TR604 Reviews

A Man in Full (2024)

Entertaining binge

[7/10 · 5 May 2024]

It was interesting to note the script for this new limited series was written by David E. Kelley, the guy responsible or who'd participated in so many series over the years. A lot were vanilla but all very watchable.

This one was very watchable, and thankfully no messing around with incremental releasing of episodes, so we're able to binge the whole thing now if we wish. My style for sure.

It's not as representative of the "underbelly" of political goings on in Atlanta as I'd had hoped, or America for that matter. It sort of forgot about itself on the way and ended up too vanilla. And it then has an ending. Which is good. Most series don't.

Most importantly, I did appreciate some of the unmistakable nods to the current political situation in the USA in very small ways which hit the mark and made me smile each time. When you watch, or if you've seen it, you'll know what I mean. Funny. I hope there's more of this type of thing coming on films soon. We need more humour.

C'mon C'mon (2021)

I love this film so much

[9/10 · 10 March 2024]

This is one of my all time favourite films. I've watched it a number of times now, thankfully with enough time between that I'm able to forget what scenes come next and can relax without remembering the plot line.. each time I watch it, I'm imbued with a completely different feeling. The last time, yesterday, I came away in sobs. Not for anything in particular, but it is a sad sort of film, and it just got to me and teared up at the end, and sobbed my little heart out without knowing precisely why, but grateful for the film, for watching it, and for the tears too.

Previous to that, watching the film maybe last year and before when it was released, I was caught up in how lovely and poignant the teens being interviewed were. How inspirational they seemed since really, we all know and the film alludes to the state of the world and our enviro-econo-politico-socio collapse taking place and how difficult our times are.. and these kids, their take on the world to come, their lives, their families.. these teens, their scripts, so beautifully written. And, Jesse, the 9-year-old, played by Woody Norman, what a great kid and I loved how so much mental health was was portrayed in this film, how families must manage under conditions that are just so difficult, and also how there are so many programs, and tools and alternate ways of talking and being with your kid that we might not know about, and these were cleverly woven into the story.

Yes, I love this film so much. I highly recommend it and I send kudos to Mike Mills, the actors and the team who produced such a beautiful film.

Big Sky (2020–2023)

Rural psychopaths, a pretty good series

[8/10 · 27 December 2023]

Parts of this series are pretty good. Writing, dialogue, casting and acting are all great. The level of thriller intensity is high, and surprisingly consistent. A majority of the characters are amazingly sinister psychopaths, each with unique personalities who enact outrageous sub plots, and merge cleverly with others' stories. All quite unbelievable, but entertaining nevertheless.

A lot of the good people have interesting character development and occasionally inspiring stories. Some of the outdoor locations are beautiful and some of the buildings are wonderful with great interiors. The entire series is shot well and edited with care and flows really well. An enjoyable binge for sure, except for the gore, the psychopaths and the ridiculousness of the plots. Which of course makes it what it is!

The Ghost of Richard Harris (2022)

Loved this bio-flic

[9/10 · 11 June 2023]

Really well done.

It was rough and tumble, just as Dickie, and Richard the actor, were.. as we come to realize they were mean in some ways, and bold, and contradictory, as well as loving, lovable, and endearing. By watching this film, we do come to understand these things.

There were points while watching, I wondered if I really wanted to continue with it, I was alarmed at how the film was making me feel. Nearly despondent, and very pessimistic. Very against my own nature. And yet, as the minutes passed, I came to realize I held similar views very deep down, and that Richard, and Dickie, held these views both of them, and they used visceral emotional reactions to it all, as powerful influences in their lives. For Dickie, it was boldness and an athlete's passion and power, and vision once notoriety had ensued.. and. Richard, the reincarnation, the actor, embodying so much of what he felt about the chaos he spoke about.

I'm glad I persevered. This film is a credit to the wondrousness that was Dickie Harris, and Richard Harris. I learned so much more than my earlier version of Richard Harris could ever have held.

Britannia (2017– )

Truly enjoyable! Imaginative and wonderful..

[9/10 · 22 February 2023]

First off, the humour was the best!

I loved the use of modern British speech, the misuse of grammar and colloquial language in the script. Such fun. Hundreds of brilliant fun-loving gross, dry and dark humour moments which never happen in more serious or historically correct films. This series very obviously does not take itself seriously! And therefore, it's an imaginative take on that entire moment in history. How anyone can sit and judge it by the merits of it not being congruous to historical fact is beyond me. By the way, thanks ever so much to the person who reviewed here, who is doing his graduate degree in Roman History, and gave us information about Julius Caesar and Claudius..

