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berniebosma
Reviews
After (2012)
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful
I almost stopped watching after the first ten or so minutes because it looked as if it was heading in a too familiar direction. Then I realised what it was about and held on, hoping it wouldn't go down tacky pathways. It didn't.
An accident, a coma, two people whose demons from past pains take physical form as the duo struggle to find their way out, knowing they are on diminishing time represented by the encroaching, encircling dark mist. And the final revelation that allows her to face the beast and awaken from the coma.
A great movie with excellent performances. Extremely moving without being soppy.
Hellstorm (2015)
Truth is truth however unpalatable
There is little in the documentary that I had not already read about. Corroboration from numerous sources has amply verified the atrocities committed. The bombing of Dresden alone ranks as one of the great war crimes of modern history. It is incredible to realise from many of the comments here that so many are unaware that it was Churchill who initiated the terror bombing of enemy cities. Hitler eventually retaliated and that is the only part usually heard of in books and movies, with the omission of the word 'retaliated'.
The crimes of the Soviet soldiers and the depth of the barbarity have now passed into common knowledge, but it took a long time to do so.
It is good to see documentaries such as this beginning to appear to balance the propaganda so prevalent for so long. This does not put Nazi Germany on the side of Good, but it does however reveal that their enemies were little better.
Lie to Me (2009)
One of the best
I came across this show through IMDb and the premise didn't seem like it had much to carry it through it's 3 seasons. It was available in the local library so with a little wait I gave it a shot. Then could hardly stop watching episode after episode. In the past five days I've gone through the first twenty episodes of season 2. It's perfect in just every way. Tim Roth's rendition of the lead character is superb and the other cast members too are great. I also find the story lines engaging and interesting. I give this show the highest recommendation. If the science isn't always 100% kosher to you don't let that distract from the essence of the story. Give it a go.
The Day the Earth Stopped (2008)
A good variation on the theme
OK, so it lacked the razzamataz special effects that carry most modern scifi flicks beyond their plot and character failings. This is a movie that clearly didn't have a mega-budget but did exceptionally well in spite of that. The plot is similar to the remake of the original DTESS, We're bad and we're going to be removed for the sake of the planet. Prove that we're worth survivability and the removal will be negated. Obviously we survive. Yet the reasoning in both movies is similar; the demonstration, through a single individual, that there is merit within us. In the very original of course, we were simply given a warning, both the latter movies went a step further. I like all three and this particular version is as good as the others.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Utter Rubbish
Apart from providing employment for stunt actors this movie has less going for it than ants at a picnic. There is nothing, zero, zilch, of any value in this piece of tripe except, just maybe, for the most brain dead petrol heads. If you enjoyed this movie I suggest you seek treatment immediately, while you still have enough brain cells to make the decision.
It's even worse than the previous installment, and that is truly saying something. Mad Max 2 was a reasonably good movie in spite of a number of flaws. It should have ended there.
Add it to the list of destroyed hits, like Star Wars (All prequels plus 7) and Terminator (salvation and genisys).
Birdemic 2: The Resurrection (2013)
Utter Rubbish
I use this site to determine if a movie is worth watching. I saw all those stars and so did so. I may have to review my decision making process, or look at more than just the page one comment.
There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this movie. The characters might as well have shown the pieces of paper they were reading from. The CGI was cartoonish beyond even cheap cartoons. Zombies? where did this fit into the plot line? Neanderthals? No further comment needed there.
The only mystifying thing is not that such a piece of junk can be made at all but that it can be released on an unsuspecting public.
Yech.
Dragon Day (2013)
What Red Dawn didn't have the guts to be
Slow at times and at one time looking like the beginnings of the usual post-apocalyptic re-hash, but came out completely different. The usual American movies can't entertain the possibility that the people will largely roll over and accept occupation. There always has to be the triumphant fight-back.
Here, it's a story of surrender and obey, with references to the current US debt debacle. The focus is on one family not yielding, but not being in a position to fight back either, so escape is the only option.
Although at the end a spanner is thrown into the occupiers machinery.
Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike (2012)
1000% better than part 1
I almost didn't bother with this after the tripe that was part one. But luckily I did. Everything was better. The characters more closely resembled those in the book, the directing and pace were excellent. There were changes, of course. But overall the storyline was, in essence, true to the book. I held my breath waiting for the Frisco character, hoping that it wouldn't be stuffed up again. It wasn't.
I would dearly love to see part one re-done, using these characters, director, scriptwriter, etc.
Waiting for part 3.
Seriously however, to do full justice to the book would require a mini-series.