Change Your Image
cgvsluis
Reviews
The Watchers (2024)
Interesting folklore or mythological story that was not quite as haunting or scary as I expected.
Pet store employee, Mina, becomes lost in this mysterious Irish forest when her navigation leads her astray and her car breakdown while on the way to deliver a bird. Alone, Mina walks with the bird until she eventually encounters one of three individuals, Ciara, Madeline and Daniel. These three have been trapped in the woods nightly following the same ritual. They lock themselves in a one room building with a one way glass wall to be watched by things they call the "watchers" after dark. Madeline is a retired history teacher who has been in the woods the longest. She is the sharer of "the rules"...they must be in "the coop" after dark, no one can open the door and they must stay away from the caves. There are parameter markings a 1/3 of a days walk in any direction warning "point of no return", beyond which no one returns from...like Ciara's husband John, who has been missing. Flaunting the rules, Mina convinces Daniel to lower her down into one of the forbidden caves where she finds a bicycle and a camera, which sets off a series of cascading events including Mina and Madeline actually seeing "The Watchers".
I can't tell you any more of the plot without potentially ruining the twists, but suffice it to say that I enjoyed the mythological "changeling" story and the role of the professor within the story.
Both Olwen Fouéré and Dakota Fanning did a wonderful job in their roles. I didn't think it had quite the punch of an M. Knight Shyamalan film, but it did keep my interest. Fans of light suspense...or maybe fantasy may enjoy this film. I would have like a darker story or a bigger twist.
IF (2024)
This film was not what I expected, was more tender hearted than slapstick.
I went into this film expecting a goofy, childish kids comedy and was left curious as to where this story was going while we watched an initially sad story unfold. I loved seeing the creator John Krasinski play the comical father. I also really enjoyed the conclusion of the story, how everything tied together and made sense...including Keith (my favorite of the IF's).
I was shocked to see how many bad reviews there are for this film and to be honest I might pad mine slightly higher to try to counterbalance the criticism...many of which do not seem to be very fair. The subject matter was very family friendly and by family I mean your whole family....not just a five year old, but a thirty-five year old and a ninety-five year old.
I think approaching the story blind is the best way to watch this film, but if you have small children and have to have prior knowledge...this is for you: The story revolves around a girl named Bea. Bea lost her mom to cancer and now is trying to be "not a kid" to deal with her father having to be hospitalized and have surgery. During this time she lives with her grandmother, who lives a solitary (one might say lonely) life in a New York apartment. There Bea sees something she shouldn't have, Blossom. Blossom is an IF (imaginary Friend). In fact she and this hodgepodge of other IFs have been displaced as their kids grew up and forgot about them. Bea, together with a character named Cal, attempt to rehome the misplaced IFs.
I won't share anymore, because it might ruin the wonder of how the story unfolds. My husband loved how after an initial failure or false start, the character of Bea has a new idea and tries again.
The topics you may have to discuss with your children are about imaginary friends, growing up, death and dying, etc. I think these are all normal and healthy topics you should be able to discuss with your children.
I liked the multigenerational story and I loved Fiona Shaw as the Grandmother. When she danced, I actually cried.
I really appreciated that there was no sociopolitical agenda, it was just a good idea turned into a good story.
Now for my couple of complaints...while I liked the slower pace, I can understand how kids might be impatient depending on their age. There were moments that felt a little choppy. Also, I don't know if it was direction or just lack of experience, but Bea came across a little stiff, which added an unnecessary detachment to her character. (Tough roll, trying to be stoically grown up...but probably still pretty scared about her dad's hospital stay.)
Krasinski's dad humor was spot on with the dancing IV and the escape sheets. I would have loved having a dad like that.
I say don't listen to the haters, go into this film with an open mind. Do not expect slapstick...but do expect to be charmed (oh! And you might have a tissue handy).
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
This strays dramatically far from the original Mad Max and I almost don't know what to say.
Overly loaded with obvious CGI, this is reported to be the origin story of Mad Max's Furiousa. The film left me with more questions than answers. Like how in the middle of the Australian desert is there a lush green oasis that grows peach trees? Also, if this is such a peaceful hidden oasis, why are they naming their children Furiousa and Valkyrie?
As a young girl Furiousa gets captured from her idyllic oasis and taken to the bleak wasteland ruler named Dementus. Chris Hemsworth plays the too coocoo for Cocoa Puffs character, Dementus, wonderfully. Dementus takes his nomadic tribe of motorcycle riders to "the land of plenty". The land of plenty, with its pale kamikaze disciples, won't share and doesn't feel threatened by Dementus' gang of miscreants. This forces Dementus to change tactics, ending in an agreement in which he would control gastown and they would provide them food in exchange for gas...oh and they would also get Furiousa. Furiousa is added to the harem of Rictus and Scrotus (worst name for a character ever!)...and eventually escapes what is sure to be a pedophilia situation in order to work on equipment that gets her noticed by my favorite character in this film Praetorian Jack. Jack teaches her the skills she will need to make it back to her home.
The entire film needed better writing and I know that because I knew what was going to happen to the teddy bear before it happened. There were some interesting ideas...and a resurfacing of an old idea, the motorcycle chariot. I imagine Chris Hemsworth had the time of his life playing this over the top Dementus character. It was probably loads of fun. But the film as a whole was a huge disappointment to me. I loved the original cult classic Mad Max. It was perfect. I feel like this big budget overly CGI'd film was almost the antithesis of the original film. I know it has to compete with all the super hero films...but the simplicity of the original was part of its charm. The other thing really lacking in this film was the heart. You understood Mad Max's emotional journey...this could have had an emotional journey for Furiousa, but it gets completely lost to all the CGI action nonsense.
This is not a recommendation from me unless you are absolutely the most die hard Mad Max fan.
The Fall Guy (2024)
I loved it, it was the perfect pairing of comedy and action!
This was fantastic. I think there was only one joke that fell flat for me. I loved all the movie and tv references...including one of my favorites, Pillow talk, with its famous split screen between Rock Hudson and Doris Day! I appreciated the dialogue within the dialogue...that was hilarious, and what girl doesn't have an ex who she would like to see lit on fire and slammed into a wall over and over again. I imagine that would be quite cathartic.
This was such a great love letter to stuntmen and women...with great nostalgia for the original TV series Fall Guy! I loved seeing Lee Majors and Heather Thomas in the end, and yet the film felt fresh to me. I liked that it in a way poked fun of Hollywood while at the same time celebrated it.
I imagine it's a huge hit amongst stuntmen the world round. It was great to see the canine stunt animals weren't left out of the love fest. I did appreciate that they didn't show the actual opening "accident". I think that was a good call on someone's part.
The film was funny, filled with action and for the most part family friendly. I enjoyed the film tremendously and it really elevated my spirits. This is a broad recommendation, and may be my broadest, because I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend this too...except the most boring stick in the mud or elitist. This was just good fun and was spear headed by some phenomenal actors, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Their comedic timing was perfection. I was have had trouble keeping a straight face on set, big hats off to them. Pure entertainment and a joy to watch!
Two Scoops of Italy (2024)
Go with that, the aromas you love and invite everyone to join you in that...an Italian culinary romance.
Chef Danielle goes to Italy, encouraged by her sister Sarah, to get inspiration for her failing restaurant. In the small Italian town, she meets the initially grouchy Giancarlo, who is helping his father at their family cafe. Her small rental is managed by the lovely Elida who recommends some light reading and becomes Danielle's friend. Eventually Giancarlo becomes Danielle's tour guide and in return she helps him make a special gelato flavor that will win over a local nine year old named Nico...in order to add a new flavor to his father's same old gelato flavors.
I really enjoyed the actor Michele Rosiello, who played Giancarlo. I thought he and Hunter King had great chemistry and kept me interested in the story, which had some highlights and a few annoyances. I was sad that Danielle could go to Italy and not come up with a totally inspiring new menu for her restaurant. It was fun to have a fictional story woven into the film. I also loved seeing the local games played and the small community.
Overall the film was very positive and I think most romantics will enjoy this film, making it a recommendation from me.
Alt du elsker (2022)
What I thought was going to be a modern Norwegian young adult love story ends up being much more sociopolitical.
This was a short...and I want to emphasize maybe too short, series built around two Norwegian youths, who meet one another after a long period apart. The two first met at a summer camp in their youth and reconnect randomly on the train. Sara has lost her college living situation and Jonas helps her move her stuff back to her uncle's. After they reconnect, the two start dating. Unbeknownst to Sara, Jonas has some pretty radical ideas about Norwegian nationalism...even going so far as to believe that immigrants are taking away jobs and eroding their local culture. Sara eventually finds a new living situation with a college student of color named Hina. Snooping on Jonas' phone, Sara discovers his radical conversations with others, leading to her breaking it off with him. Jonas, who initially seems very solid in his convictions, has a series of interactions that isolate him and leave him alone with his thoughts. One is meeting a long time internet friend and fellow radical from Germany, who ends up not living up to his expectations and eventually returns to Germany only to perform a horrible act of violence that leads not only to his death but to the identification of Jonas in his home country.
