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Dengler (2015)
Dengler is a cool customer...!
This series recently popped up on PRIME, and, like all Amazon subscribers, we are always in tge hunt for a compelling crime and detection series, esp. Of the Euro flavour. And so we stumble on DENGLER (or PRIVATE DETECTIVE DENGLER), a series about a tall, handsome cop who quits the force to work privately. He is aided by a sidekick that he picks up almost accidentally, Olga, a hacker of renown, who has a warrant on her head for breaking into the wrong cyber files.
Olga (Birgit Minichmayr) has unusual features: pouty lips mixed with an otherwise tough but androgynous appearance. In any other Euro series, Olga & Dengler would be lovers by episode 2, but her steely glare and chain-smoking persona deter that step. I just finished episode 3 and the pair operate like an effective but bickering team.
These somber episodes (we watched no. 3 today) are lengthy and unfold slowly, almost procedurally. Contrast this approach with the Brit series INSPECTOR FROST, in which we see the players, the challenge and FROST's wit all in the first 10 minutes. Ep. 3 DIE SCHÜTZENDE HAND, in which our pair of sleuths are hired by an anonymous client to investigate the outcome of a robbery, takes a long time to get there, but we were locked in anyway. There's quite a twist at the 60-min mark and another just before the credits roll. Be prepared!
The Best of Times (1986)
I always loved this film...
Robin Williams, a lovable loser, is trying to talk Kurt Russell, a former star QB, into replaying a high school championship match years later. Williams dropped an easy (winning) catch in that game, and he's been haunted by it ever since.
"You're not a bad guy," says Kurt "but you're basically full of crap. No, no: that's not true! Even your crap is full of crap!"
"What are you trying to imply?" responds Williams. Delightful.
That, and a hilarious scene where the boys make up with their wives over a Monday night romantic dinner, whilst also sneaking glimpses of Monday night football on a concealed TV, is all you get from me. A great 80's watch.
Actually, I admire the range of Russell playing this guy (a former star afraid to look back) and his tremendous work as Coach Brooks in MIRACLE, the story of the young U. S. Olympic Hockey Champs in 1980. Kurt really MAKES both these films with his excellent characterization, one fictional, one real. Thank you, Kurt (who recently owned a cottage not far from my home in Muskoka, delighting the locals-him, not me!)
Ridley (2022)
Adrian Dunbar always enhances any production ..
Watched all of season 1, season 2 just starting. Dunbar plays a retired detective (Ridley) with good instincts--he gets asked to work on tougher cases as a sort of 'consultant'. (This plot is not unlike the American show CASTLE with the likable Nathan Dillion as an author who helps on homicide cases).
Ridley has another gig as a lounge singer at his local pub, which provides some 'wind down' time for him & the audience. I don't mind it at all. It's different, but refreshing (Clint Eastwood loved to get his character to a jazz piano!). Btw: Dunbar caught my eye as the head of Anti-Corruptuon in the series LINE of DUTY. I used to joke that I wanted him in my corner if I was ever framed
Ridley assists a young D. I. named Farman who has family troubles of her own. He asks the right questions during investigations, and knows the locals well.
Ridley has lost his wife recently--explaining his sullen disposition and the need for a hobby to occupy his time. This is light entertainment absent of bad language or sex scenes. Refreshing.
Season 2 opens with a two-parter involving kids who pull off a jewellery heist, but fall apart afterwards.
Craith (2018)
Where's the sub-titles?
Ok. Only 1/10 of one percent percent of the people on the planet speak Welsh so you really have to ask yourself. Why are they running scene after scene (Season 2, 3) speaking in Welsh anyway without subtitles? The settings are good and the characters are well-portrayed but once again we can not understand any of they're saying because they're speaking Welsh? Why did nobody figure this one out?
Btw: there are subtitles for sounds & noises, and English dialogue, which we don't really need. That's clear enough. I know I watched at least a part of this series a few years back. I have a feeling I already lodged this beef--if so, my hearty apologies!
The Decameron (2024)
Black Adder on steroids....
This series will NOT be to everyone's liking, but if you watched Black Adder portrayed by Mr Bean (especially the one where he executes a guy that the daffy Queen later pardons), you will love this wacky series set in Europe in the mis-1300's (yes, there was a plague that killed millions).
