Change Your Image
lcopela1
Reviews
The War of 1812 (2011)
Not bad. However has some terminology errors.
I have no idea what PBS is attempting to perpetrate with this film. Referencing James Madison as "Republican" is factually incorrect. He was a Democratic Republican which was the forerunner of today's Democratic party. The film was rather accurate except for the obvious political slant While the Democratic-Republican Party is formally known as "Republican", it would be wise to inform viewers that this party is not the "Republican" party of today nor it's predecessor.
Apostasy (2017)
Accurate but short sided
Let me, first, state that I was a JW for several years from 1979 until 1998. The film is very accurate as to the divisions it causes. Watching it made me relive my life as one.
The problem with the film is that Luisa is not a well rounded character. As a witness, one doesn't fear just loss of family. There is loss of a close community that literally will turn it's back on you. Friends one knows for years, becomes strangers overnight. These concerns do not even trouble the character of Luisa.
Of course the blood issue, a complete misinterpretation of Acts 15:19-29, is the crux of the film as far as Alex goes. The promise of the New System always ever near as it was as early as 1875 gives impetus to holding fast to the faith. Any religion that can be so much in error about something so central to their doctrine may well be in error in other ways.
I applaud the attempt but would enjoy a more fuller docudrama expose of that organization.
Return to Oz (1985)
A disgrace to the Oz books by Baum
I recall seeing this in 1985 and, thankfully, forgot it. Not only was it beneath Disney's standards but it, also, made hash out of the L. Frank Baum books. They saw fit to combine two OZ books namely The Marvelous Land of OZ and Ozma of Oz and did justice to neither.
The characters of Mombi, Jack Pumpkinhead, the Gump and the Wheelers are found in the Marvelous Land of Oz. In this book Tip is the male protagonist. Mombi is an evil sorceress who indeed uses the Powder of Life to animate Jack. AS the book unfolds, it is revealed that Tip is actually Princess Ozma whose throne the Wonderful Wizard usurped transformed as a babe by Mombi.
The character of Tik-Tok is first introduced in the book Ozma of OZ. Later, he is included in Tik-Tok of Oz which features, as well, the Nome King. I will let the readers of this review peruse those for themselves.
Needless to say, the combining of the multiple stories is reflected in the final outcome. It does neither justice to L. Frank Baum's works nor to the prowess of the Disney studios of the time. I've read that the movie is dark. No, it isn't. It is laughable.
Roar (1997)
OK fare
When I heard than deceased Heath Ledger was in this series, I intentionally looked it up online. It wasn't until watching the 2nd and 3rd episodes that I realized why I didn't watch it. From an historical standpoint, the premise is utterly flawed both with regards to inventions ( gun powder ) as well as traditions of the Druids. If they would have stuck to a more believable plot sequence, embellished it with 5th century magic, it may have gone someplace. The actors were superb for what they had to work with and the youthful Ledger showed the promise that would blossom prior to his untimely death. All in all, it was better than Zena or Hercules which was of the same period. However, it lacked substance and the characters remained rather stilted.