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Reviews
Suite Française (2014)
Exceeded my expectations
I didn't know what to expect when I first heard about this movie and I wanted to read the book beforehand, but I enjoyed this movie a lot. The story is about a woman named Lucile who is married to a man who is currently fighting during WWII and the characters live in a town in France that is under Nazi occupation. The characters in this story are interesting. I won't lie when I first saw Lucile's character in the trailer I rolled my eyes thinking she would be a "mary-sue" who happened to have a handsome Nazi officer who was "sensitive" fall in love with her. I was wrong. She is one of the nicest people in the story stays true to who she is, and stands up for the people in her town being persecuted like her mother-in-law's tenants. I also feel you dislike the mother-in-law in the first half to like Bruno and the budding romance between him and Lucile, and the second half she's doing her part in helping the resistance. I wish they fleshed the character of Bruno von Falk a little more, but mmm he sure was nice to look at. Also it was nice to see Margot Robbie as a brunette. 7/10.
Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter (2013)
No one is perfect in war
This was a very eye-opening miniseries about average people living during WWII era Germany. The story revolves around five friends who all take different paths during 1941. You see two brothers Wilhelm who is a lieutenant in the German army who is strong and stoic. He also has his younger brother Friedhelm who has just enlisted and is more of a sensitive soul. Both brothers experience the horrors of war and it changes both in different ways. Next is Charly, who is a young girl who volunteers to be a nurse helping on the front lines. She is in love with Wilhelm. Then there is Greta, a bartender who aspires to be a famous singer, her boyfriend is Viktor who is Jewish.
The thing that stands out to me most about this story is that all the characters in the show are shown as humans, flawed humans. Many shows about Nazi Germany make them downright evil, but this one shows them as real people who get conflicted.
Wilhelm sees his brother adjust to being in combat and he doesn't always protect him, he begins to feel defeated at the end of the war. Friedhelm goes from cowardly soldier to killing machine throughout the show, which causes his demise in the end. Charly begins to flounder at first when she starts as a nurse, but ends up doing one of her helpers dirty, by telling the Gestapo she's Jewish, even though she helps her get her footing as a nurse. Charly also sleeps with the doctor, her boss after he helps save one of her friends in an emergency operation. Greta ends up sleeping with a Nazi officer to help Viktor escape from Germany, but he decides to screw him over and get him deported to a concentration camp. Greta catches feelings while trying to use him to become a famous singer and unsurprisingly he gets rid of her too when she's of no use to him.
There are many things that I liked in the series that show symbolism like when Friedhelm walks into the blood and filth symbolizing the disgusting things he witnessed firsthand and how unsettling that is to the viewer. Seeing how at the end of the movie Viktor calls out the Gestapo officer to the Americans and they don't care because now he is helping them, which I feel is a nod to the way some Americans and allied powers felt after the war was over.
The ending is very sad but pretty accurate of what Germans faced during this time. I highly recommend this show to anyone interested in WWII.
Operation Finale (2018)
Decent
I have watched this movie twice and I liked the plot. There were some inaccuracies when it came to certain things in the capture of Eichmann. It is more of a suspense thriller than an action movie, but for two hours it wraps up the story well. Mainly it is a battle of wits between Peter Malkin and Eichmann. Adolf Eichmann played by Ben Kingsley is a very eerie portrayal because he humanizes him even though he is one of the key players in the holocaust and you want to hate him and wish him a quick death. Oddest thing about this film is the fact Nick Kroll is in it. It's hard to see him be serious and kind hearted when you think of him from The League, Big Mouth and his own sketch comedy show. Nevertheless I wouldn't consider this the worst film out there on this subject, but there are better films and books on it.
Shank (2010)
I wanted to like this movie
I Stumbled upon this for free online the other day and I remember hearing about it when I was younger over a decade ago and decided to give it a shot. I felt like the plot had a lot of potential, but it was poorly executed. It's interesting that they have it take place in a dystopian impoverished London in 2015. People fight for food and to survive. The main plot is Junior and his brother getting into a fight with a rival gang and his brother gets stabbed to death. He is only 14 and has no on besides his brothers friends and he wants revenge against a gang member named Tugz. His brother and his gang are against violence and mainly try to obtain decent food and sell it to others if needed, they don't believe in killing. As time goes on they encounter others who feel Tugz and his gang has wronged them until they finally all meet and fight.
