tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84566204000152246342024-03-28T03:20:04.121+01:00Film FanFilm FanMike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.comBlogger5710125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-16298227224166610572024-03-24T17:40:00.125+01:002024-03-25T22:46:20.892+01:00Just Super (4½ Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
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<div>
It's Sunday. Like most Sundays I went to the cinema with my grandson Oliver.
Today we went to see the animated Norwegian film, "Just Super".
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The problem with Sundays is that public transport doesn't run as often as
other days. The local train (the Strohgäubahn) only runs once an hour, not the
usual twice an hour. According to Google Maps, we'd arrive at the cinema at
1:28 pm, two minutes before the film started. That was okay, I thought. We
already had tickets. It was better than having to wait more than an hour.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Then catastrophe struck. The connecting train in Zuffenhausen was ten minutes
late. Okay... so we had to rush from the station to the cinema. The adverts
before the film usually last 15 minutes, but they're sometimes a bit shorter
before children's films. So it was a risk. To make it worse, Oliver insisted
on buying a packet of M&Ms when we went in. So we rushed into the cinema
hall, entering just as the adverts ended. The room was dark, so I didn't find
our row immediately. And what did I see? A woman and her daughter were
sitting on our seats. She made a motion to stand up. She'd probably only moved
into our <i>good seats</i> when she thought nobody was coming. I signalled to
her to stay where she was. I was happy with the <i>not so good</i> seats at
the end of the row.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
So we sat at the end of the row, and I realise that I've probably written more
about the cinema attendance drama than I'll write about the film itself. Let's
see.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
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</div>
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<div>
The film is about Hedvig, a normal 11-year-old girl who lives in a small
Norwegian town. It isn't named, but based on the mountainous scenery it could
be somewhere near Bergen. Hedvig might be normal, but her family is far from
normal. Her father is a superhero called Super Lion. Before him his mother was
also a superhero. The superpowers have been handed down from generation to
generation in the form of a suit. The suit amplifies the natural abilities of
whoever wears it. Hedvig will inherit the suit one day when her father
retires, but that's a long way off. Or is it?
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Hedvig accidentally washes the costume at 90 degrees, and it shrinks. Her
father can't wear it any more, so he gives it to Hedvig. The trouble is that
it doesn't give a person abilities he doesn't already have. Hedvig isn't
athletic or intelligent. The only thing she's good at is computer games, and
wow! If she wears the suit at her computer to play a game she's unbeatable.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Hedvig's father decides to give the suit to his nephew Adrian, who's an
outstanding sportsman. He has all the qualifications needed to become a
superhero, except one. He has no modesty. He's arrogant, and the costume
amplifies his arrogance. Hedvig sees the danger, so she visits her grandmother
in the old people's home and begs her for help.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
This is a wonderful film. Oliver loved it, and so did I. Why can't Marvel make
superhero films like this?
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-26848213746804652542024-03-23T19:18:00.085+01:002024-03-25T15:13:50.503+01:00John Wick 3 (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Wick-Chapter-Parabellum-Blu-ray/dp/B07RR48XKH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=67fc7abdcbd33b9aab6b46f5ba9c83eb"
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</div>
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<div>
In my opinion, "John Wick 3" is the best film in the series so far.
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/03/john-wick-2-5-stars.html"
>The second film</a
>
ended on a cliff-hanger. John was excommunicated for killing Santino D'Antonio
in the Continental.
