tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84566204000152246342024-03-19T09:46:54.637+01:00Film FanFilm FanMike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.comBlogger5703125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-31079547476220621082024-03-16T22:36:00.129+01:002024-03-17T23:20:59.557+01:00Dinner in America (3 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.de/Kyle-Gallner/dp/B09NR9P178?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=fe41476a8a480169c2217af57c2d4026"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="600"
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd3S2U2TU3aoY5UM5SBYTFxBjR4BPslkiGMcLqC8o7gRTyMk16rEtddsyCQxaj-xitywgEaLW5AdmOzw7WbiFljTbZ5dLTOZtJFXou5JKXwASjuDonGa9nfnWY7CkIydv0D0N8q4EpZwJkRLXJK0ljsE70BZ3qqf71gABf79OjiBT4N5Y1cG07in131A/s1600/Dinner-In-America.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Patty is a 20-year-old woman who lives somewhere in Michigan. She's bullied by
people who call her a retard. I would never use that word to describe a woman,
but I have to admit that she's intellectually limited. She's the sort of woman I
would be kind to, but I wouldn't dream of asking her on a date. The only thing
I like about her is her taste in music. She's the fan of a punk band called
Psyops.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I'll pause there to praise the film's director. Americans in general don't
know what punk is. They get punk confused with alternative rock music. Most
Americans describe Patti Smith and the Ramones as punk. Okay, the Ramones were
a borderline case, but Patti Smith herself insists she was never a punk. True
punk originated in England and was epitomised by bands such as the Sex
Pistols, the Buzzcocks, Sham 69 and Ultravox. It wasn't just the aggression in
their music; there was a deliberate intention to be offensive. I'm not saying
that America didn't have any punk bands. There were the Dead Kennedys. Punk
rock was nihilistic. The bands didn't want a revolution, they said that there
was no future.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
English punk rock fizzled out very quickly. After a few years of saying there
was no future they realised they were in the future that they said would never
come. Either the bands changed their music style, or they watered down their
message. In Germany, for instance, punk bands copy the melodies of the early
bands, but they've politicised their messages. German punk rock is left wing,
whereas the early music was apolitical.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
When we finally hear Psyops play in "Dinner in America", it's true punk rock.
It's the sort of band that could have been playing in England in the late
1970's.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>
"I'm a watermelon slammed into your driveway,<br />
Crack me open so I feel the air inside me".
</i>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>Beautiful! Pure nihilism!</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Now let's get back to the film. Patty has been sending letters with sexual
photos of herself to the band's singer, John Q. One day John takes refuge in
Patty's house because he's on the run from the police. He's a pyromaniac and
he's been selling drugs. She doesn't recognise him, because he wears a mask on
stage. He doesn't recognise her, because the photos are only close ups of body
parts.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I went through three phases while watching the film. I hated the first part,
because John is so objectionable as a person and Patty is so intellectually
limited. The second part was okay, when they discovered their connection and it
became a love story. The third part was great, when the music kicked in. I've
given it an overall rating of three stars, i.e. average.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film is currently only available on Blu-ray in Germany, but it can be
watched on Amazon Prime in America and other countries.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-67502980751158582412024-03-16T21:08:00.059+01:002024-03-17T11:36:19.444+01:00Beste Zeit (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.de/Rosalie-Thomass/dp/B000ZMX7ZI?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=545704760db64a588cd34d4c9a517d07"
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><img
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data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXB2ayoccd-RF3Q4ahijiS-VquXxfY1ajMKmW-2EJvptUWJQGuoGwVNL2EsVdQdzw8fdmOZmM6ZdLjNsUZGIsURf5JK73A31UuOs9hYa8XsRGS4Zxr5tsZDCwZw3z0raoW4mvvPbmwHNU4spXC5_3-kJQtN-H_Hf-AxGKKab3_w3CHLVerZHvPDXXdXOI/s16000/Beste-Zeit.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Kati is a 16-year-old girl who lives on a farm in Bavaria in the 1990's. Based
on the car license plates she lives near Dachau. She's only days away from her
17th birthday. What does she think about? Her school? Her career? Of course
not! She's interested in boys. She's trying to find love, but she doesn't know
what love is. Does anyone? It's one of life's great mysteries, but she knows
that she likes a neighbour called Mike. She gets excited when he comes back
home from his military service the day before her birthday.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Kati's best friend Jo warns her away from Mike. Maybe it's not possible to say
what love is, but it's relatively easy to recognise when there's no love. Mike
tells Kati directly that he wants to sleep with her. Kati thinks that means he
loves her.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Kati hardly notices one of her school friends called Rocky. He idolises her,
but he's not as tall and good looking as Mike. And he wears glasses. It's
obvious to the viewer from early in the film that he's the right man for her.
Kati is the only one who doesn't know.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film is slow moving and sometimes dreamy. Nothing much happens, so it took
me time to find my way into the film. I've always liked the films directed by
Marcus Rosenmüller, but somehow I missed "Beste Zeit" (engl. "Best Time").
I've been told it's the first film in a trilogy about Kati's coming of age. I
need to find the other two films.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-8966850399566889222024-03-14T18:12:00.067+01:002024-03-16T13:23:12.807+01:00Kamikaze Girls (3 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kamikaze-Girls-Blu-ray-Region-Free/dp/B002VLGFSC?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=e7a5698bcc256f93c5b4cbbb177d19dd"
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><img
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMjARxGSEx2RvyLu5Gb6zy8nS015GZwkkQd_IvHiKqB2j510GtGUUtG50Txji9zbkN9C790ge8dUNdy5TJDqXWE81slUDbRKJ9oJRBbqPbnxDDzZPXsmWGazDp6_BuUg2XMbdfsf1Oy83xQS2Nc119U_xz7qAJwK0RhSqrk2helTnmXzVkvHSwedX9tk/s1600/Kamikaze-Girls.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
17-year-old Momoko is an outsider. She lives in a small village in Japan, but
she's fascinated by the clothing of the rococo period in France. That's how
she dresses, and everyone thinks she's crazy. She wishes she could have lived
in France in the 18th century, but it's 8000 miles away and she's 250 years
too late. She finds Japan ugly in comparison with the elegance of France. I
disagree. I'd rather live in Japan.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6R-1V4W2svKuyeEQfZztGnSzpRG2rZ7sC_gNuS44zuGywQnHF4vIllZXWhBCBppOMwLwtcd5GHRwE1dVRw4y45MQASVf1J7MsITlTL2PRA2BSlDo76-qKv1wj9Hp5XFd8aBIc0dQR3ZCzOmCvdOEdao1bMpvChK6SPqW7shQLVM7bAIf88QU_i16Pa8/s960/Kamikaze-Girls-Momoko.jpg"
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</div>
<br />
<div>
If a Japanese teenager dresses like this, it's understandable that she's an
outsider.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Momoko's father used to sell bootleg clothing (illegally using the logos of
large companies), but he was sued and had to give up. Momoko makes money on
the side by selling her father's old stock. One of her customers is Ichigo, a
17-year-old member of a girl biker gang.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQjkrRxf-V0y2PGFZdfKrJSHAd0iuF3H0Oy3qRqqqYr_3sqm1hAirEnG9w21TgAuVQtU9jpwEFZ-2V4Kohc2-BbnlV855KNhhir2flBXU4rbJTf5xbLFU5MP7IdGKwmErx0QdN6gN9MVlj-2l9CeERkMgREW9l5QTWGj-xAn8gwZXAmH0GO1j-S0wLtg/s1120/Kamikaze-Girls-Ichigo.jpg"
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><img
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQjkrRxf-V0y2PGFZdfKrJSHAd0iuF3H0Oy3qRqqqYr_3sqm1hAirEnG9w21TgAuVQtU9jpwEFZ-2V4Kohc2-BbnlV855KNhhir2flBXU4rbJTf5xbLFU5MP7IdGKwmErx0QdN6gN9MVlj-2l9CeERkMgREW9l5QTWGj-xAn8gwZXAmH0GO1j-S0wLtg/s560/Kamikaze-Girls-Ichigo.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>An unlikely friendship develops between the two girls from different worlds.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I enjoy the film a lot, but there are too many silly little details. Ichigo
falls in love with a gangster with a ridiculous hairstyle. You can find him in
the poster at the top. Momoko's father likes to fart in her face. That's
disgusting. I don't want to see things like that. The film could have been
made better with only a little effort.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-38292151980594108012024-03-11T15:06:00.006+01:002024-03-14T03:41:08.846+01:00The Paperboy (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0te1w4YsXUPpPPfR7YcOii7nPnaop-RTN28SfUG-dTKApAjZkmlCfKBJO2FcrvjGr2RGLofaDjXCZ5ccVkn1t1iyWakyAhF7C7wHlez6wlHZizLbsAs-jJoNwKDsEsFjgk7IzuDukKt47h7g2WO9vnT4D-4jMYlvFDIg1LOlHhM7gGZHsBRP_9R3UdPE/s560/Paperboy.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
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><img
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0te1w4YsXUPpPPfR7YcOii7nPnaop-RTN28SfUG-dTKApAjZkmlCfKBJO2FcrvjGr2RGLofaDjXCZ5ccVkn1t1iyWakyAhF7C7wHlez6wlHZizLbsAs-jJoNwKDsEsFjgk7IzuDukKt47h7g2WO9vnT4D-4jMYlvFDIg1LOlHhM7gGZHsBRP_9R3UdPE/s560/Paperboy.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I wrote
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-paperboy-5-stars.html"
>a long introspective review of this film</a
>
three years ago. I don't want to repeat what I said, so please check it out. I
still relate to the film in the same way. Johnny McFarley is unbalanced, and I
see myself in him. I could have turned out like him, if I hadn't had a
wonderful loving mother.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
In my last review I said that I was mentally unbalanced when I was 12,
Johnny's age in the film. That's not quite true. I was more like him when I
was 14. So much was going on in my head. I wanted to be loved. My mother gave
me the love I needed, but it still wasn't enough. Some of my friends at school
already had girlfriends. I didn't. I was obsessed with my sister's best
friend, Wendy Broome, but I never had the courage to say anything to her. I
wrote poems about her. To be honest, the only reason that I was obsessed with
her was because she was the only girl who came into my family home.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I finally had my first girlfriend, Mandy Stickland, when I was 16. The
relationship lasted three months, and after her I had many more girlfriends.
There was something about me that made girls want me. I was good looking, I
did a lot of sport, and more than anything else I had the reputation of being
a Casanova. But my relationships were all short lived. The girls who dated me
sensed my madness and couldn't put up with me. There was an obsessiveness in
me that scared them. Every girl that I went out with became the great love of
my life, even though (on looking back) I had so little in common with most of
them.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
When did my madness fade? I can't put an exact date on it, but it was probably
the end of my teenage years. I started to pull myself together when I was 18.
By the time I was 20 I was <i>normal</i>, or at least as normal as any young
man can be. It was an emotional setback when my parents separated, but moving
to Germany and starting work when I was 22 gave me a purpose in life,
something to focus on.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I can talk about it now. When I was a teenager I didn't consider myself
unbalanced. I can only see it in retrospect.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Johnny McFarley didn't have a mother like mine. His mother, already dead
before the film starts, was a religious fanatic who treated him badly. His
father was emotionally cold, like my own father. Johnny's madness made him a
killer. I was spared.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-30697649501820526002024-03-10T18:52:00.069+01:002024-03-14T02:30:07.480+01:00Kung Fu Panda 4 (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4tQu9LS14cRNydgF01BC3D7kpqcx08kofrvbkaIbih8Y5KaX4p8E1QjQfZY2tcm6NhyphenhyphenVW3PlvvrHvzms0dJaTQN7K_R7snmRoWO779Xk4P4fCMohh6RFriDEBV1U9OAGh55qafV3qvzjIQ8OFF8rKx9MQvCxLQ-DVufShfvOdi7IjD2m1YU8WNcsj6Q/s1370/Kung-Fu-Panda-4a.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
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><img
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4tQu9LS14cRNydgF01BC3D7kpqcx08kofrvbkaIbih8Y5KaX4p8E1QjQfZY2tcm6NhyphenhyphenVW3PlvvrHvzms0dJaTQN7K_R7snmRoWO779Xk4P4fCMohh6RFriDEBV1U9OAGh55qafV3qvzjIQ8OFF8rKx9MQvCxLQ-DVufShfvOdi7IjD2m1YU8WNcsj6Q/w560/Kung-Fu-Panda-4a.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
If I'm gauging his reaction correctly, this is the best film that Oliver's
seen so far. He didn't laugh much, even though the film is a comedy, but he
was shaking with excitement. It's a fast paced martial arts film that's
perfect for young children.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
There's so much going on that I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep up.
