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Reviews
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Very Intimate
I watched this, and it is different from other documentaries because it is just a documentary about just one octopus and a man's relationship with it. It was hard to watch in some parts because he had to stay neutral and not interfere with nature, something I would find very hard to do. I have seen quite a few documentaries about the octopus, and they are extremely intelligent. They do not live very long, the female that is. The narrator and documentary maker is not a very excitable person, he is extremely mellow and relaxed, so if you are expecting a more Americanized type of documentary with a more rambunctious type of host/film maker than you probably won't enjoy his voice. I found it to be one of the most intimate documentaries that I have seen, and it really consumed my emotions.
Benidorm (2007)
Pretty much typical British Humor
The British seem to love creating over the top characters and are obsessed with bodily functions and double entendres. I get the premise of the show and think that the concept is quite clever, people from Britain vacationing on the cheap, but the characters have been done to death on Brit shows, I have seen so many shows where they take the quirkiness way over the top and make the characters more of a pantomime than real. Some of the writing I must admit is very funny, and some characters one could not warm to, and in real life wouldn't have anything to do with. The characters that you think you would find hard to like turn out to be the most likeable because they don't take their actions over the edge. There are two characters in the show that I absolutely thought were the wrong choice, and their lines did not come off as funny nasty, but just plain nasty and horrible. I have watched a lot of British comedies in the past and have enjoyed them, but they are now becoming repetitive. I think if you are British you will relate to this type of comedy more.
The Repair Shop (2017)
Enjoyable, but not the host.
I really like this show, just found it on Netflix, love the stories behind the objects and the reactions of the owners of them. However, the host, not sure if he is actually an expert on anything, maybe I am wrong, is really not necessary.
The Irishman (2019)
Actors too old and long winded.
First the whiff of Bendgay on the set must of been overwhelming. Al Pacino was too old to play Hoffa, they tried to make him look somewhat younger with terrible makeup. He could hardly get out of a chair. Robert De Niro was shuffling around and not convincing as someone who could beat up a shop owner. It was way too long, and I know that Robert, Joe and Al are the usual round up to play gangsters, but there must be younger and more agile actors who could do the same. It was OK, but lost interest after a while, and had to FF.
The King (2019)
Needs to be Historically Accurate
I enjoyed it, but am at a loss as to why they can't make movies about a historical figure more accurate, surely, his short life was fascinating enough not to add in events that never happened. Great cast and acting. It is slow. but absorbing, and some people might find it too slow.
After Life (2019)
Not Very Realistic
Why do the British always have the same type of quirky characters in their TV shows? For the most part they are not believable. I can name so many British TV shows that have the most over exaggerated characters that look like they should be in a vaudeville act. This is an OK show with the typical Gervais humor tied up around some sentimentality and his views of the after life. You can also wrap Ghost Town around it. It is a series that you will either absolutely love or just like. It jumps from one extreme emotion and decision to another. Ricky Gervais seems to not be able to do a movie without all the jokes, or a comedy without the sentimentality. Some can pull it off and make it realistic, but he is a more of a
comedian with a sharp tongue and a very funny one, but for me he doesn't make me feel his grief.
Man Down (2013)
Same old Quirky characters
I use to be a great fan of British comedies, but they seem to have written themselves into pretty much the same old characters. This show is no different than Doc Martin who is an unrealistic character and lives in a village/town with overly exaggerated quirky characters. The same goes for this show, some of the characters come across as real and odd, but some of the others just ridiculously overdone to the point of being childish pantomime. You often seen the same actors appearing in various British dramas/comedies as if there aren't any others available. Greg Davies is very animated and reminds me of a 12 year old boy showing off to his family and friends. You know the kind, "watch me, watch me". I think he should branch out a bit and write more versatile things. The Brits seemed to think poo and farts is just the funniest thing. It could be if done properly. I am disappointed in the standard of British comedy it seems to have lost its way.