The series opens with several characters travelling from a disease-infected city to the countryside villa of a wealthy noble. One somewhat homely female (past the usual age of marriage) is delighted to be betrothed to this noble. Sadly, he is 'dead upon arrival', leaving the bizarre assorted characters to find romantic attachments with whoever is available, whether they have genuine financial prospects, or not.
Some dark and AA content. Watch at own risk.
Sweet Dreams (2024)
Promising premise, but...
.. the F words start at the outset, and get more numerous in the first half hour. (At which point I quit). Too bad, because the poor 'leading character trying to reform for a good purpose' can be a fun premise (goes back at least to CAT BALLOU 1965, for
which Lee Marvin won an Oscar). I am sorry to say that Script Writers should just write meaningful stories, and Actors should just act, instead of spouting out this trash.
Thats all I want to say, but IMDB insists on 600 words, which is silly really, since some flicks csn be summed up in 300, good or bad.
Finally, a word to the Producer: casting was superb! These guys looked tough snd beaten down. You didn't need the profanity.
After the Flood (2024)
Interesting take, as Law Enforcement blurs the lines...
A pregnant constable, Jo, acts heroically to rescue an infant during torrential rains and flooding. She has been promoted to Trainee Detective at the same time, and, after finding a dead murder victim in an elevator, she is keen to investigate. Too keen, perhaps, as she runs an unauthorized DNA check on the corpse, in haste.
Here's an interesting plot point: apparently, the DNA check, to a PRIVATE database (nothing turned up on the Police version) is ILLEGAL (???) in U. K.--hence, she faces dismissal and even jail time, if caught. Is that true? Maybe in England, but we see historical cases being solved in USA & Canada via those sources. So, the notion that the submission by an officer is a felony seems bizarre. Anyway, she gets a 'hit' and that drives the rest of the story.
I like these Euro 6-part series (3 or 4 is better), but even they can't resist the filler (including needless profanity) that better writers could skip. Nonetheless, good performances by Sophia Rundle (Jo), Lorraine Ashbourne (as her crusading Mom, Jonas Armstrong (her spouse & shifty fellow cop, Lee) and, one of my favs, PHIL GLENISTER, as a shifty contractor, who cuts corners to keep his head above water, wgilst citizens are sinking BELOW water.
The wrap-up is quite unique, with a few characters embroiled in borderline (or serious) violations. What to do? Leave it at that, or run a second season? I'm happy to believe that we can just tie it up THERE and draw our own conclusions --not that easy to predict!
Unfrosted (2024)
C' mon, folks: it's a hoot!
Seinfeld's saturical take-off of the 60's breakfast cereal craze is a fun romp! Ignore the 'bored' reviews by the whiners here at IMDB & enjoy the cast of funny people: Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, etc .. and more!
The story of the competition that arose once 'poptarts' was marketed is delightful! I found the gags induced more smiles & chuckles than outright belly-laughs-maybe that's what the detractors are squawking about. But this film is
more like a slapstick 1930's film than a so-called modern comedy, with bare bums and cursing!
I was knocked out when Kellogs hires 5 acclaimed pros (incl. Jack LaLane!) to assist with a product launch. It turns out none of them know anything about breakfast cereals! We call this 'concept humour'. Enjoy it with the kids!
Freelance (2023)
Will pass some time on a Cruise Ship...
On Cruise ships, available vids are slim pickens if you prefer quality PG-13 films or stuff from the Golden Age 1930-40's. The topics are the same, but the writers now include F-words to make the film 'more real'. On that basis, FREELANCE was one of my few 'borderline' choices as John Cena stars as a lawyer turned Navy Seal turned married lawyer turned body guard to a journalist off to interview a reclusive dictator.
I like the pace of the start-we go through those career flips in a matter of minutes. I must comment on the conduct of Cena's pretty wife: she calls for a marital split after their daughter has a controversial incident at school. Well, he'a been hired out as a bodyguard by an old friend-so, why not? I don't like to see marital ties discarded so easily, even in an action-com, as it makes women look petty & short-sighted, even if it facilitates the plot a bit. Find another way (an ORIGINAL way).
Other than that, good performances by Cena and Alison Brie (the reporter). Pretty cinematography. Fills a couple hours while my girls go to the spa & leave Grandad in peace on this cruise. Ho hum.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
I liked D'Arcy from the git-go...
