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Il giovane Montalbano (2012)
well worth watching
Having bought all the DVDs of the 'original' commissario, I had to get the two sets of the prequel. They are well worth it. Riondino doesn't look like Zingaretti, of course, but in terms of the character he blends in well.
It is uncanny how they found people to play the main police characters. Catarella's voice is just like the ''main' actor, for example. The young actor who plays Fazio is very cute.
Unfortunately, some irritating aspects of the 'main' series are overdone here (as they are there): why does Catarella always have to bang the door and get all the names wrong? And in the prequel, Mimi's smarmy lothario schtick is so overdone as to be annoying.
Zingaretti gets irritable at times, naturally, but here Riondino can be unpleasantly angry with his men for no obvious reason and never apologises, specially to poor Fazio who is so loyal and hard-working.
We get Camilleri's favourite things a lot: seductive food and leggy women in revealing clothes.
I can speak 'mainstream' Italian and have bought a few of the books, to have a go at the Sicilian words. If that matches you, I would say have a go. You'll soon gets used to words like 'picciliddro' and 'fimmina' and then be pleased when you spot them during an episode.
My verdict then: well worth watching. The music is terrific. If you haven't been to Sicily yet, go! There are even tours of the places they filmed.
All Is True (2018)
Not worth the time
I rented this because of the cast (apart from Branagh), but was disappointed. As MOscarbradley rightly says in their review, the cinematography is the best thing about it. That and the beautiful old houses (I love a bit of linen-fold panelling).
Branagh's prosthetic nose is absurd! Dench looks as though she can't believe she agreed to be in this tosh. McKellen does his best slightly camp act as Shakespeare's ex male love interest, in a very long curly wig. He and Branagh compete to be the best reciter of a sonnet.
If you watch The White Crow, you will see a film directed by an actor (Ralph Fiennes) which is really good.
This film is just dull.
The Stranded (2019)
Some beautiful actors
I found this because I like Perth Tanapon. Pity he hasn't got a big part, but he is gorgeous. And I have now discovered Papangkorn Lerkchaleampote! So sexy, and such a lovely voice too. Not a great actor, but who cares.
The story is a lot of rubbish (and yes, apologies for not understanding Thai myths). But it kept me watching.
Knives Out (2019)
A turkey
I have never seen any Star Wars films and have no knowledge of this director. I went to see it because of the starry cast and a good review in The Observer, a UK paper I respect. Also, I like country house whodunnit stories.
This was however a big disappointment. The warring family were uniformly horrible; I suppose they were meant to be, but they portrayed it so well that it was just unpleasant to watch. Daniel Craig has been an excellent Bond (and earlier, very good as Francis Bacon's lover), but here he was just awkward and his accent pretty ridiculous.
There was plenty of humour, which was OK at times, but overall that just meant that the film didn't seem to know whether it was a comedy or a serious story.
The worst bit was the long final denouement part, which was incredibly verbose and convoluted. I wasn't left feeling sad, happy, satisfied, intrigued or even angry - just flat. Avoid this film.
Malila: The Farewell Flower (2017)
Beautiful and mysterious
I agree with chong_an in many ways, but I found this film very beautiful and haunting. The flower creations are gorgeous, as is the actor playing Pitch. The problems of cancer treatment are very current, as is mindfulness (and for me, the reminder about eating in an aware manner was timely).
As usual, I found some parts difficult to follow. What happened to the monk who was training Shane? Did he die, and if so, why/how?
The love between Shane and Pitch was really credible, and the love-making scene very nicely done.
Finally, kudos to the sound track.
The Crown (2016)
Binge-able
Another reviewer said this series is binge-able, and that it exactly what I have just done, having joined Netflix for the purpose.
I was three in 1952, so the series covers my lifetime; I know who the characters are or were.
Of course I agree with other reviewers who have remarked on the costumes, settings, cars etc, and those factors are indeed superb. But it's also very sure-footed in the balance between fact and fictionalised events.
Every now and then, I said "s/he would never have done that" - as when Philip kisses Elizabeth at the coronation. And of course there are language errors, usually anachronisms such as 'austerity' and 'devastated', but as someone who is always vigilant for those, I have to acknowledge that there are very few. A lot of characters usher someone into a room by saying "Shall we?" But these are details.
I usually hate loud music, but here it's very good music, and only rarely intrusive.
The only episode I didn't think much of was the melodrama about Philip's relatives being killed in the plane crash, which was superfluous and went on too long.
But the casting is perfect, and many of them really look like the originals, e.g. Mountbatten and the young Philip.
The recent book about Margaret shows that the portrayal of her here is spot on - and we all knew Tony was bi at the time!
The recreations of contemporary newsreels and TV are perfect too.
It is all simply addictive and wonderful (and we get two looks at Matt Smith's divine naked buttocks).
I can't wait for series 3.
Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Disappointing
I really wanted to like this film. I read the book when it came out; I am a gay man; I love films about love relationships between beautiful men; I love films with bits of European languages and lovely European settings; I am 'pro' art house films which are all about characters and take their time. But this didn't work. Firstly, it was really too long. But my main problem was that the relationship between Elio and Oliver just didn't ring true. OK, a few small things happened between them which could have been seen as sexual (e.g. the shoulder massage), but they were both busy doing things with women a lot. Nothing wrong with being bi! And Elio is meant to be young, finding himself etc. But one day, he suddenly says to Oliver that he needs to tell him something, and Oliver says he knows what it is - but there really hasn't been enough evidence of that building up. I do realise that reading an article about Hammer which said that he had a clause added to his contract restricting the amount of sex and nudity he would be expected to do - well that made me struggle to see sincerity in his acting. Chalumet on the other hand is a great discovery. The way he holds a close-up all through the closing titles, showing a range of emotions, is very impressive indeed. I can remember so clearly what it was like at 17 (OK yes, 50 years ago) to kind of enjoy feeling sad and then elated about love and sex, and Chalumet shows that brilliantly. But he is not enough to save this film, and nor is the man playing his father, who does such an excellent job of channelling Robin Williams.