Imnozy Reviews

The Larkins (2021–2022)

Disappointing revival

[5/10 · 3 January 2022]

To anyone who recalls the series Darling Buds of May this can only be a disappointment.

Bradley Walsh has much of the cheekiness required to portray Pa Larkin, but either he or the producers left out the twinkle in the eye and the general joie de vie that David Jason brought to the character.

Why, oh why did they feel they had to make it "politically correct" by casting a black actor as Charlie? The rest of the casting is adequate...although (again) the character Mariette just doesn't have the air of fresh beauty, coupled with sexuality that Catherine Zeta-Jones brought to the role.

A reasonable effort, mildly entertaining, but not even a patch on the original much loved series.

The Secret of Crickley Hall (2012)

A waste of talent

[4/10 · 15 November 2014]

Someone once said of Frank Sinatra that he would do anything for money. I can only assume that this description applies to the group of mainly excellent actors who performed in this grubby little story.

The rather tenuous connection between the loss of her own child apparently set off the sequence of events that took us back to the grisly happening in Crickley Hall many years ago. Flashbacks were on the whole handled clumsily, the supposed frightening occurrences were mostly ridiculous, rather than frightening (as I assume they were supposed to be) and it became increasingly difficult to understand who was who (in both the past and present). Although I now wish that I had followed my initial instinct and given up on it after the first episode, I stayed to the messy end and not for one moment did I feel scared/frightened (as I suppose the writers intended) - but disgusted that anyone should write such tripe (presumably for entertainment's sake). When it was over I was left with the thought that at least it kept people in work - but I would have very much liked to see their talents deployed elsewhere.

Lilyhammer (2012–2014)

A breath of fresh air

[9/10 · 7 June 2014]

I stumbled on this program accidentally, had never heard of it - and fascinated by the mis-spelling of the place name as much as anything started watching it. It took a while for me to realise how funny it was - really hilarious in places.

Who cares if most of the characters are flawed, if violence and murder seem to crop up in every episode - that no matter what is thrown at him Johnnie manages to somehow get away with it - and comes out on top. The fact that it was made by Norwegians, starring mainly local actors and taking the Micky out of all things both Norwegian and American makes this a unique series - what is not to love.

I think the mix of Norwegian and English language is well handled - and have had no trouble at all with the subtitles.

I can hardly wait to see the next series - long may it reign!

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Blanchett's movie

[7/10 · 28 January 2014]

Among a cast of brilliant performances Cate Blanchett's still overshadows them all. She proves yet again what a superb actress she is - there isn't a wrong step in the whole upsetting movie.

I was surprised to see how derivative it is - not a crime really - for we have become used over the years to accepting derivations of Shakespeare and other great writers - so why not Tennessee Williams? My surprise was because I have always expected something different from Woody Allen. He has obviously run out of ideas and that probably means that he should stop making movies - he was if nothing else a brilliant innovator and to me it is sad that he should have to now depend on other's efforts to get by. The other thing I found disquieting was that there is virtually nothing of Allen's trade mark tongue in cheek humour to temper the drama.

Blanchett deserves an Oscar for her performance - Allen has let us down by just taking someone else's story, made little or no effort to disguise this and done himself a disservice in the process

Lantana (2001)

A let down in several ways

[6/10 · 14 December 2013]

The storyline of this movie unfolded more like an episode of a TV cop drama than a serious film. Quite a disappointment to me, as I've heard so much about it over the years.

I can't fault any of the performances, they are all excellent actors and they made the most of what could have been so much better if it hadn't descended to almost melodrama in places. The ending in particular was painful to me - why oh why did they have to tick all the boxes and tie up all the relationship ends? I hate it when movies (particularly this one that appeared to take itself seriously)attempt to give us a warm feeling by showing how well everything turned out for most of the characters.

LaPaglia was good, he doesn't know how to be otherwise - although his Aussie accent slipped in a couple of places. in the end I wasn't sure whether to think of his character as a cop who oversteps the mark way too often and hopefully now he has made up with his wife won't do it any more? And why the heart attack symptoms? Were we supposed to be expecting him to keel over at any point?

