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Reviews
Blitz (2024)
Missed the mark for me
My Review-Blitz
Streaming on Apple +
My Rating 6/10
I wondered why a feature movie starring Saoirse Ronan and Directed by British Director Steve McQueen would go direct to streaming without an Australian Cinema release and a very short limited British and USA release .
Now I know it's not because Saorise Ronan who is a favourite of mine is not impressive because she is impressive and totally believable.
Saorise plays Rita the devoted mother of ayoung mixed cast son George played so well by Elliott Heffernan .
Rita reluctantly decides to send George away to safety in the country from the constant bombing of London during the London World War 2 blitz by Germany.
Young George feels deserted and jumps off a moving train to return to his mother in London .
My feeling about the lack of credibility and poor script of this movie is summed up in my review of another review of a Steve McQueen film which he also wrote the screenplay and Directed.
Blitz is better than his 2018 movie Widows I gave that a 5/10 but this excerpt from my review of that movie I think applies to Blitz.
You would think with a cast like this that you'd be in for a good movie? The cast was good the movie was bad a stupid improbable plot that you could shoot canon balls through..
The movie looks impressive with clever CGI depictions of War torn London but I was not very impressed.
Wicked: Part I (2024)
A successful transfer from stage to film
My Review -Wicked
In Cinemas now
My Rating 8.5/10
I'm a lover of stage and movie musicals and have seen some very poor movie versions of famous musicals .
I must say Wicked part 1 is one of the most successful transfers from stage to cinema.
I had heard some mixed reactions but apart from one or two small criticisms ,one being the casting of Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard , I thought he lacked any charisma at all in contrast to the rest of the cast.
The movie Wicked Part one is skilfully directed by Jon M. Chu who directed Crazy Rich Asians and In The Heights .
The movie is an expanded version of the stage version and differs quite a bit musically in the continuity of the plot line.
The movie opens like the stage version with the citizens of Oz rejoicing at the death of the Wicked Witch of the West Elphaba .
The two witches are played beautifully by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba the feisty witch rejected from birth and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch who's cloying narcissistic shallowness is more humorous than irritating.
Glinda the Good appears in a bubble dressed in her traditional pink flounces to announce that Elphaba is dead after her reign of terror.
When asked by a munchkin if they were ever friends and was she always wicked Glinda or Galinda as she was known as begins to tell the story of their relationship .
Elphaba was rejected from birth by her parents because of her green appearance and blamed for her crippled sister Nessarose's handicap.
During their time at Shiz university Elphaba Thropp was exclusively tutored by the Sorceress Madam Morrible played by Michelle Yeoh.
Galinda who craves popularity constantly gradually eventually warns to her new reclusive roommate and decides to do her best makeover for Elphaba to be accepted by the rest of the students.
Elphaba encounters Fiyero Tigelaar, a rebellious Winkie with whom Galinda is in love. Fiyero is played by current popular heartthrob Jonathan Bailey who is so good in this role.
A romantic triangle develops when Fiyero becomes an accomplice in Elphaba's efforts to rescue persecuted talking animals who risk imprisonment and the loss of their ability to speak human.
Peter Dinklage is effective as the voice of Doctor Dillamond a wise and learned goat and teacher to the two witches.
The similarities to the rise of rightwing fascism and persecution of minorities in today's world are unmistakable in Wicked.
The set designs by Nathan Crowley are exceptional and should be Oscar nominated .
I thought the influence of Venetian and Russian architecture was very effective.
The costumes by Paul Tazewell are also stunning and also should be Oscar nominated.
I think one of the reasons Wicked succeeds is that Stephen Schwartz the show's creator is an executive producer and obviously was involved in every aspect of the movie including the casting and look of the movie which uses minimal CGI and actual purpose built sets .
My initial thought that the decision to make two movies was odd but after seeing the movie I understand why and look forward to seeing where Wicked Part 2 will take us .
The 2 main stars of Wicked Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as mentioned are very impressive and performed most of their songs live .
It was delightful to see the two original Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel play cameo roles in the movie .
As a tulip grower I was interested to read that 9 million tulips were planted to bloom in the purpose built Oz set .
Wicked the film musical is obviously a labour of love the production cost of both movies as part 2 has been completed is an estimated $310 million dollars that must be the most expensive movie musical movie ever made??
Gladiator II (2024)
Movie Maximus !
My Review- Gladiator II
My Rating - 9/10
See it at a Cinema near you
I really enjoyed this 2024 sequel to the hit Gladiator epic movie of 2000 and for me this is what big screen cinema is all about .
Yes of course it's historic nonsense it doesn't try to be anything else .
Either did other great epics like William Wyler's Ben Hur, 1959 or Stanley Kubrick's 1960 Spartacus or Anthony Mann's El Cid 1961 and The Fall of the Roman Empire 1964.
Sir Ridley Scott who is a producer and the director of Gladiator 2 must be hoping for a huge box office hit because rumours of a budget blow out from an original budget of $165 million to $310 million are circulating.
Gladiator 2 is visually stunning the from the beginning featuring spectacular title art montages reminding us of the original Gladiator that starred Russell Crowe as Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus.
The epic musical score this time is by composer Harry Gregson-Williams and effectively opens the action of the film which begins with a huge sea invasion of the African home of our hero Lucius played by the handsome Irish actor of the moment Paul Mescal who's impressive physique and expressive emotional range give Lucius a heroic character.
The Roman war ships are lead by the commander Marcus Acacius played by Pedro Pascal.
Paul Mescal I think is perfectly cast as Lucius who eventually finds out that he is actually the son of Maximus the legendary gladiator who died in the arena when Lucius was a young boy.
Lucius has been sold to Macrinus played by Denzel Washington who soon realises that he has purchased a valuable slave who will bring prestige to his gladiator empire.
All Lucius wants is revenge for his wife's death at the hands of Marcus Acacius.
As Lucius's fame increases with his gladiatorial triumphs in the Colleseum he discovers his mother Lucilla who sent him away at 5 years of age for his protection after his father Maximus's death in the arena.
Connie Nielsen returns to again play Lucilla this time remarried to Marcus Acacius who is responsible for the death of the wife of Lucius Arishat played by Yuval Gonen.
Enough plot go see the movie in a cinema to see this fictional account of the end days of the Roman Empire which was ruled by two cruel and mentally deranged twin brothers
Emperor Caracalla and Emperor Geta, played by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn, respectively.
The spectacular combat scenes in The Colosseum are a credit to the set designers and add to the entertainment.
However they do border on bizarre fantasy with very odd giant savage apes plus a sea battle tournament complete with giant sharks swimming in a few metres of water waiting to devour the dead and injured as they fall off their warships.
The movie scenario I thought had similarities to a modern empire today that some say may fall under the rule of a power mad corrupt Corporate Baron .
