Change Your Image
rghathway
Reviews
The Old Guard (2020)
What a Gem
I am constantly surprised by the choice of films that Ms Theoron picks. Her look always changes and her characters are played with such depth. I'm sure that she would play in something indie, at scale, if the challenge was there for her and if the subject matter was important to her. As for Kiki Layne, a relative newcomer at the time, her performance here was very good. I also think the cinematographer did a great job in setting scenes with appropriate camera work and lighting. And how naive is the Copley character? Anyone who thinks Big Pharm is about anything but profits should be locked up.
Gladbeck: The Hostage Crisis (2022)
Vile
The disgusting habits of the press and the lack of any plan by the police (perhaps it's a trick by the editors) to rescue the hostages early on are in full view. The fact that one of the bad guys was able to walk around freely and give interviews is appalling. The end result is that 2 teenagers were killed by the gunmen while they got off with relatively light punishment.
Young Adult (2011)
Sigh
The rating of "8" is strictly for Ms Theron's performance. But I have to wonder why the writers/director didn't go for a slow realization by the heroine of her bad character traits instead of what we got: an instant realization of her faults in the last 10 minutes and then an instant personality change.
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
One Guy
Another one of those movies where the true-blue hard-nosed patriots takes on and defeats more than 30 hostiles. A little far-fetched for me. And expected plot devices where the hero saves the kid early on and then defeats the traitor in a head-on battle.
Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman (2021)
What was that?
As anther reviewer wrote, I couldn't figure out if we were watching McChesney and Ressler doing a manhunt or watching the perpetrator committing some, but not all, of his crimes. And the background score was cheesey as heck.
Operation Finale (2018)
Artistic Licence
The 9 stars are for Kingsley.and Oscar Isaac for their stellar performances. I would have given it a perfect score but the writer(s) obviously thought that a few of their choices (eg. A female doctor) for inclusion to make the movie more marketable were too much away from the truth than I could accept.
Manhunt: USA vs. Theodore J. Kaczynski (2017)
What?
Since it's apparent that Fitz and Kascynski never met, this entire episode is a waste of time. It continues the artistic license that the writers took from the beginning of the series.
Manhunt (2017)
Obsession
A good story, well acted and written, but what it boils down is just another of the obsession that some men develop in their work lives - an obsession that destroys families and friendships. And don't forget the "deus ex machina" moment in episode 7 when Fitz finds the answer after he spills coffee on some papers. I'm left wondering how much of this story is fact and how much is artistic license by the writers.
Ms. Marvel: No Normal (2022)
Season 2??
Here's hoping there's a second season so we can follow Kamala's evolution with all of the mistakes that teenagers make. We'd also like too see how her friends and family cope with this.
Ms. Marvel (2022)
Gets Better every episode
Now after watching Episode 4, I get why people (like me) are rating this a 10 / 10. It gets better and better each week and I can't wait until the denouement whenever that's going to happen.
The Queen's Gambit (2020)
Absolutely Briliant!
Writing, cinematography, costumer design, direction, musical score and the acting were the best I've seen in a long time. While Ms. Taylor-Joy and Ms. Heller obviously deserved all of the awards they've received, I though the breakout actor in this movie was. Isla Johnston playing Beth as A 9-year-old.
A Christmas Carol (2009)
A Perfect Ten
For Jim Carrey, the animation and the story. Truer to the original story than other versions. A little humour with the Marley ghost and his facial contortions.
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Brilliant1
Emily Blunt - Wonderful. Lin-Manuel Miranda - Exceptional. Choreography - Dazzling. Songs and Orchestration - Marvelous. The viewer is filled with amazing feelings just like the original version from the 60's. Can't ait to watch it again and again.
Real Detective: Angel Doe (2017)
Arnold Pinnock
Having worked in the courts for many years, I worked on many criminal cases involving children. They were heartbreaking. I know that cases like these tear up the police who work them and Arnold Pinnock portrayed that wonderfully.
Emily's Wonder Lab (2020)
Not Just for Kids
Like the kids on the show, each episode teaches everyone, including me, a 69-year-old fogey, some interesting things about science. Sometimes I find kids' shows more educational than documentaries.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Satire ... or our Future
Perhaps this was written as a satire but so many elements seem true to life. The fact that politics plays such a big role in the decisions being made (or not made) seems to be the way that this world is going.
Merry Happy Whatever (2019)
Laugh Track Not Needed or Wanted
Good writing and acting For me, the real star of the show was Elizabeth Ho. She deserves a leading role in a movie or series but will probably have to wait until the studios get on board.
A Clüsterfünke Christmas (2021)
Fun, fun, fun
Rachel Dratch and Ana Gasteyer have borught their top-level skills from SNL to the big screen! And every time a product placement segment appeared, I laughed a lot. And I could see. Vella Lowell on stage on SNL.
Kamikaze (2021)
Brilliant
I would rate this an 11 just for Marie Reuther's acting performance. Another reviewer says he/she can't relate to the character but how can you unless you're in a similar situation.
A Very Country Christmas (2017)
Bea
Very pleased to see Bea Santos, a favourite, as the lead in a movie. Although I'm glad to see her occasionally on Murdoch but like most Canadian actors, she doesn't get the opportunities that she deserves.
Christmas in Washington (2021)
Cast
Why are the 2 leads listed at the bottom of the cast ? It seems that since Ms Lisinska and Mr Damyon are the best of the cast they shoukd be at the top.
A Castle for Christmas (2021)
Bright Shiny Star
There are 2 actors, in my humble opinion, who make the viewing audience buy into the character they are portraying. One of those two is Ms Shields (well, the adult version that is). I have never been disappointed in one of her performances and although this wasn't the best script, she made me believe in her almost immediately.
Ordinary Joe (2021)
Innovative
Finally a series which explores the results of a decision made years before by following the main character's life 10 years after having made a choice. Joe has 3 possibilities presented to him and the story picks up 10 years later as we follow Joe on all 3 of his future paths. American mainstream media often do not like creative shows so this one will be cancelled by NBC after 1 year.
The Fall of Anne Boleyn (2020)
Good subject gone wrong
I only rated it a 4 because at least half the time, we're watching doors close and hourglasses emptying. Also, I thought that blaming it all on Cromwell instead of the King was off-target.
Lover Come Back (1961)
Name of the Pianist
What was the name of the pianist in the bar? She only has a few lines but plays and sings wonderfully.