emmalongshanks Reviews

Around the World in 80 Days (2021– )

Much better than the low review rates reflect

[10/10 · 3 January 2022]

Once the same person gets bored of writing the same review in as many different ways as they can, this production may start getting the review ratings it really deserves. I rarely write reviews but I loved this production. I loved the book and I loved the original film but if something is done as well as this, then I have nothing against certain things (like someone's race or gender) being changed. If you can take it at face value, it's a fun, rip-roaring adventure. Nothing grinding or dull about it.

Edit: can I just point out to those using the changes to the original story to bash the BBC for offending their national sensitivities (I don't mean those who genuinely feel upset by the changes to a genuinely loved book) that Jules Vernes, who wrote Around the World in 80 Days, was in, fact, a FRENCH novelist. Not British at all. Ironic, huh? If they are such purists, surely they should be watching it in French as it was first written: Le Tour du Monde en Quatre-vingts Jours.

Little Birds (2020)

Wanted to score higher

[7/10 · 19 August 2020]

I really liked a lot of things about this series and would have scored it higher had the lead female been right for the part.

The Deceived (2020)

Disappointing

[4/10 · 7 August 2020]

This could have been really good if it had been handled the right way but, due to some poor writing decisions and the casting of an inexperienced actress who was not strong enough to lead a thriller, it fell flat. Not enough was made of the lead actor's coercive ways with his wife and in the end the thrill just wasn't there. It was sad to see as the supporting cast was very good and should have been used more.

The A Word (2016– )

Dreadful 3rd series.

[5/10 · 28 May 2020]

I would have given series 1 and 2 a 9 out of 10 but series 3 has dragged it right down to a 5. It had a great way of tackling the subject with a sharp script, moments of well-placed comedy, really well-used music, and enjoyable acting all round (though you don't always like the characters). Series 3 has dropped the music mostly, the script isn't very good, we're going round and round with similar themes already looked at several times, and the characters have all become so unbearable that I won't watch further. Actors let down by a bad script and story line. It's a shame really as it had so much going for it, especially the 2 young actors and the music.

Queen of the South (2016–2021)

Repetitive

[6/10 · 12 May 2020]

This started out so well but soon became repetitive and full of plot holes. Veronica Falcon is on the screen a lot but plays everything in one tone. In the end it becomes dreary and you stop rooting for any of them.

Crossing Lines (2013–2015)

Dreadful script

[7/10 · 18 April 2020]

This could have been so good - great international actors, great stories (if you can suspend belief, which I can), and beautiful shots of European countries - but the script is so bad that it makes these great actors look amateurish. The dialogue is just so clunky and wooden. It's a shame.

Belgravia (2020)

Average

[6/10 · 25 March 2020]

Two episodes in and I'm bored already. Bring back Sanditon.

Flesh and Blood (2020)

Great mystery

[8/10 · 29 February 2020]

This really kept us wanting to watch more. Very classy actors. Imelda Staunton's character should get her own spin off show. I wanted her on screen all the time.

All Things to All Men (2013)

Stellar cast

[3/10 · 27 June 2014]

Why did such a group of brilliant British actors agree to do this film in the first place? I can't help feeling that it must have been a favour for the director. They all turn in excellent performances in a film missing so much detail and a clunky script. Perhaps the director is aiming for film noir but the strong silent types were all a little overdone. The best part of the film was London. Wonderful to see so many landmarks. There is a good film lurking around the skeleton of this film but it is very difficult to understand quite what is happening. I had to watch it in 3 parts as I was so bored but didn't mind watching Rufus Sewell and Toby Stephens. In the end the stand out actor was Leo Gregory.