is simple:  it encapsulates the universal fear people have of falling ill, ending up in hospital, or death. The season follows the story of surgical residents, fellows, and attendings as they experience the difficulties of the competitive careers they have chosen. It is set in the surgical wing of the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, located in Seattle, Washington.Grey’s Anatomy is a series that you will succumb to with laughter and tears. It’s an ultimate emotional roller coaster ride that offers the best television has to offer, intelligent viewing that is provocative, captivating and entertaining.  Read more

GOTHAM If there’s a television series that’s long overdue, it’s the delightful Gotham. It’s non-stop viewing that tells of a new recruit in the Gotham City Police Department who teams up with a veteran detective to solve one of Gotham City’s highest-profile cases: the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. It’s a thrilling mystery into the world of Batman to uncover the sinister layers of corruption that rule the city, spawning ground of the world’s most iconic villains. It’s equally great to explore the world of a young boy before he became Batman, and meet some bizarre personas who would become Catwoman, the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face and the Joker! The features include Gotham invented, Designing the Fiction,  The Game of Cobblepot (Pengion), character profiles and unaired scenes.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D The mind-blowing saga that began in Marvel’s The Avengers continues in ABC’s action-packed series, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. — The Complete First Season. Relive All 22 Thrilling Episodes, Plus Get Level 7 Access with Newly De-Classified Bonus Features Available and DVD. If you are looking for non-stop viewing, this is it, taking you into a world where nothing is what it seems, and everything is possible when these young agents jump into action.Don’t think that it is only about action and adventure, you will fall in love with wonderful characters and share their emotional journey that is filled with drama, thrills and humour. In the wake of The Battle of New York, the world has changed forever. An extraordinary landscape of wonders has been revealed! In response, mysteriously resurrected Agent Phil Coulson assembles an elite team of skilled agents and operatives: Melinda May, Grant Ward, Leo Fitz, Jemma Simmons and new recruit/computer hacker Skye.Together, they investigate the new, the strange, and the unknown across the globe, protecting the ordinary from the extraordinary.Read more

Series Listing

(Listed Alphabetically)

ANGELS IN AMERICA ***** An ultimate for any collector, this superb HBO miniseries and multiple Golden Globe and Emmy award winner is adapted from the play of the same name by Tony Kushner, with director Mike Nichols at the hlem. Set in 1985, the film revolves around six disparate New Yorkers whose lives intersect. At its core, it has the fantastical story of Prior Walter, a gay man dying of AIDS who is visited by an angel. The film explores a wide variety of themes, including Reagan era politics, the spreading AIDS epidemic, and a rapidly changing social and political climate; as the story develops, these lost souls come together to create bonds of love, loss, and loneliness and, in the end, discover forgiveness and overcome abandonment. There are 2 discs, offering 6 hours non-stop viewing. , featuring commanding performances from the ensemble and a magnificent soundtrack by Thomas Newman.

ARROW (Season 1)The series takes a new look at the Green Arrow character, as well as other characters from the DC Comics universe. Although Oliver Queen/Green Arrow had been featured in the television series Smallville from 2006 to 2011, the producers decided to start clean and find a new actor (Stephen Amell) to portray the character. Arrow focuses on the humanity of Oliver Queen, and how he was changed by time spent shipwrecked on an island. Most episodes have flashback scenes to the five years in which Oliver was missing. The first series follows Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell), billionaire playboy of Starling City, who spends five years ship wrecked. Upon his return to Starling City, he is reunited with his family and friends. The first season focuses on Oliver reconnecting with everyone and spending his nights hunting down the wealthy responsible for “failing the city” as a hooded vigilante who is not afraid to kill his targets. He becomes at odds with a secret organization that plans to destroy a section of the city that has become overridden with crime. John Diggle (David Ramsey) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) assist Oliver in his crusade. The first season also features flashbacks to Oliver’s time on the island, and how it changed him; this continues in subsequent seasons.It is based on the DC Comics character Green Arrow, a costumed crime-fighter created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp.  Arrow was renewed for a 23-episode fourth season in 2015 and and an animated spin-off, Vixen, was released, while a second live-action spin-off, Legends of Tomorrow, is currently in development.

BODY OF PROOF (Season 1, 2, and 3) **** When her career as a brilliant and driven neurosurgeon is over, Dr. Megan Hunt (Dana Delany) finds a new life as a Medical Examiner. Although she’s no longer in the business of fixing what’s wrong with living patients, she’s still instinctively drawn to finding out what killed her dead patients and uncovering who was responsible and why. As she pursues the answers, the bodies of the dead provide the clues. Even diplomatic police partner Pete Dunlop (Nicholas Bishop) can’t prevent her arrogant attitude and total disregard for any authority or social norm to cause grave aggravation all around. The first season focuses on Hunt’s efforts to balance the demands of her professional life, dealing with solving cases and analyzing bodies, with her personal life, trying to reconnect with her estranged daughter The Bonus Features include Examining the proof, If looks could Kill, Body of Goofs and a sneak peek at Season 2.  In the second season bodies pile up and team pull together when a six-year-old child is kidnapped, a lottery winner’s luck takes an unfortunate turn, one of Phiadelphia’s most despised citizens turns up dead, and a new bride’s fatal fall could be an act of suicide … or murder. The bonus features include a look at the design of the set, the make up of the bodies, the amazing stunt work and effects, as well as a gag reel. In the third season  Megan takes action when she discover that she has a new partner, and it happens to be an ex lover, and her job becomes even more personal when a serial killer takes her daughter hostage. The bonusfeatures include a look at the mazing cinematography and what it takes to get the right shot; the astounding and grizzly visual effects amd make up; the realism of the props and creating the world of the story. If you are looking for mystery and intrigue, blended with snappy romance, this is it.

CASTLE (Season 1, 2, 3 & 4 ) ***** If you are looking for first-rate entertainment that is fun, funny, and filled with tons of adventure and mind-boggling murder mystery, this great series from creator Andrew Marlowe (who also serves as executive producer/writer and delivers a clever script), is a must for fans of The Rockford Files and Moonlighting. Nathan Fillion is superb as a wildly famous mystery novelist who is bored with his own success until he teams up with the equally brilliant Stana Katic, a hard-headed NYPD Detective. When this heavenly but unlikely couple clash, sparks of another sort also begin to fly, leading both to danger and a hint of romance as Castle steps in to help find the killer. And once that case is solved, he and Beckett build on their new relationship as they look to solve more strange homicides in New York – as much fun as one can have with death and murder. The bonus features on all fouyr seasons are superb and highly entertaining. Highlights include a glimpse into the mind of mystery ‘Godfather” Stephen J.  Cannell (Season 1), On location with Nathan (Season 2) Castle goes to Hollywood (Season 3) and Castle Goes Radio and an in depth look at the stunts (Season 4). Read more about Season 5

COUGAR TOWN (Season 1 to 4) **** Courtney Cox stars as Jules Cobb in her role as a recently divorced mom in her forties facing the often humorous challenges, pitfalls and rewards of life’s next chapter. Along for the journey is her son — a college freshman -, ex-husband, and friends who together make up her dysfunctional, but supportive and caring extended family… even if they have a funny way of showing it sometimes. Jules’ circle of friends, a.k.a. “the cul de sac crew,” includes next door neighbour Ellie (Christa Miller), her sarcastic, unapologetic confidante; Ellie’s average, but loveable husband Andy (Ian Gomez); Grayson (Josh Hopkins), the overly flirty neighbour from across the street who’s also her “someday guy;” Laurie (Busy Philipps), her younger, feisty protégé; ex-husband Bobby (Brian Van Holt), a classic under-achiever who tests her patience; and Travis (Dan Byrd), her dry and witty son who more often than not is the adult observer among the group.

Season 4 continues to amuse with its hilarious scripts, wacky scenarios and vibrant characters.  If you are tired of seeking new adventures, be daring and explore the witty misadventures of the zany Cul-de-Sac Crew as they face life’s up and downs with equal parts of wine, warmth and wackiness. Now that Jules and Grayson are united in holy matrimony, every day brings fresh opportunities for wholly hilarious mayhem! But can the newlyweds keep passion alive? The acid tongue Ellie is at her sharpest, Tom, the slightly creepy window hoverer has been upgraded to an official member of the ganf, and Travis and Laurie attempt to make the awkward leap from friendship to romance, with uproarious results.

CRIMINAL MINDS (Season 7)  **** This absolutely brilliant crime series revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country’s most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit’s most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of the BAU who returns to help the team solve new cases. The team is lead by Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, a strong profiler who is able to gain people’s trust and unlock their secrets.

There are fantastic bonus features: a great ‘mind’s eye’ peek into the stunts of ‘From Childhood’s Hour’, the make up of the bloodlust killings in ‘The Bittersweet Science’, and the ‘devil inside’ Hearthridge Manor, plus a fun gag reel.

 

HUMAN UNIVERSE ***** My mind imploded, exploded and went numb after watching BBC’S magnificent Human Universe, with the charming Professor Brian Cox offering an original new perspective on human life: the story of a group of apes that evolved to leave their home planet and step out into the universe. Humans are curious creatures. Of all the species on Earth, we alone ask questions. This series tackles the greatest questions we’re ever asked. If you have ever asked: “Why Are We Here? Where Are We In The Universe? Are We Alone?”, make sure to not miss out on this mind bending documentary. It is beyond spectacular and totally captivating as Brian, in search of answers, sets off across the globe collecting clues from the people that he encounters and linking them to the latest scientific thinking on each question. The series consists of five sixty-minute episodes.

INTRUDERS ***** BBC America brings us a supernatural paranormal mystery thriller that surrounds a mysterious secret society named Qui Reverti, which for centuries has known that immortality can effectively be attained by taking control of another person’s life. The premise is rather simple. Each person has two souls. Prior to the death of a member of Qui Reverti , their consciousness, and/or soul, is activated through the use of a trigger. (An object familiar to them in that life.) A Shepherd is given the task of activating them both prior to death, and again with that trigger once a life has been found that is suitable for intrusion. At least this is what we know so far. The show is shrouded in mystery which will make it quite appealing to anyone who enjoys the genre. Based on the book “The Intruders” by Michael Marshall Smith, Intruders hosts an impressive ensemble of writers, directors, and actors to bring this show to life. James Frain is superb as an assassin for hire and a shepherd/protector of Qui Reverti. Millie Brown plays Madison O’Donnell, a 9 year old girl who is taken over by a centuries old serial killer named Marcus Fox, with Mira Sorvino as , a woman who is taken over by another woman named Rose Gilchrist. John Simm, who plays Amy’s husband Jack Whelan, who is an ex-cop that gets caught in the middle of Qui Reverti’s intrusion into his wife Amy’s life and sets out to discover what happened to her.

LOOKING (First Season) ***** The first season of this must-have series from HBO offers non-stop viewing from start to finish. It’s good to find a series that is honest in its telling and sincere in its passion.

Created by Michael Lannan, Looking revolves around three 3-something friends living in San Francisco, who explore the exciting, sometimes overwhelming, options available to a new generation of gay men.Patrick Murray, a 29-year-old video game designer, lives in San Francisco with his friends—aspiring restaurateur Dom and artist’s assistant Agustín. Patrick has a tendency to be naive and has been generally unlucky in love but things in Patrick’s life change upon meeting handsome yet humble Mission barber Richie and the arrival of his new boss, the attractive but partnered Kevin. Dom pursues his goal of opening his own restaurant with the support of his roommate, Doris, and the unexpected help of the successful and older San Francisco entrepreneur Lynn. Agustín struggles domesticating with his long-term boyfriend Frank and his stalling art career, as well as his penchant for recreational substance abuse. The three men navigate life, relationships, family, and careers in modern-day San Francisco.After two seasons, HBO announced that Looking would not be renewed for a third season, instead ordering a one-time special to serve as its series finale.

THE NORMAL HEART ***** Mark Ruffalo delivers a powerful performance as Ned Weeks, who in the very first years of the AIDS epidemic, as friends died all around him, railed against government and community indifference and, with several others, created Gay Men’s Health Crisis. This not-to-be-missed emotionally jolting film adaptation of Larry Kramer’s searing, largely autobiographical Tony Award-winning AIDS drama, exposed America’s callousness toward a gay community living through the horrors of the burgeoning AIDS epidemic features great performances from Julia Roberts and Matt Bomer (playing the role of Felix Turner, Ned’s boyfriend.The film depicts the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks (Ruffalo), the founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. Weeks prefers public confrontations to the calmer, more private strategies favored by his associates, friends, and closeted lover Felix Turner (Bomer).

OUR ZOO From BBC One comes this utterly charming true story of how an ordinary family established Chester Zoo in the 1930s. Actor Lee Ingleby is best known as DS John Bacchus in Sixties police drama Inspector George Gently is perfectly cast as George Mottershead, an ex-servicemen still haunted by memories of the First World War, who is frustrated that his family have to live and work with his parents in their cramped corner shop. Until, that is, animal-loving George made a delivery to the local docks and rescued two unwanted beasts about to be put down in the quarantine bay. He whisked them home in his grocer’s van, kept them in the shop’s backyard, charged neighbours to come and gawp, and began to dream big. Could he buy a crumbling stately home and build the first British zoo without bars? Of course he could. However, it will take him at least six episodes. And probably more, because Our Zoo smelt like a hit and hits tend to get a second series. It was winningly warm, with heaps of charm, lump-in-throat moments and adorable wildlife. Ingleby, usually a supporting player, stepped into the lead role with aplomb: his trenches trauma was touchingly portrayed and his sparkly-eyed idealism about “putting a bit of beauty back into the world” was infectious. The supporting cast – especially Anne Reid as George’s battleaxe mother and Liz White as his loyal wife – were excellent, while Sophia Myles added a dash of Downton-esque class (and potential love interest) as a supportive lady of the manor. Our Zoo is a classier, flat-capped version of ITV’s popular Stephen Tompkinson vehicle Wild at Heart or the soppy Hollywood film We Bought a Zoo. The bonus features include an information making of featurette with lively interview.

REVENGE (Season 1 to 3) ***** The mystery, the fire and intrigue of a devilish journey into the heart of vengeance has never been sweeter! Emily Thorne’s brilliant plan for retribution takes a wicked turn as she plots a new strategy to take down the Hampton’s super-wealthy Grayson’s once and for all. It all began in Season One. 17 years after her father was framed for a horrific crime by neighbors he trusted, Thorne (Emily Van Camp) returned under an assumed identity to the Hamptons high society, with one endgame, where every social overture a carefully planned chip at the foundation of her sworn enemies, until their lives come crashing down around them. Following the dramatic conclusion to season one, she returned with loaded vengeance in Season Two. Her enemies might have been the same, but her mission took on a new, suspenseful twist and the web of deceit grew larger when her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) surfaced. Season Three’s shocking opening triggers Emily and Daniel’s (Josh Bowman) wedding day, as turned allies, new enemies, and ghosts from her tainted past threaten to expose her. With an ultimatum from Jack (Nick Wechsler) and her complicated history with Aiden (Barry Sloane) resurfacing, Emily must take extreme measures to ensure her plan goes off without a hitch. But Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) has new reasons to destroy the thorn in her side and everyone may become collateral damage in Emily and Victoria’s war.  The bonus features of Season 3 includes a delightful discussion between the lead male actors, deleted scenes and bloopers. The excellent bonus features of Season Two include audio commentaries on the pilot, and some great doccies on ‘Nolan Ross Exposed’, Roadmap to Revenge’, a behind the scenes look at the sets , and the Femme Fatale Fashion. Season One’s bonus features include selected audio commentaries, and features into ‘The School of Revenge’, ‘The Sound of Revenge’ and deleted scenes