Coco (2017)
Dazzling
We took our kids to see this and they loved it, even our son. We are familiar with the celebrations of the Mexican culture as they are celebrated in the state where we live , but we learned a lot more about the importance of this celebration of their ancestors from the movie. To be honest, I am not a person who likes animated movies that much, but there have been a couple that have connected with me. There will always be those people who will find this movie either boring or not what they expected, but they are the minority. It is colorful, full of family and heart, fun music and the importance of supporting a child's dreams.
Carol (2015)
Different
I think you either like this movie or you don't I kind of liked it, but wasn't sure who Carol was suppose to be and whether the wrong actress was given the part. If Carol was suppose to be a manipulative wealthy woman who has had several affairs and gets what she wants then Cate Blanchett was perfect for the role. However, is she was to be seen as truly in love with the younger shop assistant and we are to have sympathy for her during that time period and that she would have to give a lot away to be with her then Cate Blanchett did not convince. I did enjoy the quietness of the film. There would be many people who probably thought it was too slow for them and possibly boring.
The Hippopotamus (2017)
A lot of endless babble
Before even realizing it I thought that this sounded like Stephen Fry with his never ending sentences, analogies and metaphors that are neither that funny or clever for that matter. It was narrated by the lead character, but might as well of been narrated by Stephen Fry and the gist was lost in endless babble. I thought the story was more based on his atheist ideologies but probably could of worked but didn't. The characters were weak and the lead character was over dramatic and unrealistic. I have noticed, that many British shows will have quirky characters or the usual cynical grump, but instead of connecting to them, they are just over the top like a children's pantomime. I have never read the book, so have no clue how close to the story the movie was.
Call the Midwife (2012)
Not all Midwives were this Lovely
I love watching this show because I was born in London in 1960 and my brother was born in 1962. My mother had been living in London for about 5 years at the time. I was born in a hospital, and my brother by a midwife and a partially drunk doctor. The midwife was terrible according to my Australian grandmother who was there for his birth, she said it was more primitive than the births in Australia. My brother's birth was difficult, especially for him, the midwife made a mistake in her assumptions. A lot of women did not see a lovely Trixie, or a sympathetic Jenny or even a stern but experienced Sister Evangelina. I am sure that there were many dedicated and wonderful midwives but there was also some terrible ones.
The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2013)
Familiar Places and Faces
I love this show more for nostalgic reasons. I use to live in Melbourne, Victoria for 4 years and loved Ballarat and Bendigo. I lived in a state that had a large Italian/Greek population and many of the characters that have appeared on the show absolutely look like that. The character is a bit withdrawn and wooden, but then that was typical back in those times. I grew up in Perth, the west coast, and most of the men back then were restrained. The housekeeper reminded me of some of my aunts keeping a stiff upper lip and all emotions to yourself. Some of the plots are very good, and some kind ah. I am looking forward to the next season.
The Brokenwood Mysteries (2014)
Familiar
I use to live in New Zealand for 3 years way back in the 70's, it is unspoiled still. All the scenery houses bring back fond and nostalgic memories and for me, New Zealand is probably one of he most beautiful places on earth. The North Island was like 5 countries in one. I still have some family there. I really enjoy this show and the easy going relaxed lead characters. For me it is just a sit back and enjoy show, and some of the story lines are very good and well thought out. I use to work with, and knew a lot of quirky characters in Australia and New Zealand, and I recognize them in this show. The Maori actor also reminds me of the culture and customs of my friends that I use to hang out with.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
You will Either Like it or Hate it.
I found this movie funny and I watched it the first time in my 40's. I understood the humor. I think it was a very cultural thing about how absurd life is at times. I think if you are looking for a side slapping comedy, this isn't that kind of movie, and there is nothing deep and meaningful about it. I have watched it twice and still enjoy it. This is one of those movies that you either like or hate and probably nothing in between. It is not a fast paced movie, it just moves along slowly. I don't think people from other countries would like it that much, but then again, you never know. I do know a lot of teens liked it mainly because of the quirky 80's dance routine.
