tmichaelny@aol.com

IMDb member since May 2002
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    IMDb Member
    22 years

Reviews

Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
(2022)

Thoroughly enjoyed it!
This felt like an Agatha Christie story. It kept to the original story as I remember. This production was clever, witty and stylish. It wasn't dark and broody as is the current fashion....and spoiler alert...it has a happy ending! This was infinitely better than the one that part of the "Marple" series! I highly recommend this one for a pleasant, old fashioned Murder mystery.

Murder in Provence
(2022)

Enjoyable but confusing
I guess it shouldn't matter but I am used to French speaking people speaking English with a French accent a la Poirot. But here, they all speak with all Tyler's of strong British accents. Yet, an Italian dude in the first episode spoke English with a heavy Italian accent. Maybe just slightly bothersome.?

As for the rest of the show, the storyline is entertaining. The location shots make you want to go to Provence! I thought it was well acted. Personally, I always enjoy watching Nancy Carroll. Patricia Hodge is also entertaining. In the first episode, I kept being reminded of Miranda's mother. I also liked the tough lady approach of the Helene character.

It's not a gritty drama filled with blood and cool characters dropping F-bombs all over the place. Let's call it sophisticated and upscale. I was just a little disappointed that this had to have the obligatory backstory tragedies of the lead character and his girl friend.

Sister Boniface Mysteries
(2022)

Gets better with each episode!
I was disappointed with the sterile portrayal of Sister Boniface in the first episode. But the character is developing more with each episode. The support characters are wonderfully cliched. Theres a ruggedly boyish detective, a liberated, feminist reporter, a tough, no-nonsense Mother Superior,a super cockney nun and the priggish land lady (can't believe it's Belinda Lang!). Rounding out the cast is a very pleasant Caribbean detective and a lovable junior policewoman. Is it intense highbrow drama? Not by a long shot. It is fun, silly, lighthearted entertainment and I look forward to the next episode!!

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem
(2021)

It's cheap and tacky...and great fun for old time DOOL fans!
It started off slow for me....like watching grains of sand through an hourglass! John and his over-the-top dramatic grimaces were never a favorite of mine. So to have him open the show was a bit ho-hum, even if it did involve the great Maxwell Sheffield, I mean Charles Shaughnessy as Shane Donovan. And once you brought in the legendary Jackée Henry, The acid-tongued Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and my all-time personal favorite Leann Hunley, how could it not be a hoot?

No, this is not "The Crown" and I don't think that was it's purpose. It's a silly mystery with typical soap turns and false starts. But it brings back many Days alumni. Seeing Eileen Davidson back as Kristin DiMera brought a smile to my face. She IS Kristen. I enjoyed seeing Will and I was surprised that I actually preferred the new Sonny. Zack Tinker made the character more three dimensional. I thought the Will-Sonny chemistry was more believable. I also liked going back in time and seeing Carrie and Austin. (Why did they not get included in the beginning credits!??) Consider this a kind of reunion show and you'll enjoy it. The cheapo sets mixed are mixed with lots of stock glamor clips of the cities they are supposed to be in. The story line is cheesy and the "I gotcha scenes" are laughable. That's what makes soaps fun!

Hold the Sunset
(2018)

Very entertaining...just get past the first episode!
I binged watched this one night and thoroughly enjoyed the series. Each episode builds on the next as opposed to just random stories. I almost did. It want to continue use after the first episode as it was just obnoxious. But I read another review which advised to go past the first one and it was well worth it. John Cleese's character is a move likable Basilt Fawlty and he delivers some of the best sarcastic lines.

Mom: Sex Bucket and the Grammar Police
(2020)
Episode 1, Season 8

Comedy? Dramedy? Just plain bad!
Could this episode be more depressing? Have they forgotten the characters? I know the show has a reputation of dealing with harsh subjects but they were just too many depressing one-liners. Kristen Johnson's character lost her quirkiness. One of Beth Hall's line was extremely depressing and came from left field. There are some funny moments but it was just ruined by this bad, uneven and sloppy writing. If I want to watch a depressing show, I'll turn it on. But don't shove it in a sitcom! If this is the way it's going to go this will be the last season and frankly good riddance

The Crown
(2016)

A soap with history lessons built in!
I did not know all that much about Queen Elizabeth's reign because, frankly, I have no interest in monarchies. The Crown is very well done and I was surprised at how much i learned,. It inspired me to read further. I'm sure much of it is dramatized but that's what makes it entertaining

I got used to the new cast. It bothered me a little but I got over it, especially as I think Olivia Coleman is fantastic. The new Crown cast won me over.

