VintageSoul56 Reviews

The Man with My Husband's Face (2023 TV Movie)

Amateurish

[1/10 · 24 July 2023]

How the other three reviewers gave the sophomoric Lifetime movie 7 and above stars, I will never know. I can only think that the reviewer's had something to do with the production and they were trying to promote it. Terrible script, high school drama class acting and the same annoying Lifetime movie music that is in every Lifetime movie. I lost one of my 10 borrowing credits on my library account borrowing. To be fair, I thought that reading the plot and the reviews, it would be a decent movie. Lifetime and Hallmark are rather tiresome. That's why I don't normally watch them.

The plot is one that has been done over and over. There were no plot twists as indicated. You can pretty much figure it out when the husband shows back up. Watch the 1944 version of "Gaslight" instead. Now, there's a movie.

I did watch Koko Marshall's demo reel and she's good in clips of her other movies, but this one, no, she wasn't. She, Thomas Gipson, Katie Page and Benjamin David Dennis were not convincing at all. I watched Benjamin David Dennis' demo reel too and he is quite good. Just not in this movie. I do blame part of it on the director and I presume, tight budget. The house was nice though.

Anyway, don't waste your time or don't pay the Prime price to watch this very amateurish attempt at a thriller. Luckily, I only wasted a library credit on this.

A Dark Adapted Eye (1994)

Not Worth 3 Hours of Your Time

[6 July 2023]

I finally finished watching this on YouTube, both parts, after pausing it numerous times. What a slow boring snooze fest. I can't believe the 8 to 10 stars other commentors gave it. I guessed the truth a little more than halfway through the first episode. I only kept watching it to see if the second part of the truth was what I thought it would be. Well, it never was revealed. I like all three of the female leads and two of the male supporting actors. They were good, but I was hoping for something better and something that moved along. There were too many flashbacks that would go to the 1940's and then the next was then 1950's then back to the 1940's then current time of early 1960's.. Just start from the beginning and move forward. There was too many dreamlike sequences. All in all, not intriguing or mysterious.

Daughter of the Bride (2023)

Marcia Gay Harden and Aiden Quinn are the only time

[26 June 2023]

The screen shines. I only watched this because of them. They should have had way more screen time, together and individually. They know how to pull their audience in. I have enjoyed their performances in many a movie over many years. I also enjoyed the supporting cast of Marcia's friends. They were fun. As far as Halston Sage, who plays the daughter goes, I never had heard of her before and would have liked to have kept it that way. An annoying character, performance and actress. The role should have gone to someone who has more experience and made it laughingly fun and not the dull cliche that was Halston Sage. I also blame director, Annette Hayward-Carter for that. I'm glad that I only paid $1.99 + tax for this on Amazon.

Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)

The Trailer Showed All of the Good Bits

[2/10 · 13 May 2023]

The original "Book Club", for me anyway, was so hilarious and I still laugh after watching it a few times.

"Book Club 2: A New Chapter" is not very funny at all. I saw it today, opening day. With the exception of the very capable, Mary Steenburgen, the acting was pretty much what you would expect. I will say that Candice Bergen did get a few good one liners in and her character wasn't as stiff as the first BC. Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton were Jane Fonda and Diana Keaton. They have had a formula that they have used for years and they were what you would expect them to be. I haven't seen "80 for Brady", "Moving On" which stars Jane Fonda, but I have not interest in seeing them. Diana Keaton had another movie out earlier this year, "Maybe I Do", also with Susan Sarandon, but maybe it shouldn't have been made. The shining actor in that one was the very dependable and talented, William H. Macy. He did the best that he could with what he was given.

Anyway, I would skip "BC2". I wasn't expecting much and the trailer explained what the whole movie was about. Also the ending was a sloppy "let's hurry up and tie up all of the loose ends" that showed Candice Bergen as a retired American judge performing a wedding ceremony in Italy. I think that you would need to go through some red tape in order to do that. In a Jane Fonda interview that I watched, she said that this one was better than the original. Nope. So, you're not missing anything if you don't see it.

