abbieb0809 Reviews

Mammals: Episode 6 (2022) Season 1, Episode 6

That ending though....

[3/10 · 8 December 2022]

Why! This series had such a good chance of being entertaining, unique and funny. Maybe we just missed something.... I don't know. But the whole conclusion with Armandine revealing her secret to Jamie was ruined by the whale....and it took away the essence of the AHA moment.

In all honesty I didn't really enjoy the sister's storyline either. It felt like a completely different programme and didn't bring much essence or flavour. Which is a pity as this contributed in the lack of overall enjoyment.

Would I recommend this show? Probably yeah, because it had a good feel to it, and it was certainly different. Also anything that is in short bite-sized chunks is a great filler. So I liked the way it was made. It's just a shame the ending lowered the score.

My Brilliant Friend (2018– )

Stunning series 10 out of 10

[10/10 · 29 April 2022]

I cannot remember the last time I found it so difficult to tear myself away from the TV. This story truly is a masterpiece.

The acting, the script, the eye contact, the nuancing, the feelings they evoke, the unspoken words, the way Italy looks in the 50s, 60s and 70s is captured so masterfully.

It's all just too Beautiful for words. A slow build up to tell a lifelong relationship between 2 brilliant women. Just extraordinary.

Clique (2017–2018)

Don't read if you haven't seen Season 1

[7/10 · 28 October 2021]

This had all the promise of a great story. University life, friendships, secrets and masses of suspense. However it fell down at the very beginning by the (unlikely) demise of Holly and Georgia's friendship - literally on Day 1.

Friends since they were 11. Absolute besties. Georgia meets a new group of older girls and literally falls in with them leaving Holly completely alone. Instead of Holly getting upset and doing what normal girls would do - she turns up uninvited to a very prestigious house party, where she knows no one and goes on the hunt for Georgia only to be completely blanked by her. And left out of all their fun and frolics, as Georgia cuddles and mucks around with her new group of girl friends.

In every scene they're in together, Georgia sneers at Holly and tells her to leave her alone. However Holly never ever takes offence and is determined to rescue Georgia from these alleged circumstances that she seemingly knows nothing about.

I literally cannot imagine anyone ever being treated so poorly by their best friend and yet never letting that affect their behaviour. It's like she had no feelings at all. It was very unbelievable and for me, ruined the authenticity of the story, which otherwise could have been portrayed a lot better.

There was a distinct lack of empathy and depth to their friendship. Georgia was vile all the way through. Yet Holly would put herself in immense danger to rescue her friend. Just didn't buy it,.

The Syndicate: Episode #4.3 (2021) Season 4, Episode 3

Did Kay Mellor really write this???

[3/10 · 15 April 2021]

What's happened? This was such a top quality series, with deep, believable story lines, and great characters that you could empathise with and care about.

This just feels like a second rate, childish TV show, and I really don't care how it pans out. So sad to see something so good end up so bad.

I'm surprised Neil Morrissey and Gaynor Faye wanted to be part of it. Such a shame...

Behind Her Eyes (2021– )

Just sit back and enjoy

[8/10 · 28 February 2021]

SPOILERS...

Don't read any reviews or listen to opinions. Just watch it for what it is; a fantasy suspense thriller.

What's so clever is the way the story gradually unfolds, revealing tiny pieces of information along the way. ...

I think you can look back and really see where Adele was truly herself. But only when you're at the end and it all makes perfect sense. So cleverly done. I enjoyed it so much. Yes it's far fetched BUT it's not supposed to represent reality. It's a story.

So do what I did and enjoy it for itself.

Mapp & Lucia (2014)

Having not seen the Channel 4 80s series I LOVED this

[8/10 · 15 January 2015]

I really didn't think I would like this but as each episode played I grew to love it more and more and was actually quite upset when it finished. I've been to Rye and so got a lot out of watching the series and trying to familiarise myself with the streets and the extraordinary church. I thought each character was well cast and I loved the cat and mouse games between Mapp and Lucia and not knowing what plot each one would come up with next. I thought Miranda Richardson was fantastic in her portrayal of Mapp, including her fake teeth and the way it forced her to talk.... very funny. The characterisation was brilliant, as was the set and the way Tilling looked exactly as you would imagine. Had I seen the 1980's version I would be able to understand why a few of these reviews favour the former series, however I feel in love with it and just wish there were another series to follow.

Prisoners of War (2009–2012)

Gripping, Exciting, Moving

[10/10 · 24 July 2014]

This show is sublime. It isn't even worth comparing it to Homeland because there is no comparison. Aside from the fact that PoW was the original of the two, it doesn't focus on the agents, or the families, but instead points the spotlight at the captives and the way they deal with their release, and the subsequent emotional turmoil they have to go through whilst trying to integrate back into Israeli life.