So, why all the suspense - it really came to nothing much - there was no murder - everyone we suspected proved to be innocent. The poor lady psychiatrist was in dire need of one herself - her husband, who already had enough to be upset about was left to blame himself forever - and the rest of them (mainly) lived happily ever after.

In effect it was just a fairytale with spooky music.

Top of the Lake (2013–2017)

A huge disappointment

[5/10 · 28 April 2013]

So much hype, so much suspense and so many questions unanswered. Like others I was drawn to this show on Jane Campion's name alone. I didn't expect it to be straightforward, certainly not after watching the first episode and the story line was interesting enough to make me stay right up to the end. For what? Certainly not for any real explanations, nor for an answer to the question "What was it really all about?"

The scenery was spectacular and that compensated somewhat, but not enough to turn a rather grubby incoherent story into good television. Performances of the main characters were as shaky as the varying accents - Elizabeth Moss wandered all over the globe vocally, with facial expressions varying from stunned mullet to tortured soul - none of these coming even close to realism.

One can but wonder why they threw in all the flakey women, with the Holly Hunter character topping the list. The only scenes that came across as convincing, unpleasant as they were turned out to be, were those at Matt's compound. Those guys at least looked like the characters they were supposed to be.

So, all we got for hours of viewing turned out to be a nasty taste in the mouth and the feeling that there needed to be yet another episode to explain what it was all about.

Thank heavens the Australian Broadcasting Commission had the sense to pull out of this production...I would hate to think that my taxes went towards such a disappointing and unsatisfactory 350 minutes of wasted time.

Upstairs Downstairs (2010–2012)

Could have been so much better

[16 June 2012]

I was hesitant at first to watch the new Upstairs Downstairs, knowing that it would be impossible to equal the quality production that was the original series. However, with the paucity of decent shows at present (and the fact that Downton Abbey had finished for the time being) I decided to give it a try with as little prejudice as possible, determined not to make comparisons.

Impossible of course. Although this new series is entertaining TV, pretty on the eye, fast moving (not something all that necessary in a show such as this) and relatively well cast, it just is not in the league of its predecessor, or its current "competition" Downton Abbey.

I found it hard to relate to most of the characters, of which there are way too many for comfort. Although the production falls short of using modern language, it certainly has an unsuitable modern way of depicting an era where royalty was revered, where shortcomings were either hidden or not mentioned. Instead we get a "boots and all" depiction of a class of people who would have never related to their servants the way they are shown to do and of servants who would never have behaved the way we are led to believe they might have done. Maybe if all the drama had been stretched out over a long series it would have been believable, instead of being thrown at us will nilly, one thing after the other in each and every episode.

Taken only for entertainment value, this is a watchable soap opera set a century ago - but, as the quality production it is presented as, it falls down on the job.

Oh for Mr Hudson!

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012–2015)

Pretty but disappointing

[7/10 · 2 March 2012]

Of course it would have been impossible to successfully bring Kerry Greenwood's amazing Phryne Fisher to the small screen and this effort, although lovely to look at falls short on several fronts.

Essie Davis (who is maybe a tad too old for the part)looks wonderful in the lead role, helped by the excellent sets and the fabulous clothing. These are spot on for the period - I've no complaints on that front. The casting of the other characters was not as successful, particularly that of Ashleigh Cummings who is way too pretty and way too young to be a convincing Dot, Miss Fisher's maid and companion.

So far only two episodes have been aired and it is disappointing to see the way the plots of the original stories have been changed around - in several cases unnecessarily. It was obvious that some changes must be made to fit a complete novel into a on hour TV show, but the original concept could have been left alone quite easily, without completely changing the outcome of the story. It appears that Kerry Greenwood had little if anything to do with the dramatisation of her stories - I wonder what her feelings are about the outcome.

The greatest disappointment is that the overlying humour of all the Phryne Fisher stories has been lost in this series so far. These unique and light hearted novels have been turned into just another period murder mystery series. I hope the further episodes are as true to the stories as they are to the clothes and buildings of the period.

