TV Show - The Handmaid's Tale

Just finished watching Season 1
Premiered: 4/26/17
Season: 1
Number of Episodes: 10
Length of Episode
IMBd: 8.7
RT Consensus: Haunting and vivid, The Handmaid's Tale is an endlessly engrossing adaptation of Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel that's anchored by a terrific central performance from Elisabeth Moss.
RT Audience Score: 93% (100% from critics!
cag: 6
Produced by:  Hulu
Based on the Margaret Atwell novel of the same title (Margaret Atwood even had a bit part in the show!)

Characters:
Offred - Elizabeth Moss
Commander Fred Waterford - Joseph Fiennes
Serena Joy Waterford - Yvonne Strahovski
Nick (the Commander's driver and Offred's secret) - Max Minghella
Moira (Offred's best friend in her previous life)- Samira Wiley
Luke (Offred's husband in her previous life) - J. T. Fagbenle
Ann Dowd - Aunt Lydia

My comments:  This is wonderfully done. Really fantastic entertainment, such a story!  Elizabeth Moss is also a producer.  She does a great job as Offred, but there are so many silent tears!  She handles her feelings really well and silently (for the most part), but those silent tears are a few too many....

Storyline from IMBd:  Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarized "return to traditional values." As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander's household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world. In this terrifying society, Offred must navigate between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids--where anyone could be a spy for Gilead--all with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.

MOVIE - Risen

PG-13 (1:47)

Wide release 2/19/16

Viewed date at Kolb Cheapie Theater 4/29/16

RT Critic:  53  Audience:  77
Critic's Consensus:  Risen benefits from a lighter tone than many faith-based productions, as well as a unique take on the Greatest Story Ever Told and a terrific turn from star Joseph Fiennes

Cag: 4 - Liked it a lot

Directed by Kevin Reynolds

Sony Pictures

Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton

My comments:  I only went to this movie because I was craving a movie, didn't want to drive way across town, and was the only one left at the Gateway that I hadn't seen (other than a Disney flick, which I wasn't in any sort of mood for).  I was really, really nervous because I thought it would be preachy and religious. I was hoping for a decent historical fiction piece (I ate up books about this time period....The Robe, The Silver Chalice....when I was in high school.).  And it stars Joseph Fiennes, who I ADORE (jeez is he gorgeous.....)  So, with only a little bit of trepidation I bought my popcorn and soda and prepared myself for an unknown experience.  And I really enjoyed it!  Nice piece of storytelling set in 33 AD.  Set was great.  Acting was great.  Story was interesting, as was the perspective - of the Roman centurion, Clavius,  who was sent by Pontius Pilate to "solve" the case of the "risen" Yeshua. The disciples were happy, mellow fellas (Jesus-era hippies?), the miracles were a nice fantasy touch, and the actual religious/God aspect was played down entirely.  Jesus was pretty cool, too!  I liked this movie a lot, believe it or not!

Roger Ebert.com review here.  (2 1/2 stars)

RT Summary:  Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army. He arrives at a crossroad when he's tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus