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sarahjuliet
Reviews
Starstruck: Episode #3.6 (2023)
On behalf of childless women THANK YOU
I've loved 'Starstruck from the start. Rose Matafeo is thoroughly charming, I was invested in the main story, and even the more annoying characters had their moments of redemption. One thought kept nagging at me in this third (final?) series though: if Jessie's maternal instincts kick in at the end, thereby making her finally 'worthy' of Tom, I will be sorely disappointed. But after all the babies in that last episode, it wasn't about that, but about friendship, earning trust, being grateful for what you have and being there for people who need you. Nicely done Ms Matafeo.
Also: Team Liam, all the way.
Extraordinary (2023)
Smart and fearless and TUNES
On paper this very British young adult comedy is made up of so many familiar parts, but the writing is fresh, unpredictable and often riotously funny. The principal roles are perfectly cast - the housemates completely believable as former student friends growing in different directions, and the weirdness, grounded in familiar situations, seems completely natural. I quickly learned I could trust the writers to land each embarrassing situation so I could relax and enjoy the ride. A couple of familiar faces are reassuring but don't distract from the main characters. And whoever chose the music had a LOT of fun - the soundtrack is excellent. After the first run through I missed its company, so I watched it again.
We are rehoming a cat tomorrow, I'm sorely tempted to change his name. At least I'll get him a laser pointer.
Moonfall (2022)
I don't think that's how physics works... never mind
I knew this was going to turn silly, but three glasses of wine couldn't quite prepare me. Covid made us all do weird things, but how the producers of this craziness managed to sign up Halle Berry is beyond me. The story is codswallop, and anything even vaguely really still look like CGI. Still, it's admirable quite how far the cast embrace the ridiculousness, it's played dead straight and for that I loved it. Whether or not this becomes a cult classic is anyone's guess, maybe it's too long, but I'd love a future where drunk physics students in astronaut costumes shout the lines back at the screen. To be embraced if you're in the mood for silly.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
'Last Night' with schmaltz and a road trip, no?
This should be exactly my sort of movie: an apocalypse, a cute dog and a record collection. Steve Carell and Keira Knightley are always good value - no real chemistry but given the circumstances, who are we to say? - and the bit parts brought some lovely surprises. But it's basically Last Night (1988) with a budget, a car and a manic dream pixie girl, no? It's a great set up though and at least they managed to keep the cynical worldview, against type for Hollywood. So - basically fine, if a few character beats didn't quite fit, and the dog and tunes were excellent.
Dave Made a Maze (2017)
For anyone who who made a den as a kid
Beautiful to look at, this movie plays like an extended episode of 'Community' - no bad thing. The characters and script may clunk on occasion, but I've seen both this and Netflix's crashy bangy new megaflick today, and this is the one I'll remember.
The Tourist (2022)
Appealing and gripping with a delicious script
Well, I loved it. The story kept me guessing, the actors are appealing and there isn't a word out of place. Danielle Macdonald should doing what she's doing, I was invested in Helen's story long before The Man became interesting. I can't speak to Australian authenticity but there were flashes of the glorious Upright. Jumps to Greece and India were less welcome, but it all tied together in the end. If there's a second season - somehow - I would love to see these characters again.
Starstruck (2021)
Completely charming
Really lovely. So similar on paper to Notting Hill, but quirky and bang up to date, with well-rounded, not alway sympathetic characters and a different side of London, pretty but brutal.
To the reviewer who went through and described what was so bad about each episode - Why the heckling heck did you keep watching?? And I loved the chemistry.
Black Mirror: USS Callister (2017)
Disturbing on a deeper level
I was looking forward to USS Callister. I've loved the cast in other work, but I felt a little let down - maybe the concept was a little flimsy for the budget, maybe it was too far-fetched for Black Mirror.
Then I read up a little, then my husband and I argued for hours - did the 'bad guys' win? Were the colleagues the outliers or was Daly projecting his own inadequacies on them? (I would argue the CEO is unfortunately fairly typical.) Do you have a moral obligation to assimilate the office weirdo - because introversion is not a negative character trait? If the office is an unhealthy environment for some, what is the alternative - as that way the online nightmare lies.
Then - could Daly see the humanity in the avatars, and what does that say about him?
I did not sleep well. Job well done, Mr Brooker.
Song Exploder (2020)
Completely charming, completely respectful
Please ignore the troll who got here before me. Song Exploder is a podcast that's been running for years, where Hrishi Hirway interviews an artist about the technical and emotional history of a single track - then takes himself out of the conversation, allowing the artist to tell the full story. Each episode is made with care and respect, and the podcast grew by word of mouth to become a real phenomenon. I'm so pleased Hrishi got the permission and budget to expand this onto Netflix, and the guests, song choices and graphics are seriously impressive. Glorious.
Two Weeks to Live (2020)
Just what I needed
Look, it won't win any awards and the script is a tiny bit smug, but I adored this. There is real pathos between the self-aware gags - the 'close your eyes' scene hit me right in the gut. Maisie Williams carries the whole thing, and Taheen Modak's evolution as Jay is skewiff and charming. Bring on series 2.