daniellecbrown73 Reviews

Raging Grace (2023)

Worth the watch if you're a thinking person!

[7/10 · 29 December 2023]

The poor reviews are quite odd in my view.

The film depicts the brutal reality of illegal employment in this country, particularly in domestic service.

Some reviews have complained about the flow or direction of the film but the way it's split into acts serves the intended purpose of shifting to the point to be made.

It's a cruel film in that Joy & Grace are caught up in an unfortunate circumstance of bad luck when it comes to their residence. Joy, the mother and protagonist hides her daughter Grace away from her employers, hiding her in a suitcase when moving in then making her sleep in a wardrobe to protect her from being seen.... The lengths some parents will go to in search of a 'better life' in their minds.

Grace is undoubtedly a wilful and precocious child but she's bored and frustrated, so what child wouldn't lash out and grasp onto any semblance of kindness. This of course is manipulated much later by the very person whose life they saved.

Villains become human and justice is somewhat served.

Payback (I) (2023)

Could have been brilliant but annoying problems

[5/10 · 6 October 2023]

I should state I'm only into episode 4 but I'm compelled to challenge the outright ludicrous actions and thought process of the police 'not much of a murder investigation'.

The female DI ( Andy Osho) is annoyingly inept as the lead detective, convinced the wife murdered her husband despite zero evidence & motive. It's obvious she is a deer in the headlights through most of this. Yet, also struggling that a woman who is the partner of an accounting firm, has no clue about their finances and not enough cash to buy groceries.

The protagonist has also got quite relaxed around a clearly dangerous criminal who has basically threatened her & her children.

Simply far too many illogical responses to a number of situations throughout.

Overall, not a great advert for policing!!

I'll be sticking with it, so it could perhaps find some redemption in the last 2 episodes.

The Pass (II) (2023)

Better than expected

[7/10 · 6 September 2023]

Like most, I watched this because I'm a Real housewives of Atlanta fan but I came in with low expectations. Drew did a good job, still a low budget/ tv actress calibre but better than expected. The premise was delivered a little bluntly, like there was no build up to why a 'pass' would be needed which would have given more meat to the storyline. The part I struggled with was Drew setting all the rules for the pass, yet breaking them. That said, she was 'the mark' so if you're being manipulated by someone who knows your character then I suspect it's more difficult to walk away. The other issue is, the entire 'pass' premise was created by everyone in on the con so if she did discuss it with anyone, they'd lTer deny it.

Girl got played by professional cons.

Did not see the ending coming at all, just thought the husband was looking for a payday, which he was, just not in the way I imagined.

Actually a great storyline and considering it's Todd's first movie, he did a great job. I love Kandi but that woman needs to give her husband his space to succeed on his own. She has enough ventures and lord knows her judgemental mother played a bit of inspiration in this movie, although in his real life, it's justified!!!

The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies (2023– )

Fabulous premise and captivating story... but

[7/10 · 30 August 2023]

We learn early on that 'Robbie' aka many other names is a con man who duped Alice and her family from their life savings. The story follows Alice seeing him 15 years later and seeking him out. We see him adopt a high profile professional who seeks out a well known author, recently widowed, clearly planned out. Alice, as vulnerable and sheepish as she is attempts to bring him down but yet so many moments of 'why didn't you record him' or why not go to the people already suspicious of him? But yet this still takes into account the vulnerability of the leading lady at being brave enough to really tackle such an accomplished sociopath.

Entertainment but was screaming at Alice and her inaction far too much.

Alice, Darling (2022)

Subtle but striking

[7/10 · 27 July 2023]

I think a lot of the reviewers slating this film needed more obvious angst and demonstrative abuse from her partner. Those that have been in abusive relationships can relate to the layers that forms of abuse can take. He didn't beat her to a pulp but he controlled her and demonised her entire self-worth. You could see from the trip with her friends who clearly missed the personality of the friend that was so evidently not the person they knew, they saw something wrong and attempted to get that girl back.

Yes this is a film about friendship and resilience and that should be enough x.