What I mean is that there are so many characters running around and fighting.
The basic plot is simple. Po the panda has reached the level of Dragon
Warrior, but Master Shifu tells him that it's time for him to advance. He has
to give up fighting and become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. He
has to choose a successor, but the candidates are all so good that he can't
decide. Before he makes a choice a village is destroyed by a new enemy, known
only as the Chameleon. She's a shape shifter who's able to absorb the kung fu
skills of anyone she fights. So Po has to fight as the dragon warrior for one
last time.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I remember watching the first Kung Fu Panda film with my friend Pete in
Birmingham. I don't remember exactly when it was, but it's not mentioned in my
blog, so it must have been before I started writing in September 2010. Pete
owned the film on video, and he was totally excited about it. Pete often
invited me to his home for a meal, but we rarely watched films together, so it
was a special occasion. (As far as I can remember, the only other films that
we watched together were
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2013/01/kill-bill-vol-2-5-stars.html"
>"Kill Bill Vol 2"</a
>
and
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2021/06/king-kong-5-stars.html"
>Peter Jackson's "King Kong"</a
>).
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I never watched the two sequels, so I need to catch up. For Oliver and for
me. It seems like "Kung Fu Panda 4" is the final film in the series, so I'll
wait for a four-film box set to be released.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-10527501959706358492024-03-09T22:22:00.056+01:002024-03-11T22:42:24.477+01:00The Art Of Self-Defense (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Self-Defense-Blu-ray-Jesse-Eisenberg/dp/B07TQYRVX9?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=c8cb0e395d459261d5555c5287839110"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="360"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK_tHMh33vR6an1BxTKvGbSF8KEH0CIClLDJxVIW6eaLMENpnyVTJkmLS7MIsJd50atYuUq6EXPSwk4pFbAZCDB16C-uEdl7VzZ4xZrmtrcmMgeS2dWU5qmaU5GNID3pVtMUENW1HHCKUT_eQxqdfrpV-Pt1_tDKVtQc1vb1QyzAUAyblnMYuXE0sRkk/s1600/Art-Of-Self-Defence-3.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
It's not usual for me to watch the same film twice in a row. "The Art of
Self-Defense" (sic) is a special film that deserves special treatment. I'll
just add a few thoughts to the review I wrote yesterday. The main humour in
the film revolves around toxic masculinity. It's repeatedly stated by the
karate trainer that women are inferior, and his word is unchallenged, because
he's the sensei, the teacher. Nobody who practises martial arts disagrees with
his sensei. It's not done. His best student is Anna, played by Imogen Poots,
but he will never promote her to a black belt because she's a woman.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
One thing I don't like about the film is the spelling mistake in the title.
It's a common mistake for Americans to misspell the word "defence". Many
Americans defend it by saying it's American English, but that's an oxymoron.
There's no such thing as American English; there is English and there are
mistakes.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-52486012190863260542024-03-08T21:14:00.090+01:002024-03-10T23:42:15.179+01:00The Art Of Self-Defense (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Self-Defense-Blu-ray-Jesse-Eisenberg/dp/B07TQYRVX9?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=c8cb0e395d459261d5555c5287839110"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="315"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlSmZ_Jwf5Y_NTnz7x4_NnTbE9B55kA1-Dn-h67v0p41EzEv_E27GOTpV4JMcPJN2qmW11KsOHHS3J00KBjykyJpgDTIt4k55ictCuUrgNtyMMy15vGKL3w6qMW2L_fmP3L5p9Aqf9QPAzJrwyg7BtOv4PMIAC94v6JMMif5zdc-h1T5pNncALhyphenhyphenKRA0/s1600/Art-Of-Self-Defence-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
There's one thing I can say about Jesse Eisenberg: he has a knack for
appearing in off-beat films. I wonder how it happens. Is his agent always
looking for unusual film roles? Or is it the casting agents who say,
<i>"This is a weird film. Let's ring Jesse Eisenberg"</i>? Whichever way round
it is, this is yet another film with a role that nobody but Jesse could have
played.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Casey Davies is an insecure man who works as an accountant. He's 431 months
old – that has a significance in the film – but he doesn't have a
girlfriend. He lives alone with his dog, a cute little dachshund. One evening
he's attacked by a motorcycle gang on the way home from buying dog food. He
recovers from his injuries, but the worst damage is below the surface. He's afraid to
leave his house. He stops going to work, and he only goes out to get food for
himself and his dog.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Then he has an idea. He joins a karate class. He's immediately impressed with
the charismatic teacher who calls himself Sensei. Casey's fighting skills
quickly advance. But he finds that the dojo has dark secrets.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film is very slow moving. Too slow? It seems like the slow pacing is
deliberate. It makes the interspersed action sequences even more shocking. The
lack of background music or even background sounds makes the film enthralling.
Even though the film is serious, some of the dialogue is so funny that I had
to laugh out loud. It's a ridiculous film. It's a film that showcases Jesse
Eisenberg's unique abilities.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
When the film came to an end my first thought was,
<i>"Wow! I need to watch it again!"</i> Okay, I haven't awarded it five stars,
because I'm still not sure what to make of it. It's a film that shocked me.
Let's see what I think next time.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-61188703798319459262024-03-06T23:27:00.045+01:002024-03-09T14:54:30.743+01:00Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eternal-Sunshine-Spotless-Mind-Blu-ray/dp/B005HI4LOQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=8adbafebf76bef470961e90a6c122644"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1040"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZDEfimJdjjMbbnX80ak620UXyU2PajN45YYBjFsMs8ARCpGlOZfZewZhbCTrBm_zGObMmOELqDBSv6u-BDKQn7d7S64k1IvAWCE2DJ7mkuoAHP0BQfBijSj2XBFyQ9htfSceiubYuM0/s560/Eternal-Sunshine-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
What a week! Yesterday <a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/03/donnie-darko-5-stars.html">"Donnie Darko"</a>
was shown in the cinema, and today
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". Two of the best films ever made,
shown back to back. Today's film was shown as part of the Weird Wednesday
series. Most of the films in the series are horror films, but I agree that it
can be classed as weird.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone after the film, so I don't know how
many were seeing it for the first time. Based on the audience reactions,
occasional laughter, I'd say about half the audience were watching it for the
first time, I envy them.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
There's always a quiz at the beginning of the Weird Wednesday films. Usually I
know the answers, but I'm too slow putting my hand up. I couldn't answer
today's question. Can you?
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
<i>"Kate Winslet has four hair colours in the film. What are they, in the correct
order?"</i>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I know the answer now, because a clever guy in the row behind me answered the
question. Could any of my readers have answered correctly?
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbCBW-6eVxGFm5duco-DXcaihf7V2M73XuHv56Yj1sod7IA98R-6z3_VzeatBjkZ_55QK_s0UVa3rur_dw87zUtemd92sr80650tU_MF0KreKsNPf5xmpsGRt3H130fv7RUnMvYutkf6xGrCgVgBtjTLJCIARwPD2CHdlsYytyOSAjZpgGpd-6XMhpWo/s960/Free-Beer.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="750"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbCBW-6eVxGFm5duco-DXcaihf7V2M73XuHv56Yj1sod7IA98R-6z3_VzeatBjkZ_55QK_s0UVa3rur_dw87zUtemd92sr80650tU_MF0KreKsNPf5xmpsGRt3H130fv7RUnMvYutkf6xGrCgVgBtjTLJCIARwPD2CHdlsYytyOSAjZpgGpd-6XMhpWo/s560/Free-Beer.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I didn't win the Weird Wednesday T-shirt, but I didn't come away completely
empty handed. Everyone who saw the film received a free bottle of beer and a
bag of crisps. There was the sound of corks popping until the film started.
Life is good.
</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 1.6</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com/">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFYsMQNLPusAOk11lPW-eDYXE7RsLntuMn2NcqvW42R06ONCe0Cuf1sZq-_xMzK60Cs2QuNMGIlmyUo25GY0SdSlsUXbtoM8o-luL-l2W_Nit1JY2BuIaEgJiO8iVQxqShLzOpSk_39sp/h140/Eternal_Sunshine_3.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Sunshine-Spotless-Mind-Blu-ray/dp/B00466H3DG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=9b87704de8798548033a9ea39cc10c29">Order from Amazon.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eternal-Sunshine-Spotless-Mind-Blu-ray/dp/B005HI4LOQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=8adbafebf76bef470961e90a6c122644">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Vergiss-mein-nicht-Jim-Carrey/dp/B00067GJGG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=9ea0545426024d1ee9ab7ad42af26fdd">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-7283821486436456862024-03-05T23:09:00.024+01:002024-03-09T14:24:48.296+01:00Donnie Darko (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Donnie-Darko-Blu-ray-Jake-Gyllenhaal/dp/B01MXCSRTR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=a7957580a1f3f3b4fec349abdc7a5cd8"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="810"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQzcAqgfj3D3GpvOkLWBN9aT0QIdiuVbNrzpdwmKzlyT1xHtLuul2cVDtqUsp8BxpfuvcdTJ6A87VAvr9bGgc9-GRTtTWU4JKa-6700wLd0n-Gnv2AvlNgE_51m-eGt8U0rS3ThOUz4U/s560/Donnie_Darko(2).jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Incredible! I've been given another chance to see "Donnie Darko" in the
cinema. That's the way it ought to be seen. It was shown today as part of the
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2023/06/general-best-of-cinema.html"
>"Best of Cinema"</a
>
series. It really is one of the best films ever made. German cinemas are
cultivated and show the very best. I was also impressed that the cinema was
almost full. There were only a few empty seats in the front row.
</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRd_Mb4QIIQDEBlbaYgyqQnbelrFMR7GAH1Jg2AZvjo8MYhAO0gE1UQWD1aOtIj-wQWob-36LnHTLErXdizanmDH_tI2jVK-Ql4BDkM-OU1dMyy89tHNWbbA3G8sAXd9hZS9U9Hmpf_I/s1500/Donnie-Darko-Cinema.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="900"
data-original-width="1500"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRd_Mb4QIIQDEBlbaYgyqQnbelrFMR7GAH1Jg2AZvjo8MYhAO0gE1UQWD1aOtIj-wQWob-36LnHTLErXdizanmDH_tI2jVK-Ql4BDkM-OU1dMyy89tHNWbbA3G8sAXd9hZS9U9Hmpf_I/s560/Donnie-Darko-Cinema.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br>
<div>
Here's a question for my readers. When Donnie, Gretchen and Frank are sitting
in the cinema, what film are they watching? Don't google it, that's cheating.
