john22615 Reviews

No Time to Die (2021)

The only bad Bond film

[1/10 · 2 January 2023]

I've been a big Bond fan all my life and saw many of the films at the cinemas when released. I've also collected copies of all films and watch them all from time to time. This film is the exception.

Seems to have been thrown together just to hit all the current politically correct targets. Not in keeping with Fleming's writings or concepts at all.

I watched it once but will not bother a second time. Shame for Daniel Craig as he had been a great Bond up until now.

I don't know what the future is for Bond films but I do fear they will change many characters away from the images we all know and that have made the films a success up until now. The changes could result in a storyline and film that many of us won't watch.

Rogue Heroes (2022–2024)

Very Poor

[1/10 · 31 October 2022]

Yet another BBC drama failure. Anybody who has read about the forming of the SAS, seen interviews with the original members or met people who actually knew them will not be taken in by the way the characters are portrayed in this series.

The music is nothing more than annoying and the acting way over the top.

Series like this contribute to how our history is being rewritten by people who seem to have no pride at all in our achievements as a nation.

I can't bring myself to watch the entire series so I won't. Anyone interested in the SAS story should watch the docuseries with interviews with the original members. Then they will see the true characters.

Find It Fix It Flog It (2016–2022)

Good but spoiled by narrator

[6/10 · 26 September 2022]

Easy viewing programme with some good tips for DIY. No need though for Rhona Cameron. Firstly, her voice is very grating and loud and, secondly, all she does is repeat what has just been said or state the obvious.

Keep the rest of the team but drop the narrator.

It would be good to see some of the finished items go to an auction to see what they really achieve. I think some would do very well indeed, above the expert valuation, while others would bomb but it's that sort of twist that gives the programme some humour and fun. Henry is very good at that sort of reaction as we have seen in Shed and Buried.

Faking It: Tears of a Crime (2017– )

Needs a new expert

[4/10 · 10 September 2022]

I've seen most of these and find Kerry Daynes is the only one worth listening to. She has the ability to get to the root of the person and the crime and what she says makes a lot of sense.

The other two, Dawn Archer and Cliff Lansley basically say exactly the same things on every episode. I've lost count how many times Cliff Lansley has explained the slight movement of a shoulder, expanded to the full shoulder shrug, means I have no confidence in what I'm saying. Dawn Archer seems stuck on timing answer delays then just repeats what is said.

In the Michael Jackson episode Cliff Lansley chooses to ignore all his previous expert observations in other episodes about people who shake their head in a negative motion while saying something positive. Michael Jackson did this several times yet Cliff Lansley thought he was telling the truth. Cliff Lansley is obviously a Michael Jackson fan and not being impartial at all as an expert should be.

I think it's time for a couple of new experts. Certainly keep Kerry Daynes as without her the progamme has nothing but find some new ideas for the others.

Walking Tudor England (2021– )

History can't be changed

[2/10 · 10 September 2022]

I'm always interested in history documentaries but prefer to hear just the facts. Suzannah Lipscomb likes to write her narratives in a judgemental way of things that happened in our history. What maybe considered wrong by the standards of today does not mean it was wrong 500 years ago. I realise we all learn from history but it is important it's reported in a factual way rather than a judgemental way. Little comments like "Sir Frances Drake the so called naval hero" put a slant on the history. He was a naval hero at that time and that's all there is to it.

I think I'll give any other episodes a miss.