Change Your Image
rickhuckstep
Reviews
En helt vanlig familj (2023)
Intriguing, watchable but full of holes
This is a great series from Netflix and tells a very compelling story about sexual assault, the aftermath and consequences, and the impact on the women and their families. However, the story is full of holes, which become clear in the final episode. However, that does not detract from the engaging storyline and very fine acting from "Stella" and her parents. The series also shows the quality of Netflix production. The native language for the show is Danish but the English dubbing and sub titles were first class, making it entirely watchable and enjoyable for me as someone who does not speak Danish.
Alice, Darling (2022)
Powerful, subtle, poignant
Loved this movie and a great debut for director Mary Nighy. The film creates a real sense of what it must be like for the abused party when the abuser is a controlling, manipulator. There were Great performances too from The three main characters who demonstrate the spirit of friendship as the became increasingly aware of what was really going on. It just goes to show that a psychological drama does not need to be extreme or violent and that the damage and trauma of control and manipulation can be subtle and unseen.
It's a mystery to me why the early reviews on IMDB have been so negative about this movie.
Inside Man (2022)
Ridiculous storyline, compelling viewing
This is a story of one bad decision after another that in real life would never happen. One top of that there's the ridiculous notion of a death row convict who happens to also be a mastermind detective with control over a international secret network and a warden who plays second fiddle to his crime busting activities. Superbly acted and riveting TV for what is the most preposterous of plot lines. Without giving anything away, I hope that the TV studios write a storyline that gives us a season 2 because this has the makings of a long running show. Tennant and Tucci are as brilliant as you'd expect, as are the other actors.
Peaky Blinders: Lock and Key (2022)
Was that meant to be the season end?
I watched this episode and thought, not bad, can't wait for the finale. Only to find that this IS the finale. Seriously, After an excellent first episode, the rest of this season has been dull and boring and self indulgent. What ever happened to the excellent television that was the first 5 series. Underwhelmed.
Peaky Blinders: Sapphire (2022)
Season 6 is an imposter
Maybe my expectations were too high. I was so excited for the start of season 6 of one of my all time fav shows. Episode 1 was brilliant...and then shows 2, 3 and 4 have been boring, self indulgent drivel. Seriously, what's going on with the show?. I get the whole redemption thing as a way to see Tommy out, but the script writers couldn't have been that bereft of ideas on how to fill the last 6 episodes of PB. I feel for the cast, who are going to remembered for a series that clearly should have ended after season 5. But I live I hope that my disappointment will be overturned with 2 episodes still to watch.
It's a Sin (2021)
Outstanding!
Brilliantly written, superbly acted and heartbreaking telling of a group of gay men in the early days of ignorance about AIDS.
Tin Star (2017)
Plot makes absolutely no sense whatsoever
Don't get me wrong, we stayed with it until the end of season 3 and overall we enjoyed the show. But dont ask me to explain how any of this made sense. The story was full of holes, none of it hung together or made any sense, and it stretch the bounds of plausibility beyond belief. Although we enjoyed it, I ended feeling as though it should/could have been so much better than it actually was.
Normal People (2020)
Anticlimax
This was a well made drama with terrific acting from Marianne and Connell, however....are they really supposed to represent two "normal people"? Because their characters certainly made a good job at over complicating life, repeating past mistakes, and taking the difficult path when simpler, more honest ones stood before them. I appreciate that this was the essence of the drama, but I just found myself frustrated at their decision making, even allowing for the complexity of the characters.. Disappointingly, at the end, my first thought was "is that it?"
Great acting and the two stars deserve to be recognised, but for me, this was too self indulgent and more appropriately should have been named abnormal people.
Head Full of Honey (2018)
Wonderfully uplifting, delightful and, charming
This is Such a good film. It's a romantic fantasy of the relationship between a granddaughter and her grandfather who is slowly succumbing to dementia. Brilliant!
Escape from Pretoria (2020)
Great story of tenacity and ingenuity
Very well told story of Tim Jenkins and co escaping the brutal prison regime in Pretoria prison. Daniel Radcliffe is convincing in the lead role.
The Irishman (2019)
I just wanted it to be over!
After persuading my wife to watch this movie that I couldn't wait to watch, it turned out that she enjoyed it whereas I couldn't wait for it to end and put me out of my misery.
Such a shame that the film missed the essential ingredient of being interesting.
Massive disappointment (for me anyway!)
Joker (2019)
Phoenix is amazing
A great movie and awesome performance from Phoenix. Told without the usual gadgets, gizmos and CGI, the movie tells the backstory of Joker and his future relationship with Batman. Intense and powerful, a must see
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
A 15 minute story told in 2 1/2 hours
I love Tarantino, Leo, Brad, Margot and couldn't wait to see Hollywood. The movie is very well made (as always), the soundtrack was average (compared to El Royale), and the casting superb, but....2 hours of mildly engaging filler before an explosive ending
Not Tarantino's best, sadly
The Great Hack (2019)
Disappointing, nothing new!
Who was the intended audience for the Great Hack?
If, like me, you are all over the CA story, then this documentary failed to provide anything new of substance. It simply retold the story that has already been widely told. I had hoped that Netflix would make a "Big Short" style expose rather than assume the audience already knew the background and characters
Big Little Lies (2017)
I'd rather stick pins in my eyes!
Maybe my expectations had been set too high before watching this highly rated new show. But I found sitting through the first episode an endurance I don't want to repeat.
Yet another show about people who appear to have it all from the outside, until you get to see their lives from the inside. I just found the whole plot line pointless.
Which is s shame because it has a great cast and everyone else seems to like it but me, hey ho!