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Reviews
The Dropout (2022)
Superb mini-series
Watched The Dropout not knowing anything about the real story behind it. I thoroughly enjoyed it with complete astonishment how Elizabeth Holmes seemingly bamboozled a multitude of people and institutions on a fraudulent health device.
I thought it was excellent throughout with an exceptional performance by Amanda Seyfried as Holmes. Having since watched footage of the real Holmes is was remarkable how Seyfried got her mannerisms down to a T. I also thought it was good how initially I thought Holmes was a person I could warm to and she probably was initially but bad choices and bad associations turned her into something of a tyrant. Money talks. Overall, excellent television.
The Couple Next Door (2023)
So bad it was watchable
Rarely do you come across a series where virtually every aspect was beyond laughable. Channel 4 seemed pretty pleased with their effort that involved a fantasy area of Leeds, poor acting from pretty much everyone - no, make that everyone - absurd main plot with several ludicrous sub-plots tagged on and maybe they was the plan as - more fool me - I watched the whole thing just out of curiosity to see just how bad it could actually get. I can't believe that the cast and everyone else involved were not acutely aware that they were involved in such garbage. The stand out aspect was Eleanor Tomlinson's ridiculous manic grin that seemed to be a permanent feature across all six episodes. Acting, this was not. I really should have rated this 3 or below but gave it 5 for unintentional comedic value,
Palm Trees and Power Lines (2022)
Grim viewing but handled quite well.
Watched this film totally without any idea what it was about other than the brief pre-amble and was rewarded with quite a thought-provoking movie. Not a lot happens in truth but the acting was very realistic so it worked for me. As others have mentioned, it was an uncomfortable watch at times and I can fully understand that what happened in the film sadly happens in the real world.
Although not a 'happy' ending it WAS an ending of sorts and probably a very plausible one at that. It seemed to me that a confused and essentially neglected seventeen year-old girl made a decision between two pretty grim pathways (as she saw it) and chose the one most of us hoped she wouldn't. I was disappointed in her decision making but equally could understand her logic as to why she made them.
Pearl (2022)
Sometimes it's better to ignore reviews.
Not quite sure why this is billed as a 'slasher' movie as it so much more than that. Yes, it has its moments in the gore department but it certainly wasn't the key element. Rather, it was a study of descent into madness and (there was a most definite nod towards Psycho) how an individual can suddenly switch from rational to psychopathic in an instant to commit unspeakable acts without any qualms whatsoever. The scene with the alligator's egg highlighted this perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed this film not least because of Mia Goth's performance which was, quite frankly, outstanding. Had this not been a 'horror' I suspect she would have received far more more accolades and awards than she did. I didn't expect much having read reviews but I was pleasantly surprised and once again it demonstrates that you like what you like.
The Killing Kind (2023)
Messy.
First episode was promising and I had reasonably high hopes this would be a decent series but it deteriorated by the week and by the end I no longer cared about the lead character and in some ways hoped she'd come a cropper as she was irritating beyond belief. Given she was supposed to be an intelligent, clued-up barrister she made some ludicrous choices and behaved in a way that was quite simply farcical. The whole thing was messy, often confusing and peppered with a host of highly unlikely, not to mention unlikeable, characters. As it was only six episodes I stuck with it but any longer and I would have aborted mission after about three.
Bad Sisters (2022)
Hugely enjoyable from start to finish
Although billed as a dark comedy I thought there was a whole lot more to it than that and it has most definitely been one the tv highlights of the year for me. It was brilliantly acted and had very engaging characters - including a deliberately obvious pantomime villain who was given prominence right from the off. It was not only a who-dunnit but a how-dunnit and where-dunnit. I initially wondered if ten hours would be too long (as many a series sadly are) but I thought this worked superbly and I got huge enjoyment out of each and every episode and I was intrigued as to what would happen next. The back and forth storyline worked very well and it didn't matter a jot that is was a highly improbable as it was tremendous, twisty fun from beginning right up to a very satisfactory ending.
Inside Man (2022)
Absurd but I found it a fun watch.
Absolutely ridiculous series of events but I think it was meant to be and therefore (at a reasonable four episodes) I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite the plot revolving round a serious issue it was clearly a black comedy and the last episode was confirmation of that. I agree with some other reviews that the US scenes were rather more engaging than the U. K. ones and the obvious contrast between Stanley Tucci's superior acting to that of a wooden Lydia West when they were in the same scene was there for all to see. Yes, Inside Man had numerous flaws and yes, most people wouldn't act and behave as ludicrously as most of the key characters did but overall I found it fun to watch. Clearly many were not prepared to give Inside Man much of a chance which is fair enough if it didn't float your boat but on the other hand I think longer than twenty minutes viewing is needed to be able to critique it fairly.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Tapped In
It's not often a film has tapped into my imagination as BWP did. Everything that happened to the three youths could be explained away logically but yet again could it ? I was left deep in an awful wonder and it was a great feeling. There was no conclusion and I was happy with that. I advise people who are yet to see it to watch and listen right from the beginning. I know people who have not LISTENED to the townsfolk at the start of the film and therefore the ending, and what an ending, is completely lost on them. Watch it, live it, feel it, identify with it.