All I knew about the series when it appeared on PBS in /95 was that the Bennet girls encounter 2 young men of fortune, one they like & one they don't (D'arcy). Despite that, I was drawn to the D'arcy guy from the beginning, despite his hard edges. He struck me as a straight-forward no nonsense kind of guy and my family is from Yorkshire ('folks speak plainly where I come from')-so, we hit it off!
A couple of scenes strike me: Lizzie Bennet walks to the home where her sister is a guest and gets her boots all muddy. When D'arcy sees her, he is shocked (and aroused, according to the witty screenplay writer). Later in the story, D'arcy looks out his window & sees Lizzie playing with an enormous dog, quite unlike all the proper young ladies of 'society'. Yup.. She's the one for me, he inaudibly says.
Later, after a vigorous fencing lesson, he remarks, I will get over this (Lizzie). No, you won't, says I. And I was right.
Best of all: D'arcy's wealthy aunt comes to scold Lizzie & order her to NOT accept a marriage proposal from D'arcy. That aint happening, old lady, replies Lizzie, who speaks for Jane Austen & thousands of middle-class females who were bullied into withdrawal in that era.
If I ever encounter Jane, I will show her that last scene. You see, Jane, we getcha!
Shogun (2024)
If you liked the Chamberlain /81 series, you will love this, too!
After episodes 1 and 2, I dug for The 'original' with Richard Chamberlain, king of mini-series, and acquired the 6-Dvd set (I just reviewed it at IMDB). So, typically, a remake is usually inferior, eh? Not so this time! ANJIN-san is well-played by a Liam Neeson cutout called COSMO JARVIS (not Kramer). The actor for the Toronaga warlord must be a relative of the original, or maybe a cyber- preserved same guy from 1981?
Since I never read the lengthy book( historical fiction), I cant help you with that comparison, but the screenplay is written with less need for sub- titles or Orson Welles narration. (The old entry had lengthy speeches that were unexplained--unless you spoke Japanese). The Eastern customs and manners are quite ancient and clash with Western. Anjin-san, our fiery protagonist, must sort these out, if he hopes to survive.
Toronaga, his 'sponsor warlord ' has a similar struggle on his hands, and finds Anjin a useful ally. Well, as the Eagles say, You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.
10/10 fantastic! Tnx Disney!
Shogun (1980)
Approaches the narrative differently than the new Disney series...
I watched this series (based on Clavell's novel-historical fiction) with Richard Chamberlain twice in the 80's, the 2nd time with helpful voiceover from Orson Welles (the first time, my well-read brother provided a similar narrative of the obscure cultural points). Chamberlain did a few great pieces: Thorn Birds, Count of Monte Cristo, Wallenburg, (original) Bourne Identity...
I've only started the new Disney entry, which has the benefits of first-class production values. Nevertheless, this 1981 entry has an early 'sailing vessel in a storm' sequence that was quite lifelike. I find Chamberlain excellent in his role as 'Thorndike' or 'Anjin-san' (the pilot), who thinks he is guiding his own destiny on Japanese soil in 1600, but in reality, his boss Toranaga (who wants to be the SHOGUN, or supreme military commander) is pulling all the strings. A funny scene has a tipsy Anjin-san singing a sea ditty in sing-speak, but Chamberlain actually had a great singing voice.
I decided to re-watch this earlier series first-so, I hunted the DVD Collector Set on Amazon. Love it! (I cannot stomach seeing 1 episode per week on streaming services myself.)
Anyway, even if you like the new version, I recommend you try the 'original'.
10/10 Chamberlain=King of Mini-series!! (And alive, turning 80, in 2024!)
Battle of the Sexes (2017)
A bit dated on the feminist theme, but informative nonetheless
Steve Carey is marvellous here as the egocentric Bobby Riggs, a 55-year old hustle artist, who caught the Western world at the right time in the early 70's. Sadly, he spent too much time before the big match (with Billie Jean King) doing promo work, instead of conditioning.
Speaking of Ms. King, Emma Stone is terrific as the insecure Ms. King, although Emma's great female beauty is ramped down here so that Ms. King resembles a librarian with a good backhand. A lot of the early script is devoted to her attraction to her hairdresser, when, in fact, King was already married to a drop-dead male, her 'high-school sweetheart'. Not shown is the later tragic cost of this dalliance, in marriage AND dollars.
