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Reviews
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
Bright and fresh
I've watched all 5 series twice now and could happily watch it all again.
Out of curiosity I read some of the one-star reviews and can only assume some people don't get it.
It's a show about comedy, it's not a comedy, and I think many have mixed the two up. Its actually a story about the life of a comedian in the 50s 60s and ultimately the 70s and the story is not always funny, in the same way life is not always fun. I find it comedic that just because it's a series about comedy that they expect to be laughing all the way through, why?
But the good news if for the vast majority of us who do get it, its a fun, bright, well cast story of Mrs. Maisel, her disconnected Jewish family, her divorcee husband and other various family and staff members which are the butt of all her jokes on stage, getting her into trouble on more than one occasion. The result is laughter, embarrassment, tumbleweed moments and more, all of which add to the storyline of a bumpy life on the road, in the clubs and at home.
If you want a comedy, look elsewhere.
If you want a story about comedy, look no further.
Cold Call (2019)
Good, but what happened to episode 4?
The script seemed well written, but there were a few poorly written sections that made no sense, such as when June (Sally) killed one of the bad guys with a lethal injection which was so out of character, do you really kill someone for £86k?
But it was the last episode (4) where things went wrong. It was supposed to be a plot twist, but it just felt like it was a last-minute change right up to the point it was being filmed. It felt disjointed to the point it felt like I was watching a different series.
I still gave it a 6/10 as the storyline really did humanise the scamming industry, putting a face to what many go through (including me), and I know Sally Lindsay also has been at the wrong end of scammers, so using her acting skills to put this together to show how easy it is to fall foul of the scammers was actually good of her. It's just a shame the script wasn't tidied up a bit more before shooting started.
Love Rat (2024)
An easy watch
I reckon people want nothing but CGI infested gun battles and explosions these days. Anything less is a 1/10.
What this is, is a 4 part mystery/story with a twist at the end that, okay, was getting obvious as episode 4 went on, but it was still a good twist, and I'm laughing at those reviews that said it was boring and gave up half way through episode 3.
Sometimes I want to watch something simple. Sometimes my brain just wants something benign like a Columbo or a Poirot to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon. It'd such a shame that the likes of Netflix has ruined people's brains, picking at the plot holes and so-on, but perhaps if they'd seen it through, some of those so-called "plot holes" actually weren't!
6 Underground (2019)
I have to laugh.....
......at all the haters on here, reviewing this film as if its something Scorcese would create.
People need to lighten up and begin enjoying life before they stress themselves into an early grave.
It is what it is; a fun, mad, colourful film with lots of blood, guts and gore in the usual Reynolds amusing way. Contextually there are two ways of representing a beheading, the dark way, and the Bay way.
Take a break from your life and watch 6 Underground for what it is; a film that is 90% CGI and all the better for it. There's a time and a place for CGI and this is it. What you must not do is diss it for being unrealistic, you're supposed to go to the cinema (or in this case Netflix) to escape from reality.
Is it the best movie ever; no. Is it 2 hours of being able to forget your sad sorry office existence; hell yes!
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Marmite
Love it or hate it, its a movie that gets you talking, and isn't that the point?
The ending is a point of controversy. You either get the ending, or you think its devoid of an ending, again, it's your choice.
Among the main mysteries that seem to confuse people are: What was the noise? What's the thing with the deer? What is it with Rose and Friends? And Why did Archie's teeth fall out?
All these are well explained, but perhaps not clearly enough for some. Perhaps you need to have a certain ability to understand and read the clues, perhaps not everyone has this ability. But what I can say is if I understood it, then the clues are there, so it's certainly doable.
What the film is, is an excellent departure to the usual "kill 'em all" and bomb the cr*p out of everything that most people seem to want these days. Anything needing a little brain power to understand seems to fox them (I'm thinking "The Menu" here that seems to split the audience in a similar way.
The only accepted confusion (and this was the same in the book) was the deer question. But isn't that the point? We don't know what goes on inside the heads of most animals on a day to day basis, even domesticated ones, so the confusion we are put through when those same wild animals are themselves confused is a decent portrayal of their reaction. Are they simply changing their habits to strength in numbers because that's what happens when instinctively they know something is wrong? Who knows. Perhaps they are asking for help? Again, totally unknown. And that IS the point.
