This movie almost ruined the memory of one of my favorite shows when I was a kid.
Reviews
6 Reviews
The World Wars
(2014)
Accurate Narrative, Terrible Re-enactments
29 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
As some other reviewers have already mentioned, the weapon inaccuracies drove me crazy. I never knew Hitler carried a British SMLE, Brits used US Springfields, and Americans also used the SMLE! I can forgive the use of anachronistic tanks in the live action scenes, but the CGI segments should at least have been done with period tanks. And didn't MacArthur get out of Corregidor on a PT boat, not flown out? At least that's what the old Gregory Peck movie showed, and I believe it was correct.
As far as the narrative, they did mention some things I didn't know and will now have to go research. SPOILER: For instance, they said Germany bankrolled Lenin's return from exile in order to start the revolution to prevent Russia from opening another front. If true, I guess that backfired in the long run! I got hooked on WW2 history when my teacher used to show the old "Victory at Sea" series in class. This doesn't hold a candle to that, but if it got some kids interested, more power to it.
As far as the narrative, they did mention some things I didn't know and will now have to go research. SPOILER: For instance, they said Germany bankrolled Lenin's return from exile in order to start the revolution to prevent Russia from opening another front. If true, I guess that backfired in the long run! I got hooked on WW2 history when my teacher used to show the old "Victory at Sea" series in class. This doesn't hold a candle to that, but if it got some kids interested, more power to it.
The Imperial Navy
(1981)
Highly Entertaining!
6 March 2012
This was on TV one night after I checked into my hotel in Tokyo for a business trip. I started watching about half way through to the end. No subtitles, but it didn't really need any. The expressiveness of the actors' faces and voices gave you a good idea of what they were saying. The action and photography were first rate. Most of the scenes are below deck, but the scenes of the air attacks are well done.
I would compare it to "Das Boot" or "Stalingrad" as far as realism and getting an idea of how the crew actually felt given their circumstance. Not an apology or revisionist history, just lots of great action telling the story of a crew trying to save their ship.
Overall, this was superior to "Yamato", which came out 20 years later.
Now if I could only find a copy on DVD!
I would compare it to "Das Boot" or "Stalingrad" as far as realism and getting an idea of how the crew actually felt given their circumstance. Not an apology or revisionist history, just lots of great action telling the story of a crew trying to save their ship.
Overall, this was superior to "Yamato", which came out 20 years later.
Now if I could only find a copy on DVD!
The Exorcist
(1973)
Re-Release still a Great Movie
19 March 2000
Just saw the re-release with the restored footage. Having only seen the original version once, and that was 20 years ago, it was hard for me to spot the new scenes. I wasn't as terrified as I recall I was on seeing it the first time, but it's still a great movie!
Noah's Ark
(1999)
Thumbs Down
5 May 1999
A pirate attack on the Ark. Yup, you heard me. Though probably the most blatant example of "dramatic license" referred to by the disclaimer at the start of the series, it was hardly the only example. I watched this to see something about faith in God, and there was nothing of that except for Noah in this show. Even after all his visions came true, even Noah's family still believed that he was mad, not actually hearing the voice of God. While quite humorous in spots, the overall impression I got was that if you believe in God, you're mad, which is what I guess Hollywood believes anyway.
Monument Ave.
(1998)
These guys are losers
2 December 1998
While the film did a good job of showing that these guys never matured beyond 14 year old punks, I had absolutely no sympathy for their characters. They all got what they deserved, with the exception of their Irish cousin.
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