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Reviews
Empire: Home Is on the Way (2020)
This is not what was promised!
An entire season I watched the show, waiting for the big finale. It turns out: I watched it for nothing! I can understand that circumstances made it difficult, but the start from the season (gunshot at Lucious) and the car exploding with Loretha/Cookie in it's all gone!
For me the biggest fail since Game of Thrones ended. I hope they're going to make some sort of closure, because yes, it ends with a positive note. But it doesn't do justice to the promising first part of this season.
It's just that I couldn't give less than one star, but if I could, I would have.
A pity that a telly show started so strongly ended up so messy.
Game of Thrones: The Bells (2019)
A letter to Daenerys
Dear Daenerys,
In the modern world, we've got medicines for whatever you are suffering. Some therapy might also help. I can't say we've got dragon-training, but maybe doggy-training might also do the trick. So, three tips that could've made you a better queen.
Also, there are many gay pride parades all around the world, also full of queens. Thanks the gods, the old and the new ones, that you shan't hear of that. Because if you did, and wanted to erraticate them: gal, would you be charged with a serieus hate-crime!
All I know is, that you remind me of my bipolar aunt. It was weird, but also funny in a twisted way, when she decided to repaint her house with one bottle of nail polish. But at least she didn't set the town on fire. :-) Every place where she lived (Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Alkmaar) are still very much alive. ;-)
Game of Thrones: The Long Night (2019)
By far the worst GoT episode ever
I've watched 1 hour and 18 minutes (a film!) while actually seeing nothing at all. Everything was too dark, so I couldn't know who was attacking and who was attacked.
Splitting this episode in two parts (one with the battle in Winterfell, and one all about Bran) might have helped. But mostly: why the dark background? It felt like I watched something that could not be seen; this was utter chaos from the technicians and light-effects departments, and a very anti-climactic ending. My advice: watch the first and last 15 minutes, and your up to date - and than carry on to the next episode.
Game of Thrones (2011)
Brilliant till season 8; that season was rubbish
For years I watched in awe and excitement, couldn't stop watching, always curious when the next season came out.
But season 8 let me down so hard! Two years for everything to make it perfect, and the only thing one gets is rushed themes, with MANY special effects and MANY action, and and no character-diving as an effect. It's like the story and the characters played second violin. It almost always reminded me of the film "300".
This could've been a whole lot better.
However, up until season 8, it was brilliant. Great acting, everything in balance. But season 8 made me so disappointed, that I can't give it more than a 5 out of 10. Sure, the story of season 8 can/could be the same. But the makers should've taken more time and episodes to conclude it all. They didn't. Two years waiting for nothing. Shame on them, because that makes the early 7 seasons feel like a waste of time watching, I'm sorry to say. :-(
Elizabeth (1998)
Cate Blanchett, a queen and a story never reigned to this extent
If you've got the patience, and willing to dive into this story: this film shall not disappoint you! It has got intrigue, drama, suspense and Cate Blanchett all at its/her best, all in one! Both occasional, critical and die-hard film fans should've seen this film at least once. It's not the easiest film to watch, but it will pay out double!
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Boldest Disney film ever!
Just try to think on how you can attract adults and children at the same time. Disney tried it with this animation film, and to be honest: one might have got to be in between adulthood and childhood. For me, that makes it brilliant! Round-shaped figures with real-life problems, combining a science-fiction alien with Elvis Presley; who'd have thunk?
The story is heartfelt, deep, yet uber enjoyable for both adults, children and everything in between. A Disney-happy ending that you've never seen? This is it! You shall carry the main characters forever in your heart, after seeing this brilliant piece of work.
And never forget: don't feed a tuna-sandwich to a fish. :-)
Pride (2014)
Just brilliant!
It is an enormous task to make a film seriously yet funny. This film, however, delivers! Some questions remain unanswered, but the fact that it's about real people, real differences; it made me cry. This is how the world should be! Peaceful, without prejudice. If all the 'weaker' people come together, we can make a difference. And this film shows just that! It's full of empowerment, and that's what we need in 2019!
Years and Years (2019)
The cream of the crob
This is, by far, the best Tele-drama shown in recent history. I can understand why there won't be a second season, as the future is unpredictable to tell. It's just a pity that the current prime-minister is oh so familiar; we've seen it all!
Everyone should make its own decision about it all, but I hope for a reasonable debate from left and right; tories, labour, lib-dems, greens, Plaid Cymru, NSP, etc: come into action!!! Is this really what you want?
To the Tories and DUP: Don't throw away the future just because you want to stay in power. In the short term: fun! In the longer term: catastrophe.
People first, always!
The Orville (2017)
Star Trek with a twist of humour
This is obviously Star Trek: Voyager in many ways. However, its humour keeps it safe.
I can't think of any storyline that does not show resembles with Voyager.
I reckon The Orville should do something strange, out of the ordinary. And please, no more two- story arc. That worked with the Star Trek-franchise. But clinging on about fun and entertainment: not so much. Rearrange everything, keep the main characters in place. But stop being a Star Trek wannabe. Go your own path!
Empire of the Tsars: Romanov Russia with Lucy Worsley (2016)
It's OK from an English point of view, but it doesn't seem to choose between fact and fun.
The series represents especially England as a great inspiration for Peter the a Great. The Dutch, however, are seem to be marginalised. Make no mistake: Saint-Petersburg is inspired by Amsterdam, The Netherlands, as the tsar lived there for some time. Not that either of them states should be trumpeting about it, because tsar Peter did horrible things, as we all know by now. However, it does feel a little wobbly, and uneven; it's only the English (not even British) angle one gets to see. More information about it all would be brilliant.
Also, this 'documentary' can't seem to find its way between being serious or funny. So it mashed up both. Most BBC series are one or the other, and they usually shine in their own way. I can name millions of documentaries from both BBC or foreign broadcasters that grabs you from the moment you start watching; so intriguing, so exciting, so brilliant to watch! However, this is mismatched, and one can't understand whether to take this seriously or as some sort of satire.
Make no mistake: this could've been a brilliant documentary, with a significant impact on how to see Russia today compared to how it was with the Romanovs. But it just doesn't bring it home. It stays between the lines of 'interesting' and 'funny'. It doesn't do anyone or anybody any favour; there's much more to tell. In the best case, it might bring people to get inspired to do research about this dynasty (and the Russia before and after that). But other than that, it's pretty much the same of how Discovery Channel or NGC are making their documentaries right now. Easy on the facts, much more action or, as in this case, humour. And that's a pity, because how many moments are there to investigate this all?
All and all: rather pleasant to watch, but not a 'must see'.