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The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
unexpected and unusual
Not a full review. Really stellar performances by all the actors. The storyline requires some leaps to break believable but overall takes us on a very pleasant journey, accompanying the characters as they discover what's next. Shia LeBoeuf was largely unknown to me before this film but he was elegant in every frame, true to his character and quite unselfconscious. Daktota Johnson's character was likewise believable and empathetic, albeit somewhat underdeveloped. Zack Gottsagan was spot on, a young man with a vision of a life for himself and unwilling to have that dictated by those who think they know what is best for him or easiest for themselves. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Generation Wealth (2018)
thought provoking
The willingness of the subjects to be open and vulnerable, including the filmmaker and her family, was impressive. Wonderful, provocative images, and narrative from multiple perspectives.
Belgravia (2020)
disappointing - couldn't make it through the first episode
Fellowes' work on other projects, such as Gosford Park, Dr. Thorne, and Downton, gave me high hopes for this. The cast is outstanding, and the production appears lavish. Sadly, those fine parts cannot compensate for the characters' modern behaviors.
It's hard to believe that Trenchard, a merchant who had made his wealth and reputation by supplying the army, would have brooked interruption of a business transaction by his daughter, let alone welcoming her into the room and dismissing the officer. It's stretching a point to think Sophia would have been so outspoken in opposing her mother on point of classism of which she must have been aware. The character of Mrs. Trenchard appears to have greater sensibility so it seems incongruous for her speak to Lord Bellasis about his relationship with her daughter in so transparent a way. And that the Duke of Wellington would invite the provisioner into a confidential meeting with his top officers, and take time at the end of that meeting, while he has a thousand pressing concerns, to tell Trenchard to "use your talents well when the wars are done" just beggars belief.
It feels as if it's designed for an audience desirous of seeing themselves on screen in historical costumes, rather than their predecessors, with their different manners and morés, aspects it was hoped Fellowes would have more faithfully represented.
Sanditon (2019)
It's got a sensibility all right...
...but it's not Jane Austen's. The acting is good, and sets and costumes are beautiful but this is another effort to impose modern morals and ethics (as well as makeup and hairstyles) on historical characters, albeit fictional. Doubtless the assumption is that it will appeal to a wider audience if it's made quite titillating, with bold, outspoken dramatis personae, including women and POC, but none of that rings true for that time and place, and some of it's actually cringe-worthy. Among other faux pas, ladies certainly didn't address men to whom they weren't closely related or engaged by their given names. It's such a disservice to everyone, cast, crew, viewers, and especially to Jane Austen. I was very much looking forward to this production and am saddened by it's utter lack of authenticity.
The Mountain Lion and Me (2018)
Images of a lifetime
This is so impressive. The hours and days it must have taken Casey Anderson to obtain this amazing footage of these very secretive, elusive animals. Excellent work, so grateful to have seen these beautiful, capable animals in such a spectacular setting.
To those asking why he did or did not take action it would be good to consider that these are complex issues, more so for those who document what happens in the the natural world than for lay people, watching from the comfort of our homes or theatres. Early on, he voices anxiety that even setting up cameras might impact the cats. What if an intervention leads to untoward consequences later? For example, some animals are only able to successfully raise one offspring to maturity (not saying this is true for cougars, just making an example) because it severely taxes them, and the environment won't support more. He clearly has a conscience, and his concern and affinity for the animals he films is evident.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Branagh indulges Branagh
Beautifully filmed, outstanding cast but they're trying to make bricks without straw. Branagh is so consumed with himself trying to imprint his own stamp on Poirot as a gastronome that he makes an nearly unrecognizable cartoon out of a caricature, and loses any of Poirot's sympathetic characteristics. In an enormous betrayal of the character, he eats from the plate of someone he despises. In a further effort to impose 21st century sensibilities on an early 20th century world, we are shown women adept at physical defense, an upper class anglo african physician, aging beauties who speak to strangers of "women's needs" and, in a completely gratuitous scene, outspoken embrace of what at the time would have been considered "miscegenation". All of these are expected in today's enlightened society but would have been cause for censure and scorn 80+ years ago. This film has many excellent actors whose talents are sidelined.
Fleming (2014)
nicely done fluff
This is Ian Fleming as he would have so loved to be, produced in the style of his Bond character: women can't resist him, his bad behavior is indulged because he's just so bloody amazing, and a bomb that takes out the structure surrounding him as he seduces his prey leaves him not only unscathed but still dapper. From what I've read of and interviews I've seen with Fleming, he didn't possess the charm, charisma and confidence portrayed here.
The piece is visually pleasing but not particularly accurate in historical details: style of speech, mannerisms and dress have a modern sensibility (Mu's leather outfit is one glaring example, and Fleming saying "nuclear" rather than "atomic" - if it's to be believed he would have discussed it with anyone - for another). There was also some artistic license with the Operation Mincemeat/Man Who Wasn't There bit.
The cast is first rate and make the best of what they're working with.
If you want to a bit of fun along the lines of a Bond movie, this should do the trick. If you're looking for information about the "real" Ian Fleming, keep looking.
Last Tango in Halifax (2012)
Outstanding series (with bonus Yorkshire-isms!)
We know these people. They're intelligent, charming, fallible and not always predictable. Three-dimensional characters, with sometimes untidy lives. We see their bad behavior, unreasonable bias, decency and moments of brilliance as they navigate the ups and downs. There's a not unkind truthfulness to the way their stories are told.
The writing is extraordinary. The sets, the costumes, the editing - clearly a team of pros brought this together. And there's the dialect - articles are rarely used, and there's plenty of "owt", "nowt", "summat", "dozy", and "appen". It's all brought to life by top-notch actors, some familiar, others new, but all well cast.
On the whole, outstanding work, which is what makes this series so wonderful and believable.
Mansfield Park (1999)
Good actors making the best of a botched "adaptation"
*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS (but not much)*
Over the years, we've seen Austen stories adapted for screen, many with liberties taken for the sake of expediency or artistic license. This film uses the title and characters from a wonderful, thought-provoking story and alters them beyond recognition. It also eliminates some key figures and plot completely (her relationship with her brother William is essential to the story, and he's not even alluded to in this film).
Many of Fanny's behaviors (pique made obvious to visitors and her "superiors", her feet up on a chair in a non-private room, déshabillé with a near stranger) and statements are so thoroughly current-day and not in keeping with the shy, insecure Fanny Price of Austen's book that they are as much a distraction as a ringing cell phone inserted into a scene would be.
There's also a great deal of sexualization of the characters which is superfluous and, again, distracting.
It's not clear what story Ms. Rozema wanted to tell here but it surely was not Mansfield Park.