Laura Linney – Unhealed Wound

“Ozark” (Season 3): Narcos in Missouri

Written by Diana Paul on April 6, 2020. Posted in movie reviews, Television reviews. 1 Comment

Ozark has set itself apart as one of Netflix’s most popular original series, and this season, in my humble opinion, is the best. (See my reviews of Season 1 -September 2017) and Season 2-October 2018) In this third season, Ozark has book-ended the journey that began with Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) inventing a plan to launder the Navarro cartel’s drug money in the Ozarks and evolves into the journey of Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) inventing a plan to create legitimate businesses. The Byrdes have finally broken bad. In Season One Wendy Byrde is primarily...

The Dinner–Food for Thought

Written by diana on March 31, 2019. Posted in movie reviews. Leave a Comment

This darkly suspenseful tale of two privileged families is based upon the Dutch author Herman Koch's bestselling 2013 novel. The families struggle to make the most consequential decision of their lives, all over the course of dinner at an exclusive Manhattan restaurant. Upper class privilege and sibling rivalry are at the heart of The Dinner, a psychologically astute family saga.

“Ozark” (Season 2): “Dexter” Meets “Breaking Bad”

Written by diana on October 16, 2018. Posted in Television reviews. Leave a Comment

Marty Byrde (played by Jason Bateman), his wife Wendy (Laura Linney), teenage daughter Charlotte and son Jacob continue as criminal minds laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel with roots in Chicago. The introduction of Helen Pierce ( the stunning Janet McTeer) as the attorney for the drug cartel ratchets up the ruthless and cunning subplots that made Season 1 of “Ozark” (see September 20, 2017 review) so addictive to watch. The Byrdes are finally settling in to the Ozarks, compartmentalizing their illegal activities which they excel at with their determination...

Ozark–A Stark, Dark Thriller

Written by diana on September 20, 2017. Posted in movie reviews, Television reviews. 2 Comments

Ozark is so good it approaches the standard set by "Breaking Bad".

“Mr. Holmes”—Not the Sherlock We All Know

Written by diana on December 1, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 5 Comments

“Mr. Holmes” is an imaginary and revisionist take on Sherlock Holmes as a 93-year old dispirited and retired detective, featuring the incomparable Ian McKellen in the title role. This 2015 British-American film , based on Mitch Cullin’s 2005 novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, takes place in Sussex two years after the end of the Second World War. This interpretation, among the many Sherlock Holmes we have seen, focuses on the lonely and contemplative man struggling to remember his last case, not the analytical mind associated with the world’s most famous fictional detective. Holmes,...

“The Big C”– Memento Mori or “Remember You Shall Die”

Written by diana on June 12, 2013. Posted in Television reviews. Leave a Comment

The last stages in the cycle of life and death have finally attracted film and movie producers. I am talking about the formerly taboo twin topics of aging and death. Perhaps as we baby boomers and our children, the “echo boomers”, see that the inevitability of death needs to be part of our cultural conscience, movies that sympathetically but unflinchingly portray aging and death have been increasingly gaining mainstream audiences and awards. To name a few: “Departures”, “Away From Her”, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” “Hope Springs”,...

Tag: Laura Linney