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Reviews
Skandal! Bringing Down Wirecard (2022)
A bit short...
If you want to know the reason why people hate short sellers this film will give you a good idea. The cartoon character in his Cannes pile bemoaning what he didn't make by literally doing nothing is a perfect example. Their's, and the journalists glee at bringing down a company that employed thousands of people, and hundreds of thousands of investors, is quite hard to stomach. No doubt the company was dodgy to say the least but neither party were working for the good of mankind. The short sellers thinking only of the profit to be made by destroying the business, and the journalists revenge for having the tables turned on them. As a film it's well made and if you don't know the story worth the effort, personally I can't get over the unsurpassed delight at seeing the business fail.
Ricky Gervais: SuperNature (2022)
Bored
First off, I have no reason not to have liked his new special, he doesn't offend me in the slightest. Frankly, I was bored after about 10 minutes, I couldn't even view the whole programme in one sitting. He's obviously a talented, inventive comedian who seems to have got himself down the "I must be controversial" rabbit hole and it seems such a waste. Please don't lecture us, entertain us.
Inside No. 9: Mr. King (2022)
Time to move on
It's been a brilliant, inventive series with countless interesting themes but it feels like it's run it's course. Time to move on and explore other avenues.
Rien à foutre (2021)
amazing acting
Wow, what a fantastic, natural film of everyday life. It has the feel of a Belgium Mike Leigh film with the acting on the same par, and I imagine, a similar improvisation technique. The lead actor, who i have since seen was the youngest recipient of the Palme D'or, was amazing and gave such an outstanding performance. But, pretty much everyone was so believable it had an almost documentary feel. I'd ignore the ludicrous 1/10 marks as there are people who obviously have an ulterior motive. Maybe Michael O'Leary thought it was a little too close for comfort.
After Life (2019)
Rightly calling time
It's a shame the third series is the weakest of them all, if it's true that this is the last (I hope so). He can't seem to make his mind up if he wants to shock, or just be sentimental, a bit like the main character. It got to the point where I was expecting jokes about periods and w@nking. All the videos of his deceased wife only ever seems show her having the time of her life, despite it being the end, just gets tedious.
Four Lives (2022)
Dear oh dear
Some stories are just better told from a documentary perspective and this is one of them. The ridiculous way that the only thing that mattered for Victim no:1 was his name, ANTHony, not Anthony was cringing. Mum spent the entire first 2 episodes telling everyone off for getting it wrong, but couldn't get her ar5e on a train to London to see him. Totally ridiculous. I guess I just expect so much better from the BBC in this golden age of television and this never lived up.
Belfast (2021)
Massively overrated
I guess the problem about reading reviews and hearing all this nonsense about Oscars, you can't fail to elevate your expectations. This is an okay, sentimental film that spent all of it's budget on "talent" and nothing on peripherals. The set was so wooden it could have been a theatre production and totally unbelievable. At best a TV movie, at worse a waste of everyone's time, this will be forgotten quickly and justifiably.
Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman (2021)
Oh Dear!!
Whoever did the makeup on the older Wuornos should be up for an Oscar, the film itself was absolutely dire. I have never been so happy for a film to end and put me out of my misery.
Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021)
Once again...
Once again Dave Chapelle delivers the kind of comedy I expect from him. No messing, no pandering to current trends, just insightful comedy that you wish others would be brave enough to do. Works for me.
Baptiste (2019)
Pathetic!!
It's not often I feel truly sorry for the poor actors having to work through totally ridiculous storylines but I do this time. Stupid, unbelievable plot points and a waste of a couple of really good actors makes the writing unforgivable. I only just made it to the end and I think I did that so I'll appreciate every Scandic-Noir that comes next.
Catch and Kill: The Podcast Tapes (2021)
What went wrong??
I loved this series for the first 5 episodes then something went wrong. Without trying to give anything away, the ending seemed to come from another programme. Most peculiar.