Directed by Ridley Scott and screenplay by David Scarpa Gladiator 2 boasts an impressive cast lead by Paul Mescal who is barely off screen plus an impressive supporting cast that includes Denzel Washington, Derek Jacobi and Pedro Pascal in my opinion this sequel is as good if not better than Gladiator 2000.
Disclaimer (2024)
Melodramatic and implausible
My Review -
Disclaimer
Streaming on Apple TV
My Rating - 6:5/10
I'm a huge Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline fan so it pains me to give such a negative appraisal of their latest television series Disclaimer.
They both give good performances in a muddy unbelievable melodrama with so many sink holes it would spoil the plot to mention.
After seeing the movie Here the other day this series would have benefited from AI Artificial intelligence to portray Cate Blanchett's younger self her character Catherine Ravenscroft .
The actress Leila George gives a good performance also but to me was totally unbelievable physically and emotionally as the Cate Blanchett character Catherine featured 20 years earlier when the crux of this so called psychological thriller takes place.
The back and forth toing and froing in this series really becomes tiring and confusing.
The plot without spoilers involves Catherine Ravenscroft, a successful and respected television documentary journalist and the consequences of a dramatic holiday on the Italian riviera twenty years earlier.
Twenty years previously Catherine is enjoying holidaying with her young son Nicholas without her husband Robert played so well by Sacha Baron Cohen.
While sunbathing she captures the attention of young man Jonathan Brigstocke and they both connect in more ways than one .
After a dramatic night of events that are not truly revealed till the last episode the young man Jonathan drowns while attempting to rescue Catherine's son who has strayed into the sea while she is asleep on the beach .
Twenty years later Stephen Brigstocke played by Kevin Kline the father of Jonathan his drowned son relates the pain and heartbreak of losing his son and later his wife Nancy who has recently died .
While searching through drawers he discovers a manuscript written by Nancy played by Leslie Manville .
Nancy's novel supposedly tells the torrid events that led to the drowning of Jonathan and the culpability of the respected journalist Catherine Ravenscroft who never contacted the couple after Jonathan's death.
Stephen Brigstocke decides to publish and take credit for the novel titled The Perfect Stranger to ruin the career and marriage of Catherine which sends him on a lethal quest of revenge.
I thought the series worth watching for the dramatic conclusion and performances however in my estimation it's a B grade melodrama.
Rivals (2024)
Revenge is sweet leaves you wanting more
My Review- Rivals
My Rating - 8.5/10
I think the test of a good television mini serial is if it leaves you wanting more and I can't wait to see series 2.
A stella cast that includes David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Victoria Smurfit and Bella Maclean keep this edgy fast moving drama-com on track.
As the title suggests the story set in the 1986 involves a large franchise battle between two television companies Corinium led by Tony Baddingham played with devilish spite by David Tennant and a rogue company called Venturer.
Venturer was formed by a number of larger than life characters who have had various run-ins with Tony and wish to see his downfall.
After being sacked from Corinium over creative differences and his heavy drinking disasters popular television journalist Declan O'Hara played by Aidan Turner convinces British nobleman and old money M. P. Rupert Campbell Black played by Alex Hassell to join forces in a revenge plot to win the contract to exclusive screen rights in the county.
I found Rivals a well written ,humorous and fast moving series with a well crafted screenplay based on a novel by Jilly Cooper.
The team of ten screenwriters that include Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade all blend in well to create this delightful romp.
The fine cast also includes some delightful female performances from Victoria Smurfit as Maude , Declan's free spirited wife , Bella Maclean as Declan's delightful daughter Taggie O'Hara who falls for the promiscuous rogue Rupert Campbell- Black.
Nafessa Williams plays Cameron Cook the ballsy Director of Programming at Corinium and mistress of Tony Baddingham.
Rivals is a step back in time and captures the 1980's era perfectly in sets costumes and soundtrack.
It's a bright nostalgic romp featuring marriage infidelities , excesses and revenge that leaves the viewer wanting a second helping at least.
Here (2024)
A Curiosity not much more
My Review- Here
My Rating 6.5/10
In Cinemas now
The most impressive aspect of Here for me is that from a technical aspect this film could not have been possible three years ago.
An amazing artificial intelligence process manufactured by the technology company Metaphysic is responsible for the de-aging process used to transform 68 year old Tom Hanks and his costar 58 year old Robin Wright to the youthful couple Richard and Margaret.
Metaphysic developed the facial modification system by training custom machine-learning models on frames of Hanks' and Wright's previous films. This included a large dataset of facial movements, skin textures, and appearances under varied lighting conditions and camera angles.
I agree with the concerns expressed in the screen writers strike and I don't feel comfortable with AI and the ramifications of technology like this that is used in this way.
Many actors like Robert Downey Junior have made provisions in their estates to sue studios that use their images or voices after they die.
This was an expensive movie to make at an estimated $50 million was it worth it ?
As a curiosity piece yes as a well crafted movie I don't think it succeeded.
Unfortunately the style of this film is so last century and no where near the quality of Robert Zemeckis and Eric Roth's 1994 hit movie Forest Gump.
Tom Hanks the original Forest Gump could have phoned in this performance and in my opinion his acting reputation has suffered due to poor casting and over exposure in a few recent movie roles like Pinocchio where he was woeful as Geppetto and in Elvis as the sinister slob Colonel Tom Parker.
I haven't mentioned much about the plot of the movie it's a simple one and told in a sentimental at times schmaltzy manner.
In a series of vignettes beginning in the prehistoric age Here tells the generational story or tries to of the people who have inhabited a piece of land which eventually becomes a house.
Based on a novel by Richard McGuire titled Here we see the interactions of the various inhabitants ranging from the original indigenous inhabitants, early settlers from 200 years ago through to the various eras of the 20th till today.
Here has no linear story it jumps back and forth through the ages from one scene to another by a portal window within the scene .
I found it a bit disconcerting that just when you're getting interested in the characters the Time Machine portal travels back or forward to another time in the house history.
In fact the entire movie has just one set ,the room in the house at various times in its history.
It's not a bad movie I would call it a curiosity as far as the future of AI is concerned I'd rather see living actors acting even if their younger selves are played by look alike actors .
Tom Hanks son Truman was very effective playing his younger father in Otto.
I have no wish to see past screen greats like Bette Davis of Humphrey Bogart to name two in new movies that have been manipulated with their images and voices put through a Sci fi processor with a script that they would never have considered.
Lee (2023)
Good but could have been great -
My R eview - Lee
I
My Review- 7/10
In Cinemas now
Despite the brilliant performance from Kate Winslet who stars as a famous American War correspondent named Lee Miller this movie lacked something for me .
Lee Miller was an acclaimed fashion model who became an acclaimed World War 11 correspondent for Vogue magazine .
Her horrific photos of the end days of The Holocaust were considered to upsetting to publish at the time but later were applauded as a graphic record of those terrible events.
Lee is a very interesting documentary drama and I won't spoil the plot by specifically mentioning what I thought was lacking emotionally in the script .