The tennis action is limited but well-done. How Riggs managed earlier with such powder puff groundstrokes to beat Aussie Marg Court is a mystery, but Billie Jean was a girl on a mission and was made of sterner stuff.
Female athletes today are paid much better, even if lower than guys. I note the PWHL has launched this year, with TV coverage and moderate success. At least, the ladies are being paid better --this film explains ( partly anyway) why. No language I recall, but some cuddling twixt Billie and the hairdresser -- pass or FF, whatever suits you. 7/10. 8 if they'd had more tennis!
Don't Worry Darling (2022)
I am 2/3s the way through.. and huh?
No spoilers here, because I have no answers for you. I think my opinion is different from most, however: Florence Pugh is fantastic, of course, but I have no idea what she is upset about. The married couples live in some kind of Ariz. Or Nevada 'hot all year' and the husbands work at a top-secret government facility doing who knows what (nuclear weapon development, germ warfare? Haven't found out yet!).
Yes, the team leader is very materialistic and somewhat hedonistic-but his workers enjoy a great lifestyle in this desert community. Pugh and one or two other wives seem to fall out of favour, Pugh herself having weird episodes & fantasies (apparently). Is this re-working of the STEPFORD WIVES? I will finish up and see how this compelling mystery resolves itself. Warning: 2 needlessly explicit early scenes to skip over (Can't anyone just kiss anymore, like they did in the 30's?).
7/10 so far.
Fool Me Once (2024)
These 8-parters ALL seem to drag...
We liked FOOL ME ONCE a bit more than the IMDBers who hated it. Here's the thing: I love wings, as in 10. I cant eat 25. FOOL ME is 8 episodes-probably 4 too long. I have watched the occasional 8-part mystery that was so compelling, I would have watched 40! But these Harlan Corbin suspense things? Not so much. You can deal with a bit of 'filler'-episodes that are 70% filler are tedious. Not that the acting, or cinematography are poor--these items are quite decent. Doesn't help, though, if you are filming paint as it dries.
I wanted to compare this series to the excellent BRIT series KAREN PIRIE (3-parter), also a suspense series: in FOOL ME, a military wife investigates 2 suspicious family deaths. PIRIE is about a 25-yr old cold case (Rosie, a 19-yr old barmaid) assigned to a youngish DS. In the first episode, we see several plot developments, including a hit-and-run murder of a key witness, and the fact that Rosie had a child out of wedlock at age 16, subject child still alive, dad unknown. We are rolling! FOOL ME meanders about for 4 episodes, introducing so-called suspects and red herrings. The big hook is that the dead husband is seen by his widow on a nanny-cam. After 4 chapters, I am trying skipping to Ep.7 (I tried this successfully with other 'bulky' shows. Guess what? It works!)
6/10 barely: for some interesting moments, and some cute kids, and a pretty protagonist.
Bit of language, no skin so far! Tnx, Netflix for releasing all episodes for binge viewing!
Update Jan 27/24
Ok.. finished series. I want to downgrade to 4. No spoilers, but I cannot abide the horrendous script defects (see below). Another problem: in the end, NONE of the major characters were likeable! I make reference to THE FUGITIVE below: recall how much we liked the Richard Kimble character? He is brave, resourceful, dutiful (he risks capture by helping a kid in Emerg get into surgery). This series: Fool me Once? 'Hope I never see you again' is better title.
1) Maya determines that her husband (part of the wealthy Burkette family) was involved in some nasty things, possibly murder, and covering up the negative results of drug trials of interest to the Burkettes. Hold on-that ploy was used 3 decades ago in the FUGITIVE remake, with Harrison Ford. In a nutshell: huge drug companies release a new 'miracle drug' that bombs during testing. Company then hides the test results to ensure the drug goes to market. Greed, corruption for sure! Problem is: if the drug is bad, eventually, you get caught, and then sued, and then nailed for bribery, etc. In reality, big companies want to market QUALITY drugs that will earn big profits and NOT kill people. Why? Because they make more millions that way, and no one goes to jail. (Maybe, in other ways, they are cold & ruthless). This plot device is thin-and worn.
MINI-SPOILER
2) In the reveal, Maya (a tough, deadly shot herself) outwits a killer by removing the bullets from THEIR gun-then, returning fire. Another plot hole: experienced gunmen KNOW when a revolver is empty (they know by the weight). There are other ways to construct a scene like this, while crediting the audience with an IQ above the average water temperature.
