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Great Expectations (2023)
first reaction. Oh dear god
First reaction. Oh dear god.....Steve knight wrote the screenplay of our most quintessential wordsmith using the 'F' word !! And I so wanted to hate it. But then I started to analyse what was going on. Dickens is most recognised for his amazing characters so how do you get a modern audience to understand the nuances of why they were as they were. We are meant to loathe Pips sister sara but simple meaness would have done it for a Victorian reader but not now. So knight depicts her as a sleazy dominatrix. Well NOW I hate her. Jaggers has been shown as a pure evil Machiavellian. His arrogance and strutting gait is a perfection of acting (Bravo Mr. Ashley Thomas) The modern audience can revel in the mental illness of Olivia Colemans Miss Haversham as Knight explains her prison of the mind created by the use and misuse of a Victorian woman as chattel. Financially buoyed on a background of slave ownership. Tom sweets expressions of fright, fear, apprehension and dread are so much more entertaining than the simplistic terror of other performances.
The cinematography is delicious, the acting is stunning and the new layers in between the plot and characters are a joy to watch. Ok Mr. Knight ........you are forgiven.
The Old Man (2022)
Beautiful Rottweilers...Excellent character plot device
This is worth watching for the Rottweiler dogs alone. Jeff Bridges is acting his socks off but I hope that they don't do future series' reducing the dogs' screen time cos the public want more of them rather than him. It's why W. C. Fields proclaimed that "A man who hates kids and dogs can't be all bad" !! I confess to loving the breed. Our Siberian Husky was known by her puppy trainer as 'The Little Tart' before she was spayed and when she saw Bruno our local park Rottie she would go all girlie/flirty which of course he ignored because she didn't smell fertile. She would run up to him and then dart away showing him her rear......"chase me....... I promise I won't run too fast!! "
Especially with their full tails they are breathtakingly beautiful........not least cos, as this show illustrates they're super intelligent and trainable to perfection.
I once worked with a loathsome woman who bred them. But she told me she always interviewed people who wanted one of her puppies before she let them buy one. Their basic character needs an extremely powerful personality to dominate them to avoid disaster. This is clearly meant to be a plot device for the character of Dan Chase.
BTW I agree with criticisms saying too dark. I'm sure the moody darkness can be achieved while still being able to see the actors faces.
Nobody (2021)
Fun in the time of pandemic lockdown
So you thought you'd better watch 'The Father' with its Oscar winning acting masterclass and took your neurones for a Lockdown workout. Congratulated yourself but felt down. This is your pick me up. Completely unworthy of your time and intellect.............but so much fun!! After watching the human tragedy of Anthony Hopkins' study of dementia, Christopher Lloyd is completely absurd and a joy to watch. But you'll feel guilty you enjoyed it so much !! And of course Bob Odenkirk never disappoints.
Rebecca (2020)
Exquisitely beautiful with heart of darkness just as Du Maurier defined Rebecca
The non human characters in this film elevates it above the ordinary. Mandelay is
Exquisitely beautiful with heart of darkness just as Du Maurier defined Rebecca. Gothic but not horrific.
How beautiful was the bedroom in the west wing. Clever to have Rebecca leave her boudoir via a mini corridor in mirrors. There are so many small gems to spy in this sumptuous gem of a film. Such as Mrs Danvers' toy playing with a bird artificially trapped in a cage. Maxims name in Mrs De winters' sun tanned back The sprites and sea nymphs that burst from the Cornish waves beckoning, luring Mrs Danvers. The fire in Maxims eyes. From the narrow Cornish streets and fish market to the astounding Monte Carlo in summer sun. A cinematographic excellence.
Higher still in the accomplishment league comes the actors' performances : The grotesque Mrs Van Hopper, Jane Lapotaires dementia of granny and the desperation of those around her. Armie Hammers delightful happiness as he falls in love with the next Mrs De winter. Counterpoint to the rage in his expression at Favell. Deftly avoiding melodrama. Lily James' character was a triumph of modern adaptation. The contradiction of Joan Fontains' version (which was wonderful in its day) of a timid little innocent becoming the rock that Maxim depended on. Turned into a strength from the start albeit unworldly, evolving into the tour de force, defying the onlooker to interfere in her final over his shoulder glare. Wonderful! But the highlight of the performance has to be when she is released from the torment by Maxims confession that he hated Rebecca. The pain leaving her face is palpable. Trying to find out who is the second Mrs De Winter by first name it becomes clear that Du Maurier never intended for there to be the possibility of comparison. Rebecca was a centre of self obsession, Mrs De Winter the second was wife and soulmate to Maxim.
