jeanwinchester Reviews

Yesterday (III) (2019)

Just the good feeling I wanted.

[10/10 · 28 June 2019]

I liked it! I was twelve when the Beatles became famous so I grew up with them. More than once a tear threatened to roll down my cheek but I'm a simple lass so what the hell! I'm no big-arsed critic who is paid to be clever and differant. I thought the writing and the acting was spot on. As someone whose had a bit of success, I appreciated that a great deal. Very authentic I thought. But here's the thing; about that cameo... I won't say who it is but when it happened, my jaw hit the floor. Amazing! Well done. And so, so sad. Great film. I'll definitely buy the DVD. As an aside, if we are supposed to write twenty lines at least in these reviews, how come some of these reviews only contain two lines?

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

At last I got it!

[10/10 · 26 January 2018]

I saw this movie in the theatre when it was first shown and, honestly, I rated it with one star. Where was the magic of Harry P? Where was the friendships? I was truly bitterly disappointed. But I bought the DVD because I loved the music and then a little bit of magic happened. I liked it! Seems that on the second time around I was able to take in the story, much of which had passed by me. However, it was only watching it the fifth time that I understood the nuances of the screenplay. However, now we come to the negative side of the see-saw. I found the small pieces of exposition jarring. JKR could have done better. And I know that because I've written a few things myself. Unbelievably, I found Katherine Waterston's early parts in the film, lacking in timing, but it was only a few times. Yes, Eddie Redmayne mumbled a bit. I'm English, living in the UK and even I had trouble understanding some of his words. Seems to be an wretched pattern nowadays. I still don't know what part the little flying azure bug had but perhaps that'll sort itself out. And that's about it, so back to the positive. The special effects were astonishing, Dan Fogler was very funny, the music (of course) was sublime and praise must go to David Yates and his production team. And although she may never read this, thank you, JKR for giving us this wonderous and magical world, and I look forward to the end of 2018 for the second instalment.

Porridge (2017)

Enjoyed it!

[10/10 · 8 October 2017]

I don't know what the problem was with the poor professional reviews and the haters. People seem stuck in the past and determined to find fault. I'm 65 and I thought the writing was brilliant and once I got past the first episode, I watched them all back to back on the BBC website. Perhaps I *am* easy to please but I thought it funny and lovingly created. There were just enough differences to make it new for 2017 and yet just enough similarity to appreciate the old 70s sitcom. Yes, we know dear old Ronnie was a comedy genius but I thought many of the actors did a fine job. I certainly didn't even recognize the one who plays the copper on Doc Martin! And the huge tough one with the beard? What comic timing! *And* there were touches of genius about this one as well. When the Scotsman sang? And the expression on the woman guard's face? And did I say that I thought the writing was funny? Bravo. Give us another six, please. Oh, and for God's sake...Goodnight Sweetheart as well.

The Mummy (2017)

Where's Arri lighting when you need it?

[1/10 · 26 August 2017]

Let's see...shooting into the sun, out of focus, blurriness, no proper lighting...how many other things did the director fail at at film school? I was unable to follow the story because I was unable to see WTF was going on. There's realism and there's sitting in a cinema staring at a black and dark blue screen for what seemed like almost the entire running time with the occasional flash of light. Even when the scenes were light by daylight, there were deep black shadows all over. Couldn't the funds run to employing Arri Lighting? The entire film was utterly spoiled for me. I will certainly be checking any other creation made by this director before another coin comes from my purse. Oh for the want of a lamp, (or some sensible decisions by the director) the film was lost. Sure, this is a bugbear of mine but I expect films to be lit properly. There will be no point in waiting for the DVD, will there? It will be just as dark and just as hard to follow and I do not have the time or the patience. An email of a film: instantly dissmissible.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

More Prostrate trouble?

