You expect a certain number of cliches with any rom-com, but there are still good rom coms (Leap Year, the Holiday etc.) and bad ones... This is a bad one. Why does Netflix continue to churn out such B-grade movies? Why?!? Apparently this is a 'better' rom-com than the previous one Lindsay filmed with Netflix... That does not leave us with much hope. I thought Lindsay's acting was subpar compared to her colleagues in this film. Maybe the break from acting meant that her skills stopped developing? There's something childish and OTT about her acting style, and it really bothered me (I have no issue or agenda against her either, I was looking forward to watching this movie). The pacing of the movie also wasn't good in my opinion, it's too fast especially in the beginning - you don't get to understand the character's back stories, what makes them tick or why they have such attachments with one another. I couldn't finish watching this movie, it wasn't worth it.
Reviews
9 Reviews
North Shore
(2023– )
Those who say it's well written.... are on crack.
30 May 2023
Where to begin with this one.... an over-polished and over-done production that is extremely unbelievable on every level. Sometimes the background of Sydney harbour is so fake it hurts (if you can't afford to hire an office to shoot a scene with harbour views, then don't bother).
Then there's the terrible writing.... SO many cliches; Australian detective vs British detective (the poor inexperienced Australian detective looks like a wounded teenager in every second scene and refuses to have a wine with British cop cause he isn't 'part of the team'), smart Asian cop/technician doing the computer intel work, the mother of the deceased girl constantly one upping her PR agent at every turn because she's so ruthless (as if you wouldn't have fired him by now if he is that hopeless and you are so intelligent) and awful 'foreign' accents.... I could go on and on.
The dialogue is unnatural and way too controlled, particularly in regards to the parents of the deceased girl. They have a mild disagreement involving their MURDERED daughter and then put that aside calmly and decide go out to dinner to enjoy a 'nice evening'. WHAT.
And why do they show a pub in the Sydney that supposedly does not sell pints because that's 'hipster'?! Has none of the writers of the show visited Sydney before???
But what hurts my soul the most is that the talent in this show is so good and yet the series itself is so unbelievably bad. Now that takes skill.
Then there's the terrible writing.... SO many cliches; Australian detective vs British detective (the poor inexperienced Australian detective looks like a wounded teenager in every second scene and refuses to have a wine with British cop cause he isn't 'part of the team'), smart Asian cop/technician doing the computer intel work, the mother of the deceased girl constantly one upping her PR agent at every turn because she's so ruthless (as if you wouldn't have fired him by now if he is that hopeless and you are so intelligent) and awful 'foreign' accents.... I could go on and on.
The dialogue is unnatural and way too controlled, particularly in regards to the parents of the deceased girl. They have a mild disagreement involving their MURDERED daughter and then put that aside calmly and decide go out to dinner to enjoy a 'nice evening'. WHAT.
And why do they show a pub in the Sydney that supposedly does not sell pints because that's 'hipster'?! Has none of the writers of the show visited Sydney before???
But what hurts my soul the most is that the talent in this show is so good and yet the series itself is so unbelievably bad. Now that takes skill.
The Dry
(2022– )
Had so much potential but...
21 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Great acting and so much potential, but just too many cliches to go around...
Girl in her mid-30s trying to put her life together after becoming sober and trying to cope with the recovery of her addiction, as well as trying to deal with her family after returning to her home town. Then you get the cliched gay brother who has casual sex whenever and with whoever whilst living in his parents house (and as another reviewer said, heart of gold despite not being a responsible adult by any means)... You have the parents who also have their own issues (favourite son, don't care too much about the alcoholic daughter, cheating husband, drinking too much etc.). There's also a responsible Sister who is a nurse and married but quite 'easily' decides to have a fling with a doctor.
Maybe the humour is also misplaced sometimes - i.e. I feel like they dress up the fact that having their alcoholic daughter stay with them is a 'drag' and it's funny to be dismissive of her issues. Yes, some cliches work and are relatable for a reason, but there's just too many going on here all at once.
I feel like a lot of series these days are very crude to pass off as being 'modern', but they don't show the added complexity that really delves into the human condition and our decision making processes, as well as the toll our decisions take on those around us. Families are complicated and some comedy thrown in is always a good mix, but this is just so unimaginative I couldn't go on after 4-5 episodes. I do think it's easily better than Fleabag (which I personally, did not rate very highly).