I liked the supporting characters more than the main honestly though for a kid he did a decent job portraying grief. The others: Kickz played by Adam Deacon who was also in Kidulthood which I feel a lot of elements were taken from that. Sweet boy, who is easy on the eyes played by Jan Uddin and Crazee, who isn't so bad himself and his dog are the supporting crew and comic relief. Kaya Scodelario is also billed highly in the film but she really only is in a third of the movie and it's just to move the plot. In the end Junior kills Tugz but in an anticlimactic sort of way and that wraps up the film and it's bleak for an ending.
For a 90 minute film it has alot of filler involved like a few animated dreamscapes and a perspective on a chase scene which really aren't needed. They have a club scene which is supposed to move the plot and they have Tempah T perform almost the entire song "Next Hype". I liked how they did have some grime rappers involved in the music part of the movie and Bashy playing Rager. I recalled this movie marketing and hyping up their soundtrack, they even had cool songs on a website and everything! However I was sort of disappointed especially when during this time they could have also featured upcoming Dubstep artists since this was like 2010 and it was just starting to spread in the states. There also was alot of product placements I noticed like Kickz and his Nikes, the boys talking about McDonald's and Apple products. This was clearly a low budget the way they made it in my opinion. At least now I know to warn others, it's not the best film.
Kidulthood (2006)
I was pleasantly surprised
After hearing about this movie for years and the positive reviews I have seen online I decided to give it a chance. It's supposed to take place in London in the early 2000s. Honestly I liked it even more than I thought it would.
At first I felt the opening was a little abrupt you didn't really know much about the characters. It begins when one of the main characters Sam is threatening and hurting a student named Katie. She is already bullied by other students and she kills herself. Their school gives their grade the day off and word gets around about a party that night. This is the catalyst to what begins a day full of sex, drugs and violence for the characters.
The main characters are Sam he is kind of the antagonist in the story he is a bully and hurts many people around him including that girl Katie, he abuses his current girlfriend Claire, he also has beef with the other character Trife who is a few years younger than him with connections to his gangster uncle. Trife was dating a girl named Alisa, but they broke up. Now she is pregnant and she is only 15 and her way of coping is doing drugs with her friend Becky. One of Trifes friends Moony and Jay are convinced that Alisa slept with Sam who he already has problems with so he decides to want nothing to do with Alisa. Trife, Jay and Moony decide to go to Sams house to take back something he stole from the boys, his weed and also has sex with Sams girlfriend and pushes Sams mother down while trying to leave quickly when caught.
Alisa and Becky end up hanging out and she snorts pills, coke and smokes and drinks with her, She even helps Becky who has sex with grown men for drugs, but Alisa only gives one a handy. She has a moment when it gets to be too much and tries to reach out to Trife who is also struggling with the fact the kid could be his. They end up meeting up later on at the party and talking things out and realizes that Trife was the father all along and they begin to plan their future. However this is cut short when Sam finds out about the party from his girlfriend and comes there looking for revenge against Trife after he came by his house. The two fistfight and Sam has a bat and Trife tries to use the gun he has. It's too late though Sam beats Trife to death and his friends and Alisa are shown screaming and crying. While this happens Katie's brother pulls up and tries to hurt Sam out of revenge for threatening to kill his sister, but even Trife cries out last minute it isn't worth it. Alisa seems to be the only one with a bit of sense out of all the kids. She is defensive towards the group of girls who bullied Katie and tries to plan going ahead what to do about her pregnancy even though she is very depressed to be doing it alone. She doesn't seem to be for fighting and weapons like the others and stands up for Trife too.
