Change Your Image
paul-791-943239
Reviews
A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
Far too much left out of the book
The book dragged a bit due to a lot of detail but was a good read. The movie was way too short, missing some critical components from the book, which made it a completely different story.
Spoiler alert... An example is the scene of the children playing outside their houses. This relevance goes completely unexplained as the next part of the book - the man in the 'Central Central Intelligence' - is a critical part of the explanation.
Another part that was an issue for me, was the lead up to the final hero-winning-the-day bit. The book takes a few chapters to build up to this, which makes the final bit work well, the movies - straight to it with little to no build up.
On a positive note, it was well filmed, great costumes and brilliant CGI. Acting was passable. If you have not read the book, it may be vaguely entertaining, but if you have read it... expect to be very disappointed.
Violet Evergarden (2018)
Stunned at the emotion that came through
An amazing series about a young teen girl with metal arms, which were lost in the war, who writes letters for clients. Ok, doesn't sound too captivating when said like that, but it truly is.
I binge watched the entire series, as the tension and emotion built up surprisingly quickly and I found myself with tears in my eyes at the end of each episode. The series is one continuously evolving storyline, but each episode has its own self-contained story.
It may be anime, but sure feels real. Its the kind of series that leaves you at the end sitting in contemplation and wishing Violet was real. I believe there are currently no plans for a second series, but I really hope they do make one.
You will not regret watching this one, you will be as spellbound as I was. Just bring a tissue or two.
The Forgotten General (2013)
Outstanding!
As a kiwi who is reasonably well read on the subject of our militarily history, this TV movie/doco is an important piece that has be missing until now.
It is extremely well researched, has re-enactment components to make it more real, also covering the General's life in NZ before and after the war as well. This is a critical part of understanding the man and the impact the war had on him - which was profound.
New Zealand was a tiny country at the time, with a population of only one million, yet our contribution was notable. Most of you will know about the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign, but on the Western Front, kiwis made an amazing contribution, which is covered well in the film.
The film draws on acknowledged historians and includes talking-head interviews at the appropriate times. All well done and relevant.
If you are into the history of WW1, you will not be disappointed learning about this "forgotten General"