And can you believe the characters Veran AND Harka.. are played by the veritable Mackenzie Crook, who was a recurring character (Orell) in GAT from S3+, but more importantly who is a genius... Crook wrote, directed and starred alongside popular actor Toby Jones in the award-winning comedy-drama series, The Detectorists. His appearance as Veran is amazing for Crook with the sallow cheeks and forehead necessary to make believable the implanted bone strips apparently put on as magical body art but of course, applied as makeup.

So much to love about this series. Yes, it's whacky, and jumps around and is wildly imaginative and hard to believe could have ever happened in the way it goes, but it's overall wonderful, the locations, costumes, acting and scenes are interesting, fun and surprisingly good entertainment.

Six Feet Under (2001–2005)

Binge this again! It's definitely worth it!

[9/10 · 6 February 2023]

When this series first came out, I'm pretty sure I watched every episode. I super loved the macabre lighting, the darkness and the humour.. Watching it again this last couple of weeks, binging from first to last episode was amazing. I loved it so much, and there was a lot to keep me glued to the screen. I appreciated it more perhaps than my first viewing. Notably, my anxiety stayed consistently up a couple of notches throughout, wondering what new tragedy or death would occur. The formidable white screen.. and the ghoulish makeup, taking our characters from normal folk to those walking with death on their minds.. the comedy sometimes silly, the musical interludes, the fantasies played out, really this series is a great masterpiece.

Loved it. Highly recommend watching again, especially if the plots and twists and turns have faded. It really is a brilliant show.

The Empress (2022– )

Beautiful series

[8/10 · 30 September 2022]

The story of Empress Elizabeth of Austria and husband Emperor Franz Joseph, and their families, told in German.

If you don't mind subtitles then it's much better in its original German with English subtitles.. but dubbed in English is available and also good.

While seemingly true to historical timelines and events for these characters from history books, the series obviously takes liberties with the details and is a work of fiction, and definitely feels romanticized.. yet intensity between certain characters well known in history come through, it does at times fanciful considering it's depicting 19th century royal characters and surrounding families, court and villages.

It is quite lavishly presented in costume and production, with great acting. It's a good series. Romantic. I liked it.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Lukewarm

[7/10 · 14 August 2022]

This film had so much potential but failed to inspire. Writing, acting, and direction aside, the props, hair, makeup and editing lacked so terribly the film was ruined.

I'm giving it good marks for some of the good performances. But I do wish someone had called these things, unmistakable as they were, early on to fix them before the film went out.

Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer (2019)

Don't feed monsters, but.. don't mess with cats!

[8/10 · 18 February 2022]

Yeah, I wanted to cheer on the great lay investigators in their tireless work as I neared the end of my binge watch (though I admit fast-forwarding though some of the slow bits)..

And.... while Deana/Baudi and John Green wavered from the point in the final minutes by considering if they should examine their own behaviour, asking if we're all complicit when taking down psychopaths online (feeding monsters, imo).. Baudi could have (should have?) brought us back to.. but the point, which is "don't mess with cats!"

Dead Good (2019)

More options than we think

[9/10 · 19 January 2022]

This film does a great job presenting one funeral director in particular and her lovely approach to allowing more hands on time for family of the deceased. The film also dispels the myth we've conjured in current society that formal funeral industry knows best. It ultimately gives us permission to find services that suit our own particular needs for saying goodbye and burying our dead. A gentle and timely production. Lovely.

And Breathe Normally (2018)

Well done, great film for the open-hearted

[8/10 · 24 November 2021]

Writing mostly to say how disappointed I am in folks who review this film negatively.

It's difficult to understand how some can fail to applaud the care and attention of the film's accurate and sometimes intense portrayal of tender relationships as it crosses conventional boundaries in gender, race, and economic status... and shows us what it's really like to be at risk in so many of Life's most challenging situations.

Boo to the naysayers. This is a great film. Well worth your time if you are open-hearted and open-minded.

The Fall (I) (2013–2016)

Twisty

[8/10 · 16 June 2021]

In spite of a couple of things that personally didn't appeal to me, this was a good nail-biter.

First off, I can't watch Sully with a Thatcher English accent and bleached hair.. it creeps up on me throughout the show and I find it distracting.

The other thing, especially in the 3rd season, the time spent on minutia was nearly unbearable. It could have been tightened up quite a bit, made in 2 seasons and not missed anything. But that's me.

Otherwise, the plot, twists and turns were excellent. A good mystery. Great acting. I do recommend it, be prepared for boredom and lags but unfortunately you've got to pay attention or else you're bound to miss a clue to the next bend in the plot line.

