michael-247 Reviews

The Americans: The Colonel (2013) Season 1, Episode 13

Brilliant Season ending

[10/10 · 5 June 2013]

Well I'll admit I'm not normally a person who likes this kind of 'predictable' type of 'Cold War' stuff however I can only say I'm a bit too impressed after watching it all! We have an ending with quite believable people in the 80's doing the 'get 'em to believe we are close to war', just to stir up the population and keep them interested.

I can imagine Season two with 'Nina' getting the upper hand. The 'Jennings' being closer together than the average 'married' couple with their siblings. Elizabeth finding out that her 'handler' was actually more close and friendly than she could have imagined. The downside to the series is not the actual content but perception by the general public. Are we to admit hoping that the integrated (into society) 'spies' actually succeed? The episodes want us to hope they do! To me this is a kind of 'day to day' existence of a 20 year on reflection of 'Dr. Strangelove' - as in the actual 'living' instead of the military approach.

The 'cast' is an amazingly good selection. They show total dedication and whilst working as a team actually show 'devotion' to each other and carry it off perfectly. I bet in Season 2 there will be some impressive scenes. In reality and the reality is to me, how the hell can they live such double lives? I know from history people have done this and merge it so well however eventually they get older and the 'active' parts tend to fade somewhat and this is not really a 'desk job' is it? All in all a brilliant translation of what 'actually' was found to happen. I wonder in what year it'll stop though? M

Person of Interest: The High Road (2012) Season 2, Episode 6

Good episode

[9/10 · 19 May 2013]

This is IMHO a bit of an oddment episode. When John finds out it's not so easy 'viewing' in the suburbs Finch buys a house, car, clothes and 'golf clubs'! This is when you see Zoe in her real good act mode and John in his too. This episode is certainly worth a second viewing because you see good acting on all parts. Look at the expression of Carter towards the end, Zoe regarding the proposal and even Zoe / Reece at the end regarding the 'extra night'. This series is generally a bit 'too' good you know and where the heck will 'The Machine' lead us to to next I wonder?!

Big Time Spoiler; The concept of this episode is the finding of a man with a hidden past. For 15 years he's lived the life of a dead person. The 'bad' people who her originally worked with have been released from jail and he never participated in their last heist which sent them there. They believe he's the guilty one and not them. Enter Finch/Reece to sort it all out. The group intend to thieve jewels from a prominent figure. They use they found person to unlock the safe in a 42nd floor penthouse. He can unlock by precision (a lost art) and they intend to kill him or leave him to be arrested etc. Enter Reece (with Carter knowing all about it). The end result is the 'baddies' getting caught however the (now) good guy turns himself in. The last scene is the man wears a 'tracker' on his ankle, Reece and Zoe move out however she suggests they stay another night and he sounds positive about it! (bad bad!!)

Michael

Age of Consent (1969)

Quite astonishing

[9/10 · 19 May 2013]

Per chance I saw this film recently on UK TV. I looked and thought 'oh my god' these are well known people in it, looked at the cast and spotted Helen Mirren. 1969 - acting as a naive young lady with her only ambition to get $100 and move to Brisbane and become a hairdresser. Good Aussie accents and so nicely played and related I have to say. It made me smile that she was happy underwater naked however when told to take her dress off standing in it, there was a 'novel' expression. The entry of the awful 'intruder' (so called friend) was the only thing IMHO that berated the whole film. The man was / is both obnoxious and annoying (otherwise 10 points!).

This is a film needing a lot of audience 'perception'. It's like an old version of 'Lost in Translation' where you need to think beyond the film and imagine the realities where it's exposed at the very end with the frolicking (heck that words reflects my age!) manner in the water. 'Lost in Translation' reflected the same as 'silent whispers'.

All in all a delightful film with a perceptive storyline of 'innocence' on both sides. An older man with a younger woman depicted in a believable 'not cheesy, manipulative nor degrading' manner. Certainly a 'must see'!

Michael

Person of Interest (2011–2016)

Quite Amazing

[10/10 · 3 January 2013]

My wife is exceptionally sceptical of TV programs. She watched a couple of episodes then wanted more/stayed 'up'! - a first! Whilst it is known such (current technology) does not 'quite' exist the concept is believable. Of course we should be concerned how 'Harold' gets numbers without his system working (not a spoiler) however anyone watching will have seen that episode. The scope of the series is quite impressive and the selected actors/actresses quite surprising as it all melds together. Maybe this will be better than even the CSI franchise and by the looks of it, it could well be! Compliments to the creator and organisers as they have done quite an amazing job of both 'connecting' people and making a series which should surely be second to none. No 'goofs' and well though out episodes tell a story! Goof detected when Harold rides on the motorcycle and in the next scene has a helmet - shame! Anyhow we know Zoe is in love with Reece, Harold with his 'ex', Carter will be involved with her new 'friend' except 'HR' might get to him and Fuscoe might have a long term relationship. Michael

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

My wife suggested the film! OMG

[9/10 · 9 November 2012]

My wife wanted to see this film and I was quite objective to the idea until we watched it one quiet afternoon! So the film starts off with some quite 'typical' Government type people (amazing dry humour expressed) who obviously want to lie and cheat and a Sheik who has a 'vision'. NOT though what you'd expect from Ewan McGregor. They all meet, (Alfred, Harriet and the Sheik) at his Scottish residence with his entourage included (although briefly) plus a Scottish butler! The Sheik is played brilliantly with a novel belief he can understand everything. We move to fishing with him (as in the Sheik and Alfred). You can imagine Alfred meets Harriet for dinner with the Sheik and you swiftly detect he's falling in love with her at first sight. The Sheik is a good observer but so diplomatic. We move to the latter part of the film. Bad men try and kill the project ( and the Sheik!) and Alfred is the 'hero'. Harriet's boyfriend is flown in well and safe by the government (after hewas believed to be lost in action in Afghanistan) for publicity. NOT to give too much away the last three minutes of the film tells it all. Funny, whimsical and exceptionally well casted I would say. If you like 'dry' humour then all your wishes will come to fruition. Well filmed, produced and I can only say I wish I were Ewan McGregor or in real life or knew Emily Blunt for real! Michael

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

The Cunning of a Perfect Film

[30 September 2011]

The film was way ahead of its time when it came out. I've watched it maybe 100+ times and it never fails to impress. From the secretaries manners in the bedroom to the pilots reading out of 'box' contents to Dr. Strangelove himself. The 'funny' thing is that's it's not 'funny' but compelling viewing. The fact we could all die (and that remains today) a stark warning of differences in attitude and loyalties to each other. The fact that Peter Sellers (who personally except for this film) I always found someone who I'd not watch however in this the exact opposite. The three characters he played to perfection and actually gives the layman a view that the world is filled with such diverse people it reminds you that the world is so varied. I think the whole film shows two sides, that of 'procedure' and the other of undeniable 'greed' in realising you need to survive and what you can obtain from it. Kubrick did an amazing job and okay, we know there were no special effects available then however he depicted a film that is both memorable, diverse and makes the mind think. The truth is that in that year people 'did' think like they did an that notion can scare you a little. Michael