Love, Weddings & Other Disasters (2020)

Too Many Plots for an Hour and Forty Minute Movie

[4/10 · 19 February 2023]

It should have been paired down a couple of plots. They could have skipped the tour guide and the silly game show storylines. The plot with Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons was by far the best and falls under the category of romantic comedy. The wedding planner with Maggie Grace was cute. I have to add the plot about the guitarist in the band being jealous of his friends/singer in the band new girlfriend is totally realistic. That happens a lot. Friends and family sometimes just can't handle that situation. They feel left out and try to break up the "happy couple". However, in this case the new GF is trying to break up a years old friendship. That happens too. All in all, too much going on and Diane and Jeremy's should have taken center stage in this so so movie.

The Tender Trap (2021)

Contains Important Subject Matter That Benefits Both Woman and Men

[6/10 · 6 January 2023]

I just watched "The Tender Trap", a 2021 drama on Crackle from New Zealand based on a real life experience by a woman, Sharon Armstrong, who was a victim of a romance scam. Google her and you will find some interesting articles. I'm giving the movie a 6 rating because I'm not fond of the back and forth script from current events to flashbacks. However, I think that the subject matter is important and it needs to be heeded, especially if you meet someone online. It can show how vulnerable and completely caught up in the fantasy when it comes to "love", not to mention insecurity that you may have about yourself or the "relationship" to the point that you would do anything for this phantom "love of your life" just to keep that love.

It starts out when a 50-something mother and grandmother meets a man online after her cousin sets up a dating site account for her, an account she never wanted in the first place. Enter a "connection" named "Frank". This "relationship" starts with emails through the site and then texts and eventually, phone calls. Sharon, the main female lead, gets so caught up in this romance without even seeing "Frank", other than his picture posted on the dating site. There's not Skyping, selfies and attaching a picture to an email. She thoroughly trusts this guy over the advise and concerns of her daughter and sister. Things get worse for this woman when she flies to London via Argentina to meet "Frank". I'm giving away the plot here, but it's worth watching. It can be slow and as I said, back and forth between current and flashbacks. The acting is really good and you can feel the pain that Sharon is going through played by Rima Te Wiata. The supporting cast of Nicola Kawana as daughter Ariana and Vanessa Rare and sister Rita are realistic.

Online dating is a definitely a crap shoot. I've had no interest at all. You can meet cheaters, scumbags, losers, crazies, narcissists, control freaks, abusers and all kinds of nutjobs face to face. You don't necessarily have to go online to meet them. I say just stay safe, pay attention to your gut, if it doesn't feel right, go the opposite way, look for those red flags. Don't loan money or buy gifts for these creeps. We've all had some type of experience, maybe not huge or maybe really huge, just stay safe.

Merry Swissmas (2022 TV Movie)

Charmless Movie Filmed in Quebec, Canada Subbing for Switzerland

[3/10 · 22 December 2022]

I didn't even have to look at the stats to know that it was probably filmed in Eastern Canada (Quebec) which is stunningly beautiful, however, this movie was just so sparse on all levels. This is a Hallmark wannabe.

I have streamed countless Christmas movies over the last couple of years on several streaming services during the pandemic, good, meh and bad. This was between meh and bad. I like Jodie Sweetin since "Full House" and beyond. The girl can sing too. However, she was the only big name that I'm familiar with in this and she could have done so much better. The main guy was ok, nice looking, but he didn't impress me. The kids were cute and I'm not a fan of children. I have noticed that this years crop of Christmas, there have been a slew of overbearing parents who are trying to still run their adult children's lives, whether it be trying to match up their kid with someone (that's what happens here) or trying to convince the kid to move back home. In the moving back home movies, it's usually the woman who is the one who is making the concession of moving back even if she has a successful life elsewhere. It's all in the name of love. I'm ready to see movies where the guy is making the move back home. The mother in this was so annoying. She keeps telling Jodie, oh, so you're meeting Liam for coffee and it's not a date? She also asked Jodie's ex best friend to come a visit without telling Jodie so that the former friends could patch things up. I would have been upset too when I found out. I think the best character was the woman playing Beth, the former best friend of Jodie's. She seemed sincere. The interior of the inn where a lot of the action takes place just didn't charm me either.