[10/10 · 29 December 2014]

How many of you caught that one? This script is fantastic and clever. From the beginning to the end frame, this film is pure entertainment. I love the scene at the start. (All that pushing in the bushes) Off the top of my head, I cannot think of three better actors to play these parts. As someone else mentioned, they were at the top of their games. The plot is nicely layered and it was well-lit and the sound was clear. Better than most movies nowadays. It made me laugh and Michael C looks exactly like my brother! A joy to watch and a great way to spend an evening. Oh, and those locations and music! I think you'll guess I'll give this a ten.

Foyle's War: The Eternity Ring (2013) Season 7, Episode 1

See what the next one's like.

[24 March 2013]

I'm a fan. No question. I have the DVD package. Therefore, I was thrilled when I heard about this new series. With coffee and chocolate, I sat in anticipation, luckily after I had recorded it. I was certainly not disappointed with the continuity of style and pace, although I was slightly disheartened that the introductory music had been changed. With hindsight, I can see that was a prophecy of what was to come. I can easily gloss over the fact that the actors were all as good as in any other series. No more need be said there. The same applies to production and lighting. Thank you to those good people. Moreover, the setting of 1946 was not pushed at the viewer. Which is more than could be said for the occasional exposition. Something which has affected the series from the beginning. But it is no trouble to gloss over that small point. Much of the dialogue was superb, and as an aside, showed how difficult and emotional home life could have been for a returning soldier. Solid acting all round. Quite believable. We were forced into interpretation concerning, Sam Wainwright wasn't we? And that last shot of Ellie Haddington? What an evil face. However, we descend into the negative. Four times I was forced to 'rewind' the program for I did not understand what the actors were saying. Either the sound engineers were at fault or clear enunciation has fallen out of favour with actors. This includes, Michael Kitchen and Ellie Haddington. Not being the most cerebral person in the world, I did not understand the plot. Give me an old fashioned murder of a grocer any day. But I was sufficiently clued in to recognise the huge coincidence in the plot-line concerning the son. As a writer myself, I believe Anthony Horowitz may have been a little bit tired when he came up with that. But, I look forward to next Sunday. I will record it of course.

United 93 (2006)

I will not watch this again

[18 September 2011]

I have very little to add to so many of the comments already mentioned here. When the end came, I could not move. I was aware that I was watching a movie, but such was the quality of the production, that it overran my conscious mind. I could feel the sweat breaking out on my forehead, and my body became warm as I watched the anguish mount. I'd never experienced that before. I felt I had regressed to some previous primitive state when I thought of what those evil men did; what they put through so many innocent people. This was not about God and belief, this was an evil act fuelled by delusion. As was all that happened on that terrible and wicked day. It is impossible, for myself at least, to write a coherent and unbiased critique of United 93, for too many emotions are in my way. Nevertheless, having calmed down a little, I remember it as a well made film, with utterly convincing characters. Already suffering from pteromerhanophobia, I will never fly again. One last thing. Evil occurs in the minds of all human beings. We ought not to judge all Muslims by what happened that day. If all Muslims were evil, their religion would have died out a long time ago. Right always wins. Eventually. It is the nature of the world.

Avatar (2009)

I couldn't wait for this to end

[14 August 2011]

It takes all sorts to make a world. Some say that Cameron is a consummate writer and director. Others tell the truth. But seriously, what happens when a ten-year old child is given millions of dollars to make a movie? We get Avatar. A film so immature, condescending and so filled with plagiarism's that even though a friend lent me the DVD, so I watched it for free, I still felt robbed. Of my time. I was simply hoping that it would get better. But it did not. And what was with the music? There were so many bars of Titanic in there, I wondered if it was the same composer. Oh wait…it was. And what's with the sympathy for the Na'vi? Or any indigenous people? I've no sympathy for people who use other animals to get about on or fly. Almost every so-called civilisation in the past, had slaves, practised unbelievable cruelty and preyed on the weak and those with less intelligence. The native peoples who were dominated by stronger force, as happened in America (or name your own) were no better than those who dominated them. There's no lessons that can be learnt from this waste of money and talent.

Connie and Carla (2004)

Made me cry!

