madilayn Reviews

Thunderbirds Are Go: Designated Driver (2015) Season 1, Episode 22

A Long-awaited Episode ends in disappointment

[5/10 · 31 December 2015]

I had so been looking forward to this - with Sylvia Anderson guest starring as Lady Sylvia Creighton-Ward, a wildly interesting preview clip and summary, I, as well as many other fans, were keen to see this.

Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. There were lots of nods to the original series - perhaps too many as they seemed jammed in. None of the plot lines were developed enough - there was just too much tried to be crammed in with very heavy handed humour.

I wanted to like this episode as I've loved the others. But despite Lady Sylvia being an incredible character who I want to find out more about, it just felt very muddled and disjointed.

Thunderbirds Are Go (2015–2020)

A new generation - with homage to the past

[8/10 · 8 April 2015]

I am a Thunderbirds fan from way back and have to say that I have been wildly excited about this remake.

And a remake it is, but still has everything that I loved about the original series (sometimes better).

I love that the Thunderbirds themselves are still recognisable, yet with subtle touches to bring them to the 21st century.

The characters are still the same, yet they work more as a team now (to my way f thinking) and I think that this is because of the lack of Jeff. They are no longer following their father's instructions, but are working together. One thing that I absolutely LOVE is the increased involvement and participation of John in TB5 in the action.

Finally - he is doing what he should have been, rather than acting as a glorified switchboard operator. In many ways, he takes on the role of Jeff in coordinating all the rescues, but also contributes valuable information from his own equipment.

In the original series, Jerry Anderson originally intended John to be the main character, but developed a hatred for the marionette, so "banished" him. I would like to think that this is what he originally had in mind for the character.

I will definitely be keeping on watching this series with great enjoyment and would urge other fans to keep an open mind and watch to enjoy - rather than to compare to the original series.

The Women (1939)

Sheer bitchy goodness!

[7/10 · 18 October 2008]

I stumbled across this movie late one night when I was suffering insomnia - and it certainly woke me up further! "The Women" is a marvelous showcase from some of the biggest female stars in 1939 - and it certainly shows why they were at the pinnacle of their profession.

The film explores the relationships between a group of women after one of them (Mary Haines) discovers that her husband is having an affair with a shop girl (Crystal). Mary is, naturally, devastated - and astonished when her mother gives her some extremely down to earth advice (to wit: live with it. All men do it) and she also starts to see her "friends" in a different light as well.

We watch her as the "other woman" starts to invade all aspects of her life - from her husband, to her hairdresser and beautician to the designer where she buys her clothes.

One can't help but feel that her friends - whilst they seemingly rally around her, also start to cultivate Crystal as well: just in case! When Mary decides to go for a quickie divorce from her husband, we meet a whole new cast of females in the same situation - and Mary grows even further as she learns new lessons from them.

There is not one male in the cast, and it is very interesting to watch a relationship between a man and a woman without any male/female interaction visible, although it is plainly there out of camera sight.

Interesting metaphorical use is made of "Jungle Red" colour of nail polish through the movie - from when it's first mentioned in the same breath as Mary learns about Crystal, to the end of the movie, when Mary emerges as a single woman determined to make her mark.

You won't be disappointed with this movie - even after almost 70 years, it's still fresh and original - I think that it's probably the original "Sex and the City" group of women!