Change Your Image
tammyahansen
Reviews
Middlemarch (1994)
An excellent and faithful adaptation
I finished reading Middlemarch (which I loved) and immediately began watching this miniseries, which had been recommended to me. I'm very particular about screen adaptations of my beloved books and I'm pleased to say that this one delivered on every level. Not an easy thing to do for a story that's over 800 pages, but the characters are well-rendered and the adaptation hits all the right notes. (Side note: why is there a non-existent seventh episode listed with a completely fabricated description of events that someone apparently thinks took place after both the book and the telecast ended? Very odd.)
Death on the Nile (2022)
It is truly a shame...
...that many people will think this is the story that Agatha Christie wrote. I'll give it this: the scenery is very pretty, and...well...did I mention the scenery is very pretty?
Death on the Nile the novel: 10/10
Whatever this is: 1/10.
Circle of Friends (1995)
Teeth-grindingly awful
Circle of Friends is a thoughtful and captivating story about friendship, love, and betrayal. Literally none of that story made it into the movie version beyond the character names. The screenwriter even had the nerve to completely change the ending, erasing the entirety of Benny's character growth in the process. Not even the presence of Colin Firth makes this worth watching. Read the book. Skip this.
Reminiscence (2021)
I would probably have given this an 8 but...
.....there was way too much unnecessary violence. I enjoyed the story--somewhat predictable but still entertaining because of the level of acting talent. And it was nice to see the lead actress sing for herself instead of being dubbed like she was in The Greatest Showman. But not so much with the endless shooting, stabbing and setting people on fire.
CODA (2021)
I am almost never a fan of American remakes of foreign films....
....but this one is undeniably superior because of the simple fact that all the Deaf characters are played by (stellar) Deaf actors. As should be the norm. Highly enjoyable.
Uncle Vanya (2020)
My first encounter with Chekhov
I am so pleased that this was filmed and shown in the US. While it is always my preference to be in the room for live theatre, there is no way I would have gotten to see this even if there hadn't been a global pandemic. I can't speak to whether it was a typical performance of Chekhov, but I very much enjoyed the acting (no surprise that Richard Armitage and Toby Jones were excellent and I learned a few new names to watch for).
Blue Bloods: For Whom the Bell Tolls (2021)
Update these cast listings to be ready when the episode airs!
It's frustrating not to be able to identify the actors. (My star rating is irrelevant; it was necessary to post this.)
Sherlock: Many Happy Returns (2013)
Why oh why....
....is this not included as an extra on my DVDs?????
The Mirror Crack'd (1980)
What on earth...?!
Miss. Marple. Does. Not. Smoke.
I can look past all the other ridiculousness that has been shoehorned into this story. (Her nephew now works for Scotland Yard and changed his name? Sure.) I can make allowances for what were at the time star turns instead of acting. And I love Angela Landsbury. But Miss Marple casually lighting up a cigarette? Absolutely unthinkable.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)
There is only one Superman in my house...
...and it is Dean Cain. I was thrilled when Desperate Housewives became a hit. Not because I actually watched it, but because it made Teri Hatcher famous again which meant Lois & Clark was FINALLY released on DVD for me to own. Here's hoping it comes to a major streaming platform soon.