I haven't read the novel, but, if Harlan is writing flimsy plot devices like these, it's time to re-evaluate his output, and take a night school course on mystery writing at the local community college.
Reyka (2021)
Reyka is neither virtuous nor admirable...
...But we are stuck with her! Reyka is single-mom and profiling detective in racially-divided S. African setting, which was a fresh one for me.
She is stubborn and reckless, but her profiling skills are decent and the force is chasing a serial killer who operates in these colossal cane fields. There is another plot line involving a guy who abducted her as a young teen. She escaped after a few years and the culprit was locked up. Nearing parole, he continues to try to insert himself into her life-and Reyka displays poor character by not rejecting his plots. (This continues into Season 2, after Reyka stumbles into arresting the Season 1 criminal).
Season 2, Reyka does 3 questionable things:
1) she dates a married colleague
2) she chases a dangerous LOVER LANE killer, passes up an easy shot to disable him in flight, and then dives into the seaside at a wharf to arrest him (bad idea-how do arrest a larger man, no cuffs or life preserver? 'Hey you, Under Arrest!! Swim back to shore with me right NOW!!).
3) she relents and allows a small-time hooker to keep her endangered teen daughter
This is evidence of poor or very under-researched scriptwriting. However, I will finish season 2 as Reyka has an 'everyman' appeal: she is TRYING to do the right thing, but she makes dumb choices, (almost) like we do! I hope she catches this miserable killer who preys on couples in Lovers Lane.
Bridge of Spies (2015)
Hanks delivers again in a memorable role...!
Thank goodness Hanks continues to pick juicy, meaningful roles to play after 30 years of memorable film-making (ok: his chubby corrupt ELVIS manager wasn't so great.. but no one bats 1.000 in this game).
Hanks here plays Jim Donavan, the NY insurance lawyer designated to negotiate an exchange of a convicted Russian spy (whom he had defended in court) for Gary Powers, an American pilot shot down in Soviet territory. Not so easy to do walking around a recently-bricked up city of East Berlin. STASI (East-German nasty secret police) and the KGB were ruthless & unpredictable.
Hanks portrays a firm, but fair man in an under-stated but convincing manner. Other actors are at top of their game, as well. Since most 'kids' under 30 are scant in their knowledge of the COLD WAR, I almost think the film should be 'must-view' in High School history classes!
Excellent 10/10.
Het gouden uur (2022)
Its not perfect, but it's a great Series..
An Afghani-born police officer (Mardik) in the Dutch police is implicated wrongfully in a terrorist plot, that appears to involve dissident middle-Eastern villains. (Their motives are unclear, but plain revenge against Western powers is alluded to).
The story contains one of my favorite plot devices: the crossover character!! In this case, a sort of Internal Affairs cop (female, bossy, unlikeable) switches from chasing our hero of the story to helping him recover his family from another ruthless investigator. That guy is as bad as the terrorists who shoot up innocent people in a mall.
I agree the acting is suspect in places, as are the long drawn-out attacks, but the Director takes time to 'flesh out' several secondary characters. The kind of attacks we see may, sadly, become more numerous in this violent day and age. A handful of ruthless sociopaths can do major damage.
Might add: the story's attack in a mall reminds me that in Israel, well-armed security forces apparently check you 3 times: exiting the car, entering the Mall, and as you window shop! Holland may not be as vigorous-hence the relative (and tragic) ease of the caper.
No sexual activity so far (5.5 episodes in), but several stomach-turning shootings, and a volley of (stupid) F words. Buyer beware. But 9/10 anyway.
A Murder at the End of the World (2023)
Fun murder mystery-script isn't so cohesive..
Ok. There's a big reveal in the final frame of Ep. 4. (No, I wont tell you). However, the (2) two murders that take place 'at the end of the world' (Iceland, to be exact) are not really explained, either. For that, you will need Season 2, a tactic employed only by the most cynical of Scriptwriters.
We also meet our author/amateur detective/cold case investigator, DARBY as she, and a buddy, in Ep.1, check the basement of an abandoned house for evidence of a serial killer they've been tracking. Somehow, a real killer shows up armed & fires, but the kids escape. We get no explanation for that either.