If difficult to follow Olivier and Fontain, imagine being compared to Judith Andersons Danvers! But Kristen Scott Thomas made it her own. A deliciously modern interpretation that explained the twisted descent into hopelessness and grief. Rather than the psychopathic. Much less posturing and blank staring. Allowing the character to smile and be helpful echoes modern smiling vipers !! Not exactly preferable since the original is undeniably great........just different and a cinematic joy. After all who needs repetition ?!!
Waiting for the Barbarians (2019)
Dazzling star burst that is the acting performances
Draw your gaze away from the dazzling star burst that is the acting performances of the three lead roles-Rylance,Depp and Pattinson. In the shadows you will find the outstanding performances of a large number of not so famous actors. 'The Girl' (Gana Bayarsaikhan) who sucks empathy from the audience, barely saying a word. The Barbarian leader to whom she is returned, almost thinking aloud " so you steal,torture maime and return her, blind and disabled to our 'survive if you can world'.............and you're waiting for thanks?!!". Even the children give up exceptionally skilled performances. Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley of Harry Potter films) looks suitably terrified of siding with the wrong boss. Tries to playdown the atrocities so as not to besmirch his superiors. Wonderful performance.
If you're tired of the normal Hollywood fare and crave a little brain food you may just love this film.
Artemis Fowl (2020)
Oh for 4-leaf-clover-sake....review the film not the books!!
Cinematographically beautiful to watch. Special effects and cgi top rate. The story though not complicated is interesting enough to hold your attention. The characters are fun to keep you occupied. The screenplay had me on 2 occasions guffaw out loud. Mostly amusing and often funny. But the delivery is the real pearl. Child actors who can actually act. Intensity that is believable and not overdone. Emotions that are understated. Presence that feels real. When I saw the sunglasses I thought 'Oh no, theyr'e going for Will Smith cool and are gonna fail' How pleasantly surprising to be wrong. It works. He does not come across as a junior James Bond. Smart but not overbearing nor overconfident. Josh Gad playing Mulch Diggums stole the film. It's the antidote to missing Robbie Coltranes Hagrid. And if Dumbledores death gave you depression let Judi Dench's performance as Commander Root lift you out of it
So I didn't read the books...........who cares !! This is a review of a film......and a damned good one at that.
Cats (2019)
political assasination of The Wonderful ?
Political assasination of The Wonderful ?
Some halfwit reviewer claimed this as not as good as The Broadway theatrical great. Excuse me ?!! I think you'll find it started as a British West End theatre
triumph.
So does it all come down to " lets hate the Brits" cause we can't claim it as American. Are the Bafta awards becoming such a threat to the Oscars?!!
All of the creative talents in this film positively shine.
I don't really like Rebel Wilson ......but she aced this.
I don't really laugh at James Corden....but he aced this too.
Mostly amusing with occasionally funny. I wanted to hate Jennifer Hudsons version of Elaine Paiges classic "memories". Boy, was I impressed.
I know the choreography was not Gillian Lynnes perfection, but Francesca Haywards magnificence is undeniable.
I loved the musicianship..............so not the assault on the ears that the 1998
film did so badly.
And overarching all are the creative genii that are Dame Judi and Sir Ian
Its libelous and slanderous to claim otherwise.
Think for yourself when you judge this film, not like 'The Emperors New Clothes' trolls. See it for what it really is.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
Lord of the Rings meets Game of Thrones? Give the Dark Crystal credit for being neither.
If you only watch films or T.V. to have something on in the background, don't watch this. Like any work of art, you must take time to appreciate The Dark Crystal. Episode one left me stunned and I then binge-watched it afterwards. Huge mistake. The artistry alone deserves to be savoured one episode at a time and I guarantee after several re-watches, you'll still be discovering new treasures.
The voice acting is absolute superb. Of course, not every actor can return to reprise roles, but the current cast is so rich with talent, that each character you knew you fall in love with again and the new characters stand side by side with them. As it's a T.V. series, we have the benefit of seeing the characters fully fleshed out with detailed back stories, insecurities and fatal flaws. Don't expect the main heroes to be beefed up superheroes; they aren't. Don't expect the Skeksis to be completely maniacally evil; they aren't. Don't expect the typical clichéd trash regurgitated for T.V. because it simply isn't there. The writing team have put to shame many competitors with this glowing list of wonderful characters. The good make mistakes and the bad can be empathised with, this is character development that Hollywood should be crying out for!