Hina ends up being my favorite character in this short series. She has some great writing for her character, but what I really appreciated was the incredibly thoughtful consideration she gives others. She wisely welcomes and builds up her new roommate, and sensing Sara and Jonas' relationship was on the rocks she becomes the peacemaker between the two, ultimately when she could have turned on Sara she doesn't...she forgives and goes beyond to encourage Sara to reach out to Jonas who may be struggling.
The end of this short series seems very unfinished to me. I don't know if that was the intent...if it was meant to provoke conversation? The reality is I imagine this lead to a suicide of someone who I think could have been saved with the care and kindness of characters like Hina.
There were beautiful bits to this series, but I am not sure that there is enough to redeem it as a whole and make it onto my recommendation list. So there it sits.
This review is based on watching the series in it's original Norwegian language with English subtitles.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Tale of Three Letters (2024)
A violent agreement...I do so love the postables and I am thrilled that we are getting beyond the wedding.
I love the Postables, aka the dead letter department or Signed, Sealed and Delivered. It is a franchise that has always touched my heartstrings and I was thrilled to find out that we get to see more beyond the "I do's". The friendships and love in this series make this a must see for this romantic and as I think about it, of course they would tackle the after wedding, after honeymoon marriage.
Ten weeks, four days from I love you to forever...
A tale of three letters begins where The vows we have made left off...with Mr. And Mrs. O'Toole's honeymoon and subsequent return to the Dead Letter Office. The honeymoon was very Shane and Oliver...as was the plane ride home, but I kind of felt like the growing pains of them living together was a little out of character. But in true postables fashion, I really liked the recovery. A counselor, one of Norman's many cousins, helps the two find themselves and their stride as a married couple...and just in time.
"Lovers must learn how to become husbands and wives."
One of the things that is truly special about the postables is the camaraderie between the cast of characters and their continued storylines throughout the series. I loved seeing Norman and Rita's relationship continue to grow and flourish, as well as Oliver's father Joe in his continued support and love for his son. I'm thrilled that they have continued to keep the character of Ramon and I love his little shared pearls of wisdom.
"What do you think that letter said?"-Rita
"Enough."-Shane
The dead letter office tackles letters that were destroyed in a potential mailbox bomb, one or two of which involve their own office's Charley. I love that there is always a sweet sub story involving the lost letters and this movie was no exception. A teacher, who is having a bad day in her personal life, takes a hard stand with a student who acts out in anger. The teacher sends a harsh letter to the student, one which she now regrets. Through the love and compassion of the dead letter office, the teacher is offered a solution to her former student only receiving the harsh letter that she now regrets.
"The honeymoon is over and now it's time to get down to the business of being married."
As a romantic and a huge fan of Postables, I was thrilled with this film and particularly loved the beginning and the end. I highly recommend and think that fans will love this entry. I am really hopeful that there will be more...I can't wait to see the additions to both the O'Toole and Dorman families.
"I would go just about anywhere with you, Mr. O'Toole."-Shane.
The Magic of Lemon Drops (2024)
While I liked both lead actors independently, for some reason they didn't blend well together...I guess they just lacked chemistry.
This Hallmark film left me with just Ho-hum feelings. While there were parts I liked, most of the film just fell flat for me. I was curious why first generation German immigrants didn't have any accents? I didn't care for the conflict between the family members, sisters and father. But the part I probably objected to the most was the lack of chemistry between the two leads. I really liked them independent of one another, I'm guessing the director did too because they have very little on screen time together...especially for a romance.
Not a recommendation from me...while I didn't hate it, there are much better Hallmark films out there. Leave these "magical lemon drops" behind.
My Dreams of You (2024)
This hallmark film was surprisingly entertaining and I really enjoyed the creativity of the Dream Central concept.
Initially, I thought I wasn't going to care for this film whose main conceptual theme seems to be to not give up on your dreams...even if that means not being able to pay your rent and having to struggle working unfulfilling temp jobs while getting rejections, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying the film by the end because of it's creativity. I feel like this was a bit of a departure for Hallmark in that there was a fully fleshed out and imaginative Dream Central that is not only distinctly colored, but containing a whole staff of individuals whose job it is to watch video tapes of people's past to create dreams for them seeded with memories and experiences.
