tannegie Reviews

Europe from Above (2019– )

Too much engineering and too little highlights of cities

[7/10 · 9 May 2024]

After watching nearly all episodes I find that there is too much focus on engineering and technology. There is too little focus on the cities and what could be interesting for tourists. What would be attractive for a tourist to visit is left out. Or would one be interested to know how a bridge or skyscraper is build in any given country? The birds-eye vieuws of the landscape are magnificent however, especially when the season shifts and you see the changes. It shows you landscapes that are truly amazing but then it cuts back to yet another technical feat again. I keep watching because of the fabulous birds-eye vieuws though.

Priscilla (2023)

Meh. Expected more

[6/10 · 22 December 2023]

Keeping in mind that this was a film from the perspective of Priscilla, I was not surprised that Elvis was nothing more than a wall paper But even that wall paper was very one-dimensional and flat.

As Elvis is no longer among the living we have only Priscilla left to tell the story. So, she comes out as a victim and there aren't many still around to tell the truth or tell it fron an other perspective. This is excatly the thing I have against this film. Priscilla comes across as a mere girl swept into a life of partying, drugs and a guy who builds her into his living doll. With absolutely no voice to her own. She does eventually at the very end. Elvis comes across as a guy who is there bringing in the money, goes and comes as he pleases and keeping his doll to his house and his leisure. I had hoped to see more of how Elvis made Priscilla decide to leave him. It was very rushed towards the end. Too much was given to their budding romance and too little to the end. It made it a very uneven telling Cailee Speaning did a decent job as Priscilla, though I never felt she became her. Jacob Elordi was not convincing as Elvis. Too tall, no charisma and not likable. As I mentioned, nothing more than wall paper.

The Goonies (1985)

Chaotic and loud

[6/10 · 30 October 2023]

Back in the 80ties I've seen this film and for decades I remembered it as entertaining but also chaoric. Recently I've watched it on a streaming service. And found it still chaoric but not as entertaining. What bothers the most is that it is loud! The characters don't talk, they shout. And the conversations are nearly always interruptions and multiple persons shouting/talking at the same time. Very tiresome. I'm definetely too old for this. But for children it still can be entertaining and captivating. It is an adventurous tale of treasure hunting, villains and little heroes. But turn the volume down when watching.

Life on Our Planet (2023– )

Slightly dissapointing

[7/10 · 26 October 2023]

It was entertaining enough but for me it was a slightly dissapointing. There was hardly any mentioning as in wich era or epoch the events took place. The millions of years are mentioned but not if it was the Silurian or the Carniferous or Plioceen, to name a few. Furthermore there were too much images of modern animal life. The prehistoric life was ofcourse GCI but I've seen better in BBC documentaries. Morgan Freeman does a good job narrating this series but he is certainly no David Attenborough. All in all it was a good production but could've been better and even great if they showed more prehistoric life and less contemporary ones in this tale of the evolution of life on earth.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Decent thrill ride but has flaws

[7/10 · 7 October 2023]

It's quite entertaining to watch this movie if you cut out the stupidity of becoming pregnant. In a world where blind monsters are attracted to sound a newborn baby is the least thing you want to put into it. They tend to cry! In the beginning the family 'shops' in an abandoned supermarket and let the children roam free to potentially knock things over. And apperently there are no condoms either to get there, hence that pregnancy later on. And if it is easy (yet noisy) to kill off those creatures why isn't the military up to it? What happened to the world 68 days prior to the start of this movie? How did those creatures get here? All in all, still an entertaining thrill ride that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

Steel Magnolias (2012 TV Movie)

Why? Why ruin a classic?

[1/10 · 25 August 2023]

Steel Magnolias is a wonderful movie with an excellent cast. So well played.

