stephenmcur Reviews

Dead Ringers (2023)

Wow - innovating and emotional

[10/10 · 30 April 2023]

I saw things in this series that I have never seen on film and tv. And after the initial shock, I thought 'that's quite appropriate'. But it will blow the minds of some people.

But the whole story of the two sisters goes from entertaining and funny to torture. I did cry at a number of places.

Rachel Weisz is fantastic playing the two main characters. And I fully expect her to feature in the Emmys.

I haven't seen the original movie - but I fully intend to catch up with it.

There is a bit of a twist at the end of the series which seems to suggest that there could be as season 2. Yes - I would definitely love that, big time.

Arrival (II) (2016)

Surprised by its depth.

[10/10 · 25 February 2023]

I just re-watched this movie and I was surprised by its depth. There is so much going on in this movie. From the difficulty of decoding an alien language to the alien's different perception of time.

But one of my best bits about the movie is that the aliens have arrived because they forecast that they will need our help 3,000 years in the future.

The other thing is that we get to experience what it is like when you have memories of the future. Yep - time is turned upside down. Or more accurately, the past and the future are the same and can be equally. Remembered.

But you can also enjoy the movie as "the aliens arrived".

Invasion (2021–2024)

Sci-Fi written by someone who only knows how to write Soap Operas

[4/10 · 21 March 2022]

It is about six episodes too long. I started fast forwarding parts where people were discussing their personal relationship whilst the aliens were invading the world. If you took out all those parts you'd have a four episode series that was actually worth watching.

Also, Sam Neil has nothing to do with the series and the whole first episode is a waste of time.

Don't Look Up (2021)

Sort of thing I didn't think Americans could cope with.

[10/10 · 11 January 2022]

This is hard core satire on a lot of the American way of life - especially politics. And Americans are not renowned for appreciating satire.

The Meryl Streep President is basically Trump. And the whole "Don't Look Up" theme is about the politicization of the COVID pandemic and the denial of science and knowledgeable experts.

It's not really a "rolling in the aisles" comedy. So if you expect "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" you are going to be disappointed. There are a few pure comedy parts. Especially right at the end. But really it is just a scream at "how did we get here?". Which I think is actually said in the movie.

Line of Duty (2012–2021)

Intense and brilliant without a clear baddy

[10/10 · 17 May 2021]

One of the great things I love about the first series of Line of Duty is Lennie James' character, Tony Gates. Essentially he is not bad and not bent. It is brilliant how Lennie James portrays someone struggling to do the right thing.

I do think this first serious owes a lot to The Wire.

It is absolutely intense and compelling.

Mank (2020)

Best movie I have seen in ages

[10/10 · 12 December 2020]

I was so surprised by this movie. It was like being transported into the 1930s/40s. Everything from the dialogue to the way people moved and how it was shot was so 1930s. Probably the most surprising part of the movie is its nod to the current situation in the US - including fake news...

To my mind this is a masterpiece. It should definitely feature in the Oscars. And Gary Oldman must be nominated for best actor.

Alien Code (2018)

Really mind bending. Well done independent movie

[9/10 · 6 October 2019]

Wow! The concepts in this movie really do warrant further investigation. I can't think of any other movies that touch these subjects. It's a really good example of what you can do on a tight budget.

The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2013–2018)

Just seen this in the UK

[10/10 · 30 November 2013]

Just found this in the UK and loved it. It is a classic example of the period detective genre like 'Ripper Street' or 'Murdoch Mysteries' with a little bit of 21st century hindsight. That is par for the course. I didn't find Blake at all grumpy - quite the opposite. I get a little fed up with the short tempered detectives of the likes of Frost or DCI Banks. But Blake is anything but that. Setting the series in Ballarat rather than Melbourne also allows it to have the feel of a small town environment that the Aussies seem to love to do. Think of 'Blue Heelers', 'A Country Practice' or (dare I mention them) some of their soaps. As with most Australian dramas there is an underlying positiveness - despite the traumatic past that the characters might have had.