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Spies (2013)
8/10
Worth watching
6 July 2022
If you are interested in historical drama, old school spy craft, Soviet culture, Russian architecture, Eastern European history and WWII, this series is well worth watching. It is a real shame that it was canned after 3 series.

I watched this in 2022 seeking an antidote to the Russo-phobia campaign promoted by the western media during the NATO-Russia war, which NATO seems to be loosing despite layers of grease paint.

For a sort of a soapy, it worked remarkably well.

The directing, writing, acting, cinematography, locations and the attention to detail in the sets and settings are spellbinding.

For a western English speaking audience the subtitles are a bit frustrating - it is evident that so much is lost in translation. Still, grateful thanks to the subtitle editors who made this fine work addressable to a non-Russian speaker.
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Roba (2012– )
8/10
Season 1 A classic cop shop TV drama with edge and heart
10 August 2021
The rating relates to episodes 1-10 of Season 1 - very good work.

The writing, acting and direction are tight; trite cliches are avoided; and, both the characters and story line are genuinely human and relatable.
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8/10
Another fine work from Serhat Caradee (Cedar Boys, 2009)
5 April 2021
A Lion Returns (2020) is is slow paced, dialogue driven drama of a family in crisis.

I was reminded of a carefully wrought stage play and found it deeply engrossing.

The script achieves a high standard all too rare now in Australian film and TV drama. The direction is deft and the acting is consistently good. Danny Elacci's performance as Omar, the good son, is outstanding.
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Bridgerton (2020– )
1/10
Someone spent a lot of money to create an USofA 'Game of Thrones' fantasy - don't waste your time
29 December 2020
I have not read the book. It's a fantasy novel, OK. I have no problem with the cast diversity - it's the sole redeeming feature. I just can't understand why anyone would make such crap. Why engage such a talented crew to produce rubbish like this?
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The Cuban (2019)
3/10
Worthwhile work ruined by quirky cinematography
6 October 2020
Good story, good soundtrack, some good acting, but why is almost every scene in shade and out of focus? Engaging Canadian drama but very hard to watch.
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Made in Italy (2019)
8/10
A delightful, heartwarming series
25 May 2020
Set in 1970's Milan, the series follows Irene Mastrangelo (Greta Ferro), a young woman who takes a job at a fashion magazine to support herself through uni. She soon becomes immersed in the dynamic world of emerging Italian fashion.

The series is well scripted, well acted and well shot. The setting is fascinating. Well worth the time to watch.
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Bull (2019)
9/10
This is not a review, just a few words of thanks for a great film
3 April 2020
What a film! Grateful thanks to the prodcucers, director and crew. Everyman as a sparky young woman. Real people, real suffering, real life. Well done!
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Revelation (2020)
9/10
In depth journalism at its best
2 April 2020
Revelation examines the historical sexual abuse of vulnerable children by priests in regional Australia from the 1950s to the 1980s, and the institutional power, impunity and cover up of that abuse by the Roman Catholic Church.

This is groundbreaking and finely crafted documentary making by the wonderful Sarah Ferguson and Nial Fulton, with support from a great crew and excellent researchers. The focus is local and deeply personal, but the topic and themes are universal.

In an interview for ABC News, Sarah Ferguson said: "Throughout the long-running scandal of clerical abuse in Australia, there was one voice we hadn't heard and that was the perpetrators. I wanted to ask them how they led their double lives and how the church enabled them, but how do you interview men whose crimes are so vile and disturbing, who've committed crimes against vulnerable children? It was a struggle not to let my revulsion at their crimes drag me off course."

Revelation was broadcast by ABC TV (the national broadcaster) at 8:30pm to moderate audiences over three weeks in Australia.
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Resistance (2020)
5/10
A story that needs telling, but perhaps not this way
30 March 2020
Marceau's life story deserves to be told. His body of work is a precious gift. Sadly, this is a journeyman's effort from Jon Jakubowicz; the script lacks nuance; and, the film falls well short of good cinema. Jesse Eisenberg does a fair job of his dramatic role but he is no mime, and here, that's a shame. Bella Ramsey stands out as Elizabeth. Not worth going out on a cold night to see this plodding tale.
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7/10
Very watchable crime drama from Channel 4
10 March 2020
This is a UKB crime drama developed for English languague broadcast TV; there are issues, but I found it well paced and very watchable.