My main problem with the film is the lack of information and background into the supporting characters especially Josh O'Connor's role as the reporter Antony Penrose . He is introduced as a journalist interviewing a cantankerous ageing Lee Miller who says if I answer your questions you must answer mine but he never gets the chance till the conclusion?
Antony Penrose wrote the biography that this movie is based on so perhaps that's the way he wrote it but after seeing the movie I was a bit confused about the movies narrative.
I know the title is Lee and she is the main character but there were many other supporting characters that are one dimensional in the movie .
Kate Winslett is nearly in every scene
and is superb as usual hopefully she will receive a well deserved Oscar nomination .
However for me the emotional surprise thrust at the conclusion to this story was missed by Director Ellen Kuras and the trio of script writers Liz Hannah , Marion Hume and John Collee.
I think this a very good but not great movie that could have been an epic human saga if better directed and written .
In my opinion needed more development of the supporting characters instead of the one dimensional treatment they receive.
The Apprentice (2024)
Entertaining depiction of 2 Power hungry men
My Review
The Apprentice.
My Rating 8/10
In cinemas now
Wow ! I was amazed that Donald Trumps early rise from relative mediocrity to the uncrowned Prince of Manhattan or depending on your perception Prince of Darkness was engineered by one of America's most hated and infamous lawyers Roy H Cohen.
It's no wonder the current Republican candidate running for his second term of Presidency Donald J Trump sent a cease-and-desist letter to filmmakers in an attempt to hold back its release.
The Apprentice title used much later in Trumps career cleverly has nothing to do with this movie .
My interpretation of The Apprentice for this movie title refers to Trump as Roy Cohen's Apprentice .
To understand the timeline story of this movie I think the audience needs some background into the character of Roy H Cohen played brilliantly by Jeremy Strong of Succession fame.
In the movies opening nightclub scene we see Roy Cohen staring intently at Trumps image in a mirror . When Trump becomes aware of Cohen's surveillance and stares back it's like watching 2 predatory wolves stalking each other .
Cohen invites the 20ish old Trump to join his party of powerful acolytes which begins an association that benefits both men.
Later as their alliance grows Roy Cohen gives Trump his credo for wealth and success.
Deflect and distract, never admit fault, lie and attack and never give in.
Roy H Cohen rose to prominence in 1953 when he successfully prosecuted an espionage trial that sentenced both Julius and Ethel Rosenberg to their execution.
He was also the prosecuting chief councel at the McCarthy Hollywood witch hunt trials.
He was eventually disbarred in 1986 for
unethical conduct after attempting to defraud a dying client by forcing the client to sign a will amendment leaving him his fortune.
Cohen was closeted gay man whose internal homophobia helped in delaying life saving medication to many sick and dying men suffering from AIDS.
He took the medication himself when he contracted AIDS but till his dying day denied that he was HIV positive .
He died at 59 years old from AIDS related complications insisting he had liver cancer .
After his death, the IRS seized almost everything he had including his house, cars, bank accounts, and other personal property and assets.
I've concentrated on Roy Cohen because his influence on Donald Trump and the person he is today is undeniably true.
Sebastian Stan who plays Donald Trump in The Apprentice is also outstanding especially when so many actors do Trump impersonations .
This actor is believable and as the much younger Donald Trump .
I noticed as the movie progressed he got better and better, especially in the Trump family scenes with his first wife Ivana played so well by Maria Bakalova.
Ivana is depicted as a very strong intelligent woman who Trump was obsessed with .
He wanted to possess her until he lost interest when she wanted more than to be a just a trophy wife . He is shown raping his wife after they had three children finally divorcing her in 1990.
I asked myself the question that if the facts and events portrayed in this well produced and entertaining movie are not factual then why hasn't Donald Trump sued the producers for defamation?
The movie hasn't done well at the box office but I suspect when it begins streaming in the USA on November 1st four days before the election audiences will increase dramatically.
Wolfs (2024)
Waste of time and money
My Review-
Wolfs streaming on Apple 🍎 tv
My Rating 5/10
Fans of George Clooney and Brad Pitt may like this B grade crime heist .
I thought it a self indulgent buddy romp that didn't even warrant a cinema screening as it went straight to streaming.
At least most of the production cost was put up by the 2 stars own Production company.
It's an implausibly silly plot with a screenplay written by Jon Watts who also directed the movie which often is a sign of warning bells for me .
The plot , oh well let's just say Margaret played by Amy Ryan finds a corpse in her apartment after a one night stand.
Two rival fixers just known as Margaret's man and Pam's man a duo of famous dudes named George Clooney and Brad Pitt are assigned to clean up the mess .
I blocked out this crime comedy I know it's not intended to be great art but a primary school student could have devised a better more entertaining story in my opinion.
Oh well , the boys have millions to squander on a movie if it gave them pleasure it achieved something it certainly didn't entertain me.
The Contender (2000)
So topical where's the deleted scenes ?
My Review
The Contender- My Rating 7/10
Streaming on Tubi and Prime
How timely an intelligent well casted and well written movie that portrays the double standard the misogyny plus the fine art of destroying the reputations of innocent political candidates in Washington.
The Contender when released in 2000 apparently was severely cut and at least ten scenes ended up on the cutting room floor.
I suspect if added that my score would be much higher so I am curious to find the short 17 minute feature The Contender: From the Cutting Room Floor.
Jeff Bridges is impressive as President Jackson Evans who after the death of his Vice President has to choose a successor.
The party favourite Governor Jack Hathaway played by William Peterson falls from grace after his involvement in a fatal car crash where a young woman drowns after driving of a bridge.
President Evans wants his legacy to be the appointment of the first female vice President of the United States.
He picks Senator Laine Hanson played by Joan Allen who seems the ideal choice as she has recently shifted from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party plus has the best qualifications for the position.
The President wants the senate to approve her appointment as soon as possible but Confirmation Committee Chairman Shelly Runyon played by an unrecognisable Garry Olman commissions a witch hunt to dig up some dirt on Senator Laine Hanson to block her confirmation and replace her with Governor Hathaway who is perceived as a hero.
Runyon succeeds when he is presented with photographic evidence that points to Laine Hanson's involvement in a college orgy when she was only 18 years old .
President Evans supports her choice not be drawn into denial or confirmation of the allegations .
As a matter of principle Laine Hanson insists that her personal intimate life before her political career was no one's business especially considering if she was a male contender that it would be just portrayed as sewing his wild oats.
The Contender made nearly a quarter of a century ago is particularly interesting in today's political environment.
These days leading up to a hotly contested American election where insults and false news are a daily occurrence make this story almost tame .
I was left thinking if misogyny will play a part in the result in a few weeks time and if America is ready to choose a woman as President or will it be a bridge too far ?
I thought the movie well acted well written but something was missing perhaps I'll find out when I get to see the deleted footage.
