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Reviews
The Cuckoo (2024)
Watchable but Unconvincing and Poor Characters
Where to start?
None of the 4 main characters are at all likeable.
The husband and wife are weak and ineffectual.
The daughter is spoilt and withdrawn. Sian is not convincing as the poorly dressed bunny boiler.
The script is predictable laid on top of a paper thin plot.
The acting seems pretty poor to me but it could be the script.
The police procedure allowing an alleged criminal
To phone his wife (a witness) and other things are just not right. At the end episode 4 is really extra dire!
On some levels it's mildly watchable - the filming and sets and scenery are good!! The other critical reviews seem fair!
Griselda (2024)
Cigarette Advert With Drug Script
I guess one of the major cigarette manufacturers must have paid for a substantial portion of the production of this miniseries, as there is smoking in almost every scene, which substantially undermines the sense of mood and time that is trying to be created.
The script is quite dreary and uninspiring like a standard episode of a TV drama, and I find it acting pretty average throughout. Many of the plot lines seem impossible, and the overall feel is that cocaine smuggling is glamorised by this.
On the plus side, the costumes, vehicles and interiors and backdrops are all pretty fabulous and really convey the look and feel of the 70s. The actual baseline story seems quite interesting. Although the script doesn't really do it justice.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt and watched 4 episodes before writing this review but the cigarettes just undermine all else with them lighting up about once a minute.
Amanda & Alan's Italian Job (2023)
Italy is the Star
The whole concept of the show to renovate a house in Italy is quite educational and it is great to see the Italian landscape and culture. Both of the presenters are reasonably professional and much of what they do is ok. It's a shame they let it down by too much self indulgence.
Both of them are a bit self congratulatory about laughing at their own jokes, which is offputting
Amanda Holden treats it too much like a catwalk, parading hundreds of different impractical outfits which just jars with the tone of the program.
It is questionable what if anything their practical skills actually added to the renovation. From what I can see they do a few photo opportunities holding a hammer or trowel then effectively let the builders get on with the work. Alan Carr is particularly annoying shrieking with delight at his own incompetence like it's endearing. It's not! It's attention seeking.
So a mixed bag I think let down by the vanity of the presenters which should be dialled down from 9 to 5!!
Boat Story (2023)
Stick With It to Episode 3 or 4
The series mixes a number of genres that don't normally go together, but it keeps just the right side of the ridiculous line to be entertaining and rewarding. Initially I focused on how stupid the lead characters were particularly Samuel and Janet who kept on behaving like idiots presumably for some dramatic intent. He was a lawyer in a previous life, and you would've expected him to be thinking through the logical next steps, and not panicking like a teenager. And shrieking.
The lead characters histrionics nearly sunk the Boat!
However, by episode 3 or 4 the characters are developed in such a way that you start to care for them and you can see the interactive dynamics and some of the parts start to become enjoyable and rewarding to watch to the end.
Suitably different to many other programs. This is to be commended for its originality, and ultimately, it was a really enjoyable watch.
Trust the journey and the effort watching past, episode three is worth the investment of time. Well done BBC. I'd rate this an 8 but other reviews were a bit mean so I give it an extra star!
Kin (2021)
It Could Have Been So Much Better
The overall plot had potential and many bits of this drama are pretty good. With the exception of Eammon and Amanda most of the characters just don't ring true due to the poor writing:
Read the 3 and 6 point review below!
The Kinsellas
Frank is a slightly unconvincing crime lord.
Jimmy is a half witted hothead.
Eric makes Jimmy look like a genius
Michael doesn't know if he is a caring father or a hardened hit man!
A lot of basic plot fails - examples
They don't seem to have any security at their houses and in one episode Michael falls through his own glass front door. Would a hitman with enemies really not take better care?
They get tanked up on booze and cocaine after robbing the competition. If they were attached they'd be toast!
It's watchable but I'd sack the writing team.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
One of the Best Films Ever. Full Stop!!
Having watched this film on initial release as a teenager it blew me away. I'm Scottish but it seemed such a realistic portrayal of middle America normal guys. It's set in the context of the Vietnam war but it's hot so much more depth to it.
It's about relationships with friends and wives and family and how time and events can change things. It takes you in an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs and is all the more enjoyable for it.
The script and acting are superb from all the main characters. Remember Methley Streep was only 28 and Robert de Niro was a last minute replacement for Roy Schneider (mr jaws) with 2 weeks to go.
Many more articulate reviews below I bow to. Ignore the revisionist comments that view 1970s attitudes and thoughts through 2023 eyes.
One of my favourite scenes is the guys playing pool, drinking beer and dancing to Frankie Valli!!
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
3hr Cigarette Advert
I can't believe the fawning reviews on here presumably because of the actors or director.
The plot is glacially slow and the dialogue fairly tedious. Very little actually happens in the movie to make you care about the characters who are poorly developed.
Tarantino or the producers I suspect have been backed by the tobacco industry to feature cigarettes in almost every scene. It really is quite jarring and it undermines the credibility of the entire project - which the script manages to also do so a double whammy of selling your soul and bland mediocrity are the main takeaways.
I'll give it 3 stars for the sense of time and place and the cars and wardrobe dept.
To reiterate others The Emperors New Clothes.
