Holli_Would Reviews

Paper Girls (2022)

Super Inconsistent

[2/10 · 27 November 2023]

Very simply put: The acting is poor across the board, the writing is highly inconsistent, and by episode 4 - if you even make it that far - you'll be clock watching.

Based on a comic of the same name, which I understand is much better than this adaptation, the story involves four pre-teen girls time travelling to the future because of some "time war". The idea is a weird mix of "Stranger Things" mixed with a hint of "Back to the Future," except there are so many confused plot points and bad CGIs that if one has any sense of storytelling, it'll end up being frustrating and awfully dull.

It wasn't even picked up for a second season and having barely made it halfway through episode 4...I get why not.

Lessons in Chemistry (2023)

Flat

[3/10 · 23 October 2023]

I realize the story is supposed to be about a female chemist in the 1950s, when all women counted for the in the United States were as secretaries, teachers, and wives and that Brie Larson is trying to "act" like a chemist with a scientific, logical mind...but the acting on her part is so FLAT and poorly done that she appears to behave like a robot instead of a strong, brilliant mind who can't relate to the sexist and discriminatory situation she finds herself in.

I have never been a fan of hers, but the premise of the series was interesting enough to tune in. However, despite some interesting turns, whenever Larson has an extended scene, which is often, I find myself dozing off!

For that reason, even having made it past episode 3, I wouldn't recommend the series.

Oh yea, and the dog narrates one of the episodes?! Very confused show.

Physical (2021–2023)

Jumped the Shark

[2/10 · 23 September 2023]

This series started out really well. It had quirky elements that made it highly watchable. Series 2 was a little bit less coherent, but still entertaining to a degree. When that final episode of the series hit, I honestly didn't care if another season was picked up.

Now watching series 3 and it's chaotic and not in a good, dramatic way, but in a "we don't know what we're doing here" way that makes me zone out while trying to finish an episode.

We've got random odd characters (Zoe Deschanel) dropping in, then dropping out, but not adding anything to the plot. And the annoying husband is the focus of the 3rd series, which we could totally do without,

At this point, I'm hoping the series will get cancelled because what are we watching anymore?

Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)

How Could They??

[4/10 · 4 August 2023]

I watched the original 2 "Anne" series as a teenager and fell in love with story and characters. Every so often, I'd go back and rewatch them and get just as much joy out of the first 2 series. But this third creation is unlike the first two in every possible way.

Everything about it feels off: the characters we have come to know (Anne, Gil, Diana) are no longer (despite the same actors in the role) and the MOST important character of all - Prince Edward Island! - has been cast aside in favour of...the island of Manhattan! They then threw in some ridiculously disingenuous extras (Jack Garrison, the head doctor) which mean nothing to real Anne fans.

Sadly, this film lacks charm, simplicity, warmth, and the humour so beloved in the first two series

I stayed up until 5 am last weekend to finish Anne of GG and Avonlea. This last film, I've tried to watch for 2 days, but can't bear to finish.

A total loss of what could have been quality time with Megan Follows (Anne) and the late and wonderful Jonathan Crombie (Gil Blythe)

If Only (2022– )

Embarrassingly Bad

[1/10 · 29 April 2023]

Where to begin? Firstly, don't waste your time.

The premise sounded good but there are so many issues with this series. Bad acting, bad execution, horrible wigs, BAD ACTING, unlikable lead, bAd aCTiNg, unrealistic plots...endless issues.

I gave it more than a fair shot, but dear God. One of the first things to irritate me? The main character goes on a first date and gets a slight nosebleed that looks like she has chocolate stuck to her nostril, but THEN when she sees her date and he points out the nosebleed to her, while the blood is nowhere else on her face, there's suddenly enough on her blouse to look like she murdered someone, like?!!! I was so annoyed but tried to give it a chance but, no, ridiculous things like that kept happening.

Did I mention the BAD ACTING? Ugh.

Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

Meh

[2/10 · 30 September 2022]

I love the original film and still watch almost every Halloween. But this one is a shadow of the original and not as well written or fun. The best part is probably the stage show by the Sanderson Sisters and the ending, with the same.

Shockingly, the CGI is not well done despite the massive advances in technology. Since the original film. Note, for instance, the first scene in the forest with the modern teen girls when someone remembers to "turn on" the moon behind them in the long shot. Did no one catch that in post-production?

