ppennell2863 Reviews

See How They Run (2022)

See The Mousetrap. Watch 'See How they Run'

[8/10 · 26 May 2024]

I'de watched this film twice and enjoyed it. Then this evening I went to see The Mousetrap (not at The Ambassador theatre actually but just next door at St Martin's).

When I came home I thought it appropriate to give See How They Run another watch.

Oh boy do I now appreciate how clever it is!

A absolute masterpiece.

Yes, ths film is good fun to the average viewer.

But go and see Agatha Christie's masterpiece and *then* watch it and you'll enjoy it all the more.

On top of that it stars Sam Rockwell (Moon, The Green Mile) Reece Shearsmith (Inside Number 9) and the great David O (Selma, Spooks)

Holding: Episode #1.2 (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

It just slowly gets better and better

[8/10 · 19 June 2022]

Absolute prime example of a slow burner.

First episode seemed slow and left be feeling "well that's something to watch, but..." By the end of second episode I'm gripped.

And by the reviews I've read, episode three is going to be a corker.

Eternals (2021)

Bad reviews are good news

[6/10 · 22 January 2022]

I read loads of IDBM reviews on Eternals. Most of them were bad. "Too long and slow"; "too much walking and talking and standing and talking" etc I really was put off even bothering to watch it.

But the good news about bad reviews? They lower your expectations.

I did watch it in the end, mostly just so I could say I'd given it a chance.

And I *DID* enjoy it.

Yes, it's long (maybe too long) And yes it can be slow, in places. But this is the first movie setting up the story of a whole new set of characters - a whole set of characters, not just the usual ONE new hero. It's going to take time to give us a bit of backstory before the kick-ass action comes in.

Personally I enjoyed Eternals. Possibly BECAUSE my expectations were so low thanks to all the bad reviews.

But I'd say, get yourself a large packet of popcorn, bottle of wine, or whatever your viewing companion is, and give it a go.

"The Eternals will return...", so you'd just as we'll get introduced to them now.

Oh and that oh so trumpeted "first gay kiss"?

It's an established couple kissing each other goodbye FGS. Is that really still 'controversial' or even noteworthy in the 21st century?

Black Widow (2021)

Surprisingly good

[8/10 · 8 January 2022]

Wasn't expecting much of Black Widow. I mean, she's an Avenger in name only really isn't she: not like she's got any real superpowers.

But this film is great. Lots of action with a touch of humour as we've come to expect from Marvel ("it still fits!").

Good story. Great character development.

Natasha rocks!

A Christmas Carol (1984 TV Movie)

Typical lush 80s production

[6/10 · 8 January 2022]

I have seen many versions of Scrooge/A Christmas Carol and this one is one of the better ones... Apart from one thing.

EVERYONE is so Well-fed and healthy looking.

Even 'poor' old Bob Cratchitt and his family in their clean bright and spacious home look virtually glamourous. And not as much as a patched shirt or frayed collar among them.

Even the down and outs in the tunnel look like they've never missed a meal.

Just a touch of, or nod towards, realism would have made this version so much better IMO.

Staged: Who the F#!k Is Michael Sheen? (2020) Season 1, Episode 3

Hilarious

[10/10 · 6 July 2020]

To think this was made during lockdown, with each of the actors isolated in their own homes with only their family. This is the funniest TV I have seen in a long while. As for Samuel L Jackson.. well he simply steals the episode he is in. Lockdown easing or not, I really hope they make another series