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Reviews
Safe (2018)
What Can I Say !?
Well, I finally got around to watching this abysmal production. I'm sorry I bothered...really..
I don't know where to begin. The actors were just so ridiculous! I began to focus on Michael Hall's heavy breathing and slack mouth, attempting to sound British. And not in a good way. And then, Amanda Abington's constant weird mouth movements ! Teenagers literally trashing someone's house in drug/alcohol fuelled hysteria. Absurd twists & turns. The whole thing was preposterous. The only positive aspect of the plot was: DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN !!
Honestly, the dad running around like a headless chicken, his stupid daughter causing total chaos, and all the 6 "suspects" living in the same gated community ??? Seriously ?? What nonsense..
If you haven't seen this already, give it a MISS. There are loads of better thrillers on the tele right now.
Silent Night (2021)
What a Waste of Good Talent
Well, I'm usually pretty open minded about quirky, off-the-wall films but this one is just..well...awful. Whereas "Leave the World Behind" is intelligent & thought provoking, this one sends out so many conflicting messages that, in the end, the only ones I felt sorry for were the children ! This wasn't black comedy...
There is a wealth of good actors in this film who are simply wasted by
the script which rambles all over the place. And what was the point of constant, unnecessary swearing by adults & kids ? It was clear from the outset that most of the guests were atrocious !
I can't really think of anything positive to say.
It does prove, though, that we must never believe what the government tells us.
Leave the World Behind (2023)
The Thinking Person's Film
I've read the other really disparaging reviews & totally disagree with them.
The acting was excellent from everyone. The characters were totally believable. Computer graphics were superb; not over the top.
This film wasn't a slow burner either. It gained momentum gradually but well. I felt their disbelief and then the utter panic as they realised that everything in their lives was now out of their control. Their old lives were gone forever.
The scenario was completely believable and could certainly happen.
Already things are changing.
We don't need aliens to end our world...we are more than capable of doing this ourselves.
Excellent film.
Conversations from a Long Marriage (2019)
Perfect partnership
I'm sitting in my kitchen, drinking the third cup of tea and bingeing this fabulous series. Gosh, I just love this and I love these two. Roger and Joanna are simply perfect in this witty, hilarious and poignant portrayal of two people who know each other so well, and yet, never cease to surprise the other with hidden confessions, anecdotes and gossip.
I really hope the Beeb doesn't remove this as I can't think of anything that's made me chuckle and laugh at their antics while seeing so many similarities in my own long marriage.
In this day and age, I think the most important thing is to see the funny and, sometimes, ridiculous side of life and this wondrous series does just that.
The House (2022)
Beautifully bizarre
I'm not really sure what I just watched. I had to go and make a cup of tea to reclaim some sense of normality.
The animation was beautiful in the first story & I connected better by the fact they were 'human'. This story was almost on a par with something written by Grimm.
By the second story, I was so disappointed that I was praying the 3rd would be good. For me, it wasn't. I really wish that all the stories were with 'human' characters, not rats & cats.
There was no black humour in these stories, but then, maybe I'm missing something. Or perhaps, there isn't any deeper meaning ?
The voiceovers were wonderful and I'm not surprised reading the list of actors who took part.
Happy Valley (2014)
Dreadful Mess
Well, having watched the first & second series, I thought, "where are they going from here?".
Down the proverbial pan...
Sally Wainwright has failed. It's as though she felt compelled to make another series. Nothing about it is believable. The script is dreadful.
The acting is so awful I want to strangle practically everyone in it. Particularly the aunt and grandson ! If I hear " but, he's his dad" one more time, I'll scream. And, then there's the grandson who clearly has absolutely no comprehension (no brain cell) about good/evil. Honestly ! Is this how "close' families actually behave ? James Norton is not terribly convincing anymore as a psychopath, (so lovely in real life). The police are pathetic & dither around or shout. And, how many people can escape from the law courts ?? Clearly, it's dead easy ! EVERYONE moves at the rate of a snail. And there's definitely TOO MUCH unnecessary stupid "I'm expressing my innermost angst" TALKING !
What a mess. This is a fine example of the King's New Clothes...
Operation Mincemeat (2021)
Umm, forget the real story
Yes, just view this as a new film based on WW2. The expected coterie of British actors...I wish someone else, other than Colin Firth, could have played Montagu.
Nice to see wonderful Matthew Macfadyen on our screens again. His portrayal of Stonehouse was excellent.
Totally unnecessary ridiculous romantic tangents adding to the overly long time.
This original story is so superb that it almost seems a work of fiction.
I would suggest people read Ben MacIntyre's superb book about Operation Mincemeat.
