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Reviews
The Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango (2023)
Great Location, Terrible Acting
The Malta setting is breathtaking, just too bad that the acting is so poor. Lacey Chabert who is usually good in Hallmark romances movies is miscast here. Her dancing & acting skills are laughable. Will Kemp is an actual dancer but paired with Lacey they aren't a good fit as dance partners or as pretend detectives. Their sleuthing skills (?!) will have you rolling your eyes, if not switching channels.. The writing & dialogue delivery is unbelievably bad. At the halfway point, I really couldn't care less about the mystery. The only reason I didn't quit watching was because of the beautiful scenery.
Annika: Episode #1.3 (2021)
Where's the Mystery?
If if you're looking for a good mystery series to watch, perhaps keep searching.
Many viewers dislike Nicola Walker continually interrupting the flow of the story to speak directly to the viewer. Actually that didn't bother me as much as some reviewers, but what is annoying is that the focus of every episode (yes every episode!), is not the mystery, but all of the the mother-daughter angst. It all becomes rather boring after awhile.
Nicola Walker plays a Dectective who's transferred from Norway to Scotland. Her teenager daughter isn't fitting in or making any friends which leads to all sorts of tension between her and her mother. In this episode her daughter begins seeing a professional therapist, who Nicola secretly (and later not so secretly) lusts after. Good grief.
Cinematically the filming location is spectacular. What a shame that they pair this amazing location with such weak mystery plots. In every episode so far, the mystery has taken a backseat to all the family anguish.
For a much better mystery, watch the excellent Vera or Shetland series!
Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
Western Not Comedy
Good acting but treatment of women as chattels is annoying. In one scene Loretta is actually wearing a long metal shoulder support to carry 2 large milk churns like a mule!
With the poor treatment of women & Indians, not sure why this film is considered "family friendly". There are a few chuckles here but I definitely wouldn't classify this as a comedy either. It's your basic western with better acting. 5.5/10.
Murder Among Friends (2001)
Not Great but has its Moments
A very light mystery with fun moments, filmed in Toronto. Greg Evigan & Jeannie Raymond are good in their parts, dealing with a weak script but DonnaMarie Recco's accent is truly laughable. She's supposed to be from Italy but frequently drops her accent (she was born in NYC) & often her accent sounds Russian.
The ending appears to be set up for another mystery, which appears to have been never filmed and/or released. But all in all, a fun time waster for those who enjoy light improbable mysteries!
Agatha Raisin (2014)
Amusing Mystery Series
Not without its plot holes but all in all a fun, colourful mystery series based on the books by M.C. Beeton. Ashley Jensen plays a bit of an airhead, but very amusing Agatha Raisin. Not sure how the televised series compares with the books but after watching a few of these, I'm eager to start reading the series which now has 31 books in it.
Hope they continue to film books in this enjoyable series!
Night and the City (1950)
Terrific Film Noir
Never mind the re-make.....this original is the one to watch. The cinematography here, along with the story of scams, lies, treachery & betrayal make this one of the top film noirs.
One of Richard Widmark's best roles as a perpetually broke hustler trying to get rich as a wrestling promoter in England. Gene Tierney (without makeup!) plays his sweet, kick-me-as-many-times-you-want & I'll still love you, girlfriend. But even though she is listed as the second star, her total screen time amounts to very little, maybe 10-12 mins total. Hugh Marlowe (with even less screen time) plays her lover from afar (unrequited of course).
Other than Widmark, it's the supporting cast that really shine, Francis J Sullivan playing a sleazy nightclub owner, real life retired wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko & the creepy Mike Mazurki as "The Strangler".....a great wrestling name.
Plus a young Herbert Lom, (so many films but you might remember him from Pink Panther) is terrific as the current leading wrestling promoter, tough & sinister. A great film noir!
Her Last Breath (2019)
Enjoyable Mystery Series
This one starts out a bit slow but picks up. Really enjoyed the cast, Jake (Stephen Huszar) is very easy on the eyes & Taylor Cole as Ruby is very likeable & believable. One of the better Hallmark mysteries!
Newlywed and Dead (2019)
Good Cast But Very Slow Mystery
Too many quiet moments drag the film down. After all, this is supposed to a fun light mystery....no one is wants numerous quiet moments when nothing happens, such as Sam (Carlos PenaVega) contemplating his chess game all alone and strumming his guitar to himself.
A good cast but they need to write larger parts for Trezzo Mohoro who plays Allie's assistant Noah. He provides great comic relief but we see far too little of him. Also Sunita Prasad is terrific in a smaller part, playing Maya.
Also Allie's brother Greg played by Jon Cor is very good & easy on the eyes!
Good editing would have pared this film down to an hour tv show. Hopefully the writing & editing improves with the next one.
Hearts of Winter (2020)
Interior Design Romance
Well cast characters in a formulaic plot. Enjoyable design elements & good acting elevate an average script.
Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane (2018)
Best of the Hallmark Christmas Films!
Loved this one, a cut above the rest, in a forest of Hallmark Christmas movies.
Winter's Dream (2018)
Fun Ski Film
If you enjoy movies set on the slopes, then this movie is for you. Not a sappy romance, the emphasis is on training young daughter to have confidence in her abilities. This movie has a couple of my favourites, great skiing sequences + fireworks at the end.
King for a Day (1934)
Fantastic Tap Dancing Short
So glad this tap dance is preserved for all to see. Excellent!
Wedding Planner Mystery (2014)
Fun Cozy Mystery
If you enjoy cozy mysteries you'll enjoy this light mystery with an attractive cast. Don't examine the plot too closely......cozy mysteries by design are meant to be fun not realistic. Just sit back with a glass of wine & enjoy the view 🤗