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talpapiger
Reviews
The Orville (2017)
Switch from Fox To Hulu was unfortunate
By being in the enemy camp Seth MacFarlane had to be less overt, more nuanced in expressing his political views, focusing instead on entertaining his audience. And although the show had already begun losing its sense of innocuous fun since Season 2, it still tackled topical issues in an understated, easy-going, humorous manner. By contrast, opening episode of Season 3 dealt with ostracism and suicide, no less, in an earnest, over-indulgent fashion, putting the viewer in a state of unease. The second - indifferent, perfunctory Alien rip-off - was better, but it was obvious that the charm has gone. By the end of the third I lost any enthusiasm for the rest of the season. Pity.
The Magnificent Yankee (1950)
Painfully unsophisticated
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Was, by all accounts, a fairly fascinating figure with many foibles, flaws and contradictions, but you can't tell it from this sanitized, New Dealist portrayal. Still, it's pleasant and agreeable enough, in a developmentally disabled sort of way.
Maigret (2022)
Maigret et la Jeune Morte
From the director of the excellent Monsieur Hire - still one of the best Simenon adaptations - you certainly expect more than this tired, geriatric and rather pedestrian treatment. It's all very dark bluish, with unsteady camera, listless performances and general air of fatigue (it opens with Maigret's visit to the doctor).
It's a pity Lecont and Depardieu couldn't make Maigret sooner, in their better years (the novel was filmed before - much more lively if not particularly excitingly - with Jean Richard in 1973).
Coming Home in the Dark (2021)
Women and children first
Well, mercifully, they've got rid of non-important characters early on. And New Zealand is picturesque, as usual.
In other respects, this nifty little picture will offer you nothing. Been there done that.