In terms of plot, while others will criticise its good versus evil simplicity, it works well. The sub-plots are extremely well written and are all relevant in the end (a real rarity I find). I tried to guess what would happen next and rarely did I get it right. There are dramatic moments of tension, times when your emotions take a proper hammering and little gems of comic relief that keep you on your toes. I can say the only occasion I felt a little overwhelmed was the beginning, but in this case a good narration is enough to help you with all the back story you need, the dialogue carries you the rest of the way. It feels natural and well-paced and most importantly, things aren't always spelled out for you. There is a tendency for some shows to have characters exposit at the audience in such a way that you feel talked down to. You get that a little bit here but rarely.
What can I say about the puppetry? It's phenomenal. There are moments when you can definitely tell you're watching puppets and moments when you're convinced you're watching Gelflings. There is enough detail in every scene to keep you fully immersed in the experience. I wholeheartedly praise the human actors that puppeteer the big costumes (my personal favourite is the Hunter) and the skill with which such movements define individuals. Every puppet, even down to the small insect like creatures that flit about for seconds on screen, you can see the slavish love taken in their design and action. The CGI balances well, giving the puppets scope to achieve cinematic feats which just astonish you. Don't expect photo-realism, you won't get it. The puppets are not capable of moving like a human actor and neither do you want them to.
If I had one thing to criticise, and this is a bit of a small warning, you're not quite prepared for how far this show is willing to take you. This story is dark. Just like the original, there is no holding back from the horrors the Skeksis inflict on their slaves. Although you don't see blood and gore (much) it is heavily implied and the nature of some of the characters' treatment left me a bit disturbed and I'm far from squeamish. It's tempting to think these are puppets and therefore this is a kid's program, but it would be wise to watch it through first before showing this to young children.
To conclude, I've been disappointed time and time again by T.V. shows that lack effort. You can see sometimes it's poor direction, lack-lustre cinematography, unbelievable dialogue, rushed or underdeveloped plot or all of the above that really cripple a series. The Dark Crystal completely surpassed my already high expectations and I have to say, I was enchanted from start to finish. I can only hope that this absolute treasure of a series stays where it is; untouched by the pressure to become a cash-cow. If you haven't seen it yet, be prepared for surprises, shock and enjoy it.
Chernobyl (2019)
Spectacularly good make up
As a retired accident and emergency nursing sister I can honestly say the make up of the radiation burn victims is chilling in its realism. No it is not overdone. At the beginning of my career I was on the burns unit at the Birmingham Accident hospital. I have nursed victims of 90% burns, so I know. You may imagine how much tragedy I have seen in a 35 year career. But the second episode had me literally trembling as I watched. That these poor souls fell victim to unimaginable suffering is heartbreaking but to realise that is was inflicted on them. Oh, boy........man's inhumanity to man!!
I had to stop reviewing the reviewers.It became too distressing.
Thank you to the makers of this series..........thank you for the truth!!
I've heard that the Russians are trying to deny these truths and plan their own miniseries to contradict. Monstrous! Just own it. Honour the Russian heroes to tried to help each other and gave their lives to help others.
Early Man (2018)
Early Man (Utd.) A Tear-Stained Love Letter to Football
If you're a fan of football, you'll love this, even if you're not you still will. Not that you need to know about Aardman's previous work, their track record speaks for itself.
Early Man is not their finest but it is warm, well-paced and fun from start to finish. The Flintstones introduced fun, anachronistic gags; Aardman has picked up that baton and flown with it.
Many users have mentioned its predictability, conveniently forgetting that this is a children's film, not an adults'. Disney's repertoire set the standard for predictability and sometimes deviating from it presented poorly thought out plots and over compensated characters (e.g. Frozen), that's not to say that alternative storytelling methods don't work but bear in mind: if you're expecting the rug to be pulled out from under you plot-wise, then don't because the sight gags and puns are for you and not your child.
Almost every scene has something entertaining in it either visually or verbally. My personal favourite being Lord Nooth's newspaper headline 'Woad Rage'. Just one of many gems that would fly miles over the heads of its target audience. (Pay special attention to the market place scene).
