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Andu007
Reviews
We Were the Lucky Ones (2024)
Does humanity learn from history?
I came across this as I do like a true story or a film/series based on a true story, WW2 being an era that I like to hear about personal experiences.
I've just watched the final episode (8th) & only now do I think it's fair to leave a review.
I really enjoyed it & I got to know the characters & felt I was a part of their perilous journey during the dark times of Europe in the 30s & the war.
The Poles having a hard time not only with the Soviets but then the Nazis & if you were a Jew, then worse.
I've not really watched similar series, so I can't compare it but only review it on its own merit.
To think that there were many that suffered & this is just one story of a family & what they bravely endured.
It's harrowing & horrific in places, joyous & tearful joy in others.
It shows both sides of humanity, good & evil.
I didn't binge watch, I had to wait a week before the next episode was released but I needed to know what happened next & watched it immediately
To think this all happened in relatively recent times is an awful thought.
Has humanity learnt?!
Renegade Nell (2024)
Great Entertainment
I saw a clip of this while Adrian Lester was being interviewed to promote it on a tv programme, it looked good, so I thought I'd give it a go.
I'm so glad I did, it's set in the 1700s but don't get hooked up with historical accuracy, it's fiction & take it for what it is.
It's colourful, quirky, funny with lots of magical action & adventure, with a swashbuckling soundtrack.
Apparently the lead actress is in Derry Girls, I've not seen the series but I've heard plenty, so I will now as she is brilliant in this!
Good actors & great characters, I absolutely loved it, hopefully there will be another series.
Miami Vice (2006)
Not the Miami Vice I was hoping
It took me nearly 18 years to get around to watching this, not sure if it was worth it because it could have been any cop film, maybe I was being clouded hoping for the nostalgic look.
Characters are good but then we kind of already know the leading protagonists, the story was about the usual shenanigans that go on in south Florida but you wouldn't have known it was in Miami unless it was in the title.
I was hoping there would be some sort of respectful nod to the 80s series including a great soundtrack as Sonny & Crocket speed along in their sports car or power boat.
The story was ok but the last firefight was poorly done.
Piccadilly Incident (1946)
How war can affect people's lives
I do like an old British film to watch & I'd never seen this one, Anna Neagle & Micheal Wilding star & apparently a short glimpse of Roger Moore though I missed it.
Such a great topic, this has been used before & since (Move Over Darling) & it must have really happened during a war somewhere at sometime.
A partner is believed lost & then turns up sometime later after the other has moved on with their life.
Two people meet during an air raid in London & like so many, they married almost immediately, as life could be so short in those dark days.
War then separated them for a couple of years, as one was believed to have been lost & the one still living a 'normal' life, moves on with theirs.
I really enjoyed it though some bits were needlessly prolonged, the beginning especially with their courtship before marrying & then it was rushed at the end.
Without giving too much away, it would have been good to see more depth to their reaction on their reunion.
And can someone tell me, did some peolpe actually live like that? Out for lavish dinners, drinking champagne & generally not being affected by the deprivation & terror of nightly bombings & rationing?
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
Such a beautiful film
I've never heard of this film, so I never knew that it was a book.
I'd seen a clip of this film on a bbc show & saw that Diasy Edgar Jones starred in it.
She was excellent in Normal People & the lesser known but brilliant contemporary series of The War of the Worlds, so I was hoping she would be good in this.
Wow!...what a beautiful film, stunning cinematography, well directed, good actors and Daisy Edgar Jones shows how she is maturing into a great actor, this is her best performance yet. She is British but if you didn't know her, you would have said she was an American in the way she portrayed her part in this film.
I'm so glad I took time out to watch this, as it's not advertised as a main stream, top stars action packed film, please watch it, I guarantee it will have you immersed in the marshy swamps of Carolina for just over two hours, tensed at wanting to know how the story unfolds & finishes.
The Gold (2023)
At last the bbc produce a decent show with none of their agenda.