I'm hoping the way this story has been portrayed will make it more 'interesting' to the many people who have absolutely no idea what went on during the war. However, it isn't a patch on "The Man Who Never Was'.
Detectorists: Special (2022)
Another Perfect Gem
Well, I've been waiting all year for this..and it did not disappoint!
This has been my favourite series which I watch over and over.
This Christmas special was absolutely packed with 'catch up' information and enough new tangents for another series ! It's extremely difficult to fit into a one off 70min programme all the events of the past 5 years and also create a new plot.
As usual, Mackenzie has fed us tantalising bits of archaeology to reel us in. The use of super little historical vignettes only add to the interest...and mystery.
It was wonderful to see everyone on form and so easy with each other. Nothing has changed; warm and comfortable. No one's life has really changed. The continuity hasn't dimmed.
And it was such a relief to have the passion of the original series' maintained. For me, it was like seeing old friends.
I wish that he could be persuaded to do another series ! Thank you, Mackenzie, for all the joy you've brought with this series over the past years & keeping the spirit alive this Christmas.
Archive 81 (2022)
Boring Mess
How many other series & films have centred around a 'door' into another world...
This promised to be good but there was so much slow, incomprehensible nonsense that I almost fell asleep several times. Far too many episodes.
Melody really got on my nerves halfway through the series. She seemed to get more stupid & hysterical.."effing" every other word..running up and down those damn stairways like a headless chicken. I wanted to smash that video recorder ! You'd think that anyone with any sense would have got out of that demented hotel ! But no, quell idiot !
The ending was just an awful mess leaving that 'opening' for Dan to be rescued in a follow up. Hang on to your hats...more nonsense to come...
Bring back Buffy...
This Is Going to Hurt (2022)
Nothing like the book...huge disappointment
Having read the brilliant book by Adam Kay, I was really looking forward to this series. What a massive disappointment ! Nothing like the enjoyable book which made for dark comedy & actually made me chuckle. The series is nothing but Holby on steroids...histrionic, depressing drama at its worst.
Inventing Anna (2022)
Difficult to watch..
I knew nothing about this woman before watching the first episode. After several more episodes, I honestly couldn't care less about it. I have no idea what anyone saw in her (if Garner is portraying her faithfully). The whole production is messy & seems so contrived. Garner, for me, is not pleasant to watch; I didn't enjoy her in Ozark either. I'm sure many will enjoy this series but I'll give it a miss...
The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022)
Great spoof
I really love spoofs & this one was pretty good. Made all the better through the acting of lovely Kristen Bell. Having read so many of these thriller/murder books, I thoroughly enjoyed it. They could have gone further with more ridiculous scenes & dialogue, though. I loved the happy ending & that 'bingo' moment...."The Lady Vanishes"...
I hope there's another series...good fun.
The Lost Daughter (2021)
Boring and pretentious
I agree with several of the other good reviews.
This was such a waste of time. I had great hopes for it but found it totally lacking. The Colman & Johnson characters were so selfish & self absorbed that I couldn't have cared less about them. So many of the scenes we're overly drawn out and disconnected that I began to lose any interest quite early on. I'm still fairly confused by the ending, I'm wondering if Leda might die eventually from sepsis due to the hat pin injury...
The Green Man (1956)
British film at its very best !
Call me sad, but, this has been my favourite film since I first saw it many years ago. The entire British cast is the very, very best; stellar. The timing of all is just sublime..absolute perfection. The comedy value never dulls nor falters. Every time I view this film, I still find it hilarious. I hope no one ever tries to remake it..they would only fail.
Hollington Drive (2021)
Almost unwatchable
Well, I was looking forward to this drama especially as it was starring two of my favourite actresses. Oh my god, what a dreadful production. An unbelievable storyline; an alien must have written it. The directing is insufferable & annoying. I have no understanding of Sterling/Martin's appalling relationship, the children are clearly very disturbed, the policeman looks/ behaves like he stepped out of an all-nite bar...in fact, no one is credible in this pathetic series. The acting is simply terrible, especially from Sterling & Martin. Shame.
Endeavour: Terminus (2021)
Almost comedic...
Well, I'm probably going to get shot down in flames, but I'm finding this series altogether under par. Particularly episode 'Terminus' which started well, but became a messy homage to A. Christie. Too many tangents, French farce scenes & a dreadful denouement with two women with harmonious vaudeville-like explanations while waving large kitchen knives.
Like the main characters themselves, things seem to be falling apart. Such a shame; we have loved this series from day one. This series, though, is losing credibility. I'm comparing with the ever excellent "Foyle's War" and "George Gently", which can be be watched over and over
again.
I hope the next episode improves.