Change Your Image
EleanorRigby-2020
Reviews
Loudermilk (2017)
Absolutely MUST WATCH if you love irreverant dialogue
I had not heard of this series and fell upon it while searching for a new show to watch on Netflix. I was surprised when I realized it came out in 2017 already. Shame how it was kept under the radar as it deserves at least every bit of promo any of the other series get.
None of the cast was known to me, though I had seen other Farrelly stuff. I was BLOWN AWAY by the main characters, they were impeccably cast and really were believable in their respective quirkiness, with one exception, which is why i held back a star. Through no fault of the actors, the writers jumped the shark for the ad agency guy who went to sobriety meetings on behalf of his over-the-top obnoxious boss and the Cutter character, who took on a cartoonish buffoonery that did not fit with the rest of the storylines. I read that the actor playing Cutter had some personal issues during the filming of the series but I understand he is feeling better, glad to hear. But if they are preparing for more seasons, and I hope they are, no more of this slapstick tangent and stick to believable or somewhat believable situations. Please.
Aside from Anja Savcic and Ron Livingston, huge shoutout goes to Will Sasso who was absolutely perfect in his delivery. *Chef's kiss*
Looking over the cast headshots on this webpage just now I can hardly recognize some of them, so transformed into their characters they were for this series (including Ricky Blitt plays New Guy so impeccably.. i just learned he was raised a few miles from my own home here in Montreal. Bonus surprise lol)
Nothing is perfect and nor is the series Loudermilk. But for the number of times I laughed out loud (literally roaring) and smiled at the cleverness of some of the dialogue and quick repartee and inside jokes on music-my passion-, it is deserving of more eyeballs, more promo, more favorable reviews, and way more seasons. Congrats to all involved! Exceptionally done!
PS yes there are a lot of f-bombs. So what? 🤷♀️
Nyad (2023)
I was literally exhausted after that last swim!
As has been said by the other reviewers, the two costars are always topnotch, and they were in this film as well. Also mentioned elsewhere and where I agree is the quality of the other cast, i.e., the navigator and the rest of Diana's team. The physical fitness of both costars is something to behold. Incredible strength and tone, enviably so! Especially admirable because both are seemingly achieved through hard work, not the scalpel.
I was shocked to read in my post-viewing research that Diana's successful swim is to this day not officially recognized due to a lack of objective observers. That seems very harsh but I've read Nyad's reaction to be 'oh well'.
I obviously know nothing about the movie business I was stunned to see this movie made $16K? I understand it is a Netflix production but I guess these don't contribute the percentage of profits the old fashioned movie theatre releases get. No idea how they all make so much, from our subscription money? 🤷♀️
Kudos to the teams involved in those water scenes, they seemed truly gruelling. Viewers felt they'd swam a marathon too at times.
Good Grief (2023)
Dan seems like such a wonderful human, I wanted to love this.....
I was ready to love this. I had read a good review from a source I trust and had added it to my 'To Watch' list immediately. Dan seems so likeable, I've seen interviews and of course his work on SC-though I did not hang in there for the entire run, I could respect the immense and deserved appeal of the hit series.
What got on my nerves from her first scene, sad to say, is the Sophie character. Can't put my finger on whether it was the casting or the writing or both. She was a PITA with every over the top gesture and utterance from her first scene to her last, and throughout. She even had me cringing at times. So when 30% of the main characters are irritating you, it's never a good sign for the overall movie.
Loved: I was surprised, and moved, when Mark finally opened that red Christmas card on the anniversary of his spouse's death, and this scene really engaged me into Mark's interesting dichotomy of grief/betrayal, love/hate.
Loved: I enjoyed the financial advisor scenes very much. Great chemistry between Dan and her.
But I am so sorry to say I came for more, especially from this gifted artist, a fellow Canadian to boot. And picking a Neil Young song, bonus Canadian love there.
The Fabelmans (2022)
Vanity Piece
I will be the first to acknowledge and be forever grateful for the immense contribution the genius of Stephen Spielberg has brought to our movies through his incredible talent. But that truth can coexist with the fact The Fabelmans feels like we are being subjected to an act of self-indulgence that is borderline embarrassing.