I take off one star for the boring soliloquies during season 3., especially one by Prince Philip. Painful! They went on a little too long and I lost interest. Overall, I cant wait for season 4!!!!

Marple: Nemesis
(2007)
Episode 4, Season 3

Ten percent Christie, 90 percent crap amateur
I enjoyed reading the original books and thought most were exceptionally entertaining and clever. I don't mind an occasional departure from the original to keep the story fresh and up-to-date. This however was an entirely new story written by someone who has never read Miss Christie's works. Write it as a separate story with a new lead detective. This, on its own, was very badly written and poorly acted. This was probably one of the worst of the series. I give honors to the worst episode to the very last Marple, Endless Night.

Move Over, Darling
(1963)

The stars are great, but very typical 60s sitcom humor
I enjoyed watching Doris, James, Thelma and Polly. Wonderful performances. Unfortunately, the humor derived from many of the support characters are just plain obnoxious. So typical of 60s sitcoms: The obnoxious client, nosey neighbors, dense coworker, etc. At the end, Doris actually slugs one of them. Finally! It was entertaining but I found myself reverting back to my iPad a few times.

Indebted
(2020)

I really wanted to like this!
Keep the cast but fire the writers! Fran Drescher is wonderful, Steven Weber plays the role well, and Adam Pally is always fun to watch. The scripts, however are awful. It remembers me of the conveyor belt sitcoms of the late 60s where obnoxious was considered funny. I have tried to watch it thee times and I had to turn it off early each time. It's annoying more than funny. Sorry, Fran! Still think you're the best!

Mrs. Brown's Boys: Orange Is the New Mammy
(2019)
Episode 6, Season 4

The only time I've been disappointed...
I love Mrs Browns Boys. With the exception of a few laughs, and they were good ones, this was a very disappointing script. I guess they can't all be winners. I don't want to give out spoilers but the laughs were drawn out to the point that it was no longer funny. I can watch these over and over again. Not this one. I tried but did not want to continue a second time. I hope the show continues. I would hate for this to be the finale.

Roseanne
(1988)

I Liked It!
I was a so-so fan when it was on during its first go-around. I was curious about the revival. It was definately over-the-top and in your face but that's Roaeanne! Some people lamented the politics. It's real in my family. We're fighting right now in the same way. Some people lamented the "cross dressing." It's all go in school today! It really is a comedic spin on real life! The older bitchiness between sisters was hysterical, as were the "in-jokes" that Roseanne's trademark. I caught myself guffawing more than a few times. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like Rosaeanne's type of humor, it's an excellent cup of a vintage brew!

The Belles of St. Trinian's
(1954)

A Classic - The Forerunner of Sketch Comedy
I remember seeing this movie on U.S. Television way before Monty Python or Benny Hill. This was my introduction to British Comedy. I had not seen the film for about 25 years until I found it on video. It was just as funny as when I saw it as a child!

It's funny, camp and silly. I can watch it over and over again. Alistair Sim in drag in a hoot! The stereotypes are hysterical. I believe this was the film that inspired Carry-On movies, which in turn inspired other sketch comedies. If you can look past the fact that this movie is almost 50 years old, I strongly recommend getting a hold of it for some good, old-fashioned bawdy laughs!

On Her Majesty's Secret Service
(1969)

This One is My Favorite
The first JB movie I saw was "Live and Let Die" and I thought that was the greatest. I did not start watching other JB movies until after Moonraker.

Much to my surprise, i thought OHMSS was the best. George Lazenby gives a fine performance. He's very believable. The others in the cast are fine. GREAT storyline, outstanding sets and consistently good music!

The action is there. I was on the edge of my seat for a good part of the movie when I watched it for the first time. I rewatch the movie every so often simply because i enjoy it. I even like OHMSS more than Goldfinger!

Men in Black: The Series 2
(2000)

Nice effects but no story!
There was a very thin story line here. The characters were inconsistent and there was absolutely no build-up as in the first one. If it weren't for the fact that i saw this as a cheap matinee AND i was able to sneak into another movie afterwards, I would have been VERY upset! :)

The special effect were fun, though!

can somebody tell me something...was "Martha" supposed to be an alien?

Mother Love
(1989)

A real psycho thriller!
I first saw this movie years ago and was at the edge of my seat. Each time I watch it, I still get a little anxious...it's THAT good!

It is a true psycho thriller! Diana Rigg gives an outstanding performance as she slowly allows you to see her "real" character. The other members of the cast give equally fine performances. I have only seen this movie on PBS stations in the USA. I have recommended this movie to many people and everyone agrees that it's a first rate thriller.

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