A new dream central employee makes a mistake and adds a Portland native musician named Michael to Grace's dreams. The problem is Grace has never met Michael and was never meant too. The new dream creator, Alura, and her supervisor , Harvey, have to go to the real world from Dream Central in order to convince Grace to allow them to erase Michael from her memory. The problem is Dream Michael is too great, so Grace tries to dodge Alura and Harvey...and meets Michael in person. Only Michael doesn't know who Grace is, but they get along famously in real life...just like in Grace's dreams. The two bond over their struggles to make it with their dreams, Michael is a want to be singer-songwriter and Grace wants to be a published author. The two collaborate a bit on a bicoastal trip back to Portland, Oregon (Michael's hometown), from Grace's hometown of Grand Rapids, MI.
I loved the look and feel of Dream Central with it's 1950's colors and VHS tapes, etc. It reminded me a bit of both The Good Place and Loki's TVA (Time Variant Authority). I really appreciated that Dream Central was fully fleshed out with staff, orientation, etc. I also liked seeing various Dream interactions between Grace and Michael, with Grace's old dress and dancing, etc. Then to have not only Grace's temp job...but Michael's back up family job...there was a lot going on, including a cross country train ride....and a meeting with Grace's Portland dwelling grandmother.
I loved the creativity and the excellent story telling. It was a big surprise to me. I even enjoyed Alura's fascination with pie! Cute, positive and fun. I think this was a positive departure from the Hallmark norm that I really appreciated and approved of. This is a recommendation from me, particularly for those who are dreamers.
Family Practice Mysteries: Coming Home (2024)
Tenacious doctor drags a well meaning detective into an investigation that her whole family gets involved in.
When a doctor's healthy patient is found dead, she becomes suspicious. Former Army surgeon, Rachel, moves back to the states with her teenage twins after loosing her husband. Frustrated that the coroner isn't planning to do an autopsy on her former patient, Rachel pursues other avenues in order to get it to happen. Her father introduces her to detective Jack Quinn who gives her some ideas on how to put her forensic military team experience to use on this case. Slowly an interesting familial case unfolds.
I really like the actor Brendan Penny, who plays detective Jack, and I thought Amanda Schull did an excellent job as Rachel. It was interesting how involved her teenage twins got in the investigation. I appreciated that the victim was well liked and spoken highly of at his place of work.
This was a little more serious as far as Hallmark mysteries go and I enjoyed it. I would definitely watch more and can recommend it to hallmark mystery fans.
A Costa Rican Wedding (2024)
Costa Rica is the real star of this Hallmark Romance.
Rhiannon Fish is a lovely actress, but she plays the seriously klutzy and awkward nurse Emily who has been asked to be the bridesmaid at her best friend's Costa Rican destination wedding. She is also tasked with heirloom wedding rings, which she promptly looses when a monkey steals her backpack. She also has to work with the grooms cousin who she thinks hates her.
This Hallmark romance has a beautiful pura vida ending with a gorgeous Costa Rican waterfall as the backdrop. It makes the film totally worth watching. As awkward as the beginning is, the end is beautiful and worth seeing for a romantic...making this a recommendation for hallmark romantics.
Jazz Ramsey: A K-9 Mystery (2024)
The dog is beautiful and I wish it was used more in the solving of this relatively morose mystery.
First I have to comment on the terrible wardrobe in this mystery...it was truly atrocious, with the exception of the detective Nick, whose suits dapper enough for his station. Second I thought the German Shepard who played Zeus was a lovely dog, who I wish was used a lot more in this film especially sine it is called "a K-9 mystery". Third, I didn't really appreciate the negative backstory between the two leads. It didn't seem like a very believable story...but maybe that was just due to their lack of chemistry. I really like the actor Corey Sevier, who played Nick, and I have seen him put in some great performances, but I think he needed a better script. Finally, I thought there were far too many coincidences for this story to be believable...and the dental records-wow!
In general I am a fan of Hallmark mysteries, but this isn't one that I can recommend.
While giving a corpse smelling dog demonstration for the forensics club at the school she and the now principal both attended, she finds a year old body under the floorboards...it looks like it might be a strict teacher from the school, but who did it and why?
Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement (2024)
I loved the jazz and Nelly's fast paced banter with detective Michael.
Nelly is the town of Babelton's local newspaper's beloved advice columnist. She is played by the lovely Pascale Hutton, who fast talks and sweet talks her way through solving the small town murder after she stumbles upon the body. The new to town Detective Michael is played by Hutton's When Calls The Heart husband Kavan Smith. These two are gold together. Nelly is not only observant, but knows the town of Babelton (and everyone in it) like the back of her hand. She's positive, upbeat and dogged which convinces DetectiveMichael to eventually throw in the towel and try to work with her instead of compete with her.
My favorite two scenes take place in Helen's diner between Nelly and Michael...in the first Michael joyfully eats pancakes for dinner and in the second we are told the story of the death of Nelly's childhood sweetheart and fiancé in the explanation of how her positive outlook is a choice. That was the most humanizing part of this relatively lighthearted mystery. I liked the colors and I loved the jazz music that accompanied the mystery. It came across as a little campy and I loved it.
It looks like this might be the start of a new series and I for one would tune in for more. This is a recommendation from me to Hallmark mystery series fans.
Zouzou (1934)
This was the first time I saw Josephine Baker in a live action film and I was really struck by her frenetic energy and plastic face.
The film begins when two orphans Zouzou (Josephine Baker) and Jean (Jean Gabin) are being raised as siblings in the circus by Papa Melé...in fact they are their own circus act...twins one born black and one white. But Jean has dreams of the sea and grows up to be a sailor. When he eventually comes home to reunite with Zouzou and Papa Melé, he takes work as a gaffer in the theater and Zouzou a laundress in Paris. When Jean comes across a freshly murdered man in the street, he is accused of murder. Zouzou sees the actual murderer flee, but is unable to convince the police of Jean's innocence. To raise money for a better lawyer Zouzou goes to work in the theater...where on opening night she sees a photo of the real killer and is able to identify him for the police due to his missing digit. Zouzou's happy reunion with Jean is thwarted when she discovers that Jean and her best friend Claire are in love...Zouzou wanders the streets in a melancholy funk, going back to the theater to perform a very symbolic songbird in a cage number to the closing credits.
It's another sad French "love" story...of which I am sensing a theme. I loved the fashion and while the musical numbers weren't up to Busby Berkeley standards, I did find them entertaining. I was tickled by the oversized bed number, but my favorite was the cascading water number for a visual. It was pretty interesting to see Josephine Baker, her facial expressions were beyond expressive. She did a lot of comedic work just with her eyes and face. She also had a nervous energy that came across as very frenetic. Totally worth seeing for Josephine Baker, I would highly recommend this film to classic film fans...especially those who like me enjoy pre-code Hollywood films from 1930-1934.
Et Dieu... créa la femme (1956)
It takes two to tango...but no one is looking at the men in this film.
The description of this film was listed as "scantily clad young woman seduces men on the Mediterranean", but I found the story to be more than that. The young and lovely Brigitte Bardot plays the seductress in question and she is so riveting it is hard to take your eyes off of her...but I disagree with the description that she is the seductress. Her character Juliete seems young and bored, meanwhile an older and more sophisticated man named Eric Carradine would like to become her sugar daddy. She has resisted the wealthy Carradine, but has her eyes set on the young and handsome Antoine Tardieu. When Antoine comes back to their village he shows her some interest which is promising until she overhears him say she is the kind of girl you spend one night with but that he will be marrying his boss's daughter. This news rightly changes the dynamic between them and when her adoptive mother is set on sending her back to the orphanage, she agrees to marry Antoine's younger brother Michel...and at first she is a very good wife to him, but then she and Antoine end up having sex when Michel is out of town. This leads to family angst and in my opinion a very unsatisfying ending.
The boredom of Brigitte's character in palpable in this film as is the physical heat (vs sexual). Brigitte Bardot is young and lovely...and the reason to watch this film. I don't know if this kind of love story is typically French, but I am seeing a theme between films like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Fanny and this film. The cinematography was great and the big music and dance number at the end was remarkably frenzied.
"It's always as if I'm going to die tomorrow. Something inside me pushes me to do silly things."-Juliete.
This is a theme that I don't particularly enjoy. Juliete behaved badly, but frankly Antoine and Carradine behaved worse. As I said from the onset it takes two to tango but no one was watching the men in this film...it was all Brigitte Bardot. It's for that reason that I recommend seeing it at least once, and besides it shows off the lovely St. Tropez.
Review based on watching film in it's original French language with English subtitles.
Savoring Paris (2024)
The music in this Paris set Hallmark romance is lovely as is the eventual romance.
Who would I be with if you don't know who you are?
Ella up and leaves her job for a three week vacation in Paris. Her plan is to recreate a beautiful experience she had in her youth eating a particularly heavenly cheese along the Seine. She also is hoping to find herself. She ends up renting a room from a woman named Clotilde, who has never worked because she has "family money". After visiting a grumpy cheese vender, Ella has her picnic along the Seine where she meets the young, handsome and flirty food critic Gaston who ends up being Clotilde's cousin. In a short period of time Clotilde convinces Ella to quit her job back home and stay for the summer...