If you don't know the answer, watch the film again.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: - 0.3</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com/">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3iDQMlOULvCw6gNmSkGqIcGenZDZB8IZL8K73Er_Utzqsq3a1ZN4RQx92P1tInzXzj_JJO3loxNgDaeTALczPQkjg54Rk386i82vl1fCqTpHMU-UNCiMjkHIk06mSGCIBumLF8SK9JE/h140/Donnie_Darko.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Donnie-Darko-Special-Blu-ray-Gyllenhaal/dp/B07895XF42/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=fe4be92be9f02ea1f2b663c462d1f5a6">Order from Amazon.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Donnie-Darko-Blu-ray-Jake-Gyllenhaal/dp/B01MXCSRTR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=a7957580a1f3f3b4fec349abdc7a5cd8">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Donnie-Darko-Single-Disc-Gyllenhaal/dp/B000100CCU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=1cf371ca46ee54fc2b7635798bc4c7e9">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-49576674454409722782024-03-04T23:39:00.005+01:002024-03-09T13:59:09.447+01:00The Zone of Interest (3 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRY4vJTzAWl1b53QCiMcyIgwThR_F45OQkvguXLqmsxYaTauThG4L97zgrOl43eY36z1AwD76S169tLlWHh8kRqfE7PhHLLVq58Sx9yIq9SwZsyiVdHwg10gcFbVdFbaOucV7AwGKUSfsV4o-tMchSaD5huP4vFjYZDNQ2PRrf1WYoe9_rml3ekX2Els/s1200/Zone-Of-Interest.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="670"
data-original-width="1200"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRY4vJTzAWl1b53QCiMcyIgwThR_F45OQkvguXLqmsxYaTauThG4L97zgrOl43eY36z1AwD76S169tLlWHh8kRqfE7PhHLLVq58Sx9yIq9SwZsyiVdHwg10gcFbVdFbaOucV7AwGKUSfsV4o-tMchSaD5huP4vFjYZDNQ2PRrf1WYoe9_rml3ekX2Els/s560/Zone-Of-Interest.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
There's been a lot of talk about this film for weeks. People have been
praising it, and it's received five Oscar nominations, including a Best
Actress nomination for Sandra Hüller.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The story is simple. It's about Hedwig Hoess, a woman who lived with her
family next door to the Auschwitz concentration camp. It's a beautiful house
with a beautiful garden. Her husband was the camp commander. It's the most
beautiful house imaginable, and it didn't bother her that she heard gunshots
and screams all day. She was only bothered with what happened on her side of
the wall. When her husband was transferred to Oranienburg in 1943 she
requested that she could remain in Auschwitz with her children.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I can see why the film is popular, especially in Germany. So many Germans said
that they knew nothing about the extermination of the Jews. Hedwig was a woman
who must have known, even if she didn't discuss it with her husband at the
breakfast table. Her conscience was hardened.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
My problem with the film is that it's so slow. Nothing really happens. If I
hadn't been told beforehand what the film was about, I wouldn't have known,
because the word Auschwitz isn't used until 30 minutes in. I felt that I was
being lectured to, not entertained. The director is English, but the style is
very German. This isn't the sort of film I enjoy.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-39327373512775029322024-03-03T16:40:00.066+01:002024-03-04T13:01:17.088+01:00Bim (2 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyupQyuSV7nA1rcAiDqRp_yHCMS145cRTtD0-vkI9FffMmZNzY7I8r0UOVIHi49TIXoEDer1JoF1mV57XCugJlxVqqNvpnC08jUg8FET4De8pUNf3RlToi9FO-vvVWCj9mGtlsk1FI8qQw0zSYjQLglQdE5vtDs0xjmHKIR_I9i1u1HUrQ4FlOJVeBrjY/s930/Bim.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="930"
data-original-width="800"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyupQyuSV7nA1rcAiDqRp_yHCMS145cRTtD0-vkI9FffMmZNzY7I8r0UOVIHi49TIXoEDer1JoF1mV57XCugJlxVqqNvpnC08jUg8FET4De8pUNf3RlToi9FO-vvVWCj9mGtlsk1FI8qQw0zSYjQLglQdE5vtDs0xjmHKIR_I9i1u1HUrQ4FlOJVeBrjY/w560/Bim.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I always try to be lenient in my rating of children's films. I do my best to
put myself into the mindset of a child. Would I have liked the film when I was
six? More to the point, does my seven-year-old grandson Oliver like it?
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film begins in an unnamed town in Holland, where the church bells ring
every day of the year, except for Easter Sunday. On that day, the bells have
to fly to Rome in order to fetch a magic elixir that will make the bells ring
and start spring. Yes, it's a magical town where all the bells have wings.
That's a strange concept, but I did my best to accept it. I tried to suspend
disbelief, as difficult as it was.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
There's a competition in the town to decide which bells are the most suitable
to make the journey. Surprisingly, the small bell Bim is picked as one of the
four bells, even though he can only fly slowly. He sets off with Aurora, Pi
and Bommel. On the way Aurora separates herself from the others. She wants the
elixir for herself to make herself look more beautiful. When crossing the alps
she gathers a gang of evil cowbells to help her in her task, promising to
marry the cowbell who serves her best.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
At this point I gave up. Even Oliver was confused. "Why are the bells flying?"
he asked me innocently. I had no answer for him. When Bim, Bommel and Pi
started collecting diamond eggs in Rome, not previously mentioned, I felt like
my brain was hurting. What a load of rubbish!
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I've given the film a two star rating, but even that is generous.
What was the screenwriter thinking?
The only thing the film has in its favour is the beautiful imagery,
a mixture of real life photography and computer animation.
</div>
<br>Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-66892674700077416582024-03-02T22:03:00.086+01:002024-03-03T22:49:54.580+01:00In the Line of Duty 4 (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/LINE-Eureka-Classics-Special-Blu-ray/dp/B0BPT8TS8M?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=00cab22fd4e868b4f80a47f875d6f9d4"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="400"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC-R849maZ_3vS_yTczxQVcdPWgivQickpBvgb6MoD65g6DwWO0qyu67ZLFkOiOzcMqvq7Qa53jWGOk43cPH8vlWPNXEmpZG0ermh_akOwmrd4OhFNUT-Tq5VBX1OwhDwTr8pSR3AsV_rRYhi0xlJfPp20L01bdgyzNDIaoIE_JdNwARMhKYCKNz1e4Y/s1600/Line-Of-Duty-4-Cynthia-Khan.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Cynthia Khan returns as the Hong Kong policewoman Rachel Yeung. Almost. In
this film she's called Yeung Lai-Ching, but that's close enough. The film
begins with her in Seattle pursuing cocaine dealers. It seems strange that
Hong Kong police are allowed to work in America. Let's just assume they're
acting legally.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWcRySeJxOqGllhC5qARAQf9IHbWJ1S72b12mTr8OV-6ycPwYHfVJvYYTu53n8Udjs3FfNuBGw8PiKdttfBd0L0WAmWVGfOdARWkB1ilxMz0A_77CyQBMiT11URrszqV_H1BIokMWTcCS2MBTfMT2g9BKAC43v6DzUr-VrAg6UZErpjiGUfyeKAORHkU/s1000/Line-Of-Duty-4-Donnie-Yen.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1000"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWcRySeJxOqGllhC5qARAQf9IHbWJ1S72b12mTr8OV-6ycPwYHfVJvYYTu53n8Udjs3FfNuBGw8PiKdttfBd0L0WAmWVGfOdARWkB1ilxMz0A_77CyQBMiT11URrszqV_H1BIokMWTcCS2MBTfMT2g9BKAC43v6DzUr-VrAg6UZErpjiGUfyeKAORHkU/w560/Line-Of-Duty-4-Donnie-Yen.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
She's accompanied by her fellow officer Donnie Yan, who's played by Donnie
Yen. They weren't very imaginative naming the characters. Donnie was 25 at the
time he made the film. I've never seen him looking so young.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Kyc0LnwYg4k2XlHQv1p9m8ELj6U2AbnsVmFIyAZGc9ql6nKOvZH8LQB4SDC6V-mU5nmEliD4v5JmPVxX2V5iSmqjDesVOe5NZJExa5LHONmK5AtaycdufJeWXDVig4kOlKI88yM-3wHomq-v4YP3zys6BPAvfeJwoajZ72tMvUWNUW9QtvTULAr4zDk/s1120/Line-Of-Duty-4-Donnie-Yen-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1030"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Kyc0LnwYg4k2XlHQv1p9m8ELj6U2AbnsVmFIyAZGc9ql6nKOvZH8LQB4SDC6V-mU5nmEliD4v5JmPVxX2V5iSmqjDesVOe5NZJExa5LHONmK5AtaycdufJeWXDVig4kOlKI88yM-3wHomq-v4YP3zys6BPAvfeJwoajZ72tMvUWNUW9QtvTULAr4zDk/s560/Line-Of-Duty-4-Donnie-Yen-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
After one of his fights he does a Bruce Lee imitation. Please, Donnie, it
doesn't suit you. It didn't even suit Bruce Lee. Is it supposed to be a look
of anguish or regret after killing or maiming an opponent?
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
This film's plot is that a high ranking CIA agent is selling cocaine and other
drugs. There's only one witness, a Chinese dock worker called Luk Wan-Ting.
After a fight with drug dealers he's caught with a gun in his hand, and the
American police assume he's a criminal, so he flees to Hong Kong with a forged
passport. Donnie Yan (not Yen) and Inspector Yeung pursue him. Donnie is
convinced he's a crook, whereas Yeung trusts him. But crooked policemen in both countries are
trying to kill Luk.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The action is just as exciting as in
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/in-line-of-duty-3-5-stars.html"
>the previous film</a
>, but there's a difference in style. There are less gunfights and more
martial arts action. I like Cynthia Khan as a fighter, but Donnie Yen
outclasses her. He was an incredible fighter, even at his young age.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-59112503866805128722024-03-01T21:27:00.062+01:002024-03-14T02:33:02.536+01:00Sexy Beast (4½ Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blu-ray-Winstone-Kingsley-McShane-Amanda/dp/B084484WQZ?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=e2a9622bae6dd7dcbf4f56e57258534d"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="420"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWNQPSym_BFm-DWs9h-VIAcvhjsB4Rsmaq7Zj4aIce88GRF6odgmbevUzKHxI984K8EERPuJi5uMPBes3eO0p0vxXzq_nvIioT3bGGMi95ygj1l1rbsQ7enbvvR3IGUAh-1QE3ieDEYldimyHcMox8G0Pk3lea16eNy4EJyXCGF9to6zOr2FKUIFGZWk/s1600/Sexy-Beast.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Who's the sexy beast in the film title? Supposedly it's Gal Dove, a retired
gangster played by Ray Winstone. He doesn't look very sexy in this picture.
He's put his life of crime behind him. He says that he spent nine years of his
life in prison, and he doesn't want to go back. He lives in a remote house in
Spain with his wife, a former porn star. Unlike
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/buster-4-stars.html"
>Buster Edwards and his wife</a
>, there are no regrets about moving to Spain. They love it. They love the hot
weather, they love the food, and they don't miss British culture.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORMIN0kU62xSdkoi9C2l4s8HhEwfXziJXRSbQDVUt17tpzrOLbLxW0ffmyCo3WWfCILxkClgyt3zGCBqgvS_V5CW-MOrlxazqz6xg1xJLUb1pzKcFBTTLIYKH8P6NXVHJ3MtTJgin9DUz0rf7dA5SxVpOwVHVAohCpTcq29d3KyGA0T2f05ukh1p1g7o/s1120/Sexy-Don-Logan.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1120"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORMIN0kU62xSdkoi9C2l4s8HhEwfXziJXRSbQDVUt17tpzrOLbLxW0ffmyCo3WWfCILxkClgyt3zGCBqgvS_V5CW-MOrlxazqz6xg1xJLUb1pzKcFBTTLIYKH8P6NXVHJ3MtTJgin9DUz0rf7dA5SxVpOwVHVAohCpTcq29d3KyGA0T2f05ukh1p1g7o/s560/Sexy-Don-Logan.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>Gal's peace is disturbed by the arrival of Don Logan.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ76icrIMIXEeRt4KyxO_bZaTJmUyuZb15GrWr68ioLOhjxMJt0PSokvrxU_NSntlRL5mVAo2mY4WyCMOlCrS2dvF4dT8dBGvxQbyWneJeWnX4PFurXw7mqLTZl_ranl6M9ZbHZzoW5vw3YG0s9ldCSeEyHbRMJNdMa5vH2QNiOYzPMbFV3_8P8GQin0/s1120/Sexy-Don-Logan-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1120"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ76icrIMIXEeRt4KyxO_bZaTJmUyuZb15GrWr68ioLOhjxMJt0PSokvrxU_NSntlRL5mVAo2mY4WyCMOlCrS2dvF4dT8dBGvxQbyWneJeWnX4PFurXw7mqLTZl_ranl6M9ZbHZzoW5vw3YG0s9ldCSeEyHbRMJNdMa5vH2QNiOYzPMbFV3_8P8GQin0/s560/Sexy-Don-Logan-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Don is played by Ben Kingsley in the role of his lifetime. He's a former
associate of Gal who wants to hire him for a robbery. Gal insists that he's
retired, but Don refuses to take No for an answer. They argue. They shout.
Neither of them will back down. Something has to give.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film has been called Tarantino-ish. I can see what they mean. It has
distinct similarities with
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2021/04/reservoir-dogs-5-stars.html"
>"Reservoir Dogs"</a
>. The only real difference is the dream sequences. Quentin Tarantino doesn't
do dreams.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
This was the first film directed by Jonathan Glazer. It's astounding quality
for a rookie in the film business. What was his inspiration? In itself, it's a
minimalist film, and it's this minimalism that makes the film great. Apart
from the dream sequences.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 0.4</b></div>
<br>Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-31204082001771888072024-02-28T22:38:00.094+01:002024-03-02T23:28:24.043+01:00In the Line of Duty 3 (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dragon-Cynthia-Khan/dp/B0BPT4P5H5?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=384708aa223ebc48a83259e55ea1904a"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="741"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7lR-5JQNkIGBFWOKoG8ff8IZAI4tedArIbOtChiD2PuTyfU1fIKKGGc-d_MlZizU5zHL3zwR9IvmaqLOu-uzeoCS3GtQHkYJYdRxjaPNepKzq7JdP_Dxqw5sMqyhtRSIgESqwtdiDfRp-ykQRrQfxgS4QbJ0ngghix5vOrW2sJ_lYlN9oyZhYNAycpc/s1600/In-The-Line-Of-Duty-3.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
How many films have been made in the history of cinema? Excluding short films.
There are many different ways to describe what's a film and what isn't, but
the general consensus is that there have been about 500,000 films. I've only
seen a small percentage of them. I've already put together
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/p/top-100-films.html"
>a list of my favourite films</a
>, but how do I know that there isn't a brilliant film that I haven't yet
seen?
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Recently I stumbled on the "In the Line of Duty" films almost by accident. My
jaw dropped. How can there be such brilliant films that I've never heard about
for the last 35 years? There were seven films in the series from 1985 to 1991.
Supposedly the first four films were the best, but I'll make sure I get my
hands on all seven of them.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The continuity between the films is limited. There are different characters in
each film, but the third film introduces Cynthia Khan, who continues until the
seventh film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGOD7A9b5T5Pam-nj-JmmXmTIqfHPbjJAEu0kjq8POchtdiXv1qhyhA6bOA5Nd18Sv5sRjGqq50LO8r6TOiUhMCSJFRMvviKzvoPK29V-P8mh4hyQsWdvFj_OtbkYA2gBUcXZ7XYYRr7AYaNWZmc1ayRkIB6vVgyr7UUMh9Bw38s2f5c9B2wJ-bTOjpQ/s1120/Line-Of-Duty-Cynthia-Khan.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="820"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGOD7A9b5T5Pam-nj-JmmXmTIqfHPbjJAEu0kjq8POchtdiXv1qhyhA6bOA5Nd18Sv5sRjGqq50LO8r6TOiUhMCSJFRMvviKzvoPK29V-P8mh4hyQsWdvFj_OtbkYA2gBUcXZ7XYYRr7AYaNWZmc1ayRkIB6vVgyr7UUMh9Bw38s2f5c9B2wJ-bTOjpQ/s560/Line-Of-Duty-Cynthia-Khan.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Cynthia plays the rookie police officer Rachel Yeung. The film starts with her
first day on the job. She's given wise advice about what to do. If it's a
traffic violation, write a ticket; if it's a robbery, she should stay out of
the way in case he's armed.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP1-95njP20YfecPuJg9he2oozaIM1I6nnt3hyphenhyphensv5-YitgIjma8yIftcAyNkJ_eVrIyk6iCddGnlDVKVby51KeHtDqpOES4uMjyouCuxAP0HmASLqcLcgVYAWxuy7APUicr5i5Qk4542hk59ZRw-ZnifexrfhqY0TB-rlA0GwoVePDrqR_venokl-sYQ/s1120/Line-Of-Duty-Cynthia-Khan-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="900"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP1-95njP20YfecPuJg9he2oozaIM1I6nnt3hyphenhyphensv5-YitgIjma8yIftcAyNkJ_eVrIyk6iCddGnlDVKVby51KeHtDqpOES4uMjyouCuxAP0HmASLqcLcgVYAWxuy7APUicr5i5Qk4542hk59ZRw-ZnifexrfhqY0TB-rlA0GwoVePDrqR_venokl-sYQ/s560/Line-Of-Duty-Cynthia-Khan-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Does she take her colleague's advice? No. When a thief runs past she leaps
into action.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhksaFFkafOsXxxBlShCOESXhumf1KxtmynaVb2bgjeSuAhtlhtGQcG086vNjt6_btlax-HT6RUzYxP_P_aM7SYpOB59C3lQZx7azcaDzBerK9Gu4tko462DVISFtP7Yrar37CB1tKU0E320t5i5o9ftQ-gYzQaw6wcXLltT6lc4IToP8u5SMxXrXd8xE/s1120/Line-Of-Duty-Cynthia-Khan-3.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="820"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhksaFFkafOsXxxBlShCOESXhumf1KxtmynaVb2bgjeSuAhtlhtGQcG086vNjt6_btlax-HT6RUzYxP_P_aM7SYpOB59C3lQZx7azcaDzBerK9Gu4tko462DVISFtP7Yrar37CB1tKU0E320t5i5o9ftQ-gYzQaw6wcXLltT6lc4IToP8u5SMxXrXd8xE/s560/Line-Of-Duty-Cynthia-Khan-3.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>She has to rip open her tight police skirt to do her kung fu kicks.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
This leads to an immediate promotion. She's assigned to the Special Crime
Unit, which is run by her uncle. He's a blatant sexist. He doesn't think that
women should be policewomen. He advises her to quit her job so he can hire her
as a secretary. He deserves a kung fu kick where it hurts most.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The main story is about two members of the Japanese Red Army. They're stealing
jewels to finance the purchase of weapons for their cause. In her new role as
a police inspector, Rachel Yeung fights against overwhelming odds.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>What an incredible film! I wish I'd seen it years ago.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I just have one piece of advice. Watch it in Chinese with subtitles. The
English dubbing is awful.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-11348480535910791712024-02-25T13:42:00.047+01:002024-03-02T12:29:58.827+01:00War for the Planet of the Apes (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Andy-Serkis/dp/B073RSVTWH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=9d534efc66199063df1aabdd47309f2f"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="620"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGXjDjKq5_3l_RKZI-ww638vbgcnOan-F3P1PoxSUoF-Bq2yYm3vXOy-34mOYLjaukCuujQ9MMgmE2txGKzyZAefYuRQI06w-REA7jOeGBq84j6wWDtTILJ4ZJN7RwiK_zkL4ORuHAXVtqb5OTkaXpyNAxf1zPwLDf1g7a-RuaDaReIvi8Xf8I1wAbDI/s1600/War-For-Planet-Of-The-Apes.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This film takes place two years after the events in
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/dawn-of-planet-of-apes-5-stars.html"
>"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"</a
>. In the previous film the apes won their fight against the citizens of San
Francisco. Now they have a more serious opponent, a professionally trained
army that's arrived from the North.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
But this film shows further developments. The Simian Flu that wiped out more
than 99% of the Earth's population has now mutated. It's making people lose
their intelligence, starting with their ability to speak. A lot of thought has
been put into the rebooted film series. It makes a lot more sense than the
last three films of the legacy series.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The battle lines aren't as clear cut as in the last film. The soldiers aren't
just fighting against the apes, they're fighting against one another. A second
army arrives from the North which believes that the first army is infected
with the Simian Flu and wants to destroy it.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Caesar doesn't want war. He wants peace. He thinks that humans and apes can
live side by side. There's enough room for everyone. Unfortunately, the humans
disagree.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 1.3</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com/">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EMqvV55yV7aKfvFpJSJqi8oXL6LlbtGJRu5vM_vHxHM3jexFHuvOulLOfPXPji5jrY8SjjxjIKnjsItV1FsE0x7x5hItgyejyopQSLzEiUp3YE-rFANnF7m_8ONjnnu3sZBzNdH9alTq/h140/War_For_The_Planet_Of_The_Apes.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Andy-Serkis/dp/B071GRTQTN/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=820f13178ecdff11e3ccdadb4953841d">Order from Amazon.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Andy-Serkis/dp/B073RSVTWH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=9d534efc66199063df1aabdd47309f2f">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Planet-Affen-Survival-Woody-Harrelson/dp/B074G2VBTR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=4abb672411d40a3717e52d2bf5de06d4">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-58576532101783296492024-02-24T06:22:00.061+01:002024-02-27T01:48:59.191+01:00Spuk Unterm Riesenrad (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG0ZLdwV6iBG4Ck0JzoHrKagswtQdsxdHAAPVXsxgU5Q8_pwjzIE-XvYeCj0SAu37hs3sGufofdAC6nuREL3JmzYbuUzvOYzn-VpX65eXrmX9lz7tg6lnxLk6za1mObwXwtVDg1bkGlw5hZtjskDXjJSxMlzFhpSagQgz34plHY8ijEXgdnzDS8ggXy8/s1110/Spuk-Unterm-Riesenrad.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1110"
data-original-width="990"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVG0ZLdwV6iBG4Ck0JzoHrKagswtQdsxdHAAPVXsxgU5Q8_pwjzIE-XvYeCj0SAu37hs3sGufofdAC6nuREL3JmzYbuUzvOYzn-VpX65eXrmX9lz7tg6lnxLk6za1mObwXwtVDg1bkGlw5hZtjskDXjJSxMlzFhpSagQgz34plHY8ijEXgdnzDS8ggXy8/w560/Spuk-Unterm-Riesenrad.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
It's time to go to the cinema with Oliver again. I'm hoping that he'll become
as much of a film fan as I am. Maybe he can even write a blog one day. But
that's too much to hope.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
This is a German film based on a television series that was shown on East
German television in 1979. The title means "Haunting beneath the big wheel".
It sounds better in German. Honest.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Three girls, Tammi, Umbo and Keks, are united when their grandfather dies. He
was the owner of a fairground in a unnamed German village. (It was filmed in
the beautiful town Bernburg). In a freak storm three of the figures from the
ghost train come to life. At first only Tammi sees them, but eventually all
three girls become acquainted with them. The ghosts don't like the idea that
the fairground, their home, will be sold, so they go on a rampage, casting
spells and creating chaos in the village. They do wicked things like stealing
the policemen's clothes.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7JFRnLXdQ_Bwu51e0L8FtxrBtfl1VX8KYY6d46VFVKqmXUxDd2G1N1QZwkwbo4b2cd4hy-okx61lXwkknGsz1wg1F96kyFoxnuE-udFI20ASu7pDVkpKf9pNjvtZQBO0SmKw_rOa_kkKf_XoprWfMyIIHvpkaW4S4iyM4BT46etAH-z-I9TUMMz85JA/s1120/Spuk-Unterm-Riesenrad-Police.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="720"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7JFRnLXdQ_Bwu51e0L8FtxrBtfl1VX8KYY6d46VFVKqmXUxDd2G1N1QZwkwbo4b2cd4hy-okx61lXwkknGsz1wg1F96kyFoxnuE-udFI20ASu7pDVkpKf9pNjvtZQBO0SmKw_rOa_kkKf_XoprWfMyIIHvpkaW4S4iyM4BT46etAH-z-I9TUMMz85JA/s560/Spuk-Unterm-Riesenrad-Police.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>It's a sight too terrible for human eyes.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6rJ4ZhijML3JXQ0rYDWUphDGBASmtx_7dWnJBK2AmWT_l8X5h_qesvd7hNkRjlZ1vb1FoeweLXTkFAQkswC1TcBk8noUrz8bI_WHhUgfRAQHXOibJYLJq2Kwn975_NgzSyiWOVLTaO2sPVLTk9Qg-nV3A_Fj8chg6N8Z1jyKQTV7Nq6j53vWAMzny2w/s1120/Spuk-Unterm-Riesenrad-Tammi.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="780"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6rJ4ZhijML3JXQ0rYDWUphDGBASmtx_7dWnJBK2AmWT_l8X5h_qesvd7hNkRjlZ1vb1FoeweLXTkFAQkswC1TcBk8noUrz8bI_WHhUgfRAQHXOibJYLJq2Kwn975_NgzSyiWOVLTaO2sPVLTk9Qg-nV3A_Fj8chg6N8Z1jyKQTV7Nq6j53vWAMzny2w/s560/Spuk-Unterm-Riesenrad-Tammi.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>Don't look, Tammi!</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I found the film mildly amusing. At first I wanted to give it a lower rating,
but I think it deserves four stars. The film was a hit with the audience,
reasonably large considering it was the film's second week. Oliver liked it.
