h-breckmann Reviews

Alias Smith and Jones: Alias Smith and Jones (1971) Season 1, Episode 1

One of the best series I have seen.

[10/10 · 10 April 2009]

I don't know what this TV western make so special. Of course the Pete Duel en Ben Murphy chemistry as already mentioned by other comments, is a fact. But could it be most episodes of this series are so exiting because the episodes have very good plots. good stories with adventure, special kind of humor and also tension. I consider most episodes to be of a higher quality than many western movies. Season 1 is available now in the Netherlands. I hope Universal will also release the other seasons.

Glen Larson really made something that will not age. There simply were outstanding TV series made like "The Prisoner" in the UK. Alias Smith & Jones is also one of them if you like the genre.

My Uncle (1958)

The subtle world of Jacques Tati

[10/10 · 24 March 2009]

Mon Oncle is a movie with a lot of subtle humor. You don't need subtitles as all speaks for itself. Also Monsieur Hulot only speaks when they ask for his name. It is an attack on modern times with the stupid superfluous technology that does not serve but make people crazy. Also the snobs are made ridiculous by their own technology and children, The film starts and ends with dogs. The dogs more or less are an example how man could be: free, having fun without the the obstacles of daily life they create themselves. The dogs are the winners. The children show us how adults easily can be fooled and also they always win.

In most of his movies there is only one typical french soundtrack that is constantly repeated, it enhances the suggestion of being in France and part of it. The sound is separately added to the movie and has the effect your hearing is far more sensitive. This also enhances the effect of being part of it.

The house with this special gravel garden is shocking modern considering the 50's the film was made. It is almost a piece of avant-garde art.

Take your time to watch it. This movie is art, not just another film that rolls out of a movie factory. Tati creates his own world that shows us who we are. Tati made his masterpiece but I can understand many people will not notice all the humor that passes.

Like in "Vacanses de Monsieur Hulot" and "Jour de Fete" there are so many subtle moments of humor, it is normal you will miss some.

It may be "The Party" with Peter Sellers was inspired by Mon Oncle as it has the same ingredients: the modern house with technology and the snobs that own it.

There is not anyone else who made films like Tati. In Europe Tati always was respected and admired for his work. Except for "Trafik" I have all films on DVD. All members of a family can watch these films.

Das Boot (1981)

Das Boot, a movie how wars are without the heroes

[10/10 · 23 March 2009]

I think Das Boot is a realistic movie about the crew of a German U-Boot (Unterseeboot = under sea boat) without heroism. The crew: not clean men with beards, of course are afraid to be killed by destroyers and planes. HQ is so demanding which causes them to become cynics. They are doing their job, being soldiers, but do not really trust the chaotic orders they get.

German U-boats like Germans panzer's (PzKw-Tiger) were feared by the allies, and had to be destroyed, but this movie shows there are two sides of a war.

A war also can become bizarre: suddenly these dirty men are invited for an expensive dinner and appear well dressed and clean, probably still smelling to diesel.

European movies not always have happy ends and/of love stories in them as real life often has not either: Ladri di Biciclette, The Wicker Man (1973). Das Boot is one of them. You will not see the Hollywood explosions with too much fire that are not realistic. Great movie, but not for those who suffer from claustrophobia. This movie is meant for men to watch. Don't worry because of its long runtime, it will be over before you know it.

Emperor of the North (1973)

Men, trains and the great depression.

[10/10 · 22 March 2009]

I imported the DVD from the UK as I could not buy it over here in Holland/Europe.

I was surprised the movie had a relative low rating, because I think it is one of the best ever made after WW-II.

When it was released in Holland the papers wrote it was violent but when you have seen it, you know it has a specific function considering the time of the depression and the poverty that came with it. It's a movie about men for men to watch. Would women understand it ? I only counted one woman in the film when A no.1 and Cigarette come from the top of the passengers train and see a woman shaving herself inside the train. Of course there is the element of steam. Men like steam locomotives, the sound of them and even the smell. Emperor of the North offers it all plus the adventure. When I watch it is like a dream, I'm in it too. The music is typical from the states and fits the movie. For somebody from Holland the scene with this tall wooden bridge is spectacular as they don't make them here.

The engine driver about Shack: "Riding through switches...!" But men like Shack or A no.1 did not mind about them. Cracker the brakes-man and the stoker would never break the rules but Shack "owns" the 19 and only allows passengers with a ticket. Shack is single-minded and does whatever it takes to keep the hobo's from his train, also killing them.