The pacing worked really well, I found that it was over fairly quickly which is a good sign in a comedy. There wasn't really a moment when it felt everything had ground to a halt.
The film is as much a tear-stained love letter to football as it is a near-the-knuckle critique of the game today. The corrupt officials, the show-boating players and even the pun-slinging commentators would be well known and acknowledged by die-hard football fans. I'm not in that group but I could still appreciate it. They were not the focus however.
Instead, the focus was very much about each character representing a value to be applauded: Believe in yourself and your team (Dug); don't give up on your dreams (Goona); learn when to let go and do what's right (chief) and corruption will always be found out and punished (Lord Nooth). These values, to name a few, especially set against the backdrop of football are very relevant to today's children, whether future football stars or not, and will be absorbed and endure.
For a non-British audience, some of Aardman's charm is lost because there is a lot of British wit and humour in it. Once again, we cannot resist the age old dig at the French and if you think the commentators' puns were bad, just watch Match of the Day once to know why they are so bad! If I wasn't laughing out loud I was certainly grinning at the very Britishness of it.
Certainly, I don't think this film brings anything magical or spectacular to the table, but it is warm and wonderful and deserves some credit for its well thought out premise, beautiful animation and family-friendly joy. You might even think about taking up the game yourself.
Star Trek: Discovery (2017)
Metaphors for disappointment don't really say it strongly enough
There were so many things to enjoy in this series that it was easy to ignore the nay sayers in the beginning. The alledged budget of 8 million per episode frankly were well spent. The numerous lavish sets, costume and make up/prosthetics justified the cost. Even the graphics of the opening credits amply reward the die hard , stick with it fans, who lets face it can be hard to wow.
If Trekkies speak Klingon and attend comic con in costume, Then Trekers prefer to exalt in the solid science fiction rather than science fantasy. It's why the inventors of mobile phones and C.D.'s and D.V.D's talk about how Star Trek The Original Series was their inspiration ...... J.J.Abrams among these exhalted ranks.
There is currently under development a mission to visit and explore one of the moons of Saturn with the specific goal of finding and studying Tardegrade life forms. So it was Trekker worthy to see this cutting edge science woven into the 'Discovery' lore. It is difficult to see why the episode to planet Pahvo had such a low rating. It was after all an interesting attempt at "it's life Jim.............but not as we know it !"
These plot devices and many others began to build the expectations episode on episode. The frequently referred to 'War with the Klingons' became tantalising. Embellished by what happens to prisoners of war. Enhanced by whose technology has just advanced into a step ahead in military advantage. Then we reach the season finale...............a visit to Qo'noS the Klingon home world. A chance to see why the Klingons became the sadistic bestial race. A chance to see how violence and a tribal warfare mentality can grow into a technologically advanced race of Star Trekers.
So having climbed this Everest of expectation, waiting to find a panoramic vista, we are told that the war has just ended !! WHAT ?!!
No intriguing military strategies (like Sean Conneries Captain Ramius in Hunt For Red October )
No exploration of a Klingon Jedi Knight type of combat training
Not even a choreographed hand to hand battle scene.
Instead Tyler and L'Rell walk off into the sunset.............They may as well have been holding hands as they skipped away !!
The Klingon home planet is an underwhelming Blade Runneresque. Why would Klingons use a brothel of humans whom they find ugly ?!! Is this the beginning of fifty shades of Star Trek? If so there are about to be an awful lot of fans about to defect.
It was as if, having been invited to the Millenium New Years Eves firework display, someone lit a sparkler and said "that's it".
Maudie (2016)
Maudie .........simplicity raised to an art form
In reading a review what do you want to know? Is this going to be worth my time to watch it? Here's why I think the answer is yes
If quality acting is your thing then Sally Hawkins' portrayal of a beautiful personality emerging as a butterfly from a chrysalis of pain and abuse is irresistible. Ethan Hawke will have you constantly trying to work out whether his 'damaged' Everett is going to be worthy of the priceless prize of Maudies love. You will love to hate the despicable Aunt Ida, whose depravity deepens as the film lengthens. The blank canvass of her brothers' insipid lack of personality perfectly explains his life goal of obtaining money. There is a delicious sense of divine justice meted out to Mauds family. None of the supporting cast fails to deliver their messages.
If cinematography is your thing then the wide landscapes in the different seasons will never get old. Each of the panoramic views has purpose, if not to illustrate Maudies difficulty with mobility, then to see the world as she did in its awesome simplicity.
