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Reviews
Cold Comfort Farm (1995)
Much funnier than I thought it would be
Based on a slightly amusing spoof gothic novel by Stella Gibbons (not Jane Austen as one reviewer here said). I read the book some years ago and didn't know there were any film or TV adaptations. This film amused me on a Sunday afternoon.
In fact I barely remember the book other than the catchphrase 'something nasty in the woodshed' which always set me off humming that song.
Acting is perfect, Kate Beckinsale has the required Pollyanna attitude and Eileen Atkins was gloriously eccentric as cousin Judith.
I'm not a fan of Rufus Sewell, I find his stereotypical 'smouldering' looks a bit unpleasant, but in this, the smouldering is just perfect.
I actually laughed out loud many times. It's a spoof of a certain type of gothic novel/film. If you forget that it's a spoof, you may well find some of the acting a bit OTT but then it's supposed to be.
Falling for Figaro (2020)
Entertaining if you like rom coms and/or opera
I liked it. Loved the singing (but then I do love opera). Loved the Scottish scenery. Loved Danielle McDonald in The Tourist and Dumplin' and it's so nice to have a romantic lead who is not so skinny (even though she is also very pretty). Even Joanna Lumley was bearable. The two male leads were good too; Shazad Latif is always good to look at and the other one was ok too(!). And I've always liked Gary Lewis in anything I've seen him in.
I was just in the mood for something light hearted and sweet and this really hit the spot for me. I would not have bothered going to a cinema to watch it but on TV it was just right.
Hobson's Choice (1954)
Delightful
I haven't watched this film for years and although I remembered the plot, I'd forgotten that it is actually quite funny. And delightful. Often, old, old films like this don't age well and you find yourself wondering what you originally found amusing but not this one.
Also some of the reviews here amused me, including the one which reckoned that the 'Victorian London accents' were difficult to understand. Salford, not London, actually but never mind! (Maybe put the subtitles on?)
It's a great Sunday afternoon film. And it's got a very young Sybil Fawlty! And Private Frazer from Dad's Army! And Richard Wattis who's a veteran of many many British films.
The Pembrokeshire Murders (2021)
Absorbing watch
I don't remember hearing about this case so it's all new to me. It's a good police procedural with lots of detail which could be boring but still had some dramatic interest as far as I'm concerned. Good cast and script and great scenery. Just don't watch expecting exciting car chases and the like. It's not even a whodunnit, more of a 'will they prove it'.
NB for the two reviewers who apparently objected to the presence of Black characters. Get over yourselves. Black people have been in south Wales for over a century (possibly longer) and it's not impossible that some will be in the police. The lead character is a white man, is that not sufficient?
Malpractice (2023)
Dramatic
I enjoyed this and binged it over two evenings. Most of the cast, except Brian Bovell, are unknown to me. But all seem to me to be convincing.
Bit puzzled by the reviewer who asked ' where's the men'. Did this person watch a different programme? Let me see. The A&E consultant: a man. One out of the two investigators: male. One out of the two juniors: male (and not a nurse as erroneously mentioned. Strong hints that it's a 'women good, men bad' show. Apart form the husband who's not written as bad. The junior doctor, Oscar, not written as bad. The investigator Dr Adjei, again not written as bad. The barrister Sir Anthony Owusu, again, not an evil character at all. On the other hand, the 'strong female lead' character could be considered morally dubious at the very least. So matey your argument doesn't stand up. But I guess those who feel their tv shows should mainly feature straight white men of noble character then you might feel a bit miffed. Still I say the husband's a good'un.
One or two things I'd query. Bit surprised the police weren't involved a lot earlier on. And yes, how did the MIU people get hold of phone record?
Apart from that worth a watch if you like thrillers involving a big conspiracy going right to the top.
The Pact (2021)
Baffled by low score
I can't understand why the low score. Well maybe I can. It's four women in the lead. It's a Black woman as the senior police officer. It's the presence of an utter turd who gets himself offed because he's an utter turd. 'Not all men' I hear you say. No not all men. No man I know behaves like that but you can hardly deny they exist. Anyway this isn't a true crime drama it's fiction so get over yourselves.
Great cast and great acting. And a surprise whodunnit. Well it surprised me anyway. Enjoyed it.
Vigil (2021)
Good drama kept us intrigued but it is fiction, people!
Please note, it is a fictional drama, and not a true crime docudrama.
So someone gives it 1 point rating because (clutch my pearls!) there's a black man in charge of the submarine? It must be hard work to be so racist that this will totally affect your interest in, or enjoyment of, something that is actually a fictional drama, and a well made one as well. What are you saying here, we can only cast a black actor (the wonderful Patterson Joseph) in a part if there's already someone similar already doing the same job in real life? Why?
As for the BBC being 'woke' hahahahahaha. No. I know people who work there, and this is so far from the truth to be totally laughable, so I laughed.
Where's the anti-nuclear bias someone mentioned? There's been none, unless it's the presence of an anti-nuclear peace camp (which does exist in real life). Why does this mean an anti-nuclear bias and not, you know, the presence of a nuclear submarine not indidicate a pro-nuclear bias? So far (episode two) I don't see any presumptions of 'nukes are bad'.
So, what did you reviewers actually think of the drama, acting, script, photography, etc? Too busy moaning about the boat being too big (it's a film set!) and the living quarters in the wrong place. From my point of view, I am enjoying it. Suranne Jones is good as usual, and I'm liking the Endeavour actor (Shaun Evans) in his role. Yes, there are a few stereotypical plot devices, cop with a traumatic past, etc etc some of which would normally make me roll my eyes, but there are quite a few negative reviews for nonsense reasons not related to the actual tv show that I've upped the score a bit.
Looking forward to the next episode.