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Reviews
Game of Thrones: The Long Night (2019)
Are you a lover or a hater?
I've watched, and loved, the whole series twice through and I'm grateful to say that I'm not in the camp that was left disappointed by this epic, climactic episode. This feels to me like a conclusion to a story that has made the long investment completely worthwhile.
I'm avoiding spoilers here, but I think it's ok to say that, for me, this was how the war between the living and the dead was always supposed to conclude. That there were many heroes on one side, giving their diverse skills, their feeling and their lives to the cause and that it didn't all come down to the actions of one or two overly heroic characters. The glory is ultimately shared between beloved figures, and also ones following more complicated story arcs.
This episode is also where the story ends for me... the loose ends that get tied up next are not as satisfying imho.
There are a few outstanding 'wow' moments in the course of GoT, and this episode provides one of my genuine favourites in all TV history. Thank you to the writers for bravely doing such a great job.
The Creator (2023)
Blown away
This has been the summer of Oppenheimer, Barbie, Mission Impossible, Indiana Jones... and I hadn't heard a lot about The Creator in the build up to going to see it tbh. In the end it was purely an impulse decision. Sci-Fi? Nice. Trailer? Looks good. Shall we? Yup.
Great decision.
I've seen other reviewers knock the film for minor plot holes... it's a valid criticism, but they didn't spoil the film for me. It's a big, brave entertaining sci-fi story told in two hours - there are always likely to be gaps in logic that you just have to turn a blind eye to and choose to be entertained. They are minor. The alternative is often to make a watertight plot that is just a little too complicated to be fun.
Washington, Chan, Watanabe, Janney and the unbelievable youngster, Voyles all put in great performances. The storyline is cracking. Plausible enough to be chillingly compelling, but imaginative enough to feel creative and to give a solid platform to a visually superbly well made film.
Big props to the cinematography, the score, the skill of creating a future built on the present.
The Gunman (2015)
I'm so annoyed by this
I came for the brilliant Mark Rylance, Javier Bardem, Ray Winstone and Idris Elba, but what I got was mostly a camera-hogging, posturing Sean Penn. It's well put together and not a bad action flick in parts, but overall it's a bit transparent and really just a brazen brand-SP vehicle.
The backdrop is a really interesting one - multinational corruption in Congo, fighting over mineral resources. It's a shame that this horrifying reality is somewhat glossed over in deference to building up a heroic American star.
I enjoyed the camera work, the locations, the pacing - it is certainly well made. However, I'm not going to say I enjoyed it personally.
Drive (2011)
Fantastic atmosphere, gorgeous cinematography
Carey Mulligan, magnetic. Bryan Cranston, superb. Oscar Isaac, excellent. Albert Brooks, soft, intelligent and psychopathic... a really solid set of performances. I just wasn't taken by the main character. I found him oddly styled (walking around in a blood-stained jacket for one) and kind of uncomfortable - not in a smouldering, mysterious way, actually more of a has-he-forgotten-his-line way. As a character there were a few things that didn't make sense to me.
The winner for me was the beautiful atmosphere the film maintains. The lighting, the soundtrack, LA by night, the colour - just magnificent. So rich you could almost smell this film. I would watch it again just to enjoy that once more.
Firebird (2021)
Loved it!
The writers have unearthed an extraordinary story full of humanity, injustice and drama which works fabulously in film. The cast do an impressive job all round under the excellent direction of Peeter Rebane. I wasn't sure what to expect, but came away delighted to have seen it. Will be looking out for future features by this team.
Seinfeld: The Mom and Pop Store (1994)
Is this where the series starts to drift?
After the brilliance of seasons 4 and 5, I just get the feeling in recent episodes that things are starting to drift. It's the little things - the cowboy boots, Kramer becoming more and more formulaic, that weird Jerry laugh in the car... I can't put my finger on it, but it feels a little more hastily put together to me.
Pam & Tommy (2022)
Lily James & Sebastian Stan are amazing
I enjoyed this series a lot, although it does feel like it was very much stretched out to 8 episodes. The two lead actors did an incredible job, just first class, and made it hugely watchable.
Die Hard (1988)
What makes a film iconic isn't necessarily how well made it is!
I must be one of the last people alive to see Die Hard for the first time (I just watched it in 2022). It's super enjoyable, but for such a well-loved and iconic film there are some weirdly obvious mistakes and inconsistencies. (I'm not going to refer to them here, you can look them up if you need to.) Not taking away from the entertainment value - it's just a reminder that even imperfect films can be great.
Derry Girls (2018)
Spit-the-tea out funny with real poignancy
I think this is in my all time top five TV shows. It's wonderful, laugh a minute, cringe and clap writing, with a variety of brilliant performers all bringing something interesting to the table. And there are desperately poignant moments when the sadness and horror of those times is juxtaposed with the whimsy of teenagers navigating their own complicated lives. It's a gem. Bravo all involved.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
Visually joyful, innocent, circus-like fun
There are certain scenes in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets which will stay with me for a long, long time. I adore the opening sequence and will watch that again and again. The Big Market. And the shortcut through Alpha. All of the above, wow!
On a negative note, I really didn't enjoy the two lead actors. I wanted to like them, but for me they just weren't strong enough and it became a little distracting which was a shame.
All in all, I still found it a highly enjoyable, visually joyful film that I'd recommend to friends on the strength of its glorious, innocent, circus-like vision and story-telling.
Feel Good (2020)
Utterly brilliant.
I loved every minute of this. Amazing writing, stunning performances and it just rocks along at a cracking pace to its own hilarious, complex, challenging, highly entertaining beat. It's a meaty, honest deep dive into achingly real human issues: confusion, trauma, lust, healing, addiction, trust... And somehow this comes served with a frosting of real funniness. Superbly judged, wonderfully enjoyable.
Page Eight (2011)
Excellent cast, intriguing plot... ropey script.
It has qualities that I love about a good John Le Carré, and wish I could find afresh: a smooth, slow reveal, with substance, complexity and intrigue. The problem for me was the terribly jarring script - I found the lines clumsy overall and if it weren't for the hard work if some excellent performers I think it would have been a stinker. I'm giving it a 6, but it's really a 5.5 - I was wavering at one point. It's a shame. I do think it could have been polished up into a very good film.
The Good Place (2016)
I loved this.
I really enjoyed The Good Place. It has a great mix of zaniness, snappy writing, interesting themes, charming performances, and good storytelling. I was in the mood for something easy on the eye that would draw me in, and it did, managing to pull off being both innocent fun and stimulating. Well done all involved.