The Undoing earns my praise with its fascinating mystery, its skillful trickery and misdirection, and its suspenseful and thrilling finale. Created by David E. Kelley and directed by Susanne Bier, this series on HBO Max is a masterclass in storytelling and direction.
Continue reading “Review: The Undoing”Tag: Nicole Kidman
Review: The Goldfinch
The Goldfinch, based on the literary best seller by Donna Tartt, recreated the story from the book, but did it without emotion or excitement. The film is 2 1/2 hours of flat performances.
Continue reading “Review: The Goldfinch”Review: Big Little Lies, season 1
When I read Liane Moriarty’s 2014 novel Big Little Lies I thought it was one of the best-written novels I’d ever read. Since then I’ve read everything I can find by Liane Moriarty. The novel became a TV series, created and written by David E. Kelley. It’s almost as good as the book.
Continue reading “Review: Big Little Lies, season 1”Review: Destroyer
Destroyer is not an easy film to watch. Detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) is not an easy woman to like. She’s a broken woman trying with her last ounce of energy to make right the mistakes of her past.
Continue reading “Review: Destroyer”Review: Letters from Baghdad
I was eager to see Letters from Baghdad on PBS. It told the story of Gertrude Bell, an amazing and intrepid English woman who helped set the course of the Middle East a century ago.
Review: Secret in Their Eyes
Secret in their Eyes is a 2015 film that recently appeared on Netflix. It has a stellar cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts. Continue reading “Review: Secret in Their Eyes”
Review: Top of the Lake China Girl
Top of the Lake China Girl was part disappointment and part perfection. There were far too many crazy or near crazy characters and far too much inexplicable behavior from the closer to sane characters. Beware the spoilers. Continue reading “Review: Top of the Lake China Girl”
Review: Lion
Lion simply amazes. Think back to what you can remember from when you were 5 years old. I don’t imagine your memories are very detailed. But for Saroo Brierley, whose true story this is, his detailed memories of his first 5 years helped him find his way home 25 years later. This review contains spoilers. Continue reading “Review: Lion”
Watch This: Trailer for Top of the Lake: China Girl
Top of the Lake: China Girl, a mystery series from Jane Campion and Gerard Lee will be released on Sundance TV in the U.S. this September. The day after each of the 6 episodes air on Sundance TV, they will be available on Hulu. Continue reading “Watch This: Trailer for Top of the Lake: China Girl”
Watch This: Trailer for The Beguiled
The only thing I remember about the first The Beguiled is that Clint Eastwood was in it. I wouldn’t even guarantee that memory. Now there’s a new The Beguiled directed by Sophia Coppola that promises to be a more female version of the story. Continue reading “Watch This: Trailer for The Beguiled”