Living off her savings Ella buys a whole new amazing French wardrobe and "interns" in the grumpy cheese-man's shop selling cheese.
If you don't take this Hallmark romance too seriously, it is a cute romance with cheese, great clothes and Paris. Things I liked about the film...the music, the clothing, Manon Azem (Clotilde), Ben Wiggins (Gaston), and Bethany Joy Lenz (Ella). Ella's attitude was fun and infectious and in the end I really enjoyed the relationship she built with Serge. The thing I didn't care for was the perpetuation of this idea that you can just quit your job and everything will work out. I think that is really shortsighted and sends poor message to our youth.
Indulge, be bold and savor...Ella.
The end made this film worth watching as a romantic, so I would recommend it to my fellow romantics particularly those fond of Hallmark films.
Dönence (2023)
The gorgeous Foça backdrop and the autistic story line are the big draws for this Turkish Summer tv series.
An Istanbul family moves to the small seaside town of Foça for a better life for their autistic daughter. The father Cem is doing his best to set his family, which consists of his lovely wife Verda and two daughters Gece and Gülce, up so he can have a risky surgery performed on the brain tumor he has kept secret from them. The eldest daughter, Gece, is initially very upset to be leaving Istanbul with her friends and boyfriend Emir...but thinks she will be back to Istanbul soon to attend a music conservatory. She is also somewhat resentful initially of her autistic younger sister Gülce, who is trying to break away from her over protective mom and become a more normal girl...which has her heavily relying on her sister to go out into the public. Gülce attends a sailing school in Foça with other autistic children where they meet the handsome instructor Özgür and his autistic brother Rüzgar. As Gece's relationship with her boyfriend Moro sours a relationship develops between her and özgür, who encourages Gece to be a better sister to Gülce.
There is some interesting intrigue along the way with Miro hurting someone in a pedestrian/motorcycle accident, someone trying to steal Verda away from Cem, and someone trying to convince Özgür to do some illegal smuggling. All of this leads back to the fire that killed Özgür and Rüzgur's parents.
I really enjoyed the beautiful family relationship of the Olgun family and I particularly liked the love shown between Verda and Cem. These two were solid, excellent parents. I also really appreciated the character of Özgür, who came home after his parents die to take care of his severely autistic brother...I particularly liked his positive attitude. Life is hard enough, so it was so sweet to see such a lovely brotherly bond.
There were a few things that frustrated me with the series...like the father would rather be thought to have a gambling problem than admit to having a brain tumor? But these were minor quibbles.
I loved Foça and seeing sights around the city. I liked the small tight knit cast. It was interesting to see some of the struggles faced both as an autistic teenager and as a parent of a bright but autistic daughter.
I think if you are at all interested in or associated with autism that you will enjoy this series.
My review is based on watching the entire series in it's original Turkish language with English subtitles.
Junebug (2024)
Autumn Reeser and Aaron O'Connell save this fairly mainstream Hallmark film not filmed in Seattle.
I initially thought the kid was going to be a real turnoff, but she ended up being more endearing than I expected. The film is really saved by the chemistry between Autumn Reeser and Aaron O'Connell. The overall story is ok, but the romance is the reason to watch.
A shout out to the parents in this film...I kind of liked their kooky and cohesive unit.
Now my Seattle rant, while I love that Hsllmark wants to set these films in Seattle and uses some stock footage along with a couple name drops to solidify their "location"...it is so blatantly obvious that it isn't actually Seattle. As someone who lived on Capital Hill for more than two decades, I can spot a fake from a mile away. Why not set the film in Canada if you are going to shoot it there? Would anyone really care? Or...and here is a novel concept why not actually set it in Seattle if you are going to say it is Seattle, pay the money, bite the bullet and film it in Seattle.
Gabriel's Redemption: Part Three (2023)
Gabriel and Julia's family grows in this latest installment of the Gabriel's Inferno series produced by Passionflix, and fans are going to love it.
I'm a huge Passionflix fan and I really am grateful that they are bringing to screen beloved novels. It is thanks to Musk's interest in the Gabriel's Inferno series that I picked up and read the books. (I am always looking for great romantic stories.)
If you are a fan of the series you will love this continuation of the story which wraps up the third book. One piece of constructive criticism this film felt a bit rushed and the ending not finished, but in it's defense there was a lot of story to get through while staying true to the books...which is an aspect of Passionflix I really appreciate.
I am hoping the final book will be produced...Gabriel's promise, because I would hate to think that this is where the saga ends.
