michaelmross-662-822108 Reviews

In Time (2011)

Superb premise, mostly well executed

[9/10 · 13 October 2023]

This is an allegory of life as it already is unfolding on the planet. If you can get through the somewhat silly set-up at the beginning, you will be hooked. Don't be put off by the implausible romance also. This is a devastating exposition of the horrors of a society that does not value human beings as anything beyond commodities in a dehumanizing economic machine that's controlled by a few probably psychotic fat-cats. This is what happens when you allow the world to be run by madmen and mad ideas that serve the few at the expense of the many. I found this to be depressing and devastating. A sick scenario.

Call My Agent! (2015–2020)

Clearly, this is très supérieur

[9/10 · 2 October 2023]

My only reservation, which has a silver-lining, is that I have to read subtitles. That detracts from the wonderful character acting only in the sense that I feel I'm missing out on some of the fun. I'm going to be hitting the rewind button a lot on this. It's going to be a challenge.

Hey, I'm a lazy roastbeef-cum-yankee. However, I'm seriously considering trying to resurrect my nearly extinct and almost non-existent French to enjoy this properly. This is comparable quality and as funny as the top-tier American black comedies: Breaking Bad, Succession, House of Cards, and a few others. However, it's superbly French - truly Gallic, lifelike humor - and much better than any French drama I can remember seeing in the last couple of decades.

Munich: The Edge of War (2021)

Quite well done...

[8/10 · 30 May 2023]

The Oxford theme is quite cleverly used as a human focus for the story. It's a petty complaint that the lead actress from Babylon Berlin (Liv Lisa Fries) was not used to better effect. Factually the story is incorrect, since Chamberlain made three hapless trips to Germany in the space of three weeks. This portrays the last one, but was presented as the only one. I do think Jeremy Irons does a damn good Chamberlain. I give the film credit for being informed enough to weave in a little bit of the Oster conspiracy. However, unless you are already familiar with it, it was not explained and its demise thanks to Chamberlain's appeasement was not explained.

Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)

Packs an emotional punch

[8/10 · 24 April 2022]

The dark heart of this drama is the college assault. So disturbing it took me a lot of effort to watch. That kind of banal brutality happens all the time, particularly when drugs and alcohol are mixed with young adults with different social statuses.

The directorial and filming techniques for bringing characters into different timeframes are very effective. The courtroom scenes are impeccable. Sienna Miller is very good in this part.

The thing that strains credulity was making the QC (the prosecution barrister) the victim. The ending was convenient but unconvincing. Nevertheless, the whole drama left you with something to think about.

Coherence (2013)

Small-scale - dramatic, not suspenseful

[7/10 · 1 August 2021]

Would probably work very well on a stage. Doesn't really fully utilize the movie medium.

Wolf Hall (2015)

Of all the Tudor dramas, probably the best

[10/10 · 27 July 2021]

Like the Hilary Mantel novel, this is a definitive treatment of the subject. Damian Lewis is exactly the right combo of joviality and menace. Claire Roy is exactly the Anne you would expect to meet if you traveled back in time 500 years. Her subtle expressiveness conveys her thoughts and feelings so well. Mark Rylance seems hard to like at first, until personal tragedy strikes. His reaction or nonreaction is shocking, but rings true for the age. Then you start to like him.

Electric Dreams: Human Is (2017) Season 1, Episode 6

A little bit of Shakespeare in this

[8/10 · 28 April 2021]

Bryan and Essie play their roles perfectly. Touches some universal themes: war and peace, love and hate. All in 47 minutes.

Victoria: A Public Inconvenience (2019) Season 3, Episode 7

Brings to life some forgotten and fascinating history

[10/10 · 2 February 2021]

If this were a less than great historical drama, it would not have included an amazing almost forgotten piece of 19th century history. Palmerston invents gunboat diplomacy with suitable bravado in the Don Pacifico affair - sending a naval squadron to Greece for one British subject. It would have been easy to ignore this and just focus on the Crystal Palace. But the story draws these threads together as both requiring resolve and the courage of your convictions - both for Palmerston and of course Albert.

A Royal Night Out (2015)

Sarah Gadon is perfect

[7/10 · 1 January 2021]

She is "to the manner born" and adorable. An affecting performance by her makes this film a pleasant experience to watch. Her 12-hour transition from suppressed girl to self-awareness is even matched by her hairstyle.

Victoria: Faith, Hope & Charity (2017) Season 2, Episode 6

Powerful interpretation, partially fabricated

[10/10 · 18 December 2020]

I'm unsentimental, but I was sobbing in this episode. A lot of the power in this series comes from the creative use of history. That emotional power is channeled through Jenna Coleman's portrayal. Her compassion is the heart and soul of it. In this episode, Robert Traill is a historical actor in the events, but he never wrote a letter to the British press and never had a meeting with Victoria that led to her intervention. However, he was one link in that chain of the events. Few punches are pulled about the callous disregard of Britain, and the Irish protestants, to the famine. Nevertheless, don't confuse this portrayal for history - the truth was much worse.

Caprica: Apotheosis (2010) Season 1, Episode 18

A complete world in one episode

[10/10 · 15 November 2020]

I was stunned by this when I watched it for the first time. The first few minutes capture a teenage vision of reality that sucks you into a very dark beginning. Visually intoxicating and emotionally engrossing. Probably should have been a movie, not a series.

The Queen's Gambit (2020)

Jewel of a story, a pleasure to watch

[10/10 · 4 November 2020]

Completely unexpected, beautifully done. Anya Taylor-Joy is a joy to watch. She is hypnotic. Call out to young Beth too, Isla Johnston.

The Society (2019)

So true to life despite a Twilight Zone setup

[9/10 · 25 May 2019]

I live in one of the Massachusetts towns that was used to film this. I have two sons who graduated high school in it. From the first moment, I recognized in these characters their friends and enemies and objects of envy and lust. The people, young adults, are real. The casting is just right. They act in character beautifully - as young people can by acting themselves.* The content is serious. I even got choked up a few times. It tackles the question: Why do societies have to be organized a certain way? - which seems very appropriate for the times we live in. There's almost nothing trite about this, although the plotting doesn't seem quite right in a couple of places. I just finished the season - so short - but it's completely defied the narrow boundaries of its perfunctory setup. I'm very impressed.

*But why should I be surprised? I've been amazed in reality by some of the theatrical productions I've seen in _that_ performing arts center - the one in the very first scene.