cassandra2006 Reviews

Dancing at the Harvest Moon (2002 TV Movie)

It's a hot day here, the remote has been misplaced so.....

[4/10 · 21 January 2019]

This turned up here today on tv at midday. Lovely locations and some examples of beautiful domestic architecture, at least IMO. Some good music. A stereotypical plot. A serviceable script with some angsty drama. A Late Summer and Spring love affair. Jacqueline Bisset, looking as effortlessly elegant and beautiful as always, did well with what she had to deal with. Several other good character actors in the cast as well.. That's all I can usefully say, really. As I indicated, it IS very hot here and leaving this movie on rather than forcing myself to go on a hunt for the remote was rather an exercise in taking the line of least resistance.

A for Andromeda (1961)

One of the great BBC series from the past

[8/10 · 30 October 2017]

My parents and I used to watch this on ABC TV here in Australia when it was shown in the early '60, back in the days when it was still black and white tele! I was 11 at the time and just starting to become aware of the dramatic potential of outer space and of alien intelligences. The show was the highlight of my week, and I was upset to read that the series cannot ever be shown again, having been obliterated. It was well made, well scripted and so many of the actors went on to do great work in later TV and movies.

What We Did on Our Holiday (2014)

Comedy, like life itself, should be complex

[9/10 · 8 May 2015]

...and this film fits the bill admirably. The presence of Tennant in ANYthing is a draw card for me and he doesn't disappoint in this as the errant but still involved husband, father and son. Rosamunk Pike's ability to be sweet, sharp and acerbic came as a bit of a revelation to me, having only seen her before as the rather characterless Jane Bennett. I thought she and Tennant had the right sort of chemistry as the spiky, out-of-love couple who remain united as devoted parents. However, being a critic of many modern child-rearing practices, I found myself wanting to deliver a swift - but of course harmless! - kick to both of them during a couple of scenes! That said, I do admire many of the English child actors who have emerged over the past 15 years or so for being mercifully un-stagey and the three kids in this movie deliver honest performances that engaged me and drew me into the credible fallibilities of their immediate and extended families. I appreciated the scriptwriter's desire to show children processing serious matters in a way that is almost totally free of sentimentality. Yes, the subsequent events on the beach are dark (also comic and loving) but few criticise traditional fairy stories for their frequently brutal conclusions so there is no reason to get upset over anything in this film. Yes, some swearing does occur, but kids hear worse in their own playgrounds and in the lyrics of pop songs. Parents should always talk to their children about what they have seen and heard in the film, to place it all in context. There are plenty of laugh aloud reasons to love this film, not the least of which is Billy Connolly showing once again what a very fine actor he is. But everyone IMO is terrific - there is not a dud performer in the entire cast and you can't often say that. As a bonus, the Scottish Highlands are breathtakingly beautiful on the wide screen. Magnificent!

A Novel Affair (1957)

Margaret Leighton is so good!

[7/10 · 8 May 2015]

Filling in a lazy Saturday watching this on TV. Of course it's pure melodrama and the style of the story-telling is predictable in the lengthy imagined segment but Richardson and Leighton are really splendid as the mismatched married couple. I am now going to seek out more of her performances. Her costume designer for the film was Norman Hartnell who did her proud. She looks magnificent: charming, elegant and sophisticated by turns, but the clothes never dominate her beautifully nuanced performance. Leighton displays her talents for drama, comedy, strength and fallibility. Sadly, the acting chops of the Italian import are not the equal of the other two IMO, though he looks handsome enough to have turned the heads of M'Lady and the maid! Sure, it's a film where the line delivery of the toffs is very much in the rather overblown style of its time, and where the 'lower orders' all sound like people pretending to speak with regional accents but, if you can get beyond that and enjoy it as a good example of British genre film making, I think it will be a couple of hours well spent.

