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Reviews
Endeavour: Zenana (2020)
DEATH IN VENICE
I was starting to dislike this series, and then we had opera
The critics may not have liked this series, or this episode. It may have been contrary to the Morse tradition. But that was a helluva operatic ending.
Several have criticised Morse and Thursday's relationship breaking down, but it gives scope for Morse to move on and become his older self.
Though I fear we have come to the point where this prequel should have been wound up and we could move back to the original series.
.
Taste of the Sea (1995)
EVEN A VEGETARIAN LOVES THIS
It is ironic, but I cannot stop watching this - now showing on SBS-Food in Australia - and this is so evocative, It just grabs me.
Which is rather/very surprising, because I am a complete vegetarian and have never enjoyed meat, poultry or fish.
But anyone who cooks, gets more out of cooking by expanding their horizons and watching and learning.
Yet I was very young and living in England in the fifties - family emigrating in second half - and the themes just grab me and make me want to be there - especially as we are in total Covid lockdown and it's getting worse.
Exquisite to watch and listen:
THANK YOU RICK!
Thank you SBS!
R.
Brian Cox's Adventures in Space and Time (2021)
OH THANK YOU BRIAN, KEEP ON DESPITE THE CRITICS
By serendipity, I have just recorded episode three on my PVR - not seen it yet - but value it above gold. Episode 4 programmed to record.
Australia's ABC-TV actually broadcast it at midnight. Friday morning. On ABC2-Kids/TVPlus, a channel that few watch, and at midnight?
Australia's pay TV seem to have ceased broadcasting science shows, but I need Brian's voice to inform me and sooth me in the current situation.
Lovely
R.
The Third Man (1949)
THE DEFINITIVE POST WWII MOVIE
As someone born just after WWII, and never seen this movie before, this has affected - no - shocked me.
Now I finally comprehend what it was saying - just as COVID locks down Sydney.
- It is the end of WWII
- An American arrives in Vienna
- He is a writer of cowboy stories
- He doesn't understand what is is going on
- As an American, he is the last man standing expected to lead the new world order.
And curiously, this was written by very intelligent Americans aware of the challenge, but presumably unable to get this made in America. Using the film talent remaining in England from many magnificent films made during the war.
What a fascinating story.
Exquisitely written, produced, acted and designed.
To Summarise: 1. It saw the future ahead, and the past behind.
2. Could America meet the challenge?
3. This culminated in Dennis Potter's classic THE SINGING DETECTIVE.
4. Are we still trapped inside this loop of problems.
AND THE PHOTOGRAPHY IS TOTALLY BRILLIANT - speaking as a one time B&W film photographer.
Richard.
Inspector Morse: The Death of the Self (1992)
SIT BACK AND LET THE MUSIC FLOW OVER YOU
Watching a classic such as this, decades after the critics have long retired, is possibly pointless.
I've only just skimmed this episode, yet the power of the drama and music engulfed me.
I just love the first reviews here, they saw so much more than I did in my Brief Encounter.
I WILL return to watch fully and luxuriate when time permits.
Episodes like these will possibly never be repeated now we have the Streaming TV Channels sucking the energy from mainstream TV.
But I have a bone to pick with all the purists who find fault in the details: SHAKESPEARE never bothered with facts, he simply told a story.
Richard.
Doctor Who: Fear Her (2006)
DRAW A PICTURE OF WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
This must have been inspired by a mind expanding English/British movie from the seventies/eighties, whose name I have forgotten.
This was the story of a child who drew a house, and created a very intriguing story.
The concept here draws you into your imagination, and even though not living in Britain it inspired me through the 2012 London Olympics.
Richard.
Doctor Who: Love & Monsters (2006)
"EVERYONE'S A CRITIC"
I came here to write a review, because I read elsewhere that this was one of the worst. This made me sad.
I really like this episode because it is all about life and our lives.
As I'm recently retired, and involved with a club that I try to inspire to keep going: I am now, one of these Doctor Who nerds in this story, bonding and keeping in touch with the lonely. Learning the future. Growing together.
And the MONSTERS wear us down, but we keep going despite the hopelessness of our situation.
And as I type this, I realise how inspiring this story is.
Remember John Lennon's words at the London 2012 Olympics.
Nice story
Richard.
Gåten Ragnarok (2013)
WATCH ONCE: For Fun; TWICE: To Explore
The prior reviews sum up this movie succinctly, I can add no more to that, BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!
FIRSTLY:
When you watch this you will want to learn what and where FINNMARK is, and that is part of the history of western civilisation. As that was only implied in the film, I suspect that Norwegians were a bit miffed this wasn't covered more fully.
And I was surprised at the fantastic terrain, which I expected to be typically glacial with rounded valleys and razor peaks, instead it looked like Australia's Dividing Range which has never seen a glacier.
