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lwgoodrich
Reviews
Knives Out (2019)
Entertaining Whodunit
I enjoyed this film from start to finish. It has enough twists and turns to make Agatha Christie proud. A family patriarch worth millions - ironically, from his outrageously successful mystery novels - dies in his huge country mansion following his eighty-fifth birthday party. Although it appears to be suicide, a world-famous detective who arrives on the scene isn't so sure.
There are certainly plenty of suspects - his voraciously greedy family members have been sponging off him for years, and live in constant fear of being cut out of his will. Added to the mix is his young, sweet-natured nurse, who is the one person in the household he genuinely likes.
What went down that night is revealed before the movie is halfway through - but is it the whole story? The detective (played with a Southern accent of indeterminate origin by Daniel Craig) and the nurse team up to unravel the old gentleman's death. But can either one of them trust the other?
A sterling cast is in fine form - Jamie Lee Curtis as the victim's daughter swanning about the huge house, the incomparable Toni Colette as his widowed daughter-in-law and self-help guru, Don Johnson as the blustering son-in-law, Chris Evans playing against type as the smarmy grandson, and numerous others. Cast standouts are Craig and Ana de Armas, who shines in the part of Marta, the pretty nurse.
There are humorous moments, but don't expect big laughs. Try to count the number of different South American nationalities ascribed to immigrant nurse Marta by this phony bunch as they keep insisting she's "one of the family"....I'm not sure if they ever got the right one. There are a few pointed references to the social and political culture we live in as well.
A very well-done movie, with the most natural-sounding dialogue I've heard in modern films - nearly all the characters talk like "real" people, with a singular lack of artifice. And I appreciated the fact that the gorgeous gothic mansion in its parklike setting is in itself one of the film's most outstanding characters. Its interiors must be seen to be believed.
All in all,a highly enjoyable experience; I recommend it.
The King (2019)
A Royal Treat
Beautifully acted and directed, The King is a riveting film. It's over two hours long, and every minute is watchable. Much of the dialogue reflects the spirit of Shakespeare, on whose work this film is based. Henry V is still one of the most revered kings in English history, though it didn't start out that way. Lead actor Timothee Chalamet does an excellent job portraying Henry's transformation from dissolute hellraiser to a young ruler of growing maturity.
His supporting cast is peerless. Sean Harris brings his usual intensity to his role as Henry's top advisor. Joel Edgerton gives a fine edge to his performance as Falstaff, and Robert Pattinson chews up the scenery as the French Dauphin, a nasty piece of work.
The costumes and sets lend authenticity, and the battle scenes are remarkable - and brutal.
This is a great viewing experience....and not to be missed.
Haunted (2018)
Fine If You Like Fiction
Completely lame with absolutely no documentation whatsoever for these campfire tales. I watched two episodes of this nonsense during which I couldn't stop saying, "I don't believe you" during the victims' retelling of these "events". Are we really to believe that kids moved into a completely unsuitable house sight unseen, without at least viewing pictures of it online? Then continued to stay after numerous creepy and terrifying things happened? Next up: a nursing home with a seemingly "possessed" woman living there who manifests all kinds of truly disturbing behavior, including viciously attacking two staff members - and no one thinks to have her examined by a doctor? It was obvious the whole episode was channeling The Exorcist; the only thing missing was the spinning head.
I escaped after two episodes, but that was still time spent I'll never get back. Don't make the same mistake.
Carnival Row (2019)
Monsters and Faeries and Pucks, Oh My!
It's hard not to become immersed in this world of humans and fantasy creatures living side by side in a huge and simmering Victorian-era city. Whereas once all existed peaceably side by side, by the time the story opens conflict has created a very different scenario for all its denizens. Now the faeries, pucks, centaurs, and so on are considered outsiders - and are ghettoized in one unsavory section of the city and used as servants to the Anglo classes. Repression, discrimination and bigotry run rampant; it's hard to miss the political message here, which is ongoing throughout the series.