All the Way (2003)

The Australian cultural cringe in all its glory

[5/10 · 5 January 2007]

This movie had fairly good reviews when it hit the cinemas here - and I frankly expected a lot more than it delivered.

Having been around at the time, I wondered then why so much was being made of Sinatra's well known behaviour and his hatred of the press in general. I thought it was a predictable series of events blown up - mainly by Union intervention - into an imagined insult on Australia and all it stood for. A classic example of our cultural cringe. That the aforesaid cringe is still rampant is illustrated by the fact that anyone decided to make this movie.

Itis totally impossible to cast anyone successfully as Frank Sinatra - the man was unique in so many ways. Dennis Hopper was I suppose a reasonable compromise, but his grating voice and total lack of charm spoilt much of the movie for me. Sinatra had a musical speaking voice, as well as his singing one - and his charm (when he chose to turn it on) was inescapable. Anyone unfamiliar with the Man, watching this movie would wonder what all the fuss was about. The ludicrous portrayal of Bob Hawke, a man who excelled in being ludicrous, was another disappointment. Tom Burlinson's delivery of the few songs was, as usual, competent and wooden - Hopper's "on-stage" lip-synching missed everything that was magical in a Sinatra performance. Melanie Griffith was - Melanie Griffith, the rest of the cast was competent and did their best with what in the end was nothing more than a fairytale wound loosely round an actual series of events.

Not a totally bad movie - entertaining in parts - but on the whole a waste of time and money.

Ladette to Lady (2005–2008)

Much better than I anticipated

[8/10 · 16 November 2006]

I ignored the first few episodes of this series - mainly put off by the strange title! When I accidentally clicked on to the pay TV channel it is run on, I started watching out of curiosity - and was hooked. What a motley crew of girls these people have chosen for the show! I have the impression that very few of them have any wish to improve themselves one iota - and are just in it for what they can get. Regardless of this, it is compulsive viewing - I will stay with it to the end in the hope that at least one of them shows some improvement in appearance and behaviour. Having said that, I wouldn't wish to change it - there is a lot of humour and a fair bit of insight into human behaviour in the show. Probably the most interesting is to see the impossible goals set by the ladies who run the "finishing school" - they obviously are living in another era - and seem determined to transform the girls into some sort of throwback to the 1950s. I look forward to finding how it all turned out

Marnie (1964)

Definitely flawed - nonetheless, compelling

[6/10 · 2 September 2006]

Had I been asked, I would have said that I had watched Marnie before today - but having just caught it on TV, I think at most I have only seen parts of the movie before.

This is a flawed film, with many inconsistencies and unanswered questions. Tippi Hedren, perfect as the incredibly vulnerable and damaged Marnie, hardly puts a foot wrong. Sean Connery as her husband of inconvenience gravitates between compassion and downright thuggery on occasions....I suppose one cannot blame Mr Connery for this, he was struggling in a role that would have confused any other actor in the part. If anyone in the movie is unbelievable, it is Connery - his Scotish accent was totally out of place, as was that of his father (strictly British)in a film set in the US...Diane Baker was the only one who sounded as if she belonged there. Some of the dialogue is so stilted and ridiculous that I found myself smiling in embarrassment - some of the editing is verging on the amateurish.

And yet...and yet....it is compelling viewing in spite of the psychological gobbeldegook, in spite of the fact that it was obvious (to this viewer at least)what had happened in Marnie's childhood, in spite of the fact that the Connery character became less likable as the movie progressed and in spite of the dreadful backdrops and corny dialogue. There still was something of the old Hitchcock magic - he manages to make us care about what happens to these wacky people. That Marnie probably ended up in the nuthouse and Mark more than likely found someone else to manipulate is inconsequential. I am glad that I finally sat and watched Marnie - it was made to entertain - and despite all of the above faults - it achieved its purpose.

Chocolat (2000)

A trifle too sweet

[7/10 · 23 October 2004]

It sometimes is not wise to view a movie after hearing all the raves about how great it is, ones expectations are rarely filled.

A great cast, particularly Judi Dench, do their best to lift this confection from every day to gourmet. It often seems that any movie where the story is told largely through voice-over manages somehow to miss the mark. Chocolat is such a movie in my opinion. It is entertaining, but manages to leave a lot of unanswered questions. Maybe I asked too much of what is essentially a fairytale, but even fairy tales don't perform such sudden transformations of characters as occur in this movie. Instead of a feeling good when it was all over, my reaction was mainly that it was too much too sweet.

Charming, picturesque but on the whole just a lot of froth.

Calendar Girls (2003)

Great fun for all concerned

[20 October 2004]

What a delight of a movie! So many familiar faces, so many of which we have seen age over the years, but all willing to accept the passing of those years and to take on roles that acknowledge that although we may age, we are still able to make our mark when needed.

Of particular note was the brief but touching appearance of John Alderton as a man dying of leukemia, but facing it with courage and humour. Helen Mirren as a woman determined that her friend should not be forgotten who comes up with a way of raising funds for his memorial, that is at first dismissed by her friends - who later become involved with enthusiasm and dedication. The wonderful Julie Walters, the still lovely Celia Imre and Penelope Wilton (who is forever in my mind as Annie in The Norman Conquests)playing a doting wife who on finding out what a rat her husband is - overcomes all her fears, throws herself into the project and thoroughly enjoys herself in the process.

It is all great fun, but also a marvelous example of what can be done with a bit of imagination tinged with a sense of humour. Only the British can pull off this type of movie - and they really succeeded in this instance.

The Others (2001)

Disappointing, incomplete

[1 August 2004]

This movie would have profited by being much shorter. Nicole Kidman spent so much time running around, opening and closing doors that any interest I had in the story had pretty well faded by the time things started happening. It struggled to find its genre - is it a horror story, a mystery, a thriller - I certainly can't work out?

Everything - the setting - the fog - the mystery servants promised excitement - instead it only delivered a few tingles. And so many unanswered questions. Why did the husband return? Was he alive or dead? Why were there only the graves of the three servants on the property - surely someone else was buried there? If all the "other people" were in the house - why did the children only see the little boy? No - if you are going to do something similar to this,you have to satisfactorily tie off the ends - and at least make an effort to give reasons for things that occur.

Nicole Kidman was frenetic and annoying (I suppose she was meant to be that way, but it didn't make for empathy with her and her plight!). The 2 children were excellent, particularly the girl - they at least were believable. The husband looked like the walking dead (maybe that was the point - did I miss it?). What a disappointment this movie was to me - I had heard so much about it and expected more.

The Closet (2001)

An excellent way to spend a couple of hours

[8/10 · 20 July 2004]

Faced with a choice of American "look-alike" movies, I watched this little gem on the basis of the cast alone. What an excellent choice!

This is a brilliantly funny movie, with some unforgettable moments - particularly the "testing department" sequence in the condom factory. The story is amusing, the cast are perfect, particularly Gerard Depardieu's hilarious, touching, crazy mixed up macho/gay guy. The premise, that in order to keep his job a colourless little accountant has to pretend that he is gay (a very tongue in cheek comment on prejudice here) - the can of worms that he opens up has many aspects, both good and bad. And they gave us a happy ending - what more can one ask for? Recommended.

Angels in America (2003)

A mind blowing experience

[9/10 · 10 June 2004]

It was with some trepidation that I watched this show, for it seemed at first to be something made for impression rather than expression. Any doubts were blown away in the first few minutes. This is drama par excellence (very different drama - but something that will stay with me forever) I am still reeling from its impact. My only regret is that I never had the opportunity to see the original play.

The cast is impeccable - I am not a fan of either Streep or Pacino, but each turned in restrained performances (if anything could be called restrained in a film such as this). Six hours can be offputting - but I can honestly say that there was not a moment when the plot lagged, offering horror, pathos, humour, social and political comment all failtlessly tied together by masters in their field. Many would have been put off by the content - and this is their loss - for there is much more in this movie than an overview of AIDS and gay life in New York in the 80s. This is also an overview of how people, families, lovers, relate to each other and to the world in which they live.