Most of these types TV movies run a such low budgets and I get that, but this one could have used a lot more charm. I've have seen some this year and some that are a few years older that have a sparkle and are delightful.

The First Lady (2022)

All of the Actresses are Excellent!

[9/10 · 13 May 2022]

I have watched the first two episodes. Betty Ford was the one that I knew least about. I was in my late teens, early twenties when Ford became president. I didn't pay attention to politics then. All I can say is Bravo to Mrs. Ford for her humanity, candidness about her addiction and still being true to herself in a, I imagine not so easy situation. Brava to Michelle Pfeiffer for bringing Betty Ford to life. Michelle has always been a great actress and gets better.

I don't understand the reviews about Viola Davis portraying Michelle Obama. People have mentioned "the mouth" in some of the reviews that I've read. I think that Viola is doing a fantastic job of portraying Michelle O. Michelle does do that with her mouth and Viola studied her to make sure that she was bringing a true portrayal to this series, right down to the eyes and the walk.

Well, Eleanor was iconic. She was the First Lady when our country, in the throes of The Great Depression needed someone like her to know that there was hope, compassion, intelligence, humanity and action in the White House. Gillian Anderson has done such an credible job of seeing the human side of Eleanor and her down to earth personality. She was indeed a force and Gillian is up to the task. Yes, there have been many portrays of Eleanor, but we need one more for this generation to witness how truly dedicated people can be. We need more like her in today's environment.

These historical women are to be admired for being brave in the first place to tackle such a lofty title as First Lady and their humanity. The actresses portraying them are to be applauded for bringing these incredibly interesting to life.

Let's not forget the amazing 91 year old Ellen Burstyn playing Sara Delano Roosevelt. Ellen is an acting icon!

The Staircase (2022)

Dull as Dishwater

[1/10 · 7 May 2022]

I'm two episodes in and it's taken about eight hours to get this far. I won't be watching any more of this poorly written, mishmosh of a series. The characters are not introduced well, so you don't know who is who. I didn't know who Kathleen Peterson's sister were supposed to be or who's children belonged to which parent. Maybe, that comes out later in the series. The script goes all over the place. One scene you're in a flashback, a couple of months before Kathleen's death and as the character walks past a doorway, viola, you're in the present moment, with a character that is in the current time period which is few weeks after Kathleen's death. Toni Collette is the reason why I wanted to watch this. She is an outstanding actress and one of my favorites. She doesn't have much to do in the episodes that I've watched. Colin Firth, who I can take or leave, I am leaving in this case. The rest of the cast are dull. I know that everyone is supposed to be in shock after the death, but they are robotic catatonic. I haven't watched the documentary based on this case and frankly, don't care to. That doesn't interest me. I did, however, watch the TV movie in 2007 with Treat Williams. I don't remember much about it.

I haven't been impressed with HBOMax's second seasons of the series that I do watch and I don't care for the last couple of episodes of season one of one that I liked in the beginning. I may have to say goodbye to HBOMax in the not distant future if my choices don't improve.

Rebel (2021)

Love It and Katy too!

[9/10 · 22 March 2022]

I love it when I see women kick butt. This should not have been cancelled. So what if it's inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich? I read some of the lower ratings and that was a general consensus. We need more activists like this sticking up for the average person's rights. I'd love to have Rebel and company in my corner if I would need them. Katy, Andy, John and the rest of the cast, whom for the most part, I didn't know did a great job of acting. It was believable. I have never seen Adam Arkin or Sharon Lawrence be the baddies before.

A Mother's Revenge (2016 TV Movie)

I Can't Even Come Up With a Title Here

[3/10 · 13 February 2022]

I happen to like Jamie Luner, that's why the 3 stars. I know it's a Lifetime movie and they are not always the best, but I do like ones that the main character is on the run trying to stay one step ahead of the police or the villain. If it had been me at the airport, I would have hung up on the annoying ex-husband that called so that I could have concentrated on what I was doing, like getting the right bag. He was pretty pathetic and pushy trying to make nice. That would have solved the whole issue, but everyone involved would not have had a paycheck unless the writer's could have come up with a better screenplay.

