Return of the RECENT VIEWING

[Samoan]

Highly interesting with some superb acting but tainted by Her Graciousness Meryl Streep, as Emmeline Pankhurst who has never been able to pull off any semblance of an English accent, even in such a short but important role.

[Rorschach]

Don't worry, we were confused as well, but each episode clarifies the story

In fact, even by the end I'm not sure it all made sense. But I fucking loved it anyway.
Beautiful to look at and a real feeling of verisimilitude. Plus, a good friend appeared briefly in episode three (the German woman who does the translating), so that was rather exciting.

[ChrisB]

Don't worry, we were confused as well, but each episode clarifies the story

In fact, even by the end I'm not sure it all made sense. But I fucking loved it anyway.
Beautiful to look at and a real feeling of verisimilitude. Plus, a good friend appeared briefly in episode three (the German woman who does the translating), so that was rather exciting.

And the sweet irony for a western, just like Clint Eastwood, Emily Blunt was allergic to horses and had to take super strength medication to ward off any reaction.

[Rorschach]

Don't worry, we were confused as well, but each episode clarifies the story

In fact, even by the end I'm not sure it all made sense. But I fucking loved it anyway.
Beautiful to look at and a real feeling of verisimilitude. Plus, a good friend appeared briefly in episode three (the German woman who does the translating), so that was rather exciting.

And the sweet irony for a western, just like Clint Eastwood, Emily Blunt was allergic to horses and had to take super strength medication to ward off any reaction.

Wow. Glad she dealt with that, I thought she was wonderful.

[pcqgod]

"Wednesday" (Netflix, 2022)



"Wednesday" reimagines the classic Addams Family character as the protagonist in a modern Young Adult adventure. In doing so it employs some hoary old cliches of the genre, such as a (cringe) boarding school for "special" kids which includes (groan) vampires and (wince) werewolves and at least one Harry Potter knockoff character. Also they gave Wednesday prophetic powers (ugh) activated by contact with people holding secrets, just like "Phoebe" from the original "Charmed." One of the clever things about the Addams Family was that the characters never fit into generic catergories like witch or werewolf. They were enigmatic, unclassifiable, kooky and spooky people, things or its. Nevertheless, "Wednesday" is not all bad because it's frequently funny, mostly because of Thing's antics and Wednesday's deadpan withering zingers. Also, there are plenty of "easter eggs" for fans of the 60's t.v. show and the 90's movies.

[pcqgod]

"Only Murders in the Building"



I was very sceptical about this series, going in. I mean two aging comics solving murders and paired with a B-list actress for youth credibility reeked of desperation to me. But I was very wrong. It is sharply funny and well-written, inventive and surprising, and all three leads shine. Also, there are great guest spots of the best kind.

[Minnie the Minx]

"Only Murders in the Building"



I was very sceptical about this series, going in. I mean two aging comics solving murders and paired with a B-list actress for youth credibility reeked of desperation to me. But I was very wrong. It is sharply funny and well-written, inventive and surprising, and all three leads shine. Also, there are great guest spots of the best kind.

We are gonna give this a try after we have binged 30 Rock!

[pcqgod]

"Only Murders in the Building"



I was very sceptical about this series, going in. I mean two aging comics solving murders and paired with a B-list actress for youth credibility reeked of desperation to me. But I was very wrong. It is sharply funny and well-written, inventive and surprising, and all three leads shine. Also, there are great guest spots of the best kind.

We are gonna give this a try after we have binged 30 Rock!

It took a few episodes to really grab me, but it just gets better and better.

[Minnie the Minx]

Currently watching the Mike Leigh at the BBC series which is showing on Criterion. Last night, Grown-Ups and tonight, The Kiss of Death- Hard Labour last week. Absolutely wonderful stuff.

[pcqgod]

"A Man Called Otto" (theatrical release, 2023)




Tom Hanks plays a gruff, aging widower forced into retirement, now relagated to being a self-appointed custodian/rule enforcer of his run-down, gated community. He decides to end his life but the arrival of various characters in need (including a cat) derail his plans. "A Man Called Otto" does a good job of painting a portrait of the lead character, his passions, interests, dislikes, routines, and his life before as a married man, so that the viewer is fully invested in the character. Unfortunately the other people in Otto's life only get superficial character development. Also, the movie relies too much on cutesy and contrived moments for my taste, plus a very Hollywood style conflict with the standard evil property developer, but overall provides an enjoyable movie experience.

[ChrisB]

What a trilogy this has been. Absolutely brilliant

[Samoan]

^^
Magnificent.
Sally Wainwright is a powerhouse writer-director.
Norton is now heading the list for the role of the next 007.

[Minnie the Minx]

"Nuts in May" - splendid.

[ChrisB]

"Only Murders in the Building"



I was very sceptical about this series, going in. I mean two aging comics solving murders and paired with a B-list actress for youth credibility reeked of desperation to me. But I was very wrong. It is sharply funny and well-written, inventive and surprising, and all three leads shine. Also, there are great guest spots of the best kind.

We are gonna give this a try after we have binged 30 Rock!

Watched 6 episodes of Season 1 so far. Great fun. Nice to see Sting playing himself

[Neil Jung]

I really recommend Funny Woman on Sky Max if you have it. A great story, strong cast, brilliant 60s soundtrack. You’ll thank me.

[Samoan]

"Nuts in May" - splendid.

It is. When I think of it I get an immediate image of bog roll snagged on barbed wire.

I watched "Happy-Go-Lucky" the other weekend. It's not amongst my favourites of Leigh's but still pretty great. Eddie Marsan's performance is superb.

[Minnie the Minx]

"Nuts in May" - splendid.

It is. When I think of it I get an immediate image of bog roll snagged on barbed wire.

I watched "Happy-Go-Lucky" the other weekend. It's not amongst my favourites of Leigh's but still pretty great. Eddie Marsan's performance is superb.

Yes!

I can’t believe how much joy I’m getting from them. They’re just wonderful.

[Minnie the Minx]

We started watching Toast of London. Good god, I laughed so hard I ached.

[pcqgod]

M3gan (2022, unrated, Peacock)



I never saw the rated version (I'm guessing PG-13?) but as far as unrated horror movies this one seems fairly tame. This story of an AI powered humanoid companion robot is utterly predictable once you get the basic premise, playing out exactly as you would expect. Which is not to say that it is not entertaining. You know M3gan is going to go nuts and the fun is watching how it plays out. It is actually funnier than it is scary, and as I mentioned a fairly tame movie experience. There is one scene where it seems we might get a philosophical turn as M3gan starts to ponder her existence, but that moment quickly passes.

[Neige]

What a trilogy this has been. Absolutely brilliant

Indeed.

My fondness for the area in general and Calder Valley in particular makes it even better.

So it gets a DVD/Bluray release after all? Good!