Heartstopper: Love (2024)
The excellence continues
My Review- Series 3 Heartstopper
Streaming on Netflix
My Rating 10:10
I've enjoyed all three series of this humorous, touching and very significant series however I think it's it's achieved all it set out to do and perhaps it's time to say farewell unless perhaps a reunion in 5 or so years to see how adult life turns out for these wonderful teenagers?
Boyfriends Nick and Charlie are still at the centre of their close knit diverse group that includes the beautiful transgender artist Elle Argent and her charismatic boyfriend Tao Xu plus their young lesbian friends Tara and Darcy .
I describe this show as a very significant television series because of its inclusiveness plus its bravery in highlighting the serious aspects of coming out that many LGBTQ teenagers face at school and at home .
I can't think of any previous series or movie that teenage LGBTQ viewers could watch that explores the choices that are open to them now that public awareness and acceptance by most of the community has greatly improved but bullying and harassment obviously still exists.
What I've previously written about Heartstopper in my first review after this still applies however series 3 goes further in dealing with the very real issue of teenage body image , self esteem and eating disorders that can lead to self harm.
Heartstopper , even though it successfully deals with disorders prejudice and teenage depression is still wrapped in an entertaining light package that as its title suggests has a heartfelt message.
It's a funny very clever teenage romcom that's pitched to audiences of all ages I who I suspect will enjoy it ,I'm 75 and loved Heartstopper.
Series One
My Rating 10/10
Where were stories and television shows like Heartstopper when I needed them growing up and being bullied at school?
Of course there weren't any as I grew up in the Dark Ages of LGBTQI history when being Gay or different meant hostility and shame.
We've come so far and still further to go but this new 8 part series Heartstopper is a heaven sent delightful and funny series that everyone can enjoy . Even those that sadly are still living in the Dark Ages if they love great entertainment and are open minded enough to give Heartstopper a chance . This series may open your eyes to the 21st Century where sexual and gender diversity can be celebrated because at its heart that's what Heartstopper is really about celebrating being young and free to choose your path in life.
It's also a celebration of diversity transferring what was once shame for the victims of bullying back to the bullies themselves.
It's such a simple plot line with a heartfelt and sincere message live, love and be happy.
Heartstopper is based on the vertical scroll comic by Alice Oseman and it stars Kit Connor who plays Nick Nelson and Joe Locke who plays Charlie Spring two young men in their late teens who attend Truham Grammar High School.
Nick and Charlie discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love in this coming-of-age story.
This is the television debut of Joe Locke who plays the delightful out but not yet proud Charlie and it certainly won't be his last Joe is a star in the making.
His co star is Kit Connor cast as Nick a popular charming and sensitive rugby player ( they do exist) discovering and exploring his bisexuality . Kit Connor is a seasoned performer with movie roles in Rocketman as older Reggie , His Dark Materials ,and the Little Joe starring Ben Whishaw. Kit Connor will also go a long way in movies and television as he has developed into a very impressive actor.
The most impressive part of this show for me in this teenage crush and sexual awakening story between two young men is it's broad appeal and normalcy .
It's other message of just be yourself and ignore the bully's in life if possible is so effectively powerful and meaningful especially to any young person of any gender or sexual persuasion who is experiencing what I went through in adolescence at an all boys High School.
There's no drug use no overt sexual content but so much affection in all the characters with standouts from Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent and William Gao as Tao Xu Charlie Spring's straight best friend plus the rest of the ensemble that includes a touching cameo from Olivia Coleman as Sarah Nelson , Nick's Mum.
I read that the background of the character of Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney ) the girlfriend of Tao Xu is a transgender girl who transferred to Harvey Greene Grammar School for girls following her transition and bullying from her peers.
I must admit I didn't pick up on that first viewing but it fits so well into the story.
Euros Lyn is a fine Director and together with Alice Oseman has done a superb job transferring her creation to the screen and in doing so they have made a huge contribution to GLBTQ awareness and acceptance hopefully in the broader community.
If Heartstopper helps just one teenager who is experiencing bullying or shaming this series along with its ensemble cast that includes Stephen Fry as the voice of Headmaster Barnes and the delightful Oscar Winner Olivia Colman it had achieved its goal.
Added on after Series 2 - which is still a winner in my book perhaps the novelty of the first series has worn off a little but all the fabulous cast help bring a much needed LGBTQ1 good vibe story that many diverse young people can identify with .
Last King of the Cross (2023)
Excellent cast and impressive production
My Review - Last King of the Cross
My Rating 9/10
Streaming on Paramount
The team of ten talented script writers that have adapted John Ibrahim's best-selling autobiography have created a superb portrayal of the underworld crime dynasties and Bikey gangs that controlled the lucrative night club scene in Kings Cross and Oxford Street Sydney during the 1980's .
It also portrays the corruption at that time endemic in the New South Wales Police Force that was finally exposed during the 1995 Wood Royal Commission .
This expensive and skilfully produced series with a rumoured budget of $50 million can hold its own proudly with any similar international crime series and should be highly exportable to any world market.
The series two primary stars are Lincoln Younes who gives a superb performance playing a much handsomer and charismatic version of John Ibraham than reality shows.
Claude Jabbour is equally impressive as John's older and more problematical brother Sam.
British actor Tim Roth as crime lord Ezra Shipman gives a chilling performance in Series 1 but not as chilling as Matuse perfectly cast as the tattooed mad eyed assassin Benny Vasquez in series 2.
I didn't think there was a weak link
In this impressive ensemble cast that includes Tess Haubrich as Detective Liz Doyle who heads a task force that pursues the Ibraham brothers and the rest of the gangs to trying to restore law and order to Sydney's most famous nightlife streets.
There are to many other great performances to mention individually but that's what help make this crime drama series stand out from other lesser shows.
The impressive specially built sets include a converted car park in Western Sydney to portray the notorious Kings Cross of the late 1980's are amazing . I know because I worked in that area at that time and used to often spend my lunch hour in the Cross oblivious to all the crime that was taking place at night.
Sam Hobbs the production designer also rebuilt the Darlinghurst Road strip in the Raging Waters car park.
Both series of Last King of the Cross are a helluva ride , literally especially considering most of the events and characters depicted are based on truth the question at the conclusion of the series left unanswered for me was how John Ibraham escaped assassination or prison?
La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano (1998)
Beautiful crafted emotive tale
My Review -
The Legend of 1900
My Rating 8.5 /10
I'm amazed that I haven't reviewed one of my favourite movies of all time Cinema Paradiso written and directed by the great Giuseppe Tornatore I will rectify that in the near future when I receive the Directors cut which runs for 2hours 54 minutes.
I was struck by the many similarities between Cinema Paradiso and The Legend of 1900 .
Both movies beautifully portray a child's journey to adulthood both end with the demolition of a condemned structure and both feature an incredible score by one of Cinemas greatest composers Ennio Morricone .
The Legend of 1900 made 10 years later than Cinema Paradiso is a lesser known movie that has gained more critical acclaim since its release in 1998.
