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Radioactive (2019)
6/10
6.5/10 Marie Curie. A legend whose discoveries saved millions of lives.
19 March 2024
Amazing true story. Pierre & Maries Curie were two young scientists in love with science who did not know at first what they had discovered could be both greatly beneficial as well as deadly. Radioactive elements. These were later harnessed and used to 'cure' cancer by blasting away malignant tumour cells. It led to other discoveries and use of X-rays and laser beams for medical purposes. But the deadly effects of radiation which can also cause cancer only became known to Pierre & Marie Curie after they had fallen ill themselves. Pierre fought for her work and her Nobel Prize as Marie Curie was a woman scientist ahead of her times but as a Polish Jew faced both sexist and racial prejudices. In her days, women were not even allowed to express their feelings. She loved Pierre most after his death in a tragic carriage accident when he fainted on a road on his way home.

However, this story would have greater emotional impact under stronger directing. Momentous events were not shown as momentous enough, there was not enough emotional build up before or elation afterwards. Or maybe it was the screenplay and editing. Various incidents which appear not connected were suddenly flashed up, as the story jumped from a hospital in Paris to a hospital in the States and then to the battlefield and later to Chernobyl. Or maybe it was the music. Music is what coveys the emotional drama. Like in Oppenheimer, which not surprisingly won the Oscar for music (as well as for directing by Christopher Nolan). There is no doubt, however, that Marie Curie deserved to win the Nobel Prize (twice) and her name remains legend till this day.
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7/10
Best Friends Story & In Real Life
17 January 2024
Looks like a movie for the kids, with no violent scenes shown and an unbelievable friendship between two wild animals - a lion and a wolf - who were brought up together and became best friends. Until you read the end credits and find that the scenes with the lion and wolf working together were not just clever camera work and VFX footages but the real bonding.

If anything, the lion and the wolf were better performers in front of the camera than the actors. But then they do not need to worry about their makeup or hair style! The story is not just about the friendship between the lion and the wolf but between them and their human friend and carer. I am glad that finally people do realise that animals brought up tame by humans are not wild beasts to be set free in the wild and fend for themselves again. They would be like lost pets and looking for their human Mum, and would only fall prey to poachers whom they would trust as they had learned to trust humans.

One cannot help but shed a tear of happiness for the two animals at the end of the story for they are really best friends on screen and in real life too! (unlike some actors, lol) They now live happily ever after together, in a protected Canadian wild life sanctuary.
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7/10
The King's Daughter saving The Little Mermaid.
14 August 2023
The King's Daughter saving the Little Mermaid, and the Priest saving their souls. A French version of the 'Little Mermaid' with a different plot, set in the magnificent courts of King Louis IV, in Versailles. Not a word said in French, though, with a script that is written entirely in English. The aging French King orders the capture of a mermaid which has a magical life force in her, in a bid for immortality. The mermaid helps heal the King's Daughter (Kaya Scodelario who is beautiful), who was injured in an accident, thus forming a friendship bond, with both bidding for freedom from a court that is mercenary and devoid of love. Good movie. William Hurt is the one that captures my attention as the Catholic Father, Pere la Chaise, trying to save the King's Soul, instead of his dying body. Much older and not instantly recognisable, William Hurt is a legendary actor and amazing as the wise priest who is like a father to all, stern but forgiving, and to whom the King's Daughter turns to for help. "This is the kiss I always wanted to give to my father."God save the King!
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8/10
Sunday Confessions - Love it.
16 April 2023
Watched this on Netflix as I was looking for a Saturday night movie. I was immediately attracted by the beautiful background scenery, excellent cinematography and period settings. Not the torrid love story as portrayed in previous version (I was wondering why Emma Corrin took on such a role) but a sweet, sad story of a war damaged couple struggling to cope with an unfulfilled marriage.