[9 August 2011]

How can I be serious about a light-hearted comedy? I recorded this, thinking that it would be amusing to have on in the background as I was packing. Nevertheless, within twenty minutes, I stopped moving around, made a coffee and watched it. Now, I am not a fan of drag shows...and I've seen a few. I like my entertainment professionally presented and for me to watch people miming is not something for which I'd pay. But the film was light-hearted enough, I knew where the plot was going, could guess the ending and to a certain extent, I enjoyed the songs. Both lead actress' were enjoyable to watch and I smiled a few times. So where did the crying come in? You see, I am a transgendered woman, and have been for decades. I also have a brother, the last member of my immediate family, and...I still love him. He used to agree to meet me in Tesco's car park. However, for the last four years, I have been abandoned and disowned, and told never to get in touch again. The scenes between the brothers were unimaginably painful to watch, even more so when they hugged. I have been yelled at by fundamental Christians, once they found out who I was (I am an author of some standing) and my life has retreated until I have become a recluse. We are all people. It offers me some comfort that everybody can find different and hidden meanings in films which are not designed to evoke such emotions.

The Crimson Petal and the White (2011)

Magnificent

[13 April 2011]

I rarely write reviews. However...within two episodes, the BBC licence this year has been worth paying. And with gratitude. Quite fond of a Victorian drama, everything about this series is magnificent. The detail–underarm hair on women, the ugly charm of London in the nineteenth century, the wide open shots of the streets simply for a scene where one woman walks across the road–offering a tantalising view that the viewer could actually be there, the lighting, the makeup, the production, the acting, the direction... I did not recognise Gillian Anderson at all and had to refer to my paper. How far she has come. Chris O'Dowd I thought was an odd choice to begin with–but how he fitted in. Robert Sterne has to be congratulated. It is without a shadow of a doubt that the next two episodes will not disappoint. I must rush out and buy the book. First class.

Masterpiece: The Ruby in the Smoke (2006) Season 37, Episode 4

Look out for a great actress

[10/10 · 27 December 2006]

Look out for the actress Hayley Atwell who plays Rosa Garland. A bright gem in a supporting role. A lady to go far. Great production and acting from the rest of the cast too. Julie Walters as Mrs. Holland is a revelation. A real nasty piece of work. The film's atmosphere invokes the Victorian age perfectly, as much as I can imagine it was anyway. I do think though that Billy Piper's face is too associated with her role in Doctor Who to convince us otherwise. Although she carried it off convincingly, it was still Billy Piper. Production values were of a high standard and I thought the film remained true to the book. Congratulations too must be awarded to lighting.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Could it have been made differently?

[7/10 · 27 November 2005]

Having seen The Goblet of Fire twice now, and enjoyed and thought much of it by the way, I am having disappointing thoughts that, firstly, a film of this length is not allowed an intermission of perhaps five minutes as was given in lengthy films in the past. The experience became a marathon for my bladder and bottom near the end and actually drew my attention away from the experience I was supposed to be having. Secondly, I am now convinced that the book, being so lengthy, should have been turned into two films, the second perhaps released a month after the first. That's not been done before? So what? The series is so ground-breaking anyway that not much speculation would have been needed for it to succeed. Because, amongst my general satisfaction overall for the film, I was nevertheless disappointed that so much was omitted from the book. However...as much as I enjoyed it, I am beginning to see the series as a vehicle (not a showcase) for our well-known British actors who seem to be 'jumping on the bandwagon' of its roller coaster and much deserved success I may add. These inclusions of famous faces, to me, draw attention away and prevent me from becoming completely immersed into the story. Perhaps its an age thing but I would have liked to have seen more unknowns in it, ones with no associations from previous films. One further complication as viewed through my speculative eyes is that it has become 'darker' as almost everybody has noticed. In my view and from a children's book point of view, this diversion from the original shows a lack of imagination and creation and furthermore, I believe, reflects the problems we are having in our present day societies. Therefore, this then becomes less of a fantasy which could be described as groundbreaking and a modern classic, and more about an author's unrealised fears. I think the film took itself too seriously. It is plain to me where JK Rowland is going. Beware Ron Weasley! Molly Cutpurse www.mollycutpurse.com