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Reviews
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022)
Star Trek - The Musical?
Growing up as a child of the 1960s, I watched every episode of TOS. Since that time, I've followed nearly all series and episodes. TOS set the standard and in many ways I still like those old episodes. The budget then probably wouldn't even buy the cast's sandwiches today and the alien sets usually 'wobbled' but that was the charm. TNG set a new standard especially with the professional, Shakespearean acting of Sir Patrick Stewart. I think everyone has their own views on whether Voyager, DS9, Enterprise etc ever lived up to the previous incantations and I don't propose to express my own here. SNW is, in my opinion, has some of the very best storylines. I'd add s2 e9, Subspace Rhapsody, is one of the very best, if not THE best episode ever. Perhaps the next step will be on stage - Star Trek - The Musical!
Till (2022)
Slow and disappointing.
A tragic event that galvanised a part of the civil rights movement. Sadly, it failed to capture the tragic events like "Long Walk to Freedom" or the drama of "Selma". It lacked a leading actor as Edris Alba did (Mandela). Too much of the film was a build-up to the terrible events of that fateful night which was such a shame. Neither did it seem to depict the farce of a 'trial' in sufficient detail. The music score lacked something. It didn't evoke either sadness for the mother's grief or anger at the injustice of a legal system which failed the family so badly. I've watched Mandela several times and haven't yet seen the end without a tear in my eye or Selma without remembering ML King's fabulous monologues. Till is not a film I feel inclined to watch again.
Tula: The Revolt (2013)
Amateurish
Pity. This could have been an excellent film. I guess it had a limited budget. One or two known names acted in this but they failed to lift it. Lighting was inadequate at times and if this was intentional to try and make the film 'dark in nature' it didn't work. Subject matter was interesting but it was difficult to believe some of the characters.
Easy A (2010)
Fell asleep
OMG this was sooooo boring I fell asleep. Emma Stone is such a good actor she deserved better than this. Give it a miss. There was so little story and so shallow. Not even sure what the story was.
Ad Astra (2019)
Fell asleep during this one.
Ludicrous storyline with some wooden acting. An emotionless performance by Brad Pitt doesn't help. Not sure what the director was aiming for, but it didn't hit the mark. I wouldn't waste your time on this film if I were you.
Unthinkable (2010)
Disturbing
Essentially 2 hours watching Michael Sheen being tortured by Samuel L Jackson. I don't know which was worse: the gravity of the scenes themselves, which were pretty realistic or the fact by the end I was immune to it. Little story outside the torture-room but you are left wondering whether this happens to terrorists in real life.
Loving (2016)
Disappointed.
With a terrific story to tell, the film was lacking. It failed to replicate the courtroom drama of Marshal or the nature of racism depicted in Selma. The Sheriff character in particular (a good actor in other films, eg The Enforcer) did not have enough of a sinister edge. There were no other acts of discrimination against either the Loving family or the wider coloured community. Pity; this could have been a great film.
The Angel of Auschwitz (2019)
Very poor.
With such an emotional subject, there is a lack of feeling to this production. Cinematography lacks awareness, everywhere looks too clean and new. The character, Josef, is almost a comic with a laughable fake German accent. The music score is awful and reminded me of those cheap CDs usually entitled 'relaxation' Or Yoga Music. Lighting is dark, but this might have been an (unsuccessful) attempt to create atmosphere.
The Dressmaker (2015)
Oh dear!
Fell asleep part way through. A terrible movie not deserving of some good actors.