Who is making this muck that portrays eighteenth century Russia with a middle class English woman who is supposed to be German? How bizarre. This nonsense that has become the norm is creating ageneration of not just dumbed down individuals, but actually people who have false knowledge. The behaviour of people in this time was very reserved, not bubbly & casual. It is an insult to Russian & German culture to dominate it with middle class Englishness. I suspect for the US, stepping out of their bubble is never easy and they happily outsource European stories to the British. This has nothing to do with reality, but now I will seek out something that is actually genuine.
Reviews
153 Reviews
Candy
(2022)
Watchable but...
11 June 2023
Another dark series with puritan Amerika. Violence & death by axe!
Its watchable but not brilliant. There are mny other series that will occupy your time with more gain.
Acting is pretty good & the settings to recreate 1980 US are done very well.
One of my biggest concerns is these series that pretend to tell a true story, and then change the truth significantly! To base a series on a true event & then to portary the victim negatively, is questionable, just in that way.
I think this series would have been done better as a documentary, where the whole situation is examined more fully. How could a jury find a person who used an axe dozens of times be found innocent?
Its watchable but not brilliant. There are mny other series that will occupy your time with more gain.
Acting is pretty good & the settings to recreate 1980 US are done very well.
One of my biggest concerns is these series that pretend to tell a true story, and then change the truth significantly! To base a series on a true event & then to portary the victim negatively, is questionable, just in that way.
I think this series would have been done better as a documentary, where the whole situation is examined more fully. How could a jury find a person who used an axe dozens of times be found innocent?
The Resort
(2022– )
This could have been great... but...
2 May 2023
The series starts off with a dark comedy tendency & by the end takes itself more seriously. It wanders through terrain of many topics. There is some development of understanding of the lead female character in the second half of the series. Prior to that there is a sense of why are there no really likeable characters & why are these Americans acting so foolish in a country where crime does occur. Poor explnations emerge towards the end of the series. The settings are good as are the location shoots. This had the potential to be something far greater. Making the characters more likeable would have held the viewers interest. There is a sense of malaise to the whole series.
I May Destroy You
(2020)
This series had great potential, but....
30 April 2023
This series took me ages to get around to watching & now I understand why. It is extremely self involved. Whats that word again? Narcissists. This series shows how much self involvement has become for a group generationally, not specific to race or class or nation. As I watched the occasional scene with some of the parents, it got me thinking how much challenge & oppression the previous generation had had to put up with. This series shows people dealing with various issues, some self created & others not. As another reviewer wrote, you get the sense that many of the characters are spoilt children or teenagers, who are yet to grow up & take responsibility. To realise that life is about give & take. Most of humanity deals with oppression, but it seems like some of us living in the west, act like our issues are the only ones.
Uncoupled
(2022–2023)
A great little series with a few good stories
3 January 2023
Definitely set in rich ville gay New York, but there are still common elements about life, that everyone can relate to.
Tisha Campbell is my favourite character with her sassy demeanour.
The issues of dealing with breaking up for gay men is covered quite well, especially in a scene based around youth & grindr.
Some people are critical of the series for all the cliches of rich guys in New York, and I appreciate & relate to those valid points. But I would not write off the series. There is always good to be found as well. To see a story where so many topics to do with being gay, gay relationships, gay sexuality, would have been unheard of 10 years ago, so I recognise, that even with its flaws, it is still amn important contribution to entertainment with insight.
Tisha Campbell is my favourite character with her sassy demeanour.
The issues of dealing with breaking up for gay men is covered quite well, especially in a scene based around youth & grindr.
Some people are critical of the series for all the cliches of rich guys in New York, and I appreciate & relate to those valid points. But I would not write off the series. There is always good to be found as well. To see a story where so many topics to do with being gay, gay relationships, gay sexuality, would have been unheard of 10 years ago, so I recognise, that even with its flaws, it is still amn important contribution to entertainment with insight.
Around the World in 80 Days
(2021– )
Destruction of a great story by formulaic woke nonsense
11 October 2022
I get that in the desire to end all kinds of oppression, some want to show the disempowered in powerful roles. And maybe that is possible to show in films set in the future or some in the present or recent past. But not in the 19th Century. To have people of colour or women to stand as equals and assert themselves would have neen a very unlikely thing. It may have occured in more subtle ways, but not extremely or too obviously as this series suggests. To suggest that black & white or men & women stood as equals in this time, denies the true stories of challenge which later gave rise to increasing demands for justice. This kind of woke garbage is an insult to the history & struggle of all liberation movements.
