icerider-1 Reviews

Tara Road (2005)

So bad it is laughable

[1/10 · 2 January 2009]

I've read all of Maeve Binchy's books, including Tara Road, and love them all to varying degrees. I enjoyed the film adaptation of 'Circle of Friends', so had hopes for this. I was greatly let down. Key to my disappointment was that I genuinely liked the book. But even standing alone, this film was so bad, it was laughable. I actually stopped watching it 3/4 of the way through. The actors were miscast, the actual acting was poor, the screenplay was badly done. The American characters were regrettable clichés, and the scene where Marilyn's family tragedy occurred was beyond dreadful. This was quite possibly one of the worst movies I've ever seen; it was so bad I thought it had to be a joke. The book was heartwarming and genuine, the movie was the complete opposite. Don't waste your time.

Flambards (1979– )

My favourite series

[10/10 · 2 January 2009]

I first saw this series when it aired on PBS in 1979 or so. My dad and I decided to watch it and my whole family was immediately hooked. I was only 10, and the series had a profound effect on me. My grandmother brought the books back for me from England the following year. In the summer of 1981, I spent a month in England with family. For a surprise, my grandmother took me to the Flambards theme park, which, although a bit of a cliché, had exhibits about WWI, aeroplanes, mock villages and houses. The series is beautifully filmed, with excellent acting and attention to detail. I saw it again in university, and just received the DVD set for Christmas from my brother. I booted my husband out of the living room and had a three-night marathon down memory lane. Seeing it as an adult again gave me a new appreciation for it. Christina's journey is enchanting, and the surrounding cast are excellent. Both my father and grandmother have since passed away, and watching this series again was like meeting old friends, and brought back so many happy family memories. I cannot recommend this series enough. (I have not read the fourth book, and am almost afraid to do so!)