This being the first foreign series that I’ve covered for the site, I couldn’t be happier with the results. Knowing nothing about Nicolas Le Floch, I naturally had a few reservations about the series.  It wasn’t in English, so how was I intended to comprehend what the characters were saying (knew I should have taken French in college)? Being that I’m ignorant of the laws and traditions of their government, how difficult would it be to follow the storyline? Of course these reservations were in vain as the series proved its worth with great ease, displaying all the great characteristics of the mysteries I love.

Nicolas Le Floch is a charming, charismatic investigator who believes in thorough and complete investigations, as evident in “The Rogue’s Gallery” when his superior wants to announced the death of a wanted criminal without fully confirming the identity of their suspect. This was the episode where Le Floch had to square off against a particularly cunning opponent, a man who not only had a talent for seducing unwitting women but also outwitting key members of nobility as he moved among them without being suspected, that is until Le Floch, who remained the only person with suspicions.

Consider that we are in a golden age of television, where it is just about impossible to keep up with all the good television shows, even with the luxury of DVR.  That being said, the notion of taking on watching a show that is broadcast overseas can seem a little daunting (yes, I know there are still legions of loyal Doctor Who and Sherlock fans, just to name a few).  When the offer came along to check out a comedy from Germany I was more than a little hesitant, but upon hearing the title Crime Scene Cleaner, well, my interest was piqued. 

The show is centered on Heiko “Schotty” Schotte (Bjarne Madel), who is your typical middle-aged single guy, that is, until you discover that he is a crime scene cleaner.  In case you were wondering, his job is to come in after the police have completed their investigation of a possible homicide and clean up whatever mess is left behind.  Despite the gruesome nature of the job, the show avoids going for cheap gross-out moments and instead focuses on Schotty’s interactions with those connected to the deceased.

I definitely give the creators points for shying away from the usual cast of creatures that are associated with a cabin in the woods. However, the fact that scenario is a bit cliche does take away from some the points given: a cabin in the woods, seriously? It’s getting a bit old, don’t you think? Don’t get me wrong, it does provide an isolated area where controlling the chaos is easier, and I supposed there is something to be said for being cut off from the populace. I suppose when thinking about further, it does create a chill factor; however, my opinion remains the same. I would love to once, just once, see the big scary in attack a major city (and before anyone contradicts, yes, I know Godzilla is the exception to the rule).

Exist follows a group of friends as they travel into the woods for a weekend of fun and debauchery in a family cabin; unbeknownst to them, lurking in those very woods is a creature of legend, spoken about meaning people wager whether said beast is real or simply the figment of someone’s terror-filled imagination: Bigfoot. As I previously stated, I have rarely came across horror films starring this particular monster, so the idea of it being cast as the big bad held a great deal of intrigue for me. The problem, however, is given that no has ever had a clear look at the beast (not one that can be authenticated), its appearance can only be speculated. Exist finds a good way around that for the majority of the movie, by using a go-pro-like camera perspective. It provides shaky camera, making it near impossible to get a clear look at the creature. The audience is treated to good look at the Bigfoot towards the climax of the film, but in my opinion that undid the magic for me. I much would rather to have only seen brief glimpse of it as it attacked rather that seen it. Part of the mystique of the Bigfoot’s legend is the idea that no one has ever got a good look at him; however, people continue to insist that he is real. By giving him an appearance, you ruin the mystique.