In my opinion I felt Sam was the real antagonist in the story from the moment he's hitting Katie, to the times he tries to bully Trife, Jay and Moony. Even the way he treats his current girlfriend choking her, hitting her and calling her a bad lay. It leaves a bad taste in the viewers mouth even before the fight scene. Trife has his moments too, like when he is fighting with his friends and always being full of anger it's nice to see his change of heart at the party, but it's short-lived. He has his moments of evil as well like doing his uncles dirty work, but you end up feeling awful at the end of the movie during his death. I felt it was a great film showing the chav life in London, you get caught up in the music and imagery quickly. It's very dark at times and then other moments contrast like I'm watching the inbetweeners with Becky and Adam Deacons characters comic relief. Not a bad film at all, just wonder if the sequel is worth it after that ending.
Nuremberg (2000)
Interesting, but kinda sloppy
I have watched this movie a few times and learned about the Nuremberg trials extensively in college so I watched this with great interest and I also am a big fan of "Judgment At Nurembergs" dramatization of the judges trial as well. I tried hard to not compare this movie to the classic, but even though both plots were different I felt this miniseries incorporated pieces of that film.
I must say it's a weird feeling watch Alec Baldwin as justice Robert Jackson throwing the book at nazi war criminals especially with the track record he has had the past 22 years after this came out. Also Brian Cox knocked it out of the park for his portrayal of Herman Göring for a TV movie. For a second I almost felt bad for his character.. keyword almost. He made his character very easy to connect to others and charming, compared to when you read in history books about how evil him and the nazis were. I can't really say any other actors stood out to me and none could hold a candle to JAN's all star cast. Seeing Rudolf Hess laughing as the hangings went on feeling as he got off good, but then realizes he's sentenced to life in jail he begins to cry; that was the best acting out of all the other defendants they were forgettable. Honestly I really didn't see the point between Jackson and his assistant/secretary's romantic subplot it didn't have any substance nor was it relevant to the show. Col. Andrus acted the way a normal person in the military would as did the guards and the psychologist which is too bad, because I feel they could have bought more depth to that role, also was Christopher Plummers character just written to say things that nobody asks?
The one thing I did enjoy was some the ways the incorporated the shots of the German people in the movie, but I also kind of felt this & the romantic subplots were just filler for a three hour movie that could have been wrapped up in two. They could have used that time for interesting things in the defendants stay or more about the Cold War approaching like Judgment at Nuremberg did. There's even a scene where Herman Göring sings a marching song that is used in the opening credits of Judgement at Nuremberg like thats meta before meta was a thing.
This was an okay film but I'd recommend others before watching this.
7/10.
Employee of the Month (2006)
Just a funny lighthearted movie
I see a lot of people canceling this movie, I mean it's not an Oscar winner, but it's got its silly moments, the boy chases girl plot, except it's in a costco. I used to work in a big box store like that and could relate to certain things - like that one co worker who is a butt-kisser like how Jorge was to Vince, a good group of friends like Zacks too. Good movie to watch before bed honestly.
The Righteous Gemstones (2019)
Laughed out loud every episode
This was one of my favorite shows I watched this year, and the new season is just as awesome. I love all the characters for all their traits, but Judy was hands down my favorite character and the funniest on the show imo. Her and BJ have the most chaotically hilarious relationship I've ever seen. Adam Devines character makes me cry laughing as well,and season 2 is even better with his God Squad subplot and Keef. This is one of those shows where one minute it's a dramatic moment and the next minute your crying of laughter. Baby Billy is also a hilarious side character in the show. If you have watched Vice Principals you'll love the dynamic Danny McBride and Goggins have in this show too. I absolutely loved the first seasons plot because it ran like a story, but season 2 has some really good development with the family and some episodes do contain flashbacks. Eric Andre being in this new season made this series even more balls to the wall. I can't wait til season 3 comes along.
Reservation Dogs (2021)
One of the best shows to come out of 2021
Reservation Dogs takes you on alot of twists and turns. One moment I feeling like crying, and laughing the next. I enjoyed this show a lot and every single episode was great in their own ways. The premise of the story is about 4 teens living on an Native American reservation in Oklahoma and dealing with the hardships of their environment. One of their main goals is to get to California an idea of a former close friend of theirs who passed away and mourn over him. This is one of the most heartbreaking shows with what the characters struggle with as well as the people around them, yet it has many laugh out loud moments. I enjoy the characters of driven Elora who has experienced loss, as well as Bear who also is dealing with an absent father. Cheese and Willie Jack are honest, caring, and downright hilarious at times. I also like how you get to know the people they interact day to day with they are interesting. I know it's only season 1, but I really feel this show has alot of promise and I am really looking forward to another season.