I'm always pleased to see a director post here. The commissioning editor and crew can be proud of this work. There are some well drawn characters, a good plot arc, a touch of intrigue, and some fine scene setting and camera work. Well done.

More knowledgeable folk have been critical here about authenticity. I understand, but this is entertainment. I think the crew made a reasonable effort to offer a local perspective on 'the cradle of civilisation' to their English viewers.

I hope they get funding for another series. If so, I'll be watching.
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Paris, Wine & Romance (2019 TV Movie)
4/10
le grand grand cliché
5 May 2019
Oh Hallmark, you've done it again. Nothing unexpected here. Every possible cliché is pursued to craft a film of exquisite predictability; each storyline is explored to a millimetre's depth. How do they do it? A certain success with Hallmark's target audience. Switch on, switch off, switch on. Better than oxycodone, anyday.
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The Heights (2019–2020)
7/10
Entertaining Aussie drama serial in a great ABC tradition
10 March 2019
The ABC is Australia's public broadcaster with one hundred years of service providing news and entertainment across this vast island continent. 'The Heights' is a good fit in a great tradition of ABC serials like 'Blue Hills', 'Bellbird' and 'GP'. A light and entertaining 30 minute relationship drama series, it reflects the diverse life of multi-cultural inner city Australia. It may be a little 'nudging' for some still wedded to a 'white Australia' ethos. Maybe that was intended. Set in Perth, it could just as well be Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. After the first 10 episodes, I am finding it lots of fun to watch. The diversity of roles and the focus given to strong women and young people is very refreshing. For me, its best element is excellent writing. Thanks to: Hannah Carroll Chapman, Romina Accurso, Peter Mattessi, Megan Palinkas, Nick King, Clare Atkins, Niki Aken, Dot West, Magda Wozniak, Mithila Gupta, Tracey Defty-Rashid, Larissa Behrendt, Miley Tunnecliffe, Katie Beckett and Melissa Lee Speyer. Well done! And grateful thanks to developers Warren Clarke and Que Minh Luu.
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Mrs. Wilson (2018)
Ruth Wilson at her best; an amazing tale in three tight episodes, based on true life.
15 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Ruth Wilson is a great actor. Here she is at her best.

All the critiques expressed by others here are valid. This is a very frustrating mini-series. The producers work hard to keep a complex story coherent and flowing, but they do fail from time to time. There are a few challenges to credibility and quite a few plot holes. But the story is based on a family's real secrets and their real experience over almost a century after WWI, so who should be surprised.

The cruel harms of the great capitalist disaster that was WWI resonate through the lives of so many millions of families throughout the world.

The story is carried forward brilliantly by the main character Alison Wilson (Ruth Wilson), in silent partnership with the almost unseen protagonist, Alex Wilson (Iain Glen). They are supported by an excellent production team, cast and crew.

At the end of part 3 we learn that Her Majesty's UK Government still refuses to release the files they hold on Alex Wilson. He remains a mystery. We know he served the King in France in WWI, in India in the 1930's and in Egypt during WWII, but despite this, was cashiered out of the Civil Service in 1942 for 'theft'. We never really learn why. But we do learn about the collateral damage to three fine women and their four sons, who loved him.

I was distracted by plot holes as the series rolled along. Alex published 23 popular books but had no income? Did Alex really bludge off Alison for 22 years? Why wasn't Alison curious that, after decades of civil service, Alex had no pension? Why was there no effort to publish Alex's final book? Seems Alex published books after his break up with Dorothy so why was their son not aware?

But all is forgiven. A great yarn well told. All credit to Ruth Wilson. And then Susan Jameson shows up as Matron to seal the deal - wow! I'm hooked.

Grateful thanks to Masterpiece & BBC one. I was privileged to watch this on free to air TV. Please distribute widely. It's a jem.
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Been So Long (2018)
7/10
A gritty, layered gem of a film with a new take on musical comedy
27 October 2018
This is the first work I have seen from director Tinge Krishnan. I will be looking out for more from her.

Based on Ché Walker's stage musical, the film's script does meander a bit, but that's not all bad. The star power of Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene in the main roles support the core story line, but the sub-plots embellish it, providing depth and context. Love, loss, diversity and community. Great stuff from Ms Krishnan.
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