The Red House (1947)
There are moments of beauty like kids swimming in a lake in this pastoral teen noir that show cases Edward G. Robinson and a haunting red house.
This is an odd little noir built ostensibly around a few high school teenagers, but Edward G. Robinson makes a valiant effort to steal their show. Billed as a film noir, it's almost more of a ghost story.
The sweet Meg Morgan gets her friend and secret high school crush, Nath Storm, an after school job at her aunt Ellen and uncle Pete's farm helping out. After an evening of work, with a storm approaching, Nath decides to take a shortcut through the woods home. This is when something strange starts to happen Pete begins to get really twitchy and coming up with all sorts reasons why Nath should avoid the woods...particularly the red house therein. This not only gets Nath suspicious, but Meg as well...throw in an armed juvenile delinquent paid to keep people off the property and you have recipe for disaster.
This seems geared towards a teen market, but between the haunting music and Edward G. Robinson's gripping performance it appeals to a much greater audience. I particularly appreciated the teen actors Lon McCallister and Allene Roberts whose fresh-faced innocence really sold their performances.
While not high on my list I think serious Film Noir fans should have this on their list along with Edward G. Robinson fans.
The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
A sad story that is also filled with the hope of youth and a very humanizing look at the plight of Jewish families during WWII.
This film is based on the famous real-life diary of Anne Frank, a German born Jewish girl, who lives in hiding in the attic of a Dutch factory run by a friend of her father's from 1942 to 1944 in a Nazi occupied Netherlands.
The story begins as Anne, her older sister Margot, her parents and the Van Daan family, which includes their teenage son Peter, are shown to the attic behind a hidden door in the upstairs office of a Dutch Factory managed by the kindly Kraler and his secretary Miep Gies. These tight quarters are to be their shared home until the occupation is over. During the day, while the factory workers are working, the families are to remain quiet and shoeless without using water or making noise of any kind. The days are spent reading and for the kids doing their studies. Once the last factory worker has left for the day, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief...put their shoes on and move about. But the one thing they can never do is go outside the attic door. They rely on the meager rations and weekly visits from Kraler and Miep. They eventually are joined by another Jew in hiding a dentist named Albert Dussell.
The tension is built as their collective fears play out, in addition to some domestic squabbles and teenage love. The one thing this story does is humanizes their plight. When I was young this film was not only shown in schools, but was annually played on both the local and national television stations. Millie Perkins, who plays Anne Frank, manages to instill this tragic story with just the right level of hope.
I think this film honors the source material, making it a recommendation from me. It's worth seeing at least once.
Sophie's Choice (1982)
Tragic story of two star-crossed lovers, ala Romeo and Juliet.
This was a watch and delete for me. I waited a long time to see it and found it quite morose and without a purpose. I wasn't exactly entertained and I found myself troubled by Meryl Streep's Polish accent.
The story begins post WWII, when Stingo moves into a New Jersey Victorian that was divided into apartments. He is a Southerner and set on making it as a writer. The room in the New Jersey house was painted a peptobismal pink because the owner's husband got a good deal on the paint during the war. No sooner does Stingo move in, but he is befriended by this fiery couple who lives upstairs. Sophie is a Polish Auschwitz survivor and Nathan is the easily excited Jewish biochemist who fell in love with her. As it turns out both have rather dark secrets. Sophie has been lying to Stingo about her father and her past...and Nathan's brother reveals his serious mental health issues.
After seeing this, I understand why Kevin Klein was cast in A Fish Called Wanda...he plays crazy well. In this case he is a self-medicating volatile schizophrenic. Unfortunately, it's Sophie and Stingo who are the focus of this story...and it is painfully obvious from the beginning that Stingo is in love with Sophie, so in love that by the time she reveals all her lies and stories...he no longer cares. He still wants to marry her.
Be warned this film deals with a dark topic in a bit of a grey way and it has a very sad ending. I have read a lot about the amazing performances, but it was hard to get around the dark topic and it's slow pacing. Worth seeing once, but I won't be watching it again.
Who Is Erin Carter? (2023)
I love a man...or woman who can do anything and that is who Eric Carter is!
This series starts when a mom witness a robbery at the local market and intervenes in such a way that we know there is more to this substitute teacher than we know...or her daughter knows or her partner knows. This puts Eric Carter, the British school teacher living in Spain, on the radar of individuals she didn't want to draw the attention of. One of whom is her partner Jordi's best friend, who just happened to be a police officer. As the body count starts to pile up, it gets harder and harder for Erin to maintain this quiet idyllic life she has built with Jodi and her daughter Harper.