Credit where credit is due to the bbc...they make too many crime dramas, which is great if you're into them.
This however, is another but based on a true story & told well. I'm not sure how much is true because a certain amount of artistic licence needs to added for entertainment.
Very well acted, especially Hugh Bonneville who is superb & Charlotte Spencer, though everyone else played their parts well.
My main criticism would be that I think the gangsters were portrayed wrongly, with a slight positive light, as they were definitely not nice people & not likeable in real life.
An event that changed a lot of things in everyday life from policing & corruption, banking & the fact that at one point, every bit of gold that was bought in the UK had some Brinks Matt gold in it, there's still a lot around even today! A lot of Docklands property was bought with the proceeds.
I recommend this 6 part series, it's a good watch & even better as this actually did happen & was it all recovered?
The Mad Axeman (2019)
A Play for Today
People with some knowledge or interest in the notorious Kray twins will know of 'Mad Axeman' Frank Mitchell but those who are into their gangster/mob films, this isn't for you.
This reminds me for those old enough, of a series called A Play for Today.
This is set in a flat in East London in the 60s, a place where Dartmoor escapee Frank Mitchell was holed up by the Krays.
I've read a couple of books on these times & knew of Mitchell & this being a British film, I'd thought I'd give it a watch.
After 10mins or so I did wonder if I should continue but I'm glad I stuck with it.
This is not a gangster action film but a depiction of the time of Mitchell's 'freedom' This is filmed entirely in a small flat, so not what we would call freedom as such.
It is well acted & the tension can be felt between them.
It is debatable on why the Krays thought it was a good idea to spring this man from Dartmoor (apparently the only man to successfully do so)
Sad & pointless, some might say.
It's a good watch in it's own artistic way, be patient & give it a go especially if you are interested in these times.
UFO (1970)
It really was 50yrs ahead of its time!
Mr & Mrs Anderson produced many tv programmes for us kids in the 70s, this is probably one of the best, though others were all brilliant in their own right.
This was called UFO, a sci-fi tv series that was showing in the early 1970s, with a brilliant theme tune with smartly edited pictures showing different action sequences of the programme.
S. H. A. D. O a secret alien defence organisation that had its headquarters hidden beneath a tv studio.
A moon base that had interceptors based on it, their pilots would ready themselves then slide down a shute to their craft, all accompanied by action music. All the moonbase staff wore very fashionable 'uniforms' & the girls had purple hair! They stared into computers with head pieces to communicate, so very modern.
A submarine that would tilt & the nose would separate & become a jet that would break the surface to fly up into the sky to intercept UFOs that had got through the earth's protection of Moon base's interceptors.
Tank like transporters that would trawl the countryside for the UFOs that managed to land on earth, smart looking electric cars & other concept vehicles, honestly this series was so much ahead of its time!!!
And of course the aliens themselves, that you would sometimes see, dressed in a red space suit banded in silver, green fairy liquid filling their space helmet!
You will recognise many stars of the time & others who went on & became famous for other films & programmes, even the gorgeous mum of Benedict Cumberbatch is a regular on here.
Anyone in their 50s or 60s will remember this, it was a Saturday fave for me.
It's still sometimes shown on ForcesTv or Legend, give it a go especially if you're into sci-fi.
Ghosts (2019)
A good British comedy
It's been a while since I've watched a series all the way through, waiting for next week to see the next episode, then hoping they'd make another series.
Of course you can stream now & watch at your convenience and that's what I done for the following two series.
A couple inherit a mansion that is inhabited by ghosts but only one of them can see them, I won't say anymore.
It's a must see for the laughs, the stories and the great characters. Modern living compared to times of old, technical gadgetry that needs to be explained even to the ghost from the 80s, yes it makes you realise how we've evolved with it.
Let's hope more series are in the pipeline, it's been too long since a great British comedy has been made.
Ghosts (2021)
A great American version of the UK series
I've seen all of the series of the U. K. 'Ghosts' though I missed the last couple of episodes and ended up looking on catch up for them, when I came across this, the US version.