But accidentally I stumbled across this remake. What a dissapointment! There are good reasons to leave a classic film the way it is and this remake is a very good reason. What were they thinking? Not one of the actresses could even come close to the great actresses of the original. And I won't even mention the very sub-par male roles here. This ruined a play that has endeared audiciences for decades. I didn't watch it through and instead got on watching the original again to wash out the memory of the rubbish I just saw.

Mako Mermaids (2013–2016)

Not as enchanting as the original

[6/10 · 1 June 2023]

Where 'H2O Just Add Water' was charming and magical. With characters you could relate to. This series is rather a let down. And is it a prequel or a sequel or a spin off?

This time the mermaids are not accidentally came to be these creatures but are from the pod of mermaids that keep watch of Mako island. So where have these creatures been? In the original there were none. And this time the mermaids have to adjust to live on land. A young man accidentally falls into the moonpool on Mako island during a full moon and thus become a merman. The pod blames the three mermaids and they are banned as the pod leaves for saver waters. The three mermaids Nixie, Serina and Layla must find a way to return Zac (the merman) back to normal and set things straight. It could be a great series bit it lacks the charm of the original and it's mainly because the majority of the characters is very unlikable.

Once Upon a Time (2011–2018)

Magic brought on screen

[8/10 · 22 April 2023]

This series I've seen multiple times and it's keeping fresh still. The fairytales we know so well are brought to us beyond the 'and they lived happily ever after' with wich these stories always end. Many fairytales and myths and the characters therein are part of storylines in this show.

The main theme is the story of Snow White and Prince Charming. With it are connected the Evil Queen and Rumplestilskin. These are the main characters together with Emma Swan who was born out of 'true love' and as such is the 'Savior' who will lift the curse of the Evil Queen. But intertwined with the main theme are many fairytales as I mentioned before. These are Red Ridinghood, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Cinderella, Frozen and others like Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, Mulan, Merida, King Arthur of Camelot and The wicked witch of the West from Oz etc.

How the writers of this incorporated these stories and characters thereof in this beautifully made series is magical in itself. The costuming is so well done and the casting is superb. For me Robert Carlyle as Rumplestilskin/mr Gold is the very best and next comes Lana Parilla as the Evil Queen.

Update: Rating is down from 10 to an 8 And that is because of season 7. The magic of the first 6 seasons is lost here. And with magic I mean the impression this season leaves behind. Altough some of the original cast are in it, the new ones do not convince. Take Cinderella, not only is she a complete different actress, but also way too old to play her youthful character. And not very likeable. Her daughter Lucy is supposed to charm us like Henry Mills did in the first 6 seasons, but she is whiney and obnoxious. Speaking of Henry, the new actor doesn't look like him but also lackes the charm and taste for adventure. Once upon a time lost it here and should have ended with season 6 right after 'The happy end'

Harry & Meghan (2022)

One sided rubbish

[3/10 · 8 December 2022]

It's been obvious from the start this has been the story of H&M (no not the fashion store).

Though the first 2 eps were of Harry and Meghans childhoods and their love affair, the focus was set on Meghan being of mixed race very early on. And yes, racism is bad, it shouldn't exist but it is there. And it sadly became t the focus of this poorly edited Meghan shaming flick.

Meghan is showed as an intelligent woman and yet not very accomplished at googling Royal protocol or The right way of courtsey to her majesty. And Harry comes across as very ignorant to how mere mortals should behave when they encounter the Queen. He was the one that should have enlighten her self proclaimed superior actress of American origin how to behave at such a derelict institute as the Royal family.

Harry & Meghan: The Complete Story (2022)

So much focus that it is lost on the whole picture

[5/10 · 8 December 2022]

The first two eps are about their dating and their upbringing respectively. But in the thirt ep the focus is primarily on Meghan being bi-racial and her 'blackness'.

