gingebaggy Reviews

Sisu (2022)

Tarantino Homage

[8/10 · 30 December 2023]

Ninety two minutes of great fun and escapism. Stylish story set ups, chaptered for our delectation, no non sense story telling which delivers what it promises. I was surprised it was not a foreign language film which is what I had expected but nevertheless the little dialogue there is does not detract from the films visual feast. I had read some reviews of 1/10 bemoaning the lack of realism or ridiculous storyline which made me smile as the film is and was never intended for that type of viewer. Just sit back and relax and watch a very good blood and thunder rollercoaster rounded off with an excellent one liner James Bond of the 80's would be proud of.

Culprits (2023– )

Hmmmmmm

[6/10 · 12 November 2023]

Started off really good, intriguing plot going back and forth in time established plot lines and characters. Excellent heist improbability aka Oceans, Kaleidoscope et al. Disparate groups of experts given Gucci code names not knowing who the others were except those party to the recruitment process which is everyone involved bar the last one.

Excellent stalking villain in Ned Dennnehy. Overall a good ensemble.

My concern with dramas such as this is when the ruthless, cold, heartless and extremely efficient hitman needs to kill he somehow loses his or her effectiveness to the detriment of the plot.

Bodies (2023)

Excellent BRITISH Sci-Fi

[9/10 · 21 October 2023]

Just completed episode five and agree with the majority of reviewers placing this as a good sci-fi limited series that is essentially British but with a German director to give it a darker than normal feel to many of its British contemporaries (a la Doctors as cited by a previous reviewer 😂).

Fair paced storyline, good characters, plot twists and period backdrops. Not knowing where the next turn comes keeps the viewer waiting and watching with intent. This is a series that will only appeal to those who like unexplainable time travelling dramas which is what it says it does in the tin, so all the negative reviewers must have been tuning in for something else judging by the critique. Overall at this stage a 9/10 but I've yet to see the end .....

Legion (2010)

Does what it says on the tin ...

[8/10 · 15 July 2023]

I would put this movie up there with the original Assault on Precinct 13. It's what it says it is, a fantasy horror. Firstly, the cast is pretty decent, the plot is granted formulaic, there's suspense coupled with the biblical supernatural which allows the film to move along at a pretty good pace. There's some pithy one liners that I can guarantee you'll repeat at some point. It ain't Hamlet but just pure escapism and should be reviewed and watched with this at the forefront of the viewers mind. I've seen reviews that pick apart minor details about plot errors or biblical inaccuracies which if that is to the extent you've sat down to watch this movie then I can only assume you're after perfection, which sadly doesn't exist. Sit back and just enjoy it for what it is.

Pagan Peak (2018–2023)

Highly Recommend

[9/10 · 30 June 2023]

English script writers should look at their European counterparts and try and emulate the great work they do in producing gritty dramas for adults. They appear to be unrestricted and unconfined with their narratives and visual offerings, if only British dramas had such an edge. Der Pass is just an excellent example of character study, dark crimes and intriguing plots. Some may say it's formulaic in the good cop /bad cop routine but it's more nuanced than that. No one is portrayed as the white knight, humans are more complex and this drama series highlights these complexities with ease and confidence, discussing difficult themes in a mature context. Photography is beautiful and has a mysterious and engaging feel to it. Also watch with original audio to fully benefit the experience.

Liaison (2023)

Missed Opportunity

[4/10 · 31 March 2023]

I was looking forward to this drama which contains some first class actors, in particular Peter McMullan who is a tour de force in everything he turns his hand to, having watched episode one the potential for an engaging thriller was set and drew me in. However, episode two highlights the disfunctional relationship with Eva Greens character and her partners daughter only to lead to a terrorist attack on a train leaving the child with minor scratches and a new respect for her potential step mother as she arrives at the scene at lightning speed to be at her side as she is retrieved from the carnage around them. With that my interest sadly died as I feared this was heading for a Utopian run of the mill series where jeopardy and shocks would be buried under the avalanche of safe and conservative writing. In my opinion the child had to die.

Clarkson's Farm (2021– )

Unique

[9/10 · 12 February 2023]

Unique, yes an insight into the fragility of farming in the UK today, smattered with characters and humour and good honest Englishness throughout. We know that Jeremy is the money tree and has a genuine desire to succeed as a farmer, armed with Caleb and Lisa at his side he confronts the inane, harsh and unexpected realities of farming today with gusto and humour. I cannot stop the episodes from rolling into each other as the everyday becomes my wantaway. I long to be in that Lamborghini tractor listening to Gerald on the radio either berating me or asking me to go with him for a pint. Please watch with an open mind to the many farmers out there who are struggling with bureaucracy and funding and maybe it will change your perspective of how hard they work for us .

1899 (2022)

Finally....

[10/10 · 19 November 2022]

The anticipation for this series has been palpable and it does not disappoint. Atmospheric mystery and glimpses of a world far from reality with pinches of the unknown thrown in, coupled with excellent casting and directing bring together a superb drama series from the makers of Dark( which if you haven't seen it yet why are you still reading this review and not tuning in now !) You are not meant to fully understand everything that is thrown at you, but the enigmatic style with which it is put together allows you to make your own interpretations of the unfolding mosaic of plot, characters and staging. Remember .....you will be lost but eventually you will be found !

The Gray Man (2022)

Cast list more exciting than the plot

[5/10 · 24 July 2022]

Russo bros action is second to none but unfortunately let down by a boring predictable plot that spoons feeds the viewer with a tedious inevitability. Acting award goes to Chris Evans's tash which you cannot take your eyes off when on screen, all that was missing was a cheeky "....oh behave !"

Duck (2005)

Quirky but a must view

[9/10 · 21 July 2022]

Philip Baker Halls best work in my opinion, a strange tale of man's relationship with a duck that has spilt the reviews quite dramatically. It's not for everyone but please don't be put off if you get a chance to watch this charming story, do it, you never know you may be missing a real treat..... remember the duck doesn't do tricks...he's just a duck and that's enough!

Wander (I) (2020)

Clumsy but thought provoking

[7/10 · 28 November 2021]

Cannot understand the low reviews here. This is a pretty good film if not clumsily put together but has some good points which can provoke a feeling that this may happen or is happening. Eckhart puts in a decent convincing performance backed up by the irrepressible Jones who lingers along waiting for the inevitable reveal at the films conclusion.

Year of the Rabbit (2019)

This will be a Cult Classic

[9/10 · 20 June 2019]

Brilliant concept and characters, I cannot get enough of it.