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Reviews
Another Period (2013)
If Julia Davis were American
I'm really enjoying this. It's dark champagne. It doesn't deserve comparison, but this is Julia Davis Lite, which works. It's reminiscent of Hunderby (a comedic satire of Jane Austen). Having a little of this with American nuance is exactly where I want to see things headed in Broadcast Comedy. If you like dark and irreverent British comedy, watch this.
Another Period is filled with fantastic guest stars to play against a very talented ensemble cast. It has consistent and funny writing, which I think will hold up to time. That's not easy with comedy. It's daring, satirical and driven by two very talented and funny women, whose comedy style is right up my alley. They are unforgiving, smart and fearless. I love that.
Gravity (2013)
Every trope cliché...vomit inducing for smart people
Minor spoilers
I'm sorry, I just can't with this. Speaking as a woman, the women characters that Hollywood continues to trot out to illustrate narrative, continue to be really offensive and irritating. All while desperately trying to have a "strong female character."
They've got to pull that trope garbage about her being a mother who lost her daughter. I seriously was about to vomit in the aisle when this happens. That fake emotional device paired with the music...it's like getting Splenda in your coffee when you like the taste of coffee all on its own. Stop. Please just stop.
The science is wrong. It's not even worth going into. Yes, yes, we know Hollywood, how could you possibly make an interesting movie with real science? We know. It's impossible. #sarcasm
For me what is worse and so insidious are women characters. I do love Sandra Bullock, I really do, but seriously to send her up there and have her flailing around like that until Clooney comes along (in dream form) to tell her to sack up...is really irritating and offensive to watch. More interesting would have been to have Sandra play Clooney's character and Clooney, Sandra's
The one great thing about this movie is that it has given limitless bitching fodder to me and my friends. That is fun (we love science AND we are feminists...weird, huh?). It also inspires me, in a way, because there is so much crap in Hollywood that gets produced and distributed, so maybe someday my crap will get produced, distributed, adored and buy me a house in the Turks and Caicos. So, there's that.
Hemlock Grove (2013)
Criminal Lack of diversity in casting here...major turnoff.
I'm one episode in. But, I have to call out Netflix for the lack of diversity here. It is pretty astonishing actually. The show is fine. There are enough teenagers around to keep this thing alive for 4 seasons probably. Whether it deserves it or not is not my point to make here today.
What bothers me is it's 2013 people. I know this is set in Pennsylvania...but people of color live everywhere in this country and are in every facet of this culture. I find it troubling that Netflix is starting their effort with such an awful job of casting. (I haven't seen all of House of Cards but I got that vibe there too).
I think, looking past the quality issues here (that is a matter of taste and interest), it is wholly offensive to me that pretty much the entire cast is white. Not counting Doctor Pryce, who at this point seems a peripheral character (at least according to the cast listing and pilot).
It's ironic that one of the lines in the pilot is that per capita Pennsylvania has more hate groups than any other state in the country. Are they (the writers) being ironic and taking a stab at the higher ups?
I'm giving this a five instead of less just for the fact that Lili Taylor is in it. There is some pretty decent photography and production design. There is some humor, despite it being so stilted. There is potential for depth even though it is a little YA. And, where I might be more interested in watching more, I leave this first episode greatly disappointed in Netflix, the producers and the casting director. Go back to 1950 and leave the future for the rest of us.
Phil Spector (2013)
I may actually watch this again...
I sit somewhere on the fence with this piece. I tip my hat to the skilled crafts people who worked on this little film (hence the 7 of 10). It looks great. Sounds great. Smells great. The performances...eh, it probably boils down to what/who you are into.
I see and understand a lot of the critiques people have with the actors' performances. I do love Helen Mirren. If it were Pacino and Bette Midler, to be honest, I probably would have spent 80 minutes elsewhere. But, overall the experience for me was gaining a little more perspective on Phil Spector and this trial that existed in the periphery for me. This trial didn't really engage me at the time and I knew/know little of the facts, gossip and the characters involved. Overall this is a tight little story that made me pay attention to something that was white noise to me while it played out.
Additionally, this is just another tick in the box for television at the moment over film. I think film/movies/cinema has hit a bit of the old dark ages at the moment. TV and broadcast is kind of where smart, well crafted and interesting story telling is happening (thank god for cable). I think it can go further for sure and hopefully execs realize there is a market here and figure out a way to make money to do it (we don't all want 4 minute youtube series episodes). I hope for the day that things can get really crazy, experimental and smart for story telling. We're not there yet. But, in the meantime...this is pretty good.
If I may meander a little more off review, because I've read other critiques of the piece...for people who have a more personal stake in all of this (ie family, friends, colleagues etc. of those involved), I say this: This little film didn't make me feel like Phil Spector did or didn't kill Lana. It made more aware and more sympathetic to both parties. Ultimately, for me, I think it's not a great idea at all when you are entertaining people, and you are wasted, to show them your gun collection (no matter how impressive). For that, he does deserve 18 years (with parole options). I don't care if you are the Sultan of Brunei and out of you mind from Parkinson's or drink...that is just not a good party plan. Whether she put the gun in and pulled or he pulled...it doesn't matter to me. He got convicted for general poor judgement. When people come to my house, I offer them a glass of water, some wine, maybe some weed, not a gun to play with. However the night went down, it's probably better he went to jail. That doesn't mean I'm devoid of sympathy for him, it just means there is something wrong with him and his judgement. This poor judgement cost someone their life and people do go to prison for less.
I think he is in the right place. Hopefully he is getting the medical care he needs. And, if he remembers nothing else in his great and impressive life, he needs to remember a woman is dead from his gun and poor judgement.