Single Father (2010)

An excellent telemovie, right up to the final scene

[9/10 · 14 September 2013]

We are shown a comfortable middle class family, a few irritations evident in the relationships and some troubling indication in connection with the wife's attitude to honesty about contraception. The family's essential peace ends when she is suddenly and shockingly killed in a road accident. What ensues is, IMO, a realistic and largely credible portrayal of a father who is obliged to take on a role which he had not been expecting. David Tennant rises as always magnificently to this challenge, giving us as sense of the grief, anger, bewilderment and awkwardness following the loss of the love of his life. The young Scottish actors playing the children are without exception marvellously natural and accomplished, without any of that cloying, over-trained staginess that poisons the performances of too many child actors. The passage of time could have been better delineated in the story, as I often wanted there to be more sense of lingering grief and confusion in certain scenes and relationships, but I had to assume that time had indeed moved on, and emotions had too. Portraying the dad, Tennant is, without exaggeration, absolutely perfect and he and the children have a convincing and affecting relationship. The supporting cast of relatives, friends and others is exceptional and their stories are all relevant and credible. With the wife's friend, played by Suranne Jones, we see him clinging to her in the excess of their shared grief but, of course, dramatically, they have to get together as a romantic pair. I have no trouble with this. I also have no real concern that it happens a bit too soon following the death of his wife: who of us should feel so free to judge another's heart and state of mind? What sticks into my craw though, big time, is the revelation that the lover decided to get herself pregnant by him, without his knowledge. And he is all right with that!! What a woeful message to send the viewing public, especially the naive or irresponsible members of it. I bought the plot up to that point but that final scene disappointed me greatly. Would a female script writer with any sense at all have provided such an ending, for a major female character? I like to think not.

Spies of Warsaw (2013)

The only Tennant vehicle that has ever disappointed me

[4/10 · 6 September 2013]

I will and do watch anything with David Tennant in it as IMO he is an exceptionally gifted performer but, from the off, this telemovie bored me witless. I didn't buy most of the tension and, with few exceptions, the performances were largely uninspiring. The writing rarely grabbed me and, visually, the timing of suspenseful scenes was often poorly judged. But my main gripe was that the direction, cinematography and editing were all IMO so remorselessly pedestrian. In addition, the lead actress - who we are meant to accept as the 'romantic interest' - appeared to be not just uninvolved with her lover but I personally doubted she was even a serious actress within the meaning of the Act! I gather she has won deserved success in other projects that I haven't seen, but in 'Spies'? Not for this viewer. Tennant looks, sounds and is lovely and could not act badly if he tried conscientiously for a year but, really, even his illustrious talent and legendary energy could not save his character for me in this movie. Especially not when he's obliged to wear some of the silliest military uniforms you could find outside of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera. Possibly the window of opportunity to create incisive TV drama about mid 20thC spy stories has slammed shut for the time being. I bought the DVD and have watched it just once and won't do so again. Probably.

Duck Patrol (1998)

A little gem

[7/10 · 14 March 2008]

I've finally caught up with this and am glad I did. It's all perfectly charming, in the best sense, and contains engaging characterisations by a talented bunch of actors, led by Richard Wilson, David Tennant, Samantha Beckinsale and more. Some of the shore-side characters are a bit OTT silly, but they act well. OK, the plots aren't Shakespeare nor Pinter, much less Russell T Davis, but they are entertaining enough, with well-paced dramatic and comedic touches to keep the viewer occupied. The pastel-tinted scenes of life along the Thames are rather lovely. My main gripe is with the senior officer, played by Geoffrey Hutchings, a dysfunctional bundle of neuroses and forgetfulness. He bored me to death, but the acerbic yet never cruel wit of Wilson made up for it, as did the big-eyed naive decency of Tennant's 'Darwin'.

Live Earth (2007 TV Special)

David Tennant should compere EVERYthing!

[8/10 · 20 October 2007]

He introduced the Pussycat Dolls and was interviewed by Jonathon Ross and Graham Norton backstage. He is worth his weight in gold, is Tennant! In fact, he's worth twice, three times his weight in gold, titanium, the works. He showed such vitality and spirit, it was a joy to watch. He worked that crowd in the most engaging, ego-lite way imaginable and they appeared to love it, as did we at home. Watching it, I was again in awe of this man's ability. When interviewed afterwards, he proved to be refreshingly free of the barbed spikeyness that some Big Names can't resist displaying in similar circumstances. Probably they feel out of their element. Not him. He is totally at home in front of a crowd and has the charisma and showmanship to carry off the moment. Tennant can compere any program from now until the end of the galaxy, as far as my family and I are concerned.

