TheLittleSongbird
Joined Jan 2009
Welcome to the new profile
We're still working on updating some profile features. To see the badges, ratings breakdowns, and polls for this profile, please go to the previous version.
Ratings22K
TheLittleSongbird's rating
Reviews22K
TheLittleSongbird's rating
'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "I Deserve Some Loving Too" (2020)
Opening thoughts: "I Deserve Some Loving Too" has an irresistible and attention grabbing title, but was hoping that the execution of the story would live up to it. Was also hoping that it would see Season 21 back on the right track, after seeing four disappointments in a row in a season where the standard had not been great with most of the previous episodes and the overall season wasn't particularly great either. There are disappointing seasons of shows that still have a few winners among the many misfires, and Season 21 did have two above good ones.
One was "Murdered at a Bad Address", by far the best of the season with it being the only great episode. The other was this "I Deserve Some Loving Too", the best episode since that by quite some way. The episodes in between never rose above pretty decent but uneven standard and most were average or less. "I Deserve Some Loving Too" really impressed me though and absolutely do not agree with the criticisms directed at the opening and find the main objection bizarre.
Bad things: Am going to mention the negatives first this time. Rollins being the one undercover, considering what she went through earlier in the season (five or so episodes before), seemed unrealistic and too soon to me.
Still don't like Tamin, not much personality and it's not an endearing one, Jamie Gray Hyder is still dull as her.
Good things: However, everything else is brilliant. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. That the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time is great too. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction and lots of tight intelligent writing that provokes thought and a wide range of emotions. While not extraordinary, with an obvious perpetrator, the story is still enormously compelling and very creepy. O'Toole is one of those characters that one immediately roots for to be sent down and Hasim makes a strong impression.
It is very well acted by almost all, Hyder being the one exception. Delaney Williams relishes playing a character that one loves to hate and who is every prosecution witness' worst nightmare. Really appreciated that everybody has something to do and that it is not too dominant on just one character, that it was never soapy and that the team worked cohesively.
Do not agree with the hate the opening scene gets for apparently being anti-male, considering the subject (where harrassment plays a big role) and that it actually does happen and in exactly that way (speaking from experience on a regular basis in my university years) to me the criticism isn't fair. Plus it does not anywhere say that all men behave like this, it's just an example.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, very good and in a different league to a vast majority of the season's episodes.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: "I Deserve Some Loving Too" has an irresistible and attention grabbing title, but was hoping that the execution of the story would live up to it. Was also hoping that it would see Season 21 back on the right track, after seeing four disappointments in a row in a season where the standard had not been great with most of the previous episodes and the overall season wasn't particularly great either. There are disappointing seasons of shows that still have a few winners among the many misfires, and Season 21 did have two above good ones.
One was "Murdered at a Bad Address", by far the best of the season with it being the only great episode. The other was this "I Deserve Some Loving Too", the best episode since that by quite some way. The episodes in between never rose above pretty decent but uneven standard and most were average or less. "I Deserve Some Loving Too" really impressed me though and absolutely do not agree with the criticisms directed at the opening and find the main objection bizarre.
Bad things: Am going to mention the negatives first this time. Rollins being the one undercover, considering what she went through earlier in the season (five or so episodes before), seemed unrealistic and too soon to me.
Still don't like Tamin, not much personality and it's not an endearing one, Jamie Gray Hyder is still dull as her.
Good things: However, everything else is brilliant. It is as ever shot with the right amount of intimacy without feeling too up close, even with a reliance of close up camerawork. That the editing has become increasingly tighter over-time is great too. The music isn't over-scored, manipulative or used too much. There is intimacy and tautness in the direction and lots of tight intelligent writing that provokes thought and a wide range of emotions. While not extraordinary, with an obvious perpetrator, the story is still enormously compelling and very creepy. O'Toole is one of those characters that one immediately roots for to be sent down and Hasim makes a strong impression.
