grtsmarket Reviews

Masters of the Air (2024)

The Bloody 100th Bomber Group of the Mighty Eight

[2/10 · 28 January 2024]

I watched the first two docuseries episodes three times to finally grasp the over-all dramatic storyline.

Moreover I researched the nonfiction literary/museum resource materials including 101 year old USAF Major John "Lucky" Luckadoo's interview that reveals more substantial details about the 100th.

That's a precious gem of some 20 minutes to watch on YouTube because Lucky boils down the whole experience from training to completing 25 missions with lucidity.

In honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WWII makes the enduring historic trilogy tribute worthy of the highest praise in reminding generations to the "right over might" call to arms in a time "...that would live in infamy."

From Band Of Brothers and The Pacific to the concluding Masters of the Air installment encompasses realistic insights towards the history of Americas' front line combat battles. I would include Greyhound in that category as well. (I had one cousin in Easy Company and two in an Army artillery unit who were KIA in the Battle of Bastogne. My father was a Naval officer on a destroyer in the North Atlantic escorting merchant/troop ship convoys.)

However the production at times wavers on aesthetic endearment though CGI realism has merits in portraying the B-17 Flying Fortress crew's challenging "white knuckle" moments.

Those terrifying, staying alive "hold your breath" flying through indiscriminate anti aircraft flack scenes during their bombing runs is hair raising.

The 'fort' is a very durable, nearly indestructible and admirable aircraft. That's the protagonist in these two episodes.

The 'fort' interior/exterior action shots are authentically vivid. As well depicted is the German Luftwaffe ME 109 fighter planes' strafing attacks.

It's notable that the story chronicles factual events overall, yet there are issues with the lack of dialogue's articulated set ups, characterization, continuity and pivotal moments.

One issue is the opening scene that augers into "duck soup". I just can't get past it because there's no buy-in. Cringe. Another is the cocky banter with RAF pilots. It's too distracting to watch.

The issue with mumbling audio is probably Apple's streaming service default compared to Netflix. I used subtitles on my second viewing to see what I missed.

The opening credits sequence gives a lot away looking like a promotional trailer.

And now that I throughly briefed myself about the Bloody 100th's history I can watch the rest of the series knowing what transpired by overlooking the stated issues.

Darkest Hour (2017)

...to not buggering it up!

[10/10 · 27 January 2023]

The unknown of the known at a time when what was not known was hugely unknown to be known by WC. Victory at all costs.

"I have nothing to offer..." other than that this excellent film captures all of the political controversies surrounding the survival of Britannia's future versus a conspiring lot of MPs who were blind sighted by their own fears of having to fight fascism; fearing WC more than Hitler.

Historically, the preservation of Great Britain's sovereignty hung in the balance.

Thus Pugh stood his ground as he had done throughout his illustrious career: as soldier, war correspondent, politician, statesman, orator, artist, mason and a liberal commoner as so defined, when America remained sidelined by isolationism hiding behind the Neutrality Act.

Capsulation of the events leading up to WC and England's defiance toward the Nazi regime are accurately portrayed, when it seemed all was lost at Dunkirk, eg.

And we see how an undaunted WC saved those stranded souls by enlisting a citizen navy for a unbelievable logistical rescue. All hands on deck, I say.

We are somehow saying we're winning is a bold and necessary proclamation at a time when indifference to war could have derailed when executing the right over might resolve was paramount.

Moreover, Clemmy is portrayed so well. She is deserving of a biopic in her right for WC's greatness is largely due to Clemmy's ability to steer WC out of his own existential crises.

I own the 6 volume book set, first edition. I do say this is an exhaustive piece of literature that ought to be taught to future generations to hopefully grasp the importance of preserving humanity. Bold leadership that preserves the peace and sustainable livelihood is a scarcity.

The Pez Outlaw (2022)

A True PEZ Capitalist: An Anti-Trust Case

[10/10 · 24 January 2023]

Steve Clew fought to save his family and home by being resourceful and not giving up. Intrepid spirit. No PEZ will go unknown.

A game changer in what was a PEZ "illegal" monopoly exposed by Clew that in turn set out to destroy Clew, who honestly out smarted The US Pezident just by the fact he was filling a collectors niche initially by accident.

The PEZ monopoly in America was created in 1955, amounting to just pure corporate greed and an anti-trust violation hands down.

This is the underlying truth, though not articulated forthright.

Some may see that bringing PEZ into the country was illegal, but miss that the USA firm didn't register their patent with Customs. Their bad. Not Clews.