Excellent documentary series
10 October 2022
A very good series explaining the events leading up to & including the capture of Richard Ramirez. A brutal killer who targeted & killed lots of people in LA & San Fran. There is some exploring of his childhood explaining how violence was common in his family, but in the conclusion, there is an almost religious summary of the situation. I think a conclusion about how important it is to monitor children's behaviour, looking out for the warning signs & intervention being essential to break these cycles of harm & terror to others would have been better. But overall, an excellent series. There was some good detail on how these events can go on affecting people for the rest of their lives.
When the Streetlights Go On
(2017–2020)
10 minte episodes!
4 September 2022
The acting, story, setting, time period all work in its favour, but they made the episodes 10 minutes each???
Had great potential to be something amazing.... I would like to see this made again with 50 minute episodes... Now that I have seen the trailers! I mean the episodes :-) I think the review I am writing is longer than the episodes!
The acting, story, setting, time period all work in its favour, but they made the episodes 10 minutes each???
Had great potential to be something amazing.... I would like to see this made again with 50 minute episodes... Now that I have seen the trailers! I mean the episodes :-) I think the review I am writing is longer than the episodes!
Had great potential to be something amazing.... I would like to see this made again with 50 minute episodes... Now that I have seen the trailers! I mean the episodes :-) I think the review I am writing is longer than the episodes!
The acting, story, setting, time period all work in its favour, but they made the episodes 10 minutes each???
Had great potential to be something amazing.... I would like to see this made again with 50 minute episodes... Now that I have seen the trailers! I mean the episodes :-) I think the review I am writing is longer than the episodes!
White Zombie
(1932)
Introduction to a different time
1 August 2022
An easy to watch film from the very early period of cinema. Set in Haiti but filmed in Hollywood. One black actor! From that angle, its a bit strange. Speaks to the magic of the world of zombies & voodoo very well, but just the beginning.
Murder on the Orient Express
(2017)
When 'progressive' is actually a lie
31 July 2022
I have become increasingly suspicious of so many films being done at the moment. 'Death on the Nile' exactly the same. Somehow, the new trend is inclusion at any cost, even if it means giving a fake historical take. Yes, it is a nice idea to include people from diverse backgrounds, especially if the time period is in the present. But if you are going to portray yesteryear, then you could hunt for the anomaly: The rich black woman etc, but you are not really showing the reality of that time. The realty is far nastier: violence, exclusion, hatred, exclusion rules. A film like "The Color Purple" showed the truth. The sassy black woman played by Oprah was smacked down, and as much as no one wants to see that violence, that was the normal. As soon as we depict the 20s or 30s with diversity, and minorities enjoying equal power, then we join in a lie. If we want to show history, then we either show the exclusion & show the nastiness of the world of exclusion. We show the way minorities were 'the help' & how most of the elite acted with bad attitudes. I count myself as progressive. This 'woke' nonsense falsifies history. If inclusion was the norm, why was the KKK in full operation during this period? There would be so many opportunities to expose prejudice which was the norm & good directing would show the impact on everyone: exclusion & lack of opportunity & resources for the majority.
Julia
(1977)
a great film to return to
11 July 2022
Reading some of the other reviewers, I cant help but feel that this is a film which worked with audiences in the 1970s but may not work in 2022. Not that the film is flawed, but rather that the culture of the now is so fast & flitting.
There are weaknesses. Apparently, Hellman never went on this journey, so it is fiction, however there would have been many many similar risky operations that occurred before & during WW2.
Julia does not feature much in the film & that might have been different, but when she does feature, what a spectacular actor Redgrave is. And Fonda too of course.
The story is brilliant & the sets. The sense of dread of impending fascism is shown in this film with intensity & believability. The scene in Vienna of attacks on intellectuals shows the horror of the Nazis, and there are many messages from this film that remain valid today.
There are weaknesses. Apparently, Hellman never went on this journey, so it is fiction, however there would have been many many similar risky operations that occurred before & during WW2.
