Scrublands doesn’t break new ground, but if you’re after a solidly entertaining mystery it delivers the goods. ‘If you want the pleasures of genre fiction, you have to be willing to go along with the conventions. Read: American Born Chinese review: heavenly war vs teenage hormones Stan Scrublands – 4 star review Scrublands. Whether she’s trying to convince him that a cartoon-appliqued hoodie in a shop that also sells milk is the height of high fashion, or responding, when he grumbles about dinner being mostly skin and toenails, that, ‘sometimes the things you hate are good for you,’ the recognisable rub-up of occasionally conflicted love is lush.’ ‘As directed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings helmer Destin Daniel Cretton and, for one of eight episodes, Charlie’s Angel actor Lucy Liu, some of the show’s loveliest moments are between Jin and his mum. Read: The Mandalorian is perfectly ordinary and that’s perfectly fine American Born Chinese – 4 star review American Born Chinese. Some monsters are new, but others we know and loathe.’ There are droids of increasingly absurd purpose. ‘As you’d hope from Lucasfilm, the creatures are marvellous: there’s a new cast of (literally) juicy villains in lavish outfits. Read: The Clearing on Disney+ review: a juicy look at cults and complicity The Mandalorian – 4 star review The Mandalorian. And it explores with satisfying ambivalence how traumatised people can delude themselves that they’ve mastered their past.’ ‘ The Clearing recognises that cults thrive on complicity, not raw domination. Read: Faraway Downs review: Baz Luhrmann lands his Australia re-do The Clearing – 4 star review The Clearing. A heart-stopping alternate finale filmed but abandoned drives home a gut-punch with a scene-stealing thrust by Gulpilil.’ It’s here that Luhrmann’s extravagant filmmaking style comes into its own, with the drama underlining the stark differences over which lives are most valued. Scattering the characters amongst the fiery rubble raises the stakes, suddenly much more keenly felt. ‘The bombing by the Japanese air force is an astoundingly cinematic cataclysm that pitches the story into an apocalypse now that’s thrillingly gripping. Read: The Bear Season 2 review: mo’ money, mo’ problems Faraway Downs – 4 star review Faraway Downs. But this season does expand things a little, and that pressure cooker vibe that felt so essential has vented a little steam.’ Just because a little air has been let out of the balloon doesn’t mean the whole thing comes crashing down – far from it. ‘The second season doesn’t quite bring the magic all the way back, but after that amazing first season almost anything would have felt like a letdown. Read: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is about Black women and all women Disney+ The Bear S2 – 4.5 star review The Bear Season 2. Rhimes’ ability to showcase social commentary throughout the show is a marvel and makes this six episode series a must-watch.’ ‘ Queen Charlotte is not only about Black women but all women – the struggle to have their voice heard, the challenges of being widowed, and the value of strong friendships. Read: Wellmania on Netflix review: a comedy with drama at its heart Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – 4 star review Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (As an aside, I enjoyed the show’s refusal to link Liv’s health to how her body looks, or even to pat itself on the back for depicting ‘real’ bodies.)’ The show’s message is that both self-denial and self-indulgence should be morally neutral rather than grounds to decide someone’s a good or bad person. ‘Ultimately, what could have been a pretty one-note jab at the pretensions and charlatans of wellness culture turns into something more holistic. Read: One Piece live action review – a real treasure of a Netflix series Wellmania – 4 star review Celeste Barber plays Liv in Wellmania. What One Piece gets right overall is the way it lures you in with all that shiny stuff and then absolutely gut-punches you with its serious moments exposing the oppression of people who had no say in the matter of pirates vs marines and whether they wanted to pick a side at all.’ ‘Nestled securely among the genuinely thrilling action sequences and wonderful bouts of silliness is a heart of emotional gold. Read: Heartstopper Season 2 review One Piece – 5 star review One Piece. Heartstopper gets this, and you can’t stop the beat.’ Being seen is everything, but it’s up to you if and how you embrace that, and you can do it any damn way you want. ‘As Charlie and Nick dance towards the realisation that coming out may not be the be-all and end-all in a rapidly evolving world, this old queer found himself bubbling up with great big happy tears. Heartstopper S2 – 4.5 star review Joe Locke and Kit Connor in Heartstopper Season 2.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |