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Friday, September 30, 2016

Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise (2015) USA

There's nothing in Paradise for Jesse, he's definitely lost.






Genre:
Crime, Drama, Mystery, TV Movie.


Length:
Approximately 7-minute read.


Part-IX review:
     Here I'm in the ninth and the final film of the Jesse Stone series made for television based on the characters created by Robert B. Parker. For now this is the last film, but the series is not over yet. There's no official announcement for the next film either, but I'm hoping for another one would make its way very soon. It came after a two years of gap when the series was in a bad position, so its fans thought the series is done and dusted. And then this new film hit the jackpot with a tag as the best in the series. But I've a different opinion...

     Now there's only two left in the PPD. There's no big cases to work with for Jesse, so that is why it's called 'Lost in Paradise'. He leaves behind Luther to handle all the troubles in the paradise which is actually minor ones. Meanwhile, he travels to Boston looking for some unsolved cases from his new boss. There he finds an open case, about a series of murders, where the killer was caught and confessed, but who declined one of the murder that's very similar to his trademark.

     So like we know, Jesse starts to dig it deeper by gathering information from people related to the victim. This is a drag part, but it very much needed for the story to develop and particularly that gives the feel like the actual Jesse Stone film we're familiar with so far. Like most of the detective stories, this series never focused on just one crime event to solve, but multiple. So in this as well, the main crime solving theme had more space on the narration, but the minor one like a domestic violence, we can say child abuse was another side of the narration. That's where Mackenzie Foy comes in.

     Jesse somehow manages to figure it out how the final victim died in his Boston ripper case. If you know Jesse Stone about how he deals with them, then you would know how it's going to end. But who's the suspect and reason for doing such thing revealed in the last quarter. The romance part of his life as well takes a twist. Since he got into Paradise nothing seemed serious, but here he's trying to move on as he's getting old. So it did not go as he planned, or expected. But that did not stop him to do his work or his rhythm of the life never disturbed.

 The murders have stopped. That seems to be enough for a lot of people. 

     There's no Reggie. I always concerned about him, he should have been in a family that has children, but Jesse did his best to take care of him. Now another version of Reggie is here called Steve. His story seems more sentimental, particularly in one scene, definitely anybody would feel that heart wrecking reaction the Steve had given. If you ever had a dog, sure you will do. There are some lines that were repeated throughout the series, some would find it as a signature, but some might get annoyed. I was annoyed by the ex-wife's series phone calls, since the story had no intention to reveal her completely. Otherwise, I would have had not problem with such developments.

     The film was good, that does not mean this is the best one in the series as many people consider. For me, the first three were great, especially 'Death in Paradise' is my pick of the series. After those, then comes this one, but it was overwhelmingly received when it was aired on the television with a record breaking viewership. For that reason alone another film should come. I'm not a Jesse Stone fan as I thought in the beginning of the series, but still I want this to get going. Because good or bad, kind of addictive.

     Not the writing that I'm very impressed with, but Tom Selleck was why I'm hooked to it. The series saw ups and downs, but his phenomenal performances saved the many occasions throughout the series. The series also saw lots of changes in the supporting roles, but a very few managed to remain till now and those were like Luther, Dr. Dix, et cetera. The theme music, I still hear in my mind wherever I see a poster of the films or a picture of Selleck. Like many say, he is born to play that role and I believe as what he said that he's not finished with the Jesse Stone character,

     Whatever, I'm happy this got all uplift needed for this franchise. The screenplay as well to give a little credit for that, because of the holding a suspense for a decent time. That means, at some point you would able guess the twist, but how it ends like in scenes was unpredictable. I think, I enjoyed so far of the series, so bring it on a new sequel. And finally, the final scene was very emotional. A big move from the Jesse, but it was the right thing to do, as well as the film to end on a high.



Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Previous parts:
Stone Cold, Night Passage, Death in Paradise, Sea Change, Thin Ice, No Remorse, Innocent Lost, Benefit of the Doubt.


External link(s):
    


WCA geolocation:
Right now we're in

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (2012) USA

The one man force.






Genre:
Crime, Drama, Mystery, TV Movie.


Length:
Approximately 6-minute read.


Part-VIII review:
     The eighth film in the Jesse Stone series based upon the characters created by Robert B. Parker. If you had read all my previous reviews of this series, you would know how much I'm looking forward for this. Not like I'm happy with the series to continue, but the last couple of films were below par than usual Jesse films. Like always, I went for it expecting the series could get better, and does it fulfill my desire? I won't say it did, but surely a decent one. It had the opportunity to become much better than that, but it was the story, like they wanted to start off again from the scratch. So it was kind of a refresher in the series, there's big changes you would find from the very first scene itself.