People Just Do Nothing (2014)
One of my favorite Shows ever!
I stumbled upon this show a few years back and enjoyed it ever since. The show is shot the same way the office and trailer park boys is filmed, mockumentary-style. This show is about a pirate radio station for a UK garage group called Kurupt FM (108.9 on the dial!) but takes place in the late 2010s. Grindah, beats and co. Act like it's the early 2000s with the way they are far removed from iPhones and social media. The boys have the dynamic of being friends for years and having memories together, wanting to achieve fame and fortune all while basically being people just doing nothing.😂
The characters are amazing and if you have watched the webisodes on YouTube you can see they get more developed in this show. Chabuddy is one of the cringiest/funniest characters on the show as well as Steve's is just an all around solid character. Beats and Grindahs characters develop a bit during the season with settling down and having families. Miche is one of those characters where you like and empathize with her and the next you're questioning how she can hold down a job and raise a child like the other guys in the show.
Many people said they disliked seasons 4&5 but I thoroughly enjoyed the fourth season and some of the last season & there were some episodes that were laugh out loud funny. Especially with Steve's throwing the safe off the balcony and Chabuddys schemes I also saw the movie and I felt like it was a good add- on to the series ending and I hope one day they do another special like that because the actors all have great chemistry and they even made some original songs too! Hands down my favorite show to watch for background noise and a good show to watch before bed. Highly recommend!
Hardy Bucks (2010)
Great Craic!
I am from the states and I stumbled upon this show on Netflix after watching the show "People Just Do Nothing". I used to have a friend who lived in rural Ireland in the 2000s and the stories he told me seemed very accurate to what is portrayed in this show. I see many people calling this Irelands version of the Trailer Park Boys, but in all honesty I think it's better. You will probably want subtitles your first run through the show it's easier.
It's about a small town group of friends who have drinking and drugs as the only things to do and scheme to make quick money. This show is relatable, it's a group of men in their 20s-30s in a small rural town grappling with the changing world around them and wanting to see what's past their small town and that mentality. Eddie Durkan is the main character and deals with that during a good run of the show. Owen Colgan is hilarious in his portrayal of Buzz, Eddie's best friend who deals with similar issues and finding women. There's also his friend French Toast, he often struggles with kicking the habit of drinking and partying, but they all have each other at the end of the day. Characters like Simcard, The Boo, and Salmon are funny in their own way. Francis aka the Viper is the antagonist in this show, but his funny one liners will have you rooting for him at times too.
This show is one of my favorites to watch as background noise a good comfort show. After watching the series on Netflix I checked our the movie on Amazon prime and the web series and it's all great content. I hope more comes out and they have more seasons.
White Gold (2017)
Such an amazing series
I was recommended by my bf to watch this series and I am so glad I did. I loved the dynamics between all the characters. Vincent swan is handsome and slimy at the same time. I love the comedic relief from his co workers and family as well. The plot was good season 1, but I feel season two revolved more around him and his families status as side plots a lot more. I used to work sales and can absolutely relate to the humor and recommend this show. Plus I absolutely love the 80s soundtrack too. I really hope they make another season.
Twilight (2008)
It's worth seeing
OKay I was persuaded to see this movie by pretty much all my friends because they always are referencing it and reading the books. I saw it with one of my cousins and my verdict is this. See it! It's great. The acting, the plot twists, the story, the camera-work, the music. Everything fits together like a puzzle. I especially liked the part where Bella and Edward are jumping tree to tree and the way the light illuminates on them in the dance scene and well there's so much good about this movie. I'm already considering reading new moon.You gotta see it. I also liked how I didn't know all the actors some I had never even heard of like Jacob and Edwards brothers and sisters. To wrap it up I like it.
8/10