I don't think it's as great as the 1988 Cinema Paradiso which In my opinion is faultless perhaps because my own early childhood is reflected in Giuseppe Tornatore beautifully crafted story.
The Legend of 1900 also captured my imagination and the extraordinary sets decoration and costumes perfectly portrays the glamorous age of luxurious ocean travel during the era of Titanic beautifully.
The Legend of 1900 is a fascinating fictional tale with an ethereal almost fantasy atmosphere and some may question the possibility of a human being never setting foot on dry land but I understood this character.
In fact I thought of our cat that has lived a wonderful life indoors never venturing out to a hostile world.
The movie begins with the discovery of an abandoned baby left by his mother on a luxurious ocean liner .
The baby is discovered by Danny Boodmann a stoker on the American liner SS Virginian he names the child Danny Boodmann T. D. Lemon Nineteen Hundred '1900' and raises the child as his own until his death in an accident on the ship.
With no birth certificate no name no identity the young child 1900 is adopted by the crew and grows up on the liner .
It soon becomes apparent that 1900 played by Tim Roth as an adult is incredibly talented in fact a musical genius .
1900 Danny is befriended by a trumpet player in the ship's band, Max Tooney.
After several years on the ship Max leaves, and tells the story of 1900 to the owner of a music store.
There's a fabulous scene where actor Clarence Williams III who plays the legendary jazz pianist Jelly Roll Morton hearing of 1900's reputation boards the SS Virginian and musically duels with the young pianist.
The interior sets of the SS Virginian are fabulous and a credit to the design team and cinematographer Lajos Koltai.
This is such a touching and emotive legend told with great affection by trumpet player and storyteller Max Tooney played by Pruitt Taylor Vince .
The conclusion is heartbreaking but strangely understandable and left me with many unanswered questions which may be answered in the Directors cut.
The Legend of 1900 is a long movie the Directors cut is 2hours and 49 minutes I watched the original theatre release which is 125 minutes but I've ordered the 2019 longer restored version and can't wait to see it .
An interesting footnote there was actually a registered ship named the SS Virginian which was built in 1904 and scrapped around 1954.
The SS Virginian also had a vital part in the Titanic disaster in April 1912 as she was reported near the vicinity of the sinking and within radio contact.
A Good Person (2023)
Three great performances
My Review-
A Good Person
streaming on Netflix
My Rating 7/10
A Good Person starring Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman only had a very limited theatrical release before streaming on Netflix.
It's a well produced good movie but I feel that it could have been better if directed by someone other than its screenplay writer Zach Braff not every writer directs well .
It's worth watching for three great performances from Florence Pugh who plays Allison a drug addicted young woman living with incredible guilt, Morgan Freeman as Daniel an elderly recovering alcoholic with a decade of sobriety .
Daniel is the grandfather an now sole parent of Ryan a rebellious teenage girl played by Celeste O'Connor .
Ryan is grieving the loss of both parents in a fatal car crash when Allison was driving them home from a party.
We see Allison happily and mildly drunk in the first scenes then her involvement in the fatal car crash that kills her future brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jesse and Molly.
Allison sustains serious injuries and a year later after her physical pain has eased is totally addicted to Oxy Conton a synthetic opioid drug .
She now is dependent on the drug to take away the emotional pain and guilt of the accident that caused the breakup of her relationship with Nathan who is Daniel Morgan Freeman's son.
I found it a little puzzling that It's never really explained if Allison was drunk at the wheel or if as she insists that she just took her eyes off the wheel for a moment so it wasn't her fault ?
We see her giving a blood sample in hospital but then left guessing as to the result.
It would have added more dramatic impact for me if she had been intoxicated at the time of the accident because that would have explained more fully her extreme guilt .
I've seen many more dramatic alcohol and drug rehabilitation movies that portray the pain of addiction however I liked these characters.
My favourite part of this story is the relationship between Allison , Daniel and eventually Daniel's Granddaughter Ryan this trio of performances are splendid.
I also enjoyed the symbolism of Daniel's
train set that represented the town he lives in and the various stages of his life with
figurines that were set up to represent a better life than his real one.
Allison asks him why? "
Daniel replies Cuz you get to play God?"
There's a lot about A Good Person I liked and I recommend it .
Monsters: Blame It on the Rain (2024)
More fiction than Fact
My Review-
'Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story'
My Rating 6.5/10
Ryan Murphy's latest Crime anthology at times stretches credibility even beyond his realms of fantasy . Many of its so called facts have been widely disputed by the actual people people involved including Lyle and Erik Menendez from their separate prison cells .
As an entertainment I found The Lyle and Menendez story one dimensional and lacking impact although it's well acted .
Especially by the 2 main stars Cooper Koch as Eric and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez.
Unlike the thrilling first series of Monsters which told the chilling story of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer the question of who the monster or monsters were is not answered in the Menendez story?
For me the Inconsistencies and lack of credibility started from the first episode when we see the murder of Kitty and Jose Menendez in graphic detail with a deafening barrage of gunshots that would have woken up every neighbour in a mile radius .
No spoilers but the murderers just take off from the murder scene from their parents mansion in their luxury car to try and establish an alibi.
Chloë Sevigny and Javier Bardem as the parents from hell Kitty and Jose Menendez didn't impress me at all .
I thought they played their roles in a melodramatic campy style that really lacked any room to understand or develop their characters in much detail.
I blame the script writers Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan who seem to place style over substance in this series .
Based on the actual crime and trials that sent the two brothers to separate prison life sentences for the brutal murder of their parents Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story a nine part series is puzzling to me ?
Why did Ryan Murphy portray the brothers as intimate lovers as this has been categorically denied not only by Lyle and Erik but many others.
Perhaps it was to appeal to his wide LGBTQ audience .
The most annoying characters in the series for me are investigative reporter Dominick Dunne played by a favourite actor of mine Nathan Lane and Leslie Abramson played by Ari Graynor they also both seem to play their roles in a campy stagy manner.
This series is obviously very popular I read it's the most popular series on Netflix but then I seem to read that about every new Netflix series these days .
I'm glad I watched it and I did enjoy parts of it but just wondered how a great director like Alfred Hitchcock would have presented this tragic and brutal chain of events?
The Critic (2023)
Superb casting and devilish plot
My Review- The Critic
In Cinemas from October 3
My Rating 10/10
I attended a preview of The Critic with only a hint about the delicious devilish plot from the trailer which reveals no spoilers as my review also wont .
Any cast that includes that stately homo of British theatre Sir Ian McKellen plus Gemma Arterton, Lesley Manville , Romola Garai, Ben Barnes and Mark Strong is reason enough to catch my interest.
If you love the theatre, great acting and a totally absorbing plot that keeps you in suspense then I'm sure you'll love The Critic.
It's a Faustian tale where every character is corrupted in one way or another either from selfishness or ill advised emotional entanglements.
The movie is beautifully set in London its 1937 when gay men were still cruelly hunted by Police then tried and imprisoned if caught with their reputations ruined for life just as Jimmy's Erskine's hero Oscar Wilde was in 1895.