The acting in this was great, particularly by the lead Evin Ahmad who played a surprisingly sympathetic and believable Erin Carter, Sean Teale who played her partner Jodi Collantes and by Indica Watson who played the young daughter Harper. The back drop for this action adventure crime thriller was the coastal town of Barcelona, Spain...and it was spectacular. This whole series made me want to by a ticket and go there (minus the violence and killing of course).
As mentioned, I love a gal who can do anything like Erin Carter, especially when they sell the action scenes...which I feel that they did. One thing that was problematic for me was how quickly she healed from really bad beatings. There is no way she wouldn't be bruised up...which could have been covered by clothing, but wasn't.
This makes my recommendation list for action and thriller fans...I think there is a lot to enjoy in this series and even though I did figure out some of the twists before they were revealed, it didn't deter from my enjoyment in large part because of the acting and location.
The Stranger (2020)
You won't know what you want until it's gone in this twisty mystery thriller based on the writing of Harlan Coben.
This starts as the story of a husband and father who is approached by a stranger who tells him a secret about his wife...but ends up being so much more as we learn the same stranger has visited multiple individuals with secrets from their lives, which is where this gets interesting as some of these secrets and stories start to intersect. Filled with action, drama and great acting particularly by Richard Armitage who played the husband/father Adam Price this is a wonderfully twisty mystery thriller that will keep your attention until the end.
There is a naked, drugged badly injured high school boy who shows up in the woods, a decapitated sheep from a local farm, a missing but beloved school teacher, stolen money from the football/soccer club, inappropriate photos posted of an underage girl, a girl ill with a mysterious illness, a woman retiring and leaving her husband, an absentee father/grandfather, a blackmailer, and a holdout homeowner in a block that is being bulldozed in the name of progress...and most of this is within one small community.
There is a lot of commentary here about whether or not the ends justifies the means, but the moral seems to be you don't know what you want until it's gone. I enjoyed the friendships, the family moments and the hilarious banter between Siobhan Finneran, who played the detective Johanna Griffin, and her partner. I was thrilled to see Anthony Head, I have always been a big fan of his and didn't know he was in this series, so I was delighted to see him.
I am really loving the storytelling of Harlan Coben and I have yet to pick up one of his books...which is looking like a must for me. I recommend this series to fans of thrillers, mysteries and just interesting or twisty storytelling. So often writers of really twisty plots have difficulty sticking the landing (or tying everything back in together), but Coben seems to do an excellent job bringing everything together. Now you might not like the ending, but you have to admit that he has brought everything together neatly.
This is a recommendation from me and I am looking forward to seeing and reading more.
Forst (2024)
Cold and atmospheric Polish crime thriller involving a serial killer in the Tatras mountains and the fictional famous detective Wiktor Forst.
There is a serial killer brutality murdering and posing his victims in interestingly tied climbing rope with a coin placed in their mouthes in the icy but gorgeous Tatras Mountains on the Slovakia-Poland border. The detective originally assigned to the case is the infamous policeman Wiktor Forst.
There is wonderful atmosphere in this cold and disturbing Polish crime thriller. It initially gave me very dark vibes ala Scandinavian crime dramas like The Killing and The Chestnutman. This is based on the popular Polish novels that center around the life of the brilliant but troubled detective Wiktor Forst and his unconventional ways. The acting in this series is pretty decent, but the cinematography is fantastic. I think I would recommend this series to people just to see the spectacular snow covered landscape around Zakopane, Poland.
While initially working the case, Forst meets a tenacious female reporter Olga Szrebska and after he is officially kicked off the case and assigned to a missing person's case, the two of them continue to try to piece the mystery of the serial killer together. The clues lead them to an interesting location, the Mountain Remembrance Headquarters. It's a foundation where they collect everything on Gorals and the Tatras. Great historical photos provide a key to this case that dates back to WWII.
My husband and I were able to guess who the killer was, but I don't think it deterred too much from our enjoyment of the dark series,. That mystery may be solved, but the end leaves an opening for a second season when a character we have grown to trust over the series turns out to have a hidden motive. The music was good and added drama and atmosphere appropriately, there is an amazingly creepy exclusive sex club so high in the mountains you can only reach it by a gondola, but the real reason to watch this series is the amazing setting as I stated previously. It's cold, stark and breathtaking...you couldn't ask for a better backdrop. For me this is a must see for crime thriller fans for the location alone.
My review is based on watching the series in it's original language, Polish, with English subtitles.