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Reviews
Judex (1916)
Great natural acting, photography and therefore, directing.
Discovered on TMC in 2013, never heard of it before, but for a 1917 film it is outstanding in its natural acting style, making DW Griffith's work look hokey. The photography is first rate. 1st, cameras were hand cranked and these films have none of the speeded-up action of that time. Also the lighting is exquisite, especially the use of "natural light" indoors with streaming light & shadow. The pace is slower than films of that period, the story breathes. "The Licorice Kid" is a delightful steal of Dicken's "Artful Dodger" in "Oliver Twist".
Storytelling twists; the villain is forgiven and the master-mind behind it all is a woman
American Soldiers (2005)
Great Iraqui War film.
I just watched "American Soldiers" and was almost blown away like a lot of people in the film. Iraq is a deadly snake pit where you can't tell enemy from friend and the soldiers are constantly being attacked or attacking. This film took me there and convinced me this is as close as I want to get to it. If I had a child there on either side I would be sick. Lots of extreme closeups and plenty of action, quickly cut. Sydney Furie is a great director--his "The Ipcress File" with Michael Caine is one of my favorites.
What I liked most is it has a liberal slant. This war sucks (like all wars really--what will it take for all of us to "get along"). The soldiers realize that the reasons for the war are bogus: WMDs, 9/11, spreading democracy. It's all BS and the soldiers realize that but fight for the buddies they love, not the politics. But at least the politics are given air. Made by Canadians who can't be intimidated by our President and his Vice, this film tells it like it is. I didn't think this story would ever be told truthfully but here it is. This is entertainment that enlightens. Thank God.