Doctor Who: Last of the Time Lords (2007) Season 3, Episode 13

POSSIBLE SPOILERS Not sure what to think!

[7/10 · 2 July 2007]

POSSIBLE SPOILERS : For an avowed atheist, RTD sure does come on strong with Christian religious imagery in this final episode. The whole series, at times, has had a definite no holds barred Protestant ring to it. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, drama-wise, but I do wonder if the final ep needed rather more than even the generous 50 minutes to properly set up the quasi biblical themes, which dragged in just about every one of the big No No's except gluttony and lust! I am such a big fan of David Tennant that it irked me to see him masquerading in a form other than his gorgeous self for so much of the time. And, while I enjoyed John Simms performance in general, it did grow wearisome that the character of the Master was not just incredibly bad but a hundred times madder than a coot as well. Surely there was enough plot potential to be had in pure evil without adding the craziness? The Master was defeated by means which I liked and found valid, being an unapologetic humanist with strong romantic leanings from way back, but the Risen Doctor scene - which made dramatic sense - did not work for me at all cinematically and Tennant for once looked less than convincing, strung up on a wire, surrounded by ethereal golden beams, before landing on the floor with a small and very human thud. Martha did good work as the Doctor's disciple, however! Walking the entire earth for a year, spreading the message? Why not? It's a metaphorical time span that is used in countless quest stories and folk tales. I love it that she was able to do what she had to do, using the Doctor's own preferred means of operation. No violence, just faith and hope. Yea! And the Doctor set the seal to the three Virtues by demonstrating charity, when he forgave the Master all his wrongdoing. Clunky? In a way, yes, but given what I perceive to have been the redemptive theme running through the series, it worked. RTD laid a trail of herrings, red and otherwise, all through the series. I give him full credit for hauling so many in, in the final two or three eps. Frankly, I will long treasure the fact that the people of the world saved the Doctor from destruction by the means we first heard about in "The Shakesperare Code". Loved it! In a series where we have had to admire the technological special effects contributions to just about every episode, it was great to finish with such a profound affirmation that words really do matter!

Parkinson: Episode dated 5 May 2007 (2007) Season Unknown, Episode Unknown

Loved David but Parky seemed below par

[7/10 · 30 June 2007]

I did enjoy this episode. A lot. I have loved Parky forever and I adore David Tennant so it was pure bliss to sit back and watch the interview. David looked so gorgeous, it was a pity he wasn't edible, covered in chocolate and crunchy caramel biscuit-y bits! I thought he was very smoothly the Performer On Show, with a set of almost- prepared answers that he delivered engagingly, with his usual 200% actor's flair and conviction. Nothing was said that was not already common knowledge to the die-hard DT fan, and the ITV format for the show - 4 guests? WHY?? - seemed to constrain Parky as well, who imo seemed well below par, even a tiny bit tetchy with the vocal DT fans in the audience. So while I loved the episode and enjoyed it, I don't think MP gave it best shot, for which I blame the more commercial format of the show; and DT imo had elected not to engage in a Tell All expose, which, given the out-of-control celeb culture in the UK and elsewhere, is probably extremely sane of him.

Blackpool (2004)

Carlisle is The Man!

[10/10 · 25 October 2006]