Emma as the unfortunate lady of the title story married to the handsome, dashing, young soldier and wealthy baronet, Sir Clifford, who however, later returns from the war, paralysed from the waist down and incapacitated. Clifford is so desperate for an heir that he encourages his wife to have sex with another man to be the surrogate father. She finds love with his gamekeeper, who also grew up in the same estate, both men were born and bred in the same place but not in the same social standing. An adult movie with some explicit sex scenes, but not the raunchy version as previously made. It is a revealing story of relationships, class differences, marriage obligations and the pressure on women to produce an heir (still true of today). Emma Corrin as the beautiful, lonely Lady Chatterley. One reviewer gave it 10/10 for a story sweetly told, and that surely comes from Emma Corrin's sweet persona (she was also Lady Diana, in 'The Crown' series, who was also in a lonely marriage for different reasons).
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Dog Gone (2023)
6/10
Missing pet is a heart wrenching experience.
6 March 2023
It tells the true story of Gonker, a goofy but beloved dog with Addison's disease who got lost on the Appalachian trail in October 1998. Missing pet is a heart wrenching experience. One you never get over and will for the rest of your life wonder what happened to your fur baby. Did some kind person rescue it and gave it food and a warm bed? Feel more for Mum Ginny Marshall who never got over losing her dog and helped run a search rescue for Gonker till he was found. Rob Lowe is as charismatic as ever.

Could have got a better actor dog and should have shown more bonding and pet play initially to make it more heartbreaking a search later on in the movie.

Some missing dogs and cats have been known to walk a hundred miles to find their way back home.. Best hope is to have your pet micro chipped and start a search a.s.a.p. Vet saved our Cocoa's life when he got hit by a car on the tail some years ago as he went to the KFC burger joint on the high streer by himself, and called us as they got his details on microchip. (We have both cat and dog, and now live in a quieter countryside area).
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7/10
Save Pandora's Ocean People and Sea Creatures
3 January 2023
The most expensive 3D film ever made to date. Not about hostile 'Aliens' but about Jake Sully finding peaceful tree dwellers on planet Pandora, living in a beautiful rain forest that looked like our Amazon. In Avatar 1, their home was ravaged by greedy, ruthless, white men from the 'Star' i.e. Earth (American raiders), armed with machine guns and missiles, hunting down tribes armed with spears, bows and arrows. Avatar 2 is about saving Pandora's Ocean creatures and islanders, as the Sully family seek refuge by the great ocean. Learning the Way of the Water. The ocean creatures look like a giant killer whale (befriended by son Lo'ak Sully), stunningly beautiful luminous sea anemone, jellyfish, starfish, glofishes and flying fishes!

Of course, soon the baddies are out to kill all, while the 'whale' seeks revenge for its family wiped out by these people. Sadly the story reminded me of another intelligent killer whale story called the 'Orca' (1977). I give the story 6/10 ratings. VFX 3D effects, sets and photography 9/10. Average 7.5/10. Watch this on the big screen to see a giant whale leaping out of the screen and crashing down! In real life, whales are also killed with explosive harpoons and their oil was used in cosmetics (now banned). David Attenborough would love this movie. Save our planet from extinction.
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Call Jane (2022)
7/10
Triumph for women who have a right to choose.
16 October 2022
Saw this at BFI London Film Festival. Elizabeth Banks was lovely as Joy about a not very joyous story! The film true story about the 'Janes', an underground club of women in Chicago 1960s, who secretly provided 12,000 women and girls with desperate abortions from life threatening situations. Fight for legalizing abortion in the States. Lightweight movie. Raids and legal battles were left out of the film. Sigourney Weaver looked tired and not her feisty self. Questions of morality and legality were left out. And after too many abortions, the story felt cold hearted and abortions were performed almost routinely. Nevertheless, it was a triumph for women who have a right to choose.
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Elvis (2022)
10/10
ELVIS - REBEL WITH A CAUSE FOR ROCK 'N' ROLL.
31 July 2022
Baz luhrmann's Best Movie so far. Austin Butler looked like Elvis re-incarnated. I remembered him from my school days, watching old movies with Mum. Aunt was a huge fan, but sadly I did not find the older and obese Elvis attractive. However, Austin Butler brought back to life on screen stage the younger Elvis who had fans screaming in excited adoration at a hip twisting, gyrating pop star, exuding male sexuality to a shocked white audience who had never seen anything like that before - or sadly, since.

The film is a brilliantly told biopic which exposed his manager Colonel Tom Parker as a greedy, sleazy promoter (who did manage to get a good multi-million dollar deal at the International Hotel, in Las Vegas). He failed in that he tried to make Elvis perform to please the authorities and puritans. Elvis rebelled, he was the Rebel With a Cause for Rock 'n' Roll. Elvis' performance was liberating and Austin Butler's impersonation of Elvis was beyond extraordinary and incredibility. I'd give Austin Butler a 10/10 and Baz Luhrmann a 9/10. Cannes gave them a 12 minute standing ovation!

