Change Your Image
mnorth1964
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Shardlake (2024)
Multicultural Tudor England
There are some standout things about the adaption of Sansom's beloved Shardlake like the casting of Arthur Hughes. The actor embodies everything a fan of the series could hope for in our beloved character. He really is excellent.
There were little inclusions which I loved like the bird from Peru Land. Excellent. Also the flashbacks to Matthew as a boy - very beautifully done and very touching.
1 x star lost: The actors that were cast as Barak, Abbott Fabian and Brother Guy the physician were horribly miscast. Anthony Boyle is NOT Jack Barak. Boyle swaggers his way through the storyline but he does not embody who Barak is. Not even close. And without giving spoilers away - that whole scene in the stable was absurd. Guy was a Moor and the actor that played him didn't have the range to convince me he was Guy. Oh...and a Black Abbott Fabian? Blacker than Guy? Give me strength.
1 x star lost: Tudor England was not multicultural like it's depicted. Get over it. Stop trying to change history. Ridiculous.
I'm happy you chose Arthur Hughes and I enjoyed the adaption. Very atmospheric and compelling.
Kapana (2020)
One short but tightly packed film - outstanding
This outstanding little film has a big impact. It really did deserve a review because it packed so much into a one hour running time. The topics of homosexuality, HIV and it's treatment, safe sex, internalised homophobia and family are all dealt with in this scenario. The acting is more than adequate, production values are excellent and the story is well researched and the love story is realistic.
George and Simeon will take you along with them on their journey so just sit back and enjoy. Exellent film.
Walking with Shadows (2019)
Outstanding and relevant
I discovered this film by accident because my partner is Nigerian and I'm exploring his culture, and this film appears!! A really brave, moving and engaging film that echoes my own experience. The leads are strong and hold the story together very well. Yes, a little slow in places and the beach meeting feels contrived which is why I deducted a point but 9/10 is damn good. Really pleased I found this gem. Great production values, excellent story (relevant and mostly realistic), strong acting support and well worth watching. Well done, Nigeria. Brave film making on a sensitive subject for an African country.
Say Yes (2018)
Beautiful
The trailer was recommended to me on Youtube, so i sought it, found it and totally loved it. Sometimes, you see a movie and the production values aren't amazing. No special affects, no big budget famous names and fancy locations and yet it works, and it works extremely well. What really helps is the dynamite performances from the three leads that play Beau, Caden and Lily. They are real - one moment I was laughing out loud and then the next I'm in tears. That's a winner in my books. The story is genuinely beautiful. Performances excellent and the script is finely tuned. I gave it 9/10.
Ruben's Place (2012)
Nicely handled
Extra-ordinarily touching film, created with such a sensitivity that you can't help but fall in love with the characters, the setting and the visuals. All beautifully handled by Vasquez, a first time writer/director?; never mind, as Elsie is free now, and the sky is enormous - freedom and enormity are synonymous with the possibilities that lay ahead of Vasquez for he handles his first endeavour with professionalism, finesse and skill. Well done, Mr. Vasquez. Looking forward to your next project.
The young actor, Dawson Montoya, is a generous young performer, that gives his role depth and realism in a mismatched cast of amateurs and semi pros. His facial expressions and movement is honest and holds the rest of the supporting parts together. From the ruggedly handsome Uncle Vic (Ray Renati) to the under stated part of Jimmy's friend, Puck, sadly underdeveloped, the only other kudos in the acting department can go to Jason Lieu for though he and Montoya didn't really make the screen click with chemistry, Lieu certainly does offer a certain honesty that is refreshing.
I gave this film 8/10 easily on IMDb because the only issue I can find is one scene with the blocking in a scene between Ruben and Jimmy; the lack of time for rehearsals is obvious with David Klein's overacting and a script that was perhaps too tight (probably due to budget constraints). The score is simple and touching, the sound was perfect, no problem at all and a really well told tale. Congratulations to the entire cast, one of the sweetest films I've seen in a while.