Racism is awful, no doubt. And it should not excist. But it does. It becomes the central part of the story of Harry and Meghan. But also the 'throwing in the water with out a life vest'. That Meghan knew nothing about protocol and curtseys is understandable, but hey, Google is your friend lady. That Harry isn't aware of her struggles is quite understandable, he lived under Royal protocol his entire life and is adjusted to it. But shame on you Harry for not enlighten your sweetheart. That is the overall tone so far of this documentary. Meghan is the underdog. Meghan is hurt. Meghan was thrown in the deep. And Harry loves her. Harry does what Meghan wants. Harry is under her thumb. He plays by her rules now. There are 3 more eps to come, so I expect more of the same and as pièce d' resistance: The reason why they stepped down. And how will they empty their pile of fecal matter over the Royal Family and the people of the UK.

Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)

Still very funny

[9/10 · 26 November 2022]

This sequel is nearly as funny as the first film. With mostly the same actors who reprise their parts. Too bad Leslie Nielsen was not in it. The jokes are also of the same silliness. Wich makes this movie very laughable. You can watch this many times and still see something you missed because there's also things going on in the background of a scene.

This has different writers but they deliver nearly same high level of humor. The pace is just as high. Never a dull moment. I admire the way the actors keep serious amid all the nonsense. I guess they had great fun while making this very amusing film.

Airplane! (1980)

Never gets old!

[10/10 · 26 November 2022]

This is the best comedy film there is. Even tough I've seen it many times I still laugh out loud every single time. And there's so much to see in every scene (pay attention to the background too) that you still notice things you haven't before. Also the very litteral take on things is great: "The cockpit?! What is it?!" "It's the place up front where the pilots are, but that's not important right now."

This film is a spoof on the Airport series of air disaster movies and I can never watch those again without a smile while thinking of Airplane!

The sequel to this is also very funny and has the same amount of laughable moments.

Blood, Sex & Royalty (2022– )

Expected more of this

[5/10 · 23 November 2022]

This is about Anne Boleyn. The second wife of Henry VIII of England. And how their romance became the reason why and how the Church of Ebgland was established. Though set up as a documentary with comment from history specialists and tough they have their facts right, the thing that bothers me most is the portrayal of events. Anne speaks to the vieuwer directly breaking the 4th wall, wich becomes amnoying. Furthermore the costuming is historically incorrect especially when the women aren't wearing headdresses. Anne is shown multiple times with her hair loose or simply tight back with a hairpin. She was famous for wearing the then fashionable 'French Hood'. With wich she is shown only once in this series. But also the Gable Hood was in vogue then and none of the ladies is wearing that Tudor style icon. It was regarded inappropiate for women to go in public with their hair uncovered. And Catherine of Aragon is yet again portrayed with darkbrown hair, when in reality she was a reddish blonde with blue eyes. It is something that is often done in series and films about the Tudors to emphazise that Catherine was from Spain.

Maelstrom (1985)

Psychological thriller with great scenery

[9/10 · 29 October 2022]

The first time I saw this series was in 1985. I loved the setting of it as I had visited Norway a couple of times and made friends I still have contact with. I was even invited to a wedding of one of them in 1988.

Norway is stunning and it is still very prestine when you travel the countryside away from the major cities. The fjords are magnificent and majestic. A wonderful background for this series.

Catherine Durrell finds that she inherited a major bequest from a Norwegian milionair, but never knew the man or his family. She travels to Alesund in Norway. There she meets the daughters of Hjalmar Johrdal who are very hospitalble and friendly. But strange things happens and it becomes evident that not everybody is happy with Catherine and her inheritance. Who is living in the house on the island? Who is trying to kill Catherine and make it look like an accident? Is the deceased mother of Anne-Marie and Ingrid really dead?

Dolls are not mere toys but are conveying the message that Catherine is an intruder and unwanted. Eerie and bone chilling atmosphere coupled with wonderful scenery makes this very enjoyable to watch. Though it was made in 1985 it doesn't feel old and it withstands the times. I have the series on dvd and I can recomment this series wholeheartely!

The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years (1996 TV Movie)

What happened?

