Downton Abbey

The people who will enjoy this film the most are the people who already watched and savored the highs and lows of the Crowley family and their servants over six seasons of "Downton Abbey." We are entertained by everyone preparing for the arrival of the King and Queen (of England, of course) at the grand country estate. The principal cast appears, including Dame Maggie Smith as "Granny." She presides perfectly over the event with her devastating, sarcastic verbal assaults that we have grown to savor from someone of her elevated station. However, some members of the staff drop the stiff upper lip and operate with awestruck wonder. There are intrigues and backstairs dramas as one would expect, but unlike the show, these play out more quaintly and with less tension than the series. Even the uninitiated can enjoy the beautiful sets, costumes, and strong, likable characters.
Posted:

You May Also Like

Gayle On Film: 'Downton Abbey: A New Era'

Gayle On Film: 'Downton Abbey: A New Era'

Downton Abbey: A New Era The residents of Downton Abbey are living their happily ever after, at least most of them are. But of course without some conflict, the story would merely be a documentary about lovely homes and beautiful clothes. So “Downton Abbey: A New Era” is a tale of two country homes: the ancestral home of the Crawleys and a lovely beach chateau in France. The Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith), Granny to Lady Mary finds herself in possession of a French villa. As is typical of this family, intrigues abound in the usual upper crust ways as someone always has a secret to keep - and those secrets could bring down the family name. Meanwhile, back at the English estate Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) needs a new roof - so she reluctantly allows a movie to film in the grand old house, AirBnB style. Temperamental actors and awestruck staff members make for entertaining fodder as the Hollywood set encounters downstairs sensibilities. What “A New Era” has is a bevy of beloved characters spewing witty dialogue, charmingly engaged in playing out lighthearted drama in predictable but affectionate ways. That is the key to Downton's success; while there is strife, questionable heritage, and longing -again and again - the drama always sweetly entertains. View Now
Gayle On Film: 'IT Chapter Two'

Gayle On Film: 'IT Chapter Two'

IT Chapter Two Here's the basic rundown for people who've been asking. Yes, it's nearly three hours long. In this critic's opinion it was scarier than the first, but not terrifying. And no, you can't take your kids unless you want people to judge you. Now, a little exposition. IT a.k.a. Pennywise the Clown is back in Derry and 27 years later he's up to his same malevolent ways. But the child crew from the first film is all grown up and nearly all have moved away. When they're called home to make a final stand against him, those who've left don't remember. So, Mike (Isaiah Mustafa) has to convince Bill (James McAvoy), Bev (Jessica Chastain), Richie (Bill Hader), Ben (Jay Ryan), Eddie (James Ransone) and Stanley (Andy Bean) to come home. Andy remembers best, but the rest need a little convincing. It doesn't take IT very long to help them remember and fear. Now, one can consider it scarier than the first in that what IT puts our heroes through seems more cruel and gruesome theatrics than in the first. But it's balanced out with humor — specifically Hader and Ransone's verbal assaults and insults. So basically, what you liked about the first movie, you get more of in the second. View Now
Gayle On Film: '1917'

Gayle On Film: '1917'

1917 Opening in wide release this Friday, Sam Mendes' film "1917" is at the top of this critic's list for the sheer vision and realism in a war-torn landscape, from the opening moments and told in one long, continuous shot. While the film is edited, it's so well done that the viewer feels as if they are on the mission with the soldiers in real-time. The soldiers must traverse fields and towns that the Germans once occupied, not empty of their nasty surprises. All the blood, mud, sweat, bullets, and moments of aching solitude and fear permeate every moment — making this one exceptional and nearly flawless piece of filmmaking. View Now

Animals

Wildlife Puts On Adorable Show

Wildlife Puts On Adorable Show

Up in Saskatchewan, Canada, Brandon White captured some incredible footage of wildlife being downright adorable at sunset. From beavers and river otters to stunning birds — everyone's showing up to the party. Lucky us! View Now
Dog Jumps Out The Window & Dogs Meets Spider

Dog Jumps Out The Window & Dogs Meets Spider

This hilarious dog is literally so nervous trying to run through this house! He didn’t recognize his owner and went into instant panic mode and leapt out a window in the back of the house just to get away from who he thought was a total stranger. Next, to another few dogs whose owners are curious what their reactions will be to a big remote-control-spider. They seem a little cautious at first and ultimately they just play around in a mindset of confusion and playfulness! View Now
Saving The Owl & The Goat Tree