Sadly, this is not a film that I'll be adding to my Halloween must-watch list from now on.

The Odyssey (1997)

Great Cast, Bad Production

[3/10 · 27 August 2022]

There are many well-known actors co-starring in this mini-series about the Greek mythology of Odysseus/The Odyssey, but background actors and the production is so bad, all one can do is laugh out of second-hand embarrassment. Take note of the "Monster of Poseidon" near Troy: Pure comedy.

My favourite bit is watching amateurish backgrounds "react" to scenes. Dear Lord, why?

Is this how things looked on television in the 1990s? I'm assumthisit has a higher rating here for nostalgia reasons only, otherwise what was everyone else watching? That's all I've got and all I wanted was to spend time watching something about mythological characters...

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

Grow Up

[2/10 · 17 August 2022]

Main character is awful and super unlikable, and she doesn't change. How she has any friends is a real act of suspending disbelief. Poster child for narcissism: Someone who thinks the world revolves around them. The way she treats her mum and how she gets away with it time and again, especially in a Indian family? Sure, Jan.

Mindy Kayling continues to live her sad fantasies of having wh i t e men fight over her, like, STOP. What kind of twisted, insecure message are you sending young, impressionable females, especially those in minority communities? GTFU.

Borefest.

Aline (II) (2020)

Creepy!

[1/10 · 2 July 2022]

Why would Valérie Lemercier CGI her ADULT face on a child? Was this supposed to be a weird comedy role? Such a strange choice and surprised no one on her team said anything against it. Makes this film ridiculous.

Stopped watching after 10 minutes. Just...no.

Love & Gelato (2022)

Awful

[1/10 · 23 June 2022]

Zero chemistry between the young leads, terrible lead actress, total snooze-fest, very forced. I couldn't get past the first 20 minutes.

An American in Italy is so cliché.

Annette (2021)

Booooring

[1/10 · 18 February 2022]

I thought this film might be awful and I was right. It is a complete snooze-fest and too up itself. Never have liked a Leos Carax film, anyway, and here's another one.

Also, Adam Driver is really unattractive.

Lady of the Manor (2021)

Just Long wrote this? Shocker...

[1/10 · 30 January 2022]

Actually, not shocking that the ever-juvenile Justin Long & Co. Scripted this nonsensical rubbish. Every has-been noughties actor is in this film, clearly to embarrass themselves.

It's so bad, I can't imagine what anyone had to do to get this greenlit. Ew.

Euphoria (2019– )

So Bad

[1/10 · 22 January 2022]

This is considered "good' tv these days? Everyone raving about this on the socials and I thought I'll check it out. One episode in and my conclusion is the show should have been named "Losers," because what these "kids" are portraying as cool and edgy is actually Loserville material. Who likes this trash?

A Discovery of Witches (2018–2022)

One of the Best Series In This Genre

[9/10 · 12 January 2022]

I loved this story from the first episode of the series. I haven't read the books, but I was drawn into the tale of passion, desire, hatred born of centuries of fear and prejudice in the various creatures, who are not unlike their human counterparts.

I've now had the opportunity to watch the entirety of series 3, well in advance of most viewers, and I have some non-spoiler thoughts to share.

I felt that S1 was the strongest in the franchise, although S2 and travelling back in time to England in the 14th century was quite a wonderful adventure that I was loathe to return from in S3.

The finale series ends as we want it to end - mostly. But, S3 seemed rushed to resolve certain lose ends in a manner that stood out starkly, at least to me. I can't say which character(s), as I don't want to ruin it for others, but let's just say some final events had little built up and were tied up so rapidly, it was jarring. Not sure what happened there, compared to the first two series (aside from COVID, perhaps) but I was left wanting a bit more? Some scenes had the feel of "it's the finale series, so whatever, wham, bam, end of". That was disappointing.

Overall, however, the series is a very good one: The cast, acting, set design, costumes, and production value very worth one's time. In fact, the entirety of series is a pleasure re-watch, so if anyone feels the absence of the Clairmonts and their clan, starting (again) from where it all began is certainly a good way to go.

Overall, highly recommended.

Secret Smile (2005)

Not Realistic

[4/10 · 14 February 2021]

This show is 1.5 decades old but I just watched it and mostly for Tennant. The rest of the cast was good, and I especially like John Bowe (Miranda's father).