     Jesse received his PPD cap, that mean he's back, but he's the only one left in the force. This time he brought in to investigate the death of his rival in the department. He also has a strong back from the town council, as well as from his Boston boss. So this is an important case for everyone, particularly for Jesse to get back like he always say this is his last stop. This is not a detached story, I mean not some new characters comes in, commits crime and got punished. This is really well improvised story within the available characters. So the viewers can be optimistic about guessing the events including the finale.

     Kind of depressing to see one man doing all the job. I mean it was always been like that in the series, but this time feels it was a slow presentation. Jesse is no Rambo, yet feel he's isolated. I liked how the film developed with the existing characters. That means there's a serious change in characters, like many are from the previous films went missing and some of those who appeared in this were involved in termination. So the next film will be very interesting, whether there will be a bunch of new ones or the old ones return.

 Cop deserves the benefit of the doubt. 

     Regarding the case he's on, he deals it on his usual way. But nothing seems a masterful, the twist and turns are ordinary. So don't anticipate any masterstrokes. Jesse was just roaming around seeking information and then suddenly he gets a clue he was looking for. With that he uses a bait to catch the bad guys and they fall for it. But while dealing it, the event takes an unexpected turn, leaves the story might continue in the following sequel as well. That's the confusing, because the film ran for nearly 90 minutes and did nothing to end on high as it does always. So with this kind of drag, I don't know where the series is heading.

     Like I always say, Tom Selleck is the reason I'm still hooked to this series. In this installment, it is all about him, because like I mentioned earlier, the next to his roles like Rose and Luther are off the hook. That means the Jesse's therapist like the third string characters automatically taken the leap forward, but nothing much expectable from them. Particularly Thelma, the Hasty's assistant seems interested in Jesse, but it does not tell us how serious it is. Because fighting crime takes over the this romance, or maybe we can call a flirtation like Jesse does to gain information. I think, again the follow-up is to answer that question.

     After getting into the rock bottom with the last film, this one looked much better, but still not the best I was looking for. It's just trying to be a normal film, like a television film from the old days and it succeeded somehow. So definitely it is a decent comeback and there's only one film to go for me to end the Jesse Stone series. Oh, I almost forgot that the original director returned for this, that's really amazing news for the series fans. Like the old team coming together, somewhat the series back on the track. The next film that released in the 2015 was received well, that's what I've heard, so can't wait to watch it. The final review on its way, meet me there.



Followed by:
Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
    


WCA geolocation:
Right now we're in

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost (2011) USA

Who is this Cindy the Jesse is fond of?






Genre:
Crime, Drama, Mystery, TV Movie.


Length:
Approximately 6-minute read.


Part-VII review:
     The seventh film in the Jesse Stone series and not based on any book. Seems that's it, the adaptations are over. I thought it was a temporary diversion, but after the third straight film with no sign of going back, somewhat clear that it won't in the future as well. So only the characters from the book by Robert B. Parker was used to take the series forward with the original screenplays.

     Jesse is preoccupied with new of him. He stopped talking to his ex-wife since the phone line he cut off. But it could be the reason a teen girl's death. I mean he's not responsible, but when she needed him the most he was unreachable. So he's kind of in guilt for her death and trying to find the real reason behind it. The police department closed the case with a simple statement, but Jesse knows there's something or someone to blame. Like usual, he goes after with the clues he got and also gets some help from his frenemy Mr Fish. Where it takes him and how he solves it comes in the last quarter.

     In the opening credit, it was a different look, particularly the Jesse character was transformed into something new. When the rest of the film was in progress, there's nothing like that, just the old Jesse we all knew. He's trying to be close with Reggie, but it is not working. He's not in the force which is not looking good. Not just for him, but also for the film. Because he is a cop, a best one the paradise has ever seen, but his exit from the force was uninteresting the new development in the series. They are trying with the different things since it left the book, but not paying off with the success the series saw from the initial three films.

 What are you looking at? 

     The director for this sequel has changed. This is the first time and I was not expecting that, because I thought that's the best thing about this series. I know the last couple of films were not up to the standards, but seems it's good that they wanted a fresh perspective, still, I don't think the new attempt worked out so well. I won't blame the director completely, first of all the story was pretty bad. This is surely the worst film in the series and it came in the time when the series needed a serious uplift. I don't know, from this position where it will head in the future.

     It's not about the film is bad, but it does suit to be a part of the Jesse Stone franchise and that's the issue here. Because I felt it was out of the sync with the series. Those new characters, especially what they told us the dead girl Cindy was a close friend of Jesse is somewhat unacceptable. We have never seen her before and you can't just bring her in saying that's a very important person in Jesse's life. Because we know Jesse since he got to Paradise, so this girl is a mystery. Sorry, it did not work for me, maybe a prequel to that might do the fixing job all the damage done in this part. But I'm not confident about that would happen.

     For the filmmakers, this installment is a bad dream. How could the writers did not think to include the flashbacks to cover up the flaws. I feel they should have sticked with the Robert B. Parker's book series. Other than the messed up story, as an individual film, it can be enjoyable. Many Jesse Stone fans upset with this one, though I hope the next one gets better. I'm saying that since last few films, but it is only going down and seems not recovering.

     Like Selleck is the only reason this film still watchable. He was wonderful with a good supporting cast. So let's see what's going to happen to the film characters, looks some of the main ones useless here. With the wonderful characters, the makers are not developing the interesting story. I almost lost interest in this, but there are just a couple of films left, so I'm going to finish it off. I hope they can be what I'm expecting.



Followed by:
Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
    


WCA geolocation:
Right now we're in

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Jesse Stone: No Remorse (2010) USA

Out of the force, Jesse still manages to do his usual job.






Genre:
Crime, Thriller, TV Movie.


Length:
Approximately 6-minute read.


Part-VI review:
     I am already on the sixth film in the Jesse Stone series. Once again the film was not based on any book, but original characters from Robert B. Parker's novel. Very interesting opening credit, because that's the clips from a big city. So it leaves an impression that the tale has shifted its base to another town, but that’s not entirely true. Yes, it is different from the previous ones, since Jesse's role slightly changed after what happened in the last film. Also a better film after the recent downfall, still not that great, but anyway, Jesse Stone fans will enjoy it.

     There's a murder in the opening which was shown to us, but who was behind it remains a mystery, because that’s the story of this film to reveal. So the one murder becomes two and followed by another, Jesse, who is now not in the force gets a chance to involve on it indirectly. Besides, the film not to focus on just one case, but multiple like the usual and that's the Jesse Stone series' special. With those layers, how it was developed and ended was smartly done.

     Jesse's old boss is out of the prison and he lends some help on something to him. I surprised for the return of Mae Whitman, she's different and played a quite interesting part. I'm also happy for mentioning the Reggie in the film, so far he was unnoticed, but gets a slight recognition here. Finally the mysterious ex-wife's torture ends with this sequel; I believe that's what I saw. Besides, Jesse got a cell phone and there's a series of jokes regarding sharing the number, only minor ones.


 Jealousy's a powerful thing. 

     Still the same director, and he did a good job. Besides appearing in the lead, Tom Selleck also penned the story for this with another writer. They really did write a nice screenplay, even it could have been adapted for the big screen. So, for the television standard, it is a much better film. The sad part is the original writer, Robert B. Parker's unexpected death during before this film came out. So there's a mention at the end of the film with respect. His contribution must be appreciated, now there are many Jesse Stone fans out there after this series came out and I hope it continues for another decade. 

     Since the Jesse's absent in the force, his colleagues had taken some serious steps to fight the crime in Paradise. Particularly Luther has taken the charge of the force, and with Rose, only they two are the ones left in the station. On the other hand, they're facing a threat from the town council that they might be disbanded if their work or the result does not meet the target. So that’s why this tale becomes so exciting, because they try their best to keep their jobs, but only the follow-up film would disclose about how it all shapes up.

     Regarding the murders, the suspense was good, but also gives some hints for the viewers to have their opinion on the suspect. So the end was not bad or its simple twist. After what happened in this story, I’m curious where the next one would take us. Particularly, I'm eager to know Jesse’s journey, whether he returns to Paradise or set to work for his boss at the Boston.

     Anyway, this film was a turning point for sure; many unexpected things might going to happen in the remaining films. In the those remaining three films, I expect at least one of it would end as the best in the series. So can’t wait for those ones to watch and let me meet you with the next review in a couple of days.



Followed by:
Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


External link(s):
    


WCA geolocation:
Right now we're in