Vice

Vice (Adam McKay, 2018)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Biopic, Drama, Politics, Power, Philosophical

This movie is important, very disturbing, and wonderfully crafted. I think I would have voted for it as best picture. It definitely should have won for best editing (incredible job!). And the music is fantastic--so fitting.

It's scary how we, the people, don't know about situations, schemes, shady business, and illegal doings until years or decades later. Until things have gone horribly wrong or are irreversible. It's scary how much we STILL don't know. And it is astonishing that one person with the patience, motivation, and access can alter the lives of thousands. All over the world. It's the unfortunate story of humanity. How that access is granted over and over and over will always remain a mystery to me.

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The Doctor Blake Mysteries Seasons 4 & 5

The Doctor Blake Mysteries Seasons 4 & 5 (George Adams and Tony Wright, 2013-present)

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Season 4 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3
   Favorite from Season 4 = "The Price of Love"

Season 5 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=7 / Decadence
Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=4
   Favorite from Season 5 = "Measure Twice"

1950s, Australia, Mystery, Medical, Complex Relationships

Wow, I really love this show. When I posted about Seasons 1-3, I remarked at how much I loved the focus on clues--this is a real detective show. Seasons 4 and 5 are no different, with the added bonus of more tension between the characters. So many surprises! There were times in Season 5 that I couldn't handle the amount of turmoil. I hope another season is on the way.

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Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express (Kenneth Branagh, 2017)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Mystery, Agatha Christie, Drama

I avoided watching this one for a while because I'm such an Agatha Christie fan--I didn't want to be disappointed. Sometimes when I see "All-star Cast" it results in a sub-par script or directing. Plus I have a hard time seeing anyone other than David Suchet as Hercules Poirot. But Kenneth Branagh's film is actually better than I expected. I watched the whole thing and didn't get irritated by much. Plus Kenneth Branagh also  plays a pretty good Poirot. The artistry is great and the film moves at a good pace. It was a nice escapist film and one I might watch again.

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