The_Movie_Cat
Joined Nov 1999
Welcome to the new profile
Our updates are still in development. While the previous version of the profile is no longer accessible, we're actively working on improvements, and some of the missing features will be returning soon! Stay tuned for their return. In the meantime, the Ratings Analysis is still available on our iOS and Android apps, found on the profile page. To view your Rating Distribution(s) by Year and Genre, please refer to our new Help guide.
Badges43
To learn how to earn badges, go to the badges help page.
Ratings7.1K
The_Movie_Cat's rating
Reviews459
The_Movie_Cat's rating
This documentary about the life and work of Rubens is undoubtedly informative, giving an understanding not just of Ruben's art, but also his life, his inspirations, and the political and historical backdrop that made up his world.
Sadly, it's slightly marred by the modern trend of presenters "doing a turn", and trying to engage audiences with a deliberately mannered, quirky style.
Waldemar Januszczak is a knowledgeable presenter (although the programme has researcher credits), but it's as if the programme makers felt that audiences would struggle to engage with a study of Flemish baroque art of the 17th century unless it had a few jokes in it.
So it is that Januszczak takes up almost as much screen time as the paintings, gesticulating, adopting a stumbling gait, and telling us about paintings that "sing" or are like "happy dogs", almost as if he's presenting Top Gear.
It's a shame, because a less self-consciously humorous approach would have suited the material better, and the finer moments come with an interview with a painting restorer, with more serious responses.
In all, this is a well-researched piece with a great deal of information to take in. I gave it 6/10, but at its heart it's an 8.
Sadly, it's slightly marred by the modern trend of presenters "doing a turn", and trying to engage audiences with a deliberately mannered, quirky style.
Waldemar Januszczak is a knowledgeable presenter (although the programme has researcher credits), but it's as if the programme makers felt that audiences would struggle to engage with a study of Flemish baroque art of the 17th century unless it had a few jokes in it.
So it is that Januszczak takes up almost as much screen time as the paintings, gesticulating, adopting a stumbling gait, and telling us about paintings that "sing" or are like "happy dogs", almost as if he's presenting Top Gear.
It's a shame, because a less self-consciously humorous approach would have suited the material better, and the finer moments come with an interview with a painting restorer, with more serious responses.
In all, this is a well-researched piece with a great deal of information to take in. I gave it 6/10, but at its heart it's an 8.
