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Reviews
QB VII (1974)
One of the most amazing mini-series I have ever seen.... but the ending?
QB VII is a master-work of art, implementing such depth and complexity that it is sometimes impossible to follow, much like real life. It also leaves you with so many questions in the end that you long to be answered, so much so that you feel terribly cheated when the final credits roll. Anthony Hopkin's character is so complex and evasive that he leaves you guessing throughout the entire film as to whether he is guilty or not. You wish desperately to like him, and he makes you like him in the first half, because he appears to be such a good person. The fact that Cady is such a letch and a cad doesn't help the situation because you want so desperately for Kelno to be right and good and Cady to be wrong, but alas, it doesn't turn out this way. I wish they would have explored Kelno's reasons for performing these operations more thoroughly; was it merely out of fear, or was it truly due to hatred of the Jews? We will never know, but what we do know is that fear makes one do terrible things, twists the mind, and destroys all aspects of human dignity. The emotional anguish and turbulence I experienced while watching this is comparable only to what I experienced when I visited the Holocaust museum in Washington, D.C., or read the book Night by Ellie Weissel. Of all the tragedies in human history, the Holocaust was one of the worst. This mini-series explores the emotional implications and ramifications of this event so accurately and rawly that it leaves one feeling drained at the end, yet exhilarated and challenged out of complacency. A true triumph of film, and, in my opinion, one of sir Anthony Hopkins' finest and most emotionally complex performances.
Tell It to the Bees (2018)
I cried like a baby, absolutely riveting
There are less than 5 movies that can bring tears to my eyes, and this incredibly beautiful film has just added itself to that list. The writing is exquisite, culminating in such a simple message at the end that it brought on the waterworks. The incorporation of the bees was beautiful and profound, rich in symbolism and childhood innocence. Just goes to show that you do not need to be loud, outspoken, or violent to bring about change. Being unafraid of who you are is enough. Best LGBTQ+ film I have ever had the privilege to see. Definitely deserves a much higher rating than what it got.
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (2020)
Haven't seen the original, and don't plan on it
When it comes to the original series, I will never watch it, because the trailer was enough to freak me out. I don't do horror or lots of supernatural/satanic stuff. For me, this show is much more up my alley with all the political turmoil and propagandist drama, not to mention our nation's rich history of racism and police brutality. I love how the angel of death is orchestrating everything in the background. Because I have no intention of ever watching the original, I am rating this show as a stand-alone series, and it's a damn good one at that; at least so far.