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Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Delicate Things (2010)
Powerful
With each new episode I fall further into an addiction for this show. Wow what an ending to episode 6! So many questions to answer in the next 7 episodes.
As I started to watch "Delicate Things" Episode 1.6, I actually said to myself, could they possibly do better then the last three episodes, especially the end of episode 5. The answer is a resounding ... YES!
At the beginning we see that Spartacus (I have forgotten his "real" name) has a plan as it is visually shown to us, the audience. As time passed and the plan was altered here and there and we watch as Spartacus makes the necessary arrangements, I began to worry how the plan would actually be executed. I wondered if Spartacus would get injured and be punished which would be bad for him and Sura. To my surprise, the episode ended in a way I had not imagined and it was far better than I had imagined.
What will Spartacus do now? I guess we will have to wait and see.
Waiting a week to find out is killing me and that is something that most shows have not been able to do.
BRAVO!
Spartacus: Blood and Sand: The Thing in the Pit (2010)
To Hell and Back
The first two episodes had me wondering if I really wanted to watch more. The third episode told me that I do want to watch more. In the third episode, what Spartacus did at the end of the arena fight told me that this Spartacus was willing to do whatever it took to get to his wife. He said he would never do it but in the moment, he realized he had to do what he had to do. This made it more real to me than anything I had seen so far in the series.
I am so glad that the third episode made me want to watch more because "The Thing in the Pit" was the best episode so far. Spartacus went through hell with the willingness to do what he thought he had to do to end the journey for his wife. It was a choice that he took with faith when he said it was honor that he trusted. Then the fight began and something happened that changed the circumstances. John Hannah as Bataitus was superb in his acting and Andy Whitfield proved that he could go to dark places to drive his character into hell.
It was a well written and well acted episode that makes me want to see more. Bravo!
V for Vendetta (2005)
Instant Classic
A remarkable work of art that keeps you clued to the screen the entire movie. Although I do see a political message in the movie I was able to watch it for the pure entertainment value and was please. The movie was a collection of emotions and action and special effects with a story that is as strong as steel.
V is the masked man who sets out to give the people a chance to change their surroundings by fighting the system. He is called a terrorist however my definition of a terrorist is one who wishes to make a political or religious statement by attacking civilians of a nation. V does not attack civilians he attacks those who are in power and are corrupt. Yes he is a murderer but not a terrorist.
This movie touches on certain subjects either directly or indirectly. One is Christianity. I have seen reviews where people call this an anti-Christian movie and I have to disagree. It is true that there are those who use God as a way of pushing their agenda and that is what is portrayed here. It is not an outright attack on Christians; it simply shows that some in power who are corrupt try to hide behind a religion. This subject is indirect in the movie and is not really pushed in your face. Another subject is homosexuality. There are those who say this is pro-homosexual and I can say yes and no to that. My personal belief is that homosexuality is wrong but I do not believe that those who are gay should be treated similar to the Jews during the Second World War. The movie shows that gays were locked away and had experiments performed on them. That is wrong no matter what. Again the issue is not pushed in your face but is directly addressed in the movie. There are other issues as well such as sacrificing freedoms for security. That is a real issue in this world today and in the movie it is taken to the extreme to show what could be if a regime takes control in a currently free nation.
Issues aside this movie was well directed and the set pieces and soundtrack is top notch. The story is top of the line and the actors are perfect for their roles. I do believe this movie will be remembered for years and years as one of the best movies ever.
Natalie Portman does her best acting to date. Her acting in Star Wars made me wonder if she could really act, she redeems herself in this movie.
Hugo Weaving was the perfect man to be V. His voice is very distinct and fits well with his character. Hugo is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors.
Stephen Rea is an actor who I am not familiar with although he was in Interview with a Vampire. I do not think anyone could have done a better job for the part.
This is a movie I recommend for those who enjoy a great story presented in a very entertaining way.
Munich (2005)
Haunting yet Beautiful
Here are the facts; 11 Isrealis were murdered by the terrorist group known as Black September and because of this, Israel responded by killing those responsible with covert operations. The rest of the movie is story driven. With that in mind you must understand that my review of this movie is purely from the entertainment point of view.
When I first saw the length of the movie I was thinking this was going to be hard to get through. However when the movie ended I was surprised because it didn't seem so long to me. It is the story of the men who were given the mission to hunt down and kill the alleged planners of the Munich massacre that happened during the Olympics in 1972. There are some strong scenes in this movie that are not for the faint of heart. I was pleased with the entertainment value of the movie although I do believe that Spielburg placed some of his own liberal ideals within it. Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Troy) does a fine acting job. The whole time you see that he is totally committed to this mission however does he remain committed? The realism in this movie is quite dramatic and I feel it is needed. This movie is not for the little ones.
I look at this movie as what might have happened. I don't look at it as the truth of what happened. It shows that the Isralis weren't cold blooded murders but it also shows they had no remorse for those they killed. Ironic isn't it?
**SPOILERS--DO NOT READ IF YOU Haven't SEEN THE MOVIE** The raid in Beruit was very well done. I was amazed at the professionalism displayed when portraying the Isreali soldiers who arrived just before the raid. I like the idea of them holding the pictures while looking at the men just before shooting them.
The dramatic build up of the phone bomb concerning the little girl was superb. I truly thought she was going to die. And then the other woman who lost her sight, very dramatic and eye opening for the main character played by Eric Bana. However I must say the most disturbing piece in the whole movie is when the remaining members of the team found the woman who killed one of the teammates. Her realizing that she had just been shot and then going to her cat knowing she was dying was a very strong image. It gets stronger. The blood started to run from her throat and Bana's character just stared in disbelief, I must say that was on of the most disturbing images I have seen in film in a good while.
In the end the main character believes what he did was all for nothing and you can tell he is haunted by it. Yet he still sees those athletes in his dreams reminding him of why he took the mission. I believe the only reason he was able to fight madness was because his wife through all of this let him know that she loved him and no matter what she will always love him.
If you have the time and are about to give it an honest viewing without distraction, then I do recommend you watch this movie. If you don't have the time and cannot sit and watch without constant interruption, then you will not be able to follow it and it is a waste of your time.