Clean Sweep (2023)
Quality is in the detail
This drama deserves your attention, because so much of the details on the plot, narrative are done, excellently. The interfaces between the various members of the family, and the subtle nuances of what it is like to feel the friction of family. Life are done absolutely wonderfully...
The main characters, including the husband and wife and the children all play magnificently and deserve to be applauded.
Some of the supporting actors, including the female partner, Cop, the nightmare of the parent teacher Association, and the persistent London. Cop are all a bit overdone, but they cannot take away from the core magnificence of the leads.
It is set an island and has many other things going for it, but really taken as a whole piece, this is a very worthy drama that deserves your time and attention..
The Dropout (2022)
Very Entertaining and String Acting
Seyfreid pulls of Elizabeth Holmes, magnificently, and you just can't take your eyes off her. She manages the three main components of Elizabeth character of geeky zealot with a mission for the first three episodes, and then there is a switch into the Corporate woman who can talk the birds out of the trees and charm anybody, but can then switch into coldhearted Sociopath like a switch has been thrown.
I would also highlight strong performances from. Stephen Fry, ebon Moss and Anne Archer not forgetting. Dylan as Tyler Schulz.
The pace is good and a decent script and all of the actors contribute well. Great set design and lots of tricky close up filming all contribute Uk the overall quality feel of the show.
Having watched a couple of documentaries on Serrano's, the dramatisation seems to be a pretty faithful reproduction of the real story.
I wonder what happened to the intellectual property in the company and part of me hopes that Elizabeths dream of easy access to blood testing for hundreds of diseases will become true one day.
There is a significant part of me that has a certain amount of admiration for someone able to pull the rule over so many apparently sophisticated investors and prize money out of them relatively easily. Walgreens, George schulz and Rupert Murdoch seem to be portrayed as buffoons falling for a pretty girl, flattering her eyelashes.
The Gold (2023)
A Series Of Smoking Adverts
There are several good elements to this series including the cars, the story and a couple of the lead characters such as Boyce, Palmer.but it's let down by so many major flaws.
There is no lead up to the robbery or proper depiction of the actual robbery to give context and develop characters.
The female and supporting criminal characters are all fairly one dimensional and following stereotypes that went out of fashion.
There are diversity inclusion boxes being ticked which are not proportionate for the times.
The plot is explained for the simpler audience members by the jarring technique of the actors speaking the plot out loud!
A lot of police procedure just seems plain wrong. No notes or recordings of interviews?
The degree of smoking is off the scale and suggests that the programme had been funded by the tobacco lobby. It totally undermined the story for me and the producer or director should be held accountable. It was a major unnecessary distraction!
I watched it through but it felt very low budget and disjointed. I'm surprised to see reviews at 10 as the problems are so glaring and obvious that it can't have escaped notice.
Frayed (2019)
Flawed but Brilliant
This review is written after having watched series 1 and series 2.
There are so many positives to be taken from the sure that I am excusing the fact that the Bruins level tapered off a little towards the end of series 2. Speaking as a Scotsman who has visited Australia. On many occasions, I think the court the Australian sense of humour perfectly.
The writing is absolutely first class, and I think captures a time and a place in mid-80s rural Australia, just perfectly.
The cast and characters are all very well developed, and the acting is top notch. Do you feel empathy for every single character?.
That makes me think a little bit of the Scottish movies, Gregory's girl or local hero, where if you analyse any little bit of the movie, you could pick flaws in it, but the sum of the parts is magnificent.
It is one of the few series that I've actually watched a second time.
By the ending of episode 12, I'm anticipating their lining up a third series!!😀
SAS Rogue Heroes (2022)
Disappointing Waste of Great Story and Visuals
Firstly I should point out that this has a couple of redeeming elements including the scenery and the set design and the cinematography which are all pretty good but the whole thing is let down by some fundamental flaws after setting aside any questions of accuracy.
1. Directing - dear oh dear, what a waste of a great story and potentially fabulous visuals!
2. The script - who approved.this trite rubbish that makes them all appear like egotistical reckless idiots. Think the level of "Commando" comic! The actors speaking the plot to aid the less gifted viewers.
3. The Acting - not sure how much to blame the leaden script but the accents and acting compete to undermine the plot!
4. Soundtrack - if I say incongruous and jarring I'm being kind. Contemporary rock and punk just undermine this style of visual show.
The Young Offenders (2016)
Truly Exceptional Coming of Age
This reminds me a little bit of movies like Local Hero or Comfort and Joy that manage that rare gift of combining side splitting comedy with tender thoughtful moments that bring real pathos. The writing is sublime and the characters are all fully developed. All of the actors deserve strong praise especially the 2 leads and Mam! The brilliance is the director allows even the big part actors to shine from Billy the psycho to the Garda. The scenery is a complimentary star!!
I think the reviews that are a little critical miss the point about how this movie makes you feel, that there is hope for all of us!
The film is brilliant and the 3 subsequent series maintain the quality level and the accents become a little easier in my opinion.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Weak, unsubtle, Act by numbers
It's hard to comprehend the glowing reviews here. This is lowest common denominator plot writing and acting crammed with virtue signalling and smugness off the scale.
Do Caprio and Lawrence are less irritating than the other "stars".
The writing is clumsy, substandard fare that is aimed at woke culture. It tries so hard to be a parody and forced humour. But it fails on every single level. I struggled through it hoping it was going to get better but it never did.
Absolutely dire!