<i>"No business may be conducted on Continental grounds"</i>. That's one of
the main rules in the shadowy parallel world of John Wick.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
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</div>
<br />
<div>
Rather than accepting his fate, John seeks an audience with the man who is
above the High Table. He lives in the desert somewhere in Morocco. Couldn't a
man with such wealth find a more comfortable place to live? John will be
allowed back if he completes a task: he has to kill Winston, the manager of
the Continental Hotel in New York. This is where John draws a line. He refuses
to kill a friend.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W8-L4Ywd1bFrZazs10afqIaKnMd2blR60tH1xbGKrCJHw3hCxYgd3xt-78Nd9d_1viItA3dryODkK6KDy_jfo6yu4uTy2Yqb2emJdMhJUXhiW3kglk56JkVFUB9xFFIbYvqZBm7KYoQj9qfdcUdPbdVPq3rGk3RRylCJ8FsLzPh4ur1mIFnNHrbOi40/s1120/John-Wick-3-Continental.jpg"
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/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
The Continental has a few floors made of glass. At first I thought it was the
same place as the museum in "John Wick 2". They certainly look similar. It's
possible that the same film set was used after moving a few things around to
make it look different. The set must have cost a lot of money, so it would
have been a waste to throw it away after one film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil3HP587rWnINB3vVRfvQ0AUYA7kudoyRmPkLlkSKJesSCRw3jIrO1i_O79il_JEKj_5wzP1K6jmJmAS7bR4m4Lvpk5lDINQdHtlKOl0cajLWa4ZBTfmfI0wMKezu-iIqFlV-4x9RnZeSF1fvhZxMFFonCmHmVE-PA1fF4J0rCTxK112IgiTnlDx6-xk/s1120/John-Wick-3-Zero.jpg"
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</div>
<br />
<div>
The glass room is the scene of the final battle against the warrior played by
Mark Dacascos. In the film credits he's called Zero, but I didn't notice him
being named in the film itself. He's an incredible fighter, with his bare
hands and his swords. He's appeared in 60 films and 25
television series. Usually an abundance of television roles is a sign that a
person's career is faltering. I'm not saying that television actors are less
talented. But it's a fact that television series pay less money for more work.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Now I've rewatched the first three films, I can turn my attention to
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2023/03/john-wick-4-4-stars.html">"John Wick 4"</a>. Soon.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 2.4</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/AVvXsEiKOsfuxPtl9d-GCtItt0bxWRxtYHHHDag02I4X6aJo0iag1kEf2adB8D9SXFoOxt3qVG5ywHkCzV1yJbpejPzyUrbCuYaV3y1rM0wKkOhZON3gaMMZF7xoNzhxCBiwVGo4sdtyCqEV87M/h140/John-Wick-3.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/John-Wick-Chapter-3-Blu-ray/dp/B07QN8PDKL/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=3a63c2c5742a17faa0b2f31bdcfe04b8">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/John-Wick-Chapter-Parabellum-Blu-ray/dp/B07RR48XKH/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=67fc7abdcbd33b9aab6b46f5ba9c83eb">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/dp/B07R76N8MN/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=67f94cb20d6b9e89559e7a42ecff4fd6">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-55115425265234465632024-03-21T22:52:00.191+01:002024-03-24T02:13:10.463+01:00Hero (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hero-Ying-Xiong-Blu-ray-Region/dp/B08R74C24X?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=fe187ba2ee27e002d4a375fab0bf42d1"
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><img
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JbJuWSah8Rh2nPdPK0mRzMGFyteI-rToY57w4szacTDSwPizmhSuOdBj6Fgv9f55s7xPTp8qKyo6dzKBmvVGQCRv2T5VHKViEibsKVjefaaYE_DzbA4MdPbxb5lDhkNhi05MWt1ULJKFXtiPpjpRQTUtMSep2YxYo1pvMowUxPhXLvECXaFYDjL2-h8/s1600/Hero.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
My mother-in-law used to say, <i>"If you haven't held something in your hand for
a year, throw it away"</i>. That was her advice to prevent a house being cluttered
with unwanted items. I can see the sense in her words, but it doesn't apply to
me. I haven't held my "Hero" Blu-ray disc in my hand for ten years. It would have
been a tragedy if I'd thrown it away, or even sold it on Ebay. It's a
wonderful film.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
It has a prominent place on the top shelf in my film collection. Most of my
collection (over 2000 films) is in alphabetical order, but my top shelf is
reserved for films that are special to me. They're the first films I see when
I look at my shelves. Why haven't I watched it all these years? I honestly
don't know. I didn't think it was that long. If it weren't for my blog acting
as an infallible film diary I wouldn't have known.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
"Hero" is a majestic film. Despite the frequent fight scenes, it's slow and
philosophical. Jet Li plays a nameless warrior. His lack of a name is
significant in itself. A man doesn't become a hero to have his name remembered
in history books. A true hero does what's right, even if nobody will ever know
what he did.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
The film takes place in 227 BC. China was divided into seven kingdoms. Qin was
ruled by a tyrant who was waging war against the other six kingdoms. The
nameless warrior trained for ten years to assassinate the king, but when he
had victory in his grasp, he refused to carry out his mission and walked away.
