Movie Review - Scoop

Director: Philip Martin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Billie Piper, Gillian Anderson, Rufus Sewell, Connor Swindells, Romola Garai, Keeley Hawkes
 
Description: How the BBC obtained the bombshell interview with Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell) about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Review: The Royals, some people love them, some couldn’t care less. Especially when such dark practices come to light as those of England’s Prince Andrew and his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The BBC program Newsnight managed to get Andrew for an exclusive interview in 2019: it was the first and only time he spoke publicly about the affairs. “Scoop” shows the run-up and outcome of this infamous interview by focusing on those involved at the BBC, the royal press and on the Prince himself.

This dramatized version of events is based on the book “Scoops”, written by former BBC journalist Samantha McAllister, who credits herself with a major role in the making of the interview and is also the film’s main character. We see Sam’s journalistic drive, consultations with contacts of the royal family and also catch glimpses of her private life and the impact her work has on it.

It would be east to see Sam, sidelined at one point by the BBC, as the heroine of this story, but “Scoop” takes a nuanced approach to the moral issues. The film pays attention to the motives, actions and especially the shortcomings of all involved. We see the different sides of Sam, from editor-in-chief Amanda Thirsk, interviewer Emily Maitlis and royal press officer Annette Witheridge. The only one who really comes off unequivocally short is Andrew.

Andrew is know as the smooth talker within the Royal family. Annette, who arranges the interview from royalty, is convinced by the prince’s charm that it is a good thing for Andrew to show the nation that he is virtuous and prepares the interview meticulously with him. But the prince, of course, is not virtuous. He is a liar and really just a big child who thinks he can get away with a fabrication of the past.
The viewer’s indignation is directed at Andrew, but also at the press and the team at BBC, who may not have made to most of it after all. The films stirs these feelings, but also continually shows that this whole process is human work. Sometimes things don’t turn out the way you’d hoped. In that sense, “Scoop” is not a pedantic film.

Director Philip Martin offers in “Scoop” a meticulous reconstruction of the events, but also does not shy away from fictional interpretation and scenes that serve purely for dramatic effect. The mix of fact and fiction works well, especially for those not exactly in the know about the whole affair, “Scoop” is an exciting as well as understated film.

Billie Piper in the lead role is very expressive. The hot-blooded Sam is vicious toward her colleagues, but like a child excited when she is invited to Buckingham Palace. She deals with disappointments, but also celebrates her triumph. Piper lays it on a bit thick at times, but we feel involved with Sam. Gillain Anderson, as interviewer Emily Maitlis, and Rufus Sewell, as Prince Andrew, play public figures, but their renditions offer enough drama to keep it from being boring imitations.

“Scoop” is a really solid film, which mixed fact and fiction very well and shines a light on a very important news item.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Pale Blue Eye

Director: Scott Cooper
Genre: Crime/ Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 192 minutes
Year: 2022
Starring: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall, Toby Jones, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Robert Duvall,
 
Description: A world-weary detective (Christian Bale) is hired to investigate the murder of a West Point cadet. Stymied by the cadets’ code of silence, he enlists one of their own to help unravel the case – a young man the world would come to know as Edgar Allen Poe (Harry Melling).

Review: Augustus Landor arrives anno 1830 at West Point, a remote military academy on the frozen Hudson River. It’s an atmospheric landscape, except that outside the gates a corpse is dangling from a tree. The mystery of “The Pale Blue Eye” loses momentum with each subsequent victim, and the icy setting is especially convincing.

Landor meets Edgar Allen Poe, who in his young adult years spent the winter at West Point. Landor and Poe work together in solving this crime.

Not surprisingly, after the first victim, many follow. During his search for the truth, Landor is tormented by his own demons: he is a widower, and sees before his mind’s eye his disappeared daughter.