Baz luhrmann told a great and actually, sad story of a superstar. The only drawback was that it was also told through the eyes of a manager who was taking 50% of Elvis' money! Elvis was working like a Hound Dog and died from heart attack and the pills which kept him (and many other singers since) going when he was burnt out. In the end, Elvis did it for LOVE for his MUSIC & FANS. Baz Luhrmann has now made a great Elvis Revival and Austin Butler's revocation of the younger Elvis exciting performance has won him even more fans. Three words to sum it all 'GO SEE IT'.
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7/10
Rescue a dog, and it rescues you back.
22 June 2022
Based on a true story and the dog's not just an actor but a real life rescued dog. It was saved from the Dog Shelter on the day it was to be put to sleep as an unclaimed, unwanted animal. How could a shelter be so cruel to such a beautiful animal? Luckily, Ruby and actor dog, Bear, were not aware of humans' intentions or neither would have dedicated its life to rescuing 'lost' and injured humans from the country's wilderness.

Dog gets top marks for good acting. The cast needs to go back to acting school for more lessons - on how to be human and not be outshone by a dog! A great family movie and that dog is the next 'Lassie'.
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9/10
Great Comeback, Maverick & Rooster, son of Goose!
12 June 2022
Nostagic Reunion - Top Gun 2022 If Tom Cruise was not shedding a tear, many in the cinema audience were getting misty eyed. What a reunion for the cast after 36 years! Val Kilmer did not age as gracefully (or disgracefully as some might say), as did Tom Cruise, who looks as physically fit as his trainees half his age! And sweet vengeance for Rooster, son of Goose (Maverick's ex-wingman who was 'killed' in the original Top Gun 1986). The passion of all the cast shines through and the story plot has pleasant surprises.

Message: "Come back safe" - and take the villians out! Also quoting Maverick, "don't think, just do it!". Gut instincts for air combat where survival depends on split seconds flight manouevers. Sit tight for a breath taking movie!
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CODA (2021)
8/10
Sing like no one is listening.
18 March 2022
Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi, a musically talented 'child of deaf adults' (C. O. D. A.). She should have got Best Actress. This wasn't just acting but a touchingly real struggle to follow her real life father, the famous tenor singer, Aled Jones*. Emilia has a vibrant voice that is sweet as dolce vino.

Although a poor fishing family, the Rossis are rich in love and togetherness. Don't laugh now at deaf people, for they can't hear you scream when they beat you up. Troy Kotsur tells dirty jokes in sign language, in lol hand gestures (and screen subtitles). Having deaf parents means that they'd be quarrelling in silence and Ruby (Emilia) could escape and play her radio music on at full blast, loud enough to wake up the whole neighbourhood, without waking up her deaf 'parents'.

They say 'sing like no one is listening'. Her family's literally tone deaf and only her singing teacher hears her talent. But if she wins that music scholarship, the world will soon be listening. Teenage discovery movie, discovery of music and love and sacrifice. The love parents have for their child. "Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say "I love you" right out loud".

* Emilia sings naturally, inherited vocals.
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Spencer (2021)
6/10
'Psychologically' Unfair
13 March 2022
About Princess Diana at a stifling Sandringham Christmas gathering where even the chefs are regimented. "Everyone here, hears everything". Snitches staff, barbed wire fences, military guards, a royal prison. Misery amidst the splendour and sumptuous banquets. Actress Kirsten Stewart managed a very English accent. Brave act from an outsider here. The 'two boys' William and Harry, sweetly tried to help their mother settle in but Diana saw Charles as like Henry VIII, a King with a favourite Mistress. The rest of the Royal Family (the actors) looked ghastly, unreal. Diana saw (imagined) them as hostile beings, with everyone plotting against her.

Described as a historical, psychological, drama film, it's psychologically unfair. Unfair to the Royal Family who were steadfast in upholding Christmas traditions. Unfair to women for men to label them as 'mad' if they failed to cope or fit in. Diana had suffered from post natal depression which Charles did not understand (what would men know of child birth and traumas?). Diana was too stressed and unhappy to eat. She was also missing her father. Her childhood cottage was just next door. Diana was on a roller coaster eating habit, abstaining at dinner and gorging secretly at night, hungry when left alone. She was like a watched bird in a cage, desperate to escape before it was too late ....

Real or imagined, it built on Diana's fears that she would one day be replaced by Charles' mistress.
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The Crown: Terra Nullius (2020)
Season 4, Episode 6
9/10
Diana, The Dancing Queen of Australia
3 March 2022
As she was known by the media. Sensation in Australia back in1983. I nearly cried, okay, did cry, watching 'Diana' dance with 'Prince Charles', in this recreated ballroom scene. There were special moments of intense romance watched by hundreds of thousands of Australian fans and jealous fights afterwards, as Diana turned superstar. Absolutely stunning performances by lookalike actors Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor as Diana and Charles. Do watch, you'll love it! Bravo and flowers for the Dancing Queen. 💖💝💐
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The Crown: 48:1 (2020)
Season 4, Episode 8
8/10
8 stars for Margaret Thatcher, challenging the Queen.
2 March 2022
Great performances from the actress, Gillian Andersen and the real Mrs. Thatcher. The way Mrs Thatcher would say in a heavily accentuated voice "Your MAJESTY", dropping in tone and curtsy nearly to the floor, made me laugh and no doubt amused the Royal Family. But the Iron Lady was unflinching when it came to doing business and putting Britain first on the International scale. She was made to bend her Iron Will when it came to sanctions against South Africa for its apartheid atrocities. Two women in charge of the nation, of course, created some royal friction with the Queen (Olivia Coleman) being the more experienced of the two. Enjoyed watching those two women challenging each other in not too subtle tones.

Lesson in history. Perhaps Mrs. Thatcher was right that the Queen should not have given in to the flatteries of Third World leaders of former British colonies. However, the Queen was wise enough to preserve the Commonwealth, uniting English speaking nations round the world that remain loyal to the Crown, in a loyalty born out of affection for British habits.

Trivia: Margaret Thatcher was a striking beauty as an Oxford student and Party supporter. She also loved cooking and cooked for her Cabinet members, at late night meetings in 10 Downing Street. She cooked the nations' favourites, shepherd's pie, kedgeree and toad in the hole. Geoffrey Howe said 'yummy'.

Excellent and terrific lookalikes, actors Nicholas Farrell as Michael Shea (Press Secretary to the Queen from 1978 to 1987) and Paul Jesson as Sir Geoffrey Howe.
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The Crown: Fairytale (2020)
Season 4, Episode 3
9/10
Prince Charles & Diana & Camilla, fairy messed up
25 February 2022
They should never have married. Netflix 'The Crown', series 4, made revealing insights about their relationships and how Prince Charles left Diana alone at Buckingham Palace for 6 weeks prior to the wedding. She had not a 'phone call from him but he called Camilla every day. He even sent Camilla over to tutor Diana in HRH's tastes, likes and dislikes. Camilla found Prince Charles old fashioned habits amusing. Diana found them stuffy and boring.

But then Diana was only a fresh 21 year old, escaping from home to a girls-only flat share in London. 'Cinderella' wanted a bit of fun, partying and dancing the nights away with her friends. She even took to roller skating inside the Palace when bored! Clearly, Diana and Charles were not compatible.

Everyone in the Royal Family knew about the ménage a trois and said they should have stopped the wedding. But it was too late. Camilla was already married to Parker Bowles. Charles was told to move on and do his duty, marry and produce heirs to the Crown. The wedding could not be called off as all the guests including members of every royal family in Europe had been invited, and the world was waiting outside St. Paul's cathedral for Prince Charming Charles and Cinder-diana, as they made their wedding vows with a sad Camilla watching.

The beginning of the end of a 'fairy tale' marriage.

(Excellent performances from lookalikes Diana (Emma Corrin), Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) and Camilla (Emerald Fennell)).
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The Crown: The Balmoral Test (2020)
Season 4, Episode 2
9/10
'Cinderella' goes to the Ball-moral.
25 February 2022
Diana was like the fairy tale 'Cinderella', cooking and cleaning for her elder sister, the gorgeous red head debutante, Sarah Spencer, who was dating the Prince of Wales. Diana was told to remain out of sight whenever the Prince visited, and that she'd not be going to the ball. 'Cinder-diana' even had a cat and 'mice' (hamsters) for pets, cat was named 'Marmalade' (and not 'Lucifer').