Anyway, what started as a spectacular trip involving Darby, a noted hacker & other world crisis experts to a luxury resort in the far north, becomes a murder mystery with several detours BACK into DARBY's previous exploits, per se. The scenery is spectacular and the acting is first class. Just dont expect much light on the bizarre events we encounter.
The Old Man (2022)
Great start.. gets a bit chatty after that..
Jeff Bridges is the 'old man', a disenfranchised CIA Operative who (somehow) has been living off-grid for some time. He has 2 loyal, clever dogs who bail him out of a few scrapes.
I am on Episode 5 now, and I honestly dont recall why a conflict develops between Bridges and incumbent CIA bigwig, John Lithgow, but Lithgow dispatches major tough guys to take him out. Bridges is old, but no easy target, as it turns out. Bridges on the run also picks up a female partner, Zoe, who, despite being a beginner, is very helpful in the unfolding espionage game that ensues.
I can see why some viewers complain about muddled developments in the middle episodes, but, if I like the characters, I will overlook some shortfalls in the pacing of the story.
The performances are all good, esp. Bridges. Lithgow is fine as the 'torn' anti-hero, but maybe is just given too much to say. Overall, I rate it 8/10.
Chance (2016)
Laurie is back in the HOUSE again!
This 2016 series popped up on Apple and Disney. Anything with Hugh Laurie will be good and I dug in. He plays a kind of forensic psychiatrist (Eldon Chance) with (naturally) a troubled past. His marriage is ending & his teen daughter is 'acting out'.
Most troubling, however, is his relationship with JACLYN, an alluring blond patient who is married to an allegedly abusive homicide detective. A battle of wits ensues between Laurie & the Cop, who is determined to hang on to his spouse, and sends a few not-so-subtle messages to Laurie, who refuses to back down.
Now, the viewer has a dilemma: who's nuts here?
We see the Cop get medals for bravery and interview witnesses very professionally. Is he really a crooked cop & wife abuser? Is HE the con artist or the WIFE? Why doesn't Chance give it up? Is he hooked like some tragic anti-hero in a Hitchcock plot?
This is Season 1 and I hope to get answers before it ends. Cant help you on Season 2 yet, but I will warn you: be prepared to BINGE-big time. Like the character CHANCE, we are IN & refuse to let go.
Terrific performances all around! Why did HULU let this franchise go?
Update Nov/23: just finished Season 2, which IMHO matches or exceeds Season 1 in quality. No skin to speak of, the 4-letter words appear periodically, but the plot twists are uncanny. I liked it a bit more than Season 1, and a smart Producer would resurrect the series, if Laurie was willing (ahhhh, but many also wait for the FIREFLY series to re-appear-sadly, Nathan Filion has shown no ambition to front the 10 mill$ production costs!) and possibly inclined to fund the project? 9/10
9/10.
Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937)
Fun! Talent! Bigger budget Eleanor Powell vehicle...
I had the MGM boxset of BROADWAY MELODY 1936 & 1938 sitting here collecting dust til I realized.. yup: haven't watched them yet. The 2nd entry includes Sophie Tucker (whom I saw on talk shows in the 60's) and a young Judy Garland (prior to WIZARD OF OZ) who famously sings YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU to a portrait of Clark Gable.
Other contributors: Buddy Ebsen, as a hayseed hoofer; Robert Taylor, as a (of course) HANDSOME Producer, and the nominal star, Eleanor Powell, again as a talented but unknown Class A dancer. This flick had more plot than the other musicals AND more humorous elements, all wrapping up with the BIG SHOW finale. What's interesting?
MGM had glitzier costumes & sets, but I'd still rank them only a close 2nd to RKO & Busby Berkely & Astaire. Why? Ginger Rogers was prettier than Powell, more fun to watch. Not that she danced better than Powell-she just LOOKS more girlfriend than dance instructor. You watch FLYING DOWN TO RIO-Rogers is sassy & yummy. Powell is kind of a pretty aunt.
Astaires dance choreography & sets were simple, compared to MGMs, but somehow, more intimate. Powell is a virtuoso and a delight-but her stuff is more 'formal'. When Astaire joined her in /40, his tap was terrific, but it wasnt as much fun as ISNT IT A LOVELY DAY.
I really liked /38-but it's different creature than Astaire & Rogers. 8/10.
The Burial (2023)
Foxx & Tommy Lee and a great supporting crew!
