Reviews

Made just 12 years after WW1 ended, this film attempted to be realistic and relevant. It is an important landmark between the theatricals of the silent movies, and the jingoistic productions of WW2.

The plot follows the travails of a group of young friends who joined the Imperial German army. Misery at the boot camp. The confusion when they arrived at the front-line. The constant bombardments and the shortages of food supplies. The abundance of rats that have feasted on the corpses in No-Man's Land. The desperate fights in the trenches.

The constant fear and periodical intense combat against the French.

The central themes are clear. That of comradeship among the humble soldiers. With the older Kat providing leadership and comfort to the kids. In addition, the soldiers discuss their plight. Some blaming the Kaiser/Kings for the suffering of the combatants.

In terms of history, this movie made an anti-war appeal just before the brutal Spanish Civil War which was a prelude to WW2.

Made as the 1930s equivalent of today's blockbuster, this movie had very high production values and cinematography. Many night and indoor scenes. Hundreds of extras in the crowd scenes.

Unfortunately, this was an American production, with a cast of Brits and Americans. Speaking English like Brits and Americans.

IMHO, the main shortcoming was the long internal dialogues, and not enough character development in this 150 minute film.

Its a crisp, well filmed movie about a teen girl with issues. In a maniac state after the murder of her father, and her fight for survival in the original movie. This girl fantasizes about revenge on men.

She gets a chance as she runs into militia-types on their way to a conspiracy. Violence begat violence. Culminating in the horrid deaths of the militia leaders. On par for productions in this genre. Fortunately, the movie runs for only 80 minutes.

Lulu Wilson does a good job as the protagonist. The supporting cast are convincing. I found the movie to be enjoyable, since I wasn't on the receiving end of Becky's wrath.

The film received a very limited release because of the controversial political themes. To the credit of the film makers, its this social context that truly raises this film above its peers.

I enjoyed Season one, though the finale was IMO rather rushed.

The plot was typical Young Adult; budding romance, comic characters, premonitions, scares and thrills. Fortunately, the show was saved by the lead protagonists!

An impressive Jenna Ortega plays the irrepressible and troubled Wednesday Addams. Emma Myers charms as the bubbly Enid Sinclair. The Hand almost steals the show. Rather impressive for a non-speaking role!

Bravo to the cast of young people! Hope that Season 2 will get a more interesting plot, and less cuteness.

BTW, the characters don't seem to blink in the portraits. Is it due to FX special effects, or is there some magic involved?

Its meant to be a comedic detective show. Protagonist is a cynical ex-cop with a penchant for illegal shortcuts to get evidence. Her sidekick is a young nerdy do-gooder.

Together, they unravel mysteries and catch the villains. Unfortunately, the characters are without nuance and bite. The script could certainly be improved.

Having watched Episode One, my verdict is 5/10. Harmless after dinner entertainment. But, without teeth.

Its meant to be a comedic detective show. Protagonist is a cynical ex-cop with a penchant for illegal shortcuts to get evidence. Her sidekick is a young nerdy do-gooder.

Together, they unravel mysteries and catch the villains. Unfortunately, the characters are without nuance and bite. The script could certainly be improved.

Having watched Episode One, my verdict is 5/10. Harmless after dinner entertainment. But, without teeth.

In a time of peace, House of The Dragon (HoD) starts off slowly. The politicking wears down the weak (King Viserys), while sharpening the predatory (Daemon Targaryen). Princess Rhaenyra proves to be a fighter and survivor despite her young age.

HoD compares poorly to GOT in terms of the secondary characters. The dynamics of the Stark siblings. Arya Stark and Sandor "The Hound". The Lannisters and the Tyrells. The villains Littlefinger and Ramsey Bolton. The desperate defence against the Night King and his White Walkers.

That said, HoD gets very realistic about the subordinate role of women in conservative society. And, the very real dangers and pain of child bearing.

It remains to be seen if HoD has the reach to be an epic. Matching the the twisted journeys of Daenerys and Sansa Stark toward their destinies!

Set 8,000 years in the future, mankind is still bloody and vicious. An emperor plotting against his aristocracy. Betrayals and treachery. No sign of parliamentary democracy. Not the United Federation of Planets.

Its a grim scenario and this movie is dark. Filled with death and fear. The film's plot and technology is faithful to the novel. The cast fleshed out the characters in a credible performance.

Would have been nice if there were lighter moments. But, there's not enough run time. This is just Part One and it runs 150 minutes!!

Will Part Two give us something to root for?

Its a big budget blockbuster. And, there's plenty of thrills and spills. However, how many people will still love this movie twenty years later?