Against this background are set both a murder mystery and several love stories. Orlando Bloom as a police detective and Cara Delivingne as a faerie do decent acting jobs, but Mr. Bloom seems miscast - this is a part that cries for Cillian Murphy, who has the slightly fey quality this role calls for. The real "couples" chemistry is in fine form with David Gayasi as a puck who somehow struck it rich and Tamzin Merchant, as his counterpart, a wealthy and spoiled young woman whose doll-like face hides a canny mind and a rebellious streak that draws her to the gentlemanly but socially ostracized puck.
All the intertwining stories play out against a dimly lit, rainy environment that suggests both dreariness and fear. The world-building that the production team has built is incredible from the sets to the costumes to the award-worthy make-up. This is a truly dark fantasy that's worth watching. I can't wait for the summer of 2020 for the next season.
Alta mar (2019)
Agatha Christie Vibe on Luxury Liner
Heavy atmospherics, murder, and intrigue highlight this mystery set on the high seas shortly after World War II. The sets are fabulous, beautifully evoking in dark, rich colors the luxurious cruise ship of the fabulously wealthy in the 1940s (or at least supposedly wealthy in some cases). The fashions for both men and women are authentically stunning, and probably something no one would be ashamed to wear today.
The plot races a mile a minute, and it may take the viewer a while to sort out who everyone is, along with exactly what's going on and who's betraying whom.
This, of course, is what keeps things interesting.
If there seems to be a bit of artifice in the spoken dialogue, it soon becomes clear that the Spanish cast is actually speaking English, but they have been overdubbed in British English - no doubt to keep the dialogue accessible and accent free. This can be a bit distracting at first, but I quickly got used to it.
The last few minutes of the final episode indicate that a second season is in the works - at least I hope so, because I can't wait to see it!
A Very English Scandal (2018)
Entertaining Revisit to a Political Scandal
An engaging, sometimes hyper kinetic retelling of an alleged murder plot by a high-ranking member of the British Parliament in the 60s and 70s. Jeremy Thorpe, successful, cocky, and in the closet, begins a discreet affair with an ingenuous but emotionally unstable young man. He believes he can end the affair just as discreetly when he tires of Norman. Unfortunately, Jeremy doesn't realize what he's in for. Norman is anything but circumspect - flighty, thoughtless, and outspoken about his homosexuality - and his affair with Jeremy Thorpe. When Norman broadcasts that he's been the victim of a murder attempt by Jeremy, all hell breaks loose and the two of them end up facing each other down in court.
Hugh Grant is a revelation in this, as a powerful political leader brought low by the scandal - we see his ego and his arrogance deflate the longer Norman hangs on like a terrier, publicly seeking justice for the wrongs done him by Jeremy.
Ben Whishaw, an actor who couldn't give a bad performance even if he tried, is absolutely perfect as Norman - unpredictable, attention-seeking, by turns charming and weepy, but with a surprisingly dogged determination and fierce resentment at the treatment of gays - which he doesn't hesitate to trumpet to both the court and the press.
An outstanding supporting cast and a whimsical musical score add more than a touch of humor to the proceedings; this is a series that shouldn't be missed.
Goliath (2016)
Averages Out to Five Stars!
As others have mentioned, Season One absolutely rocked! Great storyline, enjoyable characters (William Hurt as a guest star was a major plus). Season Two is strictly for fans of the "Saw" movie franchise - gory, grim, and depressing. Even the prodigious talent of Billy Bob Thornton couldn't save this. I'll be surprised if he wants to attach his name to a third season, if there is one.
Million Dollar Listing New York (2012)
A Guilty Pleasure!
