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fergaloshea
Reviews
War Horse (2011)
A loving relationship between a boy and a horse - doesn't do it for me.
The story line is well established in other reviews, man outbids landlord for horse, son saves horse, horse and boy develop unbreakable bond, then they all go off to war, etc. etc. etc.
As one would expect from a Spielberg movie - the production itself was very good; good attention to detail, large scale scenes. However the quality of the production carried me through the film as the story was old and done to death and it was predictable. I did appreciate the surrounding story - the story of the troops, though a lot of that was a bit of a stretch also - the men and boys at war - but the horse itself - please save me.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Its all right but really its not all that good......
Its a thing these days - do I spend 50 euros for an afternoon or evening at the movies? I really looked forward to this move because of a reflection to a movie from the late 70's with the same name - which I recollect with far more enjoyment. Brad's character is interesting and so screams the input from the director as its so like a Tarantino character from another movie. He plays his role well - but sorry its just not that good a role. I was fascinated by the under stories and the roles of the German actress; the German Jewess that survived the massacre... Just like pulp fiction,,, I guess this is what I don't like about this movie its so Tarantino. The comparison is logical as the side stories of pulp were as entertaining as the core story and the contribution all made to the outcome were logical. However this concept does not carry true for this film - the side stories are good but the main "story" just does not exist and what is there is weak.
I am not sorry to have spent the time watching it - just glad I didn't pay any money to see it.
Taking Chance (2009)
Truly fantastic piece of film making
I have never seen a film that project a real story with such respect, with such honor and with such grace. This film cannot be classed as entertainment - its far more. In terms of communicating a message - its up there with Schindler's list. Without saying any detail about the film, this is an area I thought I knew something about - but the detail that's in this film is so much more. I thought Kevin Bacon carried his role with the kind of class we are used to seeing from the USMC. I suspect if I included a paragraph about this film - it would put potential viewers off as it would sound dull - but I couldn't take my eyes off the screen for a second.
Beautiful job.
Five Minutes of Heaven (2009)
A very good film, I enjoyed it and it tells a story that needs to be told
Its probably pertinent I mention that I'd watch Liam Neeson reading the phone book - and walk away content. Having said that this is a story that needs to be told. People delude themselves if they think the formal end of a conflict ends the collateral damage thats a product of conflict.
The two primary characters are very engaging; The emotion expressed and the reasons for it are carefully and sympathetically explained. There is a gentleness to the story amid the unforgiving violence. In no other historical or fictional portrayal have I heard so simply but properly explained why people got involved in violence in the six counties of Ireland.
I found it "cute" to hear Neeson speaking in his own accent for once.