Girl in her mid-30s trying to put her life together after becoming sober and trying to cope with the recovery of her addiction, as well as trying to deal with her family after returning to her home town. Then you get the cliched gay brother who has casual sex whenever and with whoever whilst living in his parents house (and as another reviewer said, heart of gold despite not being a responsible adult by any means)... You have the parents who also have their own issues (favourite son, don't care too much about the alcoholic daughter, cheating husband, drinking too much etc.). There's also a responsible Sister who is a nurse and married but quite 'easily' decides to have a fling with a doctor.
Maybe the humour is also misplaced sometimes - i.e. I feel like they dress up the fact that having their alcoholic daughter stay with them is a 'drag' and it's funny to be dismissive of her issues. Yes, some cliches work and are relatable for a reason, but there's just too many going on here all at once.
I feel like a lot of series these days are very crude to pass off as being 'modern', but they don't show the added complexity that really delves into the human condition and our decision making processes, as well as the toll our decisions take on those around us. Families are complicated and some comedy thrown in is always a good mix, but this is just so unimaginative I couldn't go on after 4-5 episodes. I do think it's easily better than Fleabag (which I personally, did not rate very highly).
Off the Rails
(I) (2021)
Dull and no chemistry
16 April 2022
The script is dull, cliched and not very believable. I also don't think there's a lot of chemistry between the 'friends' (or emotion, it feel contrived). The lack of character development might be explained by a lack of understanding where each person has come from, seeing as they have been separated for so long and have each obviously lead very different lives with different challenges (let alone what they were like when they were young).
If only the script was better, maybe this movie may have had a chance...
If only the script was better, maybe this movie may have had a chance...
Herself
(2020)
Quality movie
25 March 2022
A quality movie showing the pain and trauma of domestic violence. It's a gritty storyline that shows the institutional difficulties that women mostly go through, trying to flee abusers and set up new lives - as well as the emotional cost and lingering PTSD.
The actors performances are awesome - there's nothing to complain about there. I thought the other supporting actors could have had their stories developed more - we. Know almost nothing about them which is a shame, especially since I thought the movie wasn't too long IMO. Otherwise, great cast, storyline and acting above all else!
The actors performances are awesome - there's nothing to complain about there. I thought the other supporting actors could have had their stories developed more - we. Know almost nothing about them which is a shame, especially since I thought the movie wasn't too long IMO. Otherwise, great cast, storyline and acting above all else!
McLeod's Daughters
(2001–2009)
A quality Australian drama for the ages!
23 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
McLeod's Daughters is one of those well made dramas, that pulls at your heart strings (thanks to the good writing, fantastic acting and good music) set on a working farm, showcasing farm and country life at its heart. Farm life, work and hardships aren't glossed over, which makes the stories and 'realities' of the characters believable. Plus the scenery is beautiful. I imagine this is why the show is shown and loved across the world. On top of this, the personal stories of the characters are surprisingly gritty (Becky season 1 for example). It was ahead of its time, telling primarily female stories through and through.
I recently watched all 8 seasons from start to finish, and while I love the show and always will, a few things annoyed me:
1. I know the story line needs to 'keep moving' to keep peoples interest, but at least PRETEND more time has passed between events. E.g. Claire has a baby and almost right away is being encouraged to start dating or find someone. What the.... particularly since these are strong independent women, I found this difficult to wrap my head around.
2. Certain themes repeat themselves (i.e. Women getting involved with married men). I get this happens and can become a 'grey zone' particularly for those involved, but this happened a tad too often...
3. Certain people (family members) get parts of the farm signed over to them overnight. Again, at least pretend more time has passed. These new owners appear over night and because of the good acting make it work, but a lot of personal and story development is actually wasted because of this.
4. Tess and Nick leave for Argentina for a second time, and are almost never ever mentioned again (I think they are mentioned ONCE). For someone who has the biggest stake in Drovers Run, it's bizarre and doesn't make sense. Particularly when the farm is in financial trouble (they go to Argentina after all, to make money and secure their farms for the future). People seem to be dropped from the storyline quite a bit. I understand this, but again, for the story's sake, a mention for the background would be good (e.g. Stevie reunites with her parents on her wedding day, but her Sister is missing and not mentioned).