That's all that matters.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-41467621776557420212024-02-23T22:46:00.055+01:002024-02-27T01:08:11.924+01:00Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dawn-Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Oldman/dp/B00DHJTC1Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=821c61fc7cfb19a258d59e1e96b82dc1"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="780"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoUaxjM4YkMPlEUOvrimB47ecYa8s7SXlDKPap5pvr9dVr4uuYwjBuVKJSbb2nW-kbkdamFeohREN7n-Dv9P65BrWEysi1nHL05j4Lso7Gqj2InHVnUY87U7q10sRHWRa_ATslDbaUq04yEUheUd0EM6Z6kAnp1hX2wMUSJQuDsidO6C25zx6gOSnhVo/s16000/Dawn-Of-The-Planet-Of-The-Apes-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This film takes place eight years after the events of
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/rise-of-planet-of-apes-5-stars.html"
>the previous film</a
>. A lot has happened in this time. The apes, led by Caesar, have settled in
Muir Woods, the area north of San Francisco. The disease that we saw at the
end of the previous film has spread throughout the world. Only one person in
500 has survived the disease, but that's not the only thing that's killed
people. The survivors have rioted, and civilisation has collapsed.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The people of San Francisco know nothing of the ape civilisation on the other
side of the Golden Gate Bridge. They finally cross the bridge to repair the
dam that supplies the power to their city. An uneasy alliance develops between
the apes and the humans. Once more the apes are the <i>good guys</i>, but even
among the apes there are those who want war. The humans aren't really evil,
they're just scared. They realise that the apes are intelligent and powerful,
and they're worried they won't survive.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Caesar has become a father. He shows affection towards his children, but at
the same time he's developed into a noble ruler. He's no longer the playful
little chimp that we saw in the last film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
War breaks out, and the apes win. Is that a spoiler? Not really. By now
everyone knows that the apes are destined to replace humans as the dominant
species on the planet.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 1.0</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com/">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOxdPcJlWYBQvvU80KEqks-xLsW-CeelSHwct8G6SN7vlbMJfOWTDWH-B8jddtgYf4rhJNnQRIpXphb2b7OK7W_FBchEiV6yXWoih3qYHBZ7RnFg-rwLB451-TJQ1Ox595Tt4BGl13So/h140/Dawn_Of_The_Planet_Of_The_Apes.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Jocko/dp/B06XPWSBLN/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=0c6693722b1aa2e73202a334714f44d2">Order from Amazon.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dawn-Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Oldman/dp/B00DHJTC1Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=821c61fc7cfb19a258d59e1e96b82dc1">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Planet-Affen-Revolution-Andy-Serkis/dp/B00LLXIDQ8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=8a7b7bc389152077839d9fda532f5d18">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-61511726731339185222024-02-22T23:24:00.082+01:002024-02-27T00:41:55.269+01:00Rise of the Planet of the Apes (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Planet-Blu-ray-James-Franco/dp/B006E0A5YG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=d1fca24a09a7cb12d82c8bd81e2fdb68"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="360"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6BvbD5TLTbxEEpK6MODQ3h6XgoCRQEacbw3puGDbSdpb7fPwxVF4wpz-tMTg4sKMomanfBL-PCS-HSeqwTB-BtuMAAJy_BCPonQ6vOzIoSXKLXFw8pwvriMSfrQaC3mwRM00jnez580npn43EeWZ5h_s1Nfd-eV9nsHJG1eX-LqBES1gUokt6xLhSWg/s1600/Rise-Of-The-Planet-Of-The-Apes-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I'm rewatching the Planet of the Apes films in preparation for seeing "Kingdom
of the Planet of the Apes" when it's released in May. The films in the reboot
franchise are sheer brilliance. Much more effort is made to show how the apes
took over the Earth than in the original film series (1968-1973).
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film introduces us to Caesar, who will be the main character in the first
three films of the rebooted franchise. In the near future a company called
Gen-Sys is working on a cure for Alzheimer's. There's a personal reason for
the research: the father of the head scientist, Will Rodman, suffers from
advanced Alzheimer's. The medication is tested in the laboratories on
chimpanzees. One particular chimpanzee, Bright Eyes, develops remarkable
intelligence after being treated with the drug. Unknown to Will, she's
pregnant. She's shot when she goes wild, trying to protect her baby. Will
takes him home, keeping him as a pet. The baby chimpanzee, now called Caesar,
is even more intelligent than his mother.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
We see Caesar's development over the next eight years. He develops from being
a playful little ape into a quiet, brooding adult. He's no longer a pet, he's
like a child to Will. When Caesar attacks a neighbour who's threatening Will's
father, he's put in an animal pen. Caesar is a natural leader. Soon the other
apes are following him. Caesar breaks out and collects vials of the
Alzheimer's drug. He treats the other apes to increase their intelligence.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The drug, ALZ-113, is a big success on the apes, but it has a different effect
on humans. It creates a contagious disease. Those who are infected cough blood
and soon die.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
What makes this film so appealing is that the apes are the good guys. In the
first two films they were portrayed as evil, with very few exceptions. In this
film the humans are mostly bad, while the apes are all good. Am I cheering on
the demise of the human race? Maybe. But it's only a film. Isn't it?
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 3.2</b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com/">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy40k_XjnxCes75P7ENS0hfyegYCy9WGRfCBBdCKRbdxQiouZbF3UKboh2qdY3E4s35oqMjTTTeDVxN4UbKrEzlzWH36ybQsA-SJlaLmpJeh87tUeZny42XfaJVM7xLEj81_LsJOi2_TEK/h140/Rise_Of_The_Planet_Of_The_Apes.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Planet-Apes-Blu-ray-Brian/dp/B06XPD5N7P/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=2ddbbea9769ef9545e6cbbdcf5885e3f">Order from Amazon.com</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Planet-Blu-ray-James-Franco/dp/B006E0A5YG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=d1fca24a09a7cb12d82c8bd81e2fdb68">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/Planet-Affen-Prevolution-John-Lithgow/dp/B00K7NIF6G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=bc92098ea7b2fad7275a5d6cf9754c59">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-88313266719891073652024-02-21T23:30:00.128+01:002024-02-23T17:27:15.977+01:00Royal Warriors (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/WARRIORS-Eureka-Classics-Special-Blu-ray/dp/B0BKH76WMP?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=95ea46c311c716c157b6a0f31649b18b"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="640"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDA6j9oB1ujjuhdwTtG6t4Y2dE1DLXl-kTR7DK4CKt9NdtgdK-RKZUbXyNFNaQ38S4d82yyI57uLVGPC3f3RcpMGkiAEWYMWTvg5F_QzGzkS1OemsgJ1FF-kWhEuRArpv9VZaS5QC6Tm1pQolpzNp6Azddy4-XBwLwpZtQPqZwp5_HyaQRig2bBDhb3ZQ/s1600/Royal-Warriors.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
When reviewing
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/raging-fire-5-stars.html"
>"Raging Fire"</a
>, made in 2021, I praised Hong Kong police films. They're not a new
phenomenon. "Royal Warriors" was made in 1986, and it has all the trademark
mix of martial arts and gunfights. If anything, it's even more over-the-top
than the newer films.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Three policemen from different departments meet on a plane flying from Tokyo
to Hong Kong. Michelle Yip is a Hong Kong detective returning home from
vacation. Michael Wong is an undercover air marshal. Yamamoto is an Interpol
agent accompanying a criminal who's been extradited to Hong Kong.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Hijackers attempt to free the criminal by taking control of the plane. Was it so
easy to smuggle guns onto a plane in 1986? The three heroes defeat them in a
breath-taking battle. After arriving in Hong Kong they work together, although
I'm not sure how that's possible.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
What they didn't know is that the criminal and one of the hijackers belonged
to a gang of four blood brothers who survived the war (which one?) and
promised to remain together until death.
<i>"We live together or we die together!"</i> They hunt for the three
policemen, killing dozens of innocent bystanders in their attacks.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwznoFFZzy23sMrgfFQgcH8JUZwXb60CmMB9gswMWUfhvQnbfC1onBFPjSDJTT6h5GYid8bKemgSSnlkrfodAj4CdlWiopBTkLzeb51FFK20n0aN9eN61ScKYtv-UBSCxRuzi4jjr01sqRN0HHPn2a1rkFT06OH6D8emEBM1HOS3pZPh3KokifzXV13cw/s1120/Royal-Warriors-Coffin-1.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="800"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwznoFFZzy23sMrgfFQgcH8JUZwXb60CmMB9gswMWUfhvQnbfC1onBFPjSDJTT6h5GYid8bKemgSSnlkrfodAj4CdlWiopBTkLzeb51FFK20n0aN9eN61ScKYtv-UBSCxRuzi4jjr01sqRN0HHPn2a1rkFT06OH6D8emEBM1HOS3pZPh3KokifzXV13cw/s560/Royal-Warriors-Coffin-1.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I groaned when I saw the plaque on Michael Wong's coffin. Don't they know how
to spell Michael? Oops, that's a spoiler!
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoo3O6AQ7wTTKUj7Qg-AvIcErvnt12KM0l3ebY2eGsyfVrES5wb9xhVZAoDSu3i20m5dBEc-Xk1ks1tilskRohTc9PwxvkFEWjoAbz6oSmT-oT_SBkqVVgvH5CiwTnreBNIlfv3mAn-o3vdaE1J6gkxIS7_JuPAqlSz31QJUpJr15rBOgz2hPL3eIvnBI/s1120/Royal-Warriors-Coffin-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="800"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoo3O6AQ7wTTKUj7Qg-AvIcErvnt12KM0l3ebY2eGsyfVrES5wb9xhVZAoDSu3i20m5dBEc-Xk1ks1tilskRohTc9PwxvkFEWjoAbz6oSmT-oT_SBkqVVgvH5CiwTnreBNIlfv3mAn-o3vdaE1J6gkxIS7_JuPAqlSz31QJUpJr15rBOgz2hPL3eIvnBI/s560/Royal-Warriors-Coffin-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
But 10 minutes later we see the coffin again, and the plaque has been put
right. I'm happy that the director noticed his mistake, but he should at least
he should have been consistent and gone back to reshoot the first scene. It
couldn't have been that difficult. Maybe he thought nobody would notice.
He didn't reckon with me.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
By the way, the director/screenwriter wasn't very imaginative with the
character names. Michelle Yip was played by Michelle Yeoh. Okay. And Michael
Wood was played by Michael Wood. What a coincidence!
