andrewjdavis-home's Reviews

The Farthest (2017)

10/10

The greatest scientific / engineering achievement humans have ever achieved

17 January 2023

I was born in 1969 when the space race was still in full flow.

The documentaries about Voyager and Pioneer made me want to be an engineer and build amazing things.

I only found out about this a year ago, but it brought back memories of being a child who was fascinated by space and science.

I truly believe the Voyager and Pioneer missions have been the pinnacle of human achievement so far - surpassing the moon landings.

This documentary had me welling up with tears for much of it because it represents the very best we can do when we put our minds to it.

A beautiful tribute to our crowning achievement.

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The Equalizer (2021– )

7/10

Its OK!

1 November 2022

I live in the UK and have fond memories of the original with Robert Woodward.

This reboot is fine. Some people seem to have forgotten in the original, he wasn't some action hero, he was an old man who usually won by brains or skill, not brute force (unlike Denzel - who was good in a different way).

Queen Latifah is quite charismatic so a strong lead, and the supporting cast are all good.

Plots are predictable but satisfying.

I also like the everyday settings - it isn't all glamorous locations and fancy cinematography, sometime a bit of normality or grit work quite well.

The only thing missing is a bit more of a thread to link episodes together to some bigger plot device.

I don't know what all the hate is about, but watch, switch off and enjoy.

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National Theatre Live: Prima Facie (2022)

10/10

The greatest performance I have ever seen

29 August 2022

I had heard it was incredible by people who had seen it live so my expectations were high. Nothing prepared me for what I saw though. Quite simply it was the best performance I have ever seen. Comer is beyond brilliant in this and fills every single second of the play with joy, pain, doubt, guilt, horror. My first reaction after leaving the theatre is - how could she put that much energy into the performance night after night on stage? The effort she put in exhausted us just watching. You will never see a better performance, ever- unless she does something else that tops even this.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

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The Midwich Cuckoos (2022)

10/10

Terrific story, well told

11 June 2022

Full disclosure, I have read every book by John Wyndham, some more than once.

They are all terrific stories and so coherent, showing what an amazing author he was.

Therefore I was always going to watch this with a positive attitude.

So what did I think after 2 episodes?

Well the pacing was slow, but worked well and kept me gripped. Keely Hawes and Max Beesley are both great actors, and I liked Aslling Loftus's performance too.

The music, scenery and cinematography all worked well.

Basically I loved it.

Oh, yes, the number of minority actors made me blink, but after 5 seconds I forgot about it and just enjoyed the show.

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On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

9/10

This film is the same age as me - how are we both doing?

19 January 2022

Warning: Spoilers

I haven't seen this in decades, so after the final Daniel Craig outing, thought I would give it another go.

Well, I have just watched it and, yes, I am in tears.

Maybe I am getting sentimental in my old age, but the ending is one of the most poignant in cinema history.

As for the rest? There are some terrific scenes which make it worth getting through some of the less-than-perfect sections.

The scene where James and Tracy start to fall in love is simple yet beautiful.

The two skiing scenes are both fantastic (except for the comical frames where they are in the studio).

The stock-car scene is brilliantly filmed and the little smiles from Tracy as she bashes into the other cars will warm your heart.

The wedding scene is perfect and the little smile from James to Moneypenny sums up a wonderful friendship in a mere glance.

The music is the best sound-track in all of the Bond films IMHO.

And finally, of course, Diana Rigg is the best Bond girl ever - yes, even better than Eva Green!

It is a fitting tribute to a wonderful, beautiful actress.

Watch this film and have a little quiet moment to remember her at her finest.

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Foundation (2021– )

10/10

Excellent start

24 September 2021

Ignore those trying to make a big thing about the characters not conforming to some supposed picture in the commenters head.

Ignore those trying to make it all about "woke" - sheesh!

I thought it was a terrific opening episode. Lots of exposition is required but it is done at just the right pace.

Jared Harris is always watchable, but full marks to Lou Llobell - she is great and manages to be both defiant, scared and vulnerable in equal measure. She was mesmerising in all her scenes.

I am really excited for this - it took me most of season 1 to get into The Expanse (which was amazing) but this has me hooked right from the first episode.

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Our Ladies (2019)

9/10

Builds into a great, heartwarming tale.

28 August 2021

The first 30 minutes were a bit, awkward, with the schoolgirls (albeit hilarious) sex obsessions, but stick with it. By the end I was welling up a bit about their friendship and the story. Excellent movie, great scenery, fantastic performances, very funny in parts. Recommended.

