kebeadle-54933 Reviews

The Wife (I) (2017)

Glenn Close - you were robbed!

[10/10 · 9 January 2024]

My 10 stars reflect the wonderful Glenn Close. It's been a long time since I have seen such understated emotion just pouring out of the screen. You have these little moments in films, like Al Pacino's eyes when he's sitting at the table waiting to shoot Sollozzo and McCluskey. Or James Stewart in Martini's Bar anguishing that his only way out is to commit suicide. Close's acting was more subtle than that but no less powerful. A truly acting tour de force! Being English, I have watched and adored Olivia Colman over the years in such tv shows as Green Wing, Rev, 2012., and films like The Iron Lady and Hot Fuzz. Then becoming recognised internationally in Broadchurch, The Night Manager and an acting masterclass in Empire of Light. But, as much as I love her and her role in The Favourite, Glen Close really should have been awarded the Oscar for The Wife.

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

Downey Jr. stole the film but the music.....

[6/10 · 9 January 2024]

Along with other reviewers on here I love Christopher Nolan's films but when the music is so loud it detracts from the acting then, Christopher, you got to sort it out mate! Hence my rating. That doesn't mean that Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt weren't their usual brilliant selves. However, despite the music, Robert Downey Jr. Shone through proving what an amazing actor he has always been. If he isn't mentioned in Oscar terms then it will be the biggest shame since Glenn Close lost for The Wife. As I am informed that my review is too short (!) I shall qualify my last statement by saying that I adore Olivia Coleman but Glenn was robbed!

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

This is a warning.

[1/10 · 14 March 2023]

This is NOT Perry Mason! If you wanted to make a noir series with the brilliant Matthew Rhys then, yes, go ahead. But don't call it Perry Mason. There isn't a thing in common with the original series and it fools the audience into thinking it is by using the name! More like Batman or some other dark series but nastier. If you had been more honest I would never have started watching it, but I expect that was the point....so this is a warning - if you were expecting courtroom dramas with a wily, younger Perry Mason, forget it and find something else. If you like mutilated......sorry no spoilers!

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

Eddie Redmayne deserves better......

[2/10 · 20 June 2022]

Oh dear! I was hoping the third film in the series would be better than the second but no. It's completely lacking in charm, cohesion, depth and it is, quite frankly, boring. The dourness of the 'plot' swallows up Eddie so completely even he can't make me like it.

Only Murders in the Building (2021– )

Martin Short - wow!

[9/10 · 12 May 2022]

I was very pleasantly surprised as how good Only Murders in the Building was. It actually got better as it went along, mainly because Martin Short is just excellent - brilliantly caustic lines, delivered with exquisite timing. Well worth watching if just for him!

Dripping in Chocolate (2012 TV Movie)

Much better than the usual 'afternoon' movies.

[5/10 · 25 November 2020]

These kind of films are not normally my thing. However, lockdown makes for strange bedfellows! I've seen a couple of Aurora Teagarden which are toe-curling in their 'sugaryness' and I started to watch some others that lasted about 10 minutes, they were that bad. This one though was a cut above. It had a decent plot, it didn't have a ditsy female lead, the cop was played by Faramir from Lord the Rings (so he can act) and I found it a pleasant way to fill in a break with a cuppa and a biscuit.

The Wave (2015)

Not Hollywood, just brilliantly done.

[9/10 · 3 November 2020]

You know you are on the edge of your seat when you are shouting at the screen! This is not beyond the realms of possibility, this is something that could happen tomorrow. There are no big names, no big budget and it's a little predictable but I really enjoyed it. It had realism, just what you would expect to happen without the bells and whistles of a big Hollywood movie. this is just a simple, superbly made disaster movie.

The Queen's Gambit (2020)

Oh my, what a delight!!

[10/10 · 30 October 2020]

When Netflix make mistakes you get Another Life and Rebecca.....and when they are on top of their game they buy The Expanse, make Stranger Things and The Queen's Gambit! Whoever picked this book up and decided to pitch the idea to them is a genius. There was nothing about it I didn't like - the direction was flawless, the cinematography a delight and Isla Johnston, as the young Beth Harmon, and Anya Taylor-Joy are a credit to their craft. I even had tears in my eyes as I watched the last episode. Part social commentary on 60s small town America, as well as breaking into the male dominated world of chess while battling your inner demons, I loved it. I loved everything about it! And the playing out of the chess moves on the ceiling was what CGI was made for! Take note Netflix - please try and pick better projects like this instead of making films that were executed far better by a past master....

Rebecca (I) (2020)

I tried, I really did.....

[2/10 · 30 October 2020]

I was bouncing between pleased and horrified when I found out about a new version of Rebecca. After all, the story is a classic and how bad could it be? I knew that, imo, Max was portrayed as far too young and Lily James is far too pretty to play Mrs de Winter no.2., but Kristin Scott-Thomas as Mrs Danvers spurred me on and I wasn't disappointed, consummate professional that she is. However, my 2 stars are for her and the sumptuousness of the locations. And that's it. The story is supposed to be full of suspense that has you wondering what's going on. How will the new Mrs de W cope, thrust into the life of the elite when she hasn't got a clue? Let alone being made to feel inadequate by the ghost of the first Mrs de W still pervading every corner of Manderley and the heartbreaking realisation that your husband still grieves for her. She can't hope to escape Rebecca's presence and this hangs over everything like a pall, even affecting you new marriage. The whirlwind romance was supposed to lead you into the real meat of the story, but then it was badly rushed. Was everybody as fed up as we were and wanted to go home?? Where was the build up? Mrs Danvers nearly succeeding in driving Mrs de W to suicide was over in 2 seconds and the final, amazing revelation that stuns the wife as well as the audience was thrown away! Oh please, in the future at least get a director who has read and understands the book. I'm afraid Hitchcock, even with the 'Hollywood' ending, is still the king....

Made in Heaven (2019– )

Totally addictive!

[10/10 · 27 September 2020]

What's not to like about weddings!! I had to try and stop myself binge watching the whole series.....I lost. Loved all the different stories including the main characters back stories. Weddings of all different kinds from simple ones on a lovely rooftop to royal ones in palaces. The parents! The grooms!! The bridezillas!!! LOVED, LOVED, LOVED IT!

Another Life (2019–2021)

Oh, please! Where to start?!

[1/10 · 21 September 2020]

In fact, don't start. Don't waste precious time watching this awful series. Big fans of Sci-fi so my husband and I settled down to watch it - the trailer looked good. After 25 minutes of silence I said to him "What's this called again?" He replied "Um, Absolute Trash?" Seriously, these are the people you would send to make first contact......a bunch of whining, childish millennials? Give me strength!