Ian McKellen gives one of his finest performances in my opinion as Jimmy Erskine a venomous old theatrical Queen who is the head Drama Critic for The London Chronicle with the power of his pen to ruin careers and box office success.
His nocturnal sexual proclivities and acid tongue get him sacked from the Chronicle by the son of the man who employed him years ago .
David Brooke played by Mark Strong has taken over the paper after his father's death asking the critic to tone down his venomous comments especially in regard to a particular popular young actress who he admires called Nina Land .
Nina Land confronts Jimmy to find out why he is using his following to damage her career?
Nina beautifully played by Gemma Arterton asks for fairness as his constant nasty criticism is eroding her confidence on stage.
When Jimmy the Critic is caught up in scandal after he has written yet another vile spiteful appraisal of stage actress Nina Land's latest performance his boss David Brooke seizes the opportunity to sack the venomous critic.
The self seeking venomous Critic Jimmy Erskine sees an opportunity to retain his position at The Chronicle and devises a plan that involves the actress Nina Land who reluctantly agrees thereby becoming his accomplice in blackmailing his boss in an attempt to regain his position back at The Chronicle . In return for her part in his plan Jimmy Erskine promises Nina glowing notices from now on and all the adulation she can dream of .
Nina like Marguerite in Faust has sold her soul to the Devil and her actions have dire consequences for all concerned.
I don't often give movies a perfect score but I couldn't find fault with the script by Patrick Marber based on a novel by Anthony Quinn titled Curtain Call .
Patrick Marber also wrote the wonderful Notes on a Scandal in 2006 and Closer in 2004 two movies I also love.
The Director of The Critic Anand Tucker a BAFTA winner for Girl with a Pearl Earring 2003 has skilfully directed a dream cast.
I often comment that a dream cast is no guarantee of a great movie unless all the other ingredients are in place as for me they are in The Critic.
I must mention the wonderful supporting cast including Lesley Manville as Annabell Land the mother of Nina what a lovely gentle performance and Romola Garai as Cora the haughty daughter of the proprietor of The Chronicle and icy wife of artist Stephen Wiley played by handsome Ben Barnes.
Alfred Enoch is also excellent as Tom Turner who plays The Critic's loyal secretary and confidant.
All these characters are interesting and linked to each other emotionally like a cast of puppets with the puppet master Jimmy Erskine pulling their strings I really enjoyed this movie and thoroughly recommend it.
Devils (2020)
Thrilling and topical Corporate Greed on Speed
My Review
Devils Streaming on SBS on Demand
Series 1
My Rating 9/10
I found this series compelling plus and topical in today's changing economic climate. I thought it very very clever the way the team of screenplay writers have adapted the novel Diablo by author Guido Maria Brera to a thrilling television series combining some of the actual traumatic economic events of recent years with fictional outcomes and characters.
Adding to the reality of the fiction actual news footage is featured depicting major world financial events that have occurred over the last decade plus the politicians that were in power at the time .
The series stars Patrick Dempsey as Dominic Morgan the ruthless CEO of NYL a leading investment bank and famous Italian actor Alessandro Borghi as Massimo Ruggero his Head of Trading .
They both give totally convincing performances so much so that it's difficult at times to spot The Devil.
It's a story of corruption in high places on a Corporate level ,ambition at any cost, betrayal plus the consequences of Corporate greed that affects humanity and the environment on this ailing planet we call Earth .
The action, which kicks off in London then spreads to Italy, is set in 2011 (although the series does a masterful job of feeling like it could be happening right now.
While parts of Europe are dealing with a devastating financial crisis, the traders at NYL are making plenty of money
Devil's is a fast moving series that demands the viewers attention as it tends to flashback and forward in time.
With a superb ensemble cast that includes
Laia Costa as an Argentinian-born hacktivist , Malachi Kirby as a brilliant student who gets a job at NYL; Harry Michell, Paul Chowdhry and Pia Mechler as 'The Pirates', Ruggero's trusted team; Kasia Smutniak as Dominic's wife; and Lars Mikkelsen as the leader of a counter-information platform.
I'm pleased to see the second series is now available as series one had a thrilling and unexpected conclusion.
Congratulations to Directors Nick Hurran and Jan Michelini plus the large team of screenwriters on an interesting thrilling and entertaining series.
It Ends with Us (2024)
Good but could have been much better
My Review-
It Ends With Us - in Cinemas now
My Rating 6.5/10
I quite enjoyed It Ends With Us however I kept thinking throughout its overlong 130 minute duration that a woman director like Barbra Streisand would have handled the most important part of the story which is generational domestic violence far better than a male director.
When I read that Justin Baldoni who plays the violent husband Ryle Kincaid also directed the movie I realised why this movie is not as good as it could be .
I haven't read the novel by Colleen Hoover so can't compare it to the screenplay by Christy Hall but I suspect the movie has left out or taken a softly softly approach with one of the most serious issues of today domestic violence directed towards women who marry men with untreated anger issues.
The cast like so many movies today are all very impressive especially Blake Lively who plays Lily Bloom as an adult .
Also the convincing look alike who plays Lily Bloom as a young teenager Isabela Ferrer is very good n her role.
Young Lily witnesses the violent actions of her father towards her mother and first love Atlas Corrigan.
Later when adult Lily embarks on a new life to fulfil her dream of opening a boutique flower shop in Boston she meets Ryal Kincaid played by Justin Baldoni who is the brother of her best friend and business partner Allysa played by Jenny Slate .
Lily is reluctant at first respond to Ryal's persistent attempts to seduce her but you guessed it they eventually marry.
Along comes Lily's first love Atlas who also has opened his dream restaurant in Boston with the odd name of Root. Atlas played by Brandon Sklenar and Lily obviously still share deep affection for each other.
The couple share history together which we see in flashback when the plot exposes Lily's father as a violent father who inflicts near fatal injuries on young Atlas and sexually abuses Lily's mother Jenny Bloom .
We now know why Lily Bloom couldn't list 5 things she loved about her father at his funeral which are the first scenes in this movie.
Lily eventually marries Ryal after a brief courtship which in my opinion was at odds with the seriousness of the story .
The romantic glamorous chocolate box tinsel wrapped treatment in the first hour of the movie seemed to clash with the serious subject matter of the second hour.
I think it was due to poor editing and poor direction possibly because it was directed by the male star who played Lily Bloom's violent husband.
It's a fairly good movie to my mind that could have been much better if it had had a proven talented female director like Barbra Streisand who brilliantly directed the 1991 movie Prince of Tides , and the 1996 The Mirror Has Two Faces that all dealt with extremely complex emotional entanglements.
It a shame that the men that need to receive the message of this film probably will not be interested in seeing it.
Thelma (2024)
Good performances in a B grade silly plot
My Review-
Thelma in cinemas now
My Rating 5/10
Warning spoiler
What a shame when the script and direction of a movie spoil the fine performances of the ensemble cast .