Doctor Foster (2015)
Great Beginning but Silly Ending
The story started off well, but it kind of ran out of steam with what to write for the last few episodes. The story was not realistic. This is a seemingly intelligent woman whose husband has an affair, a two year affair with their friend's daughter who ends up pregnant. She enlists the help of a patient to follow her husband and spy on him. This patient is being abused by her boyfriend. The doctor confronts and threatens the boyfriend, very strange thing to do. She promises she will prescribe sleeping pills to the patient is she does this for her. What sane person gets a patient to spy for her. Hire a private detective, he would of done a better job. She throughout the first few episodes finds out that her husband is a liar and is unable to tell her the truth about anything. Most women would of left after the first chance of trying to save their marriage, but she seems to expect that this deceitful man will change. He doesn't, and when she pressures him for the truth he still keeps denying everything and yet she knows he is lying again. Her son seems to be neglected and her obsession is with her husband. Then she wants to bring him down and destroy him. Why? She knows what he is like. Leave. Leave your so called friends who have the weirdest concept of love, especially her co-worker. Move to another city or town. You're a doctor, and from this show not a very good one at that. She did some really bizarre and weird things to get back at him. The guy forged her signature, was a lousy business man, spent all her money, had an affair for two years with your friend's daughter, got her pregnant and was told her was a terrible and useless businessman and yet she put all her energy into this guy. What a waste.
Victoria (2016)
Just for Fun
I am enjoying the show as a period piece and not for its historical accuracy. I am not sure what the future episodes will reveal, but hopefully not Victoria as a loving devoted mother, which she was not. Reading her journals and letters, and especially letters to her adult children over the years reveals a woman who hated being pregnant, did not like babies at all, and considered one of her son's unfortunate because he was an ugly baby. She thought babies resembled frogs. She despised and was revolted by breastfeeding, which probably is not uncommon back then, and rarely spent any time with her young children and preferred to spend most of her time with Albert of whom she was devoted to and passionate about privately, but in her letters she blamed men for many of women's woes. They both desperately wanted to create a loving and warm family, which unfortunately, they failed to do for the most part. I feel the actors are doing the best they can with the script and you are never going to portray the accuracy of a period and relationships between people when you are not their to witness it. You can only go by accounts, and documents written in their hand, but that does not truly reveal who they really are either.
The Witness for the Prosecution (2016)
Coughing and Mist
The actress who played the maid reminded me of Norma Shearer when she stepped out of silent movies into talkies, a lot of over acting, wide crazy eyes and hand gestures She was totally unbelievable. The story line was bizarre at best. I am sure most people would of guessed who was faking it and who wasn't. THe endless coughing by one of the main characters had me coughing along with him. The scene in the dark dwelling was so obviously a set up, but all that coughing must of dislodged some of his brains cells and they flew out of his ears. I mean, really, something like that happening to anyone would of been all over the newspapers, especially to this particular character. I don't know, I have some old male relatives that look like the old coughing guy and all they want to do is sip on coffee or beer and read newspapers, and certainly are in no desperation to rip off the depends from their old withered wives for an attempted roll around. The hotel scene and ending was silly, and so was his long walk out to the ocean. He was short enough to drown in a deep bathtub. Was very disappointed in this, However, luckily there is Poirot still on Netflix.
Lady Chatterley (1993)
Lovely Woods
I just happened to come across this on Netflix. I found it to be OK, however for a woman pining and longing for some male heat, the cottage dweller wasn't that good at it and lacked variety in his sexual performances. Maybe she didn't know any different. A lot of face grabbing and pressing bodies against things. The woods where some of the action happened was pretty. The guy in the wheelchair was kind of bi-polar, and said his parts were mutilated, yet his devoted nurse claimed they were intact when she bathed him down there. She seemed very excited about the whole thing. I never read the book, but some of these earlier English films cast the wrong actors/actresses for the part. I didn't think the actress was all that great, for someone wanting passion she was very bland, but very beautiful.