Unbelievable (2019)

Trauma-informed policing

[9/10 · 10 June 2021]

This series should be used in teaching anyone involved in having to question victims of violent crime.

The series provides a stark contrast between how investigators handled questioning with victims a completely insensitive way which further harmed the victim; and later, we see in detail how other investors questioned victims using a trauma-informed approach, leading to positive and healthy reparte.

For these reasons, it is an important film, and well done! I do hope it can be distributed widely and used in training.

Marcella (2016–2021)

Psycho-thriller, fairly well done

[8/10 · 23 March 2021]

Enjoyed this series. It was a good twister and entirely gripping right up to the last episode. Some of the more mind-bending stuff I might have done without: seemed to be filler, but otherwise all good.

Death to 2020 (2020 TV Special)

Great English wit

[8/10 · 1 January 2021]

Loved this mockumentary. The use of dry English wit along with ridiculously ironic statements like those from actors Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow and Diane Morgan made for very good comedic fodder. Not all events of 2020 were subjects in the film, yet it seems all of the most ridiculous were indeed included.

Of course, the point if view was mostly from how Brits viewed the US political stage plus a few bits of silly goings on at home.

Well done! My favourite bit was how Diane Morgan as UK average citizen Gemma Nerrick described the US election as a game show where the states had various points and changed colour from red to blue; the rules so complicated, "it's no wonder they only run it (the game show) every four years!"

Toast (2010 TV Movie)

Thoughtfully done

[8/10 · 30 November 2020]

A very nice, thoughtful film, from depicting the era, its quirks, gadgets and other cultural gestures, to the soundtrack, to the credits of newcomers to film. Acting was excellent by all cast, kudos to the young actors! All foodies will relate to the excellent emotional arcs and scenes around food which formed our young chef's determination. Nicely done.

Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)

Yay for Walton Goggins transgender performance

[8/10 · 13 September 2020]

Loved the series! The best part for me was favourite actor Walton Goggins' performance in seasons 5-7 as a transgender prostitute who befriends SAMCRO and ends ups as member Tig's love interest. The most moving and poignant scene for me was S7,Ep10@52:37 to 58:47.. bringing untold parts of the trans and non-duality love experience to life. Brilliant writing and acting!

Ancestral Land (2017)

Ancestral Land.. A Wonderful Film

[9/10 · 22 August 2020]

It's an amazing and gripping film.

A wonderful family story with many beautiful and heartwarming scenes, as well as harrowing and heartbreaking scenes too.

A great screen play. Gorgeous cinematography. Fantastic acting. Not a huge amount of dialogue which is easy for those, like me, who need English translation via subtitles which are great, just right.

A great film the cast and crew can be very proud of.

Justified (2010–2015)

Loved this show

[9/10 · 18 June 2020]

Acting, writing, story, plot, settings.. all fantastic. Such an interesting and unique story woven in places the world normally doesn't see. Seemed like an intimate window, a great experience with great characters.. just loved it.

Circus of Books (2019)

Wonderful

[9/10 · 1 May 2020]

Having grown up in the late 1970s and the era of the early years of this family's journey with The Circus of Books store, this film played with my heart the entire time. From with flashbacks to bygone times, through heartwarming reality and crises, clearly perseverance and love abound in each of their lives' chapters.

Natural World: Ireland's Wild River: The Mighty Shannon (2015) Season 34, Episode 8

In my top 10

[10/10 · 3 March 2020]

Love everything about this film. Can watch it again and again. Cinematography, script, music. A beautiful film.

Hunters (2020–2023)

Could have been so much more

[7/10 · 26 February 2020]

This was a frickin rollercoaster. So many excellent moments, inspired moments actually, but in the end left me utterly exhausted and disappointed. The cast and acting were brilliant. The plot moved along well... it's just that the film took itself so seriously, even the light moments were heavy, sometimes really meaningless, yet thick and heavy. It would be easy to pick out scenes which shone or failed, however I'm not sure I'd like to spend any more time on it. I'm glad it's over. I wish it had been better.

The Romanoffs (2018)

Boo to the naysayers

[8/10 · 20 January 2020]

I thought this series was good entertainment. Each episode a completely unique vignette, a short story with a tiny thread of Romanov history woven in. Beautiful cinematic display, a nice tempo and each episode had a good storyline with balance throughout. Some better than others, but I think personal taste will rank the favourites. Overall, well done.

The Making of the Mob (2015–2016)

Understand old white politicians today

[7/10 · 16 December 2019]

If you want to understand old white politicians in the US today, watch this. See Rudy Giuliani add commentary about monsters as "brilliant," and see the fame and fortune through corrupt mob dealings the current US president (though not brilliant) aspires. Well done. Very interesting.