I tend to the view that in the current environment something as important as Nuremberg is too important to even partly fictionalise for entertainment. I won’t be going near it as a point of principle.
Dead Man Wake Up. Third in the ‘Knives Out’ modern whodunnit series, with Daniel Craig.
Preposterous Agatha Christie rip off and all the best for it. Great cast having proper fun, a few swipes at modern culture and attitudes, and more than a whiff of the Coen Bros dark humour (Fargo is my favourite film).
It is a bit draggy in places and crisp editing would cut 20 mins but that is the way of modern cinema. Better than the second, might be the best of the three. A blast.
Appearing on Netflix soon I think.
Bruce
2 Likes
I meant to add in that Mrs. H. insisted on seeing this despite 2 being only okay.
So, I dragged her out of bed for a 10:15am Everyman showing in Manchester on Sunday morning. I’m not sure I could see where to cut 20 minutes but for once there was an absolute consensus in our household. It was far better than the last one, had a terrific cast who looked like they were having great fun, the 2 hours 20 just belted by and it was just terrific. It’s not the most profound thing you’ll ever see but it was as twisty as you’d expect from Rian, very funny in places and chose to legitimately use religion in a very balanced way. I could of course be disappointed that we saw several twists coming but in no way did it spoil the fun and I for one have enjoyed Daniel Craig in these far more than I would ever enjoy him in a Bond film.
Could have done without Glenn Close and all those sudden appearances as Mrs. H. is prone to jump at the least thing and did so at least twice. My Americano just about survived 
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4 Likes
Hercules with Steve Reeves
2 Likes
Saw NT Live - The Fifth Step with Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden.
About AA, addiction and recovery. Truly excellent on all fronts, writing, acting etc.
The one time I’ve seen a NT Live show and thought it was best seen in a cinema. Having said that, I’m sorry I didn’t travel to see it in the theatre.
Saw this last Thursday and have very mixed feelings. On the one hand light enough to be enjoyable. On the other it’s Martin Freeman playing Martin Freeman and absolutely on cruise control. Left feeling it could have been so much more.
But doesn’t Martin Freeman always play Martin Freeman? There are some actors who just play themselves. I saw this last week at the cinema and really enjoyed it. The revelation for me was Jack Lowden. I thought that the change in his character over the course of the play was incredibly well done and believable
1 Like
Yes, and that’s my point. Any artist who becomes themselves ceases to be interesting. It’s not art. It’s working within yourself and pretty lazy/boring/dull. I’d rather someone tried something and failed than entered cruise control. As consumers we’re always reluctant to accept that anyone good or that we like does stuff purely for money but they absolutely do (see recent Radiohead thread) and have no choice but to do so far more often than they’d like or admit. This screamed that for me.
I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it. It flew by enjoyably but I found it lightweight and superficial and more than a little smug. I enjoyed Lowden more than Freeman but can’t say I saw any profound transformation. What was there at the end was there at the beginning.