His childhood story is not so extraordinary that it warrants over two hours of our time. The reviews, especially by critics, have been generous, and this is possibly due to the respect and credibility his work has earned him ahead of this semi-autobiographical tale. Because as an unbiased cinephile, I simply could not see this film as objectively deserving of any high accolades. The storytelling is predictable, the high school scenes unoriginal and just overall dull.
The Princess (2022)
Never before seen footage
This beautiful doc is breathtaking because of its use of never before seen footage and audio of this revered figure. It is laser focused on her with only tangential footage of Camilla or other members of the Royal Family except when she is in the frame. I can't figure out if Charles ends up being despicable because he just is or if the director had an agenda to show him as a louse but either way, you won't be on Charles' side any time soon. There is even a bare chested peek at this Royal Jerk. The shots of the two sons are heartbreaking. The one shot of Hewitt, though relentlessly denied as being the bio dad of Prince Harry, makes it obvious that Harry's colouring didn't come from Charles.
Bonus plus is seeing the Queen, and even her mother, dancing at a ball. Fully dancing and moving gracefully in some sort of medieval type choreography. That was fun!
Why I didn't give it full stars is because there were many times I found the music score too loud and the main track of audio was impossible to hear. For example those infamous recordings of Charles and Camilla and again of Diana and her lover at the time. Couldn't hear. Even in the beginning, the score was way too loud over the narration. Too bad. Otherwise, a fresh glimpse into a modern day tragedy, as lovely and sad as we remember it.
The Most Hated Man on the Internet (2022)
Hating this guy is not the issue here
It goes without saying that this guy is immoral and reprehensible. And there is merit in creating a doc that might help educate future potential victims of revenge porn. But what made me go meh was the way it was done. First of all, it's a misnomer to label this revenge porn as many of the victims took their own pix and had them in their own personal online folders. So there was no vengeful ex sending the nude photos to a public website. The photos were obtained through hacking. While the end result is similar, I.e., the victim is unwillingly exposed on the internet, the path there had nothing to do with exes.
The length of the doc far exceeds its storyline. This could have been done in three hours tops. Too much on the mother. The stepfather's weirdly uninvolved role was swept under the rug as something that was perfectly normal. The girlfriend seemed high her entire interview and didn't even resemble herself from earlier pix with Hunter. Very unsympathetic character. And despite its unnecessarily long duration, still the viewer is left with gaps and questions. Why didn't the FBI get involved when the mother was getting death threats? She had to take matters into her own hands and that makes no sense since the FBI was already on the case. The vet who ultimately brought down the site: was he working on his own, I.e., in parallel with the FBI or on his own? How did Anonymous come to get involved to the point they did without FBI interference?
Anyway, felt almost more relieved it was over than relieved the punk was incarcerated, especially since it was ultimately such a light sentence.
Maid (2021)
Understandable Changes Made Fact vs Fiction
As with any series, or even movie, I watch, I always scour the internet afterwards for reviews (when I won't mind spoilers) and background info on the show runner's creative decisions. This includes, in the case of 'based on X or Y true story', zeroing in on what was fictionalized and what was truth.
Regarding the additions of many characters for the protagonist to play off of, I do get the point that her real life story of poverty and despair was not fodder for entirely riveting TV content. So the screenplay benefited from several interesting side characters (Nate was my favourite, while Basil was my least). I fell in love with Regine and her oceanfront mansion. And though I get that everyone was charmed that a real life mom and daughter actress combo would play mom and daughter on TV, there was far too much of them for my taste. Andie McDowell is versatile and lovely and I'll never forget her terrific performance in Sex, Lies & Videotape, but she was too one-note for me in this extroverted hippie-artist role and her manic laugh, especially in the last two episodes, reminded me of (sorry to say) Peewee Herman's staccato giggle style. It was equal parts distracting and annoying.
On the positive side, and my 9/10 rating supports my huge thumbs up for this series, telling the story of poverty and domestic violence/abuse is not pleasant. It doesn't always have happy endings. Margaret Qualley was pitch-perfect (side note I found she resembles a long time soap actress from Young and the Restless, Amelia Heinle). Her nasty parka was in almost every scene and I think she carried her daughter in every scene too. I guess that makes sense, but just something I noticed.