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9oDwYwI1WFHMbzopkMZJUMKPmwwifO8nuDAlG5qwR3PJELJPwPBSB3eydj2Afk9PdYyr-fthFK7ekdFpN53LPWhsXaKLDrE-5q65GwdAUl-YqHBE6iXKBkw5Mdt9Ltq2AsVRQXi-RNNS8v1FjMtGTBAsSIyCH7y7_FO7ybhwmJGXirMoEZn_XePDDD0/s1120/Royal-Warriors-Tank.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="780"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9oDwYwI1WFHMbzopkMZJUMKPmwwifO8nuDAlG5qwR3PJELJPwPBSB3eydj2Afk9PdYyr-fthFK7ekdFpN53LPWhsXaKLDrE-5q65GwdAUl-YqHBE6iXKBkw5Mdt9Ltq2AsVRQXi-RNNS8v1FjMtGTBAsSIyCH7y7_FO7ybhwmJGXirMoEZn_XePDDD0/s560/Royal-Warriors-Tank.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
It's a high octane action film from beginning to end. There's none of the
humour that tainted Michelle Yeoh's previous film,
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2023/02/yes-madam-4-stars.html"
>"Yes, Madam"</a
>. I said that this film is more over-the-top. Michelle Yeoh even drives a
tank to fight the gang members.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdAMc7AN7-fpk72L6P58bvtfBLf3ikXCG0aLeJu7NN1FIqYLmx2qk-PtUEH2BG1Ipz6AxiwQ8qGogwX5hyphenhyphenaTfIJ0ffHjWC6neIlGOBDyFrBLShNput2rXvjDdjENnV_ikkPJQO7MET3BChyGPYq3CopheJJH-4R_yLM5Bm40M3A16etqw2p8IBdEpcTY/s1120/Royal-Warriors_Michelle-Yeoh.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="690"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdAMc7AN7-fpk72L6P58bvtfBLf3ikXCG0aLeJu7NN1FIqYLmx2qk-PtUEH2BG1Ipz6AxiwQ8qGogwX5hyphenhyphenaTfIJ0ffHjWC6neIlGOBDyFrBLShNput2rXvjDdjENnV_ikkPJQO7MET3BChyGPYq3CopheJJH-4R_yLM5Bm40M3A16etqw2p8IBdEpcTY/s560/Royal-Warriors_Michelle-Yeoh.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>Michelle Yeoh was a cute looking girl at 23.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVt6mGktmfJiC7O2DSvQYtAqVhYUA3YTBmC6Td4TBexO-3xQtK5JoPS6o5ZtwNXOA-kCXgi6qJ8CIfhcW_6w4Tmehco3bqeYTKa7yVYuh1m6oYa2OLijFQNnHFneZvMN0yfIoamAwldKktZcOeVZfVHE_zkDFOhmDpEYT0DNmSvfy4fux2zQ_egSYpeRA/s1120/Michelle-Yeoh-Oscars-2023.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="840"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVt6mGktmfJiC7O2DSvQYtAqVhYUA3YTBmC6Td4TBexO-3xQtK5JoPS6o5ZtwNXOA-kCXgi6qJ8CIfhcW_6w4Tmehco3bqeYTKa7yVYuh1m6oYa2OLijFQNnHFneZvMN0yfIoamAwldKktZcOeVZfVHE_zkDFOhmDpEYT0DNmSvfy4fux2zQ_egSYpeRA/s560/Michelle-Yeoh-Oscars-2023.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
And now she's a fine lady. She's always been a talented actress, but she had to wait
another 37 years to hold an Oscar in her hand to prove it.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-57337972569858353022024-02-20T20:56:00.042+01:002024-02-21T21:24:10.719+01:00Tomb of the Werewolf (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://makeflix.com/products/the-unliving"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="720"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_jUbrfRM1H_453YvkM9DdngD5Fjz_-ntQgAkd35XyYGP7QPs65ZrWiU2R7a88oGSEQEdYFwabgCf-62jNmG7puA6E_iwu_tXZeRO6-Q1n82b1Ph4hUDtNIFGbzrKnamBupG82rzdyCK9iu4RaZl6NMwD4seLIUO8vIdQNO2ORIX5GCODCd1U257RhOM/s1600/Tomb-Of-The-Werewolf.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Yes, I know the title on the Blu-ray cover says "The Unliving", but I prefer
to call the film by its original title, "Tomb of the Werewolf". After years of
begging, Fred Olen Ray has finally released it on Blu-ray. It's a treat for
any of the fans of Paul Naschy and gothic horror.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I'm in a bad way today. I'm suffering from flu and have a throbbing headache,
so I can't write much about the film. Here's the summary from the back cover.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejpdP7weuMql9IScLsiEulb1vQctntJYhdAcOUAHFp0jbDmAyah3v1yePhni0h7jdediE35R3PbiV9NUIdog5qqDPmGyREkycebhhTrwi5sjuxxgMUNi5pzYuAOr9JypeynmIa1F_x7AGNx8mii6FlimxsWpdpqNO0aafZi-2T7Ai8M3LgkcD_rFNZPI/s1260/Tomb-Of-The-Werewolf-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="960"
data-original-width="1260"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejpdP7weuMql9IScLsiEulb1vQctntJYhdAcOUAHFp0jbDmAyah3v1yePhni0h7jdediE35R3PbiV9NUIdog5qqDPmGyREkycebhhTrwi5sjuxxgMUNi5pzYuAOr9JypeynmIa1F_x7AGNx8mii6FlimxsWpdpqNO0aafZi-2T7Ai8M3LgkcD_rFNZPI/s560/Tomb-Of-The-Werewolf-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
And here's a photo of the beautiful Beverly Lynne. It was her first film
with Fred Olen Ray, after which she became a regular.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2wGvGoyJ2P_U8rHZ69iGkyZ9yqHUyzPBOPZC4Bvi51HLplu3idyKrpdQCch7YpgOEkXM5MP19w_7Vu770fjILFfdfUdPR5Abw0Hiraxm-YH6loQjA008tABtqAyHPSzFbrUfqIkbamnuxRMt_SsM4CFsy9G7BLDYF75PxQQAIUfGhfoy629JQ1IZSnw/s1120/Tomb-Of-The-Werewolf-Beverly-Lynne.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="920"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2wGvGoyJ2P_U8rHZ69iGkyZ9yqHUyzPBOPZC4Bvi51HLplu3idyKrpdQCch7YpgOEkXM5MP19w_7Vu770fjILFfdfUdPR5Abw0Hiraxm-YH6loQjA008tABtqAyHPSzFbrUfqIkbamnuxRMt_SsM4CFsy9G7BLDYF75PxQQAIUfGhfoy629JQ1IZSnw/s560/Tomb-Of-The-Werewolf-Beverly-Lynne.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
After "Tomb of the Werewolf" she appeared in another 15 films directed by Fred
Olen Ray, followed by six films directed by Dean McKendrick.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
It's also worth mentioning that this is the first film that the majestic Evan
Stone made with Fred Olen Ray. He made another 14 films after this.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>A wonderful film. But now I'm going to bed. Goodnight, all.</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-84446331526732877802024-02-19T18:40:00.128+01:002024-02-21T20:26:24.759+01:00La Chispa de la Vida (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.es/Chispa-Vida-BD-2011-Blu-ray/dp/B08PQYP6N9"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="500"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB9n0f_PA61SnBAnLVOyXbkvz4o3iodoJwEzrknh5n8Np23kQvrHj5btZVFKAdmKxPE6t74FcWnWITA3hIT68eGSU812kYebwDZguAWP2DVDS_WhlhE7GVjhQMalfbne28p11nBTmO0ybCJvcqGPJlKXwNcYLhWGx_er1jFQyAm928aQPgg7-d4uT-Kg/s1600/La-Chispa-De-La-Vida.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I buy every film made by Alex de la Iglesia. You know that. He's my favourite
European director. I don't understand why he hasn't achieved more popularity
outside Spain. "La Chispa de la Vida" was made in 2011, but I haven't been
able to buy it until now. The first Blu-ray release didn't have English
subtitles. The new release corrected this error.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
What I like most about Alex's films is the zany humour, often mixed with
satire. "La Chispa de la Vida" surprised me, and not in a good way. The first
15 minutes are painfully boring. It's about a marketing executive, Roberto
Gomez, who's looking for a job after being unemployed for two years. No humour
at all. He rushes from interview to interview, asking for favours from old
friends, but nobody wants him. His biggest success was at the start of his
career. When he was 17 he created the advertising slogan for Coca-Cola, "La
Chispa de la Vida", engl. "Life's little spark". This is what propelled him
into his career, but what we see when we read between the lines is that it
was just luck. He didn't have the skill to create slogans on a regular basis.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Roberto's wedding anniversary is coming up, and he wants to spend it in the
hotel where he went for his honeymoon. He wants it to be a surprise, so he
drives to Cartagena without telling his wife. The hotel isn't a hotel any
more, it's become a museum. A Roman arena was discovered next to the hotel, so
the museum was built as the entrance to the arena. Roberto falls off a
platform, and a metal bar pierces his skull, driving deep into his brain. See
the X-Ray picture. This was so horrible that I felt it in my stomach. I wanted to turn away.
It wasn't a nice sight.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfKsO947qE0X2RvlzHwb_UX3pdRm84TSrqgNH80nw9-yLFYXmO0Qp2nBL8DEhQV9Y16ZYdSs6K8vDx0JhCRxgahMIytwO8IpAnN1_FzhmkrfGGP_DbW5OB3UlwDYPF4Y-eYPrsBFzu7PzAzMGpMD0dd7E0pridvs35y_4tjE4gfLMQaU4kFXv_vwBpOQ/s1120/La-Chispa-De-La-Vida-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="650"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfKsO947qE0X2RvlzHwb_UX3pdRm84TSrqgNH80nw9-yLFYXmO0Qp2nBL8DEhQV9Y16ZYdSs6K8vDx0JhCRxgahMIytwO8IpAnN1_FzhmkrfGGP_DbW5OB3UlwDYPF4Y-eYPrsBFzu7PzAzMGpMD0dd7E0pridvs35y_4tjE4gfLMQaU4kFXv_vwBpOQ/s560/La-Chispa-De-La-Vida-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
At this point I felt like turning off the film. It was stomach-churning.
Fortunately, I remained in front of my television. This was the turning point.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Roberto is still alive and able to communicate. The pain is bearable, despite
having a metal rod in his brain. Doctors come and say it's too dangerous to
move him. They have to operate where he's lying. But Roberto has an idea. He's
lying in an arena surrounded by onlookers. It's the main news on every
television channel. So why not make money from it? He rings his former
colleagues from advertising companies, and they're excited. They want an
interview with him. They say they'll pay him 20,000 Euros if he survives, or
two million Euros if he dies.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvWCj2bKDDfWonqIntochmV9W2Ndg562HqFKELPDZD4P5J7KzDeXB_85pRXIGnbXmXuEqcrabXXIfx1z9QWFRwlFKODxrEwMfjtF7Ther3M-F6F03VFDR0Zpyjbs1FO-we8EzsxLhwFmq-bbVGuA-Z1DFEQk1oNoMtZMtPRfGrKHoeh00hfWAya5Sx30/s1120/La-Chispa-De-La-Vida-3.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="570"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvWCj2bKDDfWonqIntochmV9W2Ndg562HqFKELPDZD4P5J7KzDeXB_85pRXIGnbXmXuEqcrabXXIfx1z9QWFRwlFKODxrEwMfjtF7Ther3M-F6F03VFDR0Zpyjbs1FO-we8EzsxLhwFmq-bbVGuA-Z1DFEQk1oNoMtZMtPRfGrKHoeh00hfWAya5Sx30/s560/La-Chispa-De-La-Vida-3.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This is sick humour, but highly entertaining. It was enough to make me forgive
the slow beginning. We see how greed is stronger than wanting to save a
person's life. It's an unusual film, in which the main character is shown
lying on his back for almost all the film. Like Tim Roth in
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2018/10/reservoir-dogs-5-stars.html"
>"Reservoir Dogs"</a
>, except Roberto isn't screaming in pain. He's on his phone, making deals to
become rich from his injury. If he survives.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I'm sure I'll watch it again, but next time I'll be prepared. I'll have a
strong drink in my hand when the ugly scene happens.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-8526549322684989732024-02-18T15:11:00.185+01:002024-02-19T02:33:04.107+01:00Beneath the Planet of the Apes (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Apes-5-Movie-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B001GPTCE8?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=a8cf874a9e286f7d3482e6ce2c8d4772"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="315"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa4bNi8BBNBwng0e62aGTTwislP5A81e8kT9CgWj1fu-SxG8q5j_xU8IypvoeBRTAvf0zq71IkhuqKPV073xMgb8Zm5W_QFZFxgjU_hJ9gfj3tqrJNmPL7tKGXgqGXy1UPfL-iNE9W1M13MWw4BsJJ4N_FWb5guE9Jtw2-PVRh1033Ou_92HlDKziWPM/s1600/Beneath-The-Planet-Of-The-Apes.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This is a direct sequel to
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/planet-of-apes-5-stars.html"
>"Planet of the Apes"</a
>, released two years later in 1970. The first three minutes are a recap of
the final minutes of the first film. Theoretically, they could be edited
together into a single film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The premise is that two years later (in 1974) a second spaceship has been sent
into the future to rescue Taylor and his crew. That's a very questionable
premise. If they believe Taylor has travelled 700 years into the future, how
is it possible to bring him back? As I wrote in my review of the first film,
it's necessary to suspend disbelief.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The only survivor of the second ship is Brent. He meets Nova, who's wearing
Taylor's dog tags. She can't understand his language, but he makes her
understand that he wants help finding Taylor. They set off together on