This popped up on PRIME and what a surprise! A terrific cast and a great real-life story about a civil case involving the sale of a portion of a funeral home chain, in the deep South.
Do yourself a favor & do not look up the case and let the excellent screenplay unfold. At first, it looks like Willie Gary (Foxx) will steamroll over the Defendant, called Loewen, but there are a few stumbling blocks. The other side has their own hotshot coloured lawyer, Ms. M Downes (played brilliantly by young Jurnee Smollett).
However, some excellent digging by the Plaintiff team and a courtroom scene reminiscent of RUNAWAY JURY leads to a shocking conclusion.
Well done, guys .. 9/10!
(Note: no skin, but a bit of old boy cussin').
Flying Down to Rio (1933)
Great pre-code Escapist excitement with Astaire & Rogers
"What have these South Americans girls got below the Equator that we haven't got?" Just one of the snappy lines in this pre-code gem, delivered by a classic ditzy blonde. Speaking of which, Ginger Rogers is transcendent herself as a wise-cracking blond band singer. Check out the impressive negligee over sleepwear she sports for her first musical number, MUSIC MAKES DO (THE THINGS I NEVER SHOULD DO). Yes, there are several pretty sights in this flick, including the enchanting Delores Del Rio, but Ginger takes a back seat to none of them.
This film would launch the dance team of Astaire & Rogers, even though they were just secondary players, to everyone's surprise. But, apparently, for all the (sensual) dance routines in FLYING..., including the extended CARIOCA, once the film audiences saw Fred & Ginger, they wanted more, more, more! (I read once that patrons in U. S. theatres stood up, cheered and applauded during their 2 dance 'bits').
I like their stuff, the sassy dialogue, and the pretty girls.. we saw a bit of this in the pair's next project THE GAY DIVORCÉE, made just around the time of the rigid Code onset. Later, Ginger progressed to sophisticated semi-tepid womanhood and the jokes became drier and not as funny, even if the dance routines (and her wardrobe) soared to new heights.
Oops! Almost forgot: The postcard 'wipe transitions' of Rio pics were leading-edge for the day and the combo of band playing/girls-strapped-to-wings was WAY ahead of the times. The film also benefits from early talkie 'quick cuts' to get to the next scene, a ploy imitated by Seinfeld writers/editors decades later. This tactic saves the Production staff a lot of grief when they can't come up with 4 or 5 more lines to wrap up a scene. Here, we see a quick fade-out after Gene Raymond gently paddles Del Rio as recompense for slapping his cheeky face. Enough said. Move on.
Yes, I am glad the CODE kept softcore porn & bad language OUT of Hollywood movies for about 30 years (1934-1964 approx), but fun, sassy stuff like FLYING.. reminds us that Victorian values mixed with a bit of fun and wisecracks had their place, too.
Gray (2023)
5 reasons why this is stupid....
1. The CIA Higher-ups decide to reactivate Gray (Patricia Clarkson), middle-aged, slightly-built lady to find a sleeper agent. Gray has been in hiding for 20 years, but they finally found her running a quiet flower shop. Sure.
2. The CIA (actually a Special sub-branch) lost 4 'secret agents' in a month. Crisis! Someone is leaking identities! Oh, no? Sorry: the Cold War is over. In these kinds of battles, most 'blown' agents are held & exchanged for other captured agents. That includes Jewish and Muslim agents in Israel, btw. Dead bodies are NOT currency.
3.. And who'd be stupid enough to eliminate 4 in a month? Talk about advertising you have a 'mole'.
4. Gray claims she has CONTACTS. Really? I thought she was in hiding for 20 years.
5. Ms. CLARKSON, fine actor, is built like an old maid Library Teacher at an Elementary school. We keep hearing talk about how lethal she is-the most dangerous thing she could do would be taking too many blood-thinner pills. Did I mention she also has a thug agent trying to follow her around (because they don't trust her?).
I am afraid this show is another in a long line of poorly-written American 'spy/suspense/thriller' series, with no bearing in reality whatsoever. Writers are not basing their storylines on real cases, or actual systems/structures, but on plots contrived previously BY OTHER WRITERS. OR maybe Screenplay software? Makes sense. None of these guys seems to know more about real Intelligence Agents or Agencies than I do, and all I did was read a few books by Le Carré or Forsythe! Apple needs to hire those Scandi or Euro-Noir writers, who seem to know what a real thriller or espionage story looks like.