What's in/on Your DVD/VCR/PVR etc

[pxr5]

Servant Season 3.. it's gone a bit shit as well...

Bums, I was looking forward to this - the first 2 seasons were great.

[Matt2112]

12 Years A Slave

Rating: ***

Been on the list for a long time since it won the Oscar for Best Film in 2014.  If the rating may surprise then I count myself among that number.  So I will explain, as briefly as possible.

First, the impressive and powerful elements of this film undoubtedly leave their mark, just as intended: Steve McQueen is a very accomplished director who has a particular talent for innovative camera movement that resembles Alfonso Cuaron, who is one of the masters of that craft, and despite the profoundly emotive subject matter this skill is utilised extremely well here;

Chiwetel Ejiofor is tremendous in the leading role - the pain and sadness suffered by his character evident in his eyes even in the scenes where he isn't being treated abominably;

and, speaking of the sickening violence and inhumanity unsparingly depicted on screen (in any other context this would not be a 15-rated film), I thought, as difficult as it is to watch, this was all portrayed appropriately, and some critics' accusations of over-the-top "torture porn" quite misguided (see Mel Gibson's ridiculous The Passion Of The Christ for a genuine example of OTT sadistic violence - or, rather, don't).

However, I can't overlook a couple of significant flaws, which really are technical but nonetheless often took me out of the story: some of the dialogue - in thick Deep South accents and often mumbled - is inaudible, which is possibly why some characters and sequences don't seem to have a narrative purpose.  So even though the film is almost 135 minutes long it still seemed choppily edited and I felt it could have benefited from more breathing space.  Another minor issue I had was with Hans Zimmer's score, which didn't seem to capture the depressing overall tone of the film very faithfully. 

I was prepared for a similarly grim experience as from watching The Painted Bird (my long review for that elsewhere now lost!) and this was often as harrowing; however, where that film had a cast iron grip and numbing of the senses for 160 devastating minutes, 12 Years A Slave for me didn't quite have the same impact due to some unfortunate shortcomings - nonetheless,  I wouldn't let that put anyone off.

[pdw1]

Back To The Future

[pxr5]

Series 3 of A Discovery of Witches - more of the same. It's OK but not mind-blowing 7/10

[R6GYY]

The Ipcress File (ITV series)

[Slim]

The Ipcress File (ITV series)

Any good, Reg? I loved the film though I don't think I've seen it since the '90s.

[R6GYY]

The Ipcress File (ITV series)

Any good, Reg? I loved the film though I don't think I've seen it since the '90s.

I am enjoying it. I haven't seen the film for many years myself. I have one gripe which is an almost constant 'tilted' camera view although I am getting used to it. Other than that - highly enjoyable and I shall stick with it. Interesting to note that Harry Saltzman's (producer of The Ipcress File film and of course associated with the Bond franchise) son Stephen is credited as one of the executive producers.

[R6GYY]

p.s. apparently the whole series is up on the ITV hub? I am happy with one a week.

[Slim]

I saw an ad for it last night on Amazon - it's on Prime, though not for free unless you take out an ITV Hub trial.



I love cold war thrillers although they have a slightly disturbing resonance at the moment.

[Nick]

I love cold war thrillers although they have a slightly disturbing resonance at the moment.

Recommend https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B09G3G9VPC/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

The Courier on Amazon prime

[R6GYY]

Rick and Morty Season 5 (Netflix)

 

[R6GYY]

Tonight's entertainment was The Adam Project (Netflix).

Entertaining enough science fiction action comedy for family viewing, but not up to the standard set by Shawn Levy & Ryan Reynolds earlier collaboration on Free Guy.

[Jonners]

The Boys

Enjoying it

[Fishy]

Going to give The Fear Index a whirl...

[pxr5]

All done with A Discovery of Witches, 3 series in total. The final series felt like they were just going through the motions to get it done; and only 7 episodes. For all 3 series: 7/10