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Reviews
Lessons in Chemistry (2023)
Brilliant!
I wish I could simply write, 'brilliant!' as this show is just that, but sadly for reason only known to IMDB we have to pad out our reviews with extra unnecessary text, which is something which would have no doubt frustrated the main character in the show, 'Elizabeth Zott'. She is that rare blend of brilliant, compassionate and principled and the story of her life is moving, funny and inspiring. Rarely do you find a show of this quality on tv and so it's worth taking the effort to add the many unnecessary characters needed for this review to be published. If you want a relatively family friendly show, that's a joy to watch, give this a go. We loved it.
Masters of the Air (2024)
The elephant in the air
What's the obvious elephant in the room/air in this show? No RAF. It's a great show. Well filmed, full of realistic detail, compelling, great story, but it's shameful omission of the RAF and the general Brit bashing is really, really sad.
From this show you'd think the only armed forces in the Britain during WW2 were Americans, and if you do see a Brit in the show he's being an ass. Sorry Tom H and Stephen S, but your enthusiastic flag waving has done a huge and sad disservice to the thousands of British airmen that fought and died alongside the US airmen.
The real irony is many of the main roles are played by British actors. If only the Brits had been as equally represented in the story as well.
Gordon, Gino & Fred's Road Trip (2018)
Top Gear with chefs
On the whole, it's a funny, visually interesting and engaging show. It's fun, light weight and entertaining, if you like fully grown men acting like a bunch of teenagers, which is cool, no problem there.
The only thing that's difficult to take are the obviously set up scenarios that they pretend are spontaneous and unplanned. In this respect it's just like Top Gear with chefs. You have the , serious group leader (Gordon), the cheeky vulgar, but funny one (Gino) and the straight guy, with the hilarious laugh (Fred). They're a great combo and make a great show, it'd just be majorly improved by it being more real and honest.
Fun show, just be better if they didn't try so hard and let things happen more organically.
The Little Mermaid (2023)
Don't listen to the negative reviews
Sure, if you absolutely love and can remember the original, then anything that comes along as a remake is going to have a hard job to convince you to change your mind, and like the new version, but as a stand alone movie it's great!
We often have rose tinted memories of movies we loved in the past, but so often when we watch them again years later, they can seem a little dated. Little Mermaid is probably one of those movies, and this new version is faithful to the original while bringing it up to date for a new audience.
Ignore the haters and give it a watch. Kids will probably love it, we liked it and still love the original. It's a good movie and a good live action adaptation of a classic. Well worth a watch.
Warrior (2011)
Brilliant and surprisingly moving for a fight movie.
The acting and storytelling of the movie are exceptional. Both leads and Nolte portray the brokenness and love that make up so many fractured family relationships.
Their humanity and obvious pain from past hurts are beautifully portrayed in this oddly moving movie. The fighting - professionally and internally - is a brilliant vehicle for a story about a very broken family relationship.
You'd think this was just an updated Rocky movie, but it's far deeper and more moving than the old classic and Hardy particularly is customarily excellent in giving his character depth and believability. Loved it.
Faraway (2023)
Refreshing
It's just so good to find a film that's uplifting, inspiring, funny, real and a joy to watch.
Although probably aimed at a middle aged audience, our twenty five year old son loved it too, so I'm guessing it's pretty accessible to young adults and above.
A refreshing story of love lost and love rediscovered and eventual reconciliation, and set in the beautiful country of Croatia.
If you're after a feel good film along the Shirley Valentine or Mama Mia vein, then this is an updated and very enjoyable version of that genre of movie. Perfect for an evening in on the sofa with a drink and a snack.
Fall (2022)
Aw-fall
If the laws of physics had been in action from the beginning of this movie, it would have been a ten minute movie at best and they'd all have been dead, but... instead the makers suspended all common sense and made a full length movie full of too many infuriating inaccuracies to count.
Actual climbers must either hate this movie, or watch it to make fun of. As a part time climber I loathed it. Cannot understand how the ratings are so high. The movie does do a pretty good job of filming the illusion of height, but it's sadly let down by the terrible lack of research. If only they'd discussed the plot with an actual climber.
The Best of Enemies (2019)
A truly inspiring and moving movie, well worth watching.
Ignorance has difficulty existing when it's brought face to face with the object of its animosity it seems, and this film shows us that love and peace can flourish between enemies in the most unexpected of circumstances if the two sides take the time and effort to get to know one another.
It's a difficult and challenging thing to meet and take the time to understand those that for whatever reason you've taken a dislike or prejudice against. This movie proves it can be done and gives a wonderful example of the good that can result. Well worthy of a full five star rating and well acted by all the cast.
Killer Elite (2011)
Another ridiculous plot
You can see clearly why the S. A. S distanced themselves from this story. Frankly I'm surprised Robert De Niro didn't too.
It's one of those 'oh I've caught the bad guy who's trying to kill me, I'll deliver some improbable dialogue, then I'll let them go and give them another chance' type plots.
The acting is distinctly iffy, although De Niro does okay, but the plot is terrible. Fiennes should stick to being an exploration legend and leave fiction well alone. The whole 80s vibe didn't seem to work either.
Definitely a 'that's a couple of hours of my life I won't get back' type movies and a terrible tribute to the S. A. S.
Tayna pechati drakona (2019)
Possibly one of the worst films ever made
I survived about ten minutes of this nonsense before having to give up. Actually, in real terms that might have been 20mins, as there are possibly 10mins of titles from the Chinese and Russian film companies sponsoring the movie at the start.
It's dubbed. Yes, English speaking actors and film stars, but it's dubbed... badly. Add to that a bizarre mix of Dumas' original story blended with Chinese and Russian folklore and you have just about one of the weirdest and perhaps worst movies to ever be made.
