Category: TV Shows

The Prince’s Scoop

A Netflix Movie Review

This weekend, before I returned to work after the Easter holidays, I wanted to cosy up and watch a film on TV.

Noticing that Gillian Anderson had made a movie about the Prince Andrew scandal, I chose ‘Scoop.’

Having watched the infamous BBC Newsnight interview back in 2019, I was intrigued about how events unfolded.

My Review

Gillian Anderson played Emily Maitlis, the clever TV reporter who gave a one hour interview with Prince Andrew about his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.

It turned out that the central character was actually Sam McAlister (Billie Piper). She was the booker who had the difficult task of being the first to arrange an interview with Andrew after a new bunch of revelations hit the news.

Rufus Sewell did a good job of playing the despicable prince and wore prosthetics that made him look very convincing in the role. His Private Secretary was played by Keeley Hawes.

The subject matter in the film is very grim as it was unpicking allegations made against Andrew which were later dismissed in a settlement where one of the girls involved supposedly received an 8 figure payoff.

Billie Piper played her role excellently and it was good to see her back on our screens. She portrayed a single parent who had a track record of persuading unlikely celebrities to appear on Newsnight and discuss their featured stories

I thought the filmmakers did a brilliant job of producing a film which put the whole story under a lens.

In A Nutshell

Overall this film was well made and brilliantly acted. Billie, Gillian, Rufus and Keeley were all flawless in portraying real people.

I know that the subject matter may be upsetting for some viewers but if you are interested in the scandal, check out this film.

In terms of pace, narrative and realism this movie was very good.

Damsel – A Dragon Story

Although my picture may not represent the Irish dragon who lurks beneath a mountain in this Netflix movie, it captures the mood of the film. In this post, I review this entertaining movie which stars Millie Bobbie Brown and Nick Robinson.

Lasting 1 hour and 49 minutes, this adventure story depicts the joining of two important families by marriage. Elodie (Millie Bobbie Brown) is brilliant as the girl who is betrothed to a prince in order to fix her father’s financial difficulties.

Unfortunately, after the marriage, Elodie is dropped into the cave where an evil dragon dwells. She was meant to be an offering made to keep the dragon away from the medieval town.

My Thoughts

The initial wide images look a bit like cartoon scenes as the special effects are less sophisticated than you would find in the cinema. However, that is soon forgotten as you get sucked into Elodie’s adventure.

Millie really shines in this movie. With Ray Winstone playing her dad and Angela Bassett as her step mum, she is in good company.

I really enjoyed the twists and turns that the main character took as she tried to escape the dragon. Her awkward relationship with the prince (Robinson) was also interesting.

This was never going to be a heavy script with social issues grappled with. It was, though, hugely entertaining and a good piece of escapist television.

If you want a distraction and to be taken off to a medieval world where a dragon threatens civilisation, this is certainly worth checking out.

I totally recommend spending an afternoon following this narrative. Damsel is satisfying, fun and was a Number 1 success on Netflix.

Read, Watch, Listen – March

It has been a while since I did one of my monthly roundups of entertainment suggestions. This feature samples a book, a TV show and a podcast that I am currently enjoying.

Check out my reviews and see whether any take your fancy. This month I mention a drama set in Asia, a fanciful story about The Queen and a really funny podcast about death.

Read – The Uncommon Reader – By Alan Bennett

Thinking about the Queen in her prime, this story imagines her becoming a bookworm.

If the monarch started neglecting her duties due to a bookish obsession what might happen?

Alan Bennett explores this subject cleverly with gentle narrative and witty skill. It is a rather short book but nonetheless satisfying. With a book stuffed behind the seat of her state event carriage and a constant desire to quiz guests about their reading, it makes for an entertaining read.

Watch – Expats – on Amazon Prime Video

Nicole Kidman plays Margaret, an American lady who came over to Hong Kong with her husband and ended up staying longer than expected.

The reason for this was tragic. Their youngest son went missing during a visit to the well known Hong Kong night market. The six episodes follow various characters, including the young nanny, the housekeeper and various wealthy Expat friends.

Listen to – Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake

Kathy Burke hosts this hilarious podcast which interviews stars about their ideal deaths, funerals and wakes.

Kathy is well known for her funny roles in ‘Kevin and Perry,’ ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ and ‘Absolutely Fabulous.’ I have even seen her direct an Oscar Wilde theatre play.

She is clever and scathing, known for her no-nonsense honesty and potty mouth.

The first interview she did involved Jennifer Saunders and she had me laughing my head off.

And Finally

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my recommendations. Hopefully something grabbed your interest.

Feel free to share your thoughts on one of these in the comments.

If you like my articles, perhaps also consider following my little blog for future similar content. I write reviews of books, movies and TV shows as well as discussing environmental problems and sharing life hacks.