tjkrbrown Reviews

A Royal Christmas Holiday (2023 TV Movie)

No Chemistry

[3/10 · 28 December 2023]

I can't say I understand the folks (apologies) that saw chemistry between these two. They both felt flat in this highly predictable show. It felt like they were both reciting their lines, and neither is more than above-average in looks. Often, in these films, supporting actors rescue an otherwise tepid show, but, alas, such is not the case here.

Well into the story I still couldn't decide, from the narrative, if she was leading him along in order to get a killer interview. But the biggest mystery was why his shields weren't up in this situation. As a royal prince he must have developed a bit of a hard shell, and he appears to be a naive 30-yr old here.

No chemistry. No tension. Blah.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

The Kitchen Sink

[4/10 · 16 July 2023]

Were the Hollywood Film Editors practicing for the strike on this film? Or maybe Spielberg, in his new Producer role, threatened them, so they wouldn't "kill the darlings".

2 hours and 34(?) minutes of every idea that crossed his mind.

You could (and should) edit 30-45 minutes out of this film, and perhaps you'd have a decent picture. People in our local theatre were getting up and pacing and stretching in the back. During the action scenes.

Less is more, Stephen.

The entire Banderas subplot was unnecessary, and Sullah felt like he was wedged into the story by brute force.

As to CGI, it kinda worked, but it was still just a young face on the body of a man in his 80s. He still moved and sounded 80.

As to PWB, well, she had a few moments, but tread dangerously close to Mary Sue status in this one. The actress may well have a bright future if she can get more nuanced roles. Just a bit too omnipotent and smug in this one.

There were a few positives. The last action sequence was actually pretty cool, despite logical holes you could fly a plane through ;-). The opening sequence had merit, even though, oddly, I felt like I'd seen it before... hmmm.

The new director, Mangold, was competent, but he just wasn't Spielberg. Not that I think Spielberg is the best director ever, but Indiana Jones is kinda his baby.

Finally, why do we need to deconstruct yet another old Boomer hero? Jones: "...I've come to believe it's not so much about what you believe, it's how hard you believe it." That's all you learned? Channeling Peter Pan?

Et tu, Indiana?

Death in Paradise: Steamy Confessions (2021) Season 10, Episode 2

Meh

[22 August 2022]

Just isn't getting better. This inspector and cast are just not up to the first few years. Blah, blah, blah. Bring back Mooney, or better yet, Humphrey. The best description of the new guy continues to be "annoyingly mediocre". I'm with the Commissioner on this one.

I'm about to toss the whole series.

Perry Mason (2020–2023)

Anachronistic

[2/10 · 3 June 2022]

Despite several period touches, the screen writers persistently insert language and activities rare or unknown at the time. The F-Bombs were NOT commonplace, nor were the sexual situations. It is impossible to imagine Raymond Burr having this past.

Perhaps the screenwriters could hire at least one person over 60 to review the screenplay for verisimilitude. Just a thought.

I'm giving this a TWO for the decent cinematography. Otherwise, it's a ONE... never watching again.

Earle Stanley Gardner is spinning in his grave.

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2022)

Too Slow

[6/10 · 20 April 2022]

I love the Grand Dame of Mystery, and am a huge Hugh Laurie fan, especially due to his involvement in the lovingly re-made Jeeves and Wooster, but this one was just too slow. Perhaps two installments instead of three? Not Christie's best, and hasn't aged especially well. Laurie gets a lot of slack from me, and I hope he gets involved with more classics, but this one was a bit turgid.

Around the World in 80 Days (2021– )

Trudging Around the World

[2/10 · 11 January 2022]

Not certain why Tennant is so highly thought of. I my estimation, he's a poor-man's Roddy MacDowell. He can play depressed, edgy characters. He was properly typecast as Barty Crouch, Jr, but tends to suck the life out of deeper characters. He's a vague, testosterone-free non-entity in this one.

Anyway, the only watchable acting in this unnecessary remake is delivered by Ibrahim Koma.

The only improvement on the original is the marvelous credits.

Murder in Paradise (2013– )

Started out great... sliding into mediocrity

[5/10 · 27 April 2020]

Not sure why there are so many cast changes. Loss of Duane is huge. Just not that interesting anymore. Sliding into the great swamp of mediocre shows. Snooze.

The Mallorca Files (2019– )

Meh

[3/10 · 27 April 2020]

The German detective is interesting... an emotive German... like to see more of him...but the Brit woman looks likes she's going through the motions... like she'd rather be somewhere else. Sad. Good setting. Good direction, camerawork and production values. Just a bad match for the main actress. No chemistry. I'd be surprised if there's a third season.

Belgravia (2020)

Downton Abbey for Homely People

[3/10 · 14 April 2020]

Grace, elegance and beauty are absent in this presentation. Excellent sets and costumes, but the characters are strangely bleak and ordinary. Pass.