Julia does not feature much in the film & that might have been different, but when she does feature, what a spectacular actor Redgrave is. And Fonda too of course.
The story is brilliant & the sets. The sense of dread of impending fascism is shown in this film with intensity & believability. The scene in Vienna of attacks on intellectuals shows the horror of the Nazis, and there are many messages from this film that remain valid today.
Anastasia
(1956)
Great acting & story
5 July 2022
I had always been intrigued by the story of Anastasia, besides watching this film, you will probably want to explore some wikipedia links for clarification & facts. History now teaches us that all the Tsars children died after the revolution. This is a very good film which blends great acting & story, with a good pathway into learning more history.
The Purge
(I) (2013)
Illogical nonsense
12 June 2022
Somehow for one night a year in Amerika you are allowed to kill or maim with no consequences. And for the other 364 days there will be peace & no revenge or violence!
As gun violence continues to rage in the US, this film seems to embody the stupidity of thinking violence solves problems or that individuals should be free to own semi automatics. Its all connected to a debased culture where community comes second to individualism. A nonsense movie. Amerikan culture is so flawed with fear & violence.
As gun violence continues to rage in the US, this film seems to embody the stupidity of thinking violence solves problems or that individuals should be free to own semi automatics. Its all connected to a debased culture where community comes second to individualism. A nonsense movie. Amerikan culture is so flawed with fear & violence.
Mrs. Wilson
(2018)
Well constructed drama
8 June 2022
Quite an incredible story and to think such a guy carried on this ridiculous situation with multiple partners & children. A well acted story that holds interest with various parts to the story. Knowing the story is true creates greater interest. The dramatisation appears to be fairly similar to real events.
Catherine the Great
(2019)
Historically innacurate
7 June 2022
In terms of entertainment I would give this a 6 or 7, but in terms of misleading the viewer with huge reinventions, it must be rated only as a 3.
Who would think it ok to have a Queen who was in her 30s be played by a 70 year old? And what are all these British actors doing in a story about Russians? As other critics mention, Germany & Istanbul were not in existence at her time.
I want historical drama to entertain, but also educate. But now with all the inventions going on, we must do our own research.
Who would think it ok to have a Queen who was in her 30s be played by a 70 year old? And what are all these British actors doing in a story about Russians? As other critics mention, Germany & Istanbul were not in existence at her time.
I want historical drama to entertain, but also educate. But now with all the inventions going on, we must do our own research.
Chernobyl
(2019)
Fairly close to actual events but...
21 May 2022
I liked a lot about this series. It showed the coverup of the Soviet system & how denial was common to make things look good. The final episode is very good showing just how bad the incident itself was, and also how far the system went to lie & keep people in the dark, even when it caused exposure for thousands to radiation.
But the British accents & interactions between different characters with British class & cultural interactions was plain weird. Its hard to take a lot of this series seriously, because so often you are thinking Russians & Ukrainians would never have talked to each other like that!
But overall, certainly a good series.
But the British accents & interactions between different characters with British class & cultural interactions was plain weird. Its hard to take a lot of this series seriously, because so often you are thinking Russians & Ukrainians would never have talked to each other like that!
But overall, certainly a good series.
Gunpowder
(2017)
Great drama but maybe inaccurate
3 May 2022
Excellent drama & story telling. Excellent actors as well. Not sure about the accuracy to the history though. With so many dramas being based around real history at the moment, it becomes an increasing concern about story reflecting the true history. One of the key questions about this story would be how accurate is it in terms of what catholics had done compared to protestants. The film seems to show Catholics in England as saintly & pure, but a more accurate story would show that in terms of barbarity, both groups & religions had a strong aspect of savage. But the mini series does give some sense of how horrific both sides could be with brutal public executions. What was great about this series was that it seemed true to the times in terms of conduct & behaviour by the key characters. So many series at the moment have modern day behaviours creeping into the story, but with this, there is a sense that we are in these times, rather than a millennial dress up show.
Invasion
(2021–2024)
Improves with second viewing
24 April 2022
I managed to stay with this drawn out series right through to ep 10, but I must admit I had to watch it a second time, to really appreciate the series.
The first 2 episodes have very little to do with an invasion, more like a marriage break down with all the psychological twists.
