juststacey Reviews

Il Capitano Maria (2018)

A strong beginning

[7/10 · 7 May 2023]

This series begins with a strong first episode. It's full of suspense and interesting characters. The second episode introduces "Neverland" which, with hindsight, signals a departure...to less realistic storylines. I suppose it's up to the viewer whether this is to be endured or embraced. Or rejected. I won't say anything more specific than that. Other reviews on this site do.

I kept watching to the end because I'm a fan of Carmine Buschini, who plays Filippo. This was his first series after debuting in Braccialetti Rossi, the Italian version of The Red Band Society. It's certainly worth watching for his fans.

La guerra è finita (2020)

Beautiful and Moving

[9/10 · 6 May 2023]

I watched this drama on Mhz Choice streaming. (The Mhz Choice company released a DVD set but the picture quality is poor.) It's a beautiful story based on fact, but unfortunately the book is difficult to find here.

The story is best when focused on the children, who are Jews coming out of the concentration camps at the end of WWII. Many have lost their entire families, while others are hoping to be reunited with what is left of theirs. It clear what the children endured in the camps, but there is very little graphic imagery onscreen. Much is conveyed through the children's verbal descriptions and the reactions from the volunteers listening.

The performances are uniformly excellent, and the child playing little Giovanni stole my heart.

If this series has a flaw, it's perhaps that too much time is spent on trying to remain at the agricultural estate (which the volunteers have commandeered) and their legal issues with the landowner. I would have preferred more time with the children.

It should be noted that the series was broadcast in Italy in 4 installments but the US version has 8 episodes. In Italy, it's fairly common for 2 episodes to be broadcast together.

The Red Band Society (2014– )

Keep the tissues handy!

[9/10 · 5 May 2023]

I really love this series, and I'm grateful to have found a version with English subtitles. It's worth the effort!

This is not a drama for those looking for accuracy or plausibility in a medical situation. This series is about building community and supporting each other: the willingness to hold a hand, to give a long hug, and to not be afraid of asking for help yourself. About what you lose, but also what you gain.

Carmine Buschini as Leo anchors the show with his charisma and energy. All the cast is good, and the viewer comes to care about each one like a member of the family.

This is a series that should be watched in order. The swimming pool as a metaphor is established at the beginning and carries on throughout the series. One of the characters who appears in season 2 and 3 won't make sense for anyone who didn't watch series 1.

The music soundtrack is a big part of the series, and there are some entertaining music videos featuring the cast that are worth watching.

The creator of the series, Albert Espinosa, based it on his book The Yellow World, about what he learned from his cancer as a teen. The book is a good read that offers valuable insight into the series.

Precious Bane (1989 TV Movie)

A Wonderful "Lost" Adaptation

[9/10 · 28 October 2005]

When this was first aired on Masterpiece Theatre, it had a profound effect on me. It's beautifully filmed and acted. I immediately read the book by Mary Webb, and it remains one of my all time favorites. Janet McTeer is wonderful as Prue, and I fully expected her to become a regular on the British drama scene. I guess she chose to focus on the British stage instead.

I was hoping that with the American success of Janet McTeer years later(with Tumbleweeds) this film would again become available to us. Alas, it has not yet been released on DVD. If anyone out there is listening, please make this available again!

Huckleberry Finn (1974)

Hardly Perfect, but oh, the memories!

[15 December 2001]

Lovers of Huckleberry Finn might cringe at the liberties taken in this film, particularly at the end. The end that Twain wrote for the book wasn't very strong, with Tom Sawyer returning and making a muck of things. This is not the only version of Huck Finn that tries an alternate ending.

As a musical, this film does not work. The numbers are awkwardly placed and spaced, and some of the actors are unsure of their singing altogether. The songs in the companion film Tom Sawyer work better because they are usually sung as a voiceover, serving as an internal dialogue.

Another basic problem with this adaptation is that some of the most interesting events in the story take place offscreen. You only hear them described afterwards, which is a very weak storytelling device.

But oh, the memories! I saw this film when I was in my early teens, and I immediately fell for the young actor Jeff East in the title role. It was a great movie in my opinion back then, so as a recommendation to youngsters and pre-teenage girls, I can't do better now!

Rites of Passage (1999)

Don't be afraid of this film, Roswell fans!

[22 May 2000]

I bought this video because of my interest in Jason Behr of "Roswell." I want to reassure other fans that this film is worth viewing. The plot is far-fetched and lots of the dialogue is predictable, but Jason Behr looks great and has plenty of screen time to satisfy any fan. There are no gay sex scenes and the violence is nothing you haven't seen before--not extreme or particularly gory. The film is mainly a character study about the relationship between fathers and sons. I would recommend it to fans of the actors involved, but not really in general. But Jason is HOT!