If you like to be taxed, and enjoy a psychological thriller then you will like this film, but if you prefer a shoot-em-up or the latest Disney Frozen 16 film then I recommend giving it a miss.
The Crown (2016)
Excellent
From start to finish I found The Crown to be both entertaining and thought provoking.
I am well aware the series is not based entirely on fact, lots of artistic licence used as we know how private the Royal Family are when not in the public eye.
But even with all that, its a wonderful insight in what could be happening, and whether its right or wrong, its still good entertainment.
The last series is possibly the best. I am not sure why so many are suggesting its slow and badly cast, okay, its nt the best Harry, but I guess its because people know what Harry looks like. But the same people are not so quick to say there same about King George, but then they don't have much of a clue what he really looked like I suppose.
The death of Margaret was particularly poignant. Followed by the Queen Mother, with Imelda Staunton's acting so flawless that her facial expression speaks a thousand words. You sit there sometimes believing she really is the Queen.
William is the most believable, he portrays well what a lad of his age losing his Mum would be like, trust me, I know first hand. Harry plays well too, a younger lad not so affected because of his age, trying to support his brother. Their collective and understandable hatred for the press and William's need for privacy not granted really gets you "right there".
Across the various series the casting was excellent. Clearly Netflix wanted to produce a "no expense spared" series, shown both with the casting, the sets and the flawless use of CGI and library footage where it mattered. It's hard to find anything negative to say if truth be known.
I'm giving this series 10/10, and that doesn't happen very often. Unfeeling, anti-royalist, and those watching only because their partner has it on need not apply.
Annika (2021)
I don't understand the hate
It's interesting to read the reviews on here. All I can think is people just don't get it.
If I could give 11/10 I would. It's the right mix of "detective" and "home life", a balance that most series of this type get very wrong.
The stories are compelling and realistic, the home life is the same. I like the pieces to camera too, again, just the right balance and done in just the right way.
Nicola Walker excels in the part and it can be clearly seen she has the ability to create as well as act. If there is a problem, then it's the 6 episodes per series, I want a lot more!
Each character has their own, well, character. Perhaps those reviewing just want blood and guts, guns and explosions, who knows? But for me it's the lack of all that that appeals, its not dark, its not fast-moving, its not heavy.....and its all the better for it.
Having just finished Series 2, the cliffhanger is a real hook, not that I needed another one. Roll on Series 3.
The Menu (2022)
A most unusual and uniquely entertaining film.
Just occasionally we need to be released from the 200mph TV and film offerings with something so completely different that it divides opinion in a way that shows just how narrow minded and directed people can become. This film manages to do just that.
The first half an hour it has you questioning why you are watching people eating a meal.
Then it begins to unravel with the first shock of the night.
From that point on, you will either get it, or you won't. It might even take until the next morning before you truly get it, and well done to you for that. But if you question why they didn't fight back, or why they just did as they were told, then that speaks volumes that can't be explained to you.
Clue: Sheeple (look it up if you need to).
There are plenty of reviews to read, and they are split between the low ratings (those who didn't get it) and the high ratings (those who did).
It's one of those films you will likely only watch the once. Unless you missed swathes of it through no fault of your own, but it's also one of those films you are unlikely to forget in a hurry. The more you think about it, the more you read into it. If it continues to be nothing more than the most weirdly pointless film you ever saw, then I guess its back to the 200mph films for you.
Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
None of the magic
As a 26 year old when the first Jurassic Park came out, we were awestruck at the sight of humans standing beside dinosaurs. Some of the scenes have stuck with us since; the man on the lavatory, the sick triceratops and "Objects in the mirror appear closer than they are" scene.
We were given gobbets of magic. 127 minutes of pure escapism that flew by in what seemed like minutes.
Throughout the years we've been offered updates, and each has had something to say for it, and we've for the most part enjoyed them.
Enter "Dominion".
Sadly apart from the very obvious CGI, this film has little to say for it. The story is too complex, the believability it out of the window and the worst part is that the magic has gone.
Likened to when Disney bought Star Wars, movies have always been about making money, but that was okay when there was magic. Take away the magic and the point of movies like this has gone.
It also seems to borrow from all the previous movies. Several times I sat there thinking "been there, done that". Sorry, but you don't do the same gag twice, right down to the baddie pulling out with a case full of DNA to "start again".
Poor effort. 5/10 purely for the fact it closed the franchise. At least I hope that's the last one.