joclarke76 Reviews

Christmas Carole (2022 TV Movie)

Brilliant family Christmas film

[10/10 · 30 December 2022]

Wonderful Christmas film - highly recommended. Suranne Jones continues to impress with her varied project choices in 2022, and does it again with a full bodied and committed performance as Carole, a modern day Scrooge character straight out of Dickens- but with a twist. Jo Brand is an absolute hoot. With a wonderful mix of sentiment, humour, tragedy and hope for the future, this film has something for everyone. The Morcombe and Wise segments are particularly poignant, witty and well done. This film will certainly be on my annual Christmas watch list in the coming years. This is delightful fun for all the family.

Wentworth (2013–2021)

This series gets better and better

[10/10 · 28 October 2014]

I was a huge fan of the first season of Wentworth Prison when it was shown on Channel 5 in the UK last year. I thought the series proved to be a great 'standalone' drama with high quality production values, excellent writing and acting. The series at the same time also paid subtle and gracious homage to Prisoner, a special and ground breaking show. Well the second season doesn't disappoint, building on the quality of the first season, and it is mostly down to the clever introduction into the Wentworth mix of one character - Joan Ferguson. Pamela Rabe is simply brilliant as Joan Ferguson - taking on the mantle of one of the most iconic of TV characters and breathing a new 21st century life into her is no easy job, but Rabe achieves it, obviously relishing the opportunity to play such an unusual female character. Rabe's on screen presence, controlled physical stillness and a real glint in the eye hides an obvious wealth of feelings, which comes out in small doses throughout the season, in carefully played scenes where unexpected kindness and sincerity adds real depth to an already complicated individual. The 'new' Joan Ferguson has obvious OCD and abhors physical contact. Her compulsion to control every part of her environment (including her office) her staff and prisoners is wonderfully realised by Rabe, with a series of subtle physical ticks, cold stares and calculating mental games with everyone around her. Great use is made of prison security cameras which become Joan's 'All seeing eye'. Clever adaption of surgical gloves is used as a visual tease (and a wink) in the early episodes of what is to come from Joan later on. The writing, production and cast are universally excellent once again, with particular mention to Nicole da Silva and Danielle Cormack who play Frankie and Bea. As in the first season, the use of slow motion image capture and end sequence music is particularly effective. I for one can't wait for season three.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999– )

This is a superb and gutsy show.

[10/10 · 9 June 2003]

I caught this series on the Hallmark channel here in the UK about a year a go. I remember watching an episode one night without knowing what is was all about. From that moment I have been hooked. It delves into the deepest and darkest sides of people and why they act the way they do - the programme manages to find a balance between entertainment and education, without being too voyeuristic. I think the acting is wonderful - realistic and very insightful - I especially like the leads Meloni and Hargitey. I know they are showing series 4 on US television. It is a gutsey and unique drama series which continues to hold court amoungst the most popular shows in America. I hope this series continues for a very long time.

The Accused (1988)

Just brilliant!

[10/10 · 27 November 2001]

I thought this was an extremely brave film to make - especially for Hollywood. I was enthralled by the performances, and was glued to the screen from start to finish. Well done to all those involved -especially Jodie Foster who was just brilliant in the leading role!