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The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Not a true story!?
I really enjoyed this series and binged watched it from start to finish.. but how disappointed I was when I discovered it was not a true story. However if, like me you are a big Chess fan, knock yourself out. Great story, acting and writing!!
Greenland (2020)
Terrible Film
Who remembers a time when Gerard Butler starred in really good films? Greenland was a real disappointment. I actually forgot there was an extinction level event happening during this film. It would have been great to see more of how the family survives underground rather than how they fight to get to sanctuary..
Chernobyl (2019)
I wanted to give this show 11!!!
My general rule of thumb for reviewing or assigning ratings to films or shows o is, ...nothing gets a 10... but occasionally a film or show comes along and just ticks all those boxes. Of course industry people with a vested interest in a film\show\project may be tasked with giving shows 10\10 just to bias these ratings.
Chernobyl is a true work of genius which, in my mind will be tough to beat for a long time. I believed everything as if it were a documentary a very clever illusion by the makers because lets face it most of the cast are British and all speak with their native accents yet I still found myself completely drawn in by their talents.
The suspense during the first two episodes with the frustration of Legasov trying to make everyone understand how serious this incident was counterpoints the denial of the staff at Chernobyl - particularly when Diatlov vomits mid sentence, apologises then collapses, yet they were all still in complete denial. This scene and many more during the show were just brilliant.
This should win every award possible
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Thank You Vince! You are my new hero!
Reading through the reviews on IMDB can be a minefield. 1 star reviews, 10 star reviews and very little in-between. These reviews and ratings are submitted by Breaking Bad fans who feel they need to even up the overall score a little because they either hated the film or loved it... My advice IGNORE THESE REVIEWS!!
WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD!!! No Seriously if you do not want to know certain plot points do not continue reading!!
Let me start by stating I am an enormous advocate of breaking bad it is the only TV series I have ever invested in (apart from maybe The Wire) that had a proper well written ending that was satisfying and truly put a lump in my throat (no need to reference Game of Thrones finale here! Or even Lost both terrible let downs from a viewer's point of view). I have binged watched it over and over.
So, imagine my delight when I stumble upon the El Camino teaser trailer featuring Skinny Pete basically refusing to give Jesse up (not in the actual film BTW, genius idea!)
Next Imagine my apprehension that this was going to be another Netflix 'Cash-Grab' to force money out of unsuspecting BB fans and ruin a true Breaking Bad legacy forever (again see Game of Thrones). Roll on Friday 11th October...
Then after watching El Camino, imagine my relief and then sudden feeling of satisfaction & joy when El Camino turned out to be an excellent film fully deserving of its current 9\10 rating on IMDB (as I am about to submit this review the score has sunk to 8.1\10 SHAME ON YOU IMDB USERS, SHAME!!)
The flashbacks are written beautifully (you need to suspend disbelief a little because obviously the reprised cast have all aged and, in some cases, put on a little baggage (cough!! Todd cough! Sorry Jesse Plemons)).
The writing is superb all the acting also superb especially from Aaron Paul the cinematography is second to none with some very well directed camera shots.
The film has a real sense of suspense at a nice even pace which drew me in slowly punctuated by the flashback scenes.
Some of the scenes have a real dark comedy e.g. when the Nazi guys are forcing Jesse to try and break the rail device, he is tethered to because they are quibbling about the workmanship of the welder... this detracted from Jesse's forced slavery a little.
!!HERE ARE THOSE SPOILERS I WARNED YOU ABOUT!!
It would have been nice to have seen Walt Junior (Flynn) and Skyler in some of the flashbacks or part of the main storyline to maybe close off their story a little but, hey we can't have everything right?
The ending is predictable but closes off the story clean and simple, and I am so glad that Vince didn't settle for a ...crime doesn't pay ending with Jesse either ending up in prison or being killed off (unless living in Alaska is like prison?)
All in all, I am thankful to Vince Gilligan for not letting me down and also thankful that Netflix have something to offer that isn't abysmal, which let's face it sums up most of their new content these days and forces me to cancel my subscription constantly. Regarding El Camino - well worth this month's subscription! Sigh! Thanks Netflix.
Bodies (2004)
Not for the squeamish...
If you are young and fancy a career in medicine sit through a season of this before you make your decision. This warts and all drama really hits home without compromise. Being set in an Obstetrics ward some of the scenes are incredibly graphic, they server to counterpoint what it really must be like working in a UK NHS hospital environment.
The acting is top notch as is the writing. A particular nod to Max Beasley and the excellent Patrick Baladi. Keith Allen also delivers his usual styled misogynist character to one of the roles.
I can not highlight enough this is not for the squeamish I couldn't watch certain scenes because of their graphic nature.
An excellent UK (home grown) masterpiece.
The Grand Tour (2016)
It isn't Top Gear..IT JUST ISN'T!
Nobody was more upset than me when Top Gear, featuring these three, came to an abrupt, premature end. So imagine my delight when it was announced that they were to regroup with a new production, albeit on a pay channel, Amazon. I waited, I subscribed and waited...
The first season of The Grand Tour was ok... it was Clarkson, Hammond and May trying not to be Top Gear (for legal reasons) but at the same time trying to be Top Gear.
As the seasons progressed, 2 and now 3 it feels like the shows producers are trying to completely not be Top Gear at all.
Unfortunately this show and these three can't be Top Gear and that's what everybody wants... I miss the Stig I miss the 'Star in a reasonably priced car'.
Top Gear did continue without these three but it was absolutely awful...without Clarkson, Hammond & May.
It is without doubt that the chemistry between these three is great but unfortunately if they can't be back on BBC's Top Gear with all the things I miss then it should just stop.
To conclude I wish they hadn't bothered. The latest season is so bad I have struggled through every episode, only watching out of a morbid sense of loyalty and hope, that it will improve. It won't... and that just saddens me.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why is this film rated so high - its terrible... nearly all the facts are wrong. although Rami Malek does a pretty decent job of portraying Freddie Mercury I found myself checking the internet for dates and facts - you only have to read the goofs section on IMDB to see just some of the inaccuracies.
If your going to Biopic a truly legendary band like Queen...
GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT!!!
The Ring Two (2005)
rubbish! - absolute rubbish
I seriously thought i would never watch another film again after watching this utter trash... it has to be the weakest plot since The Smokers.
I enjoyed the first film (The Ring) which had a cult feel to it, although the original Japanese version had far more atmosphere. The Ring Two had zero atmosphere. They didn't even bother changing any of the scenery or costumes. Its almost like the filmed both at the same time.
I wish i had something positive to say about this film and I am racking my brains trying to think of something...but i can't! It just reaffirms the general belief that sequels do not work.
Please, if you have any sense avoid at all costs 0/10