But again it's the most vulnerable, like Clew, who The US Pezident capitalized on copying Clews' own design as the Misfits, solely to destroy his livelihood by undermining his price point. No remorse. Shameful hypocrisy. Lawlessness unaccounted for.

Glad this story was told. Hard to believe that a child's candy dispenser was fought over in the "free market."

I hope for Steve and his family that they are shown empathy and provided sustaining finances to grace their Golden Years' future; given the hardships and challenges they've had to face and conquer.

Outlaw?

Outlier is more accurate... a Misfit PEZ game changer! The PEZident and his ilk played the evil corporate raider role.

Time for an honorary PEZ head dispenser of Steve Clew, with bunny slipper feet.

The Windsors (2016– )

A Royal Carpool of Campy Humor

[8/10 · 23 January 2023]

Since I read comedy scripts for Channel 4 ages ago, I wish I'd been given this series to Green-light. Pure British comedy. However, Channel 4 take note. No need for bananas' cussing.

Wicked good satire and tongue in cheek parody scenes delivered in snarky dialogue are paramount for a good belly laugh. It's a brick, mate. Top drawer scrappers - fierce competition-no holds barred beneath the Crown.

I'm weighing in on this episode given the stand in Harry (Damian Lewis look alike) appeared... a mystery as to "why"; but what the heck, he's doing marvelous having to measure up to his predecessor.

Otherwise, I'm rather enjoying a laugh as a relief and diversion from the "ad nausea" snobbery dominating a negatively vile tabloid troll infested phenomenon.

Bullocks! Cause to celebrate with champagne and Bun cake while streaming this series.

All the actors nail their respective Royal characters' behaviors and quirks. That makes it a solid foundation for a new series. Hint.

The Windsors is an epic legacy that is worth watching in homage to the once and future monarchy of the beloved Britannia. Brilliantly crafted.

Pottersville (2017)

Pottersville Revisited

[9/10 · 18 November 2022]

I'm 70+ yrs and am repulsed by the negativity in Holiday films, murder, mayhem and glam bling, in contrived Romcon fluff.

I want a break from all the murderous dark gore fear violence cussing five year olds murderous romcom hoaxes genres that have little to with peace on earth celebrations during "t's the season to be jolly".

I switched to this film after hearing children cussing a F-U blue streak in Bad Moms Christmas... really?

In a social media culture that expects bad ass characters; Pottersville is far above the debasing cop out negativity permeating in our less than original holiday spirit cinema.

Yea, you say it's campy-but it doesn't assault my ethical sense of a community pulling together in an altruistic gesture of friendship and caring that seriously needs reinforcement-in a world suffering from predominate dire straits of despairing delusional liaisons that undermines humanity's sense of being good natured.

We all love our children so they can carry forth a better world, not one meant to make a monster out of right over might.

That's what Christmas is meant to be... at the very soul within us to be civil to each other.

At least for a few days out of a tumultuous year's long depleting "ba humbug" avarice, this film gave me a much desired refreshing break.

The Company Men (2010)

Delusions of Corporate Downsizing Ethics

[8/10 · 30 August 2022]

Executive lavish lifestyles come at a cost; the delusion of success founded upon a dollar valuation of an executives return on investment based on their likiablieity; given their loyalty to lie and cheat in the capitalists immorality as a credible trust to know which are the best restaurants to invite potential deep pocket clients as impressing them to appear credible in the corporate executives' paradigm that is all just delusional hokum in the true sense of one's net worth to the corporate equation by defaulting inequity of said employees knowledgable earning potential by terminating someone from their monetary livelihood simply because of upper mismanagements frivolous decision making that translates into "downsizing" the economical stability of a country's constitutional pursuit of happiness; therefore The Company Men amounts-in reality- to a comparable plight of coal miners job security, among all others who were downsized in the 1990s.

Having been a corporate executive responsible for $110 million revenue and managed that market share beyond my peers quarterly targets was "downsized" or "fired" as I was labeled after a ten year successful career - this film reflects how a skewed greedy autocratic economic system destroys lives. The higher standard I had was "transparency" of accountability of mismanaging regional profit/loss reportage that was being "cooked" books by upper management. That fact went against my moralistic fiduciary duty's toward the frontline employees who deserved higher wages and empowering management policies that would have secured a solid customer loyalty base. My firm sold out to a competitor of which I refused to accept as a credible merger. Thus my honesty cost me my executive position and black balled me nationally for any comparable position hiring given my high profile in political relations in DC.

The ripple effect is astounding given the fact that corporate stigma of being "laid off" equates into contracting a terminal disease.

