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michaeljkillen
Reviews
Three Girls (2017)
Three Girls - A really challenging, though utterly riveting TV mini-series
I've just finished watching the final episode of "Three Girls", having previously become gripped by the earlier two parts of this compelling documentary-drama mini-series aired on BBC1.
It is based upon real events which actually happened in Rochdale, Yorkshire and which I think it to be fair to say, surprised and shocked all of Britain. See Wikipedia.
This mini-series is not at all easy to watch. It is heart-breaking. There's lots of swearing and bad language, but it is all entirely appropriate to the context of the situations presented. It's also an uncomfortable watch, dealing as it does with the grooming, sexual exploitation and abuse of mainly juvenile white girls by adult men predominately of British Pakistani heritage. The Police and Social Services in Rochdale were so clearly attuned to potential accusations of racism to such an extent that they actively tried to "sweep it all under the carpet". Such tactics rarely, if ever, are effective. As in this case,they merely postponed the eventual day of reckoning.
Incredibly high quality acting from Maxine Peake as the sexual health worker who tried for years to get the Police and Social Services authorities to take action and also from Ria Zmitrowicz, Molly Windsor and Liv Hill who all took the parts of the sexually abused girls. I suspect that this production was emotionally difficult for them to take part in. All credit to them for the quality of their performances.
I'm normally grudging in awarding plaudits, but for this mini-series I make an exception. It is both difficult and excellent to watch. A rare combination.
The Pass (2016)
Much better than some reviews here suggest!
I've just watched "The Pass". It was much more rewarding than two other reviews on this site might suggest. I think that they were deliberately posted by homophobes in order to diminish the attractiveness of this movie. To confirm my view, I'd just suggest that you consider the "External Reviews" on this site. All of the English reviews are overwhelmingly positive, which makes me think that there are some people out there who try, very deliberately, to denigrate or otherwise diminish the quality of any gay themed movies.
Now, to the movie itself. It's a tale of two young footballers, one black and the other white. While they feel a certain attraction to one and other, it is only in their later lives that they are able to come to terms with it. I think it to be a really good movie with interesting messages.
Just how beautiful is "The Beautiful Game"? Only you can determine that. But I thought this to be a good and thoughtful movie. Russell Tovey was believable, handsome, beautiful and excellent in his role, as was his counter-part, Arinzé Kene. Two good-looking men. They are just surprised when they are attracted to one and other.
I give the movie 8/10 for its honesty in examining relationships between men. It's a subject which is not often covered in the movies.
If you choose to watch it, then I trust that you will enjoy it.
Set the Thames on Fire (2015)
Absolutely atrocious
From what I had seen about this movie, I was looking forward to it. It was a huge disappointment!
Just exactly how did this excuse for a movie get to be rated at 7.4/10 as of October 6, 2016? I've just watched it. It was a real struggle to endure it all. The only way that this movie is rated as highly as it is must be because of false voting by those who seek to benefit from its release.
This movie is absolutely dreadful. I'm not able to find anything positive within it that might redeem it. It really is the worst of the worst! If I could have rated this movie at zero, then that is what I would have done. Hence my giving it one star. Avoid it at all costs ..... unless you are some kind of movie masochist.