I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention when this was aired in Australia, in the second half of 2005. Silly me, because, after a rather circuitous route, via this and "Casanova", leading to All Things Tennant, I have now watched the DVD of "Blackpool" many, many times and am absolutely smitten not only with David Tennant's portrayal of DI Peter Carlisle but with the style and plot of the entire series. What an innovative way to turn the over-used genre of TV crime-fic on its head! Yes, there is more than a nod in the direction of the genius, Dennis Potter, in the way musical numbers are interpolated into the screenplay, but even apart from this, "Blackpool" has such heart and soul that it surely is a delight for jaded TV viewers. I like that we have two male leads who are emotionally and ethically flawed; I like how the Woman is also morally compromised, not some unapproachable madonna figure. I like how the kids are decent enough in so many ways but have their own demons. And don't start me on the support characters! That poor woman and her perpetually upset stomach will haunt me for a long time! I found the sub plot involving the Holden daughter and her older lover tedious and, frankly, I fast-forwarded through many of their scenes, in my quest for more and still more Carlisle moments. But Danny, the Holden son, was a great character, full of paradoxes that were not all resolved, which makes for a nice change, in my opinion. All in all, this is one of my top most favourite TV series of all times. I adore it. I play my favourite scenes often. The leads are all splendid; most of the minor characters have an authentic credibility; the direction is sharp; and the script is wonderful. I love "Blackpool" unreservedly. Well, apart from the daughter and her bloke, both of whom I could easily dispense with. David Tennant is magnificent as Carlisle. He is such a thorough and clever interpreter of a character. Comparing him as Carlisle and as Casanova and as The Doctor, it is so clear that he is 'different' in mannerisms, style and persona in each role. Carlisle is slower or more weary in movement; he's a bit scruffy; he's been burned by life's experiences and it shows. Yet his keen intelligence also shows through, and his propensity for the subtle yet sarcastic comment, often at Ripley Holden's expense, is a delight. Holden's wife, and Carlisle's love-interest, is played by Sarah Parish. She is a skillful actor with a good range and I found her chemistry with both her on-screen husband and her lover to be excellent. She managed to convey the internal conflict of her character very affectingly, while losing none of her essential pragmatism and humour. The moral compromises that all the characters make are real and credible ones, given the plot, and there are no guarantees as to outcome. I liked that.

Highly recommended.

Rab C. Nesbitt: Touch (1993) Season 3, Episode 2

A particular genre of comedy, but essential for David Tennant fans

[7/10 · 20 October 2006]

I really dislike what I have seen of this series. It is a kind of comedy that does not 'travel' well at all, in my opinion, either in time or across national or regional boundaries. It is painfully unsubtle: way too broad, full of rather grotesque characters, and its assault on 'political correctness', which I would normally applaud, and loudly, I found to be often just coarse. This is a TV series that will be found side-splitingly hilarious by some and excruciatingly unfunny by others. That said, the main characters have a reality about them and the performers are usually top-rank and many do their jobs excellently. The setting is effective and the plot scenarios are reasonably workable. As this is a David Tennant board, I will concentrate my remarks on his role as 'Davina', the barmaid. He is sensational. Let there be no mistake about this, nor a sliver of doubt lurking in the corners of anyone's minds. David Tennant, even at an absurdly young age - 22 or 23 - was able to turn in a mature, sensitively nuanced and brilliantly comic performance as the transsexual barmaid, Davina, in this working class Scottish pub,and he is wonderful. Very funny, but in a way that is more restrained and less 'panto' than the often OTT performances of some of the other pub characters. Plus, Costume decreed that Tennant be dressed and made-up like an attractive, if rather conservative, late 20-something woman, and - dammit - he looks far better and more attractive than many women I can think of, despite, in one scene, having his bra hiked up at an angle that any real woman would find excruciating uncomfortable! The punch line in the piece is all Tennant and he delivers magnificently. An often too obvious and, less often funny, script is, at this point, in the hands of a skillful and talented young actor who happens to be very gifted in a variety of acting genres including comedy, making Tennant's final scenes pure magic. I may not want to watch this episode again, but I am glad I did see it once, for Tennant's defining role. This is one actor who has shown great promise since he began in the profession and is worth watching now and in the future, as he grows in maturity as a performer and interpreter.

Being Considered (2000)

No No NO!!!!!!!

[2/10 · 13 October 2006]

I hope, at the end of my life, I am not desperately in need of the 90 or so minutes I spent watching this self indulgent nonsense, cos then I will be really cross! This film is about a chap who has written a film script and has hopes of selling it to Hollywood, or indeed anywhere, where it may be filmed. Along the way, he encounters misfortune, disappointment, a thief, various issues to do with relationships and friendships. Yada yada yada. I have utterly forgotten the names of most of the performers in this film, which - as at least some of them may be wishing they had never taken on the gig - may not be a bad thing.