The Gilded Age (2022– )

Yes, I Will Be Watching

[8/10 · 25 January 2022]

I have read about how the new rich tried to infiltrate the ranks of the old rich in 19th New York. I am also reading a book by British author Anne de Coursey, "Husband Hunter's", about the young American heiresses who married into, mostly, British aristocracy and invigorated it with their money. Actually, it was mainly the mother's who made that happen.

This series has a promising start. You cannot beat Christine Baranski in ANYTHING that she is in. The woman is a chameleon. I even like Cynthia Nixon in this and I don't normally care for her, especially, in her other HBOMax series, "And Just Like That" where she plays Miranda Hobbes. Her character of Ada, the spinster sister of Baranski's character is full of sympathy. I think that Carrie Coons as Bertha Russell is and will continue to be a force to reckon with. I'm sure that Julien Fellows based her on a real life or multiple life figures. The costumes are stunning and realistic as far as the old New York. The newly rich characters are more the the gauche over the top style. I'm sure that was also realistic. The sets are well done. I do admit that I would not care to live in the cold marble halls of the Russell's newly build bemouth.

I plan to watch all 10 episodes. I am more interested in the social climbing plots than I am about the racial or homosexual plots.

Dancing Through the Snow (2021 TV Movie)

Annalynn McChord is the Worst

[4/10 · 13 January 2022]

I gave this 4 stars because the script is not good, but I thought that the acting was fair by all of the actors except AnnaLynne McChord. She was terrible. She sputtered & stuttered most of her lines (like a Woody Allen movie) and used pained or embarrassed facial expressions. She didn't appear to even make an effort. There was no chemistry between her and Colin Lawrence, who I will say is an attractive man. She's pretty, but no actress. There is chemistry between Colin and his real life daughter, Bianca. The heart of the movie is Candis Churchill as Colin's mother. She's a hoot. There's a couple of cute scenes with big ol' strong male firefighter's dancing ballet style. That I would have paid money to see for a charity event. All in all, kind of ok until AnnaLynne comes onto the screen.

Murder on Maple Drive (2021 TV Movie)

Bad, Bad, Bad

[1/10 · 13 January 2022]

I did watch the whole movie. It has some of the worst acting in a Lifetime movie that I've ever seen. The lead, especially, sounded as if she couldn't remember her lines. Do not waste your time on this stinker. The actors did look realistic as everyday people and not glammed up like so many other Lifetime movies, but a little make up and better clothes could have been a little distraction from the awful script, acting, slouchy looking people and generic house.

Spencer (2021)

"A Fable Based on True Events"

[6/10 · 14 November 2021]

This is the first thing that you see on the screen. I like it. Someone that has a YouTube channel focusing on fashion, Amanda Hallay, hit it on the head when she said don't expect this film to be a biopic of Diana. It's slow moving. She compared to 1965's "Repulsion" starring Catherine Deneuve and 1975's "Barry Lyndon" starring Ryan O'Neal. The "Repulsion" comparison comes with Diana's mental state at the time. The things that she thinks she sees. I did like the "ghost" of Anne Boleyn. Their stories are different how they became what they had become, but in the end, their stories entwined. The "Barry Lyndon" comparison comes with the slow moving and atmospheric piece of the story. It's beautifully shot. It presents itself as a prison that this young woman feels encased in. I could definitely see that. I will say that it was very hard to understand the dialog. I didn't catch a lot of the dialog I've had the same problem in this particular independent theater. I don't know if it's me or their sound system. Maybe a combination.

Now, about Kristin Stewart's performance. I'm sorry, I just could not see her as Diana at all. I know that she is getting rave reviews, but I couldn't buy into it. What I could buy into, was that she was a young woman totally unrelated to Diana. A young woman who was troubled by her mental state, the traditional and rigid personalities and customs of her in-laws, the infidelity of her husband, the love that she had for her sons. That's what I saw, a young woman that could be anyone, but not Diana.

Sabah (2005)

Culture Class Realism and Humor

[10/10 · 18 October 2021]

"Sabah" and 2002's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" had a lot in common, culture differences, religious differences or lack, thereof, tight knit and buttinski families and enjoyable stories.