In Homeland it was all about Carrie (the FBI agent) which meant Brody was totally forgotten about.

The English subtitles don't bother me at all, as I truly get lost in the emotion and drama of what is really going on. I'm not going to give anything away. Just watch it. If anything it's incredibly current due to the state of affairs in Gaza at the moment and will take you on a ride you won't forget.

Gravity (2013)

I don't want to be an astronaut now !!!

[9/10 · 13 November 2013]

I absolutely loved this film. I am not going to sit here and pull it apart, discuss it's endless flaws or technical mistakes. It is what it is. It's a film, not a documentary, and a mighty fine film at that ! It starts out, as anyone who's seen the trailer, adverts or masses of television interviews publicising it, will know, with 3 American astronauts fixing the American Space Station which is orbiting Planet Earth. Due to unforeseen circumstances, namely "Russian Debris" hurtling in their direction, at a speed that no one anticipates, things start to go disastrously wrong. And then - the film really jets into action.

From this point it is just Sandra Bullock, in a spacesuit, alone, in space, needing to find a way to get to an alternative space station, detach the module, and fly back to Earth..... and obviously there are many many reasons why this wouldn't be possible.

BUT Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Independence Day weren't based on real life either,so why all the negativity? It is, without a doubt, the most intensely stressful film I have ever seen. Adrenaline was flowing, my heart was racing and I actually (no lie) felt like I was there with Ryan Stone, in space routing for her all the way.

The effects were absolutely unbelievable. The speed of the film just carried you along, the 3D (essential for viewing) was magnificent, and on every level this film delivered.

Please go with an open mind, and a strong heart! This film will not disappoint.

The Intouchables (2011)

Moving, Emotional, Feel Good.....

[8/10 · 20 March 2013]

Really enjoyed this film, and even though the sub-titles always feel like a bit of a chore, there aren't too many lines to disturb the actual viewing of the film. Driss (Omar) is just perfection and couldn't have been played by anyone else. His personality shine through and you just want to keep watching him. Once the film is over, you feel like you want to know what happens next, where did they go, what did they become? The closing credits do offer a bit of information but you want to keep watching, regardless. Without giving too much away, the ending makes the film complete. I felt like my heart was going to burst - when I realised what happened. And just how good it makes you feel. If anyone enjoyed this film as much as me, for the same reasons I did (that you can actually feel good about watching a man who can move nothing at all from the neck down), then read "Me Before You" by JoJo Moyes. Stunning...

Limitless (I) (2011)

Thrilling ride

[9/10 · 20 March 2013]

I've seen this film twice and loved it even more the second time. I absolutely adored the opening sequence as it gives you some idea of the speed of the journey you know you're going to take. Yes there are small holes in the plot, and questions you may ask, but the very nature of the film is not based on real life so who cares? Bradley Cooper is brilliant, and very engaging to watch, The direction and cinematography of the film are its major selling point, because as the story develops, the colour and clarity of the film become brighter. Bradley delivers his lines faster and faster, and Robert De Niro gives the film that little bit of extra credibility, and has been cast in the perfect role. It's a fun, exciting story, with a great idea behind it, and enough eye candy to suit all the women out there. THOSE EYES !!!! As for the men, they'll appreciate the slightly sci-fi wrapping, and the fight scenes, but above all the comedic lines that flow along nicely with the pace of the movie. Brilliant entertainment.

Loved Up (1995 TV Movie)

Riveting

[8/10 · 11 October 2006]

I stumbled across this years ago when it was on TV. Luckily I taped it and often watch it because it's such excellent entertainment and the music blows your mind. I spent years trying to find out if the soundtrack was available and then discovered it was by Leftfield and all the songs were on one album; Leftism. This film accurately portrays both the "highs" and huge lows of the drug culture in the late eighties. The acting is brilliant and the end puts it all into perspective. Even if your life didn't take you down the path of Ecstasy, raves and all-nighters it is well worth taking a peek at how it must have been for the thousands of club goers discovering that everything started with an E !!!

Billy Elliot (2000)

Breathtaking

[9/10 · 27 May 2004]

I've seen this film twice and absolutely loved it both times.

The gentle acting, and real relationships between the actors is rare. The film isn't tugging at your heartstrings because it is far too clever for that.

**SPOILER** It's well worth watching the film just for the last five minutes, when the camera pans to the father at the same time as Billy is preparing to do his debut show (in Covent Garden) and the music blasts out VERY LOUDLY. You see his father swallow a lump in his throat, and his breath catch, and if you don't cry at this part, then there's something wrong with you :)

Amazing. Beautiful. Real. Touching. Inspirational. An absolute gem.