Those of you who enjoy subtleties of screenplay will be the most rewarded of all. I especially enjoyed the absence of cliché. Most notably when Everett takes Maudie to see the occupant of the little white house. Like Maudies art the magnificence of simplicity is the overarching theme. The truly nonsensical quote from Maudie : 'The whole of life, already framed, right there' is from one's own perspective.........our life cannot be encapsulated by the view from a single window. But Maudies could. Which is why she achieved what some religions call Nirvana. She recognized kindness and rewarded it. Not with grand gestures or verbosity, but simply with a smile. Its worth watching if that's all you learn.
My Cousin Rachel (2017)
Art imitating life ?
My wonderful friend died this year.I really miss her.She had a passionate affair and left her husband. I could never find a good enough excuse for her doing that She was planning her wedding to her new love when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. His last weeks were really violent. But she loved him and stayed with him even at the end when she was really in danger. I'm so glad she never saw this film
To me it lends credence to what might otherwise seem like a convenient though implausible plot device. Rachel Weiss played the character on such an even keel after what must have been a gut wrenching time..........she reminded me SO MUCH of how my friend coped.
This lack of melodrama I find particularly useful in representing real life. Maybe because I'm British.
My next perspective will see many male eyes turned toward the ceiling. I can live with the acronym 'feminatzi'. In the Victorian era and eons before haven't women always been shoe horned into the roles men wanted,nay demanded, that they play ? Phillips obsession with Rachel is whose fault exactly?
Think carefully about what choices did she really have. I wanted to enjoy the dilemma of trying to decide who was telling the truth. But the climax at the end left me in no doubt as to who was victim and who The Guilty.
Womens'lot........was it ever thus.
Game of Thrones: The Spoils of War (2017)
Exemplary on so many levels
Ever since Stephen Spielberg gave us Jurassic Park the bar has been raised when we watch creature features. It is no longer good enough to see the creature flash across the screen too quickly, or blurred in shaky cam. Since Buckbeak in Harry Potter's prisoner of Azkaban we want to see the critters close up and detailed. Game of Thrones is quite simply getting it right. Close ups of the texture of the Dragon scales helps you to appreciate why normal arrows bounce off and the need for a Ballister to defeat it. The detail in the faces, expression and menace is top notch. Looking down the throat as it is about to engulf Jamie Lannister caught my breath..........I have not read the books so I did not know what was coming. Daenerys on the dragons back riding into battle , setting an inferno is one of the finest moments in the history of T.V. series' Of the acting. It is hard to find the right superlatives. Peter Dinklage's Tyrion watching his brother Jamie from atop the hill had the potential to be completely sunk in a messy morass of emotion. Not so for Mr. Dinklage. He balances the walk between overplayed and underdone like a tightrope acrobat. In particular the way he uses his eyes......superb. Silence and immobility are amazing acting tools in the right hands. What was left unsaid between Arya and Sansa at the meeting in Winterfell was electric. The long pauses when it seemed as if they did not know what to say gave you time to reflect on everything that had happened to them both in their journeys. Mesmeric ! I'm starting to miss it even before this season has concluded !!
Broken (2017)
An agnostic perspective on a religious experience.
I am a retired nurse so I made a career out of helping people. Not always easy. In retrospect and in spite of the hard times I wouldn't have it any other way. As an Agnostic I don't believe in a deity. There are however many things I do believe in and helping others is the most important.......I believe in it religiously !
Historically I am sure that Jesus Christ existed. A very clever man. Many of his teachings so profoundly true that they have lasted millenia. The Church as an institution offends me.
So my perspective on reviewing this series is from the non catholic/non Christian point of view. What an experience it was to watch. I applaud many of the above comments about the high quality of the writing, the gritty realism in the dialogue and oh so human themes. Enhanced and illustrated by exquisite musical score. If the final episode hadn't been so full I would have liked to say that the highlight for me was the
'Human Race whilst the rain was lashing down on the Reluctant' What a metaphor !! But I reserve the slot for the final scene which made me cry. Mr. Beans performance......so understated but so meaningful is my favourite of all his prodigious work. Nor was he let down by any of the supporting cast.I suppose the outrageously low rating is because it is not an easy watch. You have to be prepared to emote. I get it........not everyone's cup of tea. Shame on the reviewer who gave it a 1/10. You don't have to like something to appreciate how skillfully it has been made .I don't understand Picasso but I know it is not trash.