Articles + Quotes on Film & TV

Back in 1843, almost two hundred years ago, Charles Dickens wrote and had published a book named A Christmas carol. Like his other works, it opened the eyes of its readers to the plight of the poor, the downtrodden, disenfranchised, elderly, sick and oppressed. While Victorian England was the age in which many good works were done to alleviate people's suffering, there was a lot of suffering for all those who weren't privileged to own property or vote. Selling out overnight, it forever established its story of how we view Christmas, with the snow and holly (regardless of which hemisphere we live in) and the characters of Scrooge and Tiny Tim, along with their famous phrases: 'Humbug!' and 'God bless us everyone.' It is a joyous tale, with redemption, love, family and friendship. Fast forward to 2019 and we now have a three part adaptation of the tale, created by Steven Knight, with Guy Pearce as the main character. Very much a no frills edition, this...

I saw this film last week and I am still thinking about it. A good film should keep you wondering about the subject matter and this was a great film. Taika Waititi has done this before, made the child the protagonist in his films and explored on a deep level the experiences that can make us stumble as adults and somehow make us laugh at the same time. In this film, the protagonist is a ten year old in Nazi Germany. Like others, he has become deeply committed to the third reich and his imaginary friend is Hitler himself (portrayed here too by Mr Waititi - the Hitler imagined by a ten year old is a new one) but finds himself questioning the ideals pressed on him when he discovers a young Jewish girl hiding in his attic. Mr Waititi, pulling off the ultimate double hat trick as director, writer and actor. He strikes the rare and perfect balance at finding the farce in the lunacy of the Nazi regime and the heartbreak of the realities of what war does, to the community and to people. ...

This film doesn't just surpass the previous two on quality, it stands alone as a pretty damn good film all round. First off, depth. There is a lot more going on plot wise and the characters are imperfect bad asses who all each grow and develop meaningfully over the course of the film. Second, humour. We're not relying solely on sight gags, though those come into play too and everyone has quite a few one liners up their sleeves. Plus Elizabeth Banks well and truly pulls of the great hat trick of director, writer and actor, sneaks in some fun in gags. Ella Balinska, Naomi Scott and Kristen Stewart are the main angels of the film, each of them clearly having a ball with the film, though Ms Stewart is my favourite for straight up humour and relishing the role. Someone put her in another comedy, stat. All in all, a great film that is also a lot o fun.

Ever since I heard about this series, including casting of the title character, I was pretty damn excited. While previous films have had Ruby Rose playing second fiddle to John Wick, Xander Cage and the like, this one puts her squarely in the centre and the series is all the better for it. Ms Rose has definite screen presence and the attitude to match, so her casting as Kate Kane - Batwoman, is an absolute joy. The usual suspects (brought us Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl) are behind the camera and they have clearly learned from experience what works in storytelling of a story that originated in the comics and bringing it forward to the screen. There are some well rounded supporting characters, including the villain of the hour - I've said it once and I'll say it again - when you have a properly intriguing villain with real intentions and storyline: the whole series overall is improved a hundred fold. I've watched the first three episodes thus far and they have been ...

Jack Ryan Like James Bond, this character has been played by many, and has been involved in a lot high stakes espionage and world drama. Unlike James Bond, Jack is a - mostly, normal bloke. From the outset, he says, 'I'm just an analyst.' But still someone who sees more than others and has a knack for landing right in the middle of the catalyst of the fight against extremism. So clearly, the casting went for the normal guy in an office and plopped John Krasinski in an action series. And Wendell Pierce from The Wire, to bring some wise man gravitas to the crazy. But, the writing is good here. Both sides of the story are given equal screen time and back history to explain the madness happening in present time. Cloak and Dagger I know it seems surprising, it took me two epic seasons before I wrote a review of this brilliant series. But I'm here now. The fact that its relatively unknown is mind boggling to say the very least. Aubrey Joseph and Olivia Holt are ...

First impressions: I bet its David Hirschfelder who composed the score for this film. End credits, I was proven right. In between, I did all the poster promised, I laughed, cried and cheered. More than a few times. A true story is always bound to get the heart stringed pulled, stomped on and yanked, but this one holds on tight for the full length of the film and doesn't let go for a moment. Michelle Payne, portrayed perfectly by Teresa Palmer, is definitely not one to give up easy. She faces up to the hard work, the discrimination, the taunting - with dignity and heart. She pulls through some truly traumatic moments that have you on the edge of the seat, doubly so considering it all actually happened. What really gets you is the family/community love that pulls the whole thing together. Ms Payne grew up the youngest of ten children, single father (Sam Neill is his masterful self) and in the good times and truly horrific ones, they all band together without a moment's he...

I watch quite a few films and tv series with supernatural themes and characters. So much so that when I am joined on the couch, prompts the question, is he a werewolf or a vampire. Or a demon. Devil. People have asked me why I watch so many, and it is a fair point. I suppose one answer, is that having a supernatural side, it opens the door for many story options in the series or film. As opposed to a character being able to do option A B or C in the show, now they can do G R or even J and bring forward a new bundle of opportunities that were impossible before. The UK series Being Human, was originally not going to be a supernatural house sharing series at all. It was a late addition. Villains have had to become more crafty, as death doesn't hold the same dominion it once did. In series like The Originals, Vampire Diaries and now Stranger Things and Sabrina, the concept of 'body jumping' or plain old possession - where one character will inhabit someone else's b...