Elize Matsunaga: Era uma Vez um Crime (2021)
Poor
Where to start. I just found this a very poorly told story with an extremely unsympathetic lead character. By the end I just wanted it to be over. Try as the defence might, someone had lost their life in an horrific set of circumstances, and the perpetrator received a pathetically short sentence for the deed. The victim's side of the family obviously didn't really contribute to the programme so it feels very unbalanced.
Before We Die (2021)
Don't bother.
What's the saying "why bother going out for hamburger when you can have steak at home". This is a poor imitation of the original and not worth the effort. Pretty much all the performances were average and nobody shines in this dire adaptation.
After Love (2020)
Implausible
I'd read some good reviews about this film but from professional critics. I'm sure it's technically proficient but I found the story totally implausible. The performances from the stars was fine but if you don't buy into the story no amount of acting is going to save it. It might work better as a play where you have the added tension of seeing it live.
Notturno (2020)
Powerful
If you aren't blown away by the power of this maybe just stick to Hollywood CGI'd blockbusters. The lack of narration adds power to the heartbreaking stories of ordinary peoples lives in dire situations. If you're expecting to be spoon fed a happy ending just move on this isn't for you, reflection, empathy and questioning the status quo requires intelligence.
Whitstable Pearl (2021)
No thank you...
I couldn't even get through the first episode it was so boring and badly acted. There are some great crime series at the moment, unfortunately this isn't one of them.
Collodion: The Process of Preservation (2020)
Amazing..
I was absolutely blown away by this film. I deliberately didn't want to read too much before seeing it and was just captivated by the scenery and characters featured. Thoughtful, without being preaching, but bringing to your attention the beautiful world we inhabit and hopefully it will stay this way forever. The biggest compliment I can give this film, it made us change our vacation plans (COVID permitting) and we're off to Utah. Amazing, don't miss this one.
Bloodlands (2021)
Average at best
I had high hopes for this one but unfortunately it never delivered. James Nesbitt appeared to have one facial expression for the entire season. The only saving grace was, at least it's a one off, but after the finish I'm not so sure. My advice, please don't bother.
The Man in the Hat (2020)
What a gem
I think I'll find it impossible to adequately describe this film and do it justice. Just make sure you see it and enjoy a quirky, charming, touching film that will stay with you. I will be on a ferry to France the moment we are free of this awful pandemic, albeit in a more reliable car. Brilliant, well done guys.
Lonely Blue Night (2020)
Brilliant!!
One of those films where nothing much seems to go on but absolutely touched me. The mother's interaction with her children, and their protection of her, gave a lovely poignant authenticity to the film. Well worth watching.
The Undoing (2020)
Above average
I enjoyed this show and was always in doubt of who the perp was until the end. Hugh Grant just gets better and better, Nicole Kidman has had so much work done she only has one expression. I watched in two servings and that definitely gave it added tension.
Roadkill (2020)
Average, very.
I binge watched this just to get it over more than anything. Hugh Laurie was at his brilliant best as the loose cannon minister, but the supporting cast seems to have been a BBC diversity tick box exercise. I'm guessing the writer couldn't think of a role for a dwarf/midget. That said, I'm glad I made it to the end as the level of lying and backstabbing should put anyone off a career in politics for life.
Le kiosque (2020)
Charming
A charmning and poignant film exposing us to a slice of Parisian life from an era that will probably that endure that much longer. You can't help but feel warmth to the array of characters that visit the kiosk from the homeless to the well to do. One thing is a cast iron certainty, French is the most beautiful language in the world. Watch it, it's worth the time.
Professor T. (2015)
Absolutely Brilliant
I've only recently discovered the brilliant Professor T but I' d say it's definitely in my top 3 all TV series. I haven't quite reached the end as I'm savouring the last few but there isn't a bad episode or moment of boredom in any of them. The inventive surreal nature of the show keeps you thoroughly entertained throughout, and the consistently interesting new characters it introduces to you is amazing.
Jasper Mall (2020)
Sad but poignant.
A very sad but poignant documentary about a dying mall in Alabama. It captures the struggle of everyday life brilliantly and without narration, but there is always hope tucked away if you look.