horseback.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGahNAZHu0G-5Y3M3Ii9TWh9ho8JmxMgMtvq9i6rZopZIuXEFoefJJgxkqi_-myXoViGebrKL-i5CBhn5q2BrM4vK352029-TdZZVTUG28NCjLhm_PqUEZY0Qqwpnf15wTqw9KlEbim9pDn4Qe2kj5-uzhRnxKkcJWWRahuJJqgmNq5viMwtgAWQMQok/s1120/Beneath-The-Planet-Horse-1.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="760"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGahNAZHu0G-5Y3M3Ii9TWh9ho8JmxMgMtvq9i6rZopZIuXEFoefJJgxkqi_-myXoViGebrKL-i5CBhn5q2BrM4vK352029-TdZZVTUG28NCjLhm_PqUEZY0Qqwpnf15wTqw9KlEbim9pDn4Qe2kj5-uzhRnxKkcJWWRahuJJqgmNq5viMwtgAWQMQok/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Horse-1.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>Nova guides Brent to the ape city. It's a long, hard journey.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX1MPWfDvyJimrEF_8U5_12T2dwDckt4jojal1T2dke3YHjkcsrN_vWfgEyaPBgW4wxzCoAq7GWGY__pdDtzMzr40hMzsbPcvzVEBd5-ie9RPnr4qrvQCEAoaJnWChvHv0Lt1M4pWJVjo4BYnKppdTTGRhxkXCt9oumIAQ9_24Sheq-XpqK6drL7wFCs/s1120/Beneath-The-Planet-Horse-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="760"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqX1MPWfDvyJimrEF_8U5_12T2dwDckt4jojal1T2dke3YHjkcsrN_vWfgEyaPBgW4wxzCoAq7GWGY__pdDtzMzr40hMzsbPcvzVEBd5-ie9RPnr4qrvQCEAoaJnWChvHv0Lt1M4pWJVjo4BYnKppdTTGRhxkXCt9oumIAQ9_24Sheq-XpqK6drL7wFCs/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Horse-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
If Nova could speak she'd ask Brent,
<i
>"Is that a riding crop in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"</i
>
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYV_yj0DJVe6l3ol1jmj7viY_djqKCi-lj9OslkPmariMQBHYGfgVGqorn8Ec3rzufDtFQGDwigP0uExapyhIIbXZU34syZwvN_AUwG7Wkmm-Lf83-YTH2OHRfLjg8TnLF2sJfBiqMo-gRfdnv0plwqYQaexMnAnCh9pi_1L9yFl0K6Eue4oQNwqFfsA/s960/Beneath-The-Planet-Ursus.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="800"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYV_yj0DJVe6l3ol1jmj7viY_djqKCi-lj9OslkPmariMQBHYGfgVGqorn8Ec3rzufDtFQGDwigP0uExapyhIIbXZU34syZwvN_AUwG7Wkmm-Lf83-YTH2OHRfLjg8TnLF2sJfBiqMo-gRfdnv0plwqYQaexMnAnCh9pi_1L9yFl0K6Eue4oQNwqFfsA/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Ursus.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>In the city Brent sees General Ursus addressing the other apes.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJIGIQPwhfMyhh4ZOK_OyEDo0MVff-hNMC0_f60Xup8_qRPIk8rddCKqifl87A_go3sgHVa-eDoIOXDhQbXzJycCnTCsHSkCHak2oNjw_rt6BrNh_V6XFM26jZIVJ0spDJX9DdQJIuZ5wYnCY1fK-_PhANUILete5eFXlt-iPIIFpesdKdi-vrjprj0g/s960/Beneath-The-Planet-Orangutans.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="430"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJIGIQPwhfMyhh4ZOK_OyEDo0MVff-hNMC0_f60Xup8_qRPIk8rddCKqifl87A_go3sgHVa-eDoIOXDhQbXzJycCnTCsHSkCHak2oNjw_rt6BrNh_V6XFM26jZIVJ0spDJX9DdQJIuZ5wYnCY1fK-_PhANUILete5eFXlt-iPIIFpesdKdi-vrjprj0g/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Orangutans.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
The apes are divided into castes, based on their race. The orangutans are the
leaders.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMmjQBomZ4VEWkJA_JPfOLjRIU90R5-E0fKlGe5Wk4VQuLgWL7Y_vJNhzrjqCzrFR9RQiqsy_eFPlDm1KYjNQu_b2jynDllCHoBFyz-9Uh3BZgCM0YtChpBEKwWWb68I8jQZ73CRUzFQwiLJF0kI4cBCAeIl1El2zsyvilajwTsalmFPzlMRonZqdjYg/s960/Beneath-The-Planet-Gorillas.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="430"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMmjQBomZ4VEWkJA_JPfOLjRIU90R5-E0fKlGe5Wk4VQuLgWL7Y_vJNhzrjqCzrFR9RQiqsy_eFPlDm1KYjNQu_b2jynDllCHoBFyz-9Uh3BZgCM0YtChpBEKwWWb68I8jQZ73CRUzFQwiLJF0kI4cBCAeIl1El2zsyvilajwTsalmFPzlMRonZqdjYg/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Gorillas.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>The gorillas are the warriors.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybIx4QwBF-UwgRHR6hXZ2a81krxd91WzoOW3lNhvQpQBaRpy29aaXfuKa7KsLODA3kbV7QzdAkQ2yvsCqpIxRlrkMKwZSjzJDxlsc5dBp3buMDxrsvP0iX-tViITHY6OQZ4CTw7DckfRTIzk83_7-cVHWjJ6UGVsdKyK8M44tVZaxxj8WXeBNLE7aTus/s960/Beneath-The-Planet-Chimpansees.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="430"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybIx4QwBF-UwgRHR6hXZ2a81krxd91WzoOW3lNhvQpQBaRpy29aaXfuKa7KsLODA3kbV7QzdAkQ2yvsCqpIxRlrkMKwZSjzJDxlsc5dBp3buMDxrsvP0iX-tViITHY6OQZ4CTw7DckfRTIzk83_7-cVHWjJ6UGVsdKyK8M44tVZaxxj8WXeBNLE7aTus/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Chimpansees.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>The chimpanzees are the scientists.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The three groups react differently. The gorillas cheer everything
that Ursus says. The orangutans carefully discuss his words. The chimpanzees
sit in silence.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The general's suggestion, which is accepted by all, is that an expedition
should be sent into the Forbidden Zone to see if anyone lives there. Almost
all accept it. Only Zira objects, but her fiancé Cornelius tells her to at
least pretend to agree.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Brent enters the home of Cornelius and Zira. At first they think he's Taylor,
because all humans look the same to them. They help him to escape from the ape
city, once more accompanied by Nova. They try to reach the Forbidden Zone
before the gorillas arrive.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyHpEgE2uRgLqLDuNKXLUCCnFfmFTfPTLZUgYq46leZORTpJ7an6U87xWsg7qvxZsMzbWlMO3cGdFFGXga3vNlBA0AvdlhnX8wn8qYAxb7Wzqtw207jIRTXHWX-M1gD60MxEBNwVtkTfw_DH2TV_nDHScMOtufpgNhMSUleDZmjrkAZ6jBncsCzah1R0/s1120/Beneath-The-Planet-Mutants.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="640"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyHpEgE2uRgLqLDuNKXLUCCnFfmFTfPTLZUgYq46leZORTpJ7an6U87xWsg7qvxZsMzbWlMO3cGdFFGXga3vNlBA0AvdlhnX8wn8qYAxb7Wzqtw207jIRTXHWX-M1gD60MxEBNwVtkTfw_DH2TV_nDHScMOtufpgNhMSUleDZmjrkAZ6jBncsCzah1R0/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Mutants.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Brent finds the entrance to an underground city. He's surrounded by the
remnants of the New York subway, such as Queensboro Plaza. Taylor reached the
city before him, but Nova wasn't able to explain. He's interviewed by humans
who've developed telepathic abilities. They can project their thoughts into
his head, and they can also control him. First they make him attack Nova, and
then Taylor. As they tell him,
<i
>"We are a peaceful people. We don't kill our enemies. We get our enemies to
kill each other"</i
>. That's the line of dialogue I'll always remember from the film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUaTsu8GuUTk2AGYdnSGPBcWUE_Hzgf_TNc9CDxL_mOVooRvn-eok7R6a8GzvggwLGktBqXEljGfx0BKyfJKDQfcBkI3dws1RwC8IhyVRRXzmL4IIIO-IxIHxrZFJutB9Xn3Kw8ZnyQuZRxVS-u0p6KfxTLJpFtnKfe8MbWf45AgoZE5WLEMJr-6lZ1g/s1000/Beneath-The-Planet-Bomb.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="540"
data-original-width="1000"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUaTsu8GuUTk2AGYdnSGPBcWUE_Hzgf_TNc9CDxL_mOVooRvn-eok7R6a8GzvggwLGktBqXEljGfx0BKyfJKDQfcBkI3dws1RwC8IhyVRRXzmL4IIIO-IxIHxrZFJutB9Xn3Kw8ZnyQuZRxVS-u0p6KfxTLJpFtnKfe8MbWf45AgoZE5WLEMJr-6lZ1g/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Bomb.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Despite their high intelligence, the human community is under the yoke of
religious superstition. They worship an atomic bomb that was made 2000 years
ago. It was a doomsday bomb, capable of destroying all life on Earth with a
single explosion. Fanatics should never be in control of weapons of mass
destruction. Sooner or later, something bad will happen.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Does something bad happen? I'll keep that a secret from the 0.1% of my readers
who haven't seen the film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXShgDdE4PQjRpBDusB2C3VYyy4ho1gv15Dhta8jTPMBuQFcWjNP-Cci1QQx6nM8n2p9aW1w9JAVZDB0hfHRjeBwbGOoQ6DSPOab2EkV4PznRo7C-zjMqam1HmNXfZ0PiB6oGrSexlYguOT9hcQWFYt0NepfroZK-E03Nl8VQAkm52d1FiNYgmh8nnrxU/s1120/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="810"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXShgDdE4PQjRpBDusB2C3VYyy4ho1gv15Dhta8jTPMBuQFcWjNP-Cci1QQx6nM8n2p9aW1w9JAVZDB0hfHRjeBwbGOoQ6DSPOab2EkV4PznRo7C-zjMqam1HmNXfZ0PiB6oGrSexlYguOT9hcQWFYt0NepfroZK-E03Nl8VQAkm52d1FiNYgmh8nnrxU/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Okay, maybe I'll tell you the worst thing that happens. Nova is shot by the
gorillas.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG3iqPpOGTd0kH93yNF7hFMd5bDKuQ2z20a3BL4gwiMpvp86ONzyEEHipqa-dOU2z_BG1YMdEB6ZT9yVQCb-wbbNivM8Udu9G_0Fqa-rRMCbn8LyvOjq5f-eYBfuh-Do39Z_EfKkCzjA1HP6mosO8RqA-oHaz5S_MBZWoVh8arsYwCT8KEjS03P1YF8U/s960/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-1.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="780"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUG3iqPpOGTd0kH93yNF7hFMd5bDKuQ2z20a3BL4gwiMpvp86ONzyEEHipqa-dOU2z_BG1YMdEB6ZT9yVQCb-wbbNivM8Udu9G_0Fqa-rRMCbn8LyvOjq5f-eYBfuh-Do39Z_EfKkCzjA1HP6mosO8RqA-oHaz5S_MBZWoVh8arsYwCT8KEjS03P1YF8U/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-1.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>She'll never go horseback riding again. </div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxLKVbSbpbrRG5MYm2C0ANO_aR2LoQI5FYLQ7oidYjf9xcZMm3nuHsChfeHI5WVOTdH9DQBgclyV6QhnQtAEP_AnIpUYTiJviT9k0daAfhOVXuhpcbkcbhfJW4r8UZSyOu-cqvl8BT1j3p6ppoGHUkA7KoVs2xjXTUXl2NoSZbC_-eOl4-vfwUinAARc/s1180/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-3.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="820"
data-original-width="1180"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxLKVbSbpbrRG5MYm2C0ANO_aR2LoQI5FYLQ7oidYjf9xcZMm3nuHsChfeHI5WVOTdH9DQBgclyV6QhnQtAEP_AnIpUYTiJviT9k0daAfhOVXuhpcbkcbhfJW4r8UZSyOu-cqvl8BT1j3p6ppoGHUkA7KoVs2xjXTUXl2NoSZbC_-eOl4-vfwUinAARc/s560/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-3.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Nova was played by the beautiful actress Linda Harrison. For reasons unknown
to me, she never became successful. She only had minor parts in films and
television series for the next 20 years, after which she disappeared. She's
only remembered for appearing in the first two Planet of the Apes films.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I've written elsewhere that I consider "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" better
than the first film. After watching the two films back to back, I can't be
sure. They're both brilliant films, but maybe the first film is slightly
better. It's difficult to say.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 5.6</b></div>
<br>
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXShgDdE4PQjRpBDusB2C3VYyy4ho1gv15Dhta8jTPMBuQFcWjNP-Cci1QQx6nM8n2p9aW1w9JAVZDB0hfHRjeBwbGOoQ6DSPOab2EkV4PznRo7C-zjMqam1HmNXfZ0PiB6oGrSexlYguOT9hcQWFYt0NepfroZK-E03Nl8VQAkm52d1FiNYgmh8nnrxU/h140/Beneath-The-Planet-Nova-2.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Apes-5-Movie-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B001GPTCE8?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=a8cf874a9e286f7d3482e6ce2c8d4772">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/Charlton-Heston/dp/B08J1SKPYM?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=c2138869a66c92ef9d6a5f7381ff918e">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-79616096858348570172024-02-17T21:34:00.169+01:002024-02-19T00:49:35.503+01:00Planet of the Apes (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Apes-5-Movie-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B001GPTCE8?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=a8cf874a9e286f7d3482e6ce2c8d4772"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="320"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuAZ-80qLldqS4c786wJN_J15dyZvlWjWDzkCTz4e5-N2OA7GZCKCUKyzJULBCDEhDFlX9oCT4wqZsynmulISt3gMVV_qUhSPNFYyp6ITYq2exxjDunSkWq2NFLa1ZnP4-BHpzJQFB5TCMRw_ckQnxKqXeJjMR4IpDBU4I8Gzb6IDCg2nJGrbQdRxjCw/s1600/Planet-Of-The-Apes.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
In preparation for "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes", the fourth film in the
rebooted series, I'm going to watch the older films. Not all of them. The
first two films were masterpieces. The third,
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2011/10/escape-from-planet-of-apes-4-stars.html"
>"Escape from the Planet of the Apes"</a
>, was interesting, because it introduced a temporal paradox: an ape from the
40th century became the ancestor of the intelligent apes in the 20th century.