And an 'evil' Stepmother (Raine Spencer), who pushed Diana out of her family home. Diana moved to a flat in London and worked at a kindergarten. Dressed plainly, she lived an ordinary life, till one day her Prince Charming (Charles) came along and asked her out. To Balmoral, to meet the Family.

The Queen was like the fairy Godmother granting Diana her wish to go to the Palace and marry the Prince. Her fairy tale Royal Wedding to Prince Charles at St. Paul's cathedral in 1981 was watched by 750 million people on TV and stunned the world. Overnight, she became the greatest sensation.

(Excellent performances from lookalikes Diana (Emma Corrin), Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor) and HM the Queen (Olivia Coleman)).
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The Crown (2016–2023)
9/10
The Glamour Girls
22 February 2022
SEASON FOUR: DIANA

Actress Emma Corrin looks the very image of a young Diana! Not quite as tall, but uncannily alike. The sapphire blue eyes, the same shy, pretty, smile. The smile that lit up the front pages of every newspaper and magazine. Diana was like honey to the bees, attracting men, women, and children alike. I remember how one day, our lecturer stopped suddenly, and the whole class ran outside to catch a glimpse of the Princess as she drove past our University. She also very cleverly attracted donations to over 100 charities which she supported, especially those for children.

Her empathy for others and her eating disorders stemmed from an unhappy childhood, spent hugging her crying baby brother in the nursery, after their Mother had ran away. Complicated by a marriage to a Prince with a Mistress, Diana beneath the glamorous facade was a distressed and lonely Princess. As her brother Charles Spencer said in a tribute to Diana, "(my sister) the unique, the complex, the extraordinary and irreplaceable Diana whose beauty, both internal and external, will never be extinguished from our minds."

Now that image has been captured by Emma Corrin on Netflix, for generations to watch and wonder. And sadly miss.

SEASONS 1 & 2: PRINCESS ELIZABETH & MARGARET

Both the darlings of the media in the 1950's, one lived in the safe lane of the Royal Mall, the other in the fast lane of public adoration and parties. Elizabeth and Margaret, glamorous, young and beautiful, were no ordinary girls but Princesses, one of whom was destined to become Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain.

This series is delightful and entertaining as it reveals the past lives of the two Princesses. Back in the 1940-50's, there was little television coverage and many of the scenes had to be enacted out. The Queen (Claire Foyle) in her younger days was fun, romantic and glamorous, wearing figure revealing dresses (yes, she did, really) as she dated and then later married the golden boy from Greece, Prince Philip (Matt Smith). The pair was like Diana and Prince Charles in the 1980's, adored by the British public and worldwide fans wherever they went.

They were only outshone by Princess Margaret (Vanessa Kirby), who was less reserved and more outspoken. Musically talented, singing, dancing and attending galas in her hey days, Margaret was also a heavy drinker and smoker. She was later made to behave and break off her relationship with a married Peter Townsend. Scandals of that sort were swept under the royal carpet. Sadly forgotten stories, remembered only by our grandparents as the Queen is now in her 90's (and a sad widow), this series is an exciting time travel into the Princesses glamorous past. Brilliantly acted out, both Claire Foyle and Vanessa Kirby had many awards wins and nominations.

Almost like a docudrama. Facts based. As for the script, was the dialogue verbatim i.e. Did their Royal Highnesses actually say what they said in this TV series or did Peter Morgan make up some of the dialogue? Apparently, HM the Queen likes this series, so it must had been true-ish.
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The Crown: Dangling Man (2019)
Season 3, Episode 8
8/10
Edward was a bad example.
19 February 2022
Prince Edward was a bad example to a very green Prince Charles. He abdicated and abandoned his family for the love of an unsuitable woman. Prince Charles found it easy to confide in his granduncle as they clearly shared the same grumble, they both lived in the shadows of a powerful woman - Her Majesty the Queen.

Prince Charles had a beautiful wife, Diana, whom he should have been proud of. Instead, he was jealous and ran back to Camilla. Camilla Parker Bowles when young, had Bond girl looks. Her picture's on Pin Interest, she was hotter looking than the Netflix Camilla. Can see why Prince Charles fell for her. Diana had the fairy tale Cinderella looks. In fairy tales, there was no paparazzi chasing her to death.