But those of us who are fortunate enough to not have seen poverty up close, and how easy it is to slip into homelessness, this is a must see revelation. I am relieved also that the author (and therefore the main character) is white. Because poverty and domestic abuse know no color. The viewers get an up close view of the frustrating government red tape and the complexity of the system, though designed to offer resources to those in need, so often make it impossible to navigate.
I binge watched it, 6 episodes then 4 the next day. The soundtrack was great too. How I was disappointed when her scumbag ex got her thrown out of that spectacular oceanfront studio, but that again is the fiction part of the tale. Made me look up Fisher Island though! Haha!
House of Gucci (2021)
Wanted to love it
I am a huge fan of Lady Gaga's commitment to her professional projects and my admiration has not waned after seeing her in this movie. However, at the risk of sounding redundant, the butchering of the Italian accent-including hers-was distracting. I think we've all read how she stayed in character for a year prior to filming in order to get the accent down. But she should fire the accent coach because she sounded anything but Italian. Ditto for all of them. Including Al Pacino for heaven's sake, and he comes from Italian heritage, at least he should have mastered it.
The sloppiness of the song choices for the year(s) they were being played was also annoying. What does it take for a junior assistant to double check the authenticity of those songs as being contemporary for the year being shown? Sure one can pick any song for any movie, but it felt to the viewer that the soundtrack was supposed to be real for the characters, so it was disappointing to realize they missed the mark. Frequently.
I also felt the story development was too heavily weighed on the introduction of the characters, thereby rushing the latter part when Maurizio falls out of love with Patrizia. The audience had to make a giant leap of faith to make that work. He went from adoring her to deploring her seemingly in a few minutes worth of scenes. And a deeper dive into Patritzia's mindset to drive her to hiring a hit man would have been appreciated.
A small comment regarding the casting of Pacino in the role of Aldo. I read the family was appalled at the contrast between the real Aldo and the way they portrayed him via Pacino's incarnation of him and I have to agree. Look it up. Pacino, as exceptional an actor as he is, lent an elfish, nasty vibe to the character, exacerbated by his natural short stature.
I certainly think it's worth watching, but with this level of professionals involved both behind and in front of the cameras, we expect more.
Doraibu mai kâ (2021)
Be in the right mood to give it a real chance
There are a few movies in this year's Oscar best picture nominations that critics are gaga over while we mere mortals scratch our heads wondering if we're too shallow and uncultured or if the critics are pretentious, high or paid off when they view them. I know it's very chic to say you loved Power of the Dog, Don't Look up and Licorice Pizza, for example, but I say thumbs down to all three. I do love international movies and relish discovering new ones an am a big fan or subtitles vs dubbing.
So in the case of Drive My Car, my mind was open an eager to enjoy a quality movie. I was not disappointed BUT, you it's not for the football crowd with a few cases of beer and a tub of popcorn. It demands focus from the audience but if you give it this respect, it will be worth your time. Beautiful performances by actors we may not all be familiar with but the world is not about who is known in North America. There is incredible talent out there and thankfully we are being exposed to more an more of it.
It's not hard work to view this, but it isn't your typical Hugh Grant romcom or Fast and Furious takeaway either. Come with an open heart and you will be moved, impressed, introspective and keen to learn more about each of these actors and amazing director as I was. Kudos to Oscar voters to bring this forward to the spotlight it deserves.
Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
Fake Russian accent was too distracting!
It is obviously difficult to take on a new accent for a role. Few are masters, such as Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet. So casting bosses should either forego that aspect of a screenplay version of a book or cast a native. Since David E Kelley and Liane Moriarty are seemingly compelled to feature Nicole Kidman in anything and everything, and yes she was amazing in Big Little Lies and The Undoing, they should have stood back and realized she sounded like an Australian trying to fake a Russian accent, when she wasn't just giving into her native Australian. Maybe this sounds petty but since she is onscreen most of the 8 episodes, it becomes distracting. Ditto for her horrible blonde wig.
Melissa McCarthy was wonderful.
The sexual relationships between the 2 staff members and Masha as well as each other were confusing at best.