In hindsight, I'd had downsized my lifestyle regardless of the corporate image/perks and prepared for the "homeless" affect that finally comes in the final chapter of debt, bankruptcy and, due to loss of healthcare, lack of needed cardiac care until I literarily was on my deathbed and the necessary treatment was performed, yet putting a massive lien on any assets I may acquire after my surgery recovery to pay back the surgeons bill.

So tough luck...

Mr. Jones (2019)

Stalinization And The Holodomor

[9/10 · 7 August 2022]

Garett Jones, tragically, believed that telling the truth about what Stalin's murderous regime was up to in Ukraine in the mid 1930s to the world would bring retribution for the Holodomor-genocide through starvation- based on his own ethical an moralistic accountability reportage by America and Great Britain newspapers.

Having lived in Eastern Europe after perestroika I witnessed an unusual behavior by the populace culture at large that after watching MR JONES I recollected the same impressions as he was confronted with, though in my case, only having my stringer dispatches censored by the WH press corp for US publication.

As I was told to "zip my lips" behavior it was clear one must be diligent about what is said and in whose presence; which was unequivocally disciplined. More aversion to my presence as a foreign journalist put me under suspicion as a "spy" as I resided there for nearly six years interviewing survivors of the pogroms and purges.

There was this psychological fear engrained into the Eastern Bloc conscience by Stalinization, or what I perceived as "mental sterilization" from expressing individual thoughts for fear of arrest.

It is called "Homo Sovieticus"- coined by Soviet writer and sociologist Aleksandr Zinovyev.

What depictions are presented in this film is a tragic truthful stain on how inhumane we can be... something so engrained in our tolerance of violence versus intolerance of peace, what God given value of life is there when being subjected to such a heinous madness throughout history?

American Graffiti (1973)

The Miracle Mile

[7/10 · 10 June 2022]

The consummate low-rider flick by a hot-rod drag cruising depiction of California Valley souped up muscle car tribute to our precious culture of a bygone rock 'n roll era.

That's a print-globed lines and all to the first take.

Oh the water ballon et al are the sequences of shaving cream scenes.

Be easy on the cars warned Lucas.

Susanne Summers breakout role.

Understand these are just Lucas' second movie.

My recognition of this era missed out on filming the bona fide Stockton's iconic Pacific Avenue cruising Miracle Mile strip on Friday & Saturday night true origin of hot rod cruising.

It's an all night affair.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022– )

Rewrite please

[3/10 · 26 May 2022]

A 80s retro tv legal drama formulated to appease a remake genre that fails to be a fresh current events storyline.

If I produced this I would have delved into developing more meta data forensics as compelling evidence to hashtag a social media courtroom driven high stakes celebrity's angst portraying the entertainment lawyers industry's seedier side that is taboo to reveal.

Moreover, the original cinematic adaptation has set a premise already to be a solid classic that just can't be watered down to a streaming episodic half baked drama.

Juice it up Netflix. You could have taken a cue from the machinations of Hollywoods own backlot exposure of the untouchable stardoms trappings bathed in the glitzy fight over monetized net worth of the ultra rich suing each other to the point of committing heinous crimes and open marriages.

Miranda Rights are purposely skewed in the courtroom of injustice these days; an excellent premise to depict... and play out a backstory for the protagonist to unravel in the front end.

Getting smeared on Instagram is a celebrity's nightmare. A low Q score means a loss of millions of dollars for future roles.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

The flaw of Hollywood perpetuating war

[7/10 · 24 April 2022]

Tremendous blockbuster directors get a pass with their heighten aggrandize display of depicting war history laden with special effects prevails as an attainable farce of reality. War kills people, innocent people.

Pear Harbor-we lose the battle but we won the war... a tremendously blind sighted isolationist Congress that fell short of protecting our soldiers and civilians. No proactive response.

Pearl Harbor has Dramatic pacing with a driving musical score can keep us riveted to our theatrical seats, obviously. The recreation of actual events in cinematic premise depicts a worthy payoff for executive producers.

Editing a three hour war film is a huge achievement. But in this portrayal of a triad love story entwined with history is distracting. It fails in respect to lives given.

There are poignant moments recreated in this project. With all due respect the optics are stunning. The plot points carry the momentum of a roller coaster ride movie.

I attended a British prep school founded by former RAF pilots. Our headmaster had facial scars of disfiguring burns. He was a Spitfire pilot. Shot down seven tens, captured twice and escaped to fight another day. That's a story worth bring to the cinema.