The main actor, utterly miscast, should just accept the fact he doesn't have the talent or range for the responsibility a lead roll entails. He's a character actor with an apparently strong line in camp mannerisms and should make what use he can of a niche market. I've seen him in other things and, while he always plays more or less the same bitchy character, he is effective enough with a script that calls for such a response. This was not such a one. It needed a proper actor who could also play comedy, not a mannered, limited charicaturist. A couple of recognisable faces utter forgettable and sometimes inane lines. Characters turn up but get little or no chance of development. There is a sort of 'road trip' to Brighton, the purpose of which remains unclear to me. Maybe my attention was wavering at that point. David Tennant, as a possibly dodgy script agent, who may or may not have a hotline to The Suits in big Hollywood production houses, is one of the few whose character and lines make any sense at all, and he gives it his best shot. His couple of scenes are far too short to plug the hole in the foundering raft of this film, but it is nice to see a charismatic and talented actor rise above a vile shirt, unflattering hair style and thick rimmed glasses, while supplying some much needed comic interludes. The DVD I watched came with a gratuitous, lengthy, tedious 'extras' section, hosted by the person responsible for the film. A waste of time, reeking of smugness and a sad lack of awareness. If the film were a 'work in progress', in the hands of somebody learning his craft at film school, there may be some point to it. As it stands, on public release, it's woeful. In short, don't bother with this one. A potentially good idea, still awaiting a more accomplished production and script to bring it to realisation.

Sweetnightgoodheart (2001)

Beware of accepting a dishwasher as a gift

[10/10 · 11 October 2006]

***Contains spoilers*** The excellent David Tennant and his costar from Secret Smile, Kate something or other, are the epitome of a modern yuppie couple. She's a busy hospital doctor and, while it's never made clear how he makes his living, he has several DIY attributes that any busy girl would be glad to see in her bloke! When the film opens, it seems that he is ready to move on from the relationship and is rehearsing to himself acceptable ways of making the break, while waiting for her to return from work. He cooks a nice meal for them, opens a bottle of wine, and sees to some long-neglected household chores. Her return, all unaware of what is in store and thus prone to making the wrong responses, sets the seal on his subsequent dilemma. Add the arrival of her mother with new cushion covers and some bad news; a homicidal electric drill-wielding writer upstairs, and numerous friends and associates who descend on the couple to celebrate and we have a comic gem that builds up a sense of frenzy and confusion. The ending is terrific, in both senses of the word! Highly recommended. The script is clever, the directing and editing worked for me, and the performances are spot on. Enjoy!

Nine 1/2 Minutes (2002)

Speed dating, 21st Century style: Spoilers Possible

[10/10 · 23 September 2006]

May contain spoilers. A few of the perils of the blind date are explored in this interesting and rather surreal comedy. The female character is smug, successful, controlling and domineering and comes to the date with an agenda. Her would-be swain is played by the divine David Tennant in a camel corduroy jacket, so I adored him on sight. Charlie is a less driven personality than she, presenting as someone who is uncomplicated, amusing, ordinarily intelligent, not as risk-averse as she seems to be and perfectly aware that he is being played like a trout on a line. He seems a nice bloke. Rather than wasting her valuable time, finding out the usual way if they are going to be compatible, she suggests that - on this first date- they play out scenarios of what may transpire in their relationship over the next three months. In about 9 minutes, they learn something about each other. What is revealed is often less evident than what is kept hidden. In rapid succession,they go to the movies; they 'get to the sex', but in a G Rated sort of way, for viewers who need to know about this; they break up; they encounter each other again in passing. This film is a quirky little conceit that could fall flat on its face and nearly does once or twice. But it's saved by excellent comic timing and sharp performances from the two leads. It's only fair to give the writer, director and editor some share of the kudos too. Like all good comedies, there is a sting in the tail. Or is there? Watch it and see what you think!

Well worth spending time on this one.

