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Sylvie's Love (2020)
Fabulous Cast, Not-So-Great Romance
The cast is wonderful! The performances are heartfelt and emotional and you can feel the pain and joy throughout. The music is stellar, too. That said, it's listed as a romance and as a romance, it's not my favorite. I just cannot enjoy a storyline that involves cheating. It's not a trope I like at all.
Bridgerton (2020)
Beautiful, sexy romance!
A sumptuous and romantic adaptation of the first book in one of the best regency romance series of all time. The cast are beautiful and engaging and the story top notch with a swoon worthy happily ever after for the ages! Can I get season two now, please?
Sanditon (2019)
Lovely Series Deserving of a 2nd Season!
I am a major consumer of romantic fiction and romantic dramas, my favorite being historically set fiction and period costume dramas and I must say, Sanditon ranks as one of my favorite works. Andrew Davies has done a fabulous job at bringing the characters of Austen's unfinished work to life.
While the end left a lot to be desired, each episode leading up to the unsatisfying conclusion (I need a season 2! I beg of you, ITV!) was a gem. It may have had several plot holes, but when you're looking for a romantic escape, you don't mind it so much, especially when the actors give amazing, nuanced performances. Sidney and Charlotte (couple codename: Sidlotte) played by Theo James and Rose Williams have fire chemistry that shines through onscreen! You can't help but cheer them on.
If there is a second season of Sanditon with a more satisfying conclusion, then I am positive this could be the greatest Austen adaptation of all time and I've seen them all dozens of times including Davies' 1995 Pride and Prejudice!
Give this series a watch. You won't regret it. Just a warning, have the tissues ready for the final episode. You're gonna need them!
Doctor Who: The Moonbase: Episode 1 (1967)
Review of the complete The Moonbase story
No matter if you're watching classic Doctor Who or the very latest season, it's always an adventure. Some of the best episodes feature those villains we just love to hate! "The Moonbase", a story starring the Second Doctor, played by Patrick Troughton, features one of the most popular "baddies" in the history of the series -- the Cybermen! As chilling as they are in the contemporary series', they are even more so in this story. Even though the costumes were altered from the original Cybermen of "The Tenth Planet" 1966, the Cybermen still have that human look to them which makes them so frightening.
Since the original audio is all that exists of the first and third episodes, the audio was remastered and the lost episodes were animated for this DVD. Unlike the previous classic Doctor Who DVD (reviewed HERE), "The Ice Warriors", the animation was very well done -- no more one-dimensional "paperdoll" characters here. The audio was a bit garbled at times, but I don't think it was due to a poor remastering rather the robotic speech of the Cybermen which is difficult to understand. Although the story itself isn't quite as suspenseful as previous episodes of the classic series, there is still a lot to enjoy. Even with the little hitches in the audio and the story, if you're missing the on screen dynamics of two companions that we saw with Amy and Rory in series' 5-7 of the reboot, you'll love Polly, Jamie, and Ben fighting alongside the Doctor and what's left of the Moonbase crew to defeat the Cybermen threat.
When all is said and done, while not my favorite Doctor Who story, I still believe it is a must have for any Whovian's collection. The Cybermen are simply put, cool villains, and are a formidable opponent for the Doctor and his gang. It's easy to see why the writers of new Doctor Who have brought the Cybermen back to the new series. Doctor Who: The Moonbase is a good way to pass the time until Series 8!
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/publicist for review purposes. I received no compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka (2003)
Terrific Animated Doctor Who Story!
Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka is one of my all-time favorite Doctor Who episodes and that's saying a lot because I'm not normally a fan of animated features unless they're from Disney! I was more than a bit skeptical going into this. A few of the reasons that I enjoy the live action series so much is the little nuances and amusing facial expressions of the actors on the screen. It's impossible to catch the twinkle of the eye or even something like the movement hair. Surprisingly, even though these details weren't present in this feature, the actors voicing the Doctor, Alison, and even the Master really brought the characters to life. Richard E. Grant, Sophie Okonedo and Derek Jacobi are just a few of the famous actors who lent their voice talents to this little masterpiece and later starred alongside the Doctor in the live action series. You know how great they were in the new series so you can imagine how wonderful they were in this animated bridge between classic and new Doctor.
Now for the monsters -- the Shalka. The Shalka, a reptilian-like alien species didn't have much to say, but as you may have guessed from the title of the DVD, their screams are quite grotesque -- not to mention the fact that they took over human bodies to lead earth and humanity into death and darkness. Aliens that can grow out of human foreheads is enough to give anyone the shivers! The Shalka are indeed a very frightening alien, up there with the Weeping Angels and the Silence.
I was very impressed with the animation, the story-line, the monsters, and each of the characters. As much as I enjoyed this, I was a little disappointed that the ending was left open for more adventures with the Doctor and Alison but to my knowledge, there never were any. Still, Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka is yet another wonderful DVD for anyone who loves Doctor Who and for those who want to build their DVD library with shows the whole family can watch and enjoy together.
~ My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ~
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/publicist for review purposes. I received no compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors: Episode Six (1967)
A Must Have for Whovians!
~ This is a review of the entire "Ice Warriors" story on DVD ~
If you're a fan of the Doctor Who series, chances are you've come across the Ice Warriors. Most recently, we met Ice Warrior Skaldak in the series 7 episode, "Cold War." As intimidating as a trapped Ice Warrior in an immobilized submarine may be, the Ice Warriors first appeared in the earliest years of the classic Doctor Who series, a whole bunch of them stuck on earth during a new Ice Age is ten times more frightening. Imagine watching a handful of these giant creatures lurching after you with no way to stop them -- until the Doctor that is. In this newly remastered 6 episode set from BBC DVD that's exactly what you get, a group of Warriors hellbent on reshaping the earth's climate to make it their perfect home no matter who gets in their way.
"The Ice Warriors" first aired in 1967 but surprisingly it doesn't feel like a 1960s production. Sure, the costumes and the black and white picture let you know that you're watching something filmed in the 60s but the special effects weren't all that bad. While watching the extras included with this terrific set -- interviews with producers and actors involved in the making of the Ice Warrior episodes etc. it was mentioned that in spite of the low budget, this story turned out surprisingly well and I have to agree! The avalanches, the snow, and even the ice were a lot more realistic than the set in most of the newer Doctor Who episodes. The only thing that bothered me a little were episodes 2 and 3. The video for those episodes had been lost with only the original audio remaining, exclusively for this DVD the episodes were animated. The animation was flat and 2 dimensional so the characters looked and moved like paper dolls on the screen. I would have loved for it to have been more 3 dimensional. That said, I am so glad that the BBC included the animations in this set. It would be a shame to not be able to watch this gem of a story in its entirety.
As for the actors themselves...brilliant! Let's face it, there were bits where they flubbed their lines and the monsters bumbled things up, but I thought it led to a sort of authenticity. I don't know about you, but I think I'd become more than a little incoherent when faced with a huuuuge, scary Martian who wanted to kill me and destroy the planet! Patrick Troughton (the Doctor), Frazer Hines (Jamie), and Deborah Watling (Victoria) all had great chemistry together. Jamie and Victoria's little conversations concerning Miss Garrett's costume was hilarious. In spite of the terrible danger that the Doctor and his companions find themselves in, there's always a moment or two that elicits a giggle.
"The Ice Warriors" is a terrific set for anyone who's a longtime Whovian or someone who's just starting out. If you want to start off your Doctor Who viewing with the classic episodes, this story set is a good one! Adventure, danger, and thrills abound in this great collection from the BBC.
~ My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars ~
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/publicist for review purposes. I received no compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Call the Midwife (2012)
Call the Midwife: Season Two Review
After the introduction to the series last year, I didn't think it could be topped, but with it's sometimes gritty, always touching stories Call the Midwife, Season Two has proved the series has staying power. It's easy to see why Call the Midwife is so popular in the States and abroad. Stories of sisterly bonds among friends and the miracle of childbirth never get old.
Following the life of young midwife, Jenny Lee, this series is set barely a year following her arrival at Nonnatus House in London's East End. Judging by the title you may guess that this is a series about midwifery but it is so much more. From episode to episode, there are a variety of themes from poverty, to love to faith, family, and friendship. The stories have a nostalgic feel but each episode has themes that are relevant to this day. While there IS a lot pertaining to maternity care and nursing and the hardships that come with it, there's always an unflagging sense of hope.
Each of the characters, the nurses, the nuns, and the residents of the East End; have their own special charms which are brought to life by a fine cast including veteran actors Jenny Agutter, Pam Ferris, and a personal favorite, Stephen McGann. Jessica Raine is a brilliant actress. It has been a joy to see what she brings to the role of Nurse Lee in each episode. She plays the competent, confident midwife well. She's evolved from the rather innocent and naive girl in season one. Having seen her in other brilliant roles outside of Call the Midwife (Doctor Who, etc.) she's fast becoming one of my favorite young actresses.
While the series centers around Jenny Lee, my favorite character by far is Camilla Cholomondley-Browne -- also known as Chummy. She provides brilliant comic relief. Kind of uncomfortable in her own skin in the first season, it's lovely to see her come out of her shell and bloom while still keeping her ever present sense of humor. Actress Miranda Hart truly brings Chummy to life in all the best ways. For Chummy, this second series represents more than just a changes that affect her life and Constable Noakes's life but also huge changes for all at Nonnatus House. There was more than a couple romances that unfolded, one being a total shock! Since I'm such a hopeless romantic, it did my heart good to see all the love in the air.
There is so much more to this series than I ever expected. It's drama, it's heartache but also about laughter and finding one's true calling. All in all, this series is unbeatable and refreshing in every way. With three additional episodes, including a Christmas special, up from last years six episode tally, this series is sure to please fans of the show and hopefully bring new fans on board. If you enjoy "extras", the Blu- ray and DVDs feature fun cast interviews and stories about how the series came to be and the best part -- 10 additional minutes per episode that didn't air in the US! This series is a must own for British TV fans and anyone looking for a superb, feel-good show to add to their DVD collection.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/publicist for review purposes. I received no compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*