What they didn't have in common was "MBFGW" had a bigger budget (Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson's Ringtone production company) and "Sabah" was filmed in 20 days on an obvious budget. While "Wedding" is hilarious and I never get tired of it, "Sabah" is just charming. It didn't need the huge budget. It was a small film and felt realistic. The actress who plays the momma, steals every scene. You can help but get a kick out of her. The introduction scene for the young couple is, IMO, just perfect. The acting is good and heartfelt. Sabah is torn between her Muslim family and the man that she had met which is a new experience for her. I can see why he was getting frustrated, but on her side, she did not know how to progress. Her family and culture were keeping her from knowing what to do. A woman did tell me that some of the Muslim cultural were not authentic, for instance, the dancing. All little girls know how to dance, therefore, Sabah not knowing to dance was incorrect. I don't if that's true or not, but who cares. It's a delightful and charming film and worth seeing.

As "Sabah" was, most of the Canadian films that I've seen seem to be indies. Love those.

Back to the Rafters (2021)

If There is a Season 2, Send Ruby Off to Boarding School

[6/10 · 20 September 2021]

I saw a talk show in December 2019 that had most of the cast of "Packed to the Rafters". They were discussing Amazon bringing a continuation series to Amazon streaming. Well, I was there for that! Filming was, of course, delayed due to COVID. "Back to the Rafters" is finally here and I binge watched all 6 episodes. The entire original cast were there, with the exception of Jessica Marais. She was replaced by Georgina Haig, whom I found a lot better. She's a lot more mature and softer. Not as brittle.

No one has really changed, except Ted afflicted with Alzheimer's. Michael Caton, you rule!

Julie still thinks she knows all and can fix everything. Just want to shake her.

Dave, I like Dave. He is correct. You can't live your life for your kids. Before you had 'em, you had a life. Of course, J & D got married at like 18 when she got pregnant. So, they didn't have much a of life before kids.

Ben is still the non listener. All about him and what he wants. Takes after Julie, I think. He can get to be a pushy and a pain. If I had liked Cassie, I would have felt bad for her. But, as my grandmother said to my mom and her sisters, "None of you have a buttonhole for a mouth". Wise words.

Nathan, the woe is me boy. Nothing works out for Nathan. He likes to run, but maybe he has found an anchor after all in this series.

Now for Ruby. Super irritating. Now that kid needs a huge time out. If a second season is in the works, less of Ruby. Can't stand her. Not that she doesn't have valid points about the environment, but the way the writer's put it forth for her is very irritating.

Carbo hasn't changed. Nothing new there.

Retta, I'd like to see more of her, not just in one episode.

Edward is cute and not irritating.

Cassie, why? She and Ben just do not gel. I think that a different actress would have been better. There was no chemistry.

Tessa, loved her and the earth mother vibe she gives off.

Donna, she's changed a bit and I like it. She likes to have a little fun now.

Paddo was a nice addition. A gentle spirit and good that Dave has someone to relate with.

I watched all of the original series last year between TubiTV and Hulu. I enjoyed the first couple of seasons more than the later ones, except for Jessica Marias. She just grated on me. I liked the fact that the first couple of seasons didn't have more than a couple of dramas going on in each episode. Then, the dramas increased within each episode. Those full grown kids just being stupid, wasteful, nonchalant, inconsiderate and just plain idiots was hard to watch sometimes. But, I continued watching to see how things turned out for some of the characters, not all of them.

This continuation isn't bad and I'm glad that they have moved part of the story to another place, but lose Ruby, the bratty kid, tone down Julie's efforts to run everyone's life, make Ben address his it's all about me issues, make Nathan be ok with who he is, make Rachel a warrior (she is half way there) and Dave, he is the only one with some common sense in the sea of Rafter's. He can stay the way he is.

The Loss Adjuster (2020)

Yes, There is a Moral to This Story, But...

[1/10 · 5 August 2021]

You have to wait until 1 hour and 38 minutes to get there and the movie is 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Dull, confusing story, with some scenes taking a very long time to get anywhere and are you watching the past, the present or the future. Dunno. Skip this one. The trailer is deceiving.

The Pursuit of Love (2021)

It's a Book, Really?

[3/10 · 31 July 2021]

I have never heard of the book or the author and watching this confusing limited series, I never will read the book. The trailer surpassed the series. I like Lily James and she's the reason that I watched all three episodes. It's very disjointed and it was very hard to watch James' character, Linda. A very all over the place character. I could care less what happened to any of the characters. I will say that I was a little surprised at the ending. *** for recreating the 1920' to 1940's and the location shoots.

Fire Island (2019)

Terrible Movie

[1/10 · 22 June 2021]

I watched this from my library Hoopla account. I wasted one of my 10 monthly checkouts borrowing this movie. The only good thing that I can say is the Carly Brooke does have a good singing voice. The rest: the script, acting, her daisy dukes are awful. I know that it's a very low budget indie, but I've seen some that are really good. I did fast forward a lot. Reading the end credits, I noticed that the woman who wrote, produced and directed has the same names as the main female character and her 3 last names are also included as the names of characters in the movies. Also, the thanks went to the 2 men who were/are her husbands because those were their names in the movie. After that, I figured it was based on her life. I hope that she and the cast of real life characters acted better than this lot did. She directed it, so maybe not. Stay away from this one.

Mank (2020)

Hard to Follow Storyline

[5/10 · 6 December 2020]

First, I have to say that I love the look (B&W), it really has the look of 1940's Hollywood. The costumes, sets and decor are excellent, especially San Simeon's interior and exterior grounds. The acting is an A. The casting all around is good. My personal favorite is Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies. I also was impressed that the make up department got the handsome Charles Dance to look like William Randolph Hearst. Gary Oldman is always excellent and Tom Burke nailed Orson Welles. However, the script - meh. I'm not sure that I am going to continue watching the full movie. It's so hard to follow. I know it's mostly old time studio politics and the writing of "Citizen Kane", but it should be more clear as to what was happening. Neither Orson Welles or "Citizen Kane" were favorites of mine to begin with. I wanted to see it when I saw who was in it. They are good, the script is not.

Picture Paris (2011)

This is a Very Enjoyable Way to Spend 30 Minutes

[9/10 · 26 November 2020]

I really enjoyed this 2011 short film. I'm not always a fan of JL-D, but I did like her in this. It's a version of going and being in Paris that, I think, a lot of us have. Of immersing ourselves in the language, beauty and culture and a twist. Enjoy!

Sex and the City (2008)

Label Launching and Product Placement Aside...

[8/10 · 17 October 2020]

Watching SATC movie, again, I like it. I've seen it several times. Aside from the label name dropping and product placement, the movie is still pretty much like the series. It showed all four main female characters pretty much like the series was. Similar situations that arose in the series, for instance, the whole Big Issue. The on again, off again relationship. I will say this, I never saw the chemistry between Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Noth. For me, it was never there. I saw it more in Aiden (John Corbett) and Alexander Petrofsky (Mikel Baryshnikov). Miranda, my least favorite, whose job was always the obstacle in her relationship with Steve. I know that these are fictional characters, but she never had the time to listen and he strayed. I never saw why she appealed to him. Charolette, was happy once she stopped looking for the handsome knight and ended up with the court jester, but with brains and a lot of love for her. Samantha is always Samantha. I have to say, I prefer her to all of the others. She is her own person. She doesn't depend on a man for her happiness as the others do. She a very modern woman. Jennifer Hudson as Louise from St. Louis was a very nice addition. Loved her sassiness, sympathy & giving Carrie a run for her money in the doomed relationship story.

The Glorias (2020)

Julie Taymor, Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander are Excellent - Again

[9/10 · 9 October 2020]

I thoroughly loved the fantasy/dream sequences. It showed with more precision what Gloria's mind was thinking. It showed how, in general, men perceive woman as the great fantasy sequence of the interview Gloria was doing with the self righteous jerk that was interviewing her. Loved that one. I did have to watch it over a two day's because it was so intense in parts and I got very angry toward the narrow mindedness of how some people, women and men, thought of the women's movement. I was a young teenager when it happened and because of what Gloria Steinem and others like her did 50 years ago, I'm able to live as an independent 60 something woman today.