There are a few fantastic elements embedded in this series. Some of the soundtrack esp a piece with violin is moving & wonderful & reminds me of some of the music in "Man in the high castle'.
Also some of the acting especially by the lead actress Golshifteh Farahani, is extremely good. There are some great actors in this series.
This series is very slow in places, but some of the stories & some of the brilliant acting make this a series to persevere with.
The first 2 episodes have very little to do with an invasion, more like a marriage break down with all the psychological twists.
There are a few fantastic elements embedded in this series. Some of the soundtrack esp a piece with violin is moving & wonderful & reminds me of some of the music in "Man in the high castle'.
Also some of the acting especially by the lead actress Golshifteh Farahani, is extremely good. There are some great actors in this series.
This series is very slow in places, but some of the stories & some of the brilliant acting make this a series to persevere with.
Excellent!
22 April 2022
I had not heard about Bruno Manser until I watched this movie. This is a must see, very accurate to his life experience. There are some great leaders who are often not seen as great, but I imagine heroes like Bruno will be far more revered in 50 or 100 years or so. The catastrophe of what is being done to the environment & those who live with nature like the Penan, is a tragedy all in the pursuit of business. The consequences of these massive land clearances which Bruno and others worked so hard to stop, recognising his options as a westerner; this is the story of a hero.
Childhood's End
(2015)
Starts off well, turns into a train wreck then improves towards the end
20 April 2022
Most of the first episode had a story off to a good start, but then we meet the aliens who are a cross between reptiles & red devils! And you just know at this point that this story is going to go downhill dramatically! And it does. And lets not forget the Christians under attack trying to hold up their cross to this antichrist of an alien. Violence & danger are such baselines for puritanical America and this is just more of the same muck.
Having said that, the drama almost starts to redeem itself with the second half of the final episode. Something original, unique & more genuine, but the main part of the story is cliché ridden & poor.
Having said that, the drama almost starts to redeem itself with the second half of the final episode. Something original, unique & more genuine, but the main part of the story is cliché ridden & poor.
Clickbait
(2021)
Captivating & Intriguing
19 April 2022
This is a well constructed series. I found all the characters engaging & their different responses to such a challenging situation is well played out.
For me, the bigger issue became the whole situation of technology, and how many situations we now see in the world could have more than one explanation. As a society so many of us are quick to take positions based on the information we possess, when in fact there could indeed be a different explanation based on other information that we do not possess. To see people condemning a person who may be innocent, because they have been spun a story of someone's guilt or wrong doing, is an issue we are seeing more & more. Thought provoking to be sure.
For me, the bigger issue became the whole situation of technology, and how many situations we now see in the world could have more than one explanation. As a society so many of us are quick to take positions based on the information we possess, when in fact there could indeed be a different explanation based on other information that we do not possess. To see people condemning a person who may be innocent, because they have been spun a story of someone's guilt or wrong doing, is an issue we are seeing more & more. Thought provoking to be sure.
Gold Digger
(2019)
Excellent story telling
18 April 2022
This is a great story. It has many aspects of inclusivity (LGBT, people of colour, domestic violence survivors) without the current fad of including like a checklist. The primary aspect to this story is about different ages & background & whether you ever really know others as the harshest realities in peoples lives are more often than not our secrets. This story will leave you wondering right up to the end & even after the ending. A very thought provoking drama.
Jaguar
(2021)
Totally unenrolling
16 April 2022
Every tv series or movie relating to the holocaust I have watched has been captivating, because such productions are based around the shocking & horrifying. And yet somehow this series is bland, bland acting & a feeling of emptiness. Could have been great; well maybe a great... Disappointment!
The Whipping Boy
(1994 TV Movie)
Great potential but fails to show truth
26 March 2022
Barbaric times humans lived in during feudalism. It is a good thing for children to learn about these times, but not when there is a Pollyanna style to telling stories of this time. So much hardship was experienced by the poor during while the royalty & other elites lived with unbelievable privilege. The film manages to show the pauper children as actually being far more functional than the royals, but the concluding aspect of the story has everything all happy & dandy by the King & prince incorporating the poor children, while of course the majority of the poor continue to live in poverty & squalor. The film needs to tell the truth, not sugar coat. Children are smarter than that.
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