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Reviews
Death on the Nile (2022)
Fabulous on the eye but..
Devotees of the Ustinov version of this Christie novel (I am one), may be disappointed. That version had scenery, superb humour and outstanding performances from a diamond cast and came over as hugely entertaining. Whilst this is beautifully shot, I can't help thinking that Branagh overcooks it and there are poorly cast actors elsewhere. Also there are a couple of moments that look just wrong. That said, if you're seeing this story for the first time, it'll definitely hold your attention.
The Gentlemen (2019)
Funny and highly entertaining
There was a time when I thought Hugh Grant was typecast as the recycled lead in Four Weddings. This is one outing where you see that he has other sides and it's brilliant. It's a stylish, screenplay with a fabulous script and, even watching for the second time, I hugely enjoyed it. My favourite Guy Ritchie film at the moment.
The Tourist (2022)
Oh dear lord
I'm not sure who I'd lock up first, the script writer or the director. The dialogue is torturously ponderous and at times, beyond banal. It has glimpses of humour but much is cringeworthy. If they took out the pauses between the actors speaking, they could reduce it to three hours from six. The less said about the ludicrous Dornan LSD trip sequence in episode 5 the better. I persevered but I've no real idea why. Six hours I won't get back.
Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Full of promise but then..
Oh dear. If the type of drama/thriller where you have to delve into fantasy is your bag, then stick to Harry Potter. The denouement is just insane. The trouble is, you waste a good four hours finding that out. Dreadful.
The Undoing (2020)
Superbly made glossy drama.
Fabulously made and cast, this drama catches you after about 45 minutes of episode one. The acting is, as you'd expect, excellent, but the awards will deservedly go to Sutherland who positively crackles through his on screen moments. In a scene I won't spoil, I almost broke into spontaneous applause. Nothing is as it appears and, whilst only halfway through, I already know enough to predict that this will be loved by those who invest their viewing time in it.
Normal People (2020)
Superbly crafted series
I've lost count of how many times someone has tried to make a series like this and failed laughably. This is a stand-out classy drama, where all the pitfalls are skilfully avoided. The acting is superb, brilliantly shot, sensitively directed but with a pacing which makes sure you feel every emotion laid out before you. An absolute must see.
Extraction (2020)
Clumsy acting, bonkers plot.
Well it's action packed for sure, which is just as well because the few quiet scenes expose the mind-numbingly poor acting. I lost count, to the nearest hundred, of the body count by the end, and similarly, the wrecked vehicles, which you have to tally against what the subject of the film was, hence my comments re the plot. All of that said, if relentless 'chase' and 'shoot-em-ups' are your bag, you'll definitely find the two hours running time to be worth it.
Kajaki (2014)
Very hard to watch
I'll admit I didn't finish it. Whilst the graphic nature of the depiction of injuries is fully in context, the hopelessness of the situation is heartbreaking. It brings home the stark reality of battlefield trauma and, so well is this film presented, the audience lives it. I wish I could have stuck with it but just could not.