Absolutely brilliant, of course lots of similarities, great characters some a little different than the original.
I think the writers could reflect on the original then come up with & sometimes improve the stories for the US audiences.
It doesn't matter where you are from, if you enjoyed the original UK version, you will also love this, watch it, lots of laugh out loads moments.
Please, let's have more.
Cruella (2021)
Thoroughly Entertaining!
I was about when the original Disney cartoon film was being shown at the cinema, a film I did enjoy, the live remakes not so much so but ok.
I thought I'd give this a try as I do like the great Emma Thompson & Emma Stone is making some entertaining stuff too.
I'm so glad I did, this was excellent & really entertaining. It's funny, it's dark, its well acted & good direction.
Great sets in 70s London, I love the cars & a brilliant soundtrack to go along with it all.
Emma Thompson is surperb as is the gorgeous Emma Stone. Jasper & Horace are Cruella's baddies but they're not as bad or stupid as we are meant to perceive.
It tells the story of how Cruella DeVil came to be, I love her though I'm not sure I'm meant to, especially what I know how things turn out later in her life!
Keep watching through the credits as you see the beginning of how the 101 Dalmations began.
Great film, it doesn't matter how old you are, watch it!!!
De slag om de Schelde (2020)
A story from a different view
I heard about this after watching a German series about 4 friends & how WW2 effected each of them. This then linked me with plenty of other European films that gave you a different perspective than the usual victorious British & US one.
This is a great film about a battle that's not so well known but still important to the allied advance during WW2.
It shows life of a population of an occupied country, the fear & the brutality they endured. It's not a war film in the sense there are plenty of battle scenes, explosions & action scenes though there are some to satisfy you.
It's about 3 people in different roles & how outcomes & changing events & their choices effected them.
It really hits home what they had to live & work through. Individuals who got on with life & those who reluctantly worked & those who wanted to resist.
Good characters, good acting, good directing & stage sets & scenes, puts you there & you feel the suspense & the sorrow.
If you want to watch a WW2 film from a different perspective & without the Hollywood stamp, then watch this.
Last Train to Christmas (2021)
You boy, what train is this?
As the title suggests, a Christmas film starring Michael Sheen among others, which made me thought this should be good.
Initially I was a little disappointed as it wasn't the type of Christmas film I was hoping but I kept with it & I'm so glad I did.
I read a couple of reviews & I think some didn't quite get it & you do need to keep up to understand what is going on.
A sort of Christmas Carol story, where the main character played brilliantly by Michael Sheen can travel into the past.
Like all time travel films, you have to be careful, as a little change in the past, can be a massive one for the future.
As he travels into each carriage, he starts to understand what's going on & he realises he can change himself as well as others & make things better but that doesn't always happen.
You need to stick with it as things unfold & you understand what's happening now are because of events in his past, are you still with me?!
It's very well done, the fashion & the train carriages through the decades are recreated well too.
It's a bit different than what you might expect but well worth the watch.
Ted Lasso (2020)
Great recommendation from a girl in Oz
I was recommended this & after several times of asking, have I seen it yet, I thought I'd give it a go, even though I'd never heard of it before...why?
Initially I looked it up & saw that it was a story about some American coach, coming over to manage a premiership football team. I love my football, so I automatically thought another story giving the wrong impression of how things really are, language, culture & it's all been Americanised for the US audience.
As Ted says, I should be curious & not judgemental.
Absolutely brilliant, it was like a book that I couldn't put down. I binge watched the first series in two evenings.
Yes, it's set on a football stage but it's so much more, so don't let that put you off, it's for all, well, maybe not for the youngsters as the language is quite colourful!
Great characters, you get to know all of them. You go on an emotional roller coaster with so much going on in each of their lives.
You'll find yourself being sad, smiling & laughing & cheering. It's well written & directed, lots of messages about all us humans & how we should be positive & go about our everyday lives, I found it very uplifting in places.