All that being said, the ending was daft and completely unrealistic. That, alone, ruined it all for me.

Miracle Workers (2019–2023)

What Even Is This?

[2/10 · 25 January 2021]

I tuned in for no reason except that it was there...but oh, the regret. It's so bad and corny, I can't believe Daniel Radcliffe and Steve Buscemi agreed to be in this absolute rubbish. Ridiculous and boring, with a stupid premise. I didn't make it past the first 10 minutes.

Tell It to the Bees (2018)

Weak plot, poorly executed

[3/10 · 3 July 2020]

The premise of this story was a good one: 1940's small Scottish town, where two women fall in love. The execution, however, was poor. Weak characterization, everyone nearly black/white - either all good or bad, which is unrealistic - and a very unusual circumstance for the era which was portrayed as if it was 1990, not 1940-something. The main character, Lydia (played by Holliday Grainger) is a woman without a future, until she meets Dr. Jean Markham (Anna Paquin), and her life suddenly improves. Just as quickly, she seems to accept that Dr. Markham is not like the other women in this small Scottish town and she seems not only fine with it, but decides to engage in Markham's lifestyle, no questions asked. The characters aren't drawn out, the audience doesn't form an attachment or much empathy for them, and extreme situations somehow have a way of working themselves out.

It took me 3 sittings to finish watching this film, because it was poorly done. The actors did the best that they could with the work, but it just wasn't enough to make this film memorable.

Would not recommend.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

Predictable Plot

[3/10 · 2 May 2020]

There wasn't a moment or event in this film that wasn't predictable. It was a paint-by-the-numbers kind of writing, and nothing stood out as outstanding or surprising. The young cast does their best, but there's so much one can do with this kind of story. Wouldn't recommend.

To the Stars (2019)

Unexpected Coming-of-Age Story

[6/10 · 27 April 2020]

I didn't know what to expect from this film, because I'd never heard of it and randomly picked it out for a Sunday evening flick.

The story is about an outcast, bullied high school girl in Small Town, USA (Oklahoma) who is so unhappy with her circumstances that she wishes she would disappear. Enter the pretty, cool girl from a bigger town who moves to the neighborhood and, from the start, sets out to help and liberate the bullied girl and help her find her way in life.

I won't give much away, but I wasn't expecting the turn the story took about 3/4 of the way in. I felt that although the "event" that occurred was hinted at, it all seemed to occur too late into the story. From this event forward, everything followed a predictable dive towards the ending like the movie couldn't get to the ending fast enough, so much so that several major story lines were left dangling on the prairie wind.

The acting is not bad at all, and the stifling atmosphere of small towns/small minds is well captured. But as much as the story was going somewhere most of the film, before taking a sudden turn and race, I wish it had either stuck to one main plot point or at least given the last 3rd of the film much more depth.

Overall, I'd give the film 6.5/10 stars and would recommend it being watched at least once.

Mrs. America (2020)

Extremely Engaging

[6/10 · 16 April 2020]

I was born a decade after the events in this series, but knew some of the this and that of the era. Of course, artistic licensing is taken here and historical accuracy is not its point, but what's been created is very engaging and entertaining (thank goodness).

The miniseries draws you in with the writing and the story, and with the likes of Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Jeanne Tripplehorne, Uzo Abudo and the rest of the fantastic supporting cast, you just don't want to shut it off.

Blanchett, of course, knocks it out of the park with her acting, with every thought and emotion written all over her face, while Byrne manages to steal our hearts so we cheer her on, whatever she chooses to do throughout the series. I binged watch this into the early morning hours and can't wait for the remaining episodes to drop!

To be fair, I knew the draw here was its star power and didn't expect much else from the miniseries, but I'm happy to admit I was wrong.

Little Fires Everywhere (2020)

Another TV Disappointment

[2/10 · 2 April 2020]

I don't like television series, but I do like Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington so I thought, how bad can this be? Well...it started off alright but by episode 3, it nosedived.

I haven't read the book, but I imagine that if I were to read it, I would find that Washington's character is possibly not so dishonourable, sneaky, untrustworthy, and just plain unlikable (even seemingly unstable and crazy). Plus, Washington sneers (or, as some say, "acts with her teeth") through every scene, which makes it super annoying early on.

