Well Done Movies & TV

Originally commented on a video by Sky News Australia https://youtu.be/T4mgSuB_jhk?si=l8vVppUsVJ9VBFcI There is implied allegiance to the laws of a foreign state: while on the soil of a foreign state. BUT not allegiance to the foreign nation-state itself. Would be my understanding. In the video in question the honourable Supreme Court Justice didn't make that distinction clear, although the difference IS…

“War, what is it good for?” These hallowed words were first coined by American Motown singer Edwin Starr, and were a sharp reflection of the times, the 1970s being decidedly anti-war in its sentiment, cultural machinations, and overall tone. It seems in the modern era we have drifted far from this cultural revolution: a short stint planetarily as stoic shit-disturbers…

(A Critique by Ralph Leonard) In capitalism, the only worse thing than being exploited is not being exploited. Joan Robinson’s maxim hits on a simple, yet brutal truth. Being ‘exploited’, that is working for a living, is how we make our livelihood. Participating in cooperative labour with others – is how we participate in society. Thus, being thrown out of…

Ghosts of Girlfriend’s Past An off-beat comedy adapting Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol for a modern audience. This movie features Matthew McConoughey in the lead role, as he contends with past relationships coming back to haunt him. A barrel of laughs (and larks) that would tickle even Ebenezer Scrooge’s funny bone. Think ‘High Fidelity' –but with less nihilistic angst and…

Directed by New Zealand filmmaker Martin Campbell - known for other films such as ‘Goldeneye’, ‘Vertical Limit’, ‘Green Lantern', ‘Casino Royale’ (2006 version), ‘Edge of Darkness’, and the 2001 follow-up to 1998’s Mask of Zorro, similarly titled The Legend of Zorro. Campbell works in television as well and has many other films attached to his name. He commonly writes and…

I’m a sucker for a good, hardboiled detective story. This Peter Medak directed and Hilary Henkin written tale of a femme fatale assassin, who refuses to die, and the hell unleashed by the Mafia upon a NYPD detective tasked with the unsavoury job of seeing her off – proves to be a sometimes messy - but ultimately satisfying watch.  A…

In 1978 a now classic political thriller was released, featuring Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, Lilli Palmer, and James Mason in the lead roles. Unceremoniously dubbed ‘The Boys from Brazil’, a sublimely crafted film, this Frank Schraffner directed picture still manages to frighten and entertain audiences nearly half a century later - holding up steadfastly despite its age.  With such an…

‘A Christmas Carol’ (1984) starring George C. Scott is in my opinion the seminal adaptation of Charles Dickens’ well-known classic. Directed by British filmmaker Clive Donner, who held the position of editor on a previous version (‘Scrooge’ released 1951), this 1984 iteration encompasses the traditional narrative: a miser who learns the true meaning of the holidays after a visitation by…

Rotten Tomatoes describes ‘The Double’ as follows: “An awkward office drone (Jesse Eisenberg) becomes increasingly unhinged after a charismatic and confident look-alike takes a job at his workplace and seduces the woman (Mia Wasikowska) he desires.” [1] Now that the film is contextualized, here's a list of my observations after viewing it a few times. The Double (2013) Stylization &…

Bob Odenkirk stole the limelight as the eponymous Saul from 'Better Call Saul' but Rhea Seehorn as "Kim Wexler" no doubt held the show up in an Atlantean fashion – in addition to Chuck, Jimmy McGill's sibling, her character (as an on-again-off-again romantic interest) provided emotional foundation in amongst turbulent plot twists and shared universe callbacks.  The character of Kim…