crinolynne Reviews

Barbie (I) (2023)

Way too much in this movie to be described in 600 words.

[9/10 · 2 January 2024]

As in 2001, the first 5 minutes sums up the entire movie. And like 2001, you will be asked to think, and think in unconventional ways outside your usual comfort zone(s). It doesn't matter what particular side of the Great Debate you are on, or think you are on, this movie will ask you questions honestly and difficult. And will ask you to be honest in answering them for yourself. All the while, the humour is both gentle and subtle, a very British reading of the Barbie story.

Reading some of the commens on this board, it is clear that Barbie does not fall into trap of fulfilling expectations. We can leave that to movies like Saving Private Ryan. Barbie a courage all of its challenge in different ways. It is unfortunate but not unexpected that in 2023 there are so many who prefer the comfort of their own dollhouses.

The following may be spoilers: Kudos to Mattel for having the honesty and courage to laugh at its corporate self.

Was Gosling channeling his inner. Michael Flately for one scene and. Zefran Cochrane for another.?

And yes, it's part documentary.

Wilderness (2023)

Either too long or too short.

[8/10 · 22 September 2023]

Each of the characters is very uneven; which makes for jarring viewing. But realistically, that is real life. Contrary to what some reviewers perceive, there is nothing particularly misandrous about the plot; at least not to the extent that one would consider movies of the 1960's and earlier as misogynous., And, it is not a revenge plot either. But to explain that would require a spoiler alert. Rather, this is a complex display of psychological forces at work both within the characters and between them. It is the transitions which left this viewer playing catch-up and feeling somewhat exhausted. However, the plot doesn't appear to be strong enough to carry that sort of examination. The story required 6 episodes to tell, but it probably would have been better in a tighter more elliptic 4.

The ratings tell their own story, extreme highs and and extreme lows, which tells me the series is a solid 7. My 8 was for Coleman and her mum and their Welsh accents.

Effie Gray (2014)

An understated quiet gem that demands more of the before, during and after watching.

[8/10 · 13 March 2023]

In the post-covid, binge-watching streaming 'verse that is movie-dom in the 2020's, this was a movie that doesn't spoon feed the viewer. It leaves many threads un-pulled, asks many questions, takes you to many shadow places in the Victorian lexicon. The reviews tell us more about the reviewers than the movie itself. Historically, we know nothing of reasons behind the Ruskin/Gray relationship, and the movie does not attempt give answers. But it should prompt you to ask what happened to Effie. After 6 years, she marries Millais and has six children. Sadly, many reviewers will never find this out.

The Loch (2017)

It's not what you think.

[7/10 · 27 June 2017]

The Loch is NOT Broadchurch, which I found to be pompous, self important and melodramatic. The Loch is a quietly humorous parody of the genre, Scottish drama and mythology with a nod to contemporary PC casting. If that's not your favourite dram, slip your DVD of the Wickerman on.

Walk All Over Me (2007)

Pretentious Critics

[8/10 · 4 March 2016]

First, this is a comedy; whoever tagged it as a thriller should watch it again. Second, the reviewers, see above, who didn't like it, simply didn't get it - the fault is in you guys, not this movie. Third, the movie is a self-deprecating, unpretentious romp in the peculiar genre of that is Canadian comedy. It's fun.

Lastly, a warning , the principal characters are empowered females, this may cause males of a particular persuasion fits of apoplexy, there should be a warning to this effect in the opening sequence...

At a production cost $3M, I consider this a good use of my tax dollars. And to the author of the synopsis, it's set in Vancouver not Seattle. duh.