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Reviews
Maestro (2022)
My favorite series of the year!
I just finished Maestro in Blue, the first Greek Netflix series, and I am speechless. The story revolves around a music festival on the island of Paxos and the musician that arrives to direct it. He soon finds himself too personally involved with the locals.
Each episode grows more intense than the last, with hard-hitting themes including forbidden love, deceit, domestic violence, crime, struggles with sexual orientation, and family secrets. I can't remember taking a breath watching the finale. It was that shocking. Yet the last scene was simply breathtaking.
The entire cast was incredible, but I must point out two actors that, in my opinion, should be nominated for awards. Maria Kavoyianni played a woman trapped in an abusive marriage and the mother of a son struggling with his sexuality: and Haris Alexiou, the matriarch of a complicated, dysfunctional family.
I want to make one suggestion. Even if you don't understand a word of Greek, watch it in the native tongue with English subtitles. Unfortunately, I began watching with English dubbing, which ruined the episode. The voices did not fit with the characters at all. I almost didn't finish watching until I realized I could watch it in the original Greek.
This series is definitely in my top three favorites this year so far.
Wait with Me (2023)
Lighthearted fun with sizzle.
Wait for Me is the latest movie to drop on the romance streaming channel PassionFlix. Adapted from Amy Daws novel, the screenplay held to the storyline. So much so that I felt as though I had already seen this movie, which was impossible. But in a way, I had, at least in my mind while reading the book, and this movie was just as I had imagined. PassionFlix perfectly cast lead actors Andrew Biernat and Madison Lawlor in the roles of Miles and Kate, their onscreen chemistry sizzling. With all the humorous and tender moments to choose from, I have to say one of my favorites was the GRAND GESTURE. Anyone looking for a light, fun, feel-good movie must watch this one.
Gabriel's Inferno: Part One (2020)
A must see! A beautiful masterpiece.
Review for Part 1 & 2
If it was at all possible to be any more riveted to the screen than I was for part 1 of Gabriel's Inferno, then part 2 accomplished that. I've included my review for part 1 below because everything I'd stated still applies, times ten!
The performances by Giulio Berruti and Melanie Zanetti were mesmerizing. The story has now progressed where we learn more about Julia and Gabriel's pasts and how it has affected their present. The depth and complexity brought to these characters by the actors' performances were soul deep. Every word delivered was authentic-every raw emotion heart-shredding.
Once again, the script stayed faithful to the book, delivering dialogue that the readers longed to hear from the mouth of the sensual and enigmatic Professor Emerson himself.
The climactic scenes I'd expected to captivate me, did indeed. But an unexpected tender scene whispering confessions and offering clarity left me breathless.
Gabriel's Inferno is a journey into deep abiding love, faith, and trust. References to art, music, and literature make the overall experience all the more meaningful. Thought-provoking, intelligent, and unforgettable, this modern-day classic work of art is thanks to the creative vision of Sylvain Reynard, Tosca Musk, and the entire Passionflix team.
Gabriel's Inferno Part 1 review
Tosca Musk took on quite a challenge when she optioned international bestselling author Sylvain Reynard's Gabriel Inferno Series. Judging from the other book adaptions produced by her streaming channel, Passionflix, I was confident she was up to the task. But these books are no ordinary books as the loyal Gabriel obsessed fan base will attest, myself being one of them. Each one of us could probably quote the book word for word. Every detail is etched in our minds, and the slightest veer into another direction would be noticed.
When Tosca Musk asked Sylvain Reynard's reading community, 'which scenes do you want to see in the movie,' the overwhelming response was, 'every scene, nothing can be left out.' Hence, we have a three-part mini-series instead of a two-hour film that would have omitted crucial moments. Thank goodness!
This first part of Gabriel's Inferno was nothing less than perfection. Giulio Berruti and Melanie Zanetti in the lead roles of Gabriel and Julia were mesmerizing. Their chemistry was not only off the charts, but they were so personally connected to their characters that they were able to convey their emotions to the audience with their eyes alone.
The script adapted beautifully to the screen; the integrity of the book treasured and intact. The attention to detail in the sets was beyond my expectations. Even the most minor aspects of the spaces were recreated precisely how the book described.
The camera work, editing, and overall direction of this film were brilliant. There were pivotal scenes from the book I longed to see on the screen. For me, nothing is ever better than the images I conjure while reading. Not so here. There were scenes that not only brought tears to my eyes but cemented in my mind the extent of the love and tenderness shown.
Gabriel's Inferno is a beautiful story, a modern-day classic with so many layers that each time I read it, I discovered something I'd missed before. Read the books, watch the movie. I'll be watching it again tonight. I suppose I will be watching it multiple times until part II releases in July.