5. Two people died in the last season. I don't think that was necessary and almost 'lazy writing' in my eyes. Perhaps the writers were really stuck, I don't know, and I get certain actors don't want to come back but it was the last season.... and least give them the opportunity to 'come back' in future! Human stories can be personal and gritty enough without having to kill people off for dramas sake.
That is all. Don't believe the bad reviews that aren't even substantiated, this is a great show. I hope Australian tv has the courage to create more like it!
I recently watched all 8 seasons from start to finish, and while I love the show and always will, a few things annoyed me:
1. I know the story line needs to 'keep moving' to keep peoples interest, but at least PRETEND more time has passed between events. E.g. Claire has a baby and almost right away is being encouraged to start dating or find someone. What the.... particularly since these are strong independent women, I found this difficult to wrap my head around.
2. Certain themes repeat themselves (i.e. Women getting involved with married men). I get this happens and can become a 'grey zone' particularly for those involved, but this happened a tad too often...
3. Certain people (family members) get parts of the farm signed over to them overnight. Again, at least pretend more time has passed. These new owners appear over night and because of the good acting make it work, but a lot of personal and story development is actually wasted because of this.
4. Tess and Nick leave for Argentina for a second time, and are almost never ever mentioned again (I think they are mentioned ONCE). For someone who has the biggest stake in Drovers Run, it's bizarre and doesn't make sense. Particularly when the farm is in financial trouble (they go to Argentina after all, to make money and secure their farms for the future). People seem to be dropped from the storyline quite a bit. I understand this, but again, for the story's sake, a mention for the background would be good (e.g. Stevie reunites with her parents on her wedding day, but her Sister is missing and not mentioned).
5. Two people died in the last season. I don't think that was necessary and almost 'lazy writing' in my eyes. Perhaps the writers were really stuck, I don't know, and I get certain actors don't want to come back but it was the last season.... and least give them the opportunity to 'come back' in future! Human stories can be personal and gritty enough without having to kill people off for dramas sake.
That is all. Don't believe the bad reviews that aren't even substantiated, this is a great show. I hope Australian tv has the courage to create more like it!
Crackers
(1998)
Bizarre Movie
23 December 2021
I really wanted to like this movie, I love Australian Indie flicks. But honestly, it's not that funny. If you like American in-your-face and crude humour, then you might like this.
There's a lot of constant camera angle changes to go along with the constant 'action scenes'. It's likely to induce seizures in some people. Some of the action in the movie doesn't even ave any purpose or sense - and as a result, character development is slow and poor. Some of the characters are even likeable and the acting itself is great, but it's like the writers of the movie were trying way too hard to be funny and 'out there'.
There's a lot of constant camera angle changes to go along with the constant 'action scenes'. It's likely to induce seizures in some people. Some of the action in the movie doesn't even ave any purpose or sense - and as a result, character development is slow and poor. Some of the characters are even likeable and the acting itself is great, but it's like the writers of the movie were trying way too hard to be funny and 'out there'.
The Dressmaker
(I) (2015)
An Australian Classic
3 October 2021
I too think that this movie will go down in our history books as an Australian classic! Part redemption story, part love story, part comedy and part drama, this movie should appeal the broadest of audiences. But what makes it truely special is the combination of amazing acting (finesse and believable acting, even Kate's Australian accent!), cinematographery, ambiance/aesthetic and movie score. I haven't seen such a well crafted movie is a long, long time. I absolutely love it and it is one of the few movies I can watch numerous times and not get bored of. Absolutely brilliant!
Back to Burgundy
(2017)
Great reflection of family life
2 October 2021
If you have siblings, this movie is a great reflection and portrayal of the struggles we each face finding our way in the world but also growing and changing within the family unit. There's questions about acceptance, love, growing up (maturing) and the changing responsibilities where we go from being looked after as children, to looking after parents. I think each of us will see ourselves in one of the siblings. Cliched? Maybe, but its a good portrayal of family life and growing up.
It is a long movie, but I honestly didn't mind and I didn't find it tedious. The acting is superb. The scenery is beautiful and there's good character development along the way.
It is a long movie, but I honestly didn't mind and I didn't find it tedious. The acting is superb. The scenery is beautiful and there's good character development along the way.
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