Tracie Barnes

I agree with other reviewers that the chemistry between the two main protagonists, Levi and Drasa, is the highlight of the movie. There is some mild predictability in the arc of the story although the cinematography as well as score make the film a unique action/drama worthy of viewing.

A light-hearted, technological feast of a Christmas movie with appealing chemistry between the main characters played by Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. Lucy Liu is excellent as The Director of MORA (please fact check) although it would have been nice to see more of her in action scenes. A tough-guy polar bear referred to as Garcia along with the sexy goat demigod, Krampus, round out this entertaining twist on Christmas movies. Points added for a Santa that pumps his muscles too and refuses to eat macaroon cookies. Still thinking about Krampus and that tail.

I confess to only having watched through Season 2 thus far. Reading critics’ reviews of future seasons somewhat tempers my enthusiasm. However, there is something almost chemical in the interaction between the actors portraying Queen Elizabeth and her mate, Prince Philip. Claire Foy and Matt Smith enable the nascent reign of Queen Elizabeth II to flow with visceral highs and lows. I also relish John Lithgow’s portrayal of Winston Churchill as he grapples with a second term as Prime Minister in his senior years. The photography and cinematography forms a rich tapestry of city and country scenes within the United Kingdom, reminding the viewer of the sheer beauty of these islands in the North Atlantic. There is bit of over-reliance on rumbling thunder and the shriek of hawks when the Monarch is outdoors. Otherwise, I love immersing myself in this wonderful period drama on Netflix.

Too bad for me, I suppose, that I like this movie even more after watching it a second time. The song, “Silver Bird,” is stuck in my head. One-liners are easier to digest than monologues in our attention-deprived culture. There is humanity and depravity mixed well together in this film even if, like oil and water, it is only momentary. The cinematography is beautiful and the casting is well done. A word about Gosling - the actor is skilled and stays true to his character’s preternatural instincts to follow the morally high arc of justice even while killing. Did I need to see detailed imagery in the mid-air fight where Six is free-falling towards the one man who escaped with a parachute? I am not planning to execute the maneuver on my own time. I believe most viewers understand Six ensured he had a safe ride to the ground while incapacitating one of the extraction team. This movie plays well with fire and has a elements of humor, heart and morality not to mention great acting from Alfre Woodard as well as Billy Bob Thornton. Chris Evans is the epitome of a mid-century villain with stylish footwear and a snarky mustache. I hope there are more Gray Man stories to tell.

The Batman portrays the current zeitgeist in a fashion that is both dark as well as stylish. The movie returns to its roots as our main protagonist battles a villain focused on graphic displays of violence. The antagonist is played by Paul Dano as the Riddler. Dano’s Riddler is eerily convincing as an orphan with a special hatred for rich, corrupt politicians and civic leaders. Robert Pattinson as The Batman plays a dark, silent and simmering Bruce Wayne caught between his desire to rid Gotham of crime while expunging his fear of loss haunting him since childhood. The casting, the cinematography, the scripting as well as the plot all intertwine to create a reminder to the viewer both compelling and sublime that we are all citizens of Gotham and badly need The Batman now.

This series is funny, sometimes scandalously funny, without flogging Christianity too badly. There are also moments that are very poignant. Crowley and Aziraphale (spelling?) are conspirators with a conscience from opposing sides of the universe. Their ironic relationship makes for an intriguing (and sometimes predictable) plot. Excellent casting choices offer some of the best narration and dialogue in the series. I sense there are a lot of details and it may warrant a second viewing for me to sew the threads together. Still, I laughed the hardest with the Satanic Nuns.

Marianne is an awe-inspiring series that is best watched in its original language. The cinematography and seaside setting add to the aura of a mystery unfolding with the central character, Emma Larsimmon. While the plot may have some flaws, the acting and the spare technical effects allow for the viewer's imagination to flow with the pace of the series. It is worth the wait for Season Two.

It is a provocative and gorgeously filmed movie but begins to unravel after Henry’s death. An interesting if not unfamiliar theme that gets sucked into its own void.