Clearly the missing girl was somewhere she visited in the woods with the missing chapstick, so only criticism of the movie was why, if it wasn't going to be followed through.

Blindspot (2023– )

So poor I had to share

[1/10 · 5 July 2023]

I thought the premise of this had potential but the writing and acting was just awful.

The protagonist was unbelievable in almost every aspect of behaviour you'd expect in such a scary situation of witnessing a murder and then chasing the cops to investigate.

So many things wrong with literally every subsequent action or non-action taken. Nobody checked the dumpster when you were right there? Why evidence wasn't taken anywhere else? Literally footage on cctv and mobile that would warrant full on investigation, yet the girl in the wheelchair just decides to take on someone she thinks is a murderer by pushing buttons.

Just weird and simply a pointless attempt at drama.

Don't bother!

Sanctioning Evil (2022)

Seriously perplexed by the ending!

[6/10 · 6 February 2023]

Solid watchable movie, started off wondering if this was going to be a politician roping in an ex-serviceman to fulfil their own political agenda. Glad to see the back story was there to demonstrate the motivations behind why he was recruited.

There were initial moments thinking this ex-soldier was going to be manipulated through and through and was at times wondering if he was going to question his assignments! He did the background, so that gave it credence but it was a bit lacking in places.

Only real complaint, which dropped this massive points was the ending. It really was WTF? Is this a movie in 2 parts? It's not so finished feeling cheated....

Shining Girls (2022)

A brilliant thriller.

[9/10 · 21 January 2023]

This is a seasoned drama/thriller that you need to commit to and you won't be sorry. It's not obvious from the start but by episode 2 you get the plot.

It's compelling and Elisabeth Moss is brilliant in her confused state of reality following a brutal attack and the nefarious snippets of Jamie Bell as the killer is simply perfect in his depiction of a psychopath that's been playing the long game.

It's a fantastic character story and one that keeps us engaged wanting and rooting for resolution.

Journalist Dan is a troubled soul but compelling in his eagerness to solve and relationship with Kirby is one of depth and complication. It's confusing in parts, which is what you might imagine with one going through such a trauma. Brilliant drama, we need so much more of this.

Won't say more but absolute triumph!

Compulsion (2022– )

It was alright

[6/10 · 17 April 2022]

Good premise and quite well produced with decent acting all around.

The biggest issue I had was with the husband. His lack of support for his wife suffering addiction after a trauma was quite astonishing. Personally I'd be the one ditching him!

Nice twist but predictable by episode 3 but in my honest opinion this showed the nasty side of a lot of personalities but some might say, it portrayed a bit of reality.

Weirdly rooting for the protagonist!

Pieces of Her (2022)

Daughter's character ruins it all.... Avoid.

[2/10 · 7 March 2022]

There's far to much to unpack with what is wrong with this script & the acting, specifically with the character of 'Andy', the daughter.

I won't waste your time with a lengthy review, as it's already been stated multiple times how diabolical the acting of Andy, the daughter truly is.

Her character is astonishing in its unlike-ability. She's stupid beyond words with the street smarts of a tortoise. Acting beyond bad.... Who is she? How was she cast?

Every action she made, screamed "what the hell are you doing? Are you stupid"? Etc.etc....

Literally 6 episodes endured and no salvation.

Toni Collette was disappointing by her usual standard but frankly, the whole premise was just unbelievable l.

Pretty rubbish.

Boiling Point (I) (2021)

The realism of this is frighteningly genius!

[9/10 · 3 February 2022]

Aside from the brilliant direction, writing and sublime acting of Stephen Graham, this is such a masterpiece.

Having worked in hospitality as a restaurant manger, bartender, waitress and witnessed the intricate dynamics of how each service operates and the people you interact with. This film captures the reality perfectly, down to the minutia and subtle stress points that are often not observed by the customer.

The personalities and diversity of each character is carefully crafted and this film captures the subtle and not so subtle social constructs of human bias, predjudice, narcissism, ego and complicated relationships.

I can't recommend this movie enough.....

I Care a Lot (2020)

Redeeming!