Thelma for me is what we used to refer to as a B grade feature movie .
Those were the days when cinemas could afford a few mediocre movies pre television because the industry was healthy and audiences were still flocking to cinemas.
Today with television streaming services showing some high quality mini series and telemovies the traditional movie industry will suffer and cinemas will suffer when audiences stay away from mediocre films like Thelma .
Billed as a comedy Thelma as far as I'm concerned is not funny and lacks any credibility.
I blame the script writer and director Josh Margolin whose story is basically about a 93 year old sweet lady who turns into a gun tot-ting granny vigilante on the hunt for a cyber criminal .
Thelma is a victim of cyber crime when Harvey played by Malcolm McDowell embezzles her of $10,000 by getting his nephew to impersonate her Grandson.
The most ridiculous part for me of this script when Thelma eventually rewards the criminal with a $500 gift I thought it just silly and in poor taste especially the gun issue.
June Squibb as Thelma gives a very nice performance as does 24 year old Fred Hechinger as her devoted Grandson Daniel.
We will soon see in Fred Hechinger in Gladiator 11 as Emperor Caracalla .
I really enjoyed their chemistry together it's a great pity the script by Josh Margolin didn't impress me at all as somewhere in this 98 minute movie there is a good storyline but once Thelma stole her friends gun and took off with her friend Ben's mobility scooter to get her money back my enthusiasm and interest began waning .
The Twelve: Episode #2.8 (2024)
Improbable plot well Acted
The Twelve
My Rating. 6/10
Streaming on Foxtel
While I enjoyed the performances in Series 2 of The Twelve I stand by my comments regarding Series One.
Once again I stuck with this overlong drawn out 8 part series that in my view fails on a number of counts that don't thankfully include the performances of some of Australia's finest actors .
The Twelve is based on a Belgian series of the same name De Twaalf, it will be interesting if I can track the Belgian version down to compare with this Australian version as I wasn't overly impressed by this effort.
The writers of the original Belgian series
Bert Van Dael and Sanne Nuyens said in a Variety interview that their series was not based on a true story and was inspired by the previous Belgian government's attempt to eradicate the jury system .
The first series I thought was more effective in plot or the subplots that featured the 12 juror's backstory .
Series 2 is set in a Rural community when Brett Colby QC played well by Sam Neill and Meredith Nelson -Moore SC played by Frances O'Connor participate in a murder trial where the couple on trial are in a complex relationship that includes a young baby.
A wealthy farmer Bernice Price played by Kris McQuade is found dead at the bottom of a well . As circumstances and motives develop her daughter Sacha played by Amy Mathew's and her lover Patrick are accused of plotting to murder Bernice .
As in series one there were to many improbable twists and turns that I can't mention as I don't like spoilers.
Series One was more enjoyable for me because the focus was more on the stories of the members of the jury rather than the crime .
This series was more about the crime than the jury members and neither kept my interest.
Sam Neill fans I think will enjoy The Twelve it's well produced well acted but for me fails in the storyline.
Rebus (2024)
Absorbing well crafted Drama
My Review- Rebus
Streaming on SBS on Demand
My Rating 810
I hope there will be a second series of Rebus as I really enjoyed the first series which is based on Ian Rankin's best selling novels concerning Detective sergeant later Inspector Rebus described as a hardboiled Edinburgh cop.
I liked this tough but vulnerable character played by Richard Rankin who regrets the recent breakup of his family and the resulting divorce from his ex wife Rhona .
Now Mrs Rhona Moncrieffe they maintain a good even affectionate relationship together as John Rebus is a good father to their daughter Samantha.
However Rebus is constantly reminded of his failures and inadequacies by the wealthy success and vastly improved lifestyle of Rhona and his young daughter Samantha provided by Rhona's new husband Locke played Nick Rhys.
The action of the story increases dramatically when John Rebus is drawn into Edinburgh's criminal underbelly when investigating what appears to be a fued between two rival families that are suspected to be involved in drug and human trafficking.
Rebus also has a difficult relationship with his brother Michael a returned soldier who like his brother saw service in Afghanistan .
Michael and his family appear to be going through difficult financial woes and like many returned veterans feel ignored and neglected. Michael seeks a way out of his financial problems that brings him into a dangerous conflict with his brother John.
I enjoyed the different story threads and characters in Rebus performed by an excellent ensemble cast that includes Amy Manson as Rhona , Brian Ferguson who plays Michael Rebus and
Stuart Bowman plays Ger Cafferty a dangerous Edinburgh gangster who has violent history with John Rebus.
I recommend this 6 part series well written and adapted to television by Gregory Burke and skilfully directed by Niall MacCormick and Fiona Walton it left me wanting more .
I recommend subtitles as the Edinburgh accents at times are a little difficult to understand.
Midas Man (2024)
Intelligent Moving and Entertaining
My Review - Midas Man
In Cinemas now
My Rating 8/10
It's been a little while since any movie showing at the Cinema has caught my attention enough to make the effort of going to see it on the big screen.
Midas Man certainly was worth the effort I found it entertaining surprisingly moving and so well written, directed and acted .
This story depicts the early meteoric rise to fame of the Beatles known as the Fab Four from Liverpool with an emphasis on Brian Epstein their first Manager who saw something in this now legendary group of musicians that no one else could see .
If Brian Epstein had not managed ,groomed and promoted The Beatles they probably would have gone unnoticed .
Epstein not only introduced the Beatles to the world as well as Cilla Black , Gerry and the Pacemakers and many more performers. Epstein also helped put their U. K. hometown Liverpool on the World map by introducing The Mersey Sound which heralded in the 1960's that influenced changing musical tastes and fashion forever.
Unlike Elvis Presley's manipulative manager Colonel Tom Parker Brian Epstein kept his promise to John Lennon when he said if I manage this group you won't find anyone else in the business who would devote more time or effort to make the Beatles the most famous band on earth.
Brian Epstein is played so well by Jacob Fortune -Lloyd a fine actor who manages to capture the emotional turmoil that plagued Brian Epstein who had to hide his homosexuality at a time when gay men lived daily with the prospect of imprisonment and blackmail .
His public professional persona was of a successful eventually very wealthy promoter and entrepreneur but his private life was at times chaotic and dangerous eventually leading to his premature death at only 32 years old .
This is a very interesting movie I enjoyed the theatrical technique of breaking the fourth wall when Epstein occasionally talks to the audience it's very effective in this instance.
I also enjoyed the performances of the supporting cast that includes Emily Watson who plays Malka Epstein ,Brian's protective and supportive mother and Eddie Marsan as Harry the father that Brian Epstein longed for approval and acceptance but never really received.
Jonah Lees is very impressive as John Lennon he has some great scenes as does Darci Shaw as Cilla Black and Blake Richardson as Paul McCartney.
Congratulations to Director Joe Stephenson and writers Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham on creating such an interesting and entertaining movie .