He came to the conclusion that it's better for China to be united under a
tyrant than divided.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
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/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Calligraphy plays an important part in the film. Before challenging a rival
swordsman, the nameless warrior asks him to draw the symbol for sword on an
eight feet canvas. He says that there are 19 ways to draw the symbol, but
there's a 20th way. By looking at the canvas he'll understand his opponent's
fighting skill.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyiJ1x9iqgaIkEnsi3G9Y91hyphenhyphenS_IIjibZGQEcmVawBjFDGmgcAh9ZpzDuiWPZB47cIf80tor9WDYh-32tOWhO_xEnO7-BRA73CjzS3kgo-v3QE9LMLB0l9qmdOKFyOxtFnwTwo25Z7iYp7hCMRJaSc64CQdGdX_7jedLv1VlVw5W2-yjnPjhnpMXC69o/s1120/Hero-Meditation.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
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><img
border="0"
data-original-height="810"
data-original-width="1120"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyiJ1x9iqgaIkEnsi3G9Y91hyphenhyphenS_IIjibZGQEcmVawBjFDGmgcAh9ZpzDuiWPZB47cIf80tor9WDYh-32tOWhO_xEnO7-BRA73CjzS3kgo-v3QE9LMLB0l9qmdOKFyOxtFnwTwo25Z7iYp7hCMRJaSc64CQdGdX_7jedLv1VlVw5W2-yjnPjhnpMXC69o/s560/Hero-Meditation.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>While waiting to be slain, the king meditates on the canvas.</div>
<br />
<i>
<div>
"I have come to a realisation. This scroll contains no secrets of
swordsmanship. What it reveals is the highest ideal.
</div>
<br />
<div>
In the first stage, man and sword become one; even a blade of grass can be
used as a lethal weapon.
</div>
<br />
<div>
In the next stage, the sword resides not in the hand, but in the heart; even
without a weapon the warrior can slay his enemy from 100 paces.
</div>
<br />
<div>
But the ultimate ideal is when the sword disappears altogether. The warrior
embraces all around him. The desire to kill no longer exists. Only peace
remains".
</div>
</i>
<br />
<div>
That's a lot to learn from a painted symbol. The King of Qin may look like a
tyrant, but he's a very spiritual man. He embraces death,
not knowing he will be spared.
</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/AVvXsEj_rae2iZsKKwFKIKfA7YjIzI4dHPUoNZyZ75nP72ftpMaX1qIZgRQpJbWCLBPbH8IxpSIc7X88zdtksqPckk7x1F1QRBlbg8JztYoo_8iAoCHzY-HZqaiYjbZivYUdni-GB26jt3GJjWXk/h140/Hero.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hero-Blu-ray-Digital-Jiang-Wen/dp/B08F65S666?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=875aa3de40651fc1e6bbab6bae87c2f5">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/Hero-Ying-Xiong-Blu-ray-Region/dp/B08R74C24X?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=fe187ba2ee27e002d4a375fab0bf42d1">Order from Amazon.co.uk</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8456620400015224634.post-71803818568814951822024-03-20T22:21:00.091+01:002024-03-22T15:09:16.782+01:00John Wick 2 (5 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Wick-Chapter-Blu-ray-Download/dp/B06VVCXPVF/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=269fd4fab5e3671fbf1a9fbfae31feba"
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/AVvXsEgP_v_bmI2PqWrYsNqMzueUewaWLYzMvQXyUYN9GNvcl2yiLXHGMcokbic0ixEdhKi7zfsL9vC4_qSNM0sK15YqQup5KmldG6Ebx-LYBrHiehuJR_tae9uz8mkwnciV2qmd7d3TZuyM3S7GVSTPSk3wZwAtWuWW6VL3b7sprVbvMZPxjrQUbyXfrvpbInQ/s1600/John-Wick-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
"John Wick 2" is the film in which the series really takes off.
It establishes the hidden world alongside our own. In
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2024/03/john-wick-4-stars.html"
>the first film</a
>
we saw the Continental and the gold coins, but here we see more
of the details of the parallel world. There are undercover assassins all over New York (and presumably the
rest of the world). The homeless people begging on the streets have guns
hidden under their blankets. There's a <i>High Table</i> with 12 seats, people
who act as rulers over this parallel world. Some of them are obviously crime
lords, but are they all evil? It's still not certain. We also see the
bizarre tattooed women who use rotary phoes and other retro technology.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
As I mentioned in
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2020/07/john-wick-2-5-stars.html"
>a previous review</a
>, there's a deleted scene in which John Wick has an audience with the Pope.
