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Reviews
The Lazarus Project (2022)
Outstanding Intelligent Sci Fi
This is truly outstanding. There is a logic and jeopardy to the very concept of time shown in this series which puts it firmly above all other attempts to explore it.
Season 1 was excellent but season 2 blows it out the water. The intelligence and complexity of the writing of this show are absolutely compelling.
I've never particularly enjoyed performances by Caroline Quentin in her other work but I have to say in the penultimate episode of season 2, she undeniably earns whatever awards can come her way.
I really hope they greenlight a session 3 as the show deserves to continue.
The highest quality British sci fi I've ever seen. Long may it continue.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Solid Film but Nothing Special.
There's something special about the original three movies in this franchise that the two most recent offerings just haven't quite managed to live up to. This film is a massive improvement on Crystal Skull but still falls short of Raiders, Doom and Crusade.
The film's biggest flaw is its length. This could have almost an hour cut from it and not lose any of the story or action. It does however lack comedy - it just wasn't fun. It was engaging, full of action and intrigue but lacks any attempt at humour which previous offerings had in plentiful supply.
Given the time travel aspect, I was hoping for something more clever and plot twisty, but this was more predictable and ultimately disappointing.
The de-aging effects were very good, the action well shot and it was lovely to see my neighbouring Glasgow on film looking fabulous.
A Man Called Otto (2022)
Beautiful and Moving
Wow. I was not prepared for that. I thought I was going to see a comedy film about a grumpy man who gets frustrated with his neighbours. I did not expect to be in tears by the end - and not tears of laughter.
I did not have the experience of the original book or film so I went into this with no particular expectations. It's been a long time since a movie touched me in this way.
Tom Hanks excels as Otto in a character so unlike any other he has played before. His own son played his younger self which added a level of authenticity to the role. The supporting cast brought a mix of humour and pathos resulting in beautiful and moving film that hit all the right notes.
Don't go and see this without tissues folks!
The Undeclared War: Episode #1.6 (2022)
Slow but compelling.
I've not enjoyed the pacing of this whole series but still found the story and characters compelling. That said, I'm annoyed at the sudden non-ending which honestly makes me wish I'd not bothered watching the series at all. No consideration for audience satisfaction whatsoever.
Peter Pan (2003)
Dated and dull
While this is true to the original story it is poorly made. The cgi is terribly dated and the acting is poor. This does not stand up to repeat viewings.
Blithe Spirit (2020)
Excellent Reimagining.
It would be wrong to simply recreate the original film/play and copy the excellent performance of Margaret Rutherford and I'm delighted that this film does not. It takes the premise of Noel Coward's and, with tongue firmly planted in its cheek, improves upon it immensely.
The characters are all fleshed out far more than in the original. For example, Ruth in the play and original film is dull, boring and flat. Isla Fisher brings a more believable portrayal and relishes the character. Judi Dench's Madame Arcarti is less chaotic than Rutherford but equally enjoyable. Leslie Mann's Elvira brings true threat born from jealousy but keeps it within the realms of the comedic nature of the film
Yes, it's a farce and it's supposed to be. No, this is nothing like the original, but what would be the point? Both versions have their merits and can be enjoyed equally.
Star Trek: Picard (2020)
Outstanding - Does not disappoint.
A wonderful continuation of Picard's storyline taking place 20 years or so after the events of Nemesis. Haunted by Data's death and still angry at Starfleet for banning all synthetic life, Picard maintains an unfulfilling life at his family chateau in France. When a young woman comes to him for help, Picard is drawn into a mission which reopens old wounds from his assimilation by the Borg, uncovers centuries- old Romulan plots and sets him on a course for a new destiny which will reunite him with old friends, new enemies and a rediscovery of himself.
This is a very different kind of Trek and a very welcome change of pace. While this does feature the same kind of action and cinematic feel as Discovery, it is also beautiful, contemplative and slow burning. The supporting cast are wonderful and intriguing in equal measure. Star Trek Picard also ties together elements from all previous incarnations of the franchise while expanding the universe in a whole new direction.
It did not disappoint and I'm eager for season 2.
Les Misérables (2012)
Absolutely Fantastic - Excluding Mr Crowe
What a fantastic film! Tom Hooper's direction allows for so much subtlety and emotion that the stage show, as fantastic as it is, never can achieve. On stage the cast have to be big and bold throughout filling the large theatre space. Tom Hooper's frequent use of close-ups and steadicam work enabled the cast to show so much more detail in their portrayal of the various characters in Victor Hugo's novel. This is a version of Les Miserables unlike any other and works superbly.
Hugh Jackman was superb as the ex-convict Jean Valjean and portrays the various stages of Valjean's life with great believability. I had reservations about the casting of Anne Hathaway as Fantine but it did not take long for me to be won over. I'm not ashamed to say that I was welling up with her rendition of "Come to Me". All credit must be given to Daniel Huttlestone and Isabelle Allen as the young talent in the film playing Gavroche and the Cosette respectively. It was a nice touch to cast Colm Wilkinson as the Bishop as it was he who played the lead role of Valjean in the original stage version over 25 years ago.
The film was well made and the alternative style of recording the cast singing was hugely beneficial to the overall performance. However, it has to be said that Russell Crowe was woefully miscast. It's true that the guy can sing – but he cannot act and sing simultaneously. Every other member of the cast without exception put so much emotion and power behind their individual singing performances but Mr Crowe just sang each song in a completely uninteresting way. His greatest offence of this nature was in the Javert solo "Stars" which, when performed correctly, can be wonderfully emotive and actually generate some audience-felt compassion for the character. Russell destroyed the role and completely failed to match the quality of Jackman. The actors playing Valjean and Javert should be equally matched in performance power so that you feel it is a constant battle between them and could go either way. Hugh Jackman is far superior to Russell Crowe and the energy between them is completely lost.
Eddie Redmayne did his best to lift the wet-drip character of Marius to another level and mostly succeeds in doing so. Personally, I found his singing voice much "thicker-sounding" than all of the other cast and at times it seemed out of place, but he gave a sterling performance all the same.
Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen provide the comic relief and do so successfully – although it did feel at times that their scenes were plucked straight out of Sweeney Todd. Does Helena wear the same wig for every film she's in? Samantha Barks is utterly convincing as the tragic Eponine. If you didn't know this was her first film, you'd think she'd been performing in front of a camera all her life. "A Little Fall of Rain" has always been a favourite song of this reviewer and I enjoyed it more so than "On My Own" which is the usual crowd pleaser.
If you are unfamiliar with the stage version or indeed the book upon which it is based, this film rattles along very quickly in parts and it can be a little tricky to keep up with the story – particularly in the first half hour or so.
If you can tolerate Russell Crowe's dreadful performance, this film is still well worth seeing – it's certainly deserving of one or two or ten awards.