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ServalanQueen
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Inside No. 9: A Quiet Night In (2014)
One of the best things on TV I have ever seen
It is very hard to do this episode justice in a review - I think you simply have to watch it for yourself. I loved it from start to finish, and the contrast at the start between Dennis Lawson's calmness and the frantic ineptitude of the would-be art thieves was a joy, with the soundtrack of Rachmaninov working perfectly as a backdrop to their exploits. The segment about text messages had me laughing out loud. The lack of spoken dialogue became a strength, not a weakness; with the non-stop action ensuring that your attention is held all the way through. Half way through with the introduction of Oona Chaplin, things notched up a gear and art theft ceased to be the only crime on the menu. I won't say any more but if you're a dog lover - you might like to have a pillow to hide behind. This is comedy with a heart of darkness, and all the better for it. Last but not least - I want that house! Although I might do a bit of spring cleaning under the beds before I moved in...
Black Angel (1980)
A very special film
Like others, I saw this film as a child just before watching Empire Strikes Back,and to be honest until I read the recent news about it being rediscovered by Universal, I had forgotten it was a real film - it was so dream-like and ethereal. I have also seen 'Gawain and the Green Knight' and 'Excalibur' a few times and I guess all of them have become a bit mixed in my mind. The Black Angel was definitely a haunting piece of cinema, and I can't wait to see it again, and show it to my son - I am sure it would appeal to children today, even if it may seem a bit old-fashioned. I miss the custom of having a short film with the main feature - it was a nice tradition, although sometimes the short might seem a bit 'random'. Not this one though - it was excellent.
In the Flesh (2013)
Powerful 'kitchen-sink' zombie drama
There is so much to praise about 'In the Flesh' - the standard of the writing and acting is superb, and I found it a gripping and compelling series from start to finish. I really enjoyed the twist of the story addressing the zombie point of view as well as the survivors'. It is 'kitchen-sink' because it focuses on ordinary people being affected by the aftermath of a zombie incident, rather than the larger sphere of politics and the military, but that works to its advantage. It brings out, in many subtle and varied ways, the different aspects of humanity revealed at times of crisis - courage, love and loyalty on the one hand; prejudice, hatred and fear on the other. The scenes where the PDS-sufferers (zombies) are made to sit in a separate 'apartheid' section of the pub, or the character who's been bitten is forced into a 'pen' and treated like a subhuman by his neighbours, are heartbreakingly realistic and resonant of many sad episodes in human history. The other thing I think it does brilliantly well is deal with the issue of suicide, and show the devastating impact of this on the people left behind. My only complaint is that the series is over too soon - three episodes just isn't enough - and I hope that the 'undead prophet' subplot will come to fruition in a future series.
Side Effects (2013)
Interesting and tense drama
I really enjoyed this film overall, and would recommend it if you enjoy tense, twisty thrillers. It held my attention the whole way through, with the tension building strongly in the second half. It is not often I can say that a film is 'edge of the seat' but this had me almost biting my nails while watching, helped in no small part by the music. Jude Law was superb, in quite an understated way - I think it would have been easy to overact at times, but his performance was very controlled, and all the better for it. Rooney Mara was even more superb - her 'depressed' acting was very realistic based on my watching my sister who was hospitalised with depression. I've read other reviews saying the ending was too neat but actually I thought it was very appropriate - there is no 'hero' in this film - just human beings with varying degrees of selfishness and greed. The fact that Law's character has not behaved like a knight in shining armour, but has worked the situation to his own financial advantage, makes his character more rounded and believable.
A Good Day to Die Hard (2013)
Disappointing sequel
I really enjoyed the trailer for this film and went with high hopes I would enjoy the film too - but I'm afraid if you've seen the trailer you've pretty much seen the best bits. I actually fell asleep in the second half of the film, despite all the explosions and gunfire. I found the film just completely unengaging unlike the other Die Hard films which managed to combine action with characterisation and humour. I found myself not caring whether John McClane lived or died because he had less personality than a terminator in this movie, and that's something I never thought I'd say. Not so much Yippee Kay Yay more RIP. Let Bruce retire and the franchise rest in peace. I'll continue to watch the first three films with great pleasure - especially at Christmas - and the fourth film occasionally - but I never need to watch this 5th film again. Having said that I do like the actor Jai Courtney, and enjoyed him in Jack Reacher, so maybe if they do a 6th film with him and a better script and director I would chance it.