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Reviews
Greyhound (2020)
Realistic Portrayal of the Battle of the North Atlantic
Tom Hank's portrayal of a first time commander of four escort destroyers, (aka Greyhounds) in1942 guarding a convey of merchant ships destined for England is outstanding. The Merchant Marine conveys are laden with essential supplies needed to keep England from starving, but the fuel, men and munitions to keep them fighting Nazi Germany. If the German submarine wolf packs, can succeed in decimating the conveys, Britain will be forced to surrender. Churchill said winning the battle of The North Atlantic determined the outcome of WWII.
The deadliest area was "The Black Pit" beyond the range of Allied aircraft. In that area Nazi Admiral sent his U Boats to sink merchant shipping. The Allies developed ASDIC, a rudimentary form of radio not always reliable, but were able to utilize long range radar to detect submarines on the surface. The film graphically presents the limitations of depth charges against the Wolf Packs.
One part, though eery in its use, was U Boat commanders talking via radio transmissions to to Tom Hanks, advising they were going to sink his destroyer. The radio transmission ends in a wolf like howl. This is COMPLETE FICTION. U Boats did not possess the radio technology to communicate amongst themselves, let alone to destroyers seeking to kill them. I gave them a pass on this, as it portrayed the violent struggle between the merchant fleet, U Boats, and the protective Shepard's, they Greyhounds.
Scene after scene we witness the sinking of merchant ships, and the struggle to save survivors. In the North Atlantic sailors who abandoned their ships could survive no longer than 5 minutes in the frigid water. In one gripping scene Hanks must decide to rescue survivors or return to guarding the convey; now under attack.
The stress of the battles are reflected in the actions of the crew. Some cannot repeat the commands, stutter, or sneeze out of fear. Hanks remains awake for 48 hours on coffee. He doesn't eat. His feet swollen and cold from the freezing sea water begin to bleed through his boots. True to the Navy's creed of never leaving the wheelhouse while under attack he maintains stoically and quiet.
The final scenes are a tense drama between multiple torpedos fired from different directions at his destroyer from a very savvy U Boat commander.
I felt, as an arm chair historian of the Battle of the North Atlantic, it gave a great portrayal of the horrors of that theater. Hanks, and his second in command, Stephen Graham demonstrated the coolness under fire while facing deadly torpedos and U Boat deck guns.
The cinematography and graphics were remarkable. The opening scene of the merchant fleet observed by Allied aircraft was stunning.
I watched this movie three times, and I felt Hank's portrayal of Captain Krause and Stephen Graham's portrayal of Lt. Commander Cole were in the finest spirit of the US Navy. IMHO both should be Academy Award nominees.
Vienna Blood (2019)
Damn Good Acting and a Damn Good Murder Mystery
I strongly recommend this series, and hope additional episodes will be forthcoming.
The sets, the period clothing, the cinematography, the actors realism, the in-depth character development all come together in the beginning of 20th century Vienna as the century awakens to the clash of the old versus the new.
We are introduced to Max a young Jewish neurologist struggling with understanding Freud's new concepts as they clash with existing medical treatments. All of this is cast under the growing pall of anti Semitism in Vienna.
Max is assigned to help a seasoned detective in the Vienna police force investigate a murder. They soon form an almost symbiotic relationship. They announce their growing respect and friendship with their catch phrase "welcome to the case".
Intertwined with solving murders are Max's struggles with his fiancée, cancellation of their engagement, and his own abilities to solve old world attitudes with new methods and thinking.
Project Blue Book (2019)
Incredible cinematography + A Great Story = An Enjoyable Hour
I grew up when atom bomb detonations were live television, and UFOs Saturday cinemas. I searched library records for the Keyhoe Report and the History Channel's Project Blue Book echoes the fears and paranoias of the 1950s. I thoroughly enjoy each episode. The accuracy of the settings, the little nuances in the colors and fabrics of the furniture, the sterile feel of military linoleum desks, the clothing, the show's "believability factor" is enhanced by breathtaking cinematography.
In 1967 Madison, NJ when leaving the University library and walking back to the Fairleigh Dickinson University dormitories a light in the sky moved erratically in a very star lit night. It shot forward, stopped, changed directions then disappeared into the sky. Other students saw the same. I telephoned the Morristown airport only to learn they did not have radar.
I sure hope there is a season three.