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sharonfergusson
Reviews
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Excellent first Apes watch
As an apes virgin, I loved this. I will now go back and watch the others.
I loved the characters, the story, the drama and action, and the social commentary.
I honestly never thought it would be my thing. But it's so clever. The way each ape is a solid recognisable individual, the subtle facial expressions, the signing. It's just so surprising and delightful to a person who's never seen it.
The opening scene is an absolute wonder and started me on a high.
The whole concept is freaky and I can't believe I found it so entertaining.
Well done to all the creators.
I am now a convert and will now seek out the other films.
Escaping Utopia (2024)
Incredibly moving
This is by far the most comprehensive series made about Gloriavale. It features a huge range of voices (including those still living there) and is a thorough account of their experiences.
It's also extremely sad. The people who have spoken out are articulate and analytical, and have had to come to terms with some pretty heavy trauma. Their analysis is philosophical and emotional all at once.
The final scenes had me in tears watching these beautiful (free) kids with their sparklers and the palpable relief of their parents ... contrasted with the reality for those who are still trapped in the community.
It's really beautifully made too. Well shot, well cut and a poignant soundtrack. They even managed to make the courtroom scenes gripping.
I'm a New Zealander and know a fair bit about Gloriavale, but this has definitely added to my knowledge base.
Particularly the analysis provided by the leavers, and by those still living on the outskirts of the community. Such a brave bunch of people.
For the person concerned that we don't hear from the leaders of Gloriavale - they were offered the opportunity but chose not to be interviewed. Their views are well represented, particularly in the very telling testimony at court. Also they're probably pretty busy at the moment with a number of serious abuse charges to defend.
Succession (2018)
Twisty and turny
This is in my top five series of all time for so many reasons... Hilarious, dramatic, best scripts, best one liners, wealth porn.. but most of all the twists.
It twists and turns like a snake in a sack, blindly and suddenly, as each character is compromised repeatedly. They are forced into impossible scenarios with impossible decisions to make.
The writing is superb ... and the casting too!
The greed, selfishness and entitlement makes you hate them and pity them simultaneously. Ah the conflict of a good hate vs pity fest!
God I love it so much!
I will leave you with this melancholic moment;
"I just wonder if the sad I'd be without you is less than the sad I get from being with you."
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (2022)
Enlightening and frightening
Wow! This was an amazing and incredibly frightening series.
I have enormous admiration for the women who got out and their efforts to save others. They are such heroes! And then to speak out like they have in this series is so brave. I know it will be making a real difference in the world for people who might be on the edge of escape... or across the line and recovering.
The detail and storytelling is superb. The access to footage and recordings is amazing! Just seeing the reality laid out like this, is so enlightening.
There are also many scenes that have been recreated from people descriptions. They're shot and cut creatively and keep the narrative moving along.
I am watching from New Zealand and it seems very foreign to me... At the same time it's familiar. The idea that one man can manipulate so many into such destructive behaviour in the name of god. What a waste of so many thousands of lives. So sad.
Rurangi (2020)
Moving and realistic
I was very moved by this story. It's a classic homecoming with the lead changed beyond recognition. Caz is a very appealing character tip-toeing around on eggshells. The supporting roles have their own backstories, each negotiating their challenges. They're very likeable and familiar to me, and the dialogue is realistic.
I didn't find it slow. Maybe those who did were hoping for something more cataclysmic? I liked the simplicity and realism of the NZ experience. It's all very understated, but that's kind of what it's like here.
My son is trans, and he found Caz's encounters with others very familiar. Just all the awkwardness and surprise and backpedalling lol.
I also loved the familarity of the location. It was quintessential smalltown rural New Zealand... A pinch of racism, a smattering of various phobias and the environmental issues of the day provide the background to Caz's journey.
Treme (2010)
In my top 5 of all time
I watched this nearly a decade ago and still think of it often. I was so very attached to these characters!!
The music is given time to breathe and you can smell the food through the screen!
My father had a strange connection to hurricane Katrina, which happened in the weeks before he died. We live in NZ and yet Treme resonated so strongly with me, that I have longed to visit New Orleans ever since.
Alas Covid has cursed tourism for some time yet ... so I will watch Treme again, and relish the drama and life and music and food rolled into this glorious, understated series... which is the next best thing to actually being there.