A young man has his grand adventure. Driving north from Dawson City (Yukon) with a film crew, he starts walking at the Arctic Circle. Arriving at a river, he boards his canoe and off he goes .

Meeting the bugs, biters and wildlife of the region. He traverses lakes, marshes and white water, like the Inuit. At Day 57, he is resupplied by float plane at Coppermine River, Nunavut. After 100+ days, he arrived at bustling Baker Lake in southern Nunavut.

Interesting enough. But, we don't get to see much of the landscape. No panoramas because he's travelling at water level. It is an arduous and dangerous journey, exposed all the way to the elements.

It would have helped if he had provided a detailed map of his route, with the highlights.

Following on the success of Ex Machina (2014) and Her (2013), this is an Eastern European version. Done on a very modest budget, the movie had surprising good production values.

The cinematography was artistic, sets were futuristic, and lighting was set for effect.

The movie's bleak tone is similar to Kubrick's 2001. An astronaut grappling with loneliness, with only artificial intelligences for companions.

This plot takes the premise a step further. What about his sexual needs? What kind of social dynamics govern a relationship with an android? Out in space, they are alone.

What would the viewer do if placed in the situation of the protagonist?

The surprise was the casting of pornstar Stoya who turned in a good performance as lover, submissive and sex toy. No blonde bimbo. She has a pretty face and lean body, like the girl next door. Definitely sexy.

IMO, worth a second screening.

Ingenue comes to town. Meets fast talking sophisticated magician from a circus, Marc (Jean-Pierre Aumont). No, her virtue is safe.

A pleasant movie from the 50s. The excitement of a French circus. A decent magic act. Zsa Zsa Gabor has a minor role as the eye candy on stage. Distracting the audience.

There are her friends, the cute puppets owned by puppeteer Paul (Mel Ferrer). Dark and brooding.

Leslie Caron is excellently gawky and hapless. The ugly duckling who transforms into the swan. Who will win her hand?

Strong script and good visuals. Entertaining and refreshing.

Like everywhere else, there are the successful and the not-so. In this film, the bottom dwellers (the Kim family) live in a basement suite and do odd jobs. One day, they use a scam to infiltrate a rich family (the Park family).

In typical Asian manner, the employers don't check job references or do a criminal background check. Depending on personal introductions and a superficial assessment at the job interview. Such is the dependence on the sanctity of Confucian social relationships.

Naturally, the amoral Yi family take full advantage of the naive gentile Mrs. Park. Behaving in an atypical Asian way to eliminate the other servants.

Add the complication of a debtor hiding in a secret basement. Preferring self-imprisonment to life as an outcast above ground.

Eventually, there is tragedy as the past of the deceitful people catch up with them. Bringing death to the Park family.

Excellent direction and acting. Quite convincing.

Like the film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, this film offers insights into Confucian society. About ideals and the failures to meet the standards.

Plot: Perky teens against evil government. The zombie threat has been reduced to stragglers.

In the first episode, a strong community of survivors have maintained civilization. Electricity, clean clothes, schools and communications. Representatives of the authoritarian government in Omaha show up. The teens set out into the wilderness looking for the father of one.

The black guys dress in black and wear insignias. They carry out massacres, their leader has an annoying serenity.

The teens run into a paramilitary group dressed in white armor. Obvious that they are the good guys.

Looks simple?

I'm impressed by the pilot episode. The protagonist has the engaging mix of toughness and vulnerability.

Being young, she does foolish things, drinks and consumes illegal drugs. Does not help that she likes to party in a community popular with LGBT visitors.

The film makers challenge is to drag the viewer along, as Jackie Quiñones tries to pull herself together. And, embarks on a crusade to unravel the murder that she discovered.

There's a good scene where Jackie reported to the psychologist of the addiction recovery home. There, Jackie begins her journey of self-discovery.

On a parallel course, there's a police detective trying to find the murderers. He takes it personally because the victim was his confidential informant. A tough ruthless veteran, his contribution is unpredictable.

In general, the cast was convincing. The pace was a little fast.

I'll be watching the next episode.

This was an eyeopener for me. Taken together with the saccharine Sugar Babies (2015), I realized that there was a whole different world.

Riley Keough is a revelation as she is tough vulnerable and sneakily ambitious. She's willing to sell her body and act as a 'girlfriend'. Yet, gets into trouble when she tries to do the right thing.

The series also has revelations about the immorality in the legal profession.

In the end, she is all in as a professional call girl. As doors have closed behind her. But, there is a price. Can she find emotional happiness.

Keough plays the title role with conviction and dignity. Outstanding Season One.