It is very well acted by almost all, Hyder being the one exception. Delaney Williams relishes playing a character that one loves to hate and who is every prosecution witness' worst nightmare. Really appreciated that everybody has something to do and that it is not too dominant on just one character, that it was never soapy and that the team worked cohesively.
Do not agree with the hate the opening scene gets for apparently being anti-male, considering the subject (where harrassment plays a big role) and that it actually does happen and in exactly that way (speaking from experience on a regular basis in my university years) to me the criticism isn't fair. Plus it does not anywhere say that all men behave like this, it's just an example.
Closing thoughts: Concluding, very good and in a different league to a vast majority of the season's episodes.
8/10.
'The Green Planet' (2022)
Opening thoughts: Have been a massive fan of David Attenborough for most of my young adult life and see any new project of his without fail. Amazing images, information that entertains, teaches, moves and shocks, cute and menacing animals, complex mix of emotions and unforgettable sequences are abound in everything he does, and it is hard to not listen to his distinctive voice for hours. When it comes to presenting and narrating nature documentaries, he is incomparable.
'The Green Planet' is another treasure from Attenborough, who may dislike being called a national treasure but wholly deserves being considered one. It is not quite some of his best work, not being on 'Blue Planet' and 'Planet Earth's' level, but it is his most ground-breaking series in a long time. Can not remember any other documentary of his that explored such a wide variety of plants in such a comprehensive way and with such unique behaviours. All five instalments are never less than excellent and are visually stunning and informative.
Good things; Everything. As said, all five episodes look fantastic. With some absolutely stunning photography, that at its best is cinematic-worthy. Can say nothing bad about the scenery, which is both beautiful and unforgiving. They are breath-taking in their beauty while also suitably cruel (the underwater in "Water Worlds" is both a beautiful and unforgiving place), reminding one that the different environments pose daily challenges for its inhabitants.
Did like too that the music is beautifully scored and tonally varied (whether majestic, playful or melancholic), without being too melodramatic. Throughout the narration educates, thought-provokes and entertains, with the odd surprise. Cannot praise Attenborough himself enough. He delivers the information so sincerely and enthusiastically, without talking down, and he is easily in the top 10 of voices that one can listen to for hours tirelessly.
Neither can any fault be had with the plants, such an amazing job is done making one care for them. Prey and predator and regardless of size, in a way that one cares about a well written human character without over-humanising. There are images that left me asking "how was this even caught on camera". All while also bringing something fresh to the more familiar plants. There are so many moments of sheer beauty, but the series is also not afraid to show a more brutal, uncompromising side.
Closing thoughts: Overall, truly wonderful.
10/10.
Opening thoughts: Have been a massive fan of David Attenborough for most of my young adult life and see any new project of his without fail. Amazing images, information that entertains, teaches, moves and shocks, cute and menacing animals, complex mix of emotions and unforgettable sequences are abound in everything he does, and it is hard to not listen to his distinctive voice for hours. When it comes to presenting and narrating nature documentaries, he is incomparable.
'The Green Planet' is another treasure from Attenborough, who may dislike being called a national treasure but wholly deserves being considered one. It is not quite some of his best work, not being on 'Blue Planet' and 'Planet Earth's' level, but it is his most ground-breaking series in a long time. Can not remember any other documentary of his that explored such a wide variety of plants in such a comprehensive way and with such unique behaviours. All five instalments are never less than excellent and are visually stunning and informative.
Good things; Everything. As said, all five episodes look fantastic. With some absolutely stunning photography, that at its best is cinematic-worthy. Can say nothing bad about the scenery, which is both beautiful and unforgiving. They are breath-taking in their beauty while also suitably cruel (the underwater in "Water Worlds" is both a beautiful and unforgiving place), reminding one that the different environments pose daily challenges for its inhabitants.
Did like too that the music is beautifully scored and tonally varied (whether majestic, playful or melancholic), without being too melodramatic. Throughout the narration educates, thought-provokes and entertains, with the odd surprise. Cannot praise Attenborough himself enough. He delivers the information so sincerely and enthusiastically, without talking down, and he is easily in the top 10 of voices that one can listen to for hours tirelessly.
Neither can any fault be had with the plants, such an amazing job is done making one care for them. Prey and predator and regardless of size, in a way that one cares about a well written human character without over-humanising. There are images that left me asking "how was this even caught on camera". All while also bringing something fresh to the more familiar plants. There are so many moments of sheer beauty, but the series is also not afraid to show a more brutal, uncompromising side.
Closing thoughts: Overall, truly wonderful.
10/10.
'Les Petits Meutres' "Rendez-vous Avec La Mort" (2019)
Opening thoughts: 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' is inconsistent, but it is also interesting and enjoyable. Did feel though that Larosiere and Lampion were far more interesting characters than to Alice and especially Laurence and gelled far better and quicker, yet they were in less episodes. Never had any problem with Alice, who is a joy in every episode, but their chemistry wasn't always harmonious and it took me a while to warm to Laurence (who thankfully has come on a long way as a character).
"Rendez-Vous Avec La Mort" is the third filmed adaptation of 'Appointment with Death'. Which is not one of the Queen of Crime's very best books, but is well worth reading for the setting and the juicy character of Mrs Boynton. While the Peter Ustinov adaptation (which is my least favourite of his six outings as Poirot) is more faithful to the book, even with changes, there is actually a preference for the admittedly very, very loose but much more polished visually and in acting David Suchet adaptation. Am aware of this being a contrarian opinion, as that gets a lot of hate. "Rendez-Vous Avec La Mort" is also loose, but is very, very enjoyable in its own right.
Bad things: It does take a long time to get going plot wise, meaning that the pace of the first half felt sluggish and not always eventful.
Good things: However, there is a huge amount to recommend. Production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. The script is sophisticated and humorous in the right places while also being thoughtful and taking it seriously without going overboard on that.
The second half is much stronger, much richer and more intricate with plenty of twists and turns without feeling over-stuffed. All plausible and easy to follow, while also not too easy to figure out. The episode clearly enjoyed making Clemence as thoroughly detestable as possible, occasionally overdoing it, and she is every inch the gorgon-like character as ought. Alice is irresistible and Laurence has come on a lot as a character. The acting is very good, with Mireille Herbstmeyer looking as though she was having the time of her life and unsettling in it.
Closing thoughts: Overall, very well done.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' is inconsistent, but it is also interesting and enjoyable. Did feel though that Larosiere and Lampion were far more interesting characters than to Alice and especially Laurence and gelled far better and quicker, yet they were in less episodes. Never had any problem with Alice, who is a joy in every episode, but their chemistry wasn't always harmonious and it took me a while to warm to Laurence (who thankfully has come on a long way as a character).
"Rendez-Vous Avec La Mort" is the third filmed adaptation of 'Appointment with Death'. Which is not one of the Queen of Crime's very best books, but is well worth reading for the setting and the juicy character of Mrs Boynton. While the Peter Ustinov adaptation (which is my least favourite of his six outings as Poirot) is more faithful to the book, even with changes, there is actually a preference for the admittedly very, very loose but much more polished visually and in acting David Suchet adaptation. Am aware of this being a contrarian opinion, as that gets a lot of hate. "Rendez-Vous Avec La Mort" is also loose, but is very, very enjoyable in its own right.
Bad things: It does take a long time to get going plot wise, meaning that the pace of the first half felt sluggish and not always eventful.
Good things: However, there is a huge amount to recommend. Production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. The script is sophisticated and humorous in the right places while also being thoughtful and taking it seriously without going overboard on that.
The second half is much stronger, much richer and more intricate with plenty of twists and turns without feeling over-stuffed. All plausible and easy to follow, while also not too easy to figure out. The episode clearly enjoyed making Clemence as thoroughly detestable as possible, occasionally overdoing it, and she is every inch the gorgon-like character as ought. Alice is irresistible and Laurence has come on a lot as a character. The acting is very good, with Mireille Herbstmeyer looking as though she was having the time of her life and unsettling in it.
Closing thoughts: Overall, very well done.
8/10.