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An error has ocurred. Please try againSpecial shout-outs go to 'Friends' and 'Bewitched' who both just missed out on inclusion here, and to '2 Broke Girls' which I have only recently started working my way through but am enjoying immensely so far.
Reviews
Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie (2023)
Does the Original Proud
As a big fan of the original show, I could barely wait to see the new movie. I'd read some reviews on here that showed disappointment after viewing... well not this reviewer. I loved it.
First of all, for me the main reason for watching Monk was always the central performance by Tony Shalhoub. As with Peter Falk in the first run of Columbo, the murder could help elevate an episode from good to great; but the brilliance of the lead actor in the role was what kept people tuning in week after week, year on year.
The crime itself wasn't anything that special to solve, but those people comparing the story unfavourably with the old series are probably judging the movie against the very best stories from the show. That's why it's hard to compare.
I was fine to see that Monk was back struggling with day to day life. In reality, people with his kind of issues don't suddenly 'get better' and I felt it was realistic to portray him struggling. It never went too far, and the comedy element was always still around.
All in all, a solid if unremarkable story is lifted beyond the norm by the great Mr. Shalhoub. I could have done without the ghosts scene, but it brought my wife to tears... so it landed as it was supposed to for people who like that kind of scene. Good support from the original cast, who always did well with often little chance to shine. I'd sign up to watch more.
Happy Go Lovely (1951)
Vera-Ellen Musical Vehicle That Rises Above The Norm.
As a huge fan of both Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye from a young age, it was something of a no-brainer for me when I came across this film on one of those public domain movie channels on my old Roku box, and saw that it starred the wonderful Vera-Ellen. Ellen was a co-star of Danny Kaye's in many of his movies, and was of course the unforgettable 'Miss Turnstiles' in Gene Kelly's all-time great 'On The Town.' With that kind of pedigree I am surprised that Vera-Ellen didn't star in more movies, and upon seeing this lovely little film musical, that feeling of surprise has only been strengthened.
Okay, so the plot isn't anything new; dance troupe struggle to get the finance needed to put on their show, and the film's budget is minuscule in comparison to the mega M-G-M Musicals of the period, but don't let either of those two things put you off. Vera-Ellen sparkles as small time singer and dancer 'Janet Jones' while David Niven is wonderfully engaging as the somewhat stiff and reserved B.G Bruno, the successful businessman who comes in to the life of Ellen's character through a misunderstanding.
It's predictable fair, but its two leads make Happy Go Lovely a much better film that it should, and otherwise would have been without them. A thoroughly charming, innocent and enjoyable film.