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rw_mcgregor
Reviews
Quigley Down Under (1990)
White-hat/Black-hat but engaging, nonetheless
In so many respects this film is two-dimensional but it succeeds, admirably, both because-of and in-spite-of that.
The roles portrayed by Tom Selleck and Alan Rickman are very-much frontloaded: each is up to the task.
The underlying plot involves the mistreatment of original peoples during Europe's Age of Colonial Expansion: this Reviewer might suggest that the White-hat/Black-hat format provides some "distance" between the audience and some rather-tempestuously contentious social/political issues.
Laura San Giacomo's participation is, likewise, two-dimensional but blends in to the story: mistreatment of women is portrayed as another villainous offence.
A "mighty good romp", well-worth the viewing time.
New Tricks (2003)
Great show
Accolades for this incredible achievement must reside in the writers, the casters, the actors, then the directors; really, at the last, must reside the fans.
While it has been described as, "Action/Comedy" or as, "Drama/Comedy", New Tricks is not Comedy: rife with humor as it is, this is an atypical "Police Procedural"; the stories (sometimes bizarre) present (fictional) criminal cases that pose riddles that seem unsolvable, excepting, only, the talents, knowledge, and experience of an assembled gaggle of eccentric retirees.
In that respect, It's almost a 'super-hero' show: each member of the team contributes his/her 'super talents'.
The interspersed comedy, admirably written and performed, stacks with everything above.
Casting is impeccable, writing extraordinary: the comedy, often front-loaded and silly, serves to 'deflate' the seriousness and severity of the crimes being investigated.
The Expanse (2015)
8/10 is probably the best I'd ever give anything: this show is great TV
Never read any of the books.
The viewer needs a little time to acclimate: what are the rules; so, to all viewers, watch for 20 minutes.
The story launches like a stone from a catapult and, when it hits the ground, unfolds into a runner that doesn't stumble or stop: the guy with the ball aimed at the end-zone, who knows he can make it!
That description applies to each and every one of the first 3 seasons; season 4 kind-of stumbles, kind-of loses momentum, maybe had to shrug-off a hit from defensive tackle; season 5 finds its legs again and scores the touch-down.
5 'pushes': 4 touch-downs, 1 almost-ran; I guess 8/10 won't get me murdered.
I look forward to season 6.
The Witcher (2019)
The girl in the woods will be with you, always.
I've never read the novels but, after only a single season, wow, well done; bravo!
Pseudo-spoiler: at the outset, there are 3 timelines; 'little blonde' princess Ciri, titular Geralt, also Yennefer; Ciri is 'present-day'; Geralt + Renfry is ~35 years earlier; 'Pig-girl' Yennefer is at least 20 years before that; first-viewing, that threw me and, even though I did catch-on, I would describe that as a small defect in the screen-writing. It would be a great shame if any potential fans turned away from this awesome presentation because of a little confusion.
As to the rest of what might be said, NO SPOILERS!
Actor-casting is great, screenplay-writing is great, action scenes well-choreographed-and-executed.
Um, no, The Witcher is not going to deliver a cake to your door on your birthday.
I'm very-much looking forward to the next season.
Enjoy, all, please.
Simon & Simon: The Skeleton Who Came Out of the Closet (1983)
A charming finale to this show's 1st full season
This series possessed charm; season 2's finale possesses a little "extra" charm in that most of the charm comes from the co-stars, Richard Kiel and Brenda Scott, and the story their characters portray.
Many will remember Richard Kiel as portraying the giant thug from many James Bond films: here, he portrays a "gentle giant" with a sense of humor, and a noble spirit, who has been horrifically, and very-personally, victimized; Brenda Scott portrays the tiny-but-feisty girlfriend who will fight desperately to help and protect him. In the writing of this "don't judge a book by its cover" episode, paradigms of Good v. Evil, Violence v. Civility, Giant v. Tiny are all stood on their heads, admirably blending-in humor and enough action to keep the story surging forward.
As misunderstood as Mary Shelley's monster, Mark Horton (Richard Kiel) needs help to defeat a horrible, personal injustice that even Billie's (Brenda Scott) unwavering love and desperate, feisty courage can't provide: perhaps the Simon brothers can tip the balance.
The very last scene is, on its own, worth the popcorn. Bravo!