[3/10 · 7 October 2022]

I read the book and loved the original mini serie. And yes, 19 years were skipped in it.

But only one thing from the book is here in The missing years. The brothers who went to fight in ww 2. The rest is totally made up for this unnecessary flick.

Luke never came back to Meggie and abducted Dane. That storyline is utter rubbish. It makes these so called missing years a hidious deviation from the original story by Colleen McCullough.

Only Richard Chamberlain reprised his role as Ralph de Bricassart, the other characters are replaced with other actors. On top of that they act completely out of character. Complete waste of time, this thing.

Elvis and Me (1988 TV Movie)

Decent but not more than that

[7/10 · 16 August 2022]

This flick about Elvis and Priscilla is based on the book by Priscilla. Keep in mind that it is written from her point of vieuw. In the book she also mentions Elvis' tender sides and his generosity, but in this movie Elvis is moping, violent and generally bad tempered. There are always two sides of the story and Elvis is no longer here to tell his.

Dale Midkiff doesn't comes across as Elvis. Black hair, sideburns and sunglasses aren't enough to make it work. Susan Walters does resemble Priscilla very well and is able to portray her from a teenager into a woman.

All in all a decent watch, but not more than that.

Elvis (2022)

Wonderful movie

[8/10 · 14 August 2022]

This film is wonderful. It captures the most defining moments in the life and career of Elvis Presley. It could be more in depth though, as some parts of his life and career are glossed over rather swiftly.

Austin Butler convinces as the title character and sometimes, in the right camera angle, he looks uncannely like the real Elvis. Tom Hanks as Tom Parker is the antagonist and narrator. His 'Dutch' accent is off and comes across as a mere speech impediment. (And I am Dutch, so I would recognize that accent when I hear it. I probably have it myself when I speak English) The decor of this movie is well done, the interiors of Graceland, the International Hotel and the Comeback Special are very good. The costuming is perfect. And sometimes real footage is blend in throughout the film. At the very end we'll see the real Elvis performing and in private footage.

Elvis & Nixon (2016)

Not a very good remake

[3/10 · 4 August 2022]

As I watched Elvis meets Nixon and enjoyed it very well, I wanted to see it again. But somewhere at the beginning I tought that something was off. It wasn't as I so fondly remembered. It turned out that I was seeing a remake.

Elvis &Nixon lack the humor and childish innocence of the main character. Where in the original there is some resemblance to the real Elvis, here the actor is nowhere near except for the black hair and the sideburns. I always saw an actor and not once saw the man he was supposed to enact. The moment 'Elvis' met impersonators at the airport who were convinced they met a collegue (and a bad one at that) was therefore spot on, altough unintentionally.

I would not recommend this 2016 remake. Instead watch the original from 1997!

Two Summers (2022– )

The end...

[7/10 · 20 June 2022]

As a Dutchie myself I had no issue with the language though Flemish has some words of its own. The story tells of indeed two summers, one in 1992 and one in 2022. In the first summer a group of friends goes wild at drinking and pills. What happens with one girl is filmed.

Thirty years later a man who was in that film recieves that film on his phone and a message that he has to pay or it goes viral. The group of friends reunite on a isolated island at the French Azure coast. There slowly unfolds the story of finding the culprit who blackmails. There are more secrets unravelled.

But the end of the story is utterly disapppointing. Who will be prosecuted? And will there be even a prosecution?

Furthermore is it initially hard to distinguishe who is who as the older versions hardly look as the younger ones. Especially Sofie, who is brunette and dark eyed in 1992 but blond and blue eyed in 2022 and Didier who aged like 50 years instead of 30.

Roman Empire (2016–2019)

So inaccurate

[3/10 · 27 December 2021]

Historically inaccurate depiction of (in)famous Roman leaders. With loads of anachronisms.

We'll see Julius Ceasar writing with a quill wich wasnt't done until about 800 years later, and that is just one example.

