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Reviews
The Diplomat: The James Bond Clause (2023)
Gripping espionage and brilliant cast.
A total must-watch if you enjoy spy thrillers. The show follows the adventures of Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), a US diplomat in various countries. The show has a captivating plot, full of twists and turns, and a superb cast that brings the characters to life. Russell and Sewell are brilliant but the rest of the cast are also given great characters with depth and complexity. The show also explores the themes of identity, trust and loyalty in a realistic and nuanced way. The Diplomat is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you think. I can't wait for season 2 if there is one.
Family Weekend (2013)
Fantastic Film
Having watched this twice now, I loved it even more the second time.
The lead actress is extraordinary. The rest of the cast are inspired and committed.
There are some shots that are beautiful, and it also makes some sense of all the crazy.
A unique film, it made me laugh out loud, and it made me cry.
I also loved the score.
The Rope Jumping element was fantastic, and made me appreciate even more how much work she put into the role. Entirely believable.
Also, the sister was hilarious, and somewhat reminiscent of Chloe Moretz first roles.
And as always, Kristin Chenoweth was brilliant. LOVE that woman.
Emotionally, it made me think about families, and about how relevant it was to my own, and many others, upbringing. Because Love.
Loved it, will be looking for more from the writer, director and Olesya Rulin.
Drive (2011)
The Drive Of Your Life
I understand that we are all different. But the hate disseminated about this film mystifies me.
Just awesome direction. The studio originally wanted this to be a Fast'n'Furious clone, then got Ryan Gosling on board, then he chose Refn. What we got is an real treasure.
Gosling is, yet again, amazing as the Driver. Sally Sparrow plays Irene, so good to see her breaking free of her small town roots. Plus, yet again, she hardly blinks.
The story is a big-screen classic. The relationship is believable. The violence is shocking and unpredictable. The score is marvellous. Albert Brooks is a terrifying revelation.
Look, give it a chance, it just might surprise you and you, yourself, might well find yourself on this cursed site, at a ridiculous hour of the morning, spewing forth about marvellous this, believable that, shocking blah blah.
But for me, 10/10. Film of the year. Maybe the decade.
Avatar (2009)
A beautiful dream
I have now seen this movie twice in 3D over three days.
First viewing I was gob smacked by the 3D and CGI. In the few moments of self-awareness I found myself with mouth wide open, eyes wide with wonder and tense from so many emotions.
Second viewing, today, I had more time to take in more of the nuances and detail.
Overall, I have been shocked by this movie.
The cast did a superb job, top honours going to Zoe Saldana for the adorable amazonian goddess Neytiri. James Cameron has created technology able to capture the subtlest of gestures and emotions, and it brings the Avatars and Na-vi to scintillating life. The story I found to be involving, and I felt myself cursing the invaders, fretting for the Na-vi and their way of life, moved by the very touching and intimate romance and genuinely interested in what would happen next.
I can't help but think that the combination of Digital 3D, extreme-HD CGI and sheer spectacle just might spell a revival of the cinema. I spent nearly £10 each visit, and can only say that it was totally worth it. Sure, there are allegories that some will find hart to stomach, and some people don't really get sci-fi or fantasy, and some of the plot-devices have been used before, but to me none of that it relevant.
It is a shame that I will never have the opportunity to experience this again when it leaves cinemas. Sure, I will buy a blu-ray player (or cave and get a PS3) when it is released, but it will never be the same as the big-screen Digital 3D experience. Is it a landmark in film? I think so. Mr Cameron has already started passing on the new technology to other directors, and this will help not only the directors, studios and audience, but will be a revelation for cinema-takings.
With regards to the technology, I think there is a certain 'magic' about this film. The combination of imagination, MoCap, CGI and 3D feels like it affects the brain in a different way to the conventional 2D movie experience (like participating rather than witnessing). Certainly I am recurrently taken back to Pandora in a way I have not experienced before, and perhaps the tech had something to do with that.
Hopefully I can now fully get back to real life having written this, at least until my next visit to that far away land of beauty and harmony.
10/10