emmapocl Reviews

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Oh my, where to begin...

[10/10 · 21 March 2024]

First, I am a long time admirer of Jane Austen's writings. Second, I am also a fan of Colin Firth. Kudos to whomever was responsible for choosing him to portray the character of Mr. Darcy in this 1995 mini-series.

I have seen every proper film adaptation of P&P and Colin Firth is the quintessential Mr. Darcy. I've watched Laurence Olivier, Lewis Flander, David Rintoul, and Matthew Macfayden and none of them can hold a candle to the sophistication and swagger of the Fitzwilliam Darcy as portrayed by Colin Firth in the 1995 mini-series.

I have the series on DVD and have watched it so many times that I can recite the dialogue by heart. Each time I watch it, I assume a different character. Currently my favorite is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Every time she's on screen, I speak her part. Ok, maybe I'm a little OCD about this, but it is one of my favorite Jane Austen books, and one of my favorite movies. I highly recommend this mini-series.

Main Street (2010)

Disappointing

[1/10 · 21 March 2024]

Going by the disparate cast members (Colin Firth to Tom Wopat) this movie sounded promising. I was wrong.

No spoilers, but Colin Firth trying to speak with an unidentifiable southern accent was both cringeworthy and laughable. What in the world was he thinking?

I have never understood why foreign actors try to affect American accents, especially when there are so many differnt regional dialects from which to choose. It would be like an American actor trying to speak like someone from the Holme Valley in Yorkshire England when they are supposed to live in the east end of London. Unless you are familiar with regional dialects of both areas, you can tell the difference. This results in a big fail. It would fall flat on the ears of those viewers who know the difference. Just speak in your native language.

The plot of this movie could have been expanded in so many different and successful ways, but it was dull and I was bored spitless.

I watched it because I am a big fan of Colin Firth. This is the only move I can remember with him as a cast member, in which I was truly disappointed. Sorry I can't give it more than one star.

Pig Little Lies (2022)

Good story but too much faked drama

[4/10 · 31 July 2023]

First, I am an animal lover. I have owned dogs from childhood to being a senior citizen. And while I am not a cat lover, I did foster a neighbor's cat when he was incapacitated and unable to care for his orange tabby. Second, I am a vegetarian. I do not eat meat. Third, I do not believe in hunting for sport. I don't even like catch and release fishing. All that being said, I have a soft spot in my heart for all creatures, big and small.

I viewed Pig Little Lies on PBS Passport and my thoughts are that it was a bit heavy-handed and over the top with melodrama. It was good to see a positive resolution for the animals involved, but I started to question the presentation when these words flashed across the screen:

"Tensions are rising. Preparations are underway," and "It's time for Dante to face Beatrice." Really? That was a bit much.

A friend who watched with me said they were trying too hard to anthropomorphize these animals and engender human attributes to them. He said it sounded like dialogue from an episode of some reality show. I'm pretty sure those same lines could be used on The Bachelor, Survivor, Real Housewives, etc.

It is easy enough to deliver your point across to viewers about accepting the gift of coyote rollers without all the faked drama. This story could have been told without all the histrionics.

Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989 TV Movie)

Pretty good overall

[5/10 · 25 July 2022]

I have watched the original Perry Mason series since I was a little girl. Now, the 2- hour movies are coming into weekly rotation on an old movie channel and I am checking them off one by one.

This episode ranks 5 stars out of 10. Not as bad or over the top as others. But for the gigantic shoulder pads of the 1980s that Della and Amy wore, the movie was ok.

The quality of these shows declined after Alexandra Paul was added to cast. I never understood why it was necessary to add her as another annoying character. They already had James McEachin. And I think the only reason he ever agreed to play the buffoon in this series was to get a regular paycheck.

Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020)

It left me wanting more

[10/10 · 18 July 2022]

This show left me wanting more. As with several British series I have watched over the years, they always leave their viewers caring about their characters and wanting more.

Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid were splendid in their characters of Alan and Celia. The entire cast ensemble was fantastic.

There is a great talent with British screenwriters when it comes to character development. They present actors who look like real people, not the Hollywood stereotype of perfection. British actors have flawed complexions, bad haircuts, and imperfect teeth. In other words, they look like real people.

Their scripts tell a story without what Hollywood thinks is a need for car chases, explosions, gratuitous nudity. They tell a story that makes the viewer care about the characters and wonder what happens to them when the scene ends.

Americans are left at the mercy of the BBC, Acorn and other production entities that give us snippets of shows and then leave us dangling. Then there are actors who develop a cult following but then simply become tired of playing a certain character and move on to other roles. All I can do as an American viewer of British television shows is appreciate the talent of all those involved in the creative process.

Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson (1989 TV Movie)

This is one of the worst Perry Mason movies - ever.

[1/10 · 11 July 2022]

The writers of this film want you to suspend reality and believe that a 3rd-year law student and his ex-girlfriend think they can go all rogue to prove his innocence. They not only played detective without the help of police backup, but neglected to pass along information to his attorney, the person charged with trying to keep him from spending decades in the slammer.

If this guy ever went into the practice of law, I would love to read his Yelp reviews.

Another clumsy attempt to add drama to a poorly written script was the back room full of bad guys. That dialog was laughable.