This scene is an interesting as the film itself, and I regret that it isn't
included. It shows that the Pope is part of the parallel world. The two men
obviously know one another.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SwyVsrOJX9IT8i-7r8nLk3prP7d-2hZhadCD9RdOZVWgjEnj9yabutgcMrlF8tW3_gDSpvRGKgz1vobkSanrcdex6iXJv4Xh4OQmxILnTxb21JDAaiDJsghYw6Ql-gMa4bi8nKclLapnQx6HTc6vtlIgR-52-3wcTXQlmoFqc53ZfvO9Rsd4eU93neM/s960/John-Wick-2-Mirrors.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="400"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SwyVsrOJX9IT8i-7r8nLk3prP7d-2hZhadCD9RdOZVWgjEnj9yabutgcMrlF8tW3_gDSpvRGKgz1vobkSanrcdex6iXJv4Xh4OQmxILnTxb21JDAaiDJsghYw6Ql-gMa4bi8nKclLapnQx6HTc6vtlIgR-52-3wcTXQlmoFqc53ZfvO9Rsd4eU93neM/s560/John-Wick-2-Mirrors.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Is the final showdown in the museum's mirror exhibition meant as a homage to
the hall of mirrors in
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2018/09/enter-dragon-5-stars.html"
>"Enter the Dragon"</a
>?
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAT67vke-dr4kovDA01jFMFpe5HgZnxIqXbuqrPWhnGe_unqsCvFj_uL7fLbB-ByrtJCYDDgBJ8T_nTYaSpNY_NOteQ-hkkeht1tILgGYbVxazMkV_2kipgJolWfNAEvoA3_uLvebpmz_4K4Y2sNaCaxsFIjDnv0FFwaczmPTQuY0Ps0_Ya5kwL5G75c/s960/John-Wick-2-Mirrors-2.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="400"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAT67vke-dr4kovDA01jFMFpe5HgZnxIqXbuqrPWhnGe_unqsCvFj_uL7fLbB-ByrtJCYDDgBJ8T_nTYaSpNY_NOteQ-hkkeht1tILgGYbVxazMkV_2kipgJolWfNAEvoA3_uLvebpmz_4K4Y2sNaCaxsFIjDnv0FFwaczmPTQuY0Ps0_Ya5kwL5G75c/s560/John-Wick-2-Mirrors-2.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This exhibition is more high tech. There are digital images on the walls.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__Whf34iPRlfRq1-7miYRr-Dmx7v9d59YxE2VmWAKKXxIUZlGEh1EQy_0c9b1hJrWi4hzqDFEYcczLcfolFj9ubT0w8EUzxM82iMMS4JKjmDx3G2CUgl7qOxRGPFZb6-ToaMRRL6jDGNp-EgJcT1vHBHqIsvCIfv2EwhwJqSU_KO8ohO_2-1nDvAK5Os/s720/John-Wick-2-Mirrors-3.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="400"
data-original-width="720"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__Whf34iPRlfRq1-7miYRr-Dmx7v9d59YxE2VmWAKKXxIUZlGEh1EQy_0c9b1hJrWi4hzqDFEYcczLcfolFj9ubT0w8EUzxM82iMMS4JKjmDx3G2CUgl7qOxRGPFZb6-ToaMRRL6jDGNp-EgJcT1vHBHqIsvCIfv2EwhwJqSU_KO8ohO_2-1nDvAK5Os/s560/John-Wick-2-Mirrors-3.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>The area is larger. There are several floors.</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I was unsure about how to rate the first film, but there's no doubt in my mind
that "John Wick 2" is a five star film.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 2.3</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/AVvXsEgtGX_6Fn8uaXJCbrLv1Tkyidv8gy3D6T84gOMz42AlKCaZeL6WIqWc5TNz3yBafzIVCkLJjBgk7i7N4qjsjLmeWt4zc6gdFFvHVaHcSqIAGoJYGD6UMQip0wQumWXvXxc6sPognMJuC6k8/h140/John_Wick_2s.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/John-Wick-Chapter-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B06XWWZ955/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=6fcea8164b610fad9ee389a64cc24aa5">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/John-Wick-Chapter-Blu-ray-Download/dp/B06VVCXPVF/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=269fd4fab5e3671fbf1a9fbfae31feba">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/John-Wick-Kapitel-2-Blu-ray/dp/B01MSBLJTL/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=88960edef786a336d273350809ecd92c">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-29230257862254830602024-03-18T22:11:00.049+01:002024-03-20T22:45:29.482+01:00X-Men (4½ Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/X-Men-Trilogy-Blu-ray-Patrick-Stewart/dp/B001TH7ATM?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=9033a151416355c2e0eb05d6a92c17b0"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="450"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr6R9dADNRVeKYxnT4jpQpBvc5veAzpuOJeKrp6T-ZiHs4EgPsYbqRTl6O-cwiX2jpVwUZvxzbiAILd2mqFcpkSxZI4chjYPTCaEsSDCpJ9dY_P7gMP1vT6EuAwAUaWzrIcHCP8zAZoVGXU9Wnxd8Cgy1mWwkRQ2-SFRs2j_CCvJsmKmZ-Z8gTMVDaxs/s1600/X-Men-Stan-Lee.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
After Stan Lee's death I rewatched all of the Marvel films in which he
appears, from
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2018/11/spider-man-5-stars.html"
>"Spider-Man"</a
>
to
<a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2020/01/captain-marvel-4-stars.html"
>"Captain Marvel"</a
>. For reasons unknown to me I omitted the X-Men films. I'll make up for it
now.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Chronologically, "X-Men" was his first cameo. It was also his most subtle
cameo. He appears without speaking for about ten seconds as a hot dog vendor
on the beach. Of all his cameos, this is the easiest to miss. As the films
progressed, his cameo roles became bigger and more prominent.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
One criticism I have is that the film seems to have been made for comic book
fans. What I mean is, many characters are barely introduced. I have a question
to my readers. Are you someone who had never read the X-Men comics? If so, did
you understand the film?
</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 2.0</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/AVvXsEgvf9x7wGmo_SdZOEzyAD6dCBP0HS9DQ4IaDSkGEDRhC0kMsi_sFnY0LyYH5jyQM_so-ctP9_LTAYQ8PTyDFmFwhYeRkxpYySwlKmr0k2Dr9AX-0N-yvEYOI9QoKPJWr4RlPrisbmMnINnF/h140/X-Men_1.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;">
<a href="hhttps://www.amazon.com/X-men-Trilogy-Pack-Blu-ray-Icons/dp/B01CE00QFM?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=7f5f1461b0233facd76378edbc4d7984">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/X-Men-Trilogy-Blu-ray-Patrick-Stewart/dp/B001TH7ATM?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=9033a151416355c2e0eb05d6a92c17b0">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/Patrick-Stewart/dp/B00CE2T81E?&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=de10d2611b5ab2cb4aee59d417fbe074">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-19767423004333621842024-03-17T18:51:00.098+01:002024-03-19T22:30:53.786+01:00Wunderland (4 Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R3H1UqM1C7F5AZ6IxFIVG-wqfAXQunYDFX4K533_0bjmzk2pFAabspc2y0Mcek8sPY5iqbV1R0wrYYBlzz3dkAui7NUADuxYwaRE5RYgbmgcyT2e3uSovUaX1cZEZeOGFnkKXxelfaSZAZ43oIWiwQ6Q-ayVFVXgWogmf7Pp_q2LK1WXCUM3LUff2pQ/s1080/Wunderland.jpg"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1080"
data-original-width="900"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R3H1UqM1C7F5AZ6IxFIVG-wqfAXQunYDFX4K533_0bjmzk2pFAabspc2y0Mcek8sPY5iqbV1R0wrYYBlzz3dkAui7NUADuxYwaRE5RYgbmgcyT2e3uSovUaX1cZEZeOGFnkKXxelfaSZAZ43oIWiwQ6Q-ayVFVXgWogmf7Pp_q2LK1WXCUM3LUff2pQ/w560/Wunderland.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
This is a documentary about the
<a href="https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com">Miniatur Wunderland</a>
(Miniature Wonderland) in Hamburg. It's listed in the Guinness Book of Records
as the world's largest miniature railway, with railway tracks more than 10
miles long, but the owners Frederik and Gerritt Braun insist that it's not
just about the railway. They've built a miniature world, containing miniature
versions of cities from Germany and other countries, all connected by railway.
In the documentary the miniature Las Vegas was repeatedly shown.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
Frederik and Gerritt are twin brothers, but very different to one another.
