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Reviews
Treason (2022)
Pitiful even by Netflix standards
There are two layers to this film. At first it just seems like a typical far fetched, dumb and unbelievably contrived Netflix spy drama. But by episode 3 it's obvious it's hiding its agenderised light under a bushel. The first red flag came in a sort of Mi5 cobra meeting, when someone mentions "far right extremists " over in mainland Europe. However it becomes obvious in the later episodes the writers real obsession is Russian influence in British politics. Hmmm I wonder which political party or movement this is aimed at??
So there we have it, the only threats to western civilization are Russian influence, and far right extremism.
I won't list all the other obsurd and ludicrous plot holes and contrivances, and the unbelievably dumb and naive characters.
It's sad but I now expect this rubbish on Netflix.
I'm now thinking of doing a Netflix bingo card, that I can play when watching this sort of drivel.
The Last Kingdom (2015)
Eventually succumbs to the Netflix disease.
I watched series 1 when it first came out on BBC2. I have just recently watched the rest.
Series 2 and 3 are fairly entertaining, and although a lot of the costumes are 21st century Anglo Saxon chique, i.e lots of fitted leather and studs it's a fairly good, fast moving and intriguing adaptation. Halfway through series 4 it definitely descends into the usual preachy Netflix "strong female, toxic masculinity" message. What gripped me about the first series was the cod Danish accent of the lead actor, and that's why I stopped after one season in 2015/6.
Some scenes in the first series are very moving, and you actually feel the sense of loss and gravity on characters and events.
It's very similar to how GOT was ruined, a great shame.
Vikings: Valhalla (2022)
Historical drama for the Netflix generation
Makes The Last Kingdom look like a masterpiece.
So many historical inaccuracies, but then the Netflix generation don't want realism. They want strong female characters, diverse if at all possible. This effort does not disappoint on both counts.
Also somehow Anglo Saxon England are the bad guys for having the tumerity to want to evict hostile invaders. It has the usual array of impossible gym ripped torsos, so I guess gym membership must have been readily available to the everyday viking. Someone has already mentioned the fact that it includes a black viking queen, cue the wails of "it's only a story, not a history documentary". My answer to this is, would you say the same if white actors popped up in an African historical drama?
Series 2 is even worse, we get the Netflix diversity boat on it's way to Constantinople. Which is assailed by, you guess it white men.
Do yourself a favour, and buy The Vikings(1958) and The Long Ships(1964). They're far more true to life, and entertaining.
Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)
Going through the motions
When my other half says within 5 minutes you either get into something or you don't you know something is a miss.
Cliche ridden, predictable and badly written. When you tell the writers and directors political opinions in the same time period it's a big turn off.
When the likes of Siena Miller get involved in finger wagging at elites you know the world has gone awry.
Snowball (1960)
Belies it's B movie status
Caught this on TP toda, an absolute gem of a film. A moral tale told very well, and ending that doesn't sugar coat it. Solid performances all round from all involved. In my opinion this film is up there with I'm Alright Jack as a British social commentary of its day.
Queen of the South (2016)
Hilarious
This is basically the Me2 version of Narcos, and the action plays like some dated hackneyed 80's cop/crime film. The heroine manages to escape every single gunfight through out unscathed, as if protected by an invisible force field.
Obviously the producers and directors were so eager to push the feminist agenda that they fail to explain how such a self righteous ethical female manages to maintain control of a Mexican drug cartel. At no point is it made clear the misery this crimal activity inflicts on societies through out the world. On quite a few occasions I had to remind myself that they were dealing in drugs and not hair products.
If you really want to see tough sassy women then watch the portrayals of Judy Moncada and Enedina Arellano Félix in Narcos.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
Finally at last...
Thanks to Talking Pictures after 61 years I got to see this film, and what a masterpiece it is. Way way ahead of its time, the downtrodden realism of an unknown and unacknowledged America virtually ignored by Holywood. So many magnificent scenes, when candy shop scene, the drive into hobo camp.
An utterly brilliant but harrowing film - a must watch that reaffirms humanity.
Young Wallander (2020)
Utter tripe
Within 20 minutes you know the politics and intentions of this series. Chock full of unrealistic diversity quotas.
This rubbish will have you believing that all the current unrest in Sweden is all down to false flag of those pesky far right wing activists hell bent on disrupting the eutopia that is modern Sweden.
Danger by My Side (1962)
Ludicrous plot
Caught this on Talking Pictures. A truly ludicrous and comedic plot, where a member of the public does all the police work for them, by going undercover in a gangs operation/nightclub.
Whilst maintaining phone contact with the police, obviously back then the police had a very laissez-faire attitude to undercover work carried out by the public.
