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neil-bolton
Reviews
Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears (2020)
I rate it worse than The Room, which is better than this because it is So Bad.
We got comp tickets, were looking forward to some simple, family escapism, and (I guess) that's what we got.
But seriously, I cannot think of one thing that was done in this movie that was done well. It is ridiculously bad. Terrible.
I have watched The Room three times, the second and third time because it is just So Bad it really stands out. This one doesn't even do that.
I'd really like to add something constructive - check out my other reviews and you'll see I'm usually complimentary, and if I watch a merely reasonable movie I refrain from commenting - but this was exceptional.
It wasn't a complete waste of time, because it's something I can look back on with a combination of amusement and horror.
Breath (2017)
Compelling, breathtaking, beautiful.
Full disclosure: I'm a huge fan of Tim Winton's book, and a huge fan of Elizabeth Debicki. (If you haven't watched "The Night Manager", do so!)
Because I know the book well, I knew that less than half of it could get to the big screen. First: It's a bit of an epic, covering quite a few years, and many life events - it would come in way over 150+ minutes, and there's not enough happening in it to justify that. Second: there are some topics which could have been produced which would have made it R - or even X - rated, and that would have taken the movie a long way from the target audience. Besides, the movie stands on its own without these bits. Though I would so, so want to watch that version.
But you really, really must read the book. It's one of Australia's finest, tackling some very difficult subjects brilliantly. Totally gripping, even exhausting.
This will be a brief review:
Casting two local kids - non-actors - was a stroke of brilliance. They were both superb.
It was a tough book to bring to the big screen, and Simon Baker did it very well.
There are some scenes in it which are memorable, and will stay with me for years, and few movies do that.
It drew me back to my youth in a very compelling way, though I'm jealous - as a teenager I wish I had had an Elizabeth Debicki as a friend . . .
Cinematography is utterly superb.
Please watch it, in a quiet space. And please read the book. It's not an easy read, but so rewarding.
The Red Pill (2016)
Stunning
An incredibly powerful movie. I was brought to tears more than once, but one time I had to stop the movie - I couldn't go on for a good five minutes.
The sad part is evidenced by my wife, who, even though she is not an active feminist, refuses to watch it. This is supported by the reviews: 2,243 males have reviewed it, giving it an average rating of 8.8, but only 220 females, with an average of 7.6. It seems that rather than watch something which may challenge their beliefs, women choose not to listen to something which may contradict their world view.
As well as it being a very powerful documentary because of its content, the technical movie-making aspects are exceptionally good. At various times I was stunned at the photography, and the structure and delivery of the story is excellent.
Summary - I believe everyone who watches it will be deeply moved. It's such a shame that 90% of them will be male.