[7/10 · 24 February 2021]

I loved the material for this film, as I suspect this is a real issue for many people in America. Rosamund Pike was perfectly cast in this role but really disappointed we didn't experience more of Dianne West.

If you analyse the plot too seriously, there are more holes than Swiss cheese in terms of "that wouldn't happen", but then we wouldn't have a movie right?!

Quietly funny, and the most hilarious thing being the absolute naivety of the judge!

The ending will give you your reward after being quite annoyed that there wasn't more payback for the devious 'carer'.

Worth the watch!

Unhinged (I) (2020)

No empathy for female lead!

[3/10 · 17 December 2020]

Whilst the premise of this film is a good one and Crowe is utterly convincing as a truly 'unhinged' psychopath that's lost all reason to live.

The female lead Rachel makes so many mistakes in every response to this chase led by Crowe, you're just screaming at the TV "CALL THE POLCE".

Cops would have swarmed this guy within the first 30mins of the film if an ounce of common sense had kicked in.

One frightening aspect is that so many people filmed the murder in the diner, rather than call the cops, despite being in the presence of a complete nut job!

Really did not like the female lead Rachel, not compellingly or likeable in any sense.

Disappointed.

See (2019–2022)

Great.... but the blind.

[6/10 · 16 November 2019]

In all of the reviews, nobody dares speak of the elephant in the room. Everybody is blind, yet moves with dexterity and agility that would leave a reasonably fit person in awe of.

That's literally my only gripe about this series.

Had they applied some fluidity to the aspects or degree of sight it could have been great. Yet expertly walking planks of wood, navigating cliff faces and avoiding everyday objects that would trip up a person with sight made a mockery in my opinion.

The Nightingale (I) (2018)

Very well executed story of a time rarely depicted.

[7/10 · 27 October 2019]

This is a story about a violent and narcissistic English Luitenant stationed in Australia in a post he's bored of. He's held an Irish convict woman captive beyond her Sentence and dies unspeakable things, setting her on a course of inevitable revenge.

What I enjoyed was despite her obvious and indeed deserved reason for revenge, she grappled with confrontation against this man and you experienced her inner trauma alongside the character.

This film encapsulated lots of racial tension and prejudices which often exclude the fact that despite the English holding the Irish in contempt, they both looked down on Aborigines 'The Blacks' as they called them, but this film connected some aspects of mutual hatred. The enemy of my enemy is my friend..... etc.

A well made film that was subtle and angry simultaneously.

Canal Street (2018)

Conflicted. Great cast but far too many flaws.

[5/10 · 20 August 2019]

For me the situational circumstances of the shooting were fundamentally flawed. No gun, no bullet, no GSR but a black kid covered in blood over a white kid, that stayed with him.....

Yet, they charge him with murder, despite 2 other people being in the car..... sigh.

Next.

The Intruder (I) (2019)

Girl please! Highly unlikely story, could have been good.

[3/10 · 16 July 2019]

Young affluent couple come upon a property steeped in character to be greeted by the owner indirectly shooting a deer.

He's really familiar early on and after a couple of days is cutting the lawn.

The wife finds his story of losing his wife endearing, yet every other person on the planet in screaming 'get off my land', this proceeds far too long and frankly for a smart lady, she lacks the common sense of a teenage girl.

Cops would have been called after 30 mins into the film... sigh.

The 3 rating is for Dennis Quaid.

The Red Line (2019)

Mixed bag, but feel the need to speak out on the 1* reviews

[6/10 · 1 May 2019]

This is my first review ( because we all have a first!). I understand some of the references to box checking the diversity components of the program.

However, whilst this might not be the first show where a white cop shoots an innocent black man, I find it astonishing that there are so many references to liberalism, and leftist being at the forefront.

It's more aligned with recognizing and being truthful about the fact that cops shoot black people indiscriminately, far too often.

Racial profiling is not going away and there are too many bad cops ruining the reputation of the vast majority of great ones who do a difficult job.

In my opinion, we need to keep making programs that call out this reality.... whatever your politics.