Chasing Mavericks (2012)
Just shut up and surf.
How do you ruin a movie about surfing? A movie about surfing in Santa Cruz circa 1990? Look no further. This sort of patched together over wrought narrative (that quite honestly could have been written and directed by a 14-year old-girl on her facebook wall) has the emotional strength of kitten limbs. The acting has its equivalent in a porridge made of peas. The location, the waves, even the life of Jay Moriarity, has been portrayed so pitifully. The dialogue and mis en scene are so bad, I have to fast forward just to get to the surfing, which is the only redeeming component of this film and even that is so sparse...I just can't look away though. It is such a wasted opportunity. So please don't waste your time. Just watch Endless Summer for the fix and wait for someone else with some skill to tell the story of Santa Cruz, surfing and life, because this just isn't it. This is mediocre student work.
Derek: Pilot (2012)
Potential to be epic
This reminds me of the moment in time when Jennifer Saunders wrote Jam and Jerusalem. I'm not sure Gervais fans are ready for this. Overall, I think this show has the potential to be epic. I have a few minor criticisms (such as the maudlin music-it's just not necessary and sort of cheapens it).
I think Gervais is perfectly suited to play an adult with "'tism". And, if done right, this could really be one of those shows that makes me so excited about television right now at its best. Surprising story arcs, smart character development, honest emotional complexity and genius humor. Like someone said before "The best comedy makes you cry." And, I'll counter with, the best drama makes you laugh. I have all the faith that Gervais and Co. are capable of this. As long as it develops complexly and stays more light and smart than emotionally overwrought...I say put a stamp on it and ship it to the States. Put it on a cable network. No remakes, we'll take Gervais neat. TV execs would probably be too nervous to broadcast it here. But, I liked Gervais even more after the Globes. I don't think Americans really understand him. I think this is a vehicle he could be appreciated in, his depth, his humor etc. I've never taken him as mean spirited, which I think he has been unfairly categorized. He has a spirited humor in a world full of "Emperors" to be poked at (even when he is the biggest emperor of them all).
Right now it's an 8 of 10 based on the pilot.
Blandings (2013)
Worth it just to watch Jennifer Saunders roll an eyebrow or two.
Perhaps because I'm American, I can't help but think how ungrateful the UK reviewers are here. You want to watch dreadful comedy? Watch any US network on any night on our side of the lake. I love PG Wodehouse...he is criminally unread here in the States. And, having loved Jeeves and Wooster and all it's charm (Laurie and Fry)...I'm thrilled for this adaptation. I think the actors (and casting) are great. The writing is sharp. It is a little disheveled aesthetically, but I think it works here.
I'm looking forward to the rest of this and frankly if viewers in the UK don't want it...please send it (and company) over to us and take back Downton Drabby.
The Following (2013)
Meh. I'm 2 episodes in.
These shows sometimes have so much potential and you can just feel the ambition in the text and premise. The basic problem here are the women characters. Guys never realize how male centric they are. This is the fundamental problem with film and TV right now. Whether it's the studio execs, directors, writers or producers and crew making these decisions. The entire industry is made of guys who love to create universes that revolve around them and what makes them comfortable (as far as what women do and who they are). The only character sketch of a woman they can write is the one who comes under the rapture of men or guided by the love of their child/children. They write moms, victims and college girls or "tough" FBI agents that are horrible copies from other shows that have done it well. There's an inability in this show's consciousness to understand that women are in fact, as diverse and complex as men. I mean, just look at the casting. You've got Kevin Bacon, who everyone loves. But, let's be real, his skin looks like turkey jerky that's been left out on a Brooklyn roof in August. Would they ever cast a woman with that complexion as a central character? Hell no. All the women look like they've won beauty pageants in their respective mid-western states before moving to Hollywood. In real life, FBI agents are never that hot (especially in Virginia). Everyone likes to look at pretty people, but we also like legit casting and characters that go along with that. I will not get going about the lack of other diversity here....I've got other things to do....you can draw your own conclusions. But, one question, why wasn't James Purefoy cast as a black lesbian for example? That, I would watch. Two white dudes battling each other for the hearts and minds of all the white women and submissive dudes around them, uh, boring.
In the industry, there are glimmers of change (sadly not here). There are great shows on television right now with amazingly developed women characters and more cultural diversity. But, this show is not one of them and it is doomed to fail in what otherwise could have been a great show. Currently IMDb has a very high rating for this show. I think it's based on the general excitement for the show and Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy. But, I don't think it will last. And, I don't think it will meet with critical reward in the long run.
I will watch this with baited hope to the 3th and/or 5th episode which are directed and/or co- written by women...but I'm not holding out much enthusiasm for this one. One of the captain's eyes is blind....and the ship will never be right.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012)
Great fun! Smart. Witty. Beautiful Costumes.
Call me nerdy, I love this show and so looking forward to season 2. Thank the tech nerds for the internet that allows me to see shows from all the world. They are who have given me access to great shows such as The Killing (Danish), Downton Abbey, Miss Fisher and so many more.
If you can appreciate amazing costume design and construction within a universe that is also beautifully shot and written. Yes, the murder mystery formula may be derivative, but as a woman, I appreciate the strength of Miss Fisher and those she assembles around her. Her mischievous, but lovable antics are endearing. And, the writing is just good enough to make this a 9 in my book. I think this is a step above Downton Abbey or any of the other Edwardian and/or 20s period television soapies.
It may be reconstructed history...but it is fun. It's great for the whole family. There are adult themes, but if you are forward thinking parents, this is completely within the parameters of what your kids should be aware of and take as reality. If only the 1920s Australia were this "contemporary".