Gerritt completed school with a top mark (Abitur 1.0), whereas Frederik
dropped out of school and ran a discotheque in Hamburg. While on holiday
Frederik saw a model railway and was convinced that he could do something
bigger and better. He convinced Gerritt to help him, and they started work on
their project. They were perfect partners. Frederik had ideas, and Gerritt
fulfilled them. It soon became obvious to them that the railway was just
incidental. It became all about the surroundings, the miniature people in
their miniature lives. They weren't afraid to be scandalous. In one scene a
naked man is lying dead in the water while the police are examining the
surroundings for clues.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
From early on, people wanted to buy the Wunderland. It was obvious that it was
a big success, but the Braun twins refused all offers, however generous they
were. Not for sale. Others wanted to become partners, but they were also
turned down, because they weren't up to the same quality. However, the second
half of the film shows a team in Argentina building a miniature version of Rio
de Janeiro. I don't fully understand how this cooperation came about, but
after four years of work the South American city was set up in Hamburg,
becoming part of the exhibit.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
When I saw the trailers, I wasn't interested in seeing the film, but Oliver
persuaded me. I'm glad I went. I found the film fascinating, especially the
technical details. On the other hand, Oliver was bored. He would probably
enjoy a visit to Wunderland itself, but a film about it wasn't interesting to
him. The cinema was almost full, and most of the audience were adults.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
I'd like to visit the Miniatur Wunderland, but Hamburg is a long way away.
</div>
<br>
Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0tag: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"
data-original-width="560"
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"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="370"
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-38405025655066526702024-03-15T21:48:00.024+01:002024-03-20T22:05:30.679+01:00John Wick (4½ Stars)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a
href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Wick-Blu-ray-Region-Free/dp/B00VTPAOHY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=e7102c1229ed8d2eb6cfbfc61cc470df"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="380"
data-original-width="560"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTMJoDZQTRiO28MZ3lwgPB3GZvvNGmfkFR7TrdJKMGLzFRUMKEQP1UUNb7q-ddXH2vBtmvtcHlYTkQy4tgKpcxARby9mQFrUvYQ3qfKAwUqGIfFyrKr9YbURcPaAQHu236TZz562MnHhyphenhyphenlsYT9-Nv7WOhkvRNfjOQl_y9mb6dYi8HbTadnK4o4JfU0Y4/s1600/John-Wick.jpg"
/></a>
</div>
<br />
<div>
I don't intend to write much about "John Wick" today, neither the character
nor the film. I finally bought <a href="https://dansator.blogspot.com/2023/03/john-wick-4-4-stars.html">"John Wick 4"</a>
on Blu-ray last week, and I
intend to watch the first three films again before I watch it. That's what a
serious film fan does.
</div>
<div><br /></div>
<div>
After giving "John Wick" a five star rating last time I watched it, I've
downgraded it to four and a half stars this time. It's the weakest film in the
series, though only slightly weaker. The emotional scenes at the beginning
aren't convincing.
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Success Rate: + 2.3</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/AVvXsEjI9h3v9JJL2wjQWo_apTZ2Hvim0dPIMGAteyJiKvSmnjIKTmcE5ENPgtuGnDHgx-5oGZks72CneYl5AVN-JKx7MGLC_jAY17snWlI3tyQtW5ca3t4kNwPcLA8oDW-CYdI14PDhdvhzfYs/h140/John_Wick.jpg" /></a></td>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/John-Wick-Blu-ray-DVD-Digital/dp/B00OV3VGP0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0be-20&linkId=24d1d00e5df549e34cf0ebaaed13ab88">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/John-Wick-Blu-ray-Region-Free/dp/B00VTPAOHY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil0e-21&linkId=e7102c1229ed8d2eb6cfbfc61cc470df">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/John-Wick-Blu-ray-Keanu-Reeves/dp/B00SXY9966/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=fil08-21&linkId=577136c93ff0935e13038b7cb9fe3785">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-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"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="750"
data-original-width="560"
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"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="960"
data-original-width="960"
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6R-1V4W2svKuyeEQfZztGnSzpRG2rZ7sC_gNuS44zuGywQnHF4vIllZXWhBCBppOMwLwtcd5GHRwE1dVRw4y45MQASVf1J7MsITlTL2PRA2BSlDo76-qKv1wj9Hp5XFd8aBIc0dQR3ZCzOmCvdOEdao1bMpvChK6SPqW7shQLVM7bAIf88QU_i16Pa8/s560/Kamikaze-Girls-Momoko.jpg"
/></a>
</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"
imageanchor="1"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="680"
data-original-width="1120"
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"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="520"
data-original-width="560"
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"
style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"
><img
border="0"
data-original-height="1370"
data-original-width="940"
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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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<b>Success Rate: + 3.2</b></div>
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Mike Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09079744279692869325noreply@blogger.com0