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ElleH64
Reviews
Divorce (2016)
Carrie Bradshaw does Divorce
This HBO series should've been called "Carrie Bradshaw Gets Divorced" because that's the EXACT character that Sarah Jessica Parker is playing (and the only character she knows how to play). Here you will see SJP's latest Carrie Bradshaw variation doing all of the classic Carrie Bradshaw moves: the pointing finger, the wild hand gestures, the absolute identical voice inflection and phrasing, the same goofy clothes, the same raccoon eye makeup, the same hair, the same black bra/white shirt combo and - of COURSE - the same constant running in high heels.
And if that didn't convince you, half of the actors in this series were also in Sex & The City. I'm sure this is an SJP production and I can imagine how she pitched this series: "Imagine if Carrie actually did marry Aiden and had 2 kids and moved to the country and then got divorced."
I gave this 2 stars because 1) Thomas Haden Church is great; and 2) the soundtrack is awesome.
The Gilded Age (2022)
Another Julian Fellowes Triumph
Here we see Julian Fellowes tell the story of late 19th century New York City high society, specifically the clash between the old money blue-bloods and the nouveau riche. As with all things Julian Fellowes does, the attention to historical detail - from clothing, to decor, to food, to mannerisms - is absolutely superb. The acting is fantastic, as most of the cast are Tony award-winning Broadway theater actors who found themselves available in early 2020 (when filming began) as a result of Covid shutting down the Broadway theaters.
Some reviewers mention that The Gilded Age seems like a copy of Downton Abbey, likely not realizing that Julian Fellowes is the creator of both... and that both are part of the same transatlantic high-society story (although The Gilded Age begins in 1882 and Downton Abbey begins in 1912. Moreover, Julian Fellowes has hinted in an interview that he plans to introduce at some point a young Cora Levinson (later known as Cora Crawley/Lady Grantham), as it was known from Downton Abbey that Cora was known to both NYC and Newport society and was part of the less-accepted nouveau riche (thus the reason she was sent to London to find a husband).
It's also interesting the references to the old 5th Avenue mansions. In fact, the Russell's mansion which is identified as being at 801 5th Avenue (at E. 61st) is actually the Bostwick Mansion (demolished in.1979, where now stands a 33-story luxury apartment building).
I Don't Know How She Does It (2011)
I Don't Know Why They Bothered
This film is based on the Allison Pearson book of the same name. The book is set in London and the film set in Boston. Beyond that, this film is true to the book, in that it's poorly-written, unfunny and not original. A far better film was made about the stresses, strains and juggling involved in being a working mother: and that was Baby Boom, starring Diane Keaton.
In this movie, we see Sarah Jessica Parker once again playing Carrie Bradshaw.... complete with the running in heels, the loud smoochy kisses and the lizard-tongue darting out of her mouth when she eats. SJP's acting range begins and ends with Carrie Bradshaw. SJP - same character, different movie. Over and over and over again.
Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear are both charming and endearing in their roles, although I have no idea what made them sign on to this dud (particularly opposite SJP). I'm thinking boredom. Or maybe a bit of extra cash to remodel their kitchens. I have no idea.
If you want to see a more poignant, funny and charming movie about a working woman's work/life balance challenges... watch Baby Boom.
And Just Like That... (2021)
Really Painful
And Just Like That.... Sex & The City died. I watched the first 2 episodes back to back. I don't think I can stomach a third. This actually makes the SATC-2 movie seem like an Oscar-winning film. It is THAT bad. I was going to give a detailed "spoiler alert" review of the specifics, but to be honest, I just can't bear to think about it any further. It's just so ridiculously bad.
Bonjour Anne (2016)
Not a film
This is not a film. It's an Instagram account. It's little more than watching Diane Lane eating, drinking and taking pictures of her food. There is no actual story or point to this. There is just nothing of substance here.
The Whole Truth (2016)
Keeps You Guessing
This movie will definitely keep you guessing until the end. I figured the kid wasn't the killer, but then I kept going back and forth between 3 or 4 different possible people (Loretta, Janelle, Alex the neighbor kid and the flight attendant). Didn't expect that ending... but once it's revealed, it does ALL make sense and the clues were there the whole time. There were flashbacks that each time showed a little bit more. The answer was right there under your nose the whole time.
