See it at the movies

Posted 5/25/22

DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era * * * *

Fans of the popular PBS series “Downton Abbey” will be pleased with the second feature film about their beloved British upstairs/downstairs …

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See it at the movies

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DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era
* * * *

Fans of the popular PBS series “Downton Abbey” will be pleased with the second feature film about their beloved British upstairs/downstairs characters in this two-hour delightful film.

We never watched the TV program but were still able to follow the characters and how they related to each other.

The incredible Maggie Smith is at the center of this one, once again playing the matriarch of the family.

An old “friend” has left her a villa in the south of France and her son (Hugh Bonneville), wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), daughter and butler pay a visit, trying to understand why a long ago acquaintance would leave a mansion to her.

Meanwhile, a silent movie crew has made arrangements to use downtown to film their new movie. The family has mixed feelings about the intrusion into their peaceful lifestyle, while the servants are all excited about seeing movie stars.

Relationships are formed while cultural clashes cause a few problems.

It is the late 1920s and the talkies are quickly replacing silent movies. The haughty female lead has one horrible voice and voice overs are provided by Lady Mary, causing more problems.

The three lifestyles (the wealthy aristocrats, the modern movie people and the servants) clash and come together to provide some funny and beautiful scenes.

There is a good supply of British humor, much of it provided by Maggie Smith.

The acting, the costumes, the background, Downton and the French villa all add to the story.

If you are not a fan, “Downton Abbey: A New Era” will make you one.

The movie is rated PG and should bring a lot of folks back to movie theaters. “Downton Abbey: A New Era” is playing at the Warwick Showcase, Apple Cinemas and the Avon.

NETFLIX

 

OUTLANDER – Season 5
* * * *

I’ve never been a big fan of time travel movies or series. “Back to the Future” was an exception. “Outlander” is another.

The love story of Jamie (the rough and gruff 1700s outlander) and Claire –(the 1900s Boston doctor) grabbed hold of me in Season 1 and never let go.

Action, adventure, history, conflict, crisp dialogue and romance galore fill the hour-long series, with the ending of each episode begging you to watch another.

Claire’s daughter, young son and college professor husband have time traveled to the past to join the family homestead at Frazer’s Ridge in the Carolina wilderness.

The British are still in control but are being challenged by a group of revolutionaries. Jamie gets caught in the middle.

Claire practices medicine without the luxury of modern tools and medicine, trying desperately to educate the locals.

War is imminent as this season ends with a brutal kidnapping scene. Can’t wait for more.

 

THE LINCOLN LAWYER
* * * ½

Joyce is a fan of Michael Conley’s crime novels.

Netflix has turned “The Lincoln Lawyer,” based on the lawyer Michael Haller into a series.

He is called the Lincoln lawyer because he does most of his work out of his car, using one of his former clients as his driver.

He is estranged from his first wife who he continues to court after a brief second marriage with his secretary. His first wife is an assistant DA, while he is a defense lawyer, causing conflict.

Michael is a flawed character, fresh out of rehab and taking over clients from his murdered friend.

He juggles a few minor cases while involved in a major murder trial involving a wealthy entrepreneur accused of killing his wife and her lover.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is very good as the Lincoln lawyer.

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