nicollemelansonpowell Reviews

Rebecca (I) (2020)

Where is the narrative arc?

[6/10 · 22 October 2020]

A good story is like a roller coaster of hills and valleys. The hills build suspense and drama and the valleys provide relief and relaxation - and enjoyment. This movie has no valleys and no enjoyment (or very little). The original story by Daphne Du Maurier is of a charming ingenue orphan who meets and falls in love with a mysterious, haunted, sophisticated, aristocrat - Maxime DeWinter. This interpretation is a hero's tale of an abject mouse who survives persecution to rise up over her tormentor, becomes a heroine who thwarts a police investigation to save her husband from prison and even attempts to save her persecutor (Mrs. Danvers) from a watery grave. The main character is so pathetic from the start it is hard to imagine why DeWinter falls in love with her. The transformation from mouse to feisty heroin who beards the lion (Danvers) in her own den is unbelievable, not to mention her transformation into Sherlock Holmes daringly chasing down clues. He, on the other hand is suspiciously bland and characterless; he has been stripped of his personality to such a degree that he is merely a placeholder for 'handsome brooding aristocrat.' Do we even care what happens to either of them? Not much. The complexity of the original story has been replaced with a single note in a minor key; it is repeated in every chord, louder and louder to attempt to build to a climax. I understand that the writers and director were trying to adapt this story for a contemporary audience which is desensitized to subtlety by highly sensational, violent, and epic tales, but they have twisted this story into something unrecognizable to the author and her fans. I gave it 6 stars instead of 5 because the settings are quite stunning.

Lords & Ladles (2015–2016)

Great entertainment

[8/10 · 8 May 2019]

Love this series! The premise is to recreate a feast from the past in one of Ireland's great houses. The peculiar dishes, the old fashioned ingredients, and the challenges of making such a repast on unreliable equipment all contribute to the surprise factor. What makes the show is the relationship between the three chefs and their assistants, the history of the house and its owners, and the gorgeous landscapes. After one of these episodes we are left smiling and drooling. Can't wait to see season 3.

Derren Brown: Pushed to the Edge (2016 TV Special)

Cruel and appalling

[1/10 · 28 January 2019]

This is not entertainment, it is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Step by step you see the victim pushed into compliance against their better judgment and morals. It is deeply disturbing and highly unethical. For the 3 victims who actually pushed a defenceless man off a building because they were manipulated into feeling there was no other option - they will be scarred for life by this. Shame on you, Derren Brown, for pretending that you are doing science when you are really making entertainment out of torturing these excessively agreeable (compliant) victims until they are like cornered rats.

Partners in Crime (2015)

Good period effects but dramatically illogical

[6/10 · 12 March 2016]

The Good: the sets, the clothes, the cars, the cinematography, the fun moments The Bad: poor interpretation of Tommy, poor adaptation of post-war 20s to cold war 50s. The Ugly: no dramatic integrity - impossible juxtaposition of fun-loving adventure chasing, and brutal murder. Tuppence cannot lightly enjoy chasing down criminals under the threat to life and limb of her child and her husband - it does not make sense. The original Tommy and Tuppence series (books and BBC) present a light-hearted version of adventure and this is the only one that makes sense for them. We watched the first story, The Secret Adversary (3 episodes), but will not be watching "N or M" because of our disappointment. However, I will restate that visually it is very stimulating and satisfying - beautiful sets, scenery and atmospheric camera work.