Blue Night (2018)
Failed Attempt
The concept of this film is good. The execution of it was pretentious, overwrought, self-indulgent and ultimately a failure. The concept is intriguing: a renowned NYC jazz singer (SJP) finds out she has a terminal brain tumor. The film aimed to capture her processing this bad news over a period of 24 hrs (she keeps the news to herself). I'm not sure why they made the main character a renowned jazz singer. Why not a renowned Broadway director, playwright or actress? At least that would have spared us SJP's awful singing. The other problem: Vivienne's (SJP's) thoughts and reactions as she processes this bad news aren't particularly relatable and there is a serious overuse of arthouse gimmickry. Moreover, the character isn't even likable, such that you find yourself rooting a bit for the brain tumor. All that being said, Sarah Jessica Parker does not have the chops for drama.
I Care a Lot (2020)
Ludicrous
Never mind the insidious tale. The implausibility of it all is mind-boggling.
The courtroom scenes are beyond laughable. The show is quite literally unwatchable.
Sliding Doors (1998)
Watch it for John Hannah
It took Peter Howitt 7 years to write this script - 7 years that were not wisely spent. The concept is great and came from a real-life experience Howitt had (almost being hit by a car). The editing in this film is excellent, as you watch the two realities playing out simultaneously. This film really "has something", but Peter Howitt failed to flesh it completely out. The problem is that the main character, Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) is as dull, wet rag. As such, you really don't care about ANY of her realities because she's boring in both of them. Her character is as stiff as Paltrow's stilted, posher-than-posh British accent (which really comes across as fake against all the other authentic British, Scottish and Irish accents). Definitely watch it - but know that the best thing about this film is John Hannah. Oh, and try to overlook Paltrow's 17th century aristocratic British accent.
Vanity Fair (2004)
It's Okay-ish
To be fair, William Makepeace Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" is one of those novels that just doesn't translate well to film (be it a movie or mini-series). That said, this was a serviceable adaptation. It had an all-star cast and screenwriters. The only real "meh" was the casting of Jonathan Rhys Meyers as George Osborne. I can't quite figure out if Jonathan Rhys Meyers is constantly being miscast or if he's just a terrible actor. In terms of facial expressions, mannerisms, speech syntax, etc.. I could see absolutely zero difference between his portrayal of George Osborne and Henry VIII. I thought everyone else was wonderful (particularly Eileen Atkins).
Julie & Julia (2009)
Watch It For The Julia Part
Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci were absolutely divine in their portrayals of Julia and Paul Child. Nora Ephron was absolutely genius in including this story as part of the movie - which, in my opinion - could have been the entire movie. If you read Julie Powell's book or - even more importantly - her original and subsequent blogs, then you know that Amy Adams' portrayal of Powell was quite generous. In the movie, it's a little bit hard to figure out why Julia Child "hates" Julie, but not so much if you read her blogs. In real life, Julia Child wanted nothing to do with the blog/book/movie because she thought it was a "stunt", was turned off by Julie's vulgar language and thought she was unserious about food (as in how could such delicious food be appreciated in such a potty mouth). In the movie, we see Julie have a few breakdowns and some self-pity, but we don't see the constant profanity, drinking and political vitriol. Like others have pointed out, it's rather hard to believe that Julie Powell ACTUALLY cooked all of those recipes by herself in a year whilst working a full-time job. More likely, she tried some and just fake-blogged about the rest. Like others, I have those cookbooks. There are NO shortcuts. The ingredients are expensive and the tools/pots/pans, etc... are also expensive... and her kitchen was just too small. Do we really believe she just came across an aspic mold? Or that her husband just happened to find her a calf hoof? Nah. Don't believe it. It makes for a cute movie (based in part on what's probably a partially fictional blog), but it's STILL worth watching for how Nora Ephron pulled it together and most especially for the Julia/Paul Child part... which was truly the best part.
Once Upon a Time (2011)
Wonderful Show
I really do love this show. I love the way it marries and twists all our most beloved fairy tales and brings seemingly unrelated characters together. Reminds me of Penny Dreadful. The standout actor in this series in Robert Carlyle. His portrayal of Rumplestiltskin is nothing short of brilliant. He adds just the right element of whimsy to the character (especially in the non-Storybrooke scenes) and somehow manages to be a dark, despicable character while also giving glimpses into Rumplestiltskin's vulnerability and humanity. Carlyle never quite lets you forget about the man who existed before "the Dark One". It's simply a masterful performance.