Reviews

Sharpe’s Rifles

I spent the weekend watching Sharpe’s movies. I’ve heard a lot of good words about them, but couldn’t get my hands on the copy. Finally, I managed to get 14 films. I’m missing the last two episodes which were done recently, but I’ll get them too eventually.

The series are a collection of full length films – 1 hour 40 minutes each. It’s a history action set back in 1810’s during the Napoleon invasion of the world. A soldier by the name of Richard Sharpe (played by Sean Bean) is making a military career, being raised from the ranks (as opposed to being born a gentlemen). Each episode has some sort of a mission, or a situation to deal with, some romance, and lots of fighting. The films are also full of moral values, setting good examples. Except that one situation involving a French woman, which is of course arguable.

Each film is on its own and the series can be watched in random order, but if you do it sequentially, there is a little bit more to enjoy of it. Also, one thing that I wanted to note is the quality of the films – all of them are done like they are a one really long movie. No episode is better or worse than any other episode.

Overall, really good stuff – 5 stars.

Fifty Dead Men Walking

Yesterday I watched “Fifty Dead Men Walking” in the cinema. As with almost any European movie, there was no promotion of it, no posters, announcements, or trailers. So I had no idea what was it about when I went to see it.

The film is based on a book, which is based on a real life story of Martin McGartland – a guy who was hired by British police to spy on IRA back in 1980’s. I haven’t read the book and I don’t know much about Ireland, but that location at that time had a lot of potential for an interesting movie.

However, this movie failed to utilize that potential. First of all, it was badly executed technically – plenty of reflections, shades, weird lighting, and lots of hand help camera work were quite annoying. Maybe that’s just me, or maybe that’s what Hollywood movies do to one’s tastes.

While for a real life story is quite impressive, the way it was conveyed in the film was rather slow and sporadic at times. It was difficult to understand the time frames, as well as some characters in the film seemed to be out of place.

Overall, an average movie for 3 stars. Perhaps your own opinion of it would be quite different though. If you want to see this film, try to get it on DVD – it’s a bit painful for the eyes on a big screen.

Taken

I just came back from the cinema, where I watched “Taken“. I’ve seen this film earlier on DVD, and it doesn’t have much to offer for the big screen versus the huge TV, but it’s a good enough movie to watch a few times. And I have to say that I enjoyed watching it again as much as I enjoyed watching it for the first time.

There is something about average looking special agents who can tare Europe apart if they need so. There is something about tough guys shooting, fighting, and driving in a very efficient way, without any show off what so ever. There is something about pissed off fathers coming to get their daughters. Well, except maybe the last one, this film is very similar to the Bourne films, so if you enjoyed those, you will enjoy this one too.

The film is a little bit slow to start and is a bit too verbose (to my taste) on the father’s love and protection of his daughter, but once it starts with the action stuff, it never stops until the very end. There is plenty to watch and follow, and there is enough suspense to keep you glued to the screen.

Overall, an excellent action movie – 5 stars.

American Gangster

I first saw “American Gangster” in the cinema. I liked the film so much that I couldn’t wait to get the DVD. Of course, the 3 hour duration is not a big helper for repeated watching, but even so, I still enjoy it once in a while.

This film is excellent on so many levels, it’s hard to mention them all. There is moral, there is entertainment, there is an authentic trip back in time, there is plenty of good acting and directing.

This is now definitely one of my favourite films. 5 stars.

An American Crime

Just watched “An American Crime“. It is a very powerful drama about a famous case of child mistreat and murder in the US back in 1960’s. I haven’t heard about this film until I actually got my hands on it, and once I checked the plot summary on IMDB, I wasn’t in a hurry to watch it. Such films are usually either too detailed on the horror or too dramatic and emotional. Either way, that was promising to be hard. And for that I need a special mood.

I think it took me more than two weeks to prepare. And to run out of other options. So today I finally watched it. And I am now really glad that I did.

While the film is truly sad and dramatic, it does not speculate on the feelings. Instead, it tries to explain what happened from a few points of view. It does not excuse the horrible behavior, but it provides enough insight on why and how the horrible thing happened. And it does so without taking focus away from the victim of the crime.

Technically, the film is quite engaging as well. It creates an authentic feeling of the time and sets the whole atmosphere slowly, detail by detail. Also, children should be mentioned separately. They are what puts this film above many others. Most of the main characters in the film are children – from very young to teenagers. All of them have quite a serious part to play – no joking or kidding around. And all of them do it nicely. The serious attitude of these children towards the movie is passed on into the film and towards the audience. Very well done.

Overall rating – 4 stars. A must see.