Harley and the Davidsons (2016)
Enjoyed It
I really enjoyed it. I am not a movie critic because I watch something for entertainment, I am not interested in historic accuracy, whether characters were realistic or not, or if the story line was embellished. If I wanted that I would watch something that is close to being realistic. Some of the reviews are more like a huge long whine about nothing and just being petty. The show is called "Harley and the Davidsons", it is about them and their lives and relationships and what they achieved. If you don't want to watch a show about that then maybe it is not for you, a documentary might be more suited to some people. I need a 10th line, and have run out of things to say, so I hope everyone has a great day.
Anzac Girls (2014)
Social Values Not Very Realistic
My relatives grew up in this period and some were nurses. The problem I have with this show is that the flirting and eyeing up the soldiers is done with the standards of today. Women would of been far more subtle and would not make such flirtatious gestures so obvious. They were there to serve as nurses, they were not women back home going to dances. The problem with many period pieces is that they might get the costumes historically correct, furnishings, food and surroundings etc but they do not get the social values, manners, interactions between the sexes, and appropriate behavior correct. I agree with some of the other comments about the show.
The Crimson Field (2014)
Soap Operaish
I could see where this could of been an amazing show, but it really ended up being more of a soap opera with the odd sexual romp between nurses and doctors, and the tormented looks of anguished pasts on the faces on some of the characters is overdone. I think nobody does period drama better than the UK, but this was isn't one of those for me. I think if you wanted light entertainment about the personal lives of the nurses entwined with love and romance this would be an ideal show. They also added the bad guy character into the plot as well. The acting is good according to the scripts given to them, but there really wasn't anyone that stood out. I find the same actors appearing in British shows whether it is a murder mystery, police drama or historical piece. I have seen the character that lost his legs in two separate Poirot movies, and I am sure a Midsomer Murder here and there.
Vicious (2013)
Some Characters Are Just Too Over the Top
I have watched quite a few episodes and to be honest some of the characters are just way too much and ridiculous. I would say Violet and the character of Ash fit that description. He is not a good actor, and his performance is like a 8th grader in a middle school play. The older female actress who plays Violet is just not believable and her character is kind of overdone and juvenile. I enjoy the two main characters and Penelope and Mason. You can tell that they are seasoned actors/actress and are able to make their characters their own and realistic. Unfortunately for me Violet and Ash just seem out of place. I will continue watching the show as I am interested to see what happens to Freddie and Stewart.
Doc Martin (2004)
Over The Top
I love British shows, but the characters have been done to death in the usual village scene with quirky personalities. I just don't find the characters realistic and I don't believe anyone with that personality would be interested in entering a field where you have to navigate people and interact with them, and I can't imagine villagers putting up with him. I think all the actors and actress are fine and play their parts as scripted. I haven't seen Martin Clune in anything else,so have nothing to compare him to, but given his character, and what he is, he portrays him well and does not veer off course where his personality is concerned. I have seem much better British shows and I think it is just a matter of personal preference and what you consider funny or good.
Hysteria (2011)
Interesting
I liked it, it was interesting. However, I have read pretty much all this is to read on Victorian health and dentistry. I have constant "hysteria". Ten lines of text? Really? I can't even imagine writing a review that involves ten lines of text. What else is their to say? I liked it. You really don't need anything more detailed than that. Surely? Only four more lines to go and then I can post my simple review, which was that I liked the movie, it was fun in many places and interesting. I think some people are just way too intense when they review movies they write a book which is often longer than the actual script from the movie. Yah! Line 10
Who Do You Think You Are?: Emmitt Smith (2010)
Very Interesting
I find this show interesting from all points. I don't believe it is about people's egos, but rather about people being excited about a connection to some historical event or person. I am very involved in family history, and most people would love to be related to someone that had contributed something worthwhile to the whole of humanity. When we do find our families, we might be disappointed to find that they are ordinary people, who when you look further did extraordinary things in a time period that was hard and for many unimaginable. Since I cannot make up ten lines again, I am just going to fill it up with words that mean nothing.