Occasionally television comes up with something remarkable - this was one of those occasions.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

Could have been better

[8/10 · 4 April 2004]

It is 4 years since I first saw this movie (and commented on it before reading the book on which it is based). Having since read the book twice, I thought it time to look at the movie again. I can now see why some of those who had read the book are so dismissive of the movie.

I still think it is an interesting, well cast film - but it could have been done better - and that is a pity. There is of course no reason to expect a movie to be an exact replica of a book, but when it is such an excellent book it is a pity that Eastwood chose to alter things unnecessarily. Too much of his daughter (charming though she may be), too much Lady Chablis (fascinating ditto). These additions took up time and space where the actual story could have been fleshed out more.

In spite of these minor quibbles, I still think it is an interesting story - and to fans of the book I say - accept it for what it is - it is a fascinating film, entertaining and well worth watching.

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

A thoroughly charming movie

[8/10 · 21 March 2004]

It is often difficult enough for young people to overcome preconceptions on what they should do, what they should wear etc. When the preconceptions are those of a Sikh family living in Britain - and the teenager is a girl who wants to play football, there is no easy way for both sides to see the others' point of view.

The problem is treated with humour and compassion in this delightful comedy, well cast and equally well acted - showing the immense difference in ideas between a family steeped in tradition and those of a daughter, brought up in a country where girls are able to do pretty much what they like. Then again there is a native British family where the mother's ideas of what a daughter should be doing (clothes, boys, makeup) clash considerably with her daughter's wish to excel at what is considered fine for a boy - and strange for a girl.

Although the stereotypes are somewhat overdone, the movie as a whole is entertaining - with the problems solved pretty much to everyone's satisfaction. I loved it - and thoroughly recommend it.

Swordfish (2001)

Much ado about nothing very much

[16 March 2004]

Nothing on this earth would have made me watch this movie - had it not been for its stars Hugh Jackman and John Travolta - not to mention Halle Berry. I didn't expect much of it, having read its publicity - and it offered no surprises, but with such a good cast I would have hoped for more.

The heist thing has been done better on many occasions, the special effects were no better or worse than than what is offered today. The plot was unbelievable - and - had I not watched it on DVD, I would have left with many questions unanswered. Without the Director's run through, it is a very confusing movie in parts - and don't personally feel that a movie should need to be explained. If an explanation is required - then the makers have fallen down on their job.

A lot of money, a lot of talent was largely wasted on what in the end is a fairly indifferent, reasonably entertaining movie.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

HMS Pinafore meets Raiders of the Lost Ark

[24 January 2004]

This rollicking film version of Disney's most popular ride brings the viewer everything they expect – sword fights, gun battles, debauchery, alley cats, the whole lot delivered with the tongue fixed very firmly in cheek. Central to the action is Johnny Depp's hilarious, camp portrayal of Captain Jack Straw, ably assisted by those two seasoned scene stealers Jeffrey Rush and Jonathan Pryce as Barbossa the cursed pirate and Governor Swann the father of the heroine Elizabeth. Keira Knightley gives a feisty performance as the girl who is promised to the stuffy commodore,but loves the humble blacksmith Orlando Bloom. Of the principals, only Bloom failed to make much impression, although much of that could be due to the fact that his character is fairly `straight' and all the others are so over the top.

Depp's performance is so reminiscent of HMS Pinafore, that I kept expecting him to burst into song - `I am the Pirate King' – and the non-stop hilarious action , thrills and special effects owe more to Raiders of the Lost Ark than to the pirate movies of the 40s. The plot is pretty thin, but why expect more of something of this genre – the performances are flawless, the thrills and the laughs come one on top of the other – this is a movie made to entertain not to make you think.

A thoroughly enjoyable movie.

Undercover Christmas (2003 TV Movie)

A likeable piece of Christmas fluff

[20 December 2003]

Although this movie strives very hard to promote peace and good will, it is spoilt by the unbelievable storyline. The cast does its best against the odds, but even the greatest optimist in the world knows that life is not really like this.

