Thank you so much for this!! And for putting context behind your reasoning, that made it all the better! Also, I watched Anora not knowing what to think. Thought it was good, tried to sleep that night… woke up the next day after having had dreams about it, tossed and turned thinking on what she went through. Ended up making a pot of coffee and watching it again the next morning and boy oh boy did I dig into the characters performances even more. It was amazing. Thought about it all day long, still thinking about it a week later.
Vicky, I review movies (and occasionally TV) on Substack, and I was immensely pleased when you wrote this:
"I also notice that Substack doesn’t appear to have a theater/movie/performing arts review section and I think it’s time to create a space here for that."
Hear! Hear! I was impressed with your nicely reasoned, calmly worded reactions to "Othello". I hope regular critics once it officially opens will write about it with your candor and directness and maybe find space in their reviews or in opinion pieces to comment on Broadway's outrageous ticket prices.
I'm also glad you and I agree on "Zero Day", which I think, though it's been decently reviewed, deserves a little more respect than it's gotten. My review is here: https://moviestruck.substack.com/p/tv-zero-day-2025
I've now subscribed to Vicky Ward Investigates and look forward to reading you regularly. What a happy discovery!
Vicky, I was lucky to be in New York visiting and saw it the first night. I agree with all your comments. The play left me lacking in Othello’s motivation to commit murder. Denzel was good even though being the first night he had to ask for lines. But Jake Gyllenhall made it fully a marvel to witness live. He was so intense and masterful, the Tony should be his:
Brava! For better or worse, an excellent and erudite perspective on the play, capitalist concerns aside. Primarily this essay and your chosen profession demonstrate how much a humanities education can contribute to mature political involvement and analysis. BTW It certainly is a mark of advanced civilization that the British government subsidizes theater; and a mark of our cultural decline that DJT thinks he can bring culture to the Kennedy Center.
I enjoy well written criticism, so please hold forth and let us know what you think of plays and films. You might want to watch the Meghan Markle debacle because something that bad has an entertainment value all of its own. Remember Mystery Science Theatre 3000, that mocked all the terrible 50's sci fi movies? Markle's endeavor is along those lines. It's almost a parody of cooking shows.
I watched a few episodes. In episode two Meghan had a real chef, Robert Choi, and they cooked Korean food together. That was worth watching because I learned something. This was like watching Julia Child. But the rest of the series, watching Meghan arrange fruit or blow up balloons, or display raw vegetables, was a complete waste of time. If she gets real chefs to come in, in her second season, she might have an actual show. Otherwise, I think people will lose interest.
If Meghan's idea was to carry the show on the basis of her personality, she way overestimated her own charisma. Plus, successful cooking shows depict actual cooking. They are instructive. Nobody learns anything from arranging flowers or making teabags. Just my $.02.
Thank you so much for this!! And for putting context behind your reasoning, that made it all the better! Also, I watched Anora not knowing what to think. Thought it was good, tried to sleep that night… woke up the next day after having had dreams about it, tossed and turned thinking on what she went through. Ended up making a pot of coffee and watching it again the next morning and boy oh boy did I dig into the characters performances even more. It was amazing. Thought about it all day long, still thinking about it a week later.
Vicky, I review movies (and occasionally TV) on Substack, and I was immensely pleased when you wrote this:
"I also notice that Substack doesn’t appear to have a theater/movie/performing arts review section and I think it’s time to create a space here for that."
Hear! Hear! I was impressed with your nicely reasoned, calmly worded reactions to "Othello". I hope regular critics once it officially opens will write about it with your candor and directness and maybe find space in their reviews or in opinion pieces to comment on Broadway's outrageous ticket prices.
I'm also glad you and I agree on "Zero Day", which I think, though it's been decently reviewed, deserves a little more respect than it's gotten. My review is here: https://moviestruck.substack.com/p/tv-zero-day-2025
I've now subscribed to Vicky Ward Investigates and look forward to reading you regularly. What a happy discovery!
Ivan, Thank You. Let's talk off line. Maybe we should do a weekly review live/chat?
Easy to single out your thoughtful writing. Intriguing suggestion. My MovieStruck email address is lotsoftechnique@gmail.com.
Vicky, I was lucky to be in New York visiting and saw it the first night. I agree with all your comments. The play left me lacking in Othello’s motivation to commit murder. Denzel was good even though being the first night he had to ask for lines. But Jake Gyllenhall made it fully a marvel to witness live. He was so intense and masterful, the Tony should be his:
Interesting you agree! Thank you for writing this!
Vicky! Five stars. Getting back to your roots in the very best way. Thank you for sharing your excellent perspective.
PS. I was at Cambridge with you (roommate) and I want to know why you never introduced me to half those fascinating people?!
Thank You, Blythe! Fair point! But, as I recall, I don't think we were lacking in the social life department!!!!!!
Fantastic review, Vicky. Would love to read more of these from you.
Check out the new publication @metropolitanreview I am on their editorial board and I think one of your reviews would be perfect for them.
Agree with you about Anora, and The Brutalist was brutal.
Thank you, Petra! I will!
Brava! For better or worse, an excellent and erudite perspective on the play, capitalist concerns aside. Primarily this essay and your chosen profession demonstrate how much a humanities education can contribute to mature political involvement and analysis. BTW It certainly is a mark of advanced civilization that the British government subsidizes theater; and a mark of our cultural decline that DJT thinks he can bring culture to the Kennedy Center.
Love this! Thank you!
I enjoy well written criticism, so please hold forth and let us know what you think of plays and films. You might want to watch the Meghan Markle debacle because something that bad has an entertainment value all of its own. Remember Mystery Science Theatre 3000, that mocked all the terrible 50's sci fi movies? Markle's endeavor is along those lines. It's almost a parody of cooking shows.
I watched a few episodes. In episode two Meghan had a real chef, Robert Choi, and they cooked Korean food together. That was worth watching because I learned something. This was like watching Julia Child. But the rest of the series, watching Meghan arrange fruit or blow up balloons, or display raw vegetables, was a complete waste of time. If she gets real chefs to come in, in her second season, she might have an actual show. Otherwise, I think people will lose interest.
If Meghan's idea was to carry the show on the basis of her personality, she way overestimated her own charisma. Plus, successful cooking shows depict actual cooking. They are instructive. Nobody learns anything from arranging flowers or making teabags. Just my $.02.
What a helpful comment! Ok, you've sold me. I will watch!