esusansmith Reviews

Baby, It's Cold Inside (2021 TV Movie)

Could have been a good movie

[3/10 · 9 May 2021]

Interesting location. I've never considered visiting an Ice Hotel, but this place looks magical. Having said that, the hotel and Steve Lund are the ONLY things this stinker have going for it. Lead actress has zero personality, and should consider going back to acting school. Don't waste your time.

Robin Hood (2018)

A wealth of good actors

[3/10 · 21 April 2021]

But even they couldn't save this clunker. Finally found something that Mr. Jamie Foxx can't do - a British accent (at least I think that's what he was going for). Not sure why I gave it a 3, pity, maybe? I'm at the one hour mark, trying to hold out for the last 58 minutes..........

Fit for a Prince (2021 TV Movie)

Pizza on the worktable?

[5/10 · 7 March 2021]

This movie was humming along at about "7" until the workroom scene where the re-designed dresses were being hastily ( impossibly) constructed. Not only is Cindy eating pizza while working, she also has placed the greasy box right on the cutting table, proving herself to be dumber than a box of rocks and completely not worthy of operating a design firm. And the accents! Please, Hallmark, get some true Brits.

An Actor Prepares (2018)

Neither funny nor original

[3/10 · 24 January 2021]

Perusing the Amazon "recommended" movies, I came across this. With two superb actors, Irons and Huston, how could I go wrong? It was bad from the start, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and continued on. There are now 13 minutes left, and the only thing keeping me watching is curiosity about the wedding, ostensibly the reason for this misguided trip. Oh gentlemen, what were you thinking? I can only hope that perhaps a big payday was involved.

The Christmas Waltz (2020 TV Movie)

The Joy of Dance

[10/10 · 29 November 2020]

Seems like Hallmark went out of their comfort zone on this truly delightful movie. Not a hot cocoa, town square, wedding planner or tree-lighting in site, and yet they managed to produce a lovely, (dare I say) mature Christmas movie. Brava, Lacy, on your dancing. Surely there were hours of rehearsal, and your hard work was evident in the moving dance sequences. But now to the real star of the show, the multi-talented Will Kemp. He's been in a number of Hallmark movies, but this is the first time his exquisite dancing expertise was showcased. His routine on the sidewalk was reminiscent of Gene Kelly dancing in the rain, and shows off Will's ability outside of the ballroom. The final dance to Christmas Waltz was breathtaking. Thank you, Will Kemp, for allowing me a Christmas dream. And thank you, Hallmark, for by far the best movie of the season.

Five Star Christmas (2020 TV Movie)

Who knew?

[8/10 · 28 November 2020]

Don't think I've ever given an 8-star review to a Hallmark movie. But there were no 20-something wedding planners, that ALONE was worth 6 stars. And who knew that Bethany Joy could sing? Wonderful voice!

NCIS: Los Angeles: War Crimes (2020) Season 12, Episode 2

Thank you NCIS LA

[9/10 · 16 November 2020]

There's hope for this series after all. Heavy story line with almost none of the silliness and cutesy drivel of last season.

The Price (I) (2017)

I wanted to like this movie

[5/10 · 30 August 2020]

But I just couldn't. Slow -moving but still predictable. Too bad.

The Sapphires (2012)

Great movie!

[10/10 · 2 July 2020]

Just caught this on Netflix - knew nothing about it, but I watch every Chris O'Dowd performance I can. Unusual story, and so meaningful for those of us who grew up in the Vietnam war (with friends who lost their lives there). So interesting to get some background on the folks who entertained the troops. And the MUSIC! Great representation of "our" music, "Soul Music", as Dave calls it. Do watch it.

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)

Thank goodness for the magnificent Dan Stevens............

[2/10 · 1 July 2020]

The only saving grace in this ridiculous movie. Listening to his Russian accent almost made it worth the 2 hours of my life I wasted. Dan and Rachel McAdams have amazingly good voices. This movie just wasn't my cup of tea.

Isn't It Romantic (2019)

So why did I watch it?

[7/10 · 18 May 2020]

Typically full of potty-mouth dialogue, silliness, in fact, the type of movie I'd NEVER watch. So why did I? Don't really know, but couldn't take my eyes off it. Made me happy, I guess.

NCIS: The Arizona (2020) Season 17, Episode 20

So happy to see a new NCIS episode worthy of the name

[10/10 · 15 April 2020]

Touching, powerful, dramatic, with none of the silliness so prevalent in the past few seasons. Chris Lloyd deserves an Emmy. And Gibbs' scenes with McGee, and on the Arizona were stunning. Bravo, and thanks to the NCIS team for a perfect episode.

Creation (I) (2009)

Based on book, "Annie's Box"

[9/10 · 18 October 2019]

Caught my eye more for the cast than any particular interest in Darwin. So glad I watched it. Poignant, elegant, sad, heartbreaking, with superb music. A fine movie, and one for the whole family.

Jeff Lynne's ELO: Wembley or Bust (2017)

Pure JOY on the faces of 60,000 at Wembley

[10/10 · 25 September 2019]

Not exactly sure why I recorded this programme. While I knew some of ELO'S "greatest hits" , this wasn't really my mind of music. After watching it, I realise the genius of Jeff Lynne and his band mates. The music, both melody and lyric, is perfection. If this isn't "hip" enough for you musically, don't bother to watch. If you appreciate how music can actually move you, whether it's singing along, bringing tears at a particularly sweet guitar riff, or jumping up to dance because you can't STOP yourself (Roll Over Beethoven!), this is a show for you. Enjoy!

Upside Down (I) (2012)

Save two hours of your life for something else

[2/10 · 25 September 2019]

Not even for the lovely Jim Sturgess could I watch more than 20 minutes of this drivel. But his American accent was quite good.

The Secret Scripture (2016)

Haunting, but so very probable

[9/10 · 14 September 2019]

I'd originally no desire to see this movie, based upon the skimpy description on imbd. But I looked further into it, saw the list of accomplished actors, and decided to watch it. This is a nearly perfect movie- storyline, plot, casting, acting, screenwriting, cinematography, locations, sets, costumes, and music-oh, the music, drew me in from the start. So much of it could well have been true, I'm sure many Irish-Catholic girls were in Rose's situation. It was penetrating, heartbreaking, pitiful, sorrowful, but ultimately beautiful. And what REALLY did happen to her? I loved everything about this film.

Europe's Last Warrior Kings (2017)

Ancient England's History

[8/10 · 24 August 2019]

Well-researched, interesting docu-drama. Good actors, sets, costumes. I've learned more about history from this type of film than in all my years at school.

Mission of Honor (II) (2018)

Waste of talented actors

[5/10 · 13 August 2019]

Tedious and dissapointing. Could have been so much more.

When the Starlight Ends (2016)

Better to imagine "When the Starlight (might) End"

[2/10 · 13 August 2019]

Everything, from the odd script, to Sam's fake beard, to his lighting cigarettes every other scene, and his truly awful American accent- made this movie truly painful to watch. I gave it 2 stars only because I tried to place myself in his shoes and imagine that he MUST have found something worthwhile in it.

Oranges and Sunshine (2010)

Truly Unbelievable, and not in a good way.....

[8/10 · 26 April 2019]

There aren't enough adjectives to describe the horror that this movie teaches us about. The fact that the formal "apology" came from PM Gordon Brown, just nine years ago in 2010, is appalling. How any group of people, be they from the government or the orphanages, could have turned a blind eye, much less actually instigated and/or been involved in this scheme, is beyond comprehension. I pray that the victims, the 130,000 children and their families, somehow find peace.