Netflix: Requiem

[Spoilers]

I would call this series a near miss.

It drew me in enough that I binged it, BUT.

It was numbingly slow at times.  Too many long shots of people looking thoughtful, or worried, or sad, or confused or as though they smelled something bad.

It got sillier as it went along and the ending was just ridiculous and unsatisfying.  I believe it was based on a novel which I haven't/won't read.  The series would have worked far better as just as mystery.  The supernatural business would have been ok if it had been presented as just misguided people thinking they were witches.  To make the supernatural real just did not work - in the end it just felt overly contrived.   I suppose being partially possessed by an archangel could explain why the lead character was so angry, impulsive, volatile and kind of stupid. 

The hair was enough to drive one to stop watching.

I hope they have no plans for another season.  If they do I certainly will not watch.  This crossed my mind because there weren't enough shallow graves at the end to account for all the people who were missing.

Netflix: Halston

 

Initially I wasn't going to watch this since I'm not at all interested in the fashion industry.  But several friends liked it so I decided to give it a try.

It was not bad overall, although a little slow at times and I did get a bit tired of the voice by the end.

The last twenty mintues or so of the last episode were quite wonderful.

A shout out to Jack Mikesell as John David Ridge.  A small part but a really lovely performance.

Author: Dal Maclean

 

Her first two books are:

Object of Desire

Bitter Legacy

There are M/M gay romance mysteries, a genre which I usually read when I'm in the mood for something light and entertaining.

Both these books were far better than average as far as gay romance novels.

As mysteries they were excellent - once I started reading I couldn't put them down.

Her third book (which I have not yet read) is:

Blue on Blue

 

I know they have good intentions but overall I wish people wouldn't reccomend books to me.

I do check into them but often decide they're not of interest to me.

The problem is that some people take it as an insult if you don't read what they have suggested.

Movie: Adam and Steve 2005)

 

How have I never seen this movie before?  I loved it.

The first few minutes are a little weak and it would be easy to turn it off at this point but it quickly finds its feet.

There are certainly times when it veers into high school humour but I think by not milking it but just doing it and moving right along it gets away with it.   There are also some touching moments that again aren't milked, they're just presented for you to catch if you're paying attention.

The always reliable Parker Posey is here and there are moments when she's astonishingly beautiful.

There are lot of minor characters in this film and I like that there were all given the time and respect to do their work and have it shown.  Too often in film minor characters are just considered filler or background and not given a chance to shine.   The writing is sharp and there are some very good lines.

The film veers from comedy to drama repeatedly and rapidly but is always controlled.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Malcom Gets is good throughout the film but in a scene near the end when he quietly sings a song he is heartbreaking.  He's transcendent.    There are rare times when an actor gets to do this - Maggie Smith in a dark classroom lit by a projector in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"- Catherine O'Hara not getting the Academy Award nomination in "For Your Consideration".

Track it down if you can and give it a watch.