Three and done!
We have 2 perfect short binges this week, a true-crime drama, Des, and a remake of a classic film from a classic novel, Black Narcissus. Both are intense dramas with strong performances, dark humor touches, and start to finish in three installments.
But first…
We started doing this podcast at the beginning of the pandemic because we needed something to keep us busy in lockdown, and we thought a few friends might listen and get a kick out of it. It’s grown into so much more. We still do it at our dining table with equipment borrowed from Elaine’s brother. It’s no-frills and probably always will be.
The show has grown, and so has our costs to keep it going. We are setting up a Patreon page, and once we have it done, we hope you’ll check it out!
Des – A friendly serial killer
Now playing on AMC+ with Prime or Sundance Now with Prime, Des is a three-part true story based on the book Killing for Company by Brian Masters.
It stars David Tennant, Daniel Mays, and Jason Watkins
In 1983 Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen is arrested after the discovery of human remains that were blocking a drain near his London home. Ironically, the plumbing complaints came from Nilsen himself! (and other tenants.) Upon opening a drain cover at the side of the house, the plumber discovered the drain was packed with a flesh-like substance and numerous small bones of unknown origin. Once the police determined the “flesh-like” substance was, in fact, human flesh, and the little bones were, in fact, human bones, the police questioned Dennis Nilson, who nonchalantly confessed.
Chameleon actor David Tennant is chilling and kinda funny as the matter-of-fact Nilson.
Nilson was one of the most infamous serial killers in UK history. known as the ‘kindly killer.’ He was a former cop and a local civil servant who spent five years murdering boys and young men he met on the streets of Soho from 1978 to 1983. He would meet and befriend these men before offering them food and a place to stay at his North London flat. His victims were often homeless or drug-addicted and often grateful for this stranger’s apparent generosity. When he was finally caught on 9 February 1983, Nilsen had murdered a total of fifteen men over a period of five years, making him Britain’s most prolific serial killer of the time.
For more on the real killer…
DCI Peter Jay, a homicide detective, is played by Daniel Mays, who is becoming one of our favs in all shows British.
We especially liked him in Born to Kill and White Lines.
Mays is also in last year’s 1917 as Sergeant Sanders and has a supporting role in Good Omens, again with David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Frances McDormand and created by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
Keep an eye on Daniel Mays; we think he’s about to break out!
Black Narcissus
Nuns Gone Wild!
This
Currently showing (free) on the FX site and available on FX and HULU, Black Narcissus is a 3 part series with a long pedigree. The source material is the controversial 1939 novel by Rumer Godden and adapted by British TV writer Amanda Coe. The new version also sits in the shadow of the classic version by Michael Powell and starring Deborah Kerr, Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron, David Farrar, Sabu, and a very young Jean Simmons.
The new version is somewhat more explicit than the 1947 film but sticks pretty close to the original. It stars Gemma Arterton, Alessandro Nivola, Aisling Franciosi, Jim Broadbent, and Diana Rigg in her final TV role.
Travis likes the limited series better. Elaine prefers the film. Let us know what you think in our Facebook group!
In the meantime, let’s compare.
Sister Clodagh side by side |
Mr. Dean side by side
Sister Ruth side by side
Elaine votes for 1947 Sister Ruth all the way!
Wondering what Black Narcissus smells like? Grab a vile on Ebay for around 20 bucks.
Ya want some more? Well here’s some more!
The 1947 version… with Bladerunner music!
Fuck! Shit! Dick! Damn!
Shout out for Nick Cage‘s History of Swear Words. When it comes to talking heads shows, we’d rather learn about the history of “fuck wit” than look at one more special about the 80s any day of the week! Check it out on Netflix.
And finally… a prequel to The Sopranos!
We get into the details on this weeks episode and will keep ya up to date as we learn more!If you enjoyed this episode about Des and Black Narcissus …
Check out some of our previous shows like,
Run, Leap of Faith, Knock Knock, Tom of Finland
The Queens Gambit and The Barrier
Zappa, Bee Gees: Mend A Broken Heart
and if you only have 10 minutes or so, check out our Shortys!!
Looking for personalized gifts while ya can’t leave the house? Consider Mike’s Mugs.
