TV show: The Addams Family (1964-1966)
Movies: The Addams Family (1991) & The Addams Family Values (1993)
Summary: The Addams Family is a group of fictional characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. The Addams Family characters have traditionally included Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley and Thing.
The Addamses are a satirical inversion of the ideal American family; an eccentric, wealthy clan who delight in the macabre and are unaware, or do not care, that other people find them bizarre or frightening. (Wikipedia)

The other day I was reading a blog post on TheMarySue, citing Morticia Addams as an “inspirational woman”, and it reminded me how much I’d loved the two early-90s movies as a young teen. So I re-watched both of them yesterday and was glad to see that they hold up really well (and not just because black never goes out of style *g*). Immediately after, I got my hands on the 1960s tv show, because I needed more of this wonderfully kooky family, and despite the almost 30 years between the two properties, they feel very much of a form.

Continue reading →

The 100 (2014–)
	Rating: 7.8/10 (62,919 votes) Director: N/A Writer: Jason Rothenberg Stars: Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Paige Turco, Marie Avgeropoulos Runtime: 43 min Rated: N/A Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Released: 19 Mar 2014
Plot: Set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity's lone survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet.

When I watched the pilot episode last year, I didn’t like it. It just struck me as yet another show in which impossibly good-looking “teenagers” (seriously, it’s ridiculous – not a single one looks to be under 20, most 25 and over) face challenges but are more interested in silly love triangles etc. However, in the past few months I kept stumbling across recommendations from sources I respect, mentioning how much the show improved and how good especially the portrayal of women is. So when I noticed season 1 on Netflix, I decided to give it another chance – and I’m glad I did.

Continue reading →

Cinderella (2015)
	Rating: 7.1/10 (62494 votes) Director: Kenneth Branagh Writer: Chris Weitz (screenplay) Stars: Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter Runtime: 105 min Rated: PG Genre: Drama, Family, Fantasy Released: 13 Mar 2015
Plot: When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

I’m a big fan of fairy tales, especially ones where the heroine gets to actually do something. Not just the classics, but new adaptations, too – like 1998’s wonderful Ever After. Unfortunately, this latest version of Cinderella, while visually stunning, shows very little in the way of innovation. There are a couple of things I like, most notably Helena Bonham Carter as the cooky fairy godmother and Cate Blanchett’s stylish turn as the evil stepmother, but the con-list is much, much longer…

Continue reading →

Enchanted April (1991)
	Rating: 7.4/10 (4841 votes) Director: Mike Newell Writer: Elizabeth von Arnim (novel), Peter Barnes Stars: Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Alfred Molina, Neville Phillips Runtime: 95 min Rated: PG Genre: Drama Released: 5 Apr 1992
Plot: This slow-paced gem is about the civilizing influence of Italy on beleaguered Londoners both male and female and has its own civilizing influence on the viewer. It's almost like taking a ...

My mother introduced me to this gem of a movie, for which I will be eternally grateful. Sometimes I will forget it even exists for a year at a time, but I always come back to it, and it never fails to, for lack of a better word, utterly and completely enchant me.

Continue reading →

Dominion (2014 – ) (imdb)
Rating: 6.8/10 (from 15’583 users)
Creator: Vaun Wilmott
Stars: Roxanne McKee, Tom Wisdom, Anthony Head, Christopher Egan
Plot: God vanishes and in his absence the archangel Gabriel and his army of lower angels wage war against mankind, believing them to be the cause of God’s absence. Although most higher angels remain neutral, Gabriel has convinced the lower angels, the “dogs of Heaven,” called “eight-balls” by humans for their black eyes, to fight alongside him. 25 years later, mankind survives in a few fortified cities. The Archangel Michael has chosen to side with humanity against Gabriel, living among humans in the fortified city of Vega (once Las Vegas) until the time a prophesied savior appears to save mankind. (Wikipedia)

I must admit, the first time I started watching this show, I gave up 3 episodes in. However, I liked the premise, so when I caught a couple of fanvids on Youtube, it made me go back and give it another try. And not just because angels. 🙂 I still see the weaknesses, but there’s also quite a bit to like, so I have by now finished with season 1 and started watching season 2, which is currently being broadcast.

Continue reading →

Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)
	Rating: 6.8/10 (2695 votes) Director: Stefan Scaini Writer: Jeff Boulton (interactive adaptation), Lucy Maud Montgomery (characters), Laurie Pearson, Kevin Sullivan Stars: Megan Follows, Jonathan Crombie, Schuyler Grant, Greg Spottiswood Runtime: 185 min Rated: N/A Genre: Drama, Family, Romance Released: 23 Jul 2000
Plot: The continuing adventures of Anne Shirley in New York and in France during World War I.

When I was a child, I loved the first three Anne of Green Gables novels by L.M. Montgomery (for some reason I only found out that there were many more Anne books when I was much older – when I did, it felt like a Christmas present!). I also totally adore the first two tv movies by Kevin Sullivan starring Megan Follows as the imaginative orphan Anne Shirley. While they take some liberties with the books (especially the second one, which picks and chooses from several novels), they remain true to the irrepressible spirit of the books and the beloved characters. Plus, the scenery of Prince Edward Island, the location of Anne’s beloved Avonlea, is stunningly brought to life.

However, having read some reviews, I hesitated for a long time to watch the third – and unfortunately, I was right, since the movie is a complete mess and almost painful to watch at times.

Continue reading →

Major Crimes (2012–)
	Rating: 7.6/10 (6,185 votes) Director: N/A Writer: James Duff Stars: Mary McDonnell, G.W. Bailey, Tony Denison, Michael Paul Chan Runtime: 60 min Rated: N/A Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Released: 13 Aug 2012
Plot: 'The Closer' spin-off series which follows Capt. Raydor of the Los Angeles Police Department.

I never watched The Closer, but a couple of weeks ago I read a glowing recommendation for its follow-up show, Major Crimes. It lauded the show’s diversity and the laudable way it handles the serious topics covered. I’m a big fan of crime procedurals, but I’m not blind to the many, many faults of the genre (from sexism to “ripped-from-the-headlines” sensationalism) – and Major Crimes is definitely ahead of the curve.

Continue reading →

Mr. Holmes (2015)
	Rating: 7.7/10 (2528 votes) Director: Bill Condon Writer: Mitch Cullin (based on the novel by), Arthur Conan Doyle (characters), Jeffrey Hatcher, Mitch Cullin (novel) Stars: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Milo Parker, Hiroyuki Sanada Runtime: 104 min Rated: PG Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Released: 17 Jul 2015
Plot: An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes looks back on his life, and grapples with an unsolved case involving a beautiful woman.

I’m a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, so there was no way I was not going to see the talented and generally wonderful Sir Ian McKellen take his turn at portraying the great detective. The movie is not based on Conan Doyle’s stories and therefore basically fan fiction – but very good fan fiction.

Continue reading →