SECONDLY:
And this is the fun bit. Amidst the wondrous collection of enjoyable movie kitsch, how many movie references could YOU see here?
. Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
. Aliens
. Dune
. Loch Ness Monsters
. Jurassic Park
. Nagani (sp?) the snake from Harry Potter
. And finally: King Kong
It all makes me want to visit and explore that dangerous place to live, or at least in Covid times, read more.
Loved it.
Richard
.
Strictly Ballroom (1992)
29 YEARS FROM BOMB TO CLASSIC
STRICTLY BALLROOM
It really is amazing what a difference 29 years makes, since this film was made.
I REALLY like this film now.
I was not impressed then, as I saw no real ballroom dancing. I competed in the Sydney ballroom competitions in the first half of the seventies, and these dancers were not ballroom dancers.
I was not impressed then, as Paul Mercurio was the principal dancer of Graeme Murphy's SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY. Paul did not dance ballroom, and we never saw his fantastic brilliance as a dancer, because of an injury to his ankle.
I was not impressed then, as Baz Luhrmann's films were challenging convention.
I am impressed now:
This is DOCUMENTARY; Baz is a genius, and Paul danced brilliantly.
In '72 we regularly dined at a Spanish restaurant, drinking red wine at 1am watching the flamenco dancers, through the smokers fog.
And later tried these steps in competitions.
Silent Witness: Faith: Part 1 (2001)
A STORY TO DRAW YOU IN - MAKE YOU THINK
Amanda Burton is the heart of these stories, but the production, supporting actors and especially the script and director create a beautiful and curious conundrum here.
I've only just discovered this series on Foxtel, and it brings back memories of my discussions on the long extinct (Dennis) POTTER LIST.
At first viewing, I suspect a twist on FAITH.
Amanda has to choose a verdict between: Scientific fact, faith, pragmatism, emotional support etc
And now, as I write, it reminds me of Charles Ryder's choice in BRIDESHEAD REVISITED (well, probably the classic ITV production of the eighties)
And, as all good stories do, it leaves so many questions; so many threads unanswered.
Something to ponder on, gently in the night .
..........
Silent Witness: Faith: Part 2 (2001)
MY APPROVED REVIEW ISN'T POSTED
Twice I submitted this review.
BUT despite appearing on the main page as a best review, neither version was posted for others to read.
Click on best reviews and it is not there.
Could you please fix this.
Thank you for your help
Richard.
Quoll Farm (2021)
Total Inspiration: MUST WATCH
Simon Plowright's gentle soft lilt - Australian mixed with his original Welsh poetic accent - is the perfect backdrop to a perfect documentary film.....
My hope is that the new owner of the farm takes heed, and viewers will also join in to save the last Eastern Quolls in the wild...
Simon is a filmmaker who totally understands wild animals, and these are the most beautiful and wonderful creatures surviving on a temporarily unused farm in Tasmania. All while feral house cats circle and kill them. But here they have sanctuary. Simon sits back as they play around him....
Forget meerkats, save these please!
The Bookshop (2017)
Exquisitely acted but leaves me with despair for the world
I had great hopes for this beautiful film:
Magnificent actors, who performed beautifully.
Beautiful settings. Evil characters. A Greek Tragedy. A child who learnt the beauty of books........
But the sheer despair of the ending, is a mirror to the politicians doing anything other than save this planet from global climate change.
The protagonist destroyed, bankrupt, life totally lost.
It just leaves me feeling what Berliners felt in 1945 as the two sides closed in for the death blow. I need a drink now to forget the sheer despair.
Summer of Rockets (2019)
OH STEPHEN, What Is This Story Trying To Say?
SCENE: BISHOP'S BREAKFAST TABLE. Bishop (to timid Curate on a visit). "Dear me, I'm afraid your egg's not good!"; Timid Curate. "Oh, yes, my Lord, really - er - some parts of it are very good."
Originally published in Judy, 22 May 1895.
_____
Stephen is a great writer, but what happened?
I loved his earlier works, and this story is so rich . . . but where is it going?
Summer of Rockets (2019)
OH STEPHEN, What Is This Story Trying To Say?
SCENE: BISHOP'S BREAKFAST TABLE. Bishop (to timid Curate on a visit). "Dear me, I'm afraid your egg's not good!"; Timid Curate. "Oh, yes, my Lord, really - er - some parts of it are very good."
Originally published in Judy, 22 May 1895.
_____
Stephen is a great writer, but what happened?
I loved his earlier works, and this story is so rich . . . but where is it going?
Whisky Galore! (2016)
SURPRISINGLY ENJOYABLE
We have both read the book. We both watched the original film, decades ago. Initially, we both thought this was the original film.
Then, I wondered: why was Eddie Izzard identical to his - was it his father?
And the original was B&W, so this must be colourised.
We finished with, one thinking it the original, and I just loved it. And very surprised.