Go on, give it a go, I recommend it, I'll be watching the 2nd series soon, will there be a 3rd?
Dances with Wolves (1990)
A beautiful film
I've watched this film a few times now over the 30 odd years since its release, mostly when it's been on tv & think I'll just watch a bit, then just a bit more then before you know it I'm totally engrossed & I've escaped for 3hrs totally immersed in the brilliant cinematography, big soundtrack, direction, character building & story telling.
This is a beautiful film, don't be put off by the duration, some films are not meant to be rushed & believe me you won't look at the time because you won't want it to finish.
A great story, about mankind & the way it has evolved on this spinning planet of ours.
The Lone Ranger (2013)
I'm surprised at such a low rating
I saw the rating as 6.4 & I was a little surprised to say the least but I suppose it's different strokes & all that...
Maybe it's not portrayed as the Lone Ranger as some of us oldies remember but this is a great fun film, though I might add, some parts are not ideal for children.
The story is told from Tonto's perspective & it's a good angle from the way it's told from the start.
There is good action, great scenery (Monument Valley) good characters and so many dead pan funny lines, just some of the subtle looks from Depp as Tonto, is all you need to make you laugh. I could describe it as a bit of Laurel & Hardy'ish humour.
I think it's very underrated & I've now seen it a few times & I love it more. A few times, I've known it to be on & switch over and think I'll just watch this bit, but each time I can't help but end up watching it all.
I recommend it, thoroughly enjoyable.
Worzel Gummidge (2019)
Absolutely Love It!!!
I'm old enough to love and watch the old series and some might think I'm too old to watch or even enjoy this remake.
This is what I remember what programmes were like when I was a child. I didn't think this warm feeling could be recreated, I thought it was more about the nostalgia of the 'good old days' what I was missing, sitting on a Sunday afternoon with all your family.
The cast and crew have done a fab job, it's perfect. The cinematography, the music, the meaningful stories, the countryside scenes that have been expertly framed, showing the UK's jewels in all is finery...and of course the cast. It's funny, it's poignant and educates us without having a point rammed down your throat.
If you've not seen any episodes, obviously, start from the beginning, I promise you, you'll love it.
Please, please McKenzie Crook & Co. get writing, we need more of this for our Sunday afternoon viewing, personally I need this bit of escapism especially with what we all going through at the moment, the last episode I didn't want to end...
All Creatures Great & Small (2020)
Perfect Family Entertainment
I've never read the books & I can't remember ever seeing a full episode from the 1970s series.
I've always known about the stories of a vet in the Yorkshire Dales but I never gave it a chance, maybe it was my young age at the time & being into the likes of The Six Million Dollar Man!
Anyway, I saw this advertised & I thought I'd give it a go. A bit of an evening's entertainment & a chance to temporarily escape from these unprecedented times. Also a good old tradional English country tale, set in some of England's prime green & pleasant land.
You get to know the characters & that makes them easier to understand as they develop.
The series is funny, dramatic, romantic & there are some lovely country scenes.
Each episode is told & acted well & leaves you wanting to know what happens next, so much so that I couldn't wait for the Christmas special.
I fully recommend this for the whole family to sit together & enjoy the going on's in this 1930s rural community.
Brooklyn (2015)
It is a beautiful film but...
I enjoyed the film for its escapism & the final feel good factor.
The era it was filmed in was excellently done, the hair, the costumes etc.
I fell in love with the main character, she was pretty & I love her accent, though she might not be as honest & true as we would have hoped or expected.
Talk about the luck of the Irish, she must have found a four leaf clover or something, if the lottery existed in those days, then she would have surely won the jackpot, she was so damn lucky, as everything fell into place for her.
A special mention to Julie Walters who was exceptional as the landlady of the boarding house.
John Wick (2014)
I finally got round to see this...
So glad I didn't rush to see this, only took me 6yrs...and I have no regrets.
Keanu Reeves, Willem Defoe, Ian McShane, 7.5 *s, it's got be good.
Looks like so many rated this action packed film highly & I agree that it takes all sorts to make the world go round & we all have different tastes...which is good.
I do like an action packed film but at least it's got be half credible.
To me, this was so loose, an obvious script, paper thin characters, half of the Russian New York population dead, so many orphans and widows, someone must have noticed at work & at school, that something bad was happening, all caused by one deadly assassin, who at the beginning, couldn't defend his home from a couple of ruffians who broke in, beat him up, nicked his car & killed his pet?!
The Sister (2020)
After a great start...
The first episode was good, the plot seemed good, and what I thought was going to be a haunting, made for an ideal potential Halloween build up ...that was the first episode anyway.
Then it was a matter of hoping for it to keep up the pace and maybe increase & finish with an interesting twist....and waiting, onto the next episode....then the next.
Unfortunately it slowed til it nearly stopped but I'm sure there was going to be a belter of a finale, so I stuck with it...for FOUR blimmin nights!
What is it with films & programmes nowadays where you have to keep increasing the volume because you can't hear the mutterings that's on the screen? Then wakes you when the adverts come on!!
What a waste, at least Autumnwatch is still on.
Jason Bourne (2016)
Jason should have retired long ago....
If you don't know about the Bourne films, then you might like this as a one off action film.
If, like me & probably many others who were looking forward to something great, a welcoming return, well, it's a massive disappointment & that's an understatement.
Even though I did score it a 5, it was because of Matt Damon, Paul Greengrass & Tommy Lee Jones though he didn't even look like he was trying.
Jason Bourne should have retired, he's older & doing things he would have never done in the years gone by and sometimes I found myself shaking my head in disbelief!
The final act made it a good ending & the sort of twist that made the others thrilling throughout, just too little too late.
Throwback Holiday (2018)
A good time travel yarn
I was channel hopping & this was just about to start on VoxAfrica channel, a channel I very rarely, if ever watch.
I love a time travel story & after quickly looking up what it was about, I thought I'd give it a go.
Do you wish you could go back to school & alter the path of your life?
Personally it would be a very difficult descision but this is what happens here in this tale of a woman who ends up in a mundane existence in mid life & suddenly is given the chance to go back & change it.
It's very well done too, as it can be difficult with time travel stories on the consequences of the changes you make.
A good love story, a happy story & a message that shows that all is not seen on the surface, to aesthetically please yourself or others.
If only we all could get a chance to do this...
For a bit of fun & escapism, watch this, it will make you smile.
For those who ask what happens to the ex...keep watching until after the credits! 😉
Hooten & the Lady (2016)
A brilliant adventure series...
What a brilliant series, well acted, good scripts, funny with some great one liners!
Takes you to some exotic locations, good stunts, naughty baddies and ours heroes who get into trouble who you then watch trying to get out of it!
If one of these episodes was made into an extended film, it would be good, so to have 8 episodes is excellent! A sort of Romancing the Stone/Indiana Jones type adventures.
A pretty educated British girl who loves history but wants to do things the correct way, teams up with a smart American guy who is a bit rough around the edges and likes to do things the incorrect way!
They annoy the crap out of each other and it's great to see them bickering but they both have the same addiction for historic artefacts and for each other, though they wouldn't admit that!
Great fun, thoroughly recommend it. Please, please, let's have another series?!?
The Italian Job (2003)
A good heist film with a respectable nod to the original.
Loved the original and a bit tired of all these remakes. Is the film industry lacking creativity, talent and ideas, that they now have to do this?
I watched this not long after it came out and it passed the time and I found it a lot better than I'd thought it would be.
After watching it again recently, it is a good heist film in its own right. It's not a complete remake of the original, though the minis speeding through the streets, gold bars, traffic chaos is a respectable nod to it.
Plenty of action, stunts and twists and a great all star line up, who carry their characters off well.
The film starts in Italy but it's mainly in the US which makes the title a bit non existent.
It hasn't got the wonderful cliffhanger ending either, unfortunately!