Anyway, the most blaring inaccuracy of this film is the fact that prior to American declaration of war in WWII, that is declaring war on the Axis powers, was that any American volunteering to fly for the British Air Force; especially the RAF, would be denounced as traitors to America insomuch to protect America from Hitlers evidence retribution to give validation that American corporate interests involved with the Third Riech's prosperity, that is the Reichsbank would be threatened.

Any American volunteering to fight Hitlers draconian war for global supremacy-that is to protect England from Nazi aggression, was considered an enemy of America.

As a retaliatory consequence, the US Congress stripped those Americans volunteering to join the RAF of their US citizenship and would be arrested as an enemy of the state.

Churchill outwitted this disgraceful isolationist harbinger spurred on by right-wing extremist America First dribble by giving these courageous Americans immediate UK citizenship so they could participate in defending England during the Battle of Britain.

These brave Americans were few but courageously noble in giving their lives for the good fight against fascist tyranny.

After Congress declared war on the Axis powers, those surviving American fighter pilots were given their US Citizenship back!???

So when Rafe gets allegedly assigned to the RAF as a volunteer it paints a falsehood that permeates in American trumped up patriotic blindness by glossing over historical fact and disgracing the lives given that gave us a potential to attain a democratic future after WWII.

Sadly America now lives by a declaration of war on anything by hoping to maintain global supremacy. This is no love story.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

A constitutional ligature litigated...

[8/10 · 13 March 2022]

It was a difficult year, a decade of civil rights carnage... to grapple with all the US conflicts going on... domestically and a foreign military conflict... unconscionable assassinations of brilliant leaders... the Cold War narrative... and the dominate political hegemony... labels and schemes don't serve anyone when used as weapons of violence...

What was on trial - at the core of the Democratic Convention was the Vietnam War...

Thus the biopic depiction of the Chicago Seven exemplifies the blinded judicial system that was politically corrupted.

The one thing that changed by the nation wide protests was giving 18 year olds the right to vote... but sadly too many Americans had to pay the ultimate price... which I'm glad was depicted at the pivotal moment toward the end of the trial to remember the fallen...

No one came out of this period of American's tumultuous history unscathed...

The "theater" of protesting the Vietnam War was reaching a crescendo by 1968 gaining momentum into the early 1970s... the White House was decidedly paranoid of losing their power over American youth... and at all costs!

So we get a glimpse of this trial of key figures that brought a divisive shift to the anti-war movement... but ironically this was a patriotic movement that was protected by our Constitution...

How we want to deal with this isn't a slam dunk resolve of us versus them; moreover projecting one's perception to todays dangerous times of putting our sovereign state deliberately in peril... where some have transgressed into wonton violence... is not to be taken lightly...

Notable is the essence of the message; my take away is that the innocent always pay the price... no matter your life's contribution to making a better society for all... the ruling class will dominate...

Give peace a chance... for the common good to preserve our civility to each other... heal the wounds...

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

"Would that it were so simple..."

[9/10 · 13 March 2022]

Welcome to the Hollywood studios backlot in the early 1950s, per the Coen Brothers (helmers/directors/producers and editors) comedia del arte twist... focused on the "swords and sandals" epic: HAIL, CEASAR!

Tomfoolery and jesting diversity of A-list actors panning dead serious lines, fortuitous ability to be in a "mirthless chuckle" by a singing cowboy, et al; the foreshadowing of the yet to come Buster Scrubs' anthology; that is portrayed by the variations typical of the studio movie making grandeur of that era.

The driving plot is a depiction of Jesus confronting a Roman general or CEASAR or something like that...

Such as the Gene Kelly sequence musical number lead by masculine Channing Tatum. Ship ahoy boys!

Egos spawn intrigues from movie set to directors chair to the studios' "fixer" having to please the insanity of it all in Tinsel Town; that lands in his lap.

"Business as usual" even with a leading man's kidnapping.

"It's based on a Broadway smash." Can't argue with that fact though it's hypothetical.

"It's all make believe" sums it up as a much overlooked gem from the duo masters of storytelling who entwine a deep heartfelt philosophical bent.

"You're one of the Hollywood people" strikes a resonate chord with the conniving communist plotters entwined in the organizational theatrics of movie making - contradicts capitalism at Capital Pictures.

"We don't believe in Santa Claus" is a tip off to a subplot brewing back stage.

I liked Alden Ehrenreichs characterizations' performance. Great role that he slipped into like a cowpokes shinny rattlesnake skin boot. Twirling the rope lasso was his hardest scene that Alden got roped into.

"You got to give a little..."

And a Coen flick wouldn't be complete without Frances MacDormands cameo appearance. Don't blink.

Making make believe on the big screen, in black and white or color is a pleasing tongue in cheek farce, American style at the mind cinema of Coen studio.