Little Women (2019)

Jumpy

[5/10 · 15 December 2021]

Altough beautifully filmed, with great performers and authentic locations, the way it was edited makes it too jumpy and distorted.

It would be better to tell this well known and loved story from beginning to end in chronical order.

The Crown (2016–2023)

Sliding down with season 3 and 4

[8/10 · 14 April 2021]

The first two seasons were fantastic in the cast and in the surroundings like the places and the costuming. Claire Foy as Elizabeth was wonderful and you feel for her. Matt Smith was the personifacition of Philip, Duke of Ediburgh in both looks as mannerism. Vanessa Kirby was an exellent Margaret, she nailed it.

But the came season 3 and the change of cast due to the aging of the character in time. But they overdone it. Suddenly they aged about 15 years in a span that took about mere months (season 2 ended with the christening of Prince Edward in 1964) It would have been better to age the original cast.

The most striking discrapancies were the actresses that played Elizabeth and Margaret. Olivia Colman made for a too tall and sour brown eyed Elizabeth and Helena Bonham Carter produced a middle aged Margaret with brown eyes. Both Colman and Carter, good actresses, were utterly miscast here.

Even Tobias Menzies could not live up to expectations. His Philip was bland and the brown eyes were distracting too.

Josh O'Connor was an incredible good Charles, what a perfect casting. He was the revelation of the 3th season So was Corrin who got to play Diana in the 4th season. Gillian Anderson was the ressurection of Margaret Tatcher. The costuming kept the same high level in authenticity. But the aforementioned miscasting made seasons 3 and 4 less enjoyable.

Update: Now that season 5 of The Crown is on Netflix with a new cast, as has become customary, I like to add that Imelda Staunton is well chosen as the elderly Queen, though still as aloof as Olivia Colman portrayed her, Imelda makes her more sympathetic. Jonathan Pryce is a believable Prince Philip, though a bit too old for the timeframe of this season. Debicki is a wonderful Diana, she is absolutley spot on as the more mature Princess of Wales. The only misgiving for me is the actor that plays Charles. He neither looks the part nor has the mannerisms. Josh O'Connor is hard to defeat as he nailed Charles up to his nasal speech.

All in all I must say that season 5 is in my opinion better cast than season 3-4. What stays the same in all seasons so far is the great cinematography and setting and costuming.

Virgin River (2019– )

A let down

[4/10 · 30 November 2020]

Season one was okay, but now into season Virgin River starts to get on my nerves. There is only the scenery now that I like. The townspeople are so very two dimensional. The good and the bad. Nothing in between. Mel should by now have suffocated Charmaine with a pillow. But she simply is waiting for Charmaine to wipe her feet on her backside. Unbelievable. Jack is letting that happen to woman he loves for he is also to good to be true. And that goes for Hope and the doc, for Preacher and Paige. It is developing all so slow I yell that they must "get on with it!" Stop walking around each other and "make that decision". I don't think I survive a third season out of boredom.

Invasion (2005–2006)

A gem!

[9/10 · 28 November 2020]

This series was broadcast in 2005-2006 and sadly not renewed for a second season. A missed opportunity! Luckily we still have the DVD This serie has a slow start but once it reaches episode 5 it gains momentum with twists and turns that made you sit on the edge of your seat. You wait for answers only to leave you with more questions. And that is were we are left at. What happens to the main characters after the cliffhanger of the last episode? We will never know unless this series gets a remake. (The original cast can't return I guess) And please give us the answers we have been waiting for!

The Meg (2018)

A forrest acts less wooden

[1/10 · 31 October 2020]

I read the novel by Steve Alten this was based on, so I was exited to learn they made a movie. Oh boy, was I dissapointed. The main reason is the acting. They all play so wooden that an entire forrest is walking over the screen. That makes it hard to feel for them when the shark kills them. Good riddance, well done sharky! Next! And as for the killing... not much gore. The floating bodyparts are too fake looking and you look at them with equal horror as the actors do, none at all.