House Hunters on steroids....I watch mostly to see the fabulous NYC condos and town homes on offer to the rich and overly particular (not that I blame them at these prices). Unfortunately, we don't see enough of the properties. Three sleek, polished young men who are top Manhattan realtors raking in millions, apparently still don't have enough and have sold themselves to the Bravo network for even more money. At least two have had acting experience, which is helpful to them, since nearly every scene is clearly scripted and probably has little to do with reality. The problem is, their "supporting players" - developers, brokers, clients, etc., do not have an acting background, making some of the scenes awkward at best. Others seem to relish the idea of hamming it up with gusto on television. There's plenty of drama, of course, as we are brought (reluctantly on my part) into the realtors' personal lives and relationships. This offers lots of opportunity for angst, manufactured and otherwise, and terribly moving moments of Self-Discovery and Self-Actualization....can we just get back to the five-million-dollar condos, please?
I confess that despite my cynicism, I'm addicted to this show and its glowing tribute to narcissism. And yep, I'll be back for the new season when our three heroes return rested, freshly botoxed, and ready to perform for the cameras again. I recommend this show for those who enjoy this kind of thing - and know how to take it with a BIG grain of salt.
Le chalet (2017)
Tale of Vengeance
This is an easy one to binge on. It's sort of a combination of a cabin-in-the-woods slasher with Ten Little Indians. A group of childhood friends have a reunion at a remote mountain chalet in what I assume are the French Alps. Disaster strikes when the bridge collapses and the village and the chalet are completely isolated. And of course there is no cell phone service. (Plot hole #1 - How could this destroyed bridge not be discovered and reported by SOMEONE on their way up the mountain after a few hours?). Soon both villagers and visitors are being picked off, while the survivors become more and more paranoid.
We learn that many years ago an entire family disappeared, and during the last half of the series we discover exactly what happened....and who is serving up justice twenty years later. The resolution is well done, with a nasty twist at the end for one of the survivors. (Plot hole #2 - Where exactly do the people who walk off into the sunset at the end go, since the bridge is still down?) Also no explanation is ever provided for two villagers killed before the reunion gets started.
Despite its flaws, this is very well done, though I fast-forwarded through every episode's intro - the child's incredibly irritating singing got on my last nerve.
Medici (2016)
Entertaining Look at Powerful Family
I absolutely loved this, and cannot wait for the second season to become available. The Medicis, an incredibly wealthy banking family, were a powerful influence in Florence for literally centuries. Season One showcases the first three generations from the late 1300s to the early 1400s, as the family was beginning to build its wealth. Unsurprisingly, the Florentine nobility tended to look down their noses at these non-royal upstarts, who had managed to become part of the city's governing body.
Dustin Hoffman appears as the first Medici banker, who has worked his way up from a hardscrabble existence into the banking business - and is ruthless about continuing to build it through his family. In fact, no holds are barred by anyone in this story when it comes to gaining power - including the nobility. There is betrayal, treachery, murder - in other words, it's wildly entertaining, without overdoing the gore.
Once Giovanni has gone to his reward (or punishment), his sons Cosimo and Lorenzo take over, and Cosimo's son Piero is groomed for leadership as well. But the women - oh, the Medici women! They are as strong and ambitious as their spouses, and seem like they'd be equally capable of handling the business and the competition.
One of the great pleasures of this series is the location (I suspect some of it was filmed in Sienna as well as Florence), which gives a fabulous sense of the medieval time and place, both outdoors and in the spare yet beautiful interiors where much of the wealth is displayed through artwork. Hopefully this series will go on for a long time - after all, the Medici family remained influential for several centuries!
Agatha Raisin (2014)
Major Disappointment
Watered-down version of the delightful and humorous Agatha Raisin mystery series. Totally gone is Agatha's self-centered and often hilarious way of alienating others, not to mention standing up for herself in no uncertain terms. All this has been replaced by a much less abrasive version of Agatha - with elimination of the tart remarks, caustic comments and endless fantasies of herself married to any attractive man she meets. In other words, everything that made the character unique and fun to begin with. And Agatha a blue-eyed blonde? Author M C Beaton describes her as having glossy brown hair and bear- like eyes. Apparently that wasn't considered attractive enough for the viewing public.
However, anyone not familiar with the books will not feel the sting of disappointment, and will be free to enjoy cute mysteries set in a charming village.