jllsinclair Reviews

Encounters (2023)

Spellbinding!

[10/10 · 4 October 2023]

Wonderful to be able to watch something serious on this subject and gather together so many witness accounts of UFO's or wxperiences of the unexplainable. Also going back in history and looking at different cultures and comparing exoeriences and records of experiences - past and present.

As soon as you mentiin UFO's you set yourself up for ruiucule especially by scientists who know far more than I /we do - or do they?

I especially liked the examining of biblical sightings and prophetic visions and their comparison with present day witness accounts.

As well as the accounts and research on the phenomena around nuclear sites.

This is a very intelligent and open minded investigation.

Nothing to Lose (2018)

... and everything to gain

[10/10 · 27 November 2021]

Ok you can see it as propaganda but isnt every angle propaganda. I totally admire him for using the media to counteract other propaganda and tell his story.

A bit sickly sweet in parts for my taste and his wife never seems to take an active tole in anything. But a really good story based on his life and what he was doing.

He and his church were persecuted because they were too popular. Popular for the powers that be can mean too much power, 'corrupt', 'exploitative'. People must be saved from the saver of souls. Those in power are threatened by people who pull big crowds. Influencing without their control, especially when people are giving then money.

Although the money is invested in more churches and the ministry as well as himself and family.

Not sure about the role of Carlos. Is he family? Why is he so ambivalent? He seemed to be in charge of media yet didnt seem totally for them and used footage against them.

Was the church roof collapsing an accident?

Brilliant he was not scared out of action and the way he also used the media in the service of god - if you believe in his uncorruptable faith which I do - especially seeing the real Edir afterwards. He was not afraid to go big and bigger and - why not? After all Jesus had twelve disciples but said to them that after his death 'you will do much more than I have done'. In the age of mass media you dont have to stick to 12.

It is really good to see a series about faith not just more rape, killing, violence etc that we are served up daily and nightly. We are so used to the usual exploitation in our fictionalised viewing we cant see it for what it is.

The White Slave (2016– )

Incredible array of characters

[9/10 · 8 November 2020]

At first I wasnt sure about this series - with so many slave beatings but it much more three dimensional. There are so many twists and turns of plot and the characters (and or the actors playing the characters) are brilliant. Morales, the overseer, is amazing, showing something slightly enigmatic from the beginning. The only character I couldnt engage with was the older Miguel. I think he was meant to portray some 'nobility' which separated him from the other slaves. However I thought his macho possessive anger just seemed like irritating petulance and a lack of wisdom, compassion and understanding. However I havent got to the end. Peoples behaviour and responses show wisdom and lack of wisdom and morals on all stratas of society. The father or adopted father of Victoria is like a constant. In the background, quiet, steady, wise. Is Morales name a coincidence? Actually the more I think about this film the more I see in it.

Mrs Lowry & Son (2019)

Wonderful

[9/10 · 11 January 2020]

What a wonderful representation of Lowry's life with his mother. Timothy Small as Lowry and Vanessa Redgrave as his mother were fantastic. So authentic like the artist. How does anyone survive lack of understanding or interest and so many put downs, art critics telling you you paint like a kid, and someone you love being embarrassed by you and your 'hobby' . And yet he still carries on, not because he thinks he is something special: 'I am just a man, who paints', but almost like he has to. And he stays true to himself.

Peasants' Rebellion (2018)

Wonderful

[9/10 · 23 June 2019]

I think this is a truly wonderful film. It centres on the lives of certain families of peasants and their masters in the big house with guards. For me It is a film that goes to the heart but is not romanticised.

It shows an increasing contrast between the peasants working on the land and the masters who enslave them with fear and set them against each other by using them as guards and spies, robbing them of the food they produce.

It becomes increasingly apparent that the tension involved in keeping power and keeping a mass of people subjugated through greed and ambition or just family tradition, and fear if the hatred unleashed if the subjugated people rebel, is not an easy task and contains the seeds of its own destruction.

In showing this dichotomy between the masters and peasants it does not pretend that all bad traits are with the masters., but for me it goes to the heart because it shows that most people want to live by basic values of 'goodness', or 'godliness', of mutual respect and dignity, where people can grow their food, live, love and bring up there families.

For me, although it takes place in one area and centres on one house of masters, it also stands fir any place at any time in the past, present or future.

Also, at a time when even the word 'muslim culture can be immediately linked to terrorism it is really good to see the ordinary people who just want to live work and love and see their children happy.

The actors are wonderful especially the women.

I think it is wonderful to have the opportunity to see films like this from directors around the world and in the original language.

I will be watching more arabic films and more by this director.

Abused by My Girlfriend (2019 TV Movie)

Abused by my girlfriend wonderful documentary

[10/10 · 21 February 2019]

There was such an amazing documentary in so many ways which I cant do justice to. The stark title doesnt try to hide anything, just tells it how it is. Alex 'the victim' is just a normal appealing guy and it is incredible that he has exposed himself and tells his story in order to bring it into the open and help others. His family and friends are wonderful too and their love shines through. I was left feeling feeling yes this really can happen to anyone. I hope this documentary will raise awareness. Its really powerful.