One of the truly memorable quotes in the police/undercover phone conversations :
"you're not old enough to be my father"
"cheeky, I'll put over my knee and spank your bottom"
The Embezzler (1954)
Well above average
Just seen this on Talking Pictures. An interesting British b movie with a rather clunky contrived plot. In spite of that it's well worth watching, plus it has the lovely Zena Marshall in it.
Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman (2021)
Lucky to get 1 star
Within 5 minutes of watching this it became apparent how bad it was. Cheap production, wooden acting and truly atrocious dialogue. Quite why Netflix allowed this rubbish on their platform is baffling.
If you want see how badly something can be made then this for you. If you want to see the truest portrait of Aileen Wuornos then I suggest you watch Monster.
The Scarlet Web (1954)
Truly bizarre.... But good
Watched this on Talking Pictures. Pretty preposterous story, with some truly bizarre acting performances. It showcases two outstanding British beauties from the 50's British film world, Zena Marshall and Hazel Court.
I would watch this film again just for them alone.
Hindle Wakes (1952)
Social history insight, that's it
A decent insight into the social life and attitudes of the 40's 50's in Britain. However it's let down by some ridiculous casting, namely the gorgeous Lisa Daniely cast as a Lancashire Mill workers daughter with an accent straight out of a Surrey finishing school.
Bruised (2020)
Pretty bad
Good premise for a story, and a possible good film. However it soon slipped into the usual agenda driven mode.
All the bad/negative roles are played by white men, and all the positive ones by.... You guessed it.
I gave this 2 stars for it's grittiness.
Black and Blue (2019)
Absolutely dreadful
Cliche ridden box ticking drivel. This must have taken inspiration from later Steven Segal films. This film could have been reduced in length by 20 minutes, and so done us all a favour. I absolutely baffled as to why people would award this 8 or 9 out of 10.
Maid (2021)
Quite good
Apart from the predictable modern day plot formula and demographics...
White men - women beating drunks.
People of colour - all positive roles.
Women - all victims
It's not too bad.
Down Among the Z Men (1952)
Dreadful
Just watched this on the TP channel. Most of the dialogue is muffled and incoherent, and what you might call the plot a complete mess. I'm sure the cast had a complete hoot though.
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968)
Tiresome and messy
The worst excesses of the 60's are on display in this messy confusing effort.
Flying Blind (2012)
Oh woe is us!
Typical North London centric luvvie slant on modern Britain. Choc full of erstwhile migrant types and bigoted lazy locals.
Shadow and Bone (2021)
Confusing gobbledegook
Plays like a fantasy version of...... every other Netflix boxticked quota driven series. With more one dimensional characters than a Guy Ritchie film.
However I wouldn't be surprised if this runs to a second series because of that.
The Bold Type (2017)
progressive??
I guess "progressive" now means "on message".
I've had to suffer this shallow smugfest because my partner stumbled across it.
The usual Netflix agendas are pushed and preached, and every box is ticked. Ablely helped along by the usual abundent array of shallow, vain and self indulgent characters.
Still I'm sure it knows it's target audience.
Tiny Pretty Things (2020)
Utterly mindless drivel
Woeful acting, toe curling dialogue and laughable storyline. Of all the Netflix rubbish I have had endure on Netflix of late, my Mrs has certainly picked a corker with this.
Tries to be risqué and erotic, but ends up looking silly. Sauna scenes are hilarious, carefully shot with strategically placed towels etc., and a ballet school that has it's own allocated police officer(female of course)
Fauda (2015)
Does it's best with a difficult subject matter
Depending on your personal politics you will either love it or hate it for sure. As a thriller I found it both engrossing and exciting, and it does represent the never ending "eye for an eye" revenge based spiral into even more death and mayhem. Its easy to see why BOTH sides get dehumanised by the conflict.
I got fed up with the "bro" stuff sometimes.
Dead Man's Shoes (2004)
Kitchen sink revenge thriller
Not sure what people who gave this 1 or 2 stars were expecting to see, perhaps a Return of the Foot Soldier prequel? This is an utterly brilliant grim and moving piece of cinema. The street confrontation standoff scene between Richard & Sonny is one the best and most realistic in cinematic history. It would be interesting to know some American(or others) views on it, as this not Britain as portrayed in Love Actually or About a Boy.
Das Boot (2018)
Puzzling
Obviously the writers thought that the claustrophobic atmosphere and tensions on board a German WW2 U-boat and the dangers they faced weren't enough to hold the attention of the modern viewer. So instead we get far too many contrived sub plots, fake American accents, Allo Allo style French characters and a rather lame and useless Gestapo officer. A very disappointing effort.