Takin' Over the Asylum (1994)

A wonderful series

[10/10 · 23 September 2006]

What a truly great series this is! Such a pity that it probably won't be released on DVD, due to problems with getting the necessary approval to use some of the songs, according to somebody I asked. The cast is uniformly excellent and the direction, seamless. So many wounded people, but so many with a fire inside them to keep trying to live a life that makes sense! It's a show that made me grind my teeth at the inhumanity of government cost-cutting in the mental health arena. The loonies are by no means the ones inside the asylum.

David Tennant is simply magnificent as the manic, inventive, affectionate, good hearted Campbell Bain. His exchanges with his dad would break your heart.

Thoroughly recommended.

ETA 18.01.14 The DVD has now been available for a few years and contains two eps with audio commentaries. It's wonderful to be able to watch the show again and nothing about it disappoints.

Old Street (2004)

Spoilers possible. An eerie little number

[9/10 · 13 September 2006]

It is hard to avoid letting slip a few spoilers here, given the plot, but I have tried not to ruin it for people. There is enough in the story for different interpretations to carry the day. Ray Winstone plays a working man returning to an underground parking station very late one night, where he had left his vehicle. When he is unable to get out of the place via the boom gate, the empty site and a disembodied voice assume menacing proportions. But there may be more to be scared of here. The Man, played by Winstone, experiences a range of perfectly natural emotions re his dilemma and things turn nasty. Or seem to. Is it happening for real; is it in his head; is the place haunted? Does Retributon strike us all,out of the blue, like this? And for what reason? The wonderful David Tennant, arriving late on the scene, plays the Night Manager. It's a small and possibly thankless role, but I like to think he is representing Sanity and Calm, in comparison with what is induced in Winstone. Whatever, it's lovely to see Tennant and to hear the accent. Yes, I am easily won over. Winstone is also very effective and convincing. All up, a slightly creepy 10 minutes or so. Worth it, though. Shows what a dramatic scenario can be achieved in a short time span, with a decent premise, good performances, atmospheric sets and lighting and snappy editing.

Doctor Who: Doomsday (2006) Season 2, Episode 13

What a great finale!

[10 July 2006]

Loved and cried my way through this episode. Highly satisfactory all round. DT is a truly magnificent actor and a superlative Doctor and Billie was just perfect in the angst of her closing scenes.

And yes, if the Doctor were not such a gabby alien, for whom dozens of words and a gob full of complex sentences are never enough, he *would* have said the three short little words - just 8 letters! - that mean so much! But his two minutes ran out before he was even part the way there.

Rose knew though. Of course she did.

And she is right. She's dead. Dead inside, dead of grief, but dead all the same.

<>SOB<> ETA May 9, 2015. Caught a repeat of this episode on TV a few days ago. Found that I still love it unreservedly. Spent some time noticing how very good Camille Codouri is as Jackie, Rose's mum. I mean, she is REALLY good. And yes, I still cried when Ten closed the breach, leaving a distraught Rose on the other side, locked in the Alt Universe. Thanks, RTD. You are much missed.

<>SOB<>

The Last September (1999)

A worthwhile filmic interpretation of a topic that is so not widely-known outside of Britain and Eire.

[8/10 · 8 July 2006]

Absorbing screen play. Not easy, not especially familiar to many of us but extremely thought-provoking, given the Anglo-Irish theme and the time in which the film is set. An excellent cast led by the magnificent Maggie Smith who simply oozes condescension, snobbery, class-ism and caste-ism, while displaying genuine affection for 'her own kind of people'. The setting of faded yet comfortable gentility is just right and the inclusion of down-on-their-luck relatives rings true also. Keely Hawes creates the right air of fragility, self-absorption and feyness. Her scenes with the admirable Fiona Shaw are powerful and reflect her dawning sense of self and of a desperation to escape, as the story unfolds. And David Tennant? Heartbreakingly real as the young would-be lover and army officer. What a very fine actor he is, despite a rather anaemic and quite unnecessary moustache. So good too to see the excellent Richard Roxburgh, playing Tennant's best pal in the army.

In summary, a film that is worth making the effort to see and to mull over. An auspicious beginning for Deborah Warner.