Julie Taymor is a visual visionary director. I loved "Frida", the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Her stunning fantasy sequences were magic and beauty to behold. Not to mention that she directed both Salma Hayek to an Oscar nominated performance, of which she should have won that year and Alfred Molina, one of the best character actors today, should have been nominated. Julie Taymor herself should have been nominated for best director, but was snubbed. She has only directed a handful of films, but they are art. In "The Glorias", she captured the woman's movement, the 1970's and how explosive the issues were then and now, in 2020, those issues are coming to the surface again. This is a timely film because so much hangs in the balance of this years election in the US.

Julianne Moore has an ability to live a part. She and a very few others have that ability. She is always on top of her game no matter what the part calls for. When she is playing someone who is a biographical figure, she gets the voice, gestures and body language down and she is a chameleon in the fact that she disappears into the character. Brava, Julianne!

Alicia Vikander is a newer actress to me. I have seen her in a few films, but she is another one who can do anything that is not related to her last role. That is hard. She becomes the character. As the younger Gloria, she brought so much emotion to the role, the uncertainty, self exploration, empathy and passion. I was backing her 100% because it's just as important today as it was when the women's movement begun in the 1970's.

The other actresses/actors were just as wonderful. Please see this film on Prime, free for members. I recommend this film. Ignore the negative reviews.

New Tricks (2003–2015)

Good British Police Show

[8/10 · 9 October 2020]

I just finished bingeing the entire 12 year run of "New Tricks" minus a handful of episodes that didn't sound that interesting to me. It took me a couple of weeks or a little more.

The original cast was fun and entertaining and dramatic when they needed to be. When bingeing a long running program, I start to notice changes here and there. Around the fifth and sixth seasons, things got more somber and not as funny as the first few. In the beginning, I liked watching everyone, except, Gerry (Dennis Waterman) could get on my last nerve. Eventually, I disliked him tremendously. The Cockney Casanova, he wishes. Then Brian (Alun Armstrong) started his self righteous behavior on several topics in those later seasons. You couldn't shut either one of them up and it got to the point that I was very glad to see the last of Brian. Poor Esther (Susan Jameson) and what she had to put up with. I loved Esther and would have liked to have seen more of her. Gerry should have left a lot sooner than the 12th season. I liked Jack's (James Bolan) calmness. It was nice after having to put up with the other two. Even Sandra (Amanda Redman) was starting to get more angry and that was disappointing. But, I can see why Jack and Sandra wanted to exit. The scripts were getting darker. The lightness was leaving. The cases seemed to get into details like spies, foreign gangsters, international crimes, etc. What happened to the domestic murder cases? It almost was beginning to resemble MI5 or MI6 instead of a police show. I think the straw for me was when the cast went to Gibralter. Come on, the Met is going to pay for that trip?

Here comes the new cast. Steve (Denis Lawson) was a Gerry look a like in the beginning. Big mouth, couldn't shut him up. That didn't last very long and I was glad. He calmed down. I've read where he was bland, but I don't agree. He wasn't a hothead like Gerry. He figured things out. That was before the entrance of Dan (Nicholas Lyndhurst). He became my favorite of all the cast, originals and new. He replaced Brian and had some of the same characteristics, such as his ability to calculate things, had a great memory and had some quirks. However, Dan was the opposite of Brian as he was quiet, calm and very sophisticated. I liked that the writers paired him up with Fiona (Tracy Ann Oberman). She was a strong female character and they balanced well. I liked the scene where she had the beautiful blue evening gown on and he complimented her on how beautiful she looked. I don't imagine that was easy for him being very cerebral. So, enter Sacha (Tamzin Outhwaite) as the new DCI "guvner". I liked her a lot. She may have gotten angry, but she controlled it better than Sandra did. Sandra went off the handle too much over little things. Sasha did get mad a few times, but it was warranted. She handled herself better. Then, last was Ted (Larry Lamb). Ted was only on for about 8 episodes, so I didn't really form an opinion. I think that the show should have had another couple seasons at least with the new cast. They worked well together and they should have had the chance to prove that they were their own team and not to be compared to the original cast. I did like how that final episode ended because everyone got to move on to something new, but I would have liked to have seen some more seasons of "New Tricks".