Hanzawa Naoki - 2013 - Japan

Hanzawa Naoki - 2013 - 7/10
AKA - 半沢直樹

 
Who’d have thought corporate banking shenanigans could be so entertaining?
Hanzawa and his loan section are nudged by higher ups to approve a shady loan totaling millions.
Before you can say something smells fishy, the account goes bankrupt, and execs throw all blame on Hanzawa.
One thing they don’t reckon with is his tenacity, his skills in following the money, and the dark vengeance that drives him.
Traps launch out of nowhere and enemies hateful and cunning circle like jackals.
Foes learn - screw with Hanzawa, and it’s double payback!
No killings - no shootings - no nudity.  Ratings smash across Asia.
Highly addicting.

Agatha Raisin - 2016 - UK

Agatha Raisin - 2016 - 6/10

 
Cross between Murder She Wrote and Midsomer Murders.
Blonde bobbed Agatha moves from London to the quiet Cotswolds.
Turns out her hamlet is killing capital of Britain.
While the DCI can break a mean “Word Up,” the police are generally a step behind.
Fortunately for villagers, Ms Raisin is shrewd and obstinate.
Pleasing locations, nice ensemble of repeating support characters.
Predictable as meatloaf, but comfort food or TV is not always unwelcome.

Later:  There were more seasons, lesser seasons.  The writing was flat, the actors phoned in performances.
If you are pushed to view, stick with the pilot and S01.

Last Night In Soho - 2021 - UK

Last Night In Soho - 2021 - 6/10

 
Ellie travels to London to attend fashion college, “wide-eyed innocent” stamped on her forehead.
Not only is the capitol huge, intimidating, callous, but Eloise bears her own baggage.
She seems to have recovered from mental issues.  She “sees” things.
This is where writer / director Wright appears to wander astray.
Rather than Elle dealing with second sight, the narrative veers into noisy shocks.
Horror – Slasher – Grand Guignol.  Too early, the pace accelerates into frantic.
The finale explanation made little sense to me, and I was asking,  “Really?  This is the best you can think of?”
Stunning camera work (aside from feeble wraiths), choice casting, nice sense of Swinging London.
Pity.  There was a potential classic here, only the director went for cheap thrills.

Turn Back The Clock - 1933 - USA

Turn Back The Clock - 1933 - 6/10

Lee Tracy as small time drugstore owner, who meets a childhood chum, now quite the swell.
The poorer friend starts imagining, for likely the hundredth time, how his life might have turned out.
If only …
Until a twist of fate hits the reset button, sending him back twenty years.
And oh, the decisions he makes, and the consequences.
MGM film is preachy, especially for a Pre-Code, and would have been better served by Warners or Columbia.
Tracy, an acquired taste, is annoying throughout.  Look quick for the “new trio.”

 

That Darn Cat - 1965 - USA

That Darn Cat - 1965 - 5/10

 
Perpetually hungry Siamese cat gets involved with ruthless bank robbers.
Family friendly Disney fare was old-fashioned when it first came out.
Now, perhaps harder to tell.
After robbing the bank, and kidnapping a teller, two criminals (nicely cast with Neville Brand and Frank Gorshin) hide in plain sight - in the middle of town.
When DC (Darn Cat) strolls in, seeking a handout, the teller puts her wristwatch on his neck.
Will owners figure out this clue?  Will authorities rescue the hostage?
The “young people” were dated back when, today they appear old.
Gags are more hit than miss, plot is silly, the cat acts like a cat.
I wanted to enjoy this, because I think I did at one time.

Mansome - 2012 - USA

Mansome - 2012 - 5/10

 
Sheesh, another Morgan Spurlock documentary.
Male grooming - appearance - how men behold themselves - females point of view.
Shallow work here, that skittered from one topic to another and lingered too long on marginal aspects
(eg: the beard competition).
Beards, mustaches, haircuts, toupees, all discussed for no apparent point.
Men have always grown or worn those - who cares?
Section of the product “Fresh Balls” was funny as anything.
Also the older male comments that the current fad for body shaving is turning men into Barbie dolls.
Film should have followed that path.
Instead this is a time waster with no focus.
Spurlock strikes me as more agreeable than Michael Moore, probably better to have a drink with.
His output, however, causes me to think he is running out of things to say.