The partnership between the elder Landor and the young Poe is by no means trouble-free, especially when Poe becomes obsessed with Lea, a stylish young lady plagued by a rare disease. Seeing Landor and Poe together is and remains somewhat uncomfortable, mainly because the film’s persistently serious tone suites Christian Bale better than his counterpart Harry Melling (best known as cousin Dudley in the Harry Potter-series). His interpretation of Poe’s character feels increasingly forced.

Through its blend of personal drama and occult mystery, “The Pale Blue Eye” ultimately tells two stories. In theory, these stories should complement each other seamlessly, but it eventually breaks up the story and make it overly explanatory. Still the well-kept picture direction and the atmospheric view of a wintry snowy landscape keep the first major film of 2023 engaging for more than two hours.

Rating: 3/ 5

TV Show Review - Sex Education (Season 3)

Season: 3
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2021
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Tanya Reynolds, Patricia Allison

Description: Teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), with a sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), teams up with high school classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.

Review: To the sounds of “I Think We’re Alone Now”, we look inside a dozen or so bedrooms where people are, with great pleasure, having sex. In every conceivable way, in every possible combination and physically viable position. Straight, gay, solo, all genders, colors and preferences pass by. This sets the tone immediately and it’s clear “Sex Education” is back.
Yet again the sexual awakenings of the students of Moordale Secondary School offer more than enough to enjoy. Especially when their newfound freedoms and carefree self-expression come under pressure with the arrival of a new principal: Hope Haddon. She must restore the neat reputation of the so-called ‘sex-school’ and reassure concerned parents. She does this by a far-reaching restriction of freedoms, with a fascist tenor: discipline, censorship, self-control and uniformity are paramount. Students must wear school uniforms, and expressions of personal taste or preferences are prohibited. Violation is punished with humiliation. The creators bring a fine contrast with the introduction of two non-binary characters, with whom the question of school uniforms is immediately an impossible one.
It's a simple scenario, with urgent underlying themes, at a time when conservative forces are sometimes frighteningly easy to dismiss progressive values and achievement. Season 3 is a long ode to those values. And yes, it’s still needed.
In addition to this sympathetic social agenda, this time the creators also manage well to further deepen the characters’ storylines.
In the process, the writers cleverly manage to debunk every stereotype or prejudice. Mean girls turn out to be vulnerable, angry boys are actually sweet, and the friendship between Otis and Eric who talk very candidly about their emotional lives. This is a rarity on TV. I love the heartwarming transition of Adam, who went from a complete jerk to a love-struck kindhearted young man.
“Sex Education” is still daring and the writers don’t shy away from any complicated subjects. I loved season 3, it didn’t disappoint one bit.

TV Show Review - The Fall (Season 1-3)

Season: 1-3
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Number of episodes: 17
Year: 2013-2016
Starring: Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan, John Lynch, Aisling Franciosi, Niamh McGrady, Bronagh Waugh, Sarah Beattie, Stuart Graham, Bronagh Taggart, Valene Kane, David Beattie, Archie Panjabi

Description: A seemingly cold but very passionate policewoman (Gillian Anderson) goes head to head with a seemingly passionate father (Jamie Dornan) who is in fact a cold serial killer.

Review: The thriller and crime series “The Fall” is about Paul Spector. He seems like a kind family man, cares for his wife and children and works as a grief counselor. But he also stalks and murder women. Detective Stella Gibson goes in search of the perpetrator.
This is a true cat and mouse game. An exciting and constructive series that is especially convincing in the first two seasons. The third and final season was a bit disappointing and didn’t really end the way I had hoped. But then again, the first two season were excellent and the third season didn’t change that.
Gillian Anderson, who plays Stella Gibson, is the star of the show. This is how we like to see her. Subdued, fragile, a bit cold. Her acting is sublime. Jamie Dornan plays Paul Spector and he sure knows how to play a creep. The interaction between the two is rousing. There is a psychological game being played between the two.
“The Fall” is a raw, the tension builds, with the only thing you find yourself wondering is if they’ll get him at all. A clever scenario. I really enjoyed this series.

10s Movie Review - From Up On Poppy Hill

Director: Gorô Miyazaki
Genre: Animation/ Drama/ Family
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Sarah Bolger, Anton Yelchin, Gillian Anderson, Chris Noth,
Alex Wolff, Beau Bridges, Bruce Dern, Christina Hendricks, Ron Howard, Aubrey Plaza

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 49: AN ANIME

Description: A group of Yokohama teens look to save their school’s clubhouse from the wrecking ball in preparations for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
 
Review: “From Up On Poppy Hill” is yet another great animated film by Studio Ghibli. This time not by Hayao Miyazaki, but by his son Gorô Miyazaki.
This animated film is striking because it doesn’t contain any magical or fantasy elements like we are used from the Studio Ghibli movies. So it is a more realistic animation, similar to “Whisper of the Heart”. 

The story takes place in the harbor of Yokohama in the year 1964. 16-year-old Umi lives and works in her grandmother’s boarding house, together with her younger sister and brother. Her mother is a doctor and studies in America and het father died as a sailor during the Korean War. 
Every day Umi still raises a flag for her father, the guesthouse is located on the highest point of the harbor town. 
During a school day Umi is confronted with the boy Shun who, together with his clubmates, take action against demolition of the old and dilapidated school clubhouse. The two bond and start working together. However, pas events put their friendship to the test. 
As usual, this Studio Ghibli film contains beautiful animations and landscapes. Visually there is nothing wrong with this film. And I loved the soundtrack, which is similar to that of “Kiki’s Delivery Service”. The characters are captivating and the story is beautiful. 
“From Up On Poppy Hill” is probably one of the most overlooked films by Studio Ghibli, because it’s so simple in its premise, but it will certainly not disappoint. I even think this is one of my favorites. I loved the images, characters and the story. 

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Sex Education (Season 2)

Season: 2
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2020
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Tanya Reynolds, Patricia Allison

Description: Teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), with a sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), teams up with high school classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.

Review: The first season of “Sex Education” was one of Netflix’ biggest surprises and a huge success overall. Although not for the faint-hearted, “Sex Education” season 2 is again e hit and I am longing for more.
The second season of the series starts with a somewhat explicit. Otis finally got comfortable with masturbation and in the opening scene we see him ‘enjoying himself’ in bed, the shower, the woods and in the car. The tone is set for season 2. Which starts with a chlamydia outbreak. A lot of naming and shaming and most of all hysteria at school. That last is what Otis claims it is. After he broke with friend Maeve, he is no longer consulting students about their sexual problems. But not for long, because this ‘outbreak’ brings them back together. But there is competition, in the form of his own mother, who is providing sex education at their school.
Season 2 is nothing new, but it has all the ingredients that make “Sex Education” great. Themes like love, friendship, violation, honesty, family, boundaries and being yourself are talked about in a light-hearted and heartfelt matter. The series is very outspoken and relatable and they makers don’t shy away to touch up on difficult themes.
I couldn’t recommend “Sex Education” enough, it’s a definite must-see. And season 2 lives up to the hype of the first season. I can’t wait for another season of Otis and his friends dealing with all these problems.

TV Show Review - Sex Education (Season 1)

Season: 1
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2019
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Aimee Lou Wood, Tanya Reynolds, Patricia Allison

Description: Teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), with a sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), teams up with high school classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.

Review: People who are prudish can better ignore “Sex Education”. In this fantastic drama by Netflix, sexuality in the broadest sense of the word is examined and portrayed in a humorous, warm and sincere way. Less than a month after the release date, on February 1, 2019, Netflix announced that “Sex Education” would return for a second season. That's not surprising when you consider that within four weeks, an estimated 40 million households have watched the series.
“Sex Education” tells the story of Otis Milburn and his environment. Otis is sixteen, a virgin, a tad shy and struggling to masturbate. His mother Jean is a sex therapist, doesn’t do relationships and always over-analyzes her son. Together they live in a beautiful house in the English country side, which is covered with pornographic images, sex toys and erotic art. Jean works from home and advices clients about their sex lives. Even though Otis is unexperienced himself, he has a lot of psychological knowledge.
The series starts on the first day after the summer break. Otis and his best friend Eric ride their bikes to school. Eric tells Otis that all their classmates had sex this summer. Otis gives sex advice to Adam, the bully in school. And Maeve witnesses this and sees an opportunity. She convinces Otis to start a sec therapy clinic at school. And they discover that many kids in their school have issues with their sexuality. The way the story is told around Otis and his mates growing to adulthood is very refreshing.
Unlike other coming of age stories, “Sex Education” tackles the subject of sexuality in a more authentic way. Instead of just pure underpants fun, glorifying alcohol and drug use and romancing sex, there is more stratification and ambiguity in the way these subjects are dealt with in ”Sex Education”. In a light-hearted way, various sides of issues that are generally in the taboo area are addressed. For example racism, abortion, erection problems, panic attacks, feminism, homophobia, masturbation and revenge pornography. It is clever of the makers that they cover these subjects without the series turning into one big valley of tears. As far as I am concerned, that is the great strength of the series.
The acting lifts the series to a higher level. Asa Butterfield portrays Otis in a very special and sincere way. Gillian Anderson is brilliant as his free-spirited yet concerned mother with razor-sharp remarks. The rest of the cast consists mainly of newcomers who play excellently. For instance, Emma Mackey convinces as a rebellious teenager, Connor Swindells is a perfect bully and Aimee Lou Wood and Tanya Reynolds provide the necessary laughs as teenage girls on a voyage of discovery. Ncuti Gatwa deserves a special mention as Eric. It's amazing how he manages to play a dark, flamboyant, gay boy who effortlessly switches between comic, tragic and combative without going completely over the top. As far as I'm concerned, Ncuti is the great discovery of the series.
The series is also great visually. The use of color, the surroundings and the decoration are a feast for the eyes. Thanks to the clothing and choice of music, the series seems to take place in the 80s. Yet the characters all have smartphones and watch porn on computers. Several decades seem to merge into “Sex Education”. According to maker Laurie Nunn, the series is a tribute to 1980s films such as “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink” by the king of teen comedy, John Hughes. The themes covered turn out to be universal and timeless. All in all, “Sex Education” is a more than successful, surprising series in the genre. A new favorite series for me!

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 90: Mr. Morgan's Last Love

Director: Sandra Nettelbeck

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 116 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Michael Caine, Clémence Poésy, Justin Kirk, Jane Alexander, Gillian Anderson

Description: A look at the life-changing connection between the retired and widowed American philosophy professor Matthew Morgan (Michael Caine) and the young Parisian woman Pauline (Clémence Poésy).

Review: Life has lost its appeal for Matthew, living in Paris alone with his kids and grandkids on the other side of the world. But while taking the bus one day, his life changes. He meets the young Pauline, who walks him home. In the days that follow, Matthew and Pauline meet again and he takes part in one of her dance classes. The base for an extraordinary friendship is formed. Pauline is an orphan and feels a father-daughter connection when she is around Matthew. And Pauline reminds Matthew of his deceased wife.

“Mr. Morgan’s Last Love” is a heartwarming dramedy, based on the book “La Douceur Assassine”. If you love Paris, this movie shows us this beautiful city in the fall. The relationship between Pauline and Matthew is just as complex as it is simple. There is a deep friendship between the two and it’s completely believable. Michael Caine is touching as Matthew, who is trying his best to speak French but hardly ever succeeds. His young opponent Clémence Poésy portrays Pauline as a gentle, kindhearted, positive and sincere woman, with the believe that there is something good in every person. She can really put a smile on your face.

You really relate to the characters, but some parts where a bit rushed. The connection between Morgan’s son Miles and Pauline for instance. You can see it coming, but the build up to the moment isn’t executed the right way. And so is the reconciliation between Matthew and Miles. It all feels a bit rushed.

The movie only has some minor faults, but overall it’s a beautiful film full of heart. There is just something about this city that always warms my heart.

Rating: 4/ 5