The timeframe of this movie takes place over only six years from Brian Epstein first discovering the Beatles in 1961 minus Ringo in the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool to the groundbreaking Beatles " Our World " first live Satellite performance on June 25th 1967 which reached over 400 million viewers across 25 countries.
Six months later Brian Epstein tragically was found dead but he certainly did keep his promise and loyalty to The Beatles who by then had eclipsed Elvis Presley's fame and their legacy stands today with a song book of hits that have been performed by every great singing artist from a time when music and lyrics came first and live performers performed without gimmicks cgi or lip syncing.
I'll be interested in seeing the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles biopic which apparently has the rights to use more of the Beatles music than Midas Man was able to feature but as the emphasis is on Brian Epstein the man it doesn't matter.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
A popcorn matinee movie
My Review-
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
My Rating 6.5 /10
I expected a more serious movie treatment as this story is based on real World War 2 events that were revealed only in recent years when Churchill's secret war diaries were released to the public.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is Based on a novel by Damien Lewis ,not the actor and Directed by Guy Ritchie with a screenplay by Paul Tamasy .
Universe I like my friends description of this film he thought it an entertaining popcorn movie and I agree however for me the steam punk soundtrack and the macho bromance dialogue trivialised a very interesting serious war operation.
Henry Cavill plays Gus March-Phillips a swashbuckling bearded mercenary who heads a team of talented macho Nazi haters on an unauthorised raid to blow up a German U boat .
The British Prime Minister of the time Winston Churchill indirectly launched the daring Operation Postmaster hoping to turn the tide on Hitler's advance in Europe.
The raid was an unsanctioned, unauthorised, and unofficial suicide mission. Orchestrated by Brigadier Colin Gubbins and Lieutenant Commander Ian Fleming,
Some say author Ian Fleming partly based his famous character O07 James Bond on the character that Henry Cavill plays in this movie .
I had the impression that Henry C may have been auditioning to win the coveted role of 007 but the black beard didn't suit him at all.
Ian Fleming played by Freddie Fox even introduces himself in the movie just as "Fleming Ian Fleming." This is a nod to his fictional hero James Bond who, in many of the films in which he appears, introduces himself as "Bond. James Bond."
This movie in summing up for me is an adventurous romp that doesn't quite work for me one surprising criticism I make as I usually enjoy Rory Kinnear's acting but his interpretation or impression of Churchill really annoyed me and his prosthetic make up made him look more like a rubbery puppet than a Prime Minister trying to turn the tide on what looked like a desperate situation for Europe.
Lost Boys & Fairies (2024)
At last our stories can be told intelligently and on mainstream
My Review-
Lost Boys & Fairies
Streaming on Stan
My score. 9:10
It's so refreshing these days to see credible authentic LGBTQ characters and meaningful stories that should appeal to anyone with a heart and soul on mainstream television.
This is a contemporary family story
beautifully directed and performed which would have been impossible to tell a few decades ago.
Why ? Because the concept of two men in a loving relationship being legally able to adopt a child let alone be considered a family by society would have stretched fantasy beyond anything that Walt Disney could imagine.
Gabriel a popular drag club performer played to perfection by Welsh actor Sion Daniel Young and his more reserved partner of eight years Andy played with equal charm by Irish actor Fra Fee want to add to their family and consider adopting a child.
They meet Jackie their Social Worker played delightfully by Elizabeth Berrington who is fully in their corner but warns them about the vetting process and what they're up against. It's not simple and very exhausting and far more complex than choosing a pet .
This 3 part series moves along at great pace I wanted more episodes I was enjoying it so much .
Gabriel and Andy go through the emotional process of realising that choices have consequences in relationships .
Especially for Andy especially who is confronted with his excessive drug use and his own early childhood trauma at losing his mother and being raised by a homophobic father.
The couple think they would be more suited to adopt a daughter but when they turn up with their advocate Jackie for the interview process along with other applicants they are won over by Jake a foster child who has been removed from a violent father.
As the series moves on Gabriel and Andy's views on adopting Jake begin to differ especially when Gabriel's dysfunctional behaviour creates pressure on their relationship.
Gabriel a lost boy himself is determined to adopt Jake even without the support of Andy this leads to a dramatic conclusion.
Leo Harris who plays the irascible but charismatic young Jake must be applauded for one of the best juvenile performances in recent years.
Lost Boys & Fairies directed by James Kent and written by Daf James
is a must see for all mature adults.
The music is absolutely fabulous the mood while dealing with serious contemporary issues is at times light and very humorous.
I was reminded of the classic 1998 Torch Song Trilogy similar story without the New York Jewish character..
The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024)
An intense emotional roller coaster
My Review-
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Streaming on Stan
My Rating 8/10
I really had to brace myself to watch The Tatooist of Auschwitz as after last years great but harrowing movie The Zone of Interest which presented the rare scenario of an Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his family living a seemingly ideal and callous existence in a house and garden next door to the concentration camp.
I heard Barbra Streisand's beautiful new recording of the song heard at the end credits titled Love Will Survive and wondered how could you portray a love story in the hell hole that was the Auschwitz - Birkenau concentration camp .
This story could have taken place while the German family of Commandant Rudolph Hoss depicted in The Zone of Interest were playing with their children in their garden while smoke billowed from the crematorium next door?
This series is set in 2 very different locations it begins in Melbourne when Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner who was tasked with tattooing ID numbers on prisoners' arms in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during World War 2 commenced retelling his powerful and terrifying story to an aspiring New Zealand author Heather Morris .
The contrast in mood is startling between the now very elderly Holocaust survivor played brilliantly and with incredible sensitivity by Harvey Keitel .
In flashback we return to the horror and filth of Aushwitz to Lali as a young man trying to survive the hell of his existence.
I could understand why he took on the hideous task of tattooing the incoming inmates when offered better conditions by the commandant of the camp.
Young Lali is played by Jonah Hauer-King a Jewish actor who I last saw playing The Prince in Disney's The Little Mermaid, you couldn't get a greater contrast in roles than that .
Jonah Hauer-King deserves an Emmy nomination for his superb performance as Lalo Sokolov a 25 year old man who falls in love with Gita a young woman he meets in the camp under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.
Either of the lovers could be sentenced to death at any time but they both have an incredible will to survive their hell on earth.
Anna Próchniak is also wonderful as Gita Furmanova and the onscreen chemistry between these 2 tragic lovers is emotionally intense and very moving.
My conclusion at the end of this powerful and intense viewing experience was that I was glad I saw it and while there were some unexplained or hard to believe plot twists the story while impossible to be called a romance was certainly a love story .
Jonas Nay gives another standout performance in this series playing
the mentally unstable Nazi commandant Stefan Baretzki who assists Lali to meet with Gita and in some strange way regards Lali as his brother.
I couldn't help wonder what the real Lali Sokolov if he were alive today would think of the horror and incredible loss of lives from that the State of Israel is inflecting on their neighbours on the Gaza Strip .