Saving The Owl & The Goat Tree

A woman was jogging in a park in Iowa when she saw a small owl that had fallen out of its hollow! She didn’t know what to do, but she knew she had to be safe. She called her husband to try to get the owl back in its hollow, but that didn’t seem to be the answer. Eventually in the end, he got back in! via ViralHog View Now
More animal videos

Recipes

Cook Old-School Italian Meals With Nonna

Cook Old-School Italian Meals With Nonna

I'm sure most of us can remember great times of helping your grandmother cook or maybe skipping the helping part and just eating her amazing food. Nonna Elda is an 81-year-old great-grandma who loves to share her recipes. Her granddaughter Alessandra films and runs her accounts, and she's super popular on TikTok! View Now
More recipe videos

Celebrity

Gayle Bass And Christian Vera Visit The Cheech Center

Gayle Bass And Christian Vera Visit The Cheech Center

If you thought Richard Anthony "Cheech" Marin — yes, the Cheech — was just an actor, comedian, musician and activist, then think again! Cheech has passionately collected Chicano art for years, and became the owner of the largest privately owned collection of Chicano art in the world. View Now
Tia Mowry Sings The Songs That Mean Something To Her

Tia Mowry Sings The Songs That Mean Something To Her

Fans probably know Tia Mowry best from her iconic sitcom “Sister, Sister,” where she starred with her twin Tamara. However, fans might not know that Tia is big into music. InStyle asked the star to sing some of the songs that had the biggest impact on her life. From Tupac Shakur to Celine Dion, her musical taste really runs the gamut. View Now
Fans Sing ‘You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling’ To Tom Cruise

Fans Sing ‘You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling’ To Tom Cruise

Usually, it’s Tom Cruise who is surprising people with his big movies and even bigger stunts. This time, however, while he was filming Mission Impossible 8 in South Africa, it was Mr. Cruise’s time to be surprised by his fans. A large group of fans serenaded the megastar with “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers, just like that iconic bar scene from the original "Top Gun." View Now
More celebrity videos

Love is in the Air

You’re Kidding…Right?

You’re Kidding…Right?

Leave it to your closest friends and family to prank you even on one of the most important days of your life…your wedding day. When Dontae turns to his brother and best man Shadon for the ring, he gets nervous when Shadon is fidgeting like he forgot the most important thing he needed to remember. When he pulls out a ring pop, everyone is cracking up besides the groom himself. But don’t worry…he didn’t actually forget the real ring! via ViralHog View Now
More Love is in the Air videos

RTM Hall of Fame

Chicken Sandwich With A Side Of Independence

Chicken Sandwich With A Side Of Independence

An advocate mom, a patient employee and a hungry teen are the recipe for a heartwarming trip through the Chick-fil-A drive-thru. The 17-year-old Ste'ce is sitting in the backseat. He has autism and is nonverbal. His mom Shayla knows her job is to help instill indepence in her son and here she does just that by reminding Ste'ce to ask for what he needs. In this moment all that's required is a picture menu and the few extra moments it takes to teach inclusiveness. Ste'ce's smile speaks volumes! View Now
Notice Anything Unusual About This Guy's Tongue?

Notice Anything Unusual About This Guy's Tongue?

Kobe Freeman was enjoying a hamburger when he felt a sharp pain in his mouth. Somehow, a bee had gotten onto Kobe's burger and it stung his tongue while he was eating! His tongue swelled up to massive proportions, so he took to social media to find a remedy that worked. You can keep up with Kobe Freeman on Instagram and TikTok. View Now
Home Invasion Captured Live On Zoom!

Home Invasion Captured Live On Zoom!

What started as just a normal Zoom classroom meeting turned into a call for action to help a fellow student. A woman in Ecuador was robbed while she was taking part in the virtual classroom, her laptop capturing the whole thing. Other students and the professor sprang into action, contacting the police right away. Fortunately, nobody was harmed and the suspects were arrested soon after the incident. The cellphones they stole led the police right to their location. View Now
More RTM Hall of Fame videos