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Reviews
Rivals (2024)
What fun!
I read Rivals a few years ago and enjoyed every page! It's quite difficult to compare the book and its characters to its television adaptation, since we all bring our own perception of what certain characters should look and act like. Also, while we can read a book at our leisure, television has to move along at a pace that fits the format and doesn't drag, so some characters or side story lines may have to be cut for time's sake. That being said, yes, there are differences from the book, but none so great that it ruins the overall fun and entertainment value. The characters, especially Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara, the upstanding journalist and David Tennant, the nasty Lord B are great! Makes us love Declan as much as we hate Lord B! The 80s music is fantastic, though the one part I found annoying was the opening high pitched opera music, just not a good fit. As to all the sex scenes, yes, we could do without some, since we all have an imagination, but that would not be the book Cooper wrote. It was wonderful to spot Jilly Cooper herself in the restaurant lunch scene. She looked as though she was thoroughly enjoying the show, as did I. The last episode ended quite different from the book, so I'm hoping there will be at least another season where we get to see what happens with Taggie and RCB . . . And of course, we know nasty Lord B has to be around to wreak more havoc.
Leonardo (2021)
So disappointing!
I looked forward, with great anticipation to seeing this series, so much so, that it was an even greater disappointment when it finally aired. The choice of network for US airing was dreadful and most likely a mistake. Even when the story line might have gotten interesting, the constant commercial interruptions were so distracting that watching became more and more painful. While much of the scenery, set decorations and costuming were well done, overall, the story line was weak, as was most of the acting. Even Aidan Turner, whose performances I usually enjoy, could not save Leonardo from being quite dismal.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Love this movie!
It would be hard to find anything wrong with this movie, which has become such a classic. James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan are wonderful together and the supporting cast just couldn't be any better, each adding their own special touch. Even Rudy, played by Charles Smith, the newest hire at the very end is as sweet as can be. Last night, as I watched the remake, "In the Good Old Summertime", on TCM, I suddenly noticed a familiar face in the quartet singing backup for Judy Garland. There was Charles Smith again! How special that he got to appear in both the original and the remake.