Change Your Image
johnbert1
Reviews
Valkyrie (2008)
A good, solid film
I went to see this film with mixed emotion, curious to see Tom Cruise's performance. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the film.
I will ruin nothing by saying he does speak English in the film. As a matter of fact, everyone does. Cruise is the only one with an American accent, though, which may have criticized. I am not sure why, though. I guess if you speak with a British accent, you get a pass (Sean Connery in "The Hunt for Red October" anyone?) Maybe these folks would have rather had all of them suffer through fake German accents or even a subtitled film.
That said, I felt the suspense build, even though I knew enough of the history to know what would happen. All of the performances were good, with Bill Nighy's being exceptional. Was it the greatest film ever? No. But few are. I would recommend this film to anyone who would like to know of a little known event in the chapter of World War II.
Cloverfield (2008)
Enjoyed The Great Ride
First off, when the lights came up at the end, I found myself, by far, the oldest person in the audience. That said, I had a GREAT time! Films are a suspension of belief. I am sure that I were in the same situation, I would have dropped the video camera at the start of the attack. But I was able to look past that, much like other problems other posters have mentioned. I felt that the base story was solid, the action intense and the monster itself terrifying. Many complain that it only receives a mere 90 seconds of screen time. But, for me, that adds to the action. You are never desensitized to it. It frightens every time.
I would recommend this film based on one simple fact; I had fun. I was not preached to. I did not have to figure out what was going on. I simply sat down, strapped in and enjoyed the ride!
The War That Made America (2006)
In Search of Its Meaning
"The War That Made America" is an interesting look at a conflict that doesn't get much attention. Although known as The Seven Years War, it should be recognized as The First World War. But you wouldn't know that from this series. Other than a few passing paragraphs, the war seems confined to New England.
A friend of mine pointed out one major fact. If this is, indeed, to be the war that made America, the series is much too small. If it is to be the war that made George Washington, it is too big. I found myself watching the story and learning some small items I didn't know about. But when Washington leaves our story after Braddock's Defeat in 1755, the writers seem obligated to try and find some way to return him, as if it were a drama where the main character dies in the first minutes of the movie. What we end up with is a machine-gunned history lesson about the politics of the era for the first three hours, followed by a lead up to the American Revolution in the final 50 minutes.
This story would have been better laid out by describing the events leading up to the war and how the Indians were as much a part of the politics as the two kings were, thousands of miles away. Instead, they are regarded as helpless pawns in this world-wide chess game, a fact that is absolutely untrue.
The look is fantastic. Great locations with great action. I could have done without the characters looking at the camera and Graham Greenes walk-thru. But, all in all, it should serve as a great ice-breaker to those interested in The French and Indian War. However, if you want a better story, go to the library.