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This Way Up (2019– )

9/10

Season 1 is good, season 2 even better

8 August 2021

This show is like no other. I can't believe Aisling wrote such gritty, moving and sometimes filthy scenes and was prepared to act them out herself with no ego.

The final episode is truly amazing so fingers crossed for a Season 3 because we need to see what happens next.

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Call My Agent!: Audrey (2015)

Season 1, Episode 4

10/10

Audrey nails it

24 January 2021

Fantastic episode. Audrey Fleurot puts in a perfect performance as the harassed mum, blended with a hint of her former actress self. I smiled and laughed all the way through, especially with the magazine reveal.

This show improves with every episode.

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Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine (2020 TV Special)

8/10

I liked it - tried to be a bit different and it worked

22 November 2020

I saw this pop up on the Guardian interview in the UK, so I thought I would give it a whirl.

She really tried to be a bit different with this - part absurdist, part sketch show, part drama. I liked the experimentation and playing with different themes.

Great cast too. A good start to her career, and hopefully she will develop some new innovative concepts for future stuff.

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Tenet (2020)

9/10

Flawed but fascinating and bold

1 September 2020

The criticisms on this thread are all valid.

Sound was spectacular but too noisy - the dialog was hard to follow at times. The thread of the story is pretty convoluted so you won't be able to follow it in real time, but previous bits will start to make sense as it flows. The basic concept was original but nearly failed spectacularly. It also has some elements from Inception - especially the final set-piece.

However I still thought it was great. Very good acting from the ensemble, JDW, ED and RP were excellent. KB can be a bit varied, but he was pretty scary in this one.

I love it when a director tries something unique and kudos for this attempt as it is unlike any other story I have seen before, and well executed to boot.

If your partner is someone who constantly tugs your sleeve during a movie to ask what is going on, best leave them at home. Just go with the flow.

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His Dark Materials: Armour (2019)

Season 1, Episode 4

10/10

Wow

25 November 2019

Yorick was incredible. Not so keen on the voice, but the visuals were amazing. Definitely amping it up on every episode so far.

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Watchmen: She Was Killed by Space Junk (2019)

Season 1, Episode 3

10/10

Best EP so far

9 November 2019

Jean Smart absolutely nails this one, a delight to watch. Also the music has been growing on me throughout the series. When I found out it was Trent Reznor, it made sense. Subtle but fantastically atmospheric.

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Black Mirror: Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too (2019)

Season 5, Episode 3

9/10

Actually quite good

18 June 2019

Again, no idea what the haters are in about. Yes it was silly, twee and childish, but it just worked! I am certainly not a fan of MC but she did a good job here as did all the actors (especially Madison Davenport).

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Black Mirror: San Junipero (2016)

Season 3, Episode 4

10/10

LGBT was irrelevant - this is a love story about 2 people

26 May 2019

Warning: Spoilers

Why do some people get so get het up about the fact that the couple were women? This is a perfect love story, heart breaking, uplifting, beautiful.

I re-watched it for the first time today and while I loved the whole episode, I was slightly confused when the credits started rolling until I remembered that the whole thing is wrapped up in the last 30 seconds of the episode - they just nailed it. Yes, it is a but slow, but in the end it pays off hugely! Bold, brave, incredible. One of my favourite 1 hours of entertainment ever.

P.s. I am a straight white 50 year old.

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Team America: World Police (2004)

10/10

Stupid, purile, offensive, I loved it

1 May 2019

I genuinely have no idea how someone could give this movie less than 10. I have watched it once every couple of years since it came out and I am still in awe of so many of the scenes after all this time. You just need to say "Jean pierre", "terrorise this","Hans Brix", "the signal","suck my...","three types of people" and I am mentally replaying each scene crying with laughter. A true masterpiece, python for the 21st century

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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023)

10/10

Don't be fooled - it's funny but it's so much more than that

19 October 2018

Lots of the reviews focus on the stand up and how funny it is. Well, yes there are some good jokes but that is underselling the show. Stellar performances and fascinating characters are what really makes this show special. The first few episodes are charming and draw you in, yes it sags a tiny bit in the middle but I am now on episode 7 and wow, it's mesmerizing. The energy and honesty of Rachel Brosnahan's performance is outstanding and everyone else managed to hold their own too. Fantastic stuff.

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