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Reviews
Murdoch Mysteries: The Final Curtain (2019)
So cheesy!
Such a cheesy episode but so wonderfully funny. I'm not a fan of how amateur theatre is portrayed on camera, as I find them an over grotesque view and demeaning of grass root theatres, yet this was very acceptable. There were the usual variety of characters but none of them overblown or overacted (too much).
Then there is our core cast, able to play for some laughs at times but without betraying their usual character.
I would love to see this episode written as a stage play for amateur theatres to produce as it makes a fine plot with a cast of 'theatricals' being scrutinised by a more reserved detective team.
Bravo on the writing.
Schitt$ Creek: Life Is a Cabaret (2019)
WOW!
A beautiful well rounded episode. And to see The characters Twyla, Alexis, Patrick and Stevie perform two numbers from Cabaret was amazing and lovely to see versatility in their characters. The show was definitely stolen by Emily Hampshire and a beautiful heartfelt rendition of 'Maybe This Time' had me in floods of tears and re-watching that number again and again. Noah Reid as the Patrick, as Emcee is just beautifully gorgeous!
This is definitely one of my favourite episodes and I've watched the full series several times and each time I notice more brilliant things about the show.
Well Done to Dan Levy.
Murdoch Mysteries: The Accident (2017)
WOW! BEAUTIFUL, SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL.
This was an amazing episode full of sadness, rebuke, love, anger and laughter. I'm in awe of David Hewlett, everything I have seen him in has been amazing, he's able to portray humour within sadness and sadness within humour. He made me cry and even though I have seen this episode a few times, I'm always stilled by the performances and the atmosphere.
The Directing, camera work, lighting, acting and everyone involved was exemplary.
There was only one thing wrong with this episode and that was having commercial breaks. I believe it could have achieved even higher accolades if it was a continuous, uninterrupted performance. Unfortunately it was not, but the performances were that good the tension was kept and maintained.
BRAVO.
13 Minutes (2021)
High in reality not in sensationalism
I really enjoyed this movie.
I understand how some people were disappointed as it's not the usual high octane, fast paced, drama fuelled, cliffhanger filled movie that comes to be expected from a film of this genre. However, I thought it showed a reality to it. I can't comment on the reality of the actual tornado as I've never experienced one, but the way that the characters acted towards and reacted to each other was very much like watching normal people. This shows that things are normal until there is a catastrophic event.
I really enjoyed the normality. We still got some cliched characters, the extremely selfish character leaving others to protect themselves, the not grumpy ogre/boss leaving his guests as the weather turns, but then coming good and helping others, the love story but not sensationalised or over egged, the parents worrying about their kids, one of them deaf (an amazing actor and one to watch in the future) but none were over the top.
I love the high octane, fast paced, drama fuelled, cliffhanger filled movies. I love disaster movies in general, I always used to say it was because I like to see how people react, but that is Hollywood Blockbuster style, this wasn't that. I found a lot more melancholy and shock and OMG than I thought I would. I found myself holding my breath a couple of times and I'm glad that I haven't been de-sensitised to the horrors of natural catastrophes.
I hope this can be read in the right way, I'm not too good with my words at times.
The Amazing Mr Blunden (2021)
A very pleasant film
Having been enchanted by the Diana Dors and Lawerence Naismith version when I was a child, I was excited and apprehensive to see this version. However I have learnt with re-makes, that while comparisons will be made, I should take a fresh view at the re-make and treat it as a new film. That's what I did with this one.
I found it to have a charm and while there seemed to be less of the 'fantastical' view that I remember with the previous film, it gave an updated version with modern characters.
Simon Callow was a great Mr Blunden and it was great to see the two guest cameo roles.
I have kept this on my TiVo box and have watched it a few times. And am waiting for the Naismith/Dors version to come on!
Sh**ged Married Annoyed (2019)
I'm always laughing!
Wow! I'm a late comer to this podcast, infact it's my first podcast and I chose it cause I've always liked Chris. I will now amend my like to I love Chris AND Rosie! Extremely good banter and plenty of astonishing, jaw-on-floor stories. I've started from the beginning and have just got up to repercussions from the soap dispenser.
One thing I will say, the events in the letters are mainly believable, (yes I've lived a colourful life!)
Keep it up you superstars, you make my day while I'm doing chores!
The Rookie: Hit and Run (2021)
I'm pressed
It's obvious that this episode was done during some restrictions due to the covid pandemic, to cut down the amount of people on the sets. It's got a good use of camera technology although I do agree with some that there are too many camera angle changes, especially in the cars.
An extremely good attempt to keep production going and our appetite for new programs and episodes in a very difficult era of our lives. So don't judge it in the usual way, take into account the pandemic.
9-1-1 (2018)
A returning viewer
Having not watched 9-1-1 for a while I decided to catch up so started watching season 4. While a lot of the story lines are far fetched with them happening one after the other, I reminded myself that this is a continuing drama and that general life on the planet is made up of all the bad, bizarre and funny events. They just happen to all happen here! I find a successful series of this sort of nature where it's protagonists are based in an everyday vocation/job/career, it has to cover all forms of the entertainment business. In the majority I believe it does. The drama is performed with suitable brevity and the comedy is delivered with extremely good timing.
Major applause from me especially for season 4 which is dealing with the brutal pandemic, and while you can tell it's filmed with safety and caution in mind it doesn't not detract from any drama or comedic performance. It deals with a factual and current storyline with ease and with a certain gentleness but not forgetting the severity of the situation.
I applaud the people behind the scenes working to creating a functioning environment to bring us a continuing series filled with all the colours and emotions of human existence.