The soundtrack was the coolest part of the series. Hadn't heard Never My Love in decades.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Maybe I'm just not smart enough?
Having read compelling reviews which led me to add this title to my 'must watch' shows, I looked forward to it and am already a fan of the actors I knew in the cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is a deservedly highly praised actor but his choices for this character never sat well with me. His gruff voice and cowboy accent kept reminding me of Sam Elliott, perhaps that's whom he was channelling. But Cumberbatch never sold me on the unwashed brat he wanted us to buy.
Perhaps it is cool and sophisticated to say how much we love Jane Campion, and if so, well I plead guilty of being uncool. The pace was excruciating and there was no arc to the main plot. Heck, there was no main plot! It felt like a collage of unrelated scenes. I really wanted to love this. I cringed at one of the opening scenes when the son was creating paper flowers: surely there was a more subtle way of informing the audience that he was gay. *rolls eyes* I too didn't get the dog reference of the title, nor the ending. Obviously the two characters had gotten close during the trip but dying of anthrax just didn't compute, at least not for me. Did the kid get anthrax from cutting open that horse and then passed it along to Phil? Like I said, maybe I'm not smart enough but I need a plot, a character development where we care about them, something to make me FEEL something. This ain't it.
The Morning Show (2019)
Season 1 is an 8. Season 2 is a 4.
While viewers can expect some vanity decisions in production and scene-time from main characters who are also executive producers, I feel Jennifer Anniston took that a tad too far. It was too obvious that she had her hairdresser at the ready for every one of her (too many) scenes: that iconic hairdo should have its own credit line. Never a hair out of place. Just too much.
Season 1 really felt almost like a documentary (in a good way!), it was so reflective of current situations in morning shows reported in real life. Though it was written prior to the Matt Lauer scandal, it sure felt like the Matt Lauer scandal, and was riveting. Then they got carried away with their own success and produced a second season. Mistake. The compelling storylines of Season 1 devolved into soap opera kitsch. Complete with Italian palazzo and melodramatic car crash. I found myself literally laughing out loud at some of the scenes that are meant to be intense. It is cringey. (Alex in the car with Chip: embarrassing delivery).
I guess we viewers are spoiled with excellent shows (both in terms of acting as well as writing) such as Scenes from a Marriage and The Chair, to name but two, so we have grown to be picky and why not. There are so many options on so many platforms, the decision to commit to a series should be rewarded with topnotch quality and zero regret on the use of our time.
Judy Justice (2021)
Cannot forgive her firing Byrd
Like so many millions, I loved Judge Judy, recording the four episodes a weekday that played in my market. But I think she jumped the shark when she made this move to Judy Justice. It looks and feels almost exactly like Judge Judy, except for literally the color of her robe and the addition of two new players, one of whom is her own granddaughter, still a student. A child. Nepotism is not attractive no matter how rich, famous and popular you are. And the way she treated Byrd (and his seriously ill wife, who was also Judy's producer) is widely reported and very upsetting. No reflection on his replacement but who didn't love Byrd. Sadly, Judy demonstrates she is greedy, tone-deaf and her new iteration is ultimately a pass for me.
Shtisel (2013)
What's with the constant munching and slurping of the father??
Loved this, like most said, it is deserved praise. But as trivial as this may sound, the constant eating and drinking (tea) of the father character had me climbing the walls. Bad enough this happens in almost every scene, his disgusting slurping sounds and chewing loudly with his mouth open is just revolting and totally distracting. Why was this ne essay?🤷♀️ This costs the rating two stars worth of yuk.
Tusk (2014)
An INSULT to Quebecers and Canadians!
Regardless of how one feels about the plot or direction or genre, it is the degrading way Quebec, Quebecers and indeed Canadians are portrayed that are most offensive. Johnny Depp may have married a French actress at one point and lived in France, but that clearly gives him ZERO insight into how to parody the Quebecois or French Canadian accent. It is so bad it is distracting and completely ridiculous.
Listen to the narrative over the credits at the end. Original and creepy all at once.
I do think it is one of those films you cannot look away from once you start but not for the right reasons. As others have said, you cant actually believe what you are watching or that such a film was ever approved for budget let alone make it to TIFF,