cantake8 Reviews

Love Child (2014–2017)

Call the MODwife

[8/10 · 25 February 2014]

This Aussie take on drama and misfortune surrounding single pregnant women in the late 1960s Australia presents compelling stories and characters. Stanton House represents a place single women lived and worked during their pregnancy, and promptly separated from their newborns. Callus male doctors, a starchy matron, a crusading newcomer, and an ensemble of pregnant female characters who are diverse in looks, life experience and attitudes populate this effort. They seem to be hurtling toward epiphanies and revelations.

This must have been a hoot for set dressers, wardrobe, makeup and hair: every shot looks like a period snapshot. The music track is a little forced and the vintage automobiles are all pristine, much of the wardrobe looks more like party apparel than casual clothing, nevertheless I can't take my eyes off of it.

Le Week-End (2013)

Wonderful and Candid

[10/10 · 11 February 2014]

Apparently a lot of viewers approached this film with expectations. I had none. I didn't even know about the film prior to attending the screening.

These characters sound and move like real humans. This is not a film about Paris, this is a film about people, aging, mistakes regrets, anger, secrets, affection, thorniness, misbehavior and loyalty.

I've read the complaints of other lay reviewers and it's apparent that they should make their own films, because it's doubtful anyone else's will live up to their expectations -- especially if critics like it.

They should also remember that it is remarkably difficult to pronounce something as snobbish without sounding intensely condescending.

The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box (2013)

Strong start, but loses focus and ends with a thud

[3/10 · 9 January 2014]

When this film began I was exhilarated. Not knowing anything about the film prior to screening, the cast is the first thing to impress. Visually, it is handsomely mounted. I anticipated another classic adventure favorite unfolding before me.

Unfortunately the film becomes laden with details and loose threads as it moves along, and fails to gain steam or provide answers. There are side stories that are intriguing when introduced, but never pursued. Then there are "discoveries" which are made much too easily, one wonders why nobody made them before.

Aneurin Barnard who plays Mariah, the older brother in the family, appeared to be the next heartthrob-in-the-making; handsome, talented, appealing. But it isn't to be as I doubt many people will rush to this film. Michael Sheen is splendid as he hams his way through this film, but he is unmatched by any other players, mostly due to the troubled screenplay with which they contend. Sam Neill is wasted in a role of broad villainous strokes that are tired and worn out.

Other characters appear and then aren't heard from again, supposedly until the sequel. By the time this film ends, there isn't a coherent TEAM of triumphant adventurers over a defeated foe, just kids who made it through a harrowing experience with the help of some grown-ups who are never strongly defined.

The film shifts abruptly from classic adventure to science fiction, which is such a bumpy transition, I was thrown off.