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A few reviews . . (film or TV) — Page 178

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Wings Of The Dove - 1997 - 7/10

Kate’s wealthy aunt orders her to break her relationship with a cheap journalist.
As Kate’s mother had died penniless, the plan is for her to marry wealth.
Easier said than done, since the rich are well aware of the target on their back.
Enter the American heiress, whom Kate pushes her newspaper boyfriend toward.
Sumptuous adaptation of Henry James’ novel of morals, money, and calculating schemes.
Bonham Carter well cast as the adventuress Kate.
Dark theme and melancholic tone bear down as the film progresses.

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The Talented Mr. Ripley - 1999 - 7/10

The leechlike wannabe, hooking up with class and affluence.
Ripley is innocent, inexperienced, but wealthy Dickie takes shine to him.
For awhile, theirs is a nonstop party.
Jude Law almost steals the movie as the rich, jaded, hedonistic Ritchie.
As Ripley, however, Matt Damon navigates a sordid journey.
Impressive cast includes Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Gwyneth Paltrow.
Excellent thinking man’s thriller.

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Hello, Dolly! - 1969 - 5/10

The widowed matchmaker attempts to find a match for an “almost millionaire”.
Then there’s the rich man’s niece and her impoverished boyfriend.
Which the rich man properly says “No’ to. (Except in films, artists rarely make money.)
All sorts of stratagems and subterfuges follow.
With way too many characters and an over-complicated plot
Add a batch of songs, most highly unmemorable, and you have a musical turkey.
This is one of those films that killed musicals back when.
I was, and remain a Streisand fan which is why I watched this back in the day.
Recent rewatch – just as bad. And the vinyl ST, it ain’t “Funny Girl”.

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Hannah And Her Sisters - 1986 - 7/10

Hannah is the family anchor, with one straying sister, the other struggling.
Sister Lee begins an affair with Hannah’s husband, while Holly slides from one attempt to another.
Three, four stories intertwine over roughly two years.
Part drama, more comedy, much of the comedy is emotionally dark.
Allen’s character, Mickey, searching for “meaning” in Life bounces from fad to fad.
Still, one of the Woody’s best films, winner of deserved acclaim.
Large cast of major names, excellent cinematography.

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Britain By The Book - 2023 - 5/10

The ought to be called “Dorset by the Book” since it stays there.
Show is predominantly the couple, who spend a lot of time horsing around and joking.
We get to enjoy a lot of drive time, most inside as scenery breezes by.
“Look! There’s Corfe Castle.” Whoosh.
Note: Our driver squints throughout, she ought to wear glasses.
One author, who has since been outed for fraud, is interviewed.
Should you want to watch two juvenile hosts, this is for you.
Want to see Dorset, visit or get a guidebook. Or read Thomas Hardy.

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The Silencers - 1966 - 5/10

Initial Matt Helm installment plays the agent strictly for laughs.
Helm is now retired, living as a glamour photographer. (pretty girls)
His old agency discovers a threat to initiate global nuclear war - Operation Fallout, and persuades him back.
Despite a big budget, this feels like glorified Maxwell Smart to me.
Stella Stevens plays a moronic nemesis, gratingly whining and crying.
She will get on your nerves and irritate you throughout.
Funny (in a slapstick way) and successful back when. Now feeble.

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Gannibal - 2022 - 6/10
AKA - Gan’nibaru / /ガンニバル

Officer Agawa is transferred to sleepy village of Kuge.
He carries a history and superiors hope the tranquil mountain area will sort him.
The previous village officer had disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
As far as peace and calm, the area is a festering web.
Inhabitants live in fear of the Goto family, amidst whispers of cannibalism.

Officer Agawa is a piece of work, however, and not one to back down.
Series (7ep) explores the dark side, is punctuated with explosive violence.
Ends on a cliffhanger, although S02 has finished airing.

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Gannibal: S02 - 2025 - 7/10
AKA - Gan’nibaru 2 / /ガンニバル

All the tension that had been mounting throughout S01 boils over and explodes here.
This is a wildly violent season, with multiple gun battles.
And bloodletting, a tremendous spillage.

This season showcases the backstory of the Goto family, and their acquired attitude.
Youthful Gin Goto, in particular, as the beautiful, sex-driven female – with a grudge.
The family has a history of dealing with Kuge Village, with the police, a lot of police.
Officer Agawa, however, booted out of Tokyo, is a borderline psychopath.
Japanese exploitation fans, this is manna.

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Attack The Block - 2011 - 5/10

Returning home, Samantha is mugged at knifepoint by a teenage gang.
Robbery, heading towards rape when a fallen meteorite distracts.
Emerging / transforming is a furry alien with hungry teeth.
A series of attack – counterattack between numerous furballs and thugs.
Honestly, I did not know who to root for. Aliens, no. Petty hoodlums, as if.
Decent comedy situations, laughably cheap effects, dicey acting.

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Cobra - 1925 - 6/10

Count Torriani, hounded and pursued by women across Italy, soon sails for New York.
Where he finds the New York ladies are just as attractive, just as interested, just as brazen.
The Count is an exotic addition to an art dealer, particularly his breeding and charm.
Problem is, females, quite literally, fascinate him.
“Cobra” refers to females who spellbind the Count, who is weak for flesh.
Valentino good in this slouching melodrama, with an air of entitlement and foolishness.
Sets by Cameron Menzies are, always, flat out something else.
Forgotten today, Nita Naldi plays the full-figured vamp who beguiles our Count.

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The film The Naked Gun (2025) is a fantastic homage to the original. Did not know Liam Neeson could do comedy, but I was pleasantly surprised. A must see!

I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.

Star Wars has 3 eras: The eras are 1977-1983(pre Expanded Universe), (1983-2014) expanded universe, or (2014- now) Disney-bought version. Each are valid.

My movie reviews aren’t AI, they’re just written by someone who’s Neurodivergent. If you don’t like them, then simply don’t read them.

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The Brother From Another Planet - 1984 - 6/10

Who is actually an escaped slave from another planet.
He lands in New York, and is viewed as another street person as his clothes are shabby.
Plus, he is black and is mute. An outsider. Yet, a curious and gentle soul.
Soft sell, fish out of water story, with an undercurrent of community and slavery.
The latter runs throughout as there are “bounty hunters” on his trail.
Joe Morton amazing in non-speaking role, communicating eloquently with gestures and expressions.

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The Blonde Witch - 1956 - 6/10
AKA - La Sorcière

Brulard, Parisian engineer is dispatched to a Swedish timber baron.
Baroness, actually, widowed and attractive, if aloof.
The locals are superstitious, reluctant to do certain things.
Brulard is forceful, however, both with the project, and in melting the owner’s heart.

Until he encounters Aino, a wild, untamed dweller in the woods.
Villagers view her as a witch, while he sees her as an innocent, and disturbingly beautiful.
There are elements that suggest supernatural, although Aino is closer to a “wise woman”.
Brulard, who I think perceives himself as a player, is naive and callous about females.