Still, it is an entertaining concept - and if you can accept first the unlikely premise and second the fact that the "happy ending" is achieved by making almost all of the characters go against type - then I recommend it just for the feelgood ending. I must admit that I only watched it because of Tyne Daly (who still has the ability to command the screen) - and have to also admit that it hooked me to the degree that I only started to question it all after it was over.

A good way to muster up the spirit of Christmas - what more can we ask?

Almost Famous (2000)

Great Entertainment

[9/10 · 16 November 2003]

This movie has been criticised for being unrealistic - and possibly it is. But so are predecessors such as Pulp Fiction, Boogie Nights, Get Shorty et al. These, as well as Almost Famous are great entertainment and surely that is what we watch movies for?

The cast is close to faultless - with the possible exception of Frances McDormand, who probably should not be blamed for her over-the-top character - it is probably more in the writing than in the enactment. Many of her scenes just do not ring true, likewise the totally unbelievable airplane sequence, which, although amusing and very enlightening, was so amateurish in execution that it spoiled in some ways an otherwise excellent movie.

These carps aside, Almost Famous gives us the type of escapism that most of us dream of - a 15 year old, able to live his dream, with the assistance of Penny Lane - and a load of good luck. Add to that a fairytale ending - some laughs and a few tears, the perfect formula for a night's entertainment. Highly recommended.

The Ignorant Fairies (2001)

Interesting, but unsatisfying

[28 October 2003]

There were many parts of this movie that I found moving, but, particularly towards the end it came across more like a daytime soap than a serious movie.

The premise is that a woman who has been desperately hurt by finding out that her husband was bi-sexual can be won over easily to understanding of first his lover and also his friends and other life. That in itself is a bit hard to believe, but suspending disbelief, this is an entertaining, albeit somewhat puzzling movie.

The viewer is deliberately manipulated (was I the only one who thought first of AIDS when she became ill?)it was even something of a letdown to find out that she was pregnant - very Days of our Lives! The mother/daughter relationship is manipulated a trifle too much - and why I wonder did she not tell her mother the truth? I also found the ending confusing - why tell everyone one thing and then do another? Can we assume that she had come to terms with herself - if so, it was a strange way to carry it out.

All of this is a pity - for this is an interesting and gripping movie, which could have been a lot better. I recommend it be viewed as entertainment only without asking too many questions.

Black Books (2000–2004)

Unique hilarious comedy

[5 October 2003]

Probably not everybody's taste, Black Books takes us into a crazy world where odd characters live lives that in no way could approach reality. At first I thought it was completely idiotic, but it grew on me to the point that I couldn't bear to miss it. Surely it is not a coincidence that Dylan Moran played Rufus the thief in Notting Hill (set in a bookshop)and that his brief appearance had all the offbeat craziness of his character in Black Books? I can't help feeling that they got the idea for the series after seeing him in NH. The totally unaccountable, idiotic humour is reminiscent of such British gems of the past as Monty Python and Fawlty Towers - and I feel a love of that type of humour is a necessity to appreciate Black Books.

The Bill (1984–2010)

Unrecognisable from the original "Bill"

[3 September 2003]

I have followed this series from its earliest episodes and have rarely found it hard going until recently. Although it still delivers good entertainment, the show has lost much of its grittiness (although in many ways it is probably more realistic).Up until the recent dramatic changes (the bombing of Sun Hill and resultant death of many of the main characters)there was little shown of the violence, blood etc that is part and parcel of real police work. The show has suffered considerably for those of us who remember the good old days of Burnside, Tosh Lines et al. Serialising the episodes is not in itself a bad thing, for that makes it more believable than the old concept that each case was tied up in the half hour - or one hour episode, it does however mean that much of the crispness of the show is lost in the process. For the undedicated, the focus on private lives (and romances in the station)turns it very much into a "soap" and less of a serious show. I am still recovering from the first time Jim kissed June - it was a bit like watching someone kiss his sister! I suppose that the Old Bill is gone for good, but it still is good entertainment - and I suppose this is what we watch TV for.