Not even Jackie Chann and Annie can save this movie. Unless your chemically altered it's probably best to avoid this movie.
Man vs Bee (2022)
Rowan vs comedy
Sadly this just misses on every important point. It doesn't have the slapstick genius of Laurel and Hardy, or even Home Alone, and neither does it have the convincing Drayfus mania of the Pink Panther movies. It just misses on every available point.
I don't think there was a single laugh out loud moment in the whole series, just a lot of rather unconvincing and irritating situational comedy. Spoiler alert- Nobody cuts a hole in a £2m jaguar with an angle grinder to get to a bee, it was just ridiculous, sadly not even funny ridiculous, just absurd.
Rowan was genuinely funny in Blackadder, kinda funny in Mr. Bean, but in this... not even remotely.
Northmen: A Viking Saga (2014)
Frankly absurd
I'd like to leave the review at 'frankly absurd', but sadly I have to say more. So, poorly acted, badly written and... frankly absurd.
At one point the vikings are being pursued by a pack of angry Saxons (I think) and the Saxons start off being maybe ten, then a few get killed and they are down to maybe six and then suddenly there are twelve of them. They seem to have a magic supply of men and horses and the vikings need no food or water.
Too much nonsense to list sadly. A medieval crossbow, and a ninja monk though are among my faves.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Moustache on the Orient Express
It's not a bad movie. It's a little hammy in places, the green screen and cgi are reasonably convincing, if not overdone, and it's mildly entertaining, but... that moustache!
Why oh why, did they chose possibly the most absurd moustache ever to be discovered, or stuck on (it doesn't match Ken's hair) by man, or woman? Was it beyond reason to ask Sir Ken to grow a decent and believable 'tache for the movie?
Had it been less overacted, shot on location and his moustache been of an earthly nature, it could've hit a solid 3-4 stars, but sadly, it was not.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Dreary
Bleak, dark, joyless and intense. I'd love to leave the review at that, but as I can't I'll add that every now and then a movie comes up that gets loads of awards and is the marmite of cinema; you either love it or hate it. I think this is one of those movies.
I like marmite, but this movie... not so much.
Boss Level (2020)
Groundhog Day without the charm
There's little more to add really. It's an action adventure Groundhog Day, but without the charm, humour or originality. Not great on many levels. Dull, predictable and done before many times before.
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (2020)
Just don't watch the last ten minutes
It's a good series, funny, moving etc., everything you want in a k-drama, but those last ten minutes! What we're they thinking?! The last ten minutes we're about as unbelievable as the random appearance of a grand piano on the beach.
Downton Abbey (2019)
Contrived and wandering
The plot was disappointing, contrived, poorly written and unbelievable, but... it was okay I guess.
The movie felt like a soup that contained far too many ingredients, needed to reduce down until it had much more flavour, but still had bits in it that just didn't belong to a period recipe.
The tv series were much better.
The Mustang (2019)
The horse was the star
Good movie, we'll acted and thankfully with very little need for much dialogue as the sound on the dialogue was truly awful.
That said it's a subtle, elegantly made movie. At times moving and hopeful in an environment where hope is often suppressed.
Outside the Wire (2021)
Wow! But not in a good way.
It's now awful. The CGI is pretty good, but there are so many plot holes and inconsistencies that you spend most of the movie trying to suspend common sense and logic to try and enjoy it. Shame, it had the budget for a half decent movie, the acting wasn't dreadful, but the story was just ridiculous. I felt sorry for the actors.
Grey's Anatomy: Personal Jesus (2018)
Typical
For a programme that prides itself on tolerance and inclusiveness, they're certainly go out of their way to show such intolerance towards anyone with a faith.
It's ironic that they show such intolerance and prejudice to one group, whilst trying break down intolerance and prejudice towards others.
Such a shame. If love is blind, it should also be accepting of everyone, whatever their beliefs might be.
Artemis Fowl (2020)
Oh dear...
Dame Judy and Sean Connery now have one thing in common, they have both acted in truly dreadful leprechaun movies.
The lead fairy isn't bad, Farrell is okay (poor bloke), but the other acting is grim. In fact the whole movie is one Grimm fairy tale. Avoid.
Angel Has Fallen (2019)
Utterly predictable, but entertaining
Utterly predictable, dodgy cgi, ridiculous plot, but... it's entertaining. Angel Has Fallen is ridiculous but entertaining despite all its flaws. Butler is engaging, but Nick Nolte steals the show. He's the best bit of the film by far.
6 Underground (2019)
Über violent pointless rubbish
I guess I shouldn't really have expected anything else from Michael Bay, but he hits a new low with this movie. It's just über violence from beginning to end, punctuated with an endless stream of obscenities and a typically sexist portrayal of women.
They must have paid Reynolds a ridiculous amount of money to appear in this rubbish. However, if you like Bay's style of movies then you may just love it.
Klaus (2019)
Beautiful
I want to just say 'beautiful' and leave it there, but sadly won't allow a review that short, so...
If you love great animation, Christmas, good story telling, masterful use of colour and heartwarming stories that that the whole family can watch, then watch it. Great film, didn't know what to expect, but loved it.
The Irishman (2019)
Meh
Robert De Niro as a gangster who kills a lot of people... shocker. It's not a bad film, it's just very long, very predictable and very unoriginal. Also, why shoot most of the movie about De Niro as a younger guy, who obviously is having to use great makeup to convince us he's not the older actor that he actually is. So De Niro and Pesci et al are wearing questionable rugs and makeup for a lot of the movie. Just a bit of a yawn really. Sorry.
You might like it if you're into gangster genre movies though.