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andynwlad
Reviews
Unspun World with John Simpson (2022)
Veteran reporter and expert commentator
Wonderful to see the BBC give John Simpson his own weekly show on their news channel and BBC 2. The BBC is one of the most trusted broadcasters and news organisations in the world and we in the UK are extremely lucky to have it.
With its access to unbiased correspondents around the globe I hope this programme will become seen as a TV version of the excellent long running From Our Own Correspondent programme on BBC radio.
The Nilsen Files (2022)
A perhaps too familiar story from a different viewpoint.
When I first started watching this I thought it seemed like sadly an all too familiar review of a tragic period of history. But thanks to the tenacity and sensitivity of the writer/producer it revealed more than just the mind of the infamous serial killer. Interesting to see interviews with police and journalists who reported on/worked on the case reflecting on widely held views and societies attitude of the time and compare them to today. A reminder perhaps of how far both have changed but also a reminder of why gay "pride" still has an important place in reminding some of the people how prejudice can hurt. So sad to see how little was heard of the victims and how they were so much more than "down and outs".
Play for Today: Leeds United! (1974)
More like a documentary than a drama
Has a very "real life" feel to it and the style in which the story is told is like a fly on the wall style documentary.
The fact that it is in black and white makes it appear older than it is.
The only downside to it is that it is overlong and could easily have been condensed to 90 minutes or less.
Plenty of stalwarts of British TV are featured, some before they became more famous.
Silent Witness: Terminus: Part 2 (2006)
Terribly disappointing
Very disappointing two parter That starts off well enough but ends up being filled with slow motion fillers with loud background music. Feels like they ran out of story so used this for filler. Hopefully no further episodes follow this format.
Last Tango in Halifax: Episode #5.1 (2020)
Just an observation
I generally enjoy this series and the main actors are as always excellent, but Anne Reid's character Celia is really becoming a miserable self centred old harridan.
The Crown: Cri de Coeur (2019)
End of a disappointing season
Helena Bonham Carter is the central actress in this final episode of what for me has been a disappointing season. The story of the breakdown of the marriage of Princess Margaret is a well documented one and HBC portrays her well as a brittle, perhaps slightly fragile and not very likeable woman, but it is easy to feel sad for the character.
As for Olivia Colman as Her Majesty, I think the least said the better, I feel for her as following Claire Foy is indeed an impossible act to follow, I really don't know what the casting people were thinking, she is absolutely nothing like the Queen and basically plays herself with a wig and an unconvincing posh accent. It's taken me weeks to watch this season, where as seasons one and two were consumed as soon as they were available.
On the plus side, the production and settings are just as lavish as previously, hope season 4 is better and I look forward to the recast for seasons five and six, please, please cast Helen Mirren.
Celebrity 5 Go Motorhoming (2017)
More enjoyable than the stereotype
Despite having no personal interest in motorhoming, I thought I would give this a try as I love Lesley Joseph. I'm glad I did, interesting tour of some lesser know parts of the British Isles with an interesting mixture of celebs, no unnecessary drama, nastiness or arguing. Gentle and pleasant. Bit like Marigold Hotel on a budget.
Storyville: Brexit: Behind Closed Doors: Pt 1 (2019)
You can't trust politicians
I watched this over a month after it's original UK broadcast. During that time much has changed in the UK political landscape and our Prime Minister will resign as leader of her party tomorrow.
This documentary focuses on the Brexit negotiations as seen from the European perspective.
It is difficult to find any sympathy for any of the politicians from this process, both they and the bureaucrats come across as arrogant, childish and self centred.
Shampoo (1975)
Not sure it's really a comedy.
Saw this recently on a great channel that shows old movies in the UK. It's very much a period piece of it's time, I was surprised to see it was set in the late 60s as to me it has much more of a seventies feel.
I didn't really warm to any of the characters, none of them are particularly likeable or sympathetic. Interesting that it received an X rating, I suspect now it would probably be rated as a 15. I was also surprised to see that it received a best supporting actress oscar, the actress concerned isn't particularly noteworthy in this part, must've had light competition that year.
Copie conforme (2010)
Terrible film
Like isabellealenus I don't normally post about films I don't like but I have to say this is one of the worst films I have ever seen. I am a huge Juliette Binoche fan and was really looking forward to seeing this. I still think she is a great actress, but its the first time I have really disliked and not bought into one of the characters she has played. It is also the first time I've ever walked out of the cinema in my life, managing to be annoyed and bored at the same time. The main characters are flawed and there doesn't appear to be a plot to the film in general. The redeeming features are the scenery which is very good and the character of the Cafe owner was quite amusing. Looking forward to Juliette's next film.
Dear Ladies (1983)
Dear Ladies
Superb early 1980's comedy from the BBC, combing the gentle but often slightly caustic world of Dr Evadne Hinge and the wonderful Dame Hilda Bracket (sadly no longer with us) a crying shame that this has never been released on DVD, thank goodness for the Hinge and Bracket fan club for us fans. If you ever get the chance to see these episodes, look out for a pre corrie Kevin Kennedy and Beverly Callard in minor roles. My favourite moments are Dame Hilda's many conflicts with the ever shssshing librarian. As Dame Hilda herself would have said..ah quality. So settle down with a glass of sherry and a roaring fire to enjoy those dear ladies at their very best.
The Things You Do for Love: Against the Odds (1998)
Dramatisation of Pat Phoenix and Tony Booth's life together
Sue Johnstone portrays Pat Phoenix (famous for playing Elsie Tanner for 24 years in Coronation street)as she fights terminal cancer. Johnstone is credible in the role as Pat looks back on her life from her younger days when she first met Tony Booth(famous for his role on Till Death us do part and also the father of Cherie Blair) through his battle with terrible burns and skin grafts before they are finally reunited some 30 years later, when Pat nurses him through his illness. Later Tony has the opportunity to return the favour as he cares for Pat who has cancer but spends much time fighting the condition without anyone else knowing. Worth watching for any fans of the Late Pat, although it is a slightly sanitised and very speedy coverage of a very colourful life story. Shown as one off drama in 1998 on ITV in the UK.