The fourth and fifth films were uninspired, so I'll ignore them. After some
thought I've decided to ignore the third film as well.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The sixth film, made in 2001, was a big budget remake of the 1968 film. It was
okay, but unnecessary, so I'll skip it as well, and move straight to
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2018/11/rise-of-planet-of-apes-5-stars.html"
>the seventh film</a
>
that rebooted the franchise.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
"Planet of the Apes" was one of the best films of the 1960's, and in my
opinion the best science fiction film. Many of my readers might prefer
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2020/12/2001-space-odyssey-4-stars.html"
>"2001: A Space Odyssey"</a
>, which was released a month later, but I beg to disagree.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film begins with a spaceship that's been sent to explore distant space.
Despite needing 700 years for the journey, they'll only age one year, because of
something called time dilation. Due to a miscalculation, they actually travel
for 2000 years. Of the four crew members, only one survives. One dies in the
ship, one is killed after landing, and the third is lobotomised. Taylor
explores the planet, and he finds that it's ruled by intelligent apes. There
are humans, but they have lesser intelligence, and they're unable to talk.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrrG1v4zQ-RBWEUXIoO2_mtTVN9bS1BuHbVb2AxORXLoeGQVlKmmq79qzC4Kr5sHkKXqNqH0Jyue1QGE6yo0vwifEUbEoWClsW00mm4BKPSxzKO-cGMLDmhOumrLrVxzJm5_7ZzSPKh5xHaph5BAUqLuXFcGSXmEy12UakGQ8-_O01cAEWB-0NUVjlVw/s1000/Planet-Of-The-Apes-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="540"
data-original-width="1000"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrrG1v4zQ-RBWEUXIoO2_mtTVN9bS1BuHbVb2AxORXLoeGQVlKmmq79qzC4Kr5sHkKXqNqH0Jyue1QGE6yo0vwifEUbEoWClsW00mm4BKPSxzKO-cGMLDmhOumrLrVxzJm5_7ZzSPKh5xHaph5BAUqLuXFcGSXmEy12UakGQ8-_O01cAEWB-0NUVjlVw/s560/Planet-Of-The-Apes-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
When he's captured, most of the apes want to kill Taylor. They're amazed that
he's able to speak, so they want to cut him open and examine his brain. He's
befriended by two chimpanzee scientists. He also links up with a human woman
that he calls Nova. It's hinted that Taylor and Nova have a relationship. The
chimpanzee Dr. Zira puts Nova in the same cage as Taylor, but we don't
see what happens overnight.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
In the original version of the film, Nova became pregnant with Taylor's child,
but the studios rejected this and the later scenes of the film were reshot.
Has this footage been lost forever? It would be good material to be used for
Blu-ray extras.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAOjrj2bQ-9X64xWIJgn1UgXUVRgh7vpv0CR9BDn4700Erj7pbn9AazCNSOEBlCOyzhoIfSCHk6QKa6_p1-fZcMDEXfyjDfLKsv38Hb5o1FxDZMXX2neuzLEEu2gdBXwBec3bstwwAkVPPYI2LUgjNcV1ZwdHS1-N1M3yKV3X_jHcJMsAEitRvidSHZQ/s1000/Planet-Of-The-Apes-Kiss.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="540"
data-original-width="1000"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAOjrj2bQ-9X64xWIJgn1UgXUVRgh7vpv0CR9BDn4700Erj7pbn9AazCNSOEBlCOyzhoIfSCHk6QKa6_p1-fZcMDEXfyjDfLKsv38Hb5o1FxDZMXX2neuzLEEu2gdBXwBec3bstwwAkVPPYI2LUgjNcV1ZwdHS1-N1M3yKV3X_jHcJMsAEitRvidSHZQ/s560/Planet-Of-The-Apes-Kiss.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>Taylor and Zira even share a kiss. No tongue.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Taylor and Nova flee with Zira and her fiancé Cornelius into the Forbidden
Zone, because Cornelius once did research and suspects it might provide clues
about the planet's history. They're pursued by gorillas, accompanied by the
orangutan Dr. Zaius, the Keeper Of The Faith. He's a hypocrite. He knows
that there used to be intelligent humans on the planet, but he denies it,
because it would be heresy. So many things in the film can be applied to our
own culture.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Am I allowed to give a spoiler? The film is 55 years old, so I expect most
people have either seen it or heard about it. Taylor and Nova ride away, and
they find the Statue of Liberty. This <i>distant planet</i> is really the
Earth. Over the last 2000 years apes have evolved and mankind has devolved.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
If you sit and analyse the film you'll find many things that are illogical.
You need to suspend disbelief. How do the apes speak English? Why do they use
20th century rifles? But it's still a masterpiece.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 3.7</b></div>
<br>
<table align="center" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><tbody>
<tr><td rowspan="3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="http://dansator.blogspot.com">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYIN0VnmpwdB4xu3CwGmUkkokWXhLiiYrFTozOIxA5Xi6zlqB-OHntn0Gg3dLOmRK2eDfvGALBmD4232uKe5MsIcIenk2pnG6u2TXCkybfJmDsKCPPqn3utwDV97ykPp-NEP5iNwk-O8/h140/Planet_Of_The_Apes.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Apes-5-Movie-Collectors-Blu-ray/dp/B001GPTCE8?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=a8cf874a9e286f7d3482e6ce2c8d4772">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/Charlton-Heston/dp/B08J1SKPYM?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=c2138869a66c92ef9d6a5f7381ff918e">Order from Amazon.de</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-78332318516012303302024-02-15T20:54:00.056+01:002024-02-16T02:19:34.855+01:00Autumn and the Black Jaguar (3½ Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MaSta0691k8WzQzzPFSPogKLC7bfYXL_Bi0n82dOfSUH5h5UFFXYkM14_5uLljCMkTT29nRjveV7Hn52On9xKbKM6q6oTfwZypIYLONbJPr2kIAo1EqIdc3oqEx5WNkzGYJ_uJPnH4k98XUNIjJhKJe_z3-Sqh6gHflsc_nxUxgwGmo6ya3iYVn2OPU/s1120/Ella-And-The-Black-Jaguar.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1040"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MaSta0691k8WzQzzPFSPogKLC7bfYXL_Bi0n82dOfSUH5h5UFFXYkM14_5uLljCMkTT29nRjveV7Hn52On9xKbKM6q6oTfwZypIYLONbJPr2kIAo1EqIdc3oqEx5WNkzGYJ_uJPnH4k98XUNIjJhKJe_z3-Sqh6gHflsc_nxUxgwGmo6ya3iYVn2OPU/s560/Ella-And-The-Black-Jaguar.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This is a film made by Gilles de Maistre. the director responsible for
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/02/mia-and-white-lion-4-stars.html"
>"Mia and the White Lion"</a
>. As you can guess, it has the same premise: a young girl is friends with a
dangerous animal. I had my doubts whether he would be successful repeating the
same formula. I was right. This film isn't as good as the first.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Autumn is a girl who adopted a black jaguar while her family lived in Peru.
Her mother was killed by poachers, but it was unable to identify them, so
Autumn and her father moved back to New York. Three years later Autumn is told
that Hope, the jaguar, is being hunted. Against the wishes of her father she
takes a plane to Peru to save her old friend. For reasons unclear to me, her
school teacher Anja travels with her. When Autumn and Anja arrive, their lives
are in danger from wild animals and murderous poachers.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Compared to "Mia and the White Lion", this film is emotionally flat. We aren't
given time to get to know Hope better. There's a lot of propaganda for animal
protection, which I totally agree with, but too little care is put into
writing a good story. Only the stunningly beautiful scenery has prevented me
giving the film an even lower rating.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-78162703447474637662024-02-14T23:17:00.079+01:002024-02-16T01:43:49.558+01:00Madame Web (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe0XZcuiVG1LrdGB7BZMXGanHze-mu-CTdLJqAFH-1WctqMA4s3cHi3q_98GP94wc1JPXgASu-nN-l013xZIsMmNiRCLlRzajV978kj-_dOl9dzjrPLPYuhD7y59ELuWV7mQWLVVDhjVdGHykLyvcDJcVaEdjCRiyVRVAoH5zTdkq9h-Tx04Y_3N8Acw/s1040/Madame-Web.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1020"
data-original-width="1040"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe0XZcuiVG1LrdGB7BZMXGanHze-mu-CTdLJqAFH-1WctqMA4s3cHi3q_98GP94wc1JPXgASu-nN-l013xZIsMmNiRCLlRzajV978kj-_dOl9dzjrPLPYuhD7y59ELuWV7mQWLVVDhjVdGHykLyvcDJcVaEdjCRiyVRVAoH5zTdkq9h-Tx04Y_3N8Acw/s560/Madame-Web.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I'm a Marvel fan. Everyone knows that. For this reason it breaks my heart that recent Marvel
films haven't been as good as they used to be. Since 2021 I've only given one
Marvel film,
<a
href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2022/09/spider-man-no-way-home-5-stars.html"
>"Spider-Man: No Way Home"</a
>, a five star rating. I rated all the other films two or three stars when I
saw them in the cinema, but in retrospect I think I should have rated them
lower. Marvel isn't what it used to be.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
When I walked into the cinema to see "Madame Web" I was hoping it would be a
masterpiece. I always do. I had no knowledge of the character. She wasn't
introduced into the comics until the 1980's, at which time I hardly read any
comics, so I didn't know her. I'll leave it to others to tell me whether or
not she's accurately portrayed.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film takes place in 1973 and 2003, at a time when neither Spider-Man nor
any of the other super-heroes existed. Cassandra Web has random visions of
things that will happen in the immediate future. A man called Ezekiel Sims has
recurring dreams about three women who will kill him. He steals NSA software
to search for these women, and he finds they're all still teenagers. He sets
out to kill them, but Cassandra has visions of his threats and does all she
can to protect them.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
"Madame Web" isn't a bad film. It's better than
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-marvels-3-stars.html"
>"The Marvels"</a
>,
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-eternals-2-stars.html"
>"The Eternals"</a
>
and all the other films that have been made in the last three years. It's not
a great film, but it's the first step towards recovery. I found Dakota Johnson
convincing as the overworked paramedic Cassandra Web, and the three teenagers
hanging out with her were refreshingly immature. It offers promise for a
sequel.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0