We’ve seen hundreds of films about the Second World War, usually focussing on those on the front line, or the millions of minorities who lost their lives under the Nazi regime, yet films focussing on the ordinary German civilians seem to be few and far between.
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This is an intimate tale that uses war as the backdrop for the story being told. Some may find this frustrating, especially those who sought this film out simply because it has been marketed as a kind of real-world Hunger Games.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading How I Live Now
I have been dreading reviewing this release ever since I started to watch it. Over time, I grew to see the charm in season 1 of ‘Strike Witches’, despite the creepy voyeuristic nature of a show featuring teenage girls who Continue reading Strike Witches 2 Collection (Sutoraiku uicchîzu)
The cinematography makes the most of the Victorian bushland, and as the film begins we’re treated to a nicely oversaturated image that boasts bold blue skies and bright green leaves. Once the freaky stuff started happening, however, I was disappointed to see that the images changed to a washed out blue.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading The 25th Reich
The pacing, intensity and coverage is excellent and, for the most part, such moments made me feel like punching Communism in the face, which is I guess signifies a job well done.
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There are several startling sequences that really prove Spielberg hasn’t lost his touch. Whilst the slower, character-driven moments can be awkward – like everyone is posing for the camera – the action is masterfully orchestrated.
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If you’re going to make a special-effects laden film, you’ve got to make sure the special effects are at least halfway decent. Failing that, fill your movie with practical effects (which would have been a perfect fit in this situation, actually).
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Captain America – The First Avenger
5 Days of War contains face-to-camera segments of victim’s families, detailing the plight of their loved ones, yet also features our hero reporter walking away from an exploding building in slow motion without batting an eyelid. It just doesn’t gel.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading 5 Days of War
Frustratingly, this first series leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Once we get to the final five episodes, which are really quite gripping, the plot goes into (comparative) overdrive, leading to an awe-inspiring epic final battle. The mixture of CG elements and 2D animation is superbly handled.
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Another problem is that Pino Donaggio’s score isn’t particularly memorable. It felt like a film such as this should have had a constant, ever-present soundtrack to provide the film with a sense of momentum.
Rating: Hoopla Factor: Continue reading Winter in Wartime