SMALLVILLE Seasons 1 to 10  ***** Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. It is based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The series follows the adventures of Clark Kent (Tom Welling), who resides in the fictional town of Smallville, Kansas, during the years before he becomes known as Superman. The first four seasons focus on Clark and his friends’ high school years. After season five, the show ventures into more adult settings, eventually focusing on his career at the Daily Planet, as well as introducing other DC comic book superheroes and villains. The regular cast is introduced in season one. Storylines regularly included a villain deriving a power from kryptonite exposure. The one-episode villains were a plot device developed by Gough and Millar.

The first season primarily dealt with Clark trying to come to terms with his alien origins, and the revelation that his arrival on Earth was connected to the deaths of Lana Lang’s parents.

After the first season, the series used fewer villain-of-the-week episodes, focusing more on story arcs which affected each character and explored Clark’s origins. Main story arcs include Clark’s discovery of his Kryptonian heritage and Lex’s escalating conflict with his father Lionel. The disembodied voice of Clark’s biological father, Jor-El, is introduced. He communicates to Clark via his spaceship, setting the stage for plots involving the fulfillment of Clark’s earthly destiny that Jor-EL intends for him.

In another arc which comprises the fourth season, Clark seeks three Kryptonian stones, at the instruction of Jor-El, which contain the knowledge of the universe and form his Fortress of Solitude.Clark also battles Brainiac in his attempts to release the Kryptonian criminal General Zod. Clark must either capture or destroy other escaped Phantom Zone criminals. Clark’s biological cousin Kara arrives, and Lex Luthor finally discovers Clark’s secret.

The eighth season features storylines involving the introduction of Davis Bloome, who is Smallville’s interpretation of Doomsday, and a woman named Tess Mercer replaces Lex Luthor, who exits the series. Justin Hartley joins as a series regular in the role of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow, having been a recurring guest in season six. With the ninth season, Major Zod (Callum Blue), along with other members of Zod’s military group, are revived, though without their Kryptonian powers, by Tess Mercer. Their efforts to regain their powers become the central conflict for the season’s story arc.

The tenth and final season revolves around Clark’s attempts to get rid of his doubts and fears in order to become the hero he is meant to be, while also confronting his biggest challenges–the coming of Darkseid and the return of Lex Luthor.

THE STRAIN If there’s one series have to add to your collection, it’s the riveting The Strain. Created by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan, it is based on their novel trilogy of the same name. Here’s a teaser ….A plane from Berlin lands at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport with the lights off and the doors sealed. CDC epidemiologist Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, Dr. Nora Martinez, and their team are sent to investigate. On board they find 206 corpses and four survivors. The situation deteriorates when all the bodies disappear from the morgue. Goodweather and a small group of helpers find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but the entire city, from an ancient threat to humanity. You can rent the series at Movie Magic.

TRUE DETECTIVE ***** In 2012, Louisiana State Police Detectives Rust Cohle and Martin Hart are brought in to revisit a homicide case they worked in 1995. As the inquiry unfolds in present day through separate interrogations, the two former detectives narrate the story of their investigation, reopening unhealed wounds, and drawing into question their supposed solving of a bizarre ritualistic murder in 1995. The timelines braid and converge in 2012 as each man is pulled back into a world they believed they’d left behind. In learning about each other and their killer, it becomes clear that darkness lives on both sides of the law.) It stars Woody Harrelson as Martin Hart and Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle