Gillies MacKinnon

We very much enjoyed this, both when we first saw it in 2015, and again eleven years later. There are a lot of famous names in this, with Judi Dench as the recently widowed Elizabeth. She used to play in a swing group during World War II, and there are some flashback scenes which work extremely well.

There's some humour, some poignancy, and a story which, if a tad unrealistic, is nevertheless uplifting and encouraging. Rated 15, despite no violence, nudity or anything explicit, and only show more minimal bad language. But unlikely to be of interest to children.

Definitely recommended.

Longer review: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-last-of-blonde-bombshells-judi-d... show less

Rather a dramatic and somewhat traumatic opening to this film, as one disaster follows another, but once Michael (Steve Martin) decides to look after the small Mathilda, it becomes much more enjoyable to watch. Steve Martin is excellent in this 1995 film, which is loosely based on the novel 'Silas Marner'.

Great timing, a good mixture of tension and lighter moments, and a satisfying - if slightly unlikely - conclusion after a long and difficult court case. Rated PG in the UK but really not show more suitable for children due to some quite disturbing scenes and adult storylines in the early part of the film, even though there's nothing explicit.

Definitely worth watching, even though we almost gave up in the first twenty minutes or so. Recommended to adults and older teens.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-simple-twist-of-fate-steve-martin.... show less

A very well-made adaptation of Maeve Binchy's book of the same name. Inevitably much shorter - it misses out the entire first main section of the book, opening right before the Ireland/America house swap. Some 'twists' in the book are revealed quite early in the film, too.

But the acting is good, the characters believable (or caricatured, in the case of some of the minor ones), and the story works very well as a ninety-minute film. There are some tragic, poignant and potentially upsetting show more scenes at the start, but much of the film is lighter and there's some low-key humour here and there to balance the pathos.

Rated PG, but unlikely to be of interest to children anyway. Recommended.

Longer review: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2025/07/tara-road-andie-macdowell-olivia.htm... show less

Film about Torvill and Dean's early years up to the Olympics. Surprisingly enjoyable semi fictionalised account.