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d-wilhelm
Reviews
Auschwitz: The Nazis & the 'Final Solution' (2005)
everyone should know this history
My parents are German. They emigrated to Canada in 1950. My mother has always denied knowledge of the Holocaust. My father died too young for me to know what he thought- but he was a kindly man and I believe he would have acknowledged the crime. As a dual German-Canadian citizen, I am proud that Germany has recognized the atrocity and made it a crime to deny it. Now, I challenge other nations to admit the same crimes. Canada and the United States against their native cultures. The United States about black slavery. South Africa and Germany have pointed the way. History should not be denied. This is the lesson the survivors of Auschwitz would have wanted us to learn. One cannot watch this film without being moved, both by the cruelty and greed of the oppressors and by the kindness and self sacrifice of those who aided the oppressed.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
History is messy.
I loved the movie when I saw it in the theatre last year, but the longer director's cut is by far the superior version. The characters are allowed more breathing room, more history and more complexity.
The history behind the film, aside from some tinkering with the characters Balian and Sibylla, is quite accurate. The crusaders literally destroyed themselves at the Battle of Hattin. Greed and hubris did them in. Marton Csokas as Guy de Luisignon fully embraces the attitude which eventually destroyed the crusader kingdom of Jerusalem. In the face of all reason, all attempts at building a peaceful kingdom, he looses the imp of destruction. Looking back, it appears an act of madness. But one does not need look so far to see acts of madness...
The film was beautifully shot. Ridley Scott is a very painterly director.
The actors were all wonderful. Liam Neeson can do no wrong (watch Kinsey). Eva Green had barely a moment in the theatrical release - she shows great depth and passion in the director's cut. Some have said that Edward Norton was a better actor behind a mast than Orlando Bloom was without, but this is not true. Norton does a good job with the lines he is given - and you have to admit, they are quite preachy lines for a young man - but they are speeches and his character is the most unformed in the film.
And I strongly defend Orlando Bloom in this role. He does not chew the scenery, but he portrays a lost soul who finds a mission with a wonderful sensitivity and believability. It was obvious that he had a visceral understanding of Balian. A man who loses everything can make a choice - be better or be worse.
Also loved David Thewlis as the quirky angel and Alexander Siddig as the thoughtful counselor.
I showed this video to my older brother, who is not a movie goer. He liked it so much that he took my copy and I had to buy another.