(No spoiler intended. Everyone over the age of 30, knows this fairy tale had no happy ending).
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Nine Lives (I) (2016)
9/10
Nine fun lives, nine times re-watched and 9/10.
16 February 2022
It is karma time. Believers in karma believe that we get another chance in life. As a cat?

One can be re-incarnated into a new body, human. OR non-human. Depending on one's karma or record of good/bad deeds in one's lifetime. No-time-for-family corporate tycoon, Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey) is sent back as a cat for his daughter's birthday. Cat looks dazed and Kevin's voice has all the right intonations of disbelief and desperation, as he struggles to eat cat food. Will have you rolling on the floor with laughter as you watch as the cat hits the whiskey bottle, pees on stepmom's bag, dances with the little girl (Malina Weissman), and then 'drowns' in the bath tub.

The CGI effects are amazing, and before you scoff at them, let me tell you that real cats do have the same real facial expressions and body language as this one. Mr. Fuzzypants (cat) drives wife (Jennifer Garner) up the wall, outshines Brand's son (Robbie Amell) and saves the Brand corporation. And Kevin Spacey's career.

I love this movie. Okay, it so happens that I have a cat that looks like this one, behaves like this one, and has nine lives like this one, and might even have inspired this movie (my cat survived being hit on the tail by a car when he went to the high street fish 'n' chips shop by himself). And yes, I have re-watched this video nine times too, which is why my dog-loving housemate and I have separate TVs, in separate rooms. Dogs do not have nine lives, however. C'est la vive.
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6/10
Love letters to Juliet, a Valentine's Day movie.
15 February 2022
Letters to Juliet are love letters written by love forsaken maidens and left at the shrine to Juliet in Verona. 50 year later, one such letter was found by Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) on a business holiday with her fiancé, and she answered the letter. Claire Smith (Vanessa Redgrave) promptly turned up with her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan), and together the three embarked on a search for Claire's former sweetheart Lorenzo (Franco Nero).

The story is so predictable. Modern day Juliet in search of Romeo. Why did she run away in the first instance? To leave behind the beautiful vineyards of Italy, to return to the cold streets of London, to a life of sad pretence. When she could have been drinking wine and eating cheese, while basking in the warmth of Tuscany sunshine. Claire now sees a second chance, will fate let her meet Lorenzo again? And are Claire and Charlie also fated to meet or to part?

To tell more, will be a spoiler. I am not a fact checker like Sophie. I am a reviewer, and watching this movie has transported me to a holiday in sunshine, and I can only write back 'wish you were here?' Buonasera amico. Ci rivedremo.

(Trivia: Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero married in real life. La dolce vita.)
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Encanto (2021)
7/10
Disney Magic: Colombia Especial Funtástica 😃
13 February 2022
So refreshingly different from the Cinderella-ball-meet-the-prince-under-the-chandelier story. Set in a pretty rainforest village in Colombia, South America. Energetic fun and lively Latin dance music, with the animals joining in. Swirling colours as the flowers bloom and magically garland their big family home. Magic, Disney magic. Everyone in her family has it except for poor Mirabel.

Then terrific crashing scenes as her magical world collapses suddenly. Can the girl with no magic save the day? Missed it at the cinema big screen? Catch up on Disney+
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8/10
'Pretty Dog' story that breaks all hearts
8 February 2022
Richard Gere's tender loving film has you waiting with the dog, hanky in hand, for Gere's return. Both dog and Jason Alexander (Stuckey in 'Pretty Woman') follow him around with dogged loyalty, much to the delight and surprise of their fans!

Prof. Wilson (Gere) rescued a puppy at the train station as it escaped from its carrier box. Based on the true story of a dog called Hachi in Japan, who waited every day for its master return at the train station. Bang on 5.05 pm. That's where they met and that's where it would end - ten years later.

Hachi had grown up to be a strong, independent dog and only learned to obey and fetch on the last day it saw its master off to work. Such is life, as fate seems to snatch away from us those we love, just when we love them most. The look on the dog's face ... like it sensed a farewell the way people do sometimes but only realise that with hindsight. That's when no amount of tears can bring them back, and ten years of sleeping by the train station only broke the dog's heart - and the town's hearts - till the day his master finally came to fetch him Home.

(Great acting from the dogs and also from Erick Avari, as the Hot Dog Man who looked after Hachi. Lovely piano music played by Gere who is a gifted musician and composer, "some things in life, you could never capture, the music, the special moments' - like when he said goodbye to his loyal dog).
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9/10
Prodigy Star player. The Queen's Gambit is a trap.
7 February 2022
In chess, white moves first. The white Queen's Gambit is a first move that sacrifices her pawn but only to force black to take her pawn and move into a bad position. The Queen's Gambit is a trap.

I am now writing as intuitively as Beth Harmon plays intuitively. The clickety clacks of my keyboard as I type, echo the clacks on the chess board made by the chess pieces as Beth plays against international chess grandmasters.

The cuts and thrusts on a medieval chess board! I do not play chess but I love seeing the men beaten by a pretty young girl who could think and move faster than they. "Knight to Bishop, pawns taken, Sicilian defence, Queen to Queen, the King is fenced in ..! "- the moves cried out "Resign," as the 21 year old orphan from nowhere wins and big guys sob. Love it!

Behind the game of chess, is a game of love. And sacrifice. Played to loud sixties rock 'n' roll music, drugs and booze. The more I watch, the more mesmerised I become by the players' performances. Anya Taylor-Joy is a joy to watch. I am now on episode 7, and savouring every minute of it. Will she become the world's no.1 player?

And what happens afterwards? There is no series 2. Perhaps the producers are right to end it here as each story (real life) has its climax and the story peaks. Enjoy the moments of glory and not regrets. As Beth is constantly reminded by her foster Mum and friends, "there is more to life than chess".
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8/10
An uplifting book love story in the midst of WW2 horrors
2 February 2022
What caught my attention was the performance of the young girl Liesl (Sophie Nelisse). Her acting was so moving, that I fell in love with her book story, cried at the ending and have now bought the book to read. Both the book and film are highly acclaimed, with many awards nominations.

They should have got the nomination for bravery. All who had survived WW2 certainly deserved that. You can hear and almost feel the air raid bunker shake, as bombs rained down and rocked their village. To see women hugging their children in fear. The tears as men were forced to leave, to join the hated Hitler's army, or run and hide as Jews were persecuted. Few of us living in modern day peace could have imagined or survived such brutal conditions. But survived some did, with brave smiles, laughter, music and story telling from books 'borrowed' - not stolen. Should have been called 'The Book Borrower'.

Liesl loved books and started writing her own. In her Diary, she remembered her adopted parents , 'accordion hearted' Papa Hans (Geoffrey Rush), 'thunder voiced, big hearted' Mama Rosa (Emily Watson), refugee Max who gave her the diary and her childhood sweetheart Rudy. I sat captivated, watching the characters grow and change as they bonded as a family. And there was no sweeter pair of young sweethearts than Liesl and Rudy as the boy and girl playing together in wartime Germany.

'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak was based on stories Markus' parents told him of life in Germany, before they emigrated to Australia, which took in many WW2 refugees. The book / film is narrated by a voice called 'Death'. A timely reminder that 'Death' comes to all, and what matters is how we live - with love or hate. Hate destroys (books), love creates (stories). Stories which live on forever in the hearts of those we love.
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Emily in Paris: Boiling Point (2021)
Season 2, Episode 6
7/10
Le Chef Hot - Bon appétit, mes amis
23 January 2022
In this series, Gabriel is sweet and handsome as 'Le Chef Hot', a model chef, the dish the ladies fancy ("half the women in Paris" now follow him on Instagram) and not much of a restaurateur! - as he cannot even decide on the colour of his restaurant. He needs hands holding and Emily and Camille are, of course, at hand.

The food looks good and proudly French in artistic dressing, le présentation parfait, but the tables look bare and undressed? Tablecloths, candles, and flowers would make the place look more like a restaurant serving first class food, rather than as a side cafe.

The man in charge, who is both decisive and suave is Antoine. He is a perfect gentleman to Mindy, referring to her as a beautiful lady. Ladies like a man in charge, one who is successful but not arrogant and horrid to others. He also likes hot, sexy nightclubs which is what he wants to turn the restaurant into. He's the boss, and is Gabriel happy about the whole situation? Watch and see.

Ah, what are friends for? I think Darren Star and all the producers who made this series should have joined in as special guests, as they are clearly enjoying the drama dish they created. Bon appétit, mes amis.
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