Screen Archives - Anecdotic Revue

Small Things Like These – a movie review

We were drawn to this Irish movie, Small Things Like These, mainly to see Cillian Murphy in his first movie role after his impressive Oscar-winning portrayal of J Robert Oppenheimer. After watching the first 15 minutes, it was clear this was a very different kind of movie; a slow burn, ponderous exploration of a man’s emotional struggle to come to terms with his discovery of disturbing secrets kept by the local convent as he reconciles them with the awkward truths about his own upbringing.

Rapito (Kidnapped): The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara – a film review

Review of an Italian movie based on a real story involving the abduction of a six-year-old boy from a Jewish family under papal authority, based on an outrageous belief that a secret baptism performed by a fourteen year old minder of his when he was an infant meant he must be raised a Catholic.

Mr Bates vs. the Post Office – malfeasance of the highest order

This recent ITV miniseries is about a miscarriage of justice in the pubic sector. This review examines why it took a dramatisation of a real story to cause such public outrage.

Maestro – a review of the movie

As a big fan of Leonard Bernstein, his music and a fellow gay man as well as an amateur musician, I approached this highly anticipated movie with certain expectations, albeit trying my best to keep an open mind.

Sexual Consent, as portrayed on screen

I watched a few recently released movies and TV miniseries that deal with the common theme of sexual consent. But before jumping into reviewing these shows, first a look at the subject of consent itself.

Three social commentary movies

Three of the recent movies I watched share a similar theme of social realism. They use real situations in daily struggles of the working class to shine a light on how broken our socio-political and power systems are.

Perfect Strangers – film adaptations

The 2016 Italian film Perfetti Sconosciuti, by director Paolo Genovese, has broken records for the number of film adaptations in other languages. We explore what makes it so universally appealing that it has inspired so many film adaptations of this contemporary piece about relationships and the secrets we sometimes harbour between friends and lovers.

The Bear Season 2 – TV series review

We absolutely loved Season 1, and so approached Season 2 with much anticipation and enthusiasm when it finally dropped. Having devoured all 10 delectable courses over three sittings, I can say that this was another exquisitely presented degustation meal that did not disappointed. With a formidable cast led by chef Carmen Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), the family of characters whom we first became acquainted with in Season 1 took us through another totally engrossing and fulfilling tasting meal served up by creator/director Christopher Storer with much style, spice, intensity, drama and lots of heart!

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – TV series review

As an antidote and reluctant nod to the royal circus before us, we instead opted to spend the weekend watching the latest installment in the Bridgerton TV franchise. After all, if myth, fantasy and frivolous costumed entertainment were to be imbibed, then why not the alternative narratives confected by Shondaland and Netflix instead?

The Diplomat – TV series review

Review of Netflix’s The Diplomat, an exciting, face-paced and engaging series about the appointment of a female US Ambassador to the UK played to perfection by Kerry Russell.