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Designated Survivor (2016)
I want my life back, please!! (Season 1)
I hate Designated Survivor! Now why?
Because I cannot stop watching it. I have seen the 1st series several times and there is no end in sight. I want my life back.
The acting on the part of the main characters is superb and reliant. Outstanding is Kieifer Sutherland as the President and Maggie Q as Agent Hanna Wells (she lights up the conspiracy angle). The other supporting cast members are fantastic! And the emotional breakdown of the Deputy Director is heart breaking and very difficult to watch. Aside from other elements of production,its direction, set design, writing, casting which all are magnificent, there is the music score principally by Sean Callery (never heard of him before this show). I read only one reference to Mr. Callery's work on IMDb-and they deplored it for being too loud. The opening motif is simple and brief, yet magnetic and strategic to the central theme to the movie. The brilliance of his score primarily lie in the scenes from each episode. His selection of instruments using modern sounds are fixating indeed and it pulls you in. But you have to take the time and let his skill at composing sink in. An example of this is Ep. 9 - The Blueprint. Listen closely his music for the whistle blower in two places. I loved it. **** 10 stars
Well, I have to leave now I have other things to do. But wait! Let me look in on an episode o Designated Survivor-Season One before I do.
Flight 93 (2006)
Powerful and Memorable
I have viewed Flight 93 a number of times and even though it may be a 'downer' it portrayed a real event effectively and with dignity. It may have been a low budgeted TV film, yet the film makers, actors and crew spent their resources and talents very well. Also, notable mentioned should be given to the music composer Velton Ray Bunch. What a simple yet powerful score! The background vocals and instrumentation evoked sympathy for the pain felt by the passengers, families, the Verizon employees and the movie viewer. Flight 93 illustrates how less can be more. This movie was truly a powerful and memorable experience. Try to view Flight 93 on its own merit and not in comparison with other films on the same subject and you may appreciate it more for its real value.
Gunsmoke: The Gallows (1962)
Do not miss this one!
I must say when I first saw this episode, "The Gallows", I would have never expected this would become an outstanding Gunsmoke experience! Sometimes things really just done work out as you would like. Yet at times we must travel the path of deep human emotion and consequence.
Told in such an impressively realistic manner, this story becomes unforgettable. I found myself wanting to view it again; and did with some difficulty. Yet somehow it was truly rewarding.
This is an excellently written script effectively directed with outstanding performances on the part of all involved. Do not miss this one!
Dreamgirls (2006)
A truly inspirational and unforgettable experience!
Watching this film inspired the forging of my love for the creative process of music-making. The entire work of Bill Condon's Dreamgirls was memorable.
I was never a fan of Beyonce, not because I was disappointed in her previous work, but because I never took the time to really listen to her. Well, her performance of "Listen" fixed that. She won me over! I always loved the work of Jennifer Hudson on American Idol and although she was denied the recognition she deserved, her musical and acting performances in Dreamgirls vindicated her and sealed her proper place in the hearts of many. Furthermore, the performances of the entire ensemble was rich, genuine, and very effective.
One word of caution: Take this film on its own merit and do everything possible not to compare it with the Motown performers and artists. Otherwise, this could distract from the pure worthiness of this film.
American Experience: Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided Part 1 - Ambition (2001)
A Remarkable Film
This documentary is truly an informative and insightful narrative of how a nation and a leading family became in different ways divided over the burning issues resulting in a great civil war.
The opening of the film was very intriguing! We were looking at a window in a lighted room on a dark rainy night as Narrator David McCollough revealed to the viewers how a woman living upstairs was constantly taunted by passing neighborhood children as the "crazy lady." Actually, this was an ingenious lever to open with, drawing you into details on the personal and official lives of a historic American family--Abraham and Mary Lincoln.
This effective and unforgettable film presentation was a truly satisfying experience. I felt the voices selected for Abraham and Mary were supportive, but not particularly remarkable. It surprised me there existed so much historical detail on their personal lives. You almost felt like a fly on the wall. The historians, David Herbert Donald in particular, were especially engrossing.
Close to the film's end you are brought back to the same upstairs window in her Springfield, Illinois home as you listened to a very disturbing synopsis of Mary Lincoln's final days. Though the memories of her have been dwarfed by that of her legendary husband, this film succeeds in letting you not forget they existed together in shaping the landscape of American history.
Something the Lord Made (2004)
Magnificent!
Did I elect 10 stars because this masterpiece moved me to tears? Certainly. Did I elect 10 starts because as an African-American I personally can relate to the isolation Mr. Thomas experienced? Most assuredly so. Did I elect 10 stars because the power of the story was effectively conveyed to the screen? No question about it.
Every element of great film-making were securely in place. The acting, cinematography, score, costumes, direction, screenplay and everything else was performed OUTSTANDINGLY.
I do not have HBO and therefore did not even know of this 2004 movie until now, May 2006! I will seek out this MAGNIFICENT film on DVD and cherish it always.