"It's just another weave of another gossamer."

I got to skedaddle so...

Enjoy you cast of IMDb characters.

Les Misérables (2012)

They sung it live...

[10/10 · 13 March 2022]

I could listen to the sound track all day, everyday. And this is my favorite cinematic production.

Tom Hooper did a great job as director of a powerful star studded cast and Danny Cohen as cinematographer.

This production carry's me to Victor Hugo's epic imagination based on the reality of life during his lifetime, imprinted on our extraordinary literary accomplishment-a timeless classic surviving over 150 years... as well all the previous theatrical and cinematic productions since 1984.

The optics are an enthralling cinematic accomplishment capturing the sung live scenes... and the actors all out effort to make this as true to the emotional turmoil of a horrendous life in early 18th century Paris; all the begotten injustices on the very fabric of humanity's birth right for freedom- known later as The Birth of Enlightenment.

Anne Hathaway sings "I DREAMED A DREAM" with a definitive voice of a dying woman elevated to divine presence. Kudos!!!

Jackman and Crowe compliment each other's roles to perfection. Spellbinding.

Eddie Reymane and Amanda Seyfried as well make it all the more real. They brought me to tears.

I could go on, but in light of the negative, rather jaded reviews of this production, it goes without my saying that some people just have to be negative about anything that's actually well performed.

Sad because Hugo's timeless message is lost to them who focus on the actors themselves instead of seeing the Fourth Wall in front them.

As a theatrical producer, playwright, musical performer and director, the efficacy it takes to bring a production of this genre is in and of itself in a category of an epic artistic ideal to be met.

I've seen the theatrical production as well. Both revenues are complimentary at best. Neither can be compared as one being better than the other. That's a mistake to be made when reviewing Hugo's legacy. Here we have poetry, drama and prose that rise to the heavenly heights of cinematic theater.

Godzilla (I) (1998)

True to the monster morphed from radiation plot

[8/10 · 13 March 2022]

I love the opening... nuked worms at Chernobyl.

(I have composting wormery).

Matthew Broderick meets an alternate Jurassic Park... spin. There are scenes that remind me the Raptor sequences from JP.

I didn't watch this expecting a blockbuster optic, but to be simply entertained! So I'm genuinely impressed at the expanded version on the man against his own creation... ha!

And there is Reno's campy distaste for American version of French coffee... glad there wasn't a ubiquitous Starbucks plug (Starbucks was kicked out of France for serving stale Couisants).

I know this kind of film is meant to NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY! So that makes it all the better to sit back with a bowl of popcorn ( heavy on the butter for my short-chain fatty acid intact) in your favor cinema chair or couch and enjoy or doze off like my wife did.

"Circle around and fire again!"

The Snow Walker (2003)

Survival in the Artic

[9/10 · 10 March 2022]

Charles Martin Smith is most notable for Alaskan out back stories re: Never Cry Wolf!

So he's bona fide in making/helming this film; specifically in the Alaskan wilderness.

I'm sorry I missed this until today-spring of 2022.

The arctic culture-Inuit-is expertly portrayed. Barry Pepper nails his characters' performance as a hot shot bush pilot of the iconic de Havilland Canada DHC-2.

Annabella Piugattuk is a underrated Canadian Inuit actress who co-stars opposite Charlie Holliday (Pepper).

Foundation (2021– )

The Rise and Fall of... Us

[9/10 · 19 February 2022]

The take away that Asimov ingeniously took from Gibbons' Rise and Fall of The Roman Empire is clearly represented... though an Apple Original helming adaptation of the 1942 to 1950 Foundation short story series deflects from the corner stone of all sci-fi cinema productions of our last fifty years. Ignorance of one's' own reality and purpose in their life is no excuse.

Romanesque untwined is portrayed; as we are incapable of evolving from a barbaric culture of warring greed for global domination.

Simply put, sadly we have not learned to become an advanced cooperative and thriving civilization of humanity that could have inhabited our galaxy by now.

The Germanic (barbaric) Tribes eventually brought destruction upon there sworn enemy: Rome and it's reigning empire. Thus we well bring our own extinction as we plummet into a dying planets (Earth) last gasp of life.

Boil it down to "psychohistory" which we are what Asimov's genius perceived.

Infinite (2021)

It's entertainment!

[10/10 · 13 February 2022]

Just get a big bowl of popcorn with your favorite libation and enjoy the ride; escape into the fantasy world of the subconscious mind cinema of sci-fi action and time eternal.

