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j.p.mcgrath
Reviews
Tannbach (2015)
German stoicism perfectly displayed
The first series was shown in the UK back in 2017 and I really enjoyed it both for the history and the personal tragedies that unfold. The interesting stories are with the conflicts between the characters and their changing fortunes and their priorities with the sides they choose to take as their village is divided.
There is some lighthearted moments but mostly this is a tale of the harsh reality of a nation that lost its' way and power and how the people have to come to terms with this and their villages' division under the super powers.
I was excited to learn of a second series but it was unavailable in the UK so I went to the extreme of buying a subtitled DVD version from New Zealand. It was well worth it. The second series does feel unfinished and it could do with a third, however, I expect there is not much more you could do but tackle the eventual reunification and that has been told in other German series in recent years like the excellent Deutschland 83/86/89.
Invasion (2021)
Look deeper as this isn't Independence Day!
There has been a lot of negative reviews on here that it is too slow and spends too much time navel gazing by focusing on the stories of the characters. Many of whom seem to be considered annoying.
This show follows stories of how individuals are tested as events unfold and how they react. It is all personnel, there is no collective 'Hurrah' and everyone climbs into an F15 to fly suicide missions towards alien craft. Most of the motives are selfish.
Some of the characters might seem pointless and maybe they are but of 7 billion people how many will be heroes and how many will get what they can for themselves and lock eveyone else out. Watch this and see.
Sorry We Missed You (2019)
A realistic commentary on the harsh reality of life in Britain
Many of us have to juggle so much to get by and some have it much harder than others. This feels more like a documentary than a drama giving a scary view on what the reality of the gig economy is like for many. Ken Loach gives another tale of the hard life Britains live on the edge barely keeping it together financially and mentally.
Something is broken with our society, those at the top have some skewed view on the world and we are all willing to walk blindly into this. Ken Loach continually shines a light on this heartless workhouse treadmill.
WATCH THIS FILM.
Ramy (2019)
Universal themes for immigrants from strong cultures
Thought provoking, poigant and funny. The theme and especially the writing is so appropriate for the times we live in. It challenges our preconceptions and should make us all look at how we live our lives and treat each other.
I have both laugh and sat silent open mouthed. The cast is brilliant and brings to life the characters. Being the son of Irish immigrants in the UK I see the scenes of my life played out. The trips back to the old country with bags full of gifts even though they could get it all there! Being told our accents were funny, that we didn't understand what was going on with the politics or religion because we read or watched it remotely.
You do not have to be religious to enjoy this cultural experience. You just have to be human.
The Nomads (2019)
Tale as old as time
This story has been told many times in different situations. Like Broken Arrow before it, and others, a group of disenfranchised young people with challenging backgrounds take on an elite minority sport to build their confidence and give discipline.
The lead character disconnected from their family with other opportunites to escape. The experienced old time come mentor. The group of characterful unrelated young people who band together to support each other.
The story is cliched, the script standard, the acting is good across the board, the filmography is Saturday matinee.
However, why do we have to have special effects and gun fights when we can have something wholesome and feel good. RUGBY!
There are the usual lessons in this movie but they are told around a sport which prides itself on community, respect and inclusivity.
I enjoyed it for what it is and not for what I wanted it to be.
Yesterday (2019)
The plot reminds me of Otherworld from 1985 - Missing the comments section
Otherworld is an American science fiction series that aired for eight episodes from January 26 to March 16, 1985 on CBS. It was created by Roderick Taylor as a sort of Lost in Space on Earth. Taylor gave himself a cameo role in each episode. The series was later shown in reruns on the Sci Fi Channel.
In episode 4 the kids start playing and singing Beatles songs to this alternate universe crowd who have never heard them before.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
the best of American money with the best of European production
Having read the books 15 years ago as a teenager I love the adaptation of the Bourne stories onto the big screen.
Matt Damon is strong, silent and deadly as you'd expect Jason Bourne to be. The films have the pace and grimness of the books down perfectly.
The amazing car chases in naff 'Trabants', patching yourself up with vodka whilst ramming the chasing police cars. Classic.
Its a pity it wasn't a mini he was driving this time as well.
Just one more book to go 'The Bourne Ultimatum'. I can't wait.
I'll Be There (2003)
There are some great actors from Wales....
unfortunately not many of them were in this film. It was made up of mostly English trying to pass themselves off as Welsh and doing it badly.
Otherwise I would agree with the current 6.4ish rating. Charlotte Church was quite good for her first film. Craig Ferguson was entertaining and Jemma Redgrave was nice to look at.
It was a feel good movie that was done better than most of the tosh that is factory produced in the states.
The Guru (2002)
Another fine collaboration
Again, the best of Anglo-American film making (with some Asian influence). I liked Jimi Mistry in 'East is East' (on TV this weekend (Channel4)) and Sanjeev Bhaskar is brilliant on TV in 'The Kumars at no 42'. Even tho Sanjeev only makes a couple of minor appearances he makes his mark.
The accents were dreadful tho. I thought I was down a mine in South Wales at one point. I can do a better Indian accent than that.... yeah try me
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
One of my top 10 of 2002
even though there is still 20% of the year to go I don't think I'm going to see another film this year that will knock this one off my top 10. Colin Firth and Rupert Everett are hilarious and the plot twist at the end (censored as not to spoil) is excellent. I've never read Oscar Wilde or seen this play so I wasn't expecting it. Just excellent. The Brits and Yanks should make more films together, your money and our talent!!!!
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
What a great insight into one root of American Culture
Apart from Captain's Corellis Mandalin we don't get to see enough of the Greeks on TV or in the Cinema and too often they aren't played by themselves. This was hilarious and just proves no matter how big the world is every culture has the same basis, interferring parents/families. Sometimes I thought it was about an Irish family, another time Italian and another time Jewish. As the world embraces the Asian sub-continent culture at the moment with 'The Guru' and the like we should all grab this piece of ancient Greece and hope for more.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
I was on the edge of my seat
I read the book in my teens and loved the first film with Richard Chamberlain. He was much older and the character in the book (if I remember correctly) was not as active as the new version. The fight scenes in the new film are brilliant and altho there is some mindless violence to fulfill the testosterone bulging viewers its not over the top. I loved the obligatory car chase even better for it being in a Mini! I love it when Americans make films in Europe cos I can play 'Spot the well known European actor'. I'd give it a 9/10 for an action film, same old themes rehashed but exceptionally well done this time.