I can't sit through it anymore - and not just because of Washington. The story is just...not a good one. I don't care about any of these unlikable characters.

Too bad, as I was counting on this series to distract me from the current world pandemic. Do not recommend.

Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)

ENGAGE!

[7/10 · 1 February 2020]

I grew up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation (ST:TNG) in reruns as a teen. I was hooked and invested in the series, later the films. To me, nothing was ever quite like it on television.

Then I heard about the "Picard" series and had serious doubts. I felt they'd decided to do this 15 years too late. I even dragged my foot making time to watch the first episode. But...it's REALLY good. Of course, we're only past episode 2, so who knows where/how it will go, but the writing is well done so far, and the characters are true to what they were (Picard, for sure), plus the new cast is well cast (Orla Brady! Isa Briones!). Of course, it's also 2020 and I'd love to binge the series, I mean...who waits to watch episodes on a weekly basis anymore?! Nevertheless, I'm now invested in the story and (*SPOILERS*) with the appearance of old enemies (Romulans, Borg), who can not want to watch this?

I'm very excited at this point to keep following the TNG crew and hope it continues to live up to what we've been shown so far. Looking forward to the remainder of the series!

Frankie (I) (2019)

Waste of A Fantastic Cast

[4/10 · 21 January 2020]

I watched this last year and it left very little impression on me.

The film, according to director Ira Sachs, is based on a 1962 Indian (Bollywood) film by director Satyajit Ray called Kanchenjungha.

This film is based on a family vacation in Sintra (Portugal), where a family gathers to learn about the life-altering event in Frankie's life. She's a famous French actress facing her own mortality, while surrounded (at her request) by family, friends, lovers, ex-lovers, and so forth.

With a wonderful cast from several countries (English, French, and American), the film is a slow meander through the streets of Sintra, while we meet and learn a bit about each character, their life challenges, and how they relate to Frankie. It's just that it doesn't flesh out the supporting characters' roles, because there are too many of them and not enough time in a feature film, so we get a taste of what's going on, but really fail to connect with anyone, including Frankie.

Isabelle Huppert is a marvel and a gifted actress, but even she seems disconnected from her own character, almost as if she's phoning it in. Case in point, a scene in the forest between her and Marissa Tomei, where Frankie has a seizure seemed like amateur hour. Surprising from an Oscar nominated (and robbed!) actress of her caliber, but I blame the writing/direction.

Overall, the cast is wonderful, but the film fails to deliver. That's why an average rating of 5/10 on here is not shocking.

See it for the cast and the scenery, but don't expect much as far as a truly moving story is concerned.

The Truth (2019)

Deneuve Is Magnificent

[7/10 · 18 December 2019]

This film is not what one may expect. Trailers leave one to think it's dramatic, but it's mostly a dramedy (comedy/drama), leaning more towards comedy. Deneuve has impeccable comedic timing, and it's a surprising side of her that many don't get to see in her numerous other films. Some reviews describe her character, Fabienne, as a narcissist, but those are clearly people who don't know what true narcissists are like. One can say that Fabienne is somewhat self-absorbed, though given that she's an actress, she is rather self-aware and not as selfish as one would expect (if you know the entertainment industry). Binoche and Deneuve have excellent chemistry on screen, and the difficulty in their relationship plays off well: both stylistically and emotionally. The film is a gentle view of a mother-daughter relationship that has been built on misunderstandings from two people who are quite different in their approach to the world around them. There are many laughs, but a few tears, awaiting the audience. It's one of Deneuve's best roles in a few years and she gives it her all. Binoche provides the more tangible emotions of the film, but don't let Fabienne (Deneuve) fool you into thinking she doesn't care or feel much at all. And that is the Truth.

The Good Liar (2019)

Sadly, A Letdown

[3/10 · 19 November 2019]

I adore both the main actors and the supporting cast is also quite wonderful, but the film is rather dull. How can it be? A thriller with Mirren and McKellen should be a formula for a win. Alas, it plodded along until my mind wandered to things other than the story.

Part of the issue, I believe, is that Mirren and McKellen don't seem to have the kind of chemistry that one expects for the plot of the story to be carried through. They seem more like friends than two people who *spoilers* might be attracted to one another.

In any case, despite giving it a good hour of my time, I couldn't take it anymore and walked out. A real shame, as I was hoping for much more from this ensemble.