Greyhound (2020)

Memorial to my father - Ensign JD

[10/10 · 11 February 2022]

First I am eternally grateful to Tom Hanks and the whole cast and production crew who brought GREYHOUND to the screen. Second, I can say that my father who served in kind aboard a US Destroyer, escorting convoys across the Atlantic and even to Murmansk Russia, would have been honored by this accurate portrayal of The Battle of the Atlantic, thus thirdly I am, as an arm chair historian, I'm undoubtably impressed with Mr. Hanks' accuracy in his helming this critical time in our Allied fight against Fascism.

My father never spoke of his service, having kept his memories sealed in the now worn and battered sea chest that he lugged around during his commission as a Naval officer.

My mother, then his fiancé awaited his return in New York, downtown Manhattan on West 56th street in a Brownstone apartment, a stone throw's to the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Park. They were high school sweethearts and soon married after Germany surrendered.

My father retired as an assistant dean to a law school he help build throughout his life time, a man of impeccable ethics to the rule of law and yet a humble man in character to all who came to know him.

It was in his mid-seventies that I coaxed him to open up the sea chest and reveal that epoch period of so many souls' conviction and sacrifice to our democratic cause.

I do believe God has a hand in all things, and it was shown to me one early evening while he read from his private sea log journal to my mother and I revealing his personal thoughts journaled during those treacherous convoy crossings in stormy, icy seas.

And perhaps, given all that he overcame in life's hardships and accomplishments leading him in becoming a living legacy who embraced his community's common good, of which he was publicly honored, molded him into the loving husband and father that I still admire.

My father passed that evening while reading from his personal ship log in mid sentence before his wife and son. It was tragic and yet God's blessing he did not suffer, for which I am grateful.

Hundreds attended his memorial. I arranged a military 21 gun salute, as one more WWII veteran passed on to a better place, I'm sure he would meet up with his two cousins who gave their lives in The Battle of the Bulge.

Since that time I've researched all I can about our naval destroyers role in the Atlantic convoy crossings, so I can attest that GREYHOUND is so much more than a movie. It has, for me, given an authentic visual and emotional portrayal of the reality that my father participated in, no easy task in surviving the Wolf Pack attacks. It filled in the gap to my fathers own story.

Thank you.

Dexter: New Blood (2021–2022)

Rewrite Ending

[16 January 2022]

The Code: Don't get caught.

My pitch based on final series.

Dexter is convicted for Bay City murders- Angel Bastia evidence.

Harrison finds evidence to exonerate Dexter-prosecutor was corrupted by Bastias' missing documents taken by a jealous serial killer.

Harrison gets revenge by getting airtight confession than eliminates the serial killer-first kill. Batista is fired.

Dexter released from prison-but first kills an inmate serial killer.

Dexter and Harrison start a new life together.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Biblical Nuanced Script/Direction/Acting Exemplary

[10/10 · 20 December 2021]

First, let's not confuse this cinematic achievement story as a book adaptation, "The Power Of The Dog" by Don Wilson. 20th Century Fox paid Wilson $6 million in 2015 for film rights, a DEA undercover thriller, eventually made by Ridley Scott, The Cartel then the sequel The Border.

But from western theme author, Thomas Savage's 1967 novel of the same title. (Gérard Depardieu's favorite novel)

Second let's explore the contextual storyline: Power of the Dog" biblical (Hebrew) reference that is underlying thematic plot.

Psalm 22:20, NIV: "Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs."

Old Testament writing often uses a mirror image pattern known as chiasmus.

A chiasmus is a rhetorical device used to create a stylized writing effect; "My precious life" in this verse translates a Hebrew phrase meaning "my only one."

Mention of the power of the dog in Psalm 22:20 refers again to David's foes.

In ancient times, dogs were seen as lowly pack scavengers who attacked the vulnerable. The structure of this prayer, and the images it evokes, are prophecies of Messiah's sufferings.

Third, and finally, Dame Elizabeth Jane Campion DNZM, the genius in making this subtlety nuanced enmatic direction.

"I'm an old dog in the game," Campion says, smiling. "I'm careful about the bones I care to chew on. I want something with a deep enough scope, something that will hold up." (LA Times)

Probably she infers that the bones aren't infected by "anthrax".

Going "deep" to me is writing/directing "down to the bone" discipline. Campion nails it to the point of extraordinary cinematic story telling that viewers are rarely subjected to indoctrination of excellence in cinematic structure.

I call this western genre "nuanced" with inferences that requires complete focus and attention to each moment portrayed, dialogue, scene, character, and subplot of revenge.

That is undeniable quality of filmmaking that ought to be taught in film schools.

Campion goes beyond such greats as Spielberg in crafting each scene with complete accuracy.

Incorporating the technique of chiasmus is no easy task.

Campion stated, "It was such a tight little beast (the novel) I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was actually haunted by it. I trust my psyche - what I fall in love with is the thing for me." (LA Times interview)

I will second that wholeheartedly.

There was a shadow of The Legends Of The Fall epic backdrop of the hardships of wilderness existence, yet more pensive and explosive in the final revelation.

Tight. Haunting. Powerful cinematic storytelling by a master.

And the blind-sided cunning of revenge that left me gobsmacked-that mirrored image of the human psyche.

1883 (2021–2022)

1883 A Code of Indian Offenses - Tale of Tears

[3/10 · 20 December 2021]

First of all, historically, The Code of Indian Offenses was an 1883 body of legislation in the United States that, along with other legislation, restricted the religious and cultural ceremonies of Native American tribes.

1883 is, in some aspects, an authentic depiction of the Wild West White Settlers Wagon Train migration (A warring Calvinist Protestant colonist Euro-emigre commuting a genocide invasion that betrayed the Native Indigenous People) hardships makes for compelling "greedy capitalist driven" storytelling mythology.

Gritty depictions (e.g. 1883) of unmerciful violent lawless land grabbing settler's wagon train-Iron Horse-invasion on the Great Plains et al - is a tragic reminder of how our Constitutional legislative covenants were unscrupulously violated to protect immigrants allocated 160 acre patent land rights (The Homestead Act of 1862) over The Indigenous People tribal territories, whose own covenants of peace among the People were altruistically ingrained in their spiritual legacy to Nature and the Creator.

Ironically, by this time the majority of Native Indigenous were forced to live on government reservations, subsisting on rationed food allotments. The 30 million Buffalo that inhabited the Great Plains were by now nearly extinct.

So the opening scene-An Indigenous attack on a handful of White settlers wagon train validates how far the Plains Indigenous were pushed to defend their own survival from the encroaching scourge of White Euro-emigres. Scalping started with a White female in the 1600s of an indigenous child, handsomely rewarded with cash payment by her village court. Inspired by receiving a cash reward for scalps, a rampage ensured by other White settlers to exploit this.

This is a scene that defies reality... notability that the woman wearing a White flowered dress is nearly spotless; then taking an arrow in the gut-though women wore corsets that lessened an arrows penetration-chases after the marauding Indigenous, shooting wildly a .45 Colt revolver, without recoil.

This retaliation, in reality, regardless of a heighten adrenaline rush, is difficult to attain because the abdominal muscles would seize up and cramp, making running impossible.

Hells Half Acre (what territorial location)-defines the composite of immigrant inhumanity degenerated by their mindless godless (Christendom) lack for civilized cohabitation. The reality of recreating Hell on Earth by White settlers is accurate.

Lynching scene: This was the predominate form of collective violence in the late 19th century well into the mid 20th century, always illegal, but nevertheless widespread, and illustrates the often significant gaps between formal legal protections and actual social practice that violated rule of law's due process. Not much has changed today.

The cinematic optics, settings and dialogue are valid, a recreated characterization and scene realism -that borders on contemporary societal norms-in essence the White settlers lifestyles of this very tragic period in American history for the Native Indigenous.

White washed by depictions of say, Custer's Last Stand mural painting (Budweiser commissioned) has been ubiquitously displayed in bars across America, continuing to disparage the Native Indigenous as savages.

European immigrants in the United States enjoyed the myriad of formal legal protections of whiteness.

Because Congress declared in 1790 that ". . . Any Alien being a free white person . . . Of good character" was eligible to naturalize as a U. S. citizen (103), the entitlement of European immigrants to the benefits of state membership has never been challenged based upon this racial pre- requisite.

Sam Elliot is the ageless iconic consummate Wild West "man up" actor. This gives 1883 three stars.

Otherwise the character driven subplots are gratuitous re-enactments from the bonanza of 60s Westerns.

Just more graphic scenes, as streaming viewers and Hollywood demand, nudity, sex, gun violence, wonton murders, as well as, patronizing racial sensitivities (a Black law enforcer in a Union Army uniform) except for the Native Indigenous, shown as conquered "savages" who had committed an injustice by attacking defenseless White settlers.

Moreover, like emancipated Black slaves, and collectively other minorities, the Native Indigenous were (and still today) arbitrarily accused of alleged violations of "racial etiquette" and other small offenses against white supremacy, engrained in our society today.

Native Indigenous massacres are emblematic of how this American "democracy" in 1883 was played out and still is lynched unyieldingly by a discriminating class struggle that the White European emigre established by militia orchestrated bloodshed.

The Hopi Prophecy predicted the coming of White settlers centuries before it materialized in the 16th century. If the last of the Hopi die off, we will become extinct. And that day is near.

1883 is another travesty of Hollywood's western mythological storytelling. The West was never won by ethical humane cohabitation with the Native Indigenous but instead murderous greed.

This is hallmarked by Columbus' "Indian" name for Caribbean natives-erroneously labeled because he thought he landed in India.

Then, after colonizing his territorial rights, he eventually ordered the massacre of hundreds of indigenous, enslaving the survivors.

1883 ought to be the story of The Code of Indian Offenses.

Allied (2016)

What happened in Paris?

[10/10 · 12 September 2021]

The Pivotal line that lays out the plot of this war time espionage story that is beautifully written and cinematically portrayed that comes to a resolve in the end. Bravo!

Comparable to the iconic Casablanca it carries us further into the depth of Nazi intrigues.

As well the leading roles are convincing enough to embellish the reality of life in Morocco/UK and... falling in love... as husbands sleep on the roof after making love to their wives such is the meticulous details that are profound realities.

The spy craft is flawless. French/Canadian accent is addressed.

Articulate cover story that backfires in the throes of undercover espionage in WW2.

Brad and Marion chemistry is top notch.

The decisions we make have consequences.

Under the surveillance of the Nazi commandant is pivotal to concealing Max's cover story.

Excellent portrayal of the reality in Morocco.

Such a brilliant twist of fate for Max and Marion's romantic soulmate bond that includes their offspring. Such leverage of betrayal by the means every of Nazi fascism is expertly portrayed.

I watch this movie several times to learn more and more about the nuances of stage craft.

This is the excellence of cinema storylines presented for intelligent viewing pleasure.

Including a lesbian sidebar at the wedding reception.

Though many are critical of actualities of London suffering the Nazi bombings and time frame-again I must weigh in my opinion that this is a love story beset against the turmoils of the melee of a tragic and blood soaked war against fascism.

Tragically, alliances to true love suffered from the scourge of Nazi infiltration in the UK.

Moreover the depiction of the Canadian aircraft.

Based on a true story:

Supposedly it is - but the details are a little tough to iron out. The movie is mostly fiction, and was written by screenwriter Steven Knight, whose previous credits include films like The Hundred Foot Journey and Burnt. Knight told Collider's Steve Weintraub that he based the script on a purportedly true story about spies in love in World War II Britain that someone told him when he was 21. "This is a very odd story," Knight said. "I was in Texas working as a dishwasher and doing all sorts of weird things. I was going out with an English girl at the time and her auntie lived in Texas ... and she got talking about her brother who had been in the S. O. E. (Special Operations Executive), the British Secret Service if you like, and she told me this story that just stayed with me. I've always known it would be a film, and now it's gonna be the ultimate."

Fury (2014)

We're you there? FURY is not a documentary.

[9/10 · 12 September 2021]

It's a movie depicting the life of a Army Sherman tank crew in the Allied thrust into Nazi Germany.

A slice of historical reality, depicted that is well portrayed by encompassing all the outlier realities that our Infantry/Tanks encountered.

As a film producer/ screenplay writer this film hits all plot points.

The life expectancy of a Sherman tank was a futile moment when confronted by the Panzer/Tiger, et al.

Life expectancy was less than an hour in a combat duel.

So FURY is a testament of their ordeal in an encapsulated montage that in reality is condensed in an hour and nineteen minutes.

I am appalled by nick picking reviews that this production fails to bring a reality of what our tank crews faced, against the Nazi armor divisions.

The real reality and the life and death struggle in war is hard to recreate in cinema but all the script/scenes for the viewer unless you've been in combat; so this is prophetically written into the various moments of a tragic melee of killing.🤔

If you want to know the reality of what our tank crews faced read The Alamo in The Ardennes.

I two relatives buried there.

Nomadland (2020)

Award Hype: Francis played herself in real life.

[2/10 · 18 April 2021]

Didn't watch because the trailers were boring.

Her deadpan signature acting that's predictable.

And I am disgusted with all the award hype around the exploited fantasy land of being "house less" real hardships facing our elderly in a debt driven economy that tips me off straight away that book to script is another cinematic shortcut that flaws the book's hard truth.

Hard Kill (2020)

Nothing new

[1/10 · 21 November 2020]

Willis can't break the formulary mold... yawn. Figured out it would be a rehash of a rehash of a rehash... perhaps Bruce ought figure it out... with age actors fall into the trap of acting in a habitual comfort zone.