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Reviews
Outlander (2014)
Beautiful series but lacking something
I haven't read the book but this is such a beautiful series, amazing atmosphere, picturesque characters and wonderful places, perfect costumes and altogether very credible as far as picturing the historical context goes.
I gave it a 7 because I just feel that something is somehow lacking!
It may be that the tempo is a bit too slow for my liking. The event development lacks something to make it more exciting and honestly a bit predictable.
Or it may just be how the main actress chooses to present her character, Claire. She simply lacks mystery. I think a certain mysterious air about her would have added more flavor to the story. She is in a sense a bit too ordinary and not exceedingly charismatic so to speak. I failed to empathize with her story that much even though she does look like a classic "English rose" and a lady.
Overall I would say good acting from all actors. I like the character of Dougal McKenzie a lot, is he not the picture perfect Scottish warrior! I also use this opportunity to testify from a foreigner's perspective that the Scottish kilt is so hot! I adore their traditional way of dressing, so singular and so flattering. I salute Scots, we love your cultural heritage. <3
All in all very aesthetically pleasing TV-series. Maybe season two will bring about more surprises, for now I do stick to my opinion that it probably missed that extra something to make it a a 10.
North & South (2004)
Beautiful but lacks tension...
I enjoyed North & South because of a few things: the beautiful setting and cinematography and the fact that the characters are so believable! The actors are very good and Richard Armitage is fantastic! He is handsome, charming, he has that kind of authority that makes for a great leading male-role. Daniela Denby-Ashe is also worthy of her role, I like her modest, soft beauty, it goes so well with the century portrayed and her role, just perfect.
I applaud the makers of this film, it is worth watching and enjoyable. If I am however to comment on something North & South is very much lacking... it is suspense. You just know from the beginning that Margaret is going to end up with Thornton, the whole thing is just postponing THE moment when they declare their love for one another.
I would have expected a more intricate design. Too straightforward, you know where it is heading and once it takes you there there is no wow-moment.
Lost in Austen (2008)
Eye-candy for romantics...
I was so in love with this TV-series that I watched it five times already and that is unusual of me.
First things first, you get a lot of visual gorgeousness! Absolutely amazing atmospheric settings, it just can't get any better in my opinion! The buildings, the interiors and most importantly the light!... It travels you to this intentionally fantastic world, that imagined past that all romantics dream about. Top that with beautiful talented actors that show off their characters so well and you see why this can get addictive!
A few words about our romance story: delicious, moving, jealousy worthy ... but I have to admit it does seem a bit forced. Amanda Price is indeed lovable for her humanity and sincerity. On the other hand she does not fit in the idle society of the conceited aristocracy whose manners reveal pure courteous deceit. She does not know neither wants to be diplomatic and causes all kinds of blunders. Darcy appreciates that honorable quality of speaking the truth above all odds and gets to love her for that but... that is not apparent throughout the episodes. At some point he really doesn't like her and has reason to. His subsequent 180 degrees change of heart is not that believable even for his context. Could Amanda really inspire such a passion? Honestly I don't think so. But it sort of works... Even in the beginning her short-term fancy with the very handsome Mr Bingley that is very soon forgotten and resolves into the great love story between him and Jane... is not all that believable is it?...
Of course there is humor and parody every step of the way. The reason for that is very clear: this is NOT Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice! That's why it let down so many people. This is Lost in Austen and as the title implies it is the story of the reader's adventure into the world of their favorite book, of their personal, intimate relationship with that world... The text is there, but we as readers do more than just acknowledge it. We live with it, in it, we "touch" it, we let our fantasies roam and so these characters can come alive... Through us and our imagination. This is what it is about, therefore I suggest you leave the "real" Darcy and the "real" Elisabeth aside when criticizing this series and just enjoy a fun, adventurous, gorgeous love story!
There are as I said shortcomings. But all in all it is very enjoyable to watch! Well done to the crew and the actors!
Hasta la vista (2011)
A unique story
I enjoyed this movie particularly because it is so different. You have three friends, young men with various handicaps, they want to live their life as it is and make the most of it, despite their condition. The most handsome of them is also the one that has to face the most serious and life threatening condition... Overall it is about friendship, love of course but most importantly being alive in the true sense of the word. Experiencing novelty, seeking and trying... not giving up. In the face of the most feared element of one's life... that is death. There is no running away from it, but making the most of one's life until the inevitable happens. There is sadness in the movie, throughout, even when dreams come true. But there is also pure humor. Very recommended.
Lilja 4-ever (2002)
The misery and the soul
Grey streets, grey houses, grey skies, grey prospects. Everything seems doomed and so it proves to be. I enjoyed this film even though it's so very depressive. It's like from the beginning the situation can't get any worse... but then it does. It's an important exclamation sign for dreamers who find their world of hope shattered to pieces by a cruel reality while they stumble upon the common wall of carelessness and egoism of others. Who can do justice in this merciless, miserable world where they don't even get a chance to prove themselves? Sad but powerful. Realistic to the core, it's sure to wake us up, at least try to see people in similar situations with different eyes. Not to go by, to identify such victims and try to do something. And most importantly not to become a victim oneself. Recommended for watching.
Juana la Loca (2001)
Perfect protagonists, delicious film!
I expected a higher rating for this film as I truly enjoyed it! First of all I have to say Pilar Lopez de Ayala is playing really GREAT! I simply love the character she portrays: a woman madly in love, jealous and passionate... obsessed with her love. Very convincing! At times she is so real you are blown away. It is not "teen ager crisis" as someone was saying above. I'm sure that person has never truly love or is hypocrite. That is the true passion!
The male character is in my opinion very well chosen, the actor is the embodiment of the Spanish "hot" lover and makes her "madness" seem plausible! haha I read other reviews saying he is playing really shallow. That may be true but isn't that what Philip the Handsome should be all about?! I mean he is supposed to be shallow, beautiful but womanizer and certainly not loyal...causing her to torment. This is exactly what he does!
The only thing I do not particularly enjoy about this movie is: -the intermezzos with another voice making it look like a documentary -the image of the old woman saying rather improper things (let's face it it doesn't sound good unless from the young and beautiful actors) -the ending... too precipitated I would say... Even though once again I have to congratulate Pialr for her GREAT ACTING!
Watch this movie!
Fanny Hill (2007)
A movie to watch just for fun
It is quite silly but the book -for those who have read it- is also written for the sole purpose of entertaining and certainly it is nothing but an excuse to write about sex, innocent girls turning into prostitutes and brothels... and of course a prince charming to save such a foolish girl from her wretched life. The brothel life is presented as being something of an orgiastic paradise and love emerges i would say rather unrealistically in these circumstances. It's a movie to watch just for fun, it has lots of erotic scenes some rather perverted I would say! I liked the costumes and the atmosphere. I didn't like the way the love story develops. It's too far-fetched.
The Forsyte Saga (2002)
Worth watching. Daniel Lewis made it so.
I just finished watching the Series One of the Forsyte saga and I must say I liked it. It has a good picture, realistic and exquisite backgrounds, costumes, everything. I don;t know if so it was intended but i HATED IRENE who in my opinion is nowhere near beautiful and somehow this way in which she is presented is quite strange, being shown as an outstanding beauty when in fact she isn't, also the way characters gravitate around her is